The Third Holy Grail War (Part 8)
True equality does not exist.
Something like true equality is merely a fantasy written up by the powerless ones. A single step forward, and your entire destiny is decided the moment your weak and tiny life begins.
We humans are born into this world as unequals.
The sands beneath our feet, and the vast blue skies above us are of different realms. Our frail lives try their best to touch the unreachable, but all we can do is to flail our arms as we gazed at those impossibilities.
However, it does not matter whether you're born to wealth or you're born to poverty, because everyone ends up lying in the grave during their finals. Nevertheless, we are human. As fragile as we are, our species have managed to reign supreme as the apex predator of this planet.
Although the race of infinite possibilities is merely a false pretext created by the predecessors to make us feel superior, I must agree that us humans are capable of the impossibles. Our ancestors argued that we will never touch the skies, but we shown them that we can by reaching the outer space.
In this beautiful world of ours, war, death, genocides, these inhumane acts occurred day by day and no one have thought to stop it- No, some have tried, but what can they do when they are oh so powerless themselves?
I wonder why. Why do I feel so empty after all these successes? Why does my heart feel hollow after finally acquiring immortality? Why did she smile before I killed her? Why...
Just why won't tears fall down my face?
Ahh, the skies are burning once more. How ironic it is for them to always be burning when I wished them to not.
Move on, Fenric. You must move on. One day, one day, you'll find your true purpose for immortality... for life. If you cannot save them, then at least record their very deaths down. Remember them as the ones who have existed.
No matter how dark or despairing it is, tiny specks of lights can always be found after the shadows. The chirping birds in the morning, the brightened dew on the morning leaves, the genuine gratitude expressed by the rescued, the brilliant smile spread by the laughing young girl.
The world is beautiful.
That's why, you cannot give up in this path yet. Do not stop, step forward. Witness this irreplaceable memories of ours. Do not let anyone steal it and face the future. Find that everlasting life of yours at the end, and move beyond the last boundaries of horizon!
So please cheer up and see how beautiful this world is!
Myself.
One day, just one day, you'll find a true purpose for yourself.
-x-X-x-
Ahh, the logs are overflowing.
For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP
For forcing your Servant to unleash his Noble Phantasm, you have killed 356,692 humans +178,346,000 EXP
Hah.
Yes, I have not killed Annelia. I only took her Magic Crest while forcing her to marry the Tohsaka through a Self-Geis Scroll. She has sworn secrecy of what occurred during the Holy Grail War, and will be living the rest of her life with the Tohsakas peacefully.
What? I'd like to see Rin and Sakura existing. Luvia will probably also be born because it was only mentioned that the Edelfelt sisters are her relatives. She could have been born from some other family member's descendant.
You have leveled up! +5 SP
For reaching the max level, the [Prestige] option has been unlocked!
You are now Prestige 1!
That's good. I almost believed that the experience points I need for the future levels will reach the trillions.
For reaching the max level, the [Familiar] option has been unlocked!
An extra familiar slot will be unlocked per every prestige level gained.
Familiar system...? Let me see... Oh, unlike the ordinary Magi familiars, these won't die permanently. When it's killed, it will return to the familiar space and can be resummoned after 24 hours of rest.
For unlocking the [Familiar] option, a random familiar will be given.
You have gained the Familiar: [Zerureusu]
Zerureusu
Species: Flying Wyvern
Classification: Phantasmal Beast
Description: The Bright Field Wyvern is a bipedal flying wyvern with mainly ash-white coloring and strange crystal/spikes formations that exhibits inner blue glow that are distributed evenly across the shelled surface of its body, with exception of the lower neck, underbelly and wing membranes. Zerureusu is capable of using Light element attacks. It will also have a trail of red light from its eyes.
A wyvern? Just when I received the skill for riding. Nice... But aren't wyverns members of the Dragon Kind? Do I have to rank my [Riding] to EX? No, I should get another Skill specialized for dragon controlling later.
For reaching the max level, the [Dungeons] option has been unlocked!
Wait, what? So I do have something similar to [ID Create] from the Gamer. But you're giving me this after all this time...?
You have leveled up x29! +145 SP
Ahhh, I am happy. I am truly happy... but why can't I smile?
No. There's no use thinking of Arash and Circe any longer. The ones of the past will be forgotten, the regrets will be kept, and I will keep moving forward.
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.
Class Skill: [Magic Resistance B]
Class Skill: [Riding B]
Personal Skill: [Eternal Arms Mastership A+]
Personal Skill: [Protection of the Fairies A]
Personal Skill: [Reverse Flow of Mana A]
Noble Phantasm: [Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake A]
Noble Phantasm: [Knight of Owner: A Knight Does Not Die with Empty Hands A++]
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.
Class Skill: [Magic Resistance B]
Personal Skill: [Divinity D]
Personal Skill: [Clairvoyance (Beauty) B++]
Personal Skill: [Beauty of Trouble with Women A]
Personal Skill: [Magecraft B]
Noble Phantasm: [Mac an Luin: Undefeated Violet Flower A+]
Noble Phantasm: [Uisce Beatha: O' Life Scooped with These Hands C]
Noble Phantasm: [Fintan Finegas: Biting the Thumb Swelling with Wisdom B]
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.
Class Skill: [Magic Resistance A]
Class Skill: [True Name Discernment B]
Class Skill: [God's Resolution C]
Personal Skill: [Revelation A]
Personal Skill: [Charisma C-]
Personal Skill: [Baptism Rite B+]
Noble Phantasm: [Left Hand - Xanadu Matrix: Left Arm - Foundation of Heaven's Blessing D]
Noble Phantasm: [Right Hand - Evil Eater: Right Arm - Wickedness Predation D]
Noble Phantasm: [Twin Arm - Big Crunch: Dual Arm Zero-Order Convergence A+]
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.
Class Skill: [Magic Resistance C]
Class Skill: [Independent Action C]
Personal Skill: [Robust Health EX]
Personal Skill: [Clairvoyance A]
Personal Skill: [Bow and Arrow Creation A]
Noble Phantasm: [Stella: Lone Meteor B++]
For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.
Class Skill: [Territory Creation B]
Class Skill: [Item Construction A]
Personal Skill: [High-Speed Divine Words B]
Personal Skill: [Poisoned Meal A]
Personal Skill: [Advice for Sailing A]
Noble Phantasm: [Metabo Piglets: Forbidden Revelry C]
My rewards... They make me feel... alive?
You have received the Noble Phantasm: [Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake A]
[Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake A]
Rank: A
Type: Anti-Unit
Classification: Noble Phantasm
Effect: Grants +10 to all stats when drawn, deals additional damage to anything that has a "dragon" attribute
Prerequisite: Only Fenric von Leiqritus
Description: The holy sword wielded by Lancelot that is the counterpart of King Arthur's Excalibur. It bears a similar design to that of Excalibur, carved with Fairy Letters to show that it was a Divine Construct not forged by mortal hands. It is a limitless sword capable of receiving any attack without taking damage that shines much like the water of the Lake.
Congratulations! For gaining [Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake A], you have received the Noble Phantasm: [Arondight - Overload: Breaking All Restraints - Overloaded Light of the Lake A++]
[Arondight - Overload: Breaking All Restraints - Overloaded Light of the Lake A++]
Rank: A++
Type: Anti-Army
Classification: Noble Phantasm
Effect: -
Prerequisite: The possession of Arondight
Description: This Noble Phantasm is something close to a sword skill, which deliberately refrains from emitting the Mana as a slash of light, instead releasing it upon cutting at the target. The blue light of the vast magical energy that overflows from the severed section has been alluded as like a lake.
...What? Does this mean that I am now acceptable as a Saber? Saber beam anyone? Well, Arondight doesn't technically fire Saber beams... but who cares? I just got a holy sword that is also a Divine Construct.
Hooray.
You have received the Skill: [Magic Resistance B]
[Magic Resistance]
Rank: B
The Skill that grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether.
At this rank, spells with a chant below three verses are canceled. Even if targeted by High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals, it is difficult for them to be affected.
Hello Mages, it's me, Fenric, your worst nightmare. Screw A-Rank magical attacks, right?
You have received the Skill: [God's Resolution C]
[God's Resolution]
Rank: C
The skill privilege for the right to use Command Spells against Servants.
At this rank, two Command Spells are granted for each Servant that participates in the Holy Grail War.
My boy Amakusa, always helping me here. That's 14 extra Command Seals in all future Holy Grail Wars.
You have received the Skill: [Robust Health EX]
[Robust Health]
Rank: EX
The skill that are made up of anecdotes of "not receiving a wound on the battlefield" and "never becoming sick even once since birth". It is also a composite Skill and includes Poison Resistance.
At this rank, Endurance parameter is ranked up and attacks received have their damage reduced.
Did I say I was jealous before? Guess who's laughing now, suicide boy? How does it feel getting betrayed by your most-trusted Master? ...No, I am sorry. You did not deserve it. But your death was needed. Not for the greater good, but for my own selfish wish.
And now I do not need to swallow lethal poisons to increase my [Poison Resistance] anymore.
You have received the Skill: [High-Speed Divine Words B]
[High-Speed Divine Words]
Rank: B
The skill that assists with magical incantations via a power to activate Thaumaturgy without the use of Magic Circuits. The language of the Age of Gods, back when words played a heavy role in spellcasting. As such, it is a power long lost by modern magi. It is particularly useful for direct attack magic.
At this rank, by using a language from the Age of Gods, High-Thaumaturgy can be cast at the speed of Single-Action spells.
Yes, I am certainly lucky.
High-Thaumaturgy... A-Rank magical attack... as Single-Action spells...?
We're in the big league now, boys.
You have completed the quest: The Third Holy Grail War! +A wish +200 SP +100,000,000,000 EXP +$5,000,000 US Dollars
You have leveled up! +5 SP
For defeating every other Servants and Masters, you have received bonus: +100 SP!
-x-X-x-
I have placed the Lesser Grail in the wrecked Fuyuki Church since I chose that place as the evocation site. My wish? It's obvious isn't it.
"Please grant me the Third Magic, Heaven's Feel."
All of a sudden, a hole was opened in the sky and I was sucked in.
I think I've arrived at the Swirl of the Root... The feeling was... fascinating. It was as if I was floating in the infinite void, all that surrounds me are the thick darkness. Yes... It's incredibly similar to when I first arrived at this world.
The ethereal feeling soon disappeared, and when I opened my eyes once more, I was back at the ruins of Fuyuki Church. The hole in the sky was gone, and the used Lesser Grail has fell down onto the floor.
Magecraft can be classified as human wisdom and the world, while Magic is the solitude outside of that, included in neither. Magecraft focuses on the studying of history, the works of man and the circle of life of the planet, but Magic is considered the providence of a god beyond the skies.
It is considered an irrefutable crime against both humanity and the planet, so reaching out to the Root is something that brings about the Counter Force. Then...
Where is the red shadow?
It appeared when Aoko first activated the Fifth Magic. However, why didn't it appear before me? Is it because the path to the Root are different? No, isn't the red shadow something related to the Counter Force?
Then why isn't it here? Don't tell me... System?
You have gained the Skill: [Heaven's Feel]
[Heaven's Feel]
Rank: -
The skill regarding the instinctive usage of the Third Magic.
The soul will no longer experience dispersion as true immortality is realized making the soul into a high-dimensional planar being capable of interacting with the material world as a mental body without having to return to Akasha. The practitioner will acquire an unlimited source of magical energy due to the soul becoming analogous to a perpetual motion machine.
Ah, do you see this, Circe? Arash?
I have became a Magician.
I now have infinite magical energy. Who cares about Magic Circuits? It's a part of my soul, and now my soul is of a higher dimen-
Haha.
Do all Magicians feel this empty when they succeeded?
Not my problem.
You have gained the Title: [The Third Magician]
[The Third Magician]
Effect: All supernatural abilities learning speed +100%, greatly increases resistance against conceptual-based attacks
Ahh, this is it. I have achieved true immortality. My first step to the becoming undying and ever-living. However, it's still far from my goal. I have to be absolutely immune to all conceptual attacks before I can fully declare that I am eternal.
The previous Third Magician did die after all.
So now that I'm a Magician, does that make me very special and powerful? No. Actually, I have a infinite magical supply so I can cast unlimited amount of spells, but it still doesn't make me that much stronger than before.
A-Rank magical attacks like High-Thaumaturgy are quite powerful yet could be nullified by high-ranking Servants and Phantasmal Species. I need an ultimate attack on the level of Noble Phantasms to actually be considered powerful. Right now, I am simply a pseudo-immortal Mage. That's it.
How many will give me the chance to charge up Arondight instead of just cutting my head off when I'm standing there like an idiot? I need a trump card. An instantly-activated trump card.
Even if another Mage were to attain Heaven's Feel, they'd be at the level of pseudo-immortality with an undying soul, not an undying physical body. Their body will still be limited by themselves, and can't grow beyond their biological physiology.
But I have [Infinite Potential]. I can simply saturate my entire body with the Third Magic's infinite magical energy supply and my physical capabilities should spike up by several levels over time. It'll be fast at first before slowing down. Even if the body is limitless, the Mystery accumulation speed simply cannot catch up to it.
Now that I think about it, aren't I the exact counterpart of Ciel? I mean, she's got all the body immortality thing going on while I've got soul immortality. I should be stronger than her, but she's not going to fall no matter how many times she's killed so we're kind of equal.
Should I invest all my Status Points and draw Arondight, I can reach the minimum level of a standard Servant. Nonetheless, I can no longer be permanently killed through physical and magical means. The only thing I have to be wary of is conceptual-based attacks.
This has truly been a wake up call. You cannot gain benefits without any risks. The winner takes all and the losers rot in hell. In the end, wars bring the most benefits. It's the same with Annelia.
Do I save the damsel in distress and unlock a possible heroine route, or do I increase my chances at winning the Holy Grail? Of course I let Hisahito kidnap her and caught him off guard. Magi sure are easy to distract when their lineage's future is involved.
Every choice you make has consequences. Now that Darnic and Amakusa Shirou are dead, the Great Holy Grail War will not happen... But what if I become the one to host the next Holy Grail War? I can stuff the Greater Grail and Lesser Grail into my Inventory, and feed it Mana myself.
Ah, now that I think about it...
Isn't the Second World War beginning in a couple of months?
Name: Fenric von Leiqritus, The Third Magician
Level: 30
Prestige Level: 1
EXP: 43,534,483,624/107,374,182,400
Strength: 2.9
Endurance: 13.1
Agility: 3.9
Od: Infinite/Infinite
Circuit Quality: EX
Circuit Quantity: EX
Circuit Composition: Dynamic
Origin: Limitlessness
Elemental Affinity: Fire, Earth, Water, Distortion
Sorcery Trait: Divine Chant
Innate Talent: [Infinite Potential], [Absolute Composure]
Skills: [Analyze], [Heaven's Feel], [Robust Health EX], [Presence Concealment A+], [Riding A], [Marksmanship A], [High-Speed Divine Words B], [Protection of the Fairies A], [Human Anatomy Understanding A], [Magic Resistance B], [Magecraft B], [High-Speed Incantation B], [Territory Creation B], [Information Erasure B], [Torture Techniques B], [Eye of the Mind (True) C++], [Item Construction C], [Enchant C], [Familiar Creation C+], [Protection from Arrows C], [Human Observation C], [Presence Detection C], [God's Resolution C], [Clairvoyance D+++], [Projectile D], [Bow and Arrow Creation E]
Noble Phantasms: [Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake A], [Arondight - Overload: Breaking All Restraints - Overloaded Light of the Lake A++]
Familiar(1/1): [Zerureusu]
Status Points: 565
Ah, the sky have cleared.