A rather dangerous woman...?
Izaya was intrigued by the girl's words.
"For Manaka to call her important... This guest must be a remarkable magus."
He knew of her special powers. As the Root Princess, she was omniscient and her perception was flawless.
But after hearing her words, her tone turned cold. "Can you really call her a magus?"
Her perception came not from normal magecraft, but from the "Root." For her, the world was like a grand symphony, and the moment that "guest" set foot in the Clock Tower, she felt a visceral disgust.
Still, she could neither see his past nor his future.
Logically, all information in this world is recorded in the Root... but a Beast's existence is like a corrupted, virus-filled file—repeatedly encrypted and deadly to read.
If she forcibly read it, even Manaka would suffer.
Still... What did this dangerous woman have to do with her? Even if omniscience failed, she could witness it with her own eyes.
"Brother, let's go and take a look."
Saying so, Manaka unconsciously took the young man's hand and headed toward the Clock Tower's gates.
Izaya opened an umbrella, feeling the soft but unyielding grip of the girl's hand.
They walked slowly, and throughout, Izaya looked very relaxed, occasionally glancing at the girl's pure, beautiful profile.
"It's rare to see you interested in something," he eventually said with a smile.
"Well, even I've never seen such a special existence," Manaka smiled, holding his hand and looking around curiously. "Besides, since coming to the Clock Tower, you haven't even taken me to the academy... Just think of this as going out to relax."
Izaya gently patted the girl's head. "After my thesis is done, I'll take you for a walk around London."
Manaka nodded sweetly. "I'll listen to whatever brother says."
Then she tapped her lips, looking up. "By the way, didn't you say your professor will join the Holy Grail War soon?"
"If he dies in Fuyuki... Will you finish your thesis?"
Wearing a sky-blue dress and a pure temperament, the Root Princess asked a seemingly innocent, but actually quite dangerous question.
Izaya paused, smiling at her in surprise.
In the dim rain, her skin was still fair, her deep blue eyes fixed on him.
Of course, it wasn't a joke. She was thinking of sabotaging Kayneth's plans.
"No worries... If something happens to my professor, another will take over."
He gently stroked her beautiful face. "But it's fine. I'll finish the thesis before he returns."
"Besides, don't I still have you?"
Feeling his persistent gaze, Manaka's heart thrilled, her body trembling slightly like an electric shock.
Being needed by the one you love... was a wonderful feeling.
Sure enough, compared to Ayaka... she and her brother were the perfect couple.
Back then, when their father and sister suggested changing the engagement contract, both were unhappy—but so what? The strong eat the weak; that's the law of the world.
"If only your fiancé had been Ayaka back then... or something."
At that moment, Manaka suddenly asked:
Izaya was surprised at first, then noticed her faintly anxious gaze. He squeezed her hand tightly.
"Manaka... I don't regret you being my fiancée. I'm truly happy to be your lover."
"—!"
Her magic unconsciously overflowed at his gentle voice and earnest gaze, and she became flustered.
Mana in the air hummed. The Root Princess quickly looked down. "I know, I was just asking... No need to answer so seriously like you're scolding me..."
Still, her cheeks were flushed with a tipsy, blissful red.
"Will you look at me?"
At his soft voice, Manaka looked up, staring at her fiancé who'd cared for her since childhood.
Even after so many years, she really did think he was handsome.
As expected, only he... Only he alone... His voice is so gentle... But she could only... only do this for him...
An intense, almost morbid love filled her mind. Staring at him, Manaka's face bloomed with a charming smile.
"Once you graduate, we can be together forever.
Then, Father can witness our marriage, and Ayaka will be there... Are you looking forward to that day?"
As her confession-like words fell, Izaya answered from the bottom of his heart.
"If it's you, Manaka, I'd be delighted."
Her smile grew even sweeter at this affirmation. "We're almost there. Let's see which guest is so popular."
Usually calm, Manaka could still be so innocent in matters like this... Seeing her "panic," Izaya smiled, nodded, and took her small hand, heading for the gates.
…
The constant rain soaked the old stone bricks of the Clock Tower.
In front of the magnificent main campus, a solemn air pervaded. Several Lords in luxurious magical garb, usually aloof, now stood at the gate as if awaiting a very important guest.
At their head was the "Queen" of the Clock Tower, Barthomeloi Lorelei.
Just then, a long, dark sedan with sleek lines pulled up before the gate.
A woman in a standard black suit, the deputy security chief, opened a large black umbrella with practiced grace.
Soon, slender white legs in high heels stepped elegantly onto the ancient stone path.
The newcomer was a beautifully built woman with long pink hair and a captivating smile, dressed in a perfectly tailored white dress.
Barthomeloi stepped forward, her voice flat: "On behalf of the Clock Tower, welcome... Miss Koyanskaya."
At the same time, Izaya, from afar, saw the grand scene of the Lords greeting their guest. Hearing that familiar name, Manaka's smile suddenly froze.
...Koyanskaya?!
He suddenly remembered something important and instinctively glanced at his fiancée beside him.
He thought to himself: "Is this what it feels like when Mars collides with Earth...?"