: Scathach
Shinji falls into madness.
"I summoned Scáthach, I summoned Scáthach, I summoned Scáthach."
"Um, Shinji?" Justeaze gently called out.
"I summoned Scáthach, I summoned Scáthach, I summoned Scáthach."
Cough, cough. Scáthach intentionally coughed twice.
"I summoned Scáthach, I summoned Scáthach, I summoned Scáthach."
The two graceful women exchanged a glance, seeing helplessness in the other's eyes.
Justeaze said, "Can we complete the contract first?"
Scáthach nodded and responded in a calm voice, "Henceforth, our destinies are intertwined, our fates coexist. Hereby, the contract is complete."
As soon as the words were spoken, the Command Seal on Shinji's hand seemed infused with vitality. The dark red patterns quickly turned bright red and were accompanied by more intense pain than when the Command Seal was first received.
This pain awakened Shinji from his ecstatic trance, and he instinctively pressed down on his forearm.
The pain came up and went quickly. When the pain eased slightly, Shinji immediately rolled up his sleeve, confirming the changes in the Command Seal.
As Justeaze had said, the Holy Stigma had transformed into a Command Spell, through which the connection with the Servant could be sensed. With the establishment of the contract, information about the servant also flowed into Shinji's mind.
Class: Assassin
True Name: Scáthach
Gender: Female
Height/Weight: 168cm/55kg
Alignment: Neutral Good
Strength: D
Endurance: D
Agility: A+
Mana: C
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: A+
Indeed, as the weakest frontline combatant, Scáthach's attributes, except agility, are unsurprisingly below average. Furthermore, owing to the immaturity of the Master, the Servant's attributes are further reduced. Fortunately, the weakness of the master does not affect the servant's skill set or Noble Phantasm, which is manifested in the legends. Scáthach's skills and Noble Phantasm, as possessed by a top-tier servant, give Shinji confidence to compete with other servants.
"How is it?" Justeaze asked Shinji for the final confirmation.
Shinji firmly held onto his command spells. "Jackpot! It's indeed the legendary female warrior, Scáthach."
Along with the joy of hitting the jackpot, a question also arose: Why was Scáthach summoned as a Servant?
Scáthach.
A warrior from the Celtic Ulster Legend, the queen and guardian of the Otherworld, Land of Shadows. She is a genius in the spear arts and rune magic.
She is also a talented teacher, nurturing numerous disciples into warriors or magicians, with the most famous disciple being Cú Chulainn, whom Shinji originally intended to summon.
As the most powerful female warrior in Celtic mythology, she stepped foot into the realm of the gods as a human, possessing the ability to seal the gates of the Land of Shadows, filled with countless undead, and wield its dominating power.
By contrast, Scáthach has also been subjected to countless curses, gaining a semblance of immortality, eternal youth, and an unchanging form, similar to that of a deity.
Yes, she is immortal and there are no records of Scáthach's death in mythology. In other words, Scáthach remains alive. However, living individuals cannot become Heroic Spirits, and thus cannot be summoned by the Holy Grail.
So, how did the person before them intervene in the Holy Grail system and become a Servant?
This question troubled both Shinji and Justeaze, who were worried that the Holy Grail system might have encountered an unexpected situation.
Scáthach did not hide anything about this question. In contrast, she expressed appreciation for their inquiries.
"Indeed, as you said, I have not experienced death to this day and have not become a Heroic Spirit. The 'Land of Shadows' that I rule over is also limited to the outer world due to the rules of the world and cannot interfere with the present world. However, this is not absolute. Under certain special circumstances, the restrictions can be broken."
"Breaking restrictions..." Shinji pondered, "Is it magic?"
"Yes, magic," Scáthach said, glancing at Justeaze. "Magic is the highest form of mystery, possessing the power to create miracles. The old man known as the Second Magician, who you call the Mage of the Second, once visited the 'Land of Shadows' and left behind an opportunity. He made a contract with the creation of the Third Magic, the 'Holy Grail,' allowing me to manifest in this world as a Servant."
The term "Second Magician" made a thud in Shinji's heart.
The Second Magician, as the name suggests, wields and utilizes the Second Magic. His real name is Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, also known as the "Kaleidoscope," the "Jewel Man," the "Grand Magus," and other titles. He is not only a magician but also a pinnacle of modern magi, standing at the top of the world. It was this ultimate boss-like figure who intentionally visited the 'Land of Shadows' and allowed Scáthach, who also stood at the pinnacle, to descend into the present world as a Servant. However, there are some unknown considerations behind this.
The joy in Shinji's heart gradually faded and was replaced by inexplicable heaviness. "May I ask why you would cooperate with the Second Magician and descend into the mortal world as a Servant?"
"To fulfill my wish—to welcome the death of a human."
When she spoke these words, Scáthach unusually appeared calm.
After many years, she has become a semi-divine, and she cannot die like a human. Whether it is a beautiful or an ugly death, perhaps she can only exist alongside the world until it fades away on the outer edges of the world.
"If the so-called Holy Grail is truly omnipotent, then it would be nice if someone who can kill me is sent."
It sounds like an incredible wish, but it is Scáthach's genuine desire. Even if Justeaze does not believe it, even if no one in the world believes it, Shinji will believe it because that is the Scáthach he knew from his previous life, the lonely queen who has been alone for thousands of years.
Shinji sincerely said, "I cannot understand your wish, and I feel sorry for it, but I am willing to help you fulfill your wish. In return, I hope you can help us fulfill our wishes."
"As you wish, my little Master," Scáthach smiled. It was the first time she had smiled since manifesting in the present world; although it was obscured by a thin veil, Shinji could tell that she was smiling.
"Before granting the wish of obtaining the Holy Grail, I hope you can promise me two things."
"Go ahead."
"First, don't call me Master, just call me by my name, Shinji."
"I promise you, Shinji."
"Second, I hope you can become my sister and uncle's teacher, instructing us in the magecraft and martial arts. Legend has it that you trained many warriors and magi, and I hope to become such a person." As Shinji spoke, he respectfully bowed to Scáthach.
Shinji, with his head lowered, did not see captivating brilliance in Scáthach's eyes. It seemed like she was recalling something from the past or igniting a long-lost passion.
"My training is very demanding."
Shinji remained in a bowing posture without moving. "I can endure it."
"My requirements for choosing disciples are high."
Shinji remained still. "I believe I can meet your requirements."
Faced with Shinji's response, the redness in Scáthach's eyes has almost overflowed. "Very well, self-confidence is a prerequisite for becoming stronger. You are qualified. From now on, you are my student."
PS: The moon goddess can interfere with the summoning of Orion and descend as an accessory, and Atalanta's falcon can see the scenery outside the world while leaping, proving that the boundary between the inside and the outside is not absolute.
Note:
+1 Bonus Chapter if this work received every 100 Power Stone.