Chapter Summaries

Hishiri Adashino was found murdered in her magically protected room, her eyes gouged out, and the inheritance candidates confronted the possibility of a killer hiding in the castle. El-Melloi VII noticed her Mystic Eyes Killer glasses were missing, while the others questioned Fried and Sedwick about the deaths and the secrets of Stripped City.

• A castle maid discovered Hishiri Adashino dead in her room, despite the magical protections remaining intact.
• El-Melloi II recognized Hishiri, and the magi gathered around her body to discuss the growing danger.
• The group saw that Hishiri's eyeballs had been removed, and El-Melloi VII realized her Mystic Eyes Killer glasses were missing.
• Orluga challenged Fried about what was hidden in the Ashborn castle, but Hishiri defended Fried and said she believed he was not involved.
• Fried said his father had kept him ignorant of Stripped City and forbidden him from approaching certain places.
• Sedwick dismissed the discussion as a farce and urged everyone to determine what was in the castle.

Luviagelita began a magecraft ritual to take control of Stripped City Adra by altering its foundational formula and claiming its functions as a Workshop. El-Melloi VII and the other mages joined her synchronization formula, while Sedwick intended to sabotage her.

• Luviagelita arrived and said she would handle the chaos despite Michael's absence.
• Luviagelita revealed that she and Fliuga had discovered Stripped City's foundational formula and that she had embedded gemstones throughout the city.
• Luviagelita activated her interference formula and explained that she intended to alter Stripped City itself.
• El-Melloi VII asked what Luviagelita planned to do, and she declared that she would claim all of Stripped City's functions as a Workshop.
• El-Melloi VII and the other mages agreed to assist Luviagelita's synchronization formula, while Sedwick joined with plans to sabotage her.

Luviagelita nearly completed the magecraft to take control of Stripped City, but a sudden backlash halted the process and left everyone weakened. As the group recovered, Viyazega threatened them while Mina aimed a gun to protect Sedwick.

• Luviagelita began replacing Stripped City's imprint with her own, spreading the magecraft through the castle.
• The formula reached its third stage, but Stripped City's resistance triggered a violent backlash that threw everyone down and overloaded their Mage Circuits.
• Kraun fell dead, and Luviagelita's control stalled at 99.8 percent despite her attempt to call on her servant.
• Viyazega drew a throwing knife as Sedwick stood up, while Mina pulled out a submachine gun and moved in front of him.

Glanid Ashborn revealed his power and restrained Shiki as the magi watched helplessly, prompting Luviagelita and El-Melloi VII to fight back. The battle left Sefen Fide shattered, while Glanid remained alive and the truth behind his actions unresolved.

• Glanid Ashborn disabled the magi and used grotesque arms from his chest to suspend Shiki in the air.
• Shiki transformed into a beastlike killing machine and attacked Lanidid, but the arms stopped him.
• Lanidid taunted Shiki, then stabbed himself in the heart with a fruit knife while Shiki struggled.
• El-Melloi VII demanded to know whether Lanidid had killed his brother, and Luviagelita activated her bloodied gemstones to unleash lightning.
• Sefen's arms weakened the spell, but the lightning struck Sefen Fide and left him charred and disfigured.

Lanidid recovered, seized Luviagelita, and revealed that he had killed Lin Haiyan after learning the truth about his parentage and his mother’s fate. As spirits flooded into the opening in his chest, he turned to Grivank and asked whether he had been right to kill his father.

• Spirits poured out of Stripped City’s hall and angel statues, revealing that the city’s angels were spirits powering the workshop.
• Grivank recounted how Lin Haiyan had fathered Lanidid with Glanid’s wife, who later died, and how Lanidid’s illness could not be cured by magecraft.
• Lanidid’s body recovered rapidly, and he formed a giant hand of magical energy that seized Luviagelita.
• Lanidid said he had killed Lin Haiyan because Lin’s actions had turned his mother into a monster, and he asked Grivank whether the killing had been right.
• An opening appeared in Lanidid’s chest and drew the spirits of Stripped City into his body.

Grivan confronted his father, Guranik, over the desecration of his mother’s corpse and the pursuit of magecraft that had eclipsed Guranik’s love for his family. As Stripped City Adra trapped everyone in the castle, Grivan’s Familiar turned against Guranik, leaving Grivan to face what came next.

• Glanid explained that he had found an ancient scroll after losing his aptitude for magecraft and had destroyed the inheritance his younger brother sought.
• Guranik summoned his Familiar and unleashed Spirit Hands, killing everyone in the room except himself and Grivan.
• Grivan confronted Guranik over his mother’s desecrated corpse and said he would send him to accompany her.
• Sedwick and his maid escaped through a window, but Grivan said Stripped City Adra had transformed the castle and its surroundings into another world.
• Guranik’s Familiar ignored his command, went to Grivan, and let him stroke its head before it pierced Guranik’s chest and killed him.

Cedric and Mina confronted Lanidid, who revealed his monstrous power and tried to kill them and Sedwick. Gerwen and the real Sedwick intervened, leaving Lanidid trapped and facing them.

• Mina carried Cedric through the forest as he tried to warn her about Glanid Ashborn.
• Lanidid subdued Sedwick and crushed Mina’s throat, while Sedwick briefly awakened under another presence’s control.
• Lanidid transformed, grew eyes across his body, and demanded to know why his enemies still intended to kill him.
• A pale hand pierced Lanidid from behind, and Gerwen revealed that Lanidid’s apparent victory had been part of a plan.
• Mina reappeared unharmed as Sedwick regained control of his body, and they joined the fight against Lanidid.

Grivan revealed that Glanid’s supposed Ashborn inheritance was counterfeit and that he had been using Michael and the spirits beneath Stripped City Adra to create an egg with an angel’s power. As the egg hatched, Glanid began turning to salt and begged Lord Fool for help, while Grivan offered to save him in exchange for a price.

• Grivan revealed that the Mage Crest in the box was real but counterfeit as an Abhscion Family inheritance, then awakened Glanid from his ascension as salt spread across his body.
• Grivan explained that he had used Glanid’s mother as a Familiar to preserve Mage Crests and praised Glanid’s research into creating something with an angel’s power.
• Glanid drew Michael into a sphere with an incantation, and the sphere became an egg incubated by Michael and the spirits beneath Stripped City Adra.
• The egg rippled and filled the space with light as Glanid watched expectantly, while Michael felt anger toward Glanid for what he had done.
• Glanid pleaded with Lord Fool to save him, and Grivan offered a discounted miracle because their previous transaction had gone smoothly.

At breakfast, Gray and the other magi struggled to recall troubling dreams from the previous night. Ashford Michael announced that Sedwick Michael had inherited his father's estate and would become the new head of the Anfongn family, temporarily suspending the inheritance process.

• Gray woke late, felt an unexplained sense of déjà vu, and told Gulani she had dreamed but could not remember it.
• Gulani reassured Gray and encouraged her to focus on the breakfast as she pondered her dream.
• The magi gathered for breakfast with grave expressions, and Gray realized they had all suffered nightmares they could not recall.
• Ashford Michael arrived with Sedwick Michael and announced that Sedwick had inherited his father's estate and would lead the Anfongn family.
• Ashford said the inheritance process would be temporarily suspended.

At Stripped City Adra, the Abhscion Family declared Sedwick the heir, ending the inheritance proceedings and angering Luviagelita. El-Melloi VII learned that Sedwick could repair El-Melloi’s damaged Mage Crest within three years, giving him renewed hope of fulfilling his pact with Rinnes.

• Hishiri Adashino said the Department of Law and Politics would only oversee the proceedings, while Fliuga accepted that he would not receive the inheritance.
• Luviagelita left in anger after the Abhscion Family’s decision became final, and Sedwick inherited Orlondo’s estate.
• Sedwick said Ashborn secret arts could help him reach Orlondo’s level of Mage Crest repair in three years.
• Heine asked Sedwick whether he had inherited Gan Rui’s Mage Crest repair knowledge, and Sedwick confirmed he could repair El-Melloi’s Crest within that time.
• El-Melloi VII welcomed the prospect of restoring El-Melloi’s Mage Crest and repaying its debts, while Viyazek questioned why Orlondo had arranged the inheritance contest.

Sefen sensed an uncanny familiarity in the hooded girl and approached her before El-Melloi II stopped him. Meanwhile, Gerwin thanked Michael for the means to gain a second life, and El-Melloi II recognized the girl as resembling the Saber summoned ten years earlier.

• Sefen caught the girl’s strange scent and moved toward her, startling her by sniffing at close range.
• El-Melloi II apologized for Sefen’s behavior and struck him on the head to stop him.
• Gerwin praised Michael for giving him a new life through a method that let him possess a blood relative’s body.
• Michael reminded Gerwin that the method could contaminate his soul, while Gerwin accepted the risk in pursuit of eternal life.
• El-Melloi II recognized that the girl resembled the Saber from ten years earlier and suspected Lord Animusphere had plans involving the coming Seventh Holy Grail War.
• Michael watched the others leave Stripped City through the window.

In Stripped City, Michael Animusphere offered El-Melloi II a deal that could grant him magecraft talent and fulfill his desires. Waver refused because he had promised to remain with El-Melloi, but Michael left the offer open indefinitely as Waver and Sefen departed.

• Michael Animusphere praised Sefen’s ability to use Bestial Magecraft without being eroded by it.
• Michael offered El-Melloi II a deal in exchange for his existence, promising to fulfill his desires and grant him magecraft aptitude.
• El-Melloi II declined, saying he had agreed to Rinnes’s request and would stay with El-Melloi until he repaid the losses caused by his mistakes.
• Michael accepted Waver’s choice but said the deal would remain available until Waver Velvet was erased from the world.
• El-Melloi II and Sefen left Stripped City and headed home.

Gray, Olga Marie, and Aozaki Xiangyun rode the White Whale airship and talked about its speed, Michael’s recklessness, and their admiration for Aika. The chapter left them still traveling through the clouds while Gray doted on Aoko and Xiangyun wondered where Xiang Yunxin had gone.

• A child asked about the enormous airship overhead, and his mother explained that an airship could fly through the sky like a bird.
• Gray complained that the White Whale was too slow, and Olga Marie said it was already traveling at its maximum standard cruising speed.
• Gray and Olga Marie discussed Michael’s mysterious buttons and agreed that his recklessness made them wary of what he had installed on the airship.
• Gray talked about admiring Aika and admitted she was unsuited to teaching a disciple, then patted Aoko’s head and returned to the sofa.
• Aozaki Xiangyun complained about Michael and wondered where Xiang Yunxin had gone, while Gray and Olga Marie admired Xiang Yun’s cuteness.

Olga Marie explained why the Tramberio family had invited Animusphere to the debut party for its creations, Izelu and the Silver Princess. Aoko joined Olga Marie and Gray, determined to defend Aika’s beauty and meet her sister, while Olga Marie warned Gray that another dangerous woman would attend.

• Olga Marie told Gray that Tramberio, a Democratic Faction rival, sought to create the most beautiful person and would unveil Izelu and the Silver Princess at an evening party.
• Olga Marie explained that the invitation could let Tramberio challenge Animusphere’s prestige by comparing its creations with Aika.
• Aoko insisted that Izelu and the Silver Princess could not surpass Aika and joined Olga Marie and Gray on the trip.
• Olga Marie warned Gray to keep away from a woman with a terrible personality who would attend the party.
• Aoko said she was eager to see her older sister, Tōko Aozaki, again and looked forward to showing her progress.

Gray and Aoko discussed Tōko Aozaki’s power and history as they prepared to oppose her. Aoko grew nervous upon learning Tōko was a Grand Archmage, but Gray insisted there was no reason to worry.

• Aoko complained that Izeluma looked down on people, while Add cheered her on and Gray silenced him.
• Gray asked Aoko about Tōko Aozaki, and Aoko described her as talented, stubborn, and difficult while claiming she had beaten her before.
• Huang Ping teased and fussed over Aoko as Olga Marie explained that Tōko was a Grand Archmage and had ties to Animusphere.
• Aoko worried about confronting Tōko and suggested contacting her teacher, but Gray told her not to take Tōko seriously.

Olga Marie brought Izelu and Aoko aboard the White Whale airship to the Animma family’s Twin-Faced Tower for an evening party in the Lake Windermere District. She explained the family’s powerful territory and warned that the airship carried a weapon capable of devastating the region, leaving Izelu worried that their visit might turn into a conflict.

• Gray realized she was afraid of heights as the airship’s transparent walls revealed the scenery below.
• The Animma family prepared a lakeside landing site and welcomed the arriving guests.
• Olga Marie introduced Byron Barueretta Animma, the head of the family, and identified the Sun Tower and Moon Tower as powerful Magecraft Workshops.
• Olga Marie told Izelu and Aoko that Animma had a major advantage on its home ground and that the White Whale carried a devastating weapon.
• Olga Marie led Izelu and Aoko toward the reception while Izelu hoped the party would end safely.

Olga Marie, Aoko, and their companions arrived at the Moon Tower for Izeluma’s evening party, where Olga Marie impressed Lord Byrn with her manners and knowledge. Aoko struggled with the attention and grandeur of the gathering, while Gray disappeared into the crowd, leaving Olga Marie worried she might cause trouble.

• Lord Byrn escorted Olga Marie and the others to the Moon Tower in an enchanted carriage that vanished into a toy soldier and a small carriage upon their arrival.
• Olga Marie recognized the carriage’s mechanisms and thaumaturgical formulas, and Lord Byrn accepted her praise on Izeluma’s behalf.
• At the banquet, Aoko felt overwhelmed by the music, lavish surroundings, and the guests’ attention, while Olga Marie encouraged her to imagine them as carrots.
• Aoko introduced herself to Lord Byrn as her brother’s new disciple, prompting his curiosity about the talent accepted by Lord Animusphere.
• Olga Marie noticed that Gray had gone missing and worried she might cause trouble in the Twin-Faced Tower.

At a Democratic Faction gathering, Olga Marie taught Gray to observe the guests and assess their political ties. She focused on El-Melloi VII, whose weakened family had drifted toward the Democratic Faction, and considered how that shift could benefit Animusphere.

• Gray asked Olga Marie what they should do, and Olga Marie told her to learn to observe the guests.
• Olga Marie explained how the guests’ families and factional affiliations revealed the party’s political situation.
• Bailey recognized El-Melloi VII from their earlier meeting at Stripped City Adra and noted that Brother thought highly of him.
• Olga Marie considered how El-Melloi joining the Democratic Faction could weaken Bartholomew and help Marisbury Animusphere.
• Olga Marie assessed El-Melloi’s decline, Waver Velvet’s reputation, and the Democratic Faction leanings of the El-Melloi Classroom.

At a Democratic Faction gathering, Rinnes El-Melloi Arch Zolti and El-Melloi VII worried about their precarious political position and the risks of appearing too close to the faction. When Olga Marie arrived, Rinnes decided they had to greet the Animusphere princess despite her unease.

• Rinnes assessed the party and noted that few people from Bartholomew's side or other factions were present.
• Rinnes and El-Melloi VII discussed how attending the gathering could expose them to sanctions from the Aristocratic Faction.
• Rinnes saw Olga Marie arrive and stiffened, recalling her frightening power and the help she had once given her.
• El-Melloi VII warned that Animusphere might misread their relationship with the Democratic Faction if they did not approach Olga Marie.
• Rinnes introduced herself to Olga Marie and Lady Gray as the heir to El-Melloi.

At the Izeluma party, Aozaki Aoko searched for Tōko Aozaki and found her trail ending in a dead end, where Touko left a teasing note. Meanwhile, the Golden Princess and Silver Princess appeared before the guests, and their beauty stunned the hall.

• Aoko attended the party to find Touko and spotted her moving through the crowd.
• The Golden Princess and Silver Princess emerged on the seventh-floor balcony, leaving the guests overwhelmed by their appearance.
• Aoko chased Touko outside but lost her in a dead-end alley, where she found a smiling-face note.
• Aoko returned to Olga Marie and admitted that Touko had toyed with her.