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Upon hearing this shocking news, all the nobles were collectively stunned. The spacious conference hall immediately erupted into a noisy clamor, resembling a chaotic marketplace.
"How is that possible?! It's utterly impossible!!"
"Mastering even one True Magic requires generations of lifelong study—how could someone possibly command three?!"
"Even Zelretch, who has lived for millennia, only possesses the Second Magic!!!"
Even Lorelei's face revealed an expression of utter shock.
Born into the Barthomeloi family—which had commanded the Clock Tower for 2000 years—and hailed as the lineage closest to True Magic, she knew better than anyone the difficulty of achieving it.
Now, someone claimed one person had mastered three True Magics—what kind of research talent, what perseverance, what opportunity could possibly create such a monster?!
"...Impossible. Monopolizing three True Magics—that's not something a 'Human' can achieve!" Forcibly suppressing her stray thoughts, Lorelei stated coldly, her face impassive.
"Believe it or don't!" Kayneth walked out of the hall, hands clasped behind his back, acting as if he were the True Magic user.
"Wait a moment, Lord El-Melloi, do you have a moment? I have a few tickets here for the Royal Opera House."
"Ah, what a coincidence, Lord El-Melloi. I heard you've recently taken up golf. My family owns some rather unique golf courses, would you grace us with your presence for a gathering?"
"....."
Lorelei watched Kayneth, now surrounded by the nobles, her expression grave. Judging by Kayneth's blatant disregard for the Great Nobles like herself—the probability that the newly emerged True Magic user possessed three True Magics was extremely high.
The nobles surrounding Kayneth knew this, which was why they swarmed him.
It was obvious to anyone paying attention that Kayneth's Archibald family had already pledged allegiance to the newly emerged True Magic user—hence their desperate attempts to curry favor with Kayneth.
Lorelei, her face cold, turned and left the hall through a side door. She walked down a corridor until she reached its end.
Knock—! Knock—!
Lorelei expressionlessly knocked on the wall in front of her.
With her knocking, a massive door suddenly appeared on the previously smooth, white wall. Precious gemstones and magical metals formed a crown pattern on the door.
Lorelei placed her hand upon the crown. A sapphire glow emanated from her right arm, and a pattern identical to the crown materialized on her hand—it was the Magic Crest passed down through the Barthomeloi generations, proof of her status as the current or future family head.
The door slowly swung open, revealing the scene within completely.
It was a room inscribed with countless clock patterns. Inside, there was only a simple wooden chair, and seated upon it was an old man whose face was obscured by a full head of white hair; only his aged hands hinted at his approximate age.
If Kayneth were to see this old man, he would undoubtedly be terrified; after all, this elder was the current head of the Barthomeloi family, who had commanded the Clock Tower for over a century.
"Father, my task has failed." Lorelei pressed her lips together, bowing deeply to the elder.
"Mm, I saw." A steady voice came from the Elder Barthomeloi.
A screen before him displayed the scene inside the main hall.
"I originally intended to use this pressuring of Archibald to build your prestige, but I didn't expect to lure out such a big fish! For that Homunculus family's method to actually succeed—I've truly lived long enough to see it all!" the Elder Barthomeloi said, his tone peculiar.
From his words, it was evident the Elder Barthomeloi possessed a deep understanding of the Einzbern family.
"Does the Barthomeloi family need to participate in the Holy Grail War?" Lorelei asked hesitantly.
To be honest, she was somewhat tempted.
After all, it was a newly confirmed method to reach the Root; she couldn't help but be tempted. However, since she had only recently been confirmed as the next head of the Barthomeloi family, she still had to follow the old head's opinion on major matters.
"We are Barthomeloi!!!" the Elder Barthomeloi stated sternly.
"Yes!!" Lorelei's pupils contracted, intense apprehension flooding her as she quickly responded in a subdued tone.
Jolted by his stern tone, she remembered: for the perfectionist Barthomeloi family, using another magical lineage's research to reach the Root was absolutely forbidden.
"Logically, that family's research should only reach the Throne of Heroes; reaching the Root should be impossible. The issue, therefore, must lie with that new True Magic user." Looking at the apprehensive Lorelei before him, the Elder Barthomeloi sighed at her youth and spoke slowly.
"Eh?" Lorelei looked at the Elder Barthomeloi, completely astonished.
"If I don't explain it clearly, it wouldn't do for you to let your imagination run wild," the Elder Barthomeloi said gently.
"Thank you, Father!" The corners of Lorelei's mouth lifted into a smile.
"Regardless of that True Magic user for now—that old fellow has made his move. Go see if you can eliminate him!" the Elder Barthomeloi stated seriously.
"Yes!!" Lorelei's expression turned extremely serious as she responded loudly.
——
Half an hour later.
Lorelei stood atop the Clock Tower—gazing into the distance.
"A True Magic user holding three True Magics…"
——
Germany.
In a secret underground magical workshop, approximately five kilometers from Einzbern Castle.
Haru watched the sleeping middle-aged man before him and stretched out his hand.
"Memory manipulation—memory eras—"
Haru looked helplessly at the middle-aged man. The man was still breathing, but his soul was already dead.
"Having such a high power level isn't always good!" Haru muttered helplessly, pursing his lips.
After obtaining the magical research materials on soul studies, contributed jointly by Kayneth and numerous nobles, Haru began researching the rules of the soul beyond mere materialization.
However, after having his identity acknowledged by the Root, the magical energy within Haru's body was classified as a High-Thaumaturgy at the level of Divine power.
Once it left his body, it was automatically assigned a Mystery rank equivalent to A+ or higher.
Having any technique he performed automatically imbued with A+ rank attack power was absurdly overpowered—Haru had certainly felt it. Even a death-row inmate with formidable willpower couldn't withstand the lowest-level magic he casually cast to blur an ordinary person's memories for a few seconds—Memory Influence.
"How the hell am I supposed to work with this?! To research souls, I need to find one capable of withstanding an A+ rank conceptual attack? Are those easy to come by?" Haru muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"A soul that can withstand an A+ rank conceptual attack…" Haru frowned, searching his memories.
"—The Snake of Akasha!!!"
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