These automatons were likely more than a few eras ahead of anything modern robotics could produce.
The only real problem was mass production.
The higher the grade of the puppet, the closer it became to a human body--and the more astronomical the cost of the materials required.
Take Trimmau, for example.
The pinnacle of the El-Melloi family's mystic codes, originally crafted by Kayneth at the age of twenty-five. Later refined by Waver, it had become a multi-functional mercury-maid in Reines's hands. Trimmau could handle housework, perform complex calculations, and possessed a high level of intelligence. She spent her downtime watching movies and occasionally referred to herself as a 'killing machine from the future.'
While Trimmau was clearly non-human, the puppets crafted by Touko Aozaki were indistinguishable from the real thing. To be precise, they could be used as actual vessels for a soul.
Touko Aozaki could discard her current body at a moment's notice, transfer her memories into a prepared vessel, and effectively return from the dead. It was an extraordinary ability, far more perfect and devoid of flaws than even the 'Living Corpse Reincarnation' used by Orochimaru in Naruto. Even Touko herself couldn't truly distinguish the difference between her original self and the resurrected version.
In the Heaven's Feel route of Fate/stay night, during the 'Spring Returns' ending, Sakura Matou had sold off the Matou family's library just to purchase a blank puppet crafted by Touko Aozaki to serve as Shirou Emiya's new body.
Naturally, the creations of the Automaton Magic Cabal couldn't hold a candle to Touko's work. Strictly speaking, they were entry-level at best. The exposed wires and gears were less of an aesthetic choice and more of a failure to handle the complexity of the internal mechanisms.
That wasn't to say the cabal's skill was poor. In truth, there were very few magi in the world capable of creating functional automatons--most of whom were concentrated in the Department of Creation. It was simply that Touko Aozaki's talent was a once-in-a-generation occurrence.
Recalling the banner he'd seen earlier, Wayland squeezed through the crowd to get a closer look at the "President's Replica Dolls" displayed on the cabal's booth.
They were only about the size of a palm, though they looked remarkably detailed.
'But are these things actually useful?'
"Senior, what functions do these dolls have?"
"Functions? Where do I even start!"
A young man with short, burgundy hair flicked his bangs back and picked up one of the dolls. "This is a perfect, to-scale figure of our Cabal President! Look at those sharp lines... and it moves, too!"
"..."
'What the hell is the point of that?'
"Uh... is there anything else it can do?"
The young man paused for a second. "Let me think. Oh! Right! It's a lamp! Look, you just have to give the President's head a full 180-degree turn, and the internal lighting element activates."
Wayland watched as the doll's head was twisted around backwards, casting a harsh, incandescent glow. He couldn't help but wonder if seeing that in the middle of the night would give a kid permanent trauma.
"Is that... it?"
"Not at all!" the young man said, his face glowing with pride. "This function is guaranteed to impress! Take a look at this!"
He flipped the doll over and pressed a tiny protrusion on its back. A small panel slid open, revealing a wind-up key.
It reminded Wayland of one of those classic tin hopping-frog toys from his childhood.
The young man gave the key several turns and then let go. The doll's legs suddenly extended and began to spin at a blurred speed.
"???"
'It's a literal desk fan?'
"So, what do you think? Interested in joining the Automaton Magic Cabal? If you sign up now, you get a President Doll for free!"
'Your President is a saint for not killing you all already.'
"I'm interested in automatons, but this is only the first group I've seen. I think I'll look around at the others before I make a final decision."
"Fair enough." The young man pointed to a standing sign nearby, his chest puffing out with pride. "That sign over there details the history of our cabal. Once you read it, you'll realize the other groups aren't even worth considering. Our cabal produced a truly legendary figure. Word on the street is, they might even make an appearance during the club performances this weekend. Go check out the list--it'll blow your mind."
Intrigued, Wayland walked over to the sign.
'Blow my mind?'
'I've seen a lot of legendary figures. Chaldea is practically overflowing with Grands.'
The area around the sign wasn't crowded; most people were still mesmerized by the automaton orchestra.
He skipped past the long-winded founding history and went straight to the list of distinguished alumni. There, he saw a name he never expected to find.
'Touko Aozaki.'
Touko Aozaki had indeed been a student in the Department of Creation, and had even been a disciple of the current Lord, Inora Valualeta Atroholm.
"Well... that is actually pretty impressive."
Wayland narrowed his eyes. If the lore he'd picked up from the Case Files community was correct, Touko Aozaki visited the Clock Tower in 2003--specifically during the events of the Twin Towers of Iselma arc, where she was caught up in the social debut of the Golden and Silver Princesses and the subsequent murder mystery.
In other words, the plot of the second volume was about to begin.
And the Iselma family... they were exactly the "Apothecaries" Wayland needed.
As a family obsessed with creating the "ultimate human beauty," the Golden and Silver Princesses were prime examples of using magecraft to reconstruct the human body.
From childhood, they underwent grueling training and Sorcery Crest transplantations. They were subjected to over a decade--sometimes a lifetime--of constant medication, which reshaped their brains and internal organs to achieve a level of beauty that transcended the human realm.
Specifically, it was Maiyo Bryshisan Kleiner of the Department of Archaeology (Heritage) who provided the pharmacological support for the Iselma.
'So that means the events of ADRA are already over... and Luviaedelfelt--that wrestling-loving rival of Rin Tohsaka and resident genius of the Edelfelt family--is about to become my junior in the El-Melloi classroom?'
Wayland felt a shiver run down his spine. He decided then and there to keep as much distance from Luvia as possible.
He walked a few more meters down the road before another cabal caught his attention.
A scent.
The scent of food.
Not bread, not ale, and definitely not tomatoes. It was... Mapo Tofu!
Wayland stared at the "Oriental Culture Research Cabal" booth, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
"Hey there, junior! Oh, a fellow Easterner! Come on over and have a taste!"
Wayland felt like he could cry as he finally bit into some authentic Eastern cuisine.
London food was truly dismal, especially the cafeteria slop.
After sampling the Mapo Tofu, Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms, and several other dishes, Wayland didn't hesitate for a second. He filled out the membership form on the spot. He was given a membership card and left his contact information, with the instruction to meet at the General Fundamentals Student Plaza at 6:00 PM on Sunday for the club's main event.
After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic seniors, Wayland continued on his way.
Since he was already out, he might as well see everything the campus had to offer.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]