Chapter 2: Projection Magic!
An ostensibly 'ordinary' interface, much like that of many 'gacha' games.
The entire interface is exceedingly simple, featuring only two options: a [Single Draw] for 10 diamonds and a [Ten Consecutive Draws] for 100 diamonds.
The card-drawing interface also showcases cards, where a single draw reveals one card, and ten consecutive draws unveil a pack of 10 cards.
There isn't even a guarantee, no 'events' like 'top-up,' 'special price for ten consecutive draws,' or 'final guarantee.'
It's all very plain, with no explicit probabilities mentioned, purely dependent on luck.
It underscores simplicity, something that would likely astonish major gaming companies, given its apparent waste of potential.
However, Ethan doesn't have any other choice.
After all, this system is his only reliance in Orario, where countless dangers lurk in the shadows.
A few days ago, in the underground dungeon, he was even ambushed by a group of malicious 'veteran adventurers.'
Fortunately, with the help of Ethan's extraordinary 'constitution,' they ended up being counter-killed.
Since he's not an adventurer and hasn't joined any Familia, Ethan can't exchange magic stones for Valis at the guild counter.
His usual income comes from selling some monster drops to barely maintain his livelihood.
It's also fortunate that there's no real-name authentication required to enter the underground dungeon; otherwise, Ethan, who hasn't joined any Familia, wouldn't even be able to enter the dungeon.
Staring at the card pool of "Fate/Type-Moon" in front of him, Ethan took a deep breath. "God! Buddha! Jesus! Brahma! Amaterasu! Please bless me and give me something good—"
'Swish—'
After the 'prayer,' Ethan resolutely clicked on the 'Ten Consecutive Draws.'
A 3D animation that seemed to be quite extravagant began, and in the void, a card pack was brought out, the seal torn open, and then cards flipped over and flew out one by one.
[Black Silk] [White Silk] [Meat Silk] [Fishnet Silk]...
One by one, the cards were flipped open, and without exception, they were all various kinds of 'silk stockings.'
Ethan, a non-gay man, was almost grinding his teeth, wondering why he was getting so many stockings.
'Why do I have to suffer this? I tried to draw a miracle from a single draw, but got nothing. Now do I have to waste ten consecutive draws as well?' Ethan was feeling a bit depressed.
Suddenly something surprising happened.
[Projection Magecraft/Magic]
"Huh? Did... Did I get something good!?"
Looking at the last card after it was revealed, Ethan suddenly froze.
Projection magic, wow, he got projection magic.
(PS: Well, I'll write it Projection Magic Instead of Projection Magecraft for ease.)
'Click—'
The card for [Projection Magic] floated out, then shattered in mid-air, turning into a burst of light spots and falling onto Ethan's forehead.
The next moment, the magic called 'Projection Magic' was mastered by Ethan.
"So, this is 'Projection Magic'—"
After digesting all the information in his head, a slight smile appeared on Ethan's lips.
Projection magic is a practice involving the materialization of objects, in accordance with the caster's imagination, through the use of magical energy.
Due to being formed with magical energy, it cannot be materialized for an extended period.
Additionally, when a flaw appears in the imagination, it dissipates, which is considered an extremely inefficient behavior.
People like Emiya Shirou have taken projection magic to the extreme, even being able to project Noble Phantasms.
However, this is not because 'Projection Magic' itself is strong, but because Emiya Shirou's 'Projection Magic' is strong, something others cannot replicate.
Furthermore, what makes Emiya Shirou strong is not projection magic, but 'Reality Marble - Unlimited Blade Works.'
Projection magic can only be considered an associated derivative.
Ethan, what he masters is an ordinary 'Projection Magic,' as he is not Emiya Shirou.
"Projection, Trace On—"
[Judging the concept of creation.]
[Hypothesizing the basic structure.]
[Duplicating the composition material.]
[Imitating the skill of its making.]
[Sympathizing with the experience of its growth.]
[Reproducing the accumulated years.]
[Excelling every manufacturing process.]
'Swish—'
In the void, a 'sword' gradually took shape.
Not an immensely powerful sword, just an ordinary longsword—Ethan's previous weapon that had broken a few days ago due to extensive use.
Ethan found this sword in the underground dungeon since even the cheapest sword in Orario is not something he can afford at present.
For Ethan, buying a weapon would require saving up money for a long time.
In anime, especially in "Sword Oratoria," characters like Ais often spend tens of millions of Valis just to change their weapons.
For Ethan, that's just a dream.
"About ten percent of my magic reserve was consumed. Is it because it's just an ordinary weapon?" Ethan speculated.
He gave the sword a little swing, and it felt similar to his previous one.
After all, it was projected based on this 'memory.'
With this ability, at least in the future, he won't have to spend extra money to buy weapons or maintain and repair them.
Especially for Ethan, who is 'impoverished,' having 'projection magic' is a lifesaver.
Fighting monsters barehanded in the underground dungeon is risky, as one wrong move could be fatal.
Since he bears 'All Evils of the World' and is no longer an ordinary person, which is why he can survive till now.
Normal injuries only require the consumption of magic energy for rapid recovery, allowing Ethan to successfully survive in the dangerous dungeon.
'Swish—'
The long sword materialized by Projection Magic disappeared at this moment.
Ethan sighed after seeing this.
After all, he is not Emiya Shirou and lacks the 'talent.'
Since he is not from the "Fate/Type-Moon" world, he doesn't have a magic circuit in his body.
It's due to the baptism of All Evil of the World that magical energy is generated in his body, enabling him to use magic.
However, Ethan is uncertain about the level he can reach.
Magic reserves can be improved by absorbing magic energy from monster's magic stones.
But, because of Ethan's current strength, he can only operate on the upper floors, so the increase in magic reserve is not substantial.
Ethan has also fantasized about absorbing the magic stone of a floor boss to increase his magic reserve, considering the immense energy stored in them.
However, currently, Ethan has no qualification to touch floor bosses, as it would be suicidal behavior.
[Name: Ethan Starfall]
[Current Card Pool: "Fate"]
[Diamonds: 0]
Alright, diamonds are back to zero.
He has to continue 'grinding.'
Ten diamonds a day for completing a mission, ten missions in ten days, earning 100 diamonds.
The efficiency is not low, but it's definitely not high.
Grrr... Grrr...
At this moment, two goblins emerged from the dungeon's walls.
As soon as they appeared, they launched an attack on Ethan.
This is the common characteristic of most creatures in the dungeon—natural hostility towards humans.