"You've got this Guda" Gudako whispered to him. They were about to meet the A-Team. Trained Mages
"Don't be so nervous. You've handled many difficult servants thought out the singularities this should be a cakewalk compared to them" Doctor Romani assured them.
He led them into the room. Gudao took a deep breath and walked in. Gudako and Mashu following behind
The atmosphere in the room was very heavy. Gudao knew they were dealing with high ranking masters. He had never felt this sort of pressure before. Not even when fighting servants. He had to get a grip on himself. They had already managed to fix four singularities. Now wasn't the time to be surprised or fall art.
He plastered a smile on his face and held a hand out to the boy called Kadoc.
"Hi, glad to see you're feeling better, my name is Gudao and that's my sister Gudako. Nice to officially meet you and I hope we can work together well in the future" he waited for Kadoc to shake is hand but he scowled
"Surprising that you want to work together with people like us since you've managed to save the world 4 times over. You're too high up for the likes of people like me"
Gudao was astonished. Did he offend him in any way? He was honestly hoping that they get work together. Yet this guy had some sort of problem
All of a sudden a hand clapped his back
"Don't mind him" the voice belonged to the man called Peperonico Scandinavia
"He's always like that, but once you get to know him he grows on you. Da Vinci may have already given you the rundown on us but let me formally introduce myself. I am Peperonico Scandniva but call me Pepe"
Pepe had a friendly demeanor. Guda was relieved to know that not all of them were hostile
"The lady with the eyepatch is Ophelia"
Ophelia gave a smile "Pleased to meet you Gudao, Gudako, and nice to see you again Mashu"
Mashu gave a smile back
"That is Beryl Gut, ignore his last name" he pointed to a man with pointy ears
The man gave a nod of his head "Ah so you're the folks who've been handling the singularities, kind of different from what I imagined"
Gudao didn't know if that was good or bad. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow pass over Mashus face but the next second it went back to normal.
"And I'm sorry for this but Daybit one of the other members of our team is really shy. So please excuse his absence" he said in an apologetic tone
"And the famed prodigy himself Kirstcharia Wodime"
Gudao knew who he was even before the introduction. Even prior to coming to Chaldea Wodike was a famed genius known throughout. A gifted magus, who had been scouted by both the UN and the clock tower. Many people speculated that he was wasting his talents. He had never accepted the countless offers that came his way. Now Gudao knew why. He was supposed to lead the A-Team to fix the Fuyuki singularity. Humanity had depended on him. If the blast hadn't happened would he have already fixed all the singularities? Gudao wondered
"Its a pleasure to meet you two" Kistacharia extended a hand gesturing for them to sit. As if they were guests who had come for a reunion with old friends
Gudako hesitantly took a seat with Mashu beside her. Gudao sat across from them
"We've been updated on the circumstances, but I think we all agree that it would be in all of our best interests if we got more details from you two"
They both nodded. If they are going to work together as Da Vinci and Romani had said they should lay all the cards on the table.
Wodime looked at the files
"The first singularity, Singularity F located in Fuyuki time 2004 A.D. You made a contract with the servant Cu Chulain who was of the caster class. He assisted you in getting through the Singularity. You fought countless servants who were summoned during that grail war. Including a corrupted King Arthur-"
"Is it true that King Arthur was a woman" Ophelia interrupted
Gudako nodded "It surprised me too. If you think that's weird you should see Emperor Nero Claudius, man if I knew what history was really like I wouldn't have paid that much attention in class"
Ophelia seemed excited at hearing that
"I guess we shouldn't be assuming the genders of historical figures before meeting them from now on" Pepe added
Even Kadoc seemed interested. Though he tried to hide it
"Well" Interrupted Wodime "to get back on subject. You fought King Arthur, but what I do not understand is how you were able to hold your own? King Arthur alone is a high ranking servant, add on the effect of the holy grail" he asked
"Well we weren't alone, Cu Chulain was with as and so was Mashu. Without her we wouldn't have me it out alive" Mashu blushed when she heard that
"With both of their strengths, we managed to defeat King Arthur, turns out she was given the grail to maintain the singularity and restart the Grail war of 2004, we thought it was over after we defeated her, but then…." Gudao hesitated
"Lev Lavinus betrayed us, He was working for Solomon and was the one to give the grail to Arthur. And that wasn't it. No that wasn't enough for him. Olga she trusted him. She didn't know he was the one behind everything and when she saw him she ran to him and ..."
The room was silent. Wodime had an unreadable expression on his face. Kadoc looked down and Pepe looked sympathetic. Ophelia bit her lip.
Gudako pounded her fist on the table
"We could have stopped her, we could have prevented her from disappearing. She died in front of us. We couldn't do anything. We were useless beginners who hadn't even learned a damn spell" she spit that out with venom.
"And you know what her last words were? Not curses at Lev or anyone else but screaming and begging, despair at the fact that no one had ever told her she had done a good job or acknowledged her" there were tears forming in her eyes
"Although we didn't know her for long, and her personality wasn't exactly warm.. She was a real person. Who taught us the basics. Even when everything was crumbling around us. Her knowledge helped us and still helps even now. I want to tell her.." Gudako took a breath composing herself
"Thank you director, you did a good job. We got this far in part thanks to you. But we can't now can we…." Mashu gripped her hand. Patting it. Gudako smiled thankfully at her
"We want to stop Solomon. For Olga. For Da Vinci. Doctor Romani, the staff who have helped us, the servants who fight alongside us and for human history itself. As long as we still fight, as long as there are people still against him Solomon can not win. He won't win" Gudao said with vigor
"Well well. I do admire your determination." Pepe had been intensely listening
"That asshole Lev. I don't understand how he managed to slip under all our noeses" Kadoc angrily said
"He managed to fool us all, especially the director ..., she was very close to him." Ophelia shook her head sadly
"Her mistake was relying on one person a little too much," Beryl remarked with indifference
Wodime quieted everyone
"The fact remains that you did manage to get through four singularities alive. Even if we assume most of it is was though the heroic servant you contracted with, we can not discard the notion that you must have some skills to be able to make contracts with not just one but countless servants many of whom would refuse to cooperate in regular circumstances " he said with a pondering look on his face
"Now onto the next singularities"
Gudao and Gudako told them about countless servants they had met, and how they managed to fix each singularity. Mashu and Doctor Romani would chime in with extra details. The A-Team would interrupt with curious questions-mostly Ophelia and Pepe- and some would make passive remarks-mostly, mostly, Kadoc. Beryl would make inappropriate comments here and there. Hinako was engrossed in her book, occasionally glancing towards them
Finally, after a long interrogation, Gudao told them of the London singularity and how they battled Solomon.
"To be frank. I do not know how you managed to fight Solomon, the king of mages himself, and survive. It is plain to see that he didn't use his full power. Consider yourselves lucky that he didn't see you as a threat"
"Um, thanks?" Gudako replied. Not sure if that was a compliment or insult
"I don't mean to insult you," Wodime said as if he could read their minds "but had it been any other mage Solomon would have used his full force of powers, and his plan would continue this time without anyone to stop him. It is extremely lucky that you two were completely under his radar and yet had enough skill to pass through four singularities"
"We've been learning. Romulus has been helping us with our physical training, we have combat training with servants like Cu Chulainn and King Arthur, Da Vinci has also designed mystic codes for us that enhance our weak magic circuits allowing us to cast basic magic"
"It's really interesting how you treat your servants as friends" Beryl smirked at them
"Of course we do" Gudako replied with indignation "We've been through so much with them. Countless life and death situations, they've taught us so much. Not just about magic or anything like that but on how we view the world"
"Oh no, now don't get angry. It just that" he paused for dramatic effect "servants are tools, tools that have the capacity to kill you without blinking, and yet here you are, eating with them conversing with them and leaving your back open for them to stab anytime"
Gudako looked livid. Gudao wanted to stop her before she went into another one of her emotional outbursts.
"Beryl" Doctor Romani interrupted in a voice he had never heard from him before
"I'd appreciate if you would keep your fantasies to yourself, this is not a regular situation. The fate of human history is at stake and most of these servants understand that. So id advise you to think before opening your mouth, as yes, they wouldn't hurt the people who summoned them but they would feel no hesitation in hurting others, especially those who cause discord"
The rooms temperature decreased. Gudao could see Doctor Romani was furious. But it wasn't just what Bery had said before. His anger seemed deeper than that
Wodime cleared his throat
"I agree with Doctor, we are not aware of all the summoned servants' temperaments so Beryl try not to cause unnecessary strife. We should plan out what's going to happen in the future. There are still more singularities left to fix and Solomon has just started noticing what a threat you two are really are. So I expect it will be much more difficult to pass them for you two alone. You can leave the rest of them to us. You've done enough."
Gudao frowned. Sure it made sense. The faith of the world was in question. It was better to leave it to qualified mages. And wasn't this was he wanted? A peaceful well paying job. Without worrying that the next person they meet would try to kill them. Without worrying about random wyvern attacks. He should be glad to have that huge burden off his shoulders but…
"Wait, I understand that we may not be the best help. Heck when I first got here i thought i would never even be chosen be to rayshifting" he glanced at Mashu "but i-we have learned a lot from these past singularities. More than we ever would have gotten from textbooks or lectures. And we've gotten so far with that. And although our skills or knowledge may not be as good as yours it will be helpful in the battle against Solomon, so, please. Let us help"
Mashu was smiling at him and Gudako nodded approvingly. Even Doctor Romani looked proud
"Are you sure you can stake the faith of the world on what you've learned. I mean you're still inexperienced, are you willing to shoulder the responsibility of human history even with the lack of skills and inexperience " Pepe asked
Gudao looked him directly in the eye
"We had already shoulders that responsibility when the bombs went off and we will continue to do that. This time by own choice. We started this and we are going to see this to the end, and besides, you know what they say, the more the merrier
Pepe looked pleased with his answer
"We can not, in good faith entrust a huge responsibility on words alone," Wodime said apologetically
"If I may" Mashu interrupted "I personally think that both Gudao senpai and Gudako senpai are more than qualified to accompany you in the singularities. I fought alongside them. I can say with guarantee that they are capable"
Ophelia nodded her head agreeing
"If Mashu is saying that then i think so too. Mashu was trained and taught alongside us on how to combat the singularities. If anyone is a good judge of skill and character it's her"
Wodime still looked hesitant
"Come on Wodime. The worlds gone. There's no need to follow all those rules and regulations to the bone. The staff say they're capable, Kyrelight vouched for them and you've seen the compiled reports yourself, What more evidence do you need?" Pepe paused. And suddenly his face lit up
"I've got it, how about we see their skills ourselves. How they are in a fight and what they can offer"
"Ah yes. Chaldea does have many training facilities and fight simulators. How about they go against some of us and see if they have what it takes" Beryl added
"Hmmm. It would give us an opportunity to see the servants Chaldlea has at its disposal. And we can assess your skills with our own yes ourselves. But the question remains who will be the one to go against you?"
Wodime looked over at the rest of the A-Team
"Most of us have advanced skills so it would be unfair to fight against you, Hinkao probably doesn't want anything to do with it and Beryl would go overboard"
"How about me and Kadoc" Ophelia spoke up " If you disregard my mystic eye, me and Kadoc are closest in skill to Gudao and Gudako. It'll b fight"
"Fine by me, it'd be fun to stomp them into the ground," Kadoc said with a smirk
"But you guys don't have any servants summoned yet. How can that be fair.." Gudao asked
"Don't worry Gudao, before the bombs went off we were planning to summon servants anyway. And the summoning grounds are still here. They have enough skill to summon one servant independent of Chaldea" Pepe assured him
Gudao nodded his head. He was at least confident in his skills to know that he could go against them and maybe come out with a win. Gudako looked less confident but didn't say anything
"If no one has any complaints. Then it's settled. There will be a match tomorrow. Each person is allowed to bring one servant. I and the Doctor will be the judges to make it fairer"
"Well if that's how you guys want to handle this then i have no problem" Doctor Romani sighed.
"Then it's settled. Let's see what you guys are made of" Pepe smiled barely able to hold his excitement
~~~~~
Wodime was looking over the reports. Everyone had already left to settle in. But not before getting a check-up forcibly administered by Doctor Romani. He claimed that after being frozen for a year there had to have been damage done to their bodies.
Wodime shook his head. They were all trained. Something as small as that wasn't enough to permanently damage them.
Nevertheless, the Doctor remained stubborn about it and they had it go in for a medical exam. Wodime said he would go later after checking up on the reports. The Doctor had looked like he wanted to argue but left him alone anyway
He looked over the report of the first singularity. He couldn't stop reading the details of how Olga had been pulled into Chaldeas. He felt unpleasant. As a respected magus, the first thing he was taught was that he shouldn't let his emotions rule over him. To discard them and work towards the greater good. They were just obstacles that got in the way of achievements. Useless things
Still. When he thought of the last time he saw Olga and the conversations they had had his throat couldn't help but tighten. He shook his head trying to block those thoughts and feelings out
"Reading those over and over again won't do you any good" a voice said
Wodime followed it And frowned
"Daybit, if you were listening in on everything you should have just sat down in the meeting"
Daybit walked over
"No point for me there be there, I'd rather just observe," he said curtly
Wodime knew that he didn't like socializing with people. He was worse than Hinako in that regard. At least with Hinkao, she could get serious when there was battle strategy to be talked but Daybit rarely even spoke up then. Wodime was also sure he had never seen him smile. Even while knowing each other for a long time he was no closer to figuring him out
"Well, what do you think about them?"
Daybit sat down
"No need to get my opinion on this, but they seem…..alright. Not arrogant like those clock tower magus nor clueless like newbies. They have got experience but they have a lot to learn. Still too idealistic and optimistic which can be a weak spot"
Daybit had a point. Although the brother was more grounded than his hyper sister, he was still unaware of the cruel realities. He could tell they didn't have much experience with the magus association or anything related to that really, from the way they behaved. He wasn't even sure they knew of the true nature of Chaldea. And no one had cared to tell them
"We could use some idealism at this time though. They had enough to boldly proclaim that they could help with the singularities. In Front of people who had trained their whole lives for this and were descended from respected lineages. I'm excited to see what they'll bring to the table" Wodime was hopeful. He had never encountered "magus" like this before. So it was still unknown territory. They might manage to surprise him as they did before. He looked at Daybit
"Will you be present for the fight tomorrow?"
Daybit got up from his seat
"We'll see" he muttered as he walked away.