Fate x Danmachi: The Sword Prince (eng)

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A calm morning enveloped Twilight Manor as the first rays of sunlight graced the quiet garden. In the corner of a small storage shed within the garden, Shirou and Riveria stood face-to-face. Shirou was earnestly explaining the fundamentals of Incantation Magecraft—something unfamiliar to Riveria, despite her being one of the most powerful mages in Orario.

"Alright," Shirou began, crossing his arms over his chest. "Magecraft doesn't have limits on how far a magus can master techniques or spells they learn. As long as there is effort and understanding, new spells can be created."

Riveria nodded slightly, her green hair shimmering in the morning light. "So that's what sets Magecraft apart from the magic of this world. The magic we use is limited by the Falna blessings of gods or goddesses. Normally, an adventurer can only possess a maximum of three spells. Of course, there are exceptions like myself, with nine spells, or Lefiya, who can mimic the spells of other elves."

Shirou gave a small smile, pleased that Riveria remembered his lessons. "That's correct. However, there's another important distinction," he said, pausing to capture her attention.

Riveria furrowed her brow, recalling the earlier moment when she had seen Shirou transform a Summoning Spell into a Binding Spell with ease. "Magecraft is more flexible, isn't it? You can even change a spell's purpose quickly."

"Exactly," Shirou replied with a smile. He raised his hand, demonstrating how he formed prana between his fingers. "Incantations are a form of self-hypnosis for a magus. The purpose isn't just the words of the chant but creating the mental conditions necessary to produce the spell. That's why Incantations can be adapted to suit the needs of the magus using them."

Riveria watched intently, processing every word. "Unlike the magic of this world, Incantations tied to the Falna are rigid. There's no room for flexibility. If an adventurer mispronounces even one word, the magic fails immediately."

Shirou nodded in agreement. "That's another significant difference. However, Magecraft's flexibility also demands far greater training and concentration. Without those, a magus can't even perform a simple spell."

Riveria gave a faint smile, her eyes shining with curiosity. "An art that requires discipline and patience. I'm becoming more interested in delving deeper into this."

"And I'll be happy to teach you," Shirou said confidently. The two continued their discussion, harmonizing the knowledge of their two worlds.

Under the bright morning sky, their conversation grew more profound. Riveria, intrigued by Shirou's Magecraft techniques, posed a question that had been on her mind. "Shirou," she began, looking at the red-haired young man with genuine curiosity, "the Incantation 'Trace On' that you often use—why is it so short but produces such powerful effects? You can project nearly perfect weapons with it."

Shirou gave a small smile, as though he had anticipated this question eventually. "Actually, 'Trace On' is a shortened version of a longer Incantation. Originally, it was a seven-step chant I learned and modified. With practice and understanding, I managed to condense it into just two words."

Riveria raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. "Condense an Incantation? You know, I can't even imagine using 'Wynn Fimbulvetr'—the spell for summoning an iceberg—with just one sentence. Imagine summoning an iceberg in an instant with a short spell!" Her tone was filled with excitement, revealing her enthusiasm.

Shirou chuckled softly at Riveria's imaginative musings. "It does sound fascinating. But this technique requires a deep understanding of every step in the process."

Riveria's curiosity grew. "So what are these seven steps? Can you show me?"

With a light nod, Shirou raised his hand and began explaining each step, demonstrating as he went along.

"Judging the concept of creation," Shirou began, closing his eyes and raising his hand. "The first step is understanding the concept of what you want to create. I evaluate every detail of the weapon, from its shape to its intended use." Prana began to emit faintly from his body.

"Hypothesizing the basic structure," he continued, slowly opening his eyes. "This step involves building the basic framework in your mind, like laying the foundation of a building." A faint blue light began to form in the air, resembling the shadow of a weapon.

"Duplicating the composition material," Shirou moved to the third step, his hands mimicking the act of grasping something invisible. "I replicate the materials needed, even if only mentally."

Riveria observed closely, amazed by the intricate process. "So you even have to understand the materials it's made of?"

Shirou nodded. "Imitating the skill of its making," he went on. "The fourth step is replicating the techniques used to craft the weapon. It's like learning from the experiences of the original artisans."

"Sympathizing with the experience of its growth," Shirou said calmly, describing how the weapon evolved over time. "I must understand the weapon's journey, from its creation to its present state."

"Reproducing the accumulated years," Shirou continued, now more focused. "The sixth step is replicating the effects of time. Every scratch, every scar, every bit of history the weapon holds must be understood."

Riveria nodded slowly, beginning to grasp the complexity of the process. "And the final step?"

"Excelling every manufacturing process," Shirou concluded, transforming the blue light in his hands into a projected weapon. "This is where I refine all the previous steps, creating an almost perfect replica."

Riveria gazed at the sword now in Shirou's hand with awe. "All of this… you condensed these seven steps into two simple words, 'Trace On'?"

Shirou gave a soft smile. "Yes. But that's only possible after years of practice. The flexibility of Magecraft doesn't make the process any easier."

Riveria nodded again, her respect for Shirou deepening. "I never realized Magecraft could be this deep and complex. Thank you for teaching me."

They continued their discussion, with Riveria asking more questions and Shirou patiently explaining every detail.

Riveria carefully observed each step Shirou demonstrated earlier. Her mind worked hard to piece together a new understanding of Magecraft until she finally reached a conclusion. "So," she began slowly, gazing seriously at Shirou, "you're so skilled at Projection that you can close your eyes, extend your hand, and project weapons without uttering any incantations, like what I saw in the Dungeon. At that moment, you summoned countless weapons around you."

Shirou gave a small smile and nodded in confirmation. "Yes, you're right," he replied calmly.

However, Riveria's curiosity remained unsatisfied. "But," she continued, leaning slightly forward, "do you recite the incantation silently in your mind? Or do you simply visualize the weapon you want to project?"

Shirou rubbed his chin briefly before answering, "I just imagine the weapon I want to project. The process happens within my mind, without the need to speak anything aloud."

In his thoughts, Shirou felt compelled to elaborate further. Actually, he thought, the process is much more complex. I don't just imagine the weapon—I also 'copy' its existence from my inner world, Unlimited Blade Works. All these weapons already exist there, within my internal domain. But discussing Reality Marble today would be too much for this lesson, and I don't want to overwhelm Riveria with overly complicated information.

Meanwhile, Riveria watched Shirou with an expression of awe. Deep down, she felt incredibly fortunate to learn from someone so extraordinary. Magecraft wasn't just a challenging new discipline for her; it also allowed her to connect more deeply with Shirou, someone who had intrigued her for a long time.

"I'm truly grateful for this opportunity," Riveria said sincerely. "Learning Magecraft from you is something I never imagined before."

Shirou smiled, a bit bashful. "I'm just happy to share what I know. If this helps you, then I'm satisfied."

Their conversation continued with a relaxed yet focused atmosphere. Riveria, full of curiosity, kept asking questions, and Shirou patiently answered each one. The bond between them grew stronger, hidden behind the technical nature of their discussion.

Riveria turned her attention to the sword Shirou had just projected. Its form was so perfect it was hard to believe it was merely a Magecraft replica. She extended her hand, touching the hilt with curiosity. "I want to try," she said firmly, her eyes alight with enthusiasm.

Shirou regarded her for a moment, hesitant. "Riveria," he began gently, "this technique isn't easy. It took me years of practice to truly understand and master it. This isn't something you can achieve in a single attempt."

Riveria nodded, her expression unwavering. In her heart, she thought, I know this will be difficult, but I want to do it. I want to be closer to Shirou, to understand his world, and to know him more deeply through this Magecraft.

Taking the sword from Shirou's hand, Riveria began channeling prana through her Magic Circuits. The warm, pulsing sensation of her magical energy enveloped her body. She decided to start with Structural Analysis. Carefully, she focused her mind on understanding the structure and fundamental concepts of the sword.

"The first step, Judging the concept of creation," Shirou guided her calmly.

Riveria closed her eyes, attempting to sense and comprehend the essence of the sword. However, all she could perceive was a vague, elusive shadow in her mind. "This… is much harder than I thought," she murmured, slightly frustrated.

"The second step, Hypothesizing the basic structure," Shirou continued.

Riveria tried her best to visualize the sword's composition, but the details felt like an incomplete puzzle. Sweat began to bead on her temples, but she refused to give up. She moved on to the third step, Duplicating the composition material. Her hands trembled as she attempted to replicate the sword's material using prana. The result? A faint, incomplete shape that barely resembled a weapon.

"The fourth step, Imitating the skill of its making," Shirou said gently, keeping a close watch on Riveria.

Riveria attempted to replicate the craftsmanship behind the sword, but the difficulty only increased. Each faint impression in her mind felt heavy and inconsistent. "How can you do this so effortlessly, Shirou?" she asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"I never said it was effortless," Shirou replied with a small laugh. "I stumbled and failed countless times before I got to this point."

The fifth step, Sympathizing with the experience of its growth, required Riveria to feel the sword's formation and development, but all she encountered was emptiness. The sixth step, Reproducing the accumulated years, felt like the peak of the challenge.

Finally, the last step: Excelling every manufacturing process. Breathing heavily, Riveria tried to fully recreate the sword. The result was a transparent blade, that appeared empty and fragile. She lifted it slowly, but in an instant, the sword dissolved back into particles of prana, disappearing into the air.

Riveria slumped to the ground, gasping for breath. "I failed," she said softly, disappointment evident in her tone.

Shirou stepped closer and gently patted her shoulder. "You've come so far for a first attempt. Reaching the seventh step alone is extraordinary. It took me a long time to get there. Don't feel discouraged."

Riveria looked at him with a small smile, despite her exhaustion. "I just wanted to try… Maybe, if I keep learning from you, I can understand more."

Shirou smiled warmly. "And I'll keep teaching you. Magecraft is difficult, but with dedication like yours, you'll surpass your limits."

Riveria nodded, feeling a new determination growing within her. Even though she failed, she felt her efforts brought her closer—not just to Magecraft, but also to Shirou.

Shirou watched Riveria, still visibly tired from her attempt at Projection. He smiled, trying to comfort her. "Riveria, don't feel bad. Even the most skilled magi rarely succeed with Projection like this. Honestly, most would have the same result as you. That's why Projection is often called Gradation Air. It's incredibly difficult to master."

Riveria raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this new information. "Gradation Air? Hmm... interesting. So, are there other magi you know who use this technique?" she asked, her tone full of curiosity.

Shirou fell silent for a moment, his gaze distant as if recalling the past. With a slightly melancholic tone, he began to share. "I once had a companion during the Holy Grail War. Her name was Rin Tohsaka. She was an exceptionally talented magus, an Average One who could wield all five primary elements. If anyone could be the best teacher for you, it might be Rin."

The longing in Shirou's voice stirred something in Riveria's chest—a flicker of jealousy she struggled to suppress. However, she pushed the feeling aside, recognizing it wasn't the time to dwell on such emotions. "Rin Tohsaka, huh? She seems to mean a lot to you," Riveria said, keeping her tone neutral.

Shirou nodded slowly. "Yes, she… was a very important friend. Intelligent, stubborn, and incredibly skilled. She always knew how to face any challenge. If she were here, she might be able to help you understand Magecraft better than I could."

Riveria listened attentively, but when Shirou finished, she shook her head firmly. "I don't care who she is, Shirou. Even if Rin sounds amazing, I wouldn't replace you as my teacher. You've guided me this far, and I want to learn Magecraft from you, not anyone else."

Shirou was momentarily stunned, then gave a small smile. "Riveria… that means a lot to me. But honestly, I don't feel worthy of such respect. I'm just a third-rate magus who happens to know a little about Magecraft."

Riveria simply smiled faintly, looking at Shirou with resolute eyes. Rin Tohsaka may have been by your side once, Shirou, but she's a world apart from you now. Let me be the one to stay by your side here and now. That monologue echoed in her heart, but she didn't say it aloud. Instead, she spoke softly, "You're worthy, Shirou. Never doubt that."

Shirou took a deep breath, gazing at Riveria, who still seemed determined despite her recent failure with Projection. With a gentle but firm tone, he said, "Riveria, I think Projection might not be the right path for you. That technique requires a very specific set of elements, and… it doesn't seem to align with your affinities."

Riveria pondered for a moment before replying, "Based on the magic I've gained through my Falna, I can use fire, ice, barriers, and healing. Those are the elements that form the foundation of my spells."

Shirou raised his hands in mock surrender. "In that case, I have to be honest... I can't teach you anything about those. All those elements are far outside my expertise. I wouldn't even know where to start with healing or barriers." He gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Riveria chuckled softly, unbothered. "That's not a problem. I'll try to learn something on my own. Maybe I can combine those elements in my experiments," she said confidently.

However, hearing the word "experiments" made Shirou suddenly serious. He looked at Riveria sharply, his voice becoming more firm. "Riveria, listen to me. Experimenting with Magecraft is not simple. Being a magus is like walking on the edge of a deadly cliff. One wrong step and your experiment could kill you. Other magi who discover your research might hunt you down to steal your secrets. And if you push the limits of Magecraft too far, your body itself could break apart."

Shirou's warning filled Riveria with a momentary silence. She swallowed hard, her face slightly pale from his explanation. But she soon offered a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "I understand, Shirou. I'll be careful, I promise. And you know? At least in this world, there are no other magi except you, right? If something threatens me, wouldn't you protect me?"

Shirou let out a long sigh. Her smile slightly softened his concern, but he still replied firmly. "Of course, I'll protect you. But don't use that as an excuse to act recklessly, Riveria. I'm serious."

Riveria smiled more brightly, feeling more confident. "Don't worry, Shirou. I'll make sure my experiments are safe. And… I know I have a great teacher by my side."

Shirou could only nod, though deep in his heart, he still felt a lingering unease.

Riveria appeared lost in thought for a moment, her face adorned with a faint smile as though she'd found an intriguing idea. She turned to Shirou, who was still seated in front of her. "I have an idea to start my research," she said confidently. "Maybe I can find out what the ancient Elves used for their magic. I'm sure there's much knowledge that's been lost."

Shirou nodded, showing his interest. "That's a good idea. But… where would you find that information? Records like that are incredibly rare, aren't they?"

Riveria chuckled softly and gave Shirou an amused smile. "Did you forget, Shirou? Your student here is a High Elf. I'm a princess of the Alf forest. When I left the palace to come to Orario, I brought quite a number of books from the royal library. Maybe among those books, there are clues about ancient magic."

Shirou was surprised to hear this and then gave a small smile. "You really always think ahead. In that case, let me help you go through those books. Maybe together, we can find something faster."

However, Riveria gently shook her head. "I appreciate your offer, Shirou, but I don't think that will be effective. Most of the books I brought are written in ancient hieroglyphs. Can you read those?"

Shirou paused for a moment before shaking his head. "I can't. When I ended up in this world, I only acquired knowledge of Koine—the common language used here. Ancient hieroglyphs are entirely beyond my capability."

Riveria smiled again, this time with certainty. "In that case, I know someone who can help me. I'll ask Aina Tulle, my friend and former attendant who accompanied me on my journey out of the Alf forest. She has expertise in reading hieroglyphs and will definitely be a great help to my research."

Shirou nodded in agreement. "That's a great idea. Aina would surely be happy to assist you, especially since it involves the ancient magical legacy of your ancestors."

Riveria gazed at Shirou softly, conveying her gratitude. "Then I must ask for your understanding. For the next few days, I won't be able to continue Magecraft lessons with you. I plan to stay at Aina's place and conduct research with her."

Shirou smiled and nodded understandingly. "Of course. Don't worry about that. I hope your research goes well, Riveria. If you need anything, you know I'm here to help you."

Riveria looked at Shirou with deep gratitude. "Thank you, Shirou. I'll do my best to uncover whatever I can learn from my ancestors' past."