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Mystery (神秘, Shinpi?, localized as "Mystics") is a sliver of power of many different types that comes from the Root.

It is the source of all supernatural phenomena such as Magecraft or ESP, and beings such as True Ancestors, Dead Apostles, Servants, Spiritual Bodies, as well as Phantasmal Species show signs of Mystery.[1][2][3] Mystery accumulates over time and grows stronger with age.

Overview[]

The word 'mystery' derives its etymology from the Greek mystêrion, the root of which, myo, means "to close or shut", and can be understood variously as shutting, concealing, and self-completion.[4][5][6] A Mystery thus holds meaning specifically because it is a mystery; if it were to be understood, it would lose that force.[7]

Magecraft is, in essence, Mystery. However, since the beginning of the Common Era, human history has been in the process of systematically erasing Mysteries. As the light of science expands, the darkness of Mystery recedes,[8] and humanity has reached the point where everything is explainable with human knowledge, from the workings of nature to the operation of the cosmos that was once the purview of the heavens, anything that was once beyond the ken of man.[5] No matter how Magi resist this fact, this law remains unbent. The Mysteries of the Age of Gods have become so distant that even realizing them temporarily in the modern world is next to impossible.[8] The decline of Mystery has been accelerating since the death of Solomon, the King of Magecraft, before the Age of Gods came to an end at the start of the Common Era.[9]

This greatly affects Magecraft. A Magecraft that has had its nature revealed can't become a Mystery, no matter what kind of supernatural methods it uses. It's now nothing more than another mundane method.[4] For example, Automatons have become a lost art in Magecraft and the concept of Homunculus creation is steeply in decline because, as knowledge of the human body deepened and spread throughout humanity, to the point humanity accepted that there were no Mysteries to be found within their own bodies, they had lost the grounds to be fields of Magecraft. Even if one accepted the theory that the human body still is a black box, and the Mystery within it was not yet entirely erased, the fact that modern Magi in the field can't compare to even antiques from hundreds of years ago is an undeniable fact.[10]

Magecraft thus gets weaker when it's exposed, though what is meant by that is not the Magecraft of a particular individual, but all of Magecraft and in the future, not the present.[5] Paradoxically, despite losing its power when propagated, a Mystery becomes more stable as knowledge about them spreads thanks to the system of Thaumaturgical Foundations. Engraved into the World, its strength can be greatly influenced by the faith and the collective unconscious of the people.[11]

In order to stave off the degradation of Mystery, the Mage's Association was founded, and it began enforcing the Concealment of Mystery (神秘の隠匿, Shinpi no Intoku?) to preserve the strength of Magecraft.[4][5] It was previously something of an unwritten law, but became enforced over time, with the popularization and vulgarization of Mysteries being tantamount to a crime in the World of Magecraft. In fact, in the past, Magi could even make a career of Magecraft and be recognized by society, so long as they kept the details of their individual Magecraft a secret they would take to the grave, but now it has to all be kept under wraps. The Association feared that if they did not go that far, Magecraft in the distant future would be reduced to nothing more than another product to be consumed and thrown away.[5] The Association’s policy of entirely concealing the existence of Magecraft was established during the Middle AgesWP,[4] likely some time in the early 1200s, as the reign of Richard I was the last in the age when such things were out in the open.[12] Other organizations in the World of Magecraft generally obey this rule, though the Church have been known to openly flout the policy in regards to their Baptism Rites.[13] The Magecraft organization controlled by the United States government is the most extreme exception, being outright hostile to the idea of concealing Magecraft, and as such are labeled a “scourge” to Mystery by the Association.[14]

In the World of Fate/strange Fake, Lord El-Melloi II estimates that the Concealment of Mystery won't last more than another five years, as they approach a time when anyone can upload high definition images to social networks in real time,[15] notably thanks to smartphones.[14] Once that happens, the ability of information to spread will outstrip the pressure to conceal it.[15] As the danger of Mystery being recorded increases, either new methods of secrecy will have to be devised, like seeding dummy stories and label everything fake newsWP,[14] or they will have to reveal something.[15] In some possible futures, the Concealment of Mystery has partially or entirely ceased, such as the World of Fate/Requiem, in which the knowledge and use of Magecraft is commonplace among the public and the Mage’s Association only holds nominal authority over its secrecy,[16] or the World of Tsuki no Sango, in which Spiritron-based technology serves as the power source for humanity’s Seven Lunar Cities. While contrary to the Association’s fears, Magecraft has not ceased to exist in either of these scenarios, the "degenerated" condition of humanity in Tsuki no Sango may have caused it to diminish.

Mystery hasn't degraded everywhere however. Compared to the surface, the Texture of the Human Order influences the underground much less, so traces of Mystery still remain in the depths of the Earth. For that reason, there will be fragments of things that have disappeared aboveground there, like pieces of Phantasmal Species.[17] Islands as well, due to being isolated from the mainland, have had Mysteries from the Age of Gods remain longer,[9][18] such as Britain, the "navel" of the planet,[9] and Japan, whose Age of Gods outlasted Britain's.[18] Continents are firmly part of the human world, thus, as countries are connected by land, the rewriting of the physical laws proceeded quickly.[9]

If two different types of Mysteries collide with one another, the stronger Mystery will overwhelm the weaker one.[19] It is through this law that Lugh Beowulf is able to remain invincible against modern Magecraft; because he has 3,000 years' worth of Mystery, which is far more than any modern Magecraft has, he is able to simply ignore any effects that Magecraft would have on him.[20][21] Another similar case is Wuzhiqi, who is a Xian and thusly there are not a lot of spells that can affect her in the modern world.[22]

Time being of exceedingly high value in Thaumaturgical applications, a Mystery strengthens the longer it has existed. For example, a family's Magic Crest becomes strong by having new accomplishments added to it by every generation to have received it. With a eight-hundred-year-old parchment, one may forge a Golem that can easily destroy one or two experienced Magi.[23] Likewise, certain items that have a long history and age can also show signs of Mystery, as in the case of the centuries-old katana that the Ryougi possess, Kanesada Kuji. If they are severely damaged, however, they will lose all the Mystery they have accumulated.[24]

Just as a jewel carried by many different people over a long time begins to be stained with their thoughts, making it easier to use in Jewel Magecraft, a tool bearing the feelings of many people would also begin to develop its own kind of Mystery. While for most objects that Mystery stays concealed forever, in some rare cases it can bloom forth, like the TsukumogamiWP of Japan.[25]

It is also possible for a human's body to reach the level of a Mystery, such as with Shiki Ryougi.[26] There are also the cases of Doctor Heartless, a Magus who got his heart stolen by Fairies,[27] and the Mixed-Blood Kouma Kishima (Remake),[28] a true Crimson Red Vermillion, who have both become a Mystery.

Rhongomyniad Mythos

Rhongomyniad Mythos.

With Rhongomyniad Mythos, Gray can contain Mystery and make sure none of it leaks outside, such as using it to keep the power of Typhon contained in Bai Ruolong so he cannot use its abilities.[29] This is the true function that Rhongomyniad was made for, the ability to anchor the world in place.

References[]

  1. [v] Fate/complete material III: World material - FAQ with Nasu: Miscellaneous, p.136

    Q: Who would be stronger if Servants fought the 27 Ancestors?

    Q: Who would be stronger if Servants fought the 27 Ancestors? Servant's also have superhuman battle ability, but the 27 Ancestors are also superhuman monsters.... I got the impression that ORT, Primate Murder, Altrouge Brunestud, and so on were obviously stronger than Servants.

    A: All I can is they're both powerful.... They're both beings that live in mystery, so the only thing that can be said is that it all depends on the situation the moment it comes done to ""having the means of killing the other guy somehow". Among those, Earth rules won't even apply to ORT in the first place and Primate Murder has the super advantage against primates so they're in a league of their own, I suppose. Speaking of which, for one Primate Murder, seven Guardians would be the appropriate amount.

    Q:サーヴァントと”吸血鬼の二十七祖”が戦った場合、どちらのほうが強いでしょうか?サーヴァントも人外の戦闘能力を持っていますが、二十七祖も人間離れした怪物ですし......。特にORTやプライミッツマーダー、アルトルージュ・ブリュンスタッドなどは、あからさまにサーヴァントよち強いような印象を受けました。

    A:どっちもどっち、としか・・・・・・。どちらも神秘に生きるものたちなので、"なんとかして殺す手段がある"時点で状況次第としか言えません。そんななか、 ORTはそもそも地球上でのルールが成立しないし、プライミッツマーダーは霊長に対して超有利なので別格でしょうか。ちなみに、プライミッツマーダー1匹に対して守護者七騎であたるのが妥当なところです。

  2. [v] Comptiq 2007-11 issue - Fate Dojo Q & A:
    Q. Between Kotomine, Bazett, Kuzuki, Melty Blood’s Miyako, and Kishima Kouma, who’d be the top 3 in a purely hand to hand fight with no weapons or magecraft?

    Q: Between Kotomine, Bazett, Kuzuki, Melty Blood’s Miyako, and Kishima Kouma, who’d be the top 3 in a purely hand to hand fight with no weapons or magecraft?

    A: I’m excluding Kouma since his existence itself has become a mystery.
    And even if he didn’t have that nature, he’s like an athlete caught by drug testing.
    Out of the four left, the winner in pure strength is Bazett.
    If it’s limited to one match and a surprise attack, then it’s Kuzuki.
    And if it’s the Kotomine from ten years ago, he’s stronger than Bazett overall.

    Q:言峰、バゼット、葛木、「メルブラ」の都古や軋間紅摩の中で、魔術・武器を使わない純粋な肉弾戦で戦ったらトップ3は誰になりますか?(福島県/鬼瓦)

    A:軋間は存在自体が神秘の類になってしまうので除外。
    本人にその気がなくても薬物検査にひっかかる選手みたいなもんです。
    この面子なら純粋に強いのはバゼット。
    一戦だけ&闇討ち上等、という限定なら葛木。
    言峰は十年若ければバゼットさんよりトータルで強い。

  3. [v] Kara no Kyoukai Special Pamphlet - Encyclopedia: Magecraft [Others], p.038-039 [T]

    Magecraft [Others]
    A general term representing activities that artificially re-enact Mysteries/Miracles.
    Although there were some differences depending on traditions and schools, the basic principle was still "the transformation of the magical energy that exists within the practitioner or the environment".
    The practitioner would issue Commands according to the Foundation (System) of his school, and this would cause the execution of a predetermined Program.
    Magical energy was the electrical current required to deliver the command.
    Although magecraft gave the impression of omnipotence, it fundamentally produced Mystery through the principle of equivalent exchange.
    It was possible to transform one thing into another, but it was impossible to produce something from nothing.
    However, the essence of magecraft as a discipline was to challenge that "Nothingness", and endeavor towards the impossible. Large-scale spells such as the so-called Grand Sorceries, Grand Rituals were really purposeless if not for attempting to reach " " (Kara) or True Magic.
    Kara no Kyoukai was a story of one magus' attempt at challenging "Nothingness".

    魔術【まじゅつ】【その他】
    人為的に神秘・奇跡を再現する行為の総称。
    門派ごとに違いはあるものの、基本的には〝術者の体内、もしくは外界に満ちた魔力を変換〟する機構。
    各門派が取り仕切る基盤(システム)に従って術者が命令(コマンド)を送り、あらかじめ作られていた機能(プログラム)が実行される、というもの。
    その、命令を送るのに必要な電流が魔力である。
    魔術には万能のイメージがあるが、基本的には等価交換で神秘を起こす。
    有から有を持ってくるのであって、無から有は作れない。出来る事を起こすのであって、出来ない事は起こせないという事だ。
    が、その『無』、あり得ない事に挑むことが魔術という学問の本質である。大魔術、大儀式と呼ばれる大掛かりな魔術は「 」、魔法に至る為の挑戦に他ならない。
    大タイトル・『空の境界』は、一人の魔術師が『無』に挑もうとした物語とも言える。

  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Kara no Kyoukai Volume 5: Paradox Spiral (Enjoh Tomoe) - /6
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Mahoutsukai no Yoru - Chapter 6: "Like a Dog"
  6. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 2 Part 3
  7. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 4 Part 1
  8. 8.0 8.1 Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 1 Part 2
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Garden of Avalon - Chapter 02: The Light of the Stars
  10. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Chapter 3 Part 4
  11. [v] Lord El-Melloi II Case Files material - Encyclopedia: Magical Foundation [Magecraft/Other], p.109

    Magical Foundation [Magecraft/Other]
    A magical theory engraved into the world. Its strength is greatly influenced by the faith and the collective unconscious of the people.
    As a Mystery propagates, it loses power. However, the reason they become more stable as knowledge about them spreads, though it may seem contradictory at first glance, is because of this system of Magical Foundations.
    In the present day, the most widespread and most powerful Magical Foundation is the “Teachings of God,” used by the Holy Church.
    Of course, there also exist families who develop magical formulas entirely independent of such Foundations, and weirdos like Flat who “build an entirely new formula from scratch every time.”

    魔術基盤【魔術/その他】
    世界に刻みつけられた魔術理論。人々の信仰や無意識によって、この効果は大きく強化される。
    神秘は広まれば広まるほど力を失う。しかし、知名度が高いほど安定するという、一見矛盾した事柄が成立するのは、この魔術基盤というシステムのため。現行世界において最も広大かつ強大な魔術基盤は、聖堂教会による『神の教え』そのものである。
    もっとも、家伝の魔術はこうした魔術基盤を利用せず、個人の魔術式だけで成立するし、フラットのように「毎回魔術式を新しく構築する」などという変態も存在する。

  12. Fate/strange Fake Volume 3 - Chapter 8: Day 1, Afternoon (2) "The Wandering King's Rock'n'Roll"
  13. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 7: case. Atlas Contract (Lower) - Chapter 3 Part 3
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Fate/strange Fake Volume 5 - Bridge Chapter: "Rondo of the Outsiders"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Fate/strange Fake Volume 2 - Chapter 6: Day 1, Noon "Two Archers and..."
  16. Fate/Requiem Volume 1: The Boy Among the Stars - Chapter 3
  17. Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files Volume 8: case. Grand Roll (Upper) - Chapter 2 Part 4
  18. 18.0 18.1 The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 3: The Devil of the Wandering Sea (Lower) - Chapter 3
  19. Fate/stay night - Fate route - Day 10: skyscraper - Sword of Promised Victory

    It is the law that a divine Mystery will be eliminated by a greater divine Mystery.

  20. Mahoutsukai no Yoru - Chapter 12: "Witch on the Holy Night II"
  21. [v] Mahou Tsukai no Yoru Privilege - The Magician's Basic Rhythm: Lugh Beowulf, p.028-029

    Lugh Beowulf

    • Birthday: January 1
    • Height: 134 cm
    • Weight: 35 kg
    • Likes: The person who gave him his first defeat
    • Dislikes: Annoying things
    • Day of Decisive Battle: None in particular
    • Magecraft System: None in particular
    • Regression to the Age of Gods/Quality: A
    • Regression to the Age of Gods/Quantity: C
    • Regression to the Age of Gods/Composition: Phylogenetic Tree up to the 18th century


    Nasu's comment: A still living, genuine phantasmal species. His origin itself was long long ago, but it wasn't until the 18th century that he fell as a droplet on the werewolf village. A two thousand year class vintage monster. He is the natural enemy of the magi of the Common Era. In a contest of pure magical energy, attacks may still work on him, but when it comes to magecraft, it'll be absolutely invalidated. He's a life-form that's sort of like a relative to Arcueid, so he has an aura similar to Arc. It is a bit boorish to mention it but he doesn't have the concept of gender. Although it is very unlikely, in the case that he found a partner, he would be able to freely choose his own gender to compliment theirs. It's just like the manga "They Were Eleven!"

    Koyama's comment: As a werewolf, I drew various forms of him. Between the complete wolf form and bipedal form, Beo can transform on the spot into the most fitting form for the action that he wants to do. Just as humans don't put any conscious thought into moving each induvial finger when they eat food with chopsticks, if he wants to run he does it on 4 feet and if he wants to grab something he does it with his "hands". Conversely he's also able to consciously control them. Normal werewolves can't take the form of a full wolf and their transformation is slow. In Beo's opinion that's so half baked it's meaningless, and it's so funny to look at that it spoils his mood. That's all I know. His clothes are supposedly to Touko's taste.

    蒼崎橙子

    • 生日: 1月1日
    • 身長: 134cm
    • 体重: 35kg
    • 好きなもの: 最初に自分を負かしたひと
    • 嫌いなもの: うるさいもの
    • 決戦の日: 特になし
    • 魔術系統: 特になし
    • 神代回帰 / 質: A
    • 神代回帰 / 量: C
    • 神代回帰 / 編成: 十八世紀までの系統樹


    奈須きのこ
    まだ生きている生粋の幻想種。発生そのものは大昔で、雫として人狼の里にこぼれ落ちたのが十八世紀。二千年クラスのビンテージモンスター。 西暦以降の魔術師にとっては天敵で、純粋な魔力勝負ならまだ攻撃は通るが、魔術となると片っ端から無効化されてしまう。アルクェイドの親戚 みたいな生き物なので、なんとなくアルクに近い雰囲気に。語るのも野暮ではあるが、性別の概念はあまりなかった。まずあり得ない事だが、つ がいの相手を見つけた時、その生き物に合わせて性別を決めることも。「11人いる!」ですなー。

    こやまひろかず
    人狼ってことで、様々な形態を描きました。完全な狼形態から二足歩行形態の間でベオがとりたい行動に対して最適な形態に即座に変形します。 人が箸で食事する際、指一本一本をどう動かすかいちいち意識しないのと同様、走ろうと思えば四つ足に、何か捕まえようと思えば「手」に。逆 に意識してコントロールすることも可能。普通の人狼は完全な狼形態にはなれないし、変形も遅い。ベオに言わせると中途半端だしイミわかんな いwww見てると気分悪くなるよね wwwみたいな。以上うんちく。服は橙子さんの趣味という想定です。

  22. The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 1: The Man Who Devoured God - Chapter 4
  23. Fate/Apocrypha Volume 1: Apocrypha: Great Holy Grail War - Chapter 2
  24. [v] Kara no Kyoukai - Chapter 5: “Paradox Spiral” Movies Q & A Pamphlets
    Q: Will it be possible to repair the antique katana now that it’s broken?

    Q: Will it be possible to repair the antique katana now that it’s broken? <Yasunosuke>

    Nasu: Even if it was reforged, the years it had accumulated before would be lost.
    Takeuchi: A lot of people asked this question. Since I thought it was going to be Shiki’s final weapon, too, I was pretty shocked when it broke almost as soon as it finally appeared!
    Nasu: That’s how ultimate weapons should be.

  25. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Chapter 4 Part 3
  26. Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code - Powered Ciel's Win Quote versus Shiki Ryougi

    "A composition that is neither natural nor artificial. Eastern ideology can be profound at times. It can create people like you who has attained the level of being a Mystery while still being human."

  27. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 5: case. Mystic Eyes collection train (Lower) - Chapter 5 Part 1
  28. [v] Comptiq 2007-11 issue - Fate Dojo Q & A:
    Q. Between Kotomine, Bazett, Kuzuki, Melty Blood’s Miyako, and Kishima Kouma, who’d be the top 3 in a purely hand to hand fight with no weapons or magecraft?

    Q: Between Kotomine, Bazett, Kuzuki, Melty Blood’s Miyako, and Kishima Kouma, who’d be the top 3 in a purely hand to hand fight with no weapons or magecraft?

    A: I’m excluding Kouma since his existence itself has become a mystery.
    And even if he didn’t have that nature, he’s like an athlete caught by drug testing.
    Out of the four left, the winner in pure strength is Bazett.
    If it’s limited to one match and a surprise attack, then it’s Kuzuki.
    And if it’s the Kotomine from ten years ago, he’s stronger than Bazett overall.

    Q:言峰、バゼット、葛木、「メルブラ」の都古や軋間紅摩の中で、魔術・武器を使わない純粋な肉弾戦で戦ったらトップ3は誰になりますか?(福島県/鬼瓦)

    A:軋間は存在自体が神秘の類になってしまうので除外。
    本人にその気がなくても薬物検査にひっかかる選手みたいなもんです。
    この面子なら純粋に強いのはバゼット。
    一戦だけ&闇討ち上等、という限定なら葛木。
    言峰は十年若ければバゼットさんよりトータルで強い。

  29. The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 3: The Devil of the Wandering Sea (Lower) - Chapter 6
Concepts
Bounded FieldConceptual WeaponMagic (Second MagicThird MagicFifth Magic) • Magical Spells (AstromancyGradation AirFlash AirTuning) • Marble PhantasmMystic CodeMystic Eyes (Mystic Eyes of Death Perception) • PsychicReality Marble
Creatures
BicornCentaurDaemonDead ApostleDemonDemon BoarDivine SpiritDollDragonD'yavol TronFairyFamiliarGazerGiantGolemHomunculusHumanHydraLamiaMagicianMagusMixed-BloodOniOuter GodPhantasmal SpeciesSoul EaterSphinxSpiritsVampireUltimate OneTenguTrue AncestorWitchWizardXianYaga
Holy Grail War
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Organizations
Holy Church (Burial Agency (Remake)) • Chaldea Security OrganizationDemon Hunter OrganizationMage's Association (Clock TowerAtlasWandering Sea) • Spiral ManorSummit CourtThe Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors (Remake)
Terms
AdvantageAkashaAuthorityAnti-Purge DefenseCounter ForceIncantationsImmortalityElementsWorldWorld of MagecraftMagic CircuitMagical EnergyMagic CrestMagical WorkshopMysterySoulSpiritronStarlogResurrectionTextureTime TravelTradition ProtectionParallel WorldQuantum Time-LockUnderworld
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