Chapter 45: Do You Have a Problem with Me?

"My receding hairline is a hairstyle issue, not related to my drinking!"

Just as Waver opened the office door, he heard the roaring argument of his teacher that sounded like a dragon's roar.

Without a second of hesitation, Waver turned around and tried to close the door, saying, "Ah, I've come at a bad time, I'll leave first."

Unfortunately, even though Waver's actions were swift, they were a step too late.

"Waver, where do you think you're going?"

Kayneth directly stopped Waver.

"Uh..."

Waver's hand clearly hesitated for a moment, and he awkwardly replied, "I saw you were busy, so I didn't plan to disturb you."

Kayneth gestured with his finger, ordering, "Come in."

Waver wanted to struggle a bit more, "Isn't this not good? Decisions are made by you and Mr. Matou; where does a small fry like me fit in?"

"If you resist three times, you can forget about inheriting my research in your whole life!"

"If you use this matter to threaten me again..."

Waver sighed deeply.

Even if he wanted to, Waver accepted his fate and walked into the office.

"I'm doing this for research."

Waver convinced himself.

But he knew it was just an excuse.

The real reason was that he couldn't refuse his teacher's request.

Back then, when his research was criticized by everyone, despite having a perfect thesis defense and answering all the questions, those traditional magi, high and mighty due to their bloodline, tried to make things difficult for him. They even resorted to personal attacks. It was Kayneth who had stood up and supported his viewpoint, recruiting him as his apprentice—even though Kayneth's motive might have been to recognize his talent.

When everyone in the Clock Tower rejected him, slandered him, and humiliated him because of his meager bloodline, only this teacher was willing to support and protect him.

Even though Kayneth never said it aloud, gratitude was already etched in Waver's heart.

This trust was one of the few warm feelings Waver had at the Clock Tower.

Therefore, when Kayneth suggested giving up the position of Head of the Mineralogy Department to become the Head of the Modern Magecraft Theory Department, when everyone couldn't understand why Kayneth made such a decision, Waver was the first to support Kayneth's choice.

However, no matter how much he supported his teacher, Waver felt that he still needed to have some bottom line. That bottom line was Shinji Matou.

Because of this guy's influence, Kayneth abandoned the fourth-ranked Mineralogy Department and moved to the most obscure Modern Magecraft Theory.

Moreover, every time they met with Shinji, it meant that Waver would have a bunch of additional work.

Even though Waver was diligent, he wasn't a masochist who liked to work without rest.

In Waver's eyes, Shinji Matou was just a troublesome advisor who constantly gave his teacher bad ideas, plus his natural nemesis.

So, if possible, Waver really hoped to avoid Shinji.

Especially after he recently tricked Shinji with Miss Flora in Cannes, it made Waver even more worried about what revenge Shinji might take.

"Oh, Waver, don't look at me with that kind of gaze. I'm not a devil, you know~"

Sitting on the sofa, sipping tea, Shinji revealed a smile he thought was gentle.

Waver slammed the table and retorted loudly, "Enough! Even demons aren't as terrifying as this guy!"

[Teacher, why do you have to involve me?]

Complaining, Waver threw a puzzled look at Kayneth.

[Can you really let your teacher endure the torture alone?]

Kayneth gave him a displeased look.

[Looks like both of them are having a hard time.]

Touko, who was already considering herself as office decor, silently thought.

"Shinji Matou, you didn't come to me just to take my tea leaves, did you?"

Seeing Shinji leisurely savoring the black tea since a while ago, Kayneth, who had reached the limit of his patience, finally spoke.

Clap

Without wasting time, Shinji slammed two project proposals for Fate/Zero onto the table.

"There you go, my new works."

"Why do you come to me for this kind of thing?"

Kayneth, who had been enduring, finally spoke, supporting his bald forehead.

"Nevermind, we already made an agreement on this matter back then, right? I won't inquire about the specifics of your shooting; just ensure that your work meets the standards."

"Because there will be characters based on you and Waver in the story," Shinji explained. "So, I thought I should get your opinion. Should you act in person or have someone else (Yan Qing) act on your behalf?"

"Wait a minute, why are there characters based on both of us, and you only ask the teacher?"

Waver, sensing something amiss, hastily interrupted.

"What are you talking about, Waver? As the face and representative of the Modern Magecraft Theory, of course, you'll personally perform."

"Why can the teacher hire someone else to act?"

"Your teacher is a department head with many responsibilities; he may not always have the time."

"..."

Waver wanted to say that he was busier than his teacher, but he couldn't say it under Kayneth's threatening gaze.

Seeing his apprentice understanding the situation, Kayneth nodded in satisfaction. He picked up one of the project proposals from the tea table and started reading.

"Since Shinji is so cooperative, let me see how you plan to promote my work."

Waver also picked up the other project proposal. Having already accepted his fate, he was now just trying to estimate how busy he would be.

But after reading the project proposal, Waver, Spartan'd his whole being.

"Shinji..."

Waver put down the project proposal and silently lit a cigar.

"Uh?"

"Are we friends?"

"Of course."

"Then why are you trying to set me up?!"

Seated on the sofa, Waver suddenly erupted, grabbing Shinji's collar and shaking him forcefully.

"Stealing the teacher's relics, opposing him in the Holy Grail War! How could I ever do such a thing?!"

Facing the frantic Waver, Shinji, with a serious expression, said, "Waver, calm down a bit. This is just a movie plan. Anyone searching for realism in a virtual story must have something wrong with their head."

"Then don't use our real names!"

"Shinji Matou! It seems you are very dissatisfied with me!"

After reviewing the project plans, Kayneth's expression wasn't any better.

Actually, if Kayneth had a relatively good or normal scene in the movie, nothing would be a problem. However, his scenes in the script were simply indescribable. First, he was turned into a victim of NTR by his Servant, then beaten into a third-rate cripple who could only move around in a wheelchair, and finally manipulated into a state where he couldn't live or die without Saber's mercy.

If a person could still smile after experiencing all this, then there's definitely something mentally wrong with them.

Not to mention, Kayneth felt that Shinji's script was an attempt to expose his dark history.

Through gritted teeth, Kayneth said, "Shinji, if you have a problem with me, just say it directly. No need to beat around the bush."

"I don't have any issues with you." Shinji said directly, "This is just part of the writing for the overall atmosphere of the story. Haven't you seen how much worse the situation is for the Matou family?"

"..."

Kayneth found himself unable to argue.

Indeed, if his situation was considered tragic, then the Matou family's situation was like a table filled with tragedies and misfortunes.

Since Shinji had even dared to blacken his own family, Kayneth realized it wasn't easy to say anything.

After all, he was just being stabbed in the back loudly; he didn't have the right to intentionally play the victim.

"Even if it's for the atmosphere, isn't my fate too miserable? Getting beaten by a mercenary to the point of partial paralysis, forced to use a wheelchair! As one of the Clock Tower Lords, can't you at least give me a more honorable ending?!"

Kayneth tried to salvage some dignity for his script self.

"You, a theoretical mage, losing to a practical one, isn't that quite normal?" Shinji shrugged, "And what's wrong with using a wheelchair? Legs are just decorations; the big shots upstairs won't understand."

"Then you try sitting in a wheelchair! Also, who's the big shot upstairs? Does the Clock Tower still have someone above me?"

Shinji pointed to the ceiling, "Yes, the Dean."

"Who knows if that old guy is already in a coffin."

Despite Kayneth's seemingly indifferent words, the volume unconsciously lowered. He spoke with a fearless tone while making a powerful statement.

Even though the Dean had not been seen for many years, everyone still had an instinctual fear of him.

Kayneth glanced at the project proposal and hesitated for a moment.

"Shinji, you won't be leaving soon, will you?"

"Of course," Shinji nodded. "FSN is about to have a massive release in Europe and America. I plan to leave after the first round of box office results is out. That way, I can attract a batch of mages."

"When you're abducting people, be careful not to get beaten up by their teachers," Waver reminded, unkindly.

"Don't worry, I'll strictly adhere to the principle of voluntariness." Shinji finished the red tea in his cup.

"Alright, I'll consider it. I'll give you an answer later."

Kayneth nodded slightly, placing his hand on the project proposal and gently rubbing it.

"That's settled then." Shinji stood up, patting his buttocks. "Oh, Waver, notify everyone. We'll hold a meeting after the movie is released."

"I got it."

Although Shinji didn't specify who "everyone" was, Waver knew he meant the collaborators.

Before leaving, Shinji kindly said to Kayneth, "Hey, Kayneth, I really suggest you stop drinking water from England. If your hairline keeps receding like this, you'll turn into a tea egg, and it won't look as good as sitting in a wheelchair."

"You brat! Get out of here! Just because you're my collaborator doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!"

Amid Kayneth's roar, Shinji shrugged, pulled Touko with him, and left the office with a cheerful smile.

"So. Where should we go next?" Touko glanced at the completely dark sky outside and asked helplessly.

"If you didn't say that last sentence, we might still be able to crash in the Modern Magecraft Theory for the night. Now, it seems we'll have to sleep in the school courtyard."

"What are you talking about, Senpai? The night has just begun."

Shinji, holding Touko's hand, spoke as they walked along the corridor towards the depths of the Clock Tower.

"Come on, let's go and see the geniuses of the Clock Tower."

Touko sarcastically remarked, "So, did you bring me here just to be an interviewer?"