Shirou's eyes opened and he was brought back to reality. He scanned his surroundings, but Gilgamesh was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, he heard a weak voice calling out to him.
"Shirou...!"
He turned to see Scathach lying on the ground, only half of her body visible. Despite her weakened state, she was looking at him with a joyful expression.
He rushed over to her side, taking her hand and offering her his magical energy. "Shisho, are you already at your limit?"
"This is just a phantom, it will disappear on its own. But there is something I must tell you."
"What is it?" He asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"I deceived you. I manipulated and coerced you into staying in Fuyuki City. It wasn't Gilgamesh, but rather me, the wicked woman," Scathach admitted.
He smiled. "So that's what happened,"
"Did you already figure that out?" She asked, her voice tinged with interest.
"You've hinted at it multiple times. I wasn't aware of it before, but now I get it."
She studied Shirou's bright, fiery eyes and smiled. "Yes, you're free now. You don't have to continue participating in the Holy Grail War anymore."
But Shirou shook his head. "No, Shisho. I will still participate."
Scathach was puzzled. "Why? Are you afraid of Gilgamesh's tyranny? Don't be misled by his tough talk. He doesn't dare to kill in this place. This is a sanctuary and he fears the Enlightened One. I won't deceive you anymore. Gilgamesh can't hurt you here. You're safe, Shirou. You don't have to participate in the Holy Grail War anymore. You don't have to confront an adversary you cannot defeat. Do you understand?"
"I don't understand," he said, "I only know that right now, there's only one Servant and I will emerge victorious. So, wait for me to return, shisho, and teach me the Primordial Rune."
She was taken aback. "Why? Why would you say that to someone as mean as me?"
Shirou's eyes burned with a bright light and he smiled. "Because even you, shisho, have a troubled heart. I will bring you freedom."
Scathach was stunned by the young man's sunrise-like smile and the beauty of his eyes.
He stood up and turned his gaze towards the Enlightened One. With a smile, he asked, "Forgive me, Enlightened One. May I borrow some of your Karma for a while?"
The flame in his eyes flickered slightly.
[Counter Hero C-]
[Kalaripayattu C-]
"Only two skills can be copied. The rest of the Karma is unattainable, but that's enough." Shirou smiled.
The Enlightened One remained in deep meditation, unresponsive.
Shirou spun on his heel, his hands clasped tight around his black gloves, his eyes alight with determination. "Fujimaru Shirou, heading out!" he proclaimed with a smile.
Scathach watched him go, her face twisted into a bittersweet smile. "A matchstick that burned itself out, but sparked a flame brighter than its own," she mused. "As a mentor, I have been outdone by a madman without reason..."
But her thoughts were swayed by the presence of the Enlightened One. She turned to him and asked, "And what brings you here, Shakyamuni?"
The Enlightened One simply sat in meditation, offering no response.
"And what is that flame?" Scathach pressed.
The Enlightened One opened his eyes and replied, "It neither arises nor perishes, neither defiled nor pure, neither increases nor decreases."
"And what does that mean?" Scathach asked once more.
The Enlightened One merely closed his eyes and resumed his meditation.
"In a sense, those of you who have witnessed the truth of the world are even more wicked than I, that man, or even Gilgamesh," Scathach lamented before vanishing back into the outside world.
...
Shirou stood atop Mount Enzou, gazing upon the sprawling city of Fuyuki as it was engulfed in flames and dark forces descended from the sky. He furrowed his brow in concern as he realized the magnitude of the situation.
"It's gotten this bad already?" he muttered. "This is beyond my control. I may have to seek help from the Clock Tower or the Holy Church. But first, let me take care of the aftermath."
With a determined smile, Shirou took a step forward. The black mud at his feet transformed into two large black wings, lifting him into the air as he soared towards the black tower.
As he flew, Shirou utilized the power of the Grail within the black mud to analyze his own abilities.
[Fujimaru Shirou]
Class: Caster
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Agility: E
Mana: EX
Luck: E
Noble Phantasm: Unlimited Blade Works (E ~ A++), Evil Flower of Freedom (EX)
[Class Skills:]
Territory Creation E-
Item Construction E-
[Innate Skills:]
Clairvoyance C
Magecraft C-
Mind's Eye (True) B
Wisdom of Mortals D+
Heroic Mortal C
Evil Flower A+
[Copied Skills:]
--- Honor of Suffering C-
--- Unyielding Will C-
--- Triumphant Return of the Sword C-
--- Wisdom of Dun Scaith C-
--- God Slayer C-
--- Collector C-
--- Charisma C-
--- Golden Rule C-
--- Counter Hero C-
--- Kalaripayattu C-
(AN; The term 'Inherent Skill' has been updated to 'Innate Skill' for better accuracy. Fortification Creation to Territory Creation, Item Creation to Item Construction, and Eagle Eye to Clairvoyance.)
...
Previously, Shirou lacked the magical energy to use the skills he replicated with "Wisdom of Mortal." However, now, with the power gifted by the mud, his Mana attribute had reached the EX level, allowing him to effortlessly use these skills without any worry of running out of magical energy.
