"You're welcome," was the response, plain and automatic. It was a nice thing to hear though, as manners were often not the forte of magi. However, as El-Melloi II observed Roman going for the sugar bowl, he had to stop.The doctor was using how much sugar in his tea?
El-Melloi II counted each spoonfull, and three felt like a painfully high number. Usually only hummingbirds required that much sweetness in their drink, and while El-Melloi II's eyebrows rose up to communicate his judgemental thought process, the rest of him remained calm.
When he realized how high his eyebrows were going, he elected to sip at the tea, bringing everything back to normal. It was a fairly bitter brew, something-something-that-suits-you Reines would remark. Thank God Reines wasn't here now, she'd find the whole scene unfolding in her adopted brother's office to be a great show.
The little gremlin wasn't present though, and El-Melloi II's student senses weren't tingling either. It was strange, especially since it meant Flat wasn't up to some nonsense either. Flat was always up to nonsense.
I want to know you better felt so weird and formal and like a contract. El-Melloi II didn't like the phrasing, but Roman's recovery was smooth. Worse, to be sure, as going through his planned day with a shadow was not on the books, but it was honest. El-Melloi II could appreciate honest, especially when one was suddenly running with magi after...well. Not.
"All I was going to do today was grade papers," El-Melloi II said, gesturing at the large stack of midterms that sat on his desk. "If you want me to actually sit and give you an introduction to politics, then you need to settle in for a long discussion."
He paused, then added: "I will suggest you consider this for the future though: No one actually reveals their true goals to another mage, unless they want to get beaten to the punch. Even if it's high minded and comes off as noble."
Due to Marisbilly spoiling him and his appetite, Roman developed a sweet tooth. Of course he knew what was healthy or not, however, his body could take that intake. It was a newborn's body adjusting to the new mortality in a sense. And Roman himself remained oblivious to the older man's judgmental gesture, he savored his sweetened tea and struggle with the temptation of pour one last spoonful in the dark drink.
It was probably a slip of the tongue, a memory of what Marisbilly had requested him the day of his summoning that seemed like a natural petition to Roman. He didn't notice any tension, even if he was trying to be observant, human emotions were hard to distinguish. Marie had complained he seemed like a natural airhead who was incapable to read the air and warned him about causing trouble to her father.
"Oh, I don't want that at all," Roman laughed heartily. "The politics lessons, I mean, that'll be just a thorny bitter chat, I can tell," he clarified quickly. He really had no interest to join the Clock Tower, so he wasn't looking forward to getting a lecture about politics. "I don't mind if you grade the papers as long as I can help you." His eyes seemed to gleam instead for something as trivial as that. "How do you evaluate your students? Do you have a general standard they have to meet or is case by case on their individual development?" This man was a teacher too, so Marisbilly had told him. So he had future magi generations under his charge. Maybe he was too aggressive in his curiosity, he bowed his head apologetically. "Wah, was I too rude? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was told sometimes I run my mouth..."
He was quiet before, but now he seemed to be eager to talk and ask more questions. He was curious and had sometimes the emotional restraint of a child.
Roman assented after Waver warned him, but the implication didn't register fully at least not emotionally. Certainly, rationally he could understand that Marisbilly would prefer privacy and that courts politics, or how they are called now, required a delicate hand.
Even so--
"I don't mind if I'm 'beaten to the punch'," he answered without missing a beat, "If I aim to assist someone to protect civilization and there is another person, or several of them, who do a better job and is capable to help protect people's future, I'll gladly welcome this." There-was-no-need-to-measure-against-each-other. That was he meant.
Wasn't this man a teacher? A teacher's job is to make a student eventually independent enough to not require their lessons, right? So in that line of thinking, he probably would understand what he meant better than Marisbilly would.
"It would be, yes," El-Melloi II agreed with a darkness that suggested how fond he truly was of mage politics. They were one of the worst parts of this job, and there were an awful lot of worst parts to be had. There were lists he had come up with in his downtime about ranks and whatnot, but...no. Those were the most private of thoughts that no one would ever hear.
At the mention of helping to grade though, the grumpy professor simply shook his head to decline the offer. "You are correct that their evaluation primarily comes from individual development, along with certain rubrics for say, knowing how to string two sentences together. But because that same individual development determines the mark, there's no way for you to meaningfully evaluate the paper. You don't know them or have a measure of where they were at the start of the semester."
If Roman was worried about being too rude, that response ought to demonstrate that no, it was nothing at all in El-Melloi II's eyes. The bluntness was not charming. It didn't win him allies. How the hell this man was considered one of the most eligible professors in the Clock Tower was to be forever a mystery.
That idealism though. El-Melloi II sighed as he sank into the chair behind his desk. It'd be destroyed soon enough, and he was unsure if it was his job to do it, or to let the dreams endure for just a little longer. El-Melloi II knew the world of magi too well. He was Waver Velvet once, a more self centered version of this idealist.
"Well, that's a healthy perspective to have," he said finally, after evaluating the best way to respond. "Most magi you meet won't share that point of view. I'm sure you are aware that there is a certain territorial aspect that most mage families have, due to the goal to reach the Root."
El-Melloi II was too critical, in the end. Which meant that his nature was to pick apart, pick apart, pick apart. "Whatever this goal is, you'll need to make sure that you find enough community oriented magi, doctor. I'll be amazed to see how many you end up with."
In that, there was polite curiosity. He actually would like to know, if only for his own edification.
"That's why you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Roman dismissed the topic, just because of his dark semblance. "Professor Lev would surely supply anything I need to know." Lev was definitely the 'straight man' of the trio when they were together. Marisbilly had some flights of fancies himself, although different from those of Roman's.
"You might be right about that," Roman agreed that the best one who would grade them is Waver. "But if you feel like sharing something that frustrates you or makes you proud, I'm here. I'm studying too in order to act as a counselor and help with people's stress in Chaldea." When Chaldea was officially established, right now, even if the building was there, he hadn't stepped inside it yet. He could tell this man probably had a lot to shoulder. He probably listened to many concerns every day, but did anyone listen to his?
"I know that," Roman said, confirming what Waver tried to explain. Even Marisbilly had explained this to him. His family too had their own means to reach the Root. "Men are fated to transcend this world, Lord El Melloi," he added quietly, it was brief, but his voice was perfectly intoned rather than the more nasal pitch so characteristic of him, "And leave not even their records behind." All men, not just magi, not just a few magi, someday that would become a reality. "Ahh, well, I suppose it's fine if it starts like this," he finished in his usual voice. He was unconcerned about the Root, but even he wasn't so carelessly to admit that when it was such hot topic with modern magi.
Community-oriented magi? Now there was an idea, but those were things somebody else took care of. Roman would assist Marisbilly by choice, even though he could just do anything else he wanted. He would help as a simple doctor too.
"By the way, what about you?" It wasn't his place to invite people, Marisbilly did that, but Marisbilly had never denied him anything. "Wouldn't you like to visit Chaldea one day?"
Lev was involved with this? Well, that was interesting to know. El-Melloi II filed that fact in the back of his brain. For all the grumpiness in him, there was still a spark of curiosity, and it was doubtless that the Clock Tower rumor mill would be starting up soon. Better to get ahead of that curve and have the closest version of the truth of...whatever these three were up to. Involving a non-mage was always step one of something that would probably end up in getting a sealing designation. "It'd be for the best. Anything I have to offer would be very biased."
The word salty might not have been in use yet, but it would be applicable. At the mention of stress though, El-Melloi II paused, tilting his head slightly. "Is the focus of your medical practice in psychology then?"
Logic said it would have to be if he was looking at stress and what caused it. This...Chaldea, thing. It sounded too like a caldera, a volcano. Was that an intentional metaphor? El-Melloi II hoped not. The confusion and consideration meant he only flinched at being called El-Melloi without the appropriate numeral after it, and even forgot to correct the young man in front of him.
He didn't miss the sudden foray into something serious though. If this guy wasn't a mage, he was...something. El-Melloi II couldn't put a finger on it, but the change stuck out. "...Right," he managed, one hand moving to rest on top of the stack of papers. "I'm pretty sure that's a debate to have with cultural heritage people, not myself."
A museum curator or an archivist would probably have some opinions. He moved the first paper atop the stack onto his lap and...it was Flat's. Of course it was. His eyes went from the paper to Roman.
"You keep saying the word Chaldea without giving it context, doctor. How much of it are you allowed to explain?"
Hmm. He looked pensive for a short time. "If it's your opinion, hearing it aloud, may be helpful to work around those biases," Roman answered, it was an open offer. Teaching younger people demanded patience and, even if this man didn't seem impatient, he couldn't picture him very tolerant to teenagers' antics. But most of the contact with teenager stereotypes he had through television and his sight. He probably felt a pang of regret now he couldn't raise his children, beyond leaving advises and teachings. That was being a teacher, instead of a father. Nonetheless, the concept of 'fatherhood' still didn't develop in him properly, and wouldn't until the day when he finally meets Mashu.
"Oh, no general practitioner, but I'm doing a couple of specialties to work around my weak points," he admitted with a half smile. It was to brace himself, he knew that attending the sick required to comfort them and with his own emotional range and his penchant to flight when he's confronted with something emotionally upsetting...
His eyes widened. Ah, Marisbilly hadn't said a thing? He would, in the future, control how expressively open he was. But not when his emotions were so fresh and so new to restrain them. He brought a hand to his mouth. Should he say something else?
"It's his project, Marisbilly's--" He took a deep breath. "Chaldea is named after a group of people who settled in the Middle East," he elaborated if he didn't know the origin of the word. In Freemansory, Chaldeans were known as exceptional builders who assisted and served King Solomon in building his temple; they were also tasked to search for the Holy Grail during the Middle Ages. As inaccurate that was, it was as a symbolic label. "'To be able to see if the lights of civilization would still shine from a century from now', that's what he told me. If they don't, we have to pinpoint the cause of the potential disasters and stop them."
An actual chuckle escaped Lord El-Melloi II's throat at that. It seemed more amused that someone was willing to listen to him bitch without end rather than taking the offer seriously. The young man was far too earnest. He did not need to hear profanity laden rants yet. "Don't make offers you'll regret," he advised with a mildness that hitherto hadn't even shown that it existed in El-Melloi II. "My students inspire no small amount of frusteration. It's a miracle that at least one of them hasn't stuck a head in here having caused some sort of incident today."
Maybe they had a sense that their professor was in a grading mood, and that to disturb him might impact their marks? Who was to say. It was actually starting to make El-Melloi II suspicious, but for now, he moved the thought aside. "I see. Well, I'm sure specialization in the medical field has it's own unique demands, far more than magecraft."
Doctors, after all, were far more in the here and now than magi ever were, running after Roots and ignoring the normal world for the mystical one. Even as this one seemed to be trying to bridge the two.
As Roman explained, there was a flush of embarrassment on Waver's face. Goddamnit, this was Freemasonry lingo. He ought to have clocked that immediately, he was head of the modern department for god's sake. He had to talk about Crowley and Jack Parsons with a degree of seriousness that only conspiracy theorists actually had! He...had been lax on the Masons, hadn't he? El-Melloi II made a mental note to fix that.
The purpose of Chaldea had some interesting thoughts tacked onto it. "It sounds like you're going to be reaching towards True Magics in order to do so. Time travel in particular, although it also sounds as if you know that threats already exist."
Roman's face turned serious. "I understand that, but I don't think I'll regret it," he said with absolute resolution. It was also a good practice, even if it seemed like a challenging trial for his first time. Even if he did regret it, wouldn't that be a experience. "Ahah, that means they trust you enough to visit you out class," he mused approvingly. He was approachable as a teacher if they dared to encroach their free time, no matter how grumpy he could get.
In other words, he was a different kind of magus from Lev and Marisbilly. Marisbilly didn't even have patience to talk to his own daughter from what he observed, he left her education to her tutors.
Maybe I should talk to Billy about that, Roman briefly pondered, knowing he didn't speak up because he really had no place to lecture Marisbilly about his lack of fatherly concern. Roman's trail of thoughts was interrupted shortly.
"Um, well, maybe I speak of ignorance, but science and magecraft are not that far apart. It's true they work as opposites but," Roman paused, searching for his words to explain it, "They set similar goals and require the benefit of sharing a perception and its laws to sanction its efficiency."
Roman watched mildly confused how Waver's cheeks became flushed, he didn't understand what could have made him so flustered, but he himself was experiencing a pang of concern he spoke more than he should have. Yet he knew Marisbilly wouldn't mind.
"It's all potentially what ifs, for now, but many people are working hard together to assemble everything," Roman continued, even though threats were everywhere. "The world's defense system is efficient for the most part. Chaldea would simply step in to fill the small exceptions that could grow troublesome. That is Marisbilly Animusphere's goal. The protection of the future of our civilization. That is why I decided to support him," he declared. "This is classified, of course, but I feel you're a man I can trust."
A man who would still put up with his students dropping by meant he was concerned about the future. Not just with the mystical journey other magi became engrossed with.
El-Melloi II wasn't about to put down that level of surprising seriousness for such a light topic. But well, Roman did not know his kids or what it was like to deal with them day in and day out. "I don't know if trust is the right word," he said, the exhaustion in his voice a contrast with the approval in Roman's. El-Melloi II would never consider himself approachable, he spent so much time dodging people, places, and engagements in order to have his time alone. "It does intrude on my privacy at times though."
Privacy meaning time at home to sit around and play video games, but only Gray knew that particular code. She was on a much needed break today anyway, El-Melloi II had insisted on it. The girl worked too hard, and Waver was always aware of that fact.
"No, you're right about the goals and even the method," El-Melloi II agreed. "But the medical field strikes me as something that is focused on reality far more than magecraft ever will be, and has a greater impact on daily lives. You come into a world where people talk about a mystical Root, family secrets that are centuries old, magic circuits, and all of this stuff that may as well be out of some novel, and it's rarely put to much use outside of a small circle."
Magi lived in bubbles. That much was a truth.
"Mmm, and what you're describing also costs mill...ah, no wonder today's meeting is probably going to be long," El-Melloi said with the satisifaction of someone who just figured out what was really going on. Rather than dwell on money (never fun), El-Melloi II kept pace with Roman's description. "You really shouldn't be sharing that kind of classified information, trusting or not. It would inspire someone to ask questions like about collaborative partners, or else other specifics that you shouldn't share."
"I think you're selling yourself short, especially around teenagers," Roman said his voice lighter with a sincere smile on his lips. He could see this poor man needed some well-paid vacations but he doubted he would accept them even if they were given to him. He seemed like he would exert himself even if he complained about his job. "I hope it's not me who intrudes when you want to relax, I'll try to be unobtrusive." If Marisbilly's meeting was going to last long, he had to brace this poor man who was assigned to babysit him.
"On medicine, you're correct, but not all sciences were so fortunate," he reminded him. He had read something about it. "The existence of atoms certainly wound sound as mystical as the magic circuits to anyone who learned it for the first time, right?" That was only one example. "And in the beginning, science and even education wasn't very democratic, but restricted to certain families or those with wealth to purchase it." Even to this day, weren't there circle and organizations of scientists of different branches, even those specialized in research of the medical field who did not share their partial results with anyone but their own circles? "Public opinion helps, I guess, that's why so many are more willing to branch out. But that's just my humble opinion, I'm not among those geniuses and researchers."
Roman said nothing as Waver pieced some of the information, there was no need to correct him that the Holy Grail granted Marisbilly the wish he would get any profit he needed for his objective. After all, it was reported the Grail had been unfortunately destroyed during the crossfire last battle, just like the war before it, even after their victory.
Lord El Melloi II was a curious man, on one hand, he was trying to fish up information, while on the other he was telling him to not be cautious about speaking further. He tilted his head, thinking about this mixed message. "Ehhh? Maybe you're right. I don't know many details, so if you have further questions, Marisbilly could answer you." He had a lot of networks of allies but he wasn't sure if that was what Waver was asking.
El-Melloi II needed a sabbatical, but Roman's estimation that he'd never take one if offered was entirely true. Not that it was something the lord would ever even admit outloud. It spoke far more to Roman's ability to get a gist of the man than El-Melloi II's ability to be subtle. "If I reach into the drawer and pull out a gaming device, then you'll know that all welcomes have been overstayed."
Actually, that had been today's plan. Grade papers with breaks of gaming in between. But Roman was proving to be an interesting conversation partner, so much so that El-Melloi II's tea had gone cold. He realized it only now as he moved to take another sip of it and...unpleasant.
"That is all true enough, and it's hard to deny that there's an element of classism that remains," El-Melloi II agreed. The doctor knew his history. Good. "But overall, the arc bends a certain way. Magecraft isn't at that point, and many magi are stuck in the past. Technophobic, unwilling to engage with non-magic users, to combat that kind of thought process is a task that will demand probably a century plus worth of work. And require the participation of the old families who..." he shook his head. This wasn't even politics. This was the thought process of Waver Velvet, age 19, furious about Kayneth. He moved away from the topic quickly.
Good, Roman had caught on to the lesson of don't spill the beans around magi. El-Melloi II was satisfied enough with that. "I think you're right. Better and safer to direct queries his way so I don't get you in trouble."
He blinked and gave a puzzling expression. His eyebrows lifted together. Gaming device? He meant some El Melloi exclusive game. "Is it a secret well kept of your family?" he blurted out. That would make sense why he would want to kick out strangers. Roman probably knew of video games in passing, the information he absorbed in commercials, but he had yet to see or try one in person. He hadn't been corrupted to the lure of visual novels or net idols yet. He needed to become more anxious and rely on escapism to be trapped in that seedy world.
"A century, huh... That's a realistic estimation," Roman nodded slowly, recalling he had to finish his tea. He sipped it quietly, despite the spoiled flavor it had after it cooled. "But if it exists an estimation, it also means the task isn't possible." He seemed to have opened to ramble, so it was his job to listen and encourage him to express his thoughts. He wasn't going to judge him.
"Hah," Roman gave a hearty chuckle, "My thanks but don't worry about me. I don't think Billy would scold me too much for this." He slipped his nickname accidentally. Just like Olgamarie is 'Marie' to Roman, her father is 'Billy'. Marisbilly Animusphere was a nearly unapproachable man in general, even by his own family yet Roman was speaking of him as if they were best friends of a lifetime.
"Ohhhh, no, no, no," El-Melloi II said. There was a laugh embedded in the statement, even if it never quite came out to be heard. He paused, and reached into his desk, if only to prove his point. What he plunked down was the most current handheld offering from Nintendo, and a thin, wry smile on his lips. "Video gaming is a hobby that's more a source of embarrassment for the El-Melloi household. Reines would much, much rather I didn't sit around and play games."
Reines also failed to appreciate how video games helped her brother remain balanced and not flip his lid given half the chance. El-Melloi II decided that he would rather discuss that with Roman than mage stuff, and it looked like he might be able to steer the course that way.
Maybe.
If Roman thought a century was reasonable though, he was way too optimistic. "That estimation is off the top of my head with zero actual data to back it up," he pointed out quickly. "Don't take that as gospel. Three or four would be far more realistic." It'd be a long time. That was his point.
Although if Marisbilly was already this casual, maybe there was a chance to knock that four centuries down to three. El-Melloi II didn't react much to the casual mention of Marisbilly. In truth, it was probably easier to just call him that anyway. Like so many magi (himself included), given names were always weird at their kindest. "If you're sure then. I've not had much measure of the man, I'll admit. Our circles don't cross much, which is why your presence is a surprise."
Roman watched his reaction in confusion. What could it be then he objected to- Ah, he followed his movements silently to stare at the video game console he took out from his desk. From his face, it clearly seemed it was the first time he saw one of these in person. Someday, he would learn to mask his feelings better, but these were so new that bubbled on the surface. He vaguely recognized it from the commercials and maybe from the glimpses caught during his window shopping in London and Fuyuki.
"Uh, is it wrong that you like playing games?" he asked, feeling like a country bumpkin. What a good cause to use to dismiss his ignorance. "Games have always been important even in ancient times, as means not just of recreation, but they are also very useful to teach skills." He blinked and felt his cheeks flush a little. Was he saying something inappropriate? There were many things the Grail had supplied him to avoid culture shocks (and many things he had seen), but the societal view of games and maturity was none of this.
"You're being too humble again," Roman pointed out, "There might be a reason why you gave that estimate." Namely, the doctor thought, because of the generation switch. While some magi extended their lifespan, most of the old generation would be replaced in a century by their heirs. At least in the Clock Tower, the generation change could shake the previous pillars if someone with Waver's position as a teacher and lecturer was successful in teaching them to be less isolated. That was something he considered when Waver first gave the date.
"Really?" Roman asked, a little surprised to learn that. "I suppose Billy acts a little wary of people in general." A little seemed like an understatement. Didn't he say he was his first and only friend?
"The concept of playing games? No, not really. It's just the technology medium," El-Melloi II said. He paused, watching Roman's unfiltered reaction. Was he that unfamiliar with consoles? For fun, and because this might not be such a bad day after all if he could just talk Roman into loafing around the office playing video games, he switched it on so that Roman could get a better idea of what these kinds of games were like. "Again. Real world or mage world. Plus, Reines is the kind of person who enjoys picking up on something and then needling you about it into eternity."
Some sister. El-Melloi II shook his head slowly at the thought. How the hell he got stuck with her was still a mystery to him, even after all these years and all the kinds of help he had given her family along the way.
It was odd that Roman was so...insistent, for lack of a better term, about work and anything that seemed to be good about it. That took El-Melloi II by surprise, and it still was as the doctor in front of him chided about humility. Brushing it off was so much easier. "Look, I don't like giving real estimates without data. It's bound to cause trouble."
Maybe not this example, but overall? Doubtlessly. Moving onto a mage's self-isolating nature was much easier. "Well, most magi are wary of other people. To me, you might as well have just said fish swim and birds fly."
"But technology is wonderful, and one of the greatest signs about human progress," Roman declared with furrowed brows. That nearly slipped his tongue. He wasn't ignorant that technology also brought terrible consequences to the planet and to the people living in it, nevertheless, he was watching this from a different perspective. In the past, most humans relied on their progress and evolution on prayers and the gods' blessings on them, that they had created things with their own hands filled him with a sense of satisfaction. Naturally, the topic of games was obviously less serious, Eh-
He scratched his head, trying to lighten the topic, "Ahah, that sounds troublesome. How old is she? She sounds like a young girl." A spoiled one too. His gaze fleetingly fell on the video game device, he tried to be a little more discreet about his curiosity. "So, um," be natural, he breathed, "What is your favorite game?"
He let that other topic dropped, because it was getting into a more personal interest field that he had no right to enter. He had given away his magic circuits to be a normal man. He trusted the modern magi would eventually figure out things by themselves.
"I guess I understand the value of keeping some secrets," Roman admitted, though he wondered if they were happy like this. The kids Marisbilly and he met in Fuyuki, well, they seemed definitely more carefree. Perhaps because the grip of the Magi Association was looser there?
El-Melloi II nodded in agreement as Roman spoke of technology. He was preaching to the choir as it were, and it was hard not to notice how he looked at the device that had been placed on the desk. Without hesitation, he turned it on, since clearly Marisbilly was never going to indulge the young man with the actually interesting stuff.
It also made talking about Reines much easier. The circumstances around being adopted by the El-Melloi II family and all of it remained painful and awkward for him, and he sighed as he began to explain. "Teenagerish, with all the pomp and ego of nobility," he said. "She's also technically head of the El-Melloi family, so I have to answer to her in the end."
He hoped the tired tone he used to explain would fend off any further questions. He moved onto Roman's other question, quite content with it. "Well, it depends on what I'm in the mood for. Tactical games or mystery solving games do tend to rank higher overall, but sometimes you do just want to mindlessly run around and not have to put too much thought into it. This," he gestured down at the device, "Is the most recent Admirable Tactics game."
Weirdly enough, it was a decent segue into talking about secrets. "Games also don't require keeping secrets. There's a lot to be said about how demands for family secrecy impact how magi relate to their own offspring."
Roman was happy to drop any serious 'topics' for the sake of his curiosity. He just found himself interested in whatever he was doing with his video game device. He tried to not look startle when he turned it on. Looking too much like a fish out water would just invite questions.
"I see, that sounds like a handful," he laughed softly at the description, "But you must care a lot about her." He could tell. It was a little different from Billy's cold attitude with young Olga. He could see the girl trying hard to catch her father's attention in vain. He wished he could help her, but she resented his presence to decline any 'alliance'.
"Admirable Tactics..." he repeated nodding slowly. Strategy games. Would that be useful? He had been stripped away from many things, and he did say that games were good teachers. He was about to ask him to teach him to play, if he was willing and free then it couldn't hurt to try. Roman didn't have a chance to ask, his last statement left him curious.
"Ah, is it because of the magic crests and succession?" he asked almost automatically. He could think the extreme caution to protect the family secrets were 'investments' for the future generations.
"It's...complicated," El-Melloi II said on the topic of Reines. In a way, yes, he cared about her. But it was hardly straight forward, and there were many days where all he was interested in doing was dumping her into a lake. It was a relationship best left unexamined, as it was fine the way it was for now.
He picked the console back up, now that it had Roman's attention, and debated the best way to let him watch over the shoulder. After a moment, El-Melloi II picked himself up from behind his desk and headed over to the pair of sofas in his office, gesturing for Roman to follow. "It'll be easier for me to show you if we're over here. Hovering behind my desk isn't comfortable for anyone."
It wasn't like they'd be too terribly in each other's personal space either. Once El-Melloi II settled on the sofa, he went through a few motions to pick up on his saved file, talking all the while. "You're right about magic crests and succession being the reason for secrecy. And family relations. It's a relic from another time, I think, the kind of relationships that end up happening. Like when nobles had an heir and a spare and that informed how the children were viewed by everyone."
"I guess families get to be complicated," Roman offered, but he truly didn't know about that. He had never experienced that. Solomon's family was indeed complicated, but he didn't feel like those were his memories or his life to feel any sort of attachment. "That probably makes your life harder, but also interesting?" he added helpfully. Maybe. He couldn't dislike her that much even if she could get on his nerves.
He had settled to be his silent observer (of the looking over the shoulder variant) when Lord El Melloi II had offered him to sit next to him. "Can I? Really?" he asked, slightly surprised. He rushed to stand and follow him, nonetheless, sitting on the spare sofa and glancing curiously at the console. He stayed silent while the other man set up his game. It was wiser this way. He would probably run his mouth again and ask things that would make him suspicious even if he could pass as a country bumpkin.
"Ah... I guess there's that, but--" he nodded slowly, thinking he could grasp the idea of a royal heir, but this whole crest idea seemed slightly disturbing. One thing was to pass down knowledge and rituals, but to implant, something that was in somebody's else body and so on disturbed him. He didn't know why. "Is it hard to start without one of those crests?" He would probably get yelled at but- He didn't inherit a 'crest' from David or Bathsheba. "I mean, when did this ritual begin to start with? The older magi, did they have crests?"
"Interesting," El-Melloi II repeated, a small smirk tugging at one corner of his mouth. "I'd say you hit the nail on the head."
It was the fairest assement of the situation by far, one without a particular value judgement attached to it. That aspect was the most important for El-Melloi II, because it meant that if he called the matter interesting, there was no way to say he was speaking against his own family.
"Well, an early family just won't have all of the...advantages, let's say, that older, established ones have in this day in age. As for the age of this nonsense," El-Melloi II's left arm moved back, slinging over the back of the sofa entirely. "As for when, probably as the age of the gods began to draw to a close and magic was harder to come by. At least, that's the best I've figured out."
The console beeped at the two suddenly. "Do you want to watch me go for a round or two before you try it yourself?"
"Is that right?" Roman was glad to hear that regardless of his hardships he still looked at the brightside. He hadn't developed his own pessimism yet. The years would change his view. When what was novel wore off and the feelings matured into bitterness. For the time being his childlike wonder was prevalent in everything.
"Oh um, I see. So after the collapse of the Age of Gods," Roman mumbled his eyebrows together, looking pensive. Maybe he shouldn't pursue this topic; he was no magus. He had to ask Marisbilly. He remembered that before Solomon, only those who were demigods or other elemental hybrids could perform magecraft thanks to the blessing of gods. Such as the famed witches like Circe or Medea. Yet he had not set any crest to be inherited. It was true he had used his body to engrave his spells but there were no instructions left for anyone to unearth it and use them. He should best focus on the game. It was more interesting too.
"Eh?" He caught himself before he asked a stupid 'Really? Can I?' once more and nodded vigorously in response. "Yes, I'd like to try this game! I can't promise I'll be any good."
El-Melloi II let the thought of his weird family relations go, finally, relieved for it. God willing, Reines wouldn't barge in and introduce herself, probably scaring this poor doctor half to death with her...everything about her. Luck had held out so far, but El-Melloi II didn't want to push that luck too far.
As Roman contemplated the ages of magic and the transformation from magic into magecraft, El-Melloi II clicked through the load screens of the game, knowing that it'd take a minute or two to get to his saved file. "Mm, yeah, after the Age of Gods. Which makes sense in it's way. At that point the ability to use magic faded out, and so the attempt to recreate it became the primary occupation of those who sought out that kind of power. Developing ways to save knowledge would go hand in hand with that pursuit, although if it was a truly good development to be debated."
El-Melloi II knew where he stood there. The part of him that had written that thesis, the part of him that was still Waver Velvet, truly hated all the bullshit that magecraft came with.
Better to focus on video games. He gestured Roman's attention at the screen. "I'm going to show you what it's like first, then I'll set up a save file for you to get your bearings on."
He nodded. He knew that. The atmosphere was different now. He wasn't bothered in life by the heavy ether because he was born with power but he could see how different the world felt before his wish. In a way, this lightness was good, but for magi- well.
"But magi are too recluse," Roman mumbled with a heavy sigh, "By focusing on guarding their own family crests, they don't open up to others, that would lead to stagnation." Not extinction, no they are weirdly fixated to pass down the crest. He supposed to make some sense to preserve knowledge, but why was he slightly disturbed. "I understand is hard to protect their branches, and investigate them, as a doctor, I should be concerned about my field but-- um nevermind." To focus on one thing would mean they would not develop or branch out into new areas.
That too he could see about their choices of carefully planned intermarriage.
His mood lightened to turn and focus on the game. Positively beaming, he assented. "Ah, then I'll be in your care, Professor," he said with a soft smile and a nod. This was a lesson to him. He would try his best to follow and get good at this too.
"Now you've got it," El-Melloi II said with a note of approval on his voice. Roman was catching on quick, and what more could you ask for anyone who was listening to you explain the basics of what it meant to be a mage in practice.
He felt a little guilty about the tone Roman used though. It was perhaps too much to force cynicism on the young doctor, not when he seemed to have endless enthusiasm for everything.
"Okay, so, this list of files are different save points, I'm going to take it from my most recent save," he began, opening the file in question. The screen announced it was loading, before showing a world map. This edition of Tactics had gone for an earlier setting, the Napoleonic Wars, and El-Melloi II was ass deep in a Russian winter.
He focused less on explaining the history and more on the game play, careful to point out which control did what, and little pieces of strategy that were key in completing the appropriate objective. Unlike moments before when he was all darkness and gloom, El-Melloi II was postively content in walking Roman through how to play. There was excitement in his voice, especially as the mission's objectives were completed slowly but surely, and he kept a careful eye on Roman to make sure the doctor wasn't bored to tears.
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El-Melloi II counted each spoonfull, and three felt like a painfully high number. Usually only hummingbirds required that much sweetness in their drink, and while El-Melloi II's eyebrows rose up to communicate his judgemental thought process, the rest of him remained calm.
When he realized how high his eyebrows were going, he elected to sip at the tea, bringing everything back to normal. It was a fairly bitter brew, something-something-that-suits-you Reines would remark. Thank God Reines wasn't here now, she'd find the whole scene unfolding in her adopted brother's office to be a great show.
The little gremlin wasn't present though, and El-Melloi II's student senses weren't tingling either. It was strange, especially since it meant Flat wasn't up to some nonsense either. Flat was always up to nonsense.
I want to know you better felt so weird and formal and like a contract. El-Melloi II didn't like the phrasing, but Roman's recovery was smooth. Worse, to be sure, as going through his planned day with a shadow was not on the books, but it was honest. El-Melloi II could appreciate honest, especially when one was suddenly running with magi after...well. Not.
"All I was going to do today was grade papers," El-Melloi II said, gesturing at the large stack of midterms that sat on his desk. "If you want me to actually sit and give you an introduction to politics, then you need to settle in for a long discussion."
He paused, then added: "I will suggest you consider this for the future though: No one actually reveals their true goals to another mage, unless they want to get beaten to the punch. Even if it's high minded and comes off as noble."
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It was probably a slip of the tongue, a memory of what Marisbilly had requested him the day of his summoning that seemed like a natural petition to Roman. He didn't notice any tension, even if he was trying to be observant, human emotions were hard to distinguish. Marie had complained he seemed like a natural airhead who was incapable to read the air and warned him about causing trouble to her father.
"Oh, I don't want that at all," Roman laughed heartily. "The politics lessons, I mean, that'll be just a thorny bitter chat, I can tell," he clarified quickly. He really had no interest to join the Clock Tower, so he wasn't looking forward to getting a lecture about politics. "I don't mind if you grade the papers as long as I can help you." His eyes seemed to gleam instead for something as trivial as that. "How do you evaluate your students? Do you have a general standard they have to meet or is case by case on their individual development?" This man was a teacher too, so Marisbilly had told him. So he had future magi generations under his charge. Maybe he was too aggressive in his curiosity, he bowed his head apologetically. "Wah, was I too rude? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was told sometimes I run my mouth..."
He was quiet before, but now he seemed to be eager to talk and ask more questions. He was curious and had sometimes the emotional restraint of a child.
Roman assented after Waver warned him, but the implication didn't register fully at least not emotionally. Certainly, rationally he could understand that Marisbilly would prefer privacy and that courts politics, or how they are called now, required a delicate hand.
Even so--
"I don't mind if I'm 'beaten to the punch'," he answered without missing a beat, "If I aim to assist someone to protect civilization and there is another person, or several of them, who do a better job and is capable to help protect people's future, I'll gladly welcome this." There-was-no-need-to-measure-against-each-other. That was he meant.
Wasn't this man a teacher? A teacher's job is to make a student eventually independent enough to not require their lessons, right? So in that line of thinking, he probably would understand what he meant better than Marisbilly would.
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At the mention of helping to grade though, the grumpy professor simply shook his head to decline the offer. "You are correct that their evaluation primarily comes from individual development, along with certain rubrics for say, knowing how to string two sentences together. But because that same individual development determines the mark, there's no way for you to meaningfully evaluate the paper. You don't know them or have a measure of where they were at the start of the semester."
If Roman was worried about being too rude, that response ought to demonstrate that no, it was nothing at all in El-Melloi II's eyes. The bluntness was not charming. It didn't win him allies. How the hell this man was considered one of the most eligible professors in the Clock Tower was to be forever a mystery.
That idealism though. El-Melloi II sighed as he sank into the chair behind his desk. It'd be destroyed soon enough, and he was unsure if it was his job to do it, or to let the dreams endure for just a little longer. El-Melloi II knew the world of magi too well. He was Waver Velvet once, a more self centered version of this idealist.
"Well, that's a healthy perspective to have," he said finally, after evaluating the best way to respond. "Most magi you meet won't share that point of view. I'm sure you are aware that there is a certain territorial aspect that most mage families have, due to the goal to reach the Root."
El-Melloi II was too critical, in the end. Which meant that his nature was to pick apart, pick apart, pick apart. "Whatever this goal is, you'll need to make sure that you find enough community oriented magi, doctor. I'll be amazed to see how many you end up with."
In that, there was polite curiosity. He actually would like to know, if only for his own edification.
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"You might be right about that," Roman agreed that the best one who would grade them is Waver. "But if you feel like sharing something that frustrates you or makes you proud, I'm here. I'm studying too in order to act as a counselor and help with people's stress in Chaldea." When Chaldea was officially established, right now, even if the building was there, he hadn't stepped inside it yet. He could tell this man probably had a lot to shoulder. He probably listened to many concerns every day, but did anyone listen to his?
"I know that," Roman said, confirming what Waver tried to explain. Even Marisbilly had explained this to him. His family too had their own means to reach the Root. "Men are fated to transcend this world, Lord El Melloi," he added quietly, it was brief, but his voice was perfectly intoned rather than the more nasal pitch so characteristic of him, "And leave not even their records behind." All men, not just magi, not just a few magi, someday that would become a reality. "Ahh, well, I suppose it's fine if it starts like this," he finished in his usual voice. He was unconcerned about the Root, but even he wasn't so carelessly to admit that when it was such hot topic with modern magi.
Community-oriented magi? Now there was an idea, but those were things somebody else took care of. Roman would assist Marisbilly by choice, even though he could just do anything else he wanted. He would help as a simple doctor too.
"By the way, what about you?" It wasn't his place to invite people, Marisbilly did that, but Marisbilly had never denied him anything. "Wouldn't you like to visit Chaldea one day?"
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The word salty might not have been in use yet, but it would be applicable. At the mention of stress though, El-Melloi II paused, tilting his head slightly. "Is the focus of your medical practice in psychology then?"
Logic said it would have to be if he was looking at stress and what caused it. This...Chaldea, thing. It sounded too like a caldera, a volcano. Was that an intentional metaphor? El-Melloi II hoped not. The confusion and consideration meant he only flinched at being called El-Melloi without the appropriate numeral after it, and even forgot to correct the young man in front of him.
He didn't miss the sudden foray into something serious though. If this guy wasn't a mage, he was...something. El-Melloi II couldn't put a finger on it, but the change stuck out. "...Right," he managed, one hand moving to rest on top of the stack of papers. "I'm pretty sure that's a debate to have with cultural heritage people, not myself."
A museum curator or an archivist would probably have some opinions. He moved the first paper atop the stack onto his lap and...it was Flat's. Of course it was. His eyes went from the paper to Roman.
"You keep saying the word Chaldea without giving it context, doctor. How much of it are you allowed to explain?"
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"Oh, no general practitioner, but I'm doing a couple of specialties to work around my weak points," he admitted with a half smile. It was to brace himself, he knew that attending the sick required to comfort them and with his own emotional range and his penchant to flight when he's confronted with something emotionally upsetting...
His eyes widened. Ah, Marisbilly hadn't said a thing? He would, in the future, control how expressively open he was. But not when his emotions were so fresh and so new to restrain them. He brought a hand to his mouth. Should he say something else?
"It's his project, Marisbilly's--" He took a deep breath. "Chaldea is named after a group of people who settled in the Middle East," he elaborated if he didn't know the origin of the word. In Freemansory, Chaldeans were known as exceptional builders who assisted and served King Solomon in building his temple; they were also tasked to search for the Holy Grail during the Middle Ages. As inaccurate that was, it was as a symbolic label. "'To be able to see if the lights of civilization would still shine from a century from now', that's what he told me. If they don't, we have to pinpoint the cause of the potential disasters and stop them."
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Maybe they had a sense that their professor was in a grading mood, and that to disturb him might impact their marks? Who was to say. It was actually starting to make El-Melloi II suspicious, but for now, he moved the thought aside. "I see. Well, I'm sure specialization in the medical field has it's own unique demands, far more than magecraft."
Doctors, after all, were far more in the here and now than magi ever were, running after Roots and ignoring the normal world for the mystical one. Even as this one seemed to be trying to bridge the two.
As Roman explained, there was a flush of embarrassment on Waver's face. Goddamnit, this was Freemasonry lingo. He ought to have clocked that immediately, he was head of the modern department for god's sake. He had to talk about Crowley and Jack Parsons with a degree of seriousness that only conspiracy theorists actually had! He...had been lax on the Masons, hadn't he? El-Melloi II made a mental note to fix that.
The purpose of Chaldea had some interesting thoughts tacked onto it. "It sounds like you're going to be reaching towards True Magics in order to do so. Time travel in particular, although it also sounds as if you know that threats already exist."
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In other words, he was a different kind of magus from Lev and Marisbilly. Marisbilly didn't even have patience to talk to his own daughter from what he observed, he left her education to her tutors.
Maybe I should talk to Billy about that, Roman briefly pondered, knowing he didn't speak up because he really had no place to lecture Marisbilly about his lack of fatherly concern. Roman's trail of thoughts was interrupted shortly.
"Um, well, maybe I speak of ignorance, but science and magecraft are not that far apart. It's true they work as opposites but," Roman paused, searching for his words to explain it, "They set similar goals and require the benefit of sharing a perception and its laws to sanction its efficiency."
Roman watched mildly confused how Waver's cheeks became flushed, he didn't understand what could have made him so flustered, but he himself was experiencing a pang of concern he spoke more than he should have. Yet he knew Marisbilly wouldn't mind.
"It's all potentially what ifs, for now, but many people are working hard together to assemble everything," Roman continued, even though threats were everywhere. "The world's defense system is efficient for the most part. Chaldea would simply step in to fill the small exceptions that could grow troublesome. That is Marisbilly Animusphere's goal. The protection of the future of our civilization. That is why I decided to support him," he declared. "This is classified, of course, but I feel you're a man I can trust."
A man who would still put up with his students dropping by meant he was concerned about the future. Not just with the mystical journey other magi became engrossed with.
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Privacy meaning time at home to sit around and play video games, but only Gray knew that particular code. She was on a much needed break today anyway, El-Melloi II had insisted on it. The girl worked too hard, and Waver was always aware of that fact.
"No, you're right about the goals and even the method," El-Melloi II agreed. "But the medical field strikes me as something that is focused on reality far more than magecraft ever will be, and has a greater impact on daily lives. You come into a world where people talk about a mystical Root, family secrets that are centuries old, magic circuits, and all of this stuff that may as well be out of some novel, and it's rarely put to much use outside of a small circle."
Magi lived in bubbles. That much was a truth.
"Mmm, and what you're describing also costs mill...ah, no wonder today's meeting is probably going to be long," El-Melloi said with the satisifaction of someone who just figured out what was really going on. Rather than dwell on money (never fun), El-Melloi II kept pace with Roman's description. "You really shouldn't be sharing that kind of classified information, trusting or not. It would inspire someone to ask questions like about collaborative partners, or else other specifics that you shouldn't share."
He was curious now, goddamnit.
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"On medicine, you're correct, but not all sciences were so fortunate," he reminded him. He had read something about it. "The existence of atoms certainly wound sound as mystical as the magic circuits to anyone who learned it for the first time, right?" That was only one example. "And in the beginning, science and even education wasn't very democratic, but restricted to certain families or those with wealth to purchase it." Even to this day, weren't there circle and organizations of scientists of different branches, even those specialized in research of the medical field who did not share their partial results with anyone but their own circles? "Public opinion helps, I guess, that's why so many are more willing to branch out. But that's just my humble opinion, I'm not among those geniuses and researchers."
Roman said nothing as Waver pieced some of the information, there was no need to correct him that the Holy Grail granted Marisbilly the wish he would get any profit he needed for his objective. After all, it was reported the Grail had been unfortunately destroyed during the crossfire last battle, just like the war before it, even after their victory.
Lord El Melloi II was a curious man, on one hand, he was trying to fish up information, while on the other he was telling him to not be cautious about speaking further. He tilted his head, thinking about this mixed message. "Ehhh? Maybe you're right. I don't know many details, so if you have further questions, Marisbilly could answer you." He had a lot of networks of allies but he wasn't sure if that was what Waver was asking.
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Actually, that had been today's plan. Grade papers with breaks of gaming in between. But Roman was proving to be an interesting conversation partner, so much so that El-Melloi II's tea had gone cold. He realized it only now as he moved to take another sip of it and...unpleasant.
"That is all true enough, and it's hard to deny that there's an element of classism that remains," El-Melloi II agreed. The doctor knew his history. Good. "But overall, the arc bends a certain way. Magecraft isn't at that point, and many magi are stuck in the past. Technophobic, unwilling to engage with non-magic users, to combat that kind of thought process is a task that will demand probably a century plus worth of work. And require the participation of the old families who..." he shook his head. This wasn't even politics. This was the thought process of Waver Velvet, age 19, furious about Kayneth. He moved away from the topic quickly.
Good, Roman had caught on to the lesson of don't spill the beans around magi. El-Melloi II was satisfied enough with that. "I think you're right. Better and safer to direct queries his way so I don't get you in trouble."
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"A century, huh... That's a realistic estimation," Roman nodded slowly, recalling he had to finish his tea. He sipped it quietly, despite the spoiled flavor it had after it cooled. "But if it exists an estimation, it also means the task isn't possible." He seemed to have opened to ramble, so it was his job to listen and encourage him to express his thoughts. He wasn't going to judge him.
"Hah," Roman gave a hearty chuckle, "My thanks but don't worry about me. I don't think Billy would scold me too much for this." He slipped his nickname accidentally. Just like Olgamarie is 'Marie' to Roman, her father is 'Billy'. Marisbilly Animusphere was a nearly unapproachable man in general, even by his own family yet Roman was speaking of him as if they were best friends of a lifetime.
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Reines also failed to appreciate how video games helped her brother remain balanced and not flip his lid given half the chance. El-Melloi II decided that he would rather discuss that with Roman than mage stuff, and it looked like he might be able to steer the course that way.
Maybe.
If Roman thought a century was reasonable though, he was way too optimistic. "That estimation is off the top of my head with zero actual data to back it up," he pointed out quickly. "Don't take that as gospel. Three or four would be far more realistic." It'd be a long time. That was his point.
Although if Marisbilly was already this casual, maybe there was a chance to knock that four centuries down to three. El-Melloi II didn't react much to the casual mention of Marisbilly. In truth, it was probably easier to just call him that anyway. Like so many magi (himself included), given names were always weird at their kindest. "If you're sure then. I've not had much measure of the man, I'll admit. Our circles don't cross much, which is why your presence is a surprise."
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"Uh, is it wrong that you like playing games?" he asked, feeling like a country bumpkin. What a good cause to use to dismiss his ignorance. "Games have always been important even in ancient times, as means not just of recreation, but they are also very useful to teach skills." He blinked and felt his cheeks flush a little. Was he saying something inappropriate? There were many things the Grail had supplied him to avoid culture shocks (and many things he had seen), but the societal view of games and maturity was none of this.
"You're being too humble again," Roman pointed out, "There might be a reason why you gave that estimate." Namely, the doctor thought, because of the generation switch. While some magi extended their lifespan, most of the old generation would be replaced in a century by their heirs. At least in the Clock Tower, the generation change could shake the previous pillars if someone with Waver's position as a teacher and lecturer was successful in teaching them to be less isolated. That was something he considered when Waver first gave the date.
"Really?" Roman asked, a little surprised to learn that. "I suppose Billy acts a little wary of people in general." A little seemed like an understatement. Didn't he say he was his first and only friend?
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Some sister. El-Melloi II shook his head slowly at the thought. How the hell he got stuck with her was still a mystery to him, even after all these years and all the kinds of help he had given her family along the way.
It was odd that Roman was so...insistent, for lack of a better term, about work and anything that seemed to be good about it. That took El-Melloi II by surprise, and it still was as the doctor in front of him chided about humility. Brushing it off was so much easier. "Look, I don't like giving real estimates without data. It's bound to cause trouble."
Maybe not this example, but overall? Doubtlessly. Moving onto a mage's self-isolating nature was much easier. "Well, most magi are wary of other people. To me, you might as well have just said fish swim and birds fly."
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He scratched his head, trying to lighten the topic, "Ahah, that sounds troublesome. How old is she? She sounds like a young girl." A spoiled one too. His gaze fleetingly fell on the video game device, he tried to be a little more discreet about his curiosity. "So, um," be natural, he breathed, "What is your favorite game?"
He let that other topic dropped, because it was getting into a more personal interest field that he had no right to enter. He had given away his magic circuits to be a normal man. He trusted the modern magi would eventually figure out things by themselves.
"I guess I understand the value of keeping some secrets," Roman admitted, though he wondered if they were happy like this. The kids Marisbilly and he met in Fuyuki, well, they seemed definitely more carefree. Perhaps because the grip of the Magi Association was looser there?
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It also made talking about Reines much easier. The circumstances around being adopted by the El-Melloi II family and all of it remained painful and awkward for him, and he sighed as he began to explain. "Teenagerish, with all the pomp and ego of nobility," he said. "She's also technically head of the El-Melloi family, so I have to answer to her in the end."
He hoped the tired tone he used to explain would fend off any further questions. He moved onto Roman's other question, quite content with it. "Well, it depends on what I'm in the mood for. Tactical games or mystery solving games do tend to rank higher overall, but sometimes you do just want to mindlessly run around and not have to put too much thought into it. This," he gestured down at the device, "Is the most recent Admirable Tactics game."
Weirdly enough, it was a decent segue into talking about secrets. "Games also don't require keeping secrets. There's a lot to be said about how demands for family secrecy impact how magi relate to their own offspring."
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"I see, that sounds like a handful," he laughed softly at the description, "But you must care a lot about her." He could tell. It was a little different from Billy's cold attitude with young Olga. He could see the girl trying hard to catch her father's attention in vain. He wished he could help her, but she resented his presence to decline any 'alliance'.
"Admirable Tactics..." he repeated nodding slowly. Strategy games. Would that be useful? He had been stripped away from many things, and he did say that games were good teachers. He was about to ask him to teach him to play, if he was willing and free then it couldn't hurt to try. Roman didn't have a chance to ask, his last statement left him curious.
"Ah, is it because of the magic crests and succession?" he asked almost automatically. He could think the extreme caution to protect the family secrets were 'investments' for the future generations.
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He picked the console back up, now that it had Roman's attention, and debated the best way to let him watch over the shoulder. After a moment, El-Melloi II picked himself up from behind his desk and headed over to the pair of sofas in his office, gesturing for Roman to follow. "It'll be easier for me to show you if we're over here. Hovering behind my desk isn't comfortable for anyone."
It wasn't like they'd be too terribly in each other's personal space either. Once El-Melloi II settled on the sofa, he went through a few motions to pick up on his saved file, talking all the while. "You're right about magic crests and succession being the reason for secrecy. And family relations. It's a relic from another time, I think, the kind of relationships that end up happening. Like when nobles had an heir and a spare and that informed how the children were viewed by everyone."
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He had settled to be his silent observer (of the looking over the shoulder variant) when Lord El Melloi II had offered him to sit next to him. "Can I? Really?" he asked, slightly surprised. He rushed to stand and follow him, nonetheless, sitting on the spare sofa and glancing curiously at the console. He stayed silent while the other man set up his game. It was wiser this way. He would probably run his mouth again and ask things that would make him suspicious even if he could pass as a country bumpkin.
"Ah... I guess there's that, but--" he nodded slowly, thinking he could grasp the idea of a royal heir, but this whole crest idea seemed slightly disturbing. One thing was to pass down knowledge and rituals, but to implant, something that was in somebody's else body and so on disturbed him. He didn't know why. "Is it hard to start without one of those crests?" He would probably get yelled at but- He didn't inherit a 'crest' from David or Bathsheba. "I mean, when did this ritual begin to start with? The older magi, did they have crests?"
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It was the fairest assement of the situation by far, one without a particular value judgement attached to it. That aspect was the most important for El-Melloi II, because it meant that if he called the matter interesting, there was no way to say he was speaking against his own family.
"I wouldn't have made the offer if I didn't mean it," were the next words out of his mouth, almost coupled with an eyeroll. There was a quality about Roman that struck him as not quiet naive but close to it. Ingénue wasn't right either, but the texture felt closer. Either way, El-Melloi II clicked through the loading screens, chatting as he went.
"Well, an early family just won't have all of the...advantages, let's say, that older, established ones have in this day in age. As for the age of this nonsense," El-Melloi II's left arm moved back, slinging over the back of the sofa entirely. "As for when, probably as the age of the gods began to draw to a close and magic was harder to come by. At least, that's the best I've figured out."
The console beeped at the two suddenly. "Do you want to watch me go for a round or two before you try it yourself?"
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"Oh um, I see. So after the collapse of the Age of Gods," Roman mumbled his eyebrows together, looking pensive. Maybe he shouldn't pursue this topic; he was no magus. He had to ask Marisbilly. He remembered that before Solomon, only those who were demigods or other elemental hybrids could perform magecraft thanks to the blessing of gods. Such as the famed witches like Circe or Medea. Yet he had not set any crest to be inherited. It was true he had used his body to engrave his spells but there were no instructions left for anyone to unearth it and use them. He should best focus on the game. It was more interesting too.
"Eh?" He caught himself before he asked a stupid 'Really? Can I?' once more and nodded vigorously in response. "Yes, I'd like to try this game! I can't promise I'll be any good."
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As Roman contemplated the ages of magic and the transformation from magic into magecraft, El-Melloi II clicked through the load screens of the game, knowing that it'd take a minute or two to get to his saved file. "Mm, yeah, after the Age of Gods. Which makes sense in it's way. At that point the ability to use magic faded out, and so the attempt to recreate it became the primary occupation of those who sought out that kind of power. Developing ways to save knowledge would go hand in hand with that pursuit, although if it was a truly good development to be debated."
El-Melloi II knew where he stood there. The part of him that had written that thesis, the part of him that was still Waver Velvet, truly hated all the bullshit that magecraft came with.
Better to focus on video games. He gestured Roman's attention at the screen. "I'm going to show you what it's like first, then I'll set up a save file for you to get your bearings on."
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"But magi are too recluse," Roman mumbled with a heavy sigh, "By focusing on guarding their own family crests, they don't open up to others, that would lead to stagnation." Not extinction, no they are weirdly fixated to pass down the crest. He supposed to make some sense to preserve knowledge, but why was he slightly disturbed. "I understand is hard to protect their branches, and investigate them, as a doctor, I should be concerned about my field but-- um nevermind." To focus on one thing would mean they would not develop or branch out into new areas.
That too he could see about their choices of carefully planned intermarriage.
His mood lightened to turn and focus on the game. Positively beaming, he assented. "Ah, then I'll be in your care, Professor," he said with a soft smile and a nod. This was a lesson to him. He would try his best to follow and get good at this too.
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He felt a little guilty about the tone Roman used though. It was perhaps too much to force cynicism on the young doctor, not when he seemed to have endless enthusiasm for everything.
"Okay, so, this list of files are different save points, I'm going to take it from my most recent save," he began, opening the file in question. The screen announced it was loading, before showing a world map. This edition of Tactics had gone for an earlier setting, the Napoleonic Wars, and El-Melloi II was ass deep in a Russian winter.
He focused less on explaining the history and more on the game play, careful to point out which control did what, and little pieces of strategy that were key in completing the appropriate objective. Unlike moments before when he was all darkness and gloom, El-Melloi II was postively content in walking Roman through how to play. There was excitement in his voice, especially as the mission's objectives were completed slowly but surely, and he kept a careful eye on Roman to make sure the doctor wasn't bored to tears.
Ten minutes went by. A long tutorial to be sure.
"You think you're ready to give it a go?"
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we should probably do a cut scene from this until the end?
Can do~
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