The underground space of the Matou family has been renovated and expanded several times, and is currently divided into three floors and seven workshops.
The first workshop is the exclusive workshop of Yustisa and Scathach, and outsiders are not allowed to enter.
The second workshop is the teaching workshop, where Scathach teaches her apprentice and where Kenneth taught Weber before.
The third workshop is a training ground where Shinji and others practice magic and martial arts.
The fourth workshop is the alchemy workshop, which is used to make various props.
The fifth workshop is the experimental workshop, used for conducting magic experiments.
The sixth workshop is the medical workshop, where Kenneth receives treatment regularly.
The seventh workshop is a backup workshop and will only be activated when all workshops are occupied.
Shinji knocked on the door of the fifth workshop.
A slightly sharp voice came out of the studio through the dedicated magic loop.
"Who? Didn't I tell you not to disturb me before noon?"
"Mr. Kenneth, it's me, Shinji, and I have something urgent to deal with."
"Wait for me three minutes. When you come in, remember to prepare magic to resist the poison gas."
It seems that Kenneth is conducting some dangerous experiment.
180 seconds later, not a second more or less, Kenneth opened the door of the workshop. Being on time was his good habit.
The workshop was filled with silver mist, but because the workshop was isolated by a barrier, the mist did not drift outside the workshop.
"What are you—?"
"I was trying to modify the 'Moon Spirit Marrow Fluid'. What you saw was the result of a failure. It was half mist and half liquid. Was there a problem with the pressure adjustment? Forget it, I'll think about it later. What do you want from me?"
Kenneth, who was standing in the middle of the workshop, said this while activating the pre-prepared spell to gradually recover the scattered magic mercury.
"I received a message from Weber last night. Someone has guessed his connection with you."
Having said that, Shinji took a special look at Kenneth and found that his expression had basically not changed.
"You don't seem surprised at all?"
"Yes." Kenneth nodded. "Although the fact that Waver and I participated in the Holy Grail War at the same time was kept secret, the Clock Tower nobles were able to find out if they really wanted to. Previously, due to Waver's low magical talent, basically no one would suspect him. However, recently, in order to stabilize the morale of the El-Melloi faction that was on the verge of collapse, you had someone publish a few papers in my name—"
"Yes, with your consent."
"—That's the problem. Even if the paper didn't go through Waver's hands, the fact that I'm asserting my presence will arouse suspicion from those who have ulterior motives. I've been out of touch with the El-Melloi faction for so long, so where did I get the information from? Of course, there are many possible ways, and the option of obtaining intelligence through Waver ranks low, but as long as it exists, someone will investigate it, and it's only a matter of time before I'm discovered."
"I see. The factional struggles in the Clock Tower are really troublesome." Shinji sighed, and secretly praised himself for his two wise decisions.
One of his wise moves was to save Kenneth. Although this Lord was arrogant and difficult to get along with, he was the leader of a faction after all and was familiar with the various factions and rules of the Clock Tower. Without him, Shinji's actions would never have been so smooth, and he might even have been influenced by the giants of the Clock Tower.
The second wise thing is to stop when you are ahead and never be greedy. If he really wanted to swallow up the Archibald family, let alone whether he could swallow it smoothly, even if he really swallowed it, he would not be able to fight against the conspirators of other forces. It is the wisest choice to cooperate on an equal footing, exchange efforts for benefits, and let professionals deal with professionals.
After explaining the reason, Kenneth finally revealed a trace of doubt: "The only thing that surprised me is that it should take some time before someone doubts Weber. Which school or family has such a keen sense of smell? Is it Barthelmero? Or Sophia Li?"
"Neither." Shinji smiled and shook his head, "She is the little princess of the Archizolti family, a branch of your Archipolud family."
"It's Lanis?" Kenneth's expression changed more obviously than ever.
"Do you know her?"
"Yes, I am her half magic teacher. She has excellent magic talent, especially in magic perception. I have never seen anyone better than her among her peers. She is also very smart. Although it is unlikely that she will be in charge of El-Melloi in the future because it is a branch family, she can still be in charge of a classroom. I originally planned to let her take charge of the El-Melloi classroom that you let Waver inherit. But judging from her performance this time, it seems that one classroom is a bit of a waste of her talent. Should we train her to assist the lord? Or should we directly improve her inheritance order? No, it depends on her compatibility with the Archibald family's origin mark."
Careful analysis, grasp of talents and planning fully prove that Kenneth is a qualified family head. Maybe he performed very badly in the Fourth Holy Grail War, but this performance does not represent all of him. For a scholar-type faction leader who is in a high position and lives a life of luxury, the Holy Grail War is too incompatible with him. In fact, being able to become one of the twelve lords of the Clock Tower and lead the El-Melloi faction to glory, Kenneth is definitely a qualified faction leader and family head - excluding the fact that he personally took risks.
After the Holy Grail War, Kenneth has realized his own character flaws and weaknesses. The Clock Tower will soon welcome a more powerful and more invulnerable lord. Shinji has full confidence in such Kenneth.
"What should we do next?"
"Now that we have been discovered, there is no need to hide any longer. Prepare to build momentum and return to London in seven days."
"Your treatment..."
"The regeneration of the magic circuit has ended. The next period of adaptation will be the same no matter where you are."
"Okay, I'll contact Weber right away and reassure him."
Shinji took out his cell phone and dialed a long-distance call to London. The time difference between London and Japan was nine hours, and now was exactly the time for Waver to go to bed, which was a small revenge for the harassment last night.
The call was connected quickly, but the voice coming from the other end was not a familiar male voice, but a girl's voice.
"Is this Sir Kenneth? I am Lanis from the Archizolti family. You taught me magic."
"Don't grab my phone. I told you that's not Teacher Kenneth." This is Weber's voice.
"Hello, is anyone listening?"
"I've said it all—"
Shinji and Kenneth looked at each other, and after a few expressions and eye contact, Kenneth spoke.
"Weber, there's no need to stop Lanis."
"Kenneth... Sensei (Sir)?"
"It's me. Weber, Lanis, I won't ask you why you are together at this time. I have something to entrust to you."
"What's up?"
"Please give me your orders."
"Spread the word that Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald is coming back after three years of absence."
I don't know if it was a coincidence or intentional, but as soon as the word "come back" came out, the silver mist completely gathered and gathered behind Kenneth, adding a special aura to the lord.