Somehow both Taiki and Namite ended up coming to Shirou's mansion, as Assassin was carrying unconscious Ilya. Everyone were barely standing, so they've been told to feel at home, and they went to sleep. Assassin and Saber were to keep guard over mansion. Taiki would be okay with watching over the house alone, but he understood that he didn't gain too much trust yet. So both him and Saber were on the standby wordlessly.
As the morning came, everyone were in high spirits. As the breakfast was being made, both Tohsaka and Namite came over, but Rin didn't seem to feel well.
-Perhaps… You're not a morning person, are you? – Taiki was quite surprised to see the cool-headed magus in such a state.
The person in question didn't answer. Assassin and Namite were the only ones who didn't know this small detail about her.
While waiting for the breakfast to be done, Tohsaka asked Namite:
-Well, what are you going to do now? Berserker's gone, so it seems that it puts an end to our temporary truce.
-That's true. I guess I understand that we will have to fight each other sooner or later.
Rin nodded. Yet, Namite continued her speech:
-But even so, I would prefer it to be later. I don't hold any grudge against you, and it's actually the opposite. So as long as there are other Servants to be taken care of, I think we shouldn't battle each other.
Taiki felt pretty much the same. If there were still enemies yet to be shown to them, then they shouldn't increase their number of opponents, especially as powerful ones as Saber.
-Guess it doesn't matter. – Tohsaka made up her decision, without even asking the actual Master, Shirou, about his opinion. Not that it would be different than Rin's. – Whatsoever, putting you aside, there is still one person we definitely need to take care of. – her expression stiffened. – I won't forgive her for killing my Archer.
-Come on, Servants disappear in the end anyway. You're a failure as a Master if you worry about that sort of a thing.
The girl in discussion, who should be asleep, appeared. Both Saber and Tohsaka stiffened.
-Hold on, I have no business with you two. I don't intend to fight, so can you two stop being angry?... Really, I'm embarrassed as a lady. You're much older than me, but you don't have any modesty.
-What?
Both of them cried in unison.
On the other hand, neither Taiki nor Namite put much care about this matter. If she didn't have Berserker, then they couldn't care less about what happened to her. It was the even weirder, taking into consideration the fact that they almost got killed by her in the past.
The last person, Kuroda was on the other hand more entertained than shocked by her appearance. If they would be to finish her off, they would have done so when she collapsed in the woods. So all that was left was enjoying their quarrel. Honestly, it was fun when watching from faraway, but he pitied Shirou a little, since he felt that he will be put in quite unpleasant situation pretty soon.
In the end, Shirou made it out unscathed, and everyone, gladly or not, agreed to keep Ilya in the mansion. When the formalities were done, everyone could attend to their daily routine. For both Shirou and Kuroda it was sword practice with Saber, so they headed to the dojo. As Taiki and Namite didn't have anything better to do, they decided to follow them.
When they entered the dojo, Assassin and Kuroda decided to spar with each other, as to leave Shirou alone with Saber. Namite, without anything better to do, as she wasn't practicing sword fighting at all, sit next to Ilya, and was pondering over her new abilities.
The moment she used her control of magic circuits, she was under huge pressure, so she wasn't sure if she would be able to use it at will. As to ascertain that, Namite tried creating a flash of light. She started off without using her magic crest. The magical energy she could provide to the spell was mediocre, so it was only a tiny flash. Namite didn't expect much more, so she simply added a new feature – creating new magical circuits. For normal humans, and regular mages as well, magical circuits were something like arms or legs. No matter how hard one would try, he wouldn't be able to grew or create an extra arm for himself. Regenerating was one thing, since the brain was already accustomed to handling two arms, but creating one was something it could control.
According to this logic, Namite shouldn't be able to do what she was doing. It was all thank to the fact, that she didn't create new magical circuits in her body. If it would be so, she could multiply them endlessly, and that would make her a being with unlimited supply of magical energy – something unachievable. So there was only one way for a human to use more magical circuits than they were born with – it was creating them not inside, but outside the body. When she used a spell, magical circuits were appearing on the surface of her skin, or in the air close to her body. If it wasn't directly connected to her body, all she had to do was gather the magical energy through those magical circuits not connected to her body. It consequently increased her maximal energy output.
But even if she could bring out more energy at once, it would be pointless if she wouldn't be able to support the output for more than few seconds. Here came the second feature of her magic crest – changing the mana in the surroundings and the way of drawing it into the magical circuits. It was yet another part of using magic that no one really put attention to. But it still was the only thing she was good at, so she should try to master it.
-Hmmmm… when I think about it, the air around me changed the last time I used it… – Namite murmured to herself unconsciously.
This was hard. She was practically novice as a magus, so she had to discover everything by herself. If she had as much experience as Tohsaka, she could easily understand her abilities. She could, of course, ask Rin for advice, but she probably wouldn't tell her a thing. And on the other hand… even though she was usually resistant to her pride being hurt, she certainly would feel as if she have lost to her if she would ask for her advice.
-It can't be helped then… - Namite sighed.
-What can't be helped?
Ilya was watching Namite, who was actually putting up quite the funny spectacle.
-Aaaah… nothing, nothing at all. – she didn't feel like talking about her problems with a little girl.
-Let me guess. You wanted to figure out how to control your new abilities? – the "little girl" grinned mischievously.
-Guh… - this wasn't expected. How did she know?
-Well, not that I care wherever you succeed or not. But It would be a shame if power capable of killing Berserker by raw power output would go to waste.
-What do you mean? – Namite was getting kind of left behind.
-Well, just come with me.
Ilya left the girl, who still was wearing a puzzled expression. But nonetheless, she got up and chased after her shortly after.
In the meantime…
Kuroda had a hard time keeping up with his opponent. Not only he was facing a Servant, but the wound on his left arm from before was still on its place.
-Guh… -
On the other hand, Taiki wasn't going easy on Kuroda either, but still was unable to land a finishing blow. He was in awe that his opponent could fend off his assault for so long. He didn't stand much of a chance of victory, but he still didn't let his enemy get close to him.
*Clank*
Yet, blow after blow, Kuroda was getting overwhelmed. He expected this result – his enemy had a lot more stamina than him. Besides, half-hearted blocks with just one hand gripping the shinai weren't getting him anywhere. But he couldn't help it. Neither he could finish this fight quickly, nor he could withstand a continuous assault from his opponent. So when his shinai flew out of hand, he simply sighed and went for a lunch break, followed by Taiki shortly after.
-Well, it didn't feel like a victory at all. With your hand in this state and all…
-A win is a win. I don't care all that much.
Kuroda said that, but deep in his heart, he actually felt more victorious than Assassin.
-On the other hand, where is your master gone off? Isn't your only purpose in this world to watch over her?
-Gah…
Indeed, he was a failure as a Servant, since an onlooker saw his Master's disappearance faster than him.
-What are you doing here?
Tohsaka was on her way to see Shirou and tell him about this day's magic practice, but she came across quite an odd spectacle. Ilya seemed to have been teaching Namite about magic.
-I educate her. We both realized that you had no time for things like these.
Ilya didn't seem disturbed, as she calmly explained.
-And who told you that? Of course I would have taught her a thing or two if she asked!
That was a lie, but it couldn't be afforded. If a little girl were to educate someone about magic, she would definietely lose her position as an expert in this house.
-Oh, so you're going to teach her after all? I'm so glad! – Ilya showed her appreciation.
-Well, this… - before she realized, Tohsaka has already fallen in her trap. So she planned it to end up like this from the beginning?
-Geez, just come to my room already. – seemingly disinterested, Tohsaka invited her future enemy into her room in order to teach her magic. And all this was due to her pride. "Just how pathetic could I possibly get", she though.
On her way back, Ilya met both Kuroda and Taiki walking around.
-Did you see Namite around?
-Yes, she's in Tohsaka's room. – to their surprise, Ilya actually answered their question.
-Eeeh? What for?
-To learn magic, of course.
Without clearing up their doubts, she headed to the dojo.
-Wow, I sure didn't think Tohsaka was the kind of person to help someone in need. – Taiki was pondering over this new personality of Rin he thought he just discovered.
-You weren't wrong, trust me. – his companion murmured this, not loud enough to reach his ears.
-Now then, I guess that this lesson could at least satisfy my curiousness.
Upon saying things like these, Tohsaka accepted the reality of teaching magic to Namite, and sat on her bed.
-You sure say weird things…
Namite, who was pretty passive until now, finally seemed to have regained her composure.
-Well, we'll start with…
Her voice was interrupted by a knock on her door.
-Come in. – the two hindrances that entered soon after got on her nerves. – And what for are you coming into my room?
-I was just wondering wherever it was true that you were kind enough to teach magic to my Master – with a mischievous grin plastered on his face, Taiki positioned himself on a chair close to Namite.
-Geez, I simply don't care anymore. – with an expression of someone who has given up, Tohsaka started her lecture. – Actually, it may be quite convenient. All three of you have gathered in one place.
Rin was obviously enjoying something, but neither of the three could get what was it.
-I'll start with telling you something – none of your abilities is an ordinary one. Even though Taiki is a Servant, he still was a novice magus during his life, at the same age as you actually, so it's weird nonetheless. First, a power of copying any ability simply by physically witnessing it once and using enough magical energy to recreate it. Second, projecting swords that reflect your abilities, and actually not only channel them through you, but are like a stable vessels for it. Third, a bizarre ability of manipulating mana, which shouldn't be accessible to humans without converting it into prana. More than that, creating artificial magical circuits outside your body, and using them to draw in a mana that has been changed beforehand. Yes, of the three of you, from my perspective, you are the weirdest one, Namite. The other two are simply some weirdo, so it's befitting for them to possess weird abilities like those. But you are normal. Not only that, you actually have a magical crest supporting your power naturally, and you are from a family of magi I've never heard of.
Tohsaka took a deep breath. After listening to her talking for such a long time, the other three were in awe upon witnessing her stamina.
-I'll talk with you two later, but the most important part for me as a magus is inspecting Namite's abilities. Now, could you please use some basic spell?
-Uhh… The problem is I'm a novice, so the only thing I could really create were flashes of light…
-We can cover that inconvenience later, but right now, I want to look at this abnormality of yours.
-Okay… - Namite sighed, and concentrated.
Since this was something she was most accustomed with, she decided to create artificial magical circuits for starters.
In a moment, dozens of thin lines covered the air close to Namite's skin, resonating with a blazing, yellowish-white light. She didn't know any other spells than creating a damaging pillar of light, so now that she has increased the output, she didn't exactly know what to do.
-Just try creating a flash, okay?
Namite did as she was told, and used up all accumulated magical energy in a single spell. She expected it to be just a faint flash, but the light literally blinded them for a couple of seconds.
-Gah… Guess we need some other way of testing the power. – said Tohsaka, as she seemingly regained her sight.
-Sorry.
-Well, rather than grieving over that, you should show me more. – seemed like even being blinded for a couple of seconds didn't cool Rin's enthusiasm.
-Okay, next is changing mana in the surroundings and improving the way of drawing of energy.
-It's the part where the air distorts, right?
-I guess so.
-…Wait – upon seeing Namite preparing for her next spell, Tohsaka stopped her. – I should teach you at least one proper spell after all.
-But I'm no good at forming magic… My specialty is drawing it.
-I wouldn't agree with the first part. – Taiki cut into the conversation. – But the second part is pretty much true tough.
-What do you mean? - Tohsaka was getting curious yet again.
-Namite was capable of learning how to create a controlled light creatures by herself. Since I'm no magus, I didn't help her, but despite that, she managed to use something this complex.
-Hmmmm… - Tohsaka was lost in thoughts. Finally, after pondering for a while, she spoke. – I guess you're simply talented at manipulating light. You've already managed to give it a stable form, so how about creating… let's say… a light saber?
-Ehh? – all three of them were pretty shocked by this idea.
-Well, it's probably the light beam given stable form, but it's still more useful than some flashes. But even that depends on the situation, I guess.
After nodding, Namite concentrated really hard. Creating a light beam, and maintaining it in the midair. Upon giving it some tough, she decided that it would be easier to achieve if she would use a spell. Since it was only a suggestion for the caster, it would be anything, as long as it helped the magus in concentrating on the spell's nature.
-Shape: Light Saber.
-Haaa?
"This sounds like my spell" – Taiki thought. Well, it wasn't Namite's fault – those words simply seemed most fitting for creating stable forms for her.
A shape sprung from Namite's hands, and it stopped becoming longer once it was around one and half a meter long. It's shape was more like a big, metal pipe than a saber, but it still was quite an achievement for her.
-Hmmm… Nothing special, but it's at least stable. – Tohsaka's comment was merciless. – Now, let's go outside.
-Why?
-Because if she starts to gather mana in excessive amounts, there's no telling what she will create.
Without any more questions, all four of them came outside the mansion.
-Now, the mana and way of drawing it. Change and improve them.
-I know.
Namite closed her eyes. It was a luxury she wouldn't be given in an actual fight, be she still decided not to push herself too hard.
-Energy Accumulation.
She sensed it. The vast amounts of energy surrounding her. But still, the mana floating around wasn't enough to cover her need for magical energy. It would run out after just one shot. And then, she would be left defenseless. That's why, she should not only manipulate the way of drawing the mana, but also the mana itself.
The air distorted yet again. As she concentrated, she changed the quantity of the mana nearby. She was inexperienced at this procedure, so in the end she failed miserably. Somehow, in the middle of the battle, it was a lot easier.
-I can't do it after all…
-That's a shame, but still, you should practice it. I would really want to see the effect of combining all three techniques together.
In the meantime, both Kuroda and Taiki were thinking among the same lines.
"She's the type of a person who would help her enemy purely due to her curiosity or pride."
Of course, this dangerous thought was not to be heard by her.
-You two!
-Yes!
Both of them shot up, showing their guilty conscience.
-It's your turn now.
-Uhh… all right… then, me first. – upon saying so, Taiki came closer to Tohsaka.
-Well, it's nothing interesting about you two really. But there are still some things I would want to check. Kuroda, hit him with your Repel.
-…Huh?
Taiki wasn't the only one surprised.
-I know I don't like him, but there's really no need to take it out on him like that…
-I don't care how you feel about him – simply do it.
-You're kidding me, right? – Taiki was obviously against the idea.
-I'll make it fast.
With eyes filled with pity, Kuroda swiftly centered his hurt left palm in front of Assassin's chest.
-Repel.
He dropped the long part, as he didn't think he should apply all that much force to the attack. But it still hurt.
-Gu-hh.
A nice, long flight.
-You're a sadist, aren't you? – even though he said that, Kuroda still knew he was in no position to complain, as he was the one who carried out the task.
On the other hand, while holding his chest, Taiki made his way back towards the two of them.
-Now… that the painful part is over… could you please tell me… what the hell was this for?
-Stop complaining, I'm doing this for you.
-Riiight… I wish you wouldn't concern yourself with me any more than that, as this could end up bad for my health.
-Okay, okay. Now quiet. Your Noble Phantasm is recreating attacks and techniques, right? So, if you can manipulate your body to match the given power, then it should also apply to magic, shouldn't it? It is even more worth checking, since Kuroda's magic is pretty… unusual.
-All right, no need to tell me anything else.
Still sulking because of the assault from before, Taiki put his left hand in front of him, and casted the name.
-Magic: Light Arm Repel.
As expected, the air itself was pushed away, as if blown away by an unseen force.
-This is great! Taiki, I highly recommend you to get hit around by people as much as possible. – a mischievous grin didn't leave Tohsaka's face. – The more of a beating you will get, the more powers you will be able to use.
-Even thought… it's like going a long way. Not only my Light Arm Repel wouldn't match Kuroda's, but it would also waste much of magical energy trying to reshape body into a fitting form. In the end, the body itself will suffer some damage as well.
-It's true, but still… just think of yourself in the future! A magus who can use any power of the thousands he witnessed on his body. The only possible failure you could suffer in a fight would be a result of using a wrong technique, or being defeated by far greater force.
-Umm… hello? I'm a Heroic Spirit. It's not like I'm going to stay in this world for this long.
-Eeeeh? And I thought that it was your goal to make the Holy Grail give you a human body.
-How did you know? – Taiki was shocked, as he didn't tell anyone aside from Namite, and he didn't really believe she wouldn't keep this a secret.
-Well, now I know for sure. By the way, you're pretty predictable. – at this point, Tohsaka turned in Kuroda's direction. – Now it's your turn. You can create a swords that hold your power, right?
-Yeah. – Kuroda closed his eyes, and cast the spell. -Repulse Swords.
Two shapes formed in his hands.
-This is projection, right? – Tohsaka didn't need to ask who taught this to him.
-Yeah, Archer's magic. But how we use projection differs a little. I think it's wasteful to just copy other things if this kind of magic could create practically anything I imagine. So I use it in order to give my powers a form.
After saying that, Kuroda swung the sword in his left arm. The air got pushed back.
-All right, that's all I wanted to know.
-Ehh? That's all? No hints?
-This is Archer's magic. If there ever was anyone to give you hints, it was him.
Leaving those words behind, Rin headed in the direction where she left Namite in order to let her practice a little.
-You're done with the practice?
-Yeah, pretty much. – upon saying that, Namite relaxed, and faced Tohsaka.
-Ready?
-Ready. – Namite's eyes closed, and various lines appeared on the air close to her body. –Energy Accumulation.
Now, she needed to recreate the mana in her closest surrounding – a one meter radius to be precise.
Yet again, the air distorted, and Namite moved onto the last step.
Her body was incapable of holding such a vast amount of magical energy, so it was only natural to store it somewhere else – in the magical circuits she created before to be exact.
As she did so…
-Aaaa…
It was pretty weird. A layer of light formed around Namite's body, resembling a shiny armor.
-This is pretty interesting, Namite. – Tohsaka's grin was reflecting her awe. – You're a magus who looks like a knight. First, you create light sabers, that are in fact a beam of magic energy, rendering all sword techniques not usable, and then you create an armor that's actually a storage for huge amounts of mana from the surroundings, making it it's power comparable to the armors of Heroic Spirits. Honestly, the more I look at you, the less I want to fight with you in the future.