I and the Witch of Time Who Seeks the Past

Chapter 3 – The Magic Association (5)

December 25, 1920 – 6:30

Christmas.

As expected, looking outside at this hour, those laborers at the bottom of society certainly don't get to enjoy such a luxurious holiday.

I still wake up very early. My thoughts are always clearer in the morning.

Yesterday's meeting was utter chaos. The situation is now mostly understood, yet no solution came out of it. I suspect that today's meeting will try to avoid heated arguments, instead tossing out new issues to steer the various factions toward addressing them. But the problem is...

Right now, the War Party is surely eyeing the sudden newcomer, Lijedahl, with predatory intent—along with one unknown pawn, namely me.

It wouldn't take them much effort to dig up our identities, which means... our situation is rather dangerous.

In this meeting, we may have to take measures again to prevent those hot-headed war advocates from threatening us. As for Mr. Ken's faction, we can't place too much trust in him either.

"Wi~ll."

The sudden voice made me pause for a moment, but I quickly realized—it could only be the lazily drawn-out tone of Lijedahl, just waking up.

I kept my eyes on the window and said.

"Why are you awake?"

Only then did I draw the curtains closed and turn to look at her.

Her eyes weren't even open, her whole body wrapped up in the blanket like a cocoon, hair messy.

"I kn~ew it."

"You shouldn't be talking yet. Wake up properly first."

She slowly cracked one eye open and said to me.

"You always wake up this early. I end up waking around the same time because of you."

"But I've never seen you actually get up."

"I usually just open my eyes to see if you're there. If you are, I go back to sleep."

"Why?"

"Because you'll call me anyway."

"... Fine. Whatever makes you happy. Go back to sleep."

I had nothing more to say.

"Okay."

She turned over, closed her eyes, and instantly fell asleep again.

Such a stark contrast. Yesterday at the meeting, her presence was commanding, nothing like this.

Oh, right—I forgot she's someone with extreme contrasts in personality.

Well, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I've gotten used to living with her anyway.

Instead of looking down again, I shifted my gaze to the distant Tower Bridge.

That iconic structure is one of London's defining landmarks.

Thinking about London's architecture... I remembered the Tower of London had once been used as a prison.

... Could it be that the Witch of Memory, Frisse, is being held there?

But right now, there's no way of knowing. Even if we could get inside, finding her would be another matter entirely.

Too difficult. And there's no real proof she's even in London.

Maybe... I should ask Lijedahl?

"Will, I felt it. The flow of magic in London is definitely abnormal."

Just as I thought of her, she suddenly sat up in bed, her voice filled with urgency—completely different from her usual sleepy tone.

She flung off the blanket, still wearing only a thin nightgown, got out of bed, strode to the window, yanked the curtains open, and looked out.

"... It's gone."

"What's gone?"

"For a brief moment, I sensed an immense surge of magic. Frisse is in London, releasing her power continuously."

"What? Did you sense where she was?"

"... It disappeared. With just those two seconds, I couldn't pinpoint her location... Damn it!"

Lijedahl slammed her fist against the wall in frustration.

Then she quickly calmed herself, forcing her composure back.

"Sigh, haha. Didn't I say last night? Slowing time really does help. If only I had the Hermit's ability, I'd know exactly where she is right now."

I wanted to say something, but seeing she had already adjusted herself, I replied instead.

"At least we now know she's in London. Funny enough, I was just wondering if she might be here, and now it's confirmed."

I kept my tone deliberately light.

"Oh? Then why don't you take a guess where she is? Maybe we'll find out soon enough."

Seeing she was in the mood to tease, I knew she was fine.

"All right, after that little scare—are you going back to sleep? Or brushing your teeth first?"

"Mmm, now I feel a bit sleepy again."

"Hurry up."

"Fine..."

...

December 25, 1920 – 8:30

As always, at the same time, we were already prepared to face the storm of public opinion.

Mr. Ken had, as usual, arrived early. But this time, Anna and Jona were nowhere to be seen.

"Where are the two girls?"

I asked.

"In this kind of situation, it's really not suitable for them to attend. I'm afraid that if they witnessed the ugliness of human nature, they might end up becoming mages who distance themselves from the Magic Association."

I understood. After all, they were still children.

Lijedahl pressed further.

"But is it really okay to just leave them at the hotel?"

Mr. Ken chuckled and replied.

"I'm not worried. They're my students, and they've also received your unique form of teaching. Their magic might still be immature, but they can protect themselves."

He paused, then added.

"They became mages at such a young age—their talent already surpasses mine. Besides, I've placed a barrier outside their room. Nothing will go wrong."

Hearing this, Lijedahl finally relaxed.

"All right then, let's go."

The three of us placed our hands on the invitation once more and were teleported again.

...

The Magic Association's hall was already filled, every seat occupied. I returned to my usual spot. Aside from the absence of the two girls, there was nothing unusual.

Hmm... without their playful chatter beside me, it did feel a little quiet.

"Hey, Sir."

I heard someone calling me softly. Turning my head, oh—it was that young man who had once stolen from me.

"Sir, you were incredible. I listened yesterday and felt even more ashamed of myself."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Because you understood us so well, yet I went and did something so foolish. I'm really sorry."

"... Sigh, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Eh? Wha—oh, ah, I see. Yes, nothing happened."

Only now did he catch on. I decided not to say more.

"But sir, I was truly moved yesterday. I've never felt so liberated before. When you tore away the masks of those hypocrites right in front of the big shots—every one of us apprentices was moved, and we all admire you greatly."

I gave him a polite smile.

"You should be thanking Miss Lijedahl, and... let's stop whispering. The meeting's about to begin."

"Right, right."

After saying that, I glanced around. The apprentices and assistants on my level occasionally turned their eyes toward me, casting looks of approval.

Some of those in the fourth ring also glanced my way with expressions of relief, while those further up front stared at me with predatory intent.

Haha... looks like I've gotten myself into trouble.

But I knew, soon enough, those people in the front rows would shift their attention—directing their hostility toward Lijedahl instead.

Which meant a bloody storm was inevitable.

Dong...

The heavy bell that signaled the start of the meeting tolled. Everyone stood, and the members of the Round Table began making their way to their seats.

I noticed the eyes of the crowd focusing on the President, on Mr. Ken, and on Lijedahl. The other Round Table members all wore grave expressions. Clearly, last night's fierce conflict had left them sleepless—a common affliction of political schemers.

As Lijedahl passed my row, she shot me a fleeting glance, subtle enough not to draw attention. I instantly understood her state of mind.

Her eyes shone gray with a trace of icy blue, which meant she was serious—and sorrowful.

Perhaps something had happened while the Round Table members gathered, though I had no way of knowing.

What I did know was that she wanted to convey something to me. Something important, perhaps... but how could I possibly grasp it?

All I could do was adapt when the time came.

Once all the Round Table members were seated, we sat as well.

As always, President Wolf was the first to speak.

"Yesterday's chaos—I expect not to see it repeated today."

His gaze was sharp, and I could tell that every Round Table member was in a particularly severe state of mind.

"The agenda from yesterday's session has been confirmed: no effective organization was possible. Thus, the meeting has decided to set aside yesterday's main issue for now, and instead address another matter of great importance."

President Wolf turned to Mr. Henry.

"Yes."

Henry rose, holding a document, and said gravely.

"Then, once again, I will announce today's agenda."

He stepped forward and handed the document to President Wolf.

"To uncover the cause of the recent magical fluctuations, and to reassemble the nation's mages."

... Now I understood why they all looked so grim.

Not because the magical fluctuations were all that severe.

But because that final line effectively endorsed the Revivalists' stance—or at least part of it.

Sure enough, I immediately sensed the hostility of the War Party in the inner rings toward the Revivalists.

... Could this meeting end up splitting the Magic Association—already in decline—apart?

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(T/N): Change > magical surge to magical fluctuations