He had transmigrated.
'Calm down!'
Wayland took a deep breath. He wasn't exactly a stranger to the concept; as a loyal reader of web novels for years, he was well-versed in the mechanics of transmigration. First things first, he needed to understand his current situation.
"I don't know," Wayland said after a long silence, "I know nothing about astrology."
"An honest answer." The examiner lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over the ink-stained parchment before him. After a momentary pause, he asked one final question. "Who gave you your admission letter?"
Wayland's face was a map of confusion. "Didn't you guys give it to me?"
"Perhaps I wasn't clear. Think carefully. Who was the person who physically handed it to you?"
"Who handed it to me..."
'Hell.'
Wayland's mind was a complete blank. It was as if he had transmigrated into a person who had never existed in this world, leaving behind not a single trace or memory.
'Of course. According to the Mage Association's regulations, ordinary people entangled in mystical events have their memories erased.'
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for a commoner to receive such a letter, yet Wayland's name was written clearly across it in elegant script.
The examiner sank into deep thought, failing to notice the tension--and the creeping fear--etched onto Wayland's face.
'The Mage Association?!'
Wayland felt a chill run down his spine. The combination of "Mage Association" and "memory erasure" pointed to only one possibility in his mind.
'Type-Moon.'
Developed by the writer Kinoko Nasu, this was a world where magi pursued the Root of all existence. Its most infamous event was the Holy Grail War--a brutal struggle for a vessel capable of granting any wish.
No matter how gripping the stories were, this was an exceptionally dangerous world. Even the protagonists were never guaranteed a happy ending--or even survival.
Help! I need an expert!
'How does one safely survive the Type-Moon world?'
Wayland ran his hands through his hair, his anxiety mounting.
"Don't worry about it anymore," the examiner said, breaking the silence. "Regardless of how you obtained that letter, one thing is certain: you are now a student of the Clock Tower. As a special admission, you're entitled to choose any department you wish to join. Allow me to introduce myself: Wenzel Clarendon, a First-Class Lecturer of the Astronomy Department. If you have an interest in astrology, celestial movements, or mythology, I highly recommend joining us."
Wenzel stood up, retrieved a book from his desk, and walked over to Wayland. "This volume contains detailed introductions to the twelve departments of the Clock Tower. Take your time to decide where you belong."
Wayland accepted the book, his eyes lingering on the title: An Introduction to the Twelve Departments of the Clock Tower. He desperately wanted to ask if he could just opt out and remain an ordinary citizen.
But Wenzel didn't give him the chance. He waved a dismissive hand. "Someone outside will show you to the Sector 13 dormitory."
Thump.
The office door closed behind him. Wayland shook his head, trying to clear the fog of confusion. Suddenly remembering something, he held up his hands and inspected them with frantic intensity.
'Empty. Good. Very good. No Command Spells. At least I'm not being forced into a Holy Grail War right out of the gate. If I keep my head down at the Clock Tower and avoid any suicidal heroics, I should be fine...'
[Dear Master, it has been a long time! Human Order Security Organization Chaldea: Artificial Intelligence Auxiliary System has officially launched. Main Quest generating... First Phase: Please participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War and emerge victorious. Issuing Command Spells... Congratulations, Master! You are now an official candidate for the Holy Grail War.]
'Congratulations, my ass! Get away from me!'
Wayland stared at the three crimson Command Spells etched onto the back of his right hand, his heart sinking into a cold abyss of despair.
On the outskirts of London, in Sector 8 of the Clock Tower.
Wenzel Clarendon leaned against a cold stone wall, his gaze drifting toward the River Thames. The water shimmered brilliantly under the harsh glow of the afternoon sun.
"How did the exam go?" a crisp, clear voice rang out.
Wenzel turned to see a girl who appeared to be about ten years old. Her long, silver hair cascaded down to her waist, with bangs on the right brushing against her eyelashes and a ponytail tied on the left. Her large, golden eyes radiated an innate sense of dignity and elegance.
A black top hugged her small frame, while a yellow-striped skirt reached her knees, revealing dark stockings and slender legs. She stood poised in light brown boots.
"Miss Olga Marie," Wenzel said, straightening his posture and looking past her.
Behind her, her attendant, Trisha Fellows, gave a slight, resigned shake of her head.
'The Lord of the Astronomy Department... Marisbury Animusphere is missing again?'
Wenzel pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to Olga Marie. "These are the results of Wayland's entrance test."
"A commoner without a Magic Crest?" Olga Marie puffed out her cheeks instinctively before catching herself. Recalling the noble etiquette her father had drilled into her, she composed her expression into one of stern gravity. A sharp, mock-cough drew their attention before she spoke. "The Astronomy Department has no need for commoners."
Guided by an enthusiastic upperclassman who claimed to be from the Astronomy Department, Wayland arrived at the dormitory for the Department of Policies--the thirteenth sector, which stood apart from the main twelve.
He sat on the edge of his bed, his face a mask of exhaustion. "Hey! System! Get out here right now!"
["Master! My name isn't 'Hey.' It's A... Irigal. I am an artificial intelligence system from Chaldea, dedicated to serving the Master."]
'You just made that name up on the spot, didn't you? Don't think I didn't hear you almost say "AI." You're probably an artificial idiot.'
"Can I trade this main quest for something else?"
["Huh? But I spent so much time thinking about that quest. It would be such a waste to give it up now!"]
"...So you're perfectly fine with watching me walk to my death? Do you really think I'm ready for a Holy Grail War?"
["Perhaps death is simply a new beginning."]
"Are you short-circuiting?"
["Ah! My apologies. I was speaking to myself... things I shouldn't have said. Since you are the Master, participating in the Holy Grail War is only natural."]
"I've only been a Master for one day!"
["Not just a day... oh, right. There will be many difficulties, of course, but as long as Irigal is here, they're all just minor issues!"]
In Wayland's mind, the image of a young girl with her hands on her hips, speaking with boundless confidence, began to take shape.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]