章 2: Chapter - 1

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Chapter - 1: Oni

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[Hiroki Sajyou - Pov]

My family is nothing dispatchable, and I know that. We might have some Magus bloodline, but it's nothing special like the prestigious Tohsaka, Matou, or Einzbern families. We barely have a lineage of five generations, and we're not as wealthy as those three powerhouses.

Despite the opinions of others, our family possesses a distinctive expertise in Formalcraft and witchcraft. While some may deem it ineffective and futile, I dismiss such notions entirely. These practices may seem straightforward, yet their complexity should never be underestimated.

With the right connections, knowledge, and an abundance of prana, Formalcraft and witchcraft can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice calling me. It was my daughter, and I turned away from my current activity to greet her. She's a blessing in our family, even at such a young age, she has surpassed me in our family's wizardry business.

Her Formalcraft magic has expanded far beyond my expectations, and I owe a lot of our family's progress to her. While she might have only average magi circuits for a Magus, the quality of her magic is rich and powerful.

"What is it, honey?" I greeted her warmly.

My daughter hesitantly lifted her pale hand and showed me a strange tattoo on the back of it. The moment I saw it, my eyes widened. It was a Command Spell.

"This suddenly appeared on my arm when I was at school today," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and curiosity.

My mind raced, understanding the gravity of what this meant. Command Spells were not something to take lightly. They were tied to the Holy Grail War, a dangerous ritual involving powerful mages and heroic spirits vying for the legendary Holy Grail.

"Have you come across any unusual artifacts or experienced anything strange recently?" I asked, hoping for some clue as to why this Command Spell had appeared on her.

She shook her head, her worry growing. "No, nothing out of the ordinary. It just appeared during class."

I knew we needed to be cautious. The Holy Grail War was no joke, and her sudden acquisition of a Command Spell could mean she was involved in it. We had to investigate further and gather information. As a Magus, I understood the risks involved and the importance of being well-prepared.

"I will contact some of our family's acquaintances in the Magi Association to seek advice and learn more," I assured her. "In the meantime, I must tell you about the story of the rituare of the Holy Grail."

[Interlude]

[Third Person]

Kirei Kotomine, the Mediator of the 5th Holy Grail War, sat inside the Church, his usual haunt for the past ten years. He had grown bored with his existence, realizing that the Holy Grail, like him, was an unnatural creation in this world. Both he and the Grail seemed to find joy in the suffering of others.

During the past decade, Kirei had taken delight in people coming to him with their problems. Instead of offering genuine support, he reveled in pointing out their faults and causing them more pain and sorrow.

Strangely, after enjoying their torment, he did provide them with beneficial advice to improve their situations. After all, he was still the Father of the Church, and he couldn't completely abandon his responsibilities.

However, the satisfaction he derived from this twisted cycle of cruelty and counsel paled in comparison to the excitement he experienced ten years ago when Fuyuki City burned in the flames of the Holy Grail War.

The sheer thrill of that event, the joyous laughter that erupted from him, made him question why a being like himself, who found pleasure in the suffering of others, was even allowed to exist.

Now, the Holy Grail War was happening once again, and Kirei held the Command Spells in his hand, acquired from his former comrade, Bazett Fraga McRemitz.

He had taken her Servant, Lancer, and now had him scouting for intelligence on the other participants in the war. This time, Kirei was determined to ensure the Grail's completion and the birth of Angra Mainyu, hoping that through this, he could finally find the answer he sought for so long.

Kirei Kotomine's contemplation was abruptly interrupted as a Grail card flashed before him, signaling the summoning of another Servant. This one bore the class "Avenger," a class he was familiar with...

A sense of curiosity and eagerness enveloped Kirei as he wondered about the implications of this unexpected class. He could almost hear the entire chorus of questions echoing in his mind, craving to learn more about this enigmatic Servant and the Master behind it.

Kirei eagerly anticipated the unfolding events of the Holy Grail War, with the appearance of the Avenger class once again adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already tumultuous war.

[Interlude]

[Manaka Sajyou - Pov]

I am Manaka Sajyou, and everyone around me sees a good and accomplished girl. Kind, mature, and gentle, I am adored by my parents, especially my proud father, who believes I am destined to lead our Sayjou family to greatness, surpassing even the prestigious Three Great Families.

In the eyes of my schoolmates, I am a role model – smart, beautiful, caring, and always wearing an innocent smile. My actions bring cheers to those feeling down, and my presence seems to brighten their day. Despite all the praise, rewards, and success, there's a part of me that feels unfulfilled.

At first, the respect and recognition felt amazing, but as time went on, it grew dull. I can see that what I do benefits my family's Magecraft and legacy, but it doesn't fulfill me personally.

What good is all this fame and respect if it leaves me unsatisfied and longing for something more?

Deep inside, I yearn for the unfamiliar, the unseen. I want to witness unnatural expressions on people's faces, to understand the emotions they go through when facing something unimaginable. It started with my pet rabbit, whom I loved dearly.

But one day, I couldn't resist the temptation to see its betrayed expression, so I killed it with my usual angelic smile. I know it sounds twisted, but seeing that expression piqued my curiosity.

I wonder how people's expressions would change if I were to do something even more drastic. Would it bring me the fulfillment I seek?

I'm aware that these thoughts are dark, but something inside me is drawn to explore the unknown and witness the reactions of others to something truly extraordinary.

Perhaps it's my connection to the Root from the very beginning that fuels this desire for the extraordinary. The knowledge of its nature makes everything else seem mundane, and I crave something beyond what my current life offers.

I wanted to see my wish granted, and I knew it could only be through destruction. Unfortunately, I wasn't connected to the Root here, the source of true power and fulfillment.

The facade I maintained was merely a means to an end – my desire to reach the Root and witness its incredible abilities.

One day, to my surprise, a Command Spell appeared on my hand. Confused about its purpose, I asked my father for an explanation. To my annoyance, I learned that he had kept the knowledge of the Holy Grail from me, believing it wouldn't matter since it wouldn't manifest for another 60 years.

Though I was well-versed in Magic, I had never known about the Holy Grail's connection to the Third Magic, as my father had never shared this crucial information.

Despite the annoyance, I couldn't help but feel exhilarated by the possibilities that the Holy Grail offered. The chance to summon a Heroic Spirit as a Servant intrigued me greatly. The Grail was a means to an end, not for making wishes come true, but to see the Root itself – to witness its form and essence.

Eager to begin my journey, I researched extensively to find a worthy Heroic Spirit to summon. With my developed magic, obtaining a catalyst was no issue, but I decided against it.

Why? Instead, I wanted to leave it to fate, to test my luck. I was curious to see what kind of Servant would be drawn to a person like me.

That's why I wanted to test my luck, if Grail picks me as a Master then what Servant would she gain only using my luck?

That was interesting...

My father initially objected, wanting me to summon the best Hero to ensure my victory in this war, but I convinced him to allow me to test my luck.

He reluctantly agreed, and now I stood in the magic circle he had prepared in my workshop, ready to summon the Servant I hoped would be an inspiring event for me.

With determination, I began the chanting, channeling Prana throughout my body and activating all my magical circuits. I invoked the existence known as Heroic Spirit, excited to see which Servant was best suited for me.

The room suddenly filled with a blinding light, and strong winds swept through, accompanied by billowing smoke. I instinctively covered my face, trying to shield myself from the chaos unfolding before me. As the commotion settled, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows – a man, or more accurately monster, an Oni from Japanese legends.

His upper body was powerful and well-sculpted, with a black skin tone adorned with sharp bony protrusions and protective scales. Two menacing black horns protruded from his forehead, and he had short white hair that framed his angular yet cute face. His pointed ears held gold magatama earrings, adding to the air of mystique surrounding him.

I couldn't help but feel both fear and excitement coursing through me as he fixed a cold and indifferent gaze upon my father and me. His words cut through the tense atmosphere, demanding to know who his master was.

Heart pounding, I mustered the courage to step forward. "I am Manaka Sajyou," I said, trying to match the Oni's intensity with my own determination. "I am your Master."

He continued to scrutinize me, as if assessing my worthiness. After what felt like an eternity, he gave a dismissive snort, clearly unimpressed. "Very well. I suppose you'll do,"he said, with indifference as if it were not really important.

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