Please refer back to chapter 9 for disclaimer and author's note

"…and she stayed back to seal off the Jewel Seeds by herself with Alicia at her side."

Almost an hour prior, the team of five that had infiltrated the Garden of Time had returned with the redhead in tow before the fortress completely collapsed. Currently, everyone was gathered in the bridge while Chrono gave a summary of the mission. "While we have no proof of her demise, we are fairly certain that Presea Testarossa and her daughter Alicia Testarossa are dead."

Fate let out a sob as she leaned on Shirou for support. The news of her mother's death had hit her quite hard emotionally. Behind the blond girl, Nanoha was trying her best to help Shirou console her friend.

"Ho? I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you, young man," a voice suddenly said, making everyone blink in surprise. Both Shirō and Kiritsugu instantly froze at hearing the voice before they got into a defensive stance, drawing their respective weapons. However, instead of their usually calm demeanor, sweat was running down their head and the look of panic was clearly etched on their face.

It took a while, but Shirou recognized the voice. "Zelretch-oji-san?" the boy asked curiously.

"Correct!" the booming voice of the Kaleidoscope echoed throughout the spaceship's bridge before a portal opened up.

While almost every magus on Earth would be unnerved by the sight of Zelretch due to his eccentric behaviors and the ridiculous rumors about him, what truly unsettled the two adult Earth magi's nerves was how the man was dressed. Instead of his trademark black suit and cloak, he was wearing a blue TSAB uniform.

Unlike the rest of the officers and even Lindy's uniform, there was a TSAB coat of arms embroidered on both of his forearms. What truly caught all the military personnel's attention was the number of stars across both his shoulders. There were six stars.

"Grand Marshal?!" Lindy shouted out in shock at the sudden appearance of the highest ranking person in the Bureau. There was only one person who ever had the honor of holding that rank and it was the person who founded the TSAB. However, no one had seen him in over half a decade. The only people alive who knew how he even looked like are the Three Legendary Admirals, and they had refused to disclose that information every time it was brought up.

"Blue and white are definitely not my color," the Dead Apostle Ancestor whined before looking over to the two panicking adults. "Oh, stop being so worried. I'm here for business, not amusement. Now put away those weapons before I decide to send you both somewhere to… loosen up," he said with a mirthful chuckle.

Both men immediately put away their weapons and backed away from the eccentric old man, which made the man laugh out in amusement.

"Now then, I suppose I should introduce myself properly. I am Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg; the Old Man of the Jewels, number four of the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, the Kaleidoscope, the Wizard Marshal," the master of the Second Magic declared grandiosely. He even created a flash of lightning behind him somehow, scaring almost everyone there. He then gave a casual wave of his hand before a hologram screen appeared next to his face and dropped his mischievous persona. "However, those titles are trivial at the moment. I am also the Grand Marshal as well as the founder of the Time-Space Administration Bureau." The screen flickered as he finished his introduction, showing his identification.

There was a long silence before the entire place erupted in a loud "EHHH~~~~!"

The group had decided to move into Lindy's personal quarters for a more private discussion at Zelretch's insistence. It had taken a while but everyone finally calmed down after they had verified the old vampire's identity, although the two Earth magi were still trying to stay as far away from him as far as possible while still in the same room.

"So you really are the founder and highest ranking officer of the Bureau, Zelretch-ojii-san?" Shirou asked with curiously.

Zelretch couldn't help but grin at the boy. While he had seen several version of the youngster in front of him, this is the first time he saw one who already had a young lady wrapped in his arms at such a young age. Sure, the blond girl was in an emotional turmoil, but he could already see the amount of amusement this young hero-to-be will bring him in the future. However, before that, he needed to take care of the reason why he was present.

"That is right, boy," the large man answered. "It was something I started while I was looking into the different dimensions with the Kaleidoscope nearly a century ago. I stumbled upon a world at war. Now, usually I do not really have much interest in such conflicts since the reasons are always quite similar. However, what caught my attention were the weapons and spells they were using. They were throwing things around that distort time and space as tools of war; ripping the stability of their dimension bit by bit. If I did not interfere, they might have done something that would affect many other worlds, ours included. Thus, I intervened. I helped out the losing side, learned their magic, established a military superpower and set out to stop those fools."

Everyone was paying rapt attention to the brief historical summary the old man gave. While Shirō and Kiritsugu were still weary of Zelretch, they couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect.

"Now then, young Shirou, how have you enjoyed the Belkan Armed Device I've prepared for you?" the Grand Marshal of the TSAB suddenly asked. "Blutroter Hüter I believe you called it? It is a good name, though quite ironic."

Lindy widened her eyes at the revelation. "Sir, you were the one who came onto the Arthra without informing anyone and added the Sealing Device to our inventory?"

Zelretch merely shrugged; his massive grin once more present on his face. "Who else has the authority to move around as freely as I do? And I would've thought the signature I left was obvious."

Shirō and Kiritsugu couldn't help but palm their face for not catching that little detail when Lindy told them before.

"Well, it had been a great help, Zelretch-ojii-san. If it weren't for this Device, I would've been hurt a lot worse in this case." Holding up the watch-like Device, he couldn't help but frown. "However, there is just something I don't like about the design…"

The Kaleidoscope let out a hearty laugh at what the boy said that. "When the time comes, you will learn why. Now then, let's get down to business. I would like to recruit you and your father for the Time-Space Administrative Bureau."

Everyone was surprised at the sudden offer. Being the first to recover, Chrono questioned, "Sir, is that wise? The elder Emiya I can understand, but Shirou has been known to ignore protocol and act on his own."

"Which is why I want to enlist him," Zelretch stated before the young law enforcer could continue. "He actually questions the orders from his superiors instead of following them blindly. The boy has great combat prowess and a unique ability only he could utilize. If properly tempered, he will be a great help in improving the Bureau."

Seeing the thoughtful look at the redhead's face, Zelretch decided to add, "If you join, I'll also grant a pardon for your female friend there as well as allow you access to Dr. Presea Testarossa's research on cloning technology. Maybe it could help you find a way to help out that sister of yours in there."

"Where do I sign?" the redhead immediately asked, making Zelretch laugh out loud.

(A few days later)

"So you are really going to leave, Shirou-kun?" Nanoha asked as she fidgeted. Her best friend for the past five years of her young life was going away to another planet. While she didn't want him to leave, she knew she didn't have the rights to dictate what he should do.

Shirou rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Um… yea. I need to finalize a few things with Zelretch and the Bureau. I also have to attend the mock trial for Fate." Seeing the downcast look on his best friend's face, he quickly added, "Don't worry Nanoha. I'll try to come back as soon as I can. This is just temporary after all. Besides, you got recruited as well, didn't you?"

The redhead didn't want to leave his best friend behind either, but when he jumped at the chance the Kaleidoscope had offered him he hadn't thought about the responsibilities he had to take care of.

There was also the fact that he is leaving behind his crippled friend. He had immediately made a call to Hayate the night after he had taken up the deal from Zelretch. While he didn't feel completely assured, the girl had told him she had gotten a few more people to look after her and even promised to introduce them when he had gotten back.

Nanoha gave the boy a smile before turning to her new friend. The girl had calmed down after she had finished mourning over the death of her mother and sister before Shirou had reassured her that there is a good chance that the two are alive. He remembered what Zelretch had stated before everyone got swept away by the man's introduction. While the man had been quite cryptic in his answers, everyone who heard his answer knew that there is a very good chance they were still alive. It would probably take time to find out where the duo had landed but the possibility that they were alright was enough to calm the blond girl down.

The pigtailed brunette couldn't help but give Fate an almost unnoticeable frown. The blonde had practically glued herself to Shirou ever since they returned from the Garden of Time, and Nanoha didn't like that one bit. She felt like the other girl was trying to steal her best friend away, especially after the thank-you-kiss she saw Fate give Shirou just a day before. The only reason she didn't lash out at the girl is because she knew how fragile the girl's mind is.

If it weren't for Shirou, the emptiness she had felt a few years ago would've probably eaten away at her until she breaks down mentally.

Shaking away the morbid thought, she untied her pink ribbons and held it up to Fate. "I know our time together had been rather short, but I would like to give this to you this as a sign of being friends."

Fate gave a small smile at the kind gesture before she undid her own ribbons as well. "Take mine as well then as a sign of our friendship. Thank you for being there for me," she said while embracing the brunette.

When the two girls separated, Nanoha shot a glare at Shirou before she suddenly grabbed him by his collar. What happened next left both the redhead and blond speechless. Nanoha planted a kiss on her best male friend's cheek boldly. "Don't you forget about me now, got it!" she practically yelled at him before running away with a deep blush on her face.

Off to the side hidden in the bushes, a small crowd continued to peek at the trio's interaction.

"I cannot believe Nanoha just did that," Alisa snickered. "She sure has gotten bold, hasn't she?"

"That she has," Suzuka answered with a smile before she turned to the maid behind her. "Noel, did you record what happened?"

The maid gave a polite nod. "Yes, mistress, I have it stored in my memory file."

"Wonderful, we must show it to everyone when we get the chance," Suzuka giggled.

"I'm going to kill that brat," Shirō growled out as he unsheathed his blade. "How dare he woo my little girl?! I won't hand her over to you, you hear me!"

The only reason he hadn't leaped out at the young boy was because Kiritsugu had him pinned on the ground. The Magus Killer couldn't help but sigh at his acquaintance's eccentric behavior. He couldn't fault the man though, since he knew he would most likely act the same way if he found Illyasviel with another boy.

"Dear, calm down before you do something you would regret," the eerily sweet voice of his wife suddenly spoke up, making the man freeze before he instantly sheathed his blade.

"Sorry, I got carried away," he immediately apologized. There was no way he was going to argue with Momoko when she used that tone, especially since he could see the ethereal tentacles waving back and forth behind her.

The Asakami nodded in satisfaction before turning to where her daughter had just run off to. "My, kids these days sure grow up fast, don't they?" she questioned offhandedly, which earned a grumble from her husband. A mischievous smile was etched on her face. She couldn't wait to tease Nanoha about what happened.

"What was that about?" Shirou asked in a daze as he brought his hand to the spot his best friend had just kissed him on.

Fate, on the other hand, just gave a pitying look at the boy before she sighed. "Idiot…" the girl mumbled.

Figured it was nothing but Nanoha feeling a bit territorial due to the event between him and Fate a day ago, Shirou turned his attention toward his newest friend. "So, what do you think about Zelretch-oji-san's comment?"

Fate tilted her head in confusion. "You mean about my mother being alive?" Seeing the redhead nodding at her, she answered, "While I wish to look for her, I cannot do so at the moment since I will be on probation."

"And if you ever find out where she is?"

"I… I don't know…" Fate answered uncertainly. She had always wanted her mother's acceptance, wanted her mother to love her like she once did. In their final confrontation, she had seen the look in the elder Testarossa's eyes; Fate had seen Presea finally accepting her as a daughter and not just a disposable tool she had been raving about.

She wanted to stay by her mother's side, but at the same time, she didn't want to leave Shirou. He was the first person she knew to have stood up for her. Sure, Arf had done the same for her but that was because the dog girl was her personal familiar; a familiar she had taken care of since it was still a pup.

The girl had developed quite a deep crush on the ignorant redhead.

Seeing the uneasiness the girl was showing, Shirou decided to put an end to her current thoughts. Placing a comforting hand on Fate's shoulder, he stated, "Well, you still have a lot of time to decide what to do in the future. Don't dwell on it too much. Your mother had asked me to take good care of you and I intend to keep that promise."

"Fate! Shirou! It's time to go!" Arf called out as she ran up to the duo. "C'mon, it's time to… Fate, why is your face all red?"

(At the Yagami household)

Hayate sighed for the umpteenth time that day. The wheelchair-bound girl couldn't help but feel lonely at her friend leaving even though he had promised he would return as soon as he could.

"Master, what is the matter?" a pink-haired woman asked as she entered the room.

"It's nothing, Signum," Hayate simply replied with her usual wry smile.

While the woman didn't believe the words from her current master, the knight decided not to question the girl. "Dinner will be ready soon. Shamal will be cooking tonight."

This was the first, and officially the last time the wielder of Klarwind was allowed in the kitchen unsupervised.

"Kiritsugu, I think the sound came from over here," the soft melodic voice of a woman said as she made her way through the snow covered forest near the Einzbern Castle. She was a real beauty, unnaturally so. Her silvery long hair and blood red eyes gave her an ethereal look possessed by most homunculus from the Einzbern family. Dressed in an elegant fur-trimmed white coat and white fur cap, she looked like a fae from the Winter Court.

Behind the woman, the familiar sight of Emiya Kiritsugu, the Magus Killer, followed in her steps. "Be careful Iri. We don't know what traps might be set around the premises."

"I don't think it's a tr… wait, did you hear that?" Irisviel von Einzbern, or Iri for short, suddenly turned her attention to where a soft murmur was coming from. "Come on, Kiritsugu, hurry up!" she called out before rushing ahead.

Kiritsugu sighed before catching up to his wife. He knew it was pointless to argue with her when she sets her mind on something.

Coming up on a clearing in the snowy forest, they were greeted with the sight of a woman in a tattered purple dress carrying a blonde girl in her arms. Next to her was an elegant looking staff which was cracked in certain areas.

"P…please… s…save my daughter… save Alicia…" the woman stuttered out before falling unconscious.

Postscript:

I hope everyone has enjoyed the first arc of Mahou Senki: Limitless Blades. Hope to see you all in the second arc!