Chapter 28

- 3 years later -

-Magus Association - Clock Tower - The U.K.-

The Clock Tower was located within the confines of the British Museum, sitting comfortably in the heart of London. The place was completely hidden and protected by countless spells and bounded fields that prevented the institution from being seen. The Magus Association was residing inside, and the building served as the organization's Headquarters.

The Clock Tower also served as a place of learning for young and aspirant Magis from many different Mage families all around the world. However, in order to enter in this institution, one needed to have strong talent and an aptitude in magic or have a very strong connection inside. Normal and average Magis were forbidden from entering because the thirteen Lords of the Magus Association only selected the best of the best. And, in order for them to have the best Magis, they imposed many hard and rigorous tests. The place also had factions inside, which sort out the Magis in accordance to their abilities. The presence of the factions caused many discriminations within the facility.

However, everything changed when another well known Mage entered and became the Magus Association's fourteenth Lord. Merlin Ambrosius, an immortal and former Master Wizard, made many allies and friends within the Lords in exchange for his almost endless knowledge in Magecraft. The old man also abolished the faction system. Such things were ridiculous and bore no meaning in learning Magecraft. He also established a classroom and a faculty which he called, 'Ancient And Divine Magecraft Practice'.

His class dealt with the Ancient Magecraft that had divine properties, and elaborated how it could be utilized in today's era. The new program was a hit within the Clock Tower. Since the factions were abolished, the doors of the facility were now opened to many diverse Magis, which led to the booming numbers of enrollees. Races and ideologies – all of them were now ignored by so any Magis. As long as they wanted to learn and have a talent in Magecraft, anyone could now learn more in Magecraft.

However, despite all of these changes in three years, the remnants of the old ways still lingered within its walls. Discrimination was still present, but only by a little. Most of the old Mages preferred to tolerate the average Magis for they didn't want to cause trouble for the fourteenth Lord.

"Hurry up, Olly, or we'll be late for our Lore class!"

"Just a minute, Jimmy...This crate is way too heavy."

In a bright and early morning lit hallway inside the Clock tower, two average looking teenagers were pushing and pulling a large crate on top of a cart. The taller one with auburn and long hair, standing and pulling the crate in front, was Jimmy. His little brother, the one with short hair and pushing with all of his might, was Olly. Their haggard looks told the world that they were both freshmen.

"Gee, Jimmy, why do we need to push this? Isn't this the job of our upperclassmen?"

"It's because, Olly, they're purebloods and they looked down on us 'Greeny' Mages because we are new." Jimmy reasoned out as he huffed hard. 'Purebloods' was a colloquial term within the Clock tower implied Mages with pure talent and long historical Magus family lineage were at the top of the food chain. They were usually second years and they all tended to look down and boss around the 'Greeny' Mages, who were new to the campus or had a poor to average talent or lineage in Magecraft.

Olly and Jimmy were both Mages, but their aptitude is average and their talent was poor which is why they were one of hundreds of, current, 'Greeny Mages' who were tasked to do odd jobs, usually meant to be done by upperclassmen, such as pushing this large crate filled with precious rare Magical and Cursed items.

"C'mon, the lift is at the end of this hallway." Jimmy urged his little brother adamantly.

"Ok, I'll just-! Oh no!" Olly gave the cart a big push, but then it let out a loud crack noise as one of its wheels gave way. The crate leaned heavily to the right, and was going to crash to the floor. The two were horror stricken, but then a man suddenly appeared and a whoosh passed behind the little brother to catch the falling crate.

"Whew, now that was close. Are you two alright?" Jimmy and Olly gasped in amazement as their brown eyes recognized the new person. The man that had helped them was none other than Mark Grayson, one of Clock Tower's best students and a very talented Mage.

"Mr. Grayson!" the elder brother exclaimed. Mark looked at them and showed a friendly smile.

"Oh, you're a lifesaver, sir!" the little brother added.

The Invincible Hero chuckled and lifted the huge package, singlehandedly and easily, with a single hand. "Good morning, Jimmy and Olly. Are you perhaps heading to the Lore Department?"

"Yes sir, the upperclassmen told us that we must deliver this to the Lore Faculty Department by exactly seven." Jimmy said in a tired manner.

Olly added distraughtly. "If not, they'll give us more hard and odd tasks!"

Really? Bullying underclassmen? And here I was thinking the Magus Assoc was different from American high school. Turns out I'm wrong. "Why don't I help you two? The lift is broken anyways." Mark said and offered his help to the two boys whose eyes lit up in pure joy.

After the ordeal with the crate, Mark walked down on one of the lengthy corridors of the Clock Tower. Different Mage students were also moving around. Some were even hanging out by the window while others were standing by the door of their classrooms. However, as he paced along, several of them looked at him with strange or judging glares. It was as if they finally noticed a disgusting monster walking along the hall.

'Look at that. That's the first Viltrumite to become a Mage.'

'Really? Isn't he the Invincible Hero? He looks like a loser. I thought all Viltrumites looked like sexy muscular brutes?'

The Hero heard a some whispering and exchanging derogatory terms towards him, but he only closed his eyes and ignored them. It's so easy walking in here. Mark thought in a calm manner.

Three years ago, a week after he talked to the Wizard Marshal and U-Olga Marie, Mark was freed from the Crown facility. And then, the two put him in the Magus Assoc. He strongly disagreed at first because the organization looked at him as nothing but a lab rat and not as a person. However, Schweinorg assured him that a change in the policy would be implemented immediately. The two also told him that, in order for him to join CHALDEA, he must become a legitimate Master of a Servant. To achieve that end, Mark must at least be a legitimate Mage. The Clock Tower Campus of the Magus Assoc would surely give him enough knowledge to become one.

Invincible wanted to help people. Mark was, after all, a Hero and in order for him to do so, he must join CHALDEA as one of its Master Candidate. So, he had no choice. He must become a student of the Magus Assoc and train to become a Mage under the gaze of the Thirteen Mage Lords who eyed him degradingly.

Mark turned in another corner, his black shoes softly echoing, and noticed a group of four women. All of them smirked in a degrading way as they all looked at him hungrily.

'It's that Invinci-trash again. Didn't he graduate yesterday?'

'Yeah, he did. He even got the Rank of Brand.'

'What!? He only studied here for three years. He must be cheating. He's probably a teacher's slut pet.'

'Gay-for-grade teacher's pet. I heard he had slept with several of our male professors. How disgusting.'

I studied hard too, you know. Mark mentally grimaced as his brows knitted. Ever since he entered the Magus Assoc, the only people who helped him were Lord El-Melloi II, Schweinorg and the new fourteenth Lord, Merlin Ambrosius. The three gave him subjects that he could study well. And he did so with hard work and passion. Mark learned a lot of things regarding Magecraft and discovered many new things regarding himself and the Viltrumites.

Viltrumites, despite being very vulnerable to magic, contain a huge abundance of Mana. In fact, they could store almost an infinite amount of it. The magic circuits in their body weren't naturally directed outward, but inward. In theory, it is the reason why they possessed super strength, flight and quick survival adaptation to every environment. They used Mana to regenerate and enhance their bodies on a molecular level. However, it also explained why they couldn't cast any of it. Their magic circuits didn't interact with reality. Mark learned that he had two hundred million magic circuits in his body and, with enough knowledge and techniques, he redirected most of it outward.

Mark could now cast magic and he used his biological advantage to learn more. He excelled the basics easily, skipping several levels, and made himself graduate early. His powers and his abilities were considered very special to the Magus Assoc, and it was the reason why he was given a Rank called 'Brand'.

In the Clock Tower Campus, Ranks were labels earned by Magis that were equivalent to their skills, abilities and the amount of knowledge they had learned. The Rank 'Brand' was a coveted title to the Mages and they usually achieved it after learning and creating new techniques in Magecraft, which could take many years to do so. Mark, due to his natural advantage, had achieved the title within only three years of learning. Achieving the Rank so quickly was one of the reasons why most Magi on campus hated and avoided him like he was a devil incarnate.

Mark's brown pants rustled gently as he paced his steps along a huge spiral staircase. As he did so, a Mage couple appeared on the other end and walked up, passing him. They both stopped in their tracks and glanced behind, dark and furious scowls on their faces.

'Fucking Vultrimite trash, grabbing the Rank of Brand as if it was nothing. I even heard that he was raped by a woman, even though he was a man. How insulting to the gender of men.'

'Shh, he might hear you. Leave him alone, will you?'

The male mage glared at the back of Mark's head before he spat on the steps that the Hero had stepped on as if he was banishing the Viltrumite as a bad spirit. The girl, however, pushed him away, in a frustrated manner.

Mark sensed them go away and let out a bemused sigh. "Really…" The Pureblood Magi loved to look down on him for being a half-breed alien with more Magic Circuits than them. Deep down, he was saddened and disappointed. He knew that most of the Magi were only angry at him because they were jealous of his biological advantage and having graduated so easily.

Doesn't matter. I'm out of here anyway. Mark thought and smirked with happiness. After three years of studying Magecraft, he had finally graduated and became a Mage. Soon, he would become a Master and he would probably, and strongly wished to, summon him again.

He stopped and lifted his head up. Mark stood in front of a large wooden door. He had reached his destination – the faculty office of Merlin Ambrosius. Earlier that morning, the former Mage Wizard had sent a letter to his dorm, asking to meet him. Mark didn't know what would be the purpose of today's meeting, but they might be wanting to say their farewell to him. I wonder what we''ll talk about? Mark wondered as he knocked on the door.

"Enter," the familiar voice of Merlin spoke and the Hero pushed the door open.

Mark closed the door behind him and faced the fourteenth Lord. The office of Merlin Ambrosius was large and cozy. Tall bookshelves lined most of the wall on both sides. Two sofas, facing each other, and a small coffee table, were in the middle of a beige Persian carpeted floor. On the far side of the room was a large and sturdy oak desk. Standing behind it, and looking at the window, was the former Master Wizard. Across from him was the Wizard Marshal.

"Oh, Mark, glad you're here." Merlin said in an upbeat manner. Schweinorg grinned at Mark in a friendly way.

"Good morning, Professors." Mark bowed and noticed another occupant in the room. Lord El-Melloi II, or Waver Velvet, was sitting on the sofa, curling his lips up in simper as his black eyes focused on him.

"Take a seat young man. It's been quite a year, hasn't it?" Schweinorg said as the Hero sat on the right sofa across from Waver.

"Yes. indeed, sir. But I managed it all." Mark answered and a nostalgic smirk formed on his lips, remembering the days where he studied very hard and gained knowledge about Magecraft.

"How is your therapy? I heard that the treatment that you received was effective." Waver asked in an inquiring manner.

Mark glanced at him. "It was ok. In fact, I'm already cured from it."

"I'm glad. You're radiantly smiling today too, Mark. It means you've gotten stronger."

The Hero smirked at the professor's remarks. Mark had undergone a series of treatments for 'The Mist' while he was studying. The treatment was successful and he was now free from it. He could feel that his mind had opened up and he could think and decide much more clearly.

"Thanks, Professor Velvet." the Hero said. Mark bowed at his benefactors. "I am grateful for all of the support you've given me. I promise to you all that I'll use my knowledge and my skills for the greater good and to fight a good fight." Mark directed his words to the Professors who had helped him in his two years of studying.

The Professors glanced at each other. They were all happy with Mark's humble remark. The Hero was freed from his sickness and had just graduated with an excellent record. They were all proud of Mark. It was hard for the young man to recover from his fallen state.

"So, what's your plan now, Mark? You graduated in Modern Magcraft Theory, Ancient and Divine Magecraft Practice, Both in General and Individual Fundamentals, Astromancy, and Mineralogy. With that background and your talent, you could become a Fifteenth Lord of the Magus Assoc." Schweinorg said as he took out a cigar from his black coat and lit it up in his mouth. "Are you sure you don't want to become one?"

"I'm sure, Professor. All I want is to gain a Magic Crest and become a Master Candidate of Chaldea so I can help more people." Invincible said. He glanced down to his chest. Beneath his white long-sleeved shirt, and etched within his skin, was his own Magic Crest. Magic Crests were proof of a Magi's accumulated knowledge of Magecraft. Mages with long family histories on Magecraft had long and complex crests. In Invincible's case, however, since he was new and only had three years of worth of Magecraft experience, his Crest was only a simple, single-line shaped into diamond star glowing a blue-green light.

Merlin grinned at Mark, amazed at the man's determination to help others like the hero he was. "Schweinorg and I can lift your persona non-grata on U.S. soil, so you can visit your family. Why not visit them?"

The Hero glanced at Merlin with a startled look. Terra and Eve... Throughout his two years within campus, Mark maintained online contact with his family. For two years, he talked to them, and he missed them dearly. However, Mark felt that he mustn't face them yet, feeling that he hadn't proven himself as a returned Hero. He wanted to meet them when he was already one.

"That is lovely, but no. I still have to prove to them that I am still a Hero. Though I'm glad that my daughter, Terra, has powers now." The Hero smiled peacefully as he recalled how his lover told him about their child gaining powers. "She can now hover and it won't be too long until she gains super strength like me."

"That's great news, Mark." Waver commented happily, gladdened that the man's daughter was in excellent health.

Merlin nodded to the good news before he pulled a pocket watch from his waistcoat and glanced at the time. "Oh, look at the time. I need to hurry for my class." he said before he put the watch back.

"Well, then I should get going too. I still need to pack my stuff. Goodbye and thank you once again, professors." the Hero said after he bowed with deep gratitude. He turned around. Mark's hands had almost reached the doorknob when the former Master Wizard called him again.

"Wait a second, Mark."

Mark stopped on his tracks and faced Merlin again. The old man beamed a strong and resolute smile before he said to him. "Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives, living existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth about what feels like a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is actually a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights. Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a Hero." The old man slightly tilted his head to his right before he added more. "Don't ever lose your way and to fear again, Mark. It is in your destiny to become a hero...to be Invincible."

Sir...Mark felt the words lift his spirits up, and move his heart with many emotions. It was enough for his eyes to be teary. The man flashed a wide elated grin to the three Professors before he said. "Professor Merlin...thank you, sir, for your kind words."

-Ancient and Divine Magecraft Practice Classroom-

"And that will be all." Merlin said as he tapped the chalkboard with his finger. The words on the surface disappeared, signaling the end of his class. The students started carrying their books and bags, moving to the exit of the classroom so that they could go to their next class. The former Master Wizard bowed to several students, bidding them farewell until the room was empty.

"Whew...now that was tiring." Merlin sighed in exhaustion as he sat loosely on his chair and glanced up. He noticed one lone student from afar, sitting in the back of the classroom, he was a tall and white man with blonde hair and a thick glass on his face over his black eyes. He was wearing a black shirt and white kaki pants with grey shoes. The Wizard adjusted his eyes and grinned in wonderment as he recognized the man.

"You can put down your disguise, Thragg. Really, I'm still not used to seeing you in your Charm-hide, even though I'm the one who built it."

"Of course, Merlin." the man said and pulled his glasses. The man's blonde hair disappeared and Thragg revealed his true form to the world. A kind grin was on his face as he hovered and flew slowly towards his Master. "It seems you're tired." he said in an inquiring manner as the old and immortal Wizard stretched his arms.

"Well, married life, Thragg. Sometimes it wears you out...but it's worth it because love makes you complete at the end of the day."

Thragg blinked in confusion, totally lost by Merlin's words. The Wizard heartily chuckled at his Servant's reaction before he landed his blue eyes on him.

"So, did you make some new friends today? I mean, it's been three years since you entered here on the Clock Tower with me." Merlin said observantly. When the Wizard moved into the Clock tower, Thragg went with him. The Servant then donned a disguise with a Charm-hide that his Master had given to him, allowing him to freely move around campus without revealing his true face to the public.

"Not much, but the girl that I helped three months ago still maintained her friendly manner to me."

"Girl? Oh, you mean Sakura Matou. A silent, but lovely girl, isn't she?"

Thragg only smiled and remembered the day that he and the girl named Sakura Matou met. He had encountered her three months ago in the hallway that led to the Zoology Department. The girl was carrying a tower of books and he happened to be walking towards her since he was going to the library. But then he saw her trip and fall to the floor, sending the books to the air. The Servant reacted and caught all of them before any hit the floor. Thragg then asked if she was alright and she responded that she was ok with a smile before showing her face to the former Emperor. Her petite face and her round violet eyes that screamed beauty looked back at him. Her voice when she thanked him was mellow and sweet like a bird chirping to the new dawn. It made his heart thump. She was beautiful and kind.

The man couldn't help but let his cheeks redden. The Master Wizard snorted and snickered in contentment. The once Emperor of Vultrimites was blushing and his scarred face had become more human and child-like.

"Well, did you meet her while you're wearing your Charm-hide?"

"Yes...but I could tell that she was somehow suspected that it wasn't my real face."

"Well, that is very expectant to Sakura Matou. She's a gifted mage and one of the Zoology Department's top students. I would not be surprised if she detected your Charm-hide." The Servant blinked in astonishment, surprised that the pretty girl was a top Mage. Merlin chuckled again at his ludicrous reaction before picking up his lecture books. "Shall we have dinner then, Thragg? It's five already. You can tell me more about her as we both eat."

Thragg smirked in happiness, agreeing with the invitation, and put his glasses on, resuming his Charm-hide disguise. The Servant followed the former Master Wizard and closed the door behind him.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Invincible, Tales of Arcadia and Fate/Stay Night. Names, Events and places are merely fictional, if one exist in real life then its purely coincidental.

Special Thanks to Pure Red Crane for Beta-reading and proofreading.

Whoa. It looks like Mark was not just Invincible, but now he was also a mage. Kudos to him. Guys, we are nearing to the end. So what do you think, everyone?