Chapter 5: The Campus

"Circe-san, where are we going?" Mashu asked curiously as they walked together with Caster. They were dressed in casual clothes, easier to blend in human population as what Caster suggested. Circe also casted an illusion on her ears and her wings to make her look normal.

Also, Fou decided to join them, where he was carried by Mashu by cuddling him by her stomach.

"I've been tasked to buy ingredients from the market and Master said I can bring anyone." Circe replied as she smiled at her.

"Why me?"

"No offense but I've wanted to talk to someone that's normal and you could familiarize yourself."

"R-really? Thanks a lot. By the way, where's Senpai going?"

"To the campus, specifically where Scathach teaches…"

"Is Senpai enrolled there as a student?"

Circe only sighed as she stared at Mashu with pity. "I wish but Master didn't even try to, saying it was 'cliché' and ended up as a librarian's assistant. I don't know where she get those words alone. Honestly, aside from her good nature, she's becoming unpredictable, which is scary enough for me."

"Oh, I see."

"No worries though, maybe you could join her the sooner she decided to."

"Yes I wanted to but it seemed that she's busy."

Caster made a pouty lip. "pfft. Who cares?"

Mashu thought for a moment. "Circe-san, are all of Senpai's Servants at the dorm?" This was actually lingered in her mind after she saw all of the familiar faces inside the dorm. She knew Senpai brought more Servants when she's on the mission.

Circe looked at her with curiosity until she gets the gist of it. "You figured it out huh?" She said with an accusing stare.

Nonetheless, Mashu was still clueless.

"What did I figure out, Circe?"

"N-nothin', anyways, you are right; Master was clever in that sense so yes, Mashu, not everyone was living in that dorm right now."

"I get it now. Where are the rest though?"

Circe can be seen counting on her fingers. "One would be in the monastery. Two of them would be from a separate district. Also one from a dojo."

"I see." Mashu said then looked around when they realized there was more people around them than before, meaning they were nearer to their destination, which is the supermarket. "Aren't you worried that someone might be eavesdropping at us?"

Circe just grinned at her in anticipation. "Hnn. Already solved that using the wind spell. Everyone around us will only hear us talking mundane things like a 'normal' dialogue as the spell weaves the air that carries the sound itself."

"Gee. That's quite helpful." Then Mashu thought deeply as she seemed to be forgetting something. She tried to rack her brain until she realized she forgot one thing.

"Circe-san, after we buy from the market, can we go to that place." Mashu said as he stares at the elevated earth not far from them. Circe immediately followed her gaze and realized where she was pointing too.

"… I wanted to re-establish connection with Chaldea even for a brief moment. I've got the permission from Senpai herself but sadly she won't join. Circe-san, is that place aligned with leylines here on this world?"

Circe studied the mountain by her gaze for a moment. "You've got a good sense there. Mashu, I wouldn't be surprise if you can be magus one day. You can establish there."

Mashu really thinking it right now. "No thanks, I think I'm satisfied as Demi-Servant for now."

However, Circe appears to be not listening as her senses seemed to be heightened in alarm. She doesn't need to look back so she warned Mashu on the spot.

"Mashu, someone's following us." Circe said warily.

"Huh…" Mashu immediately understood what Circe was trying to convey and pretended not noticing an individual not far from them tailing them. From what Circe could see, they are so blatantly obvious, with their black suits and black shades. What's worse is how they don't act normal but rather stupid according to Circe. She didn't even need to turn back to know that they were rather awkward when hiding.

"It seemed that we will not be going straight for the market this time… we'll need to confuse them. Just follow suite, Mashu."

Mashu just nod in agreement, before they increase their walking pace.

Kotori was inside the ship earlier as she can be with her elder brother Shidou on the way to the school. She will not bother him for now. She was still dressed in her night pajamas while her commander's uniform was drape over her shoulder.

While sitting, her mouth was occupied with her chupa-chops. Her face was scrunched, as she thought of something deeply.

In front of her was large screen projecting two familiar faces.

One was Shidou's supposed to be teacher, Ms. Scarlet.

… and the other was Mashu Kyrelite.

They were suspected of being Spirits named 'Lancer' and 'Knight' but the only evidence she can trust was their uncanny resemblance and nothing more. She can't even detect any mana signature similar to those Spirits.

In other words, they are completely normal human and that made her frustrate even more. She just can't shake the feeling that there was more to reveal about them but she can't just accuse them by her guts along.

That's right, she needed more evidence regarding about them. That's why she will maintain their connection to that dorm where Mashu and Ms. Scarlet live. That means more visitation together with Shidou.

Also, she wanted to meet the girl named Jackie. In order to gather more information, Kotori already sent a spy to Mashu in order track her movements.

For now, she must focus onto something that must be taken priority immediately. She even foretold Shidou about this certain Spirit. The projection in front of her quickly changed from the two suspected Spirit into one female individual.

And that one individual was a Spirit named 'Nightmare'.

Shidou sighed as he eyed the campus in front of him. Not that he was tired of the campus but that he was worrywart right now.

Origami was gone on the couch. He wondered if she escaped or something else happened but he can't be so sure. He also wanted to know if she will be present in the school.

tap* *tap* *tap* The sound of the high heels caught his attention.

"No, dillydallying I daresay." Scathach remarked as she walked past Shidou who just glanced at her and scratched the back of his head. She was dressed once again in her teacher's outfit, a candid uniform and dress above her knees while wearing dark stockings that emphasized her legs and figures.

Shidou just gulped as he forced himself focused.

"N-no, ma'm, I am not!" Shidou quickly replied and immediately rushed his way toward his room. He was freaked out that night when he realized Kotori has planned for him to flirt and woe Ms. Scarlet.

Ms. Okamine might be one thing but he felt dread facing Ms. Scarlet alone. He felt brushed by death whenever he mentioned something unruly in front of Ms. Scarlet and he felt that he can't even rely to his regenerative powers.

Why in the hell would he thought of that? Surely, Ms. Scarlet was just a normal person with mighty prowess, right? He remembered how she substituted for a P.E. since their Physical Education Teacher was absent. She immediately started a one hell of a Spartan Training, one that made them feel weak and lanky after half of the hour, They felt they can't move their muscle and soul anymore. They remembered how they were saved by the bell.

Shidou immediately shook off that scary thoughts. That's one of the things that Shidou doesn't want to face Ms. Scarlet directly. Even with the nudge of Ratatoskr, he seriously doubt they can help him when facing her.

He went straight to his room nonetheless as he left Scathach along the halls.

However, Scathach was interrupted from her daily plan. She paused for a moment as she sensed something amiss. Master was already here earlier since she wanted to show off to the Librarian. She was greatly confused at first when she refused to become a student here in the campus but instead, was content from being an assistant in the Library.

Maybe she has some plans for it and Scathach definitely trusted her. For now, she will promptly ignore her classroom, turned back instead and went to straight to the Library. She has now sense that one of the 'Spirit' is inside the campus and she must reach her Master first.

tap* *tap* *tap*

Ritsuka tapped on the wooden desk as she entertained herself. The librarian went off to have some break and was now temporarily in-charge of the library. Although, it was weird because the library was empty and it made her feel saddened a little.

The library was too deathly quiet and she doesn't like it at most. She really wanted to return to dorm immediately but she must get the job done. Either she will abandon her post or wait for the Librarian to return. Ritsuka obviously choose the latter.

"Good morning…"

Goodness gracious! Ritsuka almost leaped in joy when someone entered the premise and greeted her. This queer looking girl was looking for somewhere within the sea of books until it set its eyes on her. Ritsuka realized that this girl was wearing a black eyepatch on her left eye and at one glance, she is quickly dubbed as a goth by Ritsuka due to her all black dress.

The girl immediately approached the desk where Ritsuka was waiting. The Master of Chaldea memorized all of the students here in the campus, including Origami, Shidou and Tohka so she was convinced that she was a new student here.

Although she wondered why this girl wasn't present in her respective classroom since it was class hour. If her memory serves correct, this girl should be already introducing herself in the class.

"How can I help you?" Ritsuka immediately asked when she was now within a respectable range.

The pale girl just smiled and introduced herself.

Ritsuka felt something suspicious about her already but this girl is just emanating a vague disposition.

"Hello, I'm Kurumi Tokisaki and I'm a Spirit."