NOVEL WEB Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Once It's Started, There's No Stopping?
1994, Clock Tower, England
London's autumn rain was always bleak and bone-chilling. Mixed with the gray mist, it filled the air with an unsettling gloom.Inside the Spirit Evocation Department classroom—Lord El-Melloi Archibald Kenneth was reviewing a thesis.
It was a paper written by his student, Waver Velvet, titled "The Path to a New Era of Magecraft."
The lemon-haired genius mage carefully examined the paper one last time, then raised his voice to address the entire class—"In the world of magecraft, one's lineage largely determines their capabilities. This is because the mysteries of magecraft cannot be fully realized in a single generation."
Kenneth's deep blue eyes gleamed with aristocratic wisdom and arrogance."Parents pass down the culmination of their lifelong training to their children, which is why families with longer magecraft lineages hold greater authority. "Take Kenneth himself, for example—The reason he stood as one of the new-generation prodigies of the Clock Tower, the reason he had become one of the Twelve Lords, was that he was the head of House Archibald, a lineage of mages spanning nine generations.
But in the next moment, Kenneth's expression twisted into one of utter disdain as he glared at his students.
"And why am I starting with such a basic concept? Because just a few days ago, a certain student submitted a thesis with the audacious title—""The Path to a New Era of Magecraft!"" This paper, with the most ludicrous arrogance, challenged the indisputable doctrine of bloodline supremacy in the magecraft world. The author claimed that as long as one had a deeper understanding of magic formulas and a more ingenious control over mana, even those born from lowly origins could become first-rate mages
—""Utter nonsense!!!"
Kenneth slammed the thesis onto the lectern, his cold laughter echoing through the room." How pitiful. That one of my students would entertain such heretical ideas.
""If lineage does not determine the quality of magecraft, if mere effort alone can make someone a top-tier mage, then why have you even come to the Clock Tower, the pinnacle of the magecraft world? Why are you studying under me, Lord Kenneth, one of the Twelve Lords?!"
At these words, Waver Velvet, seated among the students, could no longer hold back. He slammed his hands on the desk and shot to his feet, retorting
—"P-Professor! I was merely questioning the stagnant traditions of the Mage's Association
—""Student Velvet, if I recall correctly, your family has only been practicing magecraft for three generations, correct?"
Kenneth's tone was filled with utter contempt, as though he were looking down upon an insect writhing in the dirt.
"Listen well. From the perspective of the Mage's Association's history, your family is no different from a newborn infant.""Before you dare question your elders, you should first learn to speak with proper humility."
At these words, the classroom erupted into laughter, leaving Waver humiliated, slumping back into his seat like a dog that had lost its home.
Outside the classroom...
"How dare he look down on me?! How dare he?!"
Waver seethed, his whole body trembling with rage. He turned to the black-haired boy sitting next to him, waving his hands wildly in frustration.
"That bald-headed bastard! Is that how a proper professor should behave?! That smug, arrogant prick—he's just jealous! Jealous of my unparalleled talent! He fears my genius! That's why he mocked me in front of everyone!"" If I had been born a few years earlier, my achievements would far surpass that bastard Kenneth!
When I become a Grand Mage, let's see if he dares to grovel at my feet then!" "Pfft." The boy beside Waver couldn't hold it in any longer—he burst out laughing.
"Linde! What the hell are you laughing at?! Are you looking down on me too?!"
Linde quickly wiped the grin off his face and explained with a serious expression,
"No, no, not at all. I just thought the scene you described—becoming a Grand Mage and all—was really... interesting."
After all, Waver Velvet's magic talent was infamously weak. Although he would one day rise to become one of the Twelve Lords, his future title held far less prestige than Kenneth's coveted "Color Rank"—he would only manage to earn the honorary "Ritual Rank."
The Clock Tower had a clear hierarchy for mage ranks
—Grand, Color, Tome, Ritual, Open, Long, End.
To put it simply, the gap between Waver and Kenneth was like that of a novice fighter dreaming of single-handedly defeating a seasoned warlord. Not to mention, even in his later years, Waver would deeply regret Kenneth's tragic fate—if his older self ever recalled today's teenage arrogance, he'd probably roll around in bed in sheer embarrassment. But of course, if any other aristocratic Twelve Lord had read Waver's "blasphemous" thesis, they likely wouldn't have just mocked him—they would've expelled him from the Clock Tower on the spot.Kenneth, at least, was still young and brimming with talent—his patience was better than most.
A few harsh words, and the matter was put to rest.However, telling Waver that right now would probably just ruin their friendship.To be honest—Linde, 18 years old, was a transmigrator. No truck accident. No system cheat. He simply went to sleep one night and woke up in 1994 England, suddenly finding himself a powerless student at the Clock Tower. Thus, as fellow bottom-tier students, he and Waver naturally stuck together. And now, the Fourth Holy Grail War loomed just ahead. Waver, driven by humiliation, was about to steal Kenneth's catalyst and take his destiny to the far east—to Fuyuki City.Logically speaking, Linde should intervene.
After all, the tradition of mages was betrayal.Waver backstabbing Kenneth? Then Linde could just backstab Waver, steal the catalyst, and claim the Rider class for himself. After all—Alexander the Great? That guy was insanely strong. Linde would love to be his Master. As for Kenneth, his fiancée Sola, and the ever-loyal Diarmuid... well, best wishes to them in the war. But unlike Waver, Linde had zero mana. Summoning anything was a long shot. And let's be real—even someone as skilled as Kenneth met his end in that war. If Linde joined, he'd just be cannon fodder.
So, perhaps it was best to just sit back... and watch destiny unfold.