Fate/Zero: A Different Path

Chapter 38

Almost two weeks had passed since the Wizard's visit. In that time, things go on as normal

Before me, Shirou straightened, her face a mix of nervousness and anticipation. As to the cause of that unease, she had presented to me her newest attempt at Tracing  and simply nervous to see how I would judge it

"Nothing on the first tap. Nothing on the second tap" My reinforced finger clicked against the blade to test it's hardness "Imperfections are here and there, but otherwise not too many flaws I can see. You may want to practice a bit on your handling of the tip. It's not sharp enough"

"I tried replicating your improvised method step by step and ended up with this" She stepped back respectfully, as if to give me space "Since this is a new construct, I realized it would be better to go with a sturdy weapon than a fragile one"

"Understandable. How long does it take you this time?"

"My best attempt near at 2.3 seconds. If counting the other 32 instances, they average at about 4 seconds"

That's nowhere near fast enough for Canon Shirou who could trace them instantaneously. However, the speed is acceptable

I mused over the implication. It could simply be a lack of skill, the underdeveloped Origin, or perhaps Shirou has not yet formed her own Reality Marble yet

The last one, for some reason, slightly unsettled me. What if the different Kiritsugu saving her at the end of the War had changed Shirou?

The dream of being a Hero of Justice is gone. It is a miniscule change, but it's not as though everything will stay the same if they are in turn influenced by it

So concerned was I with my thoughts that I almost missed out on Shirou's babble in front of me

"....Is the material composition too impure for your standard? What about the shape of the spine? What steps should I take to improve its structural properties so as to optimize penetration efficiency? I am aware of the folding deficincy, but to sacrifice it to a decline of sharpness would be detrimental in considderation of my Magecra--"

"Slow down with the questions. I'm not exactly an expert in this field, you know"

Disregarding Shirou's sword rant, I held the newly created tool in my hand. One part of me was secretly impressed, the other part suspicious of this almost uncanny development

The knife gleamed under the sunlight as I tilted it sideway. It is a Croetian dagger, fitted with a wooden handle and sharpened edges, the blade itself polished so finely one could see their reflection in it

Even an experienced Magus would not be able to tell the difference between this and the real one. They practically look like mirror image

"This is rather surprising" I muse "Considering the blade's complex design, I have expected you to grasp it only after another week, so well done, Shirou"

My daughter's posture relaxed. She seemingly breathed a sigh of relief without showing it

"Thanks for the compliment, dad"

I brushed away the piece of gratitude from her. Credits are given when credit is due, and Shirou's talent is something that should be cultivated with care

One thing of note however, is the one thing that had my attention is her unnatural aptitude in the initiation of the fundamental spell

My basic training course for Shirou lasted from the middle of December to now, which is only the start of January. Officially one year after the grail War

Two weeks for mastering the basic of Material Transmutation. One to familiarize with the concept of Gradation Air. Another to apply said spell in conjunction with Reinforcement, Alteration, and Structural Analysis in a day-to-day basis