"Who exactly gave you the courage to say something like that?"
"Is there really no way to change it?" Wayland asked, rubbing his temples. "If I can't back out, what happens if I fail?"
["Well... in a Holy Grail War, failing usually means... you die?"] the system known as Irigal replied, her voice cautious and small.
"I figured as much." Wayland's headache was only getting worse. "Just show it to me."
["Show what?"]
"My status screen!"
["Oh! Right! Ah, Master! This is my first time doing this, you know? I'm still learning the ropes. Just a second... I'll generate your attribute panel right now."]
"..."
A translucent golden screen shimmered into existence before his eyes.
[Name: Wayland]
[Gender: Male]
[Birthday: March 15th]
[Servant: None]
[Craft Essence: None]
[Class: Magus (Inactive)]
[Rank: None]
[Attributes: Neutral Good. Strength E, Endurance E, Agility E, Mana E, Luck EX (Lowest display: E)]
[Magic Crest: None]
[Magic Circuits: 7]
[Magecraft: None]
[Personal Skills: Master Candidate EX, 100% Pseudo-Spiritron Transfer Aptitude.]
"Luck EX? Are you sure there isn't a mistake?" Wayland stared at the screen. The other attributes were normal--he was just an ordinary human, after all--but a maxed-out Luck stat felt absurd. Given his current situation, he felt like the unluckiest man alive.
["There's no mistake! A Master's greatest stroke of luck is meeting me!"]
"..."
'This damn system... does it have any shame at all?'
'Right. It's an AI. It doesn't have a face to be ashamed of.'
He continued reading as the details of his quest appeared.
[Main Quest: Participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City and emerge victorious.]
[Quest Description: A grand ritual system established by the Einzbern, Tohsaka, and Matou families of Fuyuki to reach the "Root." Seven pairs of magi and servants will be chosen to compete. You are one of the candidate Masters.]
[Time Limit: Six Months.]
[Quest Reward: The right to make a wish upon an uncorrupted Greater Holy Grail.]
After reading the reward, Wayland finally understood why his Luck was EX. You really couldn't run into a system like this without a serious amount of fortune.
Wayland let out a heavy sigh. "Irigal, the main quest has a six-month limit. Are there no side quests in the meantime?"
["Eh? Wait, Master, let me think... what kind of side quest should I give you?"] After a moment of frantic digital activity, new text manifested on the golden screen.
[Side Quest 1: Join one of the Twelve Departments of the Clock Tower.]
[Quest Description: As the headquarters of the Mage's Association, the Clock Tower possesses twelve departments: General Fundamentals, Individual Fundamentals, Spiritual Evocation, Mineralogy, Zoology, Lore, Botany, Astronomy, Creation, Curses, Archaeology, and Modern Magecraft Theory. Please choose one.]
[Time Limit: One Day.]
[Quest Reward: Magus Class Activation.]
[Side Quest 2: Unknown Malice.]
[Quest Description: A certain entity has set its sights on you. However, your apparent normalcy has sparked suspicion, and so a test has been prepared. Hint: Victoria Street.]
[Time Limit: Three Days.]
[Quest Reward: Promotion to the Rank of Frame, Nordic Ancient Curse: Gandr.]
"Is my Luck really EX?"
Wayland's skepticism returned with a vengeance. He had just arrived in this world and was already being watched and targeted simply for being "normal."
'What is wrong with being normal?'
'Is it a crime to just want to be an ordinary guy?'
A few minutes later, Wayland closed his eyes, his mind gradually beginning to settle.
There was no doubt he was in the Type-Moon world. Based on the system's main quest, he was likely on the eve of the Fate/stay night timeline--just before the start of the Fifth Holy Grail War.
In this era, Waver Velvet--who had participated in the Fourth Holy Grail War--had already taken on the crushing debts of the El-Melloi family and the title of Lord. While Waver's own aptitudes as a magus were lacking, his ability to teach magical theory and nurture the talents of his students was peerless.
That made the Department of Modern Magecraft his top choice.
His second option was the Astronomy Department. Wenzel, a First-Class Lecturer, had already extended an invitation. Furthermore, from his knowledge of Fate/Grand Order, he knew that the future Director of Chaldea was Olga Marie, the daughter of the Astronomy Department's Lord. Chaldea's technology was the absolute pinnacle of the age; joining them would significantly increase his chances of survival, even if the world faced total destruction.
His third choice was the Botany Department. At this time, a certain immortal being similar to a True Ancestor--"Granny Akuta"--was likely masquerading as a magus there. He could try to strike up a conversation about technology or how to summon Xiang Yu to secure a powerful ally.
Wayland's thoughts drifted like the sunlight shimmering on the Thames outside his window. He couldn't fully picture what the future held, but in that moment, he felt a sense of resolve take root within him.
When Wayland finally opened his eyes again, he felt warm sunlight brushing against his fur. It was soft, black, and slick. With a lazy stretch, he paced across a high white balcony, his sapphire eyes occasionally darting down toward the crowds moving along the street below.
Someone stopped and waved at him.
He ignored them. Without looking back, he leaped onto the neighboring balcony.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]