Hishiri Adashino maintained a faint, enigmatic smile. As soon as Wayland left the room, she picked up her phone, her posture shifting into one of profound respect.
"Lord Barthomeloi, I have followed your instructions and assigned the escort mission to Wayland."
"Good."
"But, my Lord... didn't you previously state that he should be allowed to focus on his studies at the Clock Tower?" Hishiri asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.
"I have reviewed your report regarding the ruins of Morgan le Fay's temple."
"Is there a connection?" Hishiri mentally reviewed everything she'd written, but couldn't recall anything particularly unusual.
"He recognized that Age of Gods Rune."
"Wayland claimed he'd seen it in the library with Lord El-Melloi II's permission. Surely that doesn't prove anything?"
"No. The Clock Tower possesses no record of that specific Primordial Rune, and even Touko Aozaki's reconstructions do not include it."
"It doesn't exist?" Hishiri's voice rose an octave, her expression turning to one of utter astonishment.
"Under our very noses, someone has been teaching him the Primordial Runes."
"So you're using this mission to test him? But why not simply use Charm magecraft to question him directly, as you did before?"
A light, cold chuckle came through the phone. "This mission is... interesting. Touko Aozaki herself appears to be in Oxenholme. And as long as Wayland remains under the protection of our Department of Policies, certain 'rats' won't dare to make their move."
"Isn't it too dangerous?"
Hishiri find it hard to believe that a mere 'Fledgling' rank magus was being drawn into a conflict involving 'Grand' level figures. It felt like watching a mayfly trying to shake a mountain.
"Touko Aozaki's personality may be loathsome, but she doesn't deign to strike at the weak. Besides, since Waver is an old acquaintance of hers, Wayland's life should be safe enough—provided he doesn't do anything foolish.
"The Enforcement Division will be the primary force for this operation; if things go sideways, they'll be the ones on the front lines. Your priority is to protect Eliza Werdt as best you can. If her life is in imminent danger, you are to retreat immediately.
"And with Bazett there... though she's only ranked as a 'Pride,' even 'Grand' mages consider her a formidable opponent. As for those 'rats'... Hmph! I'll make them realize that hiding for a thousand years won't save them from becoming ghosts beneath my magecraft!"
"But the prophecy..."
"Mind your tongue!" Lord Barthomeloi's tone was uncharacteristically cheerful, though a sharp edge remained. "Those fools believe they know everything, that they have everything under their control. I take a certain pleasure in proving them wrong."
***
Victoria Station, London.
When Wayland arrived, he was struck by the sheer size of the crowd.
In the time he'd spent in London, he'd rarely seen such a massive gathering of people.
Of course, that was partly because the twelve departments of the Clock Tower were all located on the outskirts of the city.
He quickly located the ticket office and found a long, slow-moving queue.
Wayland waited with bored resignation as the line gradually shortened.
By the time he reached the counter, the station clock was striking noon.
"One ticket to Oxenholme for September 28th. The earliest available train, please."
"One moment, please."
The young man behind the counter, dressed in a crisp uniform, tapped at his keyboard with practiced efficiency. He soon looked up with a polite, rehearsed apology. "I'm sorry, sir. All tickets to Oxenholme for today are sold out. I'd suggest taking the train tomorrow, or perhaps looking into another form of transportation."
Wayland rubbed his nose, feeling a twinge of frustration. Talk about bad luck.
"Alright, thank you," he said, turning to leave. He'd have to look for a bus or a boat—or, if all else failed, he'd have to swallow his pride and ask Max to handle a helicopter flight for him.
"Please wait a moment, sir."
The voice came from behind the counter, but it wasn't the young man. A young woman stepped forward, a charming smile on her face and an expression of remarkably sincere warmth.
The young man at the computer immediately stood up. "Manager."
*'Manager?'*
*'She's so young.'*
Wayland looked at her with curiosity, certain he'd never seen her before.
"Is there something I can help you with?" he asked.
"For 'special' individuals, we offer 'special' treatment. If you'd follow me to the VIP lounge, sir."
The girl turned and left the ticket booth, walking toward Wayland. "This way, please."
Wayland studied her.
She had a gentle, refined appearance that felt more in line with Eastern aesthetics than the typical Western beauty.
He kept his right hand at his side, his fingers twitching slightly as a faint, nearly imperceptible breeze brushed past her.
*'She's not a magus.'*
Wayland allowed himself a small smile and gave a polite, gentlemanly nod. "Ladies first."
The girl maintained her pleasant smile as she led him into the VIP lounge. As she switched on the lights, she kept a watchful eye on Wayland through the corner of her vision. "Would you like some coffee, sir?"
"No, thank you. I'm in a bit of a hurry. What exactly did you mean by 'special treatment'?"
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Melody Norwich."
"Norwich?"
Wayland stared at her in surprise. 'Norwich' was the alternative name for the Department of Modern Magecraft—or more accurately, it was the surname of the family that sponsored them.
"Exactly." Melody nodded. "To the Norwich family, a student of the Department of Modern Magecraft is exactly the kind of person who qualifies for our 'special treatment'."
Before Wayland could respond, she continued. "You're heading to Oxenholme, aren't you?"
"I am."
"Norwich operates a special, private train service. We can have you there in no time."
"Really?" Wayland hadn't expected such a stroke of luck.
"Of course..." A faint, lily-like smile played across Melody's lips. "But it will cost you extra."
"..."
Wayland finally understood why the Department of Modern Magecraft never had enough money to finish renovating their medieval buildings.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]