Chapter 03 - I'm a Caster Who Somehow Got Stuck as an Assassin?
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Black shadows veiled the mana-woven spirit body. The Assassin's stealth seemed innate—from the moment she slipped out of the church to dart between the steel canyons of the city, not even a stray cat spared her a glance. The world itself had erased her presence, leaving her a pitiful girl forsaken by all.
Presence Concealment.
One of her skills, an ability unimaginably potent for a mage yet inherent to the Assassin class.
The night air carried a biting chill, but the white-clad girl felt no discomfort, nor did fatigue touch her after hours of traversing the urban labyrinth. This was transcendent power—defying biology, trampling Darwin's evolution beneath its heel.
Finally, she abandoned her last shred of denial. No more delusions of this being a dream or prank. The truth was unavoidable: she'd been thrust into a battlefield drenched in bloodshed.
A petite girl leaping from one skyscraper to another fifty meters away defied all logic. No human could withstand such impact or muster such explosive force. But she'd long ceased to be human—she was a Servant now. It was no different from trading humanity for vampirism via the Stone Mask.
"Ugh, these Assassin stats are trash! Why couldn't that priest summon me as one of the Knight-class powerhouses? (╥﹏╥)"
"All the skill in the world can't beat raw numbers. I just wanna taste that OP meta-build life for once…(:з」∠)"
"My only A-rank parameter isn't even Agility—it's Mana! What self-respecting Assassin maxes MP instead of speed?!"
Perched on a rooftop, Illya (or rather, the soul inhabiting her) groaned at her status screen.
This was basically:
[Panic-Leveling Mana Because I'm Scared of Running Out of Juice
Buying Tear of the Goddess as an Assassin Starter Item? Totally Normal, Right?
My MP Bar Suddenly Maxed Out in Another World
At the Moon's Peak, Through the Ageless Night—Where There's Mana, There's Might!
Those Who Dare Invade Fuyuki Shall Fall Beneath Illya's Strike!]
High Mana might be coveted for other classes, but for an Assassin with minimal MP needs? Useless. Even her Noble Phantasm barely drained her reserves—she could probably coast for a week without "refueling."
"These stats are pathetic. My Noble Phantasm's a glorified gacha pull too. Unless I cheese this by targeting Masters, I'm screwed…"
The Holy Grail War had occurred thrice in Fuyuki, and without fail, Assassins and their Masters were among the first eliminated. Weak stats, underwhelming Noble Phantasms—all they had was Presence Concealment. A one-trick pony destined for the chopping block.
Naturally, Illya assumed she'd fare no better. After all, this was her first Grail War. All she had to go on were rumors and cold, hard data.
Status
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True Name:Illyasviel von Einzbern
Class: Assassin
Strength:E
Endurance:D
Agility:C+
Mana:A
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: B+
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Class Skills
Presence Concealment (C+):
The Assassin's hallmark ability. When active, Illya merges with her surroundings—approaching, retreating, all without a trace. Even Servants might fail to detect her unless they possess skills like Instinct.
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Personal Skills
Heart of the Lesser Grail (B→A+)
As a vessel for the Lesser Grail linked to Fuyuki's leylines, her mana regeneration far surpasses other Servants. Should her Master perish, she'll linger in the world far longer than most. If connected directly to the Greater Grail, this skill ascends to A+, granting near-infinite mana reserves.
Gaze of All the World's Evils (B+)
You are a nexus of humanity's malice, a magnet for wickedness. You instinctively sense others' darkest impulses and subtly coax them to the surface. Evil intoxicates you; you'll nudge others toward sin without even realizing it.
Angel's Hymn (Engel Lied) (C)
Autonomous familiars shaped like birds, woven from Illya's hair or metal threads. Though small, they generate mana and attack independently—miniature mages. The white stork-like "Knights" are but one form among many.
Einzbern Magecraft (D)
Transfers consciousness to objects (trees, walls, etc.) to share their vision. Useless in combat, but ideal for scouting through familiars or puppets. Note: Cannot control sentient familiars—only observe.
Innocent Girl's Facade (C)
A Assassin's basic disguise. Suppress emotions, mask intentions, reshape clothing with mana. To all, you're just a harmless, adorable child. Unless you bare your fangs, even enemies might hesitate to strike.
Noble Phantasm
Blank Card: Assassin (B+)
A card unlinked to any Heroic Spirit in the Throne—akin to the Archer card Shirou Emiya wielded in a snowy night's pact. When Shirou pleaded for aid, only his future self answered. Now, Illya holds the Assassin card. Will the Throne respond? And who will answer?
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No response renders this Phantasm worthless (as seen with Sakura's failed Archer card). Yet its B+ rank isn't arbitrary. Unlike Shirou's gamble, this card will draw an Assassin's power—though which one is pure RNG.
Due to the Grail's constraints, neither Grand Servants nor Divine Spirits may answer. In exchange, if mortally wounded after activation, the card negates death once before shattering.
"My best combat stat's a C+… I'm basically a Caster cosplaying as an Assassin."
Illya massaged her temples. Her kit was a Frankenstein's monster of mechanics—familiars, manipulation, reconnaissance, stealth—yet devoid of firepower. Against other Servants? All flash, no smash. Her Noble Phantasm, a luck-based gacha with no pity system (and her Luck: D), was just a glorified "extra life."
"Which is why targeting Masters is the play…" Illya's oversized white nightgown dissolved into motes of light.
In its place materialized a Fuyuki elementary school uniform, complete with a cherry-red backpack and matching beret.
Her gaze locked onto a lavish manor a kilometer away, its gardens gleaming under moonlight—the residence of the Tohsaka family, one of Fuyuki's Three Founding Houses. Prime prey for a first-night ambush.
"The Einzberns are in Germany. That leaves Tohsaka and Matou. Big families like these would secure powerful catalysts. Since Kotomine summoned me early, striking now might catch them mid-ritual."
Who'd expect an Assassin to blitzkrieg a Mage's workshop before their Servant even materialized? Magi clung to their pride, especially bluebloods like the Tohsakas. But Illya had no such luxuries. Survival demanded pragmatism.
If I wait, I die. So I'll fight dirty. Let them call me shameless—I'll outlive their honor.
Yet one question lingered: "Why does my True Name match the Einzbern family's? (Puzzled)"