"Why are you here so early?!" Evangeline yelled. "It's like we jumped to the final boss of a Final Fantasy game at level 1! You even look the part too!"

The Wizard Marshall stared at Evangeline. "Ah, so you're a Shinso vampire. One of the true ones, correct? It's been a while since I've seen one save for Arcueid Brunestud. It's strange that you do not have red eyes, however."

"Aren't you one too? Your eyes are red, and you look old beyond your years!" The newly-named vampire retorted.

"Hey, I'm not that old!" The Magus stopped. "Hold that thought. I'm not a true vampire, though. I had the unfortunate, or fortunate, depending on the point of view, past of being turned into a Dead Apostle."

The Dean decided to add his two cents. "Do you regret the fact that you are basically immortal? From one old man to another, hohohoho!"

"Compared to me, you're just a youngster, but I can see why you'd ask that question. It's been many years since my transformation, but since I've realized the Kaleidoscope, life hasn't turned out to be too boring. Now that I have these guinea pigs things will become more interesting!"

Zelretch had a twinkle in his eye, which was never good.

"Umm...Wizard Marshall, could we perhaps get on the the reason why you suddenly appeared to us? I mean, it's not that we don't appreciate you coming here to prove our claims, but it feels too early for you to intervene." Rin had gotten over her initial shock and rejoined the conversation.

Zelretch responded in glee. "Well, this is a first for the Magi and the Mages. I thought I would be here as a representative to...negotiate an exchange."

"An exchange, you say?" Takahata said.

"Yes, it's quite simple," The Dead Apostle pointed to the couple. "I'll let you borrow these two for whatever you need in the school, and you'll teach them some of your magic."

The Dean sat in thought. "It is true that there is a need for a security guard at this school. Some of the students can get into a lot of horseplay outside of school. In a couple of weeks we will also be having a new teacher, Tohsaka-san can act as an assistant then when Takamichi-kun switches classes."

"How convenient! What sort of magic does this world have?" The Marshall exclaimed. "The anticipation is killing me!"

Shirou realized that he was now going to be a subordinate of a School Dean while being a "lab rat" of the Marshall. 'Just how convoluted will my role become?'


"I see, the magic here is very similar to our magecraft. It's a pity that the Magi have died off. I would've liked to have seen their progress." Zelretch said. "What interests me the most is this Pactio that you mentioned."

"Oh? And why's that?" The Dean asked.

The Wizard Marshall glanced at Shirou. "I'd like to see what would happen if a Magi attempts a Pactio with another one."

"Do you mean, Rin and me, sir?" Shirou asked nervously.

"Of course you! There's no other magi in here besides me, right? If this Pactio does what I think it does. It may unlock your full potential, and using your Magic Circuits should be much easier." Zelretch exclaimed.

"It does seem like a good idea, Shirou," Rin suggested. "I'm the back line, and you're the front, generally speaking, and this Pactio will help you immensely. Who knows what artifact you will get too?"

"Well, whenever you're ready, boya, I've already drawn the circle out. This'll probably be the best entertainment I've had in a while so hurry up and make a choice!" Evangeline cackled.

Shirou had good reason to be a little hesitant about making a provisional contract with Rin. He had experienced excruciating pain when he had been converting his nerves into individual circuits, and learning how to use his own Magic Circuits almost killed him. However, having the ability to use his Magic Circuits to their full potential would be a boon for him, allowing him to Project more and maybe even use his Reality Marble more extensively when he needed.

He had decided.

"Ok, let's do this," Shirou walked into the circle. It had two six-sided stars with Greek zodiac symbols on the edge. The center had a single eye staring up at him.

Rin walked up next, her face already blushing crimson. "I still can't believe that we have to do this with all these people watching us...you ready?"

Shirou thought he could see Evangeline and Zelretch take out cameras. "As ready as I can be."

"Brace yourself," Rin cupped his face and brought it down towards her, locking their lips together.

Shirou could feel his body getting hotter, and the area around the circle getting brighter and brighter. Her lips tasted faintly of strawberries and were warm. Rin had her eyes closed, so she could not see the intensifying light that surrounded them. Just when the magus wondered what was happening next he started convulsing as if he was being electrocuted. Not only that, he started to feel extreme pain throughout his body. Meanwhile, Rin moved her hands to hug Shirou and limit his movements. The light became so bright that Shirou was blinded for a few moments. As sudden as it came, the light disappeared, leaving only the people and the circle, with one additional object in Zelretch's hand.

"Hey, look at this! This appears to be rather peculiar," He pointed to the card, which appeared to be plain with one symbol: Rin's Command Seals.

"Why...would...that appear now?" Shirou, still winded from the ordeal, stood up with Rin supporting him.

The Dean focused on the card. "I've never seen a Pactio card look like that before. Typically the Ministra would appear on the card with their specialized artifact. Does that symbol have any meaning?"

All eyes turned to the couple. "It's a long story, but basically, that symbol is a set of three seals associated with a...familiar," Rin finally said.

"I see, Schweinorg-san, could I see the card? I will make copies so that the two can have a copy," The Dean asked.

Moments later, the single card became two. Shirou took a moment to look at the card more closely. The short weeks of the Holy Grail War were exciting to say the least. He was able to learn more about himself and Magecraft than his time with Kiritsugu, despite all the things he's taught him. His only regret that he had was that he wasn't able to inherit his Magic Crest. With no one to pass it onto, the Emiya family would only remain through name.

"So how do I access the artifact?" Shirou asked, flipping the card around.

Rin's brow furrowed. "Shirou, are you sure you should be doing this right now? You're about to fall over!"

"If it's to simply summon the artifact, it shouldn't be too taxing on me," The magus turned towards the mage.

The Dean chuckled. "Typically the Ministra would say Adeat to summon the artifact and Abeat to revert it to its card form, but I don't know how it will interact with your artifact since we do not even know what it is."

The Wizard Marshall chortled. "There's a first time for everything, go for it boy! I want to see it!"

Shirou stated his card again, wondering why Rin's Command Seals were on it.

Evangeline stood as far away as she could. "Chachamaru, get your emergency shields ready, I don't want to be in the crossfire if there's a complication."

"Yes, Master."

"Adeat."

Shirou's card began to glow red, and then he suddenly disappeared.


I am the bone of my sword

Steel is my body and fire is my blood

I have created over a thousand blades

Unaware of loss, nor aware of gain.

Withstood pain to create weapons, waiting for one's arrival

I have no regrets. This is the only path

My whole life was unlimited blade works


Shirou knew where he was without even opening his eyes. When he finally did, he was greeted with a barren landscape filled with weapons. There was twilight bathing the area. This was his Reality Marble: Unlimited Blade Works. Something was amiss, however, since he did not summon it at all. What pulled him here?

"I see you've arrived," A certain voice quipped.

Shirou spun around and saw the one person that had been beside them alongside Saber: Archer, donning his red cloak and black body armor.

He wasn't a Heroic Spirit in the true sense of the word. In fact, Archer is most likely the most modern spirits within the Throne of Heroes. He is a Counter Guardian who keeps the balance. The most surprising fact was that Archer is, indeed, Shirou Emiya, but from a possible future, where his ideals collapsed on themselves from his time as a Counter Guardian.

His Reality Marble is different as well, while Shirou's is lit with a twilight glow Archer's is covered in embers and black smog.

"Archer? Why am I here?"

"You activated your card didn't you? Since your existence is much different from typical mages of that reality, your artifact is very different as well. You haven't really changed much have you? Well, save for your skin tone and hair. Nice touch," Archer remarked. "Anyways, Alaya has tasked me with giving you your artifact, against my wishes, so I might as well reward you for your efforts. That pain must've felt lovely, huh?"

Shirou grit his teeth, slightly annoyed. "Fine, what is it?"

"Don't be in such a hurry. We'll get there. First thing, your Reality Marble seems to be a bit empty. Let's invite some neighbors," Archer walked over and placed his hand over Shirou's head.

So as I pray, unlimited blade works.

"Ow!" Shirou held his head. "What happened?"

"Nothing much. I've just embedded most of my knowledge of weapons into your head. You won't immediately know them all, so take some time to go through them," Archer smirked. "The pain will be worth it, and besides, I don't know if we'll meet again like this, I always seem to lose my memory when I'm summoned in a Grail War."

"Alright, I see your point, but an artifact isn't an artifact without an item. What is it?" Shirou argued.

"Impatient, huh? Alright, here it is," Archer pulled out a copy of his cloak and armor.

"Why are you giving this to me? This is yours," The young magus said as he took the armor into his arms.

"This armor may look like mine, but it is arguably better. Alaya gave this armor a reflection of my own Personal Skills. So aspects like Clairvoyance would be applied to the wearer - you. Not only that, but your stats should go up by half a rank," Archer explained tiredly.

"I see, this will give me such an advantage, now that my Magic Circuits are at their full potential. Thank you, Archer," Shirou said.

Archer shook his head. "Don't thank me, just keep your Rin safe."

Shirou nodded. "How exactly do I get back though?"

Archer smirked. "Didn't you already learn how to use your Pactio card?"


Shirou reappeared in a flash, landing on his backside.

"Shirou, what happened? You suddenly disappeared and now you're back!" Rin rushed over to him, checking his body.

"I'm fine, actually. My body has never felt better, for some odd reason," he replied as he stood up. "How long was I gone?"

"10 seconds, Shirou-san," Chachamaru replied, revealing the vampire behind her.

"At least there were no explosions."

Zelretch had a gleam in his eye. "Boy, I think you should check your card again."

"Why? What's on there?" Shirou flipped the card over to see that it had changed. Rin's Command Seals were still on there, but Archer was depicted on the card, poised for battle with Kanshou and Bakuya, the twin swords that he had often used. There was also some text on the card.

EMIYA
Tradidit Heros
Curatrix Arma

"How interesting, the card's face has changed. I've never seen this before, for the only time that the face changes is when the provisional contract is cancelled or the Magister dies," The Dean sat, shocked about the course of events.

"I've been waiting too long for this. I want to see what your artifact is!" The Wizard Marshall shouted.

Shirou quickly activated the card before Zelretch could say another word. His current clothing was quickly replaced with the new armor that fitted him well. It was snug and somewhat comfortable.

"That's...Archer's armor!" Rin exclaimed.

The Wizard Marshall walked to Shirou and peered closely at the armor. "It appears this armor is exuding an aura of some kind that increases its wearer's capabilities. Whose armor did you say it was again?"

"It was Archer's...Rin's familiar," The armored magus replied.

"Oh you mean her Servant?" Zelretch said.

"Servant? I thought Archer was her familiar," Evangeline commented, having relocated herself closer to the group.

"Not that kind of servant, but a being summoned from the Holy Grail. Let me tell you a story about the Grail Wars..."


Pactio Artifact - Shirou Emiya - Curatrix Arma (Guardian's Armor)

It is a replica of EMIYA's armor that grants some Personal Skills to its wearer and increase their stats by half a rank.

Personal Skills

Eye of the Mind (True) (B): Capable of calm analysis of battle conditions even when in danger and deduce an appropriate course of action after considering all possibilities to escape from a predicament. So long there is even a 1% chance of a comeback, this ability greatly improves the chances of winning.

Magecraft (C-): Capable of using orthodox Thaumaturgy. When the target falls under the category of "sword" the rank is A+.

Magic Resistance (D): Cancels Single-Action spells. Magic Resistance of the same degree of an amulet that rejects magical energy.


Thanks for reading.