What If...?

"This should be enough."

It has been two weeks since Ryan moved into Kazami house. He had spent this time to modify the house, fine-tuning it into his private workshop. The Kazami house was not a big building seeing that it was used by only a family of three, however, it was built with two floors. Ryan turned the second floor into a makeshift workshop, while the first floor was used as his living space.

That night, he quietly urged his mana, flowing it through the pathway he had created before. His hand glowed with five different colors, signifying mana of five elements. Each of them went toward five different spots placed around Kazami house, surrounding the building inside a translucent pentagram circle.

"Let [Black] guards the Northern sea;

[Green] fills the Eastern forest;

[Red] lights the Southern desert;

[Yellow] be anchor of Central star;

[White] sets the Western gate.

Five-Paths guard the Kingdom– Guardian Array formation, set!"

After few seconds, the translucent light finally disappeared as his spell had been activated.

With five fundamental elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal) as the basis, Ryan created a barrier which synergized better with the surrounding area. It did not have much offensive ability, but it had better defensive and detection ability instead. The Five-Paths Guardian Array also attracted natural mana from nearby leyline to the workshop smoothly; as though it was originally part of nature– the place where natural mana would flow to.

Its additional ability made the house became less susceptible to normal human's perception, making them not paying much attention to the house so that Ryan would not need to be bothered by random passerby knocking on the door.

"Yup. Not bad." Ryan nodded, feeling pleased at his craft.

After all, it was his first time creating a boundary field. Although it was still rough around the edge, he still could improve it in time to come.

"Now, it's time to finish that magic circle…"

Ryan was contemplating as he went to his workshop in the second floor.

Honestly, he was wondering whether it was necessary for him to summon a Servant or not. After all, based on his current stats, he thought he could face off the Servants directly rather than relying on another Servant to fend them off. 

'Status.'

[Name]: Emiya Ryan

[Strength]: B+

[Vitality]: B+

[Dexterity]: B+

[Spirit]: A

[Luck]: C-

[Innate]: Mystic Eyes of Heaven's Gaze (D)

[Essence Point]: 0

[Skill]:

• Frost Dragon King Arcane Art (level 6 – Heavenly Dragon) (5%)

> Dragon Heart (6*)

> Frost Manipulation 

> Frost Dragon Transformation

• Demon King of Domination Arcane Art (level 4 – Awakening) (9.25%)

> Seal of Samsara (1/6)

>> Devour the Sky

• Magecraft (C-)

> Mana Bullet (A)

> Refinement (B+)

> Gradation Air (A)

> Transmutation (C)

> Mirror Alter (C)

> Boundary Field (D)

• Connection to the [Root] (D)

• Blessing of Corrupted Heaven (C)

• Heaven's Feel (False) (D)

After arduous training in these eight years and using his EP for occasional upgrade, Ryan had overall upgrade on his stats and skillset.

During these years, he mainly focused his EP on upgrading Frost Dragon King Arcane Art as he realized it gave him more raw power than Demon King of Domination Arcane Art. As a result, the former had been upgraded to level 6, while the latter only increased to level 4.

His [Spirit] attribute had reached rank A, it was the highest stat rank he had reached at the moment without any buff.

While his physical attributes were relatively at lower rank, they could still be increased further if he applied Refinement on his whole body. Even more so if he activated his dragon transformation.

Although he had not tried using the full transformation, even partial transformation had increased his physical attributes by one full rank. Perhaps, when he truly activated his full transformation, his physical attributes would reach an even greater height surpassing A+ rank.

Ryan's Refinement was not the same one with the Reinforcement magecraft that Shirou usually practiced in his early days. It might be more appropriate to call it an alteration to normal Reinforcement magecraft. 

In concept, Reinforcement magecraft usually utilized caster's magical energy to push the caster's basic attributes to the possible limit at the moment of its activation. However, Refinement magecraft that Ryan practiced was more like a body strengthening technique usually shown in most wuxia and xianxia novel.

His Refinement worked by training his physique steadily to achieve gradual, more permanent growth by continuously reinforcing his physique bit by bit everyday.

It did, however, put a large strain on his mind and mana reservoir as he needed to constantly control his Refinement with precise calculation, and kept watch over his body's condition so that it would not be burdened too much. It was so that he could maintain the balance where his growth and Refinement were in equilibrium and supporting each other.

In return, despite those troubles, this technique gave Ryan a more solid and thorough improvement than a one-time enhancement produced by normal Reinforcement magecraft.

Of course, it was not a technique that could be practiced by everyone. After all, not everyone could modify their whole body into something similar to superior magic circuit, and had the support of unbelievably large mana reservoir supplied by his Arcane Art.

"It's finished."

In the meantime, Ryan had accurately completed the inscription of Servant summoning circle in accordance to the knowledge he acquired from Black Iri.

He was smiling in schadenfreude. 

Since he has arrived in this world, won't it be a waste if he doesn't try the fabled Servant Summoning system?

It seems fun after all.

Huh?

The boundary field he had just built suddenly sent him an alert. 

Swish!

With a simple command, a translucent screen instantly appeared in front of Ryan. On it, there was the image of a visitor who was standing, waiting with an annoyed look on her face. She was that assailant lady from two weeks ago.

"Hey! I know you can hear me. Won't you open the barrier already, huh?"

Ryan was confused seeing her again. He thought that since her mission was already over, she would rush back to the Clock Tower, returning to her quiet life. But, here she was again...

It has been two weeks already. Even if she has other matter to settle here, she ought to have finished it sooner, right?

Nonetheless, Ryan immediately lowered the boundary field. After sensing the barrier was lowered, she also quickly went inside without much fuss.

Five minutes later. In Ryan's guest room.

Ryan sipped a cup of warm green tea as he looked at the lady.

She was quiet. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but she was also hesitant on how to go about it.  

As the warm mist arose from the teacup on his hand, Ryan unhurriedly enjoyed aromatic scent of the tea as he tried to dig her information from his memory.

On the front, her name was Hinako Akuta. She was a magi from the Botany Department, a subdivision of Clock Tower. Not much information on her beside she was quite taciturn, uncommunicative to other people. She often spent her time by reading books alone and taking care of the plants.

In truth–

She was actually an Incarnated Elemental, born as Gaia's "sense of touch" used to monitor the world. At some point, after wandering for so long, she eventually obtained her own sense of self; she gained a sentience.

She was originally a pure, and kind woman who loved nature, as her origin was closer to it more than anyone else. She could sustain herself by absorbing magical energy from the world directly; be it from the plants, the land itself, or even from human.

She did not intend to hurt others, nor did she want to. However, despite it was merely a natural matter for her, her act of sustenance drew the outrage of men. Because, to them, what she did was similar with Dead Apostles (commonly known as vampire) who often killed men for their blood.

Thus, she was chased. Like a plague, she was hunted, persecuted, and tormented for all her life whenever she appeared nearby human settlement.

Fear for her life. Dislike for human's ego. And hatred for their betrayal to nature. It did not take long time before she started to hate human community as a whole. Although, she did not dislike human as a lifeform. To her, it was a natural principle where the strong preyed upon the weak. As such, since she was in the weak position, she could only endure it and avoid those damned human...

For a long time, she continued such miserable life; hiding herself and suppressing her own power so that she would not be hunted at every moment.

However, after suffering alone for a long time, she eventually chanced upon a place where she could rest her weary heart at one point. That was the moment she met that person.

From then on, she took on another name and identity; she started living alongside human once more as Yu Miaoyi– consort to Xiang Yu.

"So, what's the matter for your visit this time, lady?"

'She would have just sneaked in if it was before. But to bother to wait despite her annoyance, she should has something to ask. Hmm.'

"I thought you'd have returned after you finished your mission here."

"…and how did you know I don't have any more tasks here? Besides, I was told to tell you that you will miss the event if you don't make your trip soon." Hinako Akuta said as she narrowed her eyes.

'Event?'

"I mean, you already got your 'Grand Order' and gave me that letter. I could not think other matters that may interest you here. Oh, perhaps, is it related to that event? The Fuyuki Holy Grail War."

Tick.

"As expected, you do intend to participate in this war."

"After all, why not? It seems fun alright." Ryan smiled lightly.

"…despite knowing that the Grail is corrupted?" She was frowning slightly.

"Oh. I didn't think you would know about that too. Seems like Marisbury told you a lot."

"….."

"It doesn't matter to me whether the Grail is corrupted or not. That does not affect its ability to summon Servants. Moreover, in the end, I would also destroy the Grail either way."

"Destroy… the Grail? Are you crazy!?" She slapped the table hard as she yelled loudly.

Fortunately, the table and tea set had been reinforced by magecraft, so they were only shaking slightly.

"Crazy? I am totally sane. This Grail is corrupted anyway. Rather than allowing other people to use the Grail for random massacre, I would just destroy it to prevent future trouble." Ryan covered his ears as he looked at her like she was an idiot for not understanding such simple reason.

Seeing Ryan was not joking with her, Hinako Akuta was speechless.

*sigh*

"Come on, lady, just say what you want. Don't run around in circles like this. I know you are not here just to admonish me. I was still conducting an important ritual just now."

"That– if you said so, then…

"In this Grail War, before you destroy the Grail, can I also try summoning a Servant? I promise I won't use my Servant against you, Ryan."

Ryan was quiet. He was looking at Hinako Akuta who braced herself to say it. To him, she looked desperate enough that she would probably agree to his demands as long as he nodded.

But,…

"It's impossible."

"What..?" She looked quite confused hearing Ryan's answer, not expecting he would flatly refuse her.

"Well, I am not saying you can't try summoning your desired Servant. I know you're dying to see that man again, even if it is only his mirage." Ryan calmly explained.

"In the first place, the Servant summoning system here in Fuyuki is different with the one Marisbury plans to create. Here, the seven pairs of Master and Servant would compete with each other to win the Grail.

"Even if you don't want to compete with others, the other Masters would still try to fight you– to remove you and your Servant from the Grail War. After all, only one pair of Master and Servant whose wish would be granted by the Grail..."

Hinako Akuta was silent as she listened to his explanation. For a while, the only sound inside the room was only Ryan's voice as he kept talking about the Grail War.

"To summarize it, this Fuyuki Holy Grail War is our family's issue. It is not something outsider like you and those from Clock Tower would be welcomed to participate to.

"You'd be better off waiting for Chaldea's Servant summoning system to be completed first, lady."

"…you may be right. But, I don't really understand where is the problem even if I summon a Servant here." Hinako Akuta was staring coldly at Ryan. She felt like Ryan was purposely discouraging her.

From what she saw, even if she had to fight other Masters, it was only Ryan who she felt the need to watch out for. She knew her own strength, and it was not something a normal magi could easily resist even if they wanted to.

"Well, if I say it like this, you would probably understand it better; the summoned Servants would not hold out long after the Grail is destroyed.

"In other words, we would have to fight eventually."

Ryan stated matter-of-factly. He noticed she was stunned after hearing his last sentence. She bit her lips hard that blood was trickling on her charming lips.

*sigh*

"This Fuyuki Holy Grail War is a cursed battle. I will end it here in my generation. If you try to hold me back, I will crush both you and your Servant."

"…"

So, that's why…

She was feeling lost. Even in this place, again, it did not seem like she could realize her wish…

Seeing Hinako was still quiet, looking dejected, Ryan added up, "You may think you can rely on your immortality, but trust me, I have seen your end. And I can replicate that feat to you in this world line."

Like a stone thrown into calm water. His words jolted Hinako Akuta fiercely.

"You said… I died..? How could I– No, it doesn't matter. Even if I have to die, as long as I get to…

"Ryan, tell me, what happened to 'me' in the other world? Did I finally get to meet him again?!"

Her reaction this time exceeded what Ryan imagined. He did not expect her to react so much just because of what he said about her dying. It looked like she would probably go mad if he did not tell her.

Well, it is not a problem for me to tell her. It's just... it would not be free.

"Lady, I believe you know about the standard of equivalent exchange? If you want to get something, you should be prepared to pay for it." Ryan smiled. He lightly put off her hand which was grabbing his shirt with much force.

Hinako Akuta frowned upon hearing Ryan's meaning. When she glanced at his playful look, an understanding dawned on her face.

"Despicable!"

"Thanks for the praise~ I never say I am a good man, lady." Ryan smirked.

He calmly waited for her reply as he drank his tea unhurriedly. He knew that her obsession on her wish wouldn't let her to give up so easily.

In that distant world, when she was given the choice between the world's destruction or her wish realization, she would rather choose the latter.

Despite knowing her choice would lead to the death of countless creatures– human and nature alike –she would still not give up on the chance to realize her wish.

"So be it. Let's just get this done quick, bastard! But know this fact, I won't ever forgive you!"

Hinako Akuta said while gritting her teeth tightly. She was loosening her robe slowly as though the act itself took heavy toll on her. Humiliation and resentment arose within her eyes as she glared fiercely at Ryan.

When she was about to undo her inner clothes, Ryan was already choking on his tea. He spoke hurriedly, "Wait a bit, lady! I don't mean it like that."

Hearing him, as though a boulder was lifted from her heart, she relaxed slightly. Even so, she also felt somewhat offended by his reaction. It was a strange feeling for her...

She kept her guard up as she stared at Ryan, speaking coldly,

"Then what do you want?"

"Well, fucking you seems like a very tempting idea, but it is not what I want right now. How about this; let's make it that you owe me a favor today.

"Honestly, I still don't know what I want from you at this point. I rather keep this as a favor, for future use."

Ryan shrugged. He didn't lie to her, though he also didn't say the whole truth to her either. He had no obligation to do it.

Although the idea to sleep with her was tempting enough, but Ryan had no need for carnal release at the moment.

He would rather get her to owe him favor now as it could be used for many things in the future.

Hinako Akuta had a deep frown after hearing what Ryan said.

She indeed detested the act of sexual intercourse with men other than her late husband, but owing someone a favor... It's honestly more troublesome. After all, she would not know what the future holds.

If he asks for something which may endanger her life, or asking her to betray the one she loves...

It's not impossible considering his shameless nature!

"Let's make it clear here. I won't do anything too dangerous, or other matter which violate my principle. You got that?!"

"Woah... No need to be that aggressive, lady. Of course, I won't ask for the impossible from you. Since we've agreed, the contract has been formed."

Ryan nodded lightly.

Then, for the next hours, Ryan went on to tell her about the events of her meeting with that man again at a distant world; at a world which should have been culled from the Proper Human History...

By the time Hinako Akuta went back, it was already near midnight.

Ryan went up toward the second floor. He might be delayed slightly by Hinako's sudden visit, but it didn't really matter. He still wanted to summon his Servant tonight.

Standing in front of the summoning circle, Ryan slit his finger a little.

A drop of cold, azure blood fell to the magic circle as his wound closed up in the blink of eye.

Ryan took a deep breath as his expression turned serious.

This was the first time he tried to summon a Servant. The thing he only watched and imagined in his previous world, he was about to realize it right now. Faint expectation had slightly welled up inside his heart.

No matter if the result is good or bad, I will just try my best.

Resolving as such, Ryan urged his concentration to utmost limit, his mana was flaring so strong that even the air around him became slightly distorted from its sheer density and magnitude.

With a faint roar, Ryan chanted the spell earnestly,

"Let silver and steel be the essence.

Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.

Let [Blue] be the colour I pay tribute to.

Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall.

Let the four cardinal gates close.

Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate.

I hereby declare.

Your body shall serve under me.

My fate shall be your sword.

Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail,

If you will submit to this will and this reason…Then answer!

An oath shall be sworn here!

I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven.

I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell!

From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,

Come forth from the ring of restraints,

Protector of the Holy Balance!"

Along with the end of his chant, a bright blue light filled the workshop at once.

From within the smoke inside the summoning circle, an elegant and dignified voice reached over to Ryan, 

"I shall answer your call. I am your Servant, Lancer. With this lance, I will be your strength."