Chapter 6

In the south of the Misty Lake, there lies a vast forest.

The forest is filled with a pervasive demonic aura, and spores from the demonic mushrooms create a miasma that ordinary people cannot tolerate. Not only humans, but even many demons are unwilling to approach this place.

Therefore, those who can endure the miasma live here to ensure they are not attacked by demons. Additionally, the spores from the demonic mushrooms can induce hallucinations, which to some extent enhance human magical power, so those aspiring to become mages also come here to live and train.

The terrain in the forest is complex and uneven, with occasional rivers forming waterfalls in areas with significant elevation changes.

Towering trees block out the sky, and the kind of massive trees that require dozens of people to encircle can be seen everywhere, even in the outside world, including in primeval forests.

For these giant trees, even the roots protruding from the ground are several times thicker than an adult's body.

"Truly a place where few people tread..."

Yakumo Moku walked through the Forest of Magic, looking around at the scenery and sighing.

As a boundary demon, Yakumo Moku's body is different from most demons.

Therefore, being in the Forest of Magic, which is a forbidden zone for most demons, Yakumo Moku only felt completely at ease.

It felt as if he had returned to his mother's womb.

Suddenly, Yakumo Moku frowned and looked ahead.

Although there was nothing but towering trees in his line of sight, Yakumo Moku clearly sensed a wave of magical energy coming from ahead.

The most famous magic users living in the Forest of Magic are undoubtedly Kirisame Marisa and Alice.

Thinking that he might meet these two famous people, Yakumo Moku's pace involuntarily quickened.

After walking a bit further and crossing a shallow and narrow canyon, a simple wooden cottage appeared before Yakumo Moku.

A wooden sign stood in front of the cottage, with the words "Kirisame Magic Shop" written on it.

It seems the previous wave of magical energy came from Marisa.

Black and white thief...

Turning around the cottage, he came to an open space behind it, and sure enough, he saw a beautiful girl practicing magic.

The girl had shoulder-length golden hair, with one side braided and hanging in front, adorned with a bow. She wore a standard black and white maid outfit, with a white apron added, and a large black triangular wizard's hat on her head, also adorned with a large bow.

"Huh...?"

The beautiful girl, upon seeing the suddenly appearing Yakumo Moku, first widened her eyes in surprise, then after a moment of shock, pointed at him and exclaimed, "You're that young man from the Yakumo family!"

Yakumo Moku's forehead slid down with a few black lines.

Marisa seemed very happy and jumped right in front of Yakumo Moku, not caring that the wind revealed her skirt as she landed. She grabbed Yakumo Moku's sleeve and said with familiarity, "Hey! Young man from the Yakumo family, are you here for a commission? I haven't received a commission in a long time! I'm almost starving..."

If you're almost starving, shouldn't you just go back to your old job as a thief?

Although he thought this in his heart, Yakumo Moku still said, "Hello, Marisa. I was just wandering around and ended up here by chance. I felt a wave of magical energy earlier, so I came to check it out. Were you practicing magic?"

"Uh-huh!"

Marisa nodded repeatedly, seeming very excited when talking about magic.

"How about it? Is the young man from the Yakumo family interested in magic too? Let's have a go!"

Have a go?

Yakumo Moku's mouth twitched.

Should I say, no wonder you're black and white?

He knew very well that Marisa's "have a go" meant to have a fight.

However, Yakumo Moku had little interest in fighting.

Moreover, she just said she was almost starving and asked if he was there for a commission, and now she wants to have a go...

This is a bit of a strange way of thinking...

"Um... no need, right?"

"Ah?" Marisa's beautiful little face immediately fell, looking extremely cute, "The young man from the Yakumo family is so boring!"

For this girl, as cute as his pet Orange, Yakumo Moku had a very good impression. Seeing her pouting face, he felt a bit awkward and then sighed, "Um... if we don't count the party three years ago, this is our first meeting, right? Is it really good to fight on the first meeting?"

"Ah? It seems so... Then, young man from the Yakumo family, come in for a cup of black tea! DA☆ZE!"

Even her catchphrase came out...

Marisa raised her right hand, and the broom that was originally placed aside flew into her hand. Then, the girl walked ahead, heading towards her magic shop.

"Welcome to the Kirisame Magic Shop!"

Marisa opened the door, walked in a few steps, and then turned to smile at Yakumo Moku.

Standing at the door, Yakumo Moku's face was filled with awkwardness.

How can this room be described as anything but a mess...

Marisa likes to collect (steal) things, but she carelessly throws them around her house without any organization, making the entire Kirisame Magic Shop look like a small version of the Forest of Magic.

Yakumo Moku felt he couldn't even find a place to put his feet.

At the Lost House, with the all-around housekeeper Aya, Yakumo Moku's life was always well-organized, and his home was extremely tidy, which even made him develop a slight obsession with cleanliness.

"Um... Marisa, do you never tidy up your room?"

Although this was impolite, and the other party was a girl, Yakumo Moku really couldn't stand it.

The room had no unpleasant odor and even a faint fragrance, but it was too messy...

Dirty clothes and leftover food were haphazardly piled together.

Various experimental tools and some suspicious bomb-like objects were placed next to them.

There were several brooms lying around haphazardly.

The table, except for the frequently used areas, was covered with a thick layer of dust.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Yakumo Moku wouldn't have believed this was a girl's home.

Should I say, this is a worldview destroyer?

Marisa looked at her mess of a room and, for once, blushed.

"Oh... um..."

"Hehe." Yakumo Moku smiled and shook his head, stepping in, "Since we met, it must be fate. Do you mind if I help you tidy up your room?"

Yakumo Moku has a bit of an obsessive-compulsive disorder, which doesn't show much when he is taken care of by Aya, but now, seeing Marisa's room, it became quite evident.

Not tidying up this room made Yakumo Moku feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Ah? Ah! Um... really? You're too much trouble..."

Even if Marisa was as thick-skinned as she was, she still felt embarrassed letting someone who wasn't really familiar with her help tidy up her room.