For a long time after this incident, Aslan simply read books, and no missions came his way. It wasn't until autumn was nearly over that anything changed. Aslan, who had just left the Clock Tower Library, stretched lazily and couldn't help but sigh. Humanity's exploration of magecraft in recent years had far surpassed his expectations—there was so much that intrigued him.
There is an ordinary way to live ordinary days. I've lived more than 1,500 years—how could I still not know how to live?
"Mr. Aslan."
Aslan was sorting the books he planned to read and preparing to return to his room when a voice stopped him. He turned and looked to the side. His golden hair, which covered his slightly broad forehead, was loosely tied into a small bun with a rubber band. The severe edge of his demeanor was softened somewhat by his hairstyle.
Although dressed with care, the speaker also wore a few decorative accessories.
When Aslan saw who had called him, his mouth opened slightly. Though the man wasn't exactly handsome, he didn't look awkward either. At the very least, he matched the burgundy-haired woman beside him quite well.
"Professor Kayneth?"
It was indeed Kayneth—but his outfit was startling.
"What? Surprised by the look? Seems I'm a genius in all respects! In just a few months, I've already mastered what people call fashion. Hahaha!"
Kayneth laughed with smug satisfaction, then quickly adopted a more serious expression. "All right, let's get down to business. I'm here to invite you to accompany me to the Far East, where a magecraft ritual known as the Holy Grail War is about to take place. You and I are both geniuses. At the current pace, climbing to the rank of Crown will take far too long, so I propose we take a shortcut.
"Although this ritual is being held in some backwater, it's rumored to be connected to the Third Magic. That makes it worthwhile. If we can successfully obtain the Grail, we could shorten our ascent by at least ten years. What do you say? I'm sincerely inviting you."
Aslan gazed at Kayneth, amused by how casually he discussed competing over the Third Magic. Of course, his confidence might come from the holy relic he'd prepared—a fragment of the Conqueror King's cloak. If all went as planned, it would summon none other than Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.
But who would have guessed that this Monarch's express delivery would be intercepted by an inconspicuous student?
Moreover, although Aslan had considered participating in the Holy Grail War, something about partnering with Kayneth—whose fate was grim in all known timelines—gave him pause. Then again, it wasn't definitively stated that Kayneth died in every version.
Aslan frowned slightly, thoughts racing. Regardless, he knew he had to experience the Holy Grail War for himself—and having a natural teammate wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
He nodded. However, if he was going to work with Kayneth, the issue of relics had to be addressed. Neither his own Lancer-class relic nor Artoria's version of a spearman would suit Kayneth's summoning style.
However, using the Holy Spear as a summoning catalyst might bring forth Balin.
With his carefree and extroverted nature, Balin wasn't a perfect match for Kayneth—but certainly more compatible than a certain other person.
After all, if Kayneth summoned that Paladin Aslan… wouldn't Aslan's identity be exposed? Sure, people might share facial features across time, but if someone looked exactly the same—well, that raised more questions than answers.
"Student Aslan?" Kayneth asked. "It's fine if you don't wish to join me. I merely offered a suggestion to help accelerate our advancement. Slow and steady works too."
Kayneth assumed that Aslan's silence meant disinterest in the Far East expedition. Still, considering the man had once given him a shield inscribed with fae runes and was undeniably a genius, Kayneth didn't take offense.
That said, if Aslan did refuse, Kayneth would feel a bit disappointed. He genuinely believed that the traditional path to mastery was ill-suited for extraordinary talents like theirs.
But he wasn't one to cling. Life was long, and finding a kindred spirit who could walk the same path with you was no small blessing.
"No," Aslan said finally. "I'm just surprised. In fact, I'm quite familiar with the Holy Grail War. If anything goes wrong during preparation, Professor Kayneth, I hope you'll contact me as your ally. This ritual truly touches the Third Magic—it's not an ordinary war. Please be cautious."
If any other student had said such things to him, Kayneth would have dismissed the warning. He might have even taken it as a slight.
But coming from Aslan? He couldn't help but take it seriously. And since he was already in a good mood, it only deepened his sense of appreciation. This student… really did know quite a bit about the Holy Grail War.
I'm lucky to know a talent like this.
For a moment, that thought crossed Kayneth's mind.
"In that case, it's settled."
As Kayneth turned to leave, Aslan paused, then reached into his satchel. He pulled out a keepsake left to him during his travels with Balin in Britain.
"Professor Kayneth," he said, "you've probably already prepared your relic, but just in case, please accept this one. If anything unexpected happens, use it as a substitute catalyst. The Heroic Spirit it summons won't disappoint."
Kayneth looked closely at Aslan, sensing that he was hinting at something deeper. Though it made him slightly uneasy, he didn't get angry.
What was wrong with a little favoritism? Talented people deserved special treatment.
-End Chapter-
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