Chapter 21: Become a Sorcerer, Emiya Shirou!
"Could you even project the legendary Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi? Satoru Gojo suddenly asked Emiya."
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, often called the Grass-Cutting Sword, is one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, dating back to the Age of Gods in Japanese mythology.
Legend says it was the divine sword that emerged from the tail of the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi when Susanoo slew it. While its specific battle prowess isn't detailed in the myths, as one of the universally acknowledged Three Sacred Treasures, its power should be considerable if the existence of Noble Phantasms truly relates to human legend and fantasy, as Emiya claimed.
Few modern people might be interested in such mythical artifacts, but for Gojo, born into a major clan lineage, mythological doctrine still carried significant weight. The old folks of the Jujutsu world are so rigid that they use bloodline to determine rank, so how could they not incorporate these myths and legends?
Gojo brought up this specific item, of course, not for the purpose of mere admiration.
He wanted to challenge and engage with something that people had deified—that's where the fun was!!!
"If it's a Divine Construct of that nature, I cannot." Emiya shook his head.
"Eh, why?" His sudden enthusiasm interrupted, Gojo seemed to deflate into a strange, childlike curiosity, asking Emiya.
"Because the activation of Projection Magecraft includes the critical step of imitating the creation technique, and I cannot comprehend Noble Phantasms forged by the Planet itself in mythology."
If he cannot analyze the process of the Noble Phantasm's creation, he naturally cannot proceed to imitate and project it.
Even Projection Magecraft, which sounds incredibly unreasonable, strictly adheres to the laws of reality. The process of 'Projection' can be simply understood as the process of 'forging' a Noble Phantasm anew. Even to make a counterfeit, one must at least understand the blueprints, right?
"Is that so..."
"They are called Divine Constructs because, in mythology, those weapons naturally formed between Heaven and Earth. Saying they were forged by the Planet is quite apt, but it's a shame you can't project them.
Conversely, for Noble Phantasms forged by humans, since their creation process has the potential to be reproduced, Projection Magecraft has room to operate... It actually follows physical laws unexpectedly.
Speaking of which! Since you said these Noble Phantasms were all real things that once existed, is there any way I can find their originals now?" Gojo remembered that many antiques have survived since ancient times. Although they are currently stored in various museums, they are not his to claim, at least not yet.
"No. The existence of a Noble Phantasm is, at its core, an armament created with human fantasy as its framework. Their existence has no direct link to real-world objects, and this world cannot accommodate the original bodies of Noble Phantasms."
Forget about this world, which seems to lack the 'Greater Grail' and magical energy. Even in the previous Magecraft world, after the decline of the Age of Gods, artifacts imbued with such miracles ceased to exist entirely.
Some ancient Magecraft families might still preserve fragments using special means, but Emiya has never seen them.
As for why he only said there was no direct link? Because in the Holy Grail War, objects associated with Heroic Spirits could still be used as catalysts to summon them.
"No way, that's such a shame..." Gojo's enthusiasm was significantly dampened. He openly admitted that he had indeed planned to reclaim some antiques from the British Museum.
"However, having said all this, I roughly understand the level of your ability."
"Assuming this is an Innate Technique. From a Sorcerer's perspective, classifying it as Special Grade presents no problem whatsoever.
The effects of different Noble Phantasms could counter different opponents and Cursed Spirits. It's truly a super-weapon among weapons. Even I, without full intelligence, might not come out ahead.
However... this explanation would be too much trouble to use to convince those old coots. If we keep it hidden for now, the rating can only be set at Grade 2 based on your record of exorcising a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit."
Gojo slapped his head in frustration, unsure how to handle the current situation. "Since you're not a real Sorcerer yet, some things are hard to hide."
The Jujutsu world's ranking system for Sorcerers largely uses a system of recommendation.
Besides concrete achievements, a Grade 4 Sorcerer needs the recommendation of another Grade 3 Sorcerer to be promoted to Grade 3. The same applies to Grade 3 becoming Grade 2, and so on. After being nominated, the candidate is accompanied on an exorcism mission by a Sorcerer of the same rank (who is not the recommender). If they perform adequately, they are successfully promoted.
It sounds complicated, but the system is actually quite sensible. At least it effectively prevents a mismatch between a Sorcerer's strength and their grade.
However, once a Sorcerer reaches Special Grade, the original ranking system becomes completely irrelevant.
After all, there are currently only three Special Grade Sorcerers in all of Japan, and each of them faces various exorcism requests every day.
They have no time to waste.
Furthermore, the old men in the Jujutsu world actually despise Special Grade Sorcerers who don't follow their directives very much. To be evaluated as Special Grade, one must genuinely demonstrate overwhelming power.
If not completely unbeatable, one must at least exorcise several Special Grade Cursed Spirits or demonstrate a power that those old-timers simply cannot comprehend. Gojo could tell that Emiya wasn't the type to seek such attention, so he decided to simply pass on that idea.
"It's alright, Gojo-san. Grade 2 is enough... I don't really care about the ranks." Emiya's original reason for becoming a Sorcerer was only to gather more information and because he couldn't stand seeing someone cry in front of him.
Obsessively pursuing the ranking system would be entirely missing the point, wouldn't it?
"You really are a grounded young man, good!"
"Since you're willing to tell me so much about your ability, then as compensation, I must do something in return." Gojo put his hand in a checkmark shape under his chin and started thinking seriously.
"I've got it!
I'll start by telling you the latest intelligence I've received. Remember the old man caught in this commission who killed two students?
Due to procedural issues, the government rarely hands out the death penalty. This murder case didn't cause too much of an impact, thanks to Jujutsu High's intentional guidance, and his motive for killing was quite justifiable...
He'd probably get around twenty years in prison. Under a government sentence, he would still have a chance to get out and start over in his old age." After pondering for a moment, Gojo gave a very fair assessment.
Emiya's expression noticeably relaxed upon hearing this news. Gojo, keenly noticing this, quickly curled his lips into a smile.
"Too bad, though. Because he accidentally got involved with the Jujutsu world, the Higher-Ups deliberated and passed their verdict on the man who merely wanted to avenge his daughter—
Death penalty, to be executed immediately."
BOOM—!
Emiya Shirou's negative emotions were instantly ignited.