[El-Melloi's Guardian]

"Lady Tia Escardos"

"Estella"

"Please come in."

As the two maids spoke in unison, the purple dress slowly emerged from the shadows of the "stage".

The moment the purple dress slowly emerged from the shadows of the "stage".

Time has been shattered.

All sensations vanished in that instant. No, even the stale word "instant" was swept away along with it.

Those downward-looking eyes were like mythical gems. The perfect nose must have been created by a sculptor from heaven who risked their soul. The tightly closed lips were reminiscent of flower petals from paradise, brimming with the light of youth that would never fade.

Yet all these metaphors seem so foolish in the face of this woman. What lies at the end of all adjectives?

It is something Magecraft cannot easily say aloud—only [ ] can represent the final destination.

"I am Tia Escardos Baruereta Iselma, who inherited the name [Golden Princess]."

"I am Estella Baruereta Iselma, who inherited the name [Silver Princess]."

Even after the voice reached their ears, the Magecraft present showed no sign of regaining their senses.

Several Magecraft found their glasses slipping from their hands and falling to the ground, oblivious to the splash of red wine that stained their trousers. Some stood frozen, unable to breathe, seemingly suffocating, while others knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their faces.

If this were a mental attack caused by Magecraft, then creating the scene before us would be utterly impossible. After all, the Magecraft gathered here are all of considerable skill, and the first thing Magecraft learns is to arm themselves mentally.

But at this moment they were facing pure [blank], so their mental defenses, honed to this day, were easily torn apart like paper.

"Truly worthy of being recognized as the most beautiful in the Clock Tower, the Izelma Twins live up to their reputation."

Under the impact of this beauty, even a Grand Magecraft couldn't completely resist. Touko Aozaki, having removed her glasses, whispered her praise while lowering her eyes and asking the man beside her:

What do you think?

"It's alright..."

Although it was just a normal question, the murderous intent it contained still sent a shiver down Wang's spine.

Touko Aozaki turned her head and saw that Wang Xiaoming's expression was no different from before, even his tone was the same, as if he was completely unaffected by the [Iselma Twins] in front of him. She couldn't help but ask curiously:

Why aren't you reacting at all?

What kind of reaction can I have?

Upon hearing Touko Aozaki's question, Wang Xiaoming wore a helpless expression.

Not to mention that Hector's "memory" contains fragments of memories about Helen. Compared to that extraordinary beauty, the twins before him are merely ordinary.

Not to mention--

For Wang Xiaoming, beauty is like the myriad flowers of the four seasons, numbering in the hundreds or thousands, but only that one purple flower, with its brilliance and purity, could captivate him completely.

"Never mind."

Feeling discouraged, Touko Aozaki pouted and looked away. At the same time, a sudden round of applause echoed through the banquet hall, which was now filled with embarrassing moments.

Wang Xiaoming and Touko Aozaki looked in the direction of the sound and saw an elderly woman, over seventy years old, clapping her wrinkled hands.

Her silver hair was as noble as a wolf's. The old woman, dressed in a stylish green gown, stood ramrod straight and cheerfully applauded. Her clear voice and firm demeanor brought the bewildered Magecraft back to their senses.

"Lord. Baruereta."

Someone said the old woman's name.

With the appearance of this name, "Golden Princess" and "Silver Princess" were once again brought back into the shadows of the stage by the maid.

"--That was brilliant, Lord Byron."

Lord Baruereta praised Lord Byron.

"It was all planned out of the blue."

Touko Aozaki said in a low voice, her tone revealing a hint of boredom.

All the Magecraft present understood that this was a tactic employed by [Iselma] to showcase their achievements. Everyone present had been manipulated by Iselma's leader and this Lord Baruereta. However, this was Baruereta's home turf, and the [Lord] himself had set the tone, so no one dared to question it, and that was enough.

The music started again, changing from the previous jazz style to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, a change that also represented the shift in the rhythm of the banquet.

"As expected of the Lord of Baruereta, his methods are far more sophisticated than Kayneth's."

After helping Kayneth with certain matters, Wang Xiaoming had a fairly good understanding of the organizational structure within the Clock Tower. He could even name figures like the [Twelve Lords].

"Speaking of which, isn't she your teacher?"

Thinking of some rumors about Lord Baruereta, Wang Xiaoming asked Touko Aozaki beside him.

"That's right..."

Touko Aozaki sighed, her expression complicated. "I don't want to see her right now. Could you hold her off for a bit while I leave?"

"Alright, just be careful. If you run into any trouble, just let me know."

Seeing Touko Aozaki's troubled expression, Wang Xiaoming shrugged and didn't press the matter further.

No sooner had Touko Aozaki left than the old woman, who had become the focus of the banquet, parted the crowd and walked toward Wang Xiaoming.

"Wasn't that stupid apprentice of yours just here a moment ago?"

The old woman who walked up to Wang Xiaoming gave him a meaningful smile, and she seemed to be happily swirling the glass of whiskey in her hand.

Facing the old woman before him, Wang Xiaoming abandoned the carefree attitude he had shown when he was with Touko Aozaki and nodded cautiously.

"That's right. I wonder what advice Lord Baruereta has for me?"

"Hehe--"

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoming's answer, the old woman smiled gently.

Her already wrinkled face looked even more aged; it was rare to see an elderly woman so full of life. She downed her whiskey in one gulp, then took another from the tray of a passing android and swirled it around as before.

"I know you, Mr. Wang."

"Lord Baruereta, I didn't expect you to come."

Just then, the Lord El-Melloi II walked over, with Reines standing beside her, and Gray following behind like a shadow. The two girls seemed to be whispering to each other, and one could vaguely hear words like "Department of Creation," "Lord," and "Twelve People."

"This is a big day for the family division. Even if Master is busy, he can't miss it."

Perhaps because he had encountered someone with whom he could have an equal conversation, Lord Baruereta laughed heartily.

The laughter made the already conspicuous old man's presence even more striking.

However, the old woman, completely oblivious to all this, turned her gaze back to Wang Xiaoming: "Truly worthy of being called [Guardian of El-Melloi], I only exchanged a few words, and your [Lord] couldn't wait to come over."

Wang Xiaoming didn't react to the title "Lord Baruereta," but the Second Lord El-Melloi II frowned. "The previous generation and Mr. Wang were just friends. He had no superior-subordinate relationship with [El-Melloi]."

However, his explanation seemed to be of no use. After the old woman finished speaking, all the Magecraft in the banquet hall gasped, as if the title had some kind of intimidating power.

Even Flat Escardos behind Waver, had a Gilgamesh expression on his face.

"That's so cool!"

"Hahaha--" The old woman laughed again, "[The previous generation] refers to that little guy Kayneth, right? I originally thought highly of him, but I didn't expect him to choose to retire before me. It really surprised me."

The old lady certainly had the seniority to call Kayneth, who once reigned supreme at the Clock Tower and overshadowed everyone else, "Little guy."

"However, it's rather disheartening for the Lord El-Melloi II to say that. You see, Mr. King was given the [Sealing Designation] because of your [previous generation's] attempt to become the Grand."

"..."

The old woman's series of revelations gradually froze the atmosphere in the banquet hall, and the shock that the Magecraft had felt from the [Grand Feast of Beauty] seemed to have faded because of this news.

"The [Sealing Designation] was broken several years ago."

Wang Xiaoming's answer made the old woman raise an eyebrow:

"Looks like they're from the same batch as my idiot apprentice."

Originally, the [Sealing Designation] that had already been issued was absolute.

However, at the end of the 20th century, a tremendous change occurred in the oldest classroom of the Clock Tower— [Secret Bureau of Judgment - Observatory Carion]—that issued the Sealing Designation orders, a change that was enough to shake the entire Clock Tower, and the Sealing Designation of several people were also lifted at this time.

Wang Xiaoming and Aozaki Touko are also on this small list.

"But this is just right--"

After a brief moment of surprise, the old woman smiled broadly again.

"Mr. Wang, now that [El-Melloi] is no longer a burden to you, given your relationship with Touko Aozaki, have you ever considered joining [us (Baruereta)]?"

After all, as a teacher, my words still carry some weight in front of that foolish apprentice.

Chapter 326. [The Guardian of El-Melloi]

The banquet concluded with a speech by Lord Byron.

"Professor--!"

After the banquet, most of the Magecraft took their leave and went home, while the teachers and students of El-Melloi Classroom decided to take the tram the next day, considering their finances and mode of transportation.

As for tonight, the Lord El-Melloi II decided to stay at the [Sun Tower] across the street with his students.

"Professor--!"

Walking down the corridor of the Sun Tower, the blond boy excitedly asked the Lord El-Melloi II ahead, "Professor, what's the deal with that Guardian? Can you tell me?!"

"Shut up, Flat Escardos!"

This time, the Lord El-Melloi II did not answer Flat Escardos, but instead frowned and shouted loudly. His unusually angry appearance stunned the naturally impetuous Flat Escardos.

As for the Lord El-Melloi II, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at the homunculi from the Izelma Family ahead. Seeing that they didn't react, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued walking forward.

As for Flat Escardos, before he could even react to the Lord El-Melloi II's rage, he felt a blow to the back of his head.

Looking back, he saw a young woman dressed as a noblewoman behind him who hadn't had time to lower her hand before striking him.

"Awoo, Leni."

"While I don't dislike such affectionate address, could you please be a little more mature? You're arguably the most senior student right now, aren't you?"

"... Excuse me, Miss Reines, I arrived a month earlier than Flat Escardos."

Upon hearing Svin's protest, Reines couldn't help but laugh.

"I see. Then you should be more composed, after all... we're not in the classroom now."

After speaking, Reines and Gray, who was beside her, bypassed Flat Escardos and continued walking up the spiral staircase. After hearing Reines's somewhat meaningful remarks, Flat Escardos wisely kept quiet.

And so, in a rare moment of silence, the group from El-Melloi Classroom arrived at the guest room.

The guest rooms were naturally arranged for two people per room. As for the room allocation, Ladies Reines and Gray naturally shared a room. As for the Lord El-Melloi II, he used the excuse of needing some peace and quiet to ask for a room by himself, leaving only the lively duo of Flat Escardos and Svin.

After arriving at the assigned room, Vlad, who was lying on the bed, suddenly spoke up shortly afterward:

"Hey, Lu Xi'an!"

"I told you not to call me by that name..."

The bulging veins on his forehead indicated his anger, but considering the late hour and the presence of the two ladies and the professor next door, Svin reluctantly suppressed his anger and decided to settle the score with Flat Escardos later.

"Lu Xi'an, do you know about that [Guardian]?"

What do you want to do?

"Of course I'm curious!"

Flat Escardos chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Look at the wide-eyed expressions on everyone's faces at the banquet. Mr. Wang must be a very powerful Magecraft!"

Vlad's question made Svin subconsciously frown:

"Actually, I don't know Mr. Wang very well either..."