Rin slowly walked over to the seat belonging to the Lord of Celestial Mechanics, pulled out the chair, and sat down. The instant she touched it, everyone present regained their calm expressions, as if they had tacitly acknowledged Rin's position as Lord.
At that moment, Lorelei, who had been leaning against the door, entered the conference room. She gave Rin a thumbs-up, then sat in Bartholomello's seat. Looking at the empty seat at the head of the long conference table, she spoke.
"Since the Dean is absent, I, Bartholomello, will preside over the meeting. Today's meeting has a simple purpose: to inform everyone that Rin Tohsaka has become the Lord of Celestial Mechanics. The other matter is Sajyou Manaka!"
When Waver heard Sajyou Manaka's name, his eyes twitched uncontrollably. He knocked on the table and spoke.
"I request to withdraw!"
Then Rin and Kotomine Kirei also raised their hands and requested to withdraw from the discussion. One Lord after another followed suit, with only Gaius, the Lord of Zoology and Bartholomello's puppet, failing to raise his hand. Still, the flicker in his eyes made it clear that he did not want to discuss an existence like Sajyou Manaka either.
Lorelei froze for a moment, then gave Rin an upside-down thumbs-up. Her face darkened as she glared at the Lords, angrily pushed back her chair, swung her ponytail, and stormed out of the conference room.
As Lorelei left, the Lords gradually departed as well. Only Rin, Waver, and Kotomine Kirei remained in the conference room.
Kotomine Kirei looked at Rin with a sigh.
"I never expected that little girl from back then to have grown this far."
Rin stood and gave Kotomine Kirei a respectful bow.
"Thank you for all your help over the years. Without you, I would not have