Amidst total darkness, the crystals and the liquids in test tubes on the shelves gave off a faint glow.

Thanks to this, Allen could see Charlotte's face clearly, standing right next to him.

Allen smiled gently at her anxious expression.

"Don't worry so much. Accidents like this happen all the time here."

"Really?"

“Yeah. Just wait a little and the lights will come back. But don’t leave my side.”

“O-okay. I hope it lights up soon.”

Charlotte's expression relaxed slightly.

She seemed to think it was just a problem with the lighting.

Allen wasn’t lying, either.

This store was one of the most well-stocked magic tool stores in the country――the Golden Shop. There were many customers, but also many thieves. Unexpected accidents like this were commonplace.

Security here was excellent, but this time, the prey was his.

He would personally take care of them.

(Hmm, looks like they’re about to make their move. Good, the provocation worked.)

That's right. Allen wasn't just flirting around without a reason.

He figured that if he let his guard down in front of the enemy, they’d lower theirs and attack sooner.

And just as planned, the atmosphere around him had grown tense.

An attack was only seconds away.

Allen nodded in satisfaction and grinned.

(Well, that aside, I had a blast! Man, my girlfriend is just the cutest thing in the world!)

As Miaha had said, there was no need to be so tense.

They just had to keep being themselves. To see Charlotte’s happy or surprised expressions, all he had to do was teach her every little naughty thing he could.

And now, on top of that sweet daily life... came the minor chore of eliminating some enemies.

(But how do I get rid of the bandits without Charlotte finding out...?)

Then he comes up with a brilliant idea.

Allen smiled brightly and hushed his voice as if he was telling a secret.

"Okay, while we're at it, let's practice some magic."

"Practice...?"

"Ah. The very basics. A magic that creates light."

It was a spell called Lighting.

Unlike fire, it didn’t generate heat, and it couldn’t be blown out by wind or rain. It was incredibly useful and very easy to learn. Of all the spells out there, this one had the highest adoption rate among civilians.

When he explained that, Charlotte’s eyes lit up.

“I want to try! I want to become a cool mage like you, Allen-san!”

“Eager students are always welcome. Alright, let’s begin the lesson.”

Allen narrowed his eyes fondly at her.

And so the impromptu lesson began. When Allen was teaching, he was known for his Spartan style, but this time, of course, he was in a gentle, hands-on mode.

"First, close your eyes and visualize the image of light in your mind."

“U-um, imagine? Like… what kind of image?”

“Like lighting a lantern in a pitch-dark room. Picture that clearly in your mind, the size of the light, how bright it is, everything.”

"I see... I'll give it a try."

Charlotte gently lowered her eyes while still holding her wand in both hands.

Her face was serious, but she was filled with excitement for the unknown.

(She've really changed.)

Allen’s help had only been a tiny part of it.

The reason she had come this far was entirely because of her own dedication and earnestness.

He wanted to protect that. Strongly.

(You’ve finally obtained it. And anyone who tries to take that from you… I will never forgive them.)

Allen let out a small sigh and looked around.

His eyes had already adjusted to the dark. The endless shadows around them gradually started to take shape and flicker.

“Alright. Until I give the signal, stay like that. Keep practicing your image.”

“Yes!”

Just as Charlotte answered energetically

“...Sylph Field”

Allen snapped his fingers and created a wind barrier around her.

To protect Charlotte... or rather, to block the sound. Now, no outside sound could reach her.

Preparations complete.

Allen raised his right index finger and slowly curved it.

Come.

In that instant, darkness shot forward like a bullet.

Allen flipped his robe and spun a spell. It was a high-level magic that sent a shockwave over a wide area. It was powerful, but the spell was long.

Before he could finish reciting the magic, a shadow of an enemy leapt out in front of Allen's eyes.

“Guh… gah!?”

He collapsed to the floor, not even moving. The other shadows were the same. Muffled groans rang out from all around, and people fell to the floor. They were beastmen, their bodies covered in black cloth except for their eyes.

“Wahaha! Gotcha, you bunch of idiots!”

Allen interrupted the spell and burst out laughing.

It was nothing. He had simply thrown a needle with a neurotoxin coated on the tip the moment he flipped his robe. The long spell was a bluff.

Fight with magic just because you’re a mage?

Don’t be ridiculous.

They thought he was a mage, so they came at him expecting magic. That meant the smartest move was to subvert that expectation.

Also… he just really enjoyed ambush tactics.

“Sorry, but I don’t have the luxury of playing fair. Come on, all of you, bring it!”

“As if you had to ask!”

As he said this loudly, a murderous aura rose behind Allen.

One must have slipped through. But...

“Branch Cutter!”

“Wafu!”

"Gugaaaaaaah!?"

A dignified woman’s voice and a beast’s roar followed.

They tore through the enemy behind Allen, slamming him into a nearby shelf. It was Gousetsu and Luu. Though still unseen, they were clearly providing backup.

"Okay, I'll leave the rear to you guys!"

“Tch…! Everyone, let’s go!”

And thus, a full-blown brawl began.

Amidst roars and explosions, screams and yells...

“Mmm… mmm… bright light… warm cocoa… staying up late with Allen… ah! No! I have to focus… concentrate…”

Charlotte, inside the wind barrier, continued her image training with all her might.