Chapter 24

After he managed to calm down, he realized that there was nothing more to be gained by throwing a tantrum, and while he was still fuming inside, he decided to curb his temper and learn more about his Servant. If he was lucky, he might actually have summoned something better than Medea.

"So your name is Artoria? I've never heard of anyone with a name like that qualifying for Caster as well." It did sound slightly familiar to him, but he couldn't pinpoint where he'd heard it before.

Puffing out her chest, she introduced herself with pride, green eyes sparkling.

"I am Artoria Pendragon, the "Child of Prophecy" chosen by the "Staff of Selection", the one who is fated to lead Britain to salvation, or that's what Merlin said. Um, I may be experienced, but let's do our best together!"

It was like she was announcing her identity in front of a crowd while giving a speech. Atrium could feel an innocent charisma radiate from her slim figure, feeling his spirits rise. Perhaps, he could depend on the Servant he had summoned, even if she wasn't the Servant he'd aimed for.

"Alright, I suppose that's not too ba-wait, did you say Artoria Pendragon?"

"Yes, that's me!"

Atrium Galliasta tried to recall the facts of the legends regarding King Arthur. His surname was Pendragon right? Wasn't he supposed to be male? And how on Earth did he/she qualify for the Caster class?

"So you're the king of Britain that defeated the Saxons and kept Britain safe?"

"Yes, or well, that's what I'm going to become. The me right now is supposed to be on a journey to reach Camelot, and is still a bit immature. Please forgive my faults." Saying so, she bowed slightly in an apologetic manner.

"Hmph, as long as you can do what you're told, I don't really mind." Atrum replied dismissively, then realized what he'd just said.

"Wait, actually I do mind, please work as hard as you can as my familiar." That was close, he was so charmed by her innocence and dreamlike charisma that he had almost lost track of his thoughts.

"I will, don't worry Master! I have plenty of swords to use against my enemies!" Although slightly put-off by his harsh tone, she still promised him with a cheerful expression.

"Swords?" Atrum wondered why a Caster of all classes would use a sword. Maybe she used them as catalysts? Whatever, the truthfulness of the legends surrounding her could wait.

"Ahem, anyways let me see your parameters." Utilizing his right as a Master, he checked her information as a Servant.

Class: Caster

Master: Atrum Galiasta

True Name: Artoria Pendragon

Sex: Female

Height/Weight: 154cm 42kg

Alignment:

Strength: B Mana: D

Endurance: B Luck: A

Agility: B Noble Phantasm: A++

Class Abilities:

Magic Resistance A

Territory Creation EX

Independent Magic B

Abilities:

Charisma of Hope B

Protection of the Lake A

Sword of Selection EX

Noble Phantasm:

Around Caliburn: Hope's Radiant Embrace

He narrowed his eyes, unsure of whether to jump for joy or howl in rage. Her parameters were nothing special, the high mana rank and Noble Phantasm being expected of a Caster, though her physical parameters were admittedly high for a Caster. Did that mean she could engage in hand-to-hand combat? Her abilities and class skills were also quite good, with an EX rank Territory Creation that was sure to come in handy, and a surprisingly high rank of Magic Resistance, though it was somewhat redundant considering the fact that she was the Caster of this war. Oh well, it would at least completely negate most of whatever the other Masters could throw at her, and on the off chance the other classes were able to use magic, then it would become an advantage for her.

However, there didn't seem to be anything she could summon, which hampered his strategy of commanding from the back and keeping his servant safe while sending the familiar to wreak havoc. He would have to understand the specifics of her ability and Noble Phantasm to see if there was anything he could do, and adapt his former strategy to the new Servant. He would not let his greatest opportunity slip away so easily.

"So, let's start with your Noble Phantasm. What does it do?"

"It's the deployment of my mental world, enabled by the "Staff of Selection". It will protect and strengthen my allies and myself. Indeed, the six bells shall be tolled for he who will see off the destruction...eh, er I don't what came over me just now. Please ignore it."

Atrum's confusion mounted at the sudden change of her tone, but with some effort, he managed to refocus on her Noble Phantasm.

"So theoretically, it is possible for you to keep your Noble Phantasm activated at all times? Is it similar to a Reality Marble? Also, what about your Territory Creation skill?"

"Ah, let me see...yes, it is technically possible to keep it activated at all times, but the mana cost would be prohibitively high. In essence, I would have to be attached to a convergence point of several major ley lines at all times, and even then my actions would be restricted. No, it's not a Reality Marble that overwrites the world with itself, but more of mental construct built on top of the fabric of Gaia that infuses people with the "fate" that I received from being selected by the staff, empowering them to fight alongside me to reach the conclusion of my journey. For your last question, the Territory Creation skill is actually solely because of my Noble Phantasm. I'm actually quite terrible at making Bounded Fields and the like, tehe." She blushed in embarrassment at the last statement."

Atrum Galiasta was unamused, but he thought about it. Was there any spot in Fuyuki that fulfilled the requirements to continuously deploy her Noble Phantasm? He'd have to send people to scout the city, besides building his workshop there. It might be possible to arrange for familiars or hired help to be positioned in range of her Noble Phantasm to create an undefeatable army. Depending on how strong the effects were, he could potentially have a small army of Servant-level beings to guard his base. Although it sucked that she possessed no other skill in building Bounded Fields aside from her Noble Phantasm.

"Then what about your other abilities and class skills?"

"Well, the skill Independent Magic is really just a skill to justify the unique brand of magecraft that I use, half taught by Merlin, half self-taught. It involves a lot of staff-swinging. The Charisma ability is simply my natural charm!" At this point, she made a pose by lightly tapping her forehead with her fist while sticking her tongue out one side of her mouth, winking cutely at the same time.

Atrum was ready to strangle her the next time she did something like this. Perhaps sensing his inner turmoil, she decided to be serious again.

"Um, the Charisma is simply because of my status as the Child of Prophecy, endowing me with the ability to bless other people with morale just by being near them. Protection of the Lake is the blessing bestowed upon me by the fae, and Caliburn: Sword of Selection signifies my eventual fate as the King of Britain, a future locked on to that will not be denied."

"I see, based on your skills you should be more suitable as a backline support Servant. If we could somehow work out an alliance with one of our competitors, then it could be possible to use you to your full potential. Outside of that though, you're quite useless." Atrum finished his assessment without a hint of sarcasm.

"Waah! What do you mean I'm useless? I'll prove it to you right here and now, the power of a village girl mistakenly given magic powers by a suspicious uncle!" She suddenly became fired up, eager for the chance to prove him wrong as she settled into a stance. The large gray helmet/hat on her head jumped up slightly, as if something inside it had shot straight up, but Atrum couldn't imagine there being anything in there besides her hair.

"C-calm down Caster, don't make a scene here, or else I'll use my Command Seals." Saying so, he brandished them in front of her as a threat, waving his hand in her face. Disgruntled, she was still forced to settle down with a pout on her face.

"Muuu…"

With that straightforward attitude of hers, at least he wouldn't have to worry about being betrayed or backstabbed by her, unlike if he had summoned Medea, who was famed for betrayals.

"How about let's go outside, and you can demonstrate your combat capabilities?" His estate was surrounded by Bounded Fields after all, so even if there were loud noises or suspicious lights, nobody would notice.

"Alright, lead the way Master!"

She quickly cheered up again, a chance to show off presenting herself. It seemed like she would be easy to manage as well.

They went up an elevator, during which Caster marveled at the shiny buttons and electrical lights, then they reached the surface. Stepping out of the steel box, he led her to a large field.

"Here you go. This should be enough space for you to demonstrate." Originally, he had planned to summon the dragon here if something happened to his base in Fuyuki, but since that wasn't happening anymore, he might as well let her use it.

"Thanks! It's my turn to shine now. I, Caster Artoria, will do the best I can! Yaay!" Privately, he wondered why she had to spout such unnecessary things out of her mouth.

She angled the staff downwards as mana started flowing through her body, strengthening it and buffing her physical parameters. Blue energy rose in a pillar with her as the center, making it seem like he was looking through a wall of water at her. She then pulled out one of the bullet shaped capsules strapped to the dress on her breast, and inserted it into the staff. This looked...interesting, to say the least.

Without warning, she dashed forward in a blur, crossing a hundred meters in mere seconds while tearing up the grassy turf. The staff glowed with energy as she swung it like a bat in the air, exploding with crackling blue energy each time it hit the imaginary enemy.

"Eii!" She jumped into the air after making a few swings, swinging the end of the staff upwards while gripping the end with both hands, then shifting her grip until she was holding it like a spear aimed downwards.

*ZZISHIN*

A laser stream of magical energy shot from the end of the staff downwards, creating a large crater in the ground. The burst propelled Caster up into the air backwards as well, while she threw something at the crater mid-air. Once she landed, she pointed at something dropping through the air towards the crater, then fired another beam from her staff.

"Burst, Chastiefol!"

The beam hit the sparkling blue dots glittering in the air, and they exploded as well, vaporizing more soil and air. Finally she raised the staff and then thrust into the soil deeply, the top of the staff glowing with blue light as it charged up an attack that hit the previous areas, a huge pillar of blue light the size of a house rising from the craters and obliterating the entire area, the air and several unfortunate bird familiars that were flying above.

After that brief display of power, she turned to her Master, smiling brightly.

"Well, what do you think?" She beamed at him, hoping for praise of some sort.

And then she noticed that he was completely covered in grass and dirt. He looked like a mole that had been digging tunnels in the field for days. She had been a bit too overzealous while demonstrating her abilities, and the explosions became a tad too strong, ejecting large amounts of debris into the air.

Gritting his teeth, he brushed away the soil on his face with a handkerchief, his face livid beyond description. Caster trembled as she clutched her staff closer to her chest. Somehow, with an immense effort, he managed to hold in the rant he was about to unleash on Caster.

"I'm going back to clean up."

He walked back to the building that concealed his workshop, cursing his luck non-stop under his breath all the while. Caster breathed out a sigh of relief, rubbing the back of her head.

"I guess I just have to prove to him next time that I'm useful!"