Waver Velvet

is the Master of Rider in the Fourth Fuyuki Holy Grail War of Fate/Zero. Initially a student in the Clock Tower under the tutelage of Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald before the Holy Grail War, he later attains the position of Lord after being taken in by the El-Melloi faction, referred to as . Highly respected within the Clock Tower, he is the Lord of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory and owns the El-Melloi Classroom. He is a supporting protagonist of Fate/Zero, and the main protagonist of Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files and The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II.
==Profile==
===Background===
Waver was born as the third generation of the Velvet family, but it was not a very prestigious line. His grandmother, the first generation, was the lover of a certain Magus who picked up the very basics of Magecraft during their pillow talk. Waver's mother, the second generation, only sparsely practiced as a way to honor her mother. Waver was the first to seriously follow the path of Magecraft, so his heritage and innate abilities were lacking. However, he was considered a bit of a prodigy in his hometown. His mother found the Association’s hierarchical system annoying and disapproved of Waver seeking out the tutelage of a proper mentor, but he was strongly drawn to Magecraft.
His parents eventually both died of illness, so he took the opportunity to sell all of his family’s possessions to gather enough money for his tuition for the Clock Tower without anything leftover. Full of hope, he applied to enter the Clock Tower, and through his connections somehow managed to join the classroom of a certain Lord, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald. Thus he entered a rather elite course. However, with only two hundred years of history under their belt, the Velvet family were infants to the World of Magecraft. From the perspective of the Lords, he was only fit to serve as a member of the magical working class. Rebelling against the authority and old-fashioned structure of the Clock Tower, he joined the Fourth Holy Grail War to prove his talents. In the end, he returned as the only survivor from the war. Thus ended what he thought would be the greatest battle of his life. He returned with a quiet resolve to face the battle that was the life waiting for him.
====Becoming Lord El-Melloi II====
Three years after the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War, he returns to the Clock Tower and displays diligence after having been changed by his interactions with Rider.
He became a third year lecturer while studying the bare essentials, he had no choice but to rely on others due to his own fundamental lack of ability. As a lecturer for third year students, he quickly made a name for himself. At first, he wasn't even placed into a specific Faculty, so his lectures had an astonishingly small number of attendees. Thanks to this, however, the lessons had a practicality to them that was unrivaled elsewhere in the Clock Tower, and the new generations of students with nowhere else to go flocked to him. Winning the approval of other lecturers that had failed in their struggles for power, he was able to take the stage and actualize a multilateral approach to education that had yet to be seen.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. the Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Prologue, p.007-016
Kayneth's sudden death leaves a gap the organization of his research left at the Clock Tower, and House El-Melloi is left on the verge of ruin. While still considered Kayneth's "most useless formal student", Waver collects the unorganized and unattended works before they are lost, compiling them into the tome named "Lord Kayneth's Encyclopedia of Arcane Secrets." His actions restore the El-Melloi house, and he become known as the "man who revived the Archibalds" or "new El-Melloi." The encyclopedia becomes what acts as the foundation for the flourishing of the house and its descendants.
Waver takes on the title of Lord El-Melloi II, after the proper heir, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, a young girl at the bottom of the family's hierarchy, recognizes his achievements, but only does so while letting him know that Kayneth's death was his fault and that he will have to serve her for his entire life. He was the youngest Lord the Clock Tower had ever seen.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 3 Part 2, p.197-220 Amongst the twelve nobles who administer the Clock Tower, he's the lowest-ranked.Fate/Grand Order - Zhuge Liang interlude 01: Heroic Spirit Possession He attained the fourth-order rank, "Fes", due to how good of a teacher he was, though if judged solely on his own abilities he would be the lower rank of "Count".Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 1 Part 4, p.069-084 He was previously in charge of the Department of Mineralogy until he changed to the 12th Department of Modern Magecraft Theory.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 1 Part 3, p.046-068
The majority of people thought he wasn't anyone special. It was assumed that he was a mere puppet the El-Melloi family had, at their convenience, forced into the unenviable position of heading that hodgepodge of subjects known as Modern Magecraft Theory. But, they soon learned that they were terribly wrong. His works eventually cause him to be recognized as a great professor. Within the Clock Tower political party, Lord El-Melloi II is in the flexible reformist camp. He is the type to respect one’s merits, regardless of tradition or novelty. Rather than labeling him a conservative or a reformer, it might be most accurate to call him a neutral party.
He wishes to further his own studies, but his mediocrity as a Magus keeps him from advancing. He attains a reputation as a great teacher but cares little for it due to not even being able to advance in rank within the Clock Tower.
===Appearance===
In the Fourth Holy Grail War, Waver was nineteen years old.Fate/Zero Volume 1: The Untold Story of the Fourth Holy Grail War - Act 1 Part 1 -285:42:56, p.059-068 Although he was a bit shorter than an average person. His body tended to be frail, because he had done nothing but study magic during his childhood, and had little time to forge his body, but he didn’t think it was a weakness. Rather, Waver had pride in polishing up his intellect.Fate/Zero Volume 1: The Untold Story of the Fourth Holy Grail War - Act 2 Part 1 -268:22:30, p.125-146
As Lord El-Melloi II, he is a man in his early thirties with long loose hair.Fate/strange Fake Volume 1 - Prologue II: Berserker, p.061-091 He wore a red coat with golden ornamentations on its shoulders, and his face bore a tremendously sour expression.Fate/Apocrypha Volume 1: Apocrypha: Great Holy Grail War - Chapter 1 He is often seen smoking a cigar. In Character material, he is seen wearing an elbow sleeve shirt with Admirable Great Tactics logo on it. His suits are custom made from .Interview with Sanda and Urobuchi about Lord El-Melloi II
As an adult he bears a heavy resemblance to Eumenes, one of Iskandar's generals.
===Personality===
====Fourth Holy Grail War====
Waver is often called a "spoiled brat" who is the very embodiment of a "narcissist that does not doubt he's a genius." He displays traits of cowardice, being short-tempered, and constant complaints without action. He has an inferiority-complex about his abilities as a Magus and Master, and he constantly doubts himself at every turn. He forms a bond with Rider over time that begins to change him, with Rider bolstering his confidence and recognizing his traits. He praises Waver for riding into the front lines of the battle with him, he comforts Waver upon seeing Caster's victims, and remarks in his abilities as an unconventional but exceptionally talented Magus, though Waver quickly refutes him.
Though he often fights with Rider, he bonds with him over the course of the Holy Grail War, and he even pledges his allegiance to Rider as one of his subjects. Even Gilgamesh praises his loyalty, sparing his life because of remaining steadfast in following Rider's final orders.
====Lord El-Melloi II====
After becoming Lord El-Melloi II, he takes on a reputation as a famous lecturer of the Clock Tower. His involvement with Rider changed his attitude, allowing his persistent effort to lead to him being called a professor. Known as "Great Big Ben London Star”, "Professor Charisma", and "Master V". He has been even named "the number one man female students would like to sleep with", among others. He cares little about his reputation, and he would rather focus on his own success as a Magus. His irritations towards it have even caused people to say that he has haunted the school with a constantly cranky look to him for several years. He is not an ambitious person, and he does not like to become personally involved with his students, having once said, "What a load of codswallop. Why should I, stuck at the fourth tier I still be, have to bloody look after other people?" He dislikes people calling him Lord El-Melloi without the "second" because it is unbearably grating without it.
In his mystery-solving, Lord El-Melloi II focuses on the "whydunit" (the motive of the perpetrator) instead of "whodunit" (who the perpetrator is) or "howdunit" (how the crime was committed). He states that this is because, due to Magecraft being involved, a crime can be committed any number of ways even by the dead, and so trying to figure out who or how is pointless.
He takes after Rider in that his sole pleasure lies in Japanese video games (often called 'visual novels'), though he has come to hate Japan and its people. He orders large batches of these games, and after playing through them fully, takes the time to diligently give detailed reviews on the games through their survey cards. Though he often receives game memorabilia through sweepstakes, he cares little for it and mostly believes that it is the proper action to relay his opinions back to the game designers even if he must pay international postage to airmail them to Japan. Much of his room is full of memorabilia, though he also has a cabinet where he keeps the remaining piece of Rider's cloak that he used as his catalyst. In later materials released after Character material, he holds no such contempt for Japan or its people and even holds many in respect (such as Kairi Sisigou and Rin Tohsaka) while also yearning to witness the Holy Grail Wars again.
He hates his apprentice Gray's face due to her identical appearance to Saber who almost killed him in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and has her wear a hood to hide it. However, the truth is that while he was initially frightened upon seeing her, his continued hatred for her face is at Gray's own request. When Gray agreed to become Lord El-Melloi II's apprentice she asked of him, "Please...keep hating my face."Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Prologue
==Role==
===Fate/Zero===
Shortly before the Fourth Holy Grail War, at the age of nineteen, he developed the revolutionary concept that a Mage's power could be increased through effort, experience, and knowledge rather than increasing magical potential through that of a Mage's genetic lineage. His idea was dismissed by his lecturer, the nobleman Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, who tore up Waver's manuscript without another thought. He experienced nothing but hardship and failure in his work. Outraged and humiliated, Waver discovers that Lord El-Melloi will participate in the Fourth Holy Grail War in Japan. Stealing the artefact El-Melloi intends to use to summon his Servant and running off to Japan, Waver intends to win the Holy Grail in order to force the Mage's Association to recognize his genius.
Using the stolen artefact, he summons the Rider-class Servant, Iskandar. The two of them stay with Glen and Martha Mackenzie, an elderly Canadian couple living in Japan, for the duration of the war. The couple, thanks to Waver's magical abilities, are under the impression that he is their grandson. Waver is the youngest Master in the Fourth Holy Grail War. This caused him to gamble everything on the Holy Grail War. Though an adept Mage, his confidence in his own skill comes off as arrogance. Waver is not courageous by nature and somewhat short-tempered, cowardly, and whiny. In contrast, his Servant Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, is noble and physically overbearing. Much to Waver's chagrin, the enormous man has little interest in the Holy Grail and cares more about conquering the world again, especially now that he realizes the world is much bigger than he was aware of during his life and is particularly fascinated by ordinary aspects of modern life. The Master and Servant have difficulty getting along at first due to differing personalities and Rider's selfish nature makes him especially difficult to control and Waver finds himself accommodating his interests to his Servant's to ensure Rider remains focused on defeating opposing Servants.
Despite their differences, they had a very close bond of friendship, similar to that of a father and a son. This is evident in the fact, that on their first encounter with the other Servants and Masters of the war, Rider defended his Master's dignity after Waver was being tormented by Kayneth, who was threatening to make Waver suffer for stealing his artifact and entering the Grail War with the servant he was intending to summon. Rider disparages Kayneth by calling him a coward, saying that someone like him could never be his Master even if he really was summoned by Kayneth.
After Caster's death, Rider used all his Magical Energy from his own supply when he used Ionioi Hetairoi. Waver, aware of this, gathered food and went back to the summoning place where there is a Leyline to help provide Magical Energy to Rider. Waver questions Rider why he didn't take any Magical Energy from him, Rider explains that Servants are soul eaters and he didn't want to see Waver dying for the Holy Grail that possibly didn't exist. However, Waver is determined to continue the Holy Grail War to the end which left Rider impressed and Waver slept for the whole day providing Magical Energy to Rider.
As the Holy Grail War continues, Waver and Iskandar's friendship strengthens, Iskandar teaches Waver how to live like a man. Saber on her motorcycle chased after Rider as she thought Rider kidnapped Irisviel. Waver acknowledges Rider's method of conquest, while Rider's Via Expugnatio clashes with Saber's Excalibur. Rider's chariot was destroyed and Waver told Rider to activate his Ionioi Hetairoi, however, Rider said Via Expugnatio was the only gamble he would take against Saber.
After Saber destroyed Rider's Chariot, Waver had to walk back to the Mackenzie residence. As he walked back, he sees Glen on the roof who calls Waver to join him to see the view of Miyama Town. Glen reveals that he knew Waver was not his grandson because he was too nice to be his actual grandson. Waver asked if Glen was angry but to his surprise, Glen was happy to see Martha smiling as Waver and Rider came to live with them. Glen offered Waver to stay longer but Waver expressed that he could not as he's risking his life for something. Glen's opinion differs as there is not anything that's worth dying for when people look back in their lives.
On the final day of the war, Waver decides it is too dangerous for him to continue participating in the war and uses all three of his Command Seals to order Iskandar to defeat all the remaining Servants, win the Grail, and not to return unless he succeeded. By using all of his Command Seals, Waver effectively abandons his position as Rider's Master and allows the Servant to do as he wishes. However, Iskandar insists that Waver stand at his side as he rides off to his final battle as his friend, rather than his Master.
During his battle with Archer, Iskandar uses his final Noble Phantasm: Ionioi Hetairoi. However, Gilgamesh uses his Anti-world Noble Phantasm to destroy Iskandar's Reality Marble in an instant. As Iskandar and Waver manage to evade the blast, Iskandar asks Waver if he wants to be his subordinate, which Waver accepts. Iskandar orders Waver to live and tell the story of his king, leaving Waver in a safe location to observe the battle. When the King of Conquerors is defeated by the golden Servant, Archer confronts Waver. Though he is afraid, Waver courageously stands up to Archer, declaring that he is a follower of Iskandar and that he has been ordered to live for Iskandar's sake. Out of respect for Iskandar's final wishes, Archer spares Waver's life.
He survived the Fourth Grail War, he returned to Mackenzie house safely. The time he spent with Iskandar has positively influenced him, he wanted to stop studying for a while and travel, experience and understand the outside world. He decided to stay in Japan for a while and asks Glen and Martha for permission to stay at their place. When he looks around his room and finds the game that Iskandar brought earlier, Waver at first thought it was silly but decides to try new things out and realizes he likes playing video games after this. After the war, he expresses several regrets: he wonders if the conflagration caused by the end of the war could have been prevented if he and Iskandar had still been around and also that he wanted to be Iskandar's friend as an equal rather than a subordinate.
====The Outsiders’ Performance====
In the side story of the special drama CD, Taiga Fujimura as an adult tells Saber how she was inspired to become an English teacher when she encountered Waver and Rider in the Fourth Grail War.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 5 She was looking for the thief who broke into her friend Otoko Hotaruzuka's store and stole their best wine barrel. She encounters both Waver and Rider during the night after she fell from the roof. Rider becomes a translator for both Taiga and Waver, as Waver did not learn Japanese before coming to Japan, and Taiga explained to Waver and Rider that she chased after the thief until he flew off.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 1
Taiga instantly jumped in the cold water to save a dog, while believing Waver and Rider would also help out.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 2 As Waver and Rider helped Taiga out of the water, Waver questioned why Taiga is so persistent in helping people. Taiga replied that she believes in kindness in others. Waver thinks this is quite cute, though Rider says something completely different which left Waver in disarray: Rider claims he wanted Waver to have a romantic experience. Taiga chased after an underwear thief, dragging Rider and Waver to help her. After they handed the underwear thief to the police, they helped reunited the puppy to its owner.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 3
Waver asked Taiga if she helped others, does she not have any problems herself. Taiga claims that she is worried about her love, school and future. Waver and Rider suggested she is suitable for teaching and guiding those who seek knowledge. Waver suggested they should part ways and head back home but Taiga wants to go after the wine barrel thief. Waver and Rider explained that searching for the criminal at night in Fuyuki City is getting more dangerous. Taiga tried to introduce herself to the two but Waver hypnotizes Taiga to head back home for her own safety. Rider thought of stealing more wine barrels from the market for Taiga but Waver stopped him from creating more trouble, Waver had a plan that could help her.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 4 Taiga says an anonymous person sent a dozen barrels of high-class London red wine outside her friend's house.
===Waver's World Travels===
Between the events of Fate/Zero and Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files, Waver traveled the world, not keen on returning to London just yet. Using what little money he had left, he went through India, Persia, Greece, and Macedonia. At one point his bag was stolen and he broke down crying. He also ended up getting in a fight with some gang, and had to use some otherwise useless Magecraft just to escape.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 4: case. Mystic Eyes collection train (Upper) - Prologue Along the way, he got involved in three incidents: the "Babylon Incident", the "Italian Mafia Incident", and the "First Lecture in Greece Incident".
The "Babylon Incident" happened one year after the Fourth Holy Grail War. Waver traveled to Iraq and the ruins of Babylon, where Iskandar was said to be buried. There he encountered the Mage Barzan who was leading a team in digging up Iskandar's tomb. After breaking out of the cell that Barzan was holding him in, Waver and his old friend Melvin Weins - who had coincidentally also been captured by Barzan - destroyed the dig site by disrupting a Leyline and causing Evil Spirits to attack the excavation team.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Grace Note - Episode 1: "Babylon, the Condemned, and the Memories of the King"
Details of the "Italian Mafia Incident" are unknown, but the "First Lecture in Greece Incident" was the first time Waver got into teaching. While he was visiting some sites, he introduced himself to the Second Owner. As it was quite rare for someone from the Clock Tower to show up around there, he ended up teaching a few of his sons for a bit, though they lacked a good enough room, or any decent textbooks to work from. During his trip to Greece, Waver also got some experience learning how to drive a motorboat.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 1: The Man Who Devoured God - Chapter 4 Part 1
In the end, these experiences in his travels and brushing so close to death at times are what gave him the confidence he could survive back at the Clock Tower. While he had expected to end up as a lecturer much farther down the line, when he returned to London, I got wrapped up in all kinds of things, and he ended up starting teaching right away to start chipping away at a few debts. Having somehow managed to become a third year lecturer while studying the bare essentials, he quickly made a name for himself. At first, he wasn't placed into a specific Faculty, so his lectures had a vanishingly small number of attendees. Thanks to this, however, the lessons had a practicality to them that was unrivalled elsewhere in the Clock Tower, and the new generations of students with nowhere else to go flocked to him. Winning the approval of other lecturers that had failed in their struggles for power, he was able to take the stage and actualize a multilateral approach to education that had yet to be seen.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Prologue
Under his leadership, the El-Melloi Classroom thus continued to be used for three years. After these three years, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, who had kept an eye on him, had him kidnapped, thinking him another thief of their resources now that the El-Melloi faction had fallen into debt. However, to her surprise, Waver hung his head and apologized for his recklessness that drove Kayneth to death, acknowledging his sin and begging for his life as he had something to achieve. So she gave him four demands: to take responsibility for the El-Melloi faction debts and clear them; to fix the El-Melloi family Source Crest; to take the position of Lord in her place until she is of age, naming him "Lord El-Melloi II" and her older step-brother; and to have him work as her personal tutor. She took the Velvet family Magic Crest from Waver as collateral to ensure he wouldn't attempt to flee from her demands.
===Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files===
Two months prior to the events of the Castle of Separation incident, Lord El-Melloi II encounters Gray and takes her as his apprentice. The circumstances behind this meeting are that Lord El-Melloi II and Reines travelled to Blackmore Cemetery because he hoped to borrow one of the gravekeepers of Blackmore for the Fifth Holy Grail War. As they're famed anti-spirit specialists, he hoped they would be a trump card against Heroic Spirits. At the village, him and Reines met Zepia Eltnam Atlasia residing in a cabin over there as a guest. Waver had Reines go back to London earlier, but after a tour of the village and spending a night there, had to leave after a corpse looking exactly like Gray was found. The Blackmore gravekeeper and Gray's first master, Bersac Blackmore, pushed Gray off onto Waver and told them never to return to the village. Lord El-Melloi II would take her to London as his apprentice.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 6: case. Atlas Contract (Upper)
====case. Castle of Separation Adra====
Adra Castle cast.jpg|The gathering guests in Castle Adra.
Luvia & Lord El-Melloi II.jpg|Lord El-Melloi II assisting Luvia in casting a spell.
The Adra Castle case takes place 10 years after the Fourth Holy Grail War. In the events of Adra Castle case, Lord El-Melloi II was informed by Reines El-Melloi Archisorte about the recent death of the Adra Castle owner and requested him to investigate. Although Lord El-Melloi II reacted negatively, Reines manages to manipulate him by suggesting he will be able to take part in the Holy Grail War, if he is able to resolve the Adra Castle case. He calls his apprentice Gray on an early Autumn and travelled with her to the castle.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 1 Part 1, p.017-031
Lord El-Melloi II investigates the death of Hishiri Adashino, by using his Alchemy.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 3 Part 3, p.221-233
Back in London, Lord El-Melloi II meets Hishiri who was supposedly deceased. It turns out that Waver's suspicion of the conspiracy was true but he had no proof. Hishiri thinks she's pretty similar to Lord El-Melloi II, both realizing that the search for the Root is futile, though Waver notes that there is a significant difference between not being able to do it because of lack of talent and not trying due to lack of interest. Hishiri suggests that they should join forces, but Waver excuses himself, though not before she asks him if he hasn't given up yet. Lord El-Melloi II claims he hasn't given up. Waver says that he wants to meet Rider again. That as soon as his contract with Reines is finished, he'll return to being a single Magus and participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Gray, hearing this, asks that Waver take her with him.
====case. Twin Towers of Iselma====
Casefiles case2 cast1.jpg|Lord El-Melloi II among some of the main players of the Twin Towers of Iselma case.
El-Melloi arrival (Volume 2).jpg|Lord El-Melloi II's arrival at Iselma to prove Reines' innocence and solve the case.
Told by Reines of her invitation to the Social Assembly of the Iselma Twin Towers of the Sun and the Moon, Lord El-Melloi II goes on to explain the role and symbolic meaning of the concept of beauty within Magecraft, even namesdropping Cleopatra and Yang Guifei.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Chapter 1 Part 1, p.019-048
When Reines and Gray are cornered by the other Magi at the Towers of Iselma, accused of being the culprits behind the death of the Princess of Gold, Lord El-Melloi II shows up, having decided to come himself when Reines called him about the Princess of Gold asking for asylum. He declares that he'll take over the case.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Chapter 3 Part 5 When Byron Valualeta Iselma objects, he starts explaining how the ritual with the two princesses works until he gets angry and lets him do as he pleases.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Chapter 4 Part 1 While getting the explanation of the situation, he explains that it all works by matching the lifestyle rhythms of the princesses in the Towers of the Sun and Moon to match the movements of celestial bodies, dictating when they sleep, what they eat, every minor detail of their lives, and also that it was odd that they debuted at night instead of during the day.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 2: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Upper) - Chapter 4 Part 2
However, the investigation is cut short when Atrum Galliasta attacks the estate. During the battle against Atrum, Lord El-Melloi II catches Lord Valualeta trying to leave, and proposes a plan between her, him, Reines, and the Princess of Silver that would stop the attack on the estate.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 2 Part 3 Between Waver, Reines, the Princess of Silver, Lord Valualeta, and the dressmaker and pharmacist for the Princesses, they managed to temporarily use Projection Magecraft to make the Princess of Silver look like the Princess of Gold. Her beauty is enough to temporarily distract everyone on the battlefield and stop the fight and give Lord El-Melloi II a chance to enter negotiations.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 2 Part 6
Lord El-Melloi II deduces Atrum was there to retrieve the catalyst for the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War he lost to Lord Byron, a bloodstained linden leaf that could be used to summon Siegfried. Waver says that it's pointless to chase that relic now, and if his reasoning is mistaken, he'll offer Atrum a greater catalyst in return (namely, his piece of Iskandar's cloak).Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 3 Part 1 He explains that the timing and season for the ritual was all wrong, but would make sense if they were using a different celestial body like Venus in place of the sun. In other words, using a replacement for the Princess of Gold. He says that the dead Carina was actually the Princess of Gold seen at the Social Assembly the other night, and that the real Princess of Gold had died some time previously. He assumes that it was Touko Aozaki who was called in to perform magical plastic surgery on Carina to fake her identity. Touko says she has no memory of this and wouldn't take such a boring contract, but upon inspecting the body she realizes that yes, it's her work, and that part of the contract must have been to wipe her memories afterwards using Maio Brishisan Clynelles's medicines, which would make the job sound interesting enough that she might take it.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 3 Part 2
He then presents the ashes Reines found, and theorizes that they took the catalyst, burned it, and covered Carina with the ashes. "" means "ash covered", so drawing on that legend they could turn her into a magical beauty for a single night. Unfortunately, this meant that the catalyst Atrum was chasing had already been burnt up. Touko confirms that destroying an invaluable treasure that had survived for thousands of years for one night's perfect ritual sounds exactly like something she would do. There's a lot of other factors he goes over- the maid being more suitable because of the concept that looking at something beautiful makes yourself more beautiful, and the Princess of Gold herself could never do more than look at herself in the mirror, as well as figuring out that both the Princesses had some sort of defect. One couldn't see, the other couldn't hear. At this point Touko names Regina, the other maid, as being the one who requested she take out the El-Melloi faction, with the promised payment being the secret of the Princess of Gold's beauty (which ironically was largely due to Touko's own skills). Regina refuses to talk.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 3 Part 3
Lord El-Melloi II continues, supposing that the Princess of Gold died of side effects from the ritual some time ago, and Regina started to worry about who would die next and made plans to escape with the others. However, the debut went so unexpectedly well that they had the new fear that they would receive a Sealing Designation from the Association. So she had to reveal the Princess of Gold's corpse to make it look like it was impossible to replicate to the Association. The story they brought to Reines about wanting to defect was true.
The problem was the second incident. Carina's death was a genuine murder, and Lord El-Melloi II points to Maio, the pharmacist who was involved in the ritual, as the culprit. He explains that they found a bag with a change of clothes and such near the spring where Carina was found, and since Siegfried washed off the Dragon's blood at a spring, therefore Carina went there to remove the Magecraft placed on her, change clothes, and escape. He also points out that Maio got a chance to inspect Trimmau closesly at the party and could conceivably make her stop operations. Maio confesses, that he was childhood friends with the Princess of Gold and obsessed with her beauty, and he came across Carina trying to escape. She revealed to him the truth that she had become the Princess of Gold and asked for his help. He got angry about her escaping, and as a Magus, couldn't allow it, so he killed her. Regina covered for Maio because Carina sent off a last message to her to protect him. She and the Princess of Silver were the ones controlling the Puppet that held off Gray and Reines in the forest.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 3 Part 4
Maio goes mad, shouting that they can just start all over again and remake the ritual, and he activates something he put in the memory-erasing drug he gave to Touko, causing her to be stabbed with green spikes from the inside. Before she dies, Touko gives some things to Lord El-Melloi II to hold on to until she can pick them up later, and reveals that ever since she died once in an ambush some years ago, she's taken to keeping a demon similar to the one in her sealed box contained within her own body, so that even if she's killed in a sneak attack it will pursue and take out her killer. A giant fight ensues, with everyone battling against the puppet that made up Touko's body and the demon inside of it.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Chapter 3 Part 5
After everything is resolved, as he is recounting the incident to Luviagelita Edelfelt, Lord El-Melloi II reveals that Carina and Regina had a third sister due to their Celtic connection, and plans to write to her to explain what happens to her sister.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 3: case. Twin Towers of Iselma (Lower) - Epilogue
====Grace note====
Trisha Fellows approaches Reines on behalf of the Animusphere family, presenting a request for El-Melloi II to investigate the death of Ernest Fargo, the head of one of the Animusphere branch families.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Grace Note - Episode 2: "The Seven Stars and the Eternal Cage"
He later investigated a problem for his favorite cafe that led to the arrest of Gurdoa Davenant.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Grace Note - Episode 3: "Roaring Thunder and the Underground Labyrinth"
====case. Mystic Eyes Collection Train====
Iskandar's mantle was stolen from El-Melloi II and in its place was a ticket for the Rail Zeppelin. Aboard the train he discovered that the thief was Doctor Heartless, who used the mantle to summon a Servant, Iskandar's Shadow.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 4: case. Mystic Eyes Collection Train (Upper)Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 5: case. Mystic Eyes Collection Train (Lower)
====Grace Note Special Episode====
Lord El-Melloi II receives an invitation to a class reunion of Kayneth's students. Several days before the reunion is to occur, he suddenly wakes up one morning having been turned back into a teenager.
====case. Atlas Contract====
Waver recalls something that Zepia said back when he first visited Blackmore Cemetery that makes him realize he was connected to Doctor Heartless, so both he and Gray go back to the cemetery and find Zepia still there. Waver had sent the elderly couple who he stayed with, Glen and Martha Mackenzie, some tickets to get them to leave Fuyuki city temporarily so they do not get embroiled in the Fifth Holy Grail War.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 6: case. Atlas Contract (Upper) - Prologue Zepia then activate Logos React, one of Atlas' seven superweapons, which sends the two of them into a recreation of the past. In the reenaction, Waver and Gray are exploring catacombs and run into bone soldiers, and Waver notes that the Mana in the area makes them almost like incomplete Servants, or Shadow Servants. Behind the bone soldiers there is an armored figure whom Gray senses is a Saberface even though her face is obstructed by a helmet. Said Saberface, the Corpse King, tells them it's too early and that the future king hasn't awoken, and that Gray is supposed to be on the surface, whereas she is meant to be underground. She leaves, and Gray tries to reach her but is being overwhelmed by the bone soldiers because Add seems to not be working properly. Just as things are getting desperate, Add shines, and out comes Kay in silver armor and a bit of a haze around him that would suggest he's not fully there. He rescues them and introduces himself.
====case. Grand Roll====
Casefiles case5 cast1.jpg|Participants of the Grand Roll.
Mercury Waver.jpg|Mercury miniature Waver talking to Touko.
Meeting Trambellio.jpg|El-Melloi II and Reines meeting Lord Trambelio.
While Lord El-Melloi II is trying to track down Dr. Heartless, after having found some traces of his trail at Gray's hometown, he gets notice of a — an official meeting of the Lords, to take place on February 2. These meetings are rare, and most Lords usually don't bother to attend. Waver says he's only been to one before, and it had the bare minimum of four Lords in attendance, most of whom were only representatives. The meeting is bad news for the El-Melloi faction. They suspect Heartless might be involved, so they have to attend, but El-Melloi is very weak at the moment, and being pressured by both the Aristocratic and Democratic factions. It's possible that whatever way they vote, they'll end up crushed by one side or the other.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 8: case. Grand Roll (Upper)
They decide to split up and gather information on two fronts. One team, led by Lord El-Melloi II, tracks down the former apprentices of Heartless, while the other one, led by Reines, talks to contacts to try to get information on the Grand Roll—what the subject is, which lords will be attending, how they intend to vote, how serious they are about the meeting, are any of them connected to Heartless, etc. Lord El-Melloi II actually participates in both teams at the same time: Reines lends him part of Trimmau to use as a familiar, and it turns into a small action figure sized version of himself that shares his senses. He winds up having to participate in two conversations at once at a few points.
At the workshop of one of Heartless' apprentices, Waver's teams runs into Touko Aozaki, who claims to be investigating the same case for the Neutral faction, and they agree to share information. Heartless had five apprentices, and of the ones they've checked, they've all gone missing. Waver has managed to get the information that they're all labyrinth survivors. He gives Gray a little lecture on mazes and labyrinths, and their mystical meanings, and explains the Spiritual Tomb of Albion, a huge labyrinth under London formed out of the corpse of a giant Dragon that tried to burrow to the Reverse Side of the World at the end of the Age of Gods. It's one of the only places in the world where magical reagents can be collected, and has a semi-autonomous organization that manages it subordinate to the Clock Tower, which was formed in London for the purposes of exploiting Albion. Waver believes that Heartless' apprentices were a party that fought in the Labyrinth to harvest materials and bought their freedom. It is later revealed that the Grand Roll is vote called by the Democratic faction on the matter concerning the redevelopment of the Spiritual Tomb of Albion.
Heading down to the front offices of Albion in Soho, Chinatown, they track down the last two of Heartless' apprentices, who have joined the organization managing the labyrinth. They get some information on Heartless' background, but not much else. One of these apprentices is later found dead, the other goes missing. Lord El-Melloi II finds an address hidden on the body that he suspects was left as a message to him. At the address is one of Heartless' workshops, where he deliberately left a webbing of his notes that would let someone with enough knowledge of Magecraft trace his thoughts. Waver is at first surprised to find the formula for a Sealing-Designated Magecraft, with the signature of "Emiya". He works out the whole of the massive ritual Heartless was designing, and is devastated when he realizes Heartless and Faker are trying to summon Iskandar. Specifically, Heartless is going to adapt the ritual he studied at Gray's hometown and turn Faker into Iskandar, or possibly something even greater. Waver loses his drive as he's unsure if he should even be opposing Heartless anymore. He is aso puzzled as to why Heartless is putting so much effort into a huge spell that doesn't lead to the Root anyway.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 9: case. Grand Roll (Middle)
Casefiles case5 cast2.jpg|Versus Heartless.
Gray slaps Waver.jpg|Gray slapping Waver to get him out of his dark tendencies.
After the attack on Norwich by Heartless and Faker, Lord El-Melloi returns and gets several visitors. One is a message from Atrum Galliasta, who he is informed had been killed in the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War. He left behind a last will compact disk with data, as what Atrum did was to gather data on Doctor Heartless to hunt him down himself in revenge for his role in the Iselma Towers incident after the Holy Grail War if he survived it, and made arrangements so the info gets to El-Melloi II in case he didn't. The other visitor is Luvia, who stops by and hands over El-Melloi II something she says is a fee for tutoring her.
El-Melloi II questions himself, wondering if he should even stop Heartless if he gets to see Iskandar again, and he has a little fight with Gray over it, but manages to get back on his feet. He also does some speculation about Heartless's apprentices and comes to the conclusion that some or all of them were spies for various Lords or factions even prior to their entry into the labyrinth, and that they were being killed either by Heartless to silence them, or by those factions to put pressure on Heartless. Following a tip from Atrum's message, him and Gray visit a hospital where Heartless was treated decades ago, supposedly after he was kidnapped by the faeries and left with no heart and changed eyes. Waver uses hypnosis to make the doctor think they are old friends.
The golden coin that was dropped from Faker's chariot when they fought Touko has Iskandar's face on it, old currency from his empire. Waver talks a bit about how currency was based in faith and its use a form of worship, and he finally puts together what Heartless's plan is: Heartless plans to travel to the heart of the Spiritual Tomb of Albion, making use of its properties as a labyrinth in death and rebirth initiation rites to ascend Faker's Saint Graph closer to that of Iskandar's. He also plans to use the Sealing Designated Norikata Emiya to accelerate Faker's time billions of times over using Innate Time Control, praying to her the whole time. This should have the effect of accumulating thousands of years of prayer to her, or more specifically to Iskandar, who was said to carry the blood of Zeus. The Grand Roll itself also provides the required amount of tons of Magical Energy, as during the ceremony the Dragon's heart of the Spiritual Tomb of Albion is opened, making it the best place to get a wave of Mystery big enough connected to the Inner Sea of the Planet to turn a Heroic Spirit into a Divine Spirit. With this, Iskandar will ascend to the rank of a Divine Spirit in modern times. The Authority of a god is the source of the Magecraft of the Age of Gods, and with it Mages won't need to seek the Root anymore, ushering in a new age of magic. Coins like the one they dropped would become powerful magical catalysts, as after Iskandar became a god they would work as a pass, connecting their holder to Iskandar as a sort of pseudo-Master. Essentially, Heartless' plan would turn other Magecraft outside of Modern Magecraft irrelevant, destroying the whole societal system and cycle of betrayal created by Magecraft.
Waver thinks that it's a noble idea, but it being fueled by a destructive impulse like vengeance makes it not worth it. And mainly, he can't leave the future of his students to such a thing. Luvia's own argument is that she's disgusted because that would be like throwing away the last 2000 years and the choice of separating man from gods. But even she agrees that's her pride as a modern Mage speaking, she just doesn't care even if her future descendants end up resenting her choices.
Casefiles case5 cast3.jpg|The Albion crew.
Robed Waver.jpg|Waver's Albion outfit.
Vsbeast.jpg|Gray and Waver facing the six-eyed beast.
Iskandar reunion EM2.jpg|Iskandar and Waver reunite.
It would be almost impossible to catch up to Heartless at this point to stop him, until the Rail Zeppelin shows up, along with allies from previous incidents like Flueger and Jiroubou Seigen Tokitou. After the reveal that Doctor Heartless was the mastermind in the shadows of every previous incidents, there are people coming after his head, chief among them Rodin the machinist from Rail Zeppelin, who is mad at the whole mess that was the Rail Zeppelin incident to both the train itself and its reputation. Leaving Reines to stall for time at the Grand Roll, Waver, Gray, Luvia, Flue, and Seigen take the Rail Zeppelin along the Ley Lines to Magisfair, the town in the upper reaches of the labyrinth. They meet up with a guide there, Geraff, Flue's old master and a victim of Kiritsugu Emiya's Origin Bullets, and prepare to do a fast dash to the deepest depths, taking every shortcut no matter how risky it is. There's a lot of battles and fighting as the party progresses through the dungeon, and in the end most of the party has to stay behind to hold off monsters and traps left by Heartless while Waver and Gray go alone and plunge downwards down a shaft.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 10: case. Grand Roll (Lower)
They encounter the still form of a beast of incomprehensible size there. It's beyond massive, and in the dark all they can see are six glowing eyes, so El-Melloi II suspects it of being a creature of the same archetype as Cerberus and , and Gray compares it to Touko's box monster. As they're sneaking past, Heartless uses his Mystic Eyes of Usurpation, and one of the beast's six eyes opens and fixes its sight on them. That is all it does, but the weight of the creature's attention alone is enough to apply a crushing pressure, sure to kill El-Melloi II.
However, this occurs at the same time as the beginning of the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War. When Shirou Emiya summons Artoria Pendragon as Saber, streaks of gold appear in Gray's hair, and she's filled with power. She unleashes Rhongominyad at the monster. It does no real damage beyond forcing it to shut its eye, giving them time to escape.
In the heart of the dead Dragon, they confront Heartless and the Divine Spirit of Iskander. El-Melloi II unravels the truth of Heartless, how he was originally Kurou, one of his five apprentices, and he time slipped when he was taken by the fairies, becoming his own teacher, Heartless. How the fairies gifted him with Mystic Eyes that could temporarily steal the sight of another. How he killed his apprentices because they had betrayed him as both Kurou and Heartless. The shining Divine Spirit opens its eyes, and Albion is replaced by the Ionioi Hetairoi Reality Marble. Heartless says that even if he's killed, the coins that he's given to others will register them as sub-Masters, maintaining Iskandar's link to the world. Waver takes a look at his hand, smiling at the acknowledgement that he, too, is one of his Masters.
Divine Spirit Iskandar emits so much Magical Energy that it's difficult to breathe and it's burning their Magic Circuits, but Waver walks up to him anyway. He apologizes for not granting his wish, thanks him, and tells him to go back to the Throne of Heroes and wait for him, because he'll definitely find a way to join him there someday. Then he takes off his glove to reveal a Command Spell. After the Edelfelts were defeated in the Third Holy Grail War, they kept their leftover Command Spells just in case, and Luvia gifted Waver one as payment for becoming her tutor. By holding the coin, Waver is recognized as a pseudo-Master of Iskandar. So he uses his Command Spell to tell him to leave, reverting him back to Faker and foiling Heartless' plans.
Waver and Gray rendezvous with Reines, escape from Albion, and are discharged after a brief hospitalization.
===Fate/stay night===
In Ufotable's adaptation of the Unlimited Blade Works scenario, Lord El-Melloi II is seen speaking to Shirou Emiya in the epilogue. Lord El-Melloi II questions why Shirou went to the Clock Tower to study Magecraft. Shirou replied that he learned many things while attending the Clock Tower, and he wants to dedicate his life to become a Hero of Justice. El-Melloi II rejects this notion as idiotic but not without merit, proceeding to remark that Shirou's dream is too large for the Clock Tower to contain.Fate/stay night [Unlimited Bladeworks] - Episode 25: "Epilogue"
====Curtain Call ~ LET US DRIVE TOGETHER ~====
After the epilogue of Ufotable adaptation of Unlimited Blade Works, Rin spends her days together with Shirou in London. Rin goes to purchase a car, however, Shirou is worried about Rin using modern technology. Rin suggests asking for a favour from someone they can depend on and ask Lord El-Melloi II.
===The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II===
====The Man Who Devoured God====
Three years after the Fifth Holy Grail War, Gray and Lord El-Melloi II travel to Singapore, where they meet up with Rin Tohsaka and encounter the mysterious man Ergo. He takes Ergo in as a temporary student.
Waver intends on quitting his teaching job so he can focus more on searching for a cure for Gray's situation with Artoria.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 1: The Man Who Devoured God - Chapter 2 Part 3
====The Devil of the Wandering Sea====
GrayWaver AdvVol2.png|Meeting with Akane Yakou.
ElMelloi festival.png|Rin, Ergo, El-Melloi II, and Gray at a festival.
Two weeks ago (before he arrived in Singapore) El-Melloi II had sent a letter to Touko Aozaki asking if she knew anything about removing curses, intending to find a cure for Gray. Touko said she knew just the person for the job and arranged a meeting between El-Melloi II and Mikiya Ryougi in Tokyo. While he had originally intended this to help Gray, now that he's met Ergo it could also help him.
Mikiya offers an exchange of favors: to get help from the curse remover, he would like El-Melloi II to investigate the kidnapping of Akira Yakou, a girl who was taken away from her family.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 2: The Devil of the Wandering Sea (Upper) - Chapter 1 Akira has the organ of a Japanese god inside of her, making her situation similar to Gray and Ergo's. El-Melloi II hopes that she can help him find a cure for them.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 2: The Devil of the Wandering Sea (Upper) - Chapter 4
In the end Akira is taken by Ziz, one of the three who started the Ergo project long ago.
====Legacy of the Alchemist====
In Egypt, Lord El-Melloi II and Gray join a collaborative exploration team between Atlas and the Clock Tower to investigate a second Library of Alexandria. There they learn that Ergo was created from the body of Iskandar's son, Alexander IV.
Around 2006, Waver, Reines, Karmaglyph and Melvin participated in an underground auction for Magi. Many such underground auctions occur all over Europe and attract all sorts of participants. However, most participants hide their identities for the same reasons why Magi usually want to conceal their Magecraft.TYPE-MOON BOOKS material What was being auctioned was Cipher Crudelis Hiram's research about the underwater library, the winner of the auction was Reines. They had the data stored in Trimmau for over a year, since long before they met Latio and found any use for it. Waver didn't know what Cipher's research data was about or how to browse, but he still made a point to win that auction despite his financial situation because Karmaglyph demonstrated too much interest in it. Even if he didn't know what the auction prize did, he trusted that it was something useful if Karmaglyph wanted it that much. And this gamble paid off with Log being there to read the data for Reines.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 5: Legacy of the Alchemist (Lower) - Chapter 4
====Fem's Casa====
LEMA6 Waver Ergo Ziz.jpg|Waver and Ergo confronting Ziz.
LEMA8 Waver Ruo Van.jpg|Waver with Bai Ruolong and Van-Fem.
Following a phone call from Flat telling him that Ziz is in Monaco, El-Melloi II flies straight there. Once they meet, Ziz challenges him to a game at Van-Fem's casino.
The incident ends with the death of Ziz, but as he dies he informs El-Melloi II that Wuzhiqi is in the Himalayas. El-Melloi II calls Scandinavia Peperoncino to serve as his guide in the mountains.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 8: Fem's Casa (Lower) - Epilogue
===Fate/Strange Fake===
Several months before the False Holy Grail War of Fate/strange Fake, Lord El-Melloi II decides to play the video game Night Wars of the British Empire, mistakenly believing it to have been a game about knights. He still plays it and notes down his thoughts on the game as usual. This enters him for a chance to win a replica signature Jack the Ripper knife with a sheath, but the trivial toy is quickly lost from his mind. He later wins the prize, and like much of the other merchandise he inadvertently wins, it is sent to the Clock Tower with several other packages.
He later is the first to notice the strangeness occurring in America due to irregularities in the Ley Lines and through information leaked by Faldeus. He connects it to the happening of another Holy Grail War, resulting in Langal and Faldeus being sent to investigate. After one of his most troublesome students, Flat Escardos, eavesdrops on the result of the investigation, Flat beseeches him to help him participate. El-Melloi furiously grips his pupil's face in rage, but he is quickly shocked into silence by the method he used to eavesdrop. While Flat is a prodigy, he lacks the intelligence to properly utilize his talents, and though El-Melloi's teaching prowess allowed him to advance more than any other, he was still unable to graduate. This left El-Melloi with mixed feelings in not letting him go even though he normally hates to let unprepared students out into the world.
He attempts to have Flat understand the true nature of the war, moving past his anger and reaching a form of ascetic enlightenment. He attempts to reason that Flat is unsuited to the battle, but his words do nothing to daunt him. He is unable to use logic with Flat and eventually outright denies him, though Flat's idea of befriending the other Servants reminds him of Rider. He begins to think of lending the fragment of Rider's cloak should Flat return again, but Flat's mistake with the Jack the Ripper toy knife, not remembering it or checking it to see its significance, causes him to think that Flat has given up on participating. This causes him to make the choice of giving it to him and reinforcing his misunderstanding. He returns to his room, reminisces over Rider's cloak, and then believes the situation with Flat to be settled.
Back in London, Langal and his student, Christophel Beilman, decided to meet Lord El-Melloi II and ask his opinion about the False Holy Grail War. Lord El-Melloi II continues his class. When Lord El-Melloi II learns from Langal that a student of his, who Lord El-Melloi II initially believed to be Flat Escardos, was participating in the False Holy Grail War, Lord El-Melloi II collapsed on the lecture platform. Gray takes him to the infirmary.Fate/strange Fake Volume 1 - Prologue VII: Visitor & _____, p.265-275
In his second meeting with Langal, Lord El-Melloi II realized he had jumped to the wrong conclusion when Langal mentioned one of his students went to America, who the Lord initially believed that Langal was referring to Flat, but it was later discovered that Langal was referring to Ayaka Sajyou. This later caused a nonplussed Lord El-Melloi II to call the real Ayaka, who he discovers was in Romania. After confirming his student's real location, Lord El-Melloi II begins to contemplate about the look-alike that is in the United States. 
===Dismantling the Greater Grail===
Ten years after the end of the Fifth Holy Grail War he arrives in Fuyuki and, together with Rin as the head of the Tohsaka clan, sets out to completely take apart the Greater Grail. During this time he learns much about the Leylines of Fuyuki.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order - ACT-3: Second Owner They are opposed by members of the Mage's Association wishing to retrieve it instead, leading to great turmoil of the same magnitude as the Grail War. His side eventually is victorious, and the Greater Grail is completely dismantled, marking the conclusion of the Fuyuki Holy Grail Wars.
===Fate/Apocrypha===
The world of Fate/Apocrypha did not have a Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki, so Waver had instead participated in a Subspecies Holy Grail War across the world with Rider as his Servant, once again facing Kayneth. He gained the title of Lord El-Melloi II in the same manner.
Lord El-Melloi II, along with Rocco Belfaban and Bram Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri discussed the recently failed operation against Yggdmillennia in Trifas. With the Yggdmillennia announced them possessing the Greater Grail, the Mage's Association responded and sent fifty specialized Magi 'hunters'. However, everything was ruined by Lancer of Black who annihilated forty-nine Magi. With the last Magus adjusted the Greater Grail to summon additional Servants. When Rocco asked for Lord El-Melloi II opinion, he suggested altering their approach for a counterattack. Lord El-Melloi II believes victory can be successful if they assemble seven Masters. El-Melloi II suggested to bring in the professionals from the outside and the Clock Tower must provide at least one or two Magi as this Holy Grail War is on an utterly different scale. The three men are the people overseeing the selection of Masters for the Great Holy Grail War. He is in charge of recruiting prospective freelance talents with Belfaban.
Lord El-Melloi II, Rocco and Bram discuss the Great Holy Grail War situation. They have not heard from the Red faction, they believed that Shirou Kotomine from the Holy Church has killed five Masters from Association and he had stolen the Greater Grail. They made a decision, the Mage's Association will remain spectators and observe the outcome. Lord El-Melloi II returns to his office and he took out Iskandar's catalyst, reminiscing his bond with Iskandar. Meanwhile, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte was already in the room sitting on the chair and drinking cup of tea casually. Flat Escardos was eavesdropping the whole conversation leaving El-Melloi II's face pale. He punishes Flat by giving him more homework.Fate/Apocrypha Volume 3: Triumphal Return of the Saint - Chapter 4
After the Great Holy Grail War, Caules Forvedge Yggdmillennia attends classes in the Clock Tower. However, one day, Caules had his class changed with a single phrase by Lord El-Melloi II, who told him, "Why are you studying this kind of Magecraft which doesn't suit you? Your talent is much more suited to this, you know?", and before he realized it, he was surrounded by classmates who were dangerous in terms of both talent and personality.
===Fate/Labyrinth===
Sometime after Fate/Apocrypha, Lord El-Melloi II was ordered by the Mage's Association to investigate the Subcategory Holy Grail in the Seventh Labyrinth of Caubac Alcatraz. However, he and Gray are separated upon arrival and Gray ends up trapped in the Labyrinth. Lord El-Melloi is left on the surface for the majority of the novel. 
After the incident is over, Lord El-Melloi meets up with Gray who introduces him to Norma Goodfellow. Lord El-Melloi II then takes Norma in for questioning about the incident.
===Fate:Lost Einherjar===
Ten years after Fate/Apocrypha, El-Melloi II watches the livestreams of the Doubles Subcategory Holy Grail War using the username "Military Tactics" and often comments in the stream's chat, correcting other commenters on the magical minutia of what's onscreen, and being the only person seeing the potential in Lemina Eltfromm Yggdmillennia's strategies.Fate:Lost Einherjar Volume 1: The Doubles Subcategory Grail War - Chapter 3
===Fate/Grand Order===
Lord El-Melloi II becomes a Pseudo-Servant of the Heroic Spirit Zhuge Liang.
====Fate/Accel Zero Order====
Waver and Iskandar come to the sewers in search of Gilles de Rais to kill him. They arrive too late, though, and interrupt the fight between Ritsuka's party and EMIYA, allowing the latter to retreat. El-Melloi II reprimands Waver for thinking he’d arrive first, calling his method of finding Gilles’ workshop primitive. He further says that Waver ends up overestimating his own strength because he always gets out of trouble thanks to pure luck, which is precisely why he will never improve. Waver questions if El-Melloi II is either Caster or his Master, which frustrates El-Melloi II for him not fully analyzing the situation. Waver assumes he’s the Caster that Risei Kotomine spoke of through reading his status. El-Melloi II counters though that if he can read his status, he should be able to tell he’s a Pseudo-Servant to Waver’s confusion. Iskandar discerns that El-Melloi II and the others are a third party unrelated to Caster, much to the latter’s relief. He assumes El-Melloi II was trying to pick a fight with Waver, though that wasn’t the case. He then challenges El-Melloi II to a fight, but the group retreat to avoid a fight. Waver mocks El-Melloi II for talking big only to run. Iskandar flicks him away for being cocky.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-8: Irregular
The two meet the group again when they disrupt Iskandar's discussion with Artoria Pendragon and Gilgamesh to kill Gilgamesh with Lancelot's help.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-12: Discussing the Holy Grail However, after Gilgamesh perishes, Artoria is suddenly attacked by Lancelot due to his Master, Kariya Matou, passing out. The group helps her fight Lancelot, but Iskandar soon stops the fight. He has decided to join Lancelot against El-Melloi II out of sheer dislike of him and for interfering with the war. He then leaves with Kariya and Lancelot, promising to settle things with El-Melloi II once Lancelot recovers.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-13: Battle Royale
Outside the Matou Residence, Kariya tells Iskandar and Waver how he came to be Lancelot's Master. Waver asks Kariya what he intends to do next. Kariya answers he is going to kill Tokiomi Tohsaka now that his Servant Gilgamesh is gone. Iskandar punches him upon hearing this and reminds him that he should prioritize saving and protecting Sakura Matou first. Seeing Kariya doesn't have priorities straight, Iskandar abandons the idea of him and Lancelot being his allies. He then proceeds to burn all the worms in the basement, capturing Sakura in the process. He agrees to give her to Kariya in exchange for his right hand and Command Spells, which Kariya concedes to. After severing Kariya's hand, Iskandar has Mithrenes take Kariya and Sakura to a hospital outside of Fuyuki before leaving.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-15: To the Greater Grail
Waver and Iskandar later confronts Rituska's party in the Grail's chamber.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-16: King's Pride After Iskandar disappears following the ensuing battle, Waver is confused why El-Melloi II is crying instead of him. El-Melloi II admits he never thought he'd meet Iskandar again. He is then ambushed and rendered unconscious by Lancelot, now Zouken Matou's Servant.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-17: Wish of the Three Founding Families The others kill Lancelot, but that, unfortunately, triggers the Grail's activation. Zouken uses Irisviel's Magical Energy to hasten the process. A figure resembling Irisviel called Black Iri then emerges from the Greater Grail and proceeds to devour Zouken. She then goes to devour the group, saying five Heroic Spirits aren't enough to fill her. Artoria and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne hold her off while the others escape.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-18: The Fallen Grail
Outside the chamber, El-Melloi II regains consciousness. His Spiritual Core is undamaged, but his body isn’t moving. Ritsuka informs him of the current situation. El-Melloi II says they need to fight, but Waver points out he's too weak to do so. El-Melloi II tells Waver that he’s the key to victory, knowing full well of his inferiority complex. He then transfers Zhuge Liang's powers to Waver by instructing him to take his hand and pray “The art of certain victory, the mode of harmonizing with charges, is a matter of opportunity.” Waver becomes Zhuge Liang's temporary vessel and goes with Ritsuka and Mash to help Artoria and Diarmuid fight Black Iri.
Black Iri is destroyed along with the Grail, so Artoria and Diarmuid disappear without its support. As Ritsuka's party prepares to return to Chaldea with Irsivel, El-Melloi II tells Waver that Zhuge Liang will return with them, so Waver will return to being a regular human. He further tells him to study and become stronger while he can, as he will come to wield this power someday. Waver compares El-Melloi II to Iskandar, though El-Melloi II believes he can’t match Iskandar yet. Waver asks him if he's trying to become Iskandar's equal. El-Melloi II ignores the question and returns Waver to the surface.
===Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA===
Lord El-Melloi II is the tutor of Rin and Luvia in Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA, he was reporting the situation to Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. It made him angry when he found out the estimated damage was £2 Million. He is noted to have been distraught in dealing with their violent arguing until Kischur intervened. He and Kischur order Rin and Luvia to retrieve the Class Cards from Fuyuki City.Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA 2wei! - Chapter 4.5: "The Girls' Situation"
When Rin and Luvia successfully collected all the Class Cards, Rin contacted El-Melloi II and Kischur in London. They praise their efforts in collecting the cards and the stability of Fuyuki's Leylines. However, they ordered Rin and Luvia to stay in Fuyuki for one year and learn common sense as Japan values cooperation and harmony. They declared that both girls need to amend their personalities in order to be Zelretch's students.Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA - Chapter 13.5: "Epilogue"
===Capsule Servant===
Waver appears in both Shirou Emiya's and Rin Tohsaka's stories. In them, he is surprised to see that both children have become Capsule Masters.
In Shirou's story, Waver decided to challenge him because it is his destiny and he can't run away. Waver was emotionally unprepared, even while trying to convince himself to take the Grail and the world just like Rider. Shirou suggests that Waver live more carefreely.Capsule Servant - Shirou Route
In Rin's story, Rin recognizes Waver as a Magus. Waver proclaims himself as a famous genius Magus at the Clock Tower- however, Rin notices Waver didn't possess many Magic Circuits. Waver, shocked from her statement, claims kids are cruel.Capsule Servant - Rin Route
===Other appearances===
In Melty Blood: Type Lumina, Aoko Aozaki mentions El-Melloi II in her ending as one of the people she wants to call to brag about her Hawaii vacation.Melty Blood: Type Lumina - Aoko's Arcade Route - Ending
At some point prior to the Rail Zeppelin case, Waver ended up rescueing a group of Magi assembled for an auction of historical artifacts with mystical value who were betrayed and manipulated by one of their allies, and, ashamed of their own blunder, enrolled trustworthy members of their families in the Lord's classes.Fate/strange Fake Volume 6 - Interlude: "Mercenary, Assassin, Pale Rider"
Waver appears briefly in Carnival Phantasm with other Fate/Zero characters.
In Type-Moon's April Fools' Day 2009, moon.cinemas.jp is a fake movie theatre site listing a number of parody films. Waver is featured as El-Melloi Girl in Sensha Otoko.
In Type-Moon's April Fools' Day 2015, Tmitter is a fake online social networking, a parody of . El-Melloi II's online user account is @tmtt15_elm_2nd.
==Abilities==
Waver's poor lineage gave him a Magic Circuit count and Magic Crest quality of the lowest standard. The Velvet Crest is a "simple square", lacking history as a Magi family. It is still only a "vessel" which Waver and his descendants must fill. The Crest is removed from his body upon becoming Lord El-Melloi II, held as collateral until his debt is repaid.Makoto Sanda Twitter 12:10 AM JST · Sep 29, 2019 - My eyes widened when I was told by Type-Moon supervising staff that Waver's magic crest was "a simple square." As Waver's family don't have a history as magi the crest is only a "vessel." A vessel that II will fill. In other words, a vessel that only he and his descendants can fill has been taken away.
 He lacks the prerequisites to actually practice Magecraft, and he cannot even provide the cost of Rider's Ionioi Hetairoi, causing Rider to bear the cost himself to keep from draining and killing his Master. If Kayneth has "3,000 MP", Waver has a paltry "5 MP." He improves his ability enough over time that he has no trouble declaring that he is a powerful Archmagus as of becoming titled Lord El-Melloi II, but his skills as a Magus are still hopelessly average.
He is capable of hypnotic suggestion to a certain degree. It allows him to make Glen and Martha MacKenzie believe him to be their grandson for a long duration of time, but it is lacking in that it fails to affect Glen for the entirety of Waver's stay. He believes he has completely failed in what should be the most basic art among basic arts and has no excuse even if it was by luck or accident that he broke free from it.
As Lord El-Melloi II he carries a case of cigars that are actually a type of Mystic Code. There are many varieties of cigars to use for different sorts of Magecraft, such as defense, setting up Bounded Fields, stabilizing the mind, and activating Magic Circuits. The reason he chose cigars for his Mystic Codes is because when he was forced into the position of El-Melloi II he panicked and wanted something to make him seem more "Lord-like".
His Element is Earth.
===Observation===
Even at nineteen, Waver possesses the power of observation and insight that gives him remarkable talent as a researcher. He could have insisted that “Magecraft is a subculture!” and taken the world by storm after starting a business as a critic, but he would have been quickly obliterated by the Association. His inborn talents instead take another form later in life.
As Lord El-Melloi II, he could be called an "investigator of Magecraft". However, Luviagelita Edelfelt and Kayneth said that by understanding Magecraft, all he is doing is destroying it. For example, he only witnessed Luvia's Gandr once and he easily deciphered the Edelfelt's Magecraft. He is notorious in the Clock Tower for using his talents of analysis to copy and change the research of other Magi, then file patents on it under his own name for profit.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 1: The Man Who Devoured God - Chapter 3
===Tutorage===
His true talent is realized as a lecturer due to being the best person at detecting the hidden talent of others and training it, described as the "unusual talent of could not put Magecraft to practice, but ingenious in the reinterpretation of theories and classification of systems." It can be said in comparison to running that he could never be an athlete because his leg strength is among the absolute worst, but his talents can shine as a coach because he can imagine the perfect running form. He doesn’t take many students, but all of his graduates have achieved no less than the rank of and within a decade, without exception. It is said they could change the entire internal power structure of the Clock Tower if they were to gather under him. His works as a talent production are regarded as the greatest masterpieces of their time, but he doesn't really care because he is more focused on becoming a successful Magus himself. A testament to his teaching skill is the student, Flat Escardos who was infamous in the institution. Flat was seen as a raw gem that outshine the polished gems of other instructors given that his boundless talent and skills were always proven and never improved upon by any professor. However under the Tutelage of Waver, Flat's talents managed to improve and develop to the point where he surpassed all other students which is a result that other professors could not perform with their students. He may well be the greatest instructor in the Clock Tower. And he doesn't even crush his pupils as Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg does.
Disciples:
;Ayaka Sajyou
:Ayaka is a student of his in Fate/school life and mentioned in Fate/strange Fake.
:
;Ergo
:He takes on Ergo as a temporary student after being introduced to him by Rin. It is only temporary since Ergo himself is not a Mage.
:
;Fezgram vor Sembren
:Son of Feend vor Sembren. Already a professor at his young age. Promoted to either the ranks "Brand" and "Pride".
:
;Flat Escardos
:Flat became his student when the other professors gave up on him, five years after the Fourth Holy Grail War.TYPE-MOON Ace Volume 11 Lord El-Melloi II's oldest disciple. While Lord El-Melloi II does not like to let unprepared Magi into the world, he came to regret keeping Flat around.
:
;Gray
:Gray is Waver's personal apprentice who not only attends many of his classes, but also helps clean his home, runs his errands, and accompanies him on the cases he solves. Waver sought Gray out personally when he learned about her unique situation related to King Arthur.
;
;Luviagelita Edelfelt
:Luvia initially cannot stand him when they first meet, but after impressing her at the Castle of Separation Adra she enrolls in his class.
;
;Mary Lil Fargo
:A former student from the Fargo family, a branch of the Animuspheres.
:
;Nazica Pentel
:Sister of Radia Pentel and relatives to the Pentel brothers. Promoted to either the ranks "Brand" and "Pride".
;
;Org Rum
:Relative to Jean Rum. Promoted to either the ranks "Brand" and "Pride".
;
;Radia Pentel
:Sister of Nazica Pentel and relatives to the Pentel brothers. Promoted to either the ranks "Brand" and "Pride".
;
;Reines El-Melloi Archisorte
:As part of his deal with Reines upon becoming Lord El-Melloi II, he also became her private tutor.
:
;Rin Tohsaka
:He becomes the sponsor of Rin after she arrives in London to begin her studies, but he lays out the condition "I will not give you one ounce of instruction. Eh well, I will at least send letters of recommendation to the other departments" due to his hatred for Japan. Though he attempts to connect with Rin, a complete game dunce, while being internally excited about the thought of discussing video games with her, she displays no interest in or . Causing his anger to flare, the only thing he can say to her is "Fuck! You're the worst Japanese in the world." Rin has taken a half year apprenticeship under him.
;
;Roland Berzinsky
:Relative to Rottweil Berzinsky. Promoted to either the ranks "Brand" and "Pride".
;
;Svin Glascheit
:Svin became his student five years after the Fourth Holy Grail War. One of the oldest disciples along with Flat. He was promoted to the rank of "Pride".
;
;Verner Caesarmund
:The current heir of the Butterfly Magecraft. Promoted to the rank of "Brand", second youngest in history to achive it after Kayneth.
===Alchemy===
Waver can do basic Alchemy using tools brought from London, including twenty-four vials for ores and reagents, a spirit lamp mortar, and droppers. Using a basic practice of mixing complementary reagents into river water from the Mion river, he can detect residual Magical Energy, and doing so on various samples collected from parts of the river can be used to trace a target. Water with latent Magecraft turns a rusty red colour, water with strong traces turns a murky black, and normal water is unaffected. This allows him to pinpoint the lair of Caster using the specifically labelled samples and a map to find where the traces are strongest and when normal water ends.
He follows the idea that the Water element is the first step that should be taken when tracking Magi because it always follows the absolute principle of being something that “flows from a higher place to a lower place.” Tasks like calculating the wind's direction and reading the earth's pulse are more difficult than finding the lowest flow of the water pulse, especially in an area with rivers like Fuyuki. He dislikes such methods and instead wishes for a true “Magecraft Contest” instead of milling about like a forensic investigator. Rider praises him for obtaining great results from a poor method over a better method, but Waver perceives it as an insult.
As Lord El-Melloi II, he uses alchemy for his forensic investigation. In the Adra Castle case, he was investigating upon the death of Hishiri Adashino. He takes out a vial of some sort of liquid from his jacket. With one drop of that liquid, the colour of the bloodstain changed dramatically. By analysing the concentration of Magical Energy remaining in the bloodstains, he can determine when Hishiri died. Orlocke commented that rather than science, his method was more like Medieval era Alchemy or a form of Witchcraft. Orlocke believes his methods are too direct, and it's getting farther away from the Mystery. Lord El-Melloi II replied that he tried numerous methods, but this is the best method for him.
===Volumen Hydrargyrum===
Upon succeeding the El-Melloi title, he inherits Kayneth's Mystic Code, Volumen Hydrargyrum, and Reines working under Waver's guidance is able to improve its functions by modifying it into a kind of humanoid automaton, , that is similar to the . While it normally does chores, it seems there is a troublesome bug that causes it to run out of control while insisting that it is a killer robot from the future. This may be because of a harmful movie it was shown during its developmental stages. She currently acts as the maid of Reines.
==Development==
Waver was to receive more scenes to flesh out his growth, but it was felt that it would have made the identity of the main character too confusing if he was given too much focus. While attacking Caster's lair, they would have found a small girl Assassin, who Waver would believe to be one of Caster's victims after she had her memories and the awareness of being Assassin hidden away. Rider, knowing of her identity, would have kept quiet to honour Waver's chivalry. As another addition to the Mackenzie household, their interactions would have served to lighten the story at the time, but after the confrontation with the Assassins at the Einzbern Castle, she would have regained her memories as Hassan. Through a dramatic farewell tragedy, Waver would climb another step on the path to becoming an adult.
===Creation and Conception===
Kinoko Nasu was his creator. The character first appeared in Character Material as a Lord of the Clock Tower, Lord El-Melloi II. There, he was simply described as “A man with long black hair who wears a coat and smokes cigars. An average mage but a first-rate teacher who is eccentric, gloomy, and likes Japanese games for some reason.” At the same time, he was being written in Fate/Zero as a young man, making him a character whose two stages of life developed at the same time. But at that point, he was little more than a concept. Nasu originally planned on introducing him in the story of the dismantling of the Fuyuki Grail.Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 10: case. Grand Roll (Lower) - Explanation by Kinoko Nasu
Waver was a -like “King of Cowards” in the setting stage of the Fate/Zero novels, but his character had grown to the point at the end where he could be mistaken for the protagonist. Takashi Takeuchi said his original design motif was "sarcastic, smart-alecky boy". He had no trouble designing Waver because he had a clear image of the character. He really wanted to draw him and feels the design that makes him look incompetent was for the best.
Atsuhi Ikariya was in charge of the character design for the anime version.
(Voice Actor of Waver) said Waver was a tough character to play. It was a lot of pressure on him since Fate/Zero was a terrific novel and he had a great role.
Originally Nasu wrote all of Lord El-Melloi II's students are "Grand" ranks.
===Reception===
Takeuchi said the epilogue where a young man lost his childish leader has brought him to tears. To Takeuchi, Waver is now oddly cute to him. He was originally designed to be just another loser character but watching him develop and grow is very moving. Takeuchi said Waver was popular in the original novel, so he figured he would be loved in the anime. He was amazed by the way he was drawn in the anime, the look of a "heroine" written all over it.Fate/Zero Blu-ray Disc Box I, p.30 He states that Ufotable anime has reimagined him as a character that the viewers can come to like normally.TYPE-MOON 10th Anniversary Phantasm - p.208
Gen Urobuchi wants to write about a character like him at some point and feels that he is the character with the most vivid expressions. He wanted to ask a question in the anime version, "Why are you sticking your butt up in the air?" whenever Rider (Iskandar) hits Waver. The prospect of seeing another author write about Waver as he was getting his footing as a Magus, able to do nothing but sit back and watch as events unfolded around him, was honestly a point of unease for me. But in the end, that worry was for nothing. The character that came out on the other end of ten years had grown splendidly, crowned with the title of Lord, and a completely different man from the boy I had written. The gentleman who had polished his powers of analysis, bearing a cunning like an old man's wisdom, while still hiding the distortion of his youth somewhere in his heart was truly an enchanting character!Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Commentary and Afterword, p.046-068
Kinoko Nasu said that Waver is a teenaged boy mixed in with the other protagonists and there was not much time for a lot of beautiful young ladies.TYPE-MOON 10th Anniversary Phantasm - p.207 He said Ufotable has succeeded in capturing his character as he's drawn differently from most bishounen characters. He thinks they did a good job of portraying a youth who is slowly growing into a man.
 (Voice Actress of Irisviel) said she really liked and thought it was cute when Rider (Iskandar) hit Waver so hard with a finger flick that the boy went flying. She thought the pairing with Iskandar and Waver was great because of the contrast between violence and emotion, watching them carry on was a lot of fun for her.TYPE-MOON 10th Anniversary Phantasm - p.176
*In the Type-Moon's 10th Anniversary Character Poll, Waver from Fate/Zero was ranked 15th, the sixth most popular male character. Lord El-Melloi II was ranked 124th.
==References==
Category:Characters in Fate/Zero
Category:Masters
Category:Characters in Lord El-Melloi II Case Files
Category:Characters in The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II
Category:Humans
Category:Clock Tower magi
Category:Characters in Fate/Apocrypha
Category:Characters in Fate/stay night
Category:Characters in Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA
Category:Characters in Fate:Lost Einherjar
Category:Authorities
Category:Lords
Category:Clock Tower students
Category:Clock Tower teachers
Category:Fes-rank magi
Category:Introduced in 2006
Category:Pseudo-Servant hosts
Category:Residents of London
Category:English
Category:El-Melloi Classroom
Category:Voice - Daisuke Namikawa
Category:Lawful Neutral alignment