The Clock Tower

Kaito had stepped out of the church, the London air feeling crisp and new against his skin. It had been days, perhaps weeks, since he'd truly walked these streets. He navigated the familiar routes, the underground subway rumbling beneath his feet, until he emerged near the iconic silhouette of Big Ben. Before his unexpected transformation, he'd toured this very location as a curious exchange student, admiring its grandeur. Now, he was here on a different mission entirely: to find Maria, or at the very least, confirm her fate.

Unsure where to begin his search for the elusive Circle, Kaito simply wandered, his gaze sweeping over the bustling streets and into the shadowed alleyways. Elara had told him the silver cross she'd given him was a homing tool, specializing in detecting the presence of Circle members or their magical emanations. It should glow, she'd said, if he was near something.

Hours passed. Kaito walked miles, his eyes constantly flicking to the cross in his hand, but it remained stubbornly inert. The Circle, it seemed, was even more elusive than he'd imagined. His stomach rumbled in protest, reminding him of the long morning. He decided to grab something to eat at a nearby café, only to then remember the cold, hard truth: his wallet and phone had been lost in the chaos of his apartment's destruction.

He sighed, the weight of his current predicament settling on him and decided to cut his losses and head back to the church and resume the search tomorrow.

Just as he turned, a melodious, female voice drifted to him from behind. "It has been a while, Kaito Tanaka. Or should I say... Durandal's Chosen?"

Kaito's blood ran cold. He was instantly on alert, his body tensing, instinctively putting distance between himself and the voice. He spun around, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure: long, flowing black hair with a striking streak of white.

"Chloe?" Kaito blurted out, surprise warring with suspicion. He knew of her, not personally, but as a popular, almost ethereal presence from his high school. How could she know about Durandal? Was she a part of the Circle?

Chloe offered a small, knowing smile. "This isn't a good place to chat, Kaito Tanaka." She gestured subtly towards a nearby cafe.

Unsure, but his curiosity overriding his caution, Kaito nodded and followed her.

The cafe was unnervingly quiet, the silence broken only by the soft clinking of cutlery from the back and the hum of a refrigerator. Chloe slid into a booth, gesturing for Kaito to take the seat opposite her. A waiter, appearing from the back, approached their table.

Unsure, but his stomach grumbling in protest, Kaito hesitated. His mind flashed to his 'Incorruptible' passive skill, granting him resistance to abnormal status ailments and mental manipulation. He decided to trust it, and his hunger. "Just an egg and bacon sandwich, please," he managed.

The food arrived swiftly, almost as if the chef had anticipated their order. Chloe elegantly began to eat her dessert, her movements fluid and graceful. Watching her, Kaito picked up his sandwich, taking a cautious bite. His eyes widened. The bread was perfectly toasted, the bacon crisp, the egg flawlessly cooked. Unexpectedly, it was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted in his life, far surpassing any normal cafe fare.

Chloe mused at his surprised expression. "It was created using top ingredients and prepared by my personal chef. Only the best for... a guest." She took another dainty bite of her mousse cake. "Honestly, I didn't expect you of all people to stumble onto the hidden world. And becoming the wielder of the legendary sword, Durandal, out of all things? It's quite the twist."

Kaito put down his sandwich, his gaze hardening. "Are you a member of the Circle, then? Or one of the hidden wizards that operate around the Clock Tower?"

Chloe paused, a spoonful of parfait halfway to her lips. She slowly, almost contemplatively, muttered, "The Circle..." Her eyes held a flicker of something unreadable before she continued, her voice gaining a subtle edge of pride. "No, Kaito Tanaka. I am a magic user, yes, but I belong to A Association consist of others members from all over the world."

Kaito's brow furrowed. Another secret organization. Chloe hadn't mentioned the association's name, but if it operated on a global scale, it had to wield serious influence. "This association of yours," he pressed, a hint of suspicion in his voice, "are you after Durandal too?"

Chloe offered a self-assured smile, carefully placing her spoon down. "The hidden world is vast, but certain events, certain... artifacts, draw attention. Especially something as significant as a divine blade manifesting a new wielder. The Association's reach is global. We operate behind the scenes, observing, occasionally influencing, and ensuring the delicate balance of the mystical world isn't disturbed by reckless actors." She leaned forward slightly, her gaze intense, as if sharing a profound secret. "As for 'being after' Durandal... let's just say we are interested in its proper wielder, and ensuring its power is used responsibly."

Kaito felt a strange mix of awe and apprehension. She spoke with such confidence, such authority, about things he was only just beginning to grasp. The idea of a global, powerful wizarding group watching over everything was both unsettling and, he grudgingly admitted, a little reassuring given the chaos he'd stumbled into. He hadn't realized there were so many players in this hidden world.

Chloe's gaze remained fixed on him, a subtle appraisal in her eyes. "You've stumbled into something far larger than you realize, Kaito. You've already caught the attention of other factions, even the British government is now investigating your... unusual circumstances." Her voice dropped slightly, becoming more persuasive. "If you wish, our Association could get you out of Britain, back to Japan. We could erase your identity here, fabricate a new one, ensure you disappear from the radar of anyone who might seek to control or harm you." She paused, letting the offer hang in the air. "All you have to do is join us."

Kaito's suspicion lingered, but the sheer scope of her offer, combined with his desperate desire, cut through it. His priority wasn't a new life; it was Maria. "If your Association can help me rescue Maria from the Circle," Kaito stated, his voice firm, "then I will join your Association. Regardless of what happens afterward, I will join."

Chloe paused, her elegant fingers tapping lightly on the table beside her half-eaten parfait. Her eyes seemed to drift, as if consulting an unseen database, before settling back on Kaito. "The female agent?" she murmured, a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze. "If that's what you wished for... yes, Kaito Tanaka. We will lend you a hand."