Aozaki Aoko Case File

"…Projecting data onto the Earth's environmental model, then using the Heroic Spirit Summoning System for spiritron transfer to achieve time travel?" Kayneth pondered seriously, seemingly grasping some aspects of Chaldea's 'explanation.'

"Exactly," El-Melloi II replied. "However, all of this is made possible through a device known as the TRISMEGISTUS."

"I've heard about this rumor. It's that prototype recently tested successfully at the Atlas Institute. So Lord Marisbury managed to get his hands on it?"

"Exactly!" El-Melloi II said enthusiastically, eager to elaborate. "However, Chaldea's ultimate success was only achieved with the assistance of the Archibald family!"

"You're saying that all of Chaldea's future achievements are based on the leadership and coordination of the Archibald family?" Kayneth asked in a tone devoid of emotion.

"Precisely, and it's all thanks to—"

"Enough. I understand. You're lying, aren't you?" Kayneth coldly interrupted El-Melloi II.

"I have no connection to the Atlas Institute—or rather, I despise those obsessive lunatics," Kayneth declared. "Moreover, my research in magecraft takes an entirely different path from theirs—if not an outright opposing one."

"So, I have nothing to do with this so-called Chaldean summoning theory or Heroic Spirit Summoning System, nor would I ever study an Earth environmental model."

"I know exactly what kind of person Lord Marisbury is. Though he appears gentle and courteous, he would never share the leadership of Animusphere's Grand Order with an outsider like me—especially when I cannot provide him with technical assistance."

"In conclusion, the claim that you're from the future might be true, but the notion that I or the Archibald family becomes one of Chaldea's leaders is likely just a fabrication to try and recruit me as your ally, isn't it, Waver Velvet?"

Kayneth's sharp words and detailed analysis left El-Melloi II cornered. But what truly stunned him was hearing Kayneth utter that name…

"Huh? Professor Kayneth, why are you calling me? I don't know much about the Astromancy Department," Waver, seated beside Kayneth, asked in confusion.

"Hmph, you idiot. I wasn't calling you!" Kayneth glared disdainfully at his student. "Take a good look at the long-haired middle-aged man across from us. Don't you think he looks familiar?"

Though annoyed at being scolded, Waver obediently followed Kayneth's suggestion. He carefully scrutinized the long-haired, red-coated, middle-aged magus.

But the more Waver observed the man, the more irritated he felt. It wasn't because the man's gaze was hostile or because his demeanor exuded a weary corporate vibe. No, it was something else entirely—it was because this man… resembled Waver himself. Like a mirror reflecting his traits.

No way...

A suspicion had already formed in Waver's mind, but he instinctively refused to voice the answer.

"He is you, Waver," Kayneth declared firmly. "Or rather, he is one of your possibilities. A version of Waver Velvet from a parallel world or a different point along the timeline."

Hearing this, El-Melloi II furrowed his brows even deeper, while Iskandar stroked his scruffy chin with a look that screamed, "What a juicy development!" Meanwhile, Waver was utterly dumbfounded, and on the other side, Mash and Ritsuka Fujimaru were equally astonished.

"Lord El-Melloi II, we've performed many spiritron transfers before, but this is the first time we've encountered a situation where a Servant meets their counterpart..." Ritsuka placed a hand on her chest, speaking with lingering unease while gazing at El-Melloi II.

"So this is what Lord El-Melloi II looked like when he was younger?" Mash curiously examined the stunned Waver. "He's completely different from what I imagined. I thought he would be more composed… or something like that?"

Among everyone present, only Karna remained calm, standing loyally by Kayneth's side, ever vigilant against any potential threats.

"From what you've said so far, I've already pieced together a certain truth," Kayneth stated, towering over Chaldea's group. "Although you've achieved time travel through spiritron transfer, it seems your original world and this one are not on the same timeline."

"First of all, in your timeline, Lord Marisbury is already dead, and that rookie magus over there doesn't even know who he is," Kayneth continued. "Secondly, you claim that Lord Marisbury participated in the Holy Grail War in 2004, which is inconsistent with the fact that he is entering it now. In the Mage's Association, time travel is categorized under the Second Magic."

"All of this confirms my hypothesis," Kayneth Archibald concluded.

At this point, El-Melloi II's mind was a tangled mess. When they first arrived at this Singularity, he had confidently claimed to have a complete and coherent plan. But now, it was clear that his Discerning Eye had utterly failed, and there was something profoundly wrong with this Singularity.

"I suggest you tell me the truth," Kayneth said coldly. "Neither of your Servants could defeat my Lancer, let alone my foolish student's Rider. I won't hesitate to give you all a wake-up call if necessary..."

As the tension between the two sides escalated, the atmosphere grew increasingly dangerous—until a dazzling blue-white light illuminated the night sky.

"Earthlight Starbow!"

Aoko Aozaki's sharp, clear voice echoed through the night. What followed was an immense, interconnected array of magic circles spreading across the sky, their spinning and expanding forms unleashing boundless magical energy. This energy transformed into pure destruction, striking the grotesque nine flesh pillars covered in eerie eyeballs on the mountainside.

This was the ultimate magic bullet, devoid of any special abilities—its essence was sheer annihilation. It was one of the purest forms of physical attack among the world's magics. Even the mass and quality of the Age of Gods phenomena couldn't withstand such an assault.

To put it simply, while Age of Gods phenomena might be immune to magical effects, they could not defend against the raw results of such an attack.

Even a pure Phantasmal Species like Lugh Beowulf would likely be forcibly obliterated and returned to the Inner Sea of the Planet if subjected to the current barrage of magic bullets from Aoko.

Ultimately, Lugh Beowulf, when facing modern weaponry, could only assume the form of a highly durable creature to defend himself. But if the attack's magnitude was overwhelming enough, it could still kill even high-mystery Phantasmal Species.

Everyone stared in stunned silence as Aoko's attack melted away half of Mount Enzou (leaving Ryuuduo Temple intact on the other side). The nine flesh pillars were obliterated in the light.

"Se-Senpai, if the Demon God Pillars are destroyed, what about the Holy Grail?" Mash Kyrielight suddenly remembered the most critical issue. If the mastermind of the Singularity, along with the Holy Grail they held, had been destroyed, what would become of this Singularity?