Driving his car to the intersection where the Black Dog had appeared the previous night, Kayneth got out of the vehicle and spotted someone unexpected.
"Waver Velvet?"
"Whoa—!"
Hearing Kayneth's sudden voice, Waver, who was standing at the intersection, let out a startled scream, then looked at him in fear: "P-Professor Kayneth?! Why are you here?"
"That's what I want to ask you. You have all your basic and modern Magecraft classes, so why aren't you preparing for them properly, instead wasting time here?"
"Ah... well... there were a few things I was curious about, so I came to take a look."
Waver scratched his head and whispered: "But with my Magecraft skills, even if I notice something wrong, it's really hard to get to the bottom of it, so I was just about to head back."
"Something wrong?" Kayneth frowned, "What's wrong? Tell me, and if I'm interested, I'll give you a free extra lesson."
"Huh?!"
An extra lesson from Professor Kayneth?!
Waver couldn't help but rub his eyes, afraid that the Kayneth in front of him was a fake—the real Kayneth would never be this kind!
After hesitating for a moment, Waver said: "It's about what happened last night. The Black Dog that fought Naoki last night, its spiritual size was completely unreasonable. That's not something that happens under normal circumstances, so I wanted to come to the scene to investigate if there were any external factors influencing it."
Hearing this, Kayneth's gaze toward Waver wavered—his goal is the same as mine?
'This kid, his Magecraft talent is only third-rate at best, but his insight is exceptional... Well, if he didn't have this ability, I wouldn't have given him a chance to pass either.'
"You really managed to notice that, Waver Velvet."
"You're too kind... huh? Also?" Waver was surprised, "Could it be that you're here for the same reason..."
"After all, this is an unprecedented situation. If we can figure out the cause, it might be worth writing a paper to add to my achievements, which could help advance the field of summoning arts. Coincidentally, even though your Magecraft skills are barely third-rate, you can still handle simple assistant work, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"Then come with me. It's not a big deal if you're not here, but having someone to help me record data is nice."
"..."
Taking a deep breath to calm himself and avoid making a scene, Waver quickly followed Kayneth.
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There wasn't much to investigate, as Kayneth had already conducted several simulation experiments. He was well-versed in the various parameters and conditions required for summoning arts. As he said, he came here only to find out what factor had caused the Black Dog to grow so large.
Previously, due to the involvement of the Policy Department, Kayneth hadn't investigated thoroughly. But now, after carefully examining the scene with Waver's keen observational skills, his anger flared up.
"The summoner didn't even bother to hide the mystery."
Seeing the symbol carved into the lamppost at the intersection, Kayneth's face visibly darkened.
The method of summoning the Black Dog was now clear. The summoner had created a simple magic circle by carving symbols into the lampposts and utility poles around the intersection, turning the intersection into another world. Then, using the intersection as an altar and the magic circle itself, they borrowed the power of ley lines, stormy weather, and corpses as catalysts to complete the summoning of the Black Dog.
The procedure was perfectly orthodox—Kayneth had done the same.
But this summoner didn't even try to conceal their Magecraft while performing it! The symbols were carved into the lampposts and utility poles without any camouflage! This was tantamount to actively exposing the mystery to everyone!
"Who would do something like this?"
Waver was also slightly surprised. Even rural Magus knew the importance of hiding mysteries, and in the Clock Tower, up to this point, Magus who violated the rule of concealing mysteries were few and far between. Most of them either went overboard or didn't understand how the changing times affected mysteries.
The Magus who summoned the abnormal Black Dog might be one of these two.
After spending a lot of effort to erase all the magical symbols, Waver looked at the notes in his hand and said to Kayneth: "Professor, the ritual and the magic circle itself aren't strange. If anything, the magic circle is a bit old-fashioned, but it shouldn't have caused the Black Dog to grow so large."
"An old-fashioned magic circle... This means the summoner is also a Magus from an ancient family. What about the other factors?"
"The other factors are the same, nothing special."
"Then this is strange."
Kayneth frowned slightly.
The magic circle itself wouldn't affect the summoned Black Dog; the difference would only be in the efficiency of the summoning. Based on the field investigation, Kayneth could confirm that the summoning art performed at this intersection was no different from the simulation experiments he had conducted. Initially, he thought the cause of the enlargement might be an additional magic circle, but the investigation showed there wasn't one.
This seemed reasonable, but the same process producing different results left Kayneth puzzled and confused.
"Professor, I have an idea."
"Go on."
"I don't mean to question you, but I'm curious—could there be a difference between the simulation experiments you conducted and this summoning art? For example, was there a catalyst you missed?" Waver said cautiously, "Or perhaps the opponent used an additional catalyst that you didn't use during the summoning."
Kayneth gave him a cold glance: "That's why I'm here. You're really asking a stupid question, Waver Velvet. The problem now is that we don't know what the influencing factor is. What's the difference between my experiment and the actual summoning?"
"Could it be... the person?"
Waver pondered for a moment, then hesitantly offered a guess.
"You conducted your simulation experiments without any external interference, right?"
"Of course, any external influence could affect the final result."
"Then this magic circle... the summoner behind it might have had a different mindset from you in this regard." Waver said, "This is just my guess, but the summoner might have anticipated that someone would take a specific action, and then used the summoning art to call forth the Black Dog. And that specific action taken by that person influenced the course of the summoning, ultimately leading to the appearance of an abnormally large Black Dog."
Using Magecraft under the assumption that the magic circle would be interfered with?
A highly unconventional method—
"Not wrong." Kayneth nodded. As an accomplished Magus like himself, when using Magecraft, he would unconsciously pursue the best solution. Using Magecraft under the assumption that his Mana would be disrupted was something he had never considered.
"But who is the person who caused the change in the Magecraft's outcome? What did they do to cause this change?"
"About that..."
Before Waver could finish, a voice reached their ears.
"About that, I might have some ideas."
Carrying a shoulder bag, Merlin appeared in front of them without them noticing.
Merlin: I know a little about illusions.
Seeing Merlin suddenly appear, Waver couldn't hide his surprise, while Kayneth frowned: "You... I remember you're the manager of Waver Velvet's apartment, right?"
"Yes."
Merlin greeted Kayneth very politely.
"I'm Mary, pleased to meet you, Lord El-Melloi II."
"Yes. No need for formalities." Kayneth waved his hand, "Did you overhear my conversation with Velvet?"
"Yes, sorry, I happened to be passing by. Velvet is a tenant in my apartment, so I was curious..." Merlin pretended it was a coincidence, "Are you two looking for someone? If so, I might have some ideas."
Hearing this, Kayneth raised an eyebrow: "What ideas?"
"Look up."
Following Merlin's direction, Kayneth and Waver saw the surveillance camera monitoring the intersection.
"You two should know that modern society is an information society, and what collects information and provides intelligence is this surveillance camera. If you want information about this intersection, using the surveillance camera is the most direct way."
"Hmm... Waver Velvet, explain this to me."
Kayneth wasn't a rigid Magus, but he was a normal Magus, and like most normal Magus, he barely understood modern equipment, let alone technology. After all, he was a Magus from the Clock Tower, where even telephone wires weren't used, and all communication was done through Magecraft.
Fortunately, Waver wasn't like Kayneth: "Professor, you can think of a surveillance camera as a magic circle that stores images, like a recording stone. You just need to summon the images it has stored, and you might be able to find out who influenced the summoning and what they did."
"I see..."
"But surveillance cameras aren't easy to access. I remember this area is under Scotland Yard's jurisdiction, right? They wouldn't let us do that, would they?"
Facing Waver's question, Merlin pretended to be humble and said: "It might sound a bit arrogant to say this in front of a Lord, but I do know a little about illusions. At the Clock Tower, I also hold the rank of Pride."
A Pride-ranked Magus specializing in illusions?
Hearing this, Kayneth immediately became interested: "Pride rank... You shouldn't be too old. Achieving the Pride rank at your age... I've never heard of a 'prodigy' like you at the Clock Tower."
"Compared to you, no one can be called a prodigy. Besides, I'm not one to show off. Being an apartment manager and watching the new students grow up is enough for me."
"A very commendable spirit of service. I salute you, Miss."
"You're too kind—Anyway, I can indeed use illusions to infiltrate Scotland Yard and investigate the surveillance footage. I can guarantee that we won't be discovered by anyone, and even if there are surveillance cameras inside Scotland Yard, my illusions can interfere with them."
"Really? But illusions are supposed to target the eyes, right?"
"By manipulating the surrounding light, illusions can achieve the same effect. After all, if illusions were so easily broken, they wouldn't be called illusions." Merlin smiled.
Hearing Merlin's suggestion, Kayneth began to think.
Infiltrating Scotland Yard to investigate surveillance footage was indeed a good idea, but Scotland Yard wasn't an easy place to infiltrate—there were Magus there.
More precisely, there were staff from the Policy Department.
The Policy Department was one of the twelve disciplines that was somewhat special. It didn't study Magecraft like the other disciplines but was used to operate and manage the Clock Tower.
Those who studied in the Policy Department would eventually become elites managing the Clock Tower, executioners involved in disputes between Magus, or be appointed to important positions in countries closely related to the Clock Tower through introductions from the Clock Tower.
For example, Scotland Yard.
Magus usually set up bounded fields in their residences or establish workshops. Given the nature of Scotland Yard, the Magus working there might only have set up bounded fields, but even so, it was still troublesome. After all, it was impossible to enter a bounded field without causing a commotion.
After frowning and thinking for a moment, Kayneth said: "I appreciate your kindness, but I'll handle the surveillance footage at Scotland Yard myself."
If Lord El-Melloi II came in person, even the Magus of the Policy Department would have to show respect.
"Really?"
Merlin smiled upon hearing this: "It seems I overstepped. Sorry for bothering you."
"No, it's fine. Then I still have a class this afternoon, so I'll take my leave. Waver Velvet, before coming to class tomorrow, finish the notes in your hand. I'll use them to write a paper."
"I understand."
Watching Kayneth get into his car and leave quickly, the respect and seriousness on Waver's face immediately disappeared. He stuck up his middle finger in the direction Kayneth had left, then let out a long sigh: "Sigh~ More work piled up. I have to prepare for class and organize these notes when I get back. Professor Kayneth really loves giving me work."
"Cheer up, Waver."
"Miss Mary, you saying that makes me even less motivated. By the way, why did you come here?"
"I came out to buy vegetables. Besides, winter is coming, so I need to buy some winter clothes." Merlin said, "So I still have to go to another shopping center. I'll take my leave—Oh, and don't forget to buy medicine for Naoki."
"I know..."
With a weary heart, Waver replied, then picked up his notes and headed for the station.
After watching him leave, Merlin walked over to the utility pole where the magical symbols had been erased and touched it with her hand: "Hmm... This Mana reaction, Morgan. Just finished causing trouble in Blackmore, and now you're stirring up trouble again?"
"But this magic circle... overall, it's correct for summoning a Black Dog, but it's strange. There are some additional parts, a main influencing factor added specifically. Without that factor, the magic circle wouldn't even activate."
Imagining Morgan's summoning magic circle in her mind, Merlin carefully investigated and analyzed it, her slightly furrowed brows unable to resist relaxing.
"I see, hmm~~~ A truly interesting magical design."
In British legend, there is a troop of undead that would appear in the world alongside strong winds and rainstorms—the Wild Hunt led by King Arthur. The Wild Hunt would follow King Arthur's call, running across the earth, bringing disaster.
And coincidentally, Naoki could be considered half of King Arthur's soul.
"The one who set up the magic circle was Morgan, but the one who truly summoned the Black Dog was Naoki. The magic circle itself was designed to activate when Naoki entered a certain state. No, if it were King Arthur summoning, what was summoned wouldn't be a Black Dog."
Yes, what appeared in the storm last night wasn't a Black Dog, but the Wild Hunt, which closely resembled a Black Dog but was on a much higher level.
"Making King Arthur summon the Wild Hunt... Is this a test of his power?"
Merlin couldn't help but laugh, then touched the utility pole, restoring the magical symbols that Waver and Kayneth had erased, rebuilding the magic circle as it was originally.
"Hmm, even though it's unpleasant to see him suffer, it feels like something interesting will happen if this continues. The Wild Hunt... It should be able to make him take things seriously."