"I had no idea that Shirou cleans the dormitory all by himself. It was quite a surprise to see him do that." Ritsuka said walking to school with Mashu and Marie. "Has he always done that?"
"Actually yeah. He has. I think Shirou has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)." Mashu said giving it a thought. "Or he just likes everything to be clean for everyone. Kind of like a mom."
"A mom? I mean he does act like one. He cleans, cooks, and talks to everyone with a sense of positivity." Marie said in confusion. "Perhaps he would make a great house husband. But you would be nice yourself, Ritsuka."
"You think so?" Ritsuka asks before thinking about it. "I'm not so sure about that."
"You need more faith in yourself, Senpai," Mashu said trying to reaffirm Ritsuka.
"T-Thanks Mashu." The three walks to a place under a massive tree here Jeanne, Gudako, and the usual group were waiting for them. "Hey! Sorry for making you guys wait."
"Too slow! We've been waiting a long time for you!" Jeanne Alter points at Ritsuka's face.
"Alter. It has only been 10 minutes. Please have a little patience." Jeanne said trying to reaffirm her sister.
"Let's not waste any more time then! Onwards!" Nero said before running ahead.
"Wait for me!" Gudako yelled out chasing after Nero leaving the rest behind.
"Ooh. This is so much fun!" Marie smiles before running herself.
"Must you run so early in the morning? Not all of us have the energy to keep up with you!" Ecchan said as the others start to run up to catch up with Gudako and Nero. "Oi! Why are you leaving me behind?!"
"Hurry up Ecchan or you're going to be left behind!" X said waving from a bit of distance away before running again.
"Hey! GET BACK HERE!" Ecchan said before dashing towards the group.
Chaldea Academy
By: NexusEX
Chapter 5: King of Heroes
"I feel someone is watching me…" Ritsuka said in front of a vending machine and buys a coffee in a can with the brand "spacebucks" on it.
"You don't believe that I'm the one spying on you. Is that right, Ritsuka Fujimaru?" Ritsuka turns around to see Edmond Dantes standing behind him.
Ritsuka jumps back a bit before reaffirms himself. "No. It's… more like someone is watching me and mocking me at the same time. There's that feeling where you know that you're just being stared at. You know what I'm feeling, Edmond?"
"Indeed. It is sad to say that I am familiar with this type of feeling all too well. Servants aren't all equal in terms of strength and some think that they're higher than others. Those who are strong look down on the weak and keep a watch out for others. You may never know when someone can suddenly jump on you." Edmond says as the two starts walking back to class.
"Putting each other down just because of power? That sounds too cruel." Ritsuka takes a sip of his coffee. "But how do they know if they're stronger?"
"Chaldea Academy has a special type of everyday event called Servant Duels. One servant may challenge another in combat. However, this is still a school so there are still rules to ensure that one is not killed on accident." Edmond explains to Ritsuka. "We wouldn't want Head Nurse to go berserk. She already has to deal with Chulainn on a daily basis."
'He does die a lot for random reasons.' Ritsuka thinks to himself before saying. "That makes a lot of sense."
"Indeed. There is a leaderboard showing who is the technical strongest when it comes to achievements in fighting strong opponents. Your friends Jeanne Alter and Artoria Alter are quite high on that very leaderboard. If I remember, they're tied for the number 10 spot."
"Tied? That means that they have the same win to loss ratio. Aren't those odds astronomical with the amounts of fights that each person has done?" Ritsuka asks before putting his can in a recycling bin.
"Here's the thing. They have dominated most other servants but have clashed 200 times. After 200 battles, they are equal in wins and losses. But due to the 100 losses that each servant have, they aren't exactly number one." Edmond said letting out a laugh. "But their ranking hasn't changed since you have come to Chaldea Academy."
"Really? I wonder why?" Ritsuka said with Edmond gives the figure a look.
'Is he joking or does he really not know?' Edmond thought as the two reach their classroom. "In any case. I believe that there is one man with the biggest ego in all of the school. I suggest that you avoid him at all costs. This is due to his ranking being number 1 on the whole leaderboard."
"Who would that be?" Ritsuka said before hearing something behind him. "Huh? What was that?"
"What is it? Did you hear something?"
"Yeah. It sounds like yelling. I'm going to check it out." Ritsuka turns around and runs off leaving Edmond behind himself.
'That man is either the bravest or the stupidest human to ever walk on this earth.' Edmond said before walking into the classroom.
"Oi! Can you stop throwing those hearts at me?!" A black haired twin-tailed 2nd-year student yelled at a person with green hair who was tossing purple sludge which seemed to be hearts while another person, who was blond was laughing out of his mind.
"Good Enkidu! Keep on throwing those hearts at that useless goddess." The blond student said continuing to laugh until finally the black haired girl grabbed one of the hearts being thrown at her and throws it at the blond guy's face forcing him to. The green haired person named Enkidu stops and goes to the blond boy.
"Ah! Gil! Are you alright?" Enkidu asks taking the heart away from the boy's face. He remains silent but a tick mark was slowly growing on his face.
"Ha! How do you like that?! You got a taste of your own medicine, Gilgamesh! Maybe you'll think twice before picking on me, huh?" The girl said before looking at her clothes. "Jeez. My clothes are all dirty. And these are Hearts of the Foreign God! These stains won't calm off. Thanks a lot, Enkidu."
"Ishtar. How could you throw one of these things at Gil's face?" Enkidu asks with Ishtar getting a bit angry at the green haired person.
"ME?! What about you, dumbass?! You threw those disgusting hearts at my face while he laughed! Why should I show any remorse of you guys?!"
Gilgamesh wipes his face before yellow portals open from behind him. "How dare you…"
Swords pop out of the portals aiming at Ishtar who slowly moves back. "Woah! That's going a bit too far, Gil! Calm the hell down!"
"Shut up!" Gil said preparing to shoot out a sword when he heard someone coming towards the group.
"Hey! What's going on here?!" Ritsuka exclaims as he sees the scene.
"Oh. If it ain't the new master." Gilgamesh said walking towards Ritsuka with a smile. "Now what would a mongrel like you doing here?"
"I came because I heard arguing. What's wrong?"
"Ishtar here threw a heart at Gil's face. This black sludge to be more specific." Enkidu points to the hearts on the floor as Ritsuka sees stains on Gilgamesh's face but he also sees it on Ishtar's clothes. "Oh. First. I'm Enkidu."
"I am Gilgamesh, the strongest servant. You may grovel at my feet, mongrel." Gilgamesh said as Ritsuka just ignores him and goes to Ishtar.
"Are you alright? Your clothes are stained almost all over." Ritsuka asks with the three acting surprised by his actions.
"H-Huh?" Ishtar was speechless.
"We should go talk to Da Vinci Sensei. Maybe she has something for you to wear. I hope these stains aren't too bad. Maybe Shirou can wash them after school or something. Come on. Let's go." Ritsuka said pulling Ishtar away from Gilgamesh and Enkidu who just stood still, completely bewildered about what just happened until Gilgamesh snaps.
"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing? You didn't even acknowledge me! Do you realize who you are speaking to?"
Ritsuka turns around and faces Gilgamesh. "Sorry. I just don't talk to bullies. Good day to you sir."
Ritsuka bows at the two with Gilgamesh getting more infuriated by the second summons a sword from a portal and was about to launch it before both Artoria Alter and Jeanne Alter get in his way.
"Hey. What the heck do you think you're doing, picking on someone as weak as him? Do you really take pleasure in being a coward like that?" Jeanne Alter said with a smug expression.
"Attacking someone who can't even fight back. Truly despicable. Do you have no honor, King of Heroes?" Artoria Alter adds in with her cold expression. "If you have a problem then we can settle this with a servant duel."
"Oh. Both servants that were tamed like dogs on his first day. It's honestly pathetic that you basically bow down to a mongrel like him." Gilgamesh smugs at the four.
"Wow. Big words coming from someone who wants to get burned to a crisp." Jeanne Alter said with an evil smile. "Makes me want to kick your ass even harder. Or are you too scared to face me properly cause that's understandable for a weak ass person like you."
"Hey. You shouldn't talk like that to Gil." Enkidu said butting in.
"No. It's fine, Enkidu. Jalter-"
"Do not call me that!" Jeanne Alter yells at the name.
Gilgamesh ignores her outburst and continues. "Seems like you have quite the mouth. Mongrel." Gilgamesh points to Ritsuka. "I suggest you keep your mad dog on a leash. Come Enkidu. Let us return to class. Farewell for now mongrels. Next time we meet again, I won't be so merciful to you."
Gilgamesh and Enkidu leave the group as Ritsuka lets out a sigh. "Thanks for saving us. I had no idea what to do if he started to attack me."
"It's fine. On the other note, are you alright?" Artoria Alter asks walking up to Ritsuka.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks though." Ritsuka looks at Ishtar. "Are you ok?"
"Uh… Yeah. I'm fine…" Ishtar said before shaking her head. "Why did you save me? You do realize that you just basically challenged the King of Heroes, right? Aka one of the strongest servants in this school, right?"
"I don't understand how I challenged him but ok? Should I be worried?" Ritsuka said blankly.
'Does nothing terrify this guy?!' Artoria Alter and Jeanne Alter think at the same time.
"Ritsuka. Gilgamesh has a huge amount of pride and your actions earlier of not acknowledging him nor giving him a second glance basically made you an enemy of his." Artoria Alter explains to Ritsuka. "I would keep an eye out if I were you. He is known to hold a heavy grudge."
"In any case. Why did you save me? I mean, I'm thankful but still." Ishtar said looking at Ritsuka who gives a confused look.
"Well. You were in trouble so why wouldn't I try to help you." Ritsuka said rather blankly. "Is that so wrong? To help people?
Ishtar is taken a bit back before looking down. "N-No. It's not. It's just that most people just turn away from me because of Gilgamesh. I honestly expected you to do the same when you saw what was happening." Ishtar lets out a frown.
"Yeah. You've been known as Gilgamesh's personal punching bag for a whole year. It was pathetic to watch." Jeanne Alter said before looking at Ritsuka. "And you. Jumping into that was stupid. Did you hit your head or something? Better be lucky that the Count told us about you, otherwise who knows what would've happened to you."
"Sounds like I made you worried. Sorry." Ritsuka apologizes before turning to Ishtar. "In any case. Let's take you to Da Vinci sensei."
"O-Ok. Thank you." Ritsuka and the alters take Ishtar to the Teacher's Office where Shirou was currently waiting near the entrance with Mashu. Ishtar herself was surprised to see Shirou who happens to notice the group. He sees the scene and furrows his brow.
"Ishtar. What happened?" Shirou asked with a bit of concern.
"It was Gilgamesh. The same old, same old. You should know by now." Ishtar said doing her best not to look straight at Shirou.
"Oh! What happened to your clothes? Did Gilgamesh and Enkidu do that to you?" Mashu asks with concern. "Da Vinci Sensei isn't inside at the moment but I have spare clothes that you can use."
"Really? Thank you." Ishtar turns around to Ritsuka. "Thanks again for saving me earlier."
"It was no problem." Ritsuka waves at Mashu and Ishtar walking away. Shirou remains silent but he looked extremely pissed off. "Shirou?"
"Gilgamesh and Enkidu have been bullying for a long time… For too long. Student Council President, the Disciplinary Committee, or even the staff could not stop his reign on not only Ishtar. But everyone else!" Shirou clenches his fist. "Gilgamesh must be put into his place."
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" Shirou looks at Artoria Alter. "You have the willingness to complete your goal, but without proper skill and power, all that bluster is nothing before him."
Shirou is taken back by Artoria Alter's words.
"Shirou. It sounds like you're really upset and I understand. But there is another reason, isn't there?" Ritsuka asks as Shirou reflects on Ritsuka's words. "Were you close friends with Ishtar?"
"Yes… I was."
The first day of the school year. Shirou Emiya, servant class: Archer has just went through the initiation ceremony and was currently on his way to his classroom where he happens to see a girl on the verge of panicking of where she was supposed to go.
She had Chaldea Academy's uniform and looked like a first year and tried to grab anyone's attention until Shirou walks up to her. "Excuse me. Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I'm new to this school and I don't know where my class is. Do you mind showing me where I'm supposed to be. I'm in Class 1-C." The girl said.
"Class 1-C? That's my class as well. I can show you if you would like." Shirou said. The girl lets out a sigh of relief before smiling.
"Thank you so much. I would've been lost without you." The girl said as the two started to walk to their classroom. "I'm Ishtar. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"I'm Shirou Emiya. I hope that we can get along well this year." Shirou said returning the formality.
Over the course of the year, Shirou and Ishtar had formed a close bond with each other. They would hang out after classes or other times that they were free until one day. Ishtar wasn't smiling as much when she was Shirou who could easily tell something was up and he felt like he had to pursue what was causing her this.
"Ishtar. Are you alright? You seem troubled these days and I feel like something is wrong with you." Shirou asks one day while he and Ishtar were hanging out by themselves.
"Eh?" Ishtar is taken back by the sudden and yet serious question. "Where did you get that from Shirou? I'm perfectely fine!"
"Really? Because it seems like you're constantly thinking about something all the time, recently. I just want to make sure that you're alright. I am your friend afterall."
"Y-Yeah. I'm fine Shirou. Just tired." Ishtar said brushing it off.
"Are you sure? There is definintely something off ab-"
"I'm fine!" Ishtar said standing up before walking away in a fit of anger leaving Shirou by himself.
For two weeks, Ishtar kept her distance from Shirou until one day, he heard argueing as he saw Ishtar getting harassed by both Enkidu and Gilgamesh.
"Hey! What's going on?" Shirou said stepping in between the group. "Why are you picking on Ishtar like that?"
"Oh? Is this your friend?" Gilgamesh questions with a smug expression on his face. "If that's the case then"
"He's not my friend!" Ishtar said as Shirou turns around. Ishtar was trembling but she kept her posture. "Shirou is not my friend. He's not associated with me in any way."
"Is that true? Then you... faker. Trying to butt in, in other people's conversations. You should leave while you still can." Gilgamesh said looking dead straight into Shirou's eyes. He was about to object when Ishtar grabs his arm.
"Stop Shirou. Just go." Shirou looks back at Ishtar and then at Gilgamesh. He was both confused and angry at the same time before being shoved away by Enkidu.
"Gil asked you to step aside. Please leave." Enkidu states. Shirou tried to say something. He was already too shocked as he was from the scene before turning away and walked away.
Gilgamesh washes his face and wipes himself dry with a towel before looking at the mirror. "Ritsuka Fujimaru… It has been a while since someone has opposed me to get me like this."
Gilgamesh chuckles before looking outside. "Just you wait, you mongrel. I'm going to push you back in your place. It is a king's job to push down anyone that would cause any trouble for him."
Hey guys this is NexusEX back with another chapter of Chaldea Academy. Before we begin with the message, I would like to thank you guys so much for the amount of love being shown in the span of one month. It is astronomical and I thought that it would never happen with me and my trashy handwriting. But I look at the results and I'm happy that you guys personally enjoy it. Now let's get off into something.
Some of you had said a Ishtar x Ritsuka for part of the harem. I love Ishtar and Ereshkigal because they look like Rin Tohsoka whose route was the best in Fate Stay/Night. However while some people would like to have this be a thing in the harem, I would have to say... that I'm sorry but it'll not be happening. For one major reason and that is Fate Stay/Night and I ship Servant Rin with Servant Emiya or Ishtar and Emiya (Archer) so those that might be disappointed by this decision, I'm very sorry.
Now comes the King of Heroes himself, Gilgamesh and his trusty and loyal clay friend, Enkidu. To be honest, I like the pair togehter. Gilgamesh may seem like an egotistical asshole but deep down, he has a big heart, especially with the bond that he made with Enkidu. In this story, he's going to be one of the first antagonists in the story (because I need SOME conflict in this.) Don't get me wrong. Slice of life is a genre that I like but the Fate series is an Action series and I want to keep it to that as well. That's just a personal opinion.
In any case, I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Chaldea Academy. If you liked this fanfiction, why not give it a follow and a favourite for more content and comment on some of the things that you thought while reading. I'm always looking for more ways to improve my craft as a writer. But for now, I must leave you all. This is NexusEX signing off! Stay Classy!