Shinji Matou at Your Service

Waver hasn't been doing well lately.

Despite gaining the enhancement from the Crimson Fruit, which greatly improved his physical strength, stamina, and overall fitness, two new wrinkles had appeared at the corners of his eyes.

There were many reasons for this misfortune.

One was subjective: Should he participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki? This question had plagued Waver for quite some time. However, during the return trip on the Mystic Eye Collection Train, a particular event prompted him to make a decision.

The command seal had appeared again, in the same place as ten years ago, with the same pattern, as if it were fate.

Although Waver suspected that there was more to this—likely connected to Heartless' final sacrifice—he still decided to participate in the war.

The Heartless incident had started because he hadn't safeguarded Iskandar's relic properly. If he hadn't allowed Heartless to steal the relic, perhaps this series of events wouldn't have happened, and the Holy Grail wouldn't have malfunctioned. Moreover, whether by coincidence or design, the fact that the Holy Grail had chosen him was undeniable, and everyone around him supported him. Continuing to run away would be unreasonable.

After returning to the Clock Tower, Waver began adjusting his work, freeing up half a month to a month for vacation.

Unlike Kenneth's grand and public departure for Fuyuki back then, Waver acted very discreetly, handing things over only to trustworthy people like Reines. At this point, the two spots for the Clock Tower had already been decided, and the outside world did not know about Waver's second journey to Fuyuki.

But only the outside world. Those who surrounded Waver every day knew, and even those who didn't, once they saw the new Faker, realized it. This caused Waver his greatest frustration.

Few of the people around Waver were normal; most were troublemakers, always causing chaos even when there was none. So when something was happening, it only got worse.

The Mystic Eye Collection Train incident only allowed Waver a couple of peaceful days because of Flat's return home and Svin's promotion ceremony. Now that the ceremony was over and Flat's business back home was settled, Waver's headaches resumed.

It had barely been five minutes since Gray posted a new class schedule when Flat burst into his office, exclaiming:

"Professor, are you going to that Holy Grail War? I want to go too! It sounds super cool, and I want to see it!"

Svin rushed in next, sniffing around like a husky and shouting:

"Gray, my fair lady, you smell like hyacinths swaying in the wind today! Are you going out with the professor? Take me with you!"

Though immediately subdued by Faker—who showed no courtesy to Waver but was kind to Gray, never troubling her and often offering guidance on combat and magecraft—Svin's intentions were clear.

Waver's headache instantly doubled, and Gray quickly asked Faker to silence and restrain them before tossing them out.

But Waver's condition didn't improve because he knew those two wouldn't give up and would find a way to follow.

He sincerely didn't want his students involved in this mess.

Flat and Svin were exceptional among students, but in the greater world of magecraft, they were still too immature. While they might be capable as Masters, their mental states were far too lacking. Waver didn't want them to follow in Kenneth and his footsteps. There was no guarantee another Kiritsugu Emiya wouldn't appear this time, and there was no guarantee they'd have a chance to rise again as Kenneth did.

Sure, Waver had Shinji as an ally—powerful and reliable. But Shinji hadn't shared his plans with Waver, clearly intending to keep some distance. At best, they wouldn't turn on each other. Under these circumstances, Waver couldn't guarantee his students' safety.

Thus, he had to devise a flawless plan to keep them at the Clock Tower.

To this end, Waver made thorough preparations. He scheduled crucial classes that couldn't be missed, or they'd fail to graduate. He also asked Kenneth's faction to block their travel channels, and enlisted one of his normal students, Caules, to monitor them and report any issues to Reines.

Waver believed his plan was perfect. Flat and Svin did behave for the next few days. But on the night of departure, as Waver, disguised and accompanied by Gray, was about to board the plane, three similarly disguised figures blocked their way.

Waver was stunned. How could anyone fail to recognize them—his most problematic students: Flat, Svin, and, to his surprise, Caules.

Waver's heart sank.

How were they here? How did they know he was leaving tonight?

And Caules—he was supposed to keep them in line, not join forces with them.

Glancing at the time and the triumphant smiles on Flat and Svin's faces (with Caules looking awkward), Waver gritted his teeth and resorted to his final measure—Faker's Golden Silver Mystic Eyes.

Did they think just because they were in an airport, he couldn't do anything? Don't underestimate your teacher, my troublesome students.

Faker didn't hesitate—she didn't want to take immature kids to the battlefield either.

Just as she was about to activate her Mystic Eyes to issue a forced command, a woman emerged from the VIP lounge and said to Waver:

"I brought them here."

Despite being bundled up in a coat, scarf, and hat, Waver instantly recognized the voice—a woman he didn't want to cross. It was the Queen of the Clock Tower, Lorelei Barthomeloi.

"Lord Barthomeloi, what is the meaning of this?"

Waver was on the verge of losing it, but her status meant he couldn't treat her like his students.

"I'm also going to Fuyuki. I've hired them as my assistants," Lorelei said calmly, as though she were going on a vacation.

"I didn't force them—they volunteered."

"Lord!"

They had known each other long enough to understand each other's personalities. Empty formalities were pointless. What Waver wanted to know was why she had secretly returned from monitoring the vampires and, knowing he didn't want his students involved, still hired them.

Hearing the hostility in his voice, Lorelei sighed, removing half her glove to reveal a faint trace of red.

"I was chosen as well."