Chapter 2. The Loki Familia Has a [Projection Mage]!
After the disturbance on the 18th floor subsided, the Loki Familia expedition did not linger.
Although the original plan was to rest for an additional day on the 18th floor, Captain Finn, acting out of caution due to the abnormal ambush by the "War Shadows," decided to return to the surface ahead of schedule.
The return journey was smoother than expected.
With Level 6s like Finn and Riveria and Level 5s like Ais and Bete clearing the path, the Minotaurs and Hellhounds of the upper floors posed no threat whatsoever.
Shirou Emiya was placed in the middle of the formation—the safest position.
"Hey, hey, Emiya-kun!"
The dark-skinned Amazon girl, Tiona, seemed extremely interested in Shirou, hovering around him the entire way.
"That move just now was so cool! Even though it wasn't as powerful as Ais's magic, the sword just went 'shing' and appeared, and then 'squelch' and the monster died! How did you do that?"
"It wasn't a magic trick."
Ais, walking on the other side, suddenly spoke up.
The golden-haired Sword Princess was looking straight ahead, but her ears were perked slightly, clearly listening to the conversation.
"It was... construction." Ais's voice was light but pierced straight to the heart of the matter. "Using magical power to construct the shape and hardness of a weapon. I don't know the principle, but those two blades were real steel before they broke."
Shirou shot a slightly surprised glance at Ais.
As expected of a girl pursuing the pinnacle of the sword; her intuition was frighteningly sharp.
"You could say that." Shirou nodded, trying to explain in easy-to-understand terms.
"In my hometown, it's called 'Projection Magecraft.' Simply put, it's using magical power to analyze a weapon I've seen and then 'drawing' it out into reality."
"You can cut people just by drawing them? So strong!" Tiona's eyes sparkled.
"Then can you make one of those super huge greatswords? Like my 'Urga' (Grand Double Blade)?"
"As long as the structure isn't too complex, it's theoretically possible." Shirou gave a wry smile. "But my current magical power... I mean, my mental strength isn't enough. Those two short swords earlier were my limit."
This was the truth.
The aftereffects of the crossing were still there. Although this body had integrated the experience of the Heroic Spirit EMIYA, the operation of his Magic Circuits was still stiff. That single projection earlier had nearly drained his current reserves.
"Tch, just flashy nonsense."
The werewolf Bete, walking ahead, mocked him without turning back. "A weapon is a warrior's other half. A 'counterfeit' that you discard after one use will shatter the moment it touches a truly high-level monster."
Shirou did not argue; he simply gave a gentle smile.
'A Faker, huh?'
In that Holy Grail War, it was precisely with these so-called "counterfeits" that he had defeated the oldest King of Heroes.
However, there was no need to say such things now.
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After half a day of trekking, the team finally emerged from the Dungeon.
When the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds and fell upon Shirou Emiya's face, he subconsciously squinted.
Before him was a giant tower so magnificent it took his breath away—The Tower of Babel.
It towered into the clouds, seemingly connecting heaven and earth. Surrounding the tower was a bustling circular metropolis. White stone buildings were arranged in neat rows, and the streets were teeming with people—humans, elves, beastmen, dwarves... a mixture of various races, filled with the fantasy colors of another world.
Orario.
The center of the world.
And the place where he, a stranger, would now settle.
"Welcome to Orario, Emiya."
Finn stopped and looked at Shirou with a smile.
"Although we haven't known each other long, I can tell you possess excellent qualities. So? Have you considered my proposal to join the Loki Familia?"
"Ah, if you don't mind that I'm a newcomer." Shirou nodded.
In this world where he was a stranger in a strange land, joining one of the "Two Peaks"—the strongest powers in Orario—was undoubtedly the best possible start. And... looking at this group of companions who were noisy but trusted each other, he didn't dislike the atmosphere.
"Great!" Tiona cheered, slapping Shirou on the back.
"We're comrades from now on! I'll look out for you!"
Ais also turned her head, a trace of an unnoticeable light flashing in her golden eyes.
"Since it's decided, let's head to the headquarters first." Riveria tapped her staff lightly on the ground.
"Loki will probably be very happy when she finds out we've brought back a 'surprise.'"
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The Twilight Manor, headquarters of the Loki Familia.
This massive estate with numerous spires sat on the northwest main street of Orario, looking exceptionally grand.
Just as they stepped into the hall, a red blur rushed down the stairs.
"Ais-tannnnnn~~~~!!!!"
Accompanied by this shout full of... "eccentric" energy, a goddess with short red hair and a flat chest lunged toward Ais like a starving tiger.
"I missed you so much! Are you hurt? Did any creepy uncles bully you? Quick, let the greatest goddess of the Loki Familia inspect your body!"
Thud.
Ais expressionlessly stepped aside, stuck out her leg, and tripped her.
The movement was fluid and natural, clearly practiced countless times.
The goddess named Loki landed face-first on the carpet in an ungraceful heap, but she bounced back up instantly as if nothing had happened, a lecherous grin on her face.
"Oho! Ais-tan is as cold as ever, but I love it!"
Shirou Emiya's lip twitched as he watched this.
'This is... a God?'
Compared to the high-and-mighty Heroic Spirits he had seen in the Holy Grail War, this deity was a bit too... down-to-earth.
"Cough, cough. Loki."
Riveria coughed helplessly. "We have a guest. Please mind your image a little."
"A guest?"
Only then did Loki pull her face away from Ais's legs. She squinted her eyes, which always seemed like they couldn't quite open, scanned the room, and finally fixed her gaze on Shirou Emiya.
In that instant, Shirou felt as if he were being stared at by a poisonous snake.
All his secrets seemed to have nowhere to hide under those red eyes.
"Oh? A fresh face."
Loki dropped her playful expression and slowly walked up to Shirou, circling him once.
"No scent of Grace, yet the soul is unexpectedly resilient... and, it has a smell of rust that makes it hard to dislike."
She leaned in and sniffed, her mouth splitting into an exaggerated arc.
"Finn, is this your haul this time? A... human you picked up from the Dungeon?"
"His name is Shirou Emiya," Finn introduced with a smile.
"On the 18th floor, he killed a War Shadow using a method I've never seen before to save Lefiya. I believe he has the potential to become an excellent adventurer."
"A method never seen before?"
Loki raised an eyebrow and looked at Ais.
Ais nodded.
"He can make swords appear out of thin air. Very strong."
To receive praise from the "Sword Princess" Ais carried significant weight.
"Heh, interesting."
Loki grinned and slapped Shirou's shoulder.
"Since my Finn and Ais have said so, I naturally have no reason to refuse. Kid, are you prepared? Joining my Familia means dedicating your heart and soul to me, you know?"
"I'll pass on the 'heart and soul' part, but I'll do my best," Shirou replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Hahahaha! An interesting answer! Much better than those guys who kneel the moment they see a god!"
Loki laughed and turned around.
"Come! Since you've joined, let's carve the 'Falna' on you first! Let me see what secrets are hidden inside your body, kid!"
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Twilight Manor, the Primary Deity's Room.
Following instructions, Shirou took off his shirt and lay face down on a wide sofa.
Only he and Loki were in the room.
"Relax, don't tense your muscles."
Loki pulled a needle from somewhere and pricked her own finger. A drop of blood radiating a divine aura fell onto Shirou's back.
Hum—
As the divine blood integrated, Shirou felt a wave of heat on his back, as if something had been ignited.
It was the "vessel" hidden within his body, its lock being forcibly opened by the power of a god.
Loki sat on Shirou's back, her fingers moving nimbly across his skin, deciphering the sacred text that was emerging.
At first, her expression was casual.
After all, a newcomer's Ability Values are usually a complete blank.
But as the text gradually became clear, Loki's squinting eyes suddenly snapped wide open.
They were a pair of vertical pupils, crimson as blood.
"Hey, hey... are you serious?"
Looking at the data transcribed onto the parchment, Loki's expression changed from surprise to wild joy, and finally settled into a deep, playful smirk.
[Name]: Shirou Emiya [Race]: Human [Familia]: Loki Familia [Level]: Lv. 1
[Ability Values]:
Strength: I (0) Endurance: I (0) Dexterity: I (0) Agility: I (0)
Magic: I (0)
The basic values were normal—all zeros, representing a novice's starting point.
What shocked Loki were the two sections below.
Normally, it is impossible for a newcomer to start with "Magic" or "Skills"; these must be earned through "Great Deeds" in subsequent adventures.
But on Shirou Emiya's back, heart-stopping text was carved in dense detail.
[Magic]:
『Projection Magecraft (Trace On)』 o No Chant.
o Construct and reproduce visualized armaments.
o Even Divine Armaments can be copied, but the construction rank will decrease.
[Skills]:
『Clairvoyance』 o Extremely superior visual ability. Captures high-speed moving objects and predicts enemy movements.
o Even in desperate situations, one can see a path to survival.
『Mind's Eye (True)』 o Insight cultivated through training and discipline.
o Even when at a disadvantage in battle, allows for a calm grasp of one's own situation and the enemy's abilities to find a chance for victory.
"Magic without a chant... and two rare skills?"
Loki's finger gently traced the text. "And the description of this magic... it can even copy Divine Armaments? You've got to be kidding me; this is practically blasphemy against the gods."
Though she said "blasphemy," the excitement in her eyes could not be hidden.
She had found a treasure.
No, she had picked up a "Joker."
"Kid."
Loki patted Shirou's back to signal him to get up, handed him the parchment, and spoke in an unusually serious tone.
"It looks like I won't be able to slack off anymore either."
Shirou put on his clothes and took the Status sheet. Looking at the familiar yet strange words, he froze for a moment.
'Is this... the 'system' of this world?'
"Listen closely, Emiya."
Loki leaned in close to Shirou. Her face, usually wearing a clown-like grin, now radiated the majesty of a Primary Deity.
"I don't know what you've been through, but since you've become my child, then live with your head held high.
Even if your ability is a 'counterfeit,' as long as it can kill monsters, it's the real deal."
With that, she returned to her mischievous self and shouted toward the door:
"Finn! Riveria! Get in here! Our Familia just got a monstrous newcomer! We're having a banquet tonight! Bring out all the alcohol!!"
In the hallway outside, Ais heard the words "monstrous newcomer." Her fingers gently brushed the hilt of the sword at her waist, and a glint of anticipation flashed in her eyes.
The real adventure had only just begun.