5 Command seals, the decision of the family head

~~ Barthomeloi residence ~~

Returning from the clock tower the only thing greeting me home are the homunculus servants cleaning the estate.

As always staying here is a test of my mental sanity, as there is a limit to how much loneliness can one person withstand.

Having already completed my visit to the clock tower I return to my room to digest all the memory of magecraft that I got from lord Trambelio and also to improve my magecraft with it, as came to know more efficient ways to improve my mist-breathing without risking dehydration every time I use it.

Entering my room I am greeted with a strange sight.

The family head sitting down on a couch in the corner of my room reading the mist-breathing manual that I purposefully left.

I knew that questions will arise once I display the mist breathing, so I came up with a story.

" I see our youngest got some interesting items in his room " the family head Lorelei said while closing the book and looking at me.

" care to explain where this comes from?" while showing me the cover of the book and squinting her eyes, the family head seemed to emanate some sort of freezing aura as soon as the question was asked.

But I was prepared.

" It's a breathing exercise that I ordered the servants to get me in the past, it helps train the body while also showing some techniques that can be performed alongside the breathing "The story I came up with in the past to explain mist-breathing was the various little orders I gave the servants over the years.

Unlike the majority of the family, I didn't detach myself from the modern world, instead, I opted to use this as a means to cover the unusual things have.

" and how did you come in possession of such an item? Since our family doesn't dwell on martial arts" the Barthomeloi indeed doesn't involve oneself with martial arts, and the excuse I came up with was auctions and news articles.

" I ordered one of the servants to bring me some items that are used by the common people as a form of amusement, and while reading some articles I came to see a section regarding an auction of old items, to which I sent the servant to buy some of them. This is how I came into the possession of this book alongside some other thinkers" Though such an excuse may have some loopholes, it could still be plausible as going by the period.

" then why did you practice such a technique in the first place" The difficult part should be explaining why, so now I could only hope my excuse works.

" I read that book alongside others to perfect myself, even though I knew little about the rest at that time. When I got that book I thought it was a decent start to cover the weakness of my own body by being so young, this is why I choose to practice what was written there to have a more solid foundation later down the line" Why it would be difficult to believe normally, the Barthomeloi are perfectionists in a sense, and me using the fact of improving myself not only in the ways of magecraft but also martial arts may be seen as a positive side by the family since I'm acting more in line with the family mentality.

" I see. I cannot express how proud I am for you to think in such a way already, this makes it easier for me to see how mature you are "Seeing the excuse working I was relieved since with this problem solved and not being contained in the estate anymore I can cover the origin of my other items and powers a lot more easily.

As I was rejoicing internally a burning sensation enveloped my left hand, becoming more painful with time.

This pain was followed by a red glow showing on my right hand as a pattern started forming.

This didn't go unnoticed by the family head as she stood up with a shock, that instantly subsided, replaced by interest and what seemed a little bit of pride.

By the time the burning subsided, a red marking resembling an S appeared on the back of my left hand.

" it's a surprise that you were chosen as a participant youngest" the family head approached me taking my left hand and examining it.

" I didn't expect this either family head, I knew about the existence of the ritual and its purpose, and while indeed I nurture some interest in the subject, it's still surprising that I was chosen" It seems like the hints given by the gacha were true.

I will be the master of caster during the fourth holy grail war, which means I need to increase my assimilation speed.

" being picked by the grail to participate in the war means that if you win, you can achieve what most magi could only dream of. Reaching the root " my train of thought was interrupted, as the family head seemed to approve of my participation in the grail war.

" It's decided then, the family will assist you in preparation for the war, and give you any support you need in advance, but you need to make sure to uphold the name of the Barthomeloi during this war, and be sure to be the one winning it." the words spoken by the family head were a sort of reassurance for me, since by having one of the most influential families of the clock tower backing me up, the chances of not only survival, but also winning were increased exponentially.

But as much as I wanted to win and get a wish, the Beast candidate, Angry Mango would most likely ruin it.

Since following the so-called continuity of events is useless now that I became the master of caster, I may as well change some things here and there if possible.

" I shall make sure to emerge victorious from this confrontation and win the grail" Confirming what the family head said I once again started thinking of the preparation needed for the war voicing what I thought was most optimal.

" I would like if possible a catalyst for summoning the servant Medea family head " I choose this servant in particular since if I also summon Circe beforehand, I may have 2 strong casters on my side that not only can cover for each other due to knowing each other beforehand but also loyal to a degree, while also being a lot easier to explain the situation with angry mango with two servants that can cooperate.

Another reason is that I'd like to see their interactions, knowing how they were in the game F/GO.

" you wish to be the master of caster? I find it a disadvantaged position, and why specifically that servant?" the obvious question came as I expected.

" I find that working in secrecy within my territory gives me more room for survival, while also more possibilities to strike back since casters are more powerful in their territory, giving them an advantage if the war goes on for too long. As for why Medea, I think that going by the mith she has, it is easier to convince her than other servants, making me save my command seals for important situations." by what I said the reason is somewhat plausible counting the fact that casters tend to be more powerful the longer the war lasts due to preparation time. And Medea should be easy to convince by promising her wish of revenge against Jason or simply meeting Circe shall do the trick.

" though I may not fully know what you have in mind, I shall see how you do. I will procure the catalyst for you, and any other material you may need, but the rest is on you." with these last words the family head walked out of the room leaving me to my thoughts, as I started formulating a plan for my associations and the war.

The one plan I came up with was using Kariya Matou's care for Sakura to make a deal with him using my Merchant essence and gaining Berserker as an ally.

For the rest, I have to look at how things develop now that caster Gilles will not be summoned.

As for assimilation, I thought of using some acting exercises to impersonate the characters to fasten their speed of assimilation.

After I finished organizing my thoughts I returned to the memories of lord Trambelio, making good use of them and coming up with alternate solutions to alchemy for my mist breathing.

One was, sympathetic magecraft that allowed me to manipulate the existing moisture in the air to create mist for my mist breathing.

With all that had happened today, I was exhausted.

I tree myself on the bed and closed my eyes to relax, since from tomorrow onward I will be amongst the most unforgiving race on the planet, trying to not get stabbed in the back.

As I closed my eyes I felt a refreshing feeling taking over my body, as at that moment I was free from all responsibility and could truly relax for the first time in four years.

" Sometimes it's good to take a break, too much stress may lead your body to get sick "

A feminine voice entered my ears snapping me out of my peaceful moment.

I turned my head in a moment to see who it was, since the voice was one I never heard before.

And while turning my head I noticed that not only was a stranger talking to me but also that the environment was different, I was no more in my room.

I was now laying in a king-sized bed completely white in color like the surroundings, and the new 'guest' was on a stool not far from it.

The guest had long purple hair and matching eyes with white pupils in the shape of a star.

" Why is this appearance " This was the first thing that came to my mind as I saw the appearance of the 'guest'.

" I took this appearance since according to your memory, this 'form' is something that you liked quite a lot" the 'guest' answered immediately, while showing a radiant smile that coupled with that appearance brought pain to me.

" I would prefer if you didn't use this appearance" I said while standing up from the bed.

" why?" 'she' asked back while tilting her head to the side.

" This appearance makes me remember the pain I felt while reading her story. So I would prefer if you don't use "

" I see, I will remember for next time. But why didn't you ask who I was?"

Looking at 'her' in the eyes I calmly sat on another stool not far from 'her'.

" I know that since you can take me without me noticing. And the fact that you can change your appearance so freely, you must be some powerful entity I know of belonging to this reality no. And the reason why you took me is that you know who I am, right?" I looked at 'her', waiting for the answer since she is either Gaia and Alaya, or she is the root.

" you are right that I knew about you, and it is exactly because I know of you that I brought you here. So, let us start from the beginning, I'm the root you may say, and like Gaia and Alaya I have a proposal for you" I already knew his the nasuverse worked when it came to strangers, or aliens you may say, I was surprised that they didn't send already someone to hunt me down.

Thinking of this I remembered the Rob insurance essence, this meaning that later down the line I may have made a deal with either of the three.

" What is the proposal, and what was the one offered by Gaia and Alaya" I knew that till I made the deal I wasn't safe from them or their goons, since Rob's insurance only starts working when a deal is made.

" I like them want you to become our agent. Gaia and Alaya want you to become a sort of counter-guardian and work by eliminating donations in history. While I want you to modify the proper human historians see how many changes can be done without the timeline becoming a lost belt, meaning I want to see how much becomes too far for Gaia and Alaya before they try sending out their tools"

Listening to her proposal I either became a hitman for the world and the collective unconscious humanity or became something like the crypters modifying the existing timelines to see if my actions create a different timeline or a singularity.

" I am more drawn to your proposal. But I think we need to discuss the conditions first since I won't be staying in this reality all the time."

" Good then, let's write down both of our requirements and then discuss, ok?"

Thus, I and the 'Root' started our discussions on my employment as a variable in the nasuverse.

~ OMAKE ~

As Lucas goes to the church to save Tokiomi a shadowy figure appears in the distance shouting to him.

" I can't let you do this "

* Miguel O'Hara theme starts playing *

" Bro it's a canon event "