Miracle Summoner

Kyoko almost left the room without a word, heading upstairs and never returning.

Shouzou, seeing this, sighed helplessly, apologized to Rozen, and then followed her upstairs, seemingly to try and persuade her.

The servants, too, became nervous due to the earlier conversation. With Kouichirou and Asuna's permission, they quickly left the hall to prepare the New Year's meal in the kitchen.

Thus, only Rozen, Asuna, and Kouichirou were left in the living room.

"Sigh..."

Kouichirou let out a deep sigh.

"Well, now you've done it. You probably won't be able to reconcile with my mom anymore," he said, a touch of helplessness in his tone.

Asuna also looked worriedly at Rozen.

"Mom has always disliked people opposing her, especially on major issues. Even Dad often defers to her. Now that you've contradicted her so directly, leaving her no way out, she'll probably never give you a good face again," Asuna said, full of concern.

The Yuuki siblings both seemed worried.

On the other hand, Rozen, despite having thoroughly embarrassed his mother-in-law and leaving her no room to save face, appeared completely at ease.

"Should I have obediently followed her plans and handed over the rest of my life to her?" Rozen shrugged. "Sorry, but I'm not interested in living a life that lacks freedom."

It wasn't that Rozen couldn't follow the path Kyoko laid out for him. With his abilities, achieving it would be effortless—whether academically, professionally, or socially. Even without employing his mystic abilities, Rozen could easily excel and stand above the masses.

However, he couldn't stand Kyoko's attitude of arranging others' lives as though it were her rightful duty.

"Maybe she thinks the path she's chosen for us is undoubtedly the best, promising a bright future, but it completely disregards our will, interests, and passions. I'm sure that if we agree, we'd end up spending even our leisure time studying. Forget games or entertainment; there'd be none of that in our lives. Such a life might not be wrong, but it's definitely not for me," Rozen stated bluntly.

"But Mom's vision does provide the best prospects for you. If you follow her plan, you'll be able to live a carefree life in the future," Kouichirou offered, attempting to defend his mother.

However...

"A carefree life?" Rozen looked deeply at Kouichirou and asked, "Then, Kouichirou-nii, are you carefree right now?"

This question rendered Kouichirou speechless.

Was he carefree?

How could he be?

If he were truly carefree, Kouichirou wouldn't have bought a gaming headset and SAO software back then. He would've simply followed the future Kyoko envisioned for him and continued working hard. Why would he have needed to play games?

It was precisely because his current life was too rigid and dull that Kouichirou sought out gaming.

And...

"Uncle Shouzou and Aunt Kyoko are already undeniably successful, standing at the top. But are they carefree?" Rozen posed another question, leaving the Yuuki siblings unable to respond.

After all, how could they be?

Even now, Shouzou often fretted over collaborations with foreign enterprises and was deeply affected by incidents like those involving Sugo Nobuyuki. Meanwhile, Kyoko, though outwardly authoritative, constantly expended energy dealing with family politics.

Every year, she had to carry the pressure of competing with relatives from her hometown, striving to outshine them, avoid being looked down upon, and prevent others in the family from overshadowing her and flaunting it in her face.

For all their success, they couldn't escape worry. External pressures forced them to tread carefully as if walking a tightrope, knowing that one misstep could cost them everything.

Thus, a life free of worry was impossible.

"Having better conditions, a higher status, or more money doesn't equate to being carefree,"

Rozen remarked nonchalantly.

"Rich people have their own troubles, and those in power carry responsibilities and stress. True freedom from worry can only be achieved by relinquishing competition, staying humble, and rejecting the temptations of material wealth and power. Only then can one transcend such struggles."

At that moment, Rozen's profound perspective, honed over centuries, became evident.

"Society is simply a cycle of struggle—those at the bottom struggling to climb up, and those at the top struggling to maintain their position. The only difference is that one has yet to succeed, while the other has yet to fail."

"So, instead of joining the fray, I'd rather rake in the money, ensure I lack nothing, and leave the rest for others to fight over. Now that's living the good life," Rozen said, smiling as he sipped his tea, directing his gaze at Kouichirou and Asuna.

Seeing Rozen like this, Asuna was momentarily dazed before breaking into a smile. Kouichirou, after a moment of silence, let out a bitter laugh.

"You're right, bro. Living like you might just be the best way," Kouichirou said, patting Rozen on the shoulder. "If only I'd met you earlier."

Clearly, Kouichirou envied Rozen.

As for Asuna, there was no need to say more. The life Rozen described was exactly what she yearned for.

A life free from material worries, without the need for superficial relationships, lived quietly and joyfully with loved ones in harmony—that was Asuna's ideal.

Perhaps her life had been fraught with challenges, but precisely because of that, Asuna longed for something simpler and more ordinary.

That was also why Rozen avoided showcasing his powers in front of Asuna.

Asuna was suited to a life of peace. Even if difficulties arose, this girl would pick up her rapier and fight bravely, supporting her loved ones unconditionally. But it wasn't because she enjoyed it.

Both Asuna and Mash shared this similarity. Neither liked battle, yet when forced to fight, they would bury their fears and fragility, standing firm at the forefront to protect those they cherished.

Understanding this, Rozen was determined to let Asuna live a peaceful and ordinary life.

"Sorry for causing a bit of a conflict with your mom," Rozen said, taking Asuna's hand.

"No, I should thank you for voicing what I've always wanted to say," Asuna replied, tightly gripping his hand in return.

The two gazed into each other's eyes, full of warmth and affection.

"Ahem..." Kouichirou cleared his throat and frowned. "Hey, I'm still here. Could you not act like I don't exist and flaunt your love right in front of me?"

"Haha..."

Rozen and Asuna laughed together, breaking the heavy atmosphere and lightening the mood.