A third person is watching me...?
The moment he saw the system notification, Alvin was completely dumbfounded as he instinctively glanced around the large classroom at the other students.
He did know quite a few people in this room... but there shouldn't be many capable of triggering the CG system, right?
A third person in the shadows... Could it be Reines?
The thought flashed through Alvin's mind, but he quickly shook his head, dismissing the guess.
No, if it was really Reines, the system wouldn't be so cryptic... Why can't it just tell me who it is instead of making me guess?
Besides, while Reines could be a bit mischievous at times, she didn't seem like the type to lock someone in a dark room...
She can't be a Yandere, right?
But if not Reines, then who could it be?
With these jumbled thoughts swirling in his mind, Alvin made it through the class.
After the lesson ended, many students gathered around Manaka Sajyou to chat.
They all knew how stringent the Clock Tower's entry requirements were.
To join at this time, one either needed an incredibly powerful background or exceptional talent.
They were quite curious:
Was Manaka Sajyou backed by influence or prodigious ability?
In response to their questions, the gitl maintained an elegant smile, answering each one gracefully, seemingly unaware of the meaningful glance Kayneth cast her way from the podium.
Despite her seemingly approachable demeanor now, Kayneth had witnessed firsthand in Fuyuki just how difficult Manaka Sajyou's true personality could be.
It was said that her enrollment in the Clock Tower had been arranged by a certain Lord.
...Who could it be?
And what was her purpose for coming to the Clock Tower?
Though he wanted to pull Manaka Sajyou aside to question her, Kayneth had to meet with his own teacher soon, so he reluctantly set the idea aside for now.
When the Clock Tower's dismissal bell rang, Alvin prepared to return to his dormitory.
Though the male and female dorms were in separate buildings, the route back was the same, so Manaka Sajyou followed alongside Alvin after class.
"By the way, how much time do you have left before your next transmigration?"
Alvin suddenly recalled something important and asked.
After all, Manaka Sajyou was in this world because of her identity as a "transmigrator."
And since the Fourth Holy Grail War had already ended, her transmigration time should be nearing its end, right...?
Alvin thought as Manaka Sajyou gazed at the countdown timer in front of her, pondering for a moment before saying. "Hmm... about 72 hours, I think?"
So, roughly three days... Alvin thought.
After those three days, would Manaka return to her own world, or... would she transmigration back to ancient Britain?
He wasn't sure, but then, he suddenly remembered something crucial.
...There wasn't just one transmigrator who had come to Fuyuki this time...Manaka Sajyou wasn't alone.
Sister Morgan was also a transmigrator.
...After the Greater Grail was destroyed, where did she go?
As they talked, the two unknowingly arrived along a path in front of a dormitory building steeped in European style.
Since Manaka Sajyou still needed to report to the dormitory administrator, she soon bid Alvin farewell and left temporarily.
Back in his room, Alvin flopped onto the snow-white bed, feeling his tense body gradually relax after a long day.
His mind couldn't help but replay the events of recent days.
Even now, he still felt a sense of unreality.
To think he hadn't participated in the Holy Grail War as a Master, but as a Servant...
And during the Fourth Holy Grail War, the Greater Grail had been completely destroyed.
It was quite the story.
'I wonder how Sakura and Illya are doing now...?'
Given Tokiomi Tohsaka's personality, he had probably already taken Sakura back to the Tohsaka family.
As for Illya... as long as Irisviel was still around, she likely wouldn't be too lonely.
Not to mention, the Winter Saint was probably still there.
Thinking about it, a faint smile appeared on Alvin's face.
Hm speaking of it, this Holy Grail War was quite a haul... Not only did Kayneth survive, but he also managed to save the fates of two pitiful girls.
And with the Greater Grail in Fuyuki destroyed, there was no need to worry about Fuyuki being "nuked" in the future...
Lying on the soft, snow-white bed, Alvin mulled over these scattered thoughts and casually opened his CG achievement gallery.
The CG gallery was organized by chapters, including earlier sections like Britain and Mesopotamia, and now a new category had been added. "The Fourth Holy Grail War."
Clicking on this option brought up a collection of CGs acquired since Alvin was summoned as a Servant, including the special CG from his recent encounter with Manaka Sajyou at the Clock Tower.
The only thing puzzling Alvin was that, up to this point, the CG progress related to Manaka still wasn't complete.
"Do I need to fully complete the CG achievements with Manaka before her transmigration countdown ends?"
"But how many CGs are still missing between us...?"
Alvin lay with his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought for a long while.
'Forget it, I'll just try again with Manaka over the next couple of days..'. He thought to himself.
Knock knock...
As he was pondering these things, a knock suddenly came from the door.
Manaka had just gone to report to the dormitory administrator, could she have finished and come to find him this quickly...?
A flicker of doubt crossed Alvin's mind as he got up, walked to the door, and opened it.
However, the one in front of him wasn't the one he thought.
Standing before him was a woman cloaked in black.
She wore a black hood, with a striking strand of silver hair faintly visible.
Looking at the familiar face, Alvin's gaze froze, and he instinctively said:
"Gray...?"
...
...
At the same time, elsewhere.
Knock knock...
In a luxurious, classical office, Kayneth knocked on the door of the Department of Spiritual Evocation's office.
"Come in."
A deep, aged voice came from within.
Kayneth pushed open the office door and saw the white-haired old man, the Lord of the Department of Spiritual Evocation, Rufleus Nuada-Re Eulyphis.
Kayneth hesitated slightly and said in a low voice. "Teacher..."
Before he could continue, Eulyphis' calm and composed voice interrupted: "No need to explain. I've heard about what happened in Fuyuki."
Kayneth was stunned for a moment and instinctively asked: "How did you know...?"
"Sola told me shortly after she returned. She also mentioned that if the Greater Grail hadn't been destroyed, you might have been the winner of the Holy Grail War."
Hearing this, Kayneth, unusually, remained silent.
The difficulty of this Holy Grail War had far exceeded his expectations.
In fact, even if the Greater Grail had remained intact, the most likely winner would have been Manaka Sajyou... His fiancée's words felt more like an attempt to make excuses for him.
Since beginning to accept Kayneth, Sola had started to consider things from his perspective.
After a moment of silence, Kayneth said in a low voice. "This Holy Grail War was extremely difficult... Even if the Greater Grail was still there, I'm not certain I could have claimed it."
His pride wouldn't allow him to lie in front of his prospective father-in-law.
"You're quite honest."
Eulyphis let out a cold snort.
"The White Dragon, the Tyrant King, the Hero King Gilgamesh, the Conqueror King, and other Servants... This Holy Grail War was indeed no easy feat to win, but I didn't expect you to say something so defeatist."
"If it were the old you, you wouldn't have shown any fear, even against these mythical heroes, let alone admit to being intimidated before the fight."
If it had been anyone else, Kayneth might have retorted. "If you're so capable, why don't you try?"
Every Servant in the Fourth Holy Grail War was a rule-breaking existence.
Kayneth was confident, even a bit arrogant, but in this war, unless he could kill the opposing Master, he couldn't fathom how to directly defeat Archer or overcome a Saber backed by the Root's magical energy.
"That girl who enrolled today seems to have a good relationship with Alvin, doesn't she?"
Eulyphis suddenly changed the subject.
"Yes... Why do you ask?"
"Manaka Sajyou hasn't decided on her main subject yet, has she?
The Department of Spiritual Evocation has always lacked promising talent. I wonder if she'd be interested in joining us..."
Each department at the Clock Tower had its own unique qualities.
While the Lords of these departments might seem arrogant, when they encountered a highly talented student, they were eager to take them on as a disciple.
On one hand, it was for the sake of legacy; on the other, a highly gifted disciple could significantly bolster a Lord's influence.
Moreover, who didn't love fame?
Manaka Sajyou, this transfer student, was clearly the type who, if taken as a disciple, would undoubtedly bring great surprises and rewards in the future.
From the moment Manaka Sajyou enrolled, the Clock Tower's higher-ups had already taken a keen interest in her.
If not for their concern about losing face, some Lords might have already approached her to invite her to become their disciple.
Kayneth replied calmly.
"I don't know much about Manaka Sajyou's situation... It's only her first day. Why not let her explore the various departments first and decide for herself which one to join?"
"I'm afraid by then, some Lord will have already extended an olive branch to her."
Eulyphis said softly. "Find a time to have Alvin probe her. He seems to get along well with her, doesn't he? If it's his suggestion, Manaka Sajyou might seriously consider it."
Kayneth's mouth twitched slightly.
Though he was wary of Manaka Sajyou, from the very first day of her enrollment, he, too, had the idea of taking her as a disciple.
Though reluctant, Kayneth couldn't compete with his teacher for a disciple at this moment, so, he could only let out a soft "Mm". "I understand... I'll have Alvin talk to her tomorrow."
Eulyphis nodded in satisfaction.
After chatting for a bit, Kayneth couldn't hold back his inner doubts any longer and said.
"I failed in this Holy Grail War... Don't you have anything to say about that?"
"I've said what needs to be said. The only thing I'm disappointed in is that you've lost your confidence."
Eulyphis said coolly. "Failing once isn't a big deal. What's truly fatal is letting one failure drag you down forever."
"You failed this time, so just get back up for the next one."
'You have no idea how dangerous this Holy Grail War was...' Kayneth fell silent for a moment before saying: "There is no next time."
"The Greater Grail in Fuyuki has already..."
"You're saying the Greater Grail was destroyed?"
Eulyphis glanced at him with a faint, enigmatic smile. "According to information I received from someone in the Holy Church, the Greater Grail in Fuyuki has been fully restored."
After those words, Kayneth's expression remained calm and composed at first.
But after a long pause, as he processed Eulyphis' statement, his face gradually froze as he stared at his teacher in a daze, his lips moving slightly.
Yet no sound came out.
"I don't know exactly how the Greater Grail was restored, but the Holy Church is the 'center' overseeing the Holy Grail War. This information came from an old friend in the Church, so I doubt it's wrong."
Eulyphis tossed a document onto the desk in front of Kayneth.
Kayneth opened it, scanned its contents, and soon looked at his teacher in shock.
"You mean... there might be a Fifth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki?"
Eulyphis let out a soft "Mm".
"Not might, definitely. Though the next war will likely involve the younger generation."
"If I recall correctly, the head of the Tohsaka family left for England with his daughter this morning."
"They seem to be searching for a holy relic... one related to a Servant from the last Holy Grail War."
Though Eulyphis didn't elaborate further, for some reason, a term flashed through Kayneth's mind.
"You're talking about... the White Dragon?"
...
..
"Gray...?"
Seeing the silver-haired girl before him, Alvin was stunned for a moment.
What a rare visitor...
After all, since Gray had enrolled at the Clock Tower, Alvin had never seen her take the initiative to visit his dormitory.
What had brought her here today?
Could she be curious about my relationship with Manaka and came to ask...?
Alvin thought happily as he quickly cleared his throat and stepped aside.
"Come in for now."
.
.
.