Someone in Type-Moon, Starting from Adopting Sakura

Chapter 39: El-Melloi II (Seeking Subscriptions! 5K Words!)

The bustling downtown area of Fuyuki City, an unremarkable residential building.

—Ding dong.

A crisp knock echoed in the early morning.

Then, two elderly people opened the door.

"Hello, excuse me, is Waver staying here?"

The black-haired youth who appeared at the doorway asked politely.

"You are...?"

"Apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Waver's classmate, and also his friend. Please just call me Rovey. I was passing through Fuyuki City and came to visit him. Waver should have mentioned me, right?"

"Hmm...?"

Under the slightly confused gazes of the two elders, Rovey smiled slightly and snapped his fingers.

Snap!

After the crisp sound of the finger snap, the elders' expressions immediately shifted from confusion to warmth.

"Oh, Rovey... Oh, please come in, don't be a stranger."

"Thank you."

Given permission by the hosts, he stepped into the entrance. After politely declining the elders' enthusiastic invitation to sit and have some fruit, Rovey glanced towards a room in the corner. He then walked past the elders and quickly pushed open Waver's room door.

"Waver, your senior brother is here to see you!"

After a warm greeting, Rovey pushed open the closed room door from the outside, and then he saw...

"Huh?"

The red-haired giant, Rider, Iskandar, sitting on the floor with his upper body bare, holding a game controller and engaged in fierce battle. And Waver, who was not in good condition due to being overly exhausted last night, was still half-in, half-out of his covers at this hour, his head buried in the blanket like an ostrich.

This strange and philosophically profound scene made Rovey raise an eyebrow.

Recalling some of the unofficial histories about Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.

No, it should be said, some stories, a bold guess suddenly appeared in his mind.

"Oh, you guys are... after the fact? Replenishing magic?"

Rovey blinked and asked him curiously.

"Although I knew your magic was insufficient, I didn't expect you to sacrifice yourself so much to achieve victory... Waver, my opinion of you has slightly improved! You're also someone who would sell their body for victory!!"

Rovey gave him a thumbs-up.

"What are you an idiot thinking? It's nothing like that!"

Hearing Rovey's familiar voice, Waver, who had been drowsy in his blanket, immediately woke up. He quickly got out of the blanket and retorted with a blush.

"It's just that this guy's body is too big, and I don't have any suitable clothes for him in my bag. His original outfit was too flashy, so he was just running around the room in just pants. Nothing you're thinking happened!!"

"Really? I don't believe you."

Rovey winked at him.

"Of course, it's like that! If you don't believe me, go ask Rider over there!"

"Oh, oh, oh, so that's how it is... I misunderstood then."

After teasing Waver a few times, Rovey shrugged. He didn't stand on ceremony with his junior brother and, at Iskandar's invitation, sat directly beside Rider. He picked up another controller from the floor and chose a two-player fighting arcade game—[King of Fighters].

"Let's play this, what do you say?"

"Bring it on! This King has no problem!"

"Good then."

With Rider's agreement, Rovey rubbed his hands together and looked at Waver, who was scrambling out of bed like a little girl. He said teasingly, "No need to be so nervous, I was just joking around a moment ago."

"After all, even if you really intended to replenish magic, you'd still have to compare your body sizes. Your small frame and magic circuits wouldn't be able to handle Rider's exertions, so that kind of thing would never happen."

Rovey waved his hand and said very naturally.

"...You, you're as sharp-tongued as ever. Back at the Clock Tower, you always bullied me like this... Not only did you make me help write papers, but you also always tricked me into doing Kenneth's homework for you."

Looking at Rovey, who had invited himself over, Waver's eyes held some resentment, but more than that, a sense of helplessness.

"But haven't you gained quite a bit in the process? The private homework instruction from Teacher Kenneth is something you can't easily learn in class. It contains a lot of very valuable knowledge that you can't even buy. As a third-generation magus, you had the opportunity to access a Lord's private homework; do you think that's a bad thing?"

Rovey raised an eyebrow at him and continued, "Besides, in that kind of place, besides an anomaly like me, who else would treat you as an equal, a classmate and a friend, in the capacity of a family head? Who else would be willing to provide you with research resources where the effort and reward are disproportionate?"

"...You're just lazy, aren't you."

Hearing Rovey's matter-of-fact words, even though he was treating him like a tool, Waver retorted helplessly and then sighed silently.

Although he had some complaints about his senior brother Rovey, who always liked to give him extra work, Waver had to admit that Rovey was truly the only one who saw his value, appreciated him, and had actively recruited him, a third-generation magus.

Back at the Clock Tower, with his background as an outsider in the third generation of magi and his mediocre talent, he was the lowest and most looked-down-upon existence in Teacher Kenneth's class.

He had also suffered many cold stares and humiliation due to his bloodline, bullied by those nobles from generations of magical lineage. Among them, was this senior brother the only one willing to accept him and recognize his talent?

No, Rovey is Kenneth's legitimate disciple, while he is merely a student in the classroom. Therefore, he is undoubtedly unqualified to claim the same seniority as Rovey.

After all, the gap and importance between a disciple and a student are never comparable.

"So, what exactly are you here for? Did you come to drag me back for Kenneth?" Waver asked nervously.

Waver was not entirely unaware of Rovey's visit.

Before coming, Rovey had called him directly, stating that he was also in Fuyuki City and wanted to meet his junior.

When Waver first received Rovey's call, he was puzzled...

He even suspected it was a trap set by another Master to lure him out and eliminate him.

However, after repeatedly confirming the caller's identity, and when the person on the other end of the line clearly explained the embarrassing incidents that happened at the Clock Tower and the money owed for materials, Waver could only believe him.

His good friend, who had been missing for over half a year, was indeed in Fuyuki City and had sought him out.

In the end, he could only reluctantly reveal his current base of operations, which led to today's visit.

Waver saw the three distinct red Command Seals on Rovey's hand, realizing why he was here and where he had been for the past six months.

So, he had come to Fuyuki City long ago to prepare for the Holy Grail War...

Thinking about how he had stolen Kenneth's Catalyst and secretly participated in this Holy Grail War, Waver's heart grew increasingly uneasy.

"If I say yes, what will you choose? Will you come with me to see Kenneth, or will you resist? Continue to prove your worth in this cruel war, with that frail body of yours that can barely supply mana to your Servant?"

In response to Waver's question, Rovey did not answer directly but chose to counter-ask.

"I... I don't know."

Facing Rovey's inquiry, Waver silently lowered his head.

To be honest, he participated in the Holy Grail War on a whim, wanting to prove himself to Kenneth. He still hadn't fully grasped the situation or the rules of the Holy Grail War.

But one thing was certain: after witnessing so many mythical heroes gathered there last night, even Waver, as slow-witted as he was, should have understood...

This was not a battlefield for a third-rate mage like him. The magical ritual known as the Holy Grail War was not the magical exchange meeting he had anticipated, but a genuine life-and-death battle.

Since seeing that scene last night, his heart had been wavering. Was what he did right? How could someone like him possibly survive such a battle...

"Hey, Waver, so you entered the Holy Grail War with such a half-baked mentality?"

Seeing Waver's confusion, Rovey shook his head helplessly.

"I'm sorry, I actually acted on impulse too..."

When Rovey pressed him, Waver lowered his head.

"Waver, didn't I tell you long ago that you are not mediocre, nor are you useless? It's just that due to your bloodline, you cannot achieve great things in the magical arts. This is an innate flaw that cannot be compensated for."

"However... you possess other outstanding talents, you just haven't discovered them yet."

Is he trying to trick me with these words again... I'm not a child anymore.

"Haven't discovered them... Even if you say so, I... I can't accept it!"

Hearing Rovey's words, Waver closed his eyes, and the scene of Kenneth denying his achievements in front of all the students in class flashed through his mind. A surge of anger rose within him.

"My efforts were negated like that, mocked like this... Just because of my background and bloodline, they ignore my efforts and talents. You, who are destined to inherit Kenneth's mantle and become the new El-Melloi, wouldn't understand this feeling!"

Waver gritted his teeth and then spoke his true feelings to Rovey.

"You think... I will become the new El-Melloi?"

Hearing Waver's words, Rovey smiled and shook his head.

"Aren't you? Everyone in the classroom knows you are Kenneth's direct disciple. It's already a foregone conclusion that you will inherit the Clock Tower in the future..."

"No, Waver, I will not become El-Melloi. Someone else will become El-Melloi II."

Rovey replied with a serious expression.

"Someone else? Then... who?!"

Waver looked into Rovey's eyes, his face full of disbelief.

He knew his friend very well.

Although he often tricked him and used him as a tool, Waver knew that Rovey was not someone who spoke nonsense. At least, since they became friends, he had never lied to him. It was precisely because of this that he was so surprised by Rovey's words.

Then, with an astonished gaze, Waver saw Rovey, who had been so serious, suddenly smile mysteriously. He then pointed his finger lightly towards...

Himself?!

"It's you, Waver Velvet."

"Me?!"

Hearing the absurd answer, Waver's eyes widened abruptly, his face filled with disbelief. "Are you kidding me?! How could it be me?!"

"I'm telling the truth, Waver, you are El-Melloi II."

Rovey said earnestly.

"Oh, you mean this kid," Rider, who was diligently working on his controller to break Rovey's infinite combo, couldn't help but become interested upon hearing Rovey's words. He looked at Waver behind him and leaned closer to Rovey curiously, "will become that so-called monarch?"

"Yes, he will become the monarch, El-Melloi II," Rovey put down his controller and nodded at Waver. "And in the future, Waver will also grow thirty centimeters taller."

"Why are we even talking about height?!"

"Hahaha, little Master, it seems this Holy Grail War is yours after all!"

Rider stood up, patting Waver on the back as he burst into laughter. "It's only natural, after all, how could we lose with me, the King of Conquerors, leading the way?"

"Do you really think my wish was just to grow thirty centimeters taller?!"

Hearing this, Waver jumped up from the bed in anger, only to be lifted by Rider's large hand.

"What's wrong with wishing to grow taller? Little Master, it's precisely because you're so short that you're so frail..."

"Rovey, stop joking around with me. How could I not know Teacher Kenneth's personality? A man like him would never pass down the El-Melloi name to me." Waver, pushed back down by Rider, covered his forehead and dismissed Rovey's unreliable suggestion. "The chances of me inheriting El-Melloi are lower than humanity's sudden extinction."

That brat, he actually guessed right...

"Well, that's only natural. After all, Teacher Kenneth was a thoroughbred aristocrat, and a genius at that. A leading genius far ahead in the path of magic."

Rovey nodded, then looked at Waver and continued, "Unlike you, who only has theories but no results, and struggles to achieve anything due to your limited talent, he is a genius in all aspects. No one would question his theories because Teacher Kenneth has the ability to turn them into reality. Even saying he would become a Grand Caster would be considered perfectly reasonable."

Rovey didn't hold back in pointing out Waver's current situation: having all theory but no practical results.

This struck a nerve, causing Waver's face to flush red.

"What are you trying to say?! Doesn't that just prove even more that I couldn't possibly be El-Melloi II?"

"No... I mean, if Teacher Kenneth were alive, then you would indeed have no possibility of inheriting the title of El-Melloi II."

Rovey shook his head, then leaned down to look at Waver, who still had a face full of indignation, and whispered softly.

"So... what if Teacher Kenneth were to unfortunately pass away? In that case, wouldn't the possibility increase somewhat..."

The whisper, like that of a demon, echoed in Waver's ears. The man, who had been so agitated moments before, widened his eyes in disbelief and stared at Rovey, who had just uttered such a terrifying thought.

"You... What on earth are you saying?!"

Waver's teeth began to chatter.

"Shhh... Listen, I'll explain slowly."