001: The Beginning of Everything, Or so I thought.

[March 26, 1875 05:53:02]

"...Yaaawwwn..."

I put down the barrel that I'm carrying.

"Hey! Don't slack off, will ya!"

"Yeeeesss..."

I said as I slowly follow him while yawning.

I'm Moritaka Naoto. 18 years old. Living in a town called Fuyuki and working as a laborer in our bar.

"Get a hold of yourself. You're not a child anymore. You should seriously work now if you want to eat."

And that is my elder brother, Ichirou. He's kind of a nag but the truth is, he really is a hard working man. He even supported us when our parents got killed 10 years ago.

"Where are you staring at!? Keep moving! "

"Ahhhh!"

I immediately lift the barrel that's currently on the ground and starts walking.

We are now resupplying our bar with some imported wine from who-knows country. Since I'm not really good at listening and speaking with others, I decided to take a stroll while my big brother was negotiating with some weird-bearded men in order for us to sell a different kind of wine. Nihonshu is quite popular nowadays but my brother wants to attract more customers so he decides to sell different kinds of o-sake. Hopefully, his negotiation works and I'm now carrying the fruits of his labor. Really, what a bother.

"Hey! Stop daydreaming!"

my big brother said to me.

"I'm not daydreaming... I'm just... thinking of something"

That's a lie, of course.

"Thinking of what?"

I clear my throat to start my rebuke but in the end I did not say anything.

"..."

"It's okay even if you think on something... just don't stop walking or else I'll leave you."

"...sigh"

I'm too lazy to complain so I just sighed again.

After several minutes, we finally arrive at the bar. I immediately put the barrel in the storehouse and start cleaning the bar. I bring down the chairs, wipe the tables and sweep the floor inside.

Man, people here really are too excited. Excited to work, that is. I don't like being worked up with something but since I am not a child anymore, I just need to finish my job early, right?

Before I finish sweeping the floor, a tall man with a weird scar on his face enters our premises.

"..."

Ehhh?

He's just... standing there?

A tall man with a weird scar.

He's totally a weirdo.

...

Well, I guess I should not accuse someone without basis. Really, me.

He's not wearing the usual Japanese clothing like a Kimono partnered with an Obi but a coat worn but aristocrats from the west.

Hmmmnn. Thinking about it, maybe he's a court noble?

I silently approach him and I smile while saying: "Ummm, excuse me but the bar is yet to open. Could you please wait for a moment?"

"..."

Why is he not responding?

Now that I think about it, he's a little creepy... His western clothes give me an eerie feeling.

Gulp.

I muster up my courage and try to speak to him again.

"U-ummmm, e-excu-cu-cuse me bu-but the b-b-bar is yet t-to o-open."

I'm stuttering! I'm stuttering but... I need to finish what I need to say... Or else Nii-san will scold me again.

"C-Coul-d you-"

"Not here."

"Eh?"

He suddenly spoke.

Not here?

Is he looking for someone?

Or something?

Then the man immediately turns around and walks away without looking back. Then suddenly-

"Weird."

"HIIIYYYYAAAAAH!"

He suddenly appears behind me.

"Hehe, did I scare you?"

"Kii-chan! What the hell are you-"

"So, I scare you, ne?"

"...Yes, you did. But don't you ever repeat that again. I may die because of a heart attack"

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

This brat is my little brother, Kichirou. He's kind of a witty and loves to play pranks.

"OOOOYYY... Stop playing with Kichirou and finish your work."

"..."

Damn that first idiot. I am working, you know?

"Ne, who's that guy?"

"I don't know either. Maybe a drifter or an assassin? Maybe he stopped here to check and pick up naughty kids like you! Hahaha!"

Well, that's impossible of course.

"Ehhhhh... But he's gone now, right? Does that mean that I'm not naughty, ne? Ne? Ne?"

as he tilt his head sideways.

"..Errr...Well, that is..."

I look away from him.

"If he's looking for a naughty kid and he did not pick me up, then it means that I'm not naughty."

"..."

Sharp! This brat's mind is sharp! Maybe he's even smarter than me now! And of course that's also impossible... probably.

"OY! Stop your comedic acts there and continue working! For goddamn sake!"

Ichirou roars.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Ichi-onichan, Is the breakfast done already!"

"Yes, let's go now and eat, Kichirou."

Kichirou swiftly run towards aniki.

"Ahhh, I'm also goi-"

"No. Finish your work first."

Tsk.

"Ehhhh?"

"Like what I've said. No work, no food. Got it?"

With that said, I was annoyed. I can't help but to accidentally slip a tongue.

"...tsk...jerk..."

"What. Did. You. Say?"

"...Aaahh...YES!..."

"Good. Also, make it quick will ya? Food tastes better when you're not alone, ne?"

"Don't copy Kii-chan's way of talking!"

"Yeah, yeah."

"And don't copy me!"

"Hahaha."

And so, my two brothers go to a clean table (the table I've just wiped) and started eating. I'm definitely hungry right now but I need to finish this first if I want to eat. Everyday seems like a normal day to us and I'm starting to feel that I'm in bliss. Experiencing the bliss called "everyday", I'm quite sure that this will go on forever...

...until I've experienced that fateful day. A day that is not quite similar to every other day that erased the existence of what I've called "everyday."

[March 28, 1875 17:24:37]

I'm currently walking at the market since I run away from the bar. It's not like that I loathed my work but I occasionally take a break from time to time just for me to relax and enjoy a little. The bar will be packed at six so I'm relieving myself from fatigue and readying myself for it…but I can't. I do not know why but I just can't enjoy nor relax. I've been walking here for several minutes but I can't get off this feeling of anxiety that's overwhelming me.

I walk faster.

There's an unknown feeling inside that's telling me that I should run away from here.

I started to run.

I just run aimlessly as I pass by every passenger that I encountered.

And then, I stop running and started panting heavily.

I feel sick.

I wanted to puke.

I wonder what's happening to me.

It feels... so weird.

[Gaaaasp]

[gaaasp]

[gaasp]

[gasp]

"…sigh….Maybe, I'll go back for now."

I think I calmed down a bit…probably. I started walking back to our bar. I feel light and my body isn't sweating now. Ever since I went too far from the red light that surrounding the market, I don't feel sick anymo-

-Eh?

Why did I just realize it now?

Red... Light.

I don't really hate that color.

It's just...red makes me feel uneasy.

And now that I mention it, this the first time that I encountered such a wide and vivid light. Occasionally, "lights" like this just surrounds an entire house and its color is opaque white, not red. In other words, these "lights" are called barrier or something… since it's been 3 years, I can't really remember anything that Hon had said. I may be an idiot when it comes to this things but thanks to these eyes, I can eventually understand magic and many complicated stuffs that even Serene can't explain.

I immediately stare at the barrier.

"Analyze. Start."

I close my eyes and open it slowly...

"The barrier's color is deep as blood. The miasma that's surrounding it is black. It can be an anti-human barrier or an energy seeping mechanism that sucks off human vitality. Its range is almost 250 meters radius. There are approximately 127 magic circles that are supporting the barrier. No, 119, since 8 of it are still incomplete. Magic type: Curse Boundary Layer. Weakness: Reinforced Runes, Anti-Magic artifacts and high-leveled Thaumaturgy. Ways of Dispelling: Death of the Caster, Manual Cancellation and Destruction of the Mother Seal."

And after that, I slowly close my eyes and sit on a nearby chair.

"...Heeeh... Hereyes are just too amazing, right, Nao-kun?"

I immediately look back and saw a familiar face.

"Oh. It's just you, Serene...Sigh"

Making an angry face, she walks towards me slowly.

"Hey, what's with that 'Sigh'? Are you saying that you're not happy to see me at all?"

She wears clothing similar to a western man but the truth is that, she's a girl. A cute girl, that is.

"Not at all. What you always bring me is trouble"

"That's not tru-"

"Vampire Hunting. Are you saying that that is not troublesome?"

I said with a low-pitched voice so that only the two of us could hear.

"No! It isn't troublesome, for me. We, the Barthomeloi Family, are specialized of Vampire Exorcism. It is our duty to exorcise evil vampires anywhere, anytime, at anyplace since I am a secret agent from the Clock Tower of the Magus Association."

She said it while smiling with dignity and crossing her arms.

"It is troublesome to me. And you're not really an agent, right? You're just a run away girl who hates being tied by her own family."

"..."

She suddenly put on a difficult face. Then, she finally objects and put out her tiny tongue

"Aahhh! Enough of this! Shut up! Shuut up! Beeehhh!"

This girl really is so short-tempered. That's Barthemeloi Serene for you. Apparently, she's 17 years old but I heard that her skills as a magus are incomparable.

I heard from her, of course. From Hon.

She has a blue-colored eyes and a light-brown silky hair. Her body is slender, her skin is white and her face is beautiful too, as if she looks like a fairy. But...

...her personality is rotten. But her sticking her tongue right now is pretty cute. I can't really take off my eyes from it. What a sight.

"Anyway, Nao-kun. Did you see that barrier? If you do, then I'll inform you that that is a work of a vampire. A Dead Apostle, by the way. It seems that he is using the barrier to weaken his prey and then hunt them one by one silently without anyone knowing. I barely felt it just a while ago. It is really hard for me to detect it this time because that is a new barrier-type spell that vampires use and I don't have an eye similar to you. I'm not confident this time so can you company me to investigate it?"

"Ah, umm, yeah."

I responded without thinking since I was mesmerized by her appearance.

"Hey, Is there something wrong?"

I immediately look away.

"Ah, no. Not really."

"But it seems that you're spacing out. Are you not feeling well?"

She brings her face close to mine. When she does that, I can always take a full look on her face. I cannot do a thing and be embarrassed at the same time so I purposely look away, trying to hide my face to her.

"Nao-kun, your face is flushed. Maybe you have a fever. You should go home for now and rest. I'll just go to your home later to pick you up."

"Eh?"

"You agree, right?"

"Agree on what?"

"…On accompanying me."

"Accompany? I don't really remember agreeing with you. And you just concluded that I'm sick, right? So don't make a sick person accompany you on Vampire Exorcism."

"Eeeeeeehhhh... Not. Fair. You just agreed on what I requested and then you'll just take it back? ...the...wo..rst..."

"Wha-?"

"I said that you're the worst! I don't care anymore. I don't care. I'll go to your house at 11 tonight! Make sure that you're ready!"

And then she just jumped on the branch of the tree that is almost 3 meters high, making an escape. Seriously, we're in the center of the town! What if others think that I'm acquainted with a weirdo?

"11, huh. Magic sure is a convenient thing. I wish I can cast a spell or two someday."

But, thinking about her.

She suddenly appeared like a hurricane that blows away everything.

And my relationship to her in the past was...

Predator and prey.

―with me as the prey

and

―her as the predator.

Seriously, what the hell I'm thinking! Am I being too conceited? I might as well go back to the bar.

Without thinking too much about it, I leisurely walk back to our bar, avoiding the barrier.

[March 28, 1875 22:56:21]

I decided to stop working since Serene will be here any minute now. My older brother realizes my intention and swiftly follows me outside the door.

"OY! Where are you going? There are still customers left!"

"Ah, sorry, I'll be back later so don't worry."

"That's not what I mean!"

Yeah, screw you and your complicated rules.

I run and immediately circled our bar. Hopefully, I wish that aniki will give me some slack sometimes. I'm really getting tired, you know? Running for errands and carrying those large boxes and stuff. I'm completely unfortunate. Well, not completely if it was just that, but if you include that troublesome woman, just thinking about it makes me depressed again and again.

"...sigh... what a troublesome woman...really."

"Troublesome, huh?"

I'm getting depressed even more as I realized that she was already here. I know that she will be earlier than the expected time what I didn't expect is that she heard what I just said.

Anyway, I'll just greet her as usual.

"Ah, so you're here."

"What do you mean by that? 'You're here' my ass! Do you know how long I've been waiting! It's been forever, you know!"

she complained.

"But you said that you'll be here at 11!"

"Hmmmmppff."

She pouted. Sigh. I don't know anymore.

"Ahhhh! Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I'll make up for it. So... How long did you wait?"

"Ummmm, about... 5 hours or something like that."

"5 hours! Are you an Idiot! Isn't that was the time when we're talking outside of the city? You've waited that much!"

"Ahhhh... Yes, I was."

She is an idiot.

"Geeezzz. Sigh... Okay, I'll accompany you. But make sure that this will be quick, okay?"

"Okay, ehehe."

I decided to finish this task as quick as possible.

" ... Where should we start investigating?"

"I think that we should start first at finding the seal of the barrier that is why I really need your help. You're eyes are not of a human. I need that to complete my plan. Also, if we weaken the barrier, the Dead Apostle will probably make his move and will try to gather as many servants as he can to ensure his safety and raise his power."

"Isn't that idea disadvantageous for us? If we weaken the barrier, then he will realize that there is someone who is trying to hunt him. Will it make him more cautious than that, right?" I asked.

"You are correct. But how about the people who's living inside that barrier? They will become weak if the barrier was left untouched. I can't really stand the thought of it."

She's...amazing but she's too reckless. I can't help to to smile since I don't hate her recklessness.

When she noticed that I'm looking at her while smiling, she averted her eyes for some reason and continues to explain the situation.

"If he is provoked then he will try to stop us for weakening his barrier further. If we consider that possibility, we can just make a decoy and trap him. Even if he doesn't appear, I'm sure that one of his servants will take the bait. I can just use tracing magic to find his real body with the use of his servant because a vampire servant is connected to their master by blood."

"I see."

"If the plan fails, I'll just think of something right away so just follow me for now."

"Okay."

Then we look and nod at each other.

"By the way..."

I'm really curious about it but for a while now but what's with that hand? I mean, what are these weird lines engraved on the back of her left hand?

Realizing where I'm looking, she immediately hides her hands behind her back.

"I...It-Its nothing!" she said while pouting.

I didn't say anything though.

"Well. If you say so."

"..."

She's silent. This is the first time that I've seen her not being angry at all if I act like I'm curious about her. If she's in her usual mood, she'll probably say "Don't look, idiot! It doesn't concern you so piss off!" This might be a little awkward since she's this silent. If she's always this quiet, I may fall for her for a hundred times now. I'll take the initiative and will break this deafening silence for now.

"Let's go, Serene."

"...Uu...Y-yes..."

We've been walking for at least an hour now but we still haven't found any magic circle or runes of the barrier. I just walk behind her, I don't really have a reason but it seems that I'm comfortable in here than walking side by side with her or in front of her.

Maybe because I'm still... afraid of her.

Then, a prickly feeling surfaced on my chest.

"...Uuuu...Uurk!... This atmosphere... is making me sick." I complained.

"Yes, since Vampires are stronger at night, the barriers that they create seem too much stronger at night as well."

Several minutes had passed but we still haven't found any of them. Maybe we're just too unlucky tonight.

"Tsk...He's good."

"..."

I can simply watch her from the back as she's getting more and more irritated. I can stand the uncomfortable air that's seeping inside my nose but what I can't stand is the fact that I'm wasting my time walking here while my brothers are comfortably sleeping in their own tatami beds.

Unfair!

That's totally unfair.

And I think that I am unfair to the other guys as well... Walking with a girl at midnight. I think many boys at my age will find this really envious.

A cute girl in her adolescent.

Ahhhh. Her hair is so silky.

Now I know why I am so contented in here because I can smell her hair like this.

Ahhhhhh, so sweet and so good. I can smell it forever if I will be given the chance to it. I wonder if all girls smell like this.

Wait? What the hell I'm doing!?

"Hey, what are you doing with my hair?"

Ack. I messed up. Without me knowing, I instinctively touched her hair and smelled it.

Even now, I'm still holding unto it. What am I, a pervert? A hair-smelling pervert?

"..."

She doesn't look back at me.

She was just standing there.

Without looking back, she is standing still.

It looks like she's trembling.

Maybe she's angry? Is she angry?

No. She IS angry.

I'm sure that she is angry so I need to apologize now in order for her to forgive me. I don't know what punishment she will give me for holding and smelling her hair but I must prepare for the worst-case scenario. Girl's hair are said to be one of their most valuable asset.

"I...I'm so sorry for what I've done!" I said while bowing my head earnestly.

"Eh?"

"I'm really sorry for touching your precious hair. I didn't mean it. My hand just suddenly touches it. Please don't kill me, Serene-san! No, Barthomeloi Serene-sama!"

"..."

She's silent. I can see that she's not looking back to me but I still need to bow my head.

"R-Raise your h-head, Naoto" she finally replied.

"No. I refuse. As a man, I must bow my head and sincerely apologize to you."

Eh? Did she call me by my name without honorifics?

"Then, I also refuse on forgiving you."

Ahhhhhhhhh!

"Eh? Why? Is bowing my head like this isn't enough? Okay, then I'll be on my knees right away!"

"Don't bother."

"...!"

―Why?

With this question on mind, I put my left knee on the ground and my right knee will follow but before I finish what I'm doing, she instantly says this:

"Please rise up and look at me right now!"

I stopped and look at her. She's still not looking here but she's trembling even more than the last time. Actually, when is that last time?

"I...won't forgive you...be-because...th..there's n-nothing to...forgive to" she said in a soft and trembling manner.

Ehh?

"And...I...I really don't mind... you touching my...hair..."

Ehhh?

"A-A-Anyway, le-let's call it a day. I'll me-meet you again..at the back of your house at 11 tomorrow so...wait...for...me."

And then she jump to the roof and started running.

―Strengthening Magic

A very useful spell. I wish I can use that spell too.

Sigh.

She just left me alone again. Alone, dumbfounded by her words. Hey, can anyone give me a proof that I'm not dreaming? Because this is so good to be true. I mean, a beautiful bishoujo just said that she doesn't mind her hair being touched by me can exist, right? Oh well. I'll go home for now because my mind can't take it anymore because of so many happenings that happened in just a single day.

While I'm currently mentally exhausted, a person I never imagine appearing appears in front of me and greets me with a smile.

"Good Morning, Moritaka-kun."

―Yet, another weirdo?

... is what I thought for a moment but I immediately reject that possibility.

That encounter surprises me the most because... the granddaughter of the most influential person in town is in front of me.

"T-Tohsaka-san?"

I instinctively blurted out her name.

"Oh, I'm surprised that you know who I am. I'm glad that you still remember me."

Huh? I don't really remember meeting her but… why did she know me?

"I'll get straight to the point, Moritaka-kun. Please join forces with me. I need you in the upcoming war."

"..."

I'm wrong.

I made a mistake.

I seriously made a mistake.

I should not have rejected that possibility.

"... ..."

I silently put my right palm on my face as I sigh loudly.

[001/fin]

Author's Notes

Hello.

Good day to everyone in here reading this Fanfic.

I finally introduced the main character of this story, Moritaka Naoto.

His personality is somewhat laid back and annoying but the truth is that he is a gentle "yes-man" character. Truthfully, he's too annoying for me to write... And he is a pervert as well. Ahahahaha.

Ahem.

I also introduced a character named, Serene Barthomeloi. Well, if you searched the surname "Barthomeloi", I'm sure that you'll find it on the Melty Blood Series where Barthomeloi Lorelei resides... If you played the Melty Blood Series (Re ACT and Actress Again, am I right?), I think that you'll guess most of her capabilities as a magus. I had drawn her earlier and if you are curious about her looks, then I think I'll post the picture here? Is that okay?

By the way, thanks for reading this chapter. If you got pass up to this point, then I'll thank you from the bottom of my throat.

Obviously, that was a joke.

And finally, I decided who servant Berserker will be!? Look forward to it.

And please post a review for this fanfic. I'm totally bored right now so I want to read other people's opinions about this fanfic.

Truthfully yours,

oninn