Shinji Matou at Your Service

When Waver saw the Command Seals on Lorelei's hand, he was momentarily surprised, but after regaining his composure, he shook his head and said:

"That's not a valid reason. The Command Seals are just a ticket, you don't have to use them. You know how dangerous going to Fuyuki is."

Instead of answering, Lorelei asked back, "And what about you? Why are you going? There are just as many people who'd like to see you dead so they can carve up the El-Melloi classroom as there are those who wish for my demise."

"I have a reason I can't avoid. There are things I need to prove and something I must tell someone—things that are more important than my own life."

Compared to his previous emotions—shock, disbelief, and agitation—War was nveow extremely calm. But this calmness only highlighted his steely resolve.

To outsiders, this persistence might seem foolish or laughable, but Waver had no regrets at all.

Standing behind him in spirit form, Faker was momentarily lost in thought. For a brief second, she saw the shadow of another man in him—the king who had launched an expedition even though he knew the Ocean at the End of the World didn't exist, and the fool who had refused to sever the bond with his subjects even after his empire was destroyed.

"A bunch of fools," she mouthed silently, her lips moving without sound.

Waver, unaware of her thoughts, pressed further, "Do you have something like that?"

"Of course," Lorelei nodded without hesitation.

"But this isn't the place to discuss it. Follow me."

"But the boarding time—"

"Don't worry, I've arranged a private jet in advance. It's faster, more discreet, and safer."

Waver's eye twitched involuntarily as he once again felt the gulf between them. Although both were heads of departments within the Clock Tower, his Modern Magecraft Division was still relatively new and lacked the heritage of the older families. While he had to take out loans just to renovate his classroom, Lorelei could casually arrange a private jet that had somehow been cleared for departure from London's Heathrow Airport.

From the outside, the Barthomeloi private jet didn't look particularly special—just like a normal passenger plane. But inside, it was a different story. The plane had all the usual amenities for the wealthy: a lounge, office, private bedroom, and even an activity room. But what truly set it apart was the central area of the plane, which housed a small workshop powered by the Child of Einnashe as its core. On top of that, the plane had both magical and physical defenses. If someone told you it was a flying fortress, you'd believe them.

In the heavily fortified workshop, Lorelei finally explained why she was going to Fuyuki.

"The reason for the Dead Apostle unrest has been discovered. Recently, Ortenrosse convened a meeting of the Dead Apostles. We don't know the details, but it's confirmed that some of them have entered Japan. According to reports, there's a strong possibility that one of the Ancestors is among them."

"An Ancestor! Are you sure?"

Waver furrowed his brow reflexively.

"Though there haven't been any direct witnesses, the traces left at the scene suggest it's highly likely."

"The identity of the Ancestor?"

"Uncertain, but feathers resembling those of a bird were found at the site."

"Do you think it's Ortenrosse?"

"I can't be sure, but with such a possibility, the Barthomeloi can't sit idle. This is our mission and duty."

The Barthomeloi family's obsession with the so-called King of the Dead Apostles had lasted as long as the history of the Clock Tower itself. It was likely this very obsession that had made the Barthomeloi so powerful—in many ways, modern magecraft was a product of such obsessions.

"Professor Velvet, your deductive reasoning and analytical abilities are unmatched in the Clock Tower. I need your help to figure out the Dead Apostles' motives and locate them."

"And that's why you brought them along?"

Waver still frowned. He respected Lorelei's dedication and her decisions, but that didn't mean he accepted her dragging his students into this.

Once his students graduated, what they did was their own choice. But as long as they were in his classroom, Waver was responsible for them. That was his bottom line.

"No, you misunderstand. They came to me with the contract. Originally, I only intended to use them to keep tabs on your whereabouts—I've heard much about the Twin Jewels of the El-Melloi Classroom. If they're willing, I'd love to have them join the Department of Policies after they graduate."

"Wow, I'm that famous, huh?"

"You flatter me, Lord."

Upon hearing Lorelei's praise, the two blond students grinned brightly in unison.

Waver's face, on the other hand, darkened. He knew she wasn't lying; those two definitely would do something like this. The prestige of the Department of Policies might intimidate others, but it didn't scare these two troublemakers. But why was Caules involved?

Sensing his teacher's gaze, Caules offered a wry smile.

"I was just asking Flat about his primary battery application at the time... plus, you did tell me to keep an eye on them."

"I told you to watch them, not join them in their antics."

"Professor, I think I could be helpful at a critical moment."

"Let's hope you're right. Now go to bed. You two, too."

Waver waved them off, but Flat and Svin immediately panicked.

"No, professor! Don't kick us out!"

"We've already signed contracts with Lord Barthomeloi."

"I can cancel those contracts, right?"

Waver looked directly at Lorelei.

"That's fine, but I don't see why you wouldn't want to bring them along."

"Lord—"

"Don't worry, Professor Velvet. Hear me out first. The most important reason is: do you think they won't find a way to follow you if you leave them behind? If they want to go, they'll find a way."

It was a perfectly logical statement from the head of the Department of Policies, hitting Waver's biggest concern right on the mark.

Forget about Caules—would Flat and Svin listen? Anyone with common sense could see the answer was no. If these two problem students were capable of obedience, they wouldn't have shown up here tonight.

And Waver knew they were determined to go to Japan. His previous arrangements might not be enough to stop them, especially considering Flat's talent for finding loopholes. That talent alone surpassed the rest of the class combined. Add Svin's beast-like instincts and physical prowess.

"The second reason is that their skills will be useful. One is an expert at eavesdropping, and the other has an extraordinary sense of smell."

At this point, both Waver and Gray looked away, unable to bear the thought. These students' reputations were built on their teachers' painful experiences.