章 63: Aozaki Aoko Case File [61]

One-third of the Department of Creation's facilities had been destroyed by the Fourth Magician, and even the Lord of the prestigious Valualeta family—one of the three great noble houses—had perished. This was undoubtedly earth-shattering news within the Clock Tower.

Even someone as insignificant as Waver Velvet felt the ripple effects. His professor, Lord El-Melloi, was preoccupied with matters concerning the Department of Creation and its late lord, leaving him with no time to teach. As a result, Waver and his classmates were left to self-study in the classroom or attend substitute lessons from other magus.

"Hey, Waver," came the voice of his mischievous friend, interrupting Waver's earnest studies.

"Those two beautiful sisters who came to audit our class last time—if only we had a chance to get to know them!"

"If I were you, I wouldn't think that way," Waver replied, glancing briefly at his friend.

"Do you remember that unlucky guy who stood outside the classroom for an entire afternoon? He was hit by a high-level Mystic Eye. I'd rather not mysteriously turn to stone one day, no matter how beautiful the girl is."

"You're such a boring guy with no dreams, Waver."

His friend shook his head, patting Waver's shoulder in mock disappointment.

"Most magus with Mystic Eyes come from exceptionally powerful magical families. Connecting with them could only help our future prospects."

"Dreams are all well and good, but the reality is harsh," Waver said with a resigned shake of his head.

"Instead of daydreaming here, Melvin, you should focus on improving yourself."

"Besides, as a Trambelios, do you need connections?"

Waver asked curiously.

"How shallow." Melvin wagged his finger with a cryptic smile.

"First, the Weins family is merely a branch of the Trambelios lineage. Second, those girls aren't as simple as they seem, Waver."

"What's so special about them?"

Waver's curiosity was piqued. After all, he was still a teenager, with an innate eagerness to uncover mysteries.

"Have you heard of the title 'Grand Puppeteer'?"

Melvin asked mysteriously.

"Grand?"

Waver furrowed his brows.

"You mean the genius magus who was in sealing designation and fled the Clock Tower?"

"Exactly!"

Melvin exclaimed.

"'Grand Puppeteer' Touko Aozaki, once known as a 'Magician in Egg.' She allegedly left home after the Fourth Magician temporarily changed heirs. When she came to the Clock Tower, her accomplishments were so outstanding that the Department of Creation's Lord proposed her sealing designation."

"What does someone like that have to do with us?"

Waver asked, puzzled.

"Weren't we talking about the auditing students?"

"Didn't you notice the little girl with the red-haired girl beauty?"

Melvin leaned closer.

"Doesn't she resemble the Grand Puppeteer?"

"Huh?"

Waver looked even more perplexed.

"Are you saying that little girl is the younger sister who inherited the Fifth Magic?"

"That's not what I'm saying, Waver. You're misunderstanding," Melvin corrected.

"What if that little girl is the Grand Puppeteer?"

"What?"

Waver gave his friend a baffled look.

"Wasn't she close to twenty years old?"

"Ah, but we're talking about Magic here, Waver," Melvin said, his tone meaningful.

"Reverting to childhood isn't impossible with Magic."

"Wait."

Waver suddenly connected the dots.

"If that girl is Touko Aozaki, then the red-haired one must be…"

The two fell silent, neither willing to voice the obvious conclusion.

"You've heard about what happened to the Department of Creation, right?"

Melvin broke the silence after a while.

"...Is there anyone in the Clock Tower who hasn't?"

Waver replied.

"If someone didn't know about a Lord's death and the partial destruction of the department, that would be news."

"Exactly," Melvin agreed.

"And the Lord's death occurred right after our class that day, after those two women left."

Waver Velvet, though untalented in magical aptitude, was a brilliant analyst and researcher. His mind quickly pieced together Melvin's implied logic.

The Fifth Magic's succession had concluded. The Aozaki sisters had come for revenge, killing the Lord and destroying a third of the Department of Creation.

Waver suddenly felt a pang of anxiety. Though he often thought of himself as underappreciated, being nearly entangled in the affairs of such significant figures unsettled him deeply.

"By the way, a little insider info for you, Waver," Melvin added nonchalantly.

"The Grand Council is about to convene. Even McDonell Trambelio Elrod is attending."

"Probably to redistribute the spoils, I'd guess," Waver said with a sigh, closing his book.

"Not that it has anything to do with a small fry like me."

...

Meanwhile, in a luxurious hotel, Aoko and Touko Aozaki remained sequestered. Deep within the Clock Tower's underground, in the Dragon's Heart chamber, the Grand Council convened.

Although the Heart of Albion had long ceased to beat, the vast amounts of Age of Gods ether it contained rendered the chamber impervious to outside magic. Discussions held here were guaranteed confidentiality.

The first agenda was redistributing the benefits left vacant by Lord Valualeta's death. The second was determining the handling of the new Fourth Magician, Aoko Aozaki, and the sealing designation of her sister, Touko Aozaki.

All departmental Lords were present except the late Valualeta, the reclusive Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, and Animusphere, who was reportedly engrossed in critical magical experiments. Even the young Lord El-Melloi Archibald, despite his inexperience, maintained his aristocratic composure as he sat in his seat, looking slightly tense.

PS: Aozaki Aoko is often called the Fourth Magician, despite mastering the Fifth Magic, because there is no record of a Fourth Magic user. It was only confirmed by Zelretch that Fourth Magic indeed exists.