C305

Reines was one sharp, cunning girl. She could dislike or resent someone, but you'd never catch a glimpse of it on her face. It was like she had a poker face on steroids. Even when she had to be around the people she despised, she didn't show a hint of impatience. Instead, she sported a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, coupled with her stunningly beautiful and charming face. It was like a masterclass in deception.

Loads of people fell for her trickery and ended up getting entangled in her web. But Shirou was a different story.

He had seen right through her act ages ago, and to top it off, her gorgeous looks didn't do a thing for him. So he treated her with complete indifference.

This was like a seamless illusion for Reines. On one hand, she cursed Shirou in her heart for being an old fox, and on the other hand, she played the gracious hostess, wearing that same smile.

Reines had a calculated strategy of leading Shirou to less crowded places, aiming to minimize the resentment people felt towards her. However, Shirou was quick to catch on to her intentions and intentionally steered her towards crowded areas.

This posed a headache for Reines, but she found herself powerless to change the situation. All she could do was console herself internally, reminding herself that it wasn't all negative; after all, it helped enhance El-Melloi's reputation.

But she knew better than anyone that factional struggles were far from simple. It wasn't just about who had the most chips in hand, but rather how those chips were played.

A single chip of immense significance could trigger a frenzy among the factions, which explained why Shirou was constantly being courted by various groups. However, the more chips a faction accumulated, the more attention it would attract, and suspicion from other factions would rise like steam from a boiling kettle.

In essence, it all came down to maintaining a delicate balance of power.

In ancient nations, the monarch had to skillfully navigate the dynamics between his subjects to preserve his supreme authority. Similarly, within the chaotic realm of the Clock Tower, a place without a supreme ruler, these factions had to engage in negotiations and find ways to balance their interests. It was like a high-stakes game of political juggling.

That's why the Clock Tower was more appropriate to be described as being as unstable as a pile of loose sand.

Interestingly, Shirou had a certain connection to the establishment of the Clock Tower.

The Clock Tower's roots could be traced back to the 2nd century AD.

Or, to be more precise, this mage organization had existed since the 2nd century AD. Among its original founders were numerous heretical magi who had been driven away or found themselves without a refuge in institutions like the Atlas Academy or the Wandering Sea. As the Age of Gods gradually waned during that era, these magi sought to ensure their survival. They fled to the British Isles, where remnants of the Age of Gods still lingered, and established new magical strongholds.

During that period, the magical strongholds were not yet referred to as the Clock Tower, and they were not centralized in London as they are today. Instead, they were scattered across various locations.

One such stronghold was the magical stronghold of Morgan le Fay. At that time, some magi became Shirou's initial court mages, starting from Cornwall. They played a significant role in pacifying Vortigern. These court mages requested land from Shirou to establish centers for the propagation of magecraft.

Taking into account the integration of the mage class during that era, he granted their request and allocated them a plot of land to advance the study and practice of magecraft.

And that piece of land was the predecessor of London - Londinium.

As the reigning king, Shirou firmly believed in the centralization of power, ensuring that authority rested solely in his hands. Whether it was the Round Table or the regional lords, they were all mechanisms he used to control the territories and consolidate power.

If any audacious magi dared to claim land, establish workshops, or build strongholds without his approval, he wasted no time in dispatching troops to crush their ambitions.

Over time, these magi, with London as their birthplace, expanded and flourished throughout the centuries, giving rise to numerous academic cities that revolved around London during the 12th century AD.

While Shirou may not have been aware of the intricacies of other parallel worlds, in this particular world, the establishment of the Clock Tower was undeniably intertwined with Shirou himself, the Eternal King.

The Clock Tower, being an institution focused on the education and development of magi, has established twelve departments, with "General Fundamentals" at its core. These departments include Individual Fundamentals, Spiritual Evocation, Mineralogy, Zoology, Lore, Botany, Astromancy, Creation, Curses, Archaeology, and Modern Magecraft Theory. Each of these departments is overseen and managed by one of the twelve Lords.

Among the notable individuals holding positions of authority within the Clock Tower is Kenneth, who previously served as the Master of Lancer Diarmuid Ua Duibhne during the Fourth Holy Grail War. Currently, Kenneth holds the esteemed position of being the Lord of the Mineralogy department, overseeing its operations and contributing his expertise in that field.

These departments, each with its own unique form and focus, all centered around the exploration and pursuit of mysteries.

But, within the Clock Tower resided the unique Department of Policies. This department stood apart as it wasn't directly tied to pursuing mysteries, unlike the other twelve departments housed within the same structure. The purview of the Department of Policies extended beyond acquiring knowledge. Its role was fundamentally different—it was responsible for shaping and managing the operational guidelines of the Clock Tower itself.

The Clock Tower's headquarters were situated within the British Museum in London. However, apart from the essential "General Fundamentals" department, the remaining eleven departments were established as independent academy on the outskirts of London.

The "General Fundamentals" department, being the first one, boasted the largest number of members as it was mandatory for all. Typically, aspiring magi who joined the Clock Tower would spend five years delving into the basic theoretical knowledge in "General Fundamentals" before transitioning to other departments for more specialized studies. However, this wasn't an strict rule, and exceptionally gifted magi often dived into their minor studies or department transfers earlier.

As Reines guided Shirou through the classroom for basic subjects, he casually brought up a topic, "By the way, how has Lord Kenneth been doing lately?"

"Uncle's health is still going strong, and his enthusiasm for magical research hasn't waned."

He nodded in acknowledgment.

Just then, a boy with dark circles under his eyes and short, chestnut hair hurriedly approached them. "Miss Reines!"

Reines looked at the boy rushing towards her and asked, "Caules, what's going on?"

Gasping for breath, Caules replied, "Teacher just contacted me. He needs your help with something."

"He needs my help? Likely because he wants to make use of my Mystic Eyes. Well, regardless, he is a professor so I should lend a hand," she remarked.

Turning to Shirou with an apologetic smile, she said, "I'm sorry Fujimaru-sama, but something urgent has come up and I can no longer give you that tour of the Clock Tower today. Please accept my apologies."

Shirou shrugged nonchalantly. "No problem. I was starting to get bored anyway. I'll come along. I don't think Miss Reines would deny me - especially considering your uncle wants you to treat me well."

A twitch formed at the corner of Reines's mouth, as she fought the urge to scream, finally managing a forced smile. "O-of course!"

Caules glanced at Shirou in confusion. He had never seen the elegant Miss Reines make such an awkward expression in front of others before.

"Caules, why are you just standing there? Lead the way!" She held back her irritation and prodded him.

"Oh... oh, right..."

The group strolled out of the Clock Tower, their every move attracting lingering gazes from curious onlookers. Shirou sensed the attention, but Reines was even more attuned to it.

Setting foot inside the Clock Tower felt like entering a swirling whirlpool. And after Zelretch pulled off that stunt, the whirlpool seemed to grow even larger. Shirou couldn't help but suspect that the disgusting old man had intentionally orchestrated it just to mess with him.

Yet, amidst the chaos, he managed to find a useful shield. But in the end, it was Reines who bore the brunt of the headache. She couldn't help but wonder how her uncle would react once he discovered her predicament. Would he scoff at her inability to handle even such a minor matter?

...

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