Ultimate-Type: The Unknown Factor of Chaldea
Prologue: Divergent Paths
The acrid smell of burning debris hung in the air as Kazuki Itsuki opened his eyes. Where there had once been the sterile, blue-lit hallways of Chaldea's Rayshift chamber, now only flames and destruction remained. His head pounded with a dull, persistent throb as he tried to piece together what had happened.
The explosion. The emergency Rayshift. Darkness.
Pushing himself up from the ground, Kazuki winced at the sharp pain in his side. He'd been one of many candidates brought to Chaldea—the Organization for the Preservation of Human Order—though unlike the others with their prestigious magical lineages or exceptional talents, he was painfully average. Just a quiet transfer student who had somehow passed the basic compatibility tests.
"Is anyone there?" he called out, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames.
A few meters away, he spotted another body stirring—Ritsuka Fujimaru, the friendly, open-faced candidate who had arrived on the same day. Kazuki had exchanged only a few words with him before the orientation, but he seemed like a decent person.
"Fujimaru-san," Kazuki called, stumbling toward him. "Are you hurt?"
Before Ritsuka could answer, a high-pitched scream pierced the air. Through the smoke, Kazuki could make out the lavender-haired form of Mash Kyrielight—Dr. Roman's assistant—desperately dodging a barrage of energy blasts. Her attacker was obscured by flames and debris.
"Mash-san!" both boys called out simultaneously.
They locked eyes for a brief moment—two ordinary humans amid supernatural chaos—before a second explosion sent them flying in opposite directions.
Kazuki slammed against the far wall, his vision blurring. As consciousness began to slip away, he noticed something strange—a translucent interface hovering before his eyes. Text scrolled across his field of vision:
[SYSTEM ONLINE]
Root-Origin Combat Interface Initialized.
Welcome, Administrator: Kazuki Itsuki.
[TYPE DETECTED] – ORIGIN CLASS: MERCURY (ORT)
Class: Ultimate One
Sync Link Established: 0.37%
Conceptual Mass: Above Tolerance
Begin Observation Protocol? [Y/N]
The last thing Kazuki saw before everything went dark was Ritsuka rushing toward Mash, his hand outstretched in a gesture of protection.
This isn't how my story was supposed to go.
Chapter 1: Singularity F - The Flames of Fuyuki
When Kazuki regained consciousness, he was no longer in Chaldea. The sky above him burned crimson, and all around lay the ruins of what appeared to be a modern Japanese city. Fuyuki—the site of the first major Singularity detected by Chaldea before communications went dark.
He pushed himself to his feet, head spinning. The interface was still there, hovering at the edge of his vision like a computer display only he could see.
[LOCATION ANOMALY DETECTED]
Temporal Shift Confirmed
Year: 2004 (Distorted)
Singularity Designation: F
Human Foundation Value: Collapsing
"What the hell is this?" Kazuki whispered, reaching out to touch the interface. His fingers passed through it like it was made of light.
Voice Command Recognized.
System Description: Ultimate-Type System
Designation: Root-Anomaly Combat Interface
Administrator: Kazuki Itsuki
Origin: Akashic Root Divergence (Non-Throne Entity)
Purpose: To simulate, absorb, and embody the raw logic and authority of all celestial "Types" within the Nasuverse
Current Synchronization Total: 0.37% (Type Mercury)
Before Kazuki could process this information, a guttural growl echoed from a nearby alleyway. He turned to see a creature emerge—a distorted, skull-faced humanoid with twisted limbs and glowing red eyes.
"A skeleton warrior?" Kazuki stumbled backward. He'd read about such creatures in Chaldea's briefing materials—remnants of human souls corrupted by magical energy, often manifested during Holy Grail Wars.
The creature lunged at him with surprising speed. Kazuki, operating on pure instinct, raised his arms to shield himself. As he did, the interface flickered:
[DANGER DETECTED]
Initiating Basic Defense Protocol
Type Mercury Sync: 0.37% → Activating Minimal Attributes
A translucent crystalline barrier materialized around Kazuki's forearm, intercepting the skeleton's attack. The creature's bony hand shattered against it, its fragments dissolving into purple mist.
"What the—" Kazuki stared at his arm in disbelief. The crystalline formation had already faded, but he could feel something different within him—a current of energy flowing just beneath his skin.
More skeleton warriors were emerging from the shadows now, their hollow eye sockets fixed on him. Kazuki backed away, unsure if the mysterious barrier would protect him again.
"Behind you!"
The warning came just in time. Kazuki spun around to see a flash of blue light, followed by a figure leaping over him with incredible grace. A young woman in black armor, wielding what appeared to be an invisible weapon, dispatched three skeleton warriors with a single swing.
Kazuki recognized her immediately from Chaldea's database: Artoria Pendragon—the legendary King Arthur—though this version seemed darker, her golden eyes fierce beneath her helm.
"Servant Saber," she announced, not looking at him as she cleaved through another skeleton. "Artoria Pendragon, Lancer Alter. Are you the Master from Chaldea?"
"I—yes," Kazuki managed, still processing both his new abilities and the appearance of a legendary hero. "Kazuki Itsuki. I'm from Chaldea, but I'm not sure what's happening."
Lancer Alter regarded him with a cold, calculating gaze. "This city is the epicenter of the first singularity. I was summoned here moments ago by an incomplete contract." She narrowed her eyes. "You don't seem like a proper Master. Your magical circuits are... unusual."
Before Kazuki could respond, the interface flashed again:
[HEROIC SPIRIT DETECTED]
Class: Lancer (Altered)
True Name: Artoria Pendragon
Type: Human-Divine Composite
Begin Observation? [Y/N]
Almost instinctively, Kazuki thought "Yes," and immediately felt a strange resonance—as if something within him was analyzing the Servant before him.
Observation Protocol Activated
Servant Parameter Analysis:
- Strength: A
- Endurance: A+
- Agility: B
- Magical Energy: A
- Noble Phantasm: A++
"You're staring," Lancer Alter said coldly. "And your magical signature just changed. What are you?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself," Kazuki admitted. "But I'm here to help fix this singularity. Have you seen anyone else from Chaldea? Another Master named Fujimaru Ritsuka, or a girl named Mash Kyrielight?"
Lancer Alter's expression remained stoic. "No. You are the first human I've encountered since being summoned." She turned, her dark armor catching the crimson light of the burning city. "Come. Standing here will only attract more enemies."
As they made their way through the ruined streets of Fuyuki, Kazuki tried to make sense of what was happening to him. This "Ultimate-Type System" had apparently awakened during the Rayshift accident. It seemed to be analyzing and somehow connecting him to something called "Types"—which he vaguely remembered from Chaldea's briefings as being related to Ultimate Ones, the supreme beings of each planet.
"Lancer," he began cautiously, "what do you know about Ultimate Ones? Or something called 'Types'?"
Lancer Alter's stride faltered slightly. "Those are not terms a normal human should know," she said, her voice lower. "Ultimate Ones are the strongest beings of each celestial body—the TYPE-MERCURY of Mercury, TYPE-MOON of the Moon. They are conceptual entities beyond human comprehension, embodying the logic and will of their respective planetary bodies." She glanced back at him. "Why do you ask?"
Before Kazuki could answer, the ground beneath them trembled. From the ruins of a nearby building emerged a towering figure—a man in blood-red armor with a massive polearm.
"Lancer," the figure growled, malice dripping from his voice. "You dare trespass on my territory?"
"Berserker," Lancer Alter replied calmly, readying her weapon. "Or should I say, Lu Bu? Your corruption is evident."
Kazuki's interface immediately flashed:
[HEROIC SPIRIT DETECTED]
Class: Berserker
True Name: Lu Bu Fengxian
Corruption Level: High (Grail Influence)
Threat Assessment: A-Rank
"Stay back," Lancer Alter commanded Kazuki. "This Servant has been corrupted by the Grail's influence. He won't be reasoned with."
Berserker let out an inhuman roar and charged, his massive weapon cleaving through the air with devastating force. Lancer Alter met his charge, her invisible weapon—which Kazuki now realized must be Rhongomyniad, the sacred lance of King Arthur—clashing with Lu Bu's halberd in a shower of sparks.
The shockwave from their collision sent Kazuki flying backward. As he struggled to his feet, he noticed the interface updating:
[COMBAT ANALYSIS]
Divine Weapon Detected: Rhongomyniad (Sealed Form)
Authority: End of the World – Divine Protection
Begin Authority Observation? [Y/N]
"Yes," Kazuki whispered, and immediately felt a surge of energy through his body. His vision blurred, replaced by strange symbols and patterns that seemed to represent the flow of magical energy in the battle before him.
He could see it now—the conceptual weight behind each of Lancer Alter's strikes, the corrupted, chaotic nature of Berserker's attacks. More than that, he could sense a fundamental difference in their existences, as if they operated on different layers of reality.
Lancer Alter was clearly the superior warrior, but Berserker's corruption seemed to grant him unnatural resilience. Each time she wounded him, black mud seeped from his injuries, sealing them almost instantly.
"That mud," Kazuki called out. "It's healing him! It's connected to the Grail corruption!"
Lancer Alter didn't respond verbally, but her next attack changed—her lance now glowing with ethereal light as she drove it into Berserker's chest. "Rhongomyniad," she intoned, "purge this corruption."
The lance's light intensified, burning away the black mud within Berserker's body. The corrupted Servant howled in agony before disintegrating into golden particles.
In the aftermath, Lancer Alter turned to Kazuki, her expression a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. "You saw the nature of his corruption. How?"
Kazuki hesitated, then decided on honesty. "I have some kind of system within me that's analyzing everything. It showed me that the mud was maintaining his form."
Lancer Alter approached him slowly, her golden eyes piercing. "You are no ordinary Master," she said. "Your magical signature shifts constantly, adapting. Almost like—" She stopped abruptly, eyes widening slightly.
"Like what?" Kazuki pressed.
"Like you're learning from what you observe," she finished, her voice careful. "A dangerous ability. One that could upset the balance of this world."
Before Kazuki could respond, his interface flashed urgent red warnings:
[MASSIVE ENERGY SIGNATURE DETECTED]
Distance: 800 meters
Classification: Divine-Beast Composite
Threat Level: EX
Recommendation: RETREAT
Lancer Alter had sensed it too, her body tensing as she faced the direction of the energy signature. "Something comes. Something powerful."
The ground rumbled, buildings collapsing in the distance as a monstrous shadow rose against the crimson sky—a serpentine creature with multiple heads, its scales gleaming like obsidian.
"The Shadow Servant," Lancer Alter whispered. "The guardian of this singularity."
Kazuki's interface identified it immediately:
[ENTITY IDENTIFIED]
Shadow Servant: Gorgon (Corrupted)
Class: Avenger/Beast Composite
Divine Authority: Earth Mother (Tiamat Aspect)
Threat Assessment: Beyond Current Parameters
"We need to find the others," Kazuki said urgently. "We can't face that thing alone."
Lancer Alter nodded, surprising Kazuki with her agreement. "The corruption in this singularity runs deeper than expected. We will need allies." She gave him an appraising look. "And perhaps your strange ability will prove useful against such an enemy."
As they retreated through the burning city, Kazuki felt the interface pulse with new information:
[SYNC UPDATE]
Type Mercury: 0.37% → 0.92%
New Observations Integrated
Basic Crystallization Protocol Now Available
Something was changing within him—evolving in response to what he'd witnessed. Kazuki wasn't sure if he should be terrified or exhilarated by the prospect.
One thing was certain: he was no longer the average transfer student who had arrived at Chaldea. Whatever this system was, it was transforming him into something else entirely.
And in a world where human history itself hung in the balance, Kazuki Itsuki was becoming an unknown factor in the equation—a wild card that neither the Throne of Heroes nor the Counter Force had anticipated.
Chapter 2: The Other Master
The crimson sky of Fuyuki seemed to pulse like a living thing as Kazuki and Lancer Alter made their way toward the city center. According to the Servant, they needed to reach the greater grail beneath the Ryuudou Temple—the epicenter of the singularity.
"You still haven't explained what you are," Lancer Alter said, breaking the tense silence between them. "Your magical signature fluctuates in ways I've never encountered, even among the most powerful mages."
Kazuki watched the interface constantly updating in his peripheral vision—readings of ambient mana, structural integrity of nearby buildings, and most concerningly, a counter labeled "Singularity Collapse Estimate: 48 hours."
"I'm not entirely sure myself," he admitted. "I was just a regular candidate for Chaldea—no magical lineage, barely any circuits. During the explosion, something activated inside me." He tapped his temple. "I can see information about everything—parameters, classifications, even conceptual weights."
Lancer Alter's golden eyes narrowed. "Such knowledge is dangerous. It upsets the natural balance."
"Says the gender-bent King Arthur," Kazuki retorted without thinking.
To his surprise, Lancer Alter's lips curved into the slightest hint of a smile. "Touché, strange Master." The almost-smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "But understand this—heroes like myself operate within certain parameters established by the world itself. What you describe sounds like something that transcends those limitations."
Before Kazuki could respond, his interface flashed:
[HUMAN LIFE SIGNS DETECTED]
Distance: 200 meters
Magical Circuit Activity: Active
Potential Ally
"There's someone ahead," he warned. "Another human with active magical circuits."
They cautiously approached a partially collapsed building that might have once been a school. As they entered the ruined courtyard, Kazuki spotted them—Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight, the latter now dressed in an armored outfit that resembled a Servant's battle attire.
"Fujimaru-san! Kyrielight-san!" Kazuki called out.
The pair turned, their expressions shifting from alarm to relief. "Itsuki-san!" Ritsuka exclaimed. "You made it through the Rayshift too!"
As they approached each other, Mash stepped protectively in front of Ritsuka, her large shield at the ready as she eyed Lancer Alter warily.
"It's okay," Kazuki assured them. "This is Lancer Alter—Artoria Pendragon. She's been helping me navigate the singularity."
Mash didn't lower her shield. "Senpai," she said to Ritsuka, "that Servant has a dark aura. She's been altered by something."
Lancer Alter regarded Mash coolly. "And you are no true Servant, Demi-Servant. I sense a heroic spirit merged with your human form."
Mash flinched slightly, confirming Lancer Alter's observation. Kazuki's interface immediately analyzed the lavender-haired girl:
[ENTITY ANALYSIS]
Name: Mash Kyrielight
Classification: Demi-Servant
Merged Spirit: Analysis Inconclusive (Data Sealed)
Shield Parameters: Conceptual Defense Against Purge
Spiritual Core Stability: 83%
"She's right," Kazuki said quietly. "You've become a Demi-Servant, haven't you, Kyrielight-san?"
Mash looked surprised, then suspicious. "How did you know that? Dr. Roman only just explained it to us."
"Dr. Roman is alive?" Kazuki asked, relief flooding through him. The Chief Medical Officer had been kind to him during his brief orientation at Chaldea.
Ritsuka nodded. "We're in contact with him via communicator. Chaldea was severely damaged in the explosion, but he and a few others survived. Most of the Master candidates are in cryostasis." He hesitated. "How did you know about Mash's condition?"
Kazuki tapped his temple. "Something happened to me during the Rayshift. I can see... information about things now. Like parameters, classifications, conceptual weights."
"That's impossible," Mash said. "Only the FATE summoning system can access that kind of data, and even then, not with that level of detail."
Lancer Alter stepped forward. "My Master's abilities are unusual, but he has proven trustworthy thus far. More importantly, we face a greater threat—a shadow Servant guarding the core of this singularity."
"We encountered it too," Ritsuka confirmed grimly. "A massive serpent creature. We barely escaped."
A new voice crackled to life—emanating from a communication device on Mash's wrist. "Ah, is that another survivor I hear? Kazuki Itsuki, was it?"
"Dr. Roman," Kazuki acknowledged. "Yes, it's me."
"Thank goodness! We detected another life sign but couldn't establish communication. And you've contracted with a Servant as well! How remarkable—two Masters surviving the Rayshift accident."
"Where exactly are we, Doctor?" Kazuki asked. "I understand this is Fuyuki in 2004, but something's wrong with it."
"You're in what we're calling Singularity F," Roman explained. "A distortion in human history centered around Fuyuki's Holy Grail War. Something has corrupted the grail and created this pocket of distorted time. If left unchecked, it could eventually sever this era's connection to the future—essentially, it would prevent human history from continuing beyond this point."
"Which means Chaldea would never exist," Mash added.
"And humanity would be incinerated," Roman finished gravely. "You two are our only hope for resolving this singularity and finding out what's causing the incineration of human history."
As they spoke, Kazuki's interface continued analyzing his surroundings. Something about Mash's shield had triggered a cascade of information:
[NOBLE PHANTASM DETECTED]
Classification: Conceptual Defense
Origin: Unknown Hero
Function: Absolute Defense Against Purging
Analysis: Shield represents the castle walls that stood until the end of *DATA REDACTED*
"Your shield," Kazuki said to Mash, unable to help himself. "It's not just a weapon—it's a conceptual defense against world-ending scenarios."
Mash looked genuinely shocked. "How could you possibly know that? Even I don't fully understand the nature of the power I've inherited."
Before Kazuki could answer, a tremor shook the ground, and his interface flashed crimson warnings:
[DANGER APPROACHING]
Multiple Hostile Servants
Distance: 400 meters and closing
Primary Threat: Archer-class (Corrupted)
"We've got company," he warned.
Lancer Alter readied her invisible weapon. "Corrupted Servants. I sense at least three."
Mash moved into a defensive position before Ritsuka, her massive shield gleaming in the red light. "Senpai, please stay behind me."
Kazuki felt strangely calm as he accessed the new abilities the system had granted him. "Lancer, can you buy me a minute? I want to try something."
The dark-armored king nodded curtly before charging toward the approaching threat. Moments later, the clash of weapons echoed across the ruined courtyard as Lancer Alter engaged the first of the shadow Servants—a corrupted Archer with bone-white hair and rust-colored garments.
"Itsuki-san, what are you planning?" Ritsuka asked, concern evident in his voice.
"My system has been analyzing everything since I arrived," Kazuki explained, closing his eyes to focus on the interface. "It says I've gained something called a 'Basic Crystallization Protocol' from my observations of Type Mercury."
"Type Mercury?" Mash gasped. "That's—"
"I know," Kazuki cut her off. "An Ultimate One. I don't understand it either, but right now, we need every advantage we can get."
Focusing on the new protocol listed in his interface, Kazuki felt a strange sensation—as if his thoughts were solidifying into physical form. When he opened his eyes, crystalline structures had begun to form around his hands, glinting with an otherworldly light.
[CRYSTALLIZATION PROTOCOL ACTIVE]
Type Mercury Sync: 0.92%
Function: Basic Reality Crystallization
Effect: Solidifies surrounding space in crystalline lattice
Duration: 30 seconds
Cooldown: 300 seconds
"Here goes nothing," Kazuki muttered, directing his focus toward the corrupted Servants approaching from the east.
Crystal formations erupted from the ground in a straight line, growing at an alarming rate. The jagged structures formed a barrier between their group and the oncoming enemies, temporarily blocking the path.
Ritsuka and Mash stared in amazement. "That's not magecraft," Mash whispered. "That's—"
"Something else entirely," Roman's voice came through the communicator, sounding both awed and concerned. "Itsuki-kun, your magical signature just spiked in a way I've never seen before. It doesn't register as human magecraft at all."
Kazuki felt a wave of exhaustion hit him as the crystals finished forming. His interface updated:
[SYNC UPDATE]
Type Mercury: 0.92% → 1.37%
Crystallization Protocol Effectiveness: Low
Stability: Temporary
"It won't hold them for long," he admitted, trying to catch his breath. "But it should give us time to formulate a plan."
Lancer Alter returned to their side, her armor slightly damaged from her brief engagement with the enemy. "My Master's powers are growing," she observed coolly. "But he lacks endurance. We cannot rely on such abilities repeatedly."
"We need to reach the Greater Grail," Mash said. "Dr. Roman believes it's the key to this singularity."
Ritsuka nodded. "According to the data, it's beneath Ryuudou Temple at the edge of the city."
A loud crack echoed across the courtyard as one of the corrupted Servants—a woman in a flowing black dress with a blindfold covering her eyes—began systematically attacking the crystal barrier, each strike sending fractures through the formation.
"That's Rider," Lancer Alter identified. "Or rather, her corrupted form. Medusa. Her Mystic Eyes are sealed, but her strength remains formidable."
Kazuki's interface confirmed:
[ENTITY IDENTIFIED]
Shadow Servant: Rider (Medusa)
Corruption Level: High
Notable Skills:
- Monstrous Strength (A+)
- Mystic Eyes (Sealed but Active)
"We need to move," Kazuki decided. "My barrier won't hold against concentrated attacks for more than a minute."
As if to confirm his assessment, a section of crystal shattered under Rider's assault. Through the gap, they could see her blindfolded face turn in their direction, a disturbing smile spreading across her features.
"This way," Mash urged, pointing toward a narrow alleyway. "We can use the urban terrain to slow them down."
As they fled through the burning city, Kazuki felt the system within him continuing to evolve, processing every observation, every encounter. Something fundamental was changing in his being—a slow transformation from human to something else entirely.
The question was whether he would still be himself by the time this journey ended.
Chapter 3: The Shadow at the Temple
Ryuudou Temple loomed above them—an ancient structure now twisted by the corruption of the singularity. Its once-sacred grounds were surrounded by a miasma of dark energy, and the steps leading to the main gate were stained with what appeared to be dried blood.
"The barrier around the temple has been corrupted," Mash observed as they surveyed the site from a hidden vantage point. "In a normal Holy Grail War, this place would have powerful wards against Servants."
"They're still there," Kazuki noted, his interface revealing layers of magical energy surrounding the temple. "But they've been inverted—keeping things in rather than out."
Lancer Alter nodded grimly. "The Greater Grail beneath this temple has been tainted. Its corruption spreads like a disease through the ley lines."
They had managed to evade the Shadow Servants for now, taking refuge in an abandoned building at the base of the mountain. Night had fallen, deepening the crimson hue of the sky to a dark, blood-like color.
Dr. Roman's voice crackled through Mash's communicator. "We've analyzed the data from your reconnaissance. The singularity's core is definitely within the temple grounds, likely in the cavern beneath the main hall. But the readings are... troubling."
"Troubling how?" Ritsuka asked.
"There's an entity there with readings that exceed anything in our database," Roman explained. "It's not just a Servant—it seems to be drawing power directly from the corrupted grail."
Kazuki's interface had been updating constantly since they'd arrived in the vicinity of the temple:
[ANOMALY DETECTED]
Greater Grail Status: Corrupted (99.8%)
Foreign Entity Integration: Complete
Classification: Beast Prototype / False Grail Avatar
Warning: Conceptual Threats Present
"It's a Beast," Kazuki said quietly. "Or at least, a prototype of one."
The others turned to him in alarm. "A Beast?" Mash repeated. "As in, one of the Beasts of Calamity? The seven evils of humanity?"
Kazuki nodded. "My system is classifying it as a 'Beast Prototype.' Whatever's down there is using the grail to manifest as something beyond a normal Servant."
Lancer Alter's grip tightened on her invisible lance. "This explains the corruption's strength. Beasts are antithetical to human history—they exist solely to end humanity."
"But who could it be?" Ritsuka wondered. "Which historical figure would manifest as a Beast?"
Dr. Roman cleared his throat. "According to the data, this Holy Grail War was never properly completed. The Grail became corrupted during the Fourth War, and the Fifth never reached its conclusion. It's possible that the corruption has merged with one of the Servants from either war."
As they discussed strategy, Kazuki found himself distracted by new information scrolling across his interface:
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Root Algorithm Integration Progress: 2.3%
New Function Available: Territory Sense (Limited)
Allows Detection of Conceptual Boundaries and Domain Authorities
Activate? [Y/N]
"Yes," Kazuki whispered, and immediately felt a shift in his perception. The world around him seemed to gain an additional layer—areas of lighter and darker energy representing territorial influences and conceptual boundaries.
He could now see that the temple was at the center of a massive conceptual territory—a domain of corruption that extended throughout the entire city. And at its heart, a pulsing darkness that his mind could barely comprehend.
"We need to approach carefully," he said, drawing the others' attention. "The entire temple is within the entity's territory. It will know the moment we step inside."
"Then stealth is pointless," Lancer Alter concluded. "We should strike directly and with full force."
Mash shook her head. "That's too risky. If this truly is a Beast, we need a proper strategy."
As they debated, Kazuki noticed a flicker of movement on the temple steps—a small figure in a black cloak. His interface identified it immediately:
[ENTITY DETECTED]
Class: Caster
True Name: Medea of Colchis (Uncorrupted)
Status: Weakened but Stable
Alignment: Neutral (Current)
"There's a Servant on the temple steps," he informed the others. "A Caster—and she doesn't appear to be corrupted."
"Medea," Lancer Alter identified. "The Witch of Betrayal. She was likely a participant in this war before the corruption spread."
"Could she be an ally?" Ritsuka asked hopefully.
"Only one way to find out," Kazuki replied, standing up. "We need information from someone who understands this Grail War, and she's our best option."
The approach to Caster was tense. They moved silently through the forested base of the mountain, with Mash and Lancer Alter flanking the two Masters protectively. When they reached the base of the temple steps, the hooded figure turned toward them—revealing the beautiful but weary face of Medea of Colchis.
"More visitors," she said, her voice carrying an ancient sadness. "Have you come for the corrupted chalice as well?"
"We've come to fix this singularity," Ritsuka responded. "We're from Chaldea."
Medea tilted her head. "Chaldea? I know not of such a place." Her gaze shifted between the two Masters. "But I sense you are not of this time. Interesting."
Kazuki stepped forward cautiously. "The Holy Grail has been corrupted. It's threatening to sever this era from human history."
"I am well aware of the Grail's corruption," Medea replied bitterly. "I was contracted to a Master in this war before... before he emerged from the Grail."
"He?" Mash pressed.
Medea's eyes darkened. "A being of pure corruption. He calls himself the 'All the World's Evil,' but he is something more—a vessel filled with the mud of the Grail, given form and purpose." She gestured toward the temple behind her. "He has taken residence within the Greater Grail itself, corrupting all Servants who approach."
Kazuki's interface flickered with new information:
[ENTITY IDENTIFICATION UPDATE]
Name: Angra Mainyu (Corrupted Manifestation)
Classification: Avenger/Beast Composite
Threat Level: EX
Conceptual Authority: All the World's Evil
Analysis: Greater Grail Corruption has granted Beast-level manifestation
"Angra Mainyu," Kazuki whispered. "The Zoroastrian god of darkness."
Medea's eyes widened slightly. "You know of him? Few outside the Mage's Association would recognize that name."
"My... abilities allow me to identify entities," Kazuki explained vaguely. "But why haven't you been corrupted like the other Servants?"
Medea raised her hand, revealing a complex magical circle hovering above her palm. "I have erected barriers around myself—temporary measures that slow the corruption's influence. But they will not last forever." She looked at them with sudden intensity. "If you truly wish to cleanse the Grail, I will assist you. But know this—the being within has grown far beyond what Angra Mainyu should be. The singularity has amplified his power exponentially."
Ritsuka extended his hand to her. "We would welcome your help, Caster."
After a moment's hesitation, Medea took his hand. "Then let us form a temporary contract, Master of Chaldea. My knowledge of the Grail system may prove useful."
As Ritsuka and Medea formalized their contract, Kazuki felt his interface pulse with new energy:
[SYNCHRONIZATION EVENT]
Magical Formula Observed: Complex Barrier Structure (Medea of Colchis)
Related Type Authority: Venus (Beauty/Transformation Aspects)
Type Venus Sync Established: 0.03%
Venus now? Kazuki thought with mild alarm. How many of these "Types" am I going to connect with?
"The way to the Greater Grail is through the main hall," Medea continued, gesturing toward the imposing temple structure. "But the corrupted Servants guard it jealously. The Archer you encountered earlier serves as the primary sentinel."
Lancer Alter's expression darkened. "EMIYA. His corruption runs deep."
"You know him?" Kazuki asked, surprised by the recognition in her voice.
"Our paths have crossed in other summonings," she replied cryptically. "He is formidable even without the corruption's influence."
Dr. Roman's voice crackled through the communicator. "We're picking up multiple Servant signatures converging on your location. It seems your presence hasn't gone unnoticed."
Medea waved her hand, creating a shimmering dome of magical energy around their group. "This will shield us from detection temporarily. We should use this opportunity to plan our approach." Her eyes lingered on Kazuki. "Your magical signature is... unusual. You are not a conventional magus."
"I'm not a magus at all," Kazuki admitted. "At least, I wasn't until recently."
Medea's eyes narrowed with academic interest. "Fascinating. Your magical structure resembles nothing I've encountered—neither human nor divine."
Ritsuka took charge of the conversation. "We need to get to the Greater Grail and cleanse it somehow. Any suggestions?"
"A direct cleansing may be impossible with Angra Mainyu physically manifested within it," Medea explained. "The corruption has become self-sustaining. However, if we could separate him from the Grail..."
"Then we could deal with him as a regular enemy," Mash concluded.
Kazuki's interface flickered with new information:
[TACTICAL ANALYSIS]
Greater Grail Structure:
- Core Chamber: Below Main Hall (Depth: 100m)
- Connection Points: 7 (Representing 7 Servant Classes)
- Corruption Source: Physical Entity Merged with Core
- Vulnerability: Spirit Origin Separation Possible
"There are seven connection points," Kazuki said, "corresponding to the seven Servant classes. If we could disrupt those connections simultaneously, we might be able to force Angra Mainyu to manifest separately from the Grail."
Medea looked genuinely impressed. "That is... correct. How did you know that?"
"It's my system," Kazuki tapped his temple. "It analyzes structural weaknesses."
"A system?" Medea's interest was fully piqued now. "Not a Mystic Code or familiar... something integrated within you?"
Before Kazuki could explain further, the ground trembled violently beneath their feet. Cracks appeared in Medea's protective dome as a wave of dark energy washed over the temple grounds.
"He knows we're here," Medea said grimly. "The barrier won't hold much longer."
Through the shimmering dome, they could see shadow Servants materializing at various points around the temple—Archer on the roof, Rider at the gate, and a massive figure that could only be Berserker emerging from the forest.
"We need a diversion," Ritsuka said, looking at the assembled Servants. "Someone to keep them occupied while we head for the Greater Grail."
Lancer Alter stepped forward. "I will engage the Archer. His arrows will be problematic for a direct approach."
"And I shall handle Rider," Medea added. "Her mobility makes her dangerous if left unchecked."
"That leaves Berserker," Mash said, readying her shield. "I can defend against him, but my offensive capabilities are limited."
Kazuki felt a strange pulse within him—the system responding to the tactical situation:
[SYNC UPDATE - EMERGENCY RESPONSE]
Type Mercury: 1.37% → 1.89%
Type Venus: 0.03% → 0.07%
Combat Function Unlocked: Crystalline Filter (Limited)
Effect: Creates distortion field that slows incoming physical attacks
Duration: 45 seconds
Cooldown: 600 seconds
Warning: High Mana Consumption
"I might be able to help with Berserker," Kazuki offered. "My system has unlocked something that could slow him down."
Ritsuka looked concerned. "Are you sure? You seemed exhausted after creating those crystals earlier."
"I don't have much choice," Kazuki replied. "We all need to contribute if we're going to survive this."
As their planning concluded, Medea's barrier shattered—the dark energy of the corruption forcing its way through her defenses. The temple grounds were instantly bathed in an oppressive miasma that seemed to dull their senses and weigh down their movements.
"Now!" Ritsuka commanded, and their group split into predetermined teams—Lancer Alter charging toward Archer, Medea taking flight to intercept Rider, and Mash moving to shield Ritsuka from Berserker's approach.
Kazuki focused on his newly unlocked ability, visualizing a crystalline filter between Berserker and their group. The air before him shimmered, then fractured into geometric patterns that distorted light and space.
[CRYSTALLINE FILTER ACTIVE]
Field Size: 15m radius
Distortion Effect: 40% reduction in enemy movement speed
Current Duration: 43 seconds remaining
Berserker—a towering giant of rippling muscle and stone-like skin—roared in frustration as he entered the field, his movements becoming sluggish as if moving through viscous liquid.
"It's working!" Mash called out, amazed. "He's slowing down!"
"This way!" Ritsuka pointed toward the main hall. "While they're engaged!"
As they ran toward the temple entrance, Kazuki glanced back to see Lancer Alter locked in fierce combat with the corrupted Archer. Her invisible lance clashed against his twin blades, each impact sending shockwaves across the temple grounds. Medea hovered above, raining down beams of magical energy on Rider, who dodged with inhuman agility despite the corruption coursing through her form.
The main hall of Ryuudou Temple had been transformed by the corruption. What should have been a place of meditation and prayer now resembled the inside of a living organism—pulsating walls lined with vein-like structures that oozed black ichor.
"The entrance to the Grail chamber should be beneath the main altar," Medea had informed them. "A hidden passage leads deep underground."
As they approached the center of the hall, the floor suddenly liquefied beneath their feet, transforming into the same black mud that corrupted the Servants. Mash reacted instantly, pulling Ritsuka onto her shield as she leaped clear of the spreading corruption.
Kazuki wasn't as fortunate. The mud caught his ankle, burning through his shoe with caustic intensity. Pain lanced up his leg as he struggled to pull free.
[DANGER - CORRUPTION CONTACT]
Hostile Conceptual Attack Detected
Targeting: Spirit Origin / Conceptual Existence
Initiating Emergency Protocol:
Type Saturn Connection Attempted...
To Kazuki's shock, his interface suddenly established a new connection—one it had never mentioned before:
[TYPE SATURN SYNC ESTABLISHED]
Initial Sync: 0.01%
Type Authority: Time / Preservation / Boundary
Chrono-Drift Shell Activated (Emergency)
The mud around his ankle seemed to slow, its corrosive properties diminishing as if time itself had been locally altered. With a final effort, Kazuki wrenched himself free, falling backward onto solid ground.
"Itsuki-san!" Ritsuka called out in concern. "Are you alright?"
Kazuki nodded, though his ankle throbbed painfully. "Something in my system protected me from the worst of it."
Mash examined the floor cautiously. "The mud is retreating. It's almost as if... it's afraid of something."
Indeed, the black corruption was pulling back, creating a clear path toward the altar at the center of the hall. It was too convenient to be anything but a trap, yet they had no choice but to proceed.
"He's inviting us in," Kazuki said grimly. "Angra Mainyu wants us to reach him."
"Why would he do that?" Ritsuka wondered.
Kazuki's interface provided a disturbing possibility:
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE]
Entity Angra Mainyu Motivation:
- Requires additional spiritual cores to fully manifest
- Human Masters represent uncorrupted vessels
- Possible goal: Possession or absorption
"He needs us," Kazuki realized. "Or rather, he needs our spiritual cores to complete his manifestation."
As they approached the altar, the stone surface cracked open, revealing a spiraling staircase that descended into darkness. The steps glistened with moisture, and a warm, fetid air rose from below—like the breath of some enormous beast.
"This is it," Mash said quietly. "The path to the Greater Grail."
Ritsuka looked back toward the entrance, where the sounds of battle still echoed. "Our Servants won't be able to hold off the shadows forever. We need to move quickly."
As they began their descent, Kazuki felt the system within him responding to the increasing presence of the corruption:
[ENVIRONMENT SHIFT DETECTED]
Conceptual Space: Emerging
Physical Laws: Partially Suspended
Reality Anchor: Greater Grail (Corrupted)
Multiple Type Authorities Detected
The staircase seemed to go on forever, spiraling deeper than should have been physically possible beneath the temple. The air grew thicker with each step, laden with mana so dense it felt like walking through water.
"Something's wrong," Mash suddenly said, halting their descent. "This space... it's not natural. We should have reached the cavern by now."
"It's a conceptual labyrinth," Kazuki explained, interpreting the data from his interface. "Angra Mainyu is distorting space to confuse intruders."
"Can we break through it?" Ritsuka asked.
Before Kazuki could answer, his interface flashed an urgent warning:
[IMMINENT THREAT]
Conceptual Attack Incoming
Target: Mental Integrity / Identity
Recommendation: REINFORCE SELF-CONCEPT
"Shield your minds!" Kazuki shouted, just as a wave of darkness swept over them.
The world dissolved around them, reality fragmenting into shards of memory and nightmare. Kazuki found himself adrift in a sea of conflicting identities—thousands of voices screaming in his head, each claiming to be "All the World's Evil."
In this conceptual maelstrom, Kazuki could barely maintain his sense of self. The voices tried to convince him that he, too, was Angra Mainyu—that his system was merely another manifestation of corruption.
[CRITICAL SYSTEM STRESS]
Identity Anchor Weakening
Type Mercury Sync: Fluctuating
Recommendation: FOCUS ON CORE SELF
Focusing on the interface itself—the one constant in this chaos—Kazuki fought to remember who he was.
Kazuki Itsuki. Chaldea candidate. System Administrator.
Each affirmation strengthened his sense of self, pushing back against the invasive presence trying to rewrite his identity. Gradually, the voices receded, and Kazuki found himself back on the staircase, gasping for breath.
Beside him, Ritsuka and Mash were similarly recovering, their faces pale with exertion.
"That was..." Ritsuka struggled to find words.
"A conceptual attack," Mash finished, her voice shaking slightly. "It tried to overwrite our identities."
Kazuki nodded, still steadying himself against the wall. "Angra Mainyu is trying to absorb us—to make us part of 'All the World's Evil.'"
"How much further?" Ritsuka asked, peering down the seemingly endless staircase.
As if in response to his question, the spiral suddenly straightened, the steps now descending directly into a vast, open chamber. At its center floated an enormous black sphere—the corrupted Greater Grail, surrounded by a swirling vortex of dark energy.
And before it stood a figure—humanoid but wrong in fundamental ways, its body composed of the same black mud that corrupted the Servants. Red lines like blood vessels crisscrossed its form, pulsing with malevolent energy.
"Welcome, vessels of Chaldea," the figure spoke, its voice a discordant chorus of suffering. "You have come far to witness the birth of a true Beast."
Mash stepped protectively in front of Ritsuka, her shield raised. "Angra Mainyu."
The creature's face—if it could be called such—split into a grotesque smile. "That name is but one of many I have worn. Soon, I shall transcend such limitations." Its gaze fixed on Kazuki, eyes widening with interest. "And you... you are no ordinary human. I sense something within you—a system not unlike my own."
Kazuki felt the interface flare in response:
[ENTITY ENGAGING]
Angra Mainyu is attempting system intrusion
Protection Protocols Engaged
Type Saturn Sync: 0.01% → 0.13% (Emergency Response)
Chrono-Drift Shell Reinforced
"You cannot have it," Kazuki stated firmly, feeling the system hardening against the creature's probing influence.
Angra Mainyu tilted its head, mud dripping from its form. "How interesting. Not Alaya's doing, nor Gaia's. What are you, little anomaly?"
Before any of them could respond, the chamber shuddered as a massive explosion rocked the temple above. Dust and debris rained from the ceiling as the sounds of intensified battle filtered down to them.
"Your Servants fight admirably," Angra Mainyu commented, seeming unconcerned. "But the corruption runs deep. They cannot resist forever."
Ritsuka stepped forward, his expression resolute despite his fear. "We've come to cleanse the Grail and correct this singularity."
"Cleanse?" Angra Mainyu laughed—a terrible sound like screaming metal. "The Grail's purpose has always been corruption. It was created to summon beings like me—to draw forth the darkest aspects of heroic spirits."
"That's not true," Mash countered. "The Holy Grail War was meant to reach the Root—not to birth abominations."
"Such naivety," the creature sighed, gesturing to the black sphere behind it. "This vessel has shown me the truth of all worlds—all timelines. In each, humanity destroys itself. I merely hasten the inevitable."
As they spoke, Kazuki noticed something strange about the chamber. His interface was highlighting seven distinct points around the Greater Grail—connection nodes, just as he had predicted earlier.
[TACTICAL OPPORTUNITY]
Greater Grail Connection Points Identified
Current Status: Active but Unstable
Disruption Potential: High
"Ritsuka," Kazuki whispered urgently. "The connection points—there are seven of them. If we can disrupt them simultaneously..."
Ritsuka nodded subtly, understanding the plan without further explanation. They needed to separate Angra Mainyu from the Grail.
"You speak of timelines and inevitability," Ritsuka addressed the creature, deliberately drawing its attention. "But Chaldea has shown me that history isn't fixed. Humanity's future isn't written yet."
"Bold words from a temporary existence," Angra Mainyu responded, taking a step toward Ritsuka. "Perhaps I shall absorb you first, to silence such foolish hope."
While the creature focused on Ritsuka, Kazuki concentrated on the crystallization ability he had developed. Rather than creating a barrier, he attempted something more precise—seven small crystal formations, each targeting one of the connection points his interface had identified.
[CRYSTALLIZATION PROTOCOL ADAPTING]
Targeted Application Attempt
Type Mercury Sync: 1.89% → 2.05%
Precision: Limited
It was like trying to thread seven needles simultaneously with a shaking hand. Kazuki felt sweat beading on his forehead as he directed the crystalline structures to grow precisely where needed.
Mash seemed to intuit what he was attempting. She shifted her position slightly, her shield angled to reflect light onto the connection points, making them more visible.
Angra Mainyu sensed something amiss. "What are you—" it began, turning back toward the Grail.
Too late. The crystal formations reached the seven connection points simultaneously, disrupting the flow of corrupted energy between Angra Mainyu and the Greater Grail.
The effect was immediate and catastrophic. The chamber shook violently as the creature screamed—a sound of pure anguish that threatened to shatter their eardrums. The black sphere of the Grail pulsed erratically, jets of dark energy shooting out in random directions.
"You DARE!" Angra Mainyu howled, its form destabilizing as its connection to the Grail weakened. "You cannot separate us! I AM the Grail!"
"Not anymore," Kazuki said, feeling a surge of confidence as his plan worked. "You're just another corrupted Servant now."
The creature's rage was terrible to behold. It lunged toward them with impossible speed, its arm extending into a spear-like appendage aimed directly at Kazuki's heart.
Mash intercepted the attack with her shield, the impact sending her sliding backward several meters. "I cannot hold him for long!" she warned, her arms trembling under the force of the creature's fury.
Ritsuka raised his hand, Command Seals glowing on its back. "By my Command Seal, I summon all allied Servants to our position!"
The air shimmered as the Command Seal activated, amplifying Ritsuka's call. Moments later, the chamber's entrance exploded inward as Lancer Alter burst through, her invisible lance wreathed in dark energy. Behind her came Medea, her robes singed but her magic still crackling potently around her hands.
"The Master calls," Lancer Alter intoned, her golden eyes fixing on Angra Mainyu with cold determination. "And the King answers."
Angra Mainyu snarled, its form rippling as it struggled to maintain cohesion without the Grail's direct support. "Servants of human history... you stand against inevitability!"
The creature lashed out, tendrils of corruption whipping toward the newcomers. Lancer Alter deflected them with precise swings of her lance, while Medea erected magical barriers that incinerated the corruption on contact.
As the battle intensified, Kazuki felt his system responding to the chaotic energies swirling through the chamber:
[MULTIPLE TYPE RESONANCES DETECTED]
Mercury: 2.05% (Active)
Venus: 0.07% (Passive)
Saturn: 0.13% (Active - Defensive)
Moon: 0.01% (Establishing...)
The last entry surprised him. TYPE-MOON? Where is that coming from?
His question was answered as Angra Mainyu's attacks grew more desperate. One tendril managed to pierce Medea's defenses, striking her shoulder and causing her to cry out in pain. The corruption began spreading across her body immediately, her features contorting in agony.
"Caster!" Ritsuka shouted in alarm.
Medea grimaced, raising her staff with trembling hands. "I... will not succumb..." Golden light erupted from her staff, burning away the corruption even as it damaged her own spiritual core.
The self-sacrifice triggered something in Kazuki's system:
[TYPE-MOON RESONANCE INCREASING]
Concept Detected: Sacrifice / Regeneration
Moon Authority: Life Reversal
Type Moon Sync: 0.01% → 0.23%
New Function Available: Pale Light (Healing)
Instinctively, Kazuki reached toward Medea, channeling this new energy through his palm. A silvery light—cool like moonlight—enveloped the wounded Caster, halting the spread of corruption.
"What is this?" Medea gasped, looking at her wound as the silver light neutralized the black mud.
"Moonlight purification," Kazuki explained, though the words felt foreign on his tongue—knowledge granted by the system rather than his own understanding.
Meanwhile, Lancer Alter had engaged Angra Mainyu directly, her lance striking with precision against the creature's unstable form. Each hit caused portions of the corruption to dissolve, revealing glimpses of a more human figure beneath—a young man with bandages and tribal markings.
"The original Angra Mainyu," Mash realized. "The human who was sacrificed to bear all the world's evil."
The revelation seemed to enrage the creature further. "I am beyond that weakness now!" it roared, the chamber trembling with its fury. "I am corruption incarnate!"
It gathered the remaining corruption from the Grail into itself, swelling to monstrous proportions—a towering behemoth of pulsating darkness that nearly filled the chamber.
"We need to strike together," Ritsuka called out to their Servants. "Focus your Noble Phantasms on its core!"
Lancer Alter stepped back, her invisible lance beginning to glow with intense light as she prepared to unleash Rhongomyniad. Medea hovered above, complex magic circles forming around her as she chanted in an ancient tongue.
Mash moved to Ritsuka's side, her shield glowing with energy. "Lord Chaldeas," she intoned, creating a powerful defensive field around them.
As the Servants prepared their ultimate attacks, Kazuki felt his system reaching another threshold:
[EMERGENCY SYNC ACCELERATION]
Multiple Type Authorities Resonating
Mercury: 2.05% → 3.11%
Moon: 0.23% → 0.89%
Saturn: 0.13% → 0.57%
Venus: 0.07% → 0.31%
Threshold Reached: First Core Recognition Complete
Phase 1 Abilities Unlocked
Power surged through Kazuki's body—raw, conceptual energy that threatened to tear him apart from within. He fell to his knees, gasping as his perception expanded exponentially. Suddenly, he could see the conceptual weight of everything in the chamber—the threads of fate binding them, the currents of causality flowing through reality.
And he could see Angra Mainyu for what it truly was—not just corruption, but a conceptual wound in reality itself, a manifestation of humanity's collective desire for a scapegoat to bear all evil.
"I understand now," Kazuki whispered, rising to his feet. His body glowed with a subtle light—not the divine radiance of a Servant, but something more fundamental, like reality itself was acknowledging his existence.
"Stand aside, strange Master," Lancer Alter commanded, her lance now fully revealed—the true Rhongomyniad, the spear that pinned the layer of the world.
But Kazuki shook his head. "It's not just about destroying him. We need to heal the conceptual wound he represents."
Focusing on his newly expanded awareness, Kazuki directed the crystalline energy not as a weapon, but as a conceptual bandage—a structure that could temporarily contain and neutralize Angra Mainyu's corruption.
[CRYSTALLIZED WORLDVIEW - MERCURY]
First Authentic Type Skill Manifesting
Effect: Creates reality filter that processes and neutralizes contradictory phenomena
Duration: 20 seconds
Cooldown: 24 hours
WARNING: Extreme System Strain
Crystal formations spread upward from the chamber floor, encasing the monstrous form of Angra Mainyu in a geometric prison that refracted reality itself. The creature howled as its corruption was contained, unable to spread further.
"Now!" Kazuki shouted to the Servants. "While it's contained!"
Lancer Alter acted first, her lance piercing through the crystal structure with a declaration of her Noble Phantasm: "Rhongomyniad - The Lance That Shines To The Ends Of The World!"
The sacred lance struck Angra Mainyu's core with divine fury, light erupting from within the crystalline prison. Medea followed with her own attack, a barrage of ancient beams that targeted the weakpoints Lancer Alter had created.
As their combined assault tore through Angra Mainyu's form, the Greater Grail behind it began to pulse with increasing intensity—the corruption being forcibly expelled from its core.
"It's working!" Mash exclaimed. "The Grail is cleansing itself!"
The chamber filled with blinding light as Angra Mainyu's howls reached a crescendo, then abruptly ceased. When the light faded, the creature was gone—reduced to particles of golden light that dispersed throughout the chamber.
In its place floated the Greater Grail—still damaged, but no longer corrupted. Its surface gleamed with a soft, golden light rather than the malevolent darkness from before.
"We... did it," Ritsuka breathed, looking around at their battered but victorious group.
Dr. Roman's voice crackled through their communicator, filled with excitement. "The singularity is stabilizing! Whatever you did down there is working—timeline connectivity is being restored!"
But Kazuki barely heard the celebration. His interface was flashing urgent warnings:
[CRITICAL SYSTEM OVERLOAD]
Phase 1 Abilities Exceeded Safe Usage Parameters
Multiple Type Synchronizations Unstable
Initiating Emergency Stabilization...
Administrator Consciousness: Fading
The world tilted around him as exhaustion crashed through his body like a tidal wave. The last thing Kazuki saw before darkness claimed him was Lancer Alter moving with surprising speed to catch his falling form, genuine concern flashing in her usually cold golden eyes.
As consciousness slipped away, one final message scrolled across his fading vision:
[ULTIMATE-TYPE SYSTEM: EVOLUTION 1 COMPLETE]
Administrator Potential Assessment: Beyond Expected Parameters
Root Algorithm Integration: 5.7%
Anomaly Status: Confirmed
Sleep now, Administrator.
Your journey has only begun.
Chapter 4: Chaldean Mysteries
White light burned against Kazuki's eyelids as consciousness gradually returned. The sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of medical equipment told him he was in an infirmary of some kind.
"His vitals are stabilizing," a familiar voice said nearby—Dr. Roman, sounding both relieved and puzzled. "But these readings... I've never seen anything like them."
"Is he going to be okay?" Another voice—Ritsuka's, tinged with concern.
"Physically, yes. But his magical circuits—or whatever they've become—are unlike anything in our database."
Kazuki opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the harsh lights of what he now recognized as Chaldea's medical bay. Dr. Roman stood at his bedside, studying a holographic display of what appeared to be Kazuki's internal structure—though the images showed strange crystalline formations throughout his spiritual core.
"Ah, you're awake!" Roman exclaimed, quickly dismissing the hologram. "How do you feel?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," Kazuki groaned, pushing himself up on his elbows. "How long was I out?"
"Three days," Ritsuka answered, stepping into view. He looked tired but relieved. "You collapsed after we defeated Angra Mainyu."
Memories flooded back—the corrupted Grail, the battle, and the surge of power that had overwhelmed him. Instinctively, Kazuki checked for his interface, relieved to find it still present, though currently displaying only basic status information:
[SYSTEM STATUS: RECOVERY MODE]
Administrator Health: Stabilizing (67%)
Type Synchronizations: Temporarily Locked
Estimated Full Recovery: 36 hours
"The singularity?" Kazuki asked.
"Resolved," Dr. Roman confirmed. "After Angra Mainyu was defeated, the timeline began to restabilize. We were able to Rayshift you and Ritsuka-kun back to Chaldea before the singularity fully corrected itself."
"And the Servants?"
A shadow crossed Ritsuka's face. "They... returned to the Throne. That's how it works with temporary summonings."
"Though not all of them," Roman added with a small smile. "Mash's Demi-Servant status remains stable. And it seems Ritsuka-kun has developed quite the aptitude for summoning. We've already begun preparing for an expanded summoning program to address the other singularities we've detected."
Kazuki nodded, processing this information. "Other singularities? So Fuyuki wasn't an isolated incident."
"Far from it," Dr. Roman's expression turned grim. "We've detected seven major singularities throughout human history—periods where the timeline has been severely distorted. If left uncorrected, human history will remain incinerated beyond 2018."
"And we're the only ones who can fix it," Ritsuka concluded. "The only viable Masters left in Chaldea."
The weight of responsibility settled heavy on Kazuki's shoulders. He was no longer just an average transfer student—he was one of humanity's last hopes for survival. And with the Ultimate-Type System developing within him, he was becoming something else entirely.
"There's something else," Dr. Roman said, hesitation evident in his voice. "We ran extensive tests while you were unconscious, Itsuki-kun. Your spiritual structure has... changed significantly."
He reactivated the hologram, showing the crystalline formations interwoven with Kazuki's spiritual core. "These formations don't match any known magecraft or mystery in our database. They're growing, integrating with your being at a fundamental level."
"It's the system," Kazuki explained, seeing no point in hiding it now. "It calls itself the Ultimate-Type System—some kind of Root-Anomaly Combat Interface."
Roman's eyes widened. "The Root? As in, the Akashic Records? The origin of all phenomena?"
"I don't understand it fully myself," Kazuki admitted. "But it's connected me to something called 'Types'—Ultimate Ones, planetary beings."
"That's impossible," Roman whispered, though the evidence was literally floating before him. "Ultimate Ones are the supreme beings of each planet—conceptual entities beyond human comprehension. No human could possibly synchronize with such beings without being completely destroyed."
"And yet, here I am," Kazuki said with a weak smile. "The system says I'm currently synced with four of them, though at very low percentages."
Roman ran a hand through his hair, visibly struggling with this revelation. "This is... unprecedented. If the Mage's Association knew about this—"
"They'd dissect me before I could blink," Kazuki finished bluntly. "I'm well aware of how magi typically handle anomalies."
"We won't let that happen," Ritsuka said firmly, surprising Kazuki with his intensity. "You saved us in Fuyuki. You're part of Chaldea now—part of our mission."
Dr. Roman nodded in agreement. "Your condition remains classified at the highest level. Only the three of us and Director Olga Marie know the full details."
"Olga Marie survived?" Kazuki asked, remembering the stern-faced woman who had briefly addressed the new candidates before the explosion.
A pained expression crossed Roman's face. "Yes and no. Her physical body was lost in the explosion, but her consciousness... it's complicated. She's been integrated into Chaldea's systems as a form of digital existence. She can communicate with us but cannot leave the command center."
Before they could elaborate further, the medical bay doors slid open, revealing the lavender-haired form of Mash Kyrielight. She carried a tray with what appeared to be food and medicine.
"Dr. Roman, I brought the—" She stopped mid-sentence, noticing Kazuki's conscious state. "Itsuki-senpai! You're awake!"
"Senpai?" Kazuki repeated, surprised by the honorific.
Mash blushed slightly. "After what you did in Fuyuki... it seemed appropriate. You showed remarkable courage and ability."
"Not to mention mystery," a new voice added—a holographic projection of a woman with white hair and sharp amber eyes materializing beside Roman. Director Olga Marie Animusphere, now reduced to a digital existence. "Your performance has raised a lot of questions, Itsuki."
Kazuki met her gaze steadily. "I imagine it has, Director."
"Whatever you've become," she continued, her piercing eyes studying him intently, "it may be the edge we need in this fight. The other singularities will be even more dangerous than Fuyuki."
"Speaking of which," Roman interjected, clearly trying to redirect the conversation, "we should let Itsuki-kun rest. We can discuss mission parameters once he's fully recovered."
Director Olga's projection flickered. "Fine. But I expect a full briefing on his... condition... once he's cleared for duty." With that, her image disappeared.
"Charming as ever," Roman sighed. "Though I can't blame her for being tense. Being reduced to a digital existence while watching humanity's future burn isn't exactly conducive to a sunny disposition."
Mash set the tray down beside Kazuki's bed. "I brought some food and the medicine Dr. Roman prescribed. The kitchen staff said you might be hungry when you woke up."
"Starving, actually," Kazuki realized, his stomach growling on cue. "Thank you, Kyrielight-san."
"Just Mash is fine," she replied with a small smile. "We've fought together now, after all."
As Kazuki began eating, Ritsuka filled him in on what had happened during his three days of unconsciousness. Chaldea was still in recovery mode after the explosion, with many systems damaged and most of the staff either dead or in cryostasis. The remaining personnel were stretched thin, focusing primarily on maintaining life support systems and preparing for the next Rayshift mission.
"We've identified the second major singularity," Ritsuka explained. "It appears to be set in ancient France, during the Hundred Years' War. Something has destabilized that era completely."
"The analysis shows multiple Servant signatures," Mash added. "Far more than would be expected in that time period."
Kazuki nodded, processing this information while simultaneously checking his interface's status updates:
[RECOVERY PROGRESS: 71%]
System Analysis of Fuyuki Encounter Complete
New Data Integrated:
- Servant Parameter Reading Accuracy +17%
- Conceptual Weight Assessment Now Available
- Noble Phantasm Classification System Improved
"How soon before we're expected to Rayshift?" he asked.
"Not for at least another week," Dr. Roman answered. "The Rayshift system itself was damaged in the explosion. Da Vinci is working on repairs, but it's slow going."
"Da Vinci? As in Leonardo da Vinci?" Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
Roman grinned. "You'll meet her soon enough. She's... unique, even for a Servant."
After finishing his meal and enduring a thorough medical examination from Roman, Kazuki was cleared to return to his quarters with strict instructions to rest. Ritsuka offered to escort him, apparently concerned that he might collapse again.
"I'm fine, really," Kazuki insisted as they walked through Chaldea's sterile white hallways. "The system is just in recovery mode. It needs time to process everything that happened in Fuyuki."
Ritsuka glanced at him curiously. "This system of yours... what exactly does it do? Besides giving you those crystal powers, I mean."
Kazuki considered how much to share. Ritsuka had proven himself trustworthy in Fuyuki, but the nature of the Ultimate-Type System felt dangerous to discuss openly.
"It's a kind of... evolutionary framework," he finally said. "It analyzes everything I encounter—Servants, magical phenomena, conceptual weights—and helps me understand them at a fundamental level. And sometimes, it lets me reproduce certain aspects of what I've observed."
"Like creating those crystals from Type Mercury?"
Kazuki nodded, surprised by Ritsuka's perceptiveness. "Exactly. Though my synchronization levels are still extremely low—barely scratching the surface of what each Type represents."
They reached Kazuki's assigned quarters—a small but functional room with basic amenities. As the door slid open, Kazuki sensed Ritsuka had more questions.
"You could have died in Fuyuki," Ritsuka said quietly. "Using those abilities pushed you beyond your limits."
"We all risked our lives," Kazuki pointed out. "You faced Angra Mainyu without any supernatural abilities at all. That took real courage."
Ritsuka smiled wryly. "Maybe. Or maybe just desperation." His expression turned serious again. "But we're in this together now, right? Whatever these singularities throw at us, we face them as a team."
The earnestness in his voice was disarming. Despite hardly knowing each other before Chaldea, they had been thrust into circumstances that forged connections faster than any normal friendship.
"As a team," Kazuki agreed, extending his hand. Ritsuka's handshake was firm and sincere—the gesture of someone who meant what he said.
After Ritsuka departed, Kazuki collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion washing over him anew. His interface flickered with updates:
[ADMINISTRATOR ALERT]
Sleep State Will Accelerate Recovery
Estimated Time to Full Functionality: 29 hours
Recommended Action: Complete Rest Cycle
For once, Kazuki was happy to comply with the system's recommendation. Despite the food and medicine, his body still felt drained—the price of channeling powers beyond human comprehension. As consciousness began to fade, he briefly wondered what dreams might come to someone connected to planetary beings.
The answer, it turned out, was nothing human.
Kazuki found himself floating in an endless void filled with crystalline structures—geometric patterns that extended in all directions like a three-dimensional lattice. There was no up or down, no sense of gravity or orientation.
"Hello?" he called out, his voice strangely flat, as if the space absorbed sound.
[DREAMSPACE INITIATED]
Administrative Interface Active
Recovery Process: 78% Complete
The words appeared before him, hovering in the void. Not projected on a screen like in waking life, but somehow integral to the space itself—as if reality here was partially composed of information.
"Is this... inside the system?" Kazuki wondered aloud.
A soft, layered voice responded—neither male nor female, but a harmonic blend that seemed to speak from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously:
"This is the interface boundary between your consciousness and the Ultimate-Type System. A necessary space for integration and understanding."
The voice matched the description from his system documentation—the cosmic law voice of the interface itself.
"Why am I here?" Kazuki asked.
"Your consciousness required direct interface access to process the Phase 1 evolution. Certain concepts cannot be adequately conveyed through the waking interface alone."
As the voice spoke, the crystalline structures around Kazuki shifted, forming pathways and chambers like a vast, geometric palace.
"Follow," the voice instructed.
Kazuki found he could move by simply intending to travel in a particular direction. The sensation was freeing—unburdened by physical limitations as he glided through the crystal labyrinth.
Eventually, he reached what appeared to be a central chamber. Here, seven massive orbital rings rotated slowly around a core of pure light. Each ring bore distinct glyphs and symbols that Kazuki somehow knew represented different Types.
"The synchronization matrix," the voice explained. "Your current connections are highlighted."
Four of the seven rings glowed with subtle energy—Mercury's ring the brightest, followed by Saturn, Moon, and Venus, each progressively dimmer.
"Why these four?" Kazuki asked. "Why not the others?"
"Synchronization is established through exposure and resonance," the voice replied. "In Fuyuki, you encountered phenomena that resonated with these specific Type authorities:
Mercury: Through crystalline manifestation and altered causality
Saturn: Through temporal distortion and preservation against corruption
Moon: Through exposure to the conceptual weight of true resurrection
Venus: Through observation of complex transformation formulas"
The rings shifted, bringing Mercury's orbit closer to Kazuki. Within it, he could see images from Fuyuki—his crystalline barriers, the fight against Berserker, the final confrontation with Angra Mainyu—all viewed through a lens that highlighted conceptual patterns rather than physical events.
"Your synchronization with Mercury reached sufficient levels to manifest a true Type ability," the voice continued. "Crystallized Worldview—though at minimal capacity."
"And the others?" Kazuki prompted.
"Insufficient synchronization for authentic manifestation. Basic resonance only. However, the emergency contexts accelerated connection establishment. Under normal circumstances, initial synchronization would require more prolonged exposure."
The central light pulsed gently, drawing Kazuki's attention.
"What is that? The core?"
"That is you, Administrator. Your existence as processed by the system—your spiritual core, conceptual weight, and potential."
Kazuki moved closer to examine this representation of himself. The light appeared simple at first glance, but as he focused, he could see infinitely complex patterns within it—like a mandala composed of living energy.
"I don't understand. What exactly am I becoming?"
The voice seemed to soften slightly. "That remains undetermined. The Ultimate-Type System does not override identity—it expands it. You remain Kazuki Itsuki, but with evolving capacity to comprehend and embody phenomena beyond human parameter."
"But why me? I was nobody special before Chaldea."
"Incorrect assessment," the voice countered. "Initial compatibility was detected precisely because you possessed latent potential. Your spiritual structure exhibited unusual flexibility—capacity to adapt to conceptual shifts without disintegration."
Before Kazuki could ask more questions, the orbital rings began spinning faster, and new information flowed through the space:
[RECOVERY MILESTONE REACHED]
Phase 1 Core Recognition Formalized
Abilities Now Stabilized:
- Mercury: Crystalline Manifestation (Basic)
- Saturn: Chrono-Drift Shell (Passive Defense)
- Moon: Pale Light (Limited Healing)
- Venus: Formula Recognition (Analytical Only)
"These abilities," Kazuki said, examining the data. "They're so limited compared to what the documentation described."
"Appropriate to current synchronization levels," the voice explained. "Full Type authority would require synchronization approaching 90% or higher—a state that would risk your human identity entirely."
The implications were sobering. "So if I ever reached that level with any Type..."
"You would begin to embody that Type's logic fully. Your human perspective would become secondary to planetary logic."
"And that would be bad," Kazuki surmised.
"It would be transformation," the voice corrected, "neither inherently positive nor negative. However, premature transformation would likely result in identity dissolution. The system is designed for gradual integration."
The crystal environment began to shimmer and fade, indicating their time was limited.
"Wait," Kazuki called. "What about the other Types? How do I synchronize with them?"
"Exposure to their conceptual domains," the voice replied, already growing fainter. "Jupiter awaits in war-torn lands where gravity defies expectation. Pluto lurks where death's authority is challenged. Others remain beyond current detection parameters."
"And what happened in Fuyuki—the emergency synchronization. Will that happen again?"
"When survival requires it. The system prioritizes Administrator preservation."
The crystal palace dissolved entirely, leaving only the voice and final words that echoed as Kazuki felt himself rising toward consciousness:
"Prepare yourself, Administrator. The next singularity harbors Type authorities far more potent than Fuyuki. Your evolution accelerates..."