Chapter Seven "First Class"
"Welcome," said Waver as the Hogwarts first year students entered the classroom. "My name is Waver Velvet. I shall be your teacher if you decide to continue taking my class. Are there any questions before I start class?"
"Professor," said young Indian child as she raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Patil? What is your question?" Waver asked.
"How did you know my name, sir?" She asked, forgetting for the moment her original question.
"Your name is Parvati Patil. I know the name and faces of every student of mine." Waver explained. "Go ahead, Miss Patil. What is your question?"
"Is it true that mages are capable of wandless magic?" Parvati asked curiously.
"That is a very good question," said Waver as he saw that his class of students were now focused on him. "Mages indeed use wandless magic. It is second nature to mages just as you, wizards and witches, use wands for magic. This is one of the many things that separate mages from wizardkind."
Shirou and Rin watched with interest as the class erupted in reaction to Waver's words. A lot of the comments that the two reincarnated mages heard made them want to either cringe or laugh. That didn't happen. Instead they continued to listen to eleven and twelve year children.
"Quieten down students. All your questions will be answered by the end of the class." Waver said in a loud tone that radiated with authority. "Let us start off with the basics."
"Yes, this is what I have been waiting for." Hermione said in excited tone, sitting next to Shirou and Rin.
"The modern mage has their roots during the Renaissance." Waver began his lecture only to find that many in the class didn't seem to know what the Renaissance was. Teaching wizards and witches might be more difficult than I had thought. He noted. "The Renaissance was a time period where Europe saw a cultural and social changes that weakened the Church's power and saw more people become enlightened to scientific progress. This was where the first mages came to existence when they embrace the ideals of the Renaissance and stopped calling themselves wizards and witches."
"Enlightened wizards and witches. This is super cool." Hermione commented as she took notes.
"These first mages laid the foundations and traditions of what became of modern mages. A group starkly different from wizards and witches by embracing Muggle culture and science. Some of the most famous historical mages include Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton, Nichola Tesla and many other famous scientists and scholars recorded in Muggle history." Waver continued.
Shirou was not amazed when Leonardo da Vinci had been mentioned. He had personally witnessed how brilliant of a mage that Leonardo da Vinci was. Few would disagree with the statement that Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest mages to ever live.
What did surprise Shirou was the likes of Sir Isaac Newton and Nichola Tesla being named as mages. He had been honored to meet the two legendary scientists as a Master of Chaldea. In life they had been ordinary humans but thanks to their legends as Heroic Spirits had been gifted with magecraft associated with their scientific achievements. For Sir Isaac Newton, Nichola Tesla and many other famous scientists and scholars to be mages in life shocked him when he knew that couldn't be the case.
"Don't forget this timeline is different from our previous life. That is why many famous people that were not mages of our previous lives are mages in this life." Rin explained.
"I forgot about that…" Shirou replied as he mentally noted not to forget this timeline wasn't hundred percent the same as his previous life despite how similar the timelines seemed.
Shirou continued to listen with great interest as Waver lectured the class about a brief introduction of the history of mages. He made a mental note to read history books that more in-depth about the historical facts as Waver's lecture was greatly dumbed down as this class was tailored for children. History books more suitable for adult reading be better as he would like know the bloody and disturbing facts often censored because it was not suitable for children. The less censored information the more Shirou could learn about the mage community.
"That was a brief summary about the history of mages. If you want to look up this topic in your own time there are some very good information sources available in the Hogwarts Library," Waver said as he grabbed a piece of chalk and started to write on the blackboard. He didn't take long to write and quickly turned back to the class. "Now let's go over briefly what is magic for those who don't know. Please keep in mind that this is the interpretation of what magic is and how it works according to us mages."
"You should focus," said Rin to Shirou. "While much of magecraft is the same in this world and our past life, there are some significant differences. Some of them coming from scientists and scholars who were not mages in our past life to Zelretch's direct influence."
"Mana or magical energy comes from two sources. There is Internal Mana from a magic user's Mana Pool and Ambient or Nature Mana that normally comes the environment such leylines. When magic is used mana from one's mana pool and environment is used." Waver explained.
"Mana Pool? As in the Mana Pool from RPG tabletop and video games?" An Irish student asked in surprise.
"It's the other way around." Waver smiled. "In fact, the word mana and words associated with magic that appeared in fiction, RPG tabletop and videogames were all introduced by mages or Muggles that know mages. If you want to know more about the topic please try looking at The Mage's Influence on Muggles by Illyasviel von Einzbern, Mr Seamus Finnigan."
"Sir, do you by any chance mean talking about the E-sports superstar, German Ruby?" Seamus asked as if recognizing the recommended material's author.
"The very same individual," Waver nodded. "Illya is one of my most famous students and she is a rather accomplished alchemist. She caused a storm in the field of alchemy by taking the foundation established by her legendary alchemy clan and building upon it."
Shirou started to cough. He had thought that it had been a coincidence to hear someone with the same name as his adoptive father's biological daughter. The fact this Illyasviel happened to be a gamer could be another coincidence. The third coincidence, a "legendary alchemy clan," was impossible.
As Shirou turned to Rin for answers he found that Rin was on the phone.
"Yea, he knows." Rin said into the phone. "He is looking at me right now for answers. You have to act right now before the element of surprise is gone."
A confused Shirou was blindsided when something materialized and he barely had time to register the teleportation in his mind before he had the air knocked out of him.
"Onii-chan!" An all too familiar voice shouted from the top of Shirou's chest.
"Illya," Shirou gasped as he regained his breath. "So, it was you. You are very different…"
Her face still looked like young girl Shirou was familiar with. Illya's body was very different from what he remembered. She was a beautiful looking woman with the mature and curvy body that would make many women jealous. This change took Shirou some time to associate with the Illya before him.
"You reincarnated too?" Shirou asked as he snapped out of his pondering.
"Yea, I did. A couple of more years earlier than you." Illya replied. "How do I look? If you don't the current me I could alter my body back to my loli form you are used to."
"Miss Ruby can I get your autograph?!" Seamus shouted as he rushed from the other side of the classroom with his notebook in hand. "I am huge fan of yours."
"No one is allowed to distract me when I am with Onii-chan." Illya grumbled angrily. "Hercules, take care of him!"
A two and a half meters tall, with an immensely muscular body appeared near Illya. His appearance was said to be beyond human, as he looked more like a statue of a god. Shirou instantly recognized the man as Hercules, the legendary son of Zeus, but the man appeared more human and capable of intelligence than his Berserker form.
"I am sorry child but my friend is busy right now. Please come another time." Hercules said in gentle tone.
"I can forget about Illya's autograph when there is a greater prize standing before me. Come Hercules! I have always wanted to fight you when you are finally capable of bring bear the intelligence and skills that made you one of Greece's greatest heroes." Seamus replied as a two meter long crimson spear materialized in his hand. "Let's fight!"
No one in the room could speak as the collection of events was too bizarre to have been predicted by anyone. The most shocked people were the ones that recognized the crimson spear in Seamus's hands. No, it was more accurate to call him the reincarnation of Cu Chulainn. Hercules was the first to recover.
"If it is a fight you wish I am more than happy to comply. Illya's order was stop interfering her time with her older brother." Hercules replied. "Let us fight somewhere else. A classroom filled with young children is not where we should fight."
"You are right," said Cu Chulainn. "I know just the place where we can fight to our hearts content without putting any Hogwarts staff and student at risk."
Cu Chulainn despite his child body dashed out of the classroom with superhuman agility while Hercules followed suit as he dispersed into motes of light.
"Sorry, Onii-chan," said Illya in a disappointed tone as she got off Shirou's chest. "I got go. Hercules might have taken Cu Chulainn away so I can talk with you but I cannot leave them to fight. Two Servants fighting each other on Hogwarts grounds need some explaining. I need to talk to Dumbledore or the Hogwarts staff to avoid causing panic and confusion."
Illya waved at Shirou and quickly followed after the two Servants.
"Ahem!" Waver cleared his throat loudly as he snapped everyone out of their stupor. "Continuing where we left off… Mana is the fuel that makes magic possible. What turns mana into magic is something called Magic Circuits. Magic Circuits are located in the human soul and expressed on the human body akin to the nerves system. Mages and wizardkind learn to use magic by training to manipulate mana with their magic circuits."
The sound of frantic dipping of quill pens in ink bottles and quill pens pressing against the hard covers of books underneath the notebooks greatly pleased Waver. He looked around at his students to see that they were to busy on focusing on his lecture and copying what he wrote on the blackboard to think about Illya, Hercules and Cu Chulainn. The only ones not distracted by Waver's abrupt continuation of the lecture were Shirou and Rin.
"The quantity and quality of Magic Circuits determines the amount of mana you can produce and use any one time." Waver continued and paused and prepared for the contentious subject that was to come. "Your lineage plays a large role in the quantity and quality of Magic Circuits that you are born with. As a result, some of you blessed with greater ability to use magic than others."
Several students shouted in disbelief or outrage. Others in the class started to make comments such as questioning Waver's words or attacking his character. Those that supported his words stood up and defended Waver with a pride as if their beliefs as Pure-Bloods were being vindicated. Waver just smiled. He had long been expecting it. It was almost funny to listen to his new students. He didn't pay much attention to what was said as it was nothing compared to the viciousness and poisonous words he faced at the Clocktower.
"Listen carefully to what Waver says next. You will be surprised." Rin said to Shirou with a smile.
"I am not supporting Pure-Bloods, Half-Bloods or Muggle-borns. What I stated was simply a fact." Waver responded to his students. Before anyone could speak Waver continued on. "Don't be worried if you were offended or concerned about what I had said. Those that come a long and well-respected lineage just have an early head start. How far you go in magic is depended by your efforts. There are special exercises to improve your Magic Circuits."
The class seemed to undergo a three-sixty. Those that had been outraged or offended now happy. Waver's former defenders and praisers glared angrily at him. Shirou would have been laughing at the scene if the topic hadn't been shocked him.
"What Waver said is the truth. Unlike our previous life, there are many methods of improving one's magic circuits. Some of could get be attributed to this world's Zelretch being more proactive and other caused scientific/magical advancements that diverge from our previous life's history." Rin explained in response to Shirou's questioning look.
"How much of a divergence are we talking about? From what I am hearing it seems quite a bit if children could use special exercises to safely improve their magic circuits." Shirou asked seriously.
"The concept that, 'magic circuits are predetermined at birth and cannot be improved through safe means,' doesn't exist in this world. The quantity and quality of your magic circuits can all improved through time and effort by special spiritual exercises. Of course, if you have the money and connections you could have surgery or use other methods to improve your magic circuits. In fact, the magic circuit improvement industry is worth billions. This just shows how important improving your magic circuits is to the magical community, at least amongst mages." Rin replied.
Shirou remained silent as he thought about Rin's words. Magic Circuits were incredibly important to mages just like the body was for athletes or the brain for intellectuals. The greater your magic circuits were the better magic user you were. If Rin's words were anything to go by the abilities of the average magic user in his current life was much greater than his previous life. Just this one aspect would greatly change the world of magic.
He was about to ask more on the topic when Waver shouted loudly.
"Enough!" Waver's voice boomed to silence the Hogwarts students. "That will have to satisfy your curiosity for now. I will answer more questions if we have time left. There is still much more I have to teach."
Many of the students fell silent. The more stubborn ones looked as if they were not going to give up just yet until Waver glared at them. This finally got them to settle down.
Waver started to write on the blackboard. "According to the Mage's Association's international standards, there are five great elements that determine natural affinity for certain magics. These elements are Fire, Earth, Water, Air and Ether. The Fire element are related to consumption, heat, entropy, fuels, energy transfer and thermodynamics. The Earth element relates to grounding, cultivation of energy and energy embedding. The Water element related to flows, forms, cycles, combinations and manipulations. The Air element deals with air, kinetic forces, static energy, free energy and directed movement."
As Waver was about to continue with his lecture the loud ringing of bells interrupted him. The students started to pack. Waver could only sigh and say goodbye to his students as they left. Hermione bid farewell to Shirou and Rin as she too left, following the other Hogwarts students to the next classes. Soon there was only three mages left in the classroom.
"How was it to teach students that were not adults, or children with the maturity of adults?" Shirou asked as he stared at Waver.
"It was much more difficult than I had expected. The transition between teaching college-level courses to teaching young children is going to take some time." Waver replied with a weary smile. "So, what do the two of you plan to do now?"
"Well I was planning to take classes as a Hogwarts student under the name I was born with in this life," said Shirou. "That no longer seems viable anymore since everyone knows me as Shirou Emiya and thinks of me as a Clocktower representative or exchange student."
"I'm sorry if I screwed up your plans. I didn't know you had such plans. If I did I wouldn't have placed you as a Clocktower Representative." Waver apologized.
"It's fine." Shirou replied. "It doesn't matter if I attend Hogwarts as Shirou Emiya or Harry Potter. My goal is to adapt to this world's magical community."
"That is relieving to hear," said Waver. "I thought it would be good to add you as a Clocktower representative. Zelretch didn't tell me much about you except that you were powerful and experienced mage worthy of being a possible Caster-class Servant."
"That wouldn't have been possible before his time as a Chaldea Master." Rin snorted as she remembered how limited Shirou's magic skillset was before some of the greatest human magic users had modified and trained Shirou at Chaldea. "Assuming the modification as your time as a Chaldea Master carried over to this life then you should be capable of any magic unlike your pre-Chaldea life."
"Chaldea? This is not the first time I have heard you mention Chaldea. The Chaldea that you are talking about. Does it have anything to do with Lord Animusphere's Chaldea Security Organization?" Waver asked curiously.
"Chaldea exists in this world?" Shirou responded in surprise.
"Chaldea as you know it doesn't yet exist. It still during its formation stage where the staff are still being screened, facilities under construction and all of its scientific/technological achievements of our past life exist only as theory as the researchers seek out research funding." Rin explained. Before Shirou could ask a question Rin spoke up again. "Chaldea isn't quintessential to ensure the survival of mankind in this timeline. Not when Zelretch is around and vigilantly watching for signs of Goetia, Solomon's 72 Demon Gods or Beast VII of the End making any moves. If any of those three groups were to do anything to endanger humanity Zelretch would intervene be it in person or through proxies."
Shirou stood there carefully thinking about what Rin had said to him. He was relieved that the threats he had faced during his time as a Chaldea Master wasn't around and that a more powerful, experienced and capable Zelretch was standing guard. Still he was disheartened to know that he couldn't meet the Heroic Spirits he knew and had become comrades with.
"Why aren't you helping Chaldea? You might not know every aspect of Chaldea's technology but you know enough about the core theory and technology to get it off the ground." Shirou replied in confused tone.
"I will not interact with Chaldea. If I was to help then I would only robbing the original Chaldea staff of the credit they deserve with building the science and technology the Chaldea of our past life. My assistance also would likely affect or potentially cripple Chaldea's ability to independently research and develop new technologies." Rin explained.
"Well…" Shirou paused as he was conflicted on the topic. He quickly made up his mind. "You might be right in your decision… The staff of Chaldea deserve to be credited for their achievements. Since Goetia, Solomon's 72 Demon Gods or Beast VII of the End are not a threat there is no need for us to intervene."
"Ahem…!" Waver cleared his throat loudly. "I would love to be filled in about what you are talking about. It is very interesting learning what Chaldea accomplished in your previous lives but I have another class to teach. Please vacate the classroom for the next batch of students."
"Of course, Lord El-Melloi." Shirou and Rin apologized formally and they left the classroom.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Shirou asked.
"We should check up on Illya, Hercules and the Hogwarts students, who I presume was Cu Chulainn." Rin suggested.
"Let's do that," Shirou nodded. "The last thing we need are two potential Servants fighting in Hogwarts. I hope Illya was able explain to Dumbledore or the Hogwarts staff. Servants after all can create a destruction matched when armies fighting each other."