Let's pursue Kim Yushin

[Akylos Silasopoulos]

One day to day one; 13:30 (1:30 pm).

A tune being whistled can be heard as a young man named Akylos walked down the street of Ponte a Moriano, returning home from Esselunga with two bags of goods. There wasn't that much to note about Akylos; he just looked like an exchange student. Well that comes with being from a family that earns most of its money from serving tourists; you learn the difference between in the way that a native and a tourist act. Even though he wasn't directly involved in the family business, Akylos had still learned the difference.

Now why is he here in Lucca, at this time at the year, when he could be home in Greece studying his craft. Well Akylos is a magus, a practitioner of magecraft, and in Lucca, something called the Holy Grail War was just about to take place. Well more like a Highlander styled gorilla war, where seven magi summon a hero from the past as a familiar, by applying the summoning ritual tied to the grail. The winner will be granted a wish from the grail, and that was what he wanted, an opportunity to gain knowledge, power, and influence for his family; it's hard to be a young family affiliated with the Clock Tower.... so much nepotisms needed to get things done.

“Finally, I'm almost home” He thought to himself in a tone of relief as he recognize the house down the street.

He opened the door, and entered. The house was one he had borrowed from a family member of his, his aunt's husband to be precise. It contained a small entrance, a main room connected to the kitchen, two bedrooms, a bath (with both a shower and bathtub), and a basement below where he had placed his temporary workshop; not that secret a location, but still concealed to the public eyes as it lack windows. The furnitures covering the house was few and far in between, with only the most needed ones there. Art was lacking too, so it is a modest living to be sure.

Having putted the food and drinks in the fridge, and the clothes he had bought for his servant (a little bit of each as he doesn't know the gender of the Servant he was about to summon), he placed in the bedroom next to his own. And with that in place, he walked down into the basement to carry the summoning ritual.

13:37 (1:37 pm)

Akylos was standing in-front-of his summoning circle, with the catalyst placed upon it, fully prepared for what was about to take place. Maybe a little nervous, but who ain't when you could lose the gamble and your own life over the following week?

He activated his circuits and began to chant the Aria.

“Ye first, O silver, O iron. O stone of the foundation, O Archduke of the Contract. Hear me in the name of our great teacher, the Archmagus Schweinorg.”

“Let the descending winds be as a wall. Let the gates in all directions be shut, rising above the crown, and let the three-forked roads to the Kingdom revolve.”

“Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut. Five perfections for each repetition. And now, let the filled sigils be annihilated in my stead!”

“Let thy body rest under my dominion, and let my fate rest in thy blade. If thou submittest to the call of the Holy Grail, and if thou wilt obey this mind, this reason... then thou shalt respond.”

“I make my oath here; I am the person who is to become the virtue of all Heavens. I am that person who is covered with the evil of all Hades. Thou seven heavens... clad in a trinity of words, come past thy restraining rings. Be thou the hands that protect the balance!“

The light was bright in the room after he finished the chant, and Akylos have closed his eyes, with his only prayer being.

“I really hope that I summon a warrior and not an Assassin... I need a shield and a swordsman, not someone who delves in the shadows!

[Hwarang Kim Yushin]

Death.... this was the last thought of one of Korea's biggest heroes, one who was praised to the heavens as an Idol of Power and Wisdom. It was actually not uncommon how some businessmen tried to proof that they were in some way relatives to this ancient hero. Little Children were listening in awe to the adventure inspiring tales from their grandfathers, that often appeared to be a bit nationalistic and filled with surrealism that even the most crazy of Korean Dramas watched by the older siblings next door felt like a completely normal situation.

The fact that an ancestor was Chinese mattered little, only with a rise of communism had this once so great pearl of East Asia suffered in reputation, and the Yellow Emperor still remained a figure that rivaled the Greek who had brought Fire to the human race. They would certainly feel much different about the Japanese Jingu, who had invaded Korea and laid a keystone for several future attempts and ...successes on the Korean homeland, still leading to major tensions between the two nations, up to this modern day.

However much of those old stories may be wrong or true, a new legend was about to begin, the main cast once more the very same Yushin, who had already seen death. This time not much of the old wise general formed in the circle. Instead a young woman with light armor and a very big sword and additional side arms answered the call of this little boy. Little, he was not as much in size as in experience. Kim Yushin, a warrior who was not known for having wielded a magical sword or special horse, but instead the entire body a far above human weapon was brought back to life.

The Berserker, one of the classes just too fitting for the once wild woman, raging across the Battle Field like an Insane Storm just to calm down as if nothing had happened, took a look at her summoner and began to laugh full of joy. You would not ever hope to dream to see the world with your own eyes again, and death was boring. As much as they said. She certainly did not remember anything, because there was nothing to remember. Yet, this alone already proofed that there was nothing worthwhile to remember... boring in short.

The magical power's peak was during the hour of the Witch, some would call this the time around midnight, as such the time this rookie had chosen was quite far off the mark, and even someone who was barely involved with magic, gods and fairies excluded, knew about this bit of common knowledge. She just could not stop laughing, her steeled abs beginning to ache under the refound pleasure of laughing.

However this kid had summoned her, and managed to do it, no matter how shitty he must feel afterwards. There were clearly weaker Heroic Spirits available and Berserkers were not exactly known for their restrain, Kim Yushin was not exactly known for holding back. But she did not pity him, rather than approaching him with a wide grin on her face and slapping him on the back.

"Well done, young one. Did not expect a brat like you capable of summoning ME. Kim Yushin answered your call. Be grateful for that."

Yes, that was the way to praise an up growing child. He still had some things to learn, but he was not the only one and no matter how high the unifying symbol thought of herself, she was aware that she had some ..minor issues as well. Clearly somehow not all of her thoughts were as clear as she hoped. All the wisdom about strategical movement, accumulated over years of War and the experience of countless battles seemed distant and hazy. Everything that did not involve how to most efficiently slay your opponent, preferably up close.

"Well, the limitation of a Berserker I guess.... Ah, right. Guess you know that already, but my class is Berserker, and what's your name, kid?"

The introduction, step one on her new attempt to unify the country, no.. this time THE WORLD.. has come.

[Akylos Silasopoulos]

As the light originating from the circle dissolved, Akylos felt a sudden loss of energy. But as most of it was hastily replenished by the grail, he was left in a state of light weariness. Well at least he didn't feel exhausted.

He opened his eyes to see the fruit of his summoning. Upon the circle he saw... a lightly dressed and muscular woman, probably around his own age; It was hard to tell as he isn't that exposed to people of Asians origin.

If he had to ascribe one world to her, bold s'the one. Her laughter only confirmed this to him, as it made him wonder. “She does sound happy to be back on earth, which raises the question: does living in or on “The Throne of Heroes” really suck that bad, or is it just that it is a boring existence?”

As those thoughts went through his head the Servant approached him, giving him a slap on the shoulder. “Well done, young one. Did not expect a brat like you capable of summoning ME. Kim Yushin answered your call. Be grateful for that.” She said with a wide grin, as Akylos took notice of her after being taken out of his thoughts.

... he had the look of surprise upon his face. ”Thank you” He said with a mixture of appreciation and surprise; his appreciation coming as a result of him not being used to getting praised. Because in his father's way of teaching, progress' only role is to push one's limits further, so that you did not end up in a downward going curve. “Keep your learning curve up-going or strait” he often would say.

Having gotten over the surprise, he continued listening to what his Servant, Kim, had to say.

“Well, the limitation of a Berserker I guess.... Ah, right. Guess you know that already, but my class is Berserker, and what's your name, kid?”

”The name's Akylos Silasopoulos. Born and raised in Athen, and seventeen if age means anything to you.”

“And now that my introduction is out-of-the-way.” He takes a short breath of air into his lungs. “Shit! Why the hell did I have to summon a Berserker!? I'm from a young family for god's sake; it's not like I have a boundless amount of prana to provide!!!!!!” He yelled, letting out what little amount of steam that had build up inside of him.

“And now that I got that out of my system. Any questions you want to ask, Kim?

[Hwarang Kim Yushin]

"What did you just say? We just greeted each other and you already start to complain about me?"

Her face moved close to his, the fury clearly visible in her eyes, and already taking some of his prana to eventually return it in a very unfavorable form, her fist. It was clear that this one was just a kid, but it was not uncommon for a man of his age to have fought countless battles and she was considering her physical age not really older than her master.

Yet he was whining like a little baby and she was not exactly happy of having been summoned outside of the more adequate Knight Class either, albeit thinking a bit on the side, she had to accept the inner sweatdrop and the fact that there might have been some moments when Yushin acted a bit brash and more like an unstoppable Zealot than a well mannered Knight. But it still remained that Berserkers were usually reserved for weaker Spirits who required a boost. Where in the Emperor's name was this powerful Syllan General weak!?

It had bothered her before and hearing this now only increased her discomfort about the situation. Apparently she had also not the best Luck given her master. Was he just the extremely cautious kind or really some kind of coward? ....Or could it be?

"Are you telling me that you will break the first time I draw my weapon or what? If you can't handle it, summon some cowardly assassin instead and hide under the bed." My main question is... are you adequate for me? You cannot win a War with a weak minded attitude."

Oh well, this began rather bad. The temper was more than normal for the currently young woman and renowned to act a bit strict to the people who would not fit to her Standard, this even included the own children. However there was more standing on the line than just a single life, the entire Honor of the Family, the entire Kingdom, and now that Kim had noticed the real size of the World, the entirety of Mankind. They were really slacking off and becoming weaker. She could not deny that she was actually worried how long humans would last like that.

But she decided to pull her master some slack and distance herself a bit from her ally. This was the problem, he was not an enemy, but her very life insurance. Breaking him would also break her ambitions. There was no way she could last long enough without his mana.

Calm down.... calm down... you need that guy right now.

Her fist trembled for some additional seconds, before she let out a sorrowful sigh and finally calmed down. No matter how much she would have imagined kicking his head off the shoulders, instead of just breaking the neck, all another thanks to how the human physique had grown weaker over the past thousand years, it was a bit too much, even for her.

I might be overreacting a bit.

Another sigh followed.

[Akylos Silasopoulos]

Dot dot dot

Akylos had to admit that what he had said was kind of rude, but shouldn't Kim be happy that he was honest with her in a private setting? Or was it something else that was wrong? He thought to himself as she was glaring at him just a few inches away from him.

He should be really scared of, I mean like: "Oh my god! There's an angry woman in front of me that can rip me apart if she feels like it!", but this was just a miscommunication between the two; one that could be fixed. Plus she had questions and assumption he really needed to address. Like that you don't question a man's ambition. No wait that's just going to make it worse, he had better tell her of the promises he made to his family instead. That could create a bridge between them.

Akylos was relived when Kim stepped away from him as it made it much easier for him to be frank.

”To answer your question, Kim. Metaphorically speaking I promised my mother that I would either come home with my shield or upon it. And my promises to my father was that I would not lose this war, and should I hit a limit, then I got to find a way to exceed it...

I realize how I expressed my concern and frustration before might come off as rude... but what can I say, Kim? I suck at sage.”

He takes a short breath waiting for the woman to answer.

[Hwarang Kim Yushin]

"Hmmm... maybe I was a bit fast there."

She said while absentminded playing with the end of her braided hair. The boy did honestly not look like a Warrior or anyone who could become an intimidating figure on the battle field. However this did not mean much. In her case there were some moments when the enemy looked down on her and some display of skill was the only means to lead them back into their little stable, filled with all the other scared lambs.

Indeed... there were a couple of people who were better at showing off than fighting for real. The true power was something that came from within and you could not measure bravery by the size of one's muscles. Well, it would not be bad for the kid to work a bit on himself. Guts alone could not win a War. He really needed the Strength to succeed and while Yushin was more than willing to play the brawns, it did not mean that the master had to be a lightweight pushed away by the first gust of wind some enemy magus might send his way.

There was also the fact that a General was not exactly only known for the muscles but also the brain, and Berserker hoped that the kid had more to offer than just some prana, which from his earlier statement also could be in the lower levels. She sure had chosen herself a weird one, or rather he had ... chosen her? Even that slowly began to sound more like some kind of accidental summoning than a real thought out plan or he would not have been so confused about his servant.

Oh geez... what a mess! But the Korean general remained quiet and looked like she had no care in this world, shifting her balance slightly and then taking another side glance at her master. What was his name again? Oh heck, it was so more easy to just call him kid or boy. At least the brat was left aside and also slightly unfitting when Kim reminded herself of her own physical age. Hey, it was really nice to be young again. However some things also felt amiss, thanks to Berserker Status, and that was to evaluate his inner strength by just looking at him.

Yeah, his true potential had to be explored in Battle, the old way, and this could become either interesting or very disappointing. Maybe the idea of seeing a young warrior grow enough that he could actually really stand on a shield filled with pride and not falling off clumsily when the wind got a bit rougher entertained her, Kim Yushin smiling for a brief moment.

"Well, let's hope that you really will not get the shield as a Burial Gift at this young age. It is wonderful to be young, but also not too shabby to grow wise enough and old enough to see what the future might bring. Although there is a certain limit when this really just means getting old. Anyway..."

Berserker now turned her full attention back to her master, and decided to add a little bit to her earlier statements, as well as making her only existing rule quite clear, clear enough that he could burn it into the back AND front, as nonexistent this metaphor was, of his head.

"I will accept that you are my master. There is no need to be scared of me being in the Berserker Class either. It is more or less a specialty of mine to return to sanity quite easily. This means that I am a bit less difficult to handle when I go a bit crazy than other candidates you might know of. I have in fact no interest in going completely mad to fit as a role model for that class. The typically summoned servants are supposedly weak and get a boost to fight well enough in this Mad Enhanced State. There is no need to do this with me at all. What I don't accept is cowardice. That is all. Any other questions?"

Somehow the lady with a fierce temperament and a slightly rude attitude had adapted a bit to her environment and softened up before the boy would break under the tension, without having even met his very first opponent. Berserker needed that guy, and his lack of superior skills or fighting power was more than just a hassle. It was also a little bit challenging. She liked a good challenge.~

[Akylos Silasopoulos]

The second verse same as the first, okay we're not going all over that again as it has become obsolete. Things had gone well. Kim had quieted down, came to the same page, and did even fire off a joke. Good.

"She can go out of her Mad Enchantment? That's hecking neat for sure!" Akylos thought holding a relaxed posture, but a little smile saying "that's awesome" could still be seen on his face.

"Nah, I don't have a question. However, it is still early afternoon, and the war doesn't officially start before midnight, so what you want to do is pretty much up to you. And if ya want to take a walk outside, but not in spirit form, then there're some clothes in the bed room next to mine. Also, the fridge is stoked if ya want some food and drink.

The house itself we are in is pretty small, so there's not much to show just to let ya know."

"Now is there anything else I could tell there'd be useful... Oh yeah, my speciality." He pondered."

"One last thing. While I might not have that much prana compared to magi from families that are past 300 years of age, I still got something that not a lot of magi don't have. You see, my family's speciality is to channel prana into objects for later use, jewels to be precise, which means I can invoke a few spells with only a miniature prana taken from my own tank. However, I only got eight jewels, and no option to make any more of them. Also, I can't invoke high thaumaturgy, so that's out as a strategical option.

Well that was all, Kim. I accept you as my Servant, in this war for the grail."

(OCC: Well not much to say here. Happy posting, Rin ;D )

[Hwarang Kim Yushin]

"So you are one of those fast shooting low stamina guys. Well, fighting's my job anyway. As long as you don't break while trying to stand around, I have no great issues with that."

She threw her hands into the air, albeit easily mistaken for a sign of frustration, Kim just had no other idea to express herself. The summoning went quite well and she had also stopped being disappointed in the Grail's Team Set Up. This was more due to his behaviour than some glass bombs or whatever they were supposed to be. As a Servant she certainly had some knowledge about Thaumaturgy, but this implanted wisdom was all she could muster up when it came to magic.

Besides having met one or the other creature strongly tied to mysteries and other Realms reserved for Gods and Fairies, Berserker had absolutely nothing to do with Magic. A good kick to the neck or splitting enemies apart with the massive edge of her weapon were all the ex General had needed to take care of her enemies. Although some would definitely say that magic was involved in some of her actions and as much Mysteries fell into the part of magic, especially a member of the Grail War could hardly deny its existence.

Yet things had definitely changed a lot... one could easily feel it in the Air, and this included Kim as well. "But humans sure have grown a bit weak these days." The reason not just because life had become more convenient, the decadence rising, and people mostly training their butt muscles on some sofa while a lot of unnecessary stress and unhealthy food did the rest to wear out any human being.

"If this goes on, hamsters will rule the world." Of course a stupid statement without any meaning and Kim could not sound humored or interested enough to give her own words any weight. The young appearing woman was too worried about mankind's future and frowned slightly. At least a hamster would also grow weak just like anything else. If someone would be interested in science fiction films, they might develop a serious paranoia about aliens probably still having the same strength as people of old. Fortunately for her and everyone who had the nerve of intruding her inner monologue, not her specialty.

"I have some information about a box showing news from the world. A TV. Do you have one? I want to use the night to watch some things. But get yourself ready for some action. There is no need to push you on the field when you are this exhausted, but I want to get out of this place soon. This will be one of your last nights with a good portion of sleep. Remember that."

[Akylos Silasopoulos]

Akylos nodded a confirming responds to Kim with a smile on his face, as he saw the requirement she had presented as being reasonable.

This was great, it was very much great in fact. There was no doubt that Akylos wanted to win this war, and with this Servant who is.... well let's just say that she feels massively strong overall. She was what he needed in case he was pitted against someone from an old family, or the world forbid, the Edelfelts. It was funny how he didn't notice her power specifically until now.

Then Kim began to talk about some nonsense that the humans of this era were getting too weak and that hamsters would take over if nothing were done. Akylos wondered what had inspired those thoughts, especially when they just had come to an agreement before. But he just decided to shrug it off mentally and nod instead of delving too deep into it.

Finally she changed back to more serious things, and she was probably right in that this would be his last good night of sleep. Still, there was something inside him, that made him look forward to seeing some action.

Kim then asked him if he had a TV, but being the magus he was, Akylos didn't have one in his house. The only place he could think of at a short notice where one could be found without too much hassled was at a bar.

Sorry Kim, but I don't have a TV in my house. However, there is a bar down the street. I'll show you where it is, if you want me to. He said casually.

[Hwarang Kim Yushin]

"....no TV? I thought that was a common device that only the extremely poor could not afford one of those. Wait! Could it be that you are just extremely poor?"

Now... if she hadn't landed the jackpot. A little spartan lifestyle was not unwelcome and despite her wealth in a time before unhealthy luxury also found their way into Warrior Nobility she certainly had only lived with the absolute necessities. The only items that had to go through better treatment were weapons, armor and keeping the soldiers in good health and form. You could not bring gold statues to the battle field and expect great use out of them, albeit history speaking for itself when it concerned the foolishness and reckless pride of mankind and some especially comical examples of warriors simply overdoing it with their ornaments over practical need. And yet, the sight of this place could easily betray all expectations and hopes of someone who held a great interest in the new World.

She wanted to see so much more of the World than just some house that was simply lacking in appeal and some scrawny guy who really needed some serious work out. If not for the fact that he was already too old for it, she would consider to ask his mother to give him more breast milk for healthy growth. "So, you have no money, no strength and you are in the end an 'Eight-Shot-Wonder', heh?"

Berserker grinned waggish as she was undermining his manliness once more before patting him on the shoulder. "Well, don't sweat it. I will make a real man out of you, one way or another. We can start by drinking." Without another second of wait, she grabbed him by the legs and threw him over her right shoulder. Kim Yushin was not exactly one of those overly tall and broad shouldered generals that history loved to speak about, turning their heroes into true Symbols of Might, if not turning them into Gods themselves. Well, in a sense there was at least a bit Divinity in her bloodline, but none really mattered when you had to prove your worth on the battle field. A name was only as important as the holder and not as important as the family. Mother, dearest would definitely not save you from death after you had been mortally wounded because of your lack of skills.

Yushin did not know much about magi, but they seemed to be the perfect example for people who relied too much on the past. This boy had to be carried into the future and so she decided the next step by herself. "We will now head to this bar you mentioned to gather information and drinks. We also need to celebrate your summoning. ...Hmm, still, I wonder why you like Berserkers."

She shrugged and decided that this would be the last time that she complained about this awkward class for some time, rather enjoying the present than getting bothered about the lack of a proper steed. It was only one City anyway, and not a World Conquest ... for now. Berserker's strong legs would find no problem in carrying her swiftly over the Battle Field to bring despair and death to her enemies, her legs alone broken countless of enemies in the past.

"Down the street, right? It should be easy to find."

Despite her question she was just making conversation. Her master would certainly be capable enough to guide her if she decided to head down the wrong direction. She proceeded with fast steps and thought to have found the doorknob before making a halt to verify her intention and the required backup once again. Needless to say that she was a bit concerned about the payment of their little trip to the bar and their celebration of the Start of a Glorious War.

"...I hope you have the money for that."

[Akylos Silasopoulos]

Akylos blinked as he was slightly confused about all of a sudden jumps of conclusion Kim came to. How could he be poor if he was using jewel Magecraft? That practice wasn't cheap. And so his mind went on with the different things she brought up. He didn't become mad, but frustration did start to brew in him when he responded: “None of those points are correct, Kim. Not everyone owns a tv because of lack of money, and what is this about me having no strength?” But then she told him not to sweat it and pulled him up on her shoulder.

To say the least, he did not expect this to happen and his face reacted against him showing his surprised and a startled twitch throughout his body. If he had not had that moment between stimulus and responds to think, he may also had slammed his elbow into her temple. She might had found this humours, but Akylos couldn't be sure of that and he didn't want to try it now. At least her shoulder, while short compared to that of a man, was muscular and not bony. That made it much more comfortable than the shoulder of a frail Caster he guessed.

So Kim wanted to take him out to drink? Well there was nothing wrong with that in Akylos' mind. The reason for this had totally nothing to do with him dispelling her ignorant belief that he was poor. Though, he wondered how they would react to a woman looking like a pro-wrestler or a warrior Pocahontas walking into a bar with him on the shoulder.

“I've already told you, I am not poor.” He responded to her last remark.