Masaki and Rune Have This Capability Too

I really enjoy using Cybaster and Valsione in every game. They're great for clearing out mobs with explosive output against bosses, and their map-clearing attacks can even distinguish friend from foe. Not to mention Valsione's incredibly captivating design and the cute little black and white details on Cybaster. Of course, my absolute favorites are Gothic Knight and Weissritter.

-- A Mysterious Epigraph

Matou Residence, just before dawn.

"You're finally back, Yanye."

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, a voice like a violin scraping against a worn-out shoe reached him, though the speaker was nowhere to be seen.

"Your performance tonight makes the idea of claiming the Holy Grail nothing but a fool's dream."

As the second sentence rang out, something in the courtyard began to gather, like bees drawn to a queen. The fellow who made his entrance in this bizarre fashion was undoubtedly Zouken Matou.

"You don't need to worry about it. Take me to Sakura." The man, his face hidden by the hood of his sweatshirt, ignored Zouken's remark and stated his demand directly.

"Sakura is currently undergoing modification in the basement..."

"You bastard! We had an agreement..."

"Wasn't the agreement to trade using the Holy Grail? Did you really think you could win? Rather than expecting anything from a failure like you, I'd rather make preparations for the next war myself."

"At least wait until you've confirmed my failure... cough cough..." Overcome with emotion, Yanye couldn't even finish his sentence before he started coughing up blood again.

"Failure, my decisions don't require your input! Sakura's potential is unparalleled. The child she will bear after her body is modified will surely revitalize the Matou family's decadent state!"

"You thing worse than a beast! Sakura is just a child..."

"I have nothing more to say to you. Go back down and continue your pathetic struggle!"

"You... cough cough cough... Ugh... cough..."

Zouken watched the descendant who had once fled but now returned for a woman. The man's normally placid emotions, dulled by centuries of existence, stirred with a rare, subtle shift. He hadn't intended to pursue the matter, considering Yanye's tragic life. However, the self-sacrificing heroism Yanye displayed, so contrary to the Matou philosophy, had genuinely angered him, which was why he was treating him so harshly. This incessant coughing was truly irritating. Fine, he was still family, so he'd help him... Wait?

As a great mage who had lived for five hundred years, even though his body and soul were nearing decay, Zouken's senses for mana were still incredibly sharp. The aura that had suddenly erupted moments ago was definitely not human. It could only belong to a Servant. But Berserker was supposed to be behind Yanye! Could it be...

"That's a very good point, Yanye-kun. Confucius once said that if three people walk together, one must be my teacher. Even if I don't care for this old man, I can still learn from him when he's right. There's no need for pointless chatter with people like him; a head-on collision is the way to go!"

At the entrance of the house, Jizi, now materialized, spoke with a cold laugh, holding a little girl whose hair color was shifting from black to purple.

"Caster, when did..."

"Of course, it was when you were mocking Yanye-kun here. Do you know how many villains have died because of that loose tongue? Yanye, attack!"

"Berserker, kill him!" Yanye, who had been kneeling on the ground, spitting blood and looking utterly miserable just moments ago, stood up while Zouken was still stunned. He pointed at the old magus, who was both his father and the object of his hatred, and issued the attack command to his Servant. Berserker didn't disappoint him. He used an ultimate technique on Zouken, developed by our great Celestial Empire's soldiers during the Anti-Japanese War – ripping apart demons with one's bare hands – tearing the seemingly frail body in half.

"Heh, you think this is enough to defy me? Who gave you your power, you don't remember... What's going on? Why aren't there any Crest Worms inside you?"

Simply destroying a body would not be enough to kill Zouken. It was the same principle as killing a few hydralisks and zerglings not causing significant damage to Kerrigan; the cerebrates were the key to dealing with beings like them. However, the voice that came from who-knew-where had lost the feeling of "everything is under control" that it had initially displayed.

"This," Jizi replied, casually waving a blade that shone with a white light. "It's called Stripe. It can only cut down demons and will never harm humans. Those disgusting things inside Yanye-kun were just cleaned up by me. Although his physical condition is still very poor, at least he won't be affected by you anymore."

"And another thing, old man. Did you really think I wouldn't notice you hiding inside Sakura's body?" Jizi didn't wait for Zouken's response before placing the blade at the loli's neck. "It's not like I was tricked into this. For you, a grown man, to actively burrow your consciousness into a girl's body... I really can't stand it."

Sakura, who had been in a coma, opened her eyes at that moment. The whites of her eyes were an ominous black, just like her irises. She ignored the weapon at her neck and said, "Then, can you bring yourself to kill me? Sakura's modification isn't complete yet. If the process is forcibly terminated with violence, this child will..."

"Who said I was going to use violence? You know that violence can't solve everything, right?"

A mask was placed on Sakura's face, and instantly, spiderweb-like red patterns spread across her entire body. This caused Yanye, who was watching nervously from the side, to show a worried expression, but Jizi gave him a reassuring look.

"It'll be fine. I'm just gently melting the worms inside her and absorbing them along with Matou's mana. It might look a little scary. While this doesn't guarantee there won't be any after-effects, it's the best possible solution. With proper care afterward, she'll be completely fine in two to three years."

As if to confirm Jizi's words, something seemed to be flashing within the web-like patterns, as if being transported from Sakura's body into the mask through this conduit. As this process deepened, Sakura's eyes gradually lost their color, and the purple tint in her hair faded, returning to its original black.

"Alright, all done. And I got a good meal out of it too. Just as Mr. Bear would praise, the protein from the worms... their mana content is six times that of a normal human. My energy from the two little sprites tonight and the injuries Yanye inflicted have completely recovered."

"Haha, I thought you were the enemy back then, so I naturally went hard..." With Sakura's problem solved, Jizi, now relaxed, began to chat casually with Yanye.

However...

"As expected of a Heroic Spirit, but even so, you can't kill me. Your existence in this world is limited to two weeks. Once you return to the Throne of Heroes, how will you protect this rebellious son and the young girl?"

Jizi waved her hand dismissively. "Don't you worry about it. They say that when a person is about to die, their words are good. Why can't you, an old geezer on the brink of death, say something nice?"

"Young girl," Since the mask was on Sakura's face, Zouken could naturally see Jizi's true appearance. "Judging by your appearance, you must have died young. Let me teach you a lesson, young one. For a magus with my centuries of experience, Servants aren't that easy to kill."

"Heh... The only reason I haven't erased all your worms is because I'm considerate of the ones inside Sakura. Don't get too full of yourself! Fine, you won't believe me no matter how much I say, so let me show you a miracle next. Don't blink!"

She reached up and stroked her long, flowing, smooth hair. The pleasant sensation made Jizi feel quite fond of it herself. Ah, as expected of me... No, now isn't the time for narcissism. Her hand continued upward, touching the single tuft of hair that stood up, unlike the rest that cascaded down like a waterfall. She pulled one strand from it.

"Ouch! Damn old woman, you're sticking so tight!"

She frowned slightly from the pain, but Jizi's movements were unaffected. She clasped her hands together, holding the strand of hair, brimming with energy, between her palms. As she did this, a pure white, yet not dazzling, bright and warm radiance began to glow from her feet.

"Fairy Tail Guild Master's Secret Art—Fairy Glitter..., wrong, it's Fairy Law!"

The milky white light spread out, filling the entire night sky.