"One of the effects of [Volumen Hydrargyrum]—discard a card from your hand, then destroy a card on the field. The deadliest techniques are those hidden in the shadows; they must be dealt with first. Volumen Hydrargyrum, destroy the set card in the back row!"
A surge of mercury transformed into sharp blades, shattering the only set card in Waver's back row.
"If I can't target Iskandar directly, then I'll break through his defenses first. Volumen Hydrargyrum, destroy [Hephaestion]—strike!"
"King, it is time for me to fulfill my duty." Hephaestion stepped forward willingly to meet Volumen Hydrargyrum's attack, vanishing into golden light.
"Finally, even the King of Conquerors is not exempt. Volumen Hydrargyrum's effect—destroy [Iskandar]!" A third card was sent to the graveyard as Volumen Hydrargyrum launched an attack on the King of Conquerors.
"I won't allow it!" Waver raised his hand, activating a graveyard effect. "[Hephaestion]'s effect—while in the graveyard, I can banish this card to negate one effect targeting a Rider-class Servant on the field."
Hephaestion's spectral form appeared in front of Iskandar, blocking Volumen Hydrargyrum's strike. The shadow warrior had fulfilled her mission.
"Well done, Hephaestion!" Iskandar was never one to withhold praise from his subordinates.
At this moment, Kayneth had only one card left in his hand. He surveyed the battlefield—if he destroyed Iskandar, he could deal direct damage to Waver, but doing so would leave him completely exposed next turn. It wasn't a wise choice.
"As expected of the Heroic Spirit I once set my sights on. I suppose I should give you some recognition, King of Conquerors." Kayneth wiped the sweat from his forehead in a way that masked his nervousness, speaking words reminiscent of a certain golden king. "My turn ends."
"Whew, that was close! So this is the power of a Lord from the Clock Tower? He almost broke through everything in one go." Waver let out a breath, gaining a clearer understanding of his former teacher's abilities.
"Praising me won't make me go easy on you." Kayneth let out a faint snort from his nose.
"I'm being sincere." Waver suddenly felt that Kayneth wasn't as difficult to deal with as he once thought—maybe he just needed the right approach. "My turn—draw!"
Seeing the card he had drawn, Waver's eyes widened in disbelief. He rubbed his eyes multiple times. "Is this real? I activate [The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II]! During my Draw Phase, I can reveal the drawn card to activate this effect at the start of Main Phase 1—Special Summon any number of Servant cards with 'El-Melloi' or 'El-Melloi Classroom' in their name from my hand! These summoned cards cannot activate their effects this turn. I can't believe it—do I really have students now?"
[Reines El-Melloi Archisorte] 4-Star Caster ATK 1800[Flat Escardos] 2-Star Master ATK 1000[Yvette L. Lehrman] 3-Star Assassin ATK 1500[Caules Forvedge Yggdmillennia] 2-Star ATK 600
In an instant, a diverse group of students filled the battlefield.
Reines and Yvette reacted first, assuming battle stances. Soon, the others also adapted, absorbing knowledge provided by the Noble Phantasm.
"Whoa! It's Professor from ten years ago! So small and adorable!" Yvette lunged at Waver, only to be caught by the scruff of her neck by Iskandar.
"What an interesting Noble Phantasm. To achieve something like this must require an enormous amount of mana. Just what kind of Master do you have that can supply such a vast reserve of magical energy?" Reines narrowed her eyes, scanning her surroundings with great interest before settling her gaze on Kayneth. "Oh my, isn't this my dear elder brother? Or rather, my uncle? You still look so high-spirited—one wouldn't guess you'd end up losing so miserably."
"Reines, my dear sister… Your personality has only worsened over the years." Kayneth awkwardly cleared his throat, trying to remind her to mind her words. "But why are you in this failure's deck? As the rightful heir of El-Melloi, you should be on my side."
"So this is the King of Conquerors that Professor always talks about? This is the Holy Grail War? So cool!!" Flat shouted excitedly, though no one paid him any attention.
"El-Melloi? What's that? Wasn't I preparing for the Holy Grail War? But this clearly isn't Romania…" Caules muttered, his mild nature keeping him from interrupting the others. As a result, no one really noticed him.
Ignoring this irrelevant remark, Kayneth felt something shatter within him. Instinctively, he clutched his chest. "Impossible… I am the most outstanding Lord of the Clock Tower. Reines, all of you—this time will be different! I will win this Holy Grail War and prove it to you! Waver, what are you waiting for? The duel isn't over yet!"
"Right, of course! I enter the Battle Phase! King of Conquerors, please commence your conquest!"
Iskandar's 3300 ATK was more than enough to break through Kayneth's defenses, and the students' combined total ATK of 4900 was enough to secure victory.
Kayneth LP 4000 → 2700
"Arghhh!!" The pain of LP reduction caused Kayneth to let out a pained cry.
"We got him!" As the lightning of Iskandar's charge engulfed Kayneth, Waver murmured, realizing he had finally proven himself before his former teacher.
"I told you before—'Volumen Hydrargyrum integrates offense, defense, and detection into one,' didn't I?" As the lightning faded, a perfectly spherical barrier was revealed where Kayneth had once stood. As Iskandar's attack ended, the sphere slowly opened, revealing Kayneth still standing on the field.
"Why?"
"The second effect of [Volumen Hydrargyrum]—discard a card from your hand to target a Servant card on the field. The targeted card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn." Kayneth smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes. "Your students aren't strong enough to break through my defenses. Now it's my turn, isn't it?"
"Now, I'll show you who the true Monarch is!"