"This... this is impossible!"
Melvin set aside his violin, staring at Wayland with a look of pure bewilderment. He'd never seen anything like it. "Even a Magic Crest passed down through a lineage for centuries doesn't settle this quickly. How? It makes no sense... the rejection literally just... vanished."
***
The Rising Star's Ambition
After leaving the stunned Melvin behind, Wayland made his way to the Department of Policies.
Knock, knock.
He waited for Hishiri Adashino's permission before stepping into the office.
"Take a seat. Lord Barthomeloi is exceptionally pleased with your recent performance."
Adashino offered a rare, genuine smile as she set down her pen. "I've spent the last two days dealing with the fallout of the Iselma incident; I haven't had much time to check in on you. But you've accumulated more than enough merit since joining us. I recall you mentioned having a... 'somewhat ambitious' request? Now would be the time to voice it."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Wayland let his smile fade, his expression turning solemn and determined. "I want a slot in the Fifth Holy Grail War."
"Why?" Adashino leaned back, looking intrigued. "Do you truly believe in that 'omnipotent wish-granter' in the Far East? The only reason the Clock Tower is sending two representatives is because the former Lord El-Melloi died there."
She let out a soft laugh. "Have you been so influenced by your mentor, Lord El-Melloi II, that you've become obsessed with participating yourself?"
"That's part of it, yes."
Wayland spoke with a bit more conviction. "As his student, I want to fulfill his wish on his behalf."
"His wish? I recall him wanting to participate himself. Why not simply give him the slot?"
"The reason is simple: I don't want him to die." Wayland offered a helpless shrug.
"You really are an honest one, aren't you?"
Adashino's eyes twinkled with amusement as she let out a short laugh. "But you know him. Even without an official slot, he'll find a way to sneak in."
"Then I'll just have to make sure he doesn't get the chance."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
"I'll head to Fuyuki City early and set up an ambush." Wayland made a joking gesture. "Wait for him to arrive, then kidnap him."
"Are you sure your teacher-student relationship will survive that?" Adashino asked, her interest clearly piqued.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Even if he does manage to participate, I can still help him secure the victory."
Wayland knew that during the Rail Zeppelin incident, Waver would encounter Hephaestion,Iskandar's body double,and finally let go of his obsession with the Grail War.
"Currently, the two slots allotted to the Clock Tower have already been assigned. It won't be easy to secure one for yourself."
Adashino adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful. "Atrum is a magus from a new-money family; he bought his status with coin. His position isn't nearly as secure as he thinks. The Department of Policies has more than enough leverage to make him 'volunteer' to step down."
"No, I don't want Atrum's slot. I want Bazett's."
"Bazett's?"
Adashino looked surprised. "Has she offended you in some way?"
"No. But I have no love for the Holy Church."
Wayland raised an eyebrow. "Bazett was recommended by Kirei Kotomine of the Church. Why should the Clock Tower grant a favor to those fanatics?"
"Kirei Kotomine spent some time 'on loan' to the Mage's Association," Adashino explained, providing a detail Wayland hadn't known. "But you have a point. Still, Bazett is a member of the Sealing Designation Execution division. Taking her slot... it won't be easy."
"This is the Clock Tower."
Wayland's tone was full of meaning. "Even a Lord can find themselves caught in a whirlpool they can't escape from."
"My, my... you really have grown up, haven't you?"
Adashino looked at him with a mix of admiration and nostalgia, as if she could no longer see the desperate boy who'd been caught after a murder. "I will report this to Lord Barthomeloi. I believe she'll give you the answer you're looking for."
'Why do you keep calling me 'little brother' if you think I've grown up?'
The reason he wanted Bazett's slot was simple: he wanted to save her life. And while he was at it, he'd try to lift the 'Luck E' curse that plagued his senior, Cu Chulainn.
Besides, he'd already decided to summon Ereshkigal.
While a Divine Spirit was compatible with almost any class, he was most familiar with her Lancer form. In the seventh chapter of FGO, she'd descended as a Lancer for a reason.
"Thank you, Captain. But... it would be best if my involvement remains concealed."
If Kirei Kotomine had connections within the Association, he could easily dig up information. Wayland had no desire to be targeted by a man who claimed to be a 'supervisor' but was actually a professional cheater. The later he caught Kirei's attention, the better.
"Very well," Adashino agreed.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Wayland offered a polite bow and left the office. He couldn't wait to check his progress.
"Irigal."
[[Sub-Mission 6: First-Generation Magic Crest Complete. Based on the dragon's origin, a specific form of Dragon Language Magic has been selected as the core of the Crest. Reward distributing... Master has acquired Dragon Language Magic: Dragon Armor.]]
"A defensive spell?"
Wayland felt a pang of disappointment at first, but then he quickly reconsidered. The spell was actually perfect for him.
His primary offensive style was Shadow Realm Spearmanship,he was a combat-oriented magus,but his defensive options had been limited to simple Reinforcement.
With Dragon Armor, he'd effectively filled his most glaring weakness.
"I guess I'm officially a 'Knight' now."
Wayland immediately began integrating Reinforcement and Lightness magic into the new Crest. That was the beauty of a first-generation Crest,it was still flexible enough to be customized.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]