City Mitakihara Junior High, 8th Grade, Faculty Office.
Olga Marie, dressed in a professional ladies' suit and wearing glasses, was focused intently on the book in front of her. She was clearly reviewing materials. As an extremely earnest person, she took her role seriously even if it was just a "mission." Her lesson plans had been prepared long ago.
As for the glasses perched on her nose, they weren't because she was nearsighted. Whether a ghost needs glasses is something Lancer didn't quite know, but he suspected they didn't. In reality, these glasses were a "Mystic Code" that could record everything she read, making her work much more convenient.
The male teachers nearby couldn't help but steal glances at her, only averting their eyes when she reached up to adjust her frames. In fact, since Olga Marie arrived at the school, she had been quite the "center of attention." It wasn't just because she was so young, but more because of the unique aura she radiated.
It's fair to say that any male, teacher or student, with normal preferences would instinctively look her way. However, no one had dared to confess to her yet, because————
"Knock, knock."
Accompanied by the sound of rapping on the door, a man in a white lab coat appeared in the office.
"Olga, I'm here to pick you up."
The man in the white coat was, without a doubt, Lancer.
In Japan, the time teachers leave school is largely determined by the students. If there's nothing going on, they can leave right after classes end. However, usually, due to club activities or administrative tasks, they tend to linger. As for "after-school tutoring"? That's not really a thing abroad; aside from a few exceptionally dedicated teachers, most don't do it. Olga Marie certainly fell into the dedicated category, but since no students had come to see her today, she had messaged Lancer thirty minutes early.
"I'm coming."
After quickly tidying her things, she nodded elegantly to everyone in the office and followed Lancer out. Lancer naturally reached out and took her briefcase.
An outsider might think Lancer was just being a "simp," but Olga Marie—after that first time—didn't think that way at all. After all, what kind of person trying to curry favor walks ahead without looking back at the woman behind him?
She was fairly certain Lancer did this purely out of habit. Yet, that made it even weirder. In her mind, since Lancer and Leone had done those things in the sacred halls of Chaldea, he must be some kind of lecher. She had even suspected more than once that he was only holding back on her to maintain his image in front of Leone.
But they had been away from Chaldea for nearly a week now, and his contact with her was almost strictly "mission-related." For the rest of the time, she was essentially "free-range," with him only checking in on her safety occasionally. This made her incredibly annoyed. She was, after all, the head of the prestigious Magus House of Animusphere—a woman pursued by countless men. And this man wouldn't even give her a second look?
Despite previously fearing Lancer might try something, finding out he actually wouldn't made her start questioning her own charm. Fortunately, her logic remained intact; she was just annoyed, and hadn't resorted to intentionally seducing him, as it would be pointless.
Once the two of them left the school and got into Lancer car, Lancer finally turned his head.
"So? Did you make contact with those girls?"
"I did. But except for that blonde girl, the others are just 'ordinary people.' And our primary target, 'Homura Akemi,' still hasn't appeared."
"Hmm."
With Lancer grunt, the car fell silent again. The atmosphere was heavy with a silence that felt high-pressure, but Olga Marie just stared out the window without speaking.
In truth, she just didn't know what to say. After spending time together recently, she had realized Lancer wasn't a "traditional Magus." He seemed to focus most of his time on physical training. They couldn't really chat about magecraft, and talk about daily work was usually reserved for dinner. Now, she felt at a loss for words.
At that moment, Lancer suddenly slammed on the brakes.
"Screeech~!!"
The violent sound of tires skidding and the sudden tightening of the seatbelt against her chest snapped Olga Marie out of her thoughts.
"What is it?"
"A 'Familiar'."
Lancer already had a driver's license, and after gaining the "Riding" skill, he was essentially a pro driver—the kind who never crashes. After pulling the car to the curb with an exaggerated drift, he and Olga Marie leaped out and dashed toward the location Lancer had sensed.
Along the way, Olga Marie cast several concealment spells on them both. Soon, they spotted the strange "Familiar."
It was "strange" because its existence was utterly bizarre. It looked like an abstract painting; at least, Lancer, who lacked any artistic cells, couldn't even tell what it was supposed to be.
However, they didn't attack it directly. Instead, they lurked in the shadows, because their target was someone else.
Only ten minutes later, a golden figure appeared.
The person was undoubtedly Mami Tomoe. In fact, this was the second time they had witnessed her "at work." But unlike before, this time she was accompanied by a small white creature.
"Kyubey..."
As Lancer whispered to himself, the "Kyubey" that had been perched on Mami shoulder suddenly sat bolt upright.
Unfortunately for it, it didn't see Lancer. By the time another "Kyubey" appeared at Lancer location, there was nothing there.
"Kyubey, what's wrong?"
After easily dispatching the "Familiar" once again, Mami was in a pretty good mood. However, she noticed her "companion" acting strange and couldn't help but ask.
"I felt a strange gaze, but it seems I was mistaken?"
It must be said that for someone unaware of Kyubey true nature, its cute appearance and soft voice were quite charming. Mami immediately scooped it up into her arms.
"Kyubey, didn't you say I'm the only magical girl in Mitakihara right now? It must be your imagination~ Alright, time to go back. Today's snack is 'Napoleon cake'!"
Clearly, Mami didn't take Kyubey words to heart. Fortunately, since Kyubey couldn't find any clues either, it didn't say more and simply nodded.
Only after the two had completely left did the space where Lancer and Olga had been begin to shimmer, and their figures reappeared.
Lancer rubbed his chin, deep in thought...