October 15, X784 Ishgar Magic Council Headquarters, Era, Ishgar

"Your name, sir?"

"Shirou Emiya."

"Your age, sir?"

"Nineteen."

The anthropomorphic amphibian across from Shirou started documenting said information on its notepad. As they went back and forth, Shirou answered whatever questions he could to the best of his ability without disclosing anything too damning.

"Excellent, sir. All your basic information has been documented. All that is left now is your magical aptitude test. You shouldn't worry too much, though. The requirements have been lowered due to certain…..circumstances." It was apparent the Magic Council employee was choosing words carefully.

Although a few months passed, the scars of Jellal and Ultear's betrayal still lingered. Visually, through the still-damaged architecture, there were also psychological ramifications. Many good council members stepped down, including Yajima and Michello. Many others outside and within became disillusioned with the current state of the Council. As such, more decisive leadership was put in place. Gran Doma revamped the entire organization, making it more robust. His first actual decision was the implementation of the Enforcer system. A group of elite mages who would receive orders directly from the Council. Their primary mission was to eradicate all the Dark Guilds on the continent of Ishgar and keep the Legal Guilds in check. The weakness of the Rune Knights has become apparent to all. As such, a more strict and powerful force needed to be created.

Shirou nodded. "That's good. I know something about magic, but I'm no expert."

He followed behind the proctor, leaving their current room and heading toward another area to conduct the second part of processing.

Although on the outside, it seemed like Shirou was calm and collected, his mind was actually like a maelstrom. Remembering the circumstances that got him here made his brain throb in anguish.

He loved Rin. He could see a potential future with her. Although she liked to act cold and disinterested at times, anyone who's ever been around her could see past that facade. She was a good person. However, she tended to go over and beyond on things she was passionate about. This quirk was why he was currently trapped in another world and walking down the hall with a humanoid frog.

It didn't take long for her to catch the attention of the Wizard Marshall, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, who eventually took her own as his protege; he knew nothing good could come of this union. He was the man who made the Mage's Association wary of his actions. But, being the strongest magus alive, living for thousands of years, and seeing everything there is to know, he could understand why he does what he does. Moreover, his magic allowed him to observe and travel to different worlds.

This is what got him into the position he is in currently. Being her usual self, Rin decided to practice the new magic she learned in their apartment to impress her teacher the next time they met. Unfortunately, Shirou got caught in the middle of the ritual as he brought Rin lunch, inadvertently being sucked into an unstable vortex.

"Archer's luck is starting to wear off on me." Giving a defeated sigh, he continued walking behind his proctor.

He truly believed he would have an uneventful life after the Holy Grail War was concluded. Well, uneventful in Shirou Emiya's eyes. He still wanted to pursue his dream of being a hero. Being sucked into another world will not stop him from doing that. "Silly to think that the Holy Grail War would be the peak of my life. Who would've thought something crazier would be on my path."

He did not like it here. It was unfamiliar territory and nothing like Fuyuki, Japan. He felt out of his element, and asking for directions all day yesterday was something he never wanted to do. Animals being able to speak was an eye-opener, to be sure.

Eventually, a massive mansion was where he was finally led to. The building was on top of a hill, looming over the rest of the city like a sort of monolith. From what he could gather, this Magic Council acted like this world's version of the Mage's Association. The only difference was that they allowed people to be open with magic. Magic was everywhere, and everyone could use it. No secrecy, no bloodlines, and no hoarding of knowledge. It was refreshing to see.

Although he wasn't looking for a job, turning it down was something he didn't have the heart to do after being offered the position. "I guess old habits do die hard." A wistful chuckle slipped his lips. He could already hear Rin scolding him for not taking care of himself.

Shirou wrote it off as something to do while he was here. But, unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do. Rin would eventually find him; he knew this in his heart. She wouldn't stop till they were reunited once again. With Zelretch's assistance, the process would be expedited. However, he wasn't foolish enough to assume it would take a couple of days. As such, a job was a necessity. It would curb the monotony of his predicament, keep him in shape, and offer a source of income to live on.

The Enforcer position he was applying for was perfect. It would allow him to help and protect others, it paid well, and he would travel around. So he couldn't complain too much about this opportunity. It was everything he ever wanted. With the current state of the Magic Council, they were begging for applicants. They required recruits and positions to fill. With the ability to travel, he could see what this world was about. "Who can say they got to travel around a new world? Not much, that's for sure. I could even bring back some souvenirs for Tohsaka."

"Right this way, sir." Shirou was immediately taken out of his thoughts. He forgot momentarily where he even was. The proctor opened a door leading to a white arena of sorts.

"This is where we will be conducting your next steps for processing. As I said before, this is the magical aptitude portion. Here we will analyze your skills as a mage." The proctor walked over to an orb placed on a white altar. "If you could please place your hand on this lacrima. This will help us get a general understanding of how much magical power you possess."

"Eh, sure…" Shirou said nervously, rubbing the back of his head. Mana quantity wasn't exactly his strong suit. So an outside source was usually needed to assist him in fueling up his more powerful moves.

He touched the orb, and a series of numbers popped on the other side of the altar. As the proctor looked at the number, an approving smile grazed its lips. They began to write down the results on the notepad.

"Ah, this is good. You have an above-average quantity of magical power." Shirou sighed in relief, not realizing that he was subconsciously holding his breath the whole time. He didn't want to be disqualified over something he had no control over.

He remembered Rin talking about how he had twenty-seven magical circuits, more than the average magus. Rin rebranded him with the Tohsaka's magical crest during his time at the Clock Tower. It was a sort of insurance Rin wanted Shirou to have if he was ever in a bind. He didn't have the sufficient mana necessary to keep his reality marble up, but the issue would be nonexistent with the magical crest. The Clock Tower was a dog-eat-dog world. So many people are vying for power and knowledge, with little concern about who they need to use or kill to get it. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Remembering the process of having the seal put on him made Shirou blush slightly. He quickly shook that feeling off and pushed it back toward the recesses of his mind. He had a test he needed to focus on. Thinking about Rin's soft, thick, toned thighs—"Bad Shirou!"

"Now, this next portion is more liberal. You must show me some of your magic and its usage in combat. Since you are applying for the position of Enforcer, more combat-oriented magic is preferred. Although useful in its way, magic such as Thought Projection and Archive will not suit your profession, and your application will be denied." The proctor said sternly. "You may start at any time." Their gaze focused on Shirou as they waited for his signal to continue.

"Well, I only really have Projection and Reinforcement magic. However, I did pick up a few things from Rin and the classes at the Clock Tower that may come in handy." Shirou decided to just go for it. Waiting around and thinking things through wasn't his style. "Trace. On."

A distortion in time and space occurred within both of Emiya's hands. Within them, two black and white twin swords materialized from nothingness.

"Requip magic!" The amphibian said incredulously. "Does he possess the same magic as Titania Erza?"

Although Requip magic wasn't anything too special on its own, the requipping of weapons was utterly different. Depending on one's arsenal, it can be highly deadly for sure. A person could become a one-man army based on their skill and arsenal. An invaluable mage to have on one's side, to be sure.

"My trusty Kanshou and Bakuya." Shirou looked over the blades for a bit. It had been a while since he had taken these two out. He couldn't exactly show off his Projection magic at the Clock Tower since it would attract unwanted attention. So he would keep most of his abilities on the down-low until he got home. That was where most of his practice with his Tracing and Projection happened.

Archer was a douchebag. That much was a fact. However, his taste in swords was nevertheless superb. Although the history of Kanshou and Bakuya was dark, the craftsmanship was something to behold. They weren't exactly the most powerful of Noble Phantasms, but they were reliable and easy to utilize. It was something quick to pull out in battle when Shirou couldn't quite make up his mind or couldn't gauge what he was up against.

"I assume you are a competent swordsman?" The proctor said as it quirked its nonexistent eyebrow. The proctor was still somewhat taken aback by the Requip display. It wanted to investigate further to see just how skilled this applicant was.

"I would say so," Shirou responded.

It nodded and signaled to the other side of the room. A few seconds passed, and dozens of Rune Knights marched into the room. They stood across from Shirou, none of them showing any emotion.

"Try to take these men down non-lethally. I will calculate your time on this stopwatch. I will press start as soon as you begin." The Rune Knights weren't much individually, but even the most competent of mages would be hard-pressed to win in a confrontation against them when they were in a group. Their teamwork and rune collaboration magic was second to none.

"I'm going to finish this as quickly as possible." He understood the basic skill range of the people before him. That, coupled with the fact that they are the armed guard of the Magic Council, meant that a prolonged confrontation with them wasn't ideal. He couldn't take this group lightly. He was going to have to split them up and eliminate them. Divide and conquer. Speed was the best course of action to take.

Shirou flooded his legs with mana, pushing himself forward, quaking the ground beneath his feet, leaving a massive hole in the ground where he once stood. The ground was reshaping itself from every step and leap of Shirou's feet.

He quickly appeared in front of the Rune Knights before they could even react. Kicking the closest one in the gut. "GUH…" It was all the knight could get out before being flung violently back, taking a couple of his comrades with him.

The rest of the Knights soon broke from their bafflement and composed themselves. They encircled their adversary and readied to cast magic runes to immobilize him. Before they could, Shirou vanished before them. "Too fast!" Was all that could go through their minds as he picked them off one by one.

The proctor was raddled by what they were seeing. Well, more accurately, it couldn't see what was going on. The proctor couldn't see Shirou; that was how fast he was going. It was like a blur. He was fading in and out of existence, akin to teleportation. They even forgot to start the clock due to the display before them.

"So? How did I do?" Shirou chuckled nervously. He was somewhat rusty, he must admit, but his usage of Reinforcement magic was significantly better than it was during the Grail War. The amount of sparring Rin and Luvia did to settle disagreements allowed him to pick up a thing or two. It also helped that Rin gave him a few pointers here and there to improve his skill.

"Umm..yes, y-you did v-very well, sir…." The proctor documented what they could, still aghast at what just transpired. Nearly fifty Rune Knights were dispatched in under two minutes.

"I'm so sorry, guys. I might've gone a little overboard." Shirou picked up the downed Rune Knights, using novice healing spells to mitigate whatever superficial injuries they had. He tried his best to hold back from harming them, only delivering non-lethal blows to knock them out, but he was still a novice in controlling the output of his strength.

"Healing magic?! Impossible, that is a lost art!" This boy in front of them was becoming an enigma. They rapidly wrote down whatever they saw, documenting everything in detail. "The Councilmen will be pleased to see this!"

After Shirou ensured the Rune Knights were taken care of, he turned to the proctor. "So, what's next after this?"

"Oh *ahem*" Coughing to regain composure. "I've already got enough data to push the packet forward. After this, you will wait in the lounging area until they call you for an interview."

"Umm, who are they, if you don't mind me asking?"

"The Magic Council, of course. They won't all be present, so you don't have to be too nervous. It's only the Chairman and a couple of other council members. They will review your packet and see if you are worth interviewing."

Shirou nodded and went to the designated location to sit until he was called in to be interviewed. He was relieved to know it was only across the hall. If it was any further, he might have gotten lost. The building was massive, almost the size of a castle.

"I guess all I do is wait to be called." He looked around the lounging area to see what he could do to keep himself busy. To his surprise, there wasn't much. Instead, there was an orb that projected some motion pictures, which he assumed was this world's version of television.

As he continued observing the room, the door opening caught his attention. A tall, muscular man with a bald head walked into the room. He had a pair of oval-shaped black marks above his black eyes. The clothes he wore were peculiar.

"Hello there. Please excuse my sudden intrusion. I didn't know anyone else was in here." The man bowed toward Shirou, making the young man somewhat uncomfortable.

"Oh no, you're completely fine! You don't need to do any of that." Shirou said placidly, waving his hands and encouraging the man to stop. It was weird for a man twice his age to bow at him.

"As you wish. My name is Jura Neekis. I am a member of the Lamia Scale Guild. I would like to know your name if it's not too much trouble. This is my first time seeing you around here."

"My name is Shirou Emiya. I'm not a member of any guild or anything. This is my first time here. I am applying for a position, and the proctor asked me to wait here till they called me." Shirou walked over to one of the tables and poured himself some coffee. "I guess coffee is a constant in all worlds." He chuckled to himself and turned back toward the monk-like man. "Do you want a cup, Mister Jura?"

The man raised his hand. "Please, drop the formalities. Just call me Jura. Thanks for the offer, but I don't drink coffee."

The two men sat at one of the main tables. "Fair enough. What brings you here, Jura?"

"I was recommended to the position of Wizard Saint by my fellow peers. The Magic Council is supposed to give its final decision today. Whether or not I get the position is of little concern. Even being recommended is an honor unto itself."

Shirou liked this man. He was humble and down to earth. He couldn't sense a single ounce of deceit or hostility from him. "Well, if it's of any consideration, I hope you get the position."

A small smile made its way to Jura's lip. He bowed his head slightly and responded to Shirou's kind words. "Thank you, my friend. I hope you also get what you are looking for here."

Silence soon overtook the room. Both men were waiting for someone to get them and deliver an answer on their positions. Jura's curiosity was getting the better of him. The young man in front of him felt…..different. He didn't quite know how to put what he felt into words. But, once he got a good look into his eyes, he could understand a bit.

"Those eyes….."

Jura knew those eyes could only belong to someone who had seen combat. Someone who has been thrust into life-and-death situations. Most S-class mages had those same eyes. It was the main reason guilds tested those who wanted to become S-class mages. The missions S-class mages have to go on weren't for the faint of heart. One slight misstep could mean death. As such, they have to test the mettle of all participants to see if they could cope in such an environment.

However, the eyes are a window to the soul. By simply glancing at Shirou's golden-brown eyes, Jura could tell he wasn't an evil person. Instead, his eyes still held a level of optimism within them.

Shirou eventually caught onto Jura's staring. "Is there something on my face?" He began wiping away around his mouth, fearing that he may have had crumbs stuck on his face the entire time he had been here.

The man came back to his senses and lightly chuckled. "No, no. That was my fault. I just lost myself in thought there." Shaking his head and waves one of his hands.

"Ah, ok." He calmed down a bit and sat back in his seat. He thought about what to say; then, an idea popped into his head. This was probably his best chance at probing for more information about this world. "Jura, I was wondering if you could answer some questions I have?"

The man gave a quick nod. "I would be happy to."

"What are dark guilds? And why is the Magic Council so hung up on destroying them?"

Jura was somewhat taken aback by the question. "Does he not know about dark guilds? That's impossible, though; he's applying for a job within the Magic Council." Jura had difficulty believing that someone like Shirou wouldn't know what a dark guild was. He pushed those thoughts to the back burner for now. He did offer to answer any question he had, and he was a man of his word. "Dark guilds are guilds not officially recognized by the Magic Council. However, that alone isn't the only reason they are labeled a dark guild. Usually, these guilds operate and commit illegal actions that put them into that category." Jura paused before continuing. "Stuff like assassinations, slavery, and dealing with illegal substances are a few spheres in which dark guilds operate. To call them a guild is laughable; they are more akin to a criminal organization or gang if anything else."

"I see…." Shirou pondered on what the man said. After hearing everything, dissolving these dark guilds could only serve as a net benefit for everyone. Before he could comment, Jura answered the second part of his question.

"The Magic Council isn't going after every individual dark guild. That is costly and not efficient in the long term. So instead, they are going after the Balam Alliance. They believe doing so would cut the head off the snake, weakening every dark guild on the continent."

"Balam Alliance?"

Jura elaborated further. "The Balam Alliance is a non-aggression pact between the three most powerful dark guilds in Ishgar. Each of these dark guilds has dozens of other dark guilds working underneath them. They have been a menace to the populace for a while now."

Shirou understood the situation a little more. "So why hasn't the Magic Council gone after this Balam Alliance?"

"Well…..it's more complicated than you might think. First, the Council doesn't know its base of operations. The Alliance uses smaller dark guilds as lackeys to get their day-to-day operations afloat. This gets what they need accomplished while maintaining an air of secrecy." Jura let his words hang in the air for a bit before continuing. "Another reason is because of their power. The Magic Council is strong, but they do not have the necessary resources and manpower to take on the entire Balam Alliance and win."

The silence was deafening. Shirou was silent, soaking up as much information as possible about this evil cabal. He was going to make it his duty to uphold justice and save as many people as possible. This Balam Alliance was simply an obstacle that he would overcome.

Jura, once again, broke the silence between the men. "The Balam Alliance has no core member weaker than an S-class mage. The three guilds that encompass the organization have clawed their way up to the top of the criminal underworld. They use forbidden magic and have hundreds of foot soldiers at their beck and call. They are a force to be reckoned with."

Shirou spoke up after being silent for so long. "So the Magic Council is simply too weak, is that it? Is that why they allowed this evil organization to continue to exist?" The tone that Shirou spoke sent chills down Jura's spine. A hint of venom could be ascertained through his words. Cowardice wasn't a good enough excuse to allow evil to persist and fester.

Pushing the sensation to the side, Jura responded. "Yes and no. Don't be fooled; the Magic Council is no pushover. Despite their many setbacks, they are still mighty. The issue with the Balam Alliance is the lack of information. We don't know how many members each of these dark guilds have. The Wizards Saints are powerful. They can take on two or even three S-class mages at once. However, even they will be hard-pressed to take on more than that. That is where the dilemma sets in. Sending Wizard Saints to take these unknowns is very dangerous as the Wizard Saints make up the backbone and military might of the Magic Council. The death of even a single Wizard Saint can have massive political ramifications."

Ishgar was relatively peaceful due in part to the many safeguards in place. The Wizard Saints are one of those safeguards. The Alvarez Empire stopped conquering its surrounding nations after the disappearance of their Emperor, resulting in an uneasy peace between Ishgar and Alakitasia. However, the Alvarez Empire was not above invading again if they felt weakness. The death of a Wizard Saint is a blow to Ishgar's military might that could be seen as a weakness. The Magic Council wanted to avoid such a prospect by any means necessary.

"I can understand that aspect." Although he didn't fully agree, he could respect the way of thinking. "It reminds me a lot like the Holy Grail War." Information was vital. Information on the enemy's servant, the master, and so on could immensely tip the course of a battle. Sending your best men on a wild goose chase wasn't ideal, especially as a legislative body.

Shirou understood this all. He has been down this road not that long ago. However, then and even now, he refused to sit back and accept it. Tiptoeing and moving cautiously were costing innocent people their lives. If the Magic Council refuses to make a move, then he will.

"I hope you understand. It's not that the Magic Council doesn't want to help; it simply goes deeper than launching people at the Balam Alliance." The man hoped his explanation was satisfactory. He could understand and respect the way Shirou thought. He was young, idealistic, and had his heart in the right place, but the issue wasn't as black and white as most people think.

"So Shirou." The man wanted to know a little more about him. He was always up to meeting new people. This Shirou, in particular, has piqued his interest. "Since I've answered your question to the best of my ability, I want to know a little about yourself, if you don't mind me asking."

Before Shirou could respond, a knock on the door interrupted the two gentlemen. The door swung open, and a nicely dressed anthropomorphic amphibian walked through. "Lord Neekis, the Council awaits your presence. If you can please follow me, I shall show you to the council chambers."

Jura looked at the messenger and nodded. "Thank you" He gazed back at Shirou. "I'm sorry, Shirou. I guess our conversation must be cut short. It's a shame; I wanted to know a little more about you." He stood up, looming over everyone in the room. At first, Shirou didn't realize it, but the man was tall and well-built. Jura stuck his hand out for a shake. Shirou stood up from his seat and reciprocated the motion.

"Don't worry, Jura. I'm sure we will meet again soon."

"Of course. I must be on my way now." The man followed the messenger out of the room; the door closed behind the two.

Shirou was once again alone in the room. He was contemplating all the information that was given to him by Jura. "Dark Guilds…..Balam Alliance….." It seemed that everywhere he went, lives always needed to be saved. Evil plagued everything, no matter what world he was on. He picked up his coffee, realizing he had completely forgotten about it due to the conversation between himself and Jura, and took a sip. The coffee was lukewarm but still consumable. "I guess like this coffee, evil is also a constant."

Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours before a knock broke through the silence. Shirou turned to the door as a messenger walked into the room. "Lord Emiya, the Council awaits your presence. If you can please follow me, I shall show you to the council chambers."

The two walked out of the room together and down a white corridor. The only thing that could be heard was their footsteps echoing as they walked on the marble floor. Statues and artwork littered the walls on both sides of the hall. If one didn't know any better, they would think this mansion belonged to royals. As Shirou looked out the glass window that lined the aisles, the rest of the town could be seen. Although, due to the altitude that the building was at, the buildings looked to be the size of ants.

Before arriving, Shirou hoped to get information on what he was about to get into. He didn't want to seem unprepared or oblivious. "So, how did they react to my packet, if you don't mind me asking?"

The messenger looked back, giving Shirou a questioning look. "I don't know what you mean. All they asked me was to retrieve you."

"But weren't you the one who proctored my test and went to give the results to the Magic Council?"

The messenger eventually put the pieces together. "Ah! No Lord Emiya, although we look alike, hundreds of my kind are around the building. I do understand your confusion; it happens more than you think."

Shirou clasped his mouth, his face turning as red as a tomato. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to offend you in any way!" He repeatedly bowed to the messenger, doing his best to show he was sincere in his apology.

The amphibian simply chuckled at his antics and brushed it off. "Please, there is no need for that. I truly understand. I know there was no ill intent; it was simply an accident."

The redhead rose from the bowing position and nodded his head. He chose to remain quiet the rest of the way. He didn't want to continue making an ass of himself if he had a say in the matter.

Eventually, Shirou and the messenger came upon a massive door guarded by two Rune Knights on either side. As the messenger came upon the door, both guards slammed the butt end of their staffs on the ground, causing the door to slide open.

"Let us continue, Lord Emiya." The messenger walked through the door and asked the man to follow behind.

"Finally. That walk was becoming excruciating." The embarrassment lingered from earlier, and Shirou just wanted to get to where he needed to go quickly.

The room the duo came upon was a sight to behold. It possessed a divine ambiance unlike any he had ever seen. The room was massive, statues were erect at each corner, and a radiant light lit up everything, the source of which was unknown to him. For some, it could be seen as imposing and grandiose.

"I have brought Lord Emiya, as you requested, Chairman Doma." The amphibian bowed before the man.

Three men were present in the room. All of whom sat at a long table. The one they called Chairman was the most uniquely dressed out of the three. "He resembles a wizard, I guess…." Shirou thought as he scratched his head, still trying to fathom this all being genuine.

"Thank you. You may leave now. I shall alert you when I need you again" The messenger straightened out and left the room. "Mister Emiya, please have a seat." Doma pointed to one of the chairs at the table directly across from him.

"Thank you, sir. And please, just call me Shirou." He took his seat across from the three men.

"Fine then." Gran Doma looked over a few pieces of paperwork and stared back at the young man. "The proctor for your exam had some interesting things to say about your result."

Shirou gulped. "Did I fail? But how? I was able to get into the Mage's Association with far less. Maybe the requirement is far higher here." Then, as if he could read his mind, the Chairman put the young man's thoughts to ease.

"There is no need to fret. You've exceeded our expectations and requirements. We've called you in to get some more information from you." The man rose from his seat, stretching his arms out. "Before we start, I think it's customary for my colleagues and I to introduce ourselves. I am Gran Doma, the Chairman of the Magic Council."

Next to the Chairman, the man spoke up. "I'm Org. I, too, am a Councilman."

"And I am Yuri, also a Councilman." The older man stated. "I know you will be a valuable asset for our cause."

"Thank you, sir."

Gran Doma walked over to one of the cabinets and retrieved a pendant. "You will receive a Magic Council pendant. This pendant will serve as an authentication of sorts. With this, everyone will know you are a member of the Magic Council. This pendant cannot be replicated and has magical protection, making it impossible to destroy." He walked back to his seat, sitting back before continuing. "I will give this to you after this ordeal has been concluded."

Shirou nodded, waiting in anticipation for the questioning to begin. Org was the first to start the interviewing process.

"So, my boy, we tried to do a background check on you. Nothing came up. Why is that?" His one eye examined the movements of his interviewee. He was looking for any sign of nervousness or deceit.

"I should've known this question would come up…." He wasn't the best at lying and didn't have the luxury to sit back and ponder a good explanation. Instead, he went with the best response he could think of. "It's because….I'm not from….here?" The reasoning came out more as a question than a reply. "Well, this is sure to fail."

The three looked at each other; Gran Doma was the one to question next. "So you are not from any country within Ishgar?"

Shirou shook his head. "I mean, it's technically not a lie."

Gran Doma leaned back to think. "The Archive doesn't possess background information on people born and raised outside the continent of Ishagr. So there is no way to prove if he's lying or not." Then, deciding to move on with the questioning, he continued. "Are you related to the Fairy Tail mage, Erza Scarlet?"

"No. I have no relatives here." Shirou quickly verified.

"We asked because you share some similarities. For example, you both have an arsenal of weapons and use the magic Requip to get ahold of them quickly. Not to mention, you two may very well be the only redheads in all of Ishgar." Yuri moved in closer, hoping he might be right in his suspicion of their relationship.

"There is someone who possesses the same magic as me? Interesting." Shirou hoped he could meet this Erza and examine her magic. "I'm afraid I have no idea who that is." He scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish look at the Councilman. "I'm sorry." Once he apologized, he could see the older man's heart shatter.

"Dagnabbit! I was hoping to be mentioned on Sorcerer's Weekly as the guy who found Titania's long-lost brother or cousin. If I was lucky, she might have rewarded me with a smooch or something." He began to cry as his dreams came crashing down around him. His fantasy would stay that, a fantasy.

"Enough, Yuri. Get yourself together; you're embarrassing us." The Chairman shot the perverted old man a disgusted glare. "I have one last question, young man. Why did you choose to grant your services to the Magic Council instead of a local guild? Surely someone of your talents could've been accepted to any guild of your choosing. You would've earned more money than you would here. So why?"

To be honest, Shirou wasn't given the option. He arrived shortly and was guided to this place by the locals. However, he wasn't disappointed in his decision. This world needed help, and he was willing to give a hand. "Well, sir, I don't care for money. Don't get me wrong, I want enough to get by and not starve, but I'm not looking to be rich. My one goal is to be a Hero of Justice, to save as many people as I can. That is all. If you allow me to do that, I won't ask for anything else."

The entire room was silent after Shirou's declaration. The Council was taken aback by this young man's determination and dream. The dream sounded childish, sure. However, the convection and tone in his voice made it sound much more mature.

"Such resolve in such a young body." Gran Doma was pleased. He could tell by his skills, resolve, and determination that he would be the Magic Council's true ace. He will be the one to turn this place around and crush the dark guilds. "God Serena, Draculos Hyberion, Wolfheim, and Warrod Sequen have all become useless slackers. They barely do anything. However, this one could be the change we need around here…." He locked eyes with Shirou, gazing into his golden-brown eyes. "You truly are a special one, Shirou Emiya."

Shirou gave a nervous chuckle. "Thanks, I guess." Not exactly knowing how to respond to such a complaint. Well, if it was a complaint anyway. "So, are we done with the interview?"

Gran Doma nodded. "We are, Shirou. Is there anything you wish to ask?"

"Yeah, there is. There was a tall, bald man who went in before me."

"Ah, Jura, you mean." Org clarified. "What do you wish to know about him?"

"I was wondering if he got the position he was looking for. He and I talked a bit before coming in here." Shirou did hope Jura got the Wizard Saint position. The man was kind and extremely helpful. Being in that position of power would only serve to benefit everyone.

The Chairman nodded. "Jura did indeed get the esteemed position of Wizard Saint. He very much earned it. He is an excellent mage and an even better person. A role model that all mages should look up to."

Relief washed over Shirou. "Congrats, Jura."

"If that is all, then you are dismissed. Here is your pendant. Make sure you do not lose it." The man telekinetically levitated it across the table to him.

"Telekinesis? Pretty useful technique." As he looked at the pendant, the Magic Council's cross resembled the Ankh symbol from Egypt. He put the pendant around his neck and placed it underneath his shirt, out of sight.

"It was a pleasure to speak with you, Shirou Emiya. My assistant will show you out and let you know the rest of the details about your job and when to report in." Gran Doma pressed a button on the table, signaling for his assistant. "I will see more of you in the future. That I am certain of."

Shirou nodded in acknowledgment, and the door opened once again. The Chairman's assistant came into view. "Right this way, Lord Emiya." As the door closed, the room was once again quiet.

"I still don't understand why we didn't have one of our telepaths search his mind to see if he was telling the truth. A suspicious young man with no background and knows powerful magic. How is that not a red flag?" Org questioned, looking at the Chairman for an explanation for his action.

"Because it's inconsequential." Gran Doma stood up and began pacing the room, stretching his legs. "Shirou Emiya isn't applying for a position within the Council or as a Wizard Saint. He is simply an Enforcer. He has no political power and does what we command. So what purpose does prying into his mind serve us?" He looked at both his fellow Councilman for an answer. Then, after a few seconds of silence, he continued. "Going to such extreme lengths when it's not necessary will only backfire on us. Telepathically probing into our employees' minds will not benefit us; it will push people away. We cannot let fear rule us."

As he made his way to his alcohol cabinet, he poured himself some whiskey in a cup. "Also, for some reason, I feel like I can trust that young man. His words moved me. It is good to see that there are people in the younger generation who strive for justice. It's refreshing. Those brats from Fairy Tail can learn something from Shirou." He took a sip of whiskey and turned to face his fellow council members. "Well, let's continue then."

With Shirou

"As to be expected, the Enforcer position is a salary position. You will receive 9,462,849 Jewels a year. Additionally, you will get a bonus yearly based on your performance. All Magic Council employees are eligible for a comprehensive package that includes health and life insurance, a pension, and paid time off."

As the assistant was going over all his benefits, Shirou started putting the puzzle pieces together. "Based on what she told me I could buy with a hundred Jewels and my salary, it's safe to assume that a Jewel and Yen are the same, which means that the cost of living is identical to Japan's. If that's the case, then this salary is in the above-average range. Either way, this is probably the most I have ever made in my entire life. Not even Fuji-nee made this much, even after her many years as a teacher."

"So what do you say, Lord Emiya? Is everything to your liking?" The anthropomorphic amphibian said as it stared at Shirou from across its desk.

Shirou nervously waved his hands in front of him. "Of course! It's more than enough. It's far too generous."

"Nonsense. The Enforcer position is perilous. Facing off against Dark Guilds constantly is risky business. Speaking of, let's get to your job assignment, shall we." The assistant went ahead and pulled up some papers from the drawer. "So Chairman Doma has already listed several things he wants to be done. His number one priority, of course, is eradicating the Balam Alliance."

This caught Shirou's attention. "How are we going to go about doing so?" If he remembered correctly, Jura stated their bases were hidden away. So attempting an attack would surely be impossible.

"Our intelligence division has caught word of the business tycoon, Tiberius, being connected with the Balam Alliance. We don't know the full details of their relationship and what sort of agreement they have. We know he is in the business of trading, shipping, and delivery. He lives in Bosco. There have been rumors of him having a hand in the criminal underworld, but nothing substantial for us to go after him with. Well, until now, that is."

"That isn't much to go on." The information he was offered was vague at best. "How many people are under his employment? Where in Bosco is he located? These can help me with how I engage this target."

The assistant shook her head. "I'm sorry. That is all they could gather for now. He is very good at keeping information about himself and his company a secret. The only other thing we know is that he lives on a boat. So most likely, the port will be your best option." Shirou shrugged. It was better than nothing, at least. He now has a place of interest to look into.

"Lord Emiya, there are a few more things I need to inform you on. This isn't an assassination mission. We need intel on the location and activity of the Balam Alliance. Although it may be difficult, bringing Tiberius in will be the best way to get as much info as possible. However, if that proves too difficult, then do what you must. Try to find the information from lacrimas, documents, or other sources." The assistant shuffled through some paperwork before getting to the page needed. "Lastly, you will have a partner while on this mission. This mission is deemed too important and dangerous for a singular individual. More people would've been added, but we are stretched too thin. Hopefully, it will run smoothly with you two."

"Who is going to be my partner?" Shirou wasn't new to working with others. Although being alone could sometimes be beneficial, having a decent partner watching your back was invaluable. Partners like Rin and Saber were even more than partners. Just thinking about them was weighing down Shirou's heart. A wave of melancholy washed over the young hero. "I miss you guys."

"Your partner will be another Enforcer named Arvid." The assistant speaking broke Shirou out of his depressing thoughts. "Just like you, he has only recently joined the Enforcers. However, he has worked within the Magic Council for almost two decades. He used to work within the Custody Enforcement Unit, but once he heard about the Enforcer division being created, he quickly moved over. It was about wanting to fight the Dark Guilds on the front line. Nevertheless, he is an extremely powerful mage and is incredibly reliable."

"That's good to hear. Hopefully, I will meet him soon."

"Oh, you will. You've been slotted to report tomorrow morning to get your briefing and head out on your mission. This mission is time sensitive, so you and Arvid will be sent off as soon as possible." The amphibian collected all the documents and put them back into the drawer. "You will report to me, same location and everything. I hope that won't be an issue, Lord Emiya."

To be honest, it wasn't an issue for Shirou. He didn't have much else going for him. However, he did have a present problem. "Well, no, that won't be an issue. However, I do need a place to stay for the night. I haven't known much about this area since I arrived. Do you have any recommendations?"

The assistant thought for a second before responding. "The only places that would be open now are hotels. I assume you don't have any money either?" Seeing Shirou nod, his head answered its question. "The only thing I can do for you is give you a key to one of the barracks rooms. I'm technically not supposed to do this since the barracks are for Rune Knights only, but you'll need a place to stay to come back safe tomorrow morning for your mission." Retrieving a key from the cabinet, it handed it over to Shirou. "Here you go, Lord Shirou. Just give it back to me tomorrow morning before you head out on your mission. Also, try to solve your housing problem as soon as possible. I cannot offer you this again."

Shirou took the keys and gave the assistant a grateful bow. "Thank you, and I will. Where are these barracks, if you don't mind me asking?"

"They are out back. Not too far from the main building. Your room number is on the key."

Getting everything he needed, Shirou decided to head out. He needed to rest after everything he's been through. He has a critical mission to go on in the morning. "Sleep is the enemy this time." Giving a slight chuckle from twisting Saber's words. "I will be heading out then. Thank you for everything. I know I've been a hassle to you, and I appreciate you helping me out."

"It's nothing. I'm simply doing my job. It was a pleasure to meet and speak with you, Lord Emiya. I will see you again tomorrow morning." The assistant waved the young man off and got to work around the office.

Walking, he continued toward the back of the massive building. He eventually realized he was in the right area when he saw swaths of Rune Knights entering and leaving a five-story building.

"This has to be the place." Looking at the key he was given, a tag wrapped around the end read 327. "My room number is 327. Does that mean I'm on the third floor?" Before he got to walk any further, a voice called out to him from behind.

"Hey!"

Turning around, two Rune Knights approached Shirou. "You are the red-haired applicant from the examination, right?"

Shirou assumed these men were part of the original group that challenged him during the testing portion of his processing. "I hope they are here to congratulate me. I'm too tired to fight anyone right now." Then, giving the best nonchalant smile he could, he responded. "I am unless there's another I don't know about."

The two knights chucked. "Nah, redheads are in short supply." The man on the left said. The knight on the right followed up. "We've come here to congratulate you. Not many can do what you did out there. You made us seem like amateurs."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Shirou did his best to reassure the man's confidence. "Thank you. I appreciate the gesture. You guys were tough opponents, don't underestimate yourselves. I had to go all out."

"Please, there is no need to be modest. The difference in skill and power was apparent. That is why you're an Enforcer now."

Being praised was causing a feeling of pride to well up inside his chest. It wasn't every day that he was praised for his skills. Sometimes it was the opposite. Although his projection and tracing were something to behold, he was always lacking in other areas of Magecraft. This was something Rin drilled into him every day. Being at the Clock Tower did help him round out his skills to a certain degree, but he was still a novice.

"Thank you, guys. Honestly, I thought you came here to fight me." He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Jumping to conclusions was getting him into more embarrassing situations lately.

Both knights laughed. "Oh, good heavens, no! We couldn't beat you up as a group. What makes you think we two would be so bold? Plus, we are honor-bound and professionals. Holding a grudge over an exam is unbecoming of a Rune Knight."

Shirou nodded his head. "They are kinda like Saber. I guess all knights have some level of chivalry."

His partner realized they hadn't introduced themselves yet. "Oh, where have my manners gone? I am Daylin. My partner here is Andrew." Both stretched their hands out for a shake.

"I'm Shirou. It is a pleasure to meet you two." He reciprocated the gesture.

"Likewise." They said in sync.

"Hey! Why are you two back here? You're both supposed to be at your post."

Both knights straightened up when they heard their commander's voice. Then, looking over, Shirou saw two men in their direction. Although both wore the traditional Rune Knight garbs, one of the men had black hair and glasses, while the other had a distinctive scar on his face. They carried themselves with an air of authority and discipline, unlike an ordinary Rune Knight. It was apparent these men were a step above.

"Oh, Commander Lahar and Commander Doranbolt, we were just relieved of our duty by the second guard shift," Daylin said, trying his best not to ire his commander any further.

"Why? You were just put on the shift not too long ago. What purpose did you have to be relieved so early?" Lahar questioned. His gaze shifted to the individual a few feet away from his men. This was the first time seeing this person within this area. Of course, it didn't help out that his red hair stuck out like a sore thumb. "And who is this person?"

"Well, sir, he's kinda the reason we were put off duty so early," Andrew said. "We were called in to assist in an exam, and he bested the entire Fourth Custody Enforcement Unit. So the First and Second Units had to be called in to replace us."

Doranbolt was shocked. He had to do a double-take to make sure he heard correctly. "Are you saying the Fourth Custody Enforcement Unit, a unit made up of nearly fifty people, was taken out by one person?"

"Yes, sir. That is what we're saying." Andrew verified.

The two commanders looked at one another before looking back at Shirou. Lahar was the first to speak. "So I assume you will be the newest addition to the Enforcer regiment. Hopefully, you guys are all that was cracked up to be then. I am Lahar, Captain of the Fourth Custody Enforcement Unit, and this is my coworker, Doranbolt. He is the Captain of the First Custody Enforcement Unit."

"Nice to meet you. I am Shirou Emiya." He gave a slight head tilt in acknowledgment. "Hopefully, we can work together sometime in the future."

"Let's hope. I would like to see your skills in person. Few can take on an entire Rune Knight Unit and beat them." Dornabolt replied. "With that out of the way." He turned to his partner. "We must get going, Lahar. This recent development will hinder our other timetables."

"Indeed. I don't understand why they do this without letting us know first. It's a headache." Lahar pushed his glasses up with his pointer finger. "You two go rest. We will be on our way now. Have a nice day."

The two commanders headed off, leaving the knights and Shirou.

"Woah, I did not see that coming. Good thing we weren't slacking off." Daylin said, blowing out a sigh of relief.

"I know. Well, Shirou, time for us to rest up now. Are you staying in these barracks?"

"I am, actually. If it's not too much to ask, can you show me where my room is?"

"But of course! What room have you been assigned?" Daylin asked as they all headed toward the building.

"I'm in room 327. I assume I'm on the third floor."

"That is correct. These barracks are numbered from 100 to 500. We are actually on the same floor as you. So, just follow us." Andrew led the way as they entered the barracks building. It was akin to an apartment complex. Nothing too fancy, but it wasn't run down either.

The duo led Shirou to their respective floor and made their way up the stairs.

"Ta-da! This is our floor. Although It ain't much, it's still home." Daylin exclaimed. "350 and below are on that side." Daylin pointed across from himself toward the left side. "Andrew and I are 354. So we are on the other side. If you head in the direction I told you, you'll find your room."

"Ah, thanks a lot, guys. You've been accommodating."

Both men gave Shirou a thumbs up. "It's our pleasure. Don't be a stranger and visit whenever you can." Andrew said, which Daylin followed up on. "Exactly. We are here if you ever need us."

Shirou waved and began to walk off in the direction he was pointed to. He walked past several doors before he got close to his own. "330….329….328….Here it is, 327."

He opened the door to a casual room. It had a bed, a bathroom, and a table. "Good enough for me. I need to rest up for tomorrow, though. Don't want to get into a fight, sleepy and unprepared."

After getting his room situated and taking a shower, Shirou lay in his bed. His mind did not fully grasp the idea of being in another world. Instead, he decided not to think about it thoroughly. He was going to take this all one step at a time. He had an objective right now that had to be dealt with. That was all he needed.

"There are people who need saving. That is all that matters." He lifted his hand and clenched it. "I will be the Hero of Justice this world needs. So look out, Balam Alliance, I'm coming after you."