Epilogue

A few weeks later we were walking to the train station in peace.

There had been a lot of apologies and lies, but one way or another we’d managed to explain everything.

“Ah, I get it. So Zero pulled the sword and got a temporary power boost, and the Oracle mistook it for a permanent power? Yes, yes, that makes perfect sense,” my aunt said. “Zero could never be that strong on his own.”

The Master chuckled dryly and even left the room after hearing that.

“They still say I drink and smoke too much… you’re all too stupid,” he muttered.

Our master knew the truth, but he was too lazy to care about it.

As we walked, everyone waved at us, thanking us for tearing the Order’s claws out of the city. Apparently when the job gets done and the villains are chased off, everyone remembers they were uncomfortable the whole time. Still, no one wanted to help back then… life’s like that.

The station was full of balloons and a banner that read: Safe travels, Boss!

Rush’s whole team and Tadashi had organized a little farewell party for her before she left.

The big magical prodigy of Luminocity was finally going to a magic academy.

After all the goodbyes, only the two of us were left to say farewell.

“Well, I guess this is more of a ‘see you later’ than a goodbye. Still, I can’t leave like this. Come here, honey — give me your hand.”

We placed our hands together.

“Are you sure you want to do this? You said you always wanted a family. I wouldn’t mind keeping this connection… with you,” Tadashi said, cheeks flushed.

“I want a family, but not one made out of pity. I'm going to earn one!”

Our mana rose, interlinking. In one sharp cut she declared:

“At my command, I say: return to the darkness — I am alone again!”

She slapped me across the face.

“Ow… did you have to?” I said.

“Sorry… the divorce spell is quick, but it requires certain… expressions,” she shrugged.

“It’s okay.”

The tattoos on our fingers faded; the color drained from our skins returning to normal.

“Still, I want to keep, even without magical contracts, a promise. I’ll always keep my marriage vows. If you ever need help, Rush, you can count on me. From friend to friend.”

I raised my hand, waiting for a response.

“Okay.” Rush hugged us instead of shaking hands. “I’ll come back here one day, and we’ll get married for real… Ta-da-shi!”

Tadashi stepped back, startled.

“Wait… you know my name? How?”

“Silly, the marriage magic links souls. When I was close and focusing, I could feel your mana… your thoughts…”

“But I never heard anything from you…”

“Of course not. I’m not some lunatic narrating my own life, am I, Shi-nii?”

“Hey, show some respect! Go on, take the train. He’s mine again,” I said, wearing a dress and a long wig, clinging to Tadashi.

“Hehehe… okay… if you heard everything, you must think I’m weird.”

“Weird… no. Definitely a bit… divided.”

My friend climbed aboard the train that was about to depart.

“If I pass the exams and go to a magic academy, will I see you again?” Tadashi asked.

“I don’t know… I’m going to see if I like it there. If I don’t, I’ll go somewhere else.”

Rush smiled.

“I have zero rush to find my happiness. I’ll take my time and think before diving into something else.”

The train pulled away, everyone waving, Rush waving back.

No one noticed, but her free spirit lit the day brighter than the sun. Happiness spilled around her, and lilac particles filled our vision. A tear rolled down Tadashi’s cheek. A rain of sakura petals fell — it brought memories.

We said goodbye to the team and walked on. Passing streets and alleys, we reached our new HQ.

After a thorough review, we released two-thirds of the Order’s contracts. They were good people caught in the crossfire and empty promises from the cult. Their obligations and the energies bound to them were freed.

But there remained a third — the truly bad people — still in the cult.

And we weren’t going to just free them to do whatever they wanted.

“Welcome back home, Master Zero,” said our nephew, the angel.

Wearing his pyramid and intimidating clothes, he had become my right hand.

“Do I really still need to wear these clothes?” he asked.

“Of course — they look badass. Besides, I need a right-hand who inspires fear!”

All the psychopaths, bandits, assassins, thieves and extortionists gathered there knelt as I arrived.

“Nice, you put the throne I asked for! Now that’s classy.” We sat upon our new throne. “This is the life.”

What’s that look for? Think it’s tacky? Yeah… maybe that corrupted energy had an effect, but let’s agree we’d always worked with a greyer morality.

“Sir, we’ve started producing the mechs you ordered. They’ll arrive in a few weeks,” Dr. Agnes reported.

“Excellent, thanks. I haven’t seen one since I got here! They promised me a techno-magic society and I’ve only seen magic,” Tadashi said happily, biting into an apple left on a side table. “And please, keep at least five meters away, Doctor.”

She stepped back. We might not be married anymore, but she looked more likely to hit than kiss us.

“Is everyone here? I want to make an announcement…”

“Yes, everyone except—” the angel was cut off by the door opening.

“COUSIN! SORRY I MESSED UP, I’M HERE!”

It was Bourne, back in action.

We’d tried everything to cure him until we had a brilliant idea.

“TRY TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU FORGOT, YOU SON OF A—” I said, punching him again.

It worked. We explained everything: from the brainwashing to the surgeries they performed to improve his magic.

He replied:

“Seriously? Damn… THAT’S AWESOME!”

Since he was a bit… problematic, we gave him a Lord title so we could keep an eye on him and contain any damage.

He quickly fit in, even his punk appearance coming back.

“It’s fine, Bourne. Just take your position.”

“COOL!” he shouted, watching the ceremony start. All the worst of Luminocity were there, under our control.

“So, what’s our objective, Tadashi?” I asked, folding my skeletal arms.

Tadashi stood.

“I won’t lie. Like the Oracle, I don’t belong to this world. Ever since I arrived I’ve smelled death contaminating this world…The world is ending, I can feel it in my bones.”

Tell me about it.

“So our new project is simple. I want something long-term — something that lasts and drags us into all sorts of adventures. Like anyone who gets a sliver of power for the first time, I say: LET’S DOMINATE THE WORLD… ethically.”

“SIRE, LORD ONE!”

The One… our new name.

“I’ll be The One to fix this world!” Tadashi shouted.

Everyone cheered: hip hip hooray!

Tadashi smiled at me.

“Adventure awaits. We’ll probably die doing it… but I’m so excited!” he said.

“Yeah, I know… but I’m not afraid of myself, kid.”