The Strange Cat from Fuuto

The door opened, and two figures, one tall and one short, stood in the doorway.

"You're still the same as ever, Fan!"

A husky voice, tinged with a hint of allure, rang out from the shop entrance. Upon hearing this voice, Wajima Shigeru's expression froze for a moment, and the frozen meatball he was holding between his fingers fell from his hand.

"Salina!"

With a trembling voice, Wajima Shigeru walked out of the kitchen, shoved aside the wizard blocking his way, and headed for the door.

"You...this...that..."

With trembling lips, Wajima Shigeru stared in disbelief at the petite figure before him. For decades, every time he picked up a tool, he would think of this face.

"You're really quite destructive, aren't you? Or is Wajima a lolicon?"

Miku, with his hand on the door frame, leaned in, still in his transformed state.

This gave Serena a new understanding of his powerful magic, but she kept in the transformed state to conceal her identity.

You should know that other mages, in order to conserve magic power, will never easily reveal their transformed form unless they are in battle.

"It's you!"

"What are you doing here again?" Alex was the first to stand up and speak to Miku. The mage walked to Alex's side, grabbed his small hand, and shook his head at her.

"Won't you invite us in for a seat, Fan?"

"Of course!"

Wajima Shigeru, who was wiping his hands with the apron he was wearing, quickly stepped aside and invited Serena and Miku in.

"I'll go prepare some tea and snacks!"

Wajima Shigeru hurriedly ran into the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks. The wizard curiously looked at the loli who had come with Miku, his eyes showing curiosity.

"Uncle Wajima, is this your junior?"

As the mage entered the kitchen, he leaned against the doorframe and asked in a low voice. Wajima Shigeru was busy preparing tea and snacks. When the mage saw him take out his most treasured tea leaves, he gasped: "My God, is that your illegitimate daughter outside? You even brought out the tea leaves that you usually don't let me smell!"

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Wajima Shigeru, who was boiling water, secretly glanced into the living room outside, then stood in front of the wizard and straightened his clothes.

"How do I look today?!"

"You've definitely taken the wrong medicine, Uncle Wajima!"

After swatting away the mage's hand that was reaching for his forehead, Wajima Shigeru took a deep breath and said, "It's been more than ten years, and she's finally willing to come see me!"

"Who exactly is that little girl outside?"

"Little girl?" Wajima Shigeru's eyes widened as he finished brewing the tea and picked up the plate. "What nonsense are you talking about? That's my junior sister!"

"what?!"

In the living room, Serena sat upright on the sofa, looking around at the layout of the Shadow Hall. "So many years have passed, and this place has changed quite a bit!"

"Well, it's been so many years!"

Wajima Shigeru, having arranged everything, poured tea for Serena and sat down opposite her. "I wonder what brings you here today...?"

"It's because of this little guy!"

Serena took out her fan and pointed to Miku behind her. Wajima Shigeru sighed and said, "So that's how it is!"

As the saying goes, old age makes one wise, and Wajima Shigeru, who has been navigating the complexities of society for decades, could not possibly guess Serena's reason for bringing Miku here.

"I never expected that after leaving me, he would come looking for you!"

"The only ring maker in the entire Torii-zaka district besides you is me!"

"So you came here for that magic gem, right?" Although he spoke with a questioning tone, Wajima Shigeru was quite certain that he couldn't think of anything else that could have brought the other party to his door except for that magic gem.

“That’s right, I’m here for that magic gem, and it’s mine!” Serena said bluntly after taking a small sip of her tea. “Hand it over, Fan!”

"But..."

Before Wajima Shigeru could finish speaking, Serena interrupted him: "Of course it's not free. That kid next to you is your personal magician now, right?"

"I will exchange it for the same magic gem!"

"Take the things out." Serena patted Miku's thigh behind her and waved her hand. Miku said helplessly, "Since when have employers had so little status!"

However, she still obediently placed the turquoise magic gem on the table. Wajima Shigeru looked at the magic gem with suspicion. Serena opened her folding fan, "I've checked it. This gem's compatibility with this little guy is completely incompatible, but it's quite suitable for your magician."

"So, I'll trade this one for that one!"

Staring blankly at the magic gem on the table, Wajima Shigeru remained dazed for a moment before finally letting out a long sigh and taking out the gem that had been stored in a wooden box under his workbench.

"A very wise choice!"

Serena picked up the magic gem without lingering and walked straight out the door.

See you next time, Wizard!

Miku waved to the mage and followed Serena out of Menkagedo. Wajima Shigeru stared at the closed shop door for a long time, as if all his energy had been drained away.

"She still won't forgive me!"

Outside the store, Miku, who was following Serena, hadn't walked more than a few steps when he saw her stop.

"What is it now?" Miku, who had crossed her arms, said impatiently, "We've got the stuff, and I'm more anxious than you are!"

"Let's not talk about that now!"

Serena looked at Miku very seriously and said, "Little kitty, would you like to become my personal magician?!"

Chapter Fourteen: Huskies who easily reach agreements with criminals!

"To become your personal magician?"

Miku tilted his head and paused for a moment before laughing, "I've always been a loner, and I have no interest in being a personal mage!"

“A personal mage isn’t what you think!” Serena shook her head. “Let’s talk as we walk!”

"alright."

Miku, with his hands behind his head, followed beside Serena, who said, "Throughout history, magicians have always had a dedicated ring maker as their partner!"

“The magicians provide the ring-making workshop with raw materials and personal protection, while the ring makers create rings specifically for the magicians.”

"Is Wajima Shigeru and Soma Haruto also related in this way?"

Miku looked down at Serena, whose breasts barely reached his chest, and Serena nodded, saying, "That's right, this is a big part of the reason why Fan won't make you a ring."

"So, why did you choose me? Was it because you thought I wasn't human and therefore thought I was easy to control?"

"neither!"

Serena stopped and said seriously, "Most magicians and crafters become partners based on the bond between them!"

"I chose you purely for personal gain, and you'd find that easier to accept, wouldn't you?"

"You provide me with the magic I need to maintain my state, and I create rings for you. It's a simple exchange of benefits that maintains a purely cooperative relationship."

"what do you think?"

Serena, who was reaching out her hand to Miku, stared blankly at the cat. Miku stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before asking, "Does it include food and lodging?"

"All-inclusive!"

"The deal is done!"

Miku, having grasped Serena's small hand, reached a consensus with her at that moment.

After reaching a cooperation agreement, Serena seemed to be in a good mood, having solved one of her biggest problems.

God knows how much hair she lost in the past to supply her magic.

"Are you coming back with me now?"

"Never mind, I'm going to wander around outside. I'll leave the making of that magic gem entirely to you!"

"No problem, I'm a professional in this area!"

Serena nodded slightly and parted ways with Miku, disappearing at the end of the street.

"Tsk, she really is a decisive and efficient woman, just a bit too young."

"In all aspects."

Miku, stroking his chin, turned and left the street where Menkagedou was located. For him, reaching a cooperative relationship with Serena was something he had never expected.

But in any case, it's a win-win situation.

Serena obtained the magic she wanted, and Miku found a craftsman who could serve her. What did it matter if she gave up a little magic?

So far, Miku has never faced a situation where his magic power is exhausted. Moreover, magicians need all sorts of rings to assist them in battle. Not to mention, to completely digest the Phantom within him, he needs to develop the Phantom's power step by step. The key to this development naturally lies in the different forms brought out by different rings!

The Ascended Form allows the Phantom's power to be brought into reality, proving the further evolution of magicians.

Miku was also able to gradually devour the Phantom inside his body until he completely digested it.

As for the power of his monster form and his ultimate form, Miku will not use them for the time being, and even if he does, he will set a time limit for himself.

After all, sometimes it's better to leave some surprises to make things more dramatic.

"I really want to see the White Demon's expression back then!"

Miku, letting out a low laugh, turned into a small alley. Having just reverted to his original form, he hadn't taken more than two steps when his expression froze: "Hey, something's not right."

"Where's my dog?!"

.........

Inside an underground tunnel, the phoenix leaned against the wall behind it, with a bottle of juice and some popcorn beside it.

"Slurp..."

The phoenix, having taken a sip of juice, put it down, a bored expression on its face: "I still can't taste anything!"

"Based solely on the original owner's memories, one cannot possibly comprehend the sensation of food being chopped and chewed in the mouth."

"Speaking of which, what exactly does the fragrance of flowers smell like?"