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.
He wanted to say more about the topic. He had a sudden bitter feeling he hadn't experienced before about the current situation of magi. Bitterness? Regret? Was this the way they were supposed to be? Then his magical formula. He sighed inwardly.
Perhaps this for the best, he reflected dropped the subject. The videogame novelty was enough to easily capture his undivided attention. "Your save..." he repeated, musing how convenient it would be to restarted where you left behind. He leaned on the seat and squinted at the map. After that, he glanced in Waver's direction for him to fill in the details.
He nodded firmly. Why not? "I do! I think I can do this. At least I'll try to not die so quickly." He laughed sheepishly.
Had Roman spoke with that perspective, he would have found a rapt audience. Someone who might disagree on some points, but the matter would be a lively debate rather than say, El-Melloi II tearing into someone. But with secrecy, El-Melloi II could only roll along with the conversational flow and focus on video games.
"Okay," El-Melloi II said, handing Roman the console. On the screen the text read Tap A to start! There was a world map and a single location marked, that of Istanbul. This current iteration of the game was really trying to be in different locations.
And make one fight Vlad the Impaler, as one does.
"The first stage is also a tutorial, so it should walk you through before throwing you into combat. At that point, I'll chime in with help only if you ask."
Roman took the console and nodded. "Thanks," he said as he turned to read the message on the screen. Tap? he wondered as he pressed a finger on it. Did he do it? The enfolding map that gave his location (and date) made his eyes widened in awe. He was truly doing this!
"Which side do I belong?" he asked quietly. Was he some strategist from the Ottoman Empire or maybe from Hungary kingdom? He checked the stats to take note of his inventory. Weapons, soldiers, provisions. A lot of the details of his life as Solomon seemed blurred, just to keep on his wish for a second, mundane life, but he recalled he had a well-equipped army.
Although he rarely went to war, he was better versed in diplomacy.
"It's set to the Ottomans. If you want to change it, I can do that too," El-Melloi II said, casting a moment's glance over at the screen. Playing as the Hungarians was doing it in hard mode, and given that it was Roman's first time, he didn't want to turn the doctor off too much.
In the mean time, El-Melloi II shifted a little on the sofa, now clearly comfortable. They were away from all the subjects that he hated, gave him ulcers, or otherwise drove him mad. This was...nice.
"If not, you're ready to go."
we should probably do a cut scene from this until the end?
"No, I think that should be the best way to start," Roman said, assenting. He had no ill feelings after all. If he were to side with Egypt or the Roman Empire, it would be harder. Although he had not yet developed that kind of passive aggressive negativity.
"Let's see," he re-read the stock items and the currency he had available. He decided the best would try to strengthen the soldiers' morale, if they were to attack Wallachia next. Vlad's Forest of the Impaled would shake them too much if he didn't do that.
With that, El-Melloi II became a spectator with one of his own games, watching quietly from Roman's side but mostly keeping to himself. Learning by doing, after all, meant learning without constant commentary from the peanut gallery. Not that El-Melloi II hid his reactions when Roman did something stupid, but those faces mostly came about at the very start of the game, and he ended up only chiming in when asked an opinion on such-and-such level.
It also meant it was on El-Melloi II to do things like order lunch (curry from a rather good takeaway spot just beyond the Clock Tower campus that no mage ever seemed to notice) and otherwise keep an eye on the time. There were papers that got graded, and it was, otherwise, an amazingly quiet day.
Had it not been for the hourly chimes of Clock Tower's bells, Lord El-Melloi II might have lost track of time entirely after lunch. As it were, when the tolls signaled that it was five in the evening, he perked up, extriacting himself from a post-grading haze.
"Roman, did you need to meet Marisbilly anywhere, or was he going to come pick you up?"
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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Perhaps this for the best, he reflected dropped the subject. The videogame novelty was enough to easily capture his undivided attention. "Your save..." he repeated, musing how convenient it would be to restarted where you left behind. He leaned on the seat and squinted at the map. After that, he glanced in Waver's direction for him to fill in the details.
He nodded firmly. Why not? "I do! I think I can do this. At least I'll try to not die so quickly." He laughed sheepishly.
It was a war where nobody would get hurt.
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"Okay," El-Melloi II said, handing Roman the console. On the screen the text read Tap A to start! There was a world map and a single location marked, that of Istanbul. This current iteration of the game was really trying to be in different locations.
And make one fight Vlad the Impaler, as one does.
"The first stage is also a tutorial, so it should walk you through before throwing you into combat. At that point, I'll chime in with help only if you ask."
Learning by doing, in other words.
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"Which side do I belong?" he asked quietly. Was he some strategist from the Ottoman Empire or maybe from Hungary kingdom? He checked the stats to take note of his inventory. Weapons, soldiers, provisions. A lot of the details of his life as Solomon seemed blurred, just to keep on his wish for a second, mundane life, but he recalled he had a well-equipped army.
Although he rarely went to war, he was better versed in diplomacy.
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In the mean time, El-Melloi II shifted a little on the sofa, now clearly comfortable. They were away from all the subjects that he hated, gave him ulcers, or otherwise drove him mad. This was...nice.
"If not, you're ready to go."
we should probably do a cut scene from this until the end?
"Let's see," he re-read the stock items and the currency he had available. He decided the best would try to strengthen the soldiers' morale, if they were to attack Wallachia next. Vlad's Forest of the Impaled would shake them too much if he didn't do that.
Can do~
It also meant it was on El-Melloi II to do things like order lunch (curry from a rather good takeaway spot just beyond the Clock Tower campus that no mage ever seemed to notice) and otherwise keep an eye on the time. There were papers that got graded, and it was, otherwise, an amazingly quiet day.
Had it not been for the hourly chimes of Clock Tower's bells, Lord El-Melloi II might have lost track of time entirely after lunch. As it were, when the tolls signaled that it was five in the evening, he perked up, extriacting himself from a post-grading haze.
"Roman, did you need to meet Marisbilly anywhere, or was he going to come pick you up?"
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