To Become a King and a Magician

After having lunch at the family restaurant where Arthur works, Naoki went to school.

"Haaa... the food at the family restaurant is still delicious. How long has it been since I last ate something other than bread and rice balls? I really want to eat hot rice every day."

Half a month ago, Naoki was still able to go to the supermarket to buy ingredients and cook for himself, after all, he was alone. But after King Arthur appeared, he really didn't have enough money to fill the king's stomach. Besides, he had spent all his savings on the night he summoned Arthur...

The reason why they could have lunch at the family restaurant this time was thanks to Arthur, and the meal money was deducted from Arthur's salary. Initially, Naoki refused, but Arthur said it was a punishment for going out without permission.

"Natsukawa, you finally came to school."

A boy came over and started talking to Naoki.

"Someone came to ask for leave this morning, saying there was an urgent matter. Did something happen at home?"

"Ah, it's nothing, it's not a big deal. Thank you for your concern, Ryudo."

Full name Ryūdō Reikan, he is the only son and the next-generation head priest of Ryudo Temple, a famous temple in Fuyuki City. He is Naoki's classmate and class monitor, and also serves as the student council president.

Putting the bag in his hand on Naoki's desk, Reikan said with a smile: "This is for you."

"What?"

Naoki opened the bag and saw that it contained a bento box, and inside were rice balls.

"Is this for me?"

"Yes, didn't you complain about not being able to afford food a few days ago? I noticed you looked a bit unwell during physical education class yesterday. I guess you haven't been eating well these past few days."

"You ate... two pieces of bread last night?"

Reikan couldn't help but frown: "Are you living an ascetic life? How can we only eat two pieces of bread for dinner at our age? And I haven't seen you eating lunch lately."

"I don't have the habit of making bento, so if I buy it at the supermarket... Well, if I go back to work, I can ask the store manager to give me bento that's about to expire."

"Natsukawa, isn't your life a bit pitiful?" Reikan sighed deeply, "Anyway, if you don't mind, just accept these rice balls. If you really have difficulties in life in the future, just come to the temple to find me, I will help you."

"No, no, I'm not that bad yet. I can still survive if I try my best. I'll accept the rice balls without shame. I'll give you a return gift next time. Thank you, Ryudo."

Seeing Naoki's somewhat forced smile, Reikan sighed again: "Forget about the return gift, the important thing is that you can come to the student council to help in the future."

"Help me... I might not be able to today."

"Working to make a living?"

"Yeah."

"You've been working hard too."

With a wry smile, Naoki asked back: "Come to think of it, I always feel that the class is a bit quiet. Before, it shouldn't be Fujimura..."

"The Kendo Club called her for something."

"Thank goodness, I can finally enjoy my lunch break in peace."

Fujimura – full name Fujimura Taiga – is the most active member in school. She is also the daughter of the Fujimura Group, the largest gang in Fuyuki City. She is one of the few people Naoki doesn't want to interact with, because she is too noisy, so noisy that the school is filled with excitement every day because of her.

Glancing at the clock, Reikan said, "Then, it's almost time for us to leave."

"Eh? Where are you going?"

"Afternoon class. The first class in the afternoon is cooking class. You didn't forget, did you?"

"..."

Naoki had completely forgotten.

Honestly, why does Japan have so many strange subjects? Even though we can cook at school, isn't the school afraid of accidents?

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After school, he went to work. When Naoki finished his work and returned home, the time was already nine o'clock at night.

Pushing the door open, Naoki looked at Arthur who had been sitting at home waiting for him. He put the rice balls Reikan sent him this afternoon on the table and said, "I'm back. Let's eat rice balls tonight."

"Rice balls? Master, did you make them yourself?"

"How could I? Do I look like someone who can make rice balls? These rice balls were given to me by my classmate. He noticed that I haven't been eating well these past few days, so he made some rice balls for me out of kindness."

"Then the other party must be a good person."

Reikan is indeed a good person. In fact, not only in school, but also on the streets of Fuyuki City, many people have been helped by him. According to him, he is building a reputation to become the head priest of the temple in the future.

There are a lot of rice balls, and it would be more if given to one person, but unfortunately, there is another person, Arthur, who ate most of the rice balls. In the end, Naoki only ate five rice balls.

"Arthur, can't you leave some more for me?"

"I've eaten so much without realizing it. Master, if you're not full yet, I borrowed the restaurant's kitchen when I was working part-time to make food."

Arthur's cooking?

'I remember British cuisine looks...'

Before Naoki could think of the dishes that are quite dark in a sense, Arthur had already brought out the dishes he had made.

"Camelot-style mashed potatoes, Master, please eat." Arthur smiled and pushed a bowl of mashed potatoes in front of Naoki. "This is what Merlin taught me. Since I don't know Master's taste, I made it according to the usual method. Please try it."

'Forget it.'

Looking at the bowl of mashed potatoes, Naoki swallowed his saliva, then forced a smile and said, "Oh~ it looks delicious, I'll put it in the fridge now."

"Eh? You don't want to eat it?"

"You can't finish all this! Why not save it for tomorrow's meal?"

Besides the taste, if Naoki eats this much, it will be enough for two days. Considering his current financial situation, this is timely relief.

After putting the mashed potatoes in the fridge, Naoki sat back down across from Arthur: "Alright, now that we've eaten and drunk enough, let's get started. Arthur, remember what I told you this afternoon, that I need your help to do something tonight?"

"Remember. Are we going to fight another Servant?"

"No, I want to save two people." Naoki said, "When I passed by a place some time ago, I happened to meet a family torturing a little girl. The little girl's uncle... Well, her uncle was also being harassed. I wanted to help them, but for some reason, I couldn't get close to them. As soon as I got close, I would unconsciously walk in another direction... so, I want you to help me."

"If you get close, you will go elsewhere... That should be a barrier that repels people, a very common barrier. Master, you are not a Magus, so it's natural that you would be fooled." Arthur stood up while speaking, "Then, let's go, Master, since this trip is for justice, then of course I have no reason to refuse."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. This is my duty as a Servant. And also... Master, to be honest, your ability to make up stories is really bad."

"Very annoying!"