In the northeastern corner of Fuyuki City, stood the branch office built by the Mage's Association.
Usually, this place was considered the most sacred in Fuyuki. Countless magi, who were considered supremely noble in this era, came and went. This place, dedicated solely to serving magi, was held in the highest regard by ordinary people—so much so that even the city hall had to bow its head before the Association.
But today, this castle with its old European flair faced the greatest crisis since its construction.
Flames engulfed both inside and outside the castle, with explosions rumbling thunderously from time to time.
Magi scurried through the halls, trying to extinguish the fire. But despite using all kinds of techniques, magic passed down through generations and refined with painstaking effort, they were utterly helpless before the blaze. Like mantises trying to block a chariot, their efforts were futile. The sheer difference in power was despair-inducing.
"What's going on? Why hasn't the barrier been activated?"
"It's already activated! But somehow, once it started, it went out of control—and it's actually helping the fire spread instead of containing it!"
"Has the barrier been hijacked? Could the attacker be a magus from within the Association? Or is there a traitor... Have we figured out what system this flame-based magecraft belongs to? Hurry and call in someone specialized in this system to crack it!"
"The flames seem to be based on Runes... but this level of power, this mystery... it's nothing like modern magecraft!"
Inside the Association, the magi were in utter chaos.
Even the elders of the core families—the real powers behind this Fuyuki branch—were thrown into disarray.
The biggest problem at this point wasn't even the rampaging flames.
It was the fact that the enemy had already taken control of the barrier.
After all, this was the Mage's Association branch—and due to the importance placed on the Greater Grail, the barriers built here were extremely complex. Drawing on the specialties of all major families, the barrier system was no weaker than that of Mount Enzou.
But now, even such barriers had been seized and turned against them.
"This is bad! The barrier is now completely sealed, no one can leave, and the fire is spreading out of control—we can't put it out at all!"
Magi clustered together in groups, and panic broke out at those words.
"Damn it! Doesn't this invader fear angering the Association headquarters?!"
"How dare they look down on us! There are over fifty resident magi here—and this is our stronghold! Intruding into a magus's workshop... You're about to find out what that means!"
Someone had attacked the Mage's Association head-on. This fact filled the magi with rage.
Those staying late at the branch were mostly members of the core families.
The Mage's Association was a managerial organization. Most magi saw it as a convenient platform for acquiring research materials and funding. These magi were peripheral members, not always following the Association's orders. Only the major founding families—such as those of the Twelve Lords—saw the Association as vital and prioritized its interests. The magi under their banners were its true core.
The magi rushed to their respective positions, preparing to unleash the magecraft passed down through centuries—if not millennia. A magus in their own workshop could exhibit maximum power, and as a result, bizarre magical assaults surged from the castle's rooms and hallways. The interior grew packed with flames, lightning, shadows, mist, and even invisible attacks.
Magi were adept at manipulating concepts. Any concept could be woven into magecraft. Not even the most erudite magus could cope with so many spells of various systems and conceptual bases.
That might hold true—for most magi.
But for Roy—
"It's just a dying struggle."
Roy stood outside the castle, the entirety of its outer barrier reflected in his eyes. Runes in black and white entwined like chains. His Mystic Eyes, exuding contradiction and eeriness, were already open.
"Saber—go."
Malice unhidden curled across Roy's face.
"Kill them all. Leave no one alive."
"Yes."
Okita Souji nodded solemnly and shot toward the barrier. Like a stone sinking into water, she slipped straight inside.
Roy remained outside, drawing a single rune and pressing it to his forehead.
The weakness of the Mystic Eyes was that they required the target to be visible in order to exert their power. That made it easy to counter: just hide the spell—behind a wall, under clothes. If the spell wasn't visible, Roy's eyes were useless.
For example, when attacking a magus's workshop, since the spells were carved within, Roy couldn't see them from the outside, and thus couldn't wrest control, forcing him into difficult combat.
Roy had long understood this flaw—and prepared a countermeasure for it.
That countermeasure was surprisingly simple: Clairvoyance.
Clairvoyance wasn't rare among magi. Naturally, among the versatile Runes, there existed symbols with such power. Of course, ordinary magi defended against it by placing barriers to block vision. But for Roy, if the anti-clairvoyance rune was on the outside, he could see and destroy it. If placed inside, he could still see it through clairvoyance and destroy it. No matter where it was, it couldn't stop Roy. Any defense based on magic was doomed to fail against him.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this:
As long as it's a magus—They cannot be Roy's match.
After engraving the rune of clairvoyance, Roy's gaze instantly penetrated the castle walls and saw the chaos inside.
Just as expected—it was utter mayhem. After he had tossed in the primordial flame rune inherited from Cú Chulainn, the fire became completely uncontrollable, rampaging through hallways and rooms.
Inside, Okita cut down magi like slicing vegetables. She was so fast, those who faced her couldn't even perceive her figure before their heads were severed. Only those hiding within their workshops could rely on the defenses to barely hold out for a while.
Roy's gaze didn't follow Okita.
While she prowled the halls like an executioner, showing no mercy, Roy had set his sights on a certain workshop. He used his Mystic Eyes to intrude into its spellwork, sending it into chaos until it exploded—destroying the entire workshop in one go. Then the second, the third... With nothing but his eyes roaming, the magi who'd confidently believed their workshops would protect them all perished in the inferno, utterly defenseless.
When Uemon reached the ground—
This was the scene that greeted him.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹