The unpleasant fumes of the exhaust crawled up the nose as the car disappeared with a hum into the next street. The sun was only just peeking out from behind the property. The blue roof shone and rose higher than the surrounding fir trees. Frost crystals sitting on the needles glistened. The outer walls were clad in white, and brown trunks supported the second floor. It was a beautiful winter—nothing like the grey days in Denmark.

Suddenly, an uneasy feeling crept up her skin. Something strange. Laila turned towards the wooded mountain. She only faintly recognized the church and colored windows. Her pupils dilated further. Nothing... Had she just imagined it? The cars drove comfortably along their paths, and a person hiked up the mountain. The mana stung her retinas uncomfortably and warmed her eyeballs. Tears welled up so much that she had to rub her eyes. Her eyes wandered over the students with a bored expression. Amalia played with her hair while Elias waved his arms around wildly.

'I could have sworn there was something...' Laila thought.

The cold seeped through the pants and jacket despite the temperature enchantment. Winter had come earlier than expected. Hopefully, that didn't mean trouble for the birds. Mr. Jones opened the garden gate and strolled into the estate first, with Elias and his troupe following.

Laila kept a little distance and trolled along beside Amalia. Partly so that the three wouldn't get the idea of annoying her but also to make a good impression.

"Laila," Amalia suddenly whispered. "Did you plan something tonight?"

"Sure," she replied, frowning. She wanted to continue working on her rune project but could easily spare one hour.

Finally, they reached the building. Mr. Jones rang the bell and took two steps back.

"At once!" It took a while, then the knob rattled before the door opened.

A man in a red suit and pointed beard greeted them, his matte blue eyes looking down the stairs. He had brown hair and carried a short staff on which a sparkling red jewel slept.

"You are earlier than expected, Professor Jones. You are living up to your reputation."

"You flatter me," he replied, "but anyone would have been early. When does one ever have the good fortune to meet one of the three great families?"

"It's hardly worth mentioning. Perhaps a little hectic, if I may say so. We're in the middle of a renovation. So apologies for any inconvenience," Tohsaka said, stepping back and allowing the guests to enter.

A royal red carpet flowed along the seemingly endless corridor. To the side were several chests of drawers with books and other items. Several suitcases were already waiting by the door. But Laila's gaze fell on a small photo of four people in a rather plain frame.

Laila recognized Tohsaka immediately. His posture was elegant, befitting his status as a respected Magi. Next to him stood a woman whose green hair shimmered in the light. Nevertheless, her eyes seemed empty, perhaps even sad. Her fingers pressed into the shoulders of a little girl with bright purple hair, trying to pull her closer as if she feared never seeing her again.

"I was surprised you offered to meet a group of students when you're such a busy man," Mr. Jones continued, patting his stiff coat. Flakes of ice pattered onto the mat. Laila tore her eyes back to the action.

'Make a good impression,' she told herself again, standing as straight as possible.

"A simple favor from the clock tower—that's all there was to it."

They all nodded in agreement, even if none believed his words. After all, what Magi would willingly share their secrets with strangers? No matter how small. The clock tower was complicated—a power struggle between different factions.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

'What does he get out of it?' everyone wondered as a little girl came running into the hallway. Two brown pigtails with black bows dangled at her side, and she only reached Tohsaka's waist. She resembled the other girl in the picture, which Laila had only briefly skimmed over. Startled, the girl stopped and stared at the visitors.

"Who are those strangers, dad?" Her naked finger pointed at the group. "We wanted to play. You promised it!"

"Rin, as a host, you don't speak so rudely to your visitors. You should know that by now. It won't take too long... More importantly, have you already packed your bags?"

Rin nodded. Her hands gripped Tohsaka's red suit as if she didn't want him to leave.

"Why don't you play with your sister in the meantime?" Laila suddenly suggested.

Silence stormed the corridor. The energetic smile on the little girl disappeared without a trace. Dejected, Rin looked down at the floor and plucked restlessly at her dress. Her face contorted with pain.

Tokiomi Tohsaka cleared his throat.

"Rin, please come up, my darling. We don't want to disturb your father at his work," a woman suddenly said. She looked exactly like in the picture, perhaps a little more skinny, but that could also be due to the distance and clothes. Rin climbed the stairs in silence.

"I'll be with you in a good hour," Tohsaka replied. Meanwhile, the door was closed.

"Sorry, it wasn't my intention," Laila said, muffled. An uneasy feeling bubbled in her chest. 'Poor girl,' she thought. However, the sudden change of heart would not leave her conscience. Suddenly, she received a little knock from behind. Laila immediately improved her posture and put on a fake smile.

"I'm sorry you had to witness such an unpleasant situation," Tohsaka said. "The last few weeks have been a bit stressful for all of us. Come on, let's make the most of our short time."

On command, a door opened, and they followed Tohsaka down.

The stairs went deep and led into a corridor lit by light bulbs. At first glance, the underground chamber looked like an ordinary cellar. The stone walls had a certain chill that crept into Laila's fingertips. But there was no doubt that there was more inside than the naked eye could see.

"So much for first impressions," Amalia whispered. Her voice was suddenly right by her ear, but Laila didn't miss the stern tone.

"Thanks for the reminder."

"We should be able to see the ley lines very well today. If you forget me later, I'll drag you out of the room myself."

"No problem, but please don't destroy my inkwell." Amalia's eyes widened. But she couldn't manage an answer.

"Tohsaka, everyone speaks highly of your skills as a Magus." Lando suddenly says.

"As for that... I prefer to remain humble," Tohsaka replied. "But I suppose I know quite a bit."

"What about curses? They are not taught in the Clock Tower. But I have heard that they are widespread in Asia."

Meanwhile, Laila noticed how Amalia was also listening to the conversation. Her eyes had become slits. The corridor ended at a storeroom. Boxes and sacks lay against or on shelves. Potatoes and other vegetables.

"I never really got interested in curses. But if you keep your ears open and read a legend or two, you can develop a neat understanding. At least enough to incorporate it into your Magecraft."

"Legends?" Lando asked slowly. His hand twitched briefly. "I never considered that as a source of information. Is there some overlap?"

"Mhh... The most important thing is your will to wield the Magecraft and the strength of your intent. Curses are practically the opposite of blessings. It doesn't work without the right dedication."

"I also find blessings and their effects on the body and environment highly interesting. I've always wondered if there was a way to absorb this essence," Lando continued.

Laila's body trembled weakly. Was it because of the cold? Perhaps she had caught an illness? She immediately pressed mana into the runes hidden in her clothes. A warmth spread across her skin. However, it didn't seem to help her strange condition.

"I don't know anything about that, but I am curious to see where else your bold spirit will take you. The world of Magecraft is constantly changing. Whatever you think you know may have become standard in a few years," Tohsaka replied, pressing a hand to the bricks. The mortar crunched as a large room with boxes and bookshelves opened up. It was a wonderful place that smelled of ink.

'Too bad I can't take any of the books with me.

But when Laila took a step inside, she shuddered. A thick film pressed against her body, making it difficult to walk through. There was no doubt. They stood behind a barrier. Laila could only swallow. Someone had woven a web of mana so finely that not even a speck of dust could slip through. Unnoticed, she clutched her fan, and various colors revealed themselves.

It was simply incredible. She hadn't even noticed the barrier from the outside. But inside, it sparkled and shone as if she looked at a living organism. How was such a thing possible? She just wanted, no, needed to understand it.

But then something nudged her from the side. The wall to her right glowed gold. It was unusually bright. Even the sun would probably be ashamed at the sight of it. It was like the shimmer of all the treasures in one spot, glittering under a single light.

'What on earth has such an aura that even Tohsakas barrier is incapable of disguising it completely?

Tohsaka obviously didn't lead them to his proper laboratory, but perhaps it was still nearby. Then, something tapped the back of her head and pulled her senses back.