Chapter Two "Zelretch"
Shirou Emiya entered the room and was shocked by the man he saw. He didn't see the elderly, but muscular old man that he had come to associate with the name, Zelretch. The man was vastly different from Shirou's memories. He was clearly in the prime of his youth. Yet not so young-looking that he seemed straight out of childhood. The aura he projected was that of a very wise and charismatic man. A man that seemed to possess the aura of era-defining individual.
"Welcome Shirou Emiya, or Harry Potter as you are known in this life," said Zelretch in a booming voice. "Please sit down and make yourself at home."
"It is nice to meet you, sir," said Shirou as he sat down before Zelretch.
"You must be wondering why I am so young and powerful, right?" Zelretch asked with a smile as if he was reading Shirou's mind. "The answer is simple. I, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, of this universe was never as heavily wounded and turned into a Dead Apostle Ancestor like my counterparts that you are familiar with."
Eyes went wide and his jaws went slack as he heard that news. Zelretch in his prime was no laughing matter. This was a man that stopped a celestial body, the Moon, from falling on Earth and fought an entity that few would imagine even doing. One of the strongest being known to mankind, the collective consciousness known as Type Moon. If Zelretch decided to fight; nothing short of a Type or god could hope to fight him to a draw or defeat him. He might as well be the embodiment of human power, rivaling the entire human nuclear arsenal.
Holy shit! Shirou repeated in his mind in disbelief. He took several moments to recompose himself as he was still troubled by the power of this universe's Zelretch. "Are you the one responsible for mages widely accepting technology? This is completely unlike my past life. I am seeing technology in the Clock Tower that shouldn't be appearing for several decades…"
"That is correct," Zelretch nodded. "This was caused by my influence of opening up Moon Cell to this universe's mages."
"Moon Cell?" Shirou repeated in confusion.
"A large computer-like construct created by an unknown civilization one hundred million years before the existence of the Earth or the Moon. It has recorded everything that has happened on the planet since its formation, and it keeps the records much like the Akashic Records. It is the oldest known object in the solar system, and it has watched the Earth since its creation. The exact formation of the planets and how the crystals were integrated into the moon is unknown, but it is an observation device constructed by an alien civilization of non-human intelligent life." Zelretch explained.
Out of all the things that Shirou had been expecting, it certainly hadn't been an alien object. Shirou had been expecting more along the lines of Zelretch importing knowledge from other universes to explain the marked changes of mages of this universe.
"Moon Cell is not just an observation device that records everything happening on Earth," said Zelretch. "It possesses reality-changing powers like the Holy Grail that you are familiar with."
Dangerous, Shirou thought in alarm. "I hope no one can use it…"
"Unlike the eccentric and lazy counterparts of mine that you are familiar with," said Zelretch, "I am quite responsible. Moon Cell is heavily protected and supervised by me. Unless I fuck up horribly or a being more powerful than me appears no one will be touching the reality-changing ability of the Moon Cell."
"Well thank god," said Shirou in relief. He looked at Zelretch with suspicion. "Why make me worried about the Moon Cell when you got it perfectly under control…?"
"I might not be as whimsical as my other parallel counterparts, but I do enjoy playing around occasionally. Just not on matters that affect people's lives." Zelretch laughed. "You might be wondering why I called you, but it nothing serious. I just wanted to meet you in person. Seeing your past and possible future is very different from personally meeting someone."
"Really?" Shirou repeated suspiciously as Zelretch was not just any man. "Can you then explain to me why I sense a familiar presence?" He accused Zelretch. "You cannot hide from me, Rin Tohsaka! Come on, out!"
"Oh, you are just as sharp as always," said Rin as she dropped the magic spells that had kept her invisible.
Shirou blinked as he saw a mostly familiar girl. Rin was wearing her trademark red shirt and black short skirt. What caused him some confusion was her different physical appearance from what he remembered. The most obvious was that her hair color was not black, but blonde. The next noticeable feature was that her European blood seemed much stronger. She looked like a half-blood Japanese-European compared to the Japanese girl with traces of European ancestry of his past life.
"You are really packing a lot of firepower…" Shirou noted as Rin seemed to carry multiple times more magical gems on her body then in his past life.
"That's Rin Edelfelt for you, Shirou," said Rin. "If my different surname and more prominent European blood were not enough for you to come to a conclusion then shame on you. My change in family background affords me to carry more magical gems than you normally expect from me."
He felt incredibly happy for Rin. His wife in her past life had suffered greatly when she was unable to afford magical gems at times. Rin's ability to shine in the Clock Tower had been greatly affected and she had always wished that she possessed the same amount of wealth and connections that Luvia had been born into.
"How strong are your blood relations with Luvia? You share more prominent physical features with her then you did in your past life." Shirou inquired very curiously.
"Luvia is my twin-sister in this life, unlike the 3rd cousins we were in our past lives," said Rin as grimaced. "If you think our fights with each other were intense, it is nothing to what we have in this life."
A shudder ran down his spine. Shirou remembered the first time that Rin and Luvia had met. An entire student dorm had been wrecked due to their first-time meeting and fight. Their fights had only gotten worse to the point that Rin had nearly been bankrupt several times to pay for repair fees of the collateral damage Rin and Luvia caused in their fights. He could imagine entire street blocks being turned to ruin in this life if they fought each other.
"Luvia also remembers her past life?" Shirou asked in surprised tone.
"This is one reasons that I called you here," said Zelretch for the first time in a while. "There seems to be a very unusual number of reincarnations happening in this timeline and I want to know why. So, I want you and Rin working with each other to find the root cause."
Shirou frowned at Zelretch's request. He was not as suspicious of him as he would be the Zelretch of his past life. This Zelretch seemed very responsible. The mantle of protector and watcher was what Shirou imagined this Zelretch had taken. What baffled him was how Zelretch couldn't know the cause of the reincarnation phenomena. This was a man with an unfathomable level of knowledge and power. Something on the level of an unusual magical phenomena such as a high level of reincarnation should be within his ability to figure out. If he didn't personally involve himself than he had the full power of the Clock Tower at his disposal as Wizard Marshall.
"Zelretch has more serious issues to deal with," said Rin. "The unusual high level of reincarnations is on a level of common thievery. It doesn't deserve his attention nor those of his subordinates. Hence, he wants us to investigate."
"Oh," Shirou nodded as he finally understood Zelretch's decision to choose him for the task. "I can accept this assignment without any problem."
"I will only do this," said Rin as she stared at Zelretch, "if you promise not to unleash those abominations known as Kaleidosticks! I have enough headaches dealing with the attics they cause. Do you know how much collateral damage that my fights with Luvia create thanks to Ruby and Sapphire?! Like hundreds of times worse. The time and resources wasted to fix everything is going to drive me insane!"
Shirou didn't know what Rin was talking about but given how stressed she looked he was willingly to bet that Zelretch giving into her demands might be an incredibly good thing.
"I will seal them away," Zelretch promised. "That is on the condition that you figure out the reason for the unprecedent number of reincarnations happening in this timeline. Think this as a test from me."
"Whatever," Rin rolled her eyes. "Let's get out of here, Shirou." She grabbed Shirou's arm and dragged hm away before he could react. "Zelretch you better not contact me useless it is very important!"
"Okay!" Zelretch laughed in response.
"Goodbye, sir!" Shirou called out as he waved at Zelretch.
"Ignore him, he doesn't deserve your attention!" Rin growled as she ran out of the room and pulled on Shirou's arm so hard that it might rip off.
"Nice meeting you, Waver and Gray!" Shirou shouted as he shot past the named duo.
- O -
"Please come in," said a voice.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore opened the door and entered the room. He seemed outwardly fearless and confident, but that was far from the truth. It was only because of his decades long experience as a war veteran and politician that allowed him to hide his nervousness and fear. If the wizarding world was to know what he was feeling they would be shocked as he, Dumbledore, was touted as one of the most powerful and influential figures.
"It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Headmaster Dumbledore," said Zelretch with a smile.
"A pleasure to meet you, Wizard Marshal Zelretch." Dumbledore replied politely.
"Please take a seat," said Zelretch as he gestured at the chair opposite of him. "What brings you to my office? It is very rare for any wizard to set foot on the Clocktower grounds outside of official government duties."
Dumbledore sat down and got a really good look at the legendary figure before him. He sighed. The legends about him seemed to make him such a powerful and wise figure, but just looking at Zelretch made him inferior. Inferior was a gross understatement. He might have lived over a little more century to experience the world and hone his skills. It paled to the centuries that Zelretch had lived through. He was a fire compared to the sun-like existence that was Zelretch.
"Relax, I will not like the propaganda spouted out by your world's governments," said Zelretch in soothing tone.
"It is quite difficult for anyone to relax when they are standing across one of the most powerful humans to ever live," said Zelretch with an awkward smile. "You have accomplished one feat that no one was thought possible by a human. To stop the moon from smashing into Earth and wounding the planetary consciousness of the Moon, Type Moon, to such extent that it remains in a coma."
"When you put it that way, I could understand your point." Zelretch nodded. "If you are so afraid that I will harm you I could swear a magical oath or sign a magical contract to not harm you in any fashion."
"Thank you for the reassuring gesture. I appreciate it," said Dumbledore in grateful tone. "Your reputation as a wise and honorable figure is more than enough."
"Have you come to meet me in official capacity or for personal affairs?" Zelretch asked as two teacups and a teapot materialized. He poured tea in both Dumbledore's teacup and his own. "Here is some tea."
"Thank you," Dumbledore replied as he sipped on some tea. "A mixture of both. I came to ask about the matter regarding Harry's custody and the explosion caused Harry's accidental magic."
"Harry will be under my personal care. I will also take care of his guardians and cousin. The investigation and repairs will under the Mage's Association jurisdiction." Zelretch said in a firm tone.
"Mages are rarely interested in the affairs of wizards. So why has the Clocktower suddenly become interested with Harry?" Dumbledore inquired.
"The first to respond to the explosion caused by Harry was Lord El-Melloi II. As the first responder was a mage, the investigation simply fell under the jurisdiction of the Mage's Association. I simply became interested in the case. I found that Harry caught my interest. After some investigation I also discovered that he has some talents that has caught my attention. I am looking forward as having him as my apprentice." Zelretch replied.
Dumbledore frowned. He didn't like some of what he had just heard. The notion that the Mage's Association was trying to make a political move came to mind. Dumbledore wouldn't have thought that way if the individual hadn't been Harry and any other wizard or witch. If it was Harry that the Mage's Association was using then he felt that thought didn't seem baseless. Harry was a symbol of the wizarding world. Harry was the child that ended Voldemort's reign of terror. If the Mage's Association was able to influence or draw Harry into their ranks it could be sign that wizards was infer to the mages as they were unable to prevent the loss of a very famous wizard to the mages.
"Is that really the case?" Dumbledore asked as he scrutinized Zelretch.
"It is really as simple as that," said Zelretch.
The Hogwarts Headmaster didn't believe Zelretch one bit. If it was someone else, they would have likely been completely convinced and not one bit suspicious of Zelretch. Dumbledore wasn't just anybody as he was a seasoned politician of more years under in politics than most people have lived. He wanted to know what had caused the Mage's Association and Zelretch of all people to become interested in Harry. Alas, it was unlikely for him to learn anything in the immediate future as Mage's Association was likely not going to provide him with any information that he would want regarding Harry.
"What must I offer to get some information? I can use my influence to make any deal or business that the Mage's Association want with the wizarding world on more favorable conditions. In return for some information. Why has the Mage's Association or you have become interested in Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I cannot speak for the Mage's Association. They may indeed try and use Harry as a political tool as you imagine, but that is not the case for me. I am genuinely interested in him and in no way want to use him for my own means," said Zelretch.
"What about Harry has caught your interest?" Dumbledore asked.
"His future." Zelretch bluntly replied. Dumbledore looked at Zelretch in confusion. "Harry will achieve many things in the future, but I am really curious about him as how Harry will be different from his other selves."
Dumbledore became lost at Zelretch words. He didn't understand what Zelretch meant by "Harry will be different from his other selves." The answer quickly came to him when he remembered who he was speaking to.
"Are you curious about Harry because what he will do in this world makes him different from his other selves in the other parallel worlds?" Dumbledore asked curiously as he didn't expect Shirou to catch Zelretch's attention for that reason.
"That is correct," Zelretch nodded. "The Harry of our world will be very different from his other selves."
What Dumbledore had heard so far made him incredibly curious. Assuming Zelretch had not been telling any lies, Dumbledore was beginning to think that the part of Zelretch's ability to peer into the future was not hearsay anymore. He became interested and concerned about the future.
"What have you seen?" Dumbledore asked.
"You of all people should know about the dangers and unreliability of peering into the future," said Zelretch in mysterious tone.
Dumbledore nodded his head in agreement. The future was forever changing. It was never set in stone. The smallest changes could ripple into a completely different future from what had been foreseen a moment ago. The violate nature of the ever-changing future was the reason why seers were notoriously for being inaccurate in their prediction. Ever the best seers were known to make more inaccurate predictions that completely spot on ones.
"Even if the future changes if you were to tell me about it, I would like to know. Color me curious." Dumbledore replied.
"If you insist," said Zelretch as he waved his hand.
The teacups and teapot disappeared from the table. A small circle machine materialized at the center of the table. Soon the room went dark and the machine activated. A holographic image of the Earth appeared. The projection was so realistic that it was like a miniature replica of the Earth was floating above the projector.
"Harry's influence in the future will affect the whole world?" Dumbledore asked in shock.
"This future I tell you may not happen since I am telling you about it," Zelretch warned. "Assuming that the fact that you are being foretold of the future and your influence doesn't change too much the future the following things will happen: a cataclysm will hit the world. One on the likes that brought the Age of Gods to an end."
Dumbledore's heart froze. The shock was so much that he felt like he was going to have a heart attack. The notion that the future cataclysm was on the same scale that ended the Age of Gods was unbelievable. The current humanity with all its magic and technology was unlikely to match the collective powers of the gods at their peak. He wouldn't be surprised if humanity was able to survive if Alaya was to act, but that likely only end in a pyrrhicvictory. Where humanity might take for centuries to recover from or maybe never do and fade away as the most dominant species on Earth like the gods before humanity.
"I will not tell you about the cause of the future cataclysm. To do so will likely have unimaginable consequences. It might make the future even worse as you might use your influence counter the enemy, but the enemy might become alerted their presence had been detected." Zelretch said in serious tone.
"Can you really not tell me who is the enemy? Will be knowing who they are really make the cataclysm worse?" Dumbledore asked in agitated tone.
"Give me a second," said Zelretch as he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. "In the many possible futures, I see right now the act of me telling you who the enemy is makes the cataclysm worse and likelihood of humanity surviving even worse. So please forgive me, but I can only say use your influence to prepare for anything that might threaten the future of humanity."
"Is that so," said Dumbledore in aggrieved tone. "I hate to be kept in the dark, but I understand what your position. I have had to do the same several times in the past after hearing a prophecy." He sighed in grief. "I must leave immediately to inform the International Confederation of Wizards of the future cataclysm. Is it alright if I show the memories of this meeting to others?"
"Go ahead, if that is what it takes to convince the International Confederation of Wizards. The Mage's Association and Holy Church has been preparing for decades already." Zelretch replied in a relaxed tone.
"What?!" Dumbledore shouted in disbelief. "Are you telling me that you have known about it for decades?"
"I have and your predecessors, the previous Supreme Mugwump didn't believe me. So I hope you managed to convince your peers on the ruling body of the ICW to take my warning seriously or wizardkind will suffer tremendously for any lack of preparation," said Zelretch in a saddened tone.
"I promise you that I will do the best of my ability. This cataclysm will affect every human." Dumbledore promised as he stood up.
"The best of luck," said Zelretch with a smile. "I want to let you know that Harry Potter is known by the name Shirou Emiya in the mage world. If you need to request any information about him in the future to the Mage's Association you should use the name, Shirou Emiya."
"Thank you for the heads up," said Dumbledore as he left the room, but the very last thing on his mind was anything relating to Harry.
"Maybe I should have told him that Shirou was more than qualified to save humanity from this future cataclysm as he managed to stop the extinction of humanity in his previous life as the Master of Chaldea."
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