"Alright. Once I've spoken to him, I'll let you know."
Mizuki Kaho nodded after a moment's thought. Rowan Mercer was an unexpected variable, one not accounted for in any plan. She needed to contact Amagiri Rōen as soon as possible and decide how to handle this properly.
Given what she had just witnessed, Rowan's strength might not be inferior to Rōen's at all. That would explain why no prophecy had ever mentioned him. Power on that scale distorted foresight itself.
What puzzled her even more was that the Yanagi family had always kept a low profile since Clow Reed's passing. The strongest known figure among them was Akira's mother, the current family head. Yet Rowan stood far above that reputation.
It seemed the family that carried half of Clow Reed's blood had never been as simple as it appeared.
"We should go watch the performance," Rowan said, ending the discussion. "It's about to start."
Relieved, Mizuki led him toward the auditorium.
At nine-thirty sharp, the curtains rose.
"Once upon a time, in a distant castle…"
Tomoyo's narration echoed through the hall as two boys dressed as the king and queen stepped onto the stage.
Rowan chuckled quietly as the play progressed. Mio, who had complained endlessly about playing the villain, threw herself into the role with alarming enthusiasm.
Children, he thought. They never hold grudges for long.
The second act began with Akira entering as the princess, wearing a golden wig. The discomfort of the costume made his delivery sharp and irritable, which only earned laughter from the audience.
Then came the final scene.
Sakura appeared in a prince's outfit meticulously designed by Tomoyo. Sitting a few rows ahead, Tōya instantly perked up, camera in hand, snapping photos with single-minded focus.
And then it happened.
As the scripted kiss approached, darkness surged through the auditorium like a tide. The air thickened. Time itself seemed to stutter.
Rowan's eyes narrowed.
"The Dark Card," he murmured. "One of the strongest. Interfering with time itself."
Power flared from him, pushing the darkness back just enough to free his own movement. He didn't interfere further. There was no hostility here. This was a trial, not an attack.
On stage, Sakura reacted instantly. Light burst forth as the Light Card revealed itself, clashing directly with the darkness. In moments, both cards were sealed.
Applause thundered through the hall.
"Two left," Rowan thought. "The full moon next week should mark the final judgment."
Behind the stage, Mizuki exhaled softly in relief. Once the curtains fell, she returned to the teachers' office alone and placed a call overseas.
"Were the Light and Dark Cards secured safely?"
"Yes," she replied. "But there was an unexpected complication. Someone from the Yanagi family…"
"…That strong?" Rōen interrupted.
"I believe so."
"I understand. Don't worry. I'll fly out tomorrow and meet him personally."
"Your family matters?"
"Minor things. I planned to come after the judgment anyway. Seeing it in person will be… enlightening."
As the call ended, Rowan sat calmly in the audience, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"So you're coming yourself," he thought. "Good."
He had heard everything.
Clow Reed was untouchable. That much was certain. But Amagiri Rōen wasn't Clow Reed. He carried memories, not absolution. Power, not entirety.
After the performance, as Rowan prepared to take Akira and Mio home, Mizuki approached him.
"He'd like to meet you tomorrow night."
Rowan nodded. "That works."
Once she left, Akira looked up at him, confused.
"Ancestor, when did you meet Mizuki-sensei? And who are you meeting tomorrow?"
"Today," Rowan replied lightly. "She's not an enemy. You don't need to be wary anymore. As for tomorrow… someone I haven't met yet."
He rested a hand on both children's heads.
"You both did well. What do you want for dinner?"
"Char siu, pineapple buns, and wonton noodles!" Mio blurted out, eyes shining.
Rowan laughed. "Then that's what we'll have."
The world folded.
They were home in an instant.
The next night.
Rowan looked up from his work as a familiar pressure spread through the air.
"So, you've arrived."
A step carried him out of the room. Another placed him high above the town park.
A man floated there, long black hair drifting gently, glasses catching the moonlight. His resemblance to Clow Reed was unmistakable.
"Amagiri Rōen?" Rowan asked.
He had expected a child's form. But this made sense. Rōen was the same age as Sakura's father. The rest had been an act.
"Yes," Rōen said, bowing politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mercer."
Rowan studied him carefully.
This was not Clow Reed.
But the night had just become very interesting.