The Awakening

After another harsh day Senku went to sleep all the problems were gone. Also was the fact that he wanted to sleep just before sleeping.

Next morning was the final day before his demonstration in front of Roswaal. He had one day and he knew exactly what to use for his demonstration. A modern weapon, a weapon of science, Something perfected after 2 million years of evolution of science. The path changer which meant any man, woman or even a child could down an Elephant, The gun.

The parts to assemble one were ridiculously easy to find, there have been cases of prisoners making serious firearms that packed some serious oomph. He filed open an old iron rod used for blowing glass. He then hit one of the ends into the remaining Mabeast Horn. He had a specimen brought from yesterdays Fiasco Cooking it's skin gave him Collagen for sealing off the loose Ends he poured in some Molten lead from the other End to Seal off the tube on the inside. It was noon by now and some of the retired artisans from Irlam village came to visit him and help him out on his request as a favour for saving their children and Grandchildren.

The work was really easy for them even though they didn't understand the purpose of the mechanism. After that they made the wooden brace for the gun which was a job completed in 15 minutes. Upon his request they even etched some designs into the bone which senku then dripped Lead into and sanded off the excess. Right before him was a crude but good looking version of a smoothbore flintlock something which looked worthy of being used by the aristocracy.

Flintlock Pistol Acquired !

As for the ammunition Senku had to Improvise as he only had enough powder left for 4-5 shots and if required to demonstrate again and again it would be a problem. Glasswork was expensive and developing a full laboratory therefore would be an expensive endeavour which required funding. However he still had to cast the lead rounds that would fit snugly in to musket. He sat down to make casts out of sand compacted it and poured in the lead necessary for the balls. It was evening by now and Senku was mighty exhausted by this task as it was easily past afternoon. He went off back to the forbidden library to begin research on the right wing.

(Having seen that Senku had seen her pattern she changed it)

Senku then started the tiring work of opening each door and finally found the library after a lot of walking.

Senku: Hey- ha ha (panting) why did you move it?

Beatrice: It's my library I suppose. Betty can do anything she desires.

Senku perched himself at the right wing on the floor and started reading through the books. One of them was a geography book seeing which shocked him. "Hey Beatrice, is this map still accurate?" Senku asked.

Beatrice: If you desire to doubt mother's books leave I suppose

In Senku's mind this led to a lot of questions the distance which Roswaal travelled was too short for him to have such a delay when he took off he had used trigonometry to deduce that his speed was roughly 102 km/h. That meant either he stayed back at the meeting or was just loafing around also was the fact that he arrived at precisely the exact time necessary also he had preponed his meeting by one day. "It's too convenient." Muttered Senku, there would be no way of him knowing that the attack was about to happen and I already know the saboteur which isn't him considering that in the lack of speedy communication setting something like this up would take a lot of time possibly months. His entire time in this world was lesser than that.

Senku: "I don't know, maybe he really is a man of good timing or I should ask him. Why was the meeting preponed and then cancelled but not rescheduled."

All this conspiracy theory brewing had distracted him from reading so he left to start work on his own pet project. One for which parts were easily available and which would be a fun project which would be handy to use when required he still had a couple hours for it. He left for the storehouse where he started modding an existing item for something revolutionary. He started work on it which was done rather quickly sadly this would require another day of work and he wouldn't be able to move this for the demonstration. Once back in the mansion it was 7pm he met up with Rem for a request. I want you to sew "…" Senku said to her.

Rem: Okay Senku that should be done rather quickly as a guest for Lord Roswaal I can do that much for you, do call if you need anything.

Senku now feeling relieved that most of his work is done decided something. He was going to confront Roswaal about his questions directly. What could quite possibly go wrong? It was also the perfect time as the maids were busy and so wouldn't intervene. He then entered Roswaal's room where there was a black book he was reading before closing it.

Senku: Roswaal, do you hate me or Emilia?

Roswaal: ohhhh Dear what brings you to that conclusion.

Senku: Your meeting got preponed, cancelled but not rescheduled, Not only that Emilia split off and got attacked in the capital within the few hours she was there and the mansion got attacked exactly in the 3 hour window in which you were gone. I would have left you off to good timing if that was the only evidence I had but there was more. I calculated your speed as well, considering the location you informed ram about before leaving, coming back here wouldn't have been a issue even if that was your cruise speed. Also the final piece of evidence was the assassin's cloak, it was imbued with an ability to resist insane elemental damage, she was also very experienced which means she was expensive to hire as well. Also the actions she committed brought me here add to it the fact that a saboteur caused the attack, a rich and powerful magic user was the suspect. A suspect whose actions would lead me straight to him.

Roswaal why?

(Roswaal starts smiling breaks into a laugh and starts clapping)

Roswaal: You sure are quick to piece together things Seeennnkuuu kun.

Roswaal gets up and moves towards Senku, beginning to realise that he messed up he reaches for his pocket but before he can react Roswaal starts strangling him with just one hand. "You had the choice" Roswaal says as his hand begins to heat up. Senku tries to yell but the voice won't leave his now throat being forcibly shut by Roswaal. The hand keeps heating up burning into his skin and tissue as he shrieks in pain, no voice is heard. Pain! PaIn! pAiN pain pain! PAin PaIN! Pain pain These words fill his head as Roswaal drops him on the floor writhing in pain his throat starts pouring out blood he tries to yell but he can't. Roswaal had burnt his larynx. Each breath was pain incarnate as Senku reaches for his pocket in an attempt to end his life Roswaal steps on his hand preventing him from doing so.

Roswaal: You had the choice, but don't stray from the writ I have been rather flexible with you and dislike killing you off for no reason too.

Senku: gha hag ha… (groans)

Roswaal: Let this pain be a reminder. Don't you stray from the gospels writ.

And just about when Senku was about to pass out Roswaal kicks him on the face splattering his blood on the walls.

Roswaal: You had to ruin this loop didn't you, now I have no purpose.

This was the last sentence Senku heard before passing out and awakening just outside Roswaal's room. His gasps and collapses on the floor hearing this the door opens and Senku catches a glimpse of a clueless Roswaal. He gets up and starts running, In fear, fear of pain, fear of death. He exits the mansion but doesn't stop running his legs keep moving on their own accord. Once out on the lawn he slips and tumbles on the grass still breathing heavily. He closes his eyes as he passes out.

He finds himself in a sea of white as his eyes close before colours re emerge

?: You know Senku, You really don't know when to give up that's just one more of your qualities that make me love you.

It was a familiar voice his father was speaking to him, Senku wanted to speak but was speechless and was on the verge of tears.

?: Wow! What's this a new rocket.

This was Senku's friend Taiju speaking as he turned around the scene changed again. This time it was again his friend as they witnessed one of his rockets fall down and burn.

?: No worries we can try again.

The word try again started echoing in his head again and again over and over again as they got progressively louder Senku yelled holding his head breaking his silence. "I don't want to start again I don't want to do it again, I don't"

?: Why?

He heard this soft voice as he woke up he saw a silver haired elf staring at him holding his palms covered in cold sweat.

Emilia: What's wrong in trying again?

Senku couldn't open his mouth the fear still had a grip on him

Emilia: You don't get a chance to correct everything so whenever you do don't waste it

Senku's eyes finally showed an emotion except fear.

Emilia: If there is a problem think around it, it's one of the things you do better than anyone else I have ever seen. You don't fear things blindly. You saved me against that assassin. You saved Rem and those children from the mabeasts. Despite them being much stronger than you, also don't forget that you always have friends to back onto.

Senku starts to cry. Tears flow down as his mouth opens, "Thaan-k you" Senku mutters

Emilia: What are you aiming for Senku?

Senku: Aiming for?

Emilia: Roswaal says when you have a grand aim, whenever you feel down just think of how you will feel when you accomplish what you want.

Senku still on the floor watches the stars twinkle on the sky and finally starts speaking

Senku: I want to reach out for the stars and fulfil my promise

Emilia: Promise?

As Senku said this he stood up to his feet

Senku: I made a promise to you that I must fulfil I feel even more obligated to it now. Because of you I feel 10 billion percent better now.

Emilia (blushes): Then I am happy too, come lets have food before it goes cold and stay happy. bad dreams only come when you are sad.

Emilia left for supper, While Senku finally got up looked at the stars and started speaking.

"I Really did get impulsive, I should have anticipated that this could be a possibility. Roswaal however seems to go along some gospel's writ meaning he shouldn't really get hostile unless provoked. Unlike the others he seems like an opponent who can be reasoned with and overcome, and if I can't reach for the stars, at least for that girl. I must bring back science!

AN: Had a blast writing it I took the cues that senku despite looking like a completely logical man on the outside genuinely cares for others he has shown that in the anime before. Despite having such an exterior Senku deep down is human and I tried to write that side of him in the story and connect the main cast to him more. Please tell me whether you liked this emotional side of Senku or not your feedback means if I show this human side of him more often or not. Thank you for reading.