Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

However, Weber also noticed the weakness in this seemingly perfect formal attire.

The key lies in its "self-disciplined thinking" function.

To conserve mana, "Moon Spirit Elixir" always sets its defense to a level that is just enough to perfectly withstand an attack.

Does this mean that these magical costumes also have human personalities?

"Moon Spirit Essence Liquid" is just as overconfident and arrogant as its master.

If we can make good use of Shinji's traps and increase the intensity in a certain order, we might actually be able to break through Kenneth's "Moon Spirit Essence Fluid," Waver thought.

To do this, he himself must appear before Kenneth as bait and lure him into the designated trap.

"Moon Spirit Essence Liquid" possesses a powerful "autonomous reconnaissance" function. It is like a supercomputer in a science fiction movie, able to judge the dangers outside the door as long as it is behind a door.

Kenneth wouldn't willingly step into a truly threatening trap, so Webber must guide him into it.

When he came to his senses, Weber found his legs were trembling.

Rider isn't around.

You can only rely on yourself.

Do you think I can delay Kenneth for more than thirty minutes?

No, it's not a question of whether or not it can be done, it's a question of whether or not it must be done!

Kenneth's fiancée is now under Lancer's control, and he must be even more anxious than I am.

Don't be fooled by his confident demeanor; it's all a facade for Lancer.

Although Kenneth is an incorrigible scumbag teacher, ... I'm the only one who can help him now!

Weber clutched the cold gun to his chest and crawled out from under the bed.

……

Kenneth was taken aback when Webber appeared before him so openly.

"You've changed my mind tonight, Mr. Weber."

I thought you'd hide like a rat in a sewer until the very end.

The boy's response to Kenneth's taunts wasn't his words, but the submachine gun in his hand.

"Da da da da da da!"

"madness!"

Kenneth roared, and mercury formed a protective shield, blocking all the bullets Thompson fired.

But when the covering was removed, Kenneth discovered that the boy at the end of the corridor had disappeared again.

"Hmph, so in the end they still have to run away?"

Kenneth quickly caught up with him.

Weber might think he could use the terrain to his advantage and wage guerrilla warfare, but that would be a gross underestimation of the Clock Tower Monarch.

Even the slightest thermal reaction will not escape the "autonomous detection" of "Moon Spirit Essence Liquid".

Soon, he followed them into a room.

I pushed open the door and went inside.

Kenneth was surprised to find that it was an empty room with an unusually high temperature.

Just then, the sound of Thompson firing came from behind.

So that's how it is, Kenneth realized.

The heating in this room was turned on beforehand, while the room across the street probably had the air conditioning on.

Webber used this method to evade the "Moon Spirit Essence Fluid's" detection, hiding in the opposite room and launching a sneak attack from behind as soon as Kenneth entered.

The idea is good, but this level of cleverness is not enough to break through El-Melloi's Supreme Attire.

Even when attacked from behind, it can automatically mount a defensive response, which is what Kenneth is most proud of as his masterpiece.

Encased in a mercury film, Kenneth sneered to himself: What nonsense about "experience compensating for the gap in magic markings"!

However, just as Kenneth was basking in his sense of superiority, a strange feeling arose in his heart.

Before I could think it through, this strange feeling turned into a terrifying reality.

"boom--!!!"

Because his vision was completely obscured by mercury, Kenneth didn't know what was happening, but he was certain that the coating was undergoing unnatural distortion.

"what have you done!"

Kenneth shouted.

The protective membrane that could even stop machine gun bullets was collapsing.

"Wait, could this be...!"

The next instant, the mercury sphere shattered, and a large amount of water rushed into the interior of the "Moon Spirit Essence Liquid," completely submerging Kenneth.

This is precisely the weakness that Webber Wilvet discovered in the "Moon Spirit Essence".

To cope with the barrage of bullets from Thompson's submachine gun, the Mystic Code has transformed into the most suitable shape.

But what if, at this point, we added firepower stronger than submachine guns?

Once the defensive strength of "Moon Spirit Essence Liquid" is determined, its strength cannot be changed; it can only withstand attacks with its original defensive power.

That's right, while Webber was firing his submachine gun, he manually activated the magic trap in the room where Kenneth was.

This room is one of the few rooms that Shirou set up that require manually activating traps.

The moment Webber activated the magic mechanism, the Hyatt Hotel's luxurious room was transformed into an alternate dimension equivalent to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench.

Each square centimeter was subjected to more than a ton of pressure, which made the "Moon Spirit Essence Liquid," which had already formed a defensive posture, unable to bear it and completely collapsed after a few seconds.

Kenneth's furious curses echoed from within the mercury sphere, but quickly became intermittent—

Kenneth drowned.

Weber could even imagine the grotesque state of Lord El-Melloi, who valued his appearance more than anyone else, being submerged in water in a confined space, completely bewildered.

Alright, it's about time to retreat.

This level of trap can't stop Mr. Kenneth forever; let's prepare for the next one.

Weber ran quickly down the corridor, but a roar of fury came from behind him—

"Scalp!"

"Ugh!?!?"

Weber screamed and collapsed to the ground—as the corridor in front of him suddenly turned into a sheer cliff, cutting off all path.

The "Moon Spirit Essence Liquid," shattered by the pressure of the deep sea, transformed back into a whip, cleaving the entire floor in two.

This is the true power of the twelve monarchs of the Clock Tower.

If he gets serious, no matter how clever Webber tries, he can't win.

"That's the end of the hide-and-seek game."

After vomiting water for a long time in the room, Kenneth finally staggered out of the room, leaning against the wall, and came to Weber, who was under the control of mercury.

At this point, he had long lost his initial high spirits; he was soaked to the bone, and even his once-proud slicked-back hair was disheveled.

“Look what you’ve done, Mr. Weber.”

How can I possibly repay you? I'm sure you're already mentally prepared, aren't you?

Kenneth approached with a "friendly" smile, then reached out, grabbed his collar, and lifted him into the air.

Weber's face turned deathly pale, and his legs trembled: "Ugh... can we reconcile?"

"Reconciliation? Mr. Weber, you must be joking."

Although Kenneth's face was extremely ferocious at this moment, incredibly, he was not actually that angry.

Perhaps the torrential cold water had extinguished his anger, for Kenneth was now unusually calm.

To be honest, Weber's performance was beyond his expectations.

Kenneth was astonished that the worst student in the Clock Tower had managed to see through the properties of "Moon Spirit Elixir" in such a short time and used the characteristics of the Mystic Code to create a counterattack.

He couldn't help but think of Weber's paper.

Can a magician's experience and skill make up for the gap between family lineage and talent...?

Kenneth scoffed. It was still impossible, a pipe dream.

Although it's impossible... even mediocre people have their own way of fighting, and he acknowledged Webber's efforts tonight.

Just as Kenneth was about to teach Webber a lesson he would never forget—

"Truly... truly worthy of being the youngest lecturer in the history of the Conjuration Department, my respected teacher! The great monarch El-Melloi!"

Not only are you unmatched in magic, but you are also an impeccably strong warrior!

"My disciple, Weber Wilvet, is now completely defeated and utterly convinced!"

While being held in the air, Webber suddenly broke character and shouted, leaving Kenneth speechless.

It's impossible that Weber, who was so arrogant and stubborn, would say something like that.

In fact, this was a plea for mercy line that Shirou taught him before the battle, which he saved for when he was defeated by Kenneth.

—If we say that, at least we can save our lives.

At the time, Weber's attitude was: Who would say that! I would rather die than say such a thing!

Now, Webber was reciting Shirou's prepared lines fluently.

Kenneth stared at the sweating boy and asked suspiciously, "So, you realize your mistake?"

"No, that's right! Ever since I came to Japan, I have regretted my impulsive actions and have been reflecting on my crime of stealing your sacred relic."

The student longs to rush to you immediately and admit their mistake!

Kenneth frowned: "Then why didn't you come?"

Weber continued to repeat Shirou's words: "Because the student feels that words are always pale, only by proving to you that he has grown can an apology seem sincere."

It is precisely for this reason that I have prepared for tonight's duel, to show you my growth!

"Is this what you call growth—these low-down tricks?"

Kenneth snorted, clearly unconvinced by this explanation.

Weber, his face pale, continued reading in a monotone voice: "In the battle with you, teacher, I have come to a deeper understanding of my own shallowness and your greatness!"

Indeed, only Lord El-Melloi is worthy of this Holy Grail of the Far East. If possible, please allow me to serve as your vassal in the future, and work with Rider to assist you in obtaining the Holy Grail.

"Once you win the Holy Grail, Miss Sora will surely change her mind and realize what a reliable man you are! That's my wish too!"

...Why is Sora mentioned here?

How did this kid know that I desperately want Sora to change his mind right now?

Although Kenneth had his doubts, he did become much happier after being showered with compliments.

He slowly released Weber.

"……call."

Weber slumped his shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief: We're saved.

"Mr. Weber."

"Yes, yes! Teacher, what can I do for you?"

Once you've abandoned your dignity once, there's nothing left to worry about. Weber is now in a state of complete control.

Just as Kenneth was about to say something condescending, give him a good scolding, and then let him go—

Suddenly, the bells on Weber's body started ringing loudly.

"Weber, is he still alive?"