Touko had heard all sorts of reasons why people studied Magecraft, but the reason of studying Magecraft for the sake of desire, like Naoki's, was the first time she had heard it.
After being stunned for a moment, Touko unconsciously laughed, "That's truly an unexpected answer, a man's desire, huh... Hey, don't tell me you don't have a girlfriend, so you want to make a doll to comfort yourself?"
"How could that be? I can't even guarantee my own food, drink, and shelter, how can I find a girlfriend?" Naoki helplessly spread his hands in a small bear-like gesture, "Well, since I came to seek apprenticeship, I should indeed show sincerity."
After saying that, Naoki took the Logos React tool out of his pocket.
Seeing the small red ball, Touko frowned, "This is... some kind of Mystic Code?"
"One of the Seven Weapons of the Atlas Institute, a replica of the Logos React." Naoki said without hesitation, "Basically, it's a hypothetical experimental tool. By inputting various parameters, it simulates all sorts of situations, and it's not impossible for it to evolve on its own depending on the situation."
"You really brought out something that surprised me greatly."
Although her face showed nothing, Touko's heart was already filled with shock.
The Seven Weapons of the Atlas Institute, she had heard rumors about them many times. It was said that each weapon was enough to destroy the world. She never expected a replica of one of them to appear before her one day.
However, with this, Touko also understood Naoki's reason for wanting to become her apprentice.
"You plan to systematically learn doll-making techniques, and then use this Logos React to create dolls without cost and time, is that it?"
"Yes."
Doll making required considerable time and effort, not only needing special materials that had been magically processed but also requiring prolonged concentration of the mind. If a single step in the process was wrong, the resulting doll would ultimately deviate greatly from the initial expectations.
Even Touko needed several days to make one complete doll.
But if it was Naoki holding the Logos React, he would only need to input the steps, processes, and techniques required to make a doll, and the Logos React would immediately simulate that doll.
Although only one doll could exist at a time, it was a quite remarkable, even extravagant, result.
After pondering for quite a while, Touko asked, "You casually take out a Mystic Code like this, don't you think I'll pretend to accept you as a disciple and then take it for myself?"
"You can't defeat me." Naoki said frankly, "I have no intention of offending or belittling you, but it's a fact, you are not my opponent, Miss Touko. In terms of Magus types, my younger sister and I can be said to be the same type."
Physical abilities approaching a Servant, Mana output efficiency beyond standard, various abilities that had awakened over the past two years from Arthur—a modern Magus could not defeat a Servant no matter what, this was an absolute rule acknowledged by all Magus. Moreover, Touko was not a Magus who excelled in combat.
"Besides, this Logos React was made by the Dean of the Atlas Institute. To prevent it from falling into the hands of evil people and being misused, he set a restriction from the beginning that only I can use it. Any other Magus who obtains it will only get a ball."
Although she wanted to refute, for some reason, Touko felt there was no lie in Naoki's words.
It was just—
"You really dare to talk, and you even mentioned that person (Aoko)... Besides my title, the thing I least want to hear is that person's name."
Touko's expression and gaze clearly showed displeasure and anger.
But quickly, she calmed down again, "Forget it, everything here is my work. If we fight and accidentally damage it, I'm the one who loses out. No wonder you brat are always so calm... Your name is Natsukawa, right?"
"Yes."
"If I accept you as a disciple, how much tuition can you give me?" Touko asked coldly, "Knowledge isn't free. To gain knowledge, you have to pay the corresponding price. There's also the custom of giving gifts when becoming an apprentice in Japan, right? If you want to become my apprentice, you can't do it without providing sufficient tuition."
"Regarding money, I don't have a single yen, as my own life is also very difficult."
Part-time warriors never had money.
"But regarding the price, this is my price." Naoki held up the Logos React, "Although only I can use it, if Miss Touko wants to use it to do something, for example, conduct Magecraft experiments, then I can do it for you."
"In other words, you can use this Logos React according to my requests?"
Naoki nodded, "No need to waste existing materials, and no need to bear the risk of experiment failure. I think this is a good offer for you, whose financial situation is also somewhat difficult."
"Who's in a difficult financial situation!"
Touko's defenses immediately crumbled.
She indeed didn't have a lot of money, but it was far from difficult, okay!
However—
'If it's this condition, it's not entirely out of the question. With a perfect simulation tool like this, later when trying to create new dolls, there's no need to worry about material costs anymore. Thinking long-term, this could save an immeasurable amount of money.'
The condition Naoki offered, for Touko—for all Magus, perhaps—was full of temptation.
But this wasn't enough.
"Anything else? Don't tell me the only price you can pay is that?"
"What else do you want?"
'Don't have anything more... That's right, a kid this age, just being able to take out the Logos React is already unexpected, can't expect too much.'
"Oh yeah, although I don't know if this can be considered a price—if you want to fight your younger sister again, I can temporarily become your familiar to help you. In terms of strength, I shouldn't lose to anyone."
"Really?"
"I can go out and show you, but it's better to find a wider place, like a mountain or something, I'm afraid of causing too much impact."
This condition interested Touko much more than the previous one.
Although ten years had passed, Touko was still a little unwilling to accept her crushing defeat by her younger sister. If Naoki truly possessed the strength he claimed, then...
'Seeing Aoko suffer a crushing defeat isn't bad either!'
Thinking of this, Touko immediately nodded, "Alright, but tonight, going to the mountains from here will take quite a while, what if guests come—"
"Don't worry about that. If I move at full speed, including the time to show you, a round trip will only take about five minutes. During that time, Gray can help watch this place." Naoki said while looking towards Gray, "No problem, right, Gray?"
"Hmm, leave it to me, no problem, Brother, and also Miss Aozaki."
"If you two say so... alright."
'Just five minutes, it should be fine. Besides, I've already set up defensive Magecraft; a little girl couldn't possibly destroy this place, right?'
Thinking this, she followed Naoki outside. Touko asked, "Then, how are we going to do this? You said full speed earlier, by car?"
"No—please forgive my impudence."
After saying that, Naoki directly picked up Touko in a bridal carry, then his feet slammed hard on the ground—
*BOOM!*