Fate/Magus Path

77 Third Magic

Zelterch's dwelling within the dimensional rift was far from the fantastical scenes imagined by most magus. It was rather ordinary.

The dimly lit room lacked any electric lights, with the only source of illumination coming from a weakly flickering chandelier above. Upon seeing the entire room, one could describe the décor as utterly meager.

Besides a large desk and chair, the room had nothing but pitch-black walls and bare floors.

"What's the matter, kid? Surprised by the state of this place?" Zelterch glanced at Roy, who had just entered the room.

"A bit, yes. The décor here is much more... simplistic than I imagined."

Indeed, the room's lack of luxury made it look extremely austere.

"Hmph, how vulgar. I don't need sleep or rest, and I rarely stay here for long. Those unnecessary luxuries hold no meaning for me."

"Besides, this place hasn't changed for hundreds of years. But since it's in a dimensional rift between parallel worlds, there's no dust to accumulate."

After saying that, Zelterch sat back down in his chair and continued, "So, what exactly brings you here? What is it that you seek my advice on? As you said, as someone who walked this path before you and someone with ties to the Third Magic, I suppose I can offer some relevant guidance."

"Thank you."

Roy nodded slightly and quickly approached Zelterch, explaining his troubles and his request.

...

"There's an issue with your body, so you're asking me to help develop it?"

After hearing Roy's story, Zelretch looked at him with a peculiar expression.

"Are you joking? You need me to help develop that body?"

"Yes, I do."

Roy nodded, confirming Zelretch's statement.

"This body isn't my original flesh and blood but was reforged by Shiki's hand. While I don't feel any discomfort, there's a strange sense of dissonance."

"I believe there are aspects of this body that I haven't fully grasped or discovered, so I'd like to ask for your help in identifying any abnormalities."

"Abnormalities, huh. But you're saying your original body was destroyed?"

Zelterch looked at Roy with a strange expression.

"What's wrong? It was completely obliterated by the collision between the Third and Second Magic."

"You couldn't tell?"

"No, I couldn't see any sign of it." Zelretch shook his head.

"Your soul and this body seem perfectly attuned to one another. I see no trace of any reconstruction."

However...

"If what you're saying is true, then you've suffered a great loss, kid."

"A great loss?" Roy was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding Zelretch's words.

"Kid, don't you realize the true value of your previous body?"

"My body? The value of that first-generation magus body with only ten or so magic circuits?"

"Hahahaha, what a shallow response. Do you really think that body was ordinary? If so, it's not enough to call you blind."

"Think about it carefully. If your soul has the stature of an Outer God, Foreigner... then naturally, your body must also have considerable value."