Chapter 36: More Servants
( 3rd POV )
Back in Chaldea, inside the summoning room, Ken and Kadoc were accompanied by several figures in the background, preparing to intervene in case something unexpected happened.
Behind Ken, Leonardo da Vinci busied herself with a sleek, holographic tablet on her hand. Her fingers flew across its surface as she muttered to herself. Astolfo leaned casually against the wall, twirling his lance as if the entire affair were a casual afternoon outing.
Zhao Yun stood nearby, his posture as disciplined like a warrior he is, his spear planted firmly against the floor, though his eyes betrayed a readiness to strike at a moment's notice.
Flanking them were two newly summoned Casters, their forms still faintly shimmering with the residue of magical energy from their recent manifestation.
Kadoc's brow twitched as he scanned the room, his exasperation evident. "Why are you all armed to the teeth? It looks like you're gearing up for war, and all I'm doing is summoning my servant," he said, his tone edging toward disbelief.
Da Vinci didn't even glance up from her tablet as she replied, "Ma~ Don't pay too much attention about it, Kadoc." She was checking that everything was running smoothly.
"For the sake of protection! We don't know what kind of servant you might summon. It's just in case things go wrong, you know?" Ken added, standing behind all the servants for protection.
"Precaution, huh? More like overkill," Kadoc muttered under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. He turned his back to them, focusing on the summoning circle.
In his hand, he held a small, sharp needle. With a deliberate motion, he pricked his fingertip, letting a bead of crimson form before allowing it to drip onto the circle. The moment the blood touched the etched runes, they flared to life, glowing with an intense light that cast long, flickering shadows across the room.
Kadoc stepped back, before he started reciting the summoning chant.
"Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let grey be the color I pay tribute to.
Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall."
The summoning circle responded to his incantation, the glow intensifying as the intricate runes pulsed with life. The air grew heavier, crackling with raw magical energy. Ken also received a notification from the Fate System asking whether to allow Kadoc to summon his servant. He chose to allow it and continued watching the show.
Beside him, Leonardo da Vinci adjusted her grip on her staff. She cast a sidelong glance at Ken, "Let's hope he doesn't summon a Berserker," she quipped.
A voice chimed in from their left, one of the two newly summoned Casters Ken had brought in earlier that day. The figure wore a polished golden mask that gleamed under the room's flickering light, his long blonde hair flowing over a blue mantle that added an air of regality.
He clasped his hands behind his back, his posture as upright and dignified as his tone. "So, this is the famed summoning ritual. Quite fascinating to witness firsthand. The intricate interplay of magic and intention... it's truly a masterpiece."
The other Caster, in stark contrast, stood silent as a statue. His massive frame, encased in towering metal armor, dominated the space around him. At nearly 2.5 meters tall, he dwarfed even Zhao Yun, who stood nearby with a spear in hand, his alert stance betraying his readiness.
The armored Caster's glowing red eyes flickered softly, his presence exuding a quiet mechanical intensity beneath its stillness. Though he said nothing, the tension in the air seemed to hum louder in his presence.
These two new servants were the ones Ken had just summoned per Director Olga's order. Due to the advancing company plan and how she described what Sion and Da Vinci decided to sell as the product for the company, the Director ordered him to summon a servant with the ability to solve the manpower problem that Chaldea had.
She specifically asked him to do it, because only someone with his unique ability—his Third Magic—could summon so many Servants in quick succession without collapsing under the strain.
So, this morning, while he was talking with the others in the cafeteria, he remembered this task when Daybit asked about it. He had spent all of his time yesterday giving a tour to Astolfo and Zhao Yun, and at night he spent time with Hinako. He could only do it today, just before they were about to leave.
These two servants were none other than Avicebron and Charles Babbage, the Casters who could summon as much manpower as needed. Thankfully, he still had their cards in the inventory, so he didn't need to gamble to summon them.
Noticing his master's thoughts, Avicebron, the Caster in the golden mask, inclined his head slightly. "Our skills are well-suited to meet your manpower needs. While we are not ideal for frontline battles, this particular problem is right up our alley. You have chosen wisely, Master."
Charles Babbage, his towering armored counterpart, remained silent but emitted a low, mechanical whir, as though acknowledging the task ahead without wasting words.
Ken's musings were cut short as Kadoc's chanting reached a crescendo. The summoning circle exploded with light, and the entire room shook as waves of magical energy radiated outward. Ken instinctively shielded his eyes, squinting through the blinding brilliance. Beside him, Da Vinci adjusted her staff, its tip glowing faintly as a safeguard.
"I hope you're ready," Zhao Yun muttered, gripping his spear tighter.
Astolfo, leaning nonchalantly against a nearby wall, grinned. "Whatever pops out, it can't be worse than another me... right?" He gave a playful wink, clearly amused at his own joke.
Despite the urge to smack the trap heads, Ken didn't respond. His attention was locked on Kadoc, who stood resolute before the magic circle, his face illuminated by its glow.
Suddenly, Ken shivered, his breath forming a faint white mist in the air. His pulse quickened. 'Why is it so cold all of a sudden?'
He glanced around the room, and his eyes widened in alarm. The corners of the room, once smooth and metallic, were now coated in a delicate layer of frost. Crystals of ice began spreading along the walls and ceiling, spiderwebbing outward with unnatural speed.
"Da Vinci!" Ken barked, his voice sharp.
"I'm already on it!" Da Vinci replied without looking up, her sharp eyes scanning her tablet. "The temperature plummeted just before Kadoc started the final incantation. This isn't a coincidence—brace yourselves, everyone!" Her commanding tone snapped the group to attention, and the Servants moved instinctively into defensive stances.
Even Astolfo, straightened up and unslung his lance, his eyes narrowing. "Oho, things are getting chilly. I wonder who's gonna come?"
Kadoc, standing at the heart of the ritual, felt the icy air biting at his skin. His breath came out in quick puffs of steam, and his hands trembled—not from fear, but from the relentless cold creeping into his bones. Still, he didn't falter. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts. What's causing this? Is it the servant? Am I losing control? No... stay focused, damn it!
"An oath shall be sworn here!
I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven,
I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell!
From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three greet words of power,
Come forth from the ring of restraints,
Protector of the Holy Balance!"
Boom!
As the final words left his lips, a burst of blinding light erupted from the circle, enveloping the room. The force of the energy swept through the chamber like a gale, chilling everything it touched. Ken staggered, his boots scraping against the icy floor as he struggled to maintain his footing.
Zhao Yun planted his spear into the ground, using it to steady himself, while Da Vinci conjured a shimmering barrier to shield herself and the rest of them from the blast.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the chaos subsided. The winds stilled, the light dimmed, and an eerie silence fell over the room. For a moment, no one dared to speak. Then, cutting through the heavy stillness, came the soft yet cold, melodic voice of a young women.
"I've come from the lands of snow. Since I have been summoned by you... are you my Master?"
.....
Chaldea Mansion, New York
In the east wing of the Chaldea Mansion, a temporary classroom had been set up, blending the elegance of old architecture with the cutting-edge technology required for their studies. The room was well-lit by large windows that allowed the noonday sun to pour in, casting a golden glow over the wooden desks and shelves.
At the front of the room Waver Velvet stood, surveying his two new student with a sense of satisfaction using his sharp eyes. Daisy and Anna, were seated attentively, their expressions a mix of fascination and concentration as they listening to his lecture.
"Magical circuits are the foundation of a magus's power. They act as conduits through which magical energy, or prana, flows. Each circuit is unique, much like a fingerprint, and mastering their use is essential for any practitioner of magecraft."
Daisy leaned forward, her brow furrowing in thought. "So, how do you strengthen these circuits? Is it something you're born with, or can you train to improve them?"
Waver nodded, pleased with her insightful question. "Both, actually. A magus can be born with a number of circuits, but through rigorous training, one can refine and expand them. There are also rituals and alchemical processes that can enhance a magus's circuits, but these methods require great skill and caution."
Anna listened intently, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Are there any risks involved in expanding or enhancing these circuits?"
Waver's expression grew serious. "Indeed, there are. Tampering with one's circuits without proper knowledge can lead to severe injury or even death. It's crucial to approach such endeavors with respect and caution."
Waver paused for a moment before adding something on his word. "Anyways, this method is too dangerous and you girls just stepped into this magus knowledge. It'll be irrelevant for now as you girls still not checked if you have the magic circuit in you. Let's wait until Da Vinci and Sion back for them to check in you."
The classroom clock's alarm rang, signaling the end of the session. Waver glanced at the time and allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "And it seems our time for today is up. You're free to go. We'll continue our lesson tomorrow."
Daisy and Anna Marie gathered their belongings, their minds buzzing with the new knowledge they had gained. As they walked out of the classroom and into the brightly lit hallway, they continued to discuss the day's lesson.
"This is incredible," Daisy said, her voice filled with excitement. "So everyone in Chaldea must have a magical circuit first if they want to perform magecraft. I wonder if we have it or not? It's really fascinating."
Anna nodded in agreement, her southern accent adding a touch of charm to her words. "Ah know what you mean. Ah never thought Ah'd be studying magic, but it's fascinatin'. But we shouldn't neglect our training. After all, we also have superpowers that need to be controlled."
Daisy hummed in agreement, also curious about her unawakened superpower. "Yeah, you're right. There's so much to learn… and we've gotta keep up."
The two young women reached a bend in the hallway when a commotion caught their attention. Ahead, a group led by the Director Olga was touring the premises. Her sharp heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she gestured to various newcomers.
Beside her stood Sion with her violet hair catching the light, and Astolfo, practically bouncing with every step, a wide grin plastered across his face.
Daisy and Anna paused, their gazes scanning the unfamiliar faces in the group. Their eyes lingered, searching. "Ken's not with them," Daisy murmured, her tone tinged with wonder. "Nor Da Vinci."
Anna frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That's strange. Weren't they supposed to come back with the Director?"
Exchanging a quick glance, they decided to approach. Daisy mustered a polite smile as they drew nearer. "Director Olga!" she called out, her voice tentative yet hopeful. "Good afternoon."
Olga turned to face them, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Ah, Daisy, Anna. How was your lesson with Professor El-Melloi?"
Daisy's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, it was incredible! At first, I thought it'd be boring, like a regular school lesson, but Professor El-Melloi… he's amazing! So knowledgeable about magic, and the way he teaches—it's like he knows exactly how to make it click."
Olga's lips curved into a faint smile. Beside her, Sion nodded in agreement, clearly unfazed by the praise. However, several members of the group behind them—Team A, as they were called—reacted with surprise. Ophelia couldn't help but voice her disbelief. "Lord El-Melloi II? Here? I thought he was at the Clock Tower?"
Kirschtaria, tilted his head, piecing things together. "Don't tell me…" His sharp eyes flicked to Olga and Sion, suspicion gleaming in his gaze.
Olga sighed, waving off the questioning looks. "Yes, he's here. That's all you need to know for now. Sion, take over from here. Rider, stay with them. Ms. Kiara, follow me to my office." Her commanding tone left no room for argument.
Astolfo beamed, saluting playfully. "Hai hai, Master~!"
The elegant woman addressed as Kiara stepped forward, her every movement exuding a serene confidence. She paused briefly, her eyes glinting as she regarded Daisy and Anna. "Fufu… such lovely young ladies. I look forward to seeing you again." With that, she swept past them, her presence leaving a lingering impression.
As Olga and Kiara disappeared down the hall, Sion resumed the tour, her tone matter-of-fact. Daisy and Anna, unable to quell their curiosity, fell into step behind the group. Daisy's fingers fidgeted nervously. "Um, Sion," she began hesitantly, "where are Ken and Da Vinci? They didn't come back with you?"
Sion glanced over her shoulder, her expression calm. "Oh, they did return with us—but only briefly. They came back to drop us off and pick up Mash, Ushiwaka, Mordred, and Hassan. They've been assigned a mission by the Director."
"What?!" Daisy exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. Her disappointment was palpable. "They left without saying anything?"
Anna placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Where did they go?" she asked, her tone far calmer, though her knitted brows betrayed her expression.
Before Sion could respond, a smooth, teasing voice cut in. "Fufu, that's classified," said a tall man adorned with light makeup, a smirk playing on his lips. "But let's just say it's important."
Daisy and Anna exchanged glances, showing disappointment on their eyes. The news was a blow—especially since they'd been looking forward to training with Mash and Mordred after finishing their class, particularly for Anna who are in the hurry to control her power.
Daisy slumped her shoulders, sighing heavily. "Well, I guess we'll just have to train on our own, then."
The man raised an intrigued brow, his smirk deepening. "Training, you say? If you'd like, I could assist. Unlike the rest of Team A, I happen to be free right now." His tone was light, almost playful, but there was a glint in his eye that suggested more than just idle curiosity.
The rest of Team A, who happened to be listening, either smirked with a hint of amusement or simply ignored Peperoncino's antics.
.....
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A/N: Please donate your power stones and leave more reviews for my story, I appreciate it and thank you for your support!