Honestly it took us like an hour to arrive at the train station.
I spent most of the time staring out the window, watching the city lights fade into suburbs, then into open countryside. By the time we pulled into the train station parking lot, my legs were stiff and my patience was thin.
I didn't really know how long it would take for me to arrive there. I really should've looked it up beforehand.
But we got pretty expensive first class seats. Considering Inorai was a Lord at the Clock Tower, it wasn't really surprising.
So I decided to strike up some conversation while we were on the train. I didn't know much about what they were displaying, but I considered I should at least ask what we were seeing. "So what exactly is the princess of Gold and Silver?"
Touko was the one to respond to my inquiry. "The Princesses of Gold and Silver, are the culmination of the Iselma family's research. Twins born once every few generations, designed to embody the family's ideal of beauty."
"Designed?" I asked.
"The Iselma family doesn't leave such things to chance, young man. Their magecraft revolves around the creation of beauty, specifically, the most beautiful person possible. The Gold and Silver Princesses are the result of generations of selective breeding, ritual enhancement, and... other methods."
She paused, letting that sink in before continuing.
"Each generation, a pair of twins is born. One with hair of gold, one with hair of silver. They are raised in isolation, trained in arts both mundane and magical, and often don't come out for anything that's not related to their studies."
"So that's why this whole gathering is a big deal then?
Touko nodded in affirmation. "Precisely, the Iselma family rarely presents their Princesses to the outside world. When they do, it's an event. Magi come from across the Clock Tower to witness it, to see the culmination of generations of research."
She paused, her sharp eyes glinting.
"But more than that, they come to make connections. The Princesses are not just works of art; they are political assets. A marriage alliance with the Iselma family could elevate any magus lineage for generations."
I frowned. "So the gathering is about showcasing them for potential suitors?"
"In part," Touko replied with a hesitant expression. "But also to remind the Clock Tower that the Iselma family still exists, and can still produce beauty that no other family can replicate."
Inorai chuckled softly from her seat. "You make it sound so cynical, Aozaki."
Touko just shrugged at her master's display.
It took a few hours to arrive at the city. We had to change trains to get to Windermere, the city where the gathering was being held.
It's also known as one of the most prominent resorts in all of England, an area overflowing with natural beauty. Many people might recognize it if you mentioned that it was the home of Peter Rabbit. A place loved by the author Beatrix Potter, the picture books of those rabbits living in a meadow surrounded by the scenery of lakes and mountains were still read worldwide.
After leaving the station, we immediately came upon a double horse-drawn carriage. Upon seeing us, the man who was apparently its caretaker immediately took off his hat and greeted us.
"Lord Inorai," he said with a deep bow. "Welcome back. We've been expecting you."
Inorai smiled warmly. "Thank you, Thomas. It's good to be back."
Touko eyed the carriage with mild suspicion. "Why not just use a car?"
"The family prepares the horses specifically for us." Inorai said, stepping up into the carriage. "Especially for guests of honor."
I glanced at Touko, and she just shrugged and followed.
I think this woman forgets she's a Grand Class magus, and anywhere she goes, they'll dick suck her to kingdom come. Or would it be clit sucking?
Shaking my head out of the nonsense I was thinking I stepped into the carriage and the inside left me speechless.
The carriage interior was plush with velvet seats, polished wood, small lanterns casting a warm glow. The caretaker climbed up to the driver's seat and flicked the reins. The horses started forward, hooves clacking against the flat road.
Honestly, the carriage barely swayed even though we were riding a horse. Even though we were being pulled along by an animal, the carriage barely swayed at all. No doubt some form of magecraft was responsible for that. The Iselma family really knows how to treat its guests, I'll give them that.
But I didn't really know how long we would be here. I brought a few changes of clothes, enough to last me about a week, my toothbrush and a new bottle of toothpaste. Probably overdoing it a bit, but that's not too important to me.
But at long last, we arrived at the place, the Twin Towers.
By modern standards, they were by no means enormous structures. At most, they would be comparable to a four-story building. However, both towers rose up, leaning in a bizarre way, as if they were slowly tilting toward each other, about to embrace.
"The eastern tower is the Tower of the Sun, and the western one is the Tower of the Moon." The driver called back to us.
The carriage came to a stop at the tower of the moon.
"We have arrived. Please enjoy yourselves," the handler said, bowing. A few moments after we disembarked, the handler and the horse-drawn carriage...melted.
It was like a fairytale. In their place remained only a small toy soldier and carriage.
It was expected of one of the main branch families of the Faculty of Creation. Their handiwork is truly something to witness.
"Welcome, Lord Inorai."
Standing in the doorway with a courteous bow was a mustached man in his mid-forties. With brown hair and a vermillion suit, he stood with the aid of a cane.
"Greeting Byron, It's been awhile since we last spoke."
Inorai stepped forward, her silver hair catching the lantern light. The man, Byron Iselma, I assumed, straightened and offered his hand. She took it briefly, a formal gesture between equals.
Touko hung back, her expression unreadable. I stayed close to her side.
Then Byron's eyes met Touko, "Greeting Miss Aozaki, I hope your stay will be adequate."
Byron's eyes flicked to me. "And who is this young man?"
"My plus one," Touko said flatly. "He's with me." Byron's gaze lingered for a moment longer, assessing. Then he smiled. "Any guest of Lord Inorai and Miss Aozaki is welcome here. Please, come inside."
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the open door. "The banquet hasn't started yet, but we have some tea, feel free to take some for yourself."
The high-ceilinged hall was filled with a solemn light. The carpet was lush enough that it felt like you might sink in up to your ankles. Added to the cold air, it gave the room a pleasant feel. The boisterously laughing shadows of people gave the impression of a scenery pulled from an illusion.
Actually, since most of the people gathered here were in fact magi, this place was nothing other than a world of dreams.
I followed Inorai and Touko inside, my eyes adjusting to the warm glow. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting prismatic light across the walls. Paintings of landscapes and portraits lined the corridor, their eyes following us as we walked.
The other guests were already mingling. I recognized a few faces from the Clock Tower, professors I'd seen in passing, students from higher years, nobles I'd only heard about in whispers.
The music drifting through the hall was light, and playful, the kind of melody that made you want to tap your feet. Trumpets carried the main theme, supported by a gentle piano and a steady, heroic double bass. It reminded me of the ocean, distant and endless.
What made it interesting wasn't the music itself, but who or what was playing it. Clockwork dolls, half the height of a normal person, handled each instrument with mechanical precision. On the surface, this seemed like something the Faculty of Modern Magecraft would do, swapping out traditional methods for microchips and radio waves.
But this was the Faculty of Creation. Instead of modern tech, these dolls moved using materials like silk thread soaked in moonlight or phantasmal species bones mixed into their gears. Human imitation magecraft has been declining for years, so finding someone who could produce an entire band of this quality was rare.
As if to show they were not simply repeating a music track, but were actually "lifeforms" specially designed to play music, the clockwork dolls played with a certain pride, sweating from the exertion.
If I were to be completely honest, I was never that infatuated with magecraft. But this? This was different. The clockwork dolls moved with a kind of mechanical grace, their tiny fingers dancing across the instruments as if they'd been playing for centuries.
I understood, then, why the Faculty of Creation was still respected despite the decline of Human Imitation magecraft.
I then took a look around the room. A large number of people had gathered. A few dozen, all of them magi. Some held glasses of deep red wine, others were enjoying the music, and everyone was partaking in gentle, friendly conversation.
Honestly, there were probably so many layers in each conversation among them, so it was best I just kept my tail hung low.
Touko whispered in my ear, "I know huge gatherings aren't your thing, but if you keep hanging around me and Inorai, people are gonna give you strange looks."
I glanced at her. "What do you want me to do? Mingle?"
"Pretend to. Grab a drink and look at the paintings. Make yourself look like you belong here." She nudged me with her elbow. "Just try to make friends around here."
I sighed. Staying around her would bring me unwanted attention, so the best option for me was to either just walk around the place or find something else to do. I really disliked huge gatherings, even in my previous life.
Academy City held all sorts of these types of gatherings, and they'd often invite Level 5s to attend. Most of the time, I'd skip them. The ones I did attend were only because the board of directors made it mandatory. Standing in a room full of people who either wanted to use you, study you, or impress you. It really got annoying fast.
This wasn't much different.
"Fine," I muttered, walking away from her.
I grabbed a glass of water from a passing tray and wandered toward the far side of the hall, away from the clusters of chattering magi. A large window overlooked the lake, the moonlight reflecting off the water in silver ripples. I leaned against the wall beside it and took a sip.
I'm honestly not too keen on speaking to anyone I don't know here.
The magi in this room operated on centuries of tradition, hidden politics, and unspoken rules I had no interest in learning. Traditionalists that hated technology and I couldn't bond with in the slightest.
So I stood by the window, watched the moonlight on the water, and kept to myself. I pulled out my phone and played some music in my ear. Then I created some dark matter in my finger tips and started morphing into random objects. I'll create some jewels and some paper talisman. I was a magus who hadn't really brought anything with me to fight with, so if I needed to fight in front of people I'd just use these instead of my dark matter directly.
My movements were hidden by the folds of my suit, so I created a bunch of more practical items instead of magical. Needles, combat knives and etc.
The Princesses of Gold and Silver would be presented soon. Until then, I'd stay in my corner and stay ready.