Chapter 24

~~~ Third Watch ~~~

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Not long after leaving the Second High School, Levi entered the residential area. Like the Second High School, many schools in the Central District provide dormitories for students.

However, just like the class divisions in society, even in this student paradise far from the hustle and bustle, family factors still lead to differences. The school dormitories are quite good, but as long as their family conditions allow, most students still choose to rent a house in the residential area. After all, a free life is what most people strive for. Even if the school dormitories are single rooms, there are always various inconveniences.

Among the students Levi knows, the young lady from a prestigious family, Rin Tohsaka, doesn't need to be mentioned. Fumino Fujibayashi and her sister rent a small apartment in a convenient location. Even the single-parent family student, Takumi Okazaki, did not choose to live in the dormitory of the Second High School but instead lived in a small bungalow with his father.

The School Island is a nation of students, but it does not completely prohibit the presence of non-students. Students' relatives, finding a decent job, can live on this peaceful island with their children. For example, the shops on the shopping street are all run by the parents of the students.

Of course, this system is limited to the Central District and Mahouka Kōkō. The completely closed and secretive Academy City only has students, teachers, and auxiliary scientific researchers.

As he ran through the streets illuminated by the lights, Levi could see some students diligently studying at their desks through the windows on both sides. Just for these adorable students, Levi did not regret his decision.

After all, Rin Tohsaka is also his student.

The scenery on both sides changed rapidly, like the view from a high-speed train. Levi rushed to his destination at a speed that was hard for ordinary people to understand.

However, the direction he was heading had gradually deviated since he left the school. Instead of heading towards White Imperial Academy, he was heading towards the distant, brightly lit Academy City.

Before long, Levi had already run out of the residential area. The bright lights were far behind, and in the distance, he could still see the vast light source of Academy City. It was as if he was running through a dark canyon, with only scattered streetlights and stars guiding his way.

During the archery club, Levi had lied to Rin. The magic power flowing from the central node was very weak, but when he actually touched it, he could still catch the flow.

The covenant he made with Rin, in Levi's view, was mainly to avoid direct conflict. Not to mention the feelings of a guardian-like relationship cultivated over many years, just for the sake of the friendship from those days, he could not allow himself to harm Rin in any way.

Soon, Levi could already see his destination with his naked eye. It was about three kilometers away from the prison-like tall walls of Academy City.

Apart from the road leading to Academy City, there were only a few abandoned buildings on both sides. Levi's destination was one of them.

From a distance, he could see the abandoned theater with the sign 'Hakumei-Za'. The building was not too old, and there was a relatively narrow parking lot in front.

Levi slowed down. The entire theater area was surrounded by metal plates and iron frames, about two meters high, probably scheduled for demolition.

There was an entrance for workers in the middle of the temporary metal fence.

And now, this entrance had been forcibly broken, with thick iron chains and a large lock on the ground. Seeing this, Levi was relieved that he had found the right place.

Because, after the central node of the barrier was destroyed, the flow of magic power had been cut off. He could only find this place by relying on his memory.

Entering the parking lot through the broken entrance, the Hakumei-Za theater, which was slightly larger than the gymnasium of the Second High School, was right in front of him.

Standing in front of this square, four-sided building, Levi was considering how to enter. Soon, he realized he didn't need to worry anymore.

Unconcealed footsteps came from inside the theater. Judging from the light and casual steps, they belonged to an ordinary human who had not undergone physical training. The weight matched that of a high school boy. Levi believed this was the master he was looking for. Who else would go to the relatively unknown Second High School in the Central District to set up a barrier with such effort, other than a student from his school?

Just as he was guessing who it was, the middle of the five double doors at the entrance of Hakumei-Za was opened from the inside.

"I was wondering who the late-night visitor would be, but it's a third-year teacher. Levi McDowell."

A boy with a fairly good appearance walked out onto the steps at the entrance of the theater. Levi's judgment was correct; the boy was wearing the uniform of the Second High School.

"Although our school doesn't have a rule that students must stay at home at night, you should explain why you came to such a remote place."

Levi had already confirmed the boy's identity. The faint magic power on the boy was exactly the same as what he felt in the gymnasium.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

The boy suddenly laughed for no apparent reason. The shrill laughter made Levi maliciously wonder if there was something wrong with his mental state.

"Mr. Levi, the buyer of this Hakumei-Za site is the Matou family. As the heir, Matou Shinji, is there anything wrong with me being here?"

"Matou Shinji?"

Levi repeated the name the boy had given, noticing the boy's smug look, as if he was a celebrity at school. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Levi tried, he could only recall a vague impression, and he only recognized that the boy was a second-year high school student by the style of his uniform.

After laughing for a while, the boy who called himself Matou Shinji noticed that Levi had no reaction. He finally realized that Levi didn't recognize him, which was intolerable for someone who was always proud.

He almost couldn't hold back his anger, but after a moment's thought, Matou suppressed his displeasure. After all, this rude person was destined to receive a lesson he would never forget!

"Mr. Levi, can't you remember this student? As a teacher, that's a failure. Don't tell me you're spending all your energy on girls? If outsiders knew that a teacher at the Second High School was targeting his students, even I would feel ashamed!"

Just a short while after meeting, Matou had already said several things that left Levi puzzled. Targeting the girls at school? Not to mention that he wasn't that kind of unscrupulous pervert. Even if Levi had such thoughts, they would probably be nipped in the bud by the student council president. Not to mention the powerful vampire progenitor at home.

"Students these days really don't understand respect for teachers. Matou Shinji, right? Just because you have a Heroic Spirit, you can do whatever you want?"

Levi was tired of wasting words with him. Since he had confirmed that the boy was the master, his status as a student no longer had any effect on Levi.

Just the barrier he set up in his school was enough to warrant a death sentence!

"What!"

But Matou Shinji clearly lacked Levi's intelligence. When his identity was suddenly revealed, his face showed panic. It was as if he really thought Levi had come to this remote place in the middle of the night just for a casual stroll.

"I understand... You destroyed my barrier? A magician?

Or something else? It doesn't matter. Even if you don't know my identity, I won't let you leave! Berserker!"

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