Abnormal Type Moon

Chapter 3: Kasumigaoka Utaha

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"Sir, this is a bit..."

Kalo looked at the newcomer and couldn't help but show an awkward expression.

The blond young man, clearly displeased at having the person he chose contested, turned to scrutinize the intruder.

Among the refugees, the high school girl who had been trying to avoid attention realized she had become the center of a brewing conflict. She raised her head, her expression visibly grim.

At the entrance to the hall, a thin figure entered through the door, stepping into the tense atmosphere.

It was a young man, appearing to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

He wore a striped baseball cap, with a few soft white curls peeking out from under the brim. His hair was stark white, as pure and pristine as freshly fallen snow.

His facial features were delicate—more refined than traditionally handsome—almost as if they had been sculpted into perfection. A faint, gentle smile lingered on the corners of his lips, making him seem approachable and easy to like.

Unfortunately, he wore a pair of black-framed glasses that obscured his eyes, making it difficult to read his expression.

Yet, the moment one looked at him, one would thought they caught a blood-red glint in his eyes.

Upon closer inspection, the pupils behind his glasses were indeed bright crimson—a hauntingly beautiful shade that drew one in without warning.

On the chest of his plain black windbreaker was a nameplate with the words "Matsu" inscribed on it.

"Sir, those two refugees have already been chosen by the Mage. Perhaps you could select someone else?" Kalo suggested anxiously, glancing nervously at the white-haired boy's nameplate.

In Fuyuki City, anyone wearing such a nameplate was one of the legendary "Mage," individuals who controlled the very lifeblood of the city. Rare and exalted, their status was so high that Kalo, as the head of the refugee shelter, wasn't even worthy of their notice.

"Mage?!"

A surprised voice rang out from among the refugees.

"Is it possible? The kind of supernatural power that often appears in fantasy light novels? People with real magic? Could magic actually exist in this world?!"

The voice belonged to a black-haired boy wearing black-framed glasses. He stared at the two Mages in the hall with undisguised excitement, his eyes gleaming as though a dream of his had just come true.

Coincidentally, the black-haired girl with the headband sat nearby.

Seeing his outburst, the girl glared at him fiercely, irritation flashing in her eyes.

The situation was already complicated enough. Drawing this kind of attention to himself in such a precarious environment was outright reckless.

Around them, the other refugees displayed a range of reactions—some remained silent, others whispered quietly, and a few watched with amused, gloating expressions.

The black-haired girl crossed her legs unconsciously, the torn pantyhose revealing her long, shapely thighs, which shifted slightly as her irritation grew.

Despite the stir among the refugees, the two Mages remained unbothered.

"Actually, I like that girl as well, Atrum. Would you mind giving her to me?" The white-haired boy spoke, his voice gentle and his smile warm as he addressed the blond young man directly.

Kalo's expression tightened with panic.

Would the two Mages fight over the girl here? If they did, the consequences could be disastrous.

He was riddled with anxiety. The white-haired boy, was known to be of the lowest rank among Mages, while the blond young man, Atrum, held the esteemed third rank. How could the lower-ranked Mage so boldly ask for the girl? Wouldn't it be better for him to step aside tactfully?

"...Oh, who did I think it was? Isn't this Mr. Roy?"

The blond young man, Atrum, looked momentarily surprised, but then a bright smile spread across his face.

"Of course, no problem. She's just a refugee anyway. If Mr. Roy is interested, please take her with you!"

Kalo was stunned for a moment but quickly let out a sigh of relief.

The apparent camaraderie between the two Mages eased his worries for the time being.

"Then I'll handle the formalities right away! By the way, my lord, there are two vacancies for attendants each month. You've used one now. Would you like to choose the other one as well?"

"Yes, let's choose now. I'm not free enough to make another trip. I'll take the noisy one."

"Understood!"

Kalo quickly agreed and went to the counter to complete the paperwork.

Before long, the formalities were completed. The burly man and the boy with glasses were assigned to Atrum, while the girl with long black hair was handed over to Roy, the white-haired Magus.

"Mr. Roy, if you have the time, why not visit my home to discuss magic? Of course, it would be even better if your family is available to join as well."

"Thank you for the invitation, but no one is home. Goodbye."

Roy offered Atrum a polite, flawless smile before leaving the refugee shelter with the girl with long black hair in tow.

It wasn't until Roy was out of sight that the smile vanished from Atrum's face.

"Pah, what a joke!"

His expression twisted into one of contempt as he spat in the direction Roy had left, his eyes full of disdain and mockery.

Kalo's scalp prickled with unease. He slowly lowered his head, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

---

Fuyuki City sat by the sea, surrounded by mountains and water.

Ordinarily, as a coastal city, it should have boasted beautiful scenery.

But as They stepped out of the shelter, what greeted them was not the green mountains or the clear waters, but scorched, blackened earth and a murky, polluted sea.

Even the air was heavy with the acrid stench of burning.

"What's your name?"

Walking along the road, Roy kept his gaze straight ahead.

As they passed, pedestrians caught sight of the nameplate on his chest. Their expressions turned to awe, and without a word, they made way for him, leaving the two of them an open path.

"...Kasumigaoka Utaha."

The girl with long black hair hesitated for a moment before responding honestly.

Just as I thought, Roy mused to himself, nodding imperceptibly.

When he'd seen her back in the refugee shelter, he'd already guessed.

"My name is Roy."

"Yes, Lord Roy."

Kasumigaoka nodded obediently.

Roy offered no further comment, and his lack of reaction made it unclear whether he was satisfied with her deference.

This left Utaha, who was carefully observing his expression, feeling somewhat disheartened.

As they continued walking, she noticed something peculiar.

They didn't seem to be heading deeper into the city but rather towards the outskirts. The massive city wall that surrounded Fuyuki City, towering over ten meters high, loomed closer and closer.

She couldn't figure out where they were going, and though curiosity tugged at her, she suppressed the urge to ask.

"You'll be working in my house from now on," Roy said suddenly, as though sensing her unspoken thoughts. He turned to her with a gentle smile. "It's best that you learn some basic knowledge about this world."

His smile was warm, genuine, and oddly reassuring. The unease that had been building in Utaha's heart slowly faded away.

"Come and see. This is just the tip of the iceberg of this world."

They climbed the city wall together.

From the top, a vast expanse of the world unfolded before Utaha's eyes.