Chapter 14: The Noble phantasm that I can and cannot imitate.
Charles glanced at Gilgamesh, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "What about you come closer, Goldie?"
Gilgamesh arched an eyebrow, but his smile remained as he took a step closer, closing the distance between them. "Very well, Carlie. So, what's next?"
Charles didn't answer immediately. Instead, he hurt his hand a little with a knife, testing something as he hurt Gilgamesh's hand as well. The younger king didn't flinch or pull away, merely observing with mild interest.
Seeing no resistance, Charles turned his attention back to the banner he had manifested. It shimmered faintly, the energy within it pulsating gently. A determined glint appeared in Charles' eyes as he raised the banner higher, channeling his focus.
"Luminosité Eternelle!" Charles declared, attempting to replicate Jeanne d'Arc's Noble Phantasm.
The banner began to glow more brightly, waves of golden and blue light radiating outward. To both their surprise, the energy didn't merely remain an aura of protection—it flowed into their bodies.
Charles felt it first, a surge of mana coursing through his veins, revitalizing him and granting him newfound strength. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was undeniably powerful. His breathing steadied, and the fatigue from earlier seemed to melt away.
Gilgamesh's eyes widened slightly as he felt the same energy entering his body. His usual smirk faltered for a moment as he examined his hands, sensing the boost in mana and strength. Even minor wounds in his hand before began to healed.
"Well, well," Gilgamesh murmured, a note of genuine astonishment in his voice. "You've not only mimicked her banner but managed to invoke its blessing. This… is impressive, Carlie."
Charles grinned, though his expression was tinged with exhaustion from the effort. "Not bad, right? I wasn't sure if I could pull it off, but it looks like it works. Though… I think it's still weaker than the real thing."
Gilgamesh tilted his head, a thoughtful look on his face. "Weaker, perhaps, but functional. To copy the essence of a divine Noble Phantasm to this extent is no small feat. You've exceeded expectations, Carlie."
Charles lowered the banner, letting the energy dissipate as he caught his breath. He glanced at Gilgamesh, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "Thanks, Goldie. Maybe I'll try another one next time."
The two stood in silence for a moment, the field of blue flowers swaying gently around them. But then Gilgamesh suddenly speak cutting the silence between them.
"then why you not try imitating other noble phantasm now?" Gilgamesh asked his eyes is filled with curiosity and amusement.
"Didn't I tell you Goldie? I want to test it's next time not now." Charles said while tilted his head as he looked at Gilgamesh.
"Oh c'mon another Experiments won't hurt, right?" Gilgamesh ask while smile faintly as he looked at Charles expectantly.
Charles sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he caught Gilgamesh's playful yet expectant gaze. "Alright, Goldie, fine. Let's do another experiment. But don't get used to this," he said, his lips twitching into a faint smile.
Gilgamesh clapped his hands together in celebration. "That's the spirit! Now, what will it be this time? Something grand? Or perhaps…" He trailed off, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Charles tapped his chin thoughtfully, pondering his options. "Hmm... What about that guy? The blue lancer. Cu Chulainn."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "The dog of Ulster? Hah, an odd choice. But I suppose his Noble Phantasm is amusing in its own way."
Charles ignored the jab and focused. He held out his hand, closing his eyes as he tried to recall the essence of Gáe Bolg, Cu Chulainn's iconic spear. "Let's see if I can mimic that."
"The valor of conquest." Charles say firmly as his eyes closed, concentrated on making the lance.
As Charles concentrated, a faint red aura began to gather around his hand. The energy crackled and swirled, slowly taking shape into the form of a spear. It wasn't a perfect replica of Gáe Bolg, but the resemblance was uncanny—its jagged tip glimmered with a faint crimson light, and the air around it seemed to hum with latent power.
Gilgamesh whistled, impressed. "Not bad, Carlie. You've got the shape down, at least. But can you invoke its curse?"
Charles smirked, holding the spear aloft. "That's what we're about to find out."
He stepped forward, aiming the spear toward a target dummy that stood at the edge of the simulation field. Taking a deep breath, he visualized the technique, the reverse causality that made Gáe Bolg so infamous. With a burst of mana, he hurled the spear forward, shouting, "Gáe Bolg!"
The spear shot through the air, a crimson streak trailing behind it as it zeroed in on the target. The moment it made contact, a ripple of energy erupted outward, and the dummy shattered into pieces, leaving a smoking crater in its place.
Charles staggered slightly, catching himself as the spear disintegrated into glowing particles. He panted, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Whew… That takes a lot more out of me than I expected."
Gilgamesh laughed, clapping his hands slowly. "Impressive, Carlie! You didn't just mimic the spear—you invoked its effect. Though I imagine it's far from the original's full power."
Charles nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah… I can tell. It's not perfect. But it's good enough for a first attempt."
Gilgamesh crossed his arms, his smirk widening. "You're full of surprises, Carlie. What's next? Maybe Enuma Elish?"
Charles shot him a deadpan look, his expression filled with disbelief. "Are you crazy, Goldie? Enuma Elish is something that I can't replicate."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? How so?"
Charles sighed, His expression shifted. growing serious as he turned to face the young King of Heroes. "It's because... Enuma Elish isn't just any noble phantasm. That sword—EA—is something that can't be replicated. It's not like the others. Enuma Elish is the ultimate destructive weapon and its ability is to tear through space itself and it's also can tearing apart the reality of the world itself, distorting and destroy it in a way that no other weapon can."
Gilgamesh tilted his head, intrigued but still skeptical. "Are you saying it's beyond even you? I thought you could mimic anything."
Charles shook his head, his expression firm. "EA is a Divine Construct, a primordial weapon forged by the gods themselves. Its power is not simply the physical strength it possesses. EA has the ability to break the very fabric of reality—it's not about brute force. When the sword swings, it can destroy the laws of space-time itself. When Enuma Elish is invoked, the sword creates a rupture in the world's fabric, causing a wave of destruction that cannot be stopped. It can tear through anything, bypassing conventional defenses and obliterating its target, no matter how powerful they are."
Gilgamesh's eyes widened slightly, realizing the weight of Charles' words. "So, you're saying EA is not something that can be mimicked by just anyone? Even a noble phantasm like yours?"
Charles nodded slowly. "Exactly. EA is a weapon from a time before the world even existed as it does now. The very concept of the sword is tied to the destruction of reality, to breaking the boundaries of space itself. It's not something you can simply copy with mana or even understanding. It's a force of nature that can only be wielded by the one who truly possesses it—Gilgamesh, your olderself."
Gilgamesh leaned back, crossing his arms again as he took in the explanation. "I see... So that's why you said you couldn't replicate it. EA is more than just a weapon—it's a force."
Charles nodded again, his gaze never leaving Gilgamesh. To wield EA is same as wield the concept of destruction itself. It's not just a sword; it's the embodiment of rupture and annihilation. It's a concept that exists beyond the boundaries of ordinary noble phantasms."
Gilgamesh's expression softened, his smirk fading as he considered Charles' words. "I never thought about it that way. I suppose EA is truly on another level, even beyond my own Gate of Babylon."
Charles smiled faintly. "Not everything is about gold and treasures, Goldie. Some things are beyond even your vault."
Gilgamesh chuckled, giving Charles an approving glance. "True. But it seems like you've learned quite a lot about noble phantasms. Perhaps there's more to you than just your curiosity."
Charles shook his head with a grin. "I'm just trying to understand the limits of my own abilities. But Enuma Elish? That's one I'll leave to you, Goldie."
The two of them shared a brief moment of silence, their banter a lighthearted respite from the weighty topic they had just discussed, before Gilgamesh spoke again.
"Very well. But remember, Carlie, every great weapon has its limits. Even EA cannot destroy everything."
Charles nodded thoughtfully, the seriousness of their conversation lingering in the air as he gave one last glance at the simulation area. "True. There's always something beyond even the greatest of powers. Let's keep that in mind."
(Author: what you think about this? Did I explained Enuma Elish correctly? If something is wrong or I'm make mistake about it, don't be shy and just Tell me so I can rewrite it)
---
Cafeteria, Chaldea
The sounds of chatter and laughter filled the air as Charles I and Gilgamesh entered the cafeteria, the chaos of lunchtime in full swing. The air was thick with the energy of many servants, each engaged in their own conversations, some loudly debating, others laughing, and some even having impromptu food fights. It was a scene of utter disorder, the once calm and quiet cafeteria now transformed into a battleground of personalities.
Charles glanced around, raising an eyebrow as he observed the chaos. A few stray food trays zoomed across the room, narrowly missing him and Gilgamesh. He ducked to the side just in time, dodging a flying piece of bread that sailed by with surprising speed. Gilgamesh, as calm as ever, simply sidestepped it without a hint of concern.
"Seems like lunch has become its own battle, huh?" Charles muttered, his voice tinged with amusement.
"Indeed," Gilgamesh replied, his usual smirk gracing his face as he casually flicked a golden strand of hair from his eyes. "It appears even lunch cannot escape the chaos that follows you."
Charles chuckled, shaking his head. "Not just me, Goldie. You've been dragged into it, too."
They walked towards the counter, where Emiya stood, looking much more composed despite the madness around him. He gave them a small nod of acknowledgment as they approached.
"Good afternoon, The usual I presume?" Emiya asked, his voice a perfect mix of calm and efficiency.
"Yeah, the usual," Charles confirmed, his voice now slightly weary from the energy of the chaotic cafeteria. He glanced at Gilgamesh, who was already eyeing the food options with his usual, calculating expression.
"I suppose I'll have the finest option here," Gilgamesh said, as though he were choosing a rare treasure from an extravagant banquet.
Emiya raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "Right, I'll have that ready for you. Just give me a moment."
As Emiya prepared their food, Charles glanced around the room again, catching sight of a group of servants nearby, some bickering over who had the best seat. A stray piece of fruit flew past his head, narrowly missing him before slamming into a wall across the room, causing a burst of laughter from a few nearby servants.
The absurdity of the moment wasn't lost on Charles, and he chuckled quietly to himself. "Maybe I should just leave the cafeteria to these people. It's way too chaotic for me today."
Gilgamesh glanced at him, clearly amused by Charles' laid-back reaction. "Chaos is just a part of life, Carlie. Embrace it."
"I'll pass," Charles replied, his tone dry as he glanced over at the counter where Emiya had finished preparing their food.
They took their trays and began making their way through the sea of bustling servants toward an empty table near the corner. Charles expertly dodged another flying fork as it zoomed by, his reflexes sharp from his clairvoyance skills. Gilgamesh followed behind, unfazed by the chaos.
As they reached the table, Charles set his tray down and took a seat. He sighed contentedly as he looked at the food in front of him. It wasn't the finest meal, but it was enough to fill him up. He glanced at Gilgamesh, who was already inspecting his meal with a critical eye.
"Are you going to eat, or are you just going to stare at it?" Charles asked, his tone teasing.
Gilgamesh looked up, meeting his gaze with a sly grin. "I was considering if this could be worthy of my taste, but it seems adequate enough."
Charles shook his head with a chuckle. "Maybe you need a vacation from your own standards."
Gilgamesh snorted in amusement but finally dug into his meal, the atmosphere between them a rare moment of peaceful camaraderie amidst the chaos of the cafeteria.
---
The air in the cafeteria had finally settled down after the chaos of lunchtime, leaving a more relaxed atmosphere in its wake. Charles I and Young Gilgamesh had finished their meals and now found themselves seated at a small table in the corner, with a chessboard set between them.
Gilgamesh eyed the chess pieces with an expression of mild disdain, clearly not thrilled by the prospect of playing. His golden eyes glinted with an air of superiority, as if he were above such "mundane" games. Charles, on the other hand, was in high spirits, his usual mischievous energy returning.
"Alright, Goldie," Charles said, grinning as he shuffled the pieces on the board. "Let's see if you can finally beat me this time."
Gilgamesh leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Please. I'm not interested in your petty games, Carlie. But if you insist on playing, I'll indulge you. Don't expect me to go easy on you."
Charles laughed, already moving his first piece—a pawn—towards the center of the board. "Oh, I'm not worried. This time, I'm gonna win for sure."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still clearly skeptical. "Is that so? You think you can defeat me in something as trivial as chess?" He moved one of his own pawns with a swift flick of his fingers. "I highly doubt it."
Charles grinned and responded with a strategic knight move, knowing full well that his ability to predict outcomes, thanks to his clairvoyance, would give him the edge. "Oh, Goldie, you're underestimating me. Just because I'm not a 'master' doesn't mean I can't make a good move."
Gilgamesh chuckled lightly, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Master, huh? Are you implying that you're some kind of genius at this game, Carlie? I'd love to see you try."
As the game continued, Charles' every move was calculated to perfection, even though on the surface, it seemed like he was making casual, almost impulsive decisions. He deliberately made his moves seem clumsy, hoping Gilgamesh wouldn't catch on to the fact that he could already see the best course of action.
Gilgamesh, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying himself despite his initial reluctance. He made his moves with flair, often dramatically moving his pieces as though they were of monumental importance, even if they were simply pawns. "You know, Carlie," he said with a grin, "I'm beginning to think you're secretly a grandmaster in disguise."
Charles, suppressing a chuckle, shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe I'm just naturally good at things." His tone was playful, but there was a hint of mischief behind his words. He moved his queen, setting Gilgamesh's king in check.
Gilgamesh blinked in surprise, his smirk faltering for a moment. "What? No way..." He leaned in closer, scanning the board, his brow furrowing as he realized the situation. "Wait, you—how did you—"
Before he could finish, Charles quickly declared, "Checkmate!"
Gilgamesh stared at the board, a mixture of disbelief and amusement in his eyes. "What? No way! You actually beat me? You were acting like you had no idea what you were doing!"
Charles grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with playful triumph. "Well, you know, sometimes I get a little *lucky.*"
Gilgamesh leaned back in his chair, letting out a dramatic sigh. "You... you actually did it. Fine, I admit it. You're better at this than I thought. But don't think this is over, Carlie! I'll get you next time."
Charles chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "We'll see, Goldie. We'll see."
Young Gilgamesh scowled playfully, his golden eyes narrowed, but there was a twinkle of amusement behind them. "You're insufferable, you know that?"
Charles leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Nah, I'm just *too* good for you, Goldie." He grinned widely. "I'll go easy on you next time, though. Maybe."
Gilgamesh rolled his eyes dramatically but couldn't help but smile back, clearly entertained despite himself. "You're impossible, Carlie."
The two of them laughed, the tension between them melting away as they continued to banter back and forth.
"Alright, alright," Gilgamesh said, standing up with a huff. "You won this time, Carlie. But mark my words, next time, I'll destroy you at this game."
Charles grinned, already setting up the board for the next round. "I'll be ready, Goldie. You're gonna need all the help you can get."
---
The game had entered its third round, and the playful rivalry between Charles I and Gilgamesh was stronger than ever. The cafeteria had quieted down, leaving the two of them seated at their table, the chessboard set between them, ready for their next match. Charles stretched lazily, glancing at Gilgamesh, who was glaring at the board with intense focus.
"So, Goldie," Charles teased, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed smirk. "You sure you're ready for round three?"
Gilgamesh shot him an exaggeratedly serious look, a playful glint in his eyes. "You just wait. This time, I'll show you how a king plays."
Charles chuckled and set up his pieces. "We'll see about that."
The game began, and both players moved with a mixture of seriousness and playful showmanship. But this time, something was different. While Gilgamesh made bold, dramatic moves, Charles seemed to move his pieces with ease, almost as if he knew exactly what his opponent was going to do before he did it.
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, watching Charles' hand hover over the pieces. "You're not just moving pieces for no reason, are you, Carlie?" he asked, noticing the calm confidence in his opponent's movements.
Charles smirked, leaning forward a little. "Not exactly. I've got a bit of a… advantage." His fingers brushed lightly over his knight, moving it across the board. "I can see how things play out before they happen."
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and he leaned in closer to the board, as if trying to decipher the meaning behind Charles' words. "What do you mean? Some kind of cheat?"
Charles chuckled softly. "It's not cheating, Goldie. It's my Skills."
Gilgamesh blinked, tilting his head. "You're using your Skills For chess?" He laughed lightly, thinking Charles was joking. "This I gotta see."
Charles shrugged, smiling, and took a deep breath. He could feel the faint tingle of power within him as his Clairvoyance skill activated. His eyes briefly glowed with an almost ethereal light as he stared down at the chessboard.
"Clairvoyance," Charles explained casually, "I can see a few moments ahead. It's like… seeing a few steps of the game before they actually happen." He made a quick move with his bishop, an unassuming gesture that left Gilgamesh scratching his head. "It's not an instant thing, but I get a brief glimpse of how things play out. It's what helps me win…"
Gilgamesh watched him carefully, his lips curving into a mischievous smirk. "So that's how you're winning? You're using some sort of vision to predict my moves?"
Charles gave a nonchalant shrug, as though it was no big deal. "It's not perfect, mind you. But it's enough to give me the upper hand." He paused before adding with a grin, "Though I do enjoy the challenge, even if I can see a few steps ahead."
Gilgamesh leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "So, you really have an ability to see the future, huh?" He crossed his arms, pondering this. "You've got to be joking. Does that mean you can see me losing this round already?"
Charles raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Gilgamesh. "It's not about seeing you lose. It's about seeing how to make my moves align just right. Like I said, it's not a perfect vision of the future, just a glimpse. I know what could happen, and I adjust accordingly."
Gilgamesh was silent for a moment, clearly impressed despite himself. He then shrugged. "Well, that's… irritating. Guess that means I have to play even harder, huh?" He gave Charles a teasing grin. "No more easy wins, Carlie."
Charles grinned back. "That's the spirit. Let's see if you can make this interesting."
As the game continued, Gilgamesh's moves became increasingly strategic, and Charles countered with calculated ease, his Clairvoyance guiding each step. It was clear to anyone watching that Charles was in control. His every move seemed deliberate and precise, while Gilgamesh was left scrambling, trying to outwit Charles in a game where the future seemed to always be one step ahead of him.
"You're really good at this," Gilgamesh muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing as he reached for a piece, only to pause when he realized Charles had already predicted his move and blocked it. "It's almost like you know what I'm about to do."
Charles didn't reply at first, simply smiling and moving his queen into position to check Gilgamesh's king. "It's not that I know, Goldie. It's that I can see how the pieces fall. You're making this too easy."
Gilgamesh growled, but a hint of respect for Charles' ability could be seen in his eyes. "Fine, fine. You've got some tricks up your sleeve. But don't think I'm giving up yet."
With that, the game raged on. Charles was still one step ahead, using his Clairvoyance to predict Gilgamesh's every move. It was like watching a seasoned player lead a rookie by the hand, guiding him toward his inevitable defeat.
Finally, after several more moves, Charles took one last glance at the board, and with a swift move, he placed his rook in the perfect spot to deliver checkmate.
Gilgamesh stared at the board in shock, his eyes narrowing as he saw the inevitable conclusion unfold. "You… You did it again," he muttered, more impressed than frustrated. He leaned back in his chair with a dramatic sigh. "Alright, Carlie, I admit it. You win again."
Charles chuckled, feeling a surge of satisfaction. "You're not so bad yourself, Goldie. But yeah, I guess I've got this game down."
Gilgamesh glared at him with playful irritation. "I'm not giving up, though. You're lucky I'm in a good mood, or I'd challenge you to a rematch immediately."
Charles grinned, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head. "Whenever you're ready, Goldie. Whenever you're ready."
---
Author: I'm going to explained Charles Clairvoyance skills in this chapter since I rarely can make him used the skills.
Well I'm thinking about add a battle chapter about Charles use his clairvoyance skills to more explained it.
But then I think I just add it when I'm make a chapter about singularity 5 and add scenes that Charles use it at battle.
Well then enjoy reading!