True Magician (FatexDxD)

Azazel's house.

I looked at the woman, and she looked at me.

After thinking about it for a bit, for the life of me, I can't say what Noble Phantasm has to do with this. There are certainly a few instances where he could be a complete living independent person, but I doubt this woman is one. Also, I don't feel a connection between her and the world, so it's safe to say she's not a product of my query.

Plus, it's immediately apparent that Azazel perceptibly relaxed as soon as I returned Nightingale to the Throne of Heroes. Given the mess in the lab, which is a common occurrence for someone like these two, it's been cleaned up for quite some time. Better that than seeing an incapacitated Azazel chained to a bed with a bunch of tubes in his body, though.

I shook my head and headed over to the table where the two geniuses were sleeping, then swung wide and slapped the back of Azazel's head so that the sound of his head hitting the table echoed throughout the lab, waking both him and Da Vinci-chan.

- What the hell?! - The Fallen One shouted loudly and unhappily, and when he jumped up from his seat and saw me, he made an annoyed expression on his face - Did you have to wake me up like that? Hell, I think I even got a concussion.

- Oh, don't act like a couple of bottles won't fix it," I waved him off, watching him rub the spot where he'd been hit. "You want to tell me what you've got a living clone of Gabrielle doing in your lab?

- Well, we tried to create a Noble Phantasm like you asked, Master, but nothing worked. All we got were Mystic Codes and trinkets, but nothing really worthwhile, even with the samples and my experience. - Da Vinci-chan explained.

- Why do you need a homunculus?

- Since we couldn't do it the direct way, we decided to take a detour.

- And since Noble Phantasm is directly tied to the legend, why not create it ourselves? Although, nothing like the Throne of Heroes exists in this world, it's worth a try. - Azazel added.

Hmm... That makes sense. There's no Noble Phantasm without a Heroic Spirit, and if you create one already, you'll get something out of it.

- I see.

- I see. Why are you here, Master? Do you need my help? - Da Vinci-chan asked after making coffee in the coffee machine.

- I just wanted to check in. I haven't heard from you in a while," I shrugged, "So, what's the bottom line? Any progress?

- No, not yet," Azazel shook his head, "I wanted to give the body as much power as possible, which Da Vinci-chan helped me do, but usually the homunculus didn't live very long. I even had to do some of my own work to remedy the situation.

- So this isn't your first attempt?

- Of course it is. It's hard to do what Azazel wants," Da Vinci-chan shook her head, "Unfortunately, we don't know the secrets of the Einzbern homunculi, so it's just trial and error. But I have to say, I'm willing to accept the challenge.

It's pretty funny how the Einzberns outperform any local faction in creating quality homunculi. And it's not just durability, it's also functionality.

They managed to create homunculi capable of becoming a vessel for the Holy Grail, a receptacle of such an enormous amount of mana that it could grant the victor's wish on a global scale. And since that was the case, what was stopping them from adjusting the homunculus' body to suit their needs, whatever they might be? To some extent, they could create what Azazel and Da Vinci-chan are trying to do right now. 

- Well, anything," I shrugged and looked at Azazel, "I'd like to ask you something.

- If it has to do with the homunculus' appearance, then-

- I'm aware of your sister complex, so you don't have to justify yourself, but I have another question," I said, which of course he resented, shouting, "Hey!" - Do you happen to know where Lilith went?

- Lilith? - Azazel raised an eyebrow and wondered, "All I can say about her is that I saw her before the Great War. After that she seemed to dissolve and we found no trace of her magic or her body. Why would you want her?

- There were a couple questions about her, nothing more," I waved her off and gave one last look to the woman in the tank, who was still looking at me, "Anyway, I'll leave you to it.

They nodded me goodbye and I headed back home.

We'll see what they end up with in the end. Maybe it'll be the first artificial Heroic Spirit.

-0-

Emiya Residence.

When I got home, I immediately noticed three demonic auras in the living room, and when I went there, I saw Rias, Akeno, and Issei sitting quietly on the couch, apparently waiting for me. Archer was cooking something in the kitchen, Artoria and Medusa were at the dining table, watching the guests out of the corner of their eyes, and Rea-chan was providing tea. I didn't sense any other Servants around, well, unless you counted Heracles, Mo-chan, and Lancelot, who were currently occupying the underground training area.

Rias looked different somehow. Her gaze was different, clearer and more confident. There was still irritation and a bit of anger at me, but there was a tangible amount of respect and submission, which was unusual. I suppose it's to be expected because of the changes I've brought about. Plus, it's weird that she's here. There shouldn't be any events besides tomorrow's reception. Or am I missing something?

- So, why are you here? - I began, sitting down across from them and producing a mug of coffee in my hand - I can assure you I didn't trample those tomato beds, which certainly didn't remind me of you, Rias.

- You don't cheat on yourself, do you? - Rias said with a twitching eyebrow and aristocratically took a sip from her mug, Akeno chuckled softly, and Issei tilted his head to the side in incomprehension.

- What can I say? A teacher should motivate his students. As-remember, you promised to kick my ass sometime in the future. Think of it as an incentive for your own growth. - I grinned.

- I can assure you that there are more than enough of them already," she said firmly. "Are you ready to hear the reason for our visit, or do we need to hear a couple more of your horrible jokes before we do?

- Then to business," I shrugged, "What's the reason for visiting my humble abode?

- Koneko is acting... strange... She locks herself in her room and won't let anyone in. Not even me," Rias began, making a sad face, "I'm worried, and that's why I came to ask for your help.

Koneko? Now I was starting to remember something. It seems she was supposed to have an early mating period, but it's still unclear to me why. In canon the trigger was Issei, who she saw as her partner, but shouldn't there be a change?

- Why me in particular? I remember there's someone at our school who can advise you.

- Abe-san is next in line if things don't work out with you. - Rias calmly assured me, to which I nodded approvingly.

- Who is it? - Issei asked, uncomprehending.

- Kiyome Abe's first year, a descendant of Abe no Seimei. She might know what's going on with Koneko-chan too. - Akeno explained, but he still didn't understand much.

- Well, do you know what's going on with Koneko? - Rias asked hopefully, looking into my eyes.

- In theory," I began, at which the three in front of me lit up, "It could be heat, since yokai have some animal traits, but I could be wrong. You should still look into Abe-san, well, or the yokai faction. Only they can give you reliable information.

- Traits? Koneko-chan? - Issei didn't understand. Do demons have heat? And why did you mention the Yokai? Does that mean... Fox girls and cat girls exist?!

This flood of questions was giving me a headache. Rubbing my temples and trying to soothe the pain, I gave Rias a monotonous, disparaging, and doubt-filled look, to which she faltered and, making an awkward face, slumped against the back of the couch. After a minute of her trying to pretend she had nothing to do with it, the Servants shaking their heads, Akeno putting on an awkward smile, and Issei shaking his head from side to side, I decided to open my mouth.

- You-

- Yes, I did! - She interrupted me with a red pouty face- I just forgot and that's it! Now please be quiet, no need to point fingers at my miscalculation!

- Well, as you wish, - I grinned - Is that all you showed up for?

- Do you already know about tomorrow's reception? - Rias asked, calming down a bit, to which I nodded briefly. Thanks for your help.

- Uh-huh," I waved them off as they disappeared into the light of the teleportation circle, then stood up and headed upstairs, "I'm going to get some sleep. You won't unless something super unexpected happens.

- Aren't you afraid of sleeping through your date with Berserker? - Archer asked snidely, "She might as well take your head off. Both of them.

- Take care of yours. The closed field around your room isn't exactly impenetrable, you know. - I grinned, at which he grinned, Artoria blushed like a beet, and Medusa let out a mature "ara-ara."

- That's it, I'm outta here. Don't kill each other, lovebirds.

And on those words, I staggered off in the direction of my bedroom.

I hope nothing unexpected happens.

-0-

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