C.1514: The wish-granting ritual, the secret within ones self

“Don’t write me off yet.”

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Kuro said.

“I don’t know how the cards are made. But, I do know why they are here.”

“The cards? You know why they were created?”

Wu Yan, Hinagiku, and Mikoto listened intently.

“Yes…”

Kuro explained.

“Ever heard of the Grail Wars?”

Hinagiku and Mikoto were stunned whereas Wu Yan’s eyes lit up.

Holy Grail War.

It is a brawl between multiple individuals over the Holy Grail.

No, it is a ritual.

The ritual was aimed at bringing forth the Holy Grail, a wish-granting instrument.

Under Fuyuki city is a dragon vein of nigh infinite mana.

The Fuyuki City Holy Grail War is set once every 60 years using the ritual as a way to harness the accumulated magic power under the city.

The Grail can also connect to the Throne Of Heroes, an afterlife of sorts for heroic legends, famous urban legends, and infamous people in history and/or myths to summon 7 such Heroic Servants. The Master who cooperates with them will try to kill each other in order to win the war.

When 6 heroes are killed, the last hero and master can claim the grail.

That is basically how the Grail War works.

The seven classes of heroes are Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker.

There are seven class cards just as each corresponds to a certain class.

How is this not connected to the Grail War?

But, that is something from Fate/Stay Night, why is it in Fate/Kaleid?

Is this a parallel-world version of the Grail war?

“Look closer…”

Kuro urged.

“Heroic Spirits are summoned with complex rituals that call upon the mental state of the summoner, their compatibilities, and a unique connection to the heroic spirit. Summoning Heroic Spirit is a significant magic feat in itself. The Grail needs to pitch in or it would be nigh impossible to summon them.”

“Now, imagine drawing just the powers of the Heroic Spirit into the Master?”

Kuro grinned.

“The Grail acting as the catalyst, now, we’re talking business.”

“The grail as the catalyst.”

Wu Yan looked at Kuro.

“You’re…”

“Exactly.”

Kuro raised the card.

“Instead of seven Heroic spirits killing each other along with their masters, the masters are killing each other using the powers of Heroic Spirit in the form of Phantasm Summon granted to them by these cards.”

Kuro placed the card back on the table.

“At least, that is my theory.”

Everyone turned silent.

“I don’t get the Gral Wars…”

“But, I understand Kuro is trying to tell us…”

“That, in other words…”

Hinagiku said.

“We need the Grail as the catalyst to craft another Class Card?”

“The Grail War ritual and the city’s magic power.”

Wu Yan chuckled.

“Is that right?”

“Once every 60 years?!”

Hinagiku and Mikoto let out audible gasps.

“I am just theorizing, I am not sure.”

Kuro shook her head.

“Perhaps, there is someone who can use his own power to draw out the power of Heroic Spirits, infusing them into Class Cards…”

“Kuro…”

Hinagiku asked.

“That Grail war, what is your part in it?”

Kuro’s smile disappeared.

“My relationship?”

Kuro clenched her fists.

“I was born to become the Grail.”

“Huh?”

“Laughable, right?”

Kuro laughed at her own fate.

“Born as a magic ritual item. People used magic to fill my head with knowledge, speech, and other occult knowledge so I can act as the grail and grant people’s wishes.”

“What the heck?”

Hinagiku couldn’t believe it.

“They’re using humans as tools…”

“A sacrifice?”

Mikoto growled.

“This Grail War, I don’t like it at all.”

“That is the nature of magic in this bloodthirsty world. They decided one-sidedly that I was to be used as a tool and expire at the end of the war.”

Kuro clenched her teeth.

“But, I was denied that miserable fate.”

Kuro said it before, Wu Yan recalled.

“You were sealed, yes?”

“Sealed.”

Hinagiku and Mikoto were stunned.

“Yes.”

Kuro explained.

“She sealed my personality, my ability, my knowledge, my memories, tucked away in a small part of Illya’s psyche.”

“Then, Illya, the normal kid was born…”

Wu Yan connected the dots.

“So, the submerged consciousness grew and became a split personality.”

“Then, you acquired a physical body.”

Kuro leaned against the sofa.

“Now, you know my story.”

“Kuro.”

Hinagiku and Mikoto weren’t sure how they should continue this.

Born as a tool, sealed away like a tool, and when she finally gets her body, everyone treats her like a fake.

She had to rely on taking people’s mana and defend herself from getting her Class Card extracted.

Family, friends, those that she should have experienced, everything robbed from her.

In the end, it looks like fate dealt Kuro an incredibly short stick.

This is why Kuro can grant low-levels of wishes. It is her innate ability.

“It’s okay.”

A reassuring voice rang.

Kuro looked up only to see a hand rubbing her head.

“Since you’re here, I am sure you will find your meaning in life.”

“We are sure of it too!”

Hinagiku and Mikoto cheered her up too.

Kuro’s eyes wavered before she smiled back with a hopeful and joyous mien.