He entered an alleyway and took out a black cloth from his pocket.
　When you pour magic into the cloth, its volume expands and it becomes a jet-black cloak.

　This is a technique called miniaturization. It is often incorporated into magic tools that are carried frequently. However, since it costs a lot of money to incorporate this function, it was not yet a technology that was widespread in general society. This is a loan from the Bureau.

　In the process of developing weapons, the Special Mission Agency for the True Guard made great progress in miniaturization technology. We, the soldiers of the agency, preferred to use miniaturized equipment. Miniaturization can turn any weapon into a dark weapon. This technology is especially useful for soldiers like me, who are mainly assassins and ambushers.

　My partner, BF28 "Kuro Feather Two-Eight", is one of the weapons with miniaturization built in. It was now attached to my left wrist as a black bracelet.

　I hid myself in my cloak and moved quickly.
　I wanted to get this over with before Mize came out of the dormitory, if possible.

　The coffee shop was not open yet. In the back of the store, which is crowded with students after school.
　There was a man dressed similarly to me lurking there. 　
　I call out to him from behind.

"What are you doing here so early in the morning?

"What?

　The man in the auburn cloak let out a cry of astonishment.
　As soon as the man saw me, he hurriedly took out a long, thin blade from his pocket.

　He pulled out a weapon--confirmed.
　He's the enemy.

"- Slow.

　I point my index finger at the man's arm and fire the "magic bullet".
　The bullet pierced the arm holding the blade.

　I ducked into the grunting man's pocket and gave him a kick to the abdomen.
　The man who was slammed into the wall from behind fell to the ground on his buttocks without screaming.

　At the same time as he regulated his breathing, the "communication paper" in his pocket vibrated.
　Maintaining my vigilance, I picked up the transmission.

"Chris?

Yeah. I've got some information I'd like to share with you. There's a suspicious figure near the dormitory. I think they're staking out a route to school.

We're a little late. I just took him out.

You're very good at what you do.

　Even though it's a covert mission, since the Bureau has officially accepted the job, there's some backup.
　It's been a long time since I've felt like I was working at the end of an organization.

"Just for the record, are you sure you want to kill him?

　I asked, looking at the man holding his stomach in agony.
　If we let him go, his guards will be exposed.
　It would be difficult to remain unkillable while maintaining covert operations.

Yeah. Don't hesitate to kill him.

"Yes, sir.

　Pointing her index finger at the man's head, she unleashes the Magic Bullet.
　As soon as the short, plain sound echoed, the man ended his life.

I'll take care of the rest. Just keep the camouflage to a minimum.

　With that, Chris cut the transmission.
　He took the reddish-brown cloak from the man and spread it out with both hands. Then he put it over the dead body in front of him.

　It was really a minimal camouflage.
　We're going to be in trouble if we don't clean this up soon.

　--No other enemies lurking.

　There were no other enemies lurking around. Perhaps the purpose of today was just to see what was going on, but there was no sign of any other enemies besides the man who had just left.
　He took off his black cloak and passed his magic through it again to turn it back into a small piece of cloth.

　About two hours had passed since then.
　Mize came out of the girls' dormitory.

"Hey, Mr. Toate?

　Mize rolls her eyes slightly at the sight of me.

"Good morning, Mize.

"Yes, good morning. It's the first time we're together here.

The boys' dormitory is just next door to the school. I wanted a change of scenery so I decided to go this way.

I know what you mean. It's nice to walk in the morning, isn't it?

　Mize said with a smile.
　I wondered why Gran was running in front of the girls' dormitory.
　Well, it doesn't really matter.

"Does Mize always go to the school this early in the morning?

　We still have more than thirty minutes before class.
　I'm sure he won't have time to go to class now.

I don't want to oversleep. I don't want to oversleep.

What are you doing before class?

In the classroom, I review my textbooks and occasionally stop by the exercise room to practice my magic.



You're diligent. I didn't know.

　Mize smiles, a little embarrassed.
　Thinking about it, it seems like Mize was always there before me when I entered the classroom.

　However, coming to school early in the morning is not desirable from the point of view of security.
　Even though it is only a five-minute walk from the dormitory to the school, it is dangerous to go out at this time of the day when there are few people on the streets.

　It would be better to go to school together until things are settled.
　I headed for the school with Mize, planning my future plans in my head.