Chapter 157: Chapter 156: The Survivors (Part 2)
Waver Velvet spent an entire day at the Matou residence, staying until the sun began to set before being escorted back to the Mackenzie home.
In the following week, Waver reported to the Matou workshop at 8 a.m. every day and returned home at 6 p.m., just like when he was studying at the Clock Tower.
The time spent at the Matou residence wasn't much different from his time at the Clock Tower. There were four classes in the morning and three classes in the afternoon with a tight schedule.
After a week, Waver left Fuyuki City and departed from Japan on an early morning flight from F airport.
He came alone, and he left alone.
He arrived as an ignorant youth and departed as a mature individual.
Although it was only a short period of just over ten days, it completely transformed him.
Similarly, the teacher of this young man, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, was also changed by these ten-plus days.
"Waver... He's already on the plane now, right?" Kenneth, sitting in his wheelchair, gazed into the western sky, lost in thought.
Shinji, standing beside him, nodded and complained, "If you're so worried, why didn't you go see him off?"
"As I said, from now on, I'm a missing person. Naturally, a missing person cannot appear in crowded public places. Besides, I've never liked Waver as a student, not in the past, not now, and it won't change in the future. Similarly, he doesn't like me as a teacher, I'm sure of it."
Upon hearing Kenneth's words, Shinji shook his head helplessly. "Seriously, why can't you two just be honest? You both acknowledge each other's abilities. It's not the same as liking each other."
"Acknowledgment doesn't mean liking."
Kenneth reached out and pulled the curtain closed. Ever since Shinji had kept him in the basement for a few days of cold treatment, he had grown to prefer the dark environment.
"I admit that he has excellent abilities in insight, analysis, induction, and summarization. However, his background determines that he lacks the aptitude for practical magecraft. No matter how high he can reach in theory, it can't be translated into tangible results. Such a person can hardly be considered a good magus."
"But he can become a good magic teacher. In just seven days, he recorded many of your achievements, knowledge that others may not be able to grasp in several months. You have also heard his lectures, clear and concise, with a deep understanding. To be honest, in this aspect, you are far inferior to him, even though you are a 'Color Rank' magus."
If this were the pre-Holy Grail War Kenneth, he would have been angered by Shinji's words. However, after experiencing several setbacks, Kenneth had long lost his former pride and had become much more mature.
"I admit that he can be a good teacher, but precisely because of that, it's even more pitiful. Every magus has the belief to seek the truth of magic, but Waver can only send others onto the path to truth while he can only watch as his students surpass him, going further than he can. I can't accept such a path, and that's where Waver and I differ."
"Contradictions in values, huh?" Shinji sighed and didn't say anything more.
"I've done what I needed to do. And you?"
"Everything is arranged. Waver will first go to India, then proceed to Persia, and finally reach Macedonia. This is the path that the Conqueror King Iskandar once traveled. Along this journey, Waver will summarize and compile the knowledge you have taught him, preparing for publication."
"During this time, news of your disappearance should have spread. The magus gathered under the El-Melloi banner will gradually divide into various factions. Some will remain loyal to you, some will secretly form alliances, and others will align themselves with other families. It's a good opportunity to discern people's loyalty."
"Those loyal to you will become the core members of the future El-Melloi, while those with ulterior motives will be gradually marginalized. As for those who have ill intentions towards the Archibald Family, they must be dealt with. How to discern them, Emiya Kiritsugu's eyes in the Mage's Association will watch over us."
Upon hearing the name that had brought him to such a state, Kenneth couldn't help but snort. Although he had accepted reality, he still harbored resentment towards Emiya Kiritsugu.
Shinji glanced at Kenneth and continued.
"Because you are only missing, and no one knows if you're truly dead, the enemies won't show their ugly faces. As long as your true situation remains unknown for a day, the Archibald family won't face the danger of being overthrown. Of course, there will be damages, but as long as you can recover in time and return to the Clock Tower, all crises will be resolved."
"What if I can't recover in time?" Kenneth asked with a cold face.
"Well, it's hard to say. Although we have made arrangements, such as publishing your new research findings to stabilize people's confidence, it's uncertain how effective it will be. The Archibald family is in a critical condition, and they can suffer severe setbacks and significant damage."
Shinji didn't sugarcoat the situation. He spoke the truth.
However, compared to the original timeline where Kenneth met his demise in Fuyuki City and the Ninth Generation's Origin Crest suffered 90% damage, resulting in the Archibald family's decline within a few years and accumulating astronomical amounts of debt, the current situation was much better.
Because the core of a magus's lineage is its people, as long as the people are there, the Archibald family will exist, and the banner of El-Melloi won't fall.
"Therefore, you need to recover as soon as possible. The sooner you recover, the lesser the losses for the Archibald family," Shinji said bluntly.
"I understand. I will cooperate with the treatment," Kenneth nodded as if making some kind of determination.
"Then sign this." Shinji opened a piece of parchment in front of Kenneth.
To ordinary people, the contents of the parchment would appear as a series of incomprehensible symbols and markings. But to a magus, it was an irrevocable contract—a contract of geis.
In a magi society filled with intrigue and political maneuvering, this was one of the most stringent forms of magical contracts, used only when entering into agreements that could not be broken.
By utilizing the functionality of their magic circuits, the forced spell is imposed on the caster themselves, and in principle, its effects cannot be removed by any means. Legend has it that even if one were to offer their life in exchange, as long as the magic crest remains, the soul will remain bound. It is an extremely dangerous form of magecraft. For a magus, presenting such a proof document signifies the utmost sincerity.
The document was lengthy, detailing various clauses and prohibitions that Kenneth and the Matou family should adhere to. Kenneth read through it word by word, and after a while, he looked up at Shinji in astonishment.
"Are you not planning to secretly control the Archibald family during this opportunity?"
The conditions were not overly stringent but rather excessively generous, to the point that Kenneth could hardly believe it.
"No, we don't." Shinji shook his head. "As you can see, the Matou family is so small, with so few individuals. Compared to the intricately intertwined Archibald family, we are insignificant. A python can swallow a sheep, but it can't swallow an elephant. Greed can easily lead to self-destruction. Therefore, an equal and trustworthy cooperative relationship is more appropriate. I have already gained a significant advantage. If it were before the Holy Grail War, a family like the Matou would probably not even be able to step foot inside the Archibald family's gate."
"You..." Kenneth looked at Shinji with eyes devoid of pretense, then glanced at the genuine proof document in his hand, and sincerely exclaimed, "You truly are a little monster."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"I wonder what kind of emotions I will have when looking back on this period in 20 years."
"No one can say for sure what will happen in 20 years. People should focus on the present."
"You're right."
Kenneth pricked his finger and used a specially made feather pen to sign his name on the contract with his blood.
"With this, the contract is established."
"Pleasure working with you."
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