Teacher and Student (Part 2)

"It's because you arrived too fast!!!"

Waver, who had emerged from the Gordius Wheel, protested to Rider in dissatisfaction.

"Haha, kid, you've worked hard too!"

Seeing his Master being ravaged by the cold wind, Rider pulled Waver out of the "Gordius Wheel".

"Put me down right now!!!"

Waver's fists rained down on Rider's muscular body from mid-air, but the burly Rider laughed as if nothing had happened.

Looking at the two "fighting" duo in front of him, a look of realization flashed in Lancer's eyes.

If it were my lord...

But this kind of thing clearly only exists in Lancer's imagination.

"We meet again, Mr. Weber Waver."

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice reached Waver's ears, causing him to unconsciously lose his focus.

In a daze, he once again uttered the name he thought he would never say in his life:

"Kayneth ... teacher..."

"It's rare that Mr. Velvet hasn't forgotten me."

Following the direction of the sound, Waver looked up and his gaze met Kayneth's mocking eyes from the platform.

This was also the first face-to-face exchange between the teacher and student from the "Clock Tower".

"Hey, are you my little Master's teacher?"

Rider showed no discomfort despite the difference in position, and even observed Kayneth with great interest.

"I am indeed Kenes Elumeroy Archibald, paying my respects to the King of Conquerors."

Kayneth, standing on the platform, bowed gracefully to Rider.

Kenneth's radiant confidence and impeccable manners significantly changed Rider's initial impression of Kayneth.

"You don't want to be as unreasonable as my Master says."

Rider scratched his head and proceeded to expose Waver's entire dark history.

"Ri... der!!!"

Faced with Servant had "tricked" him like this, Waver was almost in tears. He couldn't believe the fury Kayneth would unleash upon him.

However, things did not develop as Waver had imagined.

Upon hearing Rider's words, Kayneth revealed the mocking smile that Waver was familiar with:

"Is this how Mr. Waver evaluated his teacher in front of the King of Conquerors?"

A wronged Waver bit his lower lip and shook his head frantically, the shadow cast by Kayneth resurfacing in his mind. Surprisingly, Rider did not stand up for Waver despite Kayneth's sharp tongue.

They simply stood by and watched.

"Mr. Waver stole my things without permission, and presumptuously participated in the Holy Grail War, which is beyond his capabilities. And to go so far as to slander his own teacher like this—isn't that going a bit too far?"

Shaking head?

Nod!

Nodding frantically!

"But..."

Kayneth's use of a transition word drew everyone's attention.

"Regarding Mr. Waver, I must admit that he possesses first-rate insight, analytical, inductive, and summarizing abilities, but his background determined that he lacked the resources to practice Magecraft. However, any theory without practice is nothing but wishful thinking, so... no matter how high he can reach in theory, he cannot translate it into results, and such a person can hardly be called a good Magecraft."

Waver understood what Kayneth meant and wanted to refute Kayneth, but after opening his mouth, he didn't know what to say.

"But Mr. Waver, I must admit I misjudged you. You are not overconfident; the fact that you have survived from the very beginning of the Holy Grail War until now proves your strength. I must say I underestimated you before."

If Kayneth's assessment left Waver speechless, then what followed was quite Waver!

To Waver's disbelief, a peaceful smile appeared on Kayneth's usually stern face—the first smile Waver could recall Kayneth ever giving him without any negative emotion.

"So, Mr. Waver Velvet, would you like to become my personal disciple?"

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Chapter 94. Teacher and Student (Part 2)

"So, Mr. Waver Velvet, would you like to become my personal disciple?"

After hearing Kayneth say those words, Waver could hardly believe his ears.

Because he understood the meaning of Kayneth's "personal disciple".

Here I must mention one thing:

The so-called Magecraft lineage refers to the "succession of the Magic Crest" in which the Magic Crest is passed down from one son to the next. Because this "succession" is the most important, even if the biological bloodline is severed, as long as the Magic Crest is inherited by someone else's body, the Magecraft lineage is considered to continue.

Furthermore, even if descendants who possess Magic Circuit continue to exist, if they lose their Magic Crest, that lineage is essentially cut off from Magecraft. That being said, Magecraft usually select a successor with excellent aptitude from their own lineage to ensure the continuous inheritance of the Magic Crest.

The direct disciples were naturally included in the "lineage".

"Are you... are you telling the truth?"

Waver asked Kayneth in a trembling voice.

"Of course, I can swear in the name of the Archibald Family. However..."

Kayneth affirmed his promise with absolute certainty, but the subsequent turn of events made Waver's heart sink slightly.

"But what?"

"You surrender to me now, relinquish your Master of Rider, and immediately return to the Clock Tower. After the Holy Grail War ends and I return to the Clock Tower, I will bring you into the Archibald Family. From then on, whatever research you wish to undertake, the Archibald Family will support you. Even if you want to overturn the current Magecraft system, the Archibald Family will be your solid backing."

As expected--

Waver gave a wry smile after hearing Kayneth's terms.

However, the reason Waver smiled wryly was not because Kayneth's conditions for him to give up his right to participate in the Holy Grail War were too harsh, but because the reward he received after giving it up was so generous that even Waver himself could not believe it.

Although Waver disliked his mentor, he understood Kayneth's character.

Although Kayneth was always proud and aloof, he never lied, and he would never stoop to doing anything that would tarnish the dignity of Magecraft.

Now that Kayneth has spoken, if I surrender, he will surely keep his promise.

The reason I traveled so far to participate in the Holy Grail War was to prove my strength to Kayneth. Now, Kayneth has acknowledged my strength and even made a personal promise to take me as his disciple.

This means that one's wish has been fulfilled, and even far exceeded one's original expectations.

Moreover, if Kayneth's promise were made public, he would certainly attract countless envious and resentful glances.

If it were me, fresh from the start of the war, I would be ecstatic to hear Kayneth say something like that, wouldn't I?

Thinking this, Waver subconsciously turned his gaze to the burly man beside him.

After sensing his Master's doubts, Rider did not use harsh language to make Waver reject Kayneth's "temptation," nor did he get angry at Kayneth's "poaching" behavior.

Rider simply watched Waver with a smile.

This means --

Iskandar, the King of Conquerors Iskandar, placed the utmost trust in his Master, Waver. Whatever decision Waver made, Velvet, as his Servant, would follow it. Even...

--die.

Waver took a deep breath--

Raising his head and looking directly into Kayneth's eyes, Waver mustered all his courage and said to Kayneth:

"Teacher, I am very grateful and excited for your invitation, but please forgive me for declining!"

After saying that, Waver bent down at a ninety-degree angle to Kayneth.

"... Then, Mr. Waver Velvet, may I ask, what exactly was the reason you declined the invitation from the Archibald Family?"

After a moment of silence, Kayneth asked Waver, his voice devoid of any warmth.

"Because... because..."

Waver, still hunched over, stammered for a long time, his somewhat stiff mind unable to find any words to form a sentence or a reason.

Just then, something gently yet firmly embraced the boy's slightly helpless shoulders. Waver recognized the object that offered him warmth at that moment, even after only a second of contact.

--It's Rider's palm.

In that instant, Waver cast aside all the heaviness and confusion in his heart, and his mind suddenly cleared.

There's no need for a reason not to accept Kayneth's terms.

I just don't want to abandon this thing that gave me the last bit of warmth when I was helpless, and I don't want to betray this carefree, naive fool.

So--

"Teacher, please forgive my overestimation of my abilities! I will stay with Rider until the Holy Grail War ends!"

Having spoken his mind, Waver felt as if he had shed a heavy burden, and his whole being felt much lighter.

"Truly worthy of being my the King! Hahahaha!"

The familiar laughter echoed in Waver's ears, instantly making Waver eyes sting, but he didn't rub them to save face.

"Well, Lancer's Master? What's your opinion on my little Master's answer?"

Looking up at Kayneth on the platform, Rider exuded a heroic aura.

"Is that so? You rejected my invitation simply because you didn't want to betray me."

Kayneth's gradually lowering voice sent a chill down Waver's spine, who still harbored resentment. But what happened next was something he never imagined:

"As expected, I didn't misjudge him!"

Although Kayneth's tone remained calm, the praise in his voice was unmistakable.

Waver looked up at Kayneth with some confusion, confirming once again that Kayneth was not mocking him.

"Teacher, you..."

"No need to say anything more!"

Kayneth waved his hand and said to Waver in an unyielding tone:

"Waver Velvet, in the name of the ninth head of the Archibald Family, I promise you that regardless of the outcome of this battle, I, Kayneth El- El-Melloi Archibald, will take you under my wing!"

"..."

Things had spiraled out of Waver's control, and he could only nod blankly at Kayneth's promise, waiting for time to process it.

"So, what's next..."

Kayneth turned his gaze from Waver to Rider.

"King of Conquerors, if I defeat you here, I hope you won't mind."

"Hahaha, Lancer's Master, if Iskandar were defeated honorably, how could he possibly have any complaints!"

It seems that Kayneth's previous actions pleased Rider, who simply laughed off his rather offensive remarks.

"Is that so...?"

Kayneth nodded slightly upon hearing Rider's reply, then gave the order to Lancer:

"Lancer, go and defeat..."