Abilities, Testing, and Choices

Fuyuki City lay shrouded in night, steeped in an air of mystery and danger. The brutal battles of the Holy Grail War often unfolded at this time.

During the day, however, it was like the calm before a storm. Every faction kept a low profile, busy preparing and scheming. No one would rashly shatter that peace in broad daylight.

The world of Magecraft was secretive, and acting during the day would undoubtedly increase the risk of exposure.

Shiki did not particularly agree with this unwritten rule, but he had no intention of breaking it either. On the contrary, it was a rare opportunity for him.

He could use the daytime to thoroughly explore his Mystic Eyes.

After his Mystic Eyes awakened, Shiki had only grasped a few basic ways to use them before eagerly employing them against Zouken Matou. He had not yet had the chance to properly study all of their abilities.

His Mystic Eyes had awakened from the power of the Reincarnation Eye. Although the original abilities of the Six Paths had been retained, they had mutated in this world, requiring him to understand and master them anew.

Shiki held a knightly sword that radiated a mysterious violet gleam. Light flowed along its blade, making it especially conspicuous in the relatively bright room.

The sword closely resembled the legendary "Excalibur—Sword of Promised Victory." However, while that holy sword shone with dazzling golden light, the one in his hand was a Demon Sword exuding dangerous intent—"Lake of Unbroken Light," the Noble Phantasm of Lancelot, a Knight of the Round Table summoned as Berserker.

Shiki lightly swung the Demon Sword, feeling its power.

Yet as he swung it, his brow gradually furrowed.

"The Asura Path can forcibly use a Heroic Spirit's Noble Phantasm, but the mana consumption is simply too great. I can barely maintain the sword's form for long, much less release its power. I just don't have enough mana."

The problem of insufficient mana reserves had been laid completely bare, seriously limiting the power he could wield.

That was why he was so eager to find an additional source of mana. Only with sufficient mana could he display greater strength in battle.

When his mana ran dry, the Demon Sword in his hand dissipated like an illusory ray of light, returning to its original owner.

This sword did not suit him. Even if he kept it, he would not be able to use it for long. There was no point.

Shiki loosened his grip and watched the Noble Phantasm vanish, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"As expected, the Noble Phantasms carried by Heroic Spirits are merely materialized miracles—the crystallized fantasies of humanity's wish for miracles. Like Heroic Spirits themselves, they are copies, not weapons that truly exist in reality."

The genuine legendary weapon, Lake of Unbroken Light, would not change its nature because of its wielder's actions, much less vanish so easily.

Only under the influence of human perception, faith, and legend could the nature of Heroic Spirits and Noble Phantasms undergo such changes.

Having tested the Asura Path's ability, Shiki turned his attention to his other powers.

Among the abilities of the Six Paths, only the Heaven Path and the Asura Path possessed conventional combat power. The Hell Path was a special ability, while most of the rest were support abilities.

"Although the main strength of the Reincarnation Eye in the Ninja World was the Heaven Path, it seems to be the same here. Looks like the universe's four fundamental forces work everywhere."

Shiki could not help but sigh.

At around nine in the morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the room, bringing a touch of brightness.

Lancelot, who had gone to escort Kariya out of the city, returned with news.

"Master, Kariya has safely left the city, and the news has been spread. Before long, every force participating in the Holy Grail War will likely know that you seized the Command Spells and entered this war."

Shiki waved a hand dismissively and said confidently, "That's good. The wider the news spreads, the safer Kariya will be. Next, we can go all out in competing for the Holy Grail and fulfill your wish."

He did not mention his own wish, and Lancelot tacitly did not ask. Instead, he brought up another matter.

"Also, Master, Caster's actions have caused panic among the public. The Holy Church issued new rules today. Until Caster is eliminated, if anyone deliberately violates the rules again, the Holy Church will join with the other Masters to punish the offender. Therefore, I suggest that you participate in the campaign against Caster. Not only could we obtain precious Command Spells, but we could also improve our standing in the war."

"Huh? The Holy Church has come up with new rules again?" Shiki raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yes, Master. I received word just outside the gate. Perhaps last night's large-scale battle caused the Holy Church to lose face."

"Haha, the Holy Church cares about saving face?"

Shiki sneered. In his view, Magi and the Holy Church had always been at odds. Aside from joining forces against their shared enemy, the Dead Apostles, the two sides had hardly ever cooperated.

Taking orders from the Holy Church was simply unacceptable to Magi.

However, in this Holy Grail War, the Holy Church served as the public face and supervisor. After repeated warnings, Shiki doubted any Master would voluntarily invite trouble.

"So, Sir Lancelot, how do you think we should get involved?"

"Master, before I returned, I saw Rider and his Master. They were searching along the river for Caster's lair and may find something. We should follow them. If they find Caster, we can join Rider in eliminating him. That would let us obtain Command Spells while also building a friendship with Rider and forming an alliance against the others. After all, relying on our strength alone, it will be difficult for us to have the last laugh in this war." Lancelot analyzed the situation seriously.

Lancelot certainly had a point. In the Holy Grail War, fighting alone often led to a bad end. Joining forces with others to devise tactics was necessary.

But Shiki had different ideas.

"Forget about allying with Rider. With his overbearing temperament, we may not get along. We should not entertain that idea from the start. Don't forget, Rider wants to take Saber as his subordinate. Sir Lancelot, can you tolerate that?"

Lancelot fell silent for a moment before saying, "Master, in order to achieve their goals, knights sometimes need to endure humiliation. Besides, I am no longer a knight in the traditional sense."

Lancelot's words reminded Shiki of ninjas, but he still shook his head and said with a smile, "I don't see it that way, Sir Lancelot. If some goal requires my comrade to suffer humiliation, that only proves that I, as a Master, am unqualified and have failed in my responsibilities. I cannot accept such an outcome."

Lancelot looked at Shiki, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.

The Master to whom he had sworn loyalty truly was different. Shiki deeply respected his feelings and wishes.

At that moment, Shiki's figure seemed to overlap with someone from Lancelot's memories. His heart could not settle for a long time, and only after quite a while did he regain his composure.

"Then what does Master intend to do?"

"Sir Lancelot, Caster may be insane, but he is not stupid. He will not be so easily taken down. And if we want Command Spells, we do not necessarily have to obtain them by subjugating Caster."

"Master means we should directly seize the Command Spells?" Lancelot guessed.

This bandit-like idea did not disgust Lancelot.

He was not the true Lancelot of history, but merely a fragment of legend—the part concerning the knight after his illicit love affair with the queen.

Furthermore, he had been summoned as Berserker and had long ceased to care about the code of chivalry. Otherwise, he would not have previously suggested forming an alliance with Rider.

"Seize them directly? No, no, no. That sounds terrible, Sir Lancelot. Robbing someone outright has no class. We can look for an opportunity to pick up the leftovers."

Shiki vaguely remembered that after the Caster incident, the old priest who possessed numerous Command Spells had been killed by some Master.

Although this Fourth Holy Grail War might not unfold according to its original course because of his involvement, he had not yet greatly affected the situation. Perhaps that event would still occur.

If he really could pick up the leftovers, then what happened afterward would be impossible to predict.

"Sir Lancelot, spend the morning practicing martial arts with me. I want to see how great the gap is between my skills and those of the legendary foremost knight," Shiki suggested.

"At your service, Master."

At the mention of martial arts, Lancelot's eyes immediately lit up.

In that regard, he was confident that no one among the Knights of the Round Table could match him.