𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧
“Welcome back~.”
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“I’m back, master.”
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Luke smiles at Iris who jumps into his arms.
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Iris beams a bright smile at Luke.
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“It seems like you’ve finally touched the origin, haven’t you?”
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“Did you notice?”
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“I felt the vibrations of the source magic all the way here. I knew right away it was Luke’s doing. Now that we’re alone, let’s take our time to talk about it tonight.”
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“Hey, I’m here too!”
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“Oh, you were here?”
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“What do you mean, ‘you were here’!”
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Alma sighs and readjusts her luggage.
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“Well, that’s fine. Let’s head to the mansion before it gets dark. We can talk after that.”
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“Right, let’s go home together, master. We still have plenty of time.”
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“…?”
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Iris stares intently at Luke and Alma.
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“You two, something happened, right?”
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The two freeze at Iris’s words.
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“No, not really~”
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“That’s a lie.”
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Iris grabs Alma’s face forcefully.
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“Ouch! It’s crushing! It’s crushing!”
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“Talk honestly. Then you won’t have to hurt.”
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“Alright! Alright, I got it!”
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“Hmm, so that’s what happened.”
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Iris sighs deeply.
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The two explain in detail to Iris at her mansion what happened during the large-scale hunt.
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“Fighting Behemoth, huh? Well, it’s only natural for Luke to manage it.”
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“No, I couldn’t have done it alone. It was thanks to everyone’s cooperation.”
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“That guy is tough, honestly, I wouldn’t want to face him either.”
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Iris leans her elbows on her knees, looking at Luke.
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“So, you managed to realize the origin magic.”
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“Yes.”
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Luke nods.
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“It was probably only a second, but I felt it clearly. My hand touched the origin magic.”
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It still feels like a dream.
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It’s like a dream that I, a human, reached something long pursued yet unattainable. I almost expect to wake up and find it was all a dream.
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Yet, this hand tells me that it was undoubtedly real.
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“But it was only for a moment. I need to make it more concrete.”
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“That’s true. We’re just at the door now. There’s still a lot to refine before we can grasp what’s inside. But I’m sure Luke can do it. I guarantee it. Now, about you two…”
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Iris, resting her chin on her hand, looks at the two.
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“Why don’t you tell me what happened between you two?”
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“We… that is…”
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Alma nervously twiddles her intertwined fingers.
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“You confessed, didn’t you?”
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“…Yes.”
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Luke nods strongly, his cheeks flushed.
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“Alma is an important woman to me. This incident made it very clear.”
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“Luke…”
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Alma looked at Luke with teary eyes.
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“Well, it’s fine though…”
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Iris leaned back on the sofa.
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“Isn’t it okay? Luke has been wanting to meet Alma the whole time he’s been here, right? It’s not for me to say, right? That’s the feeling?”
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“…Hey, what are you sulking about?”
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Iris turned away as Alma raised her voice in protest.
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“It’s nothing, just thought they make a good match, being humans. After all, I’m always going to be a demon.”
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“Hey.”
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Alma grabbed Iris’s face.
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“You, you don’t think I came here to brag about Luke, do you? That we’ll be good friends from now on and you’re no longer needed, is that what you’re saying?”
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“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”
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Iris’s skull creaked.
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“Don’t underestimate! I know the five years Luke spent with you are irreplaceable! That’s true for Iris too, right? I can’t just ignore that!”
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“Y, Yes, master! You are more important to me than anything!”
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Luke stood up.
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“Sure, we are human and demon. But what does that matter! I want to be with master more, but not because you are my master, but because I like you.”
“Really?”
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“Really.”
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Luke took Iris’s hand.
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“That’s why I came here. I could learn magic anywhere, but I wanted to see you, be with you.”
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“But…”
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Iris looked at Alma.
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“It’s okay, really.”
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Alma quickly turned away.
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“We promised, didn’t we? In the mountains, you come first. I’m not insensitive. Why don’t I take a walk around while you two enjoy your time?”
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Alma stood up to leave, but Iris forcefully hugged her shoulder.
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Then she hugged Luke with her other arm.
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“Luke, Alma, you guys are the best. Meeting you makes me feel like my 800 years in the mountains weren’t wasted.”
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“Master…”
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“Okay, okay, let go! It’s tight!”
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Despite Alma’s embarrassed struggling, Iris didn’t let go.
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“No way, I won’t let go. Tonight, the three of us will have a great time!”
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“Hey, wait a minute!”
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