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The Clock Tower—an ancient stone edifice, built entirely of rock.
Deep within its foundations lay a room steeped in antiquity, the oldest classroom in the Clock Tower.
The room was less than a hundred square meters, its chairs, decorations, and murals all breathing history.
This was only natural; the classroom's layout hadn't changed since its construction, and even the most fragile furnishings had been painstakingly preserved with magic.
To the members of the Clock Tower, this classroom held a special significance. Thus, it had been chosen as the location for the negotiations with the Holy Church.
At 9:40 AM, fourteen figures abruptly materialized within the ancient classroom.
The rulers of the Clock Tower, with the exception of the old Director who had been in seclusion for a thousand years, all twelve Lords were present.
Adding Peter, the representative from the Atlas Institute, and Gravera, the representative from the Wandering Sea, it could be said that the three major powers of the Mage's Association were gathered here.
Leading the Clock Tower contingent were three elderly figures with snow-white hair.
Though aged, their upright posture and powerful auras suggested their bodies were likely countless times stronger than those of mages in their prime.
Barthomeloi, Trambelio, and Valualeta—these three elders were the former heads of the Clock Tower's three most prominent noble families.
After all, for negotiations as crucial as those with the Holy Church, one couldn't very well send in a bunch of hot-headed youngsters barely thirty years old. Thus, of the Lords present, with the exception of Kayneth representing Lord El-Melloi, every one of them counted their age in centuries.
Considering their resources, power, and magical prowess, these Lords were a cut above even Matou Zouken.
If Zouken could live for centuries, what of these Lords??
Since the meeting wasn't scheduled to begin for another twenty minutes, the assembled nobles began to converse with Peter and Gravera. It was an exceedingly rare occasion for the former heads, long retired to immerse themselves in their magical research, to gather in one place.
Furthermore, with representatives from the esoteric Wandering Sea and Atlas Institute present, it was an event that could be described as a once-in-a-millennium occurrence.
Therefore, they had arrived early, to exchange benefits, discuss thaumaturgy, and, most importantly, to strategize their approach to the True Magic User.
———
"Nervous, Kayneth?" a red-haired noblewoman, bearing a striking resemblance to Sola-Ui, chuckled softly at Kayneth beside her.
"Your concern is appreciated, Director Sophia. As you know, my status and experience pale in comparison to those present—" Kayneth said, dabbing the fine beads of sweat on his forehead with a silk handkerchief, his expression tense as he addressed the red-haired woman.
Director Sophia, Kayneth's companion, was Sola-Ui's mother, the current head of the Sophia-Ri family, Lord of the Department of Spiritual Evocation, a power-hungry matriarch who had held her position for centuries.
Honestly, most of Kayneth's stress was a direct result of Sophia's presence.
The young Kayneth was exceptionally wary of this ruthless woman who wouldn't hesitate to use her own husband and children as disposable pawns.
However, he couldn't very well avoid her.
Kayneth had only had contact with Sophia; he was unacquainted with the other, older Lords. If he stumbled into a conversational minefield with them, it wouldn't end well.
"Relax, Kayneth. Those present are all former, or even pre-former, Lords. Interacting with them will be greatly beneficial for your experience. Try to engage with them more," Sophia said, covering her mouth with a hand, a bewitching smile on her face.
"Thank you for the advice," Kayneth said, tucking away his handkerchief, his expression humble.
"I truly envy your Archibald family for producing a prodigy like you, Kayneth. My eldest son, you know, is still a good-for-nothing, hasn't even found a suitable womb yet," Sophia said, pressing a hand to her forehead, feigning a headache.
Kayneth's lip twitched.
He knew talking to Sophia was never a good idea. Here came the marriage proposal again. This time, she was probably angling for one of the Archibald daughters.
And currently, the only female member of the Archibald family was his adopted sister. No, he had to refuse. Sending his adopted sister to the Sophia-Ri family was simply too great a loss.
"Oh my, Director Sophia. You know, I'm just as single as your eldest son," Kayneth said, his face a mask of shame.
"Oh? My, my, look at my memory. I do apologize, Kayneth. It seems Lord Barthomeloi has urgent business with me." Sophia's gaze flickered.
She remembered her daughter, who had dumped Kayneth and then cut off all contact after shacking up with Haru. She immediately understood Kayneth's refusal and, excusing herself, walked towards the elder Barthomeloi at the front.
Time trickled by as the numerous Lords conversed.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Faint footsteps echoed from outside the classroom.
Though faint, to these mages, most of whom had magically enhanced their bodies, the sound was louder than thunder.
The still-conversing Lords abruptly fell silent.
Creak—!
The wooden classroom door was slowly pushed open.
Lorelei, dressed in a white suit, appeared in the Lords' line of sight.
She then made an inviting gesture...
Haru, dressed in a simple, clean white priest's cassock, met the gazes of the numerous Lords and stepped into the ancient classroom.
Upon seeing Haru's figure, the twelve Lords, along with Peter and Gravera, either bowed or nodded slightly, speaking in unison.
"A pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency, True Magic User." X13
Regardless of whether their relations were hostile, these mages all showed Haru the utmost respect—or rather, respect for a True Magic User at the pinnacle of thaumaturgy, a sign of deference from those who came after.
Haru nodded slightly in return, then spoke calmly, "Well then, everyone, please be seated."
With that, Haru strode towards the long table in the center of the classroom and took the seat at its head.
The others nodded and proceeded to the table, taking seats to Haru's left and right. Lorelei, however, stood behind the elder Barthomeloi, her gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Ahem, shall I make the introductions, Your Excellency?" the Elder Barthomeloi, seated to Haru's right, asked in a low voice.
However, Haru completely ignored the elder Barthomeloi's question. He steepled his fingers, resting his chin on them, and addressed the empty chair directly opposite him with a calm expression. "Not coming out? You've been observing for quite some time, haven't you?"
"Oh my! I've been discovered, it seems." A mischievous, aged male voice suddenly echoed through the classroom.
His aged face was adorned with a silvery-white beard.
Though his appearance was old, the simple, well-worn black suit trousers he wore revealed an exceptionally robust physique, like that of a bodybuilder, exuding a sense of power.
When this figure appeared opposite Haru, all the mages present paled, a flicker of fear in their eyes. Clearly, they recognized the newcomer.
"The Second True Magic User—Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg?"
Haru raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the face that was identical to the portrait he had once seen, and spoke tentatively.
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