Some night before the story's start.
The night was soft as water, the city's lights gleaming, the Milky Way sparkling above, and the moon, a silver disc, bathed the earth in its glow. Those strolling the streets couldn't help but be captivated by the city's serene beauty.
Fuyuki City suburbs, Matou residence.
Navigating twisted, gnarled woods, Roy arrived alone at the centuries-old mansion. He pushed open the sealed gate, stepping inside with ease, ignoring the magical wards set to test intruders and the ominous worms circling the night sky as a warning. He pressed forward, expression calm, though a certain old man had other plans.
"You've come… intriguing boy, daring to enter another magus's workshop alone. Let's test your mettle."
A raspy voice echoed through the dark mansion.
A withered hand emerged from the shadows, gesturing lightly, commanding the lurking worms outside to attack.
Bzzz—!!
Outside, the worms, once idly hovering, grew frenzied at their master's order. A grating, metallic screech filled the air as a terrifying killing intent flooded the estate.
Despite the night's cover, Roy sensed the hidden malice.
Sending worms to surround him…
"Is this an attempt to kill me here?"
He glanced at the swarming worms above, pondering briefly.
After a moment, he dismissed the thought.
If Matou Zouken truly meant to kill him, a ruthless old monster like him wouldn't send just one type of worm familiar. This was likely a test.
Undoubtedly, Zouken didn't fully trust him, setting this trap to gauge his strength.
If Roy passed, Zouken would emerge, claiming it a misunderstanding. If he failed, his death would be dismissed, his magical legacy scavenged for the Holy Grail War.
What a dirty old worm…
Roy mused.
Compared to Zouken, who'd lingered in this world for centuries, magi like Tokiomi Tohsaka seemed almost pure.
But if it's a test, I'll play along.
Displaying strength before an alliance was common, so Roy didn't mind showing a bit of his power to satisfy the old man's curiosity and dispel doubts.
Then, he acted.
Before the hidden worms could launch their assault, the Magic Crest on his hand glowed brilliantly. With a flick of his wrist, a vial of mercury-like liquid slid from his sleeve, shattering on the ground.
Crack—!
With a crisp sound, the vial broke like glass, spilling Volumen Hydrargyrum across the earth.
"What's this?"
Under Zouken's astonished gaze, Roy's fingers traced swiftly, silver magical runes forming an intricate array in the air. In moments, a sizable red transmutation circle rose in the Matou courtyard. Standing at its center, Roy lifted his head, eyeing the worms above, and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
A faint ripple of mana pulsed through the air, the transmutation circle beneath flickering with light.
"…What's that?"
From the mansion, Zouken, controlling the worms via shared vision, watched the scene— the simple transmutation circle and the snap.
Yet, even seeing it, he couldn't grasp what happened, though the mana in the air suggested something had.
So, what was it?
Unsure, Zouken, seasoned as he was, knew he couldn't give Roy more time. Without hesitation, he raised his arm, directing the winged blade worms to dive at the youth in the courtyard.
Under magical command, hundreds of mantis-like, greenish worms buzzed upward, their transparent wings slicing the air, their blade-like claws chilling.
"A hundred or so… decent enough."
Facing the swarm, the youth in the courtyard showed no fear, sneering as he extended his right hand. "Flame, divine majesty, born in light—now, with holy fire, I grant you death."
The incantation spilled forth, a surge of mana flooding his body, swiftly channeled outward. His fingers traced the air, silver runes forming an arcane array around the worms, silently igniting.
"What?"
Even Zouken, hidden in the mansion, was shocked.
But there was no time for shock. With Roy's crisp snap, hundreds of winged blade worms were engulfed in flames like moths, sizzling as fire consumed flesh.
In an instant, the once-menacing swarm was reduced to charred remnants—some half-burned, others with claws seared off, falling to twitch on the ground. The few survivors lunged at Roy, only to be pierced by spikes of Volumen Hydrargyrum, encased, and dropped to the earth.
"Hmph."
Ignoring the incapacitated worms, Roy strode toward the mansion's door.
As he moved, the Volumen Hydrargyrum swirled around him like an extension of his will, piercing the night with sharp sounds, skewering hidden worms along the path, and dragging them into the flames.
"Hey, Elder Matou, done with your petty test? Satisfied with my strength? If you want to keep up this pointless probing, I'll indulge you!"
Standing atop his family's transmutation circle, guarded by the fluid, Roy's mana amplified several-fold, brimming with confidence. He pulled two differently colored gems from his pocket, ready to hurl them at the mansion.
Seeing his cultivated and imported worms fall to Roy's flames and mercury, Zouken, hidden inside, could no longer sit still, his heart aching.
Though he'd overestimated Roy's strength, assuming a mere Color-rank magus was child's play compared to his centuries of experience, he'd hoped to seize control of their alliance through this test.
But watching his worms perish, Zouken's heart bled.
Not only did Roy craft a transmutation circle on the spot with that silvery liquid, but the fire—one of alchemy's four elements—was far beyond what a Color-rank magus should wield.
This kid wasn't Color-rank—he felt like a Lord, a combat-ready one.
Was the Clock Tower blind? How was this just Color-rank?
Cursing the Tower's incompetence, Zouken hurriedly used magecraft to open the mansion's door, dispelling the courtyard's wards and recalling his remaining familiars.
"Oh? Finally showing yourself? Test over?"
Seeing the door open from within, just a dozen meters apart, the old and young figures faced each other…
Though brief, tonight's events gave Zouken insight into Roy's power. A Color-rank magus reaching this level— even a Pride-rank magus wouldn't handle his worm swarm so easily.
Despite his doubts, Zouken knew further probing was pointless. It would only waste his strength.
Though this was his workshop, giving him an edge, Roy's alchemical circle wasn't to be trifled with. Alchemists, when prepared, wielded power beyond typical magi, excelling in fortified battles. But alchemy required pre-set circles, limiting them to prepared grounds, as battlefields offered no time to draw.
Yet Roy, using that mercury-like liquid, crafted a circle in moments, wielding earth, fire, water, and wind. A mobile alchemical array—a walking fortress.
A magus in their array could double their strength. A mobile array magus? Zouken knew what that meant.
If he met Roy outside, he'd flee the moment the circle formed. No fool fought a magus in their own array.
This test confirmed Roy's restraint and potential as a powerful ally.
With Zouken's Grail knowledge and a mobile array magus, plus two Servants, their chances in the Holy Grail War were unprecedented.
As for after they eliminated the other Masters and Servants…
Only one Grail existed. No matter Roy's promises, they'd inevitably clash.
The moment they defeated their rivals, Zouken would turn, eliminating Roy to claim the Grail.
Roy's mobile array was tricky, but not invincible. Zouken's chosen Berserker would outmatch Roy's Caster in stats and compatibility. Once rivals were gone, he'd use the Berserker to take Roy out.
"…Lord Crowley, you jest. As allies, why would I test you? I simply didn't expect you so soon, so I couldn't retract the familiars, causing this misunderstanding. Please, don't take offense."
Despite Roy calling out his scheme, Zouken's expression remained calm, his tone sincere, almost convincing himself.
"Seems Makiri Zolgen's skin is thicker than I thought. I'll let this slide, but let's call your worms and my flames the opening act for the war."
"But I hope this doesn't happen again. One test is enough. If it does, I'll consider you an enemy, Elder Matou. Clear?"
Roy's eyes narrowed, his tone icy.
"Of course, my mistake. I'm old, my eyes fail me, and slip-ups happen. But since I've erred once, I won't again. Until the war's end, I'll stand with Lord Crowley to win the Grail."
Zouken smiled.
'Promising victory but not Grail ownership… still playing word games, old worm.'
Roy smirked but didn't call it out.
While Zouken schemed, wasn't Roy doing the same?
…Matou Zouken.
…Makiri Zolgen, this Holy Grail War will be your funeral.
"Hmph, I look forward to our performance."
"Naturally, to win, I'll fully support Lord Crowley."
Zouken nodded, smiling earnestly.
"Then I'll count on you, Elder Matou."
Roy exchanged pleasantries.
To an outsider, they'd seem like close friends, perhaps grandfather and grandson.
But the moment Zouken turned to lead the way, their smiles vanished.
Neither spoke nor tested further. Roy followed Zouken into the mansion.
…
The vast Matou estate was eerily silent.
Seeing the empty halls, Roy asked curiously, "No servants in such a grand house? Do you use familiars for cleaning?"
"Ah…"
Zouken shook his head. "I sent them away. Useless lot, no help to our plans."
"True. I heard this generation's Matou heirs are a letdown, not a single decent magus. No wonder you sought to adopt another's child."
Roy mused, unbothered by his interception of Zouken's plan.
"Heh… Tohsaka Sakura, I'm over it. No need to probe, Lord Crowley. This is our last chance, and I won't let those useless fools disrupt us. Except for one rebellious descendant."
Leading the way, Zouken reached a room, pulling open its sealed door.
With a hoarse voice, he said, "After fleeing so long, it's time you served your purpose…"
"My useless descendant, Matou Kariya."
As the door opened, a man bound tightly to a chair came into view.
***
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