I would like to thanks Luna Wave for been the beta of this chapter and the great support and help that provided to this this story.

Also in this chapter you will see a clue about what the humans will use instead the Element Zero in the sequel of this story, I wonder how many will see it.

Now the chapter.

Sunlight pierces the windows, reaching her face and causing her to stir. Blurrily rubbing her eyes, she sees that, once again, she isn't in the apartment that she had lived in alone for the past few years; instead it is the room that she had stayed in for the past few days as she recovered from her near-death experience with her friends. As Suzune got out of the bed, she went to the adjacent bathroom and she began to get ready for her first day back in school after the events of the attack. In addition, as the water from the showers cleans her body, she couldn't help but reflect on the most recent event that upended her life and the revelations that came with them.

The attack on her school, the sight of dead bodies of the terrorists and the fact that the second course teachers alongside their little brother are the seats of Avalon: the very same group of magic researchers that many countries are searching to either kidnap, kill off, or try to recruit. But while the last one was something of a total surprise, a bigger surprise came when she learned that the seats of Avalon had gotten their hands on a Relic. An authentic and real relic which they then used to help Tatsuya by conceptualizing it within him. They then also managed to make three copies, something that most researchers had believed to be impossible, or at least extremely difficult. That didn't matter as they did it anyway and now she and her two friends now carry one copy within each of them.

She had spent the last few days resting while recovering from the procedure that placed the artificial relic inside her and she used that time to read as much as she could about the new magic system that had been opened to her. She couldn't be happier about the new possibilities that she gained especially with so little cost.

Ever since the demonstration class that Rin-sensei gave that day, she had become very interested in runic magic and the possibilities that the second course magic can offer to help her achieve her dream. She was trying to find a way to get the same results with modern magic, but now she does not need to find alternatives. And today, after she returns from school, she will be receiving her first class in the Thaumaturgy system.

"Suzune-chan, are you ready?" said Sella from behind the door as she finished dressing herself.

"Yes; I will be downstairs in a moment."

"Okay, you better hurry out or your breakfast will get cool" said Sella as she left.

That was another mystery of the Emiya mansion. How was it possible that the food made by Shirou-sensei tasted so good? Looking at her reflection in the mirror for one last time, she left her room.

The experience that she had in the Emiya's mansion was not what she expected at all. She had attended some events with Mayumi related to the Master Clans and all those events felt more like job interviews rather than parties. Even an informal meeting, she felt that they needed to keep up the act properly as members of the Master Clans. But with the Emiya, she couldn't feel any of that; unlike the Master clans, they were not afraid to show their real faces and personalities and that was evident from the way that they behave. Not just how Irisviel and Aoi flirt with Kiritsugu (already a big surprise because she thought that the only one with his own harem was Shirou), but by the way that the two matriarchs act, it shows that they are the ones in control of the relationship. Then there was also the way they treat the maids as if they were members of the family. Rin, Illya, and Sakura also seems to have quite a bit of fun teasing Shirou and Tatsuya.

For her that lived alone for the last few years, it was an interesting experience. It was just like how it was when her parents were still alive.

After breakfast, they left for school. The trip was a quiet one until a question come to her mind.

"If Sakura-sensei could use the teleportation magic, then why do you need to drive to school?"

"It is necessary to keep up appearances; also, what made you believe that Sakura is the only one that can use that spell?" asked Illya.

"You mean that-" said Suzune as she looked at each of them. After receiving calm silence as a response, she turned to the last member in the car. "Tatsuya-kun?"

"No, I can´t use it, even after seeing it many times and with their explanations on how it works, I am still unable to use that magic." answered Tatsuya.

"Don't worry; we trust in you and your skill. You just need more time and hard work" Shirou assured his younger brother.

Soon the trip was over, and they were in the teachers' parking area. Each one of them went off on their own way.

While Suzune was walking in the first course building, she had to greet many of the first course students that stopped her to ask her how she was whether she had totally recovered from the attack. After she greeted them back and confirmed to them that, yes, she was fine and that she was thankful for their concerns, she kept walking until she saw a group of people that was around two persons that she knew all too well.

"Suzune-senpai" said Miyuki as the other people realize the new arrival and began to ask her the same question that she had to answer since she arrived. It is likely that her two friends also had to answer them, before her own arrival.

"We thank you all for your concern, but we need to return to our duties in the school council" said Mayumi as she and the other two follow her into the council room. "The classes haven't even start and I am already tired."

"It's only natural for them to be worry about us, Mayumi-sempai" said Miyuki. She then looked around to see that they were alone in the room. "By the way, where are the other members of the student council?"

"I asked them to go on a few errands for me, to give us a few moments, because I believe that we need to talk about what just happened and what we will be doing after class."

"I still can't believe how everything changed so fast" said Miyuki.

"I still can't believe that we had the seats of Avalon teaching in our school all this time." said Mayumi. "That explain why the second course students are advancing so fast"

"Have any of you felt any different from usual?" asked Suzune.

"If you are talking about the magic circuits, then no. But, to be honest, I didn't try anything with them and chose to wait for the lessons, but I did read all that I could about Thaumaturgy." said Mayumi.

"Me too." said Miyuki.

"I wonder what type of training we will receive from them." said Mayumi.

"I had that same question all this time, but I know that with them involved, we can be sure that we will receive the best training possible and that it will be very interesting." Said Suzune.

Before they had the chance to continue they talk they were interrupted by someone that enter the room as a bullet.

"President, Miyuki-chan, Suzune-sempai are you ok" said Azusa with tears on her eyes, happy that her friends were fine in her childish way.

Knowing that it will be impossible for them to continue their talk with their friend now present, they greeted her, and with a look between them, they understood that they would finish this conversation later.

Time skip

The school day was over, and the three girls agree to keep up appearances and separately go to a place where they will meet and then go together to head to the Emiya mansion. After a few minutes the last of them arrive only to see two figures waiting for them.

"Honami? What are you doing here?" asked Miyuki when she saw her mother guardian.

"I will be escorting you of course"

"Koujirou-niisan? You too?"

"It was agreed between the three families that someone must accompany you and, to not bother the Emiya more than necessary, it will be a single person per family" said Koujirou.

Mayumi and Miyuki, after hearing this, knew that something was odd but decided to remain silent as they took a taxi that will take them to the Emiya mansion. After a while they were in front of the mansion where the two maids that they had met before were waiting for them.

"Welcome" said the two maids in unison.

"Sella, Leysritt thank you for receiving us" greeted Suzune.

"We told you that now that you will be living with us you shouldn't be so formal and please call me Liz" said Leysritt.

"We also welcome the rest of you and we are happy that, this time, your visit is under better circumstances." said Sella. As she began to lead them inside, they all could feel when they passed the boundary field. They're still having a hard time to believe that that kind of magic existed.

When they arrived at the waiting room, they could see Tatsuya and the other members of the family were waiting for him. After greeting each other, Tatsuya asked them if they brought a change of clothes. This is one of the things that Tatsuya had told them to carry, and when they all said that they did, they followed Suzune to her room to change clothes.

"Whoa, this room is as big as an apartment" said Mayumi, as she began to change clothes.

"The western decoration looks nice" added Miyuki, following the student council president's lead.

"You know, this is interesting" Said Suzune, as she took her clothes from the closet. How the Emiya Family had managed to move her belongings into her new room in the same night she agreed to stay with them was something that she decided was better not known. On a plus side, once the apartment she lived in is rented out, she will get more money to support herself, and contribute something to the mansion, even if the Emiya said that that is not necessary.

"What?" asked Mayumi.

"That members of the Saegusa family and the Yotsuba family are talking as friends."

"Why shouldn't we be? I never really cared about the image of the master clans in the first place, besides it is to fun to tease Miyuki-chan" said Mayumi.

"I feel the same, all this thing about reputations had only caused problem to us and the relationship that we had develop is something new for me and something that I had grown to appreciate" added Miyuki.

"I feel the same. You know I am happy that the three of us can be friends that do not need to keep any secrets with each other anymore" said Mayumi. With the other two girls nodding their heads in agreement.

After they change their clothes, they were escorted to the central garden. The Emiya mansion had an interesting western style that had the main complex at the front and three sections forming a box, with a beautiful garden at the center.

It was at the center of the garden where they saw their new teacher waiting for them, all the while Honami and Koujirou is watching from a far corner to where they could see the girls but were at a distance that prevent any interruptions.

"The fact that you are here means that you have decided to proceed with the training but let me ask you this one more time: are you really sure about this?" asked Tatsuya, from his position sat in one of the garden benches, just in front of them. After a few seconds, he got his answer.

"From the beginning, I saw this as a blessing, I know that it sounds strange especially because of the attack, but my dream to change the role that magicians had in society had always been my goal in life. When Avalon tech began to make my dream a reality, I wanted to be a part of them. But after the Rin-sensei's class, when I saw how the Thaumaturgy is a key part, I felt a little depress because I believed that I would be excluded from my own dream. But now, even if it was by an accident, I now have the means to achieve my dream and I want to make the best use of this opportunity." said Suzune.

"While I do not have the same talents as Suzune-chan, I also share her dream and I plan to do everything in my power to support her. And besides, I don't back down from a challenge" said Mayumi.

"I also see this as a challenge that I must overcome, beside I also have my own personal reasons" said Miyuki. Keeping to herself that she sees these lessons more as a means to learn more about her brother.

After a few moments, Tatsuya spoke.

"If that is your choice, then let's begin. I won't begin with an explanation of the basics of magic circuits and modern magic because you should have already read them on the data that we provided you. What I am going to say, is that, from now on, both concepts will be the same for you, it will become part of your very own magic. And the first step for that to happen is to awaken your magic circuits, now tell me do any of you have any experience seeing magic circuits in action?"

To the surprise of Tatsuya, it was Miyuki who raised her hand.

"I have a friend that has a younger brother that is a Thaumaturgy user and told us about the first time that he awoken his magic circuits. She told us that he was just trying to jump high to reach a branch when his magic circuits activate and he in fact manage to get to the branch."

"That is interesting, and did you know how he was able to awaken his magic circuits?" asked Tatsuya, when he saw that they were silent, he continues. "Because he had faith that he could get to the branch. He never doubted it. It could be by his innocence or because he was very focused on what he was doing, he had complete confidence that he could do it."

"So, to be able to use magic circuits you need to have confidence in yourself?" asked Suzune.

"It's more than that. You know about the old tales about the chants and spells being spoken aloud in the old legends about magic? Well, that is part true, because the young apprentices need to hypnotize themselves, to believe that their magic was possible. Then as time went on, and they get more experience, they no longer needed the chants and spells."

"Are you saying that we need to say some chants and spells to use our new magic?" aske Mayumi.

"That won't be necessary, because, unlike the past, you have, not only experience with magic, but also already mastered your main type of magic, so you just need to learn how to integrate both systems."

"And how do we do that?" asked Miyuki.

"From my experience, I learned that one magic system becomes the primary and the other becomes a support for that magic system. If I were to compare our situation with something, I would say that our natural born magic is like an operating system with a standard RAM memory, while the new magic system takes the place of additional RAM memory that increases the performance of the operating system." Tatsuya waited a moment to see if the girls understood his explanation, when he saw that they did, he continued. "There is something else that you should know. The Thaumaturgy system has one specific advantage over the modern magic system. As you know, when a modern magician suffers a bad experience where its magic can help or save it, he could lose all confidence on the magic to the point that the magician loses the capacity to use magic. This is because they are manipulating energies that existed outside their bodies; and for that, they begin to question the real existence of magic. In the case of Thaumaturgy, the magic circuits exist inside your body, you can feel them; see them, so the risk of the same happening to a Thaumaturgy user is lower."

"So how do we begin?" asked Suzune.

"I want you to sit and follow my instructions" said Tatsuya. When he saw that they did so, he continued. "The best way to awaken your magic circuits is to force your power through them, but that means using magic in a different way than you are used to. Normally, you will feel and control the Psion particles around you. But now I want you to ignore everything around you, including the Psion particles and focus on yourself, and try to create a place inside you where you place a special emotion or memory. This will later become the trigger that will activate your magic circuits when you need them. Once, you have placed that emotion or memory in your special place and try to gather your energy there, once you begin to feel that energy, try to force them through your body, starting from the magic crest placed over your hearts."

For the rest of the training session, the girls follow Tatsuya's instructions but were still unable to awaken their magic circuits. Before they could get depressed though, Tatsuya told them that awakening their magic circuits is something that need time and perseverance and that even he needed a couple of weeks to do it the first time.

And, in fact, they needed almost two weeks of training after school to be able to awaken their magic circuits. But the smiles on their face showed that they were proud for that feat.

After they mastered how to activate their magic circuits at will, they began to learn how to use the three spells that were already integrated in their magic crest. The first one was the flying spell because they had already used the modern version of that spell. Again, it took them some time to learn to use that magic, but this time it was only a week. The second spell that they mastered was the telepathy spell and this time it only took them four days to learn how to use it.

But the final spell represents a biggest challenge to them in comparison to the others because the boundary field was different to any magic barrier that they knew. It took them almost three weeks to master this spell, but, at the end, they did just like with the others. It was then that when they began to practice using their own natural magic that they could see how their time casting a spell had greatly improved and their power had grown as well. After a final test, the three girls were done learning, marking the end of their time with the Emiya family. However, not before they gave them a little present for their hard work. A customized CSD or Conceptual Store Devise that will allow them to store anything that they want.

Tatsuya should have known better and felt that something was off when Mayumi had a little smirk asked to talk with Miyuki and Suzune alone for a moment when he told them that they can chose the form of their CSD. Tatsuya tried to hear their conversation, but he couldn't because it looks like the girls were using telepathy. He ruefully noted that, now, their secrets girls' talks will be even more secret. It was after a few moments that they returned that Tatsuya got more worried, especially when he saw how Mayumi and Suzune had mischievous smiles, while Miyuki was blushing. He began to suspect that they were planning something, but that thought process was interrupted when they told him that they all want their CSD in the form of a ring. That calmed Tatsuya a little, for a moment there he believed that they were planning something. Poor Tatsuya, even after all his time spent with Rin and the others, he should have learned to expect been teased by multiple girls.

After they chose the form of the rings, they left with the help of Tatsuya's elder siblings' teleportation, just like they have been doing since the beginning.

Saegusa Mansion.

Behind the main walls that protect the Saegusa mansion, sparks of blue light began to appear as the form of three people could be seen.

"I still can't believe that teleportation spell is real" exclaimed Koujirou, after taking in his surroundings.

"Come on oniisan," chided Mayumi lightly, "we have been coming home this way since the beginning." She then turned to their escort. "By the way, Illya-sensei, are you sure that you don't have time for tea or something?"

"I would love to, that but unfortunately, with the Nine Schools Competition approaching, we need to have preparations ready as soon as possible."

"I understand, then we will see you at school."

"Have a nice night" and with that Illya left in a flash of blue.

"Father must be waiting for us" said Koujirou, as he kept his eyes looking to where Illya had been just a moment ago. Without another word, the two siblings headed into the mansion. They were then led to their father's personal office, where he was waiting for them.

"Welcome home."

"Thank you, father" said the two of them at the same time.

"I know that you must be tired, but now that your time with the Emiya is officially over, we need to know, if either of you have discovered anything new about them."

"Nothing new, I'm afraid. While I was training, my focus was to learn how to use my new magic" said Mayumi.

"I have to admit that I was surprised when you came back that day and told me what happened and the identities of the seats of Avalon. At first, I believed that it was just a joke until I confirmed that the Yotsuba were also there, but any doubt that I still had went away when that Rin girl used that teleportation spell bring us home."

"That leads us to one very important point. From what Maya said, we came to believe that only that girl Sakura could use teleportation magic. But now we know that Rin and Illya also can use that magic too."

"Those three girls had been rotating bringing us home. Some days, one of them will take us while another one will take the Yotsuba heiress. So far, I can tell you that I do not have any idea about how that spell works. There are sensors that I took with me after the first day and the ones that we hid in the garden to get some readings when we arrive, but I can tell you that, so far, I got nothing. The sensors can't even detect that magic was being used until the end and we are at our destination."

"I see, but what can you tell me about the boys? Shirou and Tatsuya, I believe?"

"We only saw Shirou from time to time and Tatsuya only focuses in teaching us" said Mayumi

"Do you believe that they could also use that magic?"

"To be honest, I don't know" answered Mayumi.

"So far, we know that Shirou was the key researcher to discover the secrets to replicate a relic, so it could be that he is not as strong as the girls?"

"Again, I do not know the answer to that, but they seem to be very protective of Shirou" said Mayumi.

"Like as if he can't defend himself?"

"More like they do not like it when other girls pay attention to him. There was an occasion when they told me a story that they made sure that no girl ever got close to him in their school years, but I do not know if that was a joke" answered Mayumi.

"With the way that relationship between Kiritsugu and his wife Irisviel is with Aoi, I don't know what to think. But that piece of information tells us that trying to seduce either Shirou or the girls could be counterproductive. So that leaves us with that Tatsuya boy."

"Father, what are you planning?" asked Koujirou.

"What do you think about that Tatsuya boy, Mayumi?"

Having already anticipated this when her father began to ask for a report after each training session, she already had an answer.

"I have a great deal of respect for him; he is a member of the seats of Avalon but does not allow that to get to his head. He stands for his beliefs and is a hard worker that is always ready to help those that need help" was Mayumi's answer.

"That trait seems to exist to all the members of that family. But tell me, on a personal level, what do you feel about him?"

"He is a great friend and I enjoy his company. But father, are you asking me to-"

"To seduce him? No. But, if I just want you to know that, if, in the future, your friendship become something else, you will have my approval."

"This is very unlike you, father"

"True, but even I owe them your life and for that I will be forever thankful I just can ignore all the revelations that we have learned. And, then there's the fact that we need to rethink our position about Thaumaturgy users."

"I understand that, father, but you shouldn't be concerned about that. Especially since Koujirou-niisan seems to have developed a nice friendship with the two maids. Isn't that right, niisan?"

"Mayumi!" shouted Koujirou.

"Is there something that I should know?" asked Kouichi.

"Oh, nothing really, just that, on our break, Illya-sensei came to tell us a very interesting story: about how close you have become with the maids, Sella and Leysritt."

"It was nothing. I was just curious when I saw them practicing their magic arts outside." said Koujirou.

"So that means that, when you saw Leysritt practicing with her halberd, you didn't ask her to let you show her some Naginata forms to impress her, only to fall on your back when you couldn't hold the halberd. After which, when you couldn't stand up, she just lifted it off you with one hand" teased Mayumi with a small smile.

"The weight took me by surprise. That's all it was!" said Koujirou in defense, trying to save some face.

"And when you asked Sella for a friendly game of Speed Shooting, didn't she destroy all her targets in half the time that you did?" added Mayumi with a bigger smile.

"You are enjoying this, isn't?" said Koujirou, annoyed.

"Don't feel bad about that, I am just learning Thaumaturgy recently, but I can tell you that those two girls are special. Besides, from what Illya sensei told us, both of them said that you are cute."

"Really?" asked Koujirou with some hope in his voice.

Whether Mayumi was saying the truth or not, her brother will have to wait until she had her fun at his expense before he lets him know the answer. And with that, their small meeting was over.

Shiba residence

A similar meeting like the one that had just ended was taking place in a different location, having the same topic.

Miyuki, with Honami, was standing in front of her mother with her aunt overseeing everything from a video call.

"So more than one person can use that spell, that is very interesting, that would mean that others could learn how to use it." Said Maya

"But the fact that all the people that have shown the capacity to use it are Thaumaturgy users could present a problem for us because, there are no other Thaumaturgy user in the Yotsuba clan, aside from Miyuki-chan, who only recently have been given access to the magic system." added Miya.

"Are you planning to recruit Thaumaturgy users into the clan?" asked Honami.

"I am still processing all this information. But I have to say that now it all makes sense." said Maya.

"What do you mean, Aunt-sama?" asked Miyuki.

"The reason why they show us that others besides that Sakura girl could use the teleportation, tell me, my dear, what do you think that the father of your friend will do now with the knowledge that he just learned in the last weeks?"

"Mayumi-sempai's father? I guess that he will pay more attention to Thaumaturgy users, maybe even try to recruit some of them."

"And? What do you believe that the other clans will do when they learn about that? They may think that something is wrong with the Saegusa clan. But, if the rumor also says that the Yotsuba is recruiting talented Thaumaturgy users, what do you think that the other clans will do now?"

"They will try to do the same!" said Miyuki.

"Are you telling us that they have just manipulated two of the master clans to do what they wanted to do?" asked Honami surprised that someone would, not only dare to try to do that, but manage to do it. "What are we going to do now?"

"Beginning the search for promising candidates and beginning to investigate more about Thaumaturgy, especially in regards that family" said Miya. "Miyuki, my dear, I hope that you had learned from this experience something more than just magic, but also how to make others do what you want without a single spell, I have to said that I have a better opinion about them now".

"But that will mean that we will be doing exactly what they want" asked Honami.

"And what other option do we have? Sit on our thumbs and see how the Saegusa and the other clans get an advantage that we don't have, all because our pride?" said Miya.

"But the clan elders -"

"When they learn about the recent information, they will understand that we do not have a choice." said Maya.

"And the investigation on the Emiya? We already did it and we couldn't find anything."

"We have learned that we won't find anything about them because there is nothing to find. They must have had a low profile from the beginning," said Maya as she drank her tea.

"Then, what will be the point of looking again for information about the Emiya?" added Honami.

"Who said that we will look for information about the Emiya?" Maya gave a rhetorical question "No. This time, I want you to look for information about the von Einzbern." ordered Maya.

Maya soon hung up upon ending the meeting. The video call and all the occupants of the Shiba's home headed to their rooms.

Back in her room, Miyuki was now resting back in her room after taking a shower. She was reflecting on all her experience when, suddenly, she could feel something touching her magic circuits. Something familiar. Or rather, someone familiar.

"Mayumi-sempai, Suzune-sempai, how are you doing?" said Miyuki using the telepathy spell in her magic crest.

"I am fine, just a little tired" said Mayumi.

"The same for me" said Suzune. "I'm guessing that it happened again?"

"Yes, my father still believes that this is some strategic situation that needs to be used for the clan"

"It happened the same with me. It looks like they don't fully understand that there are still people in this world that helps others because it's the right thing to do."

"It must be hard for you two" said Suzune sympathetically.

"Yes, but we aren't our parents and we hope to change things for the better" said Mayumi.

"You know, with this telepathy spell, we can talk with each other at any time. It kind of feels like a secret club." said Miyuki.

"It is a shame that we can't include more people. We must keep all this experience and abilities a secret, after all. Which means the only person of our age that we can talk with using telepathy is Tatsuya. Even if we made some new friends that are also Thaumaturgy user, we can't really include them if we want to hide that we are also Thaumaturgy users." said Mayumi.

"But that also will mean that we will be friends forever, inside our little secret club" Suzune said in a teasing tone.

"Speaking of secrets, are we still doing that prank that you told us about to Tatsuya-ni, I mean Tatsuya-kun?" said Miyuki.

"Trust me Miyuki, seeing the blushing face of Tatsuya is priceless. It just makes me want to tease him even more" said Mayumi with great confidence.

"Mayumi, please do not give Miyuki-chan strange ideas. But I have to admit that seeing Tatsuya's blushing face is something that I want to see again" added Suzune

"See Miyuki, if even Suzune says that she also wants to see it, then that means that there is no problem" Said Mayumi, confidence still in her words.

And with that, the three friends kept talking about various things until it was time for them to rest.

The next day marked the return to their daily routine, a routine that was interrupted by preparations for the Nine Schools Competition. Selecting the students that will participate in each event in their respective categories, getting the support and engineering teams ready and many other things that were required not only for the competition, but to ensure that this year the First High School will be the winner for the third time in a row.

It was on that day that Tatsuya also delivered the customized CSD to the three friends, taking advantage of the fact that the four of them were alone at that moment in the student council room.

"As you can see, I customized them as you requested. I hope that you remember that you need to keep the fact that you can use it a secret." Said Tatsuya. As he revealed, three little boxes that had a ring each inside them, each with a beautiful jewel in the center.

"Do not worry, Tatsuya-kun, we promise that we will be responsible in their use." Said Mayumi with a small smile. "By the way, Tatsuya-kun could you please put on my ring, please?" added Mayumi as she raised her left hand.

"Are you sure that you want me to do that?" asked Tatsuya, feeling that something was off.

"Tatsuya-kun, you know that it is not polite to deny the request of a lady, do you?" added Suzune. As she as well raised her left hand.

"I also would like that you place my ring on my hand" said Miyuki in a shy voice.

Seeing that it was three against one he ended put the rings on their left hands. The fact that they all chose their ring finger to carry their CSD was something that Tatsuya chose to ignore.

More days passed and the preparations for the Nine Schools Competition is progressing. Everything seems to advance normally. There was a scramble for good engineers, but by a stroke of luck three members of the student council now knew that a member of the seats of Avalon, the best magic researchers and engineers on the planet was also a student of their school and meets all the requirements to participate. Now they only need to find a way to forc… I mean convince him to participate. Which wasn't especially hard after talking with his big sister figures.

And now, Tatsuya is walking in the halls of the school while thinking of recent events, wondering how things had turned out this way.

"Yo, Tatsuya" said Leon from behind breaking him out of his stupor.

"Are you ok? You look quite out of it." added Yoshida that was walking with Leo in that moment.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about the Nine Schools Competition and my participation as an engineer"

"You are going to be an engineer? That is a great news!" said Leon.

"It will be the first time that a Thaumaturgy user participates in any way in the magic games, it is amazing that you manage to get in." said Yoshida. "It's not as a player, but even as an engineer, that's a big step up."

"You can say that I wasn't given a choice"

"What do you mean?" asked Leon.

Tatsuta then began to tell them everything that had happened related with the games. It all began when Mayumi came to where he, Illya-oneesan and Rin-oneesan were walking in the halls when she asked him to be an engineer for the competition. He was about to deny the request when Illya and Rin answer for him saying a big 'YES'. It looks that, when they were students, they were all looked down on, and if they had showed their true power and skill at those times that would generate many questions that they didn't want to answer. But now with Thaumaturgy becoming a recognized magic system, they have a chance to show off. There were still some hard-headed people that insists in looking down on them. That is why they believed that it is time for a Thaumaturgy user to shine in an official competition.

"HA HA HA, so your big sisters did that" said Leo, laughing.

"This is still a big opportunity," said Yoshida with a small smile on his face.

Therefore, the three friends kept talking until they crossed paths with Suzune.

"Ah Tatsuya-kun, it is good that I see you." said Suzune

"Likewise, Suzune-sempai"

"I just want to thank you for walking me to school today. It was really nice of you" said Suzune as she smiled him before continuing on her way. Leaving him with his two friends that were now looking at him with a confused expression.

"We just met by coincidence on our way here." said Tatsuya before Leon or Yoshida could ask anything.

"That is so boring, I was expecting something more interesting" said a familiar voice from behind them. Turning around they saw Erika and Mizuki.

"I am sorry that my life isn't that interesting" said Tatsuya as the group of friends headed to the Thaumaturgy building. But when they were about to exits the hall, Tatsuya sees another familiar figure just ahead of them.

"Good morning, everyone" said Miyuki. A round of good mornings from each of them, and then she turned to look at her intended target.

"Tatsuya, I just want to thank you for all your time. You were wonderful, and I learned a lot" said Miyuki then continued on her way after that.

"Oho, looks like you have spent quality time with the school princess, ne Tatsuya-kun" said Erika, with a smirk in her expression.

"It is not what you think. I just helped her with a project. That is all." said Tatsuya with his best poker face as he walked away, not giving them the chance to ask more questions. But just when he was about to enter the passage that lead them to the Thaumaturgy building, he saw someone else was waiting for him and all hope that everything that just happened was just a coincidence was destroyed.

"Ah Tatsuya-kun, just the person that I wanted to see."

"Mayumi-sempai, what can I do for you?" asked Tatsuya, getting ready for anything while thinking about what he could say to his friends to prevent his friends from getting the wrong idea. However, Mayumi had her own ideas, she held his arm with a hug as she stood next to him. Something that attracted the attention of all the students that were walking around.

"With all that has happened, I didn't have the time to thank you for the date we had the other day. It was really nice to dance with you and I hope that you don't made me wait too long for our second date." And with that, she released his arm and walked away.

For a moment, Tatsuya remained in silence, hoping that his friends will show him some solidarity and ignore what just happened.

"What would you say now, Tatsuya-kun?" said Erika, now not even bothering to hide her smirk. With the rest of his friends looking at him with curious looks.

Yes, Tatsuya forgot that his friends are these kinds of people.

While Tatsuya was thinking what he could say in this kind of situation, the mastermind behind his current problem was walking away with a victorious smile.

This round goes to me, Tatsuya-kun, thought Mayumi.

"Mayumi-sempai, are you sure that this was a good idea?" asked Miyuki using telepathy.

"It's fine. Besides, consider this as practice, ne Suzune?"

"Practicing a new skill in different ways help you master that skill" was Suzune's answer.

"Now we need to think about how we will get him into the bus with the other competitors," said Mayumi.

"Tatsuya will give the excuse that he needs to look after the equipment and that he can't leave Isori-san alone in the truck." said Suzune.

"That why don't we just say that the insurance policy that we got this time said that no one can travel in the truck that will take the equipment?" said Mayumi.

"That would be another exaggeration" said Miyuki.

"What do you mean with 'another'?" asked Mayumi.

"Just a moment ago, you just said that you already had a date with Tatsuya-kun" said Miyuki.

"Ah, didn't you know we met in a party before the attack and ended up having an improvised date where we dance and enjoy our time together." said Mayumi

"Really?" asked Miyuki, her tone dark. It was clear to the others that Miyuki wasn't happy at all about that news.

"By the way, Mayumi, don't you think that what you said can cause you trouble as well?" asked Suzune.

"What do you mean?"

"By the end of the day, everyone will know about what you said and the rumor that the two of you are dating will be the topic of every gossip circle by tomorrow" added Suzune.

"I am ok with that; that would mean that I will have more points in my game with Tatsuya~. Also, it is not like my family will get mad for this" said Mayumi.

"Oh, I see, so they gave you that order?" asked Suzune

"What order?" asked Miyuki.

"My family want me to get close to Tatsuya now that they know that he is Silver of Avalon, but I had my own plans".

"What do you mean?" asked Suzune.

"I like Tatsuya as a friend and found him very interesting and funny. If, in the future, that friendship becomes something else, then I will have no problems with that. Also, while I have fun teasing Tatsuya-kun, it will also mean that my family will not bother me with another marriage interview." said Mayumi. "I'm guessing that your family asked the same for you, about getting close to Tatsuya?"

Miyuki stops her steps for a moment. While what Mayumi had said was sound logic as a member of the Ten Master Clans, but her case was somewhat different. She can't really say the truth, though, that Tatsuya is her brother. So, in order to avoid suspicion, she said.

"You're right, Mayumi-sempai. But, like you, I also enjoy Tatsuya's company and want to get to know more about him."

"Well, that makes three of us then." said Suzune. She then felt the confusion of her friends through their telepathy link. "I feel great respect for him and what he had done so far. He is a responsible person with good morals that don't look down on others just because they come from a specific family" Only Mayumi understood what her longtime friend meant by that. "Besides, I always wanted to be part of a good love story. And, even if I do not know if we will arrive to the love part, I get the feeling that it will be a very interesting story and I want to be part of it."

The three friends remained in silence for a moment before they began to talk again about the plan to made Tatsuya go with them in the bus.

Emiya's mansion, that night.

It was dinner time and as usual, all the members of the family were enjoying that time together while they were eating Shirou's cooking. For Suzune, that had to eat alone for the last years, it was a welcome experience. Also, the way that she was included in the talks made her feel really welcome. It almost made her remember that time where she was with her parents before everything happened.

It was at the end of the dinner when they turned on the news. They kept talking above most of the broadcast, but, this time, something piques their interest.

"Now on international news, the THUNDERBIRD consortium has revealed an invention that has caused a big shock in the magic community that we haven't seen since Avalon Tech revealed the Thaumaturgy system and the Flight Magic. Now with our reporter in Massachusetts, Mia Okahua"

"Thank you, Kuno. The THUNDERBIRD consortium is a group that was founded 20 years ago and is specialized in magic related material that even other countries use for their own magic division, but now there had been a great development with this invention. Please see this record of the conference that happened two hours ago." The image of the reporter was replaced by the video of a man in business suit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to have you here. I am David Stutler, CEO of the THUNDERBIRD consortium and today we have very important news that we want to share with all of you." He then began a presentation.

"The government in the last few years has placed a lot of efforts and resources in the Argos project, that works to restart the age of space exploration. We, in the THUNDERBIRD consortium are proud to join that effort, and, with this invention, the dream of colonizing the moon and sending a man to Mars and Venus is now closer than ever." Applause is heard in the crowd before he silenced them with a wave of his hand. He then continued, "Now let me introduce to you the man that made this all this possible. The head of our alchemy department, Professor Philip Brainard."

A round of applause is heard, and with that, a man around 40 years old stood up. He looked very nervous, but he still began his speech with a fire in his eyes as he put something in the table. "Thank you. Uh, I am not very good at public speaking, so I will get right to the point. Our department has developed a new element that has amazing properties! Believe it or not this element can absorb, redirect and amplify energy. But more incredibly, it can generate a force that counters gravity, or what's commonly referred to as anti-gravity" said the professor as he placed an object on the table.

It was a glass jar that has some green substance within. Using a spoon, he scooped some of that substance onto a tray that has a device that contains a battery with two cables, then he proceeds to make sure the cables has contact with the substance before he turned on the battery. A moment later, the tray began to levitate in the air. "As you can see this substance, while it needs to be created using alchemy, once it is done, anyone can use it whether you are a magician or not. You only need electricity. We also believe that if we can find a way to crystallize it, this could create an incredible energy source. To end my explanation, I would like to say that this creation represents 20 years of hard work that finally bears fruit and I can't express how proud I am that my invention is been used in the Argos project, whose main goal is the peaceful exploration of the space. We hope that this advance puts the Argos project years ahead of schedule. Now are there any questions?"

"Excuse me, professor, but what is the name of this substance?" asked one reporter.

"The name is too complicated to say in a sentence, but someone in the labs put the first letters of the elements and process that were used to create it and that become its nickname: Flubber"

With this, the video ended, and the reporter Mia Okahua was shown again.

"It had been only two hours since the conference and many in the world are already speculating about the changes that this new creation will have. On the other hand, -"

The TV screen was turned off.

"That looks interesting," said Illya.

"That creation, I never expect something like that" added Sakura.

"The alchemy is part of the Thaumaturgy system, isn't it?" Asked Suzune.

"That is correct, but the product is always the creation of elements and materials that can be used on many ways." answered Shirou.

"However, the fact that there is an alchemist able to create something like that. I believe that we have underestimated the capacities of other Thaumaturgy users that exists in other countries".

"Do you believe that they have something to do with the attack?" asked Tatsuya.

"I do not know, the curse used in the attack and that creation that we just saw are very different from each other, so there is no way to know" said Rin.

"However, that THUNDERBIRD consortium in itself is very suspicious," said Sakura.

"We will need to pay them more attention, then." declared Illya.

Time skip

It has been already a week since Tatsuya was "motivated" to participate in the Nine Schools Competition as an engineer and that has created lots of rumors. Not about a Thaumaturgy user being accepted for the first time as a member of the team that will represent their school. Those would have been easy to deal with. But there's the rumor about him being a three timer and a sort of harem king of their school was something that he did not know how to deal with.

Since that day, when Mayumi played her little joke with the help of Miyuki and Suzune, he had to face many situations like some boys that came to congratulate him or to challenge him to protect the honor of the girls. Then there's the reactions from the school girls, which was worse in his opinion. Some of the girls called him a pervert. Others were acting like there were in denial, saying that there was no way that their beloveds Mayumi and Miyuki will fall for him. But the fact that none of the three girls ever said a word about the topic only gave them more fuel to the fire.

His older sister figures only laughed a little saying that this situation brought back some funny memories, while the only words of support came from Shirou. "I know your pain", is all he said, which, quite frankly, wasn't very helpful as advice.

The situation was only made more intense when Mayumi recommended him to an engineer. All the men were against the idea, she strongly defended the nomination. In the end, after a demonstration when Mayumi offered to test Tatsuya's work; he ended been assigned to the girl teams. The happy reaction of Mayumi and Miyuki and the smile on Suzune made some of their fans cry metaphorical tears of blood.

And just an hour ago, Mayumi, Miyuki and Suzune were waiting for him outside the bus that will take them to the place where the competition will take place. To inform him that as a matter of insurance policy, all the students must travel in the same bus and no one can travel with the equipment. The fact that Tatsuya could see how Isori was being hugged by his fiancé was something that showed him that he had no escape. In addition, that lead him to his current situation when he was sat in the back part of the bus with the three girls taking the seats around him, occasionally laughing.

To the other students that were giving Tatsuya dark looks, they were just sitting in silence, but the reality was that, thanks to their telepathy spell, they were having a very animated talk, at least from the point of view of the girls.

"Nee, Tatsuya-kun. How do you feel to be traveling with so beautiful girls?" asked Mayumi.

"I am worry about the CAD that will be used for the competition"

"You should take it easy. Look, even Isori is fine with this situation" added Suzune.

"Please Tatsuya-kun, we should take this chance to learn more about each other. Not about school life, the seats of Avalon or our training, just us" asked Miyuki.

Seeing that he had no chance of winning this argument when the three of them joined forces (a conclusion he reached due to experience with his big sisters), he chose to follow their lead. And with that, they began to have a casual conversation about everything, from the movies they each liked to their favorite food.

"Why are they sitting silently with that weed? And why are they so happy about that?" asked a mad Morizaki. Despite his participation in the past attack to the school, the authorities determined that he was under a mental control spell and he and the others that were cleared of all charges, although they will be under surveillance for the time being. Given his past experience, that was more serious for Morizaki. However, he was still chosen for the Monolith Code event. He considers this his chance to show the whole school not only his superiority, but that the weed should remain as support only. He looked at the girls one more time, when they laughed at something that the people around them couldn't hear or understand. About what, he naturally didn't know, seeing as they have been quiet the whole time. Giving one last look at Miyuki, he thought "Soon, I will show you that I am better than him."

It had been a couple of hours, and, to Tatsuya's surprise, the girls still have topics to talk about. However, their talk had to ended abruptly when, out of nowhere, a car lost control and was about to crash with their bus. For a moment he had the hope that the other students could fix the situation, but that hope was dashed when a group of first year students tried to stop the car all at the same time with different magic. They all should've known that that many spells casted in a single place without any form of control or coordination would just end up interfering with each other, with the energy of the spells turning unstable and causing the spells to not have any effect. But panic coursed through the students, making them act without thinking. Unhindered by the rampaging spell calculations, the car careened towards them. It then burst into flames.

"Juumonji!" Mari's voice called out. It makes sense. Juumonji was probably the only one of the students that could overpower the spell calculations enough to cause an effect. But another has already acted as well, well before the explosion.

"Ablehnen", a black energy ball was shot from Tatsuya's Silver Trident, having already pulled it out from his CSD the moment he noticed the spells rampaging. Ablehnen quickly negated the magic calculations in the area.

"I'll handle the flames." Miyuki announced, as she pointed her own CAD towards the explosion. Juumonji nodded and focused on the debris. Suzune worked quickly to halt the bus. And with their combined efforts they could stop the incoming danger.

After the danger was over, an uneasy peace came, as the trip was halted for a moment. Mari began to scold the students that had panicked, mostly the second years, like Kanon. After she was done with that, she turned her attention towards Tatsuya.

"Tatsuya, I would like to thank you for what you did. Also, I would like to ask you, what was that?" asked Mari.

Seeing that the best way to end this was with a direct answer, he said "The name of the spell is Ablehnen, and it is the Thaumaturgy version of the Gram Demolition. It does the same but it has twice the effective distance."

That caused a stir of conversation between the students. After a few minutes, every one was being directed by Juumonji to help with rescue operations/ investigations of the incident.

About thirty minutes passed, which includes the time for police to arrive and the students to be interviewed, before they finally went on their way to the venue. However, Tatsuya remained on alert, and shared his hypothesis that this was a 'kamikaze' attack with the girls using telepathy and they all agreed to be on alert.

They had arrived to the venue at around noon. And that same night, they were in the welcome event where they met their host, Kudou Retsu, who made a little demonstration that only 8 persons in the hall could understand, Including Tatsuya and the girls. It was also in that event that Masaki saw Shiba Miyuki and his infatuation.

And so, the Nine Schools Competition started. When the games began and from the start, First High took the lead in various events. At least in the female division, and all was pointing to an overwhelming victory from the First High girls, especially the ones that Tatsuya oversaw.

Unfortunately, an accident happened during the third day that put Mari out of the competition. This only enforces the idea that someone was specifically targeting First High.

And the final confirmation came when their Freshmen Monolith Code team suffered another accident. And so,

"So, you want me to form a new team of Freshmen, to participate for Monolith Code?"

"That is correct, Shiba." Juumonji nodded. "Our Student Council President seems quite certain that you can fill the part." Mayumi smiled in the background, Tatsuya looking at her in exasperation.

"I am part of the Engineer Division in the first place, why should I…"

"Don't be naïve!" Juumonji roared. "You were chosen to a represent our school. Whether you are part of the Players or the Engineers, you are expected to play your role as one of the chosen 20 out of 200 freshmen to represent our school. Our leader, Saegusa has chosen you, and so you will fulfill the duty you were given."

And that argument pretty much sealed his fate. So now… well "Who are my teammates?"

"I'll leave that for you to decide." And so, in the end, Tatsuya agreed to participate if the others two members of the team are his classmate Leon and Mikihiko, who were snuck in by Erika earlier this week. Whether it be coincidence or fate, it didn't matter. Tatsuya simply chose them mostly because there is no one in the male freshmen team that he got along with.

Now the only thing that he had to do is tell them that they have been 'volunteered' to participate on the event. Cannot be too hard; Juumonji's right there.

I hope that you had liked this chapter.

This is the preamble; in the next chapter, we will see what many had been waiting for, the return of Gilgamesh in a way that the planet will never forget. By the way the next chapter is ready, it only needs a Beta that checked it first.