Chaldea, as an organization officially approved by the United Nations, brought together Magi from across the world. Everyone had pitched in to decorate the halls and cafeteria with ornants reflecting their own countries' styles—each within their ans.
"Everyone did a great job."
Shiomi looked around at the bustling scene in the cafeteria, hands on his hips. The lively, warm atmosphere was infectious, and he couldn't help but smile.
"The banquet's about to start, but the Director couldn't find you. Sakura said she saw you head to the library this afternoon, so she sent
to fetch you..." Romani explained.
At that mont, Olga Marie, who was overseeing everything, spotted Romani and imdiately barked a new order.
"Romani! Go check if Ritsuka and Mash are ready! Stop slacking off!"
"I just finished an errand!" Romani said, hanging his head and pointing at himself.
Shiomi also pointed at himself. "Then what about ? What should I do?"
"Teacher, just find a spot and relax," Olga Marie said smugly, arms folded, clearly pleased with herself.
"The difference in treatnt is unreal..." Romani muttered, shooting a resentful glance at Shiomi before trudging off to find Ritsuka and Mash.
Shiomi was curious about what those two were preparing, but he decided to let it be a surprise.
He scanned the room, looking for an open seat. That's when he saw his master waving him over.
Next to her sat Morgan.
And right between them—perfectly centered—was one empty seat.
No matter how he looked at it, that seat was obviously ant for him.
He would've preferred not to be sandwiched between the two of them, but since the situation had co to him, he had no choice but to accept it.
He walked over and sat between Morgan and Scáthach.
"I'm not drinking tonight," Shiomi said, eyeing the cups in their hands.
"We're not drinking either," Scáthach replied, pouring grape juice into her glass.
Morgan sipped on her orange juice. "The wine Chaldea keeps in storage isn't worth ntioning."
"Oh? Then what would you consider a proper wine?" Scáthach leaned against the table and asked.
"If I had to na one... probably sothing like the bottle my husband kept in his collection," Morgan said with a subtle smile. "Too bad it's long gone—only the golden wine vessel remains."
"...That was just a war trophy... Actually, even calling it that doesn't quite fit," Shiomi said, lips twitching.
That wine had been sothing Gilgash left behind during the Fourth Holy Grail War.
The vessel and the wine itself had been top-tier. Shiomi hadn't let it go to waste—he shared it with Morgan after the war.
Now, only the solid gold wine cup remained back ho in Japan.
"But the taste really was excellent," Shiomi admitted. Gilgash definitely had good taste in alcohol.
Morgan gave Scáthach a smug look. "It's such a sha you never got to share that wine with my husband, Scáthach."
Shiomi slapped a hand over his face.
So that's why she brought up the wine...
"It is a bit of a sha," Scáthach replied, unbothered. "But it's because regrets exist that they hold value."
Under the table, she pinched Shiomi's lower back—hard.
Shiomi just silently endured it.
"Are you two seriously going to keep bickering here?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"Of course not. Everyone at Chaldea put in a lot of effort for tonight's celebration," Morgan said, shaking her head. "Even I know when to be polite."
"You don't have to make it sound so serious..." Shiomi chuckled. "I just want everyone to relax a bit."
Scáthach offered a gentle smile. "Then there's nothing to worry about. Chaldea may feel a bit too relaxed at tis, but it's comforting. After all, this may be a Magus stronghold, but your presence alone makes it enough."
"Master..." Shiomi was just starting to feel touched when Morgan pinched his back again.
Good thing his healing was quick—otherwise, his lower back would be black and blue by now.
He glanced toward Sakura and the others chatting with Olga Marie. A soft smile spread across his face, and his eyes finally settled on Gray.
"By the way, Master, you've been spending a lot of ti training Gray and Mash in combat lately, haven't you?" Shiomi asked with a grin. "I've seen it. You're a lot gentler than when I was in the Land of Shadows..."
Scáthach smiled faintly, but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Those two are just seeking my guidance. They're not my disciples, so I have no reason to train them the way I did before. But if my beloved disciple wants to train again, I wouldn't mind helping you relive your days in the Land of Shadows."
"I'll pass." Shiomi politely but firmly declined.
"There's a saying among humans—being too strict drives people away," Morgan said with a light chuckle.
Scáthach raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you saying my disciple wants to distance himself from ?"
"That's not it," Shiomi said with a sigh, glancing over at Morgan—who was clearly enjoying this, eyes full of amusent.
The three of them had barely exchanged a few more words when the already lively cafeteria grew even more spirited.
Looking up, they saw Ritsuka and Mash walking through the main doors.
Both girls were dressed in kimonos.
"What's this about?" Shiomi was caught off guard by their outfits.
Ritsuka wearing one made sense—she was Japanese after all.
But Mash had changed into one too.
"Da Vinci's idea. She even made the kimonos herself for the two of them," Scáthach explained. "Still, it's the clothing of your holand, so it's an interesting sight."
"Now that you ntion it, my husband had several sets of kimonos custom-made for everyone in the family," Morgan said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "It's a sha we didn't think to bring them when we ca to Chaldea. The blue one was my favorite... but it's gone now, lost with the Human Order's incineration. Truly unforgivable, King of Magecraft."
"Alright, alright... If it ans that much, I'll talk to Da Vinci and have her make you a new one," Shiomi said quickly, trying to calm her.
Scáthach nudged his shoulder with a look that suggested she had sothing to say.
"O-of course, Master will get one too," Shiomi imdiately added.
He suddenly felt drained. Maybe going toe-to-toe with the King of Magecraft right now would've been the easier option.
But the mont he felt the two of them subtly scoot their chairs closer, leaning gently against him, all those thoughts vanished into thin air.
At the temporary stage set up in the center of the cafeteria, Olga Marie, flanked by Ritsuka and Mash, officially announced the start of the New Year celebration.
And for the first ti in a long while, Shiomi turned to the two beside him and said,
"Happy New Year."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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