The Clock Tower Visit-Let's Duel! / The Clock Tower Visit-Duel, Continued! Reality Marble!

"Hey, Kishua Zelretch Schweinorg, does the agreement you made with my ancestor still stand?"

Jewel Old Man froze, looking at Rin in confusion.

"What agreement?"

"Of course, the Jewel Sword. Didn't you leave my ancestor a set of Jewel Sword blueprints?"

Jewel Old Man pondered for a moment before finally recalling the matter. Nagato Tohsaka—the disciple he had casually guided a few times in the Far East long ago.

Nagato had been mediocre, cold-blooded, and somewhat manic by nature.

He had devoted himself to pursuing a good future, even anticipating sacrificing himself for it, which had troubled Jewel Old Man at the time.

So, he had handed the Jewel Sword blueprints to Nagato Tohsaka, who "lacked the spark of insight," as an assignment, hoping Nagato would strive toward that goal.

As for any agreement, that had been entirely fabricated by later generations of the Tohsaka family. It had never existed.

Jewel Old Man looked at the expectant Rin and sighed. Fine. Let's just say there was such an agreement.

"Yes, there was such an agreement. So long as one of your Tohsaka descendants can replicate the Jewel Sword, I will accept that person as my disciple."

Rin herself had not been clear on this matter in her memories from her previous life. She had only heard of the supposed agreement from Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Now that she had learned the "truth" behind it, she slowly let out a breath of relief.

Although she knew that most of Jewel Old Man's disciples either were—or would become—"useless people," Rin, backed by the system, was only somewhat concerned.

Faced with such a powerful patron delivered right to her doorstep, she decided to cling to him first and worry about the rest later.

With a flicker of magical energy in her hand, the Jewel Sword Jewel Old Man had previously bestowed upon her and her own imitation appeared in Rin's hands.

Rin respectfully handed the Jewel Sword to Jewel Old Man.

After he accepted it, she performed the formal salute of a disciple and cried out.

"Master!"

Jewel Old Man took the two Jewel Swords and casually slashed through the air with Rin's imitation.

The space before him seemed to split open, and a cut simply appeared in midair.

Seeing through Rin's intentions, Jewel Old Man spoke.

"Fine. Rin Tohsaka, I permit you to call yourself my disciple from now on."

"If you don't want to get played into ruin, don't come looking for me except today. And if you see me, stay far away. Understand?"

Rin nodded at Jewel Old Man. I don't want to become a "useless person" like most of your disciples either. This is perfect. I only wanted the status of being your disciple anyway.

Jewel Old Man casually tossed both Jewel Swords back to Rin, then glanced out the window.

"Since there's still time, I'll give you some pointers. Rin, ask any questions you have now, but remember my warning."

Kotomine Kirei and Waver exchanged a glance nearby.

Although Waver's plan had been disrupted, it seemed they had gained an even better result.

The two watched Jewel Old Man prepare to instruct Rin in the hall, greeted him, then left the room.

They remained in the corridor, preventing anyone from disturbing Rin's fortunate opportunity.

At the Clock Tower's Department of Law and Politics, Bartholomello Lorelei led her guards as she forcefully smashed open the doors.

Entering the Department of Law and Politics office, Bartholomello Lorelei swept her gaze across the room.

She saw her uncle, Bartholomello Charles, sitting blankly in the main seat and looking at her, as well as Yurifis, the head of the Sophia family, seated beside him.

A scornful smile appeared on her lips.

Lorelei walked to the desk before Charles and viciously cracked the riding crop in her hand against it.

Looking at the startled Charles, she asked, "Where is the document authorizing Rin Tohsaka's detention?"

Bartholomello Charles came back to himself.

Catching sight of Yurifis signaling him with his eyes, he calmed down, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted sternly.

"Bartholomello Lorelei! Do you still have any respect for your uncle? Get out and knock before coming in!"

Bartholomello Lorelei gave her uncle a contemptuous glance, then fixed her eyes on Yurifis.

"I have come as the assistant to the Clock Tower's Dean and the current Grand Marshal of Magic to retrieve the document authorizing Rin Tohsaka's detention."

"And don't forget, Bartholomello Charles. I am now the head of the Bartholomello family!"

Yurifis looked at his old friend, who seemed ready to say something, and shook his head at Charles.

"Charles, give it to her. Lorelei, I don't know what promises those Democracy faction fools made you, but don't forget that you are a Bartholomello—and a member of the Aristocracy faction."

Lorelei glanced at Yurifis, took the document Charles produced, and led her guards out of the Department of Politics and Law without looking back.

"What promises could those Democracy faction fools possibly make to that girl? Nothing more than Dead Apostles."

"She's just a little girl who doesn't understand politics! I really don't know why my elder brother chose this time to hand the family headship over to her!"

Hearing his old friend's complaints, Yurifis shook his head.

His old friend seemed to have forgotten that they were Magi, and for Magi, power ultimately spoke louder than anything else.

At the El-Melloi family headquarters, Kotomine Kirei, who had been waiting outside Rin and Jewel Old Man's room, frowned as he watched a servant rush toward him in panic.

"What's with the panic?"

"Lord Family Head, this is terrible! The Grand Marshal of Magic has brought the Choir Clone Brigade and intends to force her way into the estate!"

"Bartholomello Lorelei! Did they present any official documents?"

"Lord Family Head, they have a detention warrant signed by the Department of Law and Politics."

Kotomine Kirei glanced at Waver beside him, signaling for Waver to wait there.

Then, ignoring the servant, he strode toward the castle gates with a deep frown.

Clock Tower Journey—Duel!

Before the gates of the El-Melloi family estate.

Lainas led a group of servants and Mercury Dolls in a tense standoff against the Choir Clone Brigade led by Bartholomello Lorelei.

"Head of the Bartholomello family, the El-Melloi family is currently entertaining distinguished guests. Please leave."

"I am taking Rin Tohsaka into custody today, no matter what. Are you El-Mellois truly going to oppose me for her sake?"

Lainas showed no concern in the face of Bartholomello Lorelei's imposing manner.

Covering her mouth, she chuckled.

"Grand Marshal Lorelei, I don't care about Rin Tohsaka or whoever else."

"I only know that you absolutely cannot take any guest away from the El-Melloi family today."

Anger flashed through Bartholomello Lorelei's eyes at Lainas's words.

She gestured to the Choir behind her and ordered, "Move! Anyone who obstructs us will be treated as an enemy."

At that moment, Kotomine Kirei arrived at the gates.

Seeing magecraft light flare across both sides, he swept his left hand, and several Mercury Dolls transformed into a wall that separated them.

"Stop!"

After seeing Kotomine Kirei arrive, Lainas signaled her subordinates to stand down and took her place behind him.

The members of the Choir still held their magecraft at the ready.

They watched Lorelei's back, awaiting her next command.

"Is Bartholomello declaring war on the El-Melloi family?"

Bartholomello Lorelei cast Kotomine Kirei a disdainful look.

Indeed, Bartholomello Lorelei possessed the confidence for it.

As the "pinnacle of modern Magi," she could have dealt with the entire El-Melloi family by herself if she wished.

Kotomine Kirei did not grow angry under Lorelei's contemptuous gaze.

Maintaining a noble's elegance, he questioned her.

"Do you truly intend to plunge the Clock Tower into civil war?"

Faced with Kotomine Kirei's repeated questioning, Lorelei hesitated.

As a Magus, she was undoubtedly at the very peak.

But when it came to politics, how could a sixteen-year-old girl be a match for these seasoned schemers?

Lorelei understood nothing of the open and covert struggles among the various factions in this incident.

Hastily pushed forward by the Bartholomello family, she spoke with conflicted hesitation after hearing Kotomine Kirei mention civil war.

"I have no intention of provoking a civil war. But Kotomine Kirei, no matter what, I must take Rin Tohsaka away today!"

An aged voice interrupted the conversation between Kotomine Kirei and Lorelei.

"Oh? You insist on taking this old man's disciple away?"

Lorelei looked toward the voice, and her pupils contracted.

A door appeared out of thin air, and Jewel Old Man emerged from it with Rin Tohsaka.

"Grand Marshal of Magic!"

Just moments earlier, after finishing his instruction, Jewel Old Man had taken out a magecraft book under Rin's confused gaze.

The book continuously flipped through its pages under his manipulation.

Then, a door formed from magecraft appeared in the air.

"Rin, come with me. A little one is looking for you."

Rin had no idea what was happening.

She watched Jewel Old Man turn and enter the doorway, then blankly followed after him.

Passing through the door Jewel Old Man had summoned, Rin felt a flash before her eyes.

She raised a hand to shield herself from the sunlight, only then realizing that she had arrived at the manor gates with Jewel Old Man.

Kotomine Kirei and Lainas came to Rin's side and nodded at her.

"Don't worry, Rin. My brother and I won't let anyone arrest you."

"Wait, Lainas. What's going on? I have no idea what's happening right now."

Lorelei also noticed Rin Tohsaka's arrival and snapped her riding crop.

"Seize her!"

"Little girl, are you certain you want to take my disciple away?"

Lorelei looked at Jewel Old Man standing in front of Rin Tohsaka.

She knew that no matter what she did, she could not take Rin away now.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled out a handkerchief and threw it directly at Rin.

"In that case, Rin Tohsaka, I, the head of the Bartholomello family, the next Dean of the Clock Tower, and the Grand Marshal of Magic, hereby challenge you to a duel!"

Rin saw the expressions of everyone around her turn grave after Lorelei issued the challenge.

She asked without understanding, "What is it? Why did all of you suddenly become so tense? Can't I just refuse to duel her?"

Jewel Old Man patted Rin's shoulder and explained.

"You cannot refuse the duel invitation Lorelei has issued."

"If you refuse, it means you are looking down on the Bartholomello family."

"Then you and the Bartholomello family will become mortal enemies from that point on."

"If they seek revenge against you afterward, no one will be able to interfere."

"How can it work like that?"

Of course, Rin knew exactly what kind of person Lorelei was.

The girl in white riding clothes with her hair tied into a ponytail before her was the pinnacle of modern Magi, someone capable of facing an Ancestor of Dead Apostles alone.

Kotomine Kirei shook his head, glaring at Lorelei with some irritation.

He truly could not imagine what reason had led Lorelei to challenge Rin Tohsaka to a duel.

Lorelei was one of the Three Great Aristocrats.

No matter who won or lost today, the reputation of the Bartholomello family, one of the Three Great Aristocrats, for bullying a provincial family would be impossible to shake.

Naturally, Kotomine Kirei could never have guessed that his own sister's words—"You absolutely cannot take any guest away from the El-Melloi family today"—had provoked Lorelei's spoiled young-lady temper.

"Rin, Lorelei is the same age as you, and you are now Jewel Old Man's disciple as well."

"Therefore, her invitation to duel you can be considered fair."

"So I can only fight her?"

Lorelei watched Rin continue chatting there and impatiently shouted at her.

"Are you done talking? Rin Tohsaka, will you accept my duel invitation or not?"

Seeing that she could not avoid it, Rin stepped forward, picked up the handkerchief on the ground, and waved it at Lorelei.

"Come on!"

Seeing that matters had reached this point, the surrounding people could only make room for the two of them.

Silence. Yes, silence.

Rin Tohsaka was wary of Lorelei, while Lorelei did not underestimate Rin either, the genius whose name had been spreading through the magecraft world like wildfire.

The two simply confronted each other in silence.

One minute. Ten minutes...

Rin Tohsaka stared intently at the beads of sweat on Lorelei's face under the blazing sun.

The instant a bead of sweat entered Lorelei's eye, Rin Tohsaka struck.

"Spear of Venus!"

A gemstone was tossed into the air by Rin, then shattered.

The light of Venus stored within it converged into a beam that shot toward Lorelei.

"Celestial magecraft? Hmph!"

Lorelei raised her riding crop, and a wall of wind formed from a violent gale, blocking the Spear of Venus.

Rin had never expected the Spear of Venus to work against Lorelei.

Knowing that the other girl's magecraft abilities far surpassed her own, Rin chose close combat.

The Spear of Venus had merely been a feint to get close to Lorelei.

"Oh, you intend to fight me at close range? Come!"

Facing Rin as she charged before her, Lorelei calmly deployed Reinforcement Magecraft.

Her riding crop easily blocked Rin's punch.

With boxing footwork, she met Rin's Baji Quan with her own boxing.

As Rin and Lorelei fell into close combat, the gates, the walls, and even the ground were all shattered in their fierce battle.

The guests in the banquet hall also noticed the duel and rushed toward the manor gates without prior agreement.

Fujino pulled Sakura along, her face pale as she watched the two figures collide at high speed in the distance.

Yet she recognized at a glance that the red figure was her master, Rin Tohsaka.

Sakura activated Reinforcement Magic and raced with Fujino toward the gates.

She stared anxiously at the battling pair in the distance.

"Big sister, you must not get hurt!"

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Clock Tower Journey—Duel Continued!—Bounded Field!

Rin drove an Iron Mountain Lean into Lorelei's chest.

However, it had little effect on Lorelei, who had deployed defensive magecraft, only forcing her back a few steps.

Rin panted heavily as she looked at Lorelei, whose breathing remained steady.

Damn it. Her fighting skills may be weak, but combined with magecraft, she's incredibly difficult to deal with.

No wonder she's the pinnacle of modern Magi. I need to change strategies.

Rin launched another attack against Lorelei while secretly tossing a ruby onto the ground.

Lorelei watched the silent Rin, who had her lips tightly pursed.

A mocking smile curled at Lorelei's lips as she calmly taunted Rin while fighting.

"Still not giving up? A 'female gorilla' like you who only knows how to use her fists is supposed to be a magecraft genius?"

"Huh? 'Female gorilla'? You bastard, you're dead! Witch-King Slayer, kill her!"

During their exchange just now, Rin had already forced Lorelei near the gemstone she had secretly tossed down earlier.

Roar!

A massive flaming giant appeared behind Lorelei with a roar at Rin's shout.

Holding an enormous flaming cross, it smashed down toward Lorelei.

Feeling the scorching heat behind her, Lorelei immediately turned and drew the riding crop tucked at her waist.

As Lorelei swung her riding crop, a tremendous wind gathered into a wind bullet and collided with the Witch-King Slayer!