Fuyuki City, High-End Hotel
Lucien had already checked in.
Outside, helicopters hovered over the city while fire trucks and police cars rushed through the streets, extinguishing fires and rescuing civilians.
Technology in this modern world was advanced, reflecting the Fifth Holy Grail War's modern setting.
Authorities were investigating the meteor incident, especially since it had been destroyed by three mysterious forces—a spectacle witnessed by many Fuyuki residents.
The existence of mages was no secret; academies still operated, nurturing those capable of wielding magical power.
In his luxurious hotel room, Lucien emerged from the bathroom, his damp, spiky blue hair hanging down.
He moved to the bed and turned on the TV, which broadcasted news about the meteor.
Rubbing his temples, he struggled to recall the intricacies of the Holy Grail War.
The Holy Grail, famed as a wish-granting artifact, might be more illusion than reality.
Its true function was to act as a container for "energy" created by the Three Families—Einzbern, Tohsaka, and Matou.
The Grail absorbed the souls of seven Servants who perished in the war and transported them back to their original worlds.
During this process, a passage opened connecting the world of Heroic Spirits to the modern world.
The families sought to seize the "Root," the origin of all existence and laws governing the universe.
A mage who reached the Root using this energy could theoretically realize their wish, though the wish was not omnipotent.
Corruption in the Grail during the Third Holy Grail War meant wishes could be fulfilled in twisted, extreme ways.
A desire for peace, for example, might lead to humanity's destruction.
In short, the Grail stored energy more than it granted wishes directly.
Absorbing that energy, however, could significantly enhance a mage's own power.
Lucien pondered whether rewards existed for defeating Heroic Spirits like Artoria or Gilgamesh.
Though manifested through the Grail, their true selves resided in vanished history, and only by eliminating them could one gain insight into the system.
His goal was to obtain the Grail.
Even if it could not grant wishes, the energy it contained was a fortune in itself.
Lucien cultivated Ki, the fundamental life energy, analogous to Chakra in Naruto, Reiatsu in Bleach, Haki in One Piece, or other forms of energy across worlds.
Regardless of terminology, its essence was identical.
The energy within the Grail, primitive yet powerful, could potentially be absorbed directly, providing a shortcut to power.
He imagined a sudden enlightenment, similar to Xuzhu in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, who absorbed Wuyazi's internal energy in an instant, reaching the pinnacle of his strength.
Absorbing the Grail's energy could strengthen Lucien's Qi dramatically, enhancing his combat abilities.
Yet, ideally, making a wish was the ultimate option.
The value of a single wish was immeasurable.
Lucien had even planned what he might wish for.
Mature men often thought strategically.
First, he would list all desired outcomes on paper and wish for them to be fulfilled.
Failing that, he would aim for a magic lamp granting three wishes.
One wish could then obtain a Dragon Ball, and from there, he could maximize the benefits.
His amethyst eyes flickered with excitement, his face twitching intermittently at the thought.
The Holy Grail War world offered resources far beyond those in the worlds of Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer.
If his plans succeeded, immense power awaited.
Lucien outlined five major objectives:
1. Become a Master and participate in the war, as only participants could access the Grail. Ki equivalent to magic power would allow him to qualify. Even non-mages like Soichiro Kuzuki could serve as Masters if they could supply some energy to their Servants.
2. Kill a Heroic Spirit as a test to see if they could be permanently defeated, gaining "Dice throws" as a reward.
3. Cooperate with Children of Destiny—Shirou Emiya, Rin, Artoria, and others—to eliminate the dangerous Reincarnator. Helpers were essential.
4. After defeating the Reincarnator, ensure Shirou and select others were safe. By then, most Masters and Servants would be dead, triggering the Grail's appearance.
5. Obtain the Grail and make a wish. If unable, absorb its energy to strengthen his Ki.
Completing these goals would constitute near-complete success.
Adjustments could be made dynamically during execution.
Lucien preferred decisive, overwhelming battles, yet his strength was currently insufficient.
He would employ all available resources and cunning to achieve his objectives.
If possible, he wanted to remain honorable and fair.
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The Next Day
As the sun set, the dismissal bell rang at Homurahara Academy.
A stunning young woman with shoulder-length purple hair and a figure that even the school uniform could not conceal walked gracefully along the path.
Her serene aura set her apart from ordinary students.
A gentle breeze stirred cherry blossom petals along the street.
Sakura Matou smoothed the pleats of her skirt and brushed her hair behind her ear, pausing as she noticed a man standing before her.
"Yo!"
Lucien's left hand rested casually in his board shorts pocket, a cigarette held between the fingers of his right hand, smoke rings drifting lazily.
His spiky blue hair marked him unmistakably.
These were cigarettes he had purchased that morning, and even in this world, they were decent quality.
He had appeared here for the woman before him—a beautiful, gentle young woman who had endured humiliation and hardship but retained her kindness and composure.
Lucien had admired her for some time, and his affection extended to other women in the Fifth Holy Grail War: Rin Tohsaka, Illya, Heroic Spirit King Artoria, Medea, and Medusa.
He liked them all genuinely, never hiding his feelings.
This was not casual flirtation; he loved sincerely.
The only tragedy was that lovers rarely found permanent companionship in this cruel world.
Lucien did not wish to be a scoundrel, yet his current limitations constrained him.
All the women he loved shared the same fate, yet he treated them with equality, never showing favoritism.
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