A Saiyan's Journey

Due to the 9-hour time difference between Britain and Japan, when Zuke brought Matou Sakura and Waver to London, it was already nighttime there.

However, unlike Fuyuki City, which was nearing dawn, the night in Britain had just begun.

"Well? Do you recognize this place?"

Behind Zuke, the Black Bird's body opened slightly. From the "Void Miasma," Waver tumbled out and was now being held by Zuke as though he were a puppy.

"Waaahhh!"

Waver, who had just fallen out of the Black Bird, flailed his arms and legs, thinking he was plummeting from a great height. Only after Zuke grabbed him by the collar did he manage to calm down somewhat.

Under Zuke's instruction, Waver scrutinized their surroundings, realizing just how laughable his earlier doubts were.

"You... actually flew from Japan to Britain in just a few minutes?"

Earlier, after picking up Matou Sakura, Zuke had mentioned his method of traveling to London—flying directly.

Waver hadn't believed it at first until Zuke used an uncanny ability to swallow him into a small, dark space. Only now was he let out.

Although Waver was British, he didn't have a photographic memory. Normally, if Zuke had randomly flown to any location in Britain and asked Waver for directions, Waver likely wouldn't recognize the place.

But the spot where Zuke had landed was unmistakable. This was a world-famous landmark that every Briton would recognize.

Indeed, Zuke was now holding Waver while flying beside Big Ben—the iconic clock tower in Westminster, London.

In fact, the headquarters of the Mage's Association, the Clock Tower, bore a striking resemblance to Big Ben. Many ignorant magi in the past had even mistakenly assumed Big Ben was the association's headquarters.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Now please stop flying next to Big Ben. People are watching, and we'll get noticed sooner or later."

Upon seeing Big Ben, Waver realized how to get to the Clock Tower. Yet, being airborne still made him uneasy.

As a mage, not exposing magic to ordinary people was an instinct deeply ingrained within him. Even as a young mage apprentice, Waver understood that letting non-mages see them flying was a big no-no.

"Don't worry; no one will notice us."

Naturally, Zuke was unbothered. He had temporarily placed both Waver and Matou Sakura in the Black Bird's "Void Miasma," while he himself used his Presence Concealment ability.

Although carrying Waver weakened the concealment effect, it was still beyond the perception of ordinary people. At most, it might catch the attention of a few magi.

Would Zuke care if magi noticed him? Certainly not. In fact, he was planning to stir up some trouble with the Mage's Association's higher-ups shortly.

"Besides, don't tell me you want us to take a car to the Clock Tower? That would be way too slow. Flying there is much faster."

Zuke preferred flying to save time. Although Waver knew the route to the Clock Tower, he obviously couldn't fly, and the only transportation option he could provide was a car.

Having already spent quite a bit of time in this quest world, Zuke needed to move quickly.

"If you insist… fine then."

Although Waver felt uncomfortable being carried through the air, he had no choice but to comply with Zuke's demands and guide the way.

The Clock Tower was situated in a secluded area on the outskirts of London.

It seemed to be concealed by a special magical barrier. Without the proper methods, one couldn't enter the barrier or even perceive the Clock Tower's existence.

When Zuke arrived, he almost ran straight into the barrier. If Waver hadn't stopped him, the Clock Tower's barrier might have been shattered on the spot.

Waver didn't doubt Zuke's destructive power for a second. Even the Clock Tower's protective barrier likely couldn't withstand a direct hit from him.

With Waver's assistance, Zuke finally managed to bring Matou Sakura into the Clock Tower.

The atmosphere inside the Clock Tower was relatively normal. As a school for mages, it was steeped in an academic vibe. The corridors were filled with bookish individuals.

However, there were also many mages wearing expressions of sheer arrogance. The Mage's Association placed great emphasis on lineage, and those with superior bloodlines often looked down upon newer mage families.

"Sakura, which department would you like to join?"

Striding boldly through the Clock Tower's corridors, Zuke asked Matou Sakura, who followed closely by his side.

"Spiritual Evocation!"

Matou Sakura responded without hesitation. After all, summoning Heroic Spirits for the Holy Grail War was, in a sense, a form of spiritual evocation.

Her goal wasn't just to summon Zuke again in the next Holy Grail War. She also wanted to find a way for him to break free from the war and remain in the modern world as a living being.

Naturally, her desired area of study was Spiritual Evocation.

"Alright, Spiritual Evocation it is."

Zuke didn't refuse her request. He turned to Waver, who was standing to the side with a wry smile.

"Waver, lead me to the head of the Spiritual Evocation Department. You know the way, don't you?"

"I do… but can you promise to let me hide before you start anything?"

Waver forced a smile, though it looked more like he was about to cry.

"I really don't want the head of Spiritual Evocation to hold a grudge against me."

Waver had already figured out that Zuke wasn't planning to have a polite chat with the department head. After all, this was just a quest world, not Zuke's actual reality, so he acted with far fewer constraints.

Having noticed this, Waver wanted to avoid being implicated. He still had studies to complete at the Clock Tower.

Although Zuke thought Waver had already offended a department head—Kayneth—by stealing his relic, he agreed to Waver's request upon seeing his frightened expression.

Kayneth was dead, so Waver didn't need to worry about trouble from him anymore.

Zuke also recalled that Waver would eventually inherit Kayneth's title as Lord El-Melloi. Letting Waver develop in peace would also provide Matou Sakura with another ally.

To be continued...

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