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Cornelius Alba (コルネリウス・アルバ, Korunerius Aruba?) is an antagonist of the fifth chapter of Kara no Kyoukai, "Paradox Spiral".

Profile

Background

Touko araya alba photo

Photograph of Araya, Touko and Cornelius when they were in the Clock tower.

Cornelius is a direct descendant of the Renaissance-era scholar and magus Cornelius Agrippa von NettesheimWP (コルネリウス・アグリッパ・フォン・ネッテスハイムWP, Koruneriusu agurippa fon nettesuhaimu?). He studied at the London branch of the Mage's Association along with Touko Aozaki and Souren Araya. The three of them had a pretty good relationship until their graduation. Alba wanted the title "Red", but it was given to Touko, resulting his inferiority complex. It is rumored that he was to be the next director in line of the Sponheim Abbey, an organization within the Clock Tower.[1]

Appearance

Alba is fifty years old, but he has the appearance of "an agreeable youth in his twenties." While donning his crimson long coat and top hat and strutting down the street with his black Doberman Familiar by his side, he has the air of a protagonist.[1] He conveys the feeling of a haughty person with great confidence in himself. He gives the impression of being a flashy British gentleman. His staff has no noteworthy background, and it is of no practical use for magic. He has the taste of a gentleman, and wears gloves made out of leather. [2]

Personality

While first-rate as a magus, his personality is troublesome, and he has a cruel disposition.[1] He and Touko were on good terms when they were students, until Touko surpassed him in their study of Runes. He is so obsessed with this inferiority complex that he occasionally becomes deranged when speaking of her. Alba wants to be acknowledged by Touko, in his student days he was always popping in to Touko’s research laboratory just to gossip and brag about himself.[3] Alba favourite food is casual homemade food “Pizza Crackers” made by Touko.[4] Unlike most Magus, Alba views reaching Akasha is a useless effort but he is willingly to work with Araya to kill Touko.

While he cannot easily love another person, he favors creatures like his doberman who could easily love people.[1]

Role

Fate/Zero

Albalookalike

The Enforcer

Alba appears as an Enforcer who participates in the 'cleansing' of the vampirism started by Norikata Emiya at Alimago Island. It takes place in what can be called the "prime of his life" before meeting Touko at the Association.[5]

Kara no Kyoukai

Chapter 5: Paradox Spiral

He joined up with Araya and came to Japan, not because of the latter's attempt to reach Akasha, but solely to kill Touko to prove his superiority.

Cornelius was first seen by Enjou Tomoe when he notice Shiki Ryougi was being followed.

When Touko and Mikiya Kokutou was examining the Ogawa Apartment complex, Cornelius was spying on them at a far distance.

Touko meets Cornelius in her exhibition, she gave Mikiya a talisman to make him invisible. He explains to Touko his involvement with the Ogawa apartment complex. He mentions the kidnapping of Shiki which shocked Mikiya. Mikiya revealed his presence to Alba and he believed Mikiya to be Touko's apprentice.

When Touko approach Cornelius inside the Ogawa apartment, Touko suggested to bring out Araya as he was not capable of facing her. Cornelius frustrated with Touko looking down on him casted his thousand degree sea-of-flames spell, Touko redirects it and nonchalantly uses it to light her cigarette. Touko use her Projection machine and Cornelius was swallowed by the cat familiar until Araya saved him. He was knocked out during in the fight between Araya and Touko.

Cornelius approaches Araya complaining to him about not keeping his promise in which he was supposed to kill Touko. Cornelius angry at Araya desires to kill her personally and calls her Dirty Red. Araya called Cornelius foolish for saying something he shouldn't have but hands over Touko's head.

As he was about to leave, he notices Mikiya in front of him. In front of Mikiya, he sadistically plays with Touko's head and crushes it. As Mikiya runs away from Cornelius, he hums out a classic music while following him. As he caught up with Mikiya, Mikiya attempts to stab Cornelius with the paper knife. Cornelius knocks Mikiya out and attempt to torture him by smashing his head to the wall to vent out his frustration with his history with Touko. Cornelius realises that the Touko standing behind him was the result of him killing her earlier, he panics and wonders which is the real Touko.

He was devoured by Touko's familiar in the 'sealed box' after calling her by her nickname, "Dirty Red." Only at the end did he realize that he "shouldn't have gotten involved with monsters" like Touko and Araya.

Abilities

Alba is a first rate magus with a high amount of Magic Circuits and a great lineage far above that of Souren Araya and Touko Aozaki's thirty and twenty Magic Circuits.[6] His Origin is Refutation (反証?).[7] In terms of raw power, he is amongst the high end of all the magi to ever appear in TYPE-MOON works, but he doesn't get a chance to fully display his abilities during the story.[8] Despite being an overall superior magus to both Araya and Touko, they can be called monsters that far surpass him in battle capability. He also has a bad compatibility against Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi. He is also a puppeteer (人形師, ningyoushi?) and was responsible for the system at Ogawa Mansion, where only the brains of residents were kept alive and connected to puppet bodies.

His Sea of Flames (炎の海, Honoo no umi?) can create a thousand-degree conflagration in less than two seconds using high-speed incantations, so he can be compared to a character in a fighting game capable of spamming Super Moves at will. Touko mentions that he was able to cut down on the excessive five-line chant. No animal can survive that heat; the temperature is high enough to reduce any common solid object to nothingness.

“Go away the shadow. It is impossible to touch the thing which are not visible.
Forget the darkness. It is impossible to see the thing which are not touched.
The question is prohibited. The answer is simple.
I have the flame in the left hand. And I have everything in the right hand――――

“I am the order. Therefore,you will be defeated securely――――!”
“Repeat…………”
“Repeat!”
“Repeat!”
“Repeat――――!”

“Be gone, shadows. Thou of the unseeable.
Fade back into oblivion, if of darkness. Be returned to the immaterial.
Ask not me, my answer is clear. In my hand is light. Know that all is in this hand.
I am the truth of creation, In face of all things, thy defeat is certain.

“I am the truth of creation, In face of all things, thy defeat is certain.”
“Again!…………”
“Again!”
“Again!”
“Aga—”

「影は消えよ。己が不視の手段をもって。
闇ならば忘却せよ。己が不触の常識にたちかえれ。
問うことはあたわじ。 我が解答は明白なり!
この手には光。この手こそが全てと知れ―――― 」

(我を存かすは万物の理。全ての前に、汝。ここに、敗北は必定なり――――!)
(命ずる…………!)
(命ずる!)
(命ずる!)
(命ずる――――!)

Kage wa kieyo. Onore ga fushi no shudan wo motte.
Yami naraba boukyaku seyo. Onore ga fushoku no joushiki ni tachikaere.
Tou koto wa atawaji waga kaitou wa meihaku nari
Kono te ni wa hikari. Kono te koso ga subete to shire

Ware wo ikasu wa banbutsu no kotowari. Subete no mae ni, nanji. Kokoni, haiboku hitsujou nari…
Meizuru…………!
Meizuru!
Meizuru!
Meizuru――――!

While he does not utilize it during the story, he has a Black Hound (黒い猟犬, Kuroi ryouken?) doberman Familiar, and as well as Ether Clumps, Slimes (スライム?).

Development

Creation and Conception

Cornelius Alba early sketch

Earlier sketch draft of Alba, illustrated Takashi Takeuchi.

Kinoko Nasu rejected Takashi Takeuchi's original design from the Plus Period. Nasu ideally wanted him to have a coat, a silk hat and a walking stick. He wanted him to give him an impression to make people’s heads turn if you wore it to town. He wanted him to be accompanied by a German ShepherdWP and was disappointed by its lack of appearance.[9]

The inclusion of Alba in the Fate/Zero anime adaptation was an easter egg on Ufotable's part. While the script initially described a magus appearing without any other details, Gen Urobuchi learned about it being made into Alba later in production.[10]

Reception

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3
    [v] Kara no Kyoukai Special Pamphlet - Encyclopedia: Cornelius Alba [Person's name], p.031 [T]

    Cornelius Alba [Person's name]
    Magus. An old friend of Touko's.
    Rumour had it that this young man was the next director in line of the Sponheim Abbey, an organization within the Clock Tower.
    Although he was fifty years old, he had the appearance of a handsome youth.
    As a magus, his abilities were first rate, but his personalities were quite troublesome.
    Although it did not appear in the story, his Familiar was a black hound. Alba, who could not easily love another person, favoured creatures who could easily love people.
    He had quite an air of a protagonist: donning his crimson long coat and top hat, strutting down the street with his black Doberman by his side.

    コルネリウス・アルバ【こるねりうす―あるば】【人名】
    魔術師。橙子の旧友。            
    時計等に組する中部組織、シュポンハイム修道院の時期院長と噂される青年。
    年齢は五十に届くが、外見は二十代の美青年。
    魔術師としての実力は一流なのだが、性格にやや難あり。
    本編では登場しなかったが、使い魔は黒い猟犬。簡単に人を愛せないアルバは、簡単に愛する事の出来る生き物が大好きなのであった。
    真っ赤なロングコートにシルクハットを被り、傍《かたわ》らに黒いドーベルマンを連れて街を闊歩《かっぽ 》する姿は、中々に主人公然としている。

  2. Haru to Tsuki to Sora to - 【Cornelius Alba - Design Notes】

    Left panel - Conveys the feeling of being a haughty person with great confidence in himself.
    His ears are not visible.

    Right panel - Gives the impression of being a flashy British gentlemen.
    The staff has no setting.*
    The stylish staff is of no practical use for magic.
    Has the taste of a gentlemen.
    His gloves are made out of leather.

  3. [v] Kara no Kyoukai - Chapter 5: “Paradox Spiral” Movies Q & A Pamphlets
    Q: Did Alba have a thing for Touko?

    Q: Did Alba have a thing for Touko? <Tiny Mustache>

    Takeuchi: Yeah. He’s quite the yandere, that guy.
    Nasu: Before that, though, he probably wanted to be acknowledged. The London-era Alba was always popping in to Touko’s research laboratory just to gossip and brag about himself.
    Takeuchi: What an annoying personality…!

  4. [v] Kara no Kyoukai - Chapter 5: “Paradox Spiral” Movies Q & A Pamphlets
    Q: I love love love Alba so much I’m going crazy! What’s his most favorite food in the whole wide world?

    Q: I love love love Alba so much I’m going crazy! What’s his most favorite food in the whole wide world? <Sucocchi>

    Takeuchi: Everybody loves Alba! Of course, his favourite food is chocola- *PUNCHED*
    Nasu: It’s actually the casual homemade food (an Aozaki sisters specialty!) that Touko cooked long, long ago. The dish was “Pizza Crackers”. According to Touko, making them for Alba was the biggest mistake of her life.

  5. Fate/Zero Anime Visual Guide II - Commentary: Episode 18 "sometime, somewhere-", p.160

    Higashide:
    Nasu:
    Mita:
    Nasu:

  6. [v] Kara no Kyoukai Special Pamphlet - Encyclopedia: Magic Circuits [Others], p.039 [T]

    Magic Circuits [Others]
    The pseudo-nerves existing in the body of a magus.
    They are the paths that convert life force into magical energy, as well as the paths which connect to the foundations underlying Grand Rituals.
    The number of Magic Circuits is determined at birth. Mage lineages will resort to any means to alter themselves in hope of giving their descendants just one more Circuit.
    This is why magi from older lineages are more powerful.
    In terms of the number of Magic Circuits, and the quality of the lineage, Cornelius Alba is undoubtedly a first rate magus.
    In fact, neither Aozaki Touko nor Araya Souren have many Magic Circuits. Touko has about 20, Araya about 30.
    Still, the two are considered geniuses: Touko has talents that are independent of her lineage. Araya's overwhelming power is probably a result of the anguish that he ceaselessly accumulated through the ages.

    魔術回路【まじゅつかいろ】【その他】
    魔術師が体内に持つ擬似《ぎじ》神経。
    生命力を魔力に変換する為の路《みち》であり、基盤となる大魔術式に繋がる路でもある。
    生まれながらに持ち得る数が決まっており、魔術師の家系は自分たちに手を加えて、魔術回路が一本でも多い跡継ぎを誕生させようとする。
    古い家系の魔術師ほど強力なのはこの為。
    魔術回路の多さ、血筋の品質で言うのなら、コルネリウス・アルバは紛《まぎ》れもなく一流の魔術師。
    実は蒼崎橙子も荒耶宗蓮も、魔術回路はそう多くない。橙子が二十、荒耶が三十といったところ。
    天才と思われがちな両者だが、橙子は血筋以外の才能で、荒耶はひたすら積み重ねた苦悩によって、他を圧倒する力を手に入れたのだろう。

  7. [v] Kara no Kyoukai - Chapter 5: “Paradox Spiral” Movies Q & A Pamphlets
    Q: What’s that red loser Cornelius Alba’s origin?

    Q: What’s that red loser Cornelius Alba’s origin? <Miya Jōsōji>

    Takeuchi: Everybody loves Alba! Of course, his origin is chocola- *PUNCHED*
    Nasu: The socially-awkward mushroom is going to answer this one seriously, it’s “Refutation”.

    Q. アルバの起源は何?

    :反証。

  8. [v] Kara no Kyoukai - Chapter 5: “Paradox Spiral” Movies Q & A Pamphlets
    Q: Alba was finished off without a climax in the movie, in terms of pure ability as a magus, how strong is he?

    Q: Alba was finished off without a climax in the movie, in terms of pure ability as a magus, how strong is he? <FEN>

    Nasu: In terms of pure attacking power, Alba is at the high end amongst the magi to ever appear in the stories of Type Moon. Well... his compatibility with Kayneth is kind of bad. To put in terms of fighting games, it is kind of like spamming Super Moves at will.
    Takeuchi: Whoa, what an annoying power.

    Q. 結局見せ場無しでやられてしまったアルバですが、純粋に魔術師として見るなら、彼はどれぐ らい強かったのでしょうか?

    :単純な攻撃力でいうと、実のところ、タイプムーン伝奇で出てきた魔術師の中でも上位です。 ケイネスとは相性悪いですが……そうですね、格闘ゲームでいうなら超必殺技打ち放題、みたい な性能でしょうか。
    武:うわぁ、超嫌われそうな性能。

  9. [v] Kara no Kyoukai - Chapter 5: “Paradox Spiral” Movies Q & A Pamphlets
    Q: Why did Alba’s appearance change so much from his original design?

    Q: Why did Alba’s appearance change so much from his original design? <Bache>

    Takeuchi: It’s because that original design was decisively rejected by Nasu. Or rather, even in Plus Period I’m pretty sure it was noted as a rejected design.
    Nasu: From the start, I wanted him to have a coat that, while it could plausibly exist in reality, would make people’s heads turn if you wore it to town. Also, he had to have a silk hat and walking stick, that was non-negotiable. The fact that his German Shepherd didn’t come along is disappointing, though.

  10. [v] Interview de Gen UROBUCHI à l’Épitanime 2013

    TMF: So, I suppose that the presence of Cornelius on the island of Alimago during the flashback was also one of their jokes?
    U: Yes, without a doubt. When we got the script back, it was just indicated that a mage would appear, without any other details for us. I had that surprise sprung on me when I received the storyboards. [laughs]

    TMF : Du coup, je suppose que la présence de Cornelius sur l’île d’Alimago durant le flashback est une aussi une de leur blague ?
    U : Oui, sans aucun doute. Dans le retour de script qu’on a eu, il y avait juste marqué qu’un mage allait apparaître, sans autres détails pour nous. J’ai eu la révélation lorsque j’ai reçu les épreuves.[rires]

Main characters: Shiki RyougiMikiya KokutouTouko AozakiAzaka Kokutou

Secondary characters: Cornelius AlbaDaisuke AkimiFujino AsagamiKirie FujouLio ShirazumiMana RyougiMisaya OujiMitsuru KamekuraSatsuki KurogiriShizune SeoSouren ArayaTomoe Enjou
Minor characters: Akitaka SuzurigiGakutoHideo HayamaKaede EnjouKaname RyougiKaori TachibanaKeita MinatoMother of MifuneOtoko HotaruzukaRisu MiyazukiTakayuki EnjouYuuko Andou
Terms: AkashaCounter ForceDemon Hunter OrganizationDragon SmokePsychicMystic EyesMystic Eyes of Death PerceptionUnified Language

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