Fate: Question And Answer System of Traversing Heroic Spirits

Matou Kariya: "Haven't you figured it out yet? The store in this system sells Magic Circuits, and they only cost one Saint Quartz each."

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Matou Kariya: "I bought four Magic Circuits already."

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Tohsaka Tokiomi: "What?!"

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Tokiomi hadn't noticed this at all. His focus had been on rare items like the Jeweled Sword of Zelretch.

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Kenneth: "You can actually buy Magic Circuits?"

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Magic Circuits were fundamental to a magus. They were vital components that allowed one to convert life force into magical energy. Without them, one simply couldn't be a magus.

The number of Magic Circuits determined a magus's magical potential, but it wasn't just about quantity—quality was also crucial.

Normally, the number of Magic Circuits was set from birth and couldn't be increased by any known means. But now, this mysterious system had turned that belief on its head.

If word of this spread, the Mage's Association would be thrown into chaos. Until now, none of them had truly delved into the system's store, but it seemed like it was time to investigate it thoroughly.

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"What a fascinating system."

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Waver had finally arrived in Fuyuki City and was staying at an inn. However, his thoughts were occupied by the treasure chests in front of him, a gold one and a bronze one.

These were rewards from the previous two days' quizzes, but he hadn't had the chance to open them while traveling.

With the Holy Grail War's summoning ritual commencing tonight, Waver decided to open both chests, hoping to find something useful.

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"Hmm? What's this?"

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Waver found himself holding a card and a dagger, both items that left him puzzled.

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Meanwhile, at the Einzbern castle...

"Irisviel, there's a change of plan."

Kiritsugu Emiya approached his wife, who was carefully polishing Avalon. His expression was serious.

Irisviel looked up, curious. "What's the matter, Kiritsugu? I thought you were planning to summon King Arthur?"

"The summoning target remains the same," Kiritsugu replied, holding up a card. "What's changing is who performs the summoning."

His gaze drifted toward Fuyuki City, specifically to a hotel room where Chihiro was preparing.

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"Ding!" Congratulations to the host for acquiring a "Heroic Spirit Summoning Card - Chaldea Version"!

Chihiro's eyes lit up with excitement. Finally, a decent item.

The "Chaldea Version" allowed for a summoning method that used the "Fate Summoning System," enabling Heroic Spirits to remain in the world indefinitely until dismissed or defeated.

This meant that Chihiro could potentially summon two Heroic Spirits during the Holy Grail War.

However, he had to acknowledge a bitter truth, the Holy Grail was corrupted by Angra Mainyu's curse and could not grant any genuine wishes.

"I'll save this for later tonight."

With a plan in mind, Chihiro opened the second treasure chest.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a "Magical Culinary Item - Extremely Spicy Mapo Tofu"!

Chihiro's expression darkened. What kind of reward was this? How did Mapo Tofu end up as a prize?

He wasn't Father Kotomine; what use did he have for this dish?

He glanced at the item description: "Produces one serving of extra spicy Mapo Tofu per day. Eating it boosts alertness, revitalizes the mind, and accelerates physical recovery."

Well, it made sense that something so spicy would jolt someone awake, but enhancing recovery? That was unexpected.

"Fine, it's not entirely useless. At least I won't starve."

With a resigned sigh, Chihiro prepared a serving of the Mapo Tofu and took a bite.

The taste was surprisingly good—spicy, yes, but not overwhelmingly so. At least, not for him.

Being able to tolerate spicy food was a small comfort. As he continued eating, he felt a renewed sense of vigor.

Could this be a remedy for exhaustion during prolonged magecraft use? If so, it wasn't a terrible reward after all.

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Night fell, and all the participants prepared to summon their Heroic Spirits.

Like Waver, Chihiro had found a secluded spot in the mountains outside Fuyuki City for his ritual.

Having no relic to act as a catalyst, he was gambling entirely on luck.

Since he had essentially taken Uryuu Ryuunosuke's place, it was almost certain that his summoned Servant would belong to the Caster class.

Given his heritage, there was a high probability of summoning a Heroic Spirit from Japan.

Among the legendary Casters associated with Japan, Chihiro could think of several possibilities: Abe no Seimei, the famed onmyoji, or perhaps even one of the lesser-known mystics.

The thought of summoning someone like Seimei was thrilling, but he had to be prepared for the possibility of calling forth a completely different figure.

No matter. He began the summoning ritual.

"I hereby swear, I shall be all that is good in the world. I shall deliver from all that is evil in the world..."

As Chihiro completed the chant, a red pattern materialized on the back of his hand, the Command Seals, marking him as a Master.

The design was distinct from the others he'd seen, resembling an ancient sigil.

The summoning circle glowed brightly, and an old voice emerged from within the light.

"Ahem, are you my Master?"

An elderly man clad in a traditional robe appeared in the center of the circle. His hair and beard were long and white, with a pigtail that hung down his back. A scar ran across his left cheek, adding a rugged touch to his otherwise gentle appearance.

"I am Chihiro, a humble practitioner. Greetings" Chihiro said, performing a respectful bow.

Though he wasn't sure who this man was, it was clear from his attire that he was a figure steeped in mysticism, perhaps even onmyodo.

"Haha, you're quite the polite one," the old man chuckled, stroking his beard. "But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not exactly a venerable elder. You could say I'm more of a rogue among mystics."

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