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Berserker!
Big interest!


Caster
Large Clearing, Fuyuki Park




With the situation mostly resolved, Caster prepared to move along. Among those present, none really had any idea of the worsening situation at the school. The situation was going to get rather grim quickly, she at least knew that much.

And, so-

She explained to them what was going on at the school.

". . .One of the opponents within this war is degrading the Holy Grails system. I'm sure you've noticed it, somewhat. The degradation of the entire city. Everything is slowly becoming worse, and this especially applies to Ghost Liners." She prepared a sling to fire the entire group at the school. Exterior threats or curve balls non-withstanding, anyone interested in opposing the servant attacking the grail war itself could be fired 'directly' at the academy. After a few more words, she'd fire herself a safe distance from the Academy with her master within the various barriers.

Seeing as how an Assassin was afoot, she'd offer to protect the Masters until the situation was resolved.

"I've prepared a means to travel quickly to the fight in the Academy. Several servants are attempting to oppose the 'Heracles' who is degrading the city. If we do not act quickly, everyone in this war will become weaker, until the Holy Grail itself stops functioning."

With that, she fired herself close to the ground toward the forest adjacent to the academy. Any Servants who elected to follow would be fired at the school itself, though under cover to avoid attacks while they traveled. That would be unfortunate.



Caster
Large Clearing, Fuyuki Park




Caster was pleased by Sabers effort and unique tactics, before raising a blurry arm to end the bout. He had made it nearly the entire stretch of her territory while minimizing the oncoming damage. It was something to be saluted, for certain. This was the absolute and terrifying power of the Saber class on full displa-

------------
+ Number 1 +
WARNING: Unknown enemy sighted.

-----------
+ Number 5 +
Ho.

-----------
+ Number 2 +
Tonight's Target spotted. Initiating High-Speed Thought/Multiple Future Prediction/Value Computation

------------

It was a competent move; targeting two(and before, three) vulnerable Masters. Unfortunately, Assassin couldn't have taken into account the fact Caster. . .

No, 'Hypatia', existed.

Nor had he noticed that Casters two ritual circles had remained in the area, even after she had left.

From the very start of this battle, an enemy Assassin had always been Casters target.

Everything up until this point. . . Had gone absolutely according to her Calculations. After all, Assassin was the natural predator of human beings. If that was the case, Hypatia was the natural predator of Assassin.

She would not allow them to steal information that rightfully belonged to her. If her face wasn't hidden under an aura of static, it'd be impossible to deny that her expression was something utterly ugly.

In that same timeless instant, she smiled.

The moment the figure even entered Casters visual perception, Caster created a high class defensive barrier around the two vulnerable masters. Making use of the present magical formula, this action was hastened even faster than its usual norm. It was a wall of opaque 'force' that separated the exterior from the interior.

In the same moment. Her hands twitched slightly, releasing the hold on the etherlite around her waist. The truth of the matter was-
from the very start of this fight, Caster had been in the harness of a giant slingshot.

With no restraint, she shot forward at a crashing speed that eclipsed both the speed of sound and Servants. She fired herself in a perfectly calculated trajectory to avoid almost any obstacle. As she passed Saber, she used her etherlite to both grab hold of him and prepared the future battlefield for her needs.

And then, they both went flying directly in Spring Heel'd Jacks direction. Caster herself would miss, certainly. However, Hypatia had calculated a near 'sure-fire hit' that almost reached into the realms of a result forced by the end result of multiple lines of fate.

It was an attack with such precision based on her calculations it had almost no chance to miss. The likely surprise of this opponent would probably help, too.

The strike wouldn't come from herself, but rather, from the Japanese Saber now snug in her Etherlite. She would release him directly behind Jack, giving Saber an extremely likely chance of attacking the Assassin with his flowery blade at a crashing speed that was terrifying even for a Servant. She had already accounted for the chance of hitting the vulnerable masters; and avoided that result just the same. She had even gone so far as to pick a trajectory that would minimize Sabers self damage as much as possible.

It would be a deadly blow.

. . .Assuming of course, Jack didn't dodge out of the area and completely avoid the hit. It was a suppression move that would force him away from the extremely vulnerable pair of masters.

The second she had a free, safe moment, she would also expand the anti divination field around the area by using the preexisting boundary field as a basis. But that would have to wait until the right moment appeared.

Near the time she reached the combat area, Hypatia would engage a high-class defensive wind barrier and end her own forward momentum.

As for her Master. . .

------------

Rather than notify her master with something so limited like human language, Hypatia simply directly gave her Master all relevant information and instructions through Etherlite.

They could be summed up simply, though.

"Utterly destroy that Assassin. Only a single Strike/Tap/Attack is required."

Caster released the limiters on her masters hardware, letting her loose on the opposing Servant.



Hypatia
Large Clearing, Fuyuki Park




Caster adjusted her multiple perceptions immediately, preparing for her coming movement. Avoiding attacks from the Archer or Assassin class was paramount, and blindspots couldn't be tolerated. Continued monitoring of the Tohsaka Manor was critical, as well. Though Caster doubted they had the proper line of sight to fire on this position, she wasn't about to take any chances.

As the opposing japanese Saber began to look for her position, Hypatia enacted a program to deal with the observer gazing on Fuyuki Park. In the very same moment, Caster manipulated etherlite in tandem with magical energy to obfuscate herself against masters clairvoyance. To onlookers, it probably looked as if she was surrounded by something like electronic static.

Given the Saber bounding toward her with all the power expected of the Knight classes, Hypatia only had a few moments. Even still, he had a large distance to cover, and obstacles to navigate. Her high-speed spellcodes assisted by prepared formulas, were much faster than even a second.

Given the moments of time afforded, she wove a tapestry of magecraft in preparation for Sabers assault. Hypatia expanded her peceptions and the capacity of her calculations by means of astrology, then created a high-ranking barrier on Sabers path toward her boundary field. All the while, she twitched her fingers too and fro as if controlling a puppet, preparing and optimizing the etherlite for combat and escape. As Saber closed in with his blinding speed, she flew backwards toward the opposing edge of the clearing. In her place, she called forth a horde of black monkeys and an abnormally large crocodile who would attack and slow down her opponent when they reached the boundary fields center.

Finally, Caster created an ablative barrier around herself that could reflect even high level attacks. She could afford no chances against an Irregular Value such as this opponent.

Analyze.
Calculate.

She noted the way he was positioned and presented himself on the approach, and added it to her calculations.

Moments before Saber finally entered visual range(of normal humans, at least), Caster unleashed a torrent of offensive magecraft not unlike a modern chaingun. These bolts of lightning were more akin to fast moving (small)circular spheres. However, weirdly this torrent of attacks were not particularly accurate. To someone with an ability based around battle sense, they could probably tell this was an attempt at suppression instead of a pure attack.

For Caster, who had already gauged her opponents magic resistance based on behavior and effect, this was her strongest opening move.

. . .That being said, they were far from the 'Rays of light' used by the likes of Medea.

Unfortunately, their power was much lower and optimized to probably be just enough to inflict 'genuine' harm based on this servants magic resistance. In terms of offensive capacity, some moderate damage and infliction of the 'stun' condition was the only thing of worth. It was a relatively cheap mass attack, after all.

However in exchange for diminished offensive power, they held a property with massive utility. They bounced, and any attack that was deflected or outright missed would go flying in a 'random' direction. Bouncing against the trees, the ground, every 'shot' seemed like it had an intended trajectory and location, creating obstacles(patterns) of light across the entire field. Attacks would come at Saber from quite literally every possible angle.

As he approached, Caster 'spoke'.

"Observation: I am no ally of the Demon, Saber. A small skirmish was required and you obliged such a future. Do well, and I'll inform you of the strongest opponent in the war." Her voice spoke from no direction and yet all of them at once. A product of magecraft, to be certain. Her tone seemed rather affable and laid back, which was in line with just wanting a small exhibition match.

"But Saber. If you use your Noble Phantasm, I'll destroy you." It wasn't the grandstanding or egotism common to the Kings presiding over the nearby Banquet. It was if she was listing a fact off without an ounce of humanity within her voice.



Hypatia
Large Clearing, Fuyuki Park



Moments before the Oni made their move, Caster messaged the demon her intent. Using the principles of high-thaumaturgy, she increased their agility and elemental resistance toward wind. With this boost in power, it was probably more possible for Berserker to truly face two opponents at once.

For Hypatia, who operated on an alien logic, supporting this demon was the correct route toward victory right now. In alignment with the eastern goblin's attack, Hypatia unleashed a magical formula over the three combatants. A suppressive hail of sparks and bolts flew out at extreme speeds, aimed at the two Japanese monster hunters. These attacks were something that could certainly kill a normal human, but against a Servant the situation was different. In any case, Caster was just using this to probe her two new opponents.

Given her position was now revealed to her enemies, she also prepared for any sudden attack. It was, perhaps, to be expected. But with the defenses in place, they were free to come.


Hypatia
Large Clearing, Fuyuki Park




Hermes who eternally flew above the world saw all things. Such were the 'Eyes' of a God.

. . .And those eyes saw no boundary fields within Fuyuki Park, save a single pitiful one. Among the Masters present who had revealed themselves, those here really weren't normal Magi. Neither properly hid. None of them prepared their little magus games.

The tricks of Magi could be quite troublesome, from time to time. Caster couldn't complain though. Afterall, the strongest chain was always limited by its weakest link.

Even if she would never lose against this modern breed, there were existed beings that could probably overwhelm Casters master. Even if the possibility was so slim as to not exist, those futures absolutely still had to be held in account.

Moreover, some unknown enemy had deigned to observe the battlefield using divination magecraft. Given the laser focus on conflict and the wide-range of effect, she could only assume it was Caster. The moment she was in a secure position, Caster would begin to gather information to Trace/Calculate/Analyze the source of this observer.

Compute.
------------
+ Number 1 +
Battlefield Analysis Commence
Subject #1 (Japanese Saber?)
|Anomalous Quotient: Irregular Value: Attaching accumulated Variability Index|
Subject #2 (Japanese ? ? ?)
|Anomalous Quotient: Extremely Low; Designation: 'Demon'|
Subject #3 (Japanese Saber/Berserker?)
|Anomalous Quotient: Extremely Low|

------------
+ Number 4 +
Master #1 (William Flur)
|Masters records assimilated and analyzed. Illusionist. Commence further analysis.|
Master #2 (? ? ?)
|Mystic eye user. Commence further analysis.|

------------
Had Caster the inclinations of a human, perhaps she would've sighed.

. . .As it was, one actor had declined to come. No matter. That was highly unfortunate, but the show had to go on. Monitoring the movement of magical energy, she would show some effort in tracking down the missing masters direction.

Suppressing the pairs magical energy had resulted in near-safety when it came to moving near the combat zone. Observing proper caution via boundary fields and the like, it was even possible to enter the battlefield with their various buffs already prepared.

Caster herself had selected a wide open space with little in the way of visual obstruction. Weary of wide-range attack Noble Phantasms, she had kept a fair distance from the projected fighting zone.

While abilities such as presence concealment afforded one the ability to mask their magical energy, Caster could partly negate that by simply ensuring there was no direction or angle to stage an ambush from. With the full use of her abilities, Caster intended to eliminate the notion of Blindspots/Killzones/Vulnerabilities, which Archers and Assassins used to acquire victory. Even the air and ground were being properly monitored against some tricky and outlandish incursion.

If someone wished to fight her, they would need to come head on.

The moment before she began to use magecraft for preperations, Caster created a boundary field to hide her position. Hypatia took extra care to ensure whoever was choosing to observe the battlefield via divination would see nothing but static on her favored ground. Something smaller like Magus familiars were a matter of course reserved for something like Etherlite.

Adding onto the advantageous terrain, she prepared suitable defenses and traps making use of Etherlite. With the proper calculations, she created an instant 'Fortress of Thought' which could withstand even those rampaging Ghost Liners. Probably.

Without even bothering to snap her fingers, she produced magic circles and simulated planetary bodies suitable for the overwhelming firepower she intended to unleash in just a few moments.

"Take care to not cross the boundary line lightly. An ambush from Archer or Assassin is likely in this Terrain/Deathtrap/Warzone.

. . .Moreover, I detected an abnormality observing the battlezone. Test yourself only under cover.
"


The shot Hypatia had detected earlier today illustrated how much caution was required for this war.

E.E.
Homurahara Courtyard(Banquet of Kings), Academy




A steady flow of party supplies found their way into the now deserted Homurahara High School. It would be where the nights Banquet of Kings would take place, so it had to be up to par.

Loafing around in safety, E.E. watched the preparations through her Servant. Just using mundane supplies and resources had made it a safe enough affair for the Einzbern to execute. Wealth was a non-issue for them, as it was. The furnishings on display would probably make some of the poorer masters cry in envy and despair-certainly, the homunculus looked forward to that.

It was a meeting of Kings, or, as Rider liked to call it 'the Banquet of servants'. It was difficult to not be disgusted, even if it was her beloved Rider. Such were the sacrifices one made for those that mattered.

Allowing the competition to openly reveal themselves was nice, but in truth, she just wanted to watch the drama unfold.

After a time, preparations were nearly complete. Considering the distances required to be covered, sending the invitation out early would be for the best.

Eventually, fireworks were launched into the air as an open invitation to the entire war. Any Magus would recognize their meaning; a declaration of 'Parlay' between Servants. And, also, to settle who among their servants was 'Greatest'.

"I've sent out the invitation, Rider."
Saint Catherine
Center Building, Shinto Town




As Caster and Master ascended the skyscraper, they both continued their idle talk. Alexandria had not had any building so large and magnificent, at least in terms of size. Points had to be deducted because the modern era had devalued the concept of Wonder, but really, that was nothing new.

Even so. . .

Truthfully, the day had gone well for Caster.

Enough data had been gathered to fuel nightly Calculation. The strategy to divert enemy attention and presence away from Shinto Town had worked perfectly. With just a rumor of that 'Hercules', she had gained what she wanted.

The pathway to the spiritual land situated beneath Fuyuki's City Hall was open. In terms of gathering information, she held no doubts that she stood out among the competition. Indeed, Catherine was poised to seize the night when it arrived.

It only took slight nudges to achieve your desired Future, at times. Even the Holy Grail War, full of endless anomalies, followed that rule.

The pair finally reached the roof, and Caster took a moment to herself. She looked upon the works of modern man in all its glory, from the greatest vantage point in Fuyuki. It was a wonder that not a century ago all of Japan used wooden buildings. This was the power of 'civilization'.

After a moment to survey what she saw, Caster sat down on the edge of the roof. Her legs hung over the side, and she idly swayed them back and forth. There was a certain level of risk, even taking into account the triple layer boundary field Hypatia prepared before their arrival.

That was to say nothing of how she erased their presence the moment Caster decided to head this direction. But, even so. It was an indulgence that the tiny shred of humanity within her 'Brain' demanded. At least, in exchange for it to be repressed in a few moments.

Caster closed her eyes, looking upon the wondrous works of man.



Hypatia
Center Building, Shinto Town -> Fuyuki City Hall, Shinto Town




Caster opened her eyes, looking upon the misbegotten works of man.

Analyze.
Compute.
Replicate.

This was the world she had 'drawn' from the infinite multitude.

Selecting/Calculating/Materializing the next one would only be possible with enough Input Data. For the briefest moment, her minds deliberated.
------------
+ Number 1 +
Woman Reported/Evaluated/Assessed missing recently.

------------
+ Number 6 +
Standoff/Meeting/Encounter within Commerce District.

------------
+ Number 4 +
Continued conceptual Degradation/Decline/Regression of Holy Grail System.

------------
+ Number 5 +
Ruler has not acted? Then so be it.

------------
+ Number 2 +
Of course. Something little like this is certainly not the Disaster/Despair/Scourge Ruler was materialized for. Further Input Data required.

------------

She would give 'worth' to humanity. That was her nature as a Magus, as an Alchemist. Yes, that 'endpoint' humanity desired to achieve. Birth, death- all the same origin point. The beauty inherent to striving for the unreachable pillar in the ever distant horizon. It was one not given distance from space, but rather the gulf(abyss) of time.

Yes, one must go up or down the stream of time to reach it. Through 'Will' that surpassed even their human forms, 'Man' hoped to achieve their 'Truest End' waiting at the end or start of the river of time.

Indeed. Tracing upstream was becoming rapidly impossible. The era of Magecraft/Thaumatury/Pseudo Miracle Recreation was fundamentally at its end. The best possible result was nothing more than a quiet sense of nostalgia carried forward by the spirit of man.

Yes, and nostalgia for the Planet/Star/Mother they would leave behind as their star blazed forward. The 'Ideal Possible Outcome' for the 'Order of Primates'. . . The impossible barrier hadn't been surpassed.

But in striving for [ ], it was the journey that gave the endpoint worth. It was surely the reason Magi didn't commit mass suicide to reach it, at least. Could one blame Caster for seeing the city as nothing more than numbers and nostalgia?

She threw away that sense of nostalgia and truly prepared for the Holy Grail War.




"Assessment: Master, chance of victory increases by 15.5% if your Physique/Body/Hardware exceeds that of normal Primates." The situation would definitely get out of control if combat was entered with a frail master. And combat must be an eventuality accounted for in every single moment. Such was the nature of Assassin. Such was the burden of a Servant.

Spiritual hacking. Caster seized control of her Masters body using the affixed Etherlite, in combination with magecraft. Hypatia was anything but careless, after all.

". . .Before this Era of Primates, there was once a to-be Sky Father betrayed by a certain usurper." Her voice was not human. She should not exist. Even by the standards of a Magus, even by the standards of this war-

------------
+ Number 1 +
Removal of bodily limitations. Enhancement of bone structure, senses, optimization of basic human functions.

------------

"That was his own brother, naturally. Tonight only, I'll take on that role in this tower, which is close to the heavens He was to rule." Increasingly, Etherlite began to surround Casters master.

------------
+ Number 7 +
Expansion of mental process and bodily processing speed. Enhancement of nervous system with Etherlite.

------------

"But I'll also take on the role of the sister who revived him. Such is the nature of the organization that created me."

One of Casters auxiliary minds wondered why Magi outside of her Institute neglected their bodies so much. Truly, they were over reliant on a simple mutation. If they weren't, perhaps this wouldn't need to be so drastic.

------------
+ Number 4 +
Restoration of Magical Crest. Perfection/Repair/Regression of Thaumaturgical Formula.

------------

"There are rules and limits to this era. But, Child of Man, I will see you crash through them just as Osiris did with the Gates of the Underworld." After all, she was-

Improvement of hardware, software, and formula. The actualization of an existence that reached into a realm beyond humans. In combination with her Noble Phantasm, that much should be possible.

After the beginnings of this process were to be finished, she would set off for City Hall. The lively ambient energy of Shinto would be better served as a catalyst for her desired future.
Saint Catherine
Kino Books, Traveling through Miyama and into Shinto




"The common sense of man has advanced a great deal." Caster tilted her head in response to her Masters words. She set about [Reprogramming] civilians to notify the various pairs she detected on the way about Heracles.

Certainly they would be interested?

Still, they were gaining great deals of information as they traveled. The modern world was a beacon of civilization's light, but it was also dangerous territory for humanity. As someone created to [Save the World], it was disconcerting.

There was always *that* impossible question, after all.
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