"Sensei? Is it really you, Sensei?"
After receiving the news that the Spirit codenamed 'Emperor' had appeared in Tengu City, Elliot initially didn't want to go personally.
Like Ellen and Karen, after thirty years of fruitlessly searching for Ryuya, he also felt that Ryuya was probably truly gone. But a special feeling lingered in his heart, an intuition belonging to one of the world's last Wizards.
Setting off for Tengu City, he received a video call from Kotori while still on his private jet.
"Commander Itsuka, what brings you to call... Sensei?"
Looking at Ryuya on the other end of the video, Elliot never doubted his own eyes, because Ryuya naturally carried an aura that others simply couldn't imitate.
Staring intently at Ryuya on the screen, his excited demeanor was enough to make Kotori's jaw drop.
"Elliot, how did you get so old?"
Although the human body ages with time, Wizards with magical energy can use it to maintain their body's vitality… in other words, stay young.
Looking at Elliot, who was already showing signs of age, Ryuya asked with a smile.
"Sensei, is it really you?"
"Ah, no, I'm a bit overwhelmed. I have so much I want to tell you. Are you with Commander Itsuka right now? Please wait for me, I'll reach Tengu City very soon."
Having received confirmation that Ryuya was alive, Elliot accelerated towards Tengu City while telling Ryuya about the organization he had built over the years and his parting of ways with Westcott and the others.
Briefly explaining what he knew, he wasn't aware of Ryuya's current identity. But regardless of whether his teacher was a Spirit or something else, Elliot believed his teacher's fundamental nature would never change.
He would always be the teacher Elliot trusted and respected most.
"Oh, I see. Alright then, come on over."
"I'll try calling Westcott now."
Hanging up on Elliot, who still wanted to chatter on, Ryuya proceeded to dial the number for Westcott that Elliot had provided once he confirmed his eldest disciple was fine.
Ring ring...
"Huh? Whose call is it?"
Still inside the DEM's private jet, looking at the unfamiliar incoming call, Ellen noticed it was Westcott's phone ringing again.
'How strange. Westcott's phone rarely rang, and very few people knew this number.'
While still pondering who could be calling, Ellen noticed Westcott had already answered.
"Hello."
As the call connected, Westcott didn't know why her hand was trembling.
"Hello, speak."
Hearing silence on the other end, sensing the other person's breathing, Westcott felt her heart beating.
Thump...
Thump-thump...
Thump-thump-thump...
As her heartbeat accelerated, Westcott, for some reason, suddenly sensed the identity of the person on the other end.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, her voice trembling, "Is it... Sensei?"
"!!!"
Hearing Westcott use the term 'Sensei', Ellen and Karen, after a moment of stunned silence lasting less than a second, instantly rushed to Westcott's side.
Staring fixedly at Westcott's phone, even though they knew hope was slim, they couldn't suppress their surging emotions.
"Long time no see, Westcott. And Karen, Ellen... Let me guess, you three are probably together right now?"
As the voice from the other end of the line, unheard for over thirty years, sounded, Westcott and the other two... instantly broke down in tears!
Approximately five hours later, thanks to trans-era technology, a journey that should have taken over ten hours was drastically shortened to the bare minimum.
Arriving in Tengu City almost simultaneously, Elliot and Westcott's group made their way to the reception room on the Fraxinus.
"Chairman Elliot! What brings you here so suddenly?"
"And you... are DEM's CEO, Westcott, and..."
Startled by Elliot's appearance, the subsequent arrival of Westcott and the others was even more shocking.
Taking a deep breath, the receptionist noticed that Elliot and the others didn't even spare him a glance, heading straight for the conference room.
"Elliot, hurry up and lead the way!"
Showing no intention of catching up with her long-lost brother, the blunt Ellen practically wanted to kick Elliot.
"Don't rush me! I haven't been to the Fraxinus in a long time either."
"Eh, isn't that... Kannazuki, right?"
Admitting he'd forgotten the way too, Elliot grabbed Kannazuki's arm like pressing a conscript into service.
"Chairman Elliot?"
Instinctively wanting to resist, but finding Elliot's grip impossibly strong, Kannazuki instantly felt the power of this legendary figure and asked in surprise what was happening.
"No time to explain! Just take us to the conference room quickly."
Patting Kannazuki's shoulder, Elliot urged him on.
"O-oh... I understand, Chairman."
Not understanding the situation, Kannazuki led the way, quickly watching Elliot and the others enter the conference room.
"Wait... I think the Commander and the Emperor are in there too, right?"
Only after the group disappeared through the door did Kannazuki remember something.
Looking at the closed door, a wave of concern rose within him, 'Please don't let anything happen.'
At that moment, inside the conference room.
"Teacher, it really is you!"
The moment he saw Ryuya, memories of the past came flooding back. Excitedly wanting to grasp Ryuya's hand, Elliot was directly kicked flying by Karen and Ellen.
"Sensei!"
Rushing into Ryuya's embrace first, Karen and Ellen cried out excitedly.
"Karen, Ellen."
Holding the two young women, Ryuya realized they had truly grown up.
Then, looking at Yoshino and Yoshinon, he recognized the now-grown Fourth Spirit.
Finally...
"Westcott, it's been a long time."
Somewhat surprised that Westcott was still wearing male attire, Ryuya had thought she would have come to terms with her true self by now.
"Sensei."
Also looking at Ryuya, her silent demeanor made it hard to tell if she was happy or something else. But only Westcott herself knew what she was truly feeling at this moment.
As her state of mind shifted, her clothes began to change as well.
After a brief flash of light, the Westcott in male clothing vanished, replaced by a coldly beautiful girl with stunning features.
It was... Westcott, in her Spirit Form!