.
The most peculiar reactions came from Dr. Heartless and the Shadow Servant.
Dr. Heartless was the Master, and the Shadow Servant was the Servant. Both of them possessed the privileges granted by the Holy Grail. While others saw Shinji as possessing strength far beyond that of any normal human, with mysteries that surpassed conventional magecraft, what they saw was something entirely different.
"Is that... a Noble Phantasm?"
Dr. Heartless could sense the spiritual particles surrounding Shinji—those were the fundamental elements that composed a Servant's body.
"It is indeed a Noble Phantasm, possibly of a higher rank than my Hecatic Wheel," the Shadow Servant said quietly, her voice somewhat lacking in strength. Even so, her words were heard by Lorelei, who was standing closest to them and vigilantly keeping them at bay. Lorelei's expression immediately changed, and her tone grew urgent.
"A Noble Phantasm... Are you certain?"
As she spoke, many thoughts crossed her mind.
Why did he possess so many mystical treasures, and why did he travel the world so freely with them? Even the oldest families, like the Barthomeloi, usually kept their treasures locked away in the deepest vaults, only retrieving them when necessary.
How did he manage to wield the once-lost Rune system?
She had once thought that his Shishou, the immortal Queen of the Shadow Land, who had lived from the Age of Gods to the present, could explain all of this.
But now, she had new questions—the fact that Scáthach had taken on a disciple was suspicious in itself. Since the end of the Age of Gods and the beginning of the Age of Fairies, there had been no mention of Scathach ever taking another student.
She had assumed that the Barthomeloi family had simply missed out on this information, but compared to the theory that Shinji was a reincarnated Heroic Spirit, the latter seemed far more plausible.
"I am a Servant; I wouldn't mistake it," the Shadow Servant's voice remained soft, but the weight of her words was as unshakeable as her warrior's soul.
A Noble Phantasm is the crystallization of a Heroic Spirit's legend, an integral part of a Servant. While others might not recognize a Noble Phantasm, a Servant would never fail to.
"Is that man also a Servant?"
Dr. Heartless looked at Shinji, a new expression forming in his eyes.
"No, his body is undoubtedly human. Though he possesses mysteries beyond the modern era, he is human—how could this be? Could it be the Holy Grail? Although it's not an all-powerful wish-granting device, since it's called the Holy Grail, it should have the power to grant certain wishes, right? Giving a Servant a second life isn't impossible."
"You're wrong. Shinji is not a Servant," Arcueid suddenly spoke up, her tone carrying an air of certainty.
"Oh? And why do you say that?"
Dr. Heartless asked.
"Because he's not, simple as that. There's no 'why,'" she replied.
"That's not very convincing."
"Why should I convince anyone else? It's enough that I believe him."
Her response was just as matter-of-fact as before as if it were a law of nature. But humans, being what they are, often can't accept anything without a reasonable explanation—not even natural laws. So, naturally, Dr. Heartless didn't believe her.
At that moment, another voice joined the discussion—it was Waver.
"Let me explain why."
"By all means."
"His growth and history have been meticulously recorded, from childhood in Japan to his arrival in Britain."
"Records can be forged. The Barthomeloi family knows this better than anyone," Lorelei said nothing, tacitly agreeing.
"Experiences can be falsified, yes. But what about my personal experience? I've known him for ten years since he was seven years old. Although we didn't meet often, every time I saw him, I witnessed his growth—both in strength and in spirit. He's worked hard to get where he is today, step by step. Anyone who knows him well can see that. Surely you wouldn't claim that my personal experience is also fabricated?"
"This..."
Dr. Heartless was at a loss for words.
"That's indeed something that can't be faked," Lorelei sighed, a wave of guilt washing over her.
Yes, Waver had known him longer, but she hadn't met him much later. He had been working for her these past few years, spending more time in the Department of Policies than in the Department of Modern Magecraft. They had even sparred regularly, with both winning and losing their fair share.
Recalling their first encounter in the underground workshop, she had been merely a candidate for the family head, without even the family magic crest. Although he had disguised himself, his speech and combat skills had still been somewhat unpolished, far from the maturity he now displayed.
In these five years, she had grown significantly, but hadn't he also?
As someone who had grown alongside him, she should know this better than anyone. And yet, she had doubted him.
A Heroic Spirit or a hero must have already endured numerous trials, achieving a high level of mastery in mind, skill, and body. Such a being might continue to grow after gaining a second life, but they could never start over from zero, from nothing.
And yet Shinji, like any other young boy or girl, had undergone this gradual process of growth. This was stronger evidence than any theory or suspicion.
Setting aside the seemingly naive True Ancestor for now, what would the other girls around him think? Would they doubt him as she had?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Lorelei suddenly felt a wave of panic—what had happened to her?
On the other side, Dr. Heartless had accepted Waver's explanation, but he had discovered a new problem.
"How could a human possess a Noble Phantasm, a mystery exclusive to Servants? Even with a command spell, that shouldn't be possible, right?"
"Master could give it a try," the Shadow Servant said, her expression unchanged.
"Let's not. It's not worth wasting a command spell on something so nebulous. Besides, if I did, our relationship would be in jeopardy. And anyway, I have a feeling that this young man has other secrets that could shock the entire Mage's Association."
In his last sentence, Dr. Heartless deliberately raised his voice, making sure everyone on the train could hear. Along with his words, a seed of greed was sown.
"Oh my, what could it be? What surprises lie ahead? I'm looking forward to it," the red-haired man with a devilish charm continued to smile gently, his gaze fixed on the highest point of the steel forest, where a platform made of stakes stood.
There, Shinji, shirtless, pressed his left hand to his right shoulder, extended his right hand forward, spread his fingers wide, and began to chant:
"I am the bone of my Nail."
"Steel is my body, and fire is my blood."
"I have created over a thousand blades."
"Unknown to Death. Nor known to Life."
"Have withstood pain to impale many enemies."
"Yet, those hands will never hold anything."
"So as I pray, Unlimited Nail Works."