"This... what is this?!"
Arcueid stared at the circular table engraved with a magic circle, her eyes wide.
Ten spheres of light revolved around the cat angel, rays tracing intricate geometric patterns at her feet.
Aside from the central large sphere having transformed into the cat angel, this was almost identical to FGO.
"..."
Arcueid silently observed the magic circle before her, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Could this be formed from divine energy—that power from a higher dimensional space—channeled through Neco-Arc?
She took a deep breath and asked solemnly, "...Does this summoning have a pity system?"
That sort of thing—please, no. Spending thirteen hundred Saint Quartz only to fail pulling Oberon... never again!
Remembering the painful memories from before pity systems were implemented, Arcueid couldn't help but clench her fist.
Crunch.
A crisp chewing sound echoed as the cat angel swallowed the final fragment of the Holy Grail in its mouth.
Simultaneously, the spheres of light slowly began to rotate.
It's coming!
Arcueid immediately held her breath.
What would happen with this summoning that used a Holy Grail instead of Saint Quartz?
"What is it?"
Watching the tense Arcueid, Minamiya Natsuki curiously reached out and poked her.
"Shh, shh, shh... quiet, quiet. This is the critical moment."
Arcueid gently patted the back of Natsuki's hand, then pulled her close against her chest.
Gold and black hair intertwined as Arcueid rested her chin on top of Natsuki's head, her expression utterly focused.
"You..."
Before Natsuki could even finish a single word, Arcueid patted her belly, cutting her off.
Ignoring the curious gazes of the little ones, Natsuki could only sigh and watch the scene unfold alongside her.
As the rotation accelerated, the light from the spheres grew more dazzling, with magical energy arcing like lightning.
The rapidly spinning spheres formed a somewhat thick band of light, its blinding glare forcing those around to shut their eyes.
"It's here."
The band of light spun wildly and suddenly expanded outward, transforming into a single ring—several times larger than before.
Ah...
Dammit. All that fanfare, just for a single ring.
It was like a smooth summoning animation suddenly stuttering, resources loading, only to end up being nothing but a network fluctuation. So frustrating.
"Just as I thought."
Arcueid's face fell, her whole body slumping dejectedly onto Natsuki.
"What's wrong?" Natsuki asked, supporting Arcueid's waist, somewhat confused.
"Natsuki-chan, my summon failed."
"Failed..." Natsuki glanced at the magic circle where energy was gathering. "That's a summoning array?"
"Mhm." Arcueid nodded, looking at her with some surprise. "I'm surprised Natsuki-chan knows about this stuff."
"What do you mean 'surprised'?"
Natsuki lightly poked Arcueid's side, causing her to let out a clear, bright laugh, before continuing, "I am a high school homeroom teacher, after all. My students talk about these topics often."
"I thought Natsuki-chan was too old for..."
"I'm only twenty-six!" Natsuki's poking fingers dug in a little harder.
After shooting Arcueid a glare, she turned her gaze back to the magic circle. "What did you summon?"
"A Craft Essence... basically, a mystic tool."
Arcueid released the petite girl in her arms, her eyes reflecting the dazzling white light.
This summoning seemed to be one of the inherent abilities of the Neco-Arcs themselves. If it's based on their abilities from Melty Blood, then what should be summoned is...
The expanded ring of light abruptly contracted, splashing brilliance everywhere.
Three items gradually materialized from the light—three Black Keys.
"Just as I thought."
Her fingers danced through the air, Arcueid precisely catching the three incoming black swords.
The blades, woven from magical energy, slowly dissipated. Arcueid casually stuffed the bare hilts into her pocket.
"Isn't it a bit odd for a vampire to summon these?" She lightly tapped her chin, looking at the panting cat angel. "If we're going by Melty Blood..."
"Then the summoning pool should have Artoria in it."
A golden cup suddenly appeared in her hand. Arcueid affectionately rubbed the cat angel's head, and then...
Shoved the Holy Grail into its mouth.
"Mew..."
"Again!"
Light flared once more, the spheres beginning to rotate.
The familiar single ring appeared again. This time, what emerged was—
A plate of Mapo Tofu.
Arcueid calmly caught the Mapo Tofu.
A fragrant, spicy aroma wafted out, stimulating the senses.
"...You can even summon something like this?" Natsuki stared at the plate of Mapo Tofu. Under Arcueid's encouraging gaze, she picked up the spoon Arcueid offered.
Could something summoned like this really be eaten?
The spoon gently scooped up a piece of tofu coated in chili oil. The tender, silky tofu trembled slightly in the spoon, its vivid red color sending a slight shiver down her spine.
After a moment's hesitation, Natsuki slowly brought the spoon to her mouth.
The instant the tofu touched her tongue, a fiery spiciness flooded her senses.
Like flames dancing in her mouth, the chili's intensity made beads of sweat instantly appear on her fair forehead.
"So spicy..." Natsuki panted lightly, her blue eyes wide with surprise. "But so fragrant."
It was as if green healing numbers popped up above her head; the fatigue in her body immediately eased.
"Seems it's the same. The Mapo Tofu even has healing properties."
Holding the plate, Arcueid slowly crouched before the cat angel.
Another spoon materialized in her hand. A piece of the silky tofu entered the cat angel's mouth.
The previously limp cat angel instantly straightened its posture, its eyes brimming with excitement.
"Good."
Arcueid offered the cat angel a kind smile. "Then let's continue."
The soft sunlight fell on her profile. It was an exquisitely beautiful smile, yet it made the cat angel tremble.
"We really should do one more ten-pull, at least."
The cat angel struggled, trying to scamper away, but it had barely taken a step before a hand seized the scruff of its neck—its fate grasped.
"Who knows if all the divine energy inside you has been purged, right?" Arcueid lifted the cat angel, pulling more Holy Grails from her pocket. "Open wide, ah~"
"Meeeeew—!"
Watching this terrifying scene, Avrora couldn't help but shrink her shoulders.
--+--
"And in the end, it's still just this stuff."
Arcueid looked at the twelve Black Keys and six plates of Mapo Tofu in her hands, puffing out her cheeks in displeasure.
Not even a guarantee of at least one gold in a ten-pull?
She gazed at the cat angel collapsed on the ground, lost in thought.
Should she continue? Should she invest more resources into this pool with uncertain returns?
The golden Holy Grail reflected dazzling colors under the sunlight. Arcueid silently held it aloft.
Several seconds later, she reached a decision.
"Sigh..."
Her crimson eyes lowered slightly, filled with reluctance.
Perhaps influenced by Arcueid's mood, the world fell into utter silence.
In this world where not even the sound of wind stirred, she slowly stood up.
Her cherry lips parted slightly, as if to let out a breath of surrender, and then...
She pulled out even more Holy Grails.
"No child cries every day, and no Master loses every time!"
A radiant smile bloomed once more on the girl's face, her vivid scarlet eyes gleaming with determination.
"The King of Knights is still waiting for me in that summoning pool!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.