The Second Magic (第二魔法, Dai Ni Mahō?), also known as Zelretch or Kaleidoscope (万華鏡, Mangekyō?), is one of five remaining Magics in the modern age. Its domain is the Operation of Parallel Worlds (並行世界の運営, Heikō Sekai no Un'ei?).[1] It is said that the Second, the Third and Fourth Magic were created as a means to reach the Root.[2]
Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg achieved the Second Magic at an unknown point in time. In 300 AD he used it to defeat Crimson Moon Brunestud in battle.[3] The Second Magic's establishment led to the further survival of mankind, by expanding the possibilities allowed by it. Even if their History fails, and humans destroy themselves, there might still be others out there — this concept granted hope to the planet, which had been in the process of losing its dreams.[4]
Effects[]
The full extent of the Second Magic's capabilities are currently unknown. But its domain lies in the Operation of Parallel Worlds (並行世界の運営, Heikō Sekai no Un'ei?), which allows one to observe and interact with Parallel Worlds. Zelretch uses it frequently to travel through Parallel Worlds and timelines.[5][6]
The Second Magic rewrites the world itself, and the revising of records and the rewriting of events also falls under its domain. The concept of Time Travel is possible through the use of the Second Magic. It is also able to perform resurrection, but not "complete resurrection", which is an incredible miracle beyond even Magic.[2][7]
Observation[]
Zelretch is able to see the eventual outcome of the Parallel Worlds he observes.[8] However, he avoids direct interference and even observation unless necessary, as the act of observing a single possibility among many will instantly cement that possibility as the reality.[9]
Zelretch performs the observation of Parallel Worlds inside a spherical room, said to be a "completed world." It is jet black in appearance, dotted with points of light resembling stars. As he dictates the characteristics of an observed world, these points of light rapidly rotate with the turning of the pages of the book he utilizes. This room is hard to enter, Zelretch possessing a count of those with the ability, such as Caubac Alcatraz.[8]
Within the center of the room floats a wooden chair upon which he sits, said to "imbue the space around it with a conspicuous gravity" simply through existing. The chair's appearance is described as "extravagant" with its wood possessing a "refined hue," but not repulsively ornamental like that owned by the elite. The very significance of the chair in the space is such that an unrefined person would be "consumed by the weight of the chair’s existence and hidden from surrounding view."[8]
From the chair, he utilizes a hovering book that, while the size and thickness of a standard encyclopedia, flips through tens of thousands of pages in an instant at his beckoning. It inscribes and erases pages in real time, filled with information on different worlds and the specifications, down to the very individual characteristics of a person.[8]
Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon[]
The Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon (多重次元屈折現象, Tajū Jigen Kussetsu Genshō?) is one fragment of the Second Magic, which is essentially the ability to create openings into Parallel Worlds. One can then interact with the 'other side' through this gap. Through the use of the Jewel Sword, one can access endless magical energy from Parallel Worlds.[10][11] This is the primary way Zelretch utlizes Kaleidoscope in battle, despite not having as good magical energy recovery rate as McDonell Trambelio Elrod or reserves as high as Ciel , Zelretch has an inexhaustable amount of magical energy as he can draw from a bottomless well from parallel worlds.[12]
Through this aspect of the Second Magic, Zelretch was able to push back the mirror image of the moon that was dropped towards the planet by Crimson Moon, by unleashing a virtually endless ether cannon through a special magic circle called "Magic Square".[13][14][15]
To travel between Parallel Worlds, Zelretch transfers himself to jewels in a different temporal axis. If he wanted to travel from "World A" to "World B", he would gather up enough jewels in World B until there were enough to take his shape, and then transfer his soul into them, turning the jewel golem into Zelretch. At the same time, Zelretch's body back in World A will turn back into a pile of jewels. As long as he has enough materials he can travel to any world he wishes, but since he only has one soul, he can only be active in one world at a time.[4]
He used to travel with his physical body, but after various circumstances he has found that this method is easier.[4]
In addition, as a small amount of time lag occurs when he travels, he is also capable of a tiny bit of time travel as well.[4]
Mystic Codes[]
Jeweled Sword Zelretch[]
Jewel Sword.
The Jewel Sword activated.
Jeweled Sword Zelretch (宝石剣ゼルレッチ, Hōseki Ken Zeruretchi?) from Fate/Grand Order.
Rin using the Jewel Sword.
1/4
Jeweled Sword Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg (宝石剣キシュア・ゼルレッチ・シュバインオーグ, Hōseki-ken Kishua Zeruretchi Shubain'ōgu?), more commonly referred to as Jeweled Sword Zelretch or simply the Jewel Sword, is Zelretch's main weapon and a powerful Mystic Code that could be considered the greatest treasure of humanity.[16] It was invented and designed by Zelretch, and while it is called a sword its true form is that of a staff.[11]
It has the ability to use parts of the Second Magic. Specifically it can utilize the Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon. By using this Mystic Code, one can tap into the endless magical energy of the parallel worlds.[10] It does this by creating a small opening to the same area in another parallel world, to draw in mana from that space, once it has used up the magical energy it can simply open a opening to another. As there are countless parallel worlds, the sword has an functionally endless supply of mana that it can draw upon. Magical energy channelled into the blade can be fired off in a beam of light.[17]
Rin Tohsaka and Illyasviel von Einzbern state that the Jewel Sword is a Conceptual Weapon that exceeds Servants and is something that matches or outperforms Saber's Excalibur.[18] Through the use of the Jewel Sword, Zelretch was able to push back the mirror image of the Moon that was dropped towards the planet by Crimson Moon, by unleashing a virtually endless ether cannon through a special magic circle called "Magic Square". [15][14]
Shirou Emiya compares the Jewel Sword to alien technology, beyond the reach of modern man. He cannot comprehend the sword or tell what magical theory that constructed it even with all of EMIYA's knowledge and Illyasviel von Einzbern's inherited memories from Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern of Zelretch's original sword. In the end he is only able to project a replica, inferior to the original. [19]
Treasure Chest[]
Zelretch's Treasure Chest.
Zelretch's Treasure Chest, granted to the Tohsaka House, is a "magical chest" that has a spacial distortion inside of it made by applying the Second Magic. The dimensions fluctuate and bend according to the contents, allowing most items to fit into it, and one hour inside is equivalent to one day outside.[20]
Rin keeps the Kaleidostick and the Jewel Sword's blueprints in it. Also, while trapped in the chest, Shirou and Rin managed to call three years into a Parallel World's future using a cellphone, having a confused discussion with that future's Luviagelita and Rin.[21]
[v] Fate/complete material III: World material - Theory of Magic - Magecraft: "Magic" making the impossible possible, p.048
"Magic" making the impossible possible
True Magic. This is a different mystery than magery. Magi call the events that are unachievable by magery and science in that age True Magic. If that event could be achieved by time and resources, then no matter the difficulty, that event will not be seen as True Magic.
When the civilization of mankind was still young, all magery had been True Magic. But along with the advancement of science, the number of things that "could be done" by people had increased, and in exchange, True Magic diminished. The number of remaining "True Magics" in the modern era are extremely few, only 5. In "Fate/stay night", the achievement of one of these, the "Third True Magic", occupied the portion of the Grail War that could also be said to be its base.
All magi strive to arrive at "True Magic". Even if they can't reach it, the next generation will. Even the next generation can't reach it, then the one after....and like that, thus was weaved the history of trial and error of magery.
True Magic
Explanation
First True Magic
One of the oldest True Magics but the details about it are unknown. What it involves appears to be common knowledge to some magi of privileged rank. Though the wielder of the First Magic is already passed from this World, it is said that a personage who is of direct descent narrowly survives.
Second True Magic
The True Magic that observes the infinite parallel worlds and travels between alternative worlds. Its user is Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. With this magic, this man was able to create a jewel sword to absorb mana from the other worlds and a box that could store an immense amount of objects.
Third True Magic
Materialization of the soul, in other words, the magic that realizes true immortality. When accomplished, the practitioner will acquire an unlimited source of magical energy due to the soul becoming analogous to a perpetual motion machine. This is the Magic of the Einzbern lineage, and the Holy Grail War was established to acquire this Magic.
Fourth True Magic
Like the First True Magic, the details about it are unknown. What it involves hasn't been heard of either. But, the currently existing wizards, when pointing out to the Fourth True Magic, they'll all say "it is there for sure", and will agree that it exists. Also, they don't know the name of the user either.
Fifth True Magic
The True Magic that the Traveling Magician Aozaki Aoko inherited from her grandfather. Its nickname is "Magic Blue." The user Aozaki Aoko is average as a magus but displays transcendence with destruction. Because of this trait, there is a rumor that "Magic Blue" is also a True Magic involving destruction.
•The Five Magicians
There are five True Magics left in the current age. Those who use them are called "Magicians". The user of the First Magic, the oldest True Magic, is said to be dead, so the ones that are "still alive" are four. Let's say that "what had been possible only by True Magic" then becomes achievable by developments in magery or scientific technology. True Magic will be lowered to a mere "craft". Many True Magics were lost from the world like that. Then, can the power of "True Magic" only fade out hereon? No. The arrival of magi at existing or as of yet uncharted new Magic can allow new True Magic to be born and the numbers to be increased. Needless to say, this is far more difficult than a camel passing through the eye of a needle and finding one speck of a jewel in a desert. However, it's not impossible. The existence of the Wizards is proof of that. Thus, magi strive for the heights of True Magic. Believing they will one day reach the stars in the skies with their own hands, they continue dedicating themselves to their studies daily.
•Death of True Magic, Death of a Magician
A Magician, just like a magus, has a long life. If one uses life-prolonging magic, it wouldn't be impossible to live a few hundred, a few thousand years either. But, the "end" will come for sure. Then, would the death of a Magician mean the death of the True Magic he uses? No, it would not. True Magic will be passed on to the inheritor of the next generation and will not disappear. If True Magic were to die, it would only be when it could be realized by normal means.
Death of Solomon the King.
The Age of Gods does with his death concludes.
The expression of Mystery — the thaumaturgical energy within the atmosphere — does with this as a threshold likewise truly come to thin; becoming as zero as of arriving upon the Occidental Calendar.
the Eve of AD
Birth of the wielder of the 1st Magic.
AD
00 AD
Come of the magi that yet remained from the Age of Gods, the establishment of the foundation of the Thaumaturgical Association.
A movement whereby 「even that Mystery will eventually vanish, let us preserve the past in the capacity of an academic discipline」.
However —
Circa 20 AD
Substantiation of the 5th Imaginary Aspect.
A new World begins.
It becomes a matter that Thaumaturgy and Mystery continue to persist in a different form.
The other magi of the Age of Gods who have occulted themselves as of the Wandering Sea and the Academy at Atlas
cannot endorse said movement, but maintain friendly relations of a recognition of fraternity as fellow students of Mystery.
This is in subsequence the Thaumaturgical Association.
Circa 20~100 AD
The Director and associates are diligently active.
Thanks to this, students of thaumaturgy grow in number, and the liveliness of the discipline once manifest as of the Age of Gods is reclaimed.
From approximately this point forth, Dead Apostles manifested as of the thaumaturgical world at frequency, deeming magi as their enemies, and so assailing them.
Circa 300 AD
Battle in the city as of the forests of the night; the Millennium Castle.
There occurred a violent clash between Crimson Moon and the Wizard Marshal Zelretch ... it is said.
Circa 300~500 AD
Upon the continent, in the countries of Western Europe, the influence of the Holy Church expands.
The Thaumaturgical Association declines.
The ravages of the battle against Crimson Moon are vast.
The winter of thaumaturgy.
The thaumaturgical cities established by the Association are in the dispute against the Holy Church shut down one by one.
On account that Crimson Moon was annihilated, Gransurg Blackmore does in the midst of despair accept annihilation.
Though he reared disciples, in a battle against an Executor who chanced upon him on a night of a blue Moon, he gracefully accepted defeat.
「It was upon a night like this that I encountered that person.
That being the case, perhaps I ought to die on such a night.」
Circa 500 AD
The True Ether (the 5th True Aspect) that remained as of the island of Britain vanishes.
A contingent of magi establish their headquarters upon the island of Britain.
The beginning of 『The Clock Tower』.
Circa 600~900 AD
The excavation of the Spirit Tomb Albion.
Advancing in their excavation of Britain's subterranea, the Clock Tower acquires a vast thaumaturgical asset.
As of the waning thaumaturgical world, the Clock Tower becomes as a light of hope, and numerous magi and individuals of means therein gather.
Circa 900 AD
Justeaze is born.
The Holy Maiden of the Einzberns.
The 3rd Magic communicated since a thousand years prior is at last substantiated.
Circa 1000 AD
At the Clock Tower, the prodigy Barthomelloi makes an entrance.
The basis of the Lords — the magi of the aristocratic class — is established.
Circa 1200 AD
The Clock Tower does in name and substance become as the center of the thaumaturgical world.
The institution of the system of Governorship is completed.
(Being that at this time, the Faculty of Policies was treated still as an academic faculty, there were twelve faculties.)
Circa 1400 AD
Zepia assumes posting as the Director of the Academy at Atlas.
Said posting subsequently persists unto present day.
Circa 1600 AD
The Faculty of Policies is in its manner of existence viewed as problematic, and its standing as an academic faculty is annulled.
Subsequently, it becomes as the Department of Policies, and the twelve academic faculties are amended to eleven.
Circa 1800 AD
England, the Industrial Revolution.
Though this was as a severe blow to the thaumaturgical world, escalation in the complexity of knowledge and technology did likewise confer certain benefits.
Being as unto the Holy Church — which had by pushing 「a singular worldview」 expanded its influence — it constituted an unparalleled attack, the Association even provided backing.
Contemporaneous, the internal conflict on the matter of whether to regard the Industrial Revolution with affirmation did subsequently become as the root cause of the dispute between the Aristocratic and Democratic Factions.
The genre of modern thaumaturgical theory could no longer be disregarded, and was appended to fill the slot of the lost twelfth faculty.
However, even that it had been appended in the capacity of a twelfth faculty, being as modern magecraft was itself still held in contempt, no governor (Lord) was at this stage yet assigned.
Circa 1994 AD
Lord El-Melloi dies in Japan to a trivial ritual known as the War for the Holy Grail.
Seriously?
Circa 2004 AD
In continuity, the 5th War for the Holy Grail initiates.
It is rumored that the 3rd Magic is reenacted.
Seriously!?
2015 AD
As of an Adjacent World, a Grand Order is issued.
Overview
The Wizard Marshall. One of the oldest mages, having been active since before the common era.
When the war between Crimson Moon and the Mages Association broke out around 300 AD, the mages were too preoccupied with their own single-player antics to be able to function as an army, so Zelretch took them by the neck and unified them, becoming feared as the Wizard Marshall in the process.
He repelled Crimson Moon, but in the process the #3 of the 27 Dead Apostle Ancestors charged him and sucked his blood, and though he defeated this one too, he was ultimately turned into a Dead Apostle.
Afterward, he was to become mankind’s enemy, unable to oppose Crimson Moon… but he just thought ‘I wasn’t mankind’s ally to begin with—kinda just wanna go retire’, taking the opportunity to disappear from the center stage of magecraft.
After becoming one of the 27 Ancestors, he came to understand Crimson Moon’s views, and began hating him even further.
On the other hand, after comprehending the system behind the 27 Ancestors, he became aware of the other Ancestors’ way of being, and so stopped hating vampires themselves. After all, some of the Ancestors were far more pure in their scholarship compared to the Mages Association’s advocates of pre-established privileges.
Appearance
From his outward appearance he looks like to be in his 60s. His facial features are Germanic.
He is a stern-looking elder, his gray (originally blond) hair in a dishevelled back sweep, though on account of his youthful expressions, he can also look to be in his fifties.
190 cm tall, well-built, with excellent posture—the very stereotype of an esteemed military-man.
Consult the picture book that came with the Tsukihime anime as a bonus prologue for how his clothes look.
Personality
Lawful Good.
Extroverted, self-assured, proactive.
A thoughtful sage—one who assesses the whole and imagines a bright future. Though he has a scary look that makes others distance themselves from him, he is a man of social justice and has good and honest morals.
However, though he has them, that doesn’t mean he applies them to himself, and is rather a man of freedom who does whatever he likes.
“I’ll force rules upon the Mages Association for the sake of a brighter future, but I never said I’d follow those rules myself” is something he actually follows through with.
He has the same attitude as a grandpa who often laughs as he watches over the life of his mischievous grandchild.
Though he is an observer, he will still butt into arguments (in fact, if someone is about to make a blunder, he will warn them, a smile on his face), and if he realizes things are about to spill over onto him, he will childishly hinder it with full force. That’s the kind of adult he is.
Zelretch generally sees himself as an alumnus who has already graduated from ‘Earth Academy’. Meaning, as long as the academy itself doesn’t go under, he will just warmly watch on from afar at the various problems afflicting it—broad-mindedly thinking something like “I did about the same when I was young”
The highlight of Zelretch’s life was his showdown with Crimson Moon, so everything beyond that he sees as nothing more than ‘the rest of his days’.
Although, that is precisely why he’s very proactive when it comes to assessing the situation surrounding Crimson Moon. One could see it as taking care of the aftermath of his adolescent period. The reason Zelretch headed for the castle of the True Ancestors and blessed the birth of Arcueid was because she was the factor who would take his place in bringing an end to the Crimson Moon problem.
Manner of Talking
His first-person pronoun is ‘washi’.
He calls people by their personal name. If he has respect for someone of a more noble personage, he will use their appropriate title of honor—‘princess’, ‘king’ and so forth.
If who he’s talking to is someone he personally likes, he may go as far inadvertently calling them “omae-san”.
He does not use ‘~ja’ or ‘‘~jawai’ or such, at the end of his sentences.
He speaks like a dignified elder, but try to keep in mind that his sentences are a bit youthful here and there.
“I intended to remain youthful forever, but it didn’t quite go as I wanted”
The ideal is to avoid long sentences—make him come through with each individual word.
Abilities
The father of jewel magecraft—to store magical energy in minerals, stabilize them and use it for various applications in life and for supporting civilization.
Even if we assume that the Earth did not fall into the hands of humanity—remaining in the Age of Gods—he might have still piloted rockets using just his jewels.
The Second Magic concerns the attestation and application of parallel worlds.
By making it possible to travel to parallel worlds, he proved that there is still room for the world to develop in different ways.
Thanks to this, the world’s lifespan has been extended. Even if our history fails, and we destroy ourselves, there might still be others of us out there—this concept granted hope to the planet, which had been in the process of losing its dreams.
Zelretch’s method for travelling through parallel words is a simple one—he transfers himself to a jewel in a different temporal axis.
For example: if he wants to transfer from World A to World B, he will gather jewels in World B until they gather up enough to take Zelretch’s shape, and then Zelretch’s soul will transfer over. In an instant, the jewel golem transforms into Zelretch. At that point, the Zelretch in World A will turn back into its original form as a pile of jewels.
As long as minerals and jewels exist there, he can travel into any world he wishes, but as he only has a single soul, he cannot be active in all of them at once.
He originally travelled with just his physical body, but because of various circumstances he eventually settled for this method as it was the easiest.
In addition, as a small amount of time lag occurs when he travels, he is also capable of a tiny bit of time travel as well.
To answer the question of ‘if he doesn’t travel with his physical body, how could he be a Dead Apostle?’—as someone who has inherited the Hemonomic Principle of one of the 27 Ancestors, he has been corrupted on the soul-level, so it's impossible for him not to be.
Vampirification is not the transformation of the body, but of existence. It’s like if the entry in the Akashic Records that read ‘human’ changed class to ‘Dead Apostle’—to become a vampire in one’s very being.
Career
One of the oldest mages, having been active since B.C. Also one of King Solomon’s pupils.
After Solomon's death, Zelretch witnessed the end of the Age of Gods with his own eyes, and then disappeared from the center stage.
Afterward, when one of his fellow students (Brissan) was starting up the Mages Association, he helped out in laying its foundations.
As a result, the mages who had not perished became involved in the war against Crimson Moon 200 years later. In this battle, Zelretch transformed from human to Dead Apostle.
He has been observing many different parallel words ever since, detachedly spectating the course of their events.
Standing
Attitude toward the Mages Association
Due to his promise with Yumina, and the fact that he is old acquaintances with the headmaster, he shows up now and then to act as an advisor for them. He has accepted the weakening of mage ideals as something that happens. However, if some weakling comes before him and starts going off about their own theories he will beat them and their weak character into shape.
When there are issues concerning Magic, he appears before the Association and delivers fair and just judgment.
Attitude toward the Holy Church
He does not concern himself with them in the slightest.
Attitude toward the Dead Apostles
He does not interfere with them as long as they do not cause some particularly large-scale mischief.
He has seen through the mechanisms behind the 27 Ancestors, but has deliberately chosen to quietly observe them. He is tea-drinking companions with the three idiots of Agape, Lovematroos and Caubac. Rumors have it that he becomes like a simple grandpa doting on his grandchild when dealing with Agape.
Attitude toward the True Ancestors
Zelretch is highly regarded among the True Ancestors as he is one of the most prominent mages in the human world.
Zelretch, on account of having been alive since before the common era, is friendly with the elementals known as the True Ancestors, and often provides them with counsel:
“Kishua, hey, listen. You know that ‘Christianity’ thing humans are doing among each other? What’s that? A new type of magecraft system?
“That’s a detailed Manual to Mankind’s Prosperity. It will one day even turn out to be a best-seller. Well, it’s for the best if you don’t know much about it. You’d probably lose your minds.
“I see, if you say so, then it’s probably true. By the way, I’d like to try a bit of that wine they make in Bourgogne. Could you get some?
Stuff like this.
Attitude toward Rin
‘Tohsaka’s descendants sure did well! Alright, there aren’t any Magician seats left, but I will hammer some unreasonably difficult magecraft into you! They’re things I’ve worked out but unfortunately never taught anyone!’ So he goes, a bit happily.
Anyone who is a Magician’s pupil is first started off with a living hell where they might accidentally destroy the universe—like with Aoko from Mahoyo. Although Rin never minded it that much, instead simply tilting her head, wondering if maybe she had just had some kind of tremendously hellish thing shown to her, after which she kept puking for a whole month.
Wizard Marshal
The one who has attained the 2nd Magic, an apex of the world of magecraft.
An authority of the thaumaturgical world of Europe, amongst the founders of the Clock Tower.
Whereas he has crossed unto numerous futures; numerous Adjacent Realities, he is an observer that yet awaits 'the Final Answer.'
Tohsaka Tohsaka Nagato
Family head of the Tohsaka during the original planning of the Holy Grail War. He studied under Zelretch as a mage apprentice and dreamt of attaining the Root through the Holy Grail. Also, he was a Christian despite it being banned in the Japan at that time.
Witness, “Wizard Marshall” Kischua Zelretch Schweinorg
One of the only five True Magicians in the world. Zelretch served as the witness during the creation of the Greater Grail. He is an old man with many nicknames. He has been referred to as “Wizard Marshall”, “(Zelretch ) Of the Jewel”, “Kaleidoscope”, “Old Man Time” and many other names. The 5 phenomenon that cannot be achieved through sorcery or science are called “True Magic”, and those individuals who can invoke these are called “True Magicians”. Zelretch once fought the existence known as “Crimson Moon”. Although emerging victorious (draw?), he paid a heavy price. As a result of this engagement, he became severely aged, and his powers diminished. And it was also at that time, he was bitten by the Crimson Moon and turned into a vampire. His name was entered into the list of “The 27 Dead Apostle Ancestors”, which documents powerful vampires.
The Magic which Zelretch wields is something called “The Second Magic”, and through this Magic he can freely stroll through many parallel worlds. He is a complicated and weird guy with a personality that “rages at evil and laughs at good”. He is a powerful existence who is surprisingly meddlesome in worldly affairs, and frequently sparks conflicts. A troublesome figure indeed.
In the Association, becoming “a pupil of Zelretch” is synonymous to being turned into a complete wreck. Tohsaka Nagato is one of the few rare talented ones that returned without a scratch after becoming the pupil of Zelretch.
Not only a True Magician, but also the pinnacle of magi, this is the “Wizard Marshall” Zelretch. His physique is strong and tough. His demeanour can certainly be called “old but not out”.
Q: Are the three routes of Fate/stay night parallel worlds that exist simultaneously? I was wondering if this is what it looks like from Zelretch's perspective.
Q: Are the three routes of Fate/stay night parallel worlds that exist simultaneously? I was wondering if this is what it looks like from Zelretch's perspective.
A: They are parallel, in a sense. However, the moment Zelretch observes one, it becomes "fact" (a fixed reality). Speaking to Nasu Kinoko’s personal feelings: if one route is the "truth," there is a part of me that wishes the other two would just disappear. If every path is allowed to be "valid" simultaneously, then the other routes would end up becoming meaningless.
Magical Formal Wear: Mystic Code
Magic Formal Wear are tools that magi use to support their executions of magecraft and are also called "Mystic Codes" or "Formal Wear". There are many different types of functions and shapes to Mystic Codes, but these are generally broken up into two types. The first are those that supplement the magic energy of a magus when he uses magic. The second are those where the Mystic Code itself has a predetermined set effect and a function that activates when the tool is used.
Similar to Mystic Codes, there are also "Conceptual Arms". These are weapons where meaning is imparted to items via accumulated history, lore, rituals and the sort, and made so as to affect souls and spiritual bodies.
In Fate/stay night, the "Dress of Heaven" and "Jewel Sword Zelretch" are Mystic Codes, while the "Black Keys" are "Conceptual Arms".
Jewel Sword Zelretch
This is a Mystic Code designed and created by Zelretch, a magician known and feared as the "Kaleidoscope."
Its true form is not a sword, but a staff.
Although limited, it can draw out magical energy leaked from parallel worlds...
Making the Second Magic a reality and creating slashes of light from concentrated energy.
4Gamer: By the way, it’s said that Ciel’s energy output is around 5000 units, while a typical mage would usually muster 20 units. Isn’t that a bit of a tall tale? Even if we’re talking about Rin, a bona fide prodigy, I remember she clocked in at roughly 500 units.
Nasu: It may come across as hyperbolic, but the numbers do hold water. Even someone like Roa, who reincarnates into bodies with progressively greater talents, considers Ciel his crown achievement. To put things into perspective, Trambelio—holder of the Clock Tower’s all-time high in energy output record—maxes out at a 2000 units, which is around Rin’s output.
4Gamer: ...Wouldn’t that elevate her to the status of Type-Moon’s undisputed prodigy?
Nasu: If raw MP were the only yardstick, then yes. However, there are many other factors and unique traits to take into account. For instance, Trambelio boasts the fastest MP recovery rate in the setting, while Zelretch draws upon a bottomless well via his Parallel Worlds Operation. Meanwhile Illya, despite having lower MP, has outstanding circuitry quality. She’s like the What-If Phone Booth from Doraemon or an all-purpose 3D printer.
Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg [Person's name]
Also known as the Wizard Marshall, Zelretch of the Jewel, and the Kaleidoscope.
One of the five True Magicians.
(He also had a role as one of the Dead Apostle Ancestors, but because it was not relevant to the story of Fate, that part was cut.)
A magus who was symbolized by gem stones. An eccentric old man who raged at evil with a passion, but laughed at do-gooders.
He frequently took in pupils, but no mage house had emerged as successors to take over his mantle.
Once upon a time, he engaged the King of Vampires in single combat. He pushed back a boulder falling from the heavens in a feat of power. Such a monster was Zelretch.
However, since then he had aged significantly. It seemed that he could no longer wield Magic the way he did, back when he was at his prime.
By the way, the pupils he took in almost all became wrecks.
There was a related episode in the True End of Sakura Route. The Department Heads at the Mage's Association said, "What should we do? If we don't send in the most promising candidates, no one is going to come back from the ordeal. But if we send in the most promising candidates, we are going to take a huge loss if they are turned into wrecks." Such was their dilemma.
"You don't need to worry. It's fine as long as you can project the gem sword. The sword has absurd powers said to have even stopped the 'falling moon'."
Q: You must tell us the details of the battle between the Crimson Moon and Zelretch at his prime!!
A: You are asking me to divulge such delicious details from my stash of ideas? Mmmm... I have shown some similar scenes in Mahoyo, they would carry a similar vibe. It would be something like, the Crimson Moon dropping a mirror image of the Moon (HERE IT COMES!) versus Zelretch doing something only he was able to do: a virtually limitless Ether Cannon unleashed through a special magic circle ("Magic Square"). If we had five times the budget of Mahoyo, then we may be able to realize such a scene.
"Q: ”while the Saber Alter battle is taking place, we also see the confrontation between Rin and Sakura.”
Sudo: “I’m very happy with how beautifully the light from the jeweled sword came out.”
Nasu: ”Well, it is arguably humanities greatest treasure, and one step away from being a magical girl's weapon, so if anything, i would’ve been disappointed if it hadn’t sparkled that much. So yeah, it’s definitely powerful. But i also found its lyrical feel to be incredibly beautiful.”"
[v] Fate/complete material III: World material - Theory of Magic - Magecraft: Effects on the Level of True Magic, p.049
Effects on the Level of True Magic
Although generally speaking “there are five True Magics”, this number does not reflect “effects that rival True Magics”. There are several examples in the story. Many Mystic Codes and creatures that exist in the world are also “shaped through True Magic”. Finally, there are those without definite shapes, but only exist “in motion”.
A representative example of this last category is Assassin Kojiro Sasaki’s secret sword technique “Tsubame Gaeshi”. It is an ultimate technique which consists of the blade absolutely, simultaneously tracing separate paths and severing the target. In thaumaturgy, this is called “Multidimensional Refraction Phenomenon – Kischua Zelretch”, in other words, a limited application of the Second Magic “Operation of Parallel Worlds”.
In addition, reality marbles, the sorcery that overwrites reality with the caster’s internal landscape, is also thought to be a skill that approaches the miracle of True Magic. Although temporary, there are not too many magi who are able to execute this World-altering grand sorcery.
•Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia
The matching “scabbard” of the holy sword Excalibur. The wielder does not age, and injuries will also quickly heal.
After invoking its true name, Avalon dissipates as tiny particles into the air, and shields the wielder from all interference. No damage can be done to the wielder when a state of absolute defence is initiated. Even interference from the parallel world based on the Second Magic will be blocked. An “absolute defence” that can even repel the assault of True Magic, it is a True Magic in itself. No one can harm the tranquil King that stands in the land of Avalon.
When Avalon was unleashed, not even the King of Heroes could harm Sabre.
•Caster’s Sorcery (limited to Ryudo Temple)
In the ancient era, sorcery is synonymous to True Magic, thus magi are Magicians. The true identity of the Caster in the Fifth War is Medea. She is one of these sorceresses that lived in the Age of Gods. Therefore, the sorceries which she executes have powers that approach the realm of True Magic. No matter how large-scale the sorcery is, she can use ‘High Speed Divine Language” to cast it in one step. Her skills even transcend the strongest magi of the current era, exceeding the Magicians. Although Medea is not a Magician, no one can argue that she is “a magus that is infinitely close to the Magicians”.
•Phantasmal Species (Phantasmal Beasts of the Millennium-Rank, and Divine Beasts)
The creatures told in the myths and legends around the world. Dragons, Fairies, and Ghosts etc. are such examples. The Pegasus mounted by Rider is a member of the Phantasmal Species.
Phantasmal Species embody mysteries simply by existing, thus they transcend normal sorceries. Those Phantasmal Species that have survived for millennia are thought to be equal to True Magic, even observing one can be said to be a miracle.
•The Spatial Transportation of Servants
Spatial Transportation is a sorcery in the realm of True Magic. Not used normally, but Masters can use command spells to realise it to a limited extend. This is called Forced Summoning. Although the distance may be quite far, after the command is issued, the Servant will traverse great distances and arrive at the side of the Master in haste.
•Zelretch’s Treasure Chest
The heirloom of the Tohsaka House, and now it is a mystery chest that Rin favours. It was made by Zelretch.
It looks like a “genuine treasure chest” from the outside, but it is really a “magical chest” that was made by applying the Second Magic. By bending space, most items can be fit into it. Possibly due to the effect of the Second Magic, the rate of temporal passage inside the chest is different from that of the outside. One hour inside equals to one day outside.
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