A full month had passed since I began my tenure at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Tomorrow marks my day off, the day I return to "reality" once my salary hits my hand. My motivation is simple: horse racing.
Inside the envelope handed to me by the Hogwarts administrative office sat exactly 2,500 Galleons. This was my payment for a single month of teaching.
"... Not bad."
I offered a thin smile as I inspected the contents. I could feel the weight of the gold coins between my fingertips. Their size and texture were unique—a distinct trait of the wizarding world. The magical energy radiating from the metal was unmistakable.
Of course, I couldn't place bets on horses in this state. No Japanese bookie would accept Galleons.
"Anyway... I'll just convert them to Yen."
According to the wizarding exchange rate, one Galleon is worth roughly five British pounds. From there, I would convert it to Japanese Yen. In this year, 1991, one pound is worth approximately 190 Yen—which means a single Galleon equals about 950 Yen.
The math was straightforward. 2,500 Galleons multiplied by five pounds, then by 190 Yen.
"... Two million, three hundred and seventy-five thousand Yen (2,375,000 Yen), then."
I let out a sharp, mocking snort. With this amount, I could dive into the horse races with total comfort.
"God of gambling, isn't it about time you let me win?"
I sat on my bed and lit a cigarette. The smoke I exhaled drifted slowly toward the ceiling.
I had already mapped out the route from the wizarding world to Japan. If I "borrowed" that man's bike—Rubeus Hagrid's—without asking and took to the night sky, I would reach Japanese airspace in a matter of hours. It was incredibly convenient.
●○●○●
In the middle of the night, I rolled the bike out and took off. The cold air whipped my face with intensity. As the British fog cleared, the familiar constellations of the night sky stretched out before me.
This bike was coated in incredible magical energy. It felt like a massive "Cursed Tool." This hunk of iron sliced through the night, the wind stinging my cheeks. I could feel every mechanical detail through my heightened senses; this wasn't just a machine—it moved on magic.
"... This is a handy way to travel."
I soared through the midnight sky and reached Japan shortly after three in the morning. I landed in a desolate mountain region. The scent of the forest and damp earth filled my nose.
"... It's freezing."
I shoved my hands into my pockets and confirmed the direction of the city. As I descended the mountain, the city lights began to shimmer on the horizon.
●○●○●
After a while, I stood before an exchange office used by those who operate in the "shadows" and handle illegal activities.
The place sat in a back alley, a short distance from the station. A weathered iron door without a sign marked the first floor of a dilapidated building. On the surface, it looked like an antique shop, but in the "Jujutsu world," it was a known channel for moving money. Even Galleons flowing from the wizarding world could be turned into cash here.
The smell of money was suffocating. I had 2,500 Galleons in my possession.
I pushed the iron door open and stepped inside. The air was a damp mixture of cold and cigarette smoke. Behind the counter sat a middle-aged man with a neglected beard. The moment he saw me through his round glasses, his eyes narrowed.
"... Good heavens, look who's here."
I pulled a small leather pouch from my pocket and dropped it onto the counter. The heavy clink of metal echoed, making the man's mouth twitch.
"Customer, is this... Galleons?"
"Yeah. Can you handle it?"
"It's fine. We get customers from the wizarding world occasionally."
The man pulled out a scale and peered into the pouch. His expression shifted instantly; his faint smile vanished, replaced by a sharp, piercing gaze.
"... You, you're from the Zenin family..."
"I'm not a 'Zenin' anymore. The name is Fushiguro."
The atmosphere tensed. To those in the underworld, the name Zenin carries a troubling weight. They are a prestigious and famous clan in the Jujutsu world, known by the title──"The Sorcerer Killer."
"I never expected the 'Sorcerer Killer' himself to come in just to exchange cash."
"Shut up and do your job."
"Right, right... you're as terrifying as they say."
The man gave a dry smile and began placing the gold coins on the scale with practiced movements. The ringing of the Galleons echoed clearly through the room.
"They're authentic and in perfect condition. ... Still, how did you get your hands on this much?"
"Work bonus."
"Was it an assassination...?"
I ignored his whispered question.
"The exchange rate is the usual. One Galleon equals 950 Yen. ... 2,500 pieces comes to 2,375,000 Yen. Any objections?"
"None."
The man opened a safe and slammed stacks of banknotes onto the counter. The rubber-banded bundles made a heavy thud.
"Going to count it?"
"I trust you."
What I felt at my fingertips wasn't magical energy, but the weight of "hard cash." To me, this was the only thing that felt real.
"But... your appearance here is going to make our colleagues in the shadows tremble with fear."
"I don't care if they tremble or drop dead. All I want is to place a bet."
I stuffed the bundles of cash into the inner pocket of my jacket and turned to leave. Behind me, I heard the man exhale a cloud of smoke.
"... Still as unbelievable as ever."
I ignored the murmur and pushed the door open, the night air hitting my skin. Under the dim streetlamp in the alley, I felt the weight of the money in my pocket.
"2,375,000 Yen..."
Not gold coins, but liquid cash. With this, I could head to the track and make a decisive play.
"I'll win. This time for sure."
●○●○●
I ate lunch instead of breakfast, hailed a passing taxi, and gave my usual destination.
"To the ◯◯ Racecourse."
"... You're starting early today, brother," the driver remarked sarcastically. I ignored him. To me, this was serious combat.
I arrived at the track an hour before the first race.
"Heh... perfect timing."
There was plenty of time to observe the horses. Betting requires a precise "reading." The horse's muscles, its breathing, the strike of its hooves, its harmony with the jockey──these things were no different from a Jujutsu battlefield.
I leaned my elbows on the paddock fence and watched the horses intently.
"Number 5... has good muscle tone."
The way it lowered its haunches and the flexibility of its legs were on another level. It outclassed the other horses by miles. There was a buzz around it, but its odds weren't particularly high.
"This means I've already won."
I placed every cent I had on a "win" bet for that horse. The machine swallowed my money. My steps were light as I waited for the race; I was confident in my victory.
"Magic and Jujutsu have no place here. It's all about reading and intuition."
The bugles sounded, and the gates flew open.
"Alright... go, Number 5!"
The horses kicked up the turf, the track vibrating like an earthquake. At first, it was perfect; Number 5 had a brilliant start and joined the lead pack.
"Good, stay there."
── But at the turn, the atmosphere shifted.
"Wait...?"
Number 5's leg buckled slightly. It lost its balance, and two horses overtook it from the outside in an instant.
"What?"
On the final straight, the horse tried desperately to hold on but failed to accelerate. Second place, third, fourth... it began to slide back slowly. By the time it crossed the finish line, it was in seventh.
"... Is this a joke?"
Cheers erupted around the stands. Nearby, the lucky ones holding winning tickets began to scream and laugh, jumping with joy. I looked at the betting ticket gripped in my hand.
"... The money..."
Reality felt like it was slipping away. I had chosen a perfect horse; its muscle movement and footwork were supposed to be flawless.
"... I have... absolutely no luck."
I, who can survive battlefields against Cursed Spirits and assassination attempts, fail utterly when it comes to gambling. It has always been this way.
"Dammit."
I crushed the ticket in my fist and threw it away.
"The money I earned from training those kids is gone in a flash. This isn't funny..."
Had I won, the amount would have doubled. I had intended to grow it even further.
"It's fine. It's fine. I can earn it again."
I took a deep breath and stood up. The air of the track, thick with disappointment, stung my skin. My wallet was surprisingly empty, but this was my reality now.
"Next payday, I'll double it..."
I looked toward the city and laughed bitterly. It doesn't matter if it's magic or Jujutsu──you can't beat bad luck.
"Or rather... I don't even have the money to get back to the mountain where I hid the bike."
I left the racecourse and walked down a dark street where streetlights shimmered in puddles, spitting out words of resentment.
●○●○●
The money was gone. Vaporized.
I had intended to win. It wasn't just a "belief" that I would win; it was a calculated "intent." The horse I saw in the paddock was undeniably ready. The muscle ripple, the steady hooves, the glint in its eyes... everything screamed "winner."
Yet, the result was a total loss.
"Tch."
The click of my tongue echoed in the night sky. I began running the numbers in my head. Getting to the mountain where the bike was hidden would require at least ten thousand Yen for a taxi. But I didn't even have that. The distance was too far to walk, and I couldn't stomach the idea of hiking up the mountain path.
"... I'm stuck."
I stopped walking and pulled my phone from my pocket. It was a phone from that era──a [mova]. Though it fit in my palm, it was heavy. Its small screen only flickered with numbers. It was a device strictly for calls—no emails, nothing else. I pulled out the antenna and pressed the buttons. The tones echoed clearly.
"... Please pick up."
After several rings, a woman's sleepy voice came through.
『... What is it? I'm in the middle of work.』
"It's Toji."
『You...?! What do you want?!』
"I'm going to let you take care of me for a bit."
『Ha?! Take care of you?! You're broke again, aren't you?!』
"... Pretty much."
I heard a sigh from the other end. It was a conversation we had repeated many times. She used me for her interests, and I used her for mine. That was the nature of our relationship.
『... Fine. The key is in the usual spot.』
The call cut off abruptly.
"... Saved."
I slid the mova back into my pocket and exhaled. The cold wind touched my cheeks. The Hogwarts sky was clear, but the Japanese sky was damp and smelled of the city. That's what made me feel nostalgic.
"I earn money easily in the wizarding world, then I come back to reality only to end up in this state..."
A laugh mixed with a sigh escaped me. I wondered what that old man──Albus Dumbledore──would look like if I told him this story.
"Anyway, he'll never know."
The sound of my boots on the asphalt echoed through the night. It has always been this way for me. I have no luck in gambling. Sometimes I win, but when I lose, it always ends like this; everything is stripped away down to the roots.
"Luck isn't my style."
And yet, I bet. I suppose I never learn. But──that "feeling of victory" I had in the paddock matched exactly what I feel in Jujutsu battles. The opponent's killing intent, the flow of their muscles, the path to victory; everything was clear to me. Dammit, I was fully set on winning.
"... Even if the reading is perfect, you lose if you have no luck."
I put a cigarette in my mouth and flicked the lighter. The flame wavered.
"Hell... I'll win next time."
I blew smoke into the air and began walking toward that woman's house. I have no money in my hand now, but I still have my legs. That's how I've always lived.
●○●○●
After walking for a while, I finally arrived at her house. Darkness had completely settled over the area. It was a three-story apartment—solid concrete walls with an external staircase. The streetlights illuminated the iron beams, which gleamed faintly. I remembered the hiding spot for the key perfectly. On the fifth step of the stairs leading to the third floor, stuck with a magnet on the back.
I climbed the creaking stairs and reached behind the fifth step. Under the cold iron, I touched a thin metal key.
"Phew... there it is."
A familiar feeling. I took the key and inserted it into the lock of the room on the third floor. I heard the lock turn smoothly. When I opened the door, the air of the dark room drifted out quietly.
"... Smells good."
The scent of fabric softener and perfume, with a trace of faint coffee. It was the characteristic smell of a woman living an organized life. I took off my shoes and turned on the lights. White walls and tidy black furniture, without any excessive decoration. Precise and tasteful; exactly how I like it.
I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels randomly until I hit the news. The night news in 1991 was always the same; either a politician bowing in apology or talk about the state of the economy.
"Nothing changes in Japan either."
Since I was hungry, I began rummaging through the kitchen without permission. I found a cup of instant noodles deep in the cabinet and boiled water in the electric kettle. As the steam rose, I felt a sense of relaxation. I don't hate spending time "relaxing in someone else's house"; in fact, I might actually like it.
The owner of this room──is a successful woman working in the heart of the city. I met her once in a bar in Shinjuku. She was sitting bored, clutching her glass, so I talked to her. We hit it off, and I ended up moving in with her for a while.
I trust my face and my build; I haven't spent my life living off women for nothing. Getting into women's hearts and arranging my living situation with them is my specialty.
"... Phew."
I peeled back the lid of the noodles halfway and dipped the chopsticks in. As I ate, I stared boredly at the ceiling and treated the TV audio as my background music.
"I train kids in a magic castle to earn money... and in the end, I come back to a place like this."
This smell of city night suits me better than the cold stone rooms of Hogwarts. Even if I live in the wizarding world, my roots are still here. Behind the steam of the noodles, the clock hands ticked rhythmically.
After a while, the sound of high heels echoed in the hallway. The sound of a key turning in the lock.
"... She's back."
I continued eating and looked toward the entrance. The door opened, and the woman appeared in her formal suit. Her hair was styled precisely, her makeup understated. She carried a black bag on her shoulder and removed her shoes with a practiced motion.
"... Ah... I'm so tired... wait..."
When her eyes landed on me, her face tightened slightly.
"... You, you actually came."
"I'm going to be your guest."
"Good heavens... you never come when you win, and you only show up when you lose."
She said it with an annoyed tone, but she closed the door and locked it tight. She put down her bag and took off her suit jacket; her movements showed her practical nature.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't feel sorry at all."
The woman sighed and headed to the kitchen to pour a glass of water.
"The money... all gone, right?"
"... How did you know?"
"I can tell from your face. You completely lack luck."
I shrugged and continued eating the noodles. We had repeated this scene many times. On the nights I lose and my money vanishes, I come here. And she, despite her grumbling, never actually kicks me out.
"Can I use the shower?"
"Do whatever you want."
With a face full of boredom, the woman drank the water.
"I'll win next time."
"I don't know how many times I've heard that sentence."
"Haha, that's true."
I stood up and adjusted my shirt. I felt as if the rough city air had permeated this room too. It was the polar opposite of life at Hogwarts. Cold stone castles versus damp, nocturnal Tokyo. In the end, my feet always return to this reality.
"... So, I'll borrow it."
"Fine, fine. I have a talk for you later."
"That sounds scary."
I left her voice behind and headed toward the bathroom. As a hideout after a night of loss, this was the most comfortable place for me. Even if it was pathetic, it was the truth.
"Hey, are you coming in with me?"
I stood at the bathroom entrance and turned to her. Her face suddenly turned red.
"What?! ... Wait a minute."
Despite her manufactured protest, her eyes didn't express rejection. Our relationship was long; we both knew how things would go.
"I'm not joking."
"... You idiot."
The woman looked away slightly, took off her stockings, and approached me slowly.
In the steam-filled bathroom, our breaths mingled. Shoulders touched, and bodies intertwined in the mist. The smell of the city, the scent of shampoo, and the heat of the steam──everything mixed together, and the sense of time vanished.
The night is long, but it always ends in the blink of an eye.
●○●○●
In the morning.
The outside was still a bit dark, and the night's chill still hung in the air. The woman was sleeping, breathing quietly, having pulled the covers up to her chest, her hair messy. I dressed silently, adjusted my hair, and lit a cigarette. The smoke I exhaled drifted out through the crack in the window.
"... My apologies."
I wasn't addressing her; it was just a murmur. Then I took some money from her wallet. There had been many nights like this. It was always me who left.
I hurried toward the entrance, put on my shoes, and placed my hand on the doorknob. I never look back.
Outside was still quiet. Only the sound of the newspaper delivery bike and distant car engines could be heard. The cold air bit my cheeks.
"I have to hurry."
In my pocket was the money I had taken from the woman, tucked into my wallet that had become empty after losing my salary. I wouldn't take the train but a taxi. I had to find one quickly, or I would miss my window.
When I reached the main road and waited a bit, a taxi stopped and pointed its lights at me.
"Where to?"
"Toward the mountain. To the entrance of the ◯◯ mountain pass."
"You're going somewhere very far this early in the morning."
"I have a bit of work there."
I leaned back against the seat, the heat of last night still clinging to my skin. A heat that tasted of reality. Something you could never feel in the stony air of Hogwarts.
After a while, the taxi reached the foot of the mountain. The money I had was barely enough to pay.
"Thanks."
I waved to the driver and got out. The sky began to brighten slightly. The mountain air was cold and damp, smelling strongly of soil and grass.
"... As I thought, I feel more comfortable here."
I cut through the trees and headed toward the spot where I had hidden the bike. The sound of my footsteps on the damp earth echoed quietly. Deep in the brush──there it was, that shiny black bike. Rubeus Hagrid's magical flying motorcycle that he used to keep in his hut.
"Heh, glad it's still here."
I wiped the seat lightly and started the engine. The air vibrated with waves of magical energy. It differed from Cursed Energy, but my five senses picked it up clearly.
"Alright, let's head back to the magic castle."
I crossed the mountain pass before dawn, then the bike lifted off the ground to soar into the air. The cold wind hit my face. The sound of the engine mingled with the roar of magical energy, slicing through the night sky. The city lights began to recede, and behind the mountain peaks, fog and clouds stretched out.
And there on the horizon──that stone castle.
"Good heavens... I lost my whole salary, spent a night in a woman's room, and now I'm heading back to Hogwarts on a bike. What a foolish life I live."
But this is my way of living. The wind slicing through the sky whipped me as if mocking everything. I pierced the dawn sky and returned once more to the wizarding world.
●○●○●
Thus, I managed to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry just in time before the start of the first period.
The sun hadn't fully risen yet, and the morning air pricked the skin with its chill. My breath came out as white steam, and a damp fog covered the lawn of the outer courtyard in a thin layer. The remnants of the bike's magical energy still clung to my back, and the sound of the engine echoed in my ears.
I left the bike near Rubeus Hagrid's hut, adjusted my flight jacket, and immediately headed toward the courtyard.
"Whew... nearly late. I made it just in time."
The high castle towers began to appear clearly through the morning mist. The sound of my boots on the stone synchronized with my heartbeat, and a slight heat coursed through my body. For me, with my superior physical abilities, this distance was nothing more than a simple stroll.
"Haha, too easy..."
I didn't feel any shortness of breath, but deep in my chest, I felt a different kind of coldness.
"... Even though I lost my money."
Two million. A number that vanished in a few minutes. Numbers are harsh; they grow with difficulty and disappear in an instant. Just like receiving a direct hit from a merciless Cursed Spirit.
"I'll win next time..." I murmured to myself, unheard.
As I crossed the grass toward the building, I began to see students' faces here and there. The bell for the first period hadn't rung yet, but students who had finished breakfast were starting to gather in the corridors to move to their classes.
The echoes of boys and girls in their school robes resonated through the mist. One was waving his wand jokingly, another was laughing loudly with a friend, and another nearly tripped in the bustle──how energetic they were in the morning.
"How peaceful they are."
I put my hands in my pockets and cut across the courtyard. I found it funny myself; a few hours ago I was in the mountains of Japan, took a taxi, then a flying bike to return to this magic castle, yet this scene looked as if nothing had changed since yesterday.
"Toggling between two worlds to play the role of the leech relying on women one moment and the teacher the next. I'm quite the crooked person."
I passed under the stone arches and entered the castle. The corridors were a bit dark, and torchlight flickered on the walls. The characteristic smell of damp stone at Hogwarts pricked my nose.
── It's different from the smell of normal human life.
Magical energy is woven into the very structure of the castle, making the air feel a bit heavy. This sensation is something I can never get used to, no matter how much time passes. It resembles Cursed Energy but differs, caressing the surface of the skin with a strange softness.
"As usual, disgusting air."
The sound of my shoes echoed in the long corridor. As I headed toward the staff wing, I shifted my shoulders slightly; my back was stiff from the long bike ride. The students I passed held their breath the moment they saw my face.
"... Gasp..." "Good morning, Professor...!"
The girls' faces turned red as they looked away, while the boys recoiled in fear from the intensity of my gaze.
"Wait, wait. I don't think my face is that scary."
Even when I tried to smile lightly, they trembled more. Despite being here for a month, this reaction hadn't changed. Is it my face, or the aura I project? Probably both.
── I can't just be an "ordinary person" by carrying the title of teacher. I am, at my core, a professional assassin, so it's natural.
As I approached the staff room door, a familiar massive shadow approached from the corridor.
"Oh, Mr. Fushiguro!"
It was Rubeus Hagrid. That "half-giant" was waving his hand with a wide grin.
"... You're too loud, man."
"C'mon, friend, isn't it great to be energetic from the morning?"
"Shut up, you'll blow my cover."
"Cover for what?"
"... Nothing."
I looked away from him. I could never tell you that I went to Japan on your bike in the middle of the night and spent the night with a woman.
"You look a bit tired, are you alright?"
"It's just your imagination."
"Really? Make sure you get some rest. You have classes with the first and fourth years today."
"I know."
He patted my shoulder lightly, but the impact was heavy. Truly, he is a half-giant, and his strength is not to be underestimated.
When I opened the staff room door, some teachers had already gathered. Minerva was holding some papers, and Snape, as usual, wore that disgruntled expression. Quirrell saw me for a moment and then his shoulder jerked in fear.
"Good morning, Mr. Fushiguro."
Minerva greeted me with a firm, disciplined tone.
"Hey."
I replied curtly, and Snape cast a cold glance my way.
"As usual... showing up at odd times."
"I'm a morning person."
I gave a random answer to move past the situation. No one knew. No one could imagine that a few hours ago I was in Japan, far, far away from Hogwarts.
"Alright... let's start the class."
I muttered to myself as I sat in the staff chair. Even after a night of losing money, the teacher remains a teacher. And the time for strength training will inevitably come. This strange double life was starting to become a "standard routine" for me.
●○●○●
On the same day that Fushiguro Toji sliced through the night sky returning from Japan──Japanese televisions and newspapers were reporting news and images that caused a massive stir.
[Urgent: Multiple Reports of a "Motorcycle" Flying in the Night Sky]
[Unidentified Flying Object.. Sightings Continue in Various Regions]
These were clips filmed by several ordinary citizens in the suburbs of Tokyo and some regional cities in the early morning. A black motorcycle moving at high speed in the dark night sky. Almost no engine sound, and no wings. The sight of it gliding through the air made everyone hold their breath.
In the news studios, anchors replayed those strange clips over and over.
"Look, these are the clips filmed in Tokyo and Chiba from last night until this morning!" The anchor introduced the segment with an excited tone.
"It's a motorcycle... isn't it? It's completely flying!" one of the comedian commentators shouted in surprise.
"Impossible. A motorcycle cannot fly in the air," another expert shook his head in denial.
"But look at the video. No wings, no propellers, and the light distribution differs from ordinary vehicles."
On the screen, the black silhouette crossed the night sky repeatedly. Since the clips were filmed from different directions at the same time, it was clear they weren't faked.
"... Could it be a military experimental aircraft?"
"There is no official data so far."
"The newspapers are also talking about a 'mysterious flying bike'."
Headlines were filled with words like "Unidentified Flying Object," "Unknown Identity," and "Successive Sightings." Even in 1991, before the internet era, this news spread like wildfire through newspapers and television across the country.
●○●○●
Meanwhile, in the office of the Headmistress of "Mahoutokoro"──the Japanese magic school located atop the peak of Iwo Jima's southern island──an old television was showing a news program.
"Pffft!"
The old woman holding her teacup spat out its contents with force. Despite being over seventy, her back was straight, and she wore a purple kimono with dignity. She is the Headmistress of Mahoutokoro──and a pillar of the Japanese magic world.
"W-what... what is thisssss?! No matter how I look at it... it's flying!"
Cold sweat beaded on the old woman's wrinkled forehead. Without needing close inspection, it was obvious that this flight was the result of a "magical tool." The way the magical light refracted, the air turbulence, and the propulsion path; all were signs of advanced magical flight.
"A bike... it's a motorcycle... but, a magical tool like this... I've never heard of it."
The old woman turned up the TV volume with trembling fingers.
"We are in the process of confirming with the Air Defense Forces..."
"There are traces of an object passing in nearby airspace..."
Headlines scrolled across the news screen.
── This was a grave matter for the magic world.
Although the magical community in Japan lives in relatively peaceful coexistence with "Muggles" (non-wizards), exposing magic to the public is strictly forbidden. According to international agreements, magic must be hidden completely.
"What a fool... who... is doing this..."
The old woman stood up and pulled a wooden box from deep in the shelf. Inside was a golden magical tool──a magical communication crystal.
"This isn't just a levitation charm... it's a complete 'flying magical tool'."
The old woman's voice was trembling. It was clearly a high-level magical tool subject to international regulation, and nothing like it existed in the Japanese magic world.
"Could it be... from abroad?"
But she couldn't determine which country it came from. The magical energy waves resembled those found in British Commonwealth countries, but the details differed slightly.
"... The Muggles saw it. This is very bad."
The old woman recalled an old agreement in her mind.
── The agreement between the Japanese magic world and the Jujutsu world.
For a long time, both parties took a stance of public non-interference, but when it came to external magical noise, the matter was different. If things worsened, curse users might also be swept into this commotion.
"This cannot be left like this...!"
The old woman placed her hand on the crystal and murmured in a low voice. The crystal glowed with a faint light, and the communication channel opened.
"... We must hurry to confirm."
●○●○●
Meanwhile, the news studio was completely immersed in the topic.
"We have gathered testimonies from people who saw the object." Interviews with people on the street were shown.
"I saw something resembling a bike running in the sky! In the night sky, and at lightning speed!"
"I thought it was a UFO. It looked like someone was riding it, but at that speed, I couldn't see their face!"
"Not a flying saucer... but a flying bike? What is this..."
As the video replayed, the studio buzzed with discussion.
"The military and the civilian sector say there are no matching aircraft. So far, its identity is unknown."
"Man, a motorcycle... that's impossible." The comedian made a funny remark, but the general atmosphere was dead serious.
── No one ever imagined that the person riding that bike was the man nicknamed the "Sorcerer Killer."
●○●○●
Back at the Mahoutokoro Headmistress's office. The old woman replayed the video again, staring intently at the black silhouette.
"... This aura, I feel like I know it... no, impossible."
The title "Sorcerer Killer" is etched into the ancient records of the Jujutsu world in Japan.
Fushiguro Toji. The man born into the prestigious Zenin family without any Cursed Energy, and for that reason, he became the entity that kills curse users. The tyrant whom fate granted immense physical strength: Zenin Toji.
"... If this man is truly involved... things are going to get very complicated."
The old woman narrowed her eyes and reached toward the crystal once more. The identity of the magical tool's owner remained unknown. But one thing was certain ──
"... The Muggles saw it. This is... very dangerous."
The murmur of the old witch sank into the quiet of her office on the southern island of Iwo Jima.
In the islands of Japan, newspapers and television would continue for several days to report the "Flying Bike Stir." And Toji did not realize that a single night's whim had shaken the calm of the magic community from beneath the surface.