Shinji Matou at Your Service

The Clock Tower.

That word is usually understood as a tourist attraction in London.

However, for magi, it holds a completely different meaning.

It is both the heart of the Mage's Association, which oversees a large number of magi, and the highest institution aimed at training young magi.

In particular, the ancient building that serves as its landmark is a holy site in the minds of the magi. Securing a place in such a location is a dream for countless magi.

On the upper levels of this sacred site, at the position corresponding to the IV mark on the ancient clock, a man and a woman in the prime of their lives stood by the window, silently observing the plaza below. Neither of them spoke.

It wasn't until a sharp red-haired woman in a suit, carrying a handbag, passed by the plaza in front of the Clock Tower that the man sighed softly.

"There's still time to regret it. You can stop her now."

"And what good would that do?"

The woman smiled as she asked.

"You know the answer."

The man looked at her helplessly.

"Of course, it would be to go to Fuyuki in her place. The holy relic is still in my study; you can take it anytime. Once you're in Fuyuki, go directly to Shinji. As long as you don't interfere with his plans, he'll cooperate with you. I'm sure he has a way to keep a Servant permanently in this world."

"Not even a bit jealous?"

The smile on the woman's lips deepened, and her tone grew teasing. "After all, I am your wife."

"Jealous, of course."

The man's voice turned low, filled with a mix of resentment, melancholy, yet unwavering resolve.

"But after surviving that near-fatal experience, I came to understand many things. Now, I only want to fulfill your wish."

"My former wish, not the present one."

The woman shook her head, her features softening further.

"You came to understand many things, and so did I. Every woman dreams in her youth—of a prince on a white horse, of a handsome knight. But that was just a dream. Eventually, we all wake up, and when we do, we often find our younger selves laughable. While I don't regret having such dreams, I won't chase after them again."

"You can still pursue them."

"And what meaning would that have? It's nothing more than a shadow of the past. I value the present more than the past—more than anyone from the past, I value the people in front of me and our home."

"Sola, you've changed a lot."

Kayneth smiled, like warm sunlight in winter.

The once sharp edge, the pride, the arrogance that once knew no bounds, had all been tempered by time into something more refined—like a priceless sword now sheathed.

"So have you, Kayneth."

Sola, with her graceful demeanor, exuded an elegance that had matured over the years.

There are many beautiful women in the world, but as time passes, that beauty inevitably fades, and they become just another face in the crowd.

Sola had once been such a woman, but after a series of events, she had grown. She was no longer just a pretty face. Even if her looks were to fade, her elegance and the life experiences she had accumulated over the years would still make her a refined peony in full bloom.

And so, this man and woman had risen to an unshakable position, shining brighter than ever.

"But, if you decide to go, I'll go to the battlefield with you. You must still feel some bitterness about how badly you lost ten years ago. Some people even use that to attack you, calling it the only blemish on your record."

In response to his wife's slightly provocative words, Kayneth waved his hand dismissively.

"Let them say what they will. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. As for bitterness, yes, there's some. But it also made me face reality. I'd rather stay quietly in my workshop doing research. Fighting isn't for me. Besides, if both of us go, who will look after Waver? He hasn't said anything, but I know deep down, he wants to go. Even if he does go, this time, I won't be the main player in the war. That's Shinji's stronghold, after all. You can imagine how much preparation he's made. But—"

At this point, Kayneth glanced down, but the woman in the suit they had been watching had already disappeared.

"—if I can see through all this, Barthomeloi surely can too. So why send her to Fuyuki? She's the most outstanding Executor, a rare talent. If she dies in Fuyuki, the pressure on Barthomeloi will be immense."

"Maybe she's there to assist Shinji?"

Sola suggested.

Kayneth shook his head.

"Unlikely. The Executor's position is too sensitive. Why not send someone from the Brigade Squad?"

"If you're so curious, you could just ask directly."

"You're right. I'll contact Lord Barthomeloi."

As he spoke, Kayneth picked up a direct-line communication device on his desk.

"This is El-Melloi. I need to speak with Lord Barthomeloi."

"What? She's not there? Where did she go? When will she be back?"

"Alright, got it. Let me know as soon as she's back."

"Not there at this time?"

Sola's voice rose in surprise. She knew how many things had happened recently. The Einnashe, the Mystic Eye Collection Train, Heartless, the serial murders from seven years ago—not a single one of them was a small matter. All of these required her attention. It didn't make sense for her to leave at this moment.

"They said something about strange movements in the Dead Apostle circles, and that she took the Brigade Squad to investigate."

That was the explanation the Department of Policies gave Kayneth, and it seemed reasonable to Sola.

"Many of the recent incidents have had some connection to Dead Apostles. It's normal for Lord Barthomeloi to act like this."

"But I still feel like something's off. Maybe I should—"

"Knock, knock."

The sound of someone knocking on the office door interrupted him.

Kayneth straightened his jacket and sat back at his desk before responding, "Come in."

"Excuse me."

Entering the room was a young girl in a blue dress.

"Edefelt, is it? What brings you here?"

Kayneth recognized her—Luviazerita Edefelt, a newly enrolled student in the Department of Mineralogy, and someone highly regarded by many.

"My family has an urgent matter, so I've come to request a leave of absence."

Luvia handed him the leave form.

"I understand. You may go. Make up the lessons when you return."

Such things were common at the Clock Tower, and Kayneth had no reason to deny the request.

"Thank you."

Luvia nodded politely and left the room.

"Now, let's return to the previous topic—"

"Ring, ring."

The phone rang again, and the caller ID showed Waver Velvet.

"You've decided? I knew you would."

"Go ahead. Don't worry about things here. Sola and I will secretly send people to assist Reines. After all, it is the El-Melloi Classroom."

The conversation ended quickly. Neither Waver nor Kayneth were the type to waste time. Once the call was done, Kayneth put down the phone and was about to continue discussing Lorelei.

However, fate seemed to be toying with him. Just as his hand left the desk, the phone rang again.

This time, the caller's identity was even higher than Waver's—Marisbury Animusphere, head of the Department of Astromancy, one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower!

At that moment, Kayneth could only think one thing—What is going on? One after another.

PS: Kayneth no longer rejects technology. He's gotten quite adept at using all sorts of high-tech gadgets.