Fate In Time 23 Chapter 23

Truly it was.

Looking at the appearance of his newest apprentice, he would rather not interfere in the proceedings. Not when even he who had a clear understanding of the future was monitoring the actions of an anomaly.

Because simply from what he knew, a magus such as s.h.i.+rou Emiya should not exist in any shape way or form in the timeline he had foreseen. Even more so when said apprentice could somehow replicate n.o.ble Phantasms through a simple thaumaturgy as Gradation Air.

Normal use by other magi including himself would usually result in an inferior product with multiple defects. As a result, it was far more effective to reinforce an existing object, thus making Gradation Air useless in the eyes of other magi. This was the common consensus when it came to the magic.

An incomplete craft.

Yet s.h.i.+rou Emiya's application of this fairly incomplete magic garnered enough interest from himself to put more consideration into its complexities.

More than that, what he was interested in were the abilities s.h.i.+rou had withheld from him. He knew that s.h.i.+rou was being honest during the entirety of his explanation, otherwise he would have had detected hints in s.h.i.+rou's speech, tone, and even the fluctuations of the magic inside his body. This was not the case. s.h.i.+rou was calm and forthright with the information, not betraying anything. In this way, s.h.i.+rou was authentic, yet what truly mattered was the information omitted.

What other magecraft was he hiding?

Hmm. Rather than hiding, it would be more appropriate to say withholding. After the initial questioning of s.h.i.+rou's abilities, he had given the chance for s.h.i.+rou to continue explaining from where they had last left off before, yet s.h.i.+rou did not have much to say.

Reinforcement.

Alteration.

Tracing, s.h.i.+rou's unique method of Gradation Air.

And a tad bit of Runes.

That was all s.h.i.+rou admitted to knowing. Of course, it was only the right action for an apprentice to do. How else could he teach without being able to build up on what was already known? With that in mind, how could he strengthen what he did not know?

Merlin watched the proceedings in curiosity, the red slap mark on his face not hindering his actions in the slightest as he placed a hand beneath his chin.

The stature of s.h.i.+rou's aura, and the sharpness of his gaze was not something a person his age should have. But that doesn't concern me much, now what have you been withholding? Merlin continued to ponder as he watched.

The reason he knew that s.h.i.+rou had neglected to tell him something was due to a single coincidence. The muttering of a verse that sent a tingling sensation down his back.

I am the bone of my sword?

This was exactly what Merlin had heard come from s.h.i.+rou's mouth when he had returned from coaching Arturia.

As a mage himself, Merlin knew what it was.

An Aria.

But for what spell exactly?

s.h.i.+rou did not tell him, nor did Merlin bring himself to ask.

Could s.h.i.+rou not need his guidance when it came to this particular magecraft?

This thought process just made Merlin even more curious. Yet still, he would not ask. It was too demeaning for a Wizard like himself. Therefore, he would resort to other means.

Although he wouldn't pry directly, couldn't he just witness it for himself by putting the lad through some unforeseen circ.u.mstance? This current situation could be exactly what he needed after what he had to deal with this morning.

But as the standoff between s.h.i.+rou, Arturia, and the unknown magus continued, Merlin's expression started to fall when he realized the other Magus's attention was moving away from s.h.i.+rou and towards Arturia.

The hand once placed below his chin fell and grasped at the staff by his side.

This other magus was about to cross a line he would not permit to be pa.s.sed.

Merlin waved his staff, and his figure manifested from the air, a look of nonchalance on his face derived from his utmost confidence. "I suggest you do not do anything rash. Those are my students after all," he spoke walking forward.

s.h.i.+rou stood before Arturia, his eyes slanted and narrowed as his hands opened and closed around imaginary hilts. Upon seeing Merlin, s.h.i.+rou's expression lightened after giving a nod.

Merlin only briefly acknowledged s.h.i.+rou's actions with the quirking of his mouth before turning his full attention on the magus s.h.i.+rou was s.h.i.+elding Arturia from.

"Merlin the Wizard?" The magus's brows creased noticeably, a furrow forming on his forehead. "And students you say?"

"Correct, well, mostly," Merlin spoke with a smile and a twitch of an eye. "One student, and an ignorant philanderer who admittedly has potential."

"Philanderer?" Arturia questioned, staring at s.h.i.+rou.

s.h.i.+rou very readily ignored her in favour of taking a deep breath lest he act on an impulse to deck Merlin in the face. His current feelings were similar to how one would feel when someone was attempting to corrupt their loved one.

Perhaps Merlin noticed the murderous aura growing around s.h.i.+rou, but he could hardly care about whatever slight he may have had done to the lad. It's what s.h.i.+rou gets for trying to compete with Merlin and the women around him.

The other magus was silent, his expression finally turning neutral after a moment of calm.

"If I may, I would like to look at one of your students in detail? Just a simple examination is all," the magus said.

It was clear that the man was holding himself back from attacking by asking.

Merlin though was not amused. Admittedly, he was an adept womanizer, an experienced veteran even, but he had never lost his priorities.

"I will have to deny that request," Merlin spoke soundly. "Besides, you know how any other magus would react to your actions. Magic is to be guarded."

A Magus's mysteries or magic was indeed to be guarded, and it was a fact known by many of the existing magus families. However, there were exceptions such as alignment of interest where one magus's research could benefit the other, and vice versa.

More rarely is the case of discovering a magical oddity of great interest to every magus in regards to research and possibility.

If s.h.i.+rou was able to put this a.n.a.logy into words, it would be a Sealing Designation. After all, even in the modern times, a Magic Core may very well garner the interests of many magi due to their rarity.

Following the mark of a Sealing Designation, the modern Mage's a.s.sociation would stop at nothing to secure the flesh and blood of a designee for further study.

This could be the particular case should the magus learn of Arturia's magical const.i.tution.

Yet humans were greedy.

In the case that the magus alone discovered Arturia's const.i.tution, it very well be what prevents a large headache. Should the magus discover it, the magus would definitely not distribute the information, rather it was more beneficial if the magus alone knew to prevent compet.i.tion.

However, that was only if the magus discovered Arturia's Magic Core. In which case, Merlin's presence alone could serve as the greatest s.h.i.+eld.

The magus would not straight forwardly move against the Wizard Merlin, yet that didn't mean the magus couldn't attempt other means.

"That may be the case, but you know as well as I about the existence of exceptions. Besides, those two are not your kin either. Why would a magus such as yourself not raise an heir of pure blood?" The magus asked.

Merlin was quick to answer, and it nearly broke the image the man hand of the renowned Wizard.

"Because I wouldn't know my own children," Merlin spoke in all seriousness. "Only their mothers."

The magus was at a loss for words, his expression incredulous as if asking 'are you serious?' Regardless, the magus quickly pinched the bridge of his nose and glared through his eyes.

"Is one glance enough to sow discord with the house of Archibald?" Irritation was evident in the Magus's tone.

Merlin pushed both Arturia and s.h.i.+rou behind him as if he was herding sheep before stepping forward to reply.

"Would the Archibald be so petty?" Merlin countered.

Lord Archibald didn not answer when it was clear that he would get nothing from this dealing with Merlin. Confrontation was also out of the question, not just because he may lose, but because of the importance of the approaching meeting.

Still though, he would not give up so easily.

"This matter is not over," Lord Archibald said.

Yet as soon as he said so, he was immediately locked in vines that restricted his movements and left grazes on his skin despite the clothes he wore. Any movement on his part, and Merlin could literally strangle him to death.

"Oh believe me, it is," Merlin replied.

Herding both Arturia and s.h.i.+rou, Merlin turned his back on Lord Archibald and left in the distance.

Lord Archibald frowned in agitation as the image he saw of s.h.i.+rou, Merlin, and Arturia, faded away, leaving an empty street and him tied to the brambles of a vine he realized was never there.

An illusion?

It had to have been placed on him just before Merlin and the rest departed. He could no longer sense or track them now.

Lord Archibal clicked his tongue as the silver liquid he was inconspicuously laying around him during the course of the talking retreated back into the folds of his clothing.

LINE BREAK

s.h.i.+rou stared up at Merlin as he along with Arturia were directed in a certain direction.

Merlin didn't speak right away, only opening his mouth to answer when Arturia eventually asked about the earlier encounter and what was going on.

Reluctantly, Merlin began to explain the gathering of magi that was going on within the town of Roan. It was supposed to be an event irrelevant to Arturia who would not overtly dabble in the art of magic in her path to Kings.h.i.+p, but due to the situation, Merlin felt uneasy leaving her alone. Especially should she encounter Lord Archibald once again as the man had developed an interest.

Instead, he would feel better if Arturia only encountered other magi in his presence. Because no other magus would be willing to place Merlin as an enemy aside from a select few. Of course, there was the potential of one of those selcet few appearing in the gatheirng, but at that point, he would have to rely on s.h.i.+rou.

Still, it was only a possiblity.

Thus, he took Arturia along with s.h.i.+rou towards the gathering.

The entire reason Merlin had gotten up and left so early was to prepare a few things in regards to the gathering. Being notified of the time and location being one of them.

It was to be in the evening of this very day at the abandoned manor of a fallen line of n.o.bles.

As the three approached the building, a crowd of almost a hundred individuals could be seen, and the number was still growing under the darkening sky.

The crowd was bunched up near the gate of the fallen n.o.ble's manor, the gate only wide enough to accommodate three people at best.

As Merlin, s.h.i.+rou, and Arturia approached the gate, they were suddenly stopped by a group of magi who had disagreements with s.h.i.+rou and Arturia's presence.

"These two are my students," Merlin spoke after saying his name.

And indeed, his name had the desired effect as the magic blocking the path hesitated, but in the end, didn't move. Although it was a gathering, the gathering only consisted of the influential members of a magi's household.

The family Heads, the leaders and inheritors of their craft.

Not a single person without status and sway was present, so it was normal for others to question s.h.i.+rou's and Arturia's presence in a gathering to determine the future of the younger generation of magi and the pursuit of magic.

It didn't matter if they were Merlin's students, what mattered to cause so many magi to gather together was the pursuit of magic.

Being stopped like this, s.h.i.+rou was incredulous as he debated showing his magecraft. Yet he knew that wouldn't be enough either. Any of the other magi present were either Family Heads, or future Family Heads. He truly didn't have enough of a standing unless he tried using the Ashton name who was already speculated to be a magus family.

Still, before he could any further, he spotted something in the sky, and a felt a familiar calling from within. Thus, he spoke his words and hoped that what would come would be enough.

"Standing, and right to be here?" A shadow loomed in the sky, dropping down suddenly, and leaving a deep impression into the ground. "I am a magus too," he spoke.

A pair of sharp eyes glared at those around him from his back, a faint heat engulfing the surroundings.

"Play? Food? Enemy?"

s.h.i.+rou glanced at the new arrival, smiling wryly as a string of single words entered his mind in a familiar manner.

Efret had returned to s.h.i.+rou's side, bringing with it news of Barwheld's activities and any actions the Saxons may have taken. From the information delivered in bits and pieces into his mind from Efret, s.h.i.+rou could piece together that the Saxons were gathering a large army. But Barwheld was already making preperations and would notify him when the time came through Efret.

Efret stood standing just behind him from where Arturia stood protected under Merlin's watchful gaze.

The addition of Efret caused a stifling silence to occupy the area as numerous pairs of eyes began a.s.sessing Efret.

"P-Phantasmal beast?"

Many of the magi present could recognize Efret's species, and a few of the weaker magus heads from the lesser households even began to back away in fright as Efret's gaze swept over them.

None dared question s.h.i.+rou's right to partic.i.p.ate in the gathering despite his age.

Aftrer all, s.h.i.+rou possessed a Phantasmal Beast.

If he wasn't from an influential magus family, then at least he must have been of the mid-rank magus families. Add to the fact that Merlin claimed him as a student, and he had all rights to be present.

Efret's arrival came at a timely moment.

Yet…

"Then what of the other one?"

The question was inevitably asked as everyone's attention turned to Arturia.

Two in the crowd of Magi were the most interested. One being Lord Archibald who had already met with Arturia, and another being the mysterious Madam who had come from the Vernier estate.

The Madam from the Vernier estate looked at Arturia's direction with a critical eye, the features behind the veil she wore imaginable due to the stillness of her figure. It was cold and loathsome, a small smile hidden beneath with a hint of trickery. "The other is in possession of something rarely seen, a Magic Core," the Madam spoke with certainty.

What the Madam said brought a devastating effect, and even caused Merlin's features to greatly darken as he stared at the Madam's direction and grunted.

"This is my student," Merlin repeated in a light warning tone, placing a hand over Arturia's shoulders.

Immediately, numerous magi quailed under his threat, but not all. Most certainly not the ones that held a great pride in their own worth and Magic, and most certainly not the sly types who only feigned fear.

With the introduction of a Magic Core, not a single magus voiced any complaints to Arturia's presence. In fact, she could only blink her eyes in bewilderment as the magi gave her room, not understanding the significance of a Magic Core.

As Merlin, s.h.i.+rou, and Arturia pa.s.sed the gates of the fallen n.o.ble's manor, no other magi moved to stop them as they neared the main building.

From there, it was a Lady from the House of Barthomeloi that opened the way into the building housing the gathering.

Because of Efret's size, it was left behind as the meeting progressed into a closed room that was more of a dimly lit chamber filled with flickering candle light.

As the meeting went on, it was clear that nothing would get decided, not with the way every magus in the room appeared to be lost in thought.

s.h.i.+rou didn't like it.

Not at all.

For he knew that it meant trouble when the target of numerous magi's thoughts were on himself and Arturia.

His eyes remained fixed on the Madam of the Vernier estate. Everything started with her and her words. More specifically, it was her that had placed any sort of attention on Arturia after the astounding impression he had given moments earlier.

From the way Arturia was still looking curiously at the 'Wizards' similar to Merlin across the room, she was naïve to think that nothing was going to happen after the revelation of a Magic Core.

He made sure to step in front of her to block her from the view of the others as he waited for the meeting to end.

As he expected before, the meeting ended without any progress, most of the attention of the Magus families preoccupied. In which case, the rest of the meeting would be concluded in a span of several days of gathering.

After the meeting, as everyone was exiting, Merlin had an uncharacteristic frown on his face as he quickly placed his hands on both s.h.i.+rou and Arturia's shoulders and then led them to the corner of the room.

Merlin didn't say anything, but he made eye contact with s.h.i.+rou for nearly a whole minute before retracting his gaze and s.h.i.+fting it in the direction of where the Madam of the Vernier estate stood inspecting her nails at the exit of the room.

No longer uttering a word, Merlin quickly left s.h.i.+rou's and Arturia's side before either of the two realized what was going on.

"As expected, you were here as well," Merlin spoke out of ear shot from s.h.i.+rou and Arturia.

The Madam paused in the inspection of her nails before looking up at Merlin with a tilted gaze.

"Merlin," the name came out of the Madam's mouth as if she had swallowed something bitter. Resentment was clear in her tone. "A pleasure."

Merlin shrugged, not at all affected by the hostility directed at him. "Women generally grow more beautiful the more they age, like a fine liquor kept in storage to appeal to the finest of tastes. You though," Merlin's eyes shone with a knowing light. "You grow more and more detestable, like a weed attempting to overthrow a garden."

"How eloquent," the Madam spoke, crossing her arms and leaning forward in a posture of provocativeness. "The thing about weeds Merlin, is that they will win regardless when the garden eventually dies."

Saying this, the Madam's eyes strayed to Arturia and s.h.i.+rou who still stood at the corner, s.h.i.+rou keeping Arturia's attention.

She turned towards Merlin, uncrossing her arms and laying them by her hips. "You won't be able to protect her forever," she then said.

Merlin stared at the face hidden behind the veil before sighing.

Humans.

They can transform to the most beautiful of doves and flowers, but they can also degrade to become the most horrid of pests and vexations due to their own prejudice and emotion, Merlin couldn't help but think, staring at the eyes of the woman he once knew.

One that was upright and strong.

Now reduced to this.

Such a shame.

His eyes narrowed along with his will and resolve. "You are right," he admitted. From all perspectives, it was impossible to protect someone at all times. Yet there was something he alone could do. "But I can certainly protect her from you,"

The Madam from the Vernier estate froze in place, a dark scowl coming over her features as Merlin gestured for her to follow.

She glared at Arturia who was left unaware, but an instant later, a staff was placed in front of her.

"Do not make me repeat myself," Merlin said absently. "I will not allow you to act freely."

The Madam from the Vernier estate did not retort, instead, laughing lowly as she took notice of the attention around Arturia by the other magi. "But perhaps I don't have to," she said.

"…" Merlin clicked his tongue. He had antic.i.p.ated the Madam from the Vernier estate's interference, but he did not expect for the woman to direct the situation as she did. It was clever, of that he had no doubts, but in doing so, the woman had lost something as well.

The initiative. She had shown her cards already while he had yet to show his.

Either she was confident, or she didn't place much value on the actions of the other. Regardless, the Madam of the Vernier estate was not the only one with a few tricks to play.

He gestured with his eyes to s.h.i.+rou as their gazes met, and an understanding between two men immediately exchanged between the two.

He would leave her in his hands for now.

Let us see if there is something to be gained in this venture.

He retracted his staff from near the Madam's face and bean using it as a cane.

"Well then, after you," Merlin spoke, moving his body to allow s.h.i.+rou and Arturia to exit the room before walking forward and leading the Madam towards another destination to fight. "You just might see something you werent expecting.

It's all up to you know, boy.

Merlin gave one last glance at s.h.i.+rou before promptly leaving the room with the Madam reluctantly in tow.

s.h.i.+rou was not a fool who could not understand what Merlin was asking of him. He promptly held Arturia's hand before leading her out of the room by using the opportunity Merlin had provided.

LINE BREAK

Walking silently, Arturia glanced down at the hand holding onto her own, and then pursed her lips.

s.h.i.+rou was keeping her close, and from the expression on his face, he had noticed something that she hadn't on their way out of the first meeting of magi.

It troubled her.

Her inability in the field of magic. If it were anything else, she was sure that she would be of use with what Sir Ector had taught her in her upbringing. Faint traces left in the ground, or even the sound of footsteps, they were all signs techniques that Sir Ector, and to an extent, Kay had taught her. Yet the present situation was different. Perhaps they were being followed, but how could she verify the matter if their followers had masked their traces with some magic?

The answer was obvious to her, she wouldn't know.

In which case, her only support lied in s.h.i.+rou.

Her friend, and also a user of magic.

The grip s.h.i.+rou had on her arm tightened as they neared the next bend of the old building; the two increasing their pace, and approaching the open field of the manor that Merlin had walked them past previously.

She breathed in deeply, her trust in s.h.i.+rou something that was unshakeable at this point. If he noticed something wrong, then she wouldn't doubt his judgement.

He to her was…something more? A brother perhaps?

It was the closest feeling she could compare it to, but she knew it was inadequate to truly describe it.

She didn't put any resistance as she quietly followed along by s.h.i.+rou's side, her eyes becoming vigilant of her surroundings. To be honest, she was having flashbacks about that particular night when the beast had attacked. The air was similar, full of tension and a silent eeriness caused by the stretching darkness of the night.

She s.h.i.+vered, thinking back to how Merlin had made eye contact with s.h.i.+rou before accompanying the Madam residing within the Vernier estate. Now that she pondered on it, she should have realized earlier that Merlin was warning s.h.i.+rou to be careful. Another interpretation of the event though caused her to clench her fists.

Protect her well.

Or something like that.

She was a burden that should not have been in the gathering of magi, her attendance only due to Merlin's precautions. Now that Merlin had to leave her alone, perhaps the responsibility now fell on s.h.i.+rou?

Her face fell thinking up to here, but so too did her determination to understand magic rise. She would never again want to find herself as a burden. Especially to those she held dear.

Yet for now, she could not change the current situation.

She continued to follow s.h.i.+rou and increase her pace along with his.

Just after s.h.i.+rou walked out of the next bend and towards the open field, rays of dim starlight struck her face as she promptly followed.

It was already nearing the end of the summer season, but the flowers of the open field were in bloom, reflecting the light of the moon and creating a dazzling spectacle. Admittedly, she was lost in that sight, but s.h.i.+rou was not. Instead, his eyes were focused on the figure of a woman standing within the field.

It was a magus that had attended the gathering of magi.

She was plain looking, with her hair braided into two separate bangs that reached down her chest. Her eyes were rather dull, and didn't seem to have that vibrant s.h.i.+ne a.s.sociated with a young woman of her age.

Wearing a simple dress in the night, the magus stared silently at their arrival.

This magus had been one of the few that remained unspoken throughout the entire gathering, but her presence now was alarming, given the situation.

Why would this magus be here when the gathering was already over?

Arturia, was not stupid. Based on how s.h.i.+rou was acting and the appearance of this lady, she tensed as she fingered her sword.

The sound of buzzing entered her ears, and she swatted the bee flying around her in annoyance while s.h.i.+rou still stared critically at the woman.

"My name is Lusanna Borzak," the woman introduced herself. "On behalf of the Borzak family, I would ask you to step aside and allow for the capture of the Magic Core for collective study."

When the situation was viewed from a magus's perspective, nothing really mattered aside from the pursuit of their own crafts. In which case, the research to be done and learned from a Magic Core may very well yield results in any field even if it was a wasted effort. Furthermore, during the gathering of magi, it was already set in stone beforehand that the magus families would aid each other in the pursuit of similar interest and related craft.

Wasn't this an exact case as described by the gathering of magi?

Looking at s.h.i.+rou, his back had stiffened after Lusanna's words, but Arturia's reaction was incredulous.

After all, it was the first time she was referred to like an object by someone.

Frankly, she didn't really feel much about it despite a bit of outrage, but what she cared about were the implications. She knew that she possessed a Magic Core, and based on how Lusanna had spoken, she didn't wish to become an experiment.

As the air became heavier, more and more, she turned her attention towards s.h.i.+rou, realizing what was about to happen in an instant.

s.h.i.+rou would never agree with Lusanna's words

s.h.i.+rou spoke out just as she expected.

"A Magic Core is not everything, nor can it be an answer to develop a mystery to the Root," s.h.i.+rou spoke. "I will not allow you to do as you wish. My friend is his own person, and I fight by him."

She didn't know what to say after hearing s.h.i.+rou's words, but if anything, the happiness nearly caused her to smile in the midst of the situation. Fortunately, she knew how to keep her face blank and emotions aside.

On the other side of the two, Lusanna stood unimpressed, her arms crossing behind her back as she slowly moved forward.

"How unfortunate then, but regardless of what you do, everything is for the betterment of magecraft. Isn't that the whole point of creating this so called 'Mage's a.s.sociation?' To improve mage craft thought the power of collected minds. This situation is for that cause."

It was too late.

Because s.h.i.+rou realized something from Lusanna's words.

She wasn't alone.

"W-What?!" Arturia gasped in surprise as the hand she had used to swat away the bee from before grew difficult to move as a silver liquid began to crawl up her hand and down her body.

Unexpectedly, when she had first swatted at the bee, the silver liquid that had gathered on the bee's back had fallen onto her hand and began rapidly expanding.

It was magic.

Just as s.h.i.+rou had been able to do the impossible in her youth, she was experiencing something similar once again, but with an entirely different result. She had grown naive in regards to magic and the unknown as she was accustomed to the less dangerous magic utilized by s.h.i.+rou and Merlin who never placed any murderous intent into their crafts. Instead, using it as a means to teach when directed at her. Yet the feeling she obtained from the silver liquid and the bee still floating idly around her was full of ill intent. Before she knew it, she had already been immobilized.

s.h.i.+rou immediately grew infuriated, she could see it from his eyes despite his outwardly calm demeanor.

s.h.i.+rou attempted to pull her close as he seemed to realize something, but before he could even take action, the sliver liquid restraining her did first; the liquid dragging her across the gra.s.s to stop just short from Lord Archibald who stared at the scene impa.s.sively.

Directly beside Lord Archibald was the struggling form of Efret attempting to break free from an entire ball of silver liquid that encased it.

The more Efret struggled, the smaller Efret's body became as it exerted its power.

s.h.i.+rou could no longer hold himself back, and she could tell.

How could he when she could clearly remember him telling Efret to wait outside as Merlin, s.h.i.+rou, and herself entered the building of the gathering of magi. This decision was due to Efret's size, but it could clearly be seen that if s.h.i.+rou had just dismissed Efret then and there, then Efret would not have been caught in such a situation.

It was a mistake.

Just like her own.

She cursed inwardly as she struggled against her bindings, but to no avail.

The silver liquid bound to her, restraining her and clinging around her like shackles as it began to harden. No matter how she tore at them, they would not break.

s.h.i.+vers ran down her spine as Lord Archibald's gaze continued to a.s.sess her, looking up and down.

A silence filled the air as one by one, more and more magi appeared in the open field, solidifying their stance on the matter. A Magic Core was just too tempting to pa.s.s up, and Merlin was nowhere to be seen. Yet neither was the Madam from the Vernier estate.

Arturia was appalled by the sheer number, a pit growing in her stomach. There had to be at least thirty or more of them.

s.h.i.+rou glanced at those around him, his expression becoming resolved. Words were no longer necessary.

Suddenly, a brilliant light seemed to emit from s.h.i.+rou.

His hands were held outwards, an expression of clear exertion on his face as a sword flickered into appearance in his hand; each flicker sending stronger and stronger waves of radiance that washed away the dark of the night, revealing even more magi hiding in the shadows.

They were the magi of higher n.o.bility and standing in regards to the elite magus families. They did not wish to lower themselves with menial work, and thus decided to simply watch. Lord Archibald could be a.s.sociated with this group, but he had acted due to his own interests.

As the sword continued to flicker and flicker, becoming more and more tangible, less and less of the attention was being drawn towards Arturia, and more towards s.h.i.+rou.

How could the magi present not know what it was that was forming in s.h.i.+rou's hands, especially the more prominent Magus heads of the numerous families.

n.o.ble Phantasm.

An unimaginable weapon that even the prominent heads of a magus household could not boast of possessing aside from the Fraga who still spent the majority of their time in seclusion.

Lord Archibald felt a feeling of slight discomfort, realizing the turn the situation was taking.

It was only intended to be a short, but significant matter to procure a Magic Core for in depth study, yet it had escalated to serious levels. From the moment Merlin had claimed the two as his student, he knew that there was probably something far more to them. Initially, he had thought solely of the student in possession of a Magic Core, but now…

The majority of the magi presesnt including Lusanna Borzak, immeiatly began speculating s.h.i.+rou's backing. How else could s.h.i.+rou possess a n.o.ble Phantasm if not for him belonging to a magus family as prominent as the Archibald, Barthomeloi, and even Borzak?

What was truly odd was the method in which s.h.i.+rou was releasing the n.o.ble Phantasm. In the eyes of the other magi present, none could connect the craft with the widely known and common Gradation Air. A variant of it called Tracing. The notion was just too absurd.

With a final flicker, the sword fully materialized in arcs of crackling lightning like energy. Smoke came off the weapon, giving the appearance as if it was newly forged.

No one moved initially until a select few released a breath.

"H-He can't possibly use it," one of the magi insisted, deciding to voice out a gamble.

After all, humans could not possibly use a n.o.ble Phantasm unless the n.o.ble Phantasm had been pa.s.sed down from generation to generation through the process of a bloodline. From a generation that had just obtained a n.o.ble Phantasm, it would be extremely difficult to use.

With this in mind, a few of the magi eased the tension in their shoulders, remaining firm in their stance, but neglecting to see how the other prominent magus families took several steps back.

Seeing that the magi were not releasing Arturia, s.h.i.+rou had no choice despite knowing what it would mean to use a n.o.ble Phantasm in his situation.

Yet staring at Arturia's face, he could hardly care about any risks to himself.

The sword was swung.

The intent released.

"O blessed sword," s.h.i.+rou closed his eyes, seeming to be in deep thought as he reached the arc of the swing. "Durandal!"

His intent was clear in Arturia's eyes.

To save her.

To save Efret.

A pale white wave spread out from the sword's slash, moving in a horizontal trajectory that swept up many magi in its path. It was like an incinerator, one moment a magus stood standing, and in the next, he was reduced to nothing after being bathed in the pale white.

It was Holy Energy befitting the construct said to house three miracles of G.o.d.

Durandal the Peerless, Holy Sword and n.o.ble Phantasm of the Paladin, Roland of Charlemagne.

Lusanna's and many other magi who were not caught in the strike immediately backed further away. It was due to their own precautions that they were not within range, having retreated the moment they recognized the emergence of a n.o.ble Phantasm.

As the sword light conintued outward, it met with the restraints that bound Arturia after completely annihilating a few more magi that it came in contact with, stopping at that exact moment.

Those restrains that bound her could not possibly withstand the strength of a n.o.ble Phantasm, regardless of the grade.

Upon contact, the restraints that bound Arturia shattered into hard pieces that lay scattered along the ground as Lord Archibald retreated several steps back. Releasing Efret, he then regathered his silver liquid in defense for another attack.

Arturia was now free.

Yet Arturia didn't move, her body stiff as if frozen, and staring wide eyed in a single direction.

No, NO!

Helpless could not even describe how she was feeling at the moment. She had just witnessed something she knew would go down in the history of the magical community itself, and now here she was endangering s.h.i.+rou once again.

Thinking about it now, it was the same for the incident with the beast in her childhood.

"STOP IT!"

Her voice fell on deaf ears.

The other Magi around her who had survived the attack were already too entranced in their battle.

In their eyes, what s.h.i.+rou had just displayed moments prior was a clear threat, and from the hesitation in s.h.i.+rou's strike, his true capabilities were still far higher than what he let on. The only reason for the hesitation in his previous attack being Arturia who was still held captive and in strike range.

This was not an adversary that should be left to live. What would happen should s.h.i.+rou seek retribution? The other small-time magi from lesser n.o.bility didn't want to think about it, and besides they had already entered this boat, and there was no getting off after offending the students of the Wizard Merlin. It was best to accomplish the task then go into hiding for several decades with the research material as planned.

The shape s.h.i.+rou was in was not hopeless, just bleak as he was momentarily drained due to his exertion, making it difficult for him to move in a timely manner let alone defend.

Regardless, as the magi closed in on s.h.i.+rou, their mage craft causing ripples to form in the air, his eyes were still looking at Arturia, urging her to run after he had already broken the confinements that bound her.

Arturia nearly choked from the gasp that came from within her, her eyes watering from her anxiety. No one aside from her family that she could think of would go this far for her.

"Arturia,"

She could still remember the first time he called her name.

The kindness of his smile.

The nature of his virtue and honour.

And for the unknown feeling she had buried in her heart calling for death to the enemies, something she had never wished so strongly of before.

She would never let these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds go for what they've done!

"Then I will be your Knight," the simple phrase from an innocent youth long pa.s.sed sent tremors through her mind.

At that moment, it was like something snapped inside of her, and then there was power.

The sudden utilization and actualization of a Magic Core.

"I will never abandon you," her voice was hoa.r.s.e, but her expression was stern as she unsheathed her blade with unsteady hands. The restraints that had once bound her and were laying in pieces on the ground were obliterated by the aura she exuded. "My sword is henceforth your sword. This is my oath," Her body trembled in rage as she took in the enemies still charging at s.h.i.+rou. "I will fight by your side."

As you have done for me!

And I will slaughter all that get between us!