On the first day of moving into the apartment, Rin learned about the relationship between Merry and Naoki directly from Merry herself.
The two were engaged.
Rin wasn't particularly shocked by this. After all, Naoki had said he was thirty years old. Despite looking youthful, it was about time for someone his age to settle down. Plus, Naoki and Merry seemed like a well-matched couple, so Rin congratulated them at the time.
However, the next day, after being beaten so badly by Naoki in martial arts class that she couldn't walk and was left lying in the classroom, Rin witnessed a scene almost identical to the one today.
One of the eleven Lords of the Clock Tower, the head of the prestigious Acherolette family, Riddell, was embracing Naoki with such familiarity that they looked like a couple deeply in love.
Wasn't he engaged to Merry? Why was he so close with the Lord of the Department of Botany? Was he cheating?!
That night, Rin secretly went to Merry to complain, but to her surprise, Merry said she had known about it for a long time and didn't mind in the slightest.
What a broad-minded woman—that's what Rin thought at the time.
But that same night, when she got up to use the bathroom at midnight, she accidentally overheard some noises from Naoki's room. Curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked… only to be shocked again.
A doll named Sajyou Rei was "recharging Mana" with Naoki, and it was an extremely intense kind.
Now, after living together for a month, Rin was utterly convinced that Naoki was a supreme "king of the seas" with an exceptionally wide hunting range. Even the Lord of the Department of Botany had fallen for him, and he managed to keep both Riddell and Merry coexisting peacefully… His methods were truly extraordinary. Even if Artoria or Okita were to announce they also had a relationship with Naoki, Rin wouldn't be surprised.
(But Gray? That seems unlikely… Surely that guy wouldn't be that despicable.)
If things really were like that, Rin seriously had to consider moving out of Camelot Apartments. She felt that staying there any longer wouldn't be safe.
What Rin didn't know was that Naoki's multiple relationships were actually quite well-known in the Clock Tower.
After all, two years ago, after the Holy Grail War in the Far East ended, Riddell publicly declared that Naoki would be the future husband of the Acherolette family. Though they weren't married or engaged yet, the Acherolette family acknowledged it.
And besides Riddell, the Fifth Magic's Magician, Aozaki Aoko, also had plenty of rumors surrounding her and Naoki. Naoki was often seen traveling with Gray and Rei, too. Add to that Merry, the troublemaker who thrived on chaos, and the gossip about Naoki was endless.
Under normal circumstances, Naoki's reputation should've been terrible, but the reality was the opposite—because Naoki was Lord El-Melloi's top disciple and a young Magus who had already reached Festival Rank. On top of that, he was a student of the renowned Puppet Master, had a close personal relationship with a Magician, and was the future husband of the Acherolette family… These overlapping factors made Naoki a target for many who wanted to get close to him.
Especially female Magi!
They didn't just want the resources Naoki could provide—they also wanted his body and his face!
Who wouldn't want to spend a dreamy night with a white knight straight out of mythology?
In the Clock Tower's unofficial rankings, Naoki held the top spot for [Most Desired to Be Hugged]. For context, before Naoki returned to the Clock Tower, that spot belonged to Waver. Waver had even thanked Naoki once, saying he'd helped him escape a very troublesome situation.
After hugging Riddell, Naoki didn't neglect his students: "Alright, that's it for today's lesson. I've got some bad news for you—starting next week, I'll be away from the Clock Tower for about two weeks. I have to step out for a bit, and a substitute teacher will take over."
At those words, almost every student's eyes lit up!
Two weeks away?
That meant two weeks without getting beaten up!
If Naoki weren't standing there, they'd have jumped for joy and cheered on the spot.
Seeing the students struggling to hide their excitement, Naoki sighed resignedly. He knew exactly what these youngsters were thinking, didn't he? Their thoughts now were the same as his back then.
"Don't get too excited. Even though I won't be here, I'll make sure to tell the substitute teacher I've called to train you properly."
"Substitute teacher? Who is it?" Luvia asked curiously. "From what you said, it's a woman?"
"You'll find out. Just a heads-up—she's even more Spartan than I am. I'll just knock you down quickly, but she'll train you to your absolute limit until you can't stand anymore."
(Still better than getting beaten half to death by you!)
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Since the martial arts class ended around dusk, after it was over, Naoki and Riddell got into a car to head back to the apartment.
But they weren't alone in the car—Rin, who lived in the same apartment, was with them.
"Pretty sudden, having to leave for two weeks." Rin said, glancing at Naoki, who was reading some documents. "Urgent business?"
"Not really, just taking care of a few things. First, I need to go to France, then Antarctica. After that, I might have to swing by Japan. All this back-and-forth will take about two weeks."
"Antarctica?" Rin frowned. "What's in Antarctica?"
"You've heard about the Department of Astromancy's recent moves, right? In the past few years, they struck oil and made a fortune. Now that they're rich, they've started building a new research institute in Antarctica."
"Hmm, I have heard about that."
"I have a contact in that institute. This letter's from them. They said they're facing some issues in France these past two days and hope I can help. Also, the Lord of the Department of Astromancy wants to discuss something with me at Chaldea."
Connections with the Lord of the Department of Astromancy, too?
Rin found Naoki's network downright terrifying. Out of the Clock Tower's twelve departments, he was connected to three Lords, and was even the lover of one of them. Even daydreaming wouldn't dare be that bold, right?
Meanwhile, Riddell sighed resignedly: "Hahh~ It's finally my turn, and now you have to go on a long trip."
"Sorry, hold onto that thought. I'll make it up to you when I'm back. Roman's business is pretty important."
"I know, I'm just complaining. But you're not leaving until tomorrow, right?" Riddell smiled, licking her lips. "Lately, the family's been pressing about an heir. As the future husband of the Acherolette family, shouldn't you put in a little effort?"
"So, you're sleeping in my room tonight?"
"Deal."
Hearing their conversation, Rin knew she absolutely couldn't go near Naoki's room tonight, no matter what.