"What... was that story?"
"It's horrible..."
"What you're saying is real...?"
"That's... Ayato's life?"
The four of them were in shock at hearing the life of Ayato. They didn't know what else to say. Kiara had a downcast look while telling the story.
"That's not the whole of it. Honestly, I would tell you what happened after but I have no clue. Not even Ayato told me about it. All that I know is that he broke down after that, for a little while. He blamed our father for everything and our father wanted to make Ayato the heir. They fought he won, the end of story."
"Why are you suddenly abridging the story?"
Miyako asked. Kiara looked over at her.
"Because I think that Ayato can tell you more about it if he wants. But, before that, I want to show you all something. You're all fit to move, right?"
Kiara stood up from the stool. They all nodded.
"Let's go see him."
Miyako tilted her head confused.
"I'm talking about Ayato."
The brown-haired girl put her head down. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to apologise to Ayato but she wasn't sure how to do it.
"It's fine, Miyako,"
Saya spoke as she stood up from her bed. There was a bandage over her forehead.
"You can apologise to him. Just be yourself, that's it."
She smiled. Retsuya nodded and added a 'That's right,' while Emika also grinned. The girl couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, that's probably for the best."
"Sorry to interrupt but I don't think you'll be able to apologise to Ayato."
"What does that mean? Wasn't the whole reason you told us the story so that we could understand Ayato? Why can't I apologise?"
"..."
Kiara didn't say a word.
·———·
They went to a different medical room. One where Ayato Kyouya was being hospitalized.
"Why is he like this...? What happened?!"
Miyako asked desperately, looking through the large rectangular glass pane.
"Before I came to talk to you, Ayato was attacked by the Mage Killer, it seems. He also seemed to have allies but we can't figure anything out. The footage of the CCTV was hacked and distorted. The only reason we know it was the Mage Killer is because there is residual aether where they fought on the 1st floor."
"He fought the Mage Killer and was reduced to this?"
Saya muttered while dropping to her knees.
"Not even Ayato can take him on?"
"No, I think that Ayato managed to score a good blow on the Mage Killer."
Kiara said, staring at her brother. They all looked at her.
"Of course, I don't have any proof but I guess the proof is Ayato himself. There's no way my brother would be severely injured without landing a great hit."
"But... does this mean that the Mage Killer is still on the loose?"
"Yes. The Mage Killer didn't attack alone. He attacked alongside NEXUS. With it being a sudden and swift attack, we couldn't do anything. All of us were useless. There was a student death as well..."
Kiara's voice faded away. The door to the medical room opened. A woman was at the door, panting.
"God, I am out of shape..."
"Akari Chiori, what're you doing here?"
The black-haired girl asked out of curiosity. Perhaps she was here to check up on Ayato but Kiara doubted she would do something so trivial.
"We're here to move Ayato Kyouya to a better hospital."
"You can do that, thanks. But, why did you run here?"
"Because I just heard about this."
Akari marched into the room and looked through the glass pane. She winced.
"Such a stupid boy, if he was in so much trouble, why did he warn me?"
"He warned you? You mean when you screamed about the bombs?"
The woman nodded.
Kiara gave a warm smile, looking at her brother.
·———·
(England — London — Buckingham Palace)
In Buckingham Palace, in London, a man walked through the large halls of the palace. A maid was walking past him.
With a red face, she paused and bowed to him.
"Good morning, Sir Arthur!"
She greeted the man.
"Ah, Irise, good morning."
The man said with a calm voice. The maid couldn't help but blush.
"Y-you know my name?!"
"Of course. I know the names of those with beautiful faces."
He walked towards the man and lifted her face with his hand. The maid's heart was practically beating out of her chest. He took up her hand.
"Do you want to come to my bedroom tonight?"
"But, wouldn't that trouble you? I heard that Lady Morgan gives you trouble whenever you invite someone into your room."
"The only person causing trouble will be me. A woman like you shouldn't be tainted but I can't help myself."
"Oh, Sir Arthur~!"
The man left the maid and continued walking down the corridor.
He was a handsome man in his early 20s. The man was around 190cm tall. His hair was flaxen and his eyes were as clear as ice. With sharp features, he had sultry eyes. He wore all white with a sword at his waist. The man had a mole under his left eye.
A man known as Arthur Pendragon. He is known in history as the great ruler of Camelot. This man was the same as the one from the Medieval Period. The same could be said for Morgan Le Fay.
Arthur ascended the stairs and came to a large red and golden door. He opened the door.
"You're late, Arthur."
"Brother! You can't mess with women!"
"You found me out, huh, Alicia?"
There was a large round table in the middle of the room. That was the only thing in the room. People sat around the round table.
"Am I not important, Arthur? You respond to your sister but not to me?"
Morgan asked with a thin smile on her face. Arthur took the seat between Morgan and his sister, Alicia.
"I'm sorry, Morgan, but my sister is more important."
"Like I'm not your sister."
"Not in these incarnations."
Arthur said.
There was a total of 8 people at the table but 9 seats. A person was missing.
"Where's Lancelot?"
"He's probably lazing around. It's fine."
Morgan told Arthur.
This time, she addressed everyone at the round table.
"We want destruction in this bewitched world. For now, we'll have two tests."
The woman announced.
"Tests?"
Another one asked. This person was a man named Aindeau.
"London and the second one will be a surprise."
"You're saying you'll blow up the Queen's sacred land?"
Arthur asked as he was glaring at Morgan. She had a placid smile on her face.
"Arthur, isn't your wish to return Camelot to this world?"
"..."
"To do that, this is necessary. London will be a prototype, however. The real thing will be done in Europe."
Alicia stuck her hand up while swinging her legs under the table. She had a question.
"Hey, I heard about this crazy Mage Killer in Japan. Should we worry about them?"
"They're in Japan. Although, they may be able to use aether as well. I felt a surge earlier, so they may be a problem. But they won't find their way here."
The witch said with assurance.
"We will reshape this world. No one is using their power to their full potential. So, we'll show them what we can do. The Magicians of the Round Table, that's what we are."
"I still think that 'Knights' sounds better."
Alicia said and her brother agreed. It didn't make sense as a whole since they weren't knights.
"Now, let's discuss the future."
Morgan Le Fay smirked.
A witch's smile means that nothing good is to come.