Afternoon.
After eating and drinking his fill, Anzai Kane returned to the Clock Tower.
He strolled along humming a tune, in quite a good mood.
However—
He soon noticed, with some confusion—
For some unknown reason...
Everyone in the Clock Tower was giving him strange looks, sizing him up from head to toe.
The ordinary staff members were noticeably more respectful toward him than before.
But the students his age, and even some of the professors, were looking at him with barely concealed anger.
One hot-headed classmate tried to stride over and pick a fight, but was pinned down by his own friend.
"Hey, you bastard, what the hell?!"
"Why is it that you—"
He roared furiously, but before he could finish, the friend beside him clamped a hand firmly over his mouth.
Like a reckless boar, he was grabbed by a few classmates and forcibly dragged back into the classroom behind them.
"How baffling."
Kane chuckled and shook his head. He had long since gotten used to things like this.
Because of the Old Man Jewel, Kane had grown up here from a young age.
Everyone knew exactly how doting that Magus Marshal was toward him.
There had been rumors for quite some time now that he would become the next Second Magician.
Driven by jealousy, people regularly jumped out to question and resent him.
Just like that guy from a moment ago...
But—
Kane had a feeling this time wasn't that simple...
Right at that moment—
A skinny boy with shoulder-length short hair, hugging a book to his chest, appeared in his line of sight.
Kane's lips curled into a mischievous grin, and he pounced straight toward the boy.
"Hey, Waver."
Kane slung an arm around his shoulders and greeted him with a laugh.
Yes—
The boy he had latched onto—
His true name was Waver Velvet.
According to how the "plot" should go, he would become a Master in the Fourth Holy Grail War.
And he was one of the few people who would survive until the end and go on to achieve great things in the future.
Precisely because of that—
As the junior, Kane had spent the past few years cozying up to this upperclassman.
Although there was a huge gap in status between them, it did not stop the two of them from becoming very good friends.
Thanks to "Anzai Kane," Waver also enjoyed special treatment at the school.
Even if he had no proper pedigree, no one was stupid enough to...
Offend a friend of a Magician.
So—
Ever since getting to know Kane, Waver's life had been going very smoothly...
...
"Ah! Kane?!"
"You still dare show your face?!"
"You're going to get me killed!"
The instant the boy saw his friend at his side, his face went white.
When Kane came up and hooked an arm around his shoulders, a portion of the hostility in the air shifted right onto him.
Some of the bullies who were too cowardly to provoke Kane himself...
Now had very unpleasant looks in their eyes when they glanced at Waver...
He shoved at Kane in annoyance but accidentally bumped into his friend's chest.
Waver's body froze, and his fair, delicate face instantly flushed bright red.
He had already confirmed his friend's gender, but still—this guy, this guy was just too cute!
To the point that there wasn't a single more beautiful "girl" in the entire Clock Tower!
And it wasn't just the elder onee-sans he had bewitched...
Even as his sworn brother, Waver felt like he was about to be bent.
...
"Eh—? Why's your face so red?"
"Come on, talk to me."
"What kind of frenzy are these people on today?"
Kane ignored his friend's pleading and chose to dig straight to the bottom of it.
"What else could it be?!"
"You're already a Magician now!"
"The Old Man of Jewels handed all his duties over to you!"
"The Magus Association is completely losing its mind right now!"
Waver pulled a face, complaining helplessly.
He had imagined, someday in the far future, being able to cling to his good buddy's thigh and enjoy a bright career.
The problem was...
That day had come way too early...
How old was Kane, and he'd already become a Magician...
The tidal wave of doubt and resentment was enough to make even him crumble...
Let alone the fact that...
Kane was several years younger than he was...
...
After listening to Waver's explanation, Kane finally understood.
"Tch..."
"And here I thought it was something serious..."
"Nine times out of ten, this is just that old codger's test for me."
Kane rolled his eyes and spoke of that Magus Marshal in a tone dripping with disdain.
Thud!
The moment Waver heard those words, his knees gave out and he dropped to the floor on the spot.
"Waver, what are you doing?"
"Are you swearing fealty to me?"
Kane looked at his friend sprawled on the ground and couldn't resist poking fun at him.
"You... you..."
"You really... mastered that?!"
Waver stammered, his whole body trembling. He was no fool—on the contrary, he was very smart.
He knew that his good friend had always been researching that mysterious Second Magic!
A possibility flashed through his mind...
Maybe...
The Old Man of Jewels hadn't gone senile at all...
But rather...
His good friend had truly grasped the Second Magic!
And his ability was so outstanding that even the Old Man of Jewels was thoroughly satisfied!
...
"You want to learn?"
"I'll teach you."
Kane said with a smile in his eyes, extending a hand down toward his friend.
His own identity was far too special. He needed to cultivate his own people.
And Waver was a good pick—
Capable, and worth investing in.
As for whether he could actually learn the Second Magic... that was up to the heavens.
After all—
Kane had been able to learn the Second Magic not only thanks to Morgan's contribution, but also because of the Counter Force.
He was this planet's Ultimate One, the final trump card that protected the celestial body itself. Of course the Counter Force would look after him.
For everyone else... that was another story entirely...
...
"Ugh!"
Hearing Kane's reply, Waver's eyes rolled back.
On that face twisted to the extreme with shock, there was even a strangely blissful smile.
He toppled straight back onto the cold floor, his body twitching from time to time.
Happiness had come too suddenly—
Waver fainted on the spot...
Good brother!
No!
Drifting alone his whole life, never having met a true lord!
If my lord does not disdain me—
I, Waver, wish to call you father!
(End of Chapter)
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