After finishing his words, the wizard marshal turned and left.
The reason he came was to invite her to participate in the upcoming Fourth Holy Grail War. That's why he left after invite her.
The Holy Grail War, huh...
Manaka sajyou rubbed her temples, still feeling a bit dazed.
She was just a beginner in magecraft—barely better than a novice, even less skilled than Waver.
Participating in the Holy Grail War would be nothing short of suicide, wouldn't it?
Just thinking about Kiritsugu Emiya's assassinations gave her a headache.
In any case, there was no way she would join the Holy Grail War. Not in a million years. Over her dead body!
But for now, her biggest concern was still her own strength.
She couldn't even imagine what would happen if people found out she was just a fraud with a fancy name and nothing to show for it.
Perhaps because she had read too many novels in her past life, Manaka sajyou couldn't feel at ease without real power backing her.
She may seem popular on the surface, but behind the scenes, there were probably even more people jealous of her.
Even in The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II, Waver himself, as the new head of the El-Melloi faction, was nearly assassinated due to the weight of that title.
"Even though I don't have talent in magecraft, maybe I can find potential in something else?"
Manaka speculated to herself.
Over the past month, under the hellish training from the wizard marshal, she had trained relentlessly, though her progress was mediocre. Still, that didn't mean she had no talent at all.
Now that things had come to this point, Manaka had to shift her mindset if she wanted to feel a little better.
In the Type-Moon universe, most magus seek the Root as their ultimate goal—but training in magecraft isn't the only path. Some pursue the Root through aesthetics; others try to reach the ideal form of humanity through doll-making; still others explore time itself to reach the ends of the world.
Though Manaka had no interest in the so-called Swirl of the Root, she believed that everyone was born with a purpose. Surely there was a path that suited her.
"Maybe I should try alchemy? Who knows, I might get something unexpected from it?"
She began to make up her mind.
Just then, a sound came from outside the door.
"Manaka?"
The greeting was simple and crisp, but the voice itself was undeniably beautiful.
At the door stood a girl.
Her face was stern, her demeanor serious—so much so that it was hard to see any excess emotion on her face. If it weren't for the trace of warmth in her voice earlier, Manaka might've thought she was a soulless automaton.
This girl was Lorelei Barthomelloi, the next head of the Barthomelloi family—the ruling house of the Clock Tower. Were she not still underage, she'd already have taken over, given her overwhelming talent and power.
"Good afternoon, Miss Lorelei."
Manaka stood and greeted her properly, mindful of etiquette. After all, the Barthomelloi family had a prestigious standing in the Clock Tower.
But Lorelei frowned at the formality.
"Manaka, how many times have I told you—you're the only one I acknowledge as a friend. There's no need to be so respectful. Everyone in the Clock Tower is a fool in my eyes. Only your talent is worthy of true nobility. Being able to befriend you is my honor. If you don't mind, just call me Lorelei."
The cold and aloof Lorelei Barthomelloi was now showing a shy side before Manaka. If anyone else saw this, their eyes would probably pop out of their heads.
This girl, though only 14 like Manaka, was already famed for her powerful magecraft—she had once stormed a vampire's castle and exterminated a Dead Apostle on her own.
Her courage and strength had long become legend in the Clock Tower and the other two mage associations. If it weren't for the sudden appearance of the prodigy Manaka Sajyou, Lorelei would have unquestionably been the greatest genius of their time.
Cold, powerful, emotionless, and inhuman—almost like a robot in appearance and personality. That was how people usually described Lorelei Barthomelloi. But now, in front of Manaka, she appeared…
Barthomelloi heirs don't appear in public until they become official magi. Before that, they stay secluded in the family manor for education.
Lorelei had only met the current family head a few times.
Because of her exceptional talent, she had always viewed those around her as fools.
But then, she met Manaka sajyou—the only person she saw as a rival or a true friend. That kind of emotion was something she had never experienced before in her entire life.
Manaka was well aware of Lorelei's feelings for her. But the reason she kept a slight distance wasn't because she didn't acknowledge Lorelei—it was because she knew her own situation too well.
Especially after confirming over and over that her aptitude for magecraft was mediocre at best, she didn't dare get too close.
First, she feared Lorelei might feel betrayed by the illusion she fell for.
Second, she feared Lorelei might get angry—and if that happened, Manaka was sure even a hundred copy of her wouldn't be enough to fend off Lorelei's wrath.
After all, what Lorelei loved was the genius Manaka sajyou—not the current, average Manaka.
Sigh...
Manaka cleared her throat.
"Lorelei, did you come here today for something?"
Manaka asked, rather awkwardly using Lorelei's name directly.
"Can't I visit you just because I want to?"
Lorelei entered the room, though she didn't sit down right away. Her cheeks were faintly red.
"Well… have a seat, then."
Manaka didn't know how to respond to that, so she decided to change the topic and invited Lorelei to sit.
"I heard the Barthomelloi family is about to lead a campaign to exterminate Dead Apostles. Since you're the commander of the mission, shouldn't you be preparing for it?"
After Lorelei sat down, she replied.
"Exterminating Dead Apostles is indeed a major affair for the Barthomeloi family. But those Dead Apostles are nothing more than a bunch of trash—mere ants."
"There's no need for any special preparations. What I did hear, however, is that you're planning to head to the Far East to participate in some sort of Holy Grail War competition with Lord El-Melloi."
"So the news spread that fast, huh?"
Manaka sajyou sighed inwardly.
She had just received the notice from her Master—yet the entire Clock Tower already knew?
As she worried over the matter, Manaka suddenly noticed a trace of tension flickering in Lorelei's eyes.
And that instantly sparked her interest.
"Lorelei, if I really don't come back… would you miss me?"
She was baiting her. Aggressively.
Lorelei might have been a genius as a magus, but as a person, due to her cloistered upbringing and lack of worldly experience, she was caught off guard by such a cliché question.
Still, mindful of the dignity of the Barthomeloi name, she tried her best to remain composed—but to Manaka, her attempts were full of holes.
"…No, I wouldn't!"
Lorelei stammered.
"What I mean is… you will come back… No! You must return victorious, because you're my only… dearest friend… so, so you have to win!"
She might not care much about the Holy Grail War.
But seeing the future queen of the Clock Tower show such concern for her.
Manaka sajyou couldn't help but feel genuinely happy.
Her earlier worries melted away almost entirely.
"Thank you for caring, Lorelei. You really are a good friend."
Like a big sister comforting a younger sibling, Manaka gently patted Lorelei's head and spoke with a soft voice.
After receiving such heartfelt concern, if she continued pretending to be aloof, wouldn't that just be rude?
From Lorelei's perspective, however, Manaka's small gesture was overwhelming. Her face flushed red in an instant.
Her entire upbringing had drilled into her the importance of noble composure and etiquette.
But in this moment, she hadn't expected her dear friend to act so forward.
It was certainly improper—definitely not polite.
But she liked it…
Lorelei felt a warmth bloom in her chest, then took out the parcel she had brought with her. Inside it was a fragment.
A fragment engraved with ancient magical runes.
It was a piece of the Round Table!
King Arthur's Round table!
Manaka recognized it instantly.
She remembered seeing this in the Fate/apocrypha anime in her past life—someone had used it as a catalyst to summon one of the Knights of the Round Table.
An artifact of this level would be incredibly rare, even for one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower.
It's not the kind of thing you can just casually bring out.
But how did Lorelei get her hands on it?
Manaka found herself utterly baffled.
A fragment of the Round Table—an artifact.
Unlike the common fakes found on the market, the one Lorelei presented was unquestionably genuine.
As a relic to summon a Heroic Spirit, it could indeed summon one of the Knights of the Round Table, several of whom were immensely powerful in the Fate universe.
Even if one ignored its utility for summoning, and judged it purely on its collectible value,
This fragment of the Round Table would absolutely deserve a place in the British Museum under the highest security.
Lorelei might be the next head of the Barthomeloi family, but something of this caliber wasn't something she could just casually retrieve, right?
"Lorelei, what's this about?"
Manaka sajyou couldn't help but ask.
"Manaka, I took this from my family's collection," Lorelei said directly. "I heard that you and Lord El-Melloi will be heading to the Far East (Japan) to participate in the Holy Grail War, and that you'll need a relic to summon a legendary Heroic Spirit.
"So I thought this Round Table fragment might be of use to you. I believe only the great King Arthur is worthy of matching your strength."
Lorelei laid her intentions bare.
Usually, she was the type to speak only when necessary—never a word more.
But today, she was being unusually talkative.
At that moment, Manaka fell completely silent.
She suddenly understood what the wizard marshal had meant before.
Everyone calls the things they want to believe… reality.
The Round Table fragment—
Never mind its use as a collection or a catalyst—
Even if she just kept it for a rainy day and sold it on the black market when short on cash, she'd be set for life.
She'd never have to worry about food or shelter again.
And yet such a priceless treasure was being handed to her—because of what?
Just her title as a "genius"?
'Still, if someone's giving it to me… why not take it? It'd be stupid to refuse it for no reason!'
After a moment of reflection, Manaka sajyou began her performance.
"Lorelei, I can't accept this."
She declined in a single, crisp sentence.
"Why? Is it that you dislike this, Manaka? If that's the case, I still have even more precious items at home that could serve as Holy Relics. I can give them all to you."
Lorelei was genuinely surprised.
If Manaka had already prepared a Holy Relic in advance, she could understand. Even if it was already prepared, it definitely wouldn't be as ancient and mysterious as the gift she had brought.
But what she didn't expect—was for Manaka sajyou to outright refuse it!
Could it be...
Manaka is rejecting me!
"Although I am still young and inexperienced, I can still recognize how this item is. But precisely because I understand its value, I must refuse it."
"Ever since I joined the Clock Tower, whenever people talk about me, they inevitably bring you up as well. They always say that you're simply lucky to be born into the prestigious Barthomelloi family. But I know better than anyone."
"All the years of training, the talent and wisdom you've training—those are things the vulgar people at the Clock Tower could never comprehend. Marching alone into the domain of Dead Apostles, defeating enemies… the danger of it, the hardships of magical training—those things are beyond others' imagination. So for you to inherit the title of the Barthomeloi ruler is only fitting."
"That's why I can't accept this. You're destined to inherit the name of the Barthomelloi monarch, to become the Queen of the Clock Tower. You mustn't let my personal matters tarnish your name!"
"You've accepted me as your lifelong best friend—how could I not feel the same?"
"You're someone I acknowledge as well. If my personal affairs were to harm your reputation, I would be displeased."
"Besides, I am Manaka sajyou! The Holy Grail War? Laughable! As if I would lose in a place like that!"
There's an old saying: always be polite at first.
Start by refusing graciously,
Then offer a round of praise to win goodwill,
And finish it off with a flashy line to seal the deal.
That way, you don't appear greedy, and the other party is more than willing to give the gift.
It's basically fame and profit, all in one!
Even Manaka sajyou couldn't help but praise her own cleverness.
But Lorelei was moved to tears by Manaka's words.
Since birth, she had been raised to be the perfect magus, receiving a strict, isolated education. Even as a Lord's daughter, she rarely saw her own father.
"Your mother enjoyed flower arrangement when she was alive. It may look simple, but requires immense effort and time until it reaches perfection. As for why it must be done this way, the flowers don't need to understand—they only need to remain perfect."
Yes, that was one of the few conversations she'd ever had with the Lord Barthomeloi.
She only needed to continue being perfect,
To live life as a decorative vase...
At this moment, even though Lorelei maintained her cold and stern expression, she could no longer control her emotions.
Only this girl before her truly acknowledged her value.
It was only after meeting Manaka that Lorelei realized—
She was a person, not a vase!
That was why she considered Manaka sajyou her lifelong best friend.
Thinking this, Lorelei put away the Round Table fragment.
She took a deep breath, not wanting to cry in front of her dearest friend. After all, she was the future Queen of the Clock Tower—
Lorelei Barthomeloi.
"I understand now. If you hope for me to become a queen, then I shall stand atop the Clock Tower and show it to you!"
She silently swore this to herself, then turned and left.
Leaving behind a completely bewildered Manaka sajyou.
Huh?
Why did she suddenly leave?
'Hey! I wasn't done talking! I wanted that Round Table fragment! Don't go! I want it, I really do!'
Manaka sajyou was completely dumbfounded. She hadn't even finished speaking, and the other girl just left?
'The Round Table fragment! My precious allowance money! AAAAAAHHHH!'
For the first time since transmigrating into the Nasuverse, Manaka sajyou felt like something had gone wrong with her thinking.
The duck was right at her mouth—and it just flew away!?
Looking at the already-departed Lorelei, Manaka sajyou didn't know what to say.
At the moment that golden opportunity slipped away.
She couldn't help but be reminded—she still didn't have a Holy Relic for the Holy Grail War.