The Clock Tower is, famously, an absurd and eccentric organization.
Its internal factions are complex, with thirteen departments entangled in intricate, often unclear relationships and grudges.
Despite the complexity, the dynamics boil down to three main factions: Aristocraticism, Democraticism, and the opportunistic Neutralists, who sway toward whoever offers the most.
The Crowley family rose during the Renaissance, influenced by Aleister's Book of the Law. Revering him as a master, they deciphered the book, enhancing their alchemical formulas with Silver Star and Golden System elements, forming the family's foundation.
Originating in the Renaissance and enduring six generations, their prestige and achievements grew.
Notably, no Crowley head was short-lived. Even Roy's parents died in their late fifties due to an accident. Earlier generations lived longer, most reaching Fes-rank, with one or two Brand-rank magi.
Thus, the Crowley family was firmly Aristocratic, not Democratic, protesting weak talent or lineage.
This aligned them with El-Melloi and Eulyphis, fostering close ties.
As fellow Aristocrats, they were kin.
Hence, Lufreus readily endorsed Kayneth's choice of Roy as heir, unlike his harsh treatment of a certain timeline's Waver Velvet, a lowborn with poor talent.
Roy's progress owed much to their support. Kayneth treated him like a son, forgiving his excesses with mere scolding. Beyond him, Lufreus, the Lord of Spiritual Evocation, provided significant resources and materials, aiming to ally with him.
Despite his feminine surname, Lufreus exuded no such air. As a Lord manipulating countless spirits, he carried a deathly aura.
His name was merely inherited, his Lordly prestige his true banner.
Kayneth called him a gloomy goat, a specter. Around seventy, he epitomized the traditional noble magus—dark, courteous, cunning. His chest bore gem-encrusted jewelry, each bony finger adorned with two rings, high-grade Mystic Codes.
Though laden with jeweled rings and ornaments, they didn't seem gaudy. Instead, they felt like burial goods for the dead, not adornments for the living.
His presence filled the room with a graveyard-like chill.
As Roy entered, Lufreus, leaning on his cane, turned his withered head toward him.
Though Roy held a favorable view of his grand-professor, it was from a distance. In person, the necromantic aura and decay were overwhelming, making Roy grimace.
He knew that smell too well…
As an underground researcher with Lev, he'd studied relics and burial artifacts, but Lufreus wore them, using them to commune intimately with spirits, unsettling the living.
"Heh… Crowley, not just El-Melloi, you're back too…"
"But… you're too lax. Your suit's improper… took too long to prepare. Guests shouldn't wait. Seems… El-Melloi didn't teach you proper etiquette."
The grim-faced elder scanned Roy, his head lowered, expression unreadable. His halting, somber speech critiqued Roy, always hitting the mark. This was his style.
Though seemingly harsh, those familiar knew this was mild. Lufreus's true anger was far stormier, capable of scolding rival Lords. His kindness was reserved for allies.
His fondness for Roy was clear.
"…Sorry, Lord Eulyphis. I returned in a rush, arranged Lev's stay, and was writing insights from the Holy Grail War. I got absorbed and hurried to dress when I heard you arrived."
"Also, the war gave me new insights into the formula, which I'm preparing for you and Kayneth, so I was a bit negligent."
"Magecraft…? Not etiquette… you did right. If my visit disturbed you… that's my fault. Magecraft trumps manners."
Lufreus's grim expression softened, shaking his head.
"But… Lev, that name sounds familiar. Oh, the girl El-Melloi recently promoted?"
"Yes, from Kayneth's family."
"I see… El-Melloi's choice. Sola mentioned her."
Nodding slowly, Lufreus gave Roy a meaningful look.
"I understand… Get along. You're vital to Aristocraticism, future pillars…"
He strongly approved of Kayneth's decision.
Glancing at Roy with a hint of regret, Lufreus wished he could adopt him. Aging, with no notable male heirs and his daughter married off, he needed a successor. Roy was ideal.
El-Melloi had Kayneth, ensuring a century of prosperity, but Eulyphis lacked such a figure. He'd repeatedly offered to adopt Roy.
But Roy and Kayneth were an inseparable mentor-student pair. When Lufreus tried poaching, Roy didn't refuse outright but accepted gifts, informed Kayneth, and reaped benefits from both—winning twice.
Lufreus, bound by noble pride, couldn't reclaim the gifts, treating them as courtesies.
This left Lufreus exasperated yet helpless.
With Kayneth's protection, he couldn't force Roy. He could only watch El-Melloi potentially produce two—or three—Grand-rank magi.
Though regrettable, Lufreus accepted it.
As long as Roy wasn't a Democratic or Neutralist, it was fine. Faction fortunes shifted; future generations could handle it. Whether El-Melloi or Barthomeloi led Aristocraticism, it was just a change of king.
After brief exchanges, they sat.
Lufreus first asked Roy to recount the Holy Grail War, needing a formal statement.
Having coordinated with Kayneth, Roy knew what to say or omit. He relayed a sanitized version, concealing the Third Magic, Zelretch's involvement, Angra Mainyu, and his victory.
"Hm… matches El-Melloi's account. I see…"
Nodding, Lufreus accepted the aligned story.
Though his instincts sensed omissions, he didn't press, respecting their silence.
Declining coffee from a servant, Lufreus understood his visit's outcome.
Studying Roy, he sensed a peculiar aura since his return.
Well-hidden, only a master like Lufreus, a top spiritual evocator, could detect it—a grand evocation-like scent. Subtle, but chilling, as if something terrifying watched.
Swallowing, Lufreus wanted answers but knew probing a magus's hidden mysteries was taboo. If Roy wouldn't speak, asking was pointless.
Recalling the evocation texts Roy borrowed, Lufreus was certain he'd summoned something extraordinary.
Another breakthrough in evocation after the Sanctuary Formula?
Such talent… enviable…
He envied Roy's grand magecraft at twenty, Kayneth's luck in finding him, and Roy's potential to reach legendary ranks or the Root.
"By the way, Crowley… I met your foster daughter. Rare Imaginary Numbers attribute, top-tier aptitude—like another Barthomeloi…"
Shifting from the war, Lufreus mentioned Sakura.
Since Kayneth's fiancée, Lufreus's daughter Sola, was out shopping with Sakura, Lufreus had seen her.
At the Clock Tower, the frail girl stirred even his stoic heart, her perfection shocking him.
Though only about ten, she seemed sculpted by a master, flawless. Her aptitude was top-tier at a glance.
Her attribute and uniqueness drew countless magi's gazes at the Clock Tower. Without Sola—Kayneth's fiancée, Mineralogy Lord's wife, and Evocation Lord's daughter—by her side, they'd have acted.
Lufreus initially thought she was a prodigy for his family, a divine heir. But upon inquiry—
Of course, El-Melloi and Crowley.
To thwart Lufreus, Kayneth had already registered Sakura under Crowley and El-Melloi, personally arranging her education, keeping it secret. Lufreus, a step behind, was frustrated but powerless to poach from El-Melloi.
"Heh, you flatter her. Sakura's young; her future's uncertain. But with Kayneth and my guidance, she'll become a fine Aristocratic pillar."
Roy smiled, subtly blocking Lufreus's interest, signaling Sakura was family and student, firmly Aristocratic.
"Sly… little brat…"
Shaking his head, Lufreus understood.
"Is the Holy Grail War and Sakura all you came for, Lord Eulyphis? A letter would've sufficed."
"Of course not. Barthomeloi will handle that. I'm here for something more important."
"Speak, please."
"Very well… Some despicable Association members are spreading rumors, saying El-Melloi's heir, a Lord's disciple, is stuck at Fes-rank at twenty, questioning your competence and our judgment. We know your talent. Hiding further only emboldens those blind fools. Show your abilities—silence them!"
Recalling how Democrats used this to attack him and Kayneth, Lufreus's anger flared.
Looking earnestly at Roy, he urged, "El-Melloi, Barthomeloi, and I submitted your name for the next advancement. You're the Clock Tower's focus. Don't disappoint us, Crowley."
"Really that urgent?"
Roy smiled, showing no distress.
"I wanted more preparation time."
"Heh… don't play coy. I know your magecraft level. Your proposal alone would shut them up. I know you're low-key, avoiding fanfare, but showing talent is wise…"
"For noble magi, restraint and humility are virtues. I approve. But too long without results, and rivals and their clueless kin will trouble you. I'm helping you."
The old gentleman spoke gravely.
"Don't forget… when your parents died, how those Democratic scum targeted you and the Crowley family?"
"They nearly carved up you and your crest, erasing Crowley's name. You haven't forgotten that grudge, right? Now's the time for revenge. Perform, and I'll ensure satisfaction…"
"You're right."
Before transmigrating, the original Roy reached Kai-rank at fifteen—a decently talented beginner.
Such talent was far from ready to inherit. Had the Crowley heads not died, he wouldn't have taken the crest so young.
This allowed rival families and Democrats to question his worth, El-Melloi, and Eulyphis's judgment, many of whom had tried to dismantle Crowley.
Though Roy didn't care, his mocked mentors couldn't stand it.
They knew his talent was beyond slander, but he needed results to silence critics and counterattack. Nobles valued reputation, urging Roy to produce achievements as their weapon.
"Alright, my fault. You're right—I've been dormant too long. I need to plan for the rank exam."
"Good."
Lufreus nodded.
"It's a hassle…"
Roy frowned, a rare look of contemplation.
"Hm…? You need to ponder this, or find it troublesome?!"
Lufreus was startled.
"Crowley, don't tell me you neglected magecraft for the Holy Grail War, regressing, unable to reach Fes-rank?"
He and Kayneth had high hopes. Past assignments, set at Fes-to-Brand levels, were easily completed by Roy. He should be certain to advance to Fes, likely Brand.
Indeed, surviving the brutal Holy Grail War, earning a hero's favor, and befriending Aozaki Touko, a Grand puppeteer, proved Roy's strength. With that eerie aura, how could he struggle with an exam?
"You misunderstand."
Seeing Lufreus's alarm, Roy spread his hands innocently.
"Per your teachings, I haven't neglected magecraft. The trouble is, I have too many achievements and don't know which to use. Also… if I claim Grand-rank, breaking the Clock Tower's record, will it upset Kayneth?"
"Choosing how much to shock the Clock Tower and Kayneth is my real dilemma."
Though flippant, his tone was earnest, stating facts.
"You're serious…?"
Lufreus's eyes widened, staring in disbelief.
He knew Roy—low-key, steady, sometimes immature before him and Kayneth, but…
Never one to boast falsely.
So…
"That thing… you've really completed it?"
Realizing something, Lufreus asked gravely.
"About eighty percent done. Fully functional."
"I see… excellent…"
Absorbing Roy's words, Lufreus nodded, struggling to believe but accepting it under his calm gaze.
His heart was soon overwhelmed with boundless joy—
"So, Lord Eulyphis, you'd love to counter those blind fools, right?"
***
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