Thump—thump—thump—
His heartbeat sped up unconsciously. The moment he heard that name leave Barthomeloi's mouth, Izaya's expression blanked for a split second—then turned even brighter, almost radiant.
Without meaning to, he glanced at the girl beside him—Manaka.
Having only just arrived, Manaka's gaze had never once left Koyanskaya.
Root Princess—and even the instincts of Beast VI—were already churning with intense displeasure the instant Koyanskaya appeared.
Why…?
Even Manaka herself couldn't say clearly.
Beasts and Beasts, in most cases, weren't inherently hostile toward each other, but…
That woman felt like her "other half."
And yet, the woman in front of her clearly had nothing to do with her.
Even so, Manaka found herself instinctively repulsed by this "famous guest" visiting the Clock Tower.
It was like hearing fingernails scrape across a blackboard—an irritation and hostility that rose from pure instinct, almost physiological.
At that moment, Izaya snapped back to his senses as if waking from a dream. He took Manaka's hand and smiled.
"Manaka… you look a little tired. Why don't you head back and rest first…?"
Under normal circumstances, Izaya wouldn't have cared. If anything, being able to see Koyanskaya again…
He would've been genuinely happy.
But—
In this story's setup, Manaka should not exist here.
And…
He still needed a reasonable explanation.
As everyone knew, the man Izaya Sajyou had been with Koyanskaya during the Tunguska explosion in 1908—and ultimately died in that "Ascension" ritual.
So the question was…
Why was he still alive at the Clock Tower after a full century?
No matter what, he had to steady himself first.
Calm down. First—calm down…
At least things weren't at their worst. Stabilize Manaka first, then find a chance to meet Koyanskaya…
It was something he could manage with a simple One Thread of Fate.
I faced the Alien God and four Grand ones alone!
Manaka didn't seem to doubt the man's intentions. She merely lifted her face and stared at the woman within the fog.
London's fog was like a gray veil, giving the old silhouette of the Clock Tower an added air of mystery.
At the same time, Koyanskaya—who had just stepped down from the carriage—passed through the magnificent gate that symbolized the highest authority in the world of magecraft, under Barthomeloi's direct guidance, wearing a flawless business smile.
"What a truly marvelous building—so full of the weight of history. It really does suit the Clock Tower, doesn't it?"
She spoke with open admiration, as if she were visiting some famous attraction.
And it wasn't mere politeness.
After all, she'd traveled the world for nearly a century and understood one thing:
—The Clock Tower was believed to have been founded around the beginning of the Common Era.
The Mage's Association had existed for nearly two thousand years…
A power both ancient and enduring.
So she carried a faint spark of expectation for this visit.
Perhaps…
What she wanted was here.
At that moment, an elderly Lord following behind Barthomeloi smiled and smoothly changed the topic.
"The growth rate of NFF Services over the last ten years has also been astonishing.
"We old men who guard ancient legacies are curious, Miss Koyanskaya—don't you think it's rather grand, running such a massive 'project' to build an enormous business empire in so short a time?"
With that question, the atmosphere subtly shifted.
Koyanskaya's smile only brightened further.
"You flatter me. It's just a small project."
"For example: building a global logistics network; security and management of high-risk assets…"
"And providing customized strategic consulting for clients."
That perfect answer left the questioning Lord briefly unsure how to respond.
Just then, Barthomeloi—who had been walking ahead—suddenly stopped. She turned and stared at the charming, passionate woman. After a moment, a faint smile surfaced on her face.
"My colleague's expression may not have been quite accurate. What he wished to ask about is not the 'clock project' you are running…"
"There are other special 'projects' as well."
The air abruptly settled again.
Several Lords unconsciously fixed their gaze on Koyanskaya.
When she looked back, she first seemed surprised—then her alluring eyes narrowed slightly, a cool and pleasant light surfacing deep within her gaze.
She laughed softly, eyes glistening. Her charm was effortless—an invisible allure, untouchable and undeniable.
Then her sweet, gentle voice broke the silence.
"It seems Lord Barthomeloi did quite a lot of background investigation before my visit…"
"You're right. I'm running far more than what I just described."
"But the depth of cooperation depends on the negotiations, doesn't it?"
Barthomeloi fell silent for a beat, then spoke.
"The purpose of negotiation is a win-win situation for both sides…"
"Miss Koyanskaya—what exactly do you seek from the Clock Tower?"
"So you want to confirm my goal first…"
Barthomeloi was extremely cautious.
Koyanskaya narrowed her eyes and said quietly:
"I'm looking for a holy relic."
"A holy relic…?"
Aside from the Lord of the Astromancy… and the Lord of Mineralogy Kayneth, who had already understood something in private, the other Lords were momentarily stunned.
"It seems you desire a very rare sacred relic," Barthomeloi said slowly.
Otherwise, with NFF's capabilities, there would have been no need to come to the Clock Tower.
"I hear Lord El-Melloi has been collecting many relics lately. Perhaps there is something you want."
Barthomeloi glanced at Kayneth.
"Oh?"
Koyanskaya studied the situation.
Kayneth nodded lightly. Even Kayneth—whose name echoed through the Clock Tower as a genius—showed respect toward the pink-haired woman.
After all, if cooperation truly became possible, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him and the El-Melloi family behind him.
It wouldn't just grant the El-Melloi faction an incomparable advantage in political games against old nobility like Barthomeloi—
It would elevate the name "El-Melloi" to a far higher position.
"If there is truly something you require," Kayneth said promptly, "I do have many relics… The El-Melloi family will gladly open its doors to Miss Koyanskaya."
Koyanskaya smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Then I'll look forward to this cooperation."
Then her tone changed.
Those charming golden eyes swept casually around them, and she let out a pleasant laugh, like silver bells.
"But before that… shouldn't the Clock Tower show a little more sincerity?"
"For example—temporarily opening access to these magical enchantments?"
From the moment she stepped into the Clock Tower, she had sensed countless spells woven everywhere—imperceptible to the naked eye.
She could break them by force, but that would be neither elegant nor necessary.
After all, she was here to cooperate, not to smash the field.
As her soft, charming voice faded, Barthomeloi stared deeply at the guest and gave a subtle nod to another Lord beside her.
Koyanskaya felt the "shield" barrier around her quietly disperse, and her perception expanded—almost instantly—across the entire academy.
Smiling in satisfaction, she began walking along the ancient stone path under the guidance of an aide.
But in the very next moment—
Her smile froze.
Those captivating golden eyes tightened slightly.
Several Lords, including Barthomeloi, didn't notice anything unusual.
But within Koyanskaya's godlike sensory world, a silent storm had already begun.
An overwhelmingly familiar "scent"—
The cold of Tunguska's permafrost, and the burning warmth of a man soul—
Without warning, invaded her "sense of smell."
The vast power sleeping within her body as Beast IV resonated with yearning and joy at the approach of an "important other" who should not exist.
Her gaze pierced through the fog instantly, precisely capturing a familiar silhouette—alongside an unfamiliar figure. That person held another girl's hand and gradually disappeared from view.
She didn't need to see clearly.
In this haze, she could already "perceive" it with perfect clarity.
Someone who should have vanished into history—
Someone she had searched for for almost a hundred years…
"—Izaya."
For nearly a century, wandering through history, she had never stopped searching for traces that he had existed in this world.
But she never expected to meet him at the Clock Tower.
Koyanskaya's eyes dulled slightly. In that instant, countless thoughts raced through her mind.
From 1908 until now—almost a hundred years had passed.
Other than vampires… could a magus truly live that long?
By now, the attending Lords had also sensed something off. Marisbury was the first to ask:
"Miss Koyanskaya—what are you looking at?"
Several Lords followed her line of sight. In the drizzle and fog, they saw many students walking by with umbrellas.
At the front edge, they could faintly make out a couple walking together.
Kayneth lifted his head, recognized the student sharply, then immediately frowned—his dissatisfaction and irritation impossible to hide.
"Why is he here?"
He muttered to himself with clear disgust.
Anyone entering the Clock Tower had to register their identity. As Kayneth's student, he naturally knew about Manaka's arrival.
These days, besides daily lessons, Izaya had been busy almost every day in the dorm, revising documents—so Kayneth hadn't had a chance to criticize that unmotivated student again.
Even so, he especially didn't want Izaya appearing in front of such an important guest.
As the youngest genius Lord of the Clock Tower, having taught such a mediocre "talent"…
He couldn't afford to lose face.
But someone beside them recognized the you man and smiled.
"If my reading is right, that young man was Lord El-Melloi's disciple, wasn't he?"
"I heard his fiancée came looking for him a week ago. They should be dating at the academy, right?"
Marisbury also smiled, looking ahead.
"A rendezvous in the rain… quite a moody atmosphere."
Koyanskaya seemed not to hear their chatter.
She elegantly curled the tip of her pink hair around her finger, then—pretending to be calm—turned her gloomy gaze toward Kayneth.
"Look at Lord El-Melloi's expression…"
"You seem to know that young man from earlier?"
Her voice remained soft and alluring, but the heartbeat that had always kept her composed was already pounding like it might pierce the sky.
"Look at his uniform… he's a Clock Tower student, isn't he?"
The muscles in Kayneth's face twitched slightly. He forced a few words out through clenched teeth.
"You're making me laugh… That's an inferior student from Japan who isn't even properly enrolled under my name."
"An inferior student?"
Koyanskaya covered her mouth and giggled. Her laughter sounded especially moving in the rain.
"What a good joke. To make the famous Lord El-Melloi wear such a 'wonderful' expression… he can't be an ordinary young man."
She looked at Kayneth with charming expectation and asked softly:
"Tell me."
"—What is that young man's name?"
Kayneth frowned.
He only wanted to end this humiliating topic as quickly as possible. With the irritation of someone tossing out trash, he answered:
"…Sajyou."
He paused, as if pronouncing the full name was unnecessary trouble.
"—Sajyou Izaya."
The moment that name left Kayneth's mouth and reached Koyanskaya's ears, it was as if thunder exploded inside her head.
Her beautiful eyes flared with light.
It was unbelievable shock.
She stared at the figure that had vanished from her sight and, in a dreamlike voice, repeated the name softly.
"—Sajyou Izaya…"
Is it really him?
…He's alive!
Alongside her astonishment, she remembered what the Lords had said earlier.
Then the image of the girl beside him surfaced in her mind.
"He has a… fiancée?"
…