Shinji Matou at Your Service

Naturally, the room arrangements were two people per room. Naturally, for safety reasons. Naturally, the comedic duo of Flat and Svin shared a room. Reines and Gray shared a room. Shinji and Waver were to bunk together.

Naturally—well, this time it wasn't so natural.

Originally, Waver and Shinji had planned to play online games late into the night. However, after the seemingly calm but turbulent dinner, neither was in the mood.

Waver stood by the window, chain-smoking cigars.

Shinji sat on the sofa with his eyes closed, his magical energy fluctuating continuously from head to toe.

This state lasted for about half an hour before Waver tossed his cigarette butt out the window and turned to ask, "What do you think?"

"About what?"

Shinji opened his eyes, his previously stable magical energy suddenly surging and creating a gust that swept the smoke smell out the window.

"Lord Valualeta's invitation," Waver said as he closed the window and drew the curtains.

"What's there to think about? Accept it, of course. Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity."

Hearing such a blunt answer, Waver's mouth twitched.

"This opportunity might not be so easy to swallow. Once you take it, you might not be able to spit it out."

"Then don't spit it out. You know the attitudes of the young lady and your professor. You don't need to worry about them. As long as you haven't forgotten your original intentions, you're free to do whatever you want, including joining the opposing faction."

"That's precisely why I'm worried," Waver sighed.

"Lord Valualeta is right. The philosophy of the El-Melloi classroom is closest to that of the Creation Department. Once their mark is on us, it'll be hard to wash off."

"You were a pretty boy ten years ago, but now you're just old meat. If you want to be beautiful, take a six-month vacation and take good care of yourself. Have you seen how terrible you look?"

Shinji crossed his legs and eyed Waver, whose face couldn't hide his distress.

"Get lost. You know that's not what I meant. I'm talking about political risks."

"Come on, you're just a novice when it comes to politics. Your teaching and observation skills are decent, but in politics, you're a rookie. Instead of pondering here, why not seek an expert's opinion?"

"An expert?"

Waver nodded thoughtfully.

"Lady Reines?"

"You say you hate her, but she's the first person you think of—Miss Reines is excellent, but she's too young and inexperienced. She's not ready to arm-wrestle with Lord Valualeta yet. Maybe in ten or twenty years."

"Then who do you mean?"

Waver promptly ignored Shinji's sarcasm.

"Your professor's wife, Lady Sola. Just as Reines supports you, Lady Sola has been supporting your professor for years. It's because of her support that Kayneth can focus on academics, eventually earning the title Modern Hohenheim. Although there's some exaggeration in that, if he keeps it up, he might not be far from reaching that level."

Who is Hohenheim? He's the most important founder of modern magecraft. Both the rediscovery of the four elements and the redefinition of the three fundamentals are core foundations of modern magecraft. In terms of technology, this would be equivalent to Tesla's AC motor or even Einstein's theory of relativity.

Moreover, unlike secretive individuals like Touko who strictly guard their research results, many of Kayneth's papers are publicly published, benefiting countless magus. This is what created El-Melloi's current glory.

The outside world attributes this glory to Kayneth alone, forgetting that a person's time is limited. There are only 24 hours in a day, and dividing attention to politics would inevitably reduce time spent on magical research. For Kayneth to reach this point in ten years, his wife Sola's contribution cannot be overlooked.

"Lady Sola... indeed a suitable choice, but contacting her is a problem. From today on, I fear there will be more people watching me."

Waver's judgment was very accurate. From the moment Lord Valualeta openly extended an olive branch, countless eyes would be on him and the El-Melloi classroom. His every move must be more careful, otherwise, it would destroy this hard-earned sanctuary.

Yes, sanctuary.

This is what people who know the inside story of the El-Melloi classroom call this place. It stands above faction struggles, with little political color. Students from any faction can receive good guidance here. Lorelei and Kayneth, who have long set their sights on the future, don't want this tranquility to be disrupted. While it might temporarily increase the power of the aristocratic faction, it would do more harm than good to the development of the Clock Tower and the entire magical world.

Waver knows their intentions, so he must be cautious, cautious, and more cautious.

To this, Shinji already had a plan: "I have a way. Use this."

"A phone?"

Waver's gaze sharpened.

"That's right. I just checked. Iselma, like many traditional magus families averse to technology, has perfect defenses against mystery but no precautions against technological means. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Waver couldn't possibly misunderstand Shinji's meaning. As a seasoned otaku with a full set of gaming equipment, there were probably few people in the entire Clock Tower who understood the advantages and disadvantages of technology and mystery better than him. The lack of defense against technology means modern communication methods are unimpeded and there's no need to worry about monitoring. More importantly, who would think that Waver would contact the opposing central force, El-Melloi, from the core area of Valualeta?

"Time is of the essence, I'll—"

Before he could take the phone, Shinji's expression suddenly changed.

"No, wait. Someone is approaching in the hallway."

Waver immediately abandoned his original plan and sat down opposite Shinji.

Soon, a voice came from outside the door.

"May I disturb you for a moment?"

"Please come in, the door isn't locked."

In a magus's territory, staying in a house provided by others, a door lock is meaningless. Rather than relying on that, it's better to trust the weapons and mystic codes in one's bag.

Waver sat up straight, and Shinji lowered his crossed legs.

The door opened, revealing the hallway outside.

Standing there was the maid who had accompanied the Golden Princess and Silver Princess during their appearance.

"My name is Carina."

Because she was holding a lantern in one hand, she could only briefly curtsy before introducing herself.

"You're too kind. I'm Waver Velvet. What can I do for you?"

The maid didn't answer but beckoned to the side.

"Please come this way."

There, there was another person.

The moment this person came into view, the world was turned upside down. perception was overturning the laws of physics, and what caused all this was not magecraft, nor magic, but pure beauty.

Waver's carefully composed serious expression instantly crumbled, his mouth hanging open as he stuttered a few syllables.

"Gol...den...Princess?"