The scene takes place in a familiar environment. There, in the centre of the room, sat a blond-haired woman, waving a finger threateningly in the air. "Remember this well and drill this into your mind, Praetor! I detest frugality, destitution and treason!"

They blink in reponse at that. Well...those are...some pretty strong things to not like. Perhaps the third one was sort of understandable despite not knowing much about this woman yet...but why frugality and destitution of all things?

On the contrary, wasn't being frugal a good habit to possess? She would probably get it if the woman said stinginess, but frugality...? Was being economical a bad thing to this woman?? Or...maybe it was just the idea of being 'cheaper' that she scorned.

As for destitution...um...they're not too sure if there's anything that can be done to fix that completely. Some people were unfortunate with a poor financial status and situation after all...and there's also the gap between the rich and the poor to worry about as well. At the end of the day, not everyone can have and possess the finer things in life.

The woman's cheeks tint red at that, as she let's out a cough and waves a hand dismissively. "A-Anyway, he is all of those in one package! It is enough to make my hair curl- wait...are you listening to me, Maestro?!" Ah...sorry, they must've zoned out for a while.

On another note, a king, huh? That's just like what Leo had said. How strange it is for her to speak of them, and yet, here in this place, the existence of kings is probably the least of their worries. This topic nonetheless made them curious though.

Her eyes twinkle as the topic is brought up, almost seeming proud. "Oh? What sort of ruler am I? That is not something to be easily disclosed..." She pauses, before a grin appears on her rosy lips. "...But for my entertainment, I will have you guess. How am I reflected in your eyes?" Well that was a sudden turn in events. They've raised the question first and yet now gets asked the question instead. The woman looks like she's expecting an answer though.

They ponder on it for a moment. "...A bold emperor?" they finally say a minute later, trying their best not to sound too hesitant or unsure with that answer. Yeah...perhaps she's an esteemed emperor. This woman may be vain, but it's probably not born of unfounded arrogance.

"I see...I would accept such a classification- er, no, I guided my people grandly! It was like paradise!" Almost as if trying to convince them, she quickly adds on to her statement. "It can be said they even enjoyed three lifetimes in their one! Hence, it is with reason to acknowledge my popularity!" Uh...yeah...sure...they guess? They honestly weren't sure how to react.

She puffs out her chest as she proclaims this, swelling with pride, causing them to sweatdrop in response. She really is self-centered...but they also get the sense that while she may take her position for granted, she's nevertheless an excellent ruler.

Her expression falls slightly at that. "..." She now goes silent, as if a memory had asserted itself, her bright smile fading and now replaced with a bittersweet one. She shakes her head, placing her hands onto her lap. "...Hmph. Well, I suppose this isn't something I should be proud of. A leader...that I am not."

Her shoulders slouch slightly, shrinking her already tiny frame. "The people are to be commended for bringing my whims to fruition while I wallow in luxury." She says that as if it was a fact, rather than humbling herself. What could she mean by that exactly? That her own deeds weren't actually worth praise?

Her eyes glance briefly at the window, gazing out onto the virtual blue sky. "...I seem to have asked you an insipid question, Praetor. Let us forget this conversation." She now stares at her hands, clamming up. ...Was their conversation that irrelevant? If anything, they should get to know this woman's nature more deeply-

However, noticing the drop in atmosphere and the woman's overall mood, they decide not to push the topic. Right...they should at least be considerate and mindful of her boundaries too. This was clearly a more sensitive subject, and if the woman herself didn't want to continue speaking of it, they wouldn't force her to do so either. It was a shame though...just when they thought that they were starting to find out more about this woman and who she really was.

The silence thickens and settles in the air as the duo remained quiet. Before they can get another word in, their vision begins to blur, and soon enough, the scene before them slowly fades out into black.

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Hakuno's eyes pop open, gazing up at the same ol' ceiling. A yawn escapes the girl's lips as she groggily gets up into a sitting position, rubbing at her eyes.

Another dream...though it felt like a more disjointed one, and it was again about that woman. She doesn't exactly know the context of the dream nor can remember much of it now that she was awake, but small bits and pieces are somehow retained in the corner of her mind.

Just who was that woman...and why was she appearing in her sleep? Could there be some sort of hidden message she was trying to relay to her through all these random dreams she had? Despite it being relatively early in the morning, the girl already found herself feeling much very puzzled and confused. Forget about the woman's identity, she couldn't even recall when they had first met.

Come to think of it...why was she having problems trying to remember the exact or whole content of the dreams once she woke up? Did it have something to do with her amnesia? Or perhaps there were some other issues that she wasn't even aware of that prevented her from remembering? Either way, this all made no sense to her.

"Well...no matter. I do not blame you for forgetting, for there was no way to change the circumstances. You'll probably remember in due time. Even if you don't, I'm sure you'll at least have a faint idea who I am by the end of this journey." Those words when they met in that dream the other time stuck with her.

So they had met before...but where and when? She still had no clue, and couldn't remember no matter how hard she tried. It was at this moment that Hakuno had to curse her inability to remember, the gaps in her memories doing little to ease her growing curiosity. Blond hair...green eyes...just where had she encountered her before?

"A king..." The conversation that took place in that dream earlier...or rather...whatever left of it that she could still remember was replaying in her head. Was that woman a king of some sort? She didn't think that someone as ordinary as her would be acquainted with an individual who proclaimed herself as a king.

...Wait, a king..? Well...she didn't want to assume things but...wasn't the person...well...female? Or maybe she had some sort of complicated family situation going on? It didn't seem like she was lying though. If she really was a king...did that make her the same as Leo then? Another fellow master in the war with similar circumstances?

But...the air that the woman carried around her...it felt...different. The way she conversed with Hakuno in the dream...and yet Hakuno didn't recall ever meeting her during the preliminaries or during the first round either. And she knew about Nagisa and Shinji too.

Did the SE.RA.PH tamper with her brain before or after the Elimination Battle or something? She'd like to think that wasn't the case. In the first place, it already felt incredibly weird thinking that the woman might be a fellow master or had anything to do with the war, but the woman's mannerisms said otherwise.

Hakuno also didn't want to ignore the possibility that she could be a servant...an enemy servant? Was she maybe an opposing servant who didn't harbour any ill will against her despite being an enemy? No...that didn't really make sense either.

It didn't really seem that way...at least...not when the woman talked and looked at her with such a sense of familiarity. Archer was her servant in the Holy Grail War, and it was her first time participating in this bloodshed of a war...so it couldn't be otherwise...that she was...

"It's good to see you up and awake already, but I do hope that you're not thinking of something weird first thing in the morning." Looking up, she stares at her servant who had already made a snarky remark at her...figures.

Archer points at the region in between his own eyebrows, emphasising his point. "You're frowning quite a lot at this time of day. You'll grow wrinkles faster if you keep doing that you know." Hakuno resisted the urge to snort back in response. Really now...of all people telling her that. She appreciates the sentiment, but doesn't her servant frown as much if not more than her too?

"...Something on your mind? Did you have a nightmare of some sort...or recalled something important? Whatever it is, if it can help us in our upcoming battles, feel free to share." She looks down at her hands, pondering a bit on his words before sighing and shaking her head. Right...she should clear her thoughts of that now.

Sure, she was curious and all...but it didn't seem that the dream had much if any connection to their current opponent. She needed to get her head out of the clouds and return to reality. Her enemy for the second round should be her focus and main priority for now.

...Speaking of which, she was supposed to meet up with Rani today. If she remembered right...Rani mentioned to find her at the end of the third floor hallway. She should probably meet up with the woman later in the afternoon after her morning lectures. Hopefully, the arrow that they've found in the Arena would be more than solid proof of what Rani needs to decipher the enemy servant's True Name.

Oh right...it had been a while since Archer had gotten an Alteration of the Soul. With all the mayhem that had occurred over the past few days, it would probably be better if Hakuno visited the chapel to strengthen Archer's stats before going to Rani. Yeah...that seemed like a solid plan for now.

Feeling somewhat rejuvenated, the master stands and heads to the bathroom to prepare for the day. Two more days left for the preparation period...she could only hope that her findings these past few days weren't in vain.

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Upon heading inside the chapel, Hakuno goes about her usual business with the two sisters, both of which unexpectedly congratulate her for her first round win. "Yo kiddo! So you managed to stay alive after all! It's only the first round, but for your first battle, and against a pro hacker no less, that's impressive in itself!" Aoko greets with a big grin on her face.

"For once, I agree with her. For a novice such as yourself with no battle experience prior to joining this war, it's a small achievement, but still a commendable one," Touko chimes in, nodding. Well...achievement or not, it's not something she's proud of...quite the opposite in fact, but she knows they mean well, and is grateful for the gesture.

"...Still stuck on that lad's death, eh? That's to be expected. You're probably not the only one who's still mulling and mourning over their previous opponent's death." Was this their attempt at cheering her up? She supposed she should be thankful for that too then. She doesn't really need the pity, but it's somewhat reassuring to know that there's people she can converse with from time to time that can emphathise with her problems here.

"Brighten up, kid. The war will only get tougher on you from one round to the next, so one way or the other, you'll have to manage your emotions and get over it eventually. But I mean...what the hell. I have a feeling that somehow...you'll do fine," Touko shrugs, appearing indifferent.

Aoko and Touko are...surprisingly supportive when it counts. Could she consider this to be some form of impromptu counseling or therapy session then? At any rate, she supposed she should express her gratitude.

"No problem. It gets boring staying in here all the time, so talking to masters like you helps liven up the experience a tad bit. Especially you...you're an interesting one for sure, hahaha!" Aoko laughs. Um...she doesn't get what's so amusing or funny about herself to them but...thanks anyway? She's unsure how to react to such an odd compliment, though that's...nice of her to say that?

It was after she was done and about to head out after thanking the two women however, that she takes notice of a familiar figure standing in a dark corner. A elderly man dressed in green...it was Dan. And with his eyes closed and head bowed like that, there was no doubt that he was in the middle of praying.

She was about to quietly head out and not disturb him when the man himself notices her presence and opens his eyes, his attention now on her. "Oh...it's you again. Here for an Alteration of the Soul I take it?" Was he...trying to strike a normal conversation with her? Not that she minded that much but...it definitely still felt a little odd especially after the events of yesterday at the Nurse's Office.

Nonetheless, she nods, and takes a few hesitant steps closer towards him. Close enough that the two masters could hear each other better while talking...but not close enough for him to try anything. Well...not that she thinks he would do anything on school grounds after what happened yesterday, but just as a precaution...especially if that servant happened to be around somewhere.

Dan must've caught onto her reluctance and wariness, because he tries to reassure the opposing master. "If you're worried about my servant, he isn't with me right now. That man always likes to go off somewhere as he pleases, and also finds the environment of this place to be...stifling. You can trust me when I say I won't attempt to attack you inside the school either...otherwise my command seals would simply have gone to waste." Hmm...he does have a point.

It was surprising yet not exactly unexpected that Dan's servant wouldn't be with his master at the moment. That man definitely struck to her as someone that liked to do whatever he wants...though at least he's sorta craftier and smarter about it compared to Shinji, much to her displeasure. And what Dan commented earlier...she certainly didn't miss out the bit where he said he wouldn't attack her 'inside the school', which meant the Arena was a different matter of course.

The man puts his hands behind his back, maintaining his straight posture. "Sorry about yesterday. I do think that the fact that the poison did not end up taking your life is a silver lining, however." Was that...his attempt of lightening the atmosphere or...? Jokes aside, there has been something that was plaguing her mind. She wants to clarify on this, and what she wants to know is actually-

"While admirable, I fail to truly understand why you acted as you did yesterday, Master of Archer." Hakuno's eyes widened, turning around to see Archer dematerialized and standing behind her. Wait...was Archer actually planning on joining in this conversation too?

Well...not that there was anyone else inside the chapel aside from them and the sisters...and Dan had already seen him yesterday so...there was probably not much use to concealing himself in front of the enemy master anymore anyway.

And Archer did also take the words out of her mouth. It was a matter that had been bothering her since yesterday; she could never truly understand or pinpoint Dan's reasons for doing so. Sure...it was very noble of him to sacrifice two command seals but...why do so in the first place? If anything, it was to his advantage to let the poison do its work.

Dan maintains his straight and upright posture, his eyes glancing up towards the chandelier at the ceiling, as if deep in thought. "Your confusion is understandable. Indeed, I too, have been questioning my actions as well. To use two of the command seals given to me to help my enemy of all things."

Yes...command seals...three irrefutable commands given to all masters in the Holy Grail War. If it's within the rules, it will guarantee that an action is performed, whatever the cost...well, perhaps with a few minor exceptions (according to Archer).

He firmly grips onto the wooden bench before he continues, eyes unwavering. "Nonetheless, that is the nature of all things I suppose. Regardless of what others may think, it was still the right thing to do. Also, I am here on behalf of her Majesty, the Queen..."

Right, Leo did mention that during their conversation the other morning. Did that mean that he had used the command seals to protect and defend his honor and dignity as someone who had sworn loyalty to the Queen then?

"It has been a long time since...no, I believe that this is the first time a fight has been for personal reasons." His hands are now behind his back, eyebrows furrowing and his posture resembling that of a strict teacher.

"As a mere soldier, I'd have praise my servant's actions. However, as a knight, I must condemn them." So he's saying that there's a fine line between those two roles, and he knows exactly where his duties lie. Indeed, a firm master who knows not to let such a servant run wild and freely as they pleased.

"And as I did, I could almost feel as if the spirit of my wife approved, and was proud of me." Hakuno blinks in astonishment, not expecting to hear that. She didn't want to come to any rash assumptions, but could that mean...was he praying for his wife earlier?

She could hear Archer commenting behind her, his voice low as a murmur. "So he had a wife...that's surprising." For once, Archer doesn't even seem to be sarcastic about it, to which she's glad for. In fact, he too seems to be just as if not more serious and curious as she was, although his expression was still as stoic as ever. Or maybe he was just joining in to subtly learn more about their enemy in any way that he can?

The enemy master shakes his head, a chuckle escaping his mouth. "It's the same story every old man has. It's been so long I've even forgotten the sound of her voice." Dan's soldiers slack ever so slightly. She can tell by the fondness in his voice and the look in his eyes, that even in old age, his love for her burned strongly. But the way he's speaking...that means...his wife has already...

His eyes are now slightly downcast, his expression still neutral despite the bittersweet tone of his voice as he spoke of his loved one. "...It's an obvious truth. As a soldier, one is required to abide by military regulations. There are no allowances made for even one such as myself to go beyond what is permitted."

It seems the flow of the conversation has returned to normal, with Dan straightening himself once again. "You should take care too. The ends don't always justify the means. Regret is an insidious thing. If you let it be, it will blind you to the future and all it holds."

The old man's words again strike where it hurts, Hakuno recalling the nightmares she had after the first round had ended. In that sense, a part of her feels envious towards him for being able to look ahead with confidence.

Dan nods, voice firm and resolute. "So know this young one: I will never condone any conduct that would stain my conscience. For you, it seems that you are still lost, so reflect on how you ought to live from here on out."

Regret...admittedly, that was something that does weigh her down considerably. She has many regrets, and it had only accumulated ever since she had become a master in this deadly tournament. ...Nothing more came from what seemed to be an apology of sorts. Beyond the journey itself, the path to the Holy Grail lies in dignity and self-respect.

"It seems that your resolve is still wandering. Hmph, I suppose I should be a little lax for once. Let me tell you a story from my past." ...? Tell her a story? While this certainly piqued her interest, what would be the purpose of him telling her about his past?

Nonetheless, Hakuno remains quiet as Dan begins to utter his tale. "There was a man I met many years back that had the same looking eyes as yours...lost, afraid, and uncertain of the future." Someone just like her? Honestly, she didn't think there could be anyone like her.

For one thing, her incredibly low self-esteem and confidence was somewhat concerning even for her...and now he's claiming that there was someone similar to her that he used to know? She didn't want to think that he was bluffing but...she certainly had her doubts.

"It was during a certain mission on the battlefield. And there, amongst all the rubble on a mound all alone, stood a young man in a white coat. The man was a medic." A medic...this man must have some sort of particularly outstanding trait for someone of the likes of Dan, a renowned warrior, to be talking about. Maybe someone who also had ties to the Queen?

"He did his best to help everyone against hatred, denial and fear. He had a good heart, and was bitter for those who didn't survive amidst the war, mourning for their deaths. However, it didn't seem like he was cut out to shoulder such heavy emotional and mental burden the longer the war continued."

That...well, he wasn't wrong. From what he's described so far, even Hakuno thinks that the person wasn't capable of accepting the harsh truth that came with war: Death was inevitable. While compassionate and possessing sincere motives, that man definitely appeared to be slowly destroying himself from the inside out, and she wasn't one to talk.

"Anyone of his nature would've disappeared and fled ages ago, unable to withstand the sorrow and terrors that came with war. I was curious about this man with no name and asked him this question: Why is a person like you still here in this hell hole?"

Truthfully, she would've probably asked the same question as Dan in that sort of situation. Despite how selfless he seem, why did that man choose to stay when he had the option to escape and free himself from such burdensome responsibilities?

"His reply was unexpected. With the most calm expression he could muster in that moment, he said this: 'To not know the true nature of war is to deny the very existence of it. What does war steal away from people, I must know.' " Wow, she definitely wasn't...expecting such an answer either. Of all things, that man wanted to understand...the pain of war?

"A strange answer, wouldn't you think? And yet that was all he had to say, and I couldn't forget that response he gave either. When I see you and those eyes of yours, I think of that time." For a brief few seconds, tiny fragments of disjointed past dreams began flashing back, as if Dan's whole story ignited a response in her mind.

A familiar scene within a familiar dream. A man sitting by a window with a smile on his lips, the rest of his features masked by a distortion of white. "Now then, Hakuno, what have you learnt today?" "...That...war is bad...for mankind?" "Again, there it was, that quiet laugh of his. "Well...not quite."

But as quickly as those fragments came, they were gone in an instant as well, leaving Hakuno silent and internally bewildered as she frowned, blinking profusely. Wait...what? How did that...? W-What was that just now? That dream...it came out of nowhere but...was it connected to Dan's story in some way? It...it was almost as if...

"It was a conversation of days bygone. What you must know, young lady, is that in order to win, it is not only necessary to fight, but to willingly face the battle head-on in the trenches, no matter what happens." Dan's voice brings her out of her trance, and she wills herself to continue listening to what he had to say.

"If you are still lost, as frightening as it may be, it would be best to become acquainted with this war, rather than to run away or reject it. Regret paves the way for blossoming flowers, and in the same likeness, every process eventually bears fruit. The path that you travel on from here on out may seem wilted, but in reality will come to bear fruit."

So he says...and while she understands that he may have a point, can she really trust those words? That these horrible actions that she's committed so far will yield good results? That she can turn her regret into some form of strength for herself? Somehow, a part of her still feels reluctant and doubtful.

In terms of experience, she has nothing much to show for it, at least compared to some of the other masters here in this war, and especially to the likes of Dan. To be proud of the path she's lived...she's not sure if she can manage to do that honestly, but...how would it turn out if she got ahold of the Holy Grail? When and if that time ever came, would her outlook and perspective be different compared to now? Would she be a completely changed person, for better or for worse?

For a moment, it almost appeared like Dan could sympathise with her situation. "Do not feel ashamed and stay in fear of in the deeds done in the past, but rather, carry on with anxiety and excitement for the future that is to come. That is the key to unlocking your true potential, and only then, will you be able to live and appreciate the life you have been given."

The key to unlocking her true potential...it must certainly not be an easy road to get there. She's still uneasy about a lot of things, chained down by her guilt and fear of the war each and every day...and yet, she makes it a point to keep Dan's words in mind.

...On that note, Hakuno was really starting to see the stark contrast between her current opponent and her previous one. Dan Blackmore...he truly was different from Shinji. Back then, all that Shinji would do was belittle and insult her constantly, making her feel insignificant and fearful, and yet here Dan was now, as her second round opponent, giving advice to her instead.

She's noticed it before, but with this conversation, it's a lot more obvious now. Dan was a good man at heart, even with his somewhat uptight and strict personality. A man of sensible and admirable morals deserving of respect, and he too probably values the battles he's had with his foes. The complete opposite of her, and because of that, she has her work cut out for her and a lot to make up for it.

A dry laugh escapes his lips at that. "It's odd that I'd speak to you like this. You'd do well to laugh at the musings of this man." No, quite the opposite. In fact, she's grateful for the conversation they just had. He's given her quite a bit to think and mull over after all that's been said over the past few minutes.

Dan doesn't say anything else, turning to the side to face the front of the chapel and closing his eyes while clasping his hands together. It'd be the worst form of bad manners to disturb him while he's praying. It'll be better for her to just leave quietly. Without another word, Hakuno bows and swiftly exits the chapel.

Standing outside the chapel in the school gardens, Hakuno takes a moment to breathe and release a sigh. Dan had just hit her with a lot to process about, and mostly about her attitude going forth with this war. He was right though...she needed to be more firm with her position as a master in the Holy Grail War, and fight like one too.

"Dan Blackmore...honourable as he may be, I find his dedication and focus to be...unnerving. It makes me wonder why a man of such conviction would chase after the Holy Grail." Hakuno turns to look up at her servant. Well...there is still a lot about the old man that they don't know about. He did say that he was pursuing the grail for personal reasons so...

"While it's obvious that he's determined to win, obtaining the grail is no small feat. ...Or could it be that he does not truly understand what it means to possess the Holy Grail?" What it means to possess the Holy Grail...to be fair, she probably doesn't fully understand the sheer importance of obtaining such a treasured item either.

A wishing granting device...she's curious as to what Dan may use it for. She pauses. Hold on. Dan did mention that he had a wife...and she didn't want to assume...but perhaps maybe...Dan was planning to use the grail to...

She slightly deflates at the possibility. To bring a loved life back to life...that was indeed a strong desire to have. And here she was, an amnesiac master that was still fumbling her through the war, standing in the way of his wish.

She knows that she probably has no right to, especially with how wishy washy she was, but it was what Dan had spoken that stuck with her. To be acquainted with the war instead of rejecting it...can she really do that?

"Was that conversation meaningful to you in any way?" While he may be asking a question that had an obvious answer, she realizes that he's asking it more so for her benefit, to truly think over and consider the old man's advice from here on out. "...Yeah, it was."

A curt answer and with a firm nod of the head is enough to satisfy the servant, as he directs her attention back to the school building. "I see, then you'd best heed his words then. For now, shall we head back to the school? Classes are going to start soon." Ah...right, the lectures.

Walking back towards the school, she heads upstairs towards her usual classroom, Dan's sound advice lingering inside her mind as she went about her day.

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A couple hours later, and afternoon had rolled around. Finishing up a quick meal in the cafeteria after purchasing some additional supplies at the commissary, Hakuno is ready to go and meet Rani, worried but hopeful.

"So the day has finally arrived. Let's see what that girl has to say about that orange-haired punk. Depending on her answer, she might become a reliable source of dependable info in the subsequent rounds as well." She has to wholeheartedly agree with Archer on that.

After all this time, she might finally have more concrete evidence on the enemy servant's True Name. In fact, if Rani is able to provide her with the info she needs on her opponent, the possibility of talking to her more frequently in the future can be considered. She still doesn't know a whole lot about the mysterious girl, but given the circumstances, it's a risk she's willing to take.

"Oh? Someone looks fired up for a change. And where are you heading off to looking so determined, might I ask?" An all too familiar voice causes Hakuno to stop in her tracks, looking up to meet the person's eyes. "Ah...Rin..." While it wasn't the first or second time they've casually bumped into each other like this, Hakuno's started to think that all these coincidental meetings with the blue-eyed master are getting rather...frequent.

Though she doesn't mind of course. In fact, she finds Rin's company to be oddly comforting...not that she'd admit that out loud and risk getting berated by the person herself. Perhaps it was just the energetic and confident vibes that the twin-tailed woman emitted, but Hakuno finds her to be rather inspiring but also strangely relaxing at times.

Rin's eyes trail upwards towards the staircase, raising an eyebrow. "Why, hello there Hakuno. What might you be doing? Going to the rooftop?" Hakuno pauses. Right...only Rani and herself knew about this arrangement they had today.

It felt wrong to be dishonest around Rin (or rather, she fears the consequences of doing so since she knew how perceptive the person in question could be) especially since she's helped her out a few times in the past, but was it alright to tell her that she was meeting up with the astrologist? Technically...Rani didn't specify that it was a secret between the two of them...but...

However, it didn't take long for Rin to figure it out herself as she narrows her eyes at Hakuno suspiciously, pursing her lips. "Hmmm...I see. Your silence says enough. Heading upstairs...you're going to go see that woman, Rani, aren't you?" Hakuno stiffens at the reveal, unable to give a verbal response.

Rin sighs, facepalming. "Has anyone ever told you that you're just like an open book? You can be so easy to read sometimes. Besides, not a lot of masters frequently hang around the third floor and up anyway...apart from her that is." Crossing her arms over her chest, her expression falls into a frown. "So? What's your agenda for visiting her?"

Hakuno is suddenly put on the spot with her question. How should she respond to that exactly? She can't exactly just disclose their plan to her, right? And that tone...does Rin know Rani too? Though uh...she doesn't appear to view the bespectacled magus in a good light, judging from the deepening scowl on her face.

Rin doesn't wait any longer for Hakuno to reply, as she merely let's out another sigh. "Fine, whatever. It isn't in my moral code to persistently poke into others' problems. Knowing you, this probably has something to do with your current round opponent anyway." Wow...was she really that predictable? But she is grateful that Rin doesn't go forth with pressuring her more on the matter.

"What goes on between you and Rani is none of my business to begin with...but I'll warn you in advance: you shouldn't trust her too much." ...? Where's this coming from all of a sudden? Were she and Rani friends at some point and had a falling out or something?

"Pfft, what ridiculous ideas you have. No, it's nothing sappy, sentimental or petty like that. Obviously, at the end of the day it's up to you to be the judge of her character, but I wouldn't let my guard down around her if I were you. She's from Atlas after all." Oh, does Rin know about the organisation Rani's a part of too?

Rin shakes her head in disappointment at her cluelessness. "Of course you wouldn't know about Atlas either, figures. I almost forgot that you're a walking airhead here in this war. You really don't have a clue about what's going on around you." Ugh...she has nothing to say to refute that.

Placing a hand on her hip, Rin eyes Hakuno with blatant seriousness in her irises. "Look, the choice is yours to make, but all I can say for now is that if you don't know what you're dealing with, or what you're getting into, it's best to avoid having too much contact with her." She says that but technically...Rani is the best lead they have on the enemy servant's true identity for now.

"I'm not asking you to cancel your plans with her. Do whatever you want, but just be careful around her...and don't blindly place your faith in her or those shady astrology abilities of hers too." That...if only Rin could elaborate more on what was so fishy or dangerous about meeting up with Rani. She understands the risk of cooperating and working together with another fellow enemy master yes, but from what Rin's describing, she's making Rani to seem more like a highly suspicious person or even a criminal at this point.

Seeing Hakuno's puzzled look, Rin let's out a groan in frustration, throwing her hair over her shoulder. "Nevermind, just...look out for yourself. I've said my piece. What happens between the two of you is your own responsibility to bear and for you to decide." Without another word, Rin begins walking down the hallway, supposedly in the direction of the library. Wait, so she was just going to leave just like that??

"U-Um...!" Turning her head, Rin eyes Hakuno with a look of confusion. "...What? You got something to tell me?" Patient as she may be, Hakuno can still tell that Rin doesn't look too pleased. That aside, she still went out of her way to warn her, so it doesn't feel right to just walk away and pretend the conversation never happened.

"Thanks Rin, for letting me know. I'll...keep what you say in mind." Rin's eyes widened at that, a light tint on her cheeks. "...Always the goody two shoes, huh? But anyway, there's only some time left before the preparation period's over. Use it wisely."

The exchange promptly ends there, with the two heading to their respective destinations, Rin's words lingering in her head. The blue-eyed magus had left her hanging with no further explanation on the warning she gave...but Hakuno could tell that Rin meant every word she said, and probably knew something about Rani that she didn't.

It didn't take long for Hakuno to spot the purple-haired master standing alone at the end of the third floor hallway, quietly murmuring to herself with her eyes directed at the window. With that stance, Hakuno can only assume that she's probably in the middle of 'observing the stars' again or something.

Slowly approaching her, Rani soon turns and adjusts her spectacles. "Ah, good day. So it seems that you have answered my call for assistance. You have my thanks. Today is the right time to read Sir Dan Blackmore's star." Well, yes, especially after that tempting offer she had placed on the table a few days back. In fact, Hakuno might be benefitting from this more than Rani will.

She said that she wished to learn more about people and humanity in general. But still, the brown-haired master can't help but wonder if what she's doing now is really ok.

Sure, researching on Dan and his servant herself has been a rather awkward process so far, but as a master, part of her feels conflicted and uneasy having another master assist her like this, especially if they might have to fight each other in the future.

Rin's words earlier was still very much present in her mind. That, and what if Rani expects something else as compensation after the deed is done? She doesn't know if she can provide much in return...

Rani stares at Hakuno silently for a moment, as if examining her before she continues speaking. "Ah, I see. So that's what this is all about. Correct me if I'm wrong, but before you came here...you bumped into Rin Tohsaka earlier, yes?" Hakuno tenses up at that. How did she...?

Despite the lack of a reaction, Rani's irises portray a hint of mirth in them. "So my hunch was right. Do not heed that woman's criticism too much. She and I...you could say we are not on the best terms. We don't exactly see eye on eye on certain matters after all. She's just being...overly wary and paranoid of me." Oh...so was that why Rin was warning her earlier? She feels like that wasn't the only reason though...

Rani shakes her head at that, still composed and rather emotionless as before, diverting the topic away from her attention. "Your reluctance is understandable, but I do hope you can still cooperate with me on this, to aid both of our goals. Rest assured, this is just a one time favour."

Rani adjusts her spectacles, a focused look in her eyes. "And please, there is no need to feel bad or have the need to feel indebted to me in any way. I was the one who approached you in the the first place after all." Phew...she feels a little more relieved when she says that.

Earlier though...maybe she had touched on a sensitive topic? She can't fully say, but it appears that Rani doesn't exactly like Rin either. What a strange reveal of events.

...Guess the hate between the two is mutual. Then again, Rin doesn't like Leo either so...maybe this was a similar case? If she's really going through with this idea, it's probably best to not continue talking about the twin-tailed master then.

Rani's eyes glaze over towards the window again, as if recalling a precious memory. "My professor's words are my guide. He told me specifically to learn about humans. So please put your mind at ease. You have nothing to worry about me."

Huh...the way she speaks of this professor of hers...it seems that Rani really respects that person and looks up to them a lot. Dare she say that Rani even seems devoted towards that person, which makes Hakuno wonder what sort of individual this professor of hers must be. Someone of impeccable talent and wisdom perhaps.

"Learning more about Sir Dan Blackmore's servant will help your cause as well, correct? This was the deal we mutually agreed on. At any rate, shall we begin?" Ah yes, they should probably get started then.

Handing her the three pieces of the arrow she found in the Arena, Rani inspects it closely, fiddling with the three disjointed parts. A few minutes passed and finally, she has what appears to be a broken arrow flimsily attached together.

Hakuno had to resist the urge to grimace at how pathetic the evidence must appear to the astrologist. How Rani would even go about doing this, she didn't know. Nonetheless, Hakuno holds her breath in anticipation that it'll work, and that this arrow was sufficient enough for Rani to work with. They didn't manage to find anything else in the Arena after all.

"Hmm...yes, I see that you have indeed brought something of Sir Dan Blackmore's servant as I have requested. Rest assured, despite its condition, this should be fine...and more than enough actually." Hakuno releases a sigh of relief at the confirmation, and remains in silent curiosity as she watches Rani get to work.

Rani begins mumbling to herself in quiet understanding, uttering some incomprehensible words that Hakuno assumes is some sort of spell or incantation. "With this..." Closing her eyes, she turns her face to the sky while still loosely clutching onto the arrow in her hands, occassionally running her gloved fingers over the wooden material in concentration.

It didn't take long before Rani begins speaking again, revealing her observations to the duo in a soft but firm voice. "The fate of which the stars speak, you can learn many things if you simply open your mind. The star which governs Sir Blackmore's servant shines brightly in the heavens today." Ok...? There she goes talking in riddles all over again, but Hakuno doesn't want to interrupt her or disrupt her train of thought either.

To be honest, apart from some basic general knowledge, she still doesn't have a clue to what astrology is or what it's supposed to accomplish, but Rani claims that certain portents can be read in the stars today, and so this leads the brown-haired to believe that she can see things about Dan's servant.

"Astrology, huh? How very magus-like. I hear that all of Atlus's alchemists are capable astrologists." Archer comments behind her back as usual, carefully observing her in astral form. Did he know about the organisation Rani was a part of?

"But I'm also interested in what that professor she always mentions is all about. Perhaps we'll learn more about her too in due time, especially with that occasional social butterfly trait you tend to have. For now, we should focus on our current enemy." Uh...sure? Was she meant to take that as a compliment or insult?

"I find myself in a...forest? It's deep...dark..." Hakuno snaps back to attention and focuses on Rani's voice, the purple-haired master's head bowed low and almost appearing entranced. "An incredibly...dark colour. At times a harbinger of infamy...and a life spent in darkness..." A harbinger...and a life spent in darkness...lurking in a forest? All these clues and hints that Rani's giving out right now, it seems that she may be onto something after all.

"Admiration mixed with trepidation, the colour of the solitary path he walks. His green-clad form blends in with the forest, as he snipes his enemies from the shadows..." That description...it sounds eerily similar to the enemy servant's attack patterns, the way he ambushed them several times in secret, and especially when he tried to assassinate her with that poisoned arrow. Which means...that Rani's observations were right on the mark!

It seems that the servant's way of life created a Noble Phantasm that could conceal him. A life that consisted of cowering in the darkness, shooting his enemies from afar. In contrast, his master Dan would fight with dignity and honour.

"...I agree. I think that there is some sort of longing hidden deep within his soul. A desire to live an honest life, out in the full light and warmth of the sun." So a desire to fight earnestly and without the use of sneaky tactics...that was a hidden wish of his?

Hakuno is already wracking her brain trying to think of any heroic spirit out of a legend that fits the description. She could probably start with thinking about heroes who were named so...but that'll probably take a while.

"...A life tainted in corruption. Many heroes have sinned, but it seems that he has gone too far." Archer speaks as though he can somewhat relate to the enemy servant's past.

Hakuno wonders if the Legendary Soul she finds herself allied with shares the same bleak history. He did mention that he had ever assassinated people and used dirty methods too a few nights back.

As she tries to follow this same line of thought, Rani opens her eyes. "Yes...this is indeed the star of Dan Blackmore's servant. In order to you to understand more, I suppose it is necessary for you to experience it yourself." Wait...experience it herself? What was she talking about now?

Extending the arrow towards Hakuno, she urges the brown-haired master to come closer. "Grasp this arrow properly along with my hand. While it may be brief, I should be able to show you the answer you may be searching for all this while. Come now, while the spell is still in effect." Wait...just what was Rani about to show her??

While hesitant, Hakuno eventually gives in and steps forward, holding onto Rani's hand which held the arrow. As soon as she did so, she can already feel a strange but weak flow of prana coursing in between the arrow and Rani's fingertips. Was this the spell she was talking about?

"Wait...Master, surely you aren't about to-" "There's no time to lose. This spell won't last forever. Close your eyes, and focus on the prana you're feeling from the arrow...and that alone." Though she can feel Archer's growing apprehension towards whatever action Rani is about to put her through, when she puts it that way, Hakuno has no choice but to comply. At Rani's instructions, she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath and calming her mind before concentrating on the thin thread of prana that was gathering around the wooden arrow.

It didn't take long before the flow of prana started getting thicker, with Hakuno gritting her teeth at the strong influx of energy that began coursing through her veins, almost retracting her hand away at the reaction if not for Rani's strong grip with her other hand. What the...?! Just what was this?! She didn't have time to react however, as Rani's voice started to become more distant to her ears.

"Ready? Don't worry, I'll make sure you'll stay safe within the vision. Just remember to watch, and don't try to interfere with anything no matter what happens." Wait...what?! What was Rani going on about?!

That was the last thing she heard before Hakuno feels her consciousness get forcibly pulled in by a strange force. The brown-haired master doesn't even manage to let out a yelp before a bright light engulfs her entire being.

...! This is...!

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A lone warrior clad in armour sits alone within the dark forest, hunched over what appeared to a wagon filled with numerous goods. This forest...she doesn't recognize the area so...she doubts that she's been here before. Just where was she?

With blood dripping from his lips, the bearded man let's out a cough, clutching his mouth with a trembling hand. "You damn thief! Poisoning the drinking water is but an act of cowardice! Show yourself!" He cries out in grief despite the expression of utter pain etched onto his face. Who was he referring to?

She feels the need to help him, but decides against it upon sensing the presence of another person approaching. This intimidating aura...she knows better than to step in recklessly.The rustling of leaves follows along with quiet footsteps, and soon, the man stiffens as the tip of a sharp arrow is positioned against his forehead.

"Hah, show yourself, you say? Bold words for someone who's about to die." Another man clad in green stands over the dying warrior, a smirk on his lips with dull green eyes shining with mischief against the darkness, tuffs of orange hair creeping out beneath the hood over his head. That person...he was...

The warrior on the ground glares up at him, hatred tainting his features and looks as though he wants to clobber the man if not for the poison paralysing his body. "You...! So it was you after all! Curse you! Do you think such actions will go unpunished?! When the others hear of your wretched deeds...!"

The man in green let's out a chuckle, no remorse present in that expression of his. "What are ya sayin, government dog? Yammering nonsense like you're so righteous...how about I give ya something in return for that worthless life of yours?"

A pull of a string and its release sends the arrow straight into the man's skull with no hesitation, killing him instantly. The man let's out a gargled noise, the last thing he's able to utter before his body finally slumps over the wagon, unmoving. She covers her own mouth to prevent the gasp from escaping her lips over the brutal scene, praying that the man wouldn't be able to see her.

The orange-haired man sighs, adjusting his cape and keeping the bow before he yanks the corpse aside, inspecting the goods on the wagon. "Hmph, not a lot, but this should be enough to feed them for a while longer..." Even after killing someone, those eyes of his still remain dull and lifeless, with no ounce of regret present in them.

He works quickly, riding the wagon into a small village nearby and stealthily placing the goods into the warehouse before he hides, his figure vanishing into the night. She watches on silently, confused as to what his motives were.

"...! Dad, dad, come here quick! There's food in the warehouse again!" The cries of excited villagers resound around the village as they rejoice in happiness. "Oh, this is...! Thank goodness, with these we can continue planting crops and won't starve to death in the coming winter! Thank heavens, this must indeed be a blessing from above!"

They all excitedly cheer aloud, unaware of a certain figure watching contently from the shadows. She is taken aback. He...was trying to help these people? But why doesn't he show himself then? Did he think that they would be scared of him?

This process repeated itself many times, and soon enough, the villagers began wondering about this mysterious saviour of theirs who would continuously help them. The man on the other hand didn't need any fame nor recognition, and was perfectly satisfied with just being able to see the smiles on the people's faces. But why does he insist on hiding? She's certain that after all he's done, they would be immensely grateful and happy to see his face.

Occassionally, the man would receive a few minor injuries. They were nothing much that would hinder his progress or work significantly, but definitely a pain to deal with. And yet the man quietly tended to then before he carried on, unfazed as if those injuries didn't affect him at all.

"If I can continue to make them smile like this...then no matter what I must go through, no matter how many people from that wretched capital I must kill...," he tells himself over and over again as a justification of the blood smeared on his hands, evidence of the countless lives he's taken over the years. The man continues down this dark, thorny path by himself, unaware of the growing danger that had begun to sprout.

However, karma would be back to bite him from behind, that was certain. Suspicion and anxiety grew within the capital, and soon enough, an army was put out to thoroughly search and hunt down the faceless criminal in green. The capital would not ignore this man no longer, the man who became a highly wanted criminal who needed to be eliminated immediately.

The village became a prime target for the soldiers who constantly questioned and interrogated them, often turning to cruel, physical means to force the villagers to confess. "Is this man really not one of your people?! The thief who resides within the Sherwood Forest!" they demanded, harsh voices booming across the village. The people cowered in fear, too afraid to speak up for the hero who had aided them so much.

Under the constant pressure, they chose the cowardly way out, fearing for their lives. "W-We don't know who that is! That man has nothing to do with us, we swear!" The people that the man had dedicated his life to easily turned their backs against him, ignoring and trampling on his existence. How sad...how very sad.

What were once battles to protect the well being of others soon became battles to protect himself. The man fought for days on end, not even stopping to rest. He fought, and continued to fight to stay alive for as long as he could. Meanwhile, she could only watch from afar, unable to help or provide any assistance. She knows that if she did so, the mirage would end immediately, and so she can't interfere.

And yet, with each day that went on, he found himself getting weaker and weaker. The wounds on his body that were taking way too long to recover began to accumulate, and the grip on his bow and arrows began to slacken.

The lone man found that he could no longer go fighting by himself, and at last, suffered a fatal blow to the heart. The man thankfully managed to escape, but it didn't take long for him to collapse, not able to go on any further. She can sense it without the need for any explanation; all those wounds...the man was going to die.

Resting against a tree, the man heaves a long sigh, staring up at the grey, cloudy sky. Drops of rain began to splatter on his face, washing the dirt from his cheeks and seeping into his clothes that had been dyed red with blood from his own wounds. He found that he no longer possessed the strength to even seek refuge from the cold, relentless downpour.

And so he continues to lay there against the tree, not even moving a muscle, eyes still fixated on the sky. His mind wanders back to the times he's helped the village, and the smiles on their faces. Oh, how he misses those times indeed. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side, and the tables have turned for the worse.

And yet...even while struggling to stay alive, even after the stabbing betrayal from the very people he swore to help and protect, did the man never blame them. All this time...he was finding reasons to hate them for turning their backs on him, and yet...he couldn't do so.

Will they still be targeted after his death? He hopes not. But why? Why doesn't he hate them? Even now, why does he still care for them and their wellbeing over his own instead? He has no reason to after what they did to him.

Tired...he felt so tired. He was so preoccupied with fighting that he failed to notice just how exhausted he was. And when he finally notices, it's when he's on the verge of death...terrific.

A part of her feels conflicted. In that moment, even she couldn't help but feel sympathy for this man, even after witnessing all the people he had killed. 'An eye for an eye', she tries to reason, and yet part of her pities him and the fate he ended up with.

This person was doomed to be a criminal from the start, his work rewarded with scorn and disdain from the people around him. Even if he was trying to hide it under a mask of indifference, she could tell that it still stung, that it hurt him more than his own wounds to be betrayed and left behind by everyone else, forever alone even in his last moments.

There was not even a single comrade present to mourn for his death, and that all his hard work and efforts would soon be forgotten. The unfairness and injustice of the situation, and yet he was still trying to toughen it out and feign optimism. Was it simply a way for him to cope with the despair, or was it because part of him still held on to that tiny ray of hope that maybe...just maybe...his deeds weren't all in vain? She didn't know.

The rain begins to grow stronger with each passing minute, but doesn't help to stop the blood that was still leaking onto the ground beneath him, instead gradually numbing his sense of touch. His bloody back stains the trunk he leans on to a dark, crimson red, probably the only reminder and proof that he was here once his corpse decays or better yet, gets eaten by wandering wild animals.

The man finds himself unable to move at this point, vision blurring much to his displeasure. So he was going to die here...by himself in the same forest that he had taken the lives of many others. As frustrating as it was, it seems that the warrior's prediction was right after all. Oh well...at least he'll die knowing that he fought a good fight...

The man pauses at that. ...A good fight...had he really fought a good fight? All this time, he's spent years fighting alone by himself, sniping his enemies from the shadows. Can he really be proud and admit that he fought well then?

His mind wanders back to his days as an innocent, young child that had big aspirations. What did he dream of becoming again? Ah right...he wanted to become a knight after reading all those books and hearing all those heroic tales...how ironic. Although...looking back on it now.. perhaps that wasn't a bad dream to have.

A chuckle escapes his lips at the bitter realisation, a twinge of regret residing in the depths of his heart. Ah...so that was how it was. How inconvenient that he only realised this now. Even in his dying moments, he couldn't have a moment of peace. But it was too late now, and he was going to die with this one regret staining his conscience. She wants to say something, but knows that she can't...and that it is futile.

The rain was definitely drowning out the sound of his voice, but that didn't matter, not anymore when nothing else could be done. "Ah...this sucks. To die in a place where no one will remember me, and as a faceless figure no less..." If he could turn back time, would things be different than they were now?

The man closes his eyes, accepting his fate. "A knight...how nice it would've been if I was able to become one..." His breathing slows down to a stop, and not another single word or sound comes out from his lips.

The scene begins to heavily distort, with the man's still and bloody figure fading out into a blanket of white.

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"...It seems that time's up. You should've seen more than enough by now." The brown-haired master hears someone snapping their fingers and with a gasp, opens her eyes, heart thumping wildly against her chest. This was...she was back in the school?

Blinking, she clears her vision and focuses her eyes on the girl standing before her that was staring intently at her face, looking to be inspecting her condition. "No dilation of the pupils, and your breathing seems stable. Welcome back. So...did you see the answer you were looking for behind Dan's servant?"

Ah, right...so she was now back in the 3rd floor hallway. Wait...she could've sworn that she was in a forest earlier. And those series of events that she saw...then what Rani meant earlier about 'experiencing it herself', she meant this?!

The girl nods, neutral expression still plastered onto her face. "Yes. It was only for a while, but I managed to show you the events of that servant's past that were linked to this arrow. I figured witnessing with your own eyes would be more effective than with me just telling you what I'd seen." Then everything she saw back there was actually real...

"Master, are you alright? How are you feeling?" Her servant immediately questions her regarding her condition, understandably so since her mind had literally managed to temporarily log out from her body, to which she responds with a few light nods of the head. "...*Sigh* I can't believe you, attempting such a stunt without any prior discussion. You're lucky nothing went wrong," he scolds. It seems that he has a lot more to say, but decides to hold back his tongue.

Well...she can't blame him given how rash and thoughtless she must've appeared earlier. In fact, she is surprised that he appears calmer than she had anticipated. Knowing her servant, she thought he would be a little more...frustrated with her. Or perhaps he doesn't deem it appropriate to get mad at her in front of Rani that he's staying quiet (in which case she probably has to thank the magus for then).

Nonetheless, she's alright for the most part...probably. She can still think coherently, and all her five senses seem to be functioning as usual, but she appreciates him asking nonetheless. Returning back to the subject at hand...

What frightening powers Rani possessed. She could only imagine how difficult it was for anyone in general to go against such a skilled magus, and in a field where other masters were probably not as knowledgable in.

She had her doubts before, but after seeing it in action now herself, it's clear that Rani's astrologist abilities are not a joke. It was like standing between the lines of a dream and reality, and those projections of the servant's past was impressive to say the least. To be able to create such a vivid mirage just from an arrow...this was definitely some sort of advanced magecraft at work!

"It was nothing much. This was a simple technique bestowed and taught to me from my professor. However, it is not recommended to be used often, as the user can suffer from some extreme, undesirable...side effects with prolonged and continuous usage, especially for someone like you who is not accustomed to this process."

She says this almost as if it was an afterthought. Hold on...did that mean that Rani had forgotten to warn her about such an important thing before the whole ordeal?! She should've at least given a heads up or something! What happened if something had gone wrong midway?!

Rani continues, not missing a beat and definitely not showing an ounce of regret or shame, almost as if Hakuno was but a mere test subject of little relevance. "The process does require momentarily severing your consciousness from your physical body and linking it to the source when generating the mirage. However, I would note that despite the impromptu setup, it was an overall success, particularly for a beginner."

Hakuno sweatdrops at that. She really did sound like a researcher reporting the results of her experiments. Rani blinks at her, as if unable to comprehend the master's growing uneasiness. "Of course. If I had told you before it happened...wouldn't you be apprehensive about going through with it? Like I mentioned, the spell only lasts for a set duration, so there was little time to explain and convince you." O-Oh...so that was how it is. But then...wouldn't that mean.. ?

Thankfully, Rani notices her increasing worry and is quick to react. "Ah, do not be alarmed. As it is your first time, there shouldn't be any large issues. Perhaps you may feel some fatigue as the process is taxing on the mind and drains some of your mana, but nothing life threatening to be overly concerned about." ...What's with the slightly morbid way she's explaining it? With how she's wording it, should she even be glad then?

"I also made sure to stabilize your consciousness with my own mana during that period of time, and the vision did not last for more than a few minutes, so your consciousness wouldn't be affected when you came back." Now that she mentioned it, the brown-haired master does still feel a bit disoriented and light headed after her consciousness returned back to her body. But it wasn't anything serious, so she supposed it would quell soon enough.

Hang on...so only a few minutes had passed when she was stuck in that vision?? Why did it feel like she had witnessed several weeks worth of events though...

A small twinkle of amusement crosses Rani's pupils for a brief moment. "That is the wonders of astrology. It is more powerful than what others assume to be at first, and can be very helpful in times like these. I'm glad that you're starting to see its usefulness."

Indeed she has, and to think that this was just a 'simple technique', a mere fragment of what Rani was capable of doing. This master before her was not to be underestimated, that's for sure.

Handing back the arrow, Hakuno stashes it safely back inside her terminal as Rani reports her findings on the whole process. "Hmm...after all that...this may not be the one I am searching for. To say clearly, I am not sure though." Oh...um...that's too bad. Even if Rani insists otherwise, she can't help but feel guilty that she wasn't able to provide anything useful in exchange.

"It's quite alright. As with research, the results can vary and are not always as predicted. I wasn't expecting too much out of this either." Well...when she puts it that way. But she still thinks that she owes this person some sort of favour at least...

"A favour...then would it be alright for me to dissect your body to conduct further research on you? There is still much analysis and evaluation to carry out before I can finalize my findings." Hakuno's eyes go wide at that, a shiver travelling down along her spine. Wh...?! Where did that come from?!Was she being serious?! Even as favour...that was...!

Rani stares at Hakuno's shocked expression before she adjusts her spectacles, dropping the act. "I was just joking. Worry not, I am not some sort of mad scientist that goes around experimenting people for fun." A-Ah...right...of course. It was just a joke...a harmless joke. Though...that neutral expression of hers doesn't seem to be completely convincing.

"*Sigh* What do you think me as, a crazed lunatic? I am an astrologist, tasked with studying the stars and the ways of my professor in order to better understand humans. As such, I do not derive any sort of twisted enjoyment from the unnecessary suffering of others." Hakuno likes to think that Rani almost sounds offended there, though it's hard to tell through that mechanical, monotonous voice of hers.

And yes...she didn't think that Rani was planning something evil...yet. Admittedly, it is harder to decipher Rani's intentions given that she pulls a straight face with little to no emotion the whole time. For all she knew, Rani might be some sort of nefarious schemer underneath that expressionless face of hers. She did just forget the whole safety briefing before the procedure earlier.

"Anyway, like I mentioned, you do not have to feel bothered to 'return the favour' for me. I approached you first with this request, and you have also fulfilled it splendidly in return. With this...I believe that you have a better idea on that servant's True Name?" Definitely, and she's very grateful for Rani's assistance.

Rani places a hand to her chest, eyes downcast. "The wish that the man yearns to keep to himself is evident. In his last moments, he died with regret, unable to live the life he desired where he could be proud of his achievements. Longing...is the reason for this fissure. This was something told by my professor, a part of humans I should understand."

With a life rewarded with misery and treachery, Hakuno can see why Dan's servant died a bitter death full of regrets. Was that why he turned out into the Legendary Soul he was upon being summoned for the Holy Grail War? That he insisted on using such underhanded tactics because they had defined his identity when he was alive? That he was sensitive around Dan especially whenever the matter of pride was brought up?

Come to think of it, his difficult attitude and personality around Dan all makes sense now. Dan and him are polar opposites, and upon witnessing how his life had made a turn for the worse and finished on a bad note, she can see why he was so against following Dan's strict orders. Anyone from a third person's view could see how it conflicted with that servant's way of life, like the two were different sides of the same coin.

"...Perhaps somewhere deep within his soul, that man's aspirations still burns as a hot flame, small but unextinguished, waiting for the day when the sun can shine bright and bring to him a life without lies." Did that mean that even now, a part of him was yearning for that desire, even when his identity rejects it?

Rani stops there, pausing, as if she senses something. "...While pleasant, let us end the conversation here. I can feel his presence lurking deep within the second floor of the Arena. Maybe you should talk to him directly if you wish to confirm your doubts. I'd advise you to head there while he is still present in that location." Hang on...did she just...? How was she capable of...?

"That is insignificant. You have better things to attend to now, correct?" Hakuno blinks at that, nodding profusely and thanking the purple-haired master once again. She doesn't know any other way to express her gratitude apart from thanking her over and over again, especially since Rani insisted that she didn't need to do anything in return. So for now at least, all she can do is give her thanks repeatedly.

"...Oh, but before you go, I suppose I can give you a little gift. Consider this a bonus." Before Hakuno could react, Rani reaches out and grabs her hand, invoking a flash of mana through it. Hakuno flinches at the contact, feeling the mana course through her veins once again, only except this time, the flow was much more unstable, almost overwhelming her. ...! What the-

A brief image rushes into her head. There before her, lies a hill, with various swords being embedded in the ground. The sky before her is grey, and standing in front of her is a blurry figure hunched over at the top of the hill-

The image passes by too quickly, her mind almost unable to register it as the connection abruptly cuts off, almost like a snap of a string. The brown-haired master winces, beads of sweat forming on her eyebrows as her eyes snap open. For a moment, she stands in silence, her mouth gaping in shock. What...? What did...she just...?

Rani's eyes narrow, her fingers digging into Hakuno's palm as her grip on her hand tightened. "...? That's odd...the connection got severed all of a sudden by itself. Wait a moment, I'll try to reconnect-" Rani doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence or even attempt whatever she was doing a second time, because Hakuno immediately yanks her hand away.

"I...I..." Hakuno stumbles over her words, her mind in a jumbled mess. What on earth just happened back there? Was that another mirage she was exposed to? It was only for a millisecond, and the image disappeared before she saw anything much...but...it couldn't be...was that...?

"What's the matter? Let us try again, perhaps we can-" "No." Hakuno cuts her off, her voice soft but firm. Her heart was still thumping wildly in her chest from that, and as much as she wanted to understand what on earth she had just seen, a large part of her knew something was off. That she shouldn't be seeing this now...not like this...

"What's wrong? Are you ok, Master?" Suddenly, just like that, Hakuno could sense her rapid heartbeat slowing down, a feeling of ease filling her senses. Just like that, by hearing her servant's voice, her mind felt just a bit more clearer to form some coherent thoughts amidst the disoriented, jumbled chaos going on in her head.

"I...I'm fine. Thank you but...I need to be going now." Hakuno forces a smile at the mage, still trying to calm her mind from the shock. Rani probably knew that she was lying through her teeth, but it didn't matter. She just needed an excuse to get away from whatever she just saw. She didn't know why but her instincts were telling her, screaming at her to stop...that witnessing this now...right here at this time was wrong.

She can't see any more of this mirage, or what goes on after right now and right here. She can't.

Finally, it seems that Rani took the hint, releasing her hand and backing up a few steps, with the atmosphere returning back to normal as if nothing strange had occurred just a minute ago. "Ah...I see. My apologies. I must've startled you earlier, doing out out of the blue. You must be in a hurry too. You should...get going then." Her face tries to mimic that of understanding, although her lack of expression says otherwise.

After lowering her head in a bow, Rani turns her eyes back to the sky, probably continuing on whatever she was doing before Hakuno showed up. The chocolate-eyed master regards Rani's sudden shift in attitude with a frown, but doesn't bring up the matter anyway. On that note...

...Rani...really wasn't much of a talker, was she? Although she's still curious as to how the master had managed to pinpoint the servant's whereabouts, she supposed she should just get going like Rani had advised earlier.

The earlier incident aside, would she be able to have an insightful conversation with her like this in the future? Perhaps, and maybe she might get to know more about this mysterious astrologist too, or at least...she's keeping an open mind for that possibility.

...A mismatched cog. She wonders if she'll be able to mesh with anything. With her servant, or even anything that's happening around her for that matter. But she doesn't let her mind linger on that matter, as the brown-haired master quickly hurries down along the hallway and past the staircase to get to the Arena entrance.

Meanwhile, the bespectacled master watches the retreating figure of the other female from afar from the corner of her eyes, concentrating her gaze back upon the clear and cloudless sky. "Was helping her out the correct decision as you claim, professor?" she absentmindedly asks out loud to no one in particular, lost in her own thoughts in that moment.

She let's out another sigh, her pupils fixated on the ribbons of data gathering around the blue horizon above. "...She almost caught on. Despite having amnesia, she's smarter than she looks or gives herself credit for. As I suspected, she is no ordinary star. It seems that further observation is necessary after all..."

It was strange how the connection had disabled by itself earlier. She was hoping to be able to tap into and see what that master's own servant's past was like, but she didn't manage to see anything apart from a brief, momentary fog, as if something was obstructing her mind's eyes.

But how? This has never happened before, not even when looking into Dan's servant's past. In fact, the setup and execution was a little too perfect that she was confident it would've worked on Hakuno's servant all the same. It didn't seem like her servant had intervened at that point in time either.

And she managed to escape before she could try a second time too. Was it due to the person in question's amnesia then? Or the unique circumstances that led to her servant's impromptu summoning and her becoming a master in this war? Or maybe...the lack of a catalyst? But her servant being there should've sufficed...

...Nevermind, there was no point fretting over the past. She'll just have to find another way to uncovering that servant's identity and past, even if it's a little more troublesome than this method. She needs to be a little more meticulous and careful with this master. And that servant...she had a feeling that he definitely wasn't as oblivious as the master, being rather perceptive instead.

Rani didn't want to start appearing suspicious or distrustful in her eyes anytime soon, not after all the trouble she went through to approach her first, and even assist her to this extent with the enemy servant's identity. It was a slow start, but it's progress nonetheless. At the very least, she had managed to obtain some information about her enemy, otherwise it would all be for naught.

...Speaking of which, Hakuno Kishinami didn't really hesitate to accept her help to aid her and even willingly took her hand so easily earlier that it had indeed aroused some suspicion of her own. Thankfully, it seems that the master is still a small green bud that has yet to bloom, utterly naive and full of weaknesses. Yes, there are still many opportunities to observe and use this master to her advantage.

...But to think that Rin Tohsaka of all mages would assist her too. She works fast, that cunning woman. Could that mean that she has she seen through her facade? No, even with her intelligence and prowess in magecraft, that should be impossible. Just as a precaution however, she might need to lay low and avoid garnering her attention as much as possible.

Then what was Rin Tohsaka's motives for approaching Hakuno Kishinami then? Whatever it is, she should've known that the crafty vixen would get to her first. A thorn in her plan...an unanticipated error in her predictions, how...incredibly aggravating and problematic.

Rani takes a while to compose herself. Thinking about it too much now would not benefit her in any way. No matter, a minor flaw shouldn't be enough to disrupt the chain of events that's set in stone. The stars do not lie, so she'll continue to proceed as planned.

Her hollow expression reflects itself onto the smooth glass as she brushes her fingers lightly against the window pane. "So she intends to confront the hunter of the forest...though how will she go about it, that is a mystery. The stage has been prepared for the test, and I wonder just how well she'll perform. Only time will be able to tell."

Right...it is still too early to determine the side that is favoured more by the stars. She must be patient. Staring at the palm of her hand, she squints her eyes at it, pursing her lips together. "How peculiar...Hakuno Kishinami...she is..."

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"Hold on for a minute, Master." Hakuno stops, looking over at her servant with raised eyebrows. Currently, they were standing right by the entrance, about to enter the Arena...but why did Archer suddenly stop her? Had she forgotten to do something?

"No, not that. Are you really alright? Earlier you seemed...on edge when Rani grabbed your hand a second time." This causes Hakuno to halt in her tracks, body turning rigid. Dang, she had avoided trying to think of it but her servant just had to remind her, didn't he? "That's...well..."

Hakuno looks over at him with poorly concealed nervousness, making him even more confused and suspicious. "What happened back there? What did Rani show you?" To be honest, she doesn't even know how to begin answering that.

While vivid in her mind, she doesn't understand the image she saw. All she knew was that she shouldn't see anything else that Rani was planning on showing her. It was an unexplainable gut feeling in the heat of the moment. And frankly, she feels hesitant to tell Archer too. She does want to uncover and unravel the mystery behind it...but...

Archer gives a sigh, walking over and giving her a pat on the head; it comes off but unexpected, but pleasant nonetheless. "...No need to look so conflicted. I did ask, but if it's really uncomfortable for you to answer, then I won't force it out of you either."

He ruffles her hair gently in reassurance, affirming his statement. "So you don't have to get all worried. Just let me know if there's anything you'd like to get off your shoulders and it gets too bothersome." Wow he...was being unpredictably...nice?

It was hard not to feel touched at Archer's efforts to cheer her up, all while matching her pace. It was times like these that made her feel oddly relieved and safe within his presence. Though she feels bad for keeping it from him, she appreciates him for understanding. Sorry about this Archer...but she hopes that she can talk about this matter in the future when she's ready to confront it.

Archer's hand now goes towards her arm, tugging it towards her. The unexpected action startles her as Archer pulls her towards him, staring intently at her face. "However, let what occurred earlier not happen again. What you did was extremely reckless, and as I've said before, I do not need you to get into any unnecessary trouble, especially when it's this close to the Elimimation Battle."

Hakuno stares up at him in bewilderment. He was looking at her with a serious intensity that almost rendered her speechless. Was Archer referring to...the spell earlier with Rani? She did reassure him back there that she was fine, and Archer looked relatively unfazed for the most part, but it seems that she still worried him more than she realized.

Back then...and even now, he still cares for her wellbeing and was looking out for her. While she's aware he's mostly saying this out of necessity as her servant, the thought alone still manages to warm her heart. Slowly nodding her head, she waits for Archer to release her arm, fighting back the blush that threatened to creep up her cheeks and making a mental note to try not to cause too much inconvenience to her servant on similar matters in the future.

"By the way, you do realize...that once we enter the Arena and encounter those two..." Diverting her attention away from the earlier incident, Archer focuses on a more pressing matter. Ah, right...a fight was most likely going to ensue. And after the events in the Nurse's Office yesterday, it wouldn't be wrong to assume that Dan's servant was still pissed off and more than willing to try and kill her again inside the Arena.

Is she worried? Absolutely. The question still remains of whether they can stand up to their foes, but she's decided to take Dan's advice to heart, and not turn away for once. They were so close to discovering the enemy servant's True Name, and now that he's inside the Arena, they had to take the chance to find out and confirm his identity.

"Yeah, I know that. But we can't let this opportunity slip past us. I'm sure that Dan's servant is expecting us too as we speak, and as always...you'll have my back, won't you, Archer?" She says this without an ounce of hesitation for once, causing Archer to blink back at her in mild surprise before a light smirk crosses his lips.

"Wow, didn't expect Dan's little pep talk to be so effective. You've suddenly become all gutsy. And of course, that's a given; you can count on me to protect you, Master." She's tempted to say 'Don't hold your breath', as she's well aware that these sudden and random bouts of courage don't come by often, but for now they should pat attention to the matter at hand.

She takes a deep breath, steeling herself and her resolve. She won't run or try to escape once they were in the Arena. She'll face Dan head on, and prove to him that she can be a worthy opponent too. With that, she opens the door and the two head inside the Arena, ready to pursue their opponents.