Can't We Just Study Magecraft Properly? (Continued)

Shinji hasn't been paying attention to news from the Britain for a long time.

In any case, Kenseth neither asked for help nor suddenly died in his wheelchair.

That means everything regarding the Clock Tower is under control, Shinji is too lazy to bother with those dirty and troublesome political secrets.

"Could it be that Kirei Kotomine Ken went too far and died in his wheelchair with his fiancée? Or Waver suddenly get snatched away by some muscular giant to be his wife?"

"Shinji... did you really hate those two that much?"

Luviya's lips twitched violently; she hadn't expected Shinji to be so unwilling to let Kenseth and Waver be together.

"It's related to <Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya>. Strange rumors have been circulating inside the Clock Tower since the show aired."

After the previous episode of "Devil May Cry" aired in the Britain, the mainstream Britain audience for "Devil May Cry" —Magecraft —naturally shared the same view as Magecraft in Japan that the plot was about the conflict between the Modern Magecraft Department and the Aristocratic Faction.

Moreover, because they were firsthand witnesses in the Clock Tower, they encountered even more strange and unusual messages.

With each piece corroborating the other, Britain Magecraft became even more convinced of the reality depicted in "Devil May Cry".

"Maybe this is a good thing!"

Upon hearing Luviya's statement, Shinji appeared quite optimistic.

"They feel these storylines are close to reality, so more Magecraft should watch <Focus on Illusion>. Even if it doesn't increase the ratings by much, every little bit helps."

Something's not right.

Luviya didn't quite agree with Shinji's statement, saying directly, "Because the rumors are going in strange directions. They're matching Illya and her group with several people from the Modern Magecraft Department..."

This part, naturally, is the conspiracy theory that originated with Fujita at the Tokyo Mage Club and then spread from there to London.

In fact, this argument has no market among young Magecraft in Tokyo; no one believes that Shinji Matou is a visitor from some Parallel world.

If someone were to tell them that Shinji Matou came from another world, these people would only say one thing.

"You've been watching too many movies. Shinji Matou is a native Fuyuki City Magecraft; how could he possibly be from Parallel world?"

But the Magecraft in London don't see it that way!

These people actually believed the message after hearing it.

In their eyes, Shinji Matou was an unconventional genius whose values were completely different from those of a normal Magecraft.

As a descendant of Mage families, how could he possibly be inclined to admire those lowly Magecraft of the first generation?

How could a legitimate Magecraft have such thoughts!

Therefore, Shinji Matou is definitely not from this world.

"... These Magecraft, should I say they have brains or not?"

Shinji didn't know what to say about these people.

The conclusion is correct, but the process is completely wrong!

Just how arrogant must their Aristocratic Faction be to have such an idea?

Even in the mysterious and ever-present Nasuverse, the main conflict within the Clock Tower remains between the Aristocratic Faction and the commoner faction.

It's important to know that the Aristocratic Faction in the Nasuverse have preserved the complete Magecraft heritage of their ancestors, some of whom are even stronger than Heroic Spirit.

Even so, the commoners still challenged the rule of the Aristocratic Faction.

Because the Aristocratic Faction was so reactionary, even some Magecraft from prestigious families couldn't stand it anymore and voluntarily joined the commoners' faction or the neutral faction to stay out of it.

This shows just how unpopular these scoundrels are.

Therefore, regardless of whether Shinji Matou is there or not, someone will definitely stand up and rebel against the Aristocratic Faction.

Shinji's existence, at best, only made the populist faction more united and made the path of resistance a little smoother.

"Forget it, this is just the impotent rage of those losers. Just ignore it."

"Hmm... how should I put it?"

Luviya chuckled wryly and touched her cheek, saying, "The rumors about you coming from Parallel world have become increasingly outlandish. Some people say you come from a mysterious world that hasn't decayed, which is why you were able to write those stories."

Is there another explanation...?

Shinji no longer knew whether the people who made these claims were just stumbling upon something by accident, or stumbling upon something by accident.

"So some people have suggested that perhaps you possess a mysterious, undiminished magic power, and if they were to capture you and drain it dry, they could gain your Magecraft abilities from before they began to decline."

"..."

Shinji was speechless.

What is all this?

As Magecraft who had studied at the Clock Tower, Shinji knew very well that Luviya's use of "squeeze dry" was not at all suggestive; it meant exactly what it said.

The Magecraft is exploited in both magical and physical ways, extracting all the magic power from Magecraft body.

This practice is extremely cruel and even less humane than designated sealing.

Because after being squeezed, the Magecraft wouldn't even have a complete corpse left, not even bone fragments; only solid magic crystals would remain—the only proof that he ever existed.

Generally speaking, this kind of exploitation is only used on magical beings that have no Magecraft research value other than magic power.

"Those Magecraft also said they should have exploited you sooner. Now that you've been intimate with so many girls at the Clock Tower, your magic has likely been 'contaminated.' They said it would be best to get the Aozaki Family to intervene and revert your time back to when you were still a virgin."

Luviya continued.

"... These stupid Magecraft, can't they just study Magecraft properly?"

Shinji was beyond furious.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

London, Clock Tower.

"This rumor is truly outrageous."

Waver sat with his teacher, a sour face on his face, and complained.

"That's true."

Kenseth nodded.

He carefully touched his hairline with his hand, and after confirming that it hadn't receded compared to yesterday, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"I've already told the others to shut those guys up," Waver told Kenseth, "But I don't think it'll have much of an effect."

Such conspiracy theories are inherently very deceptive.

In addition, Magecraft, being mostly reclusive and rarely venturing out, have very few channels for receiving information from the outside world.

Waver knew very well that it would be extremely difficult to refute these unreliable rumors.

"How about... teacher, we watch that show?"

Waver suggested, "I think tonight is the premiere of the latest episode in the Britain, right? If you could watch it yourself, you might find a good way to eliminate the comments."

"Sure."

Kenseth replied nonchalantly, "If you've finished your work, I have no objection. I'm just idling around anyway."

[Nonsense, I do most of your work! Don't act like you're so responsible! You lemon-headed middle-aged man, you're really wicked!]

"Waver, what are you thinking about?" Kenseth asked coldly.

"Not at all," Waver forced a smile. "I meant that His Lord's concern for the affairs of the Academy is truly exemplary."

Kenseth was very satisfied. "Well said, you are indeed my apprentice, you have won my heart."

[This flattery, did you learn it from Shinji?]

[That shamelessness, did you learn it from Shinji?]

The master and disciple exchanged a glance, everything understood without a word.

[Waver (teacher), you've gone astray.] *2