Chapter 174: Shinji: Form a contract with me and become a magical girl.
"Professor, they've boarded a plane to Japan with the others."
In the office of the Modern Magecraft Studies Department, Waver reported to Kayneth, who was reading a report.
"Oh, is that so? Alright then."
Kayneth didn't seem particularly concerned; his eyes didn't even lift from the book.
Letting Shinji take Rin and Luviagelita away was just an excuse. Kayneth and his group's real intention was to use this opportunity to send away some peripheral figures from relevant families, so they wouldn't get caught up in the upcoming conflicts.
Of course, sending the two young ladies away wasn't entirely a pretense. Both Waver and Kayneth had grown a bit fed up with the chaos these two often caused.
While the Clock Tower had made a lot of money over the past two years, it didn't mean they were willing to let these troublemakers wreak havoc freely. To avoid pouring all their profits into this bottomless pit, Waver and Kayneth decisively decided to send them off.
"But, professor, are you sure this is alright?" Waver hesitated, asking nervously, "Is it really okay to entrust them to Shinji?"
Kayneth paused in his reading and glanced up at Waver. "What? Are you worried Shinji might steal your girl?"
"I'm not talking about Reines."
Waver wasn't actually worried about that.
Even though Shinji was something of a walking disaster, he still understood the principle of not coveting a friend's wife.
In Shinji's own words: "I'm just a flirt, not a scumbag." It wasn't worth causing trouble for himself over some cheap thrill.
What Waver was worried about was whether someone might act dishonorably and attack them directly in Japan.
"They wouldn't dare attack in Japan."
Kayneth smirked and answered coldly, "Matou Shinji isn't someone to mess with. If they really dared to make a move in Japan, they'd only suffer for it."
Waver rubbed his temples in frustration, complaining, "Those self-righteous nobles—where do they even get the audacity to use such sanctimonious rhetoric for such despicable actions?"
He couldn't help but think of the noble faction, who always preached about "supporting the orthodoxy of magecraft, combating heresy, and punishing traitors," but were, in reality, envious of the profits generated by the Modern Magecraft Department and its growing influence on both the magical and ordinary worlds.
"Shinji was right: all they talk about are principles, but all they think about is business. If they really wanted to root out traitors, they should be targeting the magi families in the United States."
By any measure of deviation, the North American magi had gone much further than the Modern Magecraft Department. They had completely embraced capitalism, placing profit above the mysteries of magecraft.
Moreover, the North American magi, being descendants of European immigrants, had expanded greatly over the past century, both in numbers and influence, far surpassing the Modern Magecraft Department in every way.
But the noble faction seemed to follow the old strategy of prioritizing internal conflicts over external threats.
Kayneth, however, remained calm in the face of his disciple's indignation. He explained slowly, "Isn't it obvious? To borrow a line from Shinji's favorite political drama, 'The Americans are just too strong.'"
"So they've decided we're an easy target…"
Waver snorted coldly, clearly unhappy about being underestimated.
Kayneth, however, remained composed. "Don't worry, Waver. I'm from the noble faction myself, and I know exactly what kind of people they are."
"Cautious about big risks, greedy for small gains. They can't afford the cost of a full confrontation with us, so they're only trying small, incremental provocations. But the momentum is on our side. The longer this drags on, the more advantageous it becomes for us."
"So, no need to rush. The real show is yet to come."
Looking up at the white clouds in the sky, Kayneth spoke confidently.
"Is that so?"
"Do you know why Shinji is pushing for naked-eye 3D technology?"
"Isn't it just to boost box office numbers?"
Kayneth shook his head slowly. "It's an application of leyline magecraft. Far more significant than the increased ticket sales is how this technology allows us to influence leylines worldwide."
The thought of controlling leylines across the globe changed Waver's expression entirely.
"Shinji's ambitions really know no bounds…"
"Right?" Kayneth sneered coldly. "So don't worry, that kid's as crafty as they come."
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"Achoo!"
Shinji suddenly sneezed as he walked into the airport terminal.
"Damn it, who's talking about me now?"
Rubbing his nose, he grumbled, "Seriously, I should've just stayed away from Britain. And now I've got all these freeloaders tagging along."
As he spoke, he glanced back. Behind him, Rin was dragging her suitcase, her expression full of frustration.
"Damn it! I can't believe I'm back after just a year! How am I supposed to explain this to my father?"
She fiddled with her ponytail, her voice dripping with complaint.
"Rin, it's been a while since you've been back home. How does it feel?"
Hearing Shinji's deliberate question, Rin's face darkened further.
"Nothing special," she replied coldly. "Sitting through a long flight with someone I hate was pure torture."
At this, Rin's gaze shifted to the blonde girl in blue behind her.
Luvia wasn't in a good mood either, glaring back at Rin with displeasure. "If anyone was tortured, it was me! Do you even realize whose fault it is that we're in this mess?"
Smack!
Rin grabbed Luvia's arm, and the two began a wrestling match right there in the airport.
"This is all your fault, you drill-headed menace! If it weren't for you stirring up trouble, I wouldn't have had to come back!"
"And what did you just call me, you Japanese donkey?!"
"You Nordic camel!"
...
"Stop!!"
Shinji quickly stepped between them, pulling the two apart before they could escalate further. If they wrecked the airport—or worse, the plane—the compensation bill would be astronomical.
"I know you two can't stand each other, and I get that you both want to settle the score. So..."
"So?" x2
"I'm planning to shoot a TV series. You two can join the production and settle things with your fists on set."
Hearing Shinji's proposal, Rin and Luvia both frowned in thought.
"So that's your plan, huh?" Rin crossed her arms, smirking coldly. "You're just trying to freeload off my fighting ability. But fine. If it means I get to beat this drill-haired woman in front of everyone, I'm interested."
Luvia nodded as well. "If Tohsaka's in, then I'm in too. There's no such thing as retreat in the Edelfelt family dictionary."
"Great, it's settled then."
"Wait a minute, Shinji."
Knowing her childhood friend's personality, Rin grabbed Shinji by the shoulder.
"What kind of show are you planning for us?"
"Well..."
Shinji's grin was as sincere as that of Kyubey offering a contract to a magical girl.
"How do you feel about Magical Granny—I mean, Magical Girl?"
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