Chapter 24

Infinity (Y/n)/ Interlude

I exhaled, sitting myself on the ground

Cracks and fissures appeared around me. Apocalyptic volcanoes looming in the distance, letting out giant, intoxicating clouds of gas that lingered in the ashen sky.

There is no water. There is no land. What stood around me stretching in all directions was a boundless sea of magma and fire. The bleak horizon carried the venus color of gaseous clouds, trapping all non-organic creation inside this place

No life can be found on here

For no living organisms has been born yet

Earth. 4,000,000,000 years ago

At the Eve of Genesis. At the Dawn of Creation. One man stood in the place that will one day flourish with human order. 

His lone presence caused the newborn Nine Worlds to stir in their consciousness. His every motion set the foundation for the most fundamental laws of physics. A blink of his eyes altered the boundary of reality that will one day be the origin of history, including that of his own self

For it is an interesting paradox, you see. A Magician is one who made contact with the Root and obtain the ultimate peak of Mystery. Yet he is trapped in time with it. A Magician that existed before the very concept of Magic, which caused a contradiction in the temporal/spatial axis of the universe

You have learned the Zeroth Magic: 

[ERROR404]

(ERROR404) 

Computational Sequence failed 

(ERROR404)

(ERROR404)

Unauthorized Entry registered 

(404): HostUnknown: Anonymous

System flaw detected. Level: Unknown

Subsequent lockdown of mainframe data initiated in 3...2...1...

Reality glitches. The fabric of Space-time temporarily shattered into millions of digital pixels as they faded away from him

The window disappeared, only to be replaced by a static blue screen

System.Exe had stopped working

Until the domain had been rebooted, no further notification will be displayed

In a sense, (Y/n) could now be considered the progenitor of all known Magic in history. No he's not kidding

Technically, the fact that he is in the past alone should have made him a "glitch". A false paradox. His action in the present affects his action in the past, and his current self will determine the fate of his future self. It's really complicated

"An existence that couldn't really be called an existence"

I, an average teenager who just happens to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, silently wondered just where it had gone wrong

Maybe it was when my retarded self sent my ass back into the past?

Maybe it was because I thought nothing could go wrong?

Or maybe I'm not as average as I thought myself to be?

"Nope" I denied that thought "Thinking yourself special just because you have some measly power will ultimately be your downfall. It's best if I'm prepared for the worst"

Of course I am confident in my power to deal with the occasional problems. However, there are simply beings that cannot be affected by my Magic, for they are exempt from the concentional laws of creation. Outer gods like Azathoth and its kin are one example 

Time and time again, I would try to obtain a new mean of weakening myself, to regain that spark of normalcy I oh so miss. Time and time again, the result had been a spectacular chain of failure that somehow make the situation more complicated. And yet I kept doing it

To perform an action over and over again, yet expecting different results. Isn't it the definition of stupidity?

My silent brooding is interrupted by a roar that shook the earth. 

I looked up. In front of me, the sea of magma divided, making way for a large creature to ascend from the planet's core. It's height towered over the plumes of smoke, past the highest of volcanoes, and dwarfing the stratosphere itself as it stands to its full height

A mass of molten metal crudely shaped like a human. It's limbs stretched for kilometers outward, vaporizing magma and litting the toxic air around it in a blazing sea of inferno, the temperature of which shouldn't be that far from that of the sun  

The emerged creature raised its head, before letting out a roar that split the Earth, the Sky and the Underworld apart. Gale winds powerful enough to push back the surrounding lava erupted, creating a void between it and (Y/n)

Said boy blinked

"Oh, it's you" I sighed, my hand gently patting the giant as it kneeled down to my level "You're back here again, huh?"

Some call her the source of primal Magic. Some considered her the Conscious of the planet Earth. Some religion and hardcore traditionalist refer to her as the Earth Mother Goddess that all was born from. She's Gaia, the same Gaia who sent the TYPEs after me 

Just like today. Just like the last few thousand eons between us, she once again turned to me for a source of entertainment

"You wanna play fetch?"

The young Gaia let out a playful roar as confirmation

I shook my head at the primal reaponse, before lifting up a nearby mountain range and hurled it across the Earth. 

She soon gave chase. Her giant limbs pushing against the rift to propel her forward. As a result, continents erupted in her wake, while the sky above was blitzed opened by colossal gusts of wind created from her movement

Looking at the storms of scorching fire and radiation that flared in the distance, I sighed and leaned back in my makeshift sunbathing chair, a pair of dark shades pulled over my eyes

Now to wait for the next few hundred million years for life to develop

It's damn lonely here

<><><><><><><><><>

Japan. Present time

"Ahhhhhh...damn"

I scratched my head, sighing in exasperation

"Damn"

The blank face of Fujino Asagami, a character in Kara no Kyoukai stared back at me. Her gaze flickered to me, and to the ground, then back to me

Four corpses laid there. Their limbs sprawled out with their expression set in one of absolute shock, though the wounds certainly make it seem like they are twisted in horror instead

Cause of death: Bread

Possible Suspects: Bread

Culprit: Some random Magus with bread probably

A sigh escaped my lips as I took a bite of the bloodstained sandwich. The taste of iron and freshly baked dairy calming me down somewhat

I messed up this time. Not only did I miss the discount meat sale this morning, now I have the misfortune to meet another Nasuverse character in this awkward circumstance with...whatever you call this is

I shook my head to rid of the thought

To give you a brief summary of what just happened. I was returning after buying things at the local Mifune supermarket when I ran into this highschool girl being cornered by these four guys, who looks like they could use less vape and more exercise. Her legs are broken in a way so that she cannot run away, so one can guess as to what they are planning to do to her

And so like a wandering hero of justice, I immediately jumped in and saved the day

...

Actually no, they just happen to be blocking the way to the parking lot and I just happen to walk right through the middle of their little escapade. One thing lead to another and now I'm left with four dead bodies, a very confused girl, and a ruined bread for lunch

Naturally, I must conceal the evidence, get rid of the witness, and eat the bread, in that order

"Gandr"

A brief flash of Hellfire ignited, incinerating the corpses along with their bloodstain from the walls

Fujino gasped, causing me to turn my attention back to her. A memory-erasure spell was just on the tip if my lips when I managed to stop myself in time

Briefly I recalled some information about the girl

Mystic Eyes user. ESP user. Some mental instability. Rape victim. Power awakened after said rapist's death. Isolated by parents, especially her father. Became a pawn for some dipshit Magus who wish to reach the Root. Have a crush on someone but he is already in love with another girl. Proceed to fight that girl and lose, but not before causing some collateral damage to their surrounding. 

...sounds strangely familiar...

"Are you okay?" I knelt down and inspected her wound. Slowly, because one must always be careful with touching rape victims "Thankfully no major damage from the lower parts aside from shattered leg bones. But..."

My hand went up and brushed against the bleeding stump at the back of her head. Fujino hissed in pain, her awakened Mystic Eyes flared in agitation

Fujino can feel pain. Her Mystic Eyes are active. The realization dawned on me as I gazed down toward where the four downed delinquents used to be, to the face of Keita's corpse on the pavement in my memory

Oh. Fuck. Not again. Did I just somehow stumble upon the Nasuverse Canon by accident?

Originally, Fujino Asagami supposedly reawakened her sense of pain and Distortion power when cornered and sexually assaulted by a group of delinquents on a trip to the town. From then on she met Souren Araya and things proceeded like in Canon

In this timeline, she was saved by me who is accidentally there. Her power is probably awakened from the trauma of seeing me killing these guys, while the pain can be of her hitting her head to the wall during the fight

That said, am I responsible for her turning out this way? All because of an accident?

"You-you are a Magician" I heard Fujino whispered, her eyes still on the charred remain of the evidence of my crime "You know Magic"

Well, that saves me the effort of erasing her memories

"I'm a Magus" I shook my head with a smile "A Magus is different from a Magician in that they practice Magecraft. Magicians meanwhile are people wielding True Magic, they are far more potent than any other kind of Mysteries out there"

"For example, I can only heal minor wounds on your body" I slightly twisted her legs into the proper position before channeling Od into it, causing the snapped bones to mend themselves from the inside "Had it been a Magician, they would have actually go as far as to heal all your ailments with a snap of their fingers, like this"

I snapped my finger. Her iris expanded slightly as the girl stared transfixed at it

"See? Nothing happened"

For some reason, now she's looking at me weirdly. Did Fujino's eyes just change color?

Ahem. What did I do? I'm pretty sure I did nothing there

"Aaanyway, why didn't you call for help? This place is only a few blocks away from the main street, so at least one person would hear you from here" I asked, expertly setting her into a comfortable position to avoid damage to the wound. 

"I...that would inconvenient them" 

My hand slipped. I accidentally slapped myself on the face

Excuse me

"And why would it be inconvenient?"

"That they would have to abandon their work to help me. I don't like it when people is being bothered by me"

What the fuck?

"I appreciate you saving me, but I can handle myself here" She dipped her head low in apology, not seeing the look in (Y/n)'s eyes

A girl worrying about other people as though she herself didn't just got traumatized

Oh hell no. Now I know why she sounds so familiar

"Nope. That's enough Sakura number two" She yelped in surprise as I hoisted her on my shoulder "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be saying things like that"

Fujino's cheeks reddened at the unintentional compliment

"W-wait, what are you doing anyway? Where are you taking me?" She wiggled "And who is Sakura?!"

"Taking you to a medical facility. The hospital. A stubborn student of mine with a case of inferiority complex not unlike yours. In that order" Slinging the grocery bags on my other hand, I ignored the trickle of blood that spilled down my shoulder from her wound "Also, stop resisting. I'll pay the hospital bill for you"

"Why would you help me this much? You've already done enough by saving and healing me"

"I don't like doing things half-assed. Something tell me you're going to become a serial killer if I don't help you to be honest"

That reminds me. Kill Ryuunosuke before Fate Zero and make sure that detestable cunt Prelati regret ever being born

"There's no way I can become a serial killer"

"How many loaves of bread have you eaten in your life?" I asked, taking another bite from my bread

"..."

"Excuse me what?"

"That's right you monster. If you don't feel empathy for the breads you consume, how can you be sure you won't feel the same to your friends? To their family? To the innocent breads have you digested in your stomach? How many wheats have been sacrificed to sate your hunger?"

The bread crumbs stuck to my mouth as I chewed on it

She shifted again

"...I just don't like breads"

I nodded

"Yeah, me too. Breads are a bunch of annoying assholes, but the point is that you won't stop at it" I felt her hand tightened around my shoulder as I jumped from rooftop to rooftop "The first time you eat your bread, it tastes awful. The alien taste unsettles you and you lose your appetite. But then you eat another one, and thought 'hm, this isn't so bad as the first', and then by the third one you consumed, you start wanting more of them. And the fourth, and the fifth, and at the sixth one you will say "Damn, this is some gourmet shit", and then you realize you'll never stop, you're too far down this road to do so. And the next thing you know breads will be replaced by human"

"The point is, little girl, I know you're in love with breads. Breads are pain" I narrowed my eyes, trying to lick the bread crumbs from my cheeks "Pain is a drug to you. You may not see it, but over time you'll slowly get addicted to the feeling of being hurt. Just like a certain person I know, you are empty, and thus you sought to fill it out using everything you can get your hands on, even if they are breads"

Fujino had gone silence. Her lack of knowledge about Magecraft and psychology stopping her from fully understanding my words. That and the fact that she doesn't like breads

But that is okay

"Here we are"

After all, that talk is only a way to distract her from the pain on our way to the hospital

"See you later, Fujino" As the medical staff rushed her to a hospital room, I waved my hand at her. The girl choked

"Wait. How did you know my name?"

I turned around and walked away. The mysterious exit always work when someone caught you in your bullshit

"Who are you?" Her voice echoed in the hallway

"I'm an average student from Misaki. Please don't try to find me there"

By the time Fujino lose consciousness from the bleeding on her head, the mysterious stranger had already disappeared from her vision

Yet why is it that she can still see him?

[Mystic Eyes of Distortion] had been evolved

[Clairvoyance] had been learnt

<><><><><><><><>

"Gotta go fast"

Getting back to the parking lot, I paid my exit fee and entered the road with my motorcycle. I revved the engine, determined to compensate for the lost time and sped up just a little

"I am the soul of my speed

Gasoline is my blood. Wind is my body

I have traveled over a thousand miles 

Unknown to traffic laws, nor known to the police

Yet these wheels will never stop spinning

So as I pray...Unlimited Speed Work!"

My motorcycle roared to life as the fire of hell surrounded it. The front plate morphed into a skull with fire blazing in its eyes socket, while the stripes elongated into ivory, spiky ribs that curled around the front engine, creating a sinister look to it

The engine roared. I weaved through the highway traffic with minimal effort, navigating the distance of a hundred or so kilometers in a matter of seconds. As the wind guides me, so does the demons of Hell

"Turn right at the next intersection" The demon whispered "Turn right at the next intersection you moron!"

Oops

I spun the handle and let it flew freestyle, before landing in front of my house's gate. Parking the vehicle in my backyard, I ran to the nearby park with the grocery bags in my hands

"(Y/n), where the hell have you been?"

Ciel was wearing her casual clothe today. A short skirt with blue blouse and black jacket. Hoisted on her shoulder were a set of suitcases with a black color on them

"Sorry sorry" I apologized, sprinting toward the girl "Ran into some trouble on the way here. Had you got the goods?"

We looked around in suspicion

"All of them" She opened a bag, revealing plastic case of white powder, finely grounded and purified to the point of perfection. Just looking at it is enough to know these will pay for a hefty price

"The highest quality flour exclusive for making breads" She smiled "I got it at a discount through one of my contacts in the Church. Had to pull a few favors here and there but it's worth it. How about you?"

I lifted up a package 

"Mofu Mofu's Mapo Tofu. Limited Edition with extra pork, native tofu, and processed chilly powder with three times the spiciness from before" It was something the old Kirei would have given a limb to obtain...along with Lancer of course

"Heck yeah" Astonishment can be seen in her eyes "How did you get it?"

This particular product was only sold in Black Friday sales, where hordes of middle-aged housewives would swamp the supermarket in their bloody hunt for high-quality, low-prices products. Even an Assassin-class Servant would have a hard time sneaking their way into it and getting out uninjured

Yeah. A-rank Agility and Presence Concealment ain't going to help you against a group of raging Berserker. Which is why it fetch such a high price in the Church market

"I used a Gandr in the building, which causes the smoke alarm to activate and everyone forced outside. It's easy picking up the remains after that"

"Oh, how have I not thought about that before?" She face-palmed. We chuckled and walked down the street, having completed the deal between us by swapping our products with each other

"Hey..."

"Yeah?"

"I just read the reports today. Without you, last month had been a boon for the Church" She chuckled "You know, we didn't think we would be in dire need of someone like you until Narbareck assigned you on that mission. In your absence a lot of us had to fill in the shoes you left behind"

"That...you're kidding right? I'm only an average Executor like you"

"You killed a Dead Apostle Ancestor on your first night in Misaki. Your weekly patrol reduce the casualty rate and supernatural occurance here by over 80%. As an Executor your skills are among the top of the Church. Nothing about that screams "average" to me"

I hummed in thought

Well, ever since I came to this world, my perception of "average" kind of turned bleak. Nothing can be average when the power of Magecraft and Magic makes everyone unique on their own. Equally overpowered. Equally intelligent. Yet there is no definitive standard to the concept of "power level", as one's power can always be countered no matter how bullshit it may seems 

Chief being a normal human can kill Angels in Notes, and a normal teenager can solo the King of Heroes in Fate, and the fact that an average Assassin can cut off Timat's wing with his average power of Death-something in Grand Order

It sound less impressive when it comes to the fact that these three are specifically geared toward defeating their enemies, as such it's more a matter of "compatibility" rather than "power" that ensure their victory. So while in a sense they could be considered powerful, they are basically less advantageous against certain enemies that can counter their abilities. That...makes them average, it makes them normal

I, as someone who once exists as a human, is no exception to that rule. Some day, some where, some when, somebody will eventually find a way to kill me

And I'm fine with that. Death is an average concept. And like a normal being I'd like to experience it some day

I halted in my path

"(Y/n)?"

"No wait, that's it" I mutter "I think I have a solution"

It is a fact that modern human can not match up to the heroes of old due to several factors. The declining influence of magic, the lessening values of legends as well as mysteries, and the convenience of modern technology being main factors. Obviously, as a result I cannot expect a normal human to be able to defeat me soon 

But in that case, using the power of [True Teaching], I can just raise someone who can match me instead

Perhaps one of them will succeed in time

"Ciel, what do you think about becoming my student?"

"E-eh? Are you serious?"

"I am" I nodded "If you're so impressed by my skills I can train you how to fight like me, move like, kill like me. Perhaps I may also teach you about the art of walking and breathing correctly if you're interested"

She gave me a wary look. An expected reaction really

"You know. Most Magus wouldn't have just reveal their secrets as easily as this"

"But I'm not talking to you as a Magus, I'm offering you this as a fellow Executor" I smiled back "Narbareck told me about your condition"

She inhaled sharply

"Your combat skills are still lacking compare to an average member of the agency. The only things you have as advantages are your immortality and ranged uses of enchanted Black Keys. On that end, you wouldn't have a chance against a Dead Apostle Ancestor in battle if they stick close to melee. It's something I can help you improve on, if you let mr of course"

"So, do you want to learn from me?" I asked again once she was calm enough to answer

"I don't see a reason not to. If you're willing to accept me that is"

"Huh. That went better than I expected" I checked the goods one last time "Training and studying starts at 7PM and end at 9:30 after school on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday next week. Bring a notebook and some pens. I'll provide you with equipments at my house"

"You sound used to this" My partner slash student remarked slyly "Don't tell me you've said the same things to other girls too"

"..."

"Oh my Lord, (Y/n). You know I'm kidding right?"

"Shut up. Your conclusion may be right but the implication's off the chart"

<><><><><><><><><>

Rin yelped as the blood spattered on her face

"SAKURA!" She screamed "I swear to Root, your experiments are getting out of hand!"

"Hm hm" Her sister nodded, scribbling some more words into her notebook before gently closing it "Sorry, Rin. I didn't know this application of Mana would end up with such...spontaneous results"

They are currently inside the Tohsaka manor's study room. As per a hobby ingrained by their teacher, the two girls were to meet up with each other to discuss their study in the previous week and find ways to improve it together. Normally it's something she look forward to 

But today will be different

"Here, Zouken. You can have it"

She threw the remains of the frog to her worm familiar, who crawled over and began slurping on its intestine. Rin's face twisted in disgust at the hideous abomination

"What are you practicing?"

"The foundation of the Matou's magecraft" She held up a book "That involves the use of insects as part of the Magus. The family's patriarch lent it to me so I can study this beforehand"

Rin fell silent at that revelation

"Can't you just refuse his offer?"

"Oh, Rin. If only it's that simple" Sakura sighed "Unlike you, I am not given the privilege to choose in such matters. Dear father would make sure I accept, whether I like it or not"

"B-but he loves you. Surely Dad is doing it for a good reason?"

Rin shut up when she realized she'd crossed the line. Her sister's shoulder started shaking

"No. He doesn't love me" She whispered "He loves you. He loves your talent and the things you will bring to his family. I'm...worthless, Rin. I'm not even proficient in our family's craft. I'm a spare, you...a genius. You get all the love, I get ignored. Father praised you, yet he never acknowledged me. Why would he hesitate to give a child away in exchange for a past favor?"

Sakura turned around, her hand reaching under the bed and pulling out a stuffed bag behind her

"I tried. I really tried. All I want is to be praised. For someone to tell me that I mattered" With a final click, the suitcase snapped shut "The only one who did that wasn't you. Wasn't father, nor mother. It was Walter"

"Can you believe that?" She laughed "

The baggage was light. Several pair of clothes. Her individual research in Magecraft. And the book (Y/n) had given her. The girl left the rest behind

"Today I want to say my goodbye to you" She smiled sadly "I have already made my decision. Might as well get it over with"

"Wait, Sakura. No-"

Yet she was too late, as Sakura slammed the door shut in front of her, leaving Rin alone with her inner turmoils

...

Click

Out in the hallway, the girl took a deep breath, before turning to the Magus next to her

Zouken Matou stared back at her with a raised eyebrow

"That's some fine acting you've got there"

Sakura's distressed face morphed into a smile

"I just want to make Rin feel guilty" She stated "Beside, she really needs to stop seeing Tokiomi Tohsaka as a benevolent saint and starts seeing him like the pragmatic man that he is. It's for her own good"

"And I'm not pragmatic, somehow?"

"You smell of (Y/n)" The girl pointed out "Also, I've seen you unconsciously replicated some of his gesture in private. After some time spent observing and connecting the facts, it's not hard to link it to the psychological behavior of a familiar copying its master"

As they walked away from the estate, the old Magus's appearance slowly shifted. His haggard old face replaced by a feminine youth. His hunched back straightened, wrinkled skin smoothed out as they changed from a pallid yellow to a flawless white

Within moments, a beautiful green-haired woman was standing in front of her instead of the old man from before

"Master is right. You are a sharp one indeed" Cold green eyes stared down at her "I've once asked myself why he would pay attention to you. I can see now...how desirable you are in his eyes"

Sakura looked down with a heavy blush

"I want him to notice me"

"He will" TYPE-Mercury patted the girl's head, ruffling if just a little "I'll make sure of jt

"In the meantime. Welcome to the family, Sakura Matou"

<><><><><><><><><>

Author's Note: 

And that's a wrap! I'm so satisfied right now

Why? Because It's all finished. The first year is finally completed. I've got the characters in their places, arrangements completed, and foreshadowing set

Now all that's left is the TIMESKIP

That's right ladies and gentlemen. After the next chapter, which will be an unrelated (?) interlude, we'll be jumping to 1994 Fuyuki where the Fourth Holy Grail War is about to happen

Alot of things will change of course. Characters that aren't supposed to be there. Interactions that weren't supposed to happen. People that weren't supposed to survive. It's going to be a clusterfuck

<><><><><><><><>

(Y/n): Author, please stop writing me interacting with the female characters. It's not good for my mental health

Author: Shhhh...you hear that (Y/n)? 

(Y/n): What?

Author: That's the sound of your Harem expanding by the fucking seconds. I would start praying for my dick if I were you

Author: You probably won't survive. But luckily, I brought some help for you beforehand so you can be better prepared in the future

What help you ask? The professional one of course

Kiara: Oh hello everyone...it smells like virgins in here

(Y/n): I need an adult