Chapter 203: [203] The Clock Tower in 1994

Words : 1160 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 203 - [203] The Clock Tower in 1994 Under the dazzling afternoon sun, a handsome young man dressed in a black outer coat and white inner shirt, striving to appear mature, smiled as he wandered through the ancient streets. The climate in England was drier than in Japan. Due to the lack of humidity, even under the strong sunlight, one wouldn't feel uncomfortable or sweat easily. Along the way were streets paved with bricks and stones, bustling with crowds. The air was filled with the greasy aroma of fried fish and chips, and the occasional exhaust fumes from the iconic double-decker buses. Gentlemen in suits and ladies with scarves passed by, while children noisily boarded the buses... Twelfth-century architecture remained well-preserved here, creating a scene where the medieval and modern eras intertwined. "Hum~ hum~ hum~ hum hum hum~~" Ignoring the admiring glances from the surroundings, the young man hummed a European-style melody that didn't exist in this world. He walked on a red-brick viaduct, then turned into Druid Street, eventually entering a side alley. It was as if he had stumbled upon Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Suddenly, the surrounding pedestrians vanished, but the young man paid no mind, for he knew what kind of 'mystery' had caused this. Continuing forward, over forty student dormitories, more than a hundred academic buildings, and shops catering to the residents formed a district—reverently referred to by magi as the 'Clock Tower,' along with the first teaching building standing at its center. It was well-known that the mystical world of the Nasuverse was dominated by two major forces: the Holy Church, a secret Christian organization established to manage mysteries and hunt heretics, and the Mage's Association, a self-defense group formed by those who studied magecraft, regardless of nationality or school. The Mage's Association consisted of three major branches: the Clock Tower in London, the Wandering Sea in the North Atlantic, and the Atlas Institute in Egypt. Among them, the Clock Tower, as the headquarters, was the youngest but still predated the name "London." Today, the Clock Tower had become the highest institution of magical learning, attracting a large number of magi. "Now, let me flap my wings and stir up a storm," Sakatsuki muttered as he pulled out a well-preserved contract from his pocket. Unfolding it, the red-lettered signature shimmered like blood under the sunlight. It was the contract signed by the incompetent yet genius Lord Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, who had mortgaged his soul to a demon to survive. However, due to disputes among the demons, the contract had taken effect, but he had not survived. "Even so, the demon has come to collect his debt," Sakatsuki said, putting away the contract and stepping onto the stairs of the Clock Tower. "Are you ready, House Archibald?" *** A storm quietly swept through the already chaotic Clock Tower. The cause was a mysterious young man presenting a 'Geis Scroll' signed by their family head to one of the twelve Lords, the Archibald family. [Oath: The magus Sakatsuki is permanently prohibited from any intent or action to harm or kill Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald and Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri, and must prevent any malicious actions by Holy Grail War participants against the two.] [Condition: Sakatsuki holds secondary control over the Archibald family, and Kayneth and his Servant must achieve victory in two battles.] The signed contract was undoubtedly genuine, bearing Kayneth's unique magical signature that no one could replicate. However, this did not mean the Archibald family would heed Sakatsuki's words. News of Kayneth's death had recently reached the Clock Tower, and the scheming elders and branch family heads naturally had no intention of submitting to a mere child. Even if he proved the contract's validity and presented Kayneth's nearly destroyed Crest, he could only be seen as a clown, manipulated by the cunning old foxes. Yes... that should have been the case. Slash! A sword effortlessly cut through the flesh of a magus. The agonized scream was soon silenced by the next strike, and the splattered blood, as if seeking revenge, clung to the perpetrator, only to be mercilessly flicked away. "I am the bone of my sword." Though only a single verse of the incantation was spoken, it conjured countless blades. The gleaming weapons became loyal hounds, following their master's command to hunt down every designated target. Thus, under the might of the overwhelming blades, the chanted magical formulas shattered, the treasured magical artifacts were destroyed, and the proud, arrogant magi met their end in regret. Boom! It seemed a magus had activated a posthumous curse of vengeance. A storm of flames erupted, incinerating everything in its path. Yet, no matter how many weapons the fiery storm destroyed, more rose to tear apart the already routed magi. The flickering flames reflected the young man's calm face. Standing tall amidst the ruins, his white hair fluttered, and his golden eyes burned with a fire that could consume the world. "Sorry, but my time is limited. Let's end this adult game of make-believe." After swiftly annihilating the most rebellious branch family, the young man, now nominally the acting head of the Archibald family under the title 'Lord El-Melloi,' declared to the horrified survivors: "Submit, or perish—these are your only two options." In the face of absolute power, everything else is meaningless. On that night, the members of the Archibald family came to deeply understand this truth. Especially after their pleas for aid to other Lords were rejected, the stubborn magi finally realized that no one could save them but themselves. They had to unite. That said, even though the mysterious young man had fallen silent after his declaration, merely wandering the libraries, classrooms, and laboratories like a new student at the Clock Tower, the magi still spent months consolidating their forces. During this time, many arrogant magi were stripped of their positions, betraying the already precarious Archibald family. After months of negotiations and conflicts, the remnants of the Archibald family finally found themselves rapidly unified under the leadership of a young girl. Under her planning, the members of the Archibald family managed to find a third option between 'submission' and 'destruction'— Thus, one week later, a certain Waver Velvet, who had received an urgent letter from his teacher's family and hurried back from his pilgrimage with the King of Conquerors, was ambushed the moment he stepped into the Clock Tower. Several burly men in suits kidnapped him, and he vanished without a trace. Little did they know, the Archibald family's secret counterattack was, to the young man who spent his days absorbing magical knowledge, nothing more than an amusing last-ditch struggle. "Now that the final actor has arrived, let the second act begin." *** Hey readers! Want to read ahead? ???? Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance Chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster. ????/aarvan????

Chapter 203: [203] The Clock Tower in 1994

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