In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

Moreover, Hinako Akuta seemed to be worried about Ophelia's qualifications.

"Are you really as amazing as Ian says?"

"Eh?"

Ophelia looked at Hinako Akuta with a puzzled expression.

"Ian... said I'm amazing?"

“Yes.” The literary girl nodded. “He said if you can’t solve it, then no one in Chaldea can.”

"..."

Ophelia looked at Ian, and her face turned red.

She pinched the man and said coquettishly:

"Don't praise me like that in public... it makes me feel embarrassed."

Although it sounded like a reprimand, Ian could sense that she was actually very happy.

"Good good."

"Next time I praise you in front of others, I'll write you a letter of application."

"Stop with your glib talk."

Seeing the two flirting, Hinako coughed a few times to indicate that she was still waiting.

Ophelia quickly regained her composure and began presenting her "identity credentials".

"Do not worry."

"Although Ian exaggerated a bit, I personally have quite a bit of experience when it comes to summoning."

"in addition--"

Ophelia took out a badge.

That was her identification—the mark of the clock tower, the highest institution of magic.

Furthermore, judging from the complexity of the surface pattern, it is probably not something that ordinary members can obtain.

"This clock tower emblem should put your mind at ease a little, right?"

Hinako didn't even glance at the proof Ophelia presented.

However, she did accept the other party's explanation; her focus was not on the badge, but on the name.

"Oh...the clock tower."

"I've heard of this place—a place where very powerful magicians gather, right?"

"Ah."

Ophelia retrieved her clock tower badge.

"As long as you know."

"Now you should be able to trust me, right?"

“…Yes.” Hinako Akuta nodded. “I believe you.”

"That's fine."

Ophelia's gaze swept over the two of them.

"I've also been researching summoning recently."

"Please wait a moment, it should start soon."

When it comes to lust, it's genuine lust.

But when they get serious, they really are.

Ophelia prepared everything she needed for the summoning—she was very serious at this moment, not at all like the kind of person who would say "Look at your thing" in a chat.

But Ian has to admit that the contrast she only shows to herself is quite interesting.

As the man watched the magician with great interest, he suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder.

Ian turned around.

Suddenly, Hinako, who had been unwilling to communicate with him, took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

"Um...can I ask you a question?"

“Sure,” Ian smiled slightly, “but only if I feel I can answer.”

"I know."

Hinako hugged her things even tighter.

"I want to ask...why did you say I wasn't human that day?"

Ian knew she was referring to the words he had left behind when they parted.

“Oh… Miss Akuta Hinako, if you mean that—”

"You could say it's something like intuition, right?"

Of course, Ian couldn't tell Hinako the actual situation—it was the manifestation of Heian-kyo memories acting up inside her body.

There's no need to tell her this; it would cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.

"intuition?"

Hinako looked at Ian warily, her eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.

“I don’t think you have the ability to perceive that.”

"What the hell are you?"

“Miss Akuta Hinako.” Ian returned the coldness with his eyes.

"You seem to have fallen into your old habit again—threats are not a good way to communicate."

"Moreover, this is an act of exposing each other's secrets."

"It shouldn't have come to that point between us."

"..."

Hinako Akuta did not respond to Ian.

She knew that her threats meant nothing to the man in front of her.

He has a flexible moral bottom line and many hidden cards that he himself is unaware of.

These are people you should avoid being enemies with.

Just then, Ophelia had prepared everything she needed for the summoning.

She said:

"I'm ready."

"Hinako Akuta, hand over the relic you're carrying."

"Sorry, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Hinako gave a hasty apology and then went to Ophelia's side.

It was still that simple summoning circle.

However, it seems that Ophelia has further optimized Mordred after summoning it last time.

Compared to the previous one, it clearly has a lot more content.

And the thing that Hinako had been holding was finally revealed at this moment.

It was an iron sword, but it looked quite old.

Its surface is covered with a vast array of patterns, the complexity of which is breathtaking.

Every curve of the streamlined shape is just right, silently telling a story of craftsmanship that cannot be described by common sense.

Both Ian and Ophelia showed extreme surprise at the sword before them.

"Where did this sword come from?" the top student magician couldn't help but ask.

"...Someone gave it to me."

Akuta Hinako was mentioned only briefly.

"shall we start now?"

"..."

Realizing that Hinako Akuta seemed reluctant to say more, Ophelia wisely ended the conversation herself.

"That's fine."

Give it to me.

However, even with such a simple request, Hinako Akuta seemed somewhat hesitant.

She asked cautiously;

"Do I have to let you put it here?"

"Can't I... put it in myself?"

"you……"

Ophelia was somewhat displeased by Hinako Akuta's strange caution.

After all, it wasn't her who actively requested to perform this summoning.

This hesitant attitude is practically saying, "I still don't trust you."

Fortunately, Ian smoothed things over in time.

He took Ophelia's hand and began to comfort her.

"fine."

"That's just how Hinako is, don't mind her."