To become a king and a magician

Like any other tourist, her clothes and appearance were nothing special. She moved naturally with the crowd. Although some people would glance at her, it was probably because of her beautiful appearance.

After all, she is a rare beauty.

The beautiful woman, who also noticed Natsukawa Tora approaching, showed a surprised expression, seemingly not expecting to meet him here at all. But quickly, that surprise turned into joy.

"Tiger? What's wrong?"

Upon noticing that Natsukawa Tiger was standing still, Lydia turned around and asked, somewhat puzzled.

However, as soon as she turned around, Xia Chuanhu pulled her behind him, shielding her completely behind his broad back.

"Huh? Tiger?"

"Was it necessary to give me that look right from the start?"

Before Lydia's surprised and puzzled words could reach Natsukawa Torato's ears, another woman's voice rang out.

Peeking out, Lydia looked at the person who spoke—a silver-haired woman in a black dress, who looked to be about the same age as Mary, with a faint smile that seemed somewhat fake.

Who is she?

“Since the end of the Holy Grail War—no, I should say since that encounter, right? Although I have observed you in secret many times since then, and I visited you when you were in a coma in the hospital, from your perspective, this is the first time we have met in all these years.”

Morgan, the silver-haired beauty, smiled and waved to Natsukawa Tora after smoothing her loose silver hair.

"It's been a long time. What an unexpected and delightful reunion, Saber's Master, Natsukawa Torato."

“Caster......”

7. The activities of the Church of Christ

Caster.

Morgan.

"I never expected to see you here again. Seeing you still so energetic is better than anything else. Merlin has taken good care of you."

Morgan laughed.

"Did you come here to visit my good-for-nothing sister? Or are you reminiscing about the one you once fought alongside?"

"It leans towards the second type in nature, but could you please not use such a cringe-inducing way of putting it?" Xia Chuanhu replied coldly. "Are you the one who actually came to a place like this to sweep tombs?"

Morgan smiled slightly and waved his hand: "No, not at all. Not to mention that this is just a memorial site, not even a cenotaph, my good-for-nothing sister is still alive, so why would I need to sweep her grave?"

Before his death, in order to save Camelot, he made a pact with the Counter Force, freezing his time before his death—after learning this from Merlin here, Morgan was only surprised for a moment, and then felt relieved.

This is indeed something my own sister would do.

"Well, let's not talk about Lia for now. What surprises me more now is what's going on with you—you're standing firmly on your feet this time. I vaguely remember back in Fuyuki City, you could barely stand in front of me."

"Have the experiences and growth over the past three years given you strength and confidence?"

"Okay, I think I understand what you mean."

Natsukawa Tora pushed up his glasses, looking both helpless and eager to try.

"Although our meeting was accidental, you want to fight me now, right? Sure, I'll play along."

"How confident you are. Do you think you can defeat me?" Morgan sneered. "Your first encounter with the Soul-Eating Mystic Eyes, your superhuman body modified by your Spirit Origin, your still unstable summoning magic, your power-specialized destruction magic, and your half-baked Magic Resistance—I don't mean to belittle or look down on you, but do you really think you can defeat me (a Servant) while you're still growing?"

May I?

The odds of winning are around 70%—no, considering that Morgan can reveal all his cards, he must have already prepared countermeasures for each one, so the odds should be reduced by another 20%.

Is it a 50/50 chance?

"never mind."

After a long silence, Natsukawa Tora sighed softly: "It's a bit too much for me to fight you while protecting Lydel. Besides, this isn't a suitable place for fighting. Let's just skip it this time."

With Lydia still behind him, Natsukawa Torama lacked the confidence to protect her while fighting against Morgan's barrage of divine magic.

“A wise judgment. If we were to start a war now, there’s an 80% chance I’d win. But to achieve the remaining 20%, you’d have to give up that little girl behind you,” Morgan laughed. “However, given your current progress in assimilating with the Spirit Origin, your body will be completely transformed in about a year, and then it will be my defeat. Magic is a really troublesome ability.”

What are these two saying?

Lydia felt her mind was filled with questions. She could understand every word the two said, but she couldn't grasp their meaning.

No.

A general understanding is possible, but the things the two are talking about are clearly based on a certain premise, and she doesn't know what that premise is—she doesn't fully understand Xia Chuanhu's past.

"So, is there anything else? If not, we'll take our leave now."

Just as she was wondering, Natsukawa Tora continued to ask.

Morgan shook his head and said, "There is indeed something I need to tell you. Even if we hadn't met now, I would have told you through Merlin later, but since we've met now, I'll just tell you directly."

"Recently, the Church has been gradually sending more people to Japan, it seems there is some big operation going on."

Church of the Holy Church?

To Japan?

Natsukawa Tora frowned: "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because based on what I know about you, you should be very interested in this kind of thing—no, not quite. You seem to often be forced to participate in various events for all sorts of reasons. And the fact that the Church is doing this means that something big is about to happen in Japan."

"If you want to go back to Japan, you'd better be careful and not get harassed by any strange people again."

After saying this, Morgan patted Natsukawa Tora on the shoulder and walked past him. As he brushed past Lydia, Lydia felt, perhaps it was just her imagination, that she was being glared at fiercely?

(Are those weird people talking about me?)

"Lidel".

Suddenly, Natsukawa Tora took Lydia's hand.

"Sorry, I spent some time talking to someone I know. Let's go back. I should be able to catch the bus back if I speed up."

“Okay, sure.” Lydel nodded. “However, on the way back, you’d better explain to me what you were just talking about. I was completely confused. How much more about the Holy Grail War are you still keeping from me?”

"Well... there aren't many."

"Really?"

Leighing close to Natsukawa, Lydia's gaze was unusually sharp, as if she were scrutinizing a criminal.

"I don't want a situation like this again, where you have a great chat with someone you met during the Holy Grail War and then leave me hanging. Please tell me everything you experienced during the Holy Grail War on your way back."

"Is it necessary to know everything? Besides, why are you so eager to know about the Holy Grail War?"

"I just don't want to be left out in the cold. I really hate the atmosphere where I can't get a word in edgewise."

(Also... I want to know more about you and your past.)

Looking into the blue eyes staring at him, seemingly unable to bear the overly direct gaze, Xia Chuanhu sighed and turned his head slightly away: "Okay, I understand. I'll tell you on the way back, but there are some things I still can't tell you. It's my biggest personal secret, please understand."

"Hmm~~~~ The biggest secret... Well, I'll let you tell me later."

"Hey, hey, hey... how far do you want to find out? Do you want to know my personal privacy?"

"Regarding that, I'd like to ask Lillian or Grey if they'd arrive sooner."

"Hmm..."

————————————————————————

Leaning against a tree, watching the backs of Natsukawa Tiger and Lydia, Morgan bit her lip.

"That little girl..."

"That's inappropriate. Why would Merlin let such a defective child get close to him?"

8. Sacrificial Ceremony

January 1999

On the plaza of the Clock Tower teaching building.

A ceremony is underway.

"clang------!"

The sound of bells echoed across the sky, signaling the start of the ceremony.

With his back against a seven-pointed star adorned with seven colors, Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald stood in the center of the square, dressed in a long black robe. On either side of him stood two magicians, also dressed in ceremonial attire, each holding a staff.

As the bells rang, one of them said, "You wandering, lost child adrift in ignorance, step forward."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chuanhu, who was wearing a white robe, a hood, and had his eyes covered by a black cloth, took a few steps forward and came to stand in front of Kenneth.

At this moment, another magician said, "You, please state the name of your present form."

"My name is Natsukawa Tora, a person who seeks the mysteries of the soul and moves towards the source."

“You, child of the stars, at this moment, you will be freed from darkness and reborn in the light.”

After reciting these ritualistic words, Kenneth helped Natsukawa Tiger remove his hood and the black cloth covering his eyes, and then put the Demon Eye Killer on him.

"In the name of Lord El-Melloi, I bestow upon you, Natsukawa Torato, the position of Priest (Fes)—you have lived up to my expectations, Torato, becoming a Priest in just three years. I am proud to have a student like you."

Yes.

Three years have passed since Natsukawa Tora arrived at the Clock Tower.

Although Natsukawa Tora is far from being considered a mature magician, he has completely moved beyond the novice stage and can now proudly consider himself a qualified magician.

"Over the past three years, without much guidance from me, you and Weber have come this far on your own, which is truly remarkable."

"No, teacher, you have already given me a lot of help. Without your guidance, even if I could master summoning magic, it would be years later. Your help to me is genuine."

Natsukawa Torama acquired summoning magic three years ago, shortly after arriving at the Clock Tower, but he had only truly begun training in it for about a year; before that, he was focused on building a foundation. The most crucial aspects of summoning magic and spirit summoning techniques were entirely taught by Kenneth.

Even the targeted possession of the fairy weapons was ultimately accomplished under Kenneth's guidance. Weber's role was more about organizing, analyzing, and filling in the gaps in the theory.

"Thank you for your careful guidance over the past three years, Professor Kenneth. I will continue to rely on you after I transfer to the Spirit Conjuring Department."

"You've caused me enough trouble already."

Kenneth gave a rare wry smile in public.

"Now, the ceremony has come to a successful conclusion. Please witness the warm applause of the people to welcome the students who have received blessings with their roots in mind."