This World of Ours (Part 2)

I am frustrated.

As the path to the Root of the Greater Grail has been used, I must now find another way to the Root. I do not know of any way, so I decided to attempt it with Magecraft that can be called Magic.

You have gained the Elemental Affinity of Wind

You have gained the Elemental Affinity of Void

You have gained the Elemental Affinity of Soul

You have gained the Elemental Affinity of Space

You have gained the Elemental Affinity of Time

Status Points: 315

There goes more than half the rewards from the Third Holy Grail War. However, it is worth it. To make my standard Magecraft operate better, I have decided to complete the Five Great Elements of Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Void, and become an Average One.

The Elemental Affinity of Soul should boost my application of Heaven's Feel and help me better during my experiment.

Yes, I have started with the changing of physical vessel. Giving up the body of Fenric von Leiqritus and moving into a whole new body. Although the Third Magic stops my soul from suffering degradation, my physical body will age and eventually die.

I am not that attached to the body of Fenric, and will replace it when it is necessary. However, I will have tp transform the vessel I'm transferring into to suit my soul or I'll have to create a whole new body for myself.

Such thoughts came to me when I was taking a shower. I remember it went like: Hey, what will happen if I give up my body and take over a dragon's? Huh, that's an interesting idea. Shall I start collecting preserved corpses of Phantasmal Species and start the second round of my experiment?

What? Shower thoughts are usually spot on, and it surprisingly did.

Of course, I did not actually kill a true dragon and moved into its body. I may have Arondight, but dragon slaying is still far from what my current power can do. Nevertheless, I did suffocate a dire wolf to death and moved into its body.

It's awful.

The body did gain life once more as I inhabit it. But it was more like a puppet. The response are dull and I had a hard time learning to walk again. I wasn't even reaching 20% of it's full capability at that point. I spent the next month transforming it into an ideal vessel and it only reached 55% of its ability at best.

The Species I choose to house in has their differences as well. Creatures that have high elemental properties are easy to house in because of my affinity to their Elements and I can reach up to 80-85% within them while unfamiliar creatures barely reached 20%.

The biggest reward was that the parameters I have are added on top of the creature's. However, I'd like to stay as a human in the end. It's more comfortable and I am used to it. Why give up the joy for more power when it's optional?

I simply have to take over a stronger creature during battle and stay a bipedal creature in my daily lives. The feeling of using a Dragon's Breath is amazing... Um, well, does a salamander's breath count...?

Hah.

Perhaps only when I can fully control and be in perfect synchronization with the creatures will I reach the Root by being attuned to every single species. But that's a tall order, and one that I will not follow. You do know that I will have to mess around with Divine Beasts to do that, right?

My target is to the perfect preservation of a true dragon. It can become a trump card when I suddenly transform into a giant fire-breathing lizard and no one will see it coming thanks to my Inventory.

The second path to Root I am chasing after is to navigate myself through space and time. I want to reach the end of the universe and reach the Origin. Of course, Time and Dimensional Manipulation are strictly in the realm of True Magic and I won't be able to achieve that easily.

From now on, I am going to spend my time and master to art of establishing a 'temple'. I will make the area absolute and cut off all interference from the outside world with Distorted World so that I can focus everything on the path to Root. The dungeon is a perfect place to do that since no one can access it.

When I have finally mastered [Territory Creation], I can simply channel an unlimited amount of magical energy and distort reality itself to the extreme ends. I will distort everything, including space and time, and reach the Root that way.

I do not know if it will work, but that's the closest thing I can think of right now.

-x-X-x-

The Tripartite Pact between Germany, Italy, and Japan was signed yesterday. The war is becoming more severe day by day and my business managers have warned me that we are running low on raw materials. It is not a problem to acquire more supplies, but the quality of my factories' products will certainly drop.

I have built the prototype of my first temple recently. It's not an authentic one, nevertheless, its capability is far above what my workshop can do. They are not kidding when they say that Mages are like an one many army when they are in their own territory.

As a Magician with unlimited Prana, I can set up as many traps as I want until there are no spaces available... It's good and all until you realize that the tactic of 'hitting it until it's dead' doesn't work that well in the Nasuverse.

Sure, it's going to work against other Magi and Phantasmal Species. However, the spells basically turn into weak fireworks the moment Heroic Spirits, Phantasmal Beasts, and Divine Beasts were involved.

Divine Spirits who have authorities over the world do not even need to be mentioned here. They are not a joke. The likes of Shiva and Hanuman have infinite mass, and Kingprotea from Fate/Extra can grow in size indefinitely.

There's a reason why seven Heroic Spirits can be summoned in the Fuyuki Holy Grail War but not a single Divine Spirit can be summoned. They are all on another level with only the likes of Gilgamesh and Karna that can contend against them. It's even more of a joke to bind a true Divine Spirit with Command Spells.

My hunt in the dungeon has been going well. I'm still not touching the Phantasmal Beasts and sticking to the Monstrous Beasts since I do not have to risk my life when I'm merely experimenting with my Craft.

Space and Time Manipulation have not been going well. I simply can't process the complex aspects and their evocation is even harder. For now, I am trying to decelerate time within a Bounded Field.

When I can do that, I'll copy the Emiya family's design and attempt to separate the passage of time inside a designated space from the 'flow of time' in the outside world.

Spatial Transportation is also another spell I'm working on. To do that, I'll have to perfectly grasp the space and dimension I am in so I am trying to level up my [Presence Detection] along with mastering my perception spells' repertoire.

Since a single mistake will be fatal, I need the exact coordinates of where I am teleporting to, making the process very slow.

This will take years at the minimum.

Fortunately, the knowledge I gained from Astronomy, Astrology, Planetology, and Divinity classes have helped greatly because they actually teach you how to calculate and predict flawless coordinates of the stars and planets.

Anyway, that'll cut down a few years of researching and I ju-

Whimper.

Ah, yes. Let me move my sword down.

For killing a Poisonous Slime +2500 EXP

This purple blob, unlike what you'd expect in a novel, is actually extremely terrifying. To think that I believed them to be cute the first time I discovered them just because of their favorable color...

An average slime can swallow an adult human whole. They won't be able to escape, and physical damage against the blobs is limited because of their special fluid nature. Unless your attacks are imbued with Prana, you'll find them very hard to deal with. Normal fire can harm them as well, but it's not as effective as Magecraft.

...Though it doesn't matter when you cut them down with a Divine Construct. Heh. Their body parts, especially their jello, are extremely useful in Alchemy. I'd be rich if I were to sell all the monster harvests I gained from the dungeon... but that'll be too conspicuous.

Anyway, something has been on my mind for a long time. I wonder... is there a type of slime that only melts clothes?

I swear it's just simple curiosity.

-x-X-x-

"Oh time, be still..." I uttered out the Divine Words. Nothing seemed to happen to the white flower at full bloom but I can tell the difference. For a fraction of a second, time was stopped.

The duration was negligible, nevertheless, I managed to manipulate time, the zenith of Mystery that men should never touch. All those efforts, day and day of experimentation, finally paid off.

I did it. I stopped time!

True, it's in a Bounded Field that is located within my temple. However, it is still a success that would've taken an elite Magi lineage generations of research and experiments. I have done that in merely two years. It was not distorted til it looked like it was stopped, but time itself was actually stopped.

That's the first step to Time Manipulation.

A year has passed once more. It's been four years since I joined the Clock Tower, and two years since the Third Holy Grail War. Operation Barbarossa was launched last week by Hitler as the war between Germany and Russia finally began.

I have graduated from the faculty of Animusphere last month and I am now an official Magus of the Clock Tower, given the Rank Title of Fes: Festival by the Mage's Association. No, I did not stand out at all. In fact, I'd received a lower rank if not for my family's connections.

I lived my life like I used to, though with more vigor. Thanks to the influence of the Holy Grail War, I have recognized myself as someone who is 'real'. I do not need to feel foreign of this world and live my life like an emotionless robot. Even if I must have an outer facade, I can still genuinely enjoy myself while interacting with others.

I am not talking to myself because I am insane. On the contrary, I am judging, criticizing, and analyzing myself in a neutral good third person perspective just because of how incredibly calm I am.

What? Denial is the first step of acceptance? Get out of here Fenric number two. You're not welcomed. You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Seeing that I no longer need to attend classes anymore, I now have more free time and I have decided to become an Enforcer. As an official member of the Association, I was quickly hired as a one.

The pay is horrible, and the available jobs are either too cheap or too dangerous. However, it is a fun job I must say. What? You get to travel around the world and hunt down 'heretical Mages'. There are also many hidden benefits, as in, the taboo items that are in their possession.

Well, it's more of a part-time job because I need to experiment and practice my Magecraft at the Clock Tower and find a path to Root at the dungeon.

Thinking about it, isn't my next job's target coming up soon?

...

"Are you leaving again, brother?"

"Yes, Char. Your big brother has a very very important job to do." I picked up a black leather suitcase and gave my blonde sister a cheeky grin. What's in the briefcase? It's just a bunch of magic items and apparatuses. I do need something to act as the camouflage when I'm pulling stuff out of my inventory, right?

"...Fine, but you better bring me souvenirs." Charlotte glanced at my suitcase and bit her lips.

"Aww, I'll be fine, Char. I know you feel lonely when I am gone so here you go!" I pulled out a necklace from my pocket. It's a locket. Made of the finest platinum and mithril and its purpose is the surveillance and protection of Charlotte.

I do have eyes around the Clock Tower watching her, nevertheless, it's better to be safe than sorry. The locket tracks her location in real-time and it can create a barrier-type Bounded Field to protect her instantaneously.

"Uh... thanks?" She took the silver pendant and examined it with doubt. "Is this made of silver? I can't really tell what it's made of even with Structral Grasp..."

"Yes and no. Come on, Char, you know your brother isn't rich enough to afford a locket made entirely of silver so don't hurt my feeling anymore." I faked being hurt as I wiped an imaginary tear drop off my eyes.

Of course I can't tell her that it's made of platinum and mithril. The core is even made with holy mithril and Monstrous Beast materials that I gathered.

Silver Gleam (1/2)

Rank: -

Type: -

Classification: Mystic Code

Effect: Barrier creation

Prerequisite: Charlotte von Leiqritus

Description: A wing shaped silver locket which seems to be one half of a whole. It is made of many rare magical materials including mithril, holy mithril, wyvern's fangs, earth golem's core, water sprite's tears, and trace of elemental. A Bounded Field will instantly deploy when its wearer receives a lethal attack and the barrier can withstand a single strike from a spell on the level of High-Thaumaturgy.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Fenric." Charlotte wore the pendant and giggled. She then grabbed my coat and pushed me away. "Now off you go!"

"Then I'm off." I laughed and exited the room as I heard my sister's soft whisper.

"Please be safe, big brother."

...

"1st of July, 1941, Enforcer #33, Fenric von Leiqritus will now begin assignment #I-4583" I recorded my voice and deactivated the tiny glass ball. These mass-produced magical items are allocated to every Enforcer and they can use it to keep a record of their jobs.

It's not actually necessary, but it saves you a lot of paperwork when you're turning in your mission. It's used for verifying the authenticity of the completed task while the details of the procedures aren't needed.

As long as the job's done, the process doesn't matter. The higher-ups only care about the results and the concealment of Magecraft.

Assignment Name: Kill that traitor

Assignment Number: #I-4583

Assignee: Meterit Wunderwether, First-class instructor, Department of Zoology

Objective: Death of Richard Wunderwether, Recovery of stolen knowledge

Reward: 3 pieces of objects with moderate Mystery from the Georgian era

The job is issued by a Noble Lord from the faculty of Chimera. Apparently, one of their unpromising clan member decided that he's had enough of being inferior and ran away from home with a couple of grimoires.

Of course the family head was enraged and sent men to chase after him, but they failed since Richard had his escape all planned out from the start. Without any leads, Meterit could only entrust the Association to search the thief for him as he endured the shame of producing a traitor amongst his clan.

However, my primary target isn't Richard.

-x-X-x-

Smederevo, Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia, Southern Europe

Under the cover of the deep dark night, nine cloaked men silently entered the city of iron and grapes. They hid in the shadows and deftly navigated through the urban area. They headed towards the heavily damaged Smederevo Fortress at a fast pace while expertly avoiding the German patrols on the way.

The moment the one of them stepped foot onto the fortress, he was assaulted by three flying blades. The cloaked figure did not panic. He merely lifted his head and pulled out a set of similar-looking swords.

The other members ignored their attacked companion and moved forward. They weren't heartless, they simply trusted their comrade's abilities because he was not a man who'd be killed by such a weak trap.

Clang! Clang! Clang! As if on cue, the three flying blades were skillfully deflected by the man. He then caught the falling swords with his other hand and examined them. The weapons were long and slender rapier-like swords with blades measuring over one meter.

Black Keys.

It was at that moment that a silhouette appeared from one of the castle towers and dropped down to meet the eight approaching men. They were not alerted nor did they act hostile at the abrupt arrival because-

"You're late." The lone man pulled down his cloak's hood and stated. Long blonde hair flowed down to the lone figure's back and a stunning comeliness showed itself to the world.

"Sorry for being late, Irina. We ran into a storm." The man who deflected the Black Keys greeted the woman and handed the blades back to her. "It's good to see you again."

"Spare the excuses, Klenn. Our target has already arrived at the city a few hours ago. He has brought a group of subordinates with him and we have no information on their identities." The blonde inquisitor took the Black Keys and replied in a business-like tone.

"How many?" Klenn friendly expression transformed to one of no emotion the moment the target was mentioned.

"Fifteen. They should not pose too much of a problem compared to their leader." Irina passed him the report and a map of the city as the other eight cloaked figures moved in to listen to the briefing. "Here's the inn he's staying at. Most of the guards are at the bar while the others are spread out across the second floor and the streets. The innkeeper is likely hypnotized or dead."

"It does not matter." One of the cloaked men spoke up. "We'll strike him and his daughter down anyway. Anyone who dares to house one of those monsters is certainly a heretic."

"Affirmative." Irina grimaced slightly before nodding. She then turned to the other people and asked. "Any more questions?" Seeing that no one was voicing out their questions, the map and the blueprints in her hand caught on fire and burned to ashes.

"We shall start the hunt of the heretics when the moon reaches the height of the skies." Klenn stated. "Show them the Lord's light and let them feel the punishment of his wrath. Good luck, brothers and sisters."

The moment he finished the sentence, the cloaked figures dispersed, leaving only him and Irina at the heavily damaged Smederevo Fortress. Klenn glanced at Irina and gave her a solemn nod. "Good luck to you as well, sister Irina." He then merged into the shadows and disappeared.

"Well then, let us start this vampire hunt." The blonde woman sighed and lifted her hood up.

'...Dear Lord, please have mercy and grant salvation to the poor souls...'