Shinji Matou at Your Service

Shinji didn't casually mention this matter to Waver; he had deeper considerations.

One of the participants in the variant Holy Grail War, the character with the most screen time, was Waver's top problem student, Flat. The Servant Flat summoned was also related to Shinji—Berserker, Jack the Ripper.

Flat participated because he got the information from Waver. In other words, news of the variant Holy Grail War would first reach Waver's ears. By giving Waver a heads-up, if it indeed came true, Waver would contact him, ensuring that Shinji wouldn't miss the chance to stir things up.

Waver's reaction was just as Shinji expected. He looked thoughtfully at the safe in his office and said in a deep voice, "I understand. I'll keep an eye on it."

"Just keeping an eye on it is enough; no need to focus too much. If you want to participate, you can this winter—you really want to see him, don't you? You want to tell him about your achievements, right?"

Shinji was referring to the Fifth Holy Grail War that he and Justeaze had been waiting for a long time.

"This…"

Waver didn't answer immediately. He was silent for a while before sighing, "I'll think about it."

"Alright, I'll save a spot for you."

This wasn't the first time Shinji tried to persuade Waver, nor was it the first time he received such a response. Knowing Waver had concerns, he didn't push further, stopping at this point. He had said all he could and done all he could. Whether Waver would come or not was up to him.

With the nature of Waver and King of Conquerors, winning was straightforward, and losing was accepted gracefully. Such a Master-Servant pair was what Shinji most hoped to have as participants. Regardless of alliance or success, they wouldn't become obstacles to purifying the Holy Grail.

"Thank you."

"No need to be polite. We've known each other for ten years, Lord El-Melloi II."

"I've told you how many times, don't use that title. Why don't you ever listen?"

"You didn't listen when two Lords and I asked you to take a vacation."

Shinji was responding in kind but thought in his heart that because of his interference, Kayneth was still alive and had reached the pinnacle of his life. Waver could not inherit the name El-Melloi; the famous El-Melloi II of the previous life would not exist.

At least let me remember him.

"Why has it come back to this?"

Weber conceded, "If you want me to take a vacation, help me grade assignments and share the courses. Teach the history of magecraft and the evolution of magecraft. You know more about these than specialized history lecturers. I don't know where you learned all this knowledge."

Because I have a Shishou who has lived from the Age of Gods to the present and has always kept an eye on the modern world—such words couldn't be spoken.

"Afternoons are fine. I don't have any plans recently."

"Whether you have plans or not isn't up to you; it depends on the young lady's side."

The young lady, of course, referred to the current Lord Barthomeloi, Lorelei, who stood at the top of the Clock Tower and was also Shinji's only employer at the moment.

Since Kayneth successfully reached the Grand position, he gradually reduced other activities to focus on academic research. Under his leadership, the entire El-Melloi faction also gradually settled down, rarely participating in factional conflicts. Other factions wouldn't provoke the El-Melloi faction, which had the Grand sitting at its peak.

In such an environment, Shinji, who always restrained himself and didn't want to be in the spotlight, had little use. The interactions between the two gradually shed the interests-based relationship and turned into pure personal exchanges.

On the contrary, as Lorelei deepened her control over the Political and Legal Department, she encountered more of the dark side of the Clock Tower, giving Shinji more room to maneuver. Although Lorelei's greatest hope was for Shinji to step forward and formally become her right-hand man, Shinji refused. In the end, they each took a step back.

Shinji would continue to hide in the shadows of the Political and Legal Department until he came of age, ensuring a sufficient workload each year. After coming of age, he would officially join the Political and Legal Department to work for Lorelei. Only a handful of people knew about this, and Waver was one of them.

Hearing Weber's teasing, Shinji rolled his eyes, "Hey, hey, I'm helping to ease your pressure. How can you—"

Before he finished, there was a knock on the door.

"—FXXK, did you jinx it?"

"It's impolite to swear in front of a lady, Mr. Matou."

A young female voice, still somewhat childish, came from outside the door. Although it sounded gentle, it couldn't deny that she seemed to be teasing. The voice carried excitement, but whether it was barely concealed or not intended to be hidden at all was more debatable.

This voice belonged to only one person Shinji knew—Reines Archisorte. Originally the heir to the Archibald family's branch, Archisorte, she gave up her inheritance shortly after Kayneth's return and joined the then-weak El-Melloi Classroom without hesitation, becoming Waver's adopted sister.

"Long time no see, Miss Reines."

"Long time no see, Mr. Matou."

Her beautiful blonde hair spread out at the door, and her porcelain-like white hands elegantly lifted her skirt. Her flame-like eyes paused briefly on Shinji before turning to Waver.

"Good afternoon, dear brother."

Generally speaking, being greeted by such a beautiful young lady would be a delightful thing, but Waver looked like he had seen a huge problem. His brow furrowed deeper than when he faced the problematic students in the courtyard.

Seeing Waver like this made Reines even happier.

"Dear brother, you're frowning again. That will cause wrinkles. I wouldn't want you to become an awful middle-aged man by the time I get married; it wouldn't be a good match."

"Miss, please moderate your jokes."

Waver addressed Reines as "Miss" to keep a respectful distance.

However, Reines didn't care for that at all. She put on a pitiful look, with obvious sorrow on her pretty face.

"Jokes? Oh, my dear brother, it's so hurtful for you to say that. Don't you understand my feelings yet? I—"

"Miss!"

Waver raised his voice.

Reines finally reined in her behavior, quietly complaining, "So unromantic. I'm really worried about my life after marriage."

Waver felt his stomach ache worsening. All his students combined didn't trouble him as much as this girl in front of him. At most, the students had problematic personalities, but she had risen to the level of a demon. Imagine a girl who has been talking about marrying you since she was 7 or 8 years old, and has kept it up for 6 or 7 years.

What made it worse was that her demonic side was only aimed at him. Outside, she always maintained the demeanor of an elegant and proper young lady. Her achievements and reputation were impeccable, and she could often directly issue orders on Waver's behalf, earning her the nickname, the woman supporting Waver and Waver's young wife by many people.

To this, Waver could only say, "Who would want to marry this little demon? I'm not ready for an early grave!"