17Fate : Alternative.
Disclaimer :I don't own the fate series.
An : just wanted to point that the way magic works here was partially inspired by the irregular in magic highschool anime.
Chapter 8.
The sound of the wind howling from outside coupled with the noise of him turning pages were like balm to his distressed mind.
He scribbled on the paper, his hand furiously running across it, leaving diagrams and schemes in its wake.
He stopped for a moment, biting his lip as he slowly dribbled with the pen on the table. All across him books were scattered open.
A sigh escaped him as he shook his head in dismay, taking the paper from the table he crumpled the paper throwing it to his right, where a small mountain of scrapped papers were lying.
He looked to the left, where on the table a small stack of papers were neatly arranged, filled with dark ink.
His eyes stopped right behind them, where the picture of his freinds stood.
"Am I doing the right thing?" he asked the faces smiling to him from the photo "Or is it selfish of me?".
Another sigh escaped him and he slowly got up from the chair, stretching his limbs.
He left the study and walked toward the room where his brother was lying motionless surrounded by the most advanced medical magic equipment available.
He approached the sleeping boy and took his hand.
For a while he just set there, looking at the comatose boy's face.
"I am sorry Nat" he muttered sadly "I failed you... You have every right to be angry with me but I can't continue seeing you like this.. So I'll do what I have to do, even if that means I won't see you again..".
Saying this he left the room quickly, small tears falling out of his eyes.
He entered his study once again taking the cell phone that was laying on the table.
Dialing a number he waited three seconds until someone on the other side answered.
" Corvus, I've thought about what you proposed.. Please tell your honored father that we accept" he told his old freind.
"Grandfather did not only agree, he was ecstatic, don't worry"
"Oh you're coming to London soon? Then we'll meet there... See you then Corvus".
The line disconnected.
Letting the phone fall on the table Alexander sighed, falling heavily on his chair.
"It's for the better" he muttered "isn't it?"
The howl of the wind was his only reply.
Walking through the ornamented doors he found himself in the bustling halls of the finest thaumaturgy institution.
The entrance hall, just like any other part of the tower richly decorated, showing off the wealth of generations of magi with the marble floor and golden decoration all over the room.
He scanned the hall, trying to find two people among the swarm of students walking around in the traditional clock tower uniform of white shirt and long robe like overcoat.
Finally he spotted them, standing in the far corner talking to a young student.
He walked toward them, making a beeline through the countless people.
The younger of the two spotted him and lifted his hand waving at him.
Alexander carefully examined the boy with his pristine formal attire completed with a dark tie and his nearly military style blonde hair.
"Long time no see Corvus" he greeted his freind who smiled widely before turning to the older man who just finished talking to the student.
The Alstreim bowed his head to the man "It's an honor to meet you lord Weinberg".
Regulus Weinberg examined him from under his thick rimmed golden glasses, his gaze causing the boy to want to dissappear as the older blonde examined him.
Finally after a long moment the man nodded, a small smile appearing in the corner of his mouth.
"A pleasure to meet you as well young Alstreim, I heared from your respected grandfather you are quite talented in the healing arts"
Alexander felt his cheeks redden at the compliment.
"Thank you sir" he replied bowing.
The man nodded motioning the two kids to walk forward.
"Let us be on our way, I have a meeting in twenty minutes".
The two complied and started to walk toward the decorated doors leading to the heart of the facility.
As they walked the older man started asking the Alstreim questions about his education and knowledge.
"I see you're taking your studies seriously, that is good".
Alexander nodded "Thank you sir, may I ask if your meeting has anything to do with your latest theory about the manipulation of thaumatrugy?".
The man stopped peering at the kid "You've read it? That's unexpected for a thirteen years old.. Also this isn't just a theory anymore, it was proven to be true by Lady Barthomeloi one week ago"
Alexander eyes grew wide "So magecraft really is the usage of data? We manipulate the world as if it was a program? We can reverse the fabric of reality?" his voice was filled with awe.
The older man smile grew at the barrage of questions "Indeed, it also means that magecraft can be used easily outside of earth... It was proven by Lady Lorelei, she reversed a nuclear explosion by causing the atoms to return to their original state" the man shook his head in amusement "Crazy woman this one".
Corvus for his part wasn't fazed, he knew about all of this beforehand. But he couldn't help but smirk at the shock clear on his freinds face.
"There is a reason why Lady Lorelei is considered the world's leading nuclear scientist.. ".
Before Alexander had the chance to say anything they arrived in front of another set of decorated doors where the older Weinberg stopped.
"Go enjoy yourself, I'll meet the two of you after the meeting and then we'll talk" the last part was said looking at the Alstreim.
The two kids nodded.
"Good, I'll see you later" the man said before opening the doors and walking in, leaving the two alone.
"Six years and yet you're still the same bookworm you always were" the blonde was the first to break the silence.
Alexander smirked "And you are still as lazy as ever and still look as if you'll be leaving for the military any day".
The two laughed lightly together.
"Be it as it may it's damn good to see you again man, I've not seen anyone else of the group either... I've heared you decided to dusty computer science? " Alexander said, covering his mouth as he yawned.
"Yeah.. I have some idea I am working on.. One which if will work can revolutionize the entire way we do stuff" the blonde muttered before falling silent.
The two continued talking about their various fileds of study when the blonde suddenly stopped.
They stood there silent.
After a moment he looked at his freind "Your decision.. Are you sure?" he asked carefully.
Alexander's disposition turned grim "Yes.. It's for the best" he replied "As much as I hate to admit it, it might take me years to finish my research.. I can't let my brother stay comotose for the chance that I might finish it soon".
Corvus nodded "I understand, my father had made the preparations already.. I hope you won't regret it".
Alexander nodded as well "I sure hope so.. I really do".
"Welcome lord Weinberg, it's an honor having you here ".
"Lord Elmeloi, it's a pleasure meeting you in person I've heard a lot about you" the blonde man greeted back.
"I doubt that anything you've heared is worth mentioning compared to your achievements" the man said moving his glass back up.
Regulus smiled lightly "Don't sell yourself short Waver Velvet, you might not posses the magical capacity to reach Lorelei's level but your theoretical knowledge and teaching skills are highly thought upon".
Lord Elmeloi just sighed, relaxing back into his chair "Please take a sit lord Weinberg, since you came all the way here to talk to me I guess this isn't just a visit?"
Regulus nodded "Indeed, I am here to talk about the fourth grail war, specifically your servant" he stated as he took a seat in front of the man.
Waver's eyes narrowed "What about him?" he asked.
"Nothing special, but there is one thing I am curious about... It was Alexander the great correct?" after getting a nod he continued "In your opinion, was he more like his legend had him or was he like he was in real life?" his closed his hands putting them on the table.
That caught the other magus off guard "How would you expect me to know?" he asked "Not like I met him back when he was alive" he snorted.
"Of course, and yet I am still interested in your own opinion"
Lord Elmeloi sighed "I can't be sure.. But I doubt he was exactly like in life.. No I daresay he is a projection of the legend... Why do you ask?"
The blonde told him causing the other man to widen his eyes.
"So that's why.. All these military research..." he muttered.
The Weinberg nodded gravely "Indeed, and if you're correct than our situation is even worse than I thought" a sigh escaped him as he slowly got up.
"Please keep the information to yourself lord Elmeloi" he said before turning around "I bid you a good day" then he left the room, leaving a distressed magus inside.
They set in a small restaurant, eating in silence.
It was only after all three finished their coffy that the older man decided to talk.
"So Alexander" Lord Weinberg's voice was warm "You've decided that giving your brother away to a family of magi who are in a need of an heir is better than continuing working on a cure since you don't know how long it might take.. Correct?"
Said boy nodded "Indeed my lord".
The older man nodded thoughtfully "I believe this to be the right decision, however do you realize the true meaning of this? You won't know to who he was given and should you ever find out you won't be allowed to reveal anything to him, you do realize that?"
Another nod though this time his teeth clenched.
"Very well then, the head of the family will contact your grandfather to decide on the time of the transfer.. You're doing the right thing, another family will be able to heal him.. They even offered lord Weinberg a payment for healing him".
Alexander nodded "I am aware of that".
The magus nodded "Very well then. Now tell me young Alstreim will you stop trying to become a healer? Now that your motivation is gone?" he asked.
The boy shook his head "No, healing magic is my calling and I am too invested in brain healing and my research to stop now".
Regulus nodded, casting a glance at his son who was sitting quietly to his right listening carefully.
"Then our business is concluded" he said before calling for the waiter to pay the bill.
Alexander got up and bowed to both of the blondes "Thank you lord Weinberg for all your help" he said before looking at his friend "And you two Corvus, thank you for helping me, I know this wouldn't be possible without your help".
The younger blonde just smiled making a v sign "Don't worry about it, I'll make sure to collect the favor one day.. Keep in touch".
The Alstreim smiled "We'll do".
"Well, good day to you then young Alstreim... I will be watching your growth with great interests" the oldest of the three said before getting up himself.
"Until we meet again" he said as he existed the caffe.
End of chapter 8.
