Waver

Biodata

Background / History

Student and Relic Theft

Waver studies under Kayneth at the Clock Tower. Seeking to prove himself, he decides to enter the Fourth Holy Grail War and steals a fragment of Iskandar’s cloak—the holy relic Kayneth had acquired for his own summoning. By the time Kayneth recognizes him in the system’s group chat, Waver is already aboard a plane bound for Fuyuki City 6.

Kayneth exposes the theft to the group and threatens to teach him the cruelty of the Holy Grail War. The disclosure also makes Waver’s intended Servant obvious to the other participants before the system confirms his pairing with Iskandar 6 8 9.

System Rewards and the Holy Grail War

Waver earns a golden treasure chest in the first quiz session and a bronze chest for placing third in the next. After reaching an inn in Fuyuki, he opens both before his planned summoning that night, obtaining a card and a dagger 3 12.

At the docks, Waver initially remains hidden while Iskandar intervenes in the gathering of Servants. When Iskandar publicly calls him out, he approaches with an additional Servant: Zhuge Liang, sharing the body of Waver’s future self, Lord El-Melloi II. Waver protests that Iskandar has ruined their reconnaissance plan, then notices approaching police sirens and urges the group to leave. He and Zhuge Liang depart aboard Iskandar’s Gordius Wheel 26.

Waver later accompanies El-Melloi II to negotiate with Kayneth. Their proposal grants Iskandar the Grail’s wish if their coalition wins; Kayneth accepts in exchange for help eliminating Kiritsugu Emiya’s team. Although Waver attends, his older counterpart conducts the negotiation 36 37.

The coalition subsequently finds Einzbern Castle deserted and withdraws. During the system’s debate over kingship, Waver and El-Melloi II join Iskandar’s team 39 41.

Revealed Future: Lord El-Melloi II

The system’s videos reveal possible futures and parallel worlds, rather than an outcome already completed by the present Waver 10 20.

One vision shows an older Waver welcoming Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka into the El-Melloi Classroom. This establishes that he becomes Lord El-Melloi II and a teacher in the Department of Modern Magecraft 20.

Later footage explains his succession. Following Kayneth’s death and the collapse of the El-Melloi Faction, its young heir, Reines, brings Waver before her. He accepts partial responsibility for his teacher’s death because he stole the summoning relic, but asks to live so that he can fulfill an unfinished promise 32.

Reines assigns him the faction’s debts, the restoration of ten percent of its source crest, and the duty of maintaining its position as a Lord until she comes of age. Waver accepts, requesting the title El-Melloi II because he considers Kayneth the only person worthy of the original title 32.

The footage also shows Iskandar’s death at Gilgamesh’s hands and Waver’s grief afterward. His determination to reach the endless ocean Iskandar sought becomes a lasting purpose in his life 33.

Appearance

• Present Waver: Described as a pretty boy, in contrast to the markedly older appearance of Lord El-Melloi II 20.
• Future self: Tall and thin, with long hair and an exhausted appearance 9 20 26.
• Postwar attire in a vision: A crisp suit with a red coat draped over his shoulders 33.

Personality

Waver’s desire for recognition drives him to challenge his teacher and enter the Holy Grail War. Nevertheless, he becomes visibly nervous when Kayneth identifies him and uncovers the theft. Even after acquiring powerful allies, he remains uncomfortable sitting face-to-face with his professor 6 36.

He is more cautious than Iskandar, preferring reconnaissance and planning to public confrontation. He repeatedly challenges Rider’s recklessness and even stops him from making an insensitive remark about Gareth when Artoria is already distressed 26 34 47.

Waver is also willing to revise his judgments. Initially troubled by Feng Xi killing Ryunosuke Uryu, he apologizes after witnessing Bluebeard’s atrocities and thanks Feng Xi for preventing further deaths. His future self similarly distinguishes personal dislike from professional respect when discussing Kayneth 29 33.

Abilities & Skills

Magecraft and Servant Contracts

Waver is a trained magus who participates in the Holy Grail War as a Master 6 9.

• Uses Iskandar’s cloak fragment as his intended summoning catalyst 6.
• Is confirmed as Iskandar’s Master by the system 9.
• Fields Zhuge Liang/Lord El-Melloi II as an additional Servant in the altered war 26.

Analysis and Historical Knowledge

Waver contributes to discussions of Servant identities, legends, and Noble Phantasms, though he sometimes overcomplicates the system’s questions 9 17 34.

• Correctly matches six of the seven Master–Servant pairs in a quiz 9.
• Recognizes Diarmuid’s Gáe Dearg as the spear associated with Aengus 17.
• Knows Elizabeth Báthory’s reputation as the “Vampire Lady” 34.
• Incorrectly treats Feng Xi’s failed summoning as misdirection, costing him a perfect matching score 9.

Teaching — Future Self

As Lord El-Melloi II, Waver teaches in the Department of Modern Magecraft 20.

• Welcomes Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka into the El-Melloi Classroom 20.
• Is identified by the system as Alexander’s teacher, a development that surprises the summoned El-Melloi II himself 49.

Pseudo-Servant Power — Parallel Counterpart

A parallel-world Lord El-Melloi II gains Zhuge Liang’s power through possession; this is distinct from the present young Waver’s own abilities 10.

• In the system’s explanation, Zhuge Liang leaves behind his Spirit Origin and becomes dormant, allowing El-Melloi II’s consciousness to dominate 10.
• The counterpart accompanying Waver in the current war explains that either he or Zhuge Liang can control their shared body 26.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Fragment of Iskandar’s cloak — Stolen from Kayneth to serve as a summoning catalyst 6.
• Unidentified card — Obtained when Waver opens his first two treasure chests; its function is not disclosed in that scene 12.
• Unidentified dagger — Received alongside the card; no properties are specified 12.

Relationships

• Iskandar — Waver’s Rider-class Servant. His impulsiveness frequently frustrates Waver, but the revealed future shows him becoming Waver’s enduring inspiration 9 26 33.
• Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald — Teacher, victim of Waver’s relic theft, and later ally. Future Waver openly dislikes him personally while deeply respecting him as a magus 6 33 37.
• Lord El-Melloi II / Zhuge Liang — Waver’s future counterpart and additional Servant. Provides strategic guidance and leads the negotiations with Kayneth 26 36 37.
• Reines El-Melloi Archisorte — In the revealed future, appoints Waver to manage the El-Melloi Faction and act as its Lord until she comes of age. Present Waver has not yet met her when this is shown 32.
• Feng Xi — Fellow quiz participant. Waver apologizes for judging his killing of Ryunosuke before understanding the danger posed by Team Caster 29.
• Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka — Students of Waver’s future self in the El-Melloi Classroom 20.

Notable Quotes

“We agreed we were only coming to check things out, but you charged in on your own, and now you’ve exposed me too.” 26

“Personally, I still really dislike him, even now. But as a mage, I respect him deeply.” — Future Waver on Kayneth 33

“Someday, I’ll reach that endless ocean you wanted to see!” — Future Waver addressing Iskandar 33