Twin-Faced Tower Izermar: The Two by the Lake and the Spy

They said curiosity killed the cat, and humans were naturally no exception. After wrestling with it for quite some time, El-Melloi II finally stood up and slowly walked toward the source of the voices.

Before long, the view opened up. A lake lay some distance away. Finding such a spring amid the lush forest was practically a miracle, a masterpiece of nature.

Two people stood by the shore, seemingly engaged in a heated conversation.

Reinforcing his sight and hearing with magecraft, El-Melloi II hid behind the bushes and looked over.

One of them was Golden Princess Tiadra's maid, apparently named Carina. He had also met the other at yesterday's banquet: a pharmacist from the Department of Lore named Mao Brissigton Clainers.

There was no doubt that he was a genius born into a distinguished family.

Though the Brissigton family did not wield as much power as Bartholomew, it was in no way inferior in historical standing or research achievements. It was a typical Neutral Faction family. Furthermore, because the magecraft it inherited possessed an extraordinary variety of properties, the Department of Lore was considered the Clock Tower discipline with the fewest surviving records.

Since Brissigton was his middle name, it meant that his family was either protected by the Brissigtons or was one of their branch families.

But why were these two together? And why did they seem so familiar with each other?

Just as El-Melloi II prepared to seriously eavesdrop on their conversation, someone lightly tapped his shoulder.

Spies were not exactly uncommon at the Clock Tower. After all, conflicts between magi were conflicts of information, and spies could obtain even more information about one's enemies.

El-Melloi VII's frown grew more pronounced.

"You infiltrated that social gathering to investigate because some minor figure from a faction commissioned you, didn't