That was an interesting theory that she posed… Waver’s brow furrowing slightly at the thought. “Makes you wonder what would make them satisfied enough to see it as a complete world without needing a reset.” He murmured, finding that as unsettling as the idea of the cycle that this place seemed to operate on with the destruction and reset… Finally letting out a long breath, he nodded. “You’re right, of course… Theories only get one so far without more to go on or proof of something being correct.” And so, he focused on the topic at hand. Not an easy feat, exactly. Waver tended to fixate on something when it seemed important and magical in nature.
So he set his mind upon the subject of the grail war, sparing further theorizing. “Any wish, or so the explanation goes. It makes it an enticing prize worth the risks for any mage or heroic spirit summoned.” But she was right, there was a particular danger depending on who won. Someone with particular ideals could do irreparable damage to the world, and Waver didn’t like to think about what might’ve happened in the caster duo had won. What would a demented serial killer and an equally unhinged caster have asked of the grail if they had ever cared about it at all? Most mages, one could expect, would seek a way to reach the root of all magic… While his own wish had been the stupid demand of a child before he started to rethink things near the end of the war.
“Is that so…? I should like to hear more about these personas, then, at some point. But you’d be correct in the difference. I imagine the compatibility would be more guaranteed in such a summons if it was part of your own psyche rather than the spirit themselves summoned. An ill-fitting team between mage and spirit is not unheard of, and that runs the risk of the one summoned being unsatisfied and killing the mage and either going back to the throne or finding a mage chosen by the grail who is free to make a new contract and supply them with the mana needed to remain.” There were some protections against such things, of course. The contract came with a command seal for three orders that could not be ignored, but the mage needed to be quick enough to use them… And most saved them for the burst of power they gave the spirit to aid in battle.
“Flesh would be correct. While it is more convenient for them to remain invisible in spirit form unless confronting someone given it takes less mana, they can manifest in a solid physical form.” Certain conquering idiots had preferred it despite the waste of mana. Though Waver had eventually realized he had no room to complain, considering Iskandar had neglected to draw mana from him unless necessary, given how weak he’d been back then. There was a slight, nostalgic shift in his face at her comment, though. The wrinkles between his brow easing slightly, eyes softening at the thought. Perhaps a bit telling, considering he hadn’t openly admitted to taking part himself. “To stand by the sides of and speak to those greater than us? It would be a rare and potentially life-changing experience.” For all that most mages didn’t think of it that way, seeing the partnership more temporary familiar than comrade… Waver was sometimes thought to be foolish for being so affected by his experience, unbecoming of a mage… But he didn’t see it that way, he couldn’t after everything that had happened.
Shaking his head slightly, dispelling some of the nostalgia, he continued. “Right. The class represents what they’d be known for. For sabers, they would be most skilled with swords. Riders are known for the mounts or vehicles that were part of their legends, and so on.” Humming slightly, he continued. “It also serves as a way to strategize based on the strengths and weaknesses known for each class.” The subject of winners gets a light frown. “Truth be told, I don’t think the ritual has never seen a proper completion since its creation. The first three were ended without a true victor and the fourth… Something happened, I believe, and a flood of curses overran part of Fuyuki… I can’t imagine anyone wished for that.” It’s unclear who even might have been considered a victor…
no subject
So he set his mind upon the subject of the grail war, sparing further theorizing. “Any wish, or so the explanation goes. It makes it an enticing prize worth the risks for any mage or heroic spirit summoned.” But she was right, there was a particular danger depending on who won. Someone with particular ideals could do irreparable damage to the world, and Waver didn’t like to think about what might’ve happened in the caster duo had won. What would a demented serial killer and an equally unhinged caster have asked of the grail if they had ever cared about it at all? Most mages, one could expect, would seek a way to reach the root of all magic… While his own wish had been the stupid demand of a child before he started to rethink things near the end of the war.
“Is that so…? I should like to hear more about these personas, then, at some point. But you’d be correct in the difference. I imagine the compatibility would be more guaranteed in such a summons if it was part of your own psyche rather than the spirit themselves summoned. An ill-fitting team between mage and spirit is not unheard of, and that runs the risk of the one summoned being unsatisfied and killing the mage and either going back to the throne or finding a mage chosen by the grail who is free to make a new contract and supply them with the mana needed to remain.” There were some protections against such things, of course. The contract came with a command seal for three orders that could not be ignored, but the mage needed to be quick enough to use them… And most saved them for the burst of power they gave the spirit to aid in battle.
“Flesh would be correct. While it is more convenient for them to remain invisible in spirit form unless confronting someone given it takes less mana, they can manifest in a solid physical form.” Certain conquering idiots had preferred it despite the waste of mana. Though Waver had eventually realized he had no room to complain, considering Iskandar had neglected to draw mana from him unless necessary, given how weak he’d been back then. There was a slight, nostalgic shift in his face at her comment, though. The wrinkles between his brow easing slightly, eyes softening at the thought. Perhaps a bit telling, considering he hadn’t openly admitted to taking part himself. “To stand by the sides of and speak to those greater than us? It would be a rare and potentially life-changing experience.” For all that most mages didn’t think of it that way, seeing the partnership more temporary familiar than comrade… Waver was sometimes thought to be foolish for being so affected by his experience, unbecoming of a mage… But he didn’t see it that way, he couldn’t after everything that had happened.
Shaking his head slightly, dispelling some of the nostalgia, he continued. “Right. The class represents what they’d be known for. For sabers, they would be most skilled with swords. Riders are known for the mounts or vehicles that were part of their legends, and so on.” Humming slightly, he continued. “It also serves as a way to strategize based on the strengths and weaknesses known for each class.” The subject of winners gets a light frown. “Truth be told, I don’t think the ritual has never seen a proper completion since its creation. The first three were ended without a true victor and the fourth… Something happened, I believe, and a flood of curses overran part of Fuyuki… I can’t imagine anyone wished for that.” It’s unclear who even might have been considered a victor…