[61] : Magic, Mystery, and the Pursuit of Power

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"The Holy Grail War!"

"A battle royale between seven mages, each summoning a legendary hero from history using a relic and the power of the Greater Grail. The victor obtains the Holy Grail, a wish-granting device capable of fulfilling any desire."

"Commanding these legendary Heroic Spirits in a deadly struggle, without regard for titles or authority, relying solely on strength and skill. A brutal and violent, yet ultimately fair, magical ritual."

Gazing at the knowledge contained within the book before him, Wever clutched the case in his arms, his heart ablaze with fervent ambition.

Just yesterday, in the midst of a lecture hall, his teacher, Lord El-Melloi II, had contemptuously dismissed his thesis, casting it aside with a flick of his wrist.

Humiliated before his peers, subjected to their mocking laughter, Wever had felt a burning shame unlike anything he'd experienced before.

He convinced himself that his teacher, Kenneth, was merely jealous of his talent, resorting to such harsh treatment to suppress his brilliance.

He refused to accept defeat.

Fueled by this conviction, upon learning of Kenneth's impending departure for a magical competition in a remote island nation in the Far East, Wever began diligently researching the event.

Ultimately, he managed to intercept the relic Kenneth had prepared, intending to participate in this Holy Grail War himself and prove his worth to the world.

However, as he finalized his preparations for his journey to Fuyuki City, a scene from the past flashed vividly in his mind.

"So you're saying I'm about to reach the peak of my life?"

"No, you're about to plummet into the depths of despair, embarking on a long and arduous journey."

The words of the enigmatic young man echoed in his ears, prompting Wever, luggage in hand, to find himself drawn to the very spot where he had first encountered the pair.

Gazing at the familiar surroundings, he shook his head in disbelief.

"What am I even thinking? There's no way I'll run into them here again!"

"And even if I did, what then? It was all just a scam."

"No, it wasn't a scam!"

A clear, ringing voice suddenly pierced the air behind him.

Startled, Wever nearly leaped out of his skin.

Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with a beautiful girl with silver hair and violet eyes.

"Are you a companion of those two from before?"

"Indeed. Gabriel and Mika are in a nearby apartment. Please, follow me."

"Wait, I..."

As Airmid gestured for him to follow, a flustered Wever instinctively tried to refuse.

However, Airmid's words cut him short.

"If you've come this far, you must have lingering doubts you wish to have Mika resolve. Are you truly content to remain here, unresolved?"

"..."

"I understand! I'll go with you."

Driven by the questions that plagued his mind, Wever finally relented, following Airmid towards their apartment.

As Airmid pushed open the door, Wever's eyes were drawn to a complex diagram floating in mid-air.

"This is... a Magic Circuit Diagram!"

Despite never having witnessed anything quite like it, Wever instantly recognized the intricate pattern.

"As expected of someone I've taken an interest in, you're quite perceptive!"

Stepping forward, Mika gestured towards the diagram. "This is a Magic Circuit Diagram that Gabriel prepared for us. What do you think? High quality, isn't it?"

"This isn't a matter of quality!"

Wever exclaimed, his voice laced with anxiety. "Magic Circuits can't be increased through external means!"

"That's true for others, but not for us!"

Extending his hand towards Wever, Mika offered a friendly smile. "My name is Mika. I'm from another world. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Mika harbored no intention of concealing his origins. After all, their arrival had already been detected by the prominent figures of this world.

If the strongest individuals in this world could discern their presence, then surely the Counter Force of the Type-Moon World would be aware as well.

Considering the Greek Gods of the Type-Moon World were themselves an alien civilization, Mika felt that his own otherworldly origins needn't be shrouded in secrecy.

Under the right circumstances, their unique background could prove to be a significant advantage.

"Are you truly from another world?"

Despite his inherent skepticism, the undeniable evidence before him shattered the very foundations of Wever's understanding.

As a meticulous individual with a penchant for detective novels, Wever believed that after eliminating all impossibilities, the remaining conclusion, however outlandish, must be the truth.

Therefore, despite the lingering disbelief in his voice, Wever had already accepted Mika's claim.

"Of course!"

Mika replied with a grin. "So, are you interested in joining us?"

"Joining you? Why me?"

"Because you're the perfect fit, of course!"

Clapping Wever on the shoulder, Mika spoke with genuine sincerity. "We plan to establish a permanent presence in this world, exploring its mysteries. To achieve this, we need a capable collaborator to help us build our branch here."

"The moment I laid eyes on you, I recognized your potential."

"You possess a unique talent, but your limited magical aptitude hinders your future. I believe we can help you overcome your shortcomings."

Listening to Mika's persuasive words, Mellie couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"This guy is so easily swayed!"

She whispered to Airmid, observing the growing hope on Wever's face.

In response, Airmid nudged her with her elbow.

"Don't cause trouble!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Mellie pouted, conceding defeat.

"I accept!"

After a brief moment of contemplation, Wever finally agreed to Mika's proposal.

Although he considered himself a prodigy, capable of bridging the gap between himself and the privileged nobility through experience and skillful manipulation of magic, he couldn't deny his fascination with the powers that lay beyond his world.

Moreover, having already stumbled upon forbidden knowledge, could he truly escape the consequences of his curiosity?

Driven by a mixture of ambition, curiosity, and a subtle sense of inevitability, Wever ultimately chose to accept Mika's invitation.

...

"So this is the nature of this world and its powers..."

After pledging his allegiance to the Yahweh Familia, Wever was bestowed with a divine blessing by Gabriel.

He then learned of their world's history and the intricacies of its magic system from Mika.

"I never imagined your world was still in the Age of Gods!"

Wever's mind reeled with fascination as he contemplated the unique circumstances of Mika's world.

"I'd love to see it someday!"

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of time for that!"

Mika continued to explain, "Your Falna is different from ours. Our base stat increase in magic is actually an increase in mental power."

"However, Gabriel modified your Falna to directly enhance the quantity and quality of your Magic Circuits. Your aptitude as a mage will only continue to improve from now on."

"Is that even possible?"

Wever's voice was filled with astonishment.

Compared to the mysterious Magic Circuit Diagram conjured by Mika and Gabriel, Wever felt a greater sense of security relying on his own innate abilities.

"Why not? Remember, the core function of Falna is to unlock one's potential."

"Since the essence of magic in our world is mental power, our Falna naturally enhances that aspect."

"However, in your world, magical power is directly tied to Magic Circuits. Therefore, your Falna enhances those instead."

After his thorough explanation, Mika rose to his feet with a cheerful grin.

"Now that we're all set, let's head to Fuyuki City and prepare for the Holy Grail War!"

---

On the flight to Fuyuki City, Gabriel handed Mika the finished product.

"Is this the tool that will temporarily grant us Magic Circuits?" Mika asked curiously, looking at the combat suit in his hands. It was quite different from what he had imagined.

"Yes," Gabriel said proudly, pointing at the suit. "This is a Mystic Code I created by combining Nen creation, Mellie's 'Mystery,' and the magical knowledge I gleaned from that mage's Magic Crest."

Although the magical knowledge she obtained from the unconscious mage wasn't extensive, to Gabriel, with her intellect capable of extrapolating a billion possibilities from a single clue, the magic of this era held no secrets. It was all laid bare before her eyes.

However, despite her understanding, the lack of comprehensive magical knowledge meant Gabriel needed to spend more time on her creations. Many concepts considered basic in other magical communities required her to re-derive and understand from scratch. This significantly hampered her efficiency.

Fortunately, the magic she used for this project was relatively fundamental, allowing her to work much faster.

"Once you wear this combat suit, it will construct temporary Magic Circuits within your body for you to use."

"With this as a reference point, you can later materialize your own Magic Circuits based on its structure."

"After all, even the best equipment isn't as suitable as something inherently yours, right?"

"Excellent. This is more than enough for our needs!"

After listening to Gabriel's explanation, Mika distributed the four combat suits among himself, Airmid, Mellie, and Wever.

Upon receiving them, the four dispersed to change into their respective suits and experience the sensation of being a "top-tier mage."

"So this is what it feels like to be brimming with magical energy," Wever exclaimed excitedly, reveling in the sensation.

"While this Mystic Code is only temporary, it's a finished product nonetheless," Gabriel added. "Besides providing Magic Circuits, it also has other functions like free transformation, self-cleaning, temperature regulation, and more. It's quite versatile."

"Hold on, are you trying to become a part-time Doraemon?" Mika quipped, though his hands quickly adjusted the suit to his preferred style.

Seeing this, Airmid and the others followed suit.

Once they had finished changing and settled back down, Mika calmly declared, "Now that the preliminary tasks are complete, our next objective is to prepare for the Holy Grail War."

"Let me outline our plan."

"First, upon arriving in Fuyuki City, Mellie and Wever will prioritize summoning their Servants to bolster our forces."

"Next, we will infiltrate the Matou residence, eliminate Zouken Matou, and seize the Matou grimoires and Command Spells to gain the right to summon a third Servant."

"Once those objectives are achieved, Airmid, Mellie, and I will establish a base at the Matou residence, while Wever will act independently."

"Wait, why do I have to act alone?"

Having heard Mika's plan up to this point, Wever felt fortunate to have joined the Yahweh Familia. Their strategy involved securing a third Servant before the war even began, giving them a significant advantage if successful.

Just as he thought he could rely on their strength, however, they suddenly kicked him to the curb.

"You must understand, Wever," Mika explained. "Our goal in participating in the Holy Grail War isn't simply to achieve victory. Especially for you, the experience itself is far more valuable."

"The relic you possess can summon the renowned Iskandar, the King of Conquerors. I believe fighting alongside him and experiencing the thrills of this war firsthand will greatly contribute to your growth."

Mika's words reflected his true intentions. The victory in the Holy Grail War held little significance to him. He sought something more profound: the thrill of the battle and the experiences it offered.

For Wever, the newest member of their Familia, Mika believed that being thrown into the fray alongside Iskandar, allowing him to relive the events of the original story, was the best path for his development.

"Alright," Wever conceded after a brief moment of dejection. His initial goal had been to participate in the Holy Grail War independently, so he was mentally prepared for such a scenario.

"Just you wait and see! I'm going to make a huge impact!" He declared confidently, hands on his hips.

...

Upon arriving at Fuyuki City's airport, Mika and his companions checked into a hotel they had booked online.

After making their preparations, they ventured under the cover of night to Mount Enzou, the location of the Greater Grail.

"The leylines here are incredibly potent. Let's perform the summoning here," Mika said, looking at the magic circle Gabriel had drawn on the ground.

"Mellie, you go first."

"A summoning based on compatibility?"

"Understood!"

Through her recent studies, Mellie had a strong suspicion about who had granted her Command Spells. Truth be told, she was quite curious about this individual.

Stepping forward, she raised her arm and began to chant the incantation.

"Let silver and steel be the essence."

"Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation."

"Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall."

"Let the four cardinal gates close."

"Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate."

"Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill."

"Repeat every seven days, if you would submit to this will and this reason, then answer!"

"An oath shall be sworn here!"

"I am that which is the achiever of good."

"I am that which is the summoner of evil."

"Thou art to be born from the overflowing cup of poison and chaos."

"Thou art to be the one enchained by the three virtues of the heavens."

"Spiral of origin, converge towards the terminus."

"Thou art the one that presides over the scales."

"Answer me, Guardian of the Scales!"

As Mellie's chant reached its crescendo, the magic circle erupted in a blinding light.

Accompanying the light was a handsome man wielding a staff and clad in a white robe.

"It's him, as expected!" Mika muttered, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Greetings, travelers from another world. I am Merlin, at your service. Did I surprise you?" The white-haired man greeted Mellie with a playful grin. "While most call me the Flower Magus, you are welcome to address me however you please."

"Surprise me? Hardly. I already suspected it was you!" Mellie retorted, rolling her eyes playfully before turning serious. "Then the contract is established. From this day forward, I am your Master, and you are my Servant."

"Of course!" Merlin replied with a cheerful smile.

"Merlin, how is this possible?" Wever suddenly exclaimed after a moment of stunned silence.

"According to legends in the magical community, you haven't died, have you? How can you be summoned as a Servant?"

In the Type-Moon universe, legendary heroes become Heroic Spirits after death, residing in the Throne of Heroes. When the world faces existential threats, the Counter Force summons them to protect it. These are the Servants.

However, as Wever pointed out, those who haven't died cannot become Heroic Spirits. And Merlin was supposedly still alive.

Hearing Wever's question, Merlin let out a hearty laugh. "Indeed, I haven't perished. My true self is currently observing you from within Avalon."

"As for this form, it is merely a Servant's avatar I crafted through certain means."

...

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