Sitting in Seiza, a pair of teens had several glowing bumps on their head courtesy of a rather annoyed owner.

"Why is it that every time you two are near each other a fight always happens," Mia Grande said. The rather gigantic dwarf stared the duo down. This is it, he was gonna be kicked out. Maybe Asfi would be willing to take him in. If not, he can just make a part of Daedalus street his own.

"Well, in her defense, I did hold her..." Okay, the evil aura from his fellow housemate, Ryuu Lion, Made him gulp. Holy Hades, take him now! he wants nothing more than to hug that cute dog that guards the underworld. Maybe Hades would be willing to hire him.

"Her what?" The owner asked eyebrow raised.

"Not so impressive chest," Bang! His face hit the ground, a large smoking bump on the back of his head. Holy shit! He can see the light, and cute angels in diapers beckoning him to join them.

"This... thing here, held my hand and my chest," Ryuu said, glaring at the possibly unconscious young man.

"Ren ga Shinda!" Anya shouted in shock at the sight of her friend's head.

"Ren, you alive?" Syr asked, the silver-haired waitress poking the young man's twitching body.

"It... wa...s an acc...id...ent," Ren groaned out as he pushed himself off the ground, nose dislocated. Reaching in, he fixed it and yelped in pain.

Ryuu Lion looked at the young man in shock. True, she might be stronger than him, and she did hold back, but, he should be knocked out for an hour with the strength she used. Anya merely looked at Ren blankly, impressed at how sturdy he was.

"God, take me now," The masked man said weakly, grabbing his nose in pain. Sighing, Ren did something that shocked them. He grabbed his head and cranked it, audible pops and cracks were heard as he cranked it left and right, hard. "Reminds me when Master made me increase my endurance,"

"How are you?" Ryuu asked him, a bit shocked as to how he shrugged off that blow.

"My mentor hit me way harder than you did," Ren told her. "Out of all my stats, I'm confident in my endurance,"

"So, your a masochist nya?" Anya asked Ren, tilting her head. Her innocent question made Mia laugh, Syr giggle, and for Ryuu, to turn around. He could hear the chuckle that escaped her. Poor Ren was so appalled by what Anya just said that he could not say anything.

"Okay, that's enough! I want this place nice and clean for tomorrow, and no more fighting," Mia said, deciding the punishment of the two teens before turning around and heading to her office.

"Well, Good luck, nya!" Anya said, waving at them, going towards the second floor.

"I should get going to my home now as well," Syr said with a smile before walking out of the inn, leaving the elf and human alone in the inn.

...

Okay, this is awkward.

Deciding that no work will be done, Ren immediately put on a white apron and a bucket. Might as well get this done with. Throwing some rags on the soapy water mixture, Ren gave it to Ryuu after taking one.

"Wipe the tables and I'll deal with the windows," Blinking, the young elf just took the bucket of soapy water and watched the young man wipe the window with practiced ease. She knew that he was better than her when it came to chores.

"When did you learn how to do chores?" Ryuu asked, curious as to what his answer was while wiping a table.

"Since I was young," His answer was short, focused on his chores. The moment she finished a table, he had finished a pair of windows bare of dust. Straining her ears, she could hear a soft hum from his lips. Shaking her head, she just continued wiping the tables. 10 minutes later, she had just finished half of the tables, Ryuu looked at her fellow tenant/co-worker only to see that he was done on the windows and was now wiping the shelves and counter.

She looked at the windows and saw that they were clean and even sparkling. How?! His skills at housekeeping had been better than she imagined. A motivation was born inside her, one that said, defeat this man. Breathing deeply, Ryuu started to work faster.

It took the duo three hours to finish cleaning. Despite Ren's skills in housekeeping combined with his stats. Well, it was mostly because of him having to redo many of Ryuu's chores. Speaking of stats, Ren stood up, reached into his bag, and pulled out a rather innocent-looking notebook.

"I should go back in two to three months' time for an update," Ren said as he drew some sort of symbol on the notebook.

The rune of Dagaz, a rune of transformations. The soft glow from the rune allowed Ren to see the transformation happen. His notebook changed to a piece of parchment containing his status and parameters. However, instead of the Hieroglyphics, it was instead written in the runic alphabet and is in English, confusing anyone trying to read it other than him. Smiling, he remembered what happened during the time he trained with his teacher and mentor.

Strength E 420

Endurance A 885

Dexterity D 543

Agility C 609

Magic D 532

Developmental abilities:

Martial Artist: H

Skills:

Cosmos Denial

Faceless Jack

Ren Cruz

Level 2

It was great. To think that two years ago he did not even have a falna nor blessing. He was lucky to have met his mentor, his patron on the other hand. As much as he respected him, he was just... weird.

Removing his mask, Ren formed another Dagaz rune to change his weapons to some kinds of accessories. His aspis shield changed to a bracelet and Kopis to a ring in his pointer finger.

"How nice, for people to find their place here," Removing his top, his body had several scars, the most prominent was the one on his chest.

"Only if Sensei and the others are here," Letting out a sigh of relief, the young man took a spear around 6 feet in length. It was simple, yet, when one looked closely, you can feel a foreboding aura from the spear. "What do you think I should do, partner?"

Sighing, he wondered if he had lost his mind, talking to his spear. Well, beggars can't be choosers. Lying down on his bed, he gently removed his goggles and closed his eyes,

Intermission: The mentor

How long has it been since I had taken a student of my own? I had forgotten, but, it was amazing.

I met him by accident after he had finished his year of training from an old retired adventurer living in this rural town deep in the mountains. By that chance encounter, I knew that he would leave a mark in this world.

Naturally, the retired adventurer noticed my curiosity with his student and asked that if I was willing to watch the boy. Looking back, I never regretted even a single moment of what I did.

He reminded me of a warrior, a hero. No matter how much he got hit or hurt, he would just get back up, faster, stronger, possessing beastlike qualities. It was interesting and amazing. He was able to refine his techniques well enough in the middle of battle, but what really drew me to him was the way he used those weapons of his. Flowing like a river, possessing the ferocity of a storm, and striking constantly like the sun's rays, he grew stronger and stronger as days passed by. One by one, he hunted and hunted his prey like a starving beast, yet still possessing a kind heart and soul.

What pushed me to take him on as an apprentice was his look. His eyes denied the world around him, determined to stare down even the toughest of foes.

They reminded me of someone.

He was just a boy, yet, he has discovered the thrill of combat. It would be a shame to not train him.

Is this the right choice?

I don't know.

Will I regret this?

Never, not even in a million years. For him, my beloved student, Ren Cruz, will carry on their will as warriors.

Now, show me what you can do, my apprentice.

Intermission: the teacher

I am the last one of my family,

I am a teacher,

The pain of losing everything and the pain of those what I love being taken away from me was too much

Yet, you, my student, had given me hope once again. As long as I had lived, I dedicated it to helping and guiding others, and now, I will do so with you once more

As you finished your training with me, I leave you with these words that I know that you will follow

There are times when one learns something while teaching.

There are times when one learns something while being taught.

One may well learn something new by teaching, and that discovery is what it is to be human.

Never rely on knowledge alone.

You mustn't just memorize the necessities.

There is no such thing as useless knowledge.

All knowledge is a treasure.

And repetition is the mother of all learning.

Now then, let's begin our lesson.

Education for you and me...for all of us.

Waking up as the sun's rays hit his face through the windows, Ren sat up on his bed groggily. Wondering what time it was, he looked at the clock on the wall that he had bought a week ago. It was around... 6 in the morning, a few hours before service starts.

Well, since it is his day off, he could go and heads to that shop his teacher recommended him. What was its name again? Reaching into his bag, he slipped off the bed, making him hit the floor with a light thud. Why did this always happen to him? He stood up, rubbed his head, and took out a Dia- Journal. It was a journal, not a diary.

"Secret witch's house? Stupid name. Why would you name it secret witch's shop even if it's not secret?" Groaning, Ren looked around and wondered what the hell happened last night and why did his head hurt... oh yeah. Ryuu tried to knock him out or kill him because he groped her. It was an accident! Wait, last night, he wasn't wearing any gloves... Oh, God! He was a fucking degenerate, he committed an unprotected and unwilling handholding with Ryuu?!

*Growl*

Okay, food first, then take a bath in that new far eastern bathhouse, then go to the witch's house. What could go... Okay no tempting fate, Ren. Besides, it's not like he was gonna meet up with some stalkers, right?

"Nah! Knowing my luck, there's no way that's gonna happen," Ren said, smiling as he rummaged through his cabinet and took some clothes for him to change into. He might not need to wear a mask today, but just to be safe. Smiling, Ren put on a plain white shirt, and pair of jeans. To top it all off, he put on his pair of boots. Deciding that he should go for a more casual look, he took his goggles and transformed them into a pair of ray ban aviators. Pretty good. It was casual and allowed him to move, it also helps that he can just use his runes to transform their materials.

Hah! Magic, especially Runes, were so flexible to the things he can do with them. Oh, he can practically smell the envy from Mages from places. Well, sucks to be them. Holding his trusty spear, Ren focused on it watching as the 6-foot spear turn into a dagger. Ah, Runes, you beautiful creations of Odin.

It also helps that with each usage he does with these wonderous magical blessings, his skills, and status increase. This is not cheating, it was just good luck. And proper exploitation of the system.

Sighing, he looked outside the window and paled. Ryuu was outside, swinging a wooden sword. Okay, be nice and quick, use runes to get away. Packing up his stuff and change of clothes, Ren immediately went down the flight of stairs leading to the 1st floor where some of the girls were having breakfast.

"One breakfast set, boss," Ren called out, stashing his dagger into his belt holster behind his back. Sitting on his regular spot at the counter, Ren took out his wallet and readied the payment for his breakfast. Removing his aviators, he looked around and took out a book from one of his pockets. Runes, son, they can be used to do anything the user wants them to do. And YES! This is a metal gear meme reference!

"Oh, Ren, awfully chipper this morning and no mask? Coming right up," Mia said with a grin.

"Of course, it's my day off. I have to relax and try not to piss off someone. I hope," Ren said the last part quietly. Murphy's law hates and loves him. Or was it a side effect of his skill? No one knows, not even him.

"Well, try not to die, I don't want of my tenants gone, besides, as a fellow student of our trainer, I can't let my cute little brother die or wander the streets," Ah, right, Mia Grande, a former adventurer of the Freya familia. They had been taught by the same teacher, and it was because of him that they met. She is a kind woman, a bit strict but kind. She was also a great cook.

"Speaking of which, when do you think I'll have a title?" Ren asked rather curiously the moment Mia came back with his breakfast.

"Knowing you and your luck, soon, maybe," Mia said, taking the payment, Ren might be her brother-disciple, but money was money.

"Let's just hope that it's not too shitty," Ren said, remembering that poor level two he met that was called -pfft- Bigus Dickus, or that girl, Incontinentia, Incontinentia buttocks. Yeah, he will riot if he got one of those names. Let's be serious, he will just beg Asfi to make a holy hand grenade of Antioch.

And the Lord spake, saying: 'First, thou shalt take out the holy pin. Then, thou shall count to 3. No more, no less. 3 shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shalt be 3. 4 shall thou not count, neither count thou 2 - accepting that thou then proceed to 3. 5 is right out! Once the number 3 -being the third number - be reached, then lobbest thou thy holy hand grenade of Antioch towards thy foe. Who being naughty in my sight shall snuff it.'

"Although, I'm betting that your epithet will be something annoying to you," Mia said with a grin. Groaning, Ren just finished his omelet and moved to the bread.

"If that happens, I'll gladly eat Syr's cooking... I'm serious," Ren told her, making the dwarf wince. They both knew how the silver-haired waitress's skill was in cooking.

"Well, you better show them what you're made of," Mia said, smacking his back very lightly.

His endurance surely had increased with that.

"I will, I just hope that I will not get the attention of difficult individuals," by individuals he meant gods and goddesses. "I wonder if I could find Hades and convert to his familia,"

Ah, Hades. The only sane individual in Greek mythology, king of the underworld. It also helps that he can pet and play with spots.

"Why not just join Freya Familia?" Mia asked him. Eager to have one of her fellow disciples join her former familia.

"Nah, as much as I would love to, I prefer a less competitive familia to join," Ren said, finishing his breakfast and wiping his mouth. "Besides, I'm not really Einherjar material. Thanks for the breakfast Boss Ma'am," standing up, Ren put on his aviators and turned around before poking his head to look out for Ryuu.

God knows the elf might kill him. If she does, he will kiss her. What? Better have his first kiss before he gets killed. Wait, if he did die... Okay, FREE CERBERUS PETTING FOREVER!

'my body is ready,' Ren thought before going face to face in front of someone. Dark met hidden black.

"Oh, sorry," Ren said with a smile and rubbed his nape.

"It's fine," The girl said with a smile, hiding her lower face with her scarf. Fixing his aviators, Ren nodded at her before going his way. Damn, that was close. 'That girl...' Glancing over his shoulder, he looked at the girl. 'A boxer? Wait? She was also here yesterday... Nah, not my problem,'

Walking towards the city of Orario, he stopped and looked at a bathhouse. It was just like from the animes he had watched before. 'Wait, why do I feel like... Nah,'

Going inside, he wondered what was this place like, luckily, he brought his own bath supplies.

"Welcome to the Emiya bathhouse," A cheerful voice greeted him. Blinking, Ren looked at the person that greeted him. His first reaction was... WHAT THE FUCK!? Dark eyes met red as man and... fairy(?) looked at each other.

"How much for a bath?" Ren asked. Nope, he was not gonna ask. "I'm Ren Cruz by the way,"

"Oh, it would be 450 Valis. I am Illyasviel von Einzbern, a pleasure to meet you," The white-haired red-eyed girl said. Okay, that confirmed everything he had.

"Oh, that's affordable," Ren said, taking out the money required and paid for himself.

"We have some soap and other bathing supplies as well, inside," Illya said with a smile. Nodding, Ren went to the male section's locker and cabinets after buying some soap and cleaning supplies. Removing his clothes, he put on a pair of shorts/boxers and went to shower in one of those cute little mini-shower cubicles.

After washing himself up, Ren took a dip in the hot water. The moment he submerged most of his body, he let out a sigh of relief. This was great, he should do this more often!

Smiling, he went to take a dip in the hot bath.

"This is nice," Letting out a sigh of relief, he could only hear a grunt of approvement.

'Wait, what?' Turning his head, Ren saw a mop of black hair in spikes, stubble, and dark eyes.

'... Well, I'm fucked,' Ren said nothing as he merely submerged himself under the hot water. He was praying to God that he won't die today, after all, the legendary Magus Killer, Emiya Kiritsugu was beside him in the bathhouse. Oh yeah, the fact that this was called Emiya bathhouse should have clued him.

'Anya, if I die you can have my spear, and Ryuu you can have my Kopis,' Ren thought as the duo awkwardly sat in the pool.

"So, a magus eh," Kiritsugu called out making Ren flinch. The Magus killer eyed the level 2 curiously.

"M-more of a spell caster," Ren corrected weakly. "Nice to meet you, I'm Ren Cruz,"

"Likewise, I'm Kiritsugu Emiya," The Magus killer introduced himself, offering his hand for a handshake.

Taking the hand, Ren shook it. He was quite a chill guy compared to what he thought of.

"So, no offense, but what is the legendary magus killer doing here in Orario?" Ren asked hands prepared to unfurl his weapons at a moment's notice.

"I live here with my family," Kiritsugu said, leaning on the wall. "What about you, Cruz?"

"I'm here finding ways to get back home," Ren said. "And to find some excitement in my life,"

"I see," Kiritsugu said as the duo looked and saw a red-haired boy. Okay, this is no longer surprising.

"Good work today captain,"

"You too, Raul,"

Oh, great, more people. Watching the entrance, Ren saw the males of the Loki Familia. Hmm, those are a lot.

Well, as long as no one does anything stupid then he won't do anything. Well, might as well stay here longer. half an hour later, Ren stretched lightly as he got out of the hot water. The falna on his back hidden in the form of a tattoo of a sun and three stars. On his left upper arm was a tattoo of a centipede wrapped around it and a Horse silhouette tattoo surrounded by other designs could be seen on his left shoulder.

"It was nice talking to you Mr. Emiya, but I should get going now," Ren said with a polite nod and headed to the changing room. Changing to a pair of jeans, and a zip-up sleeveless turtleneck shirt. He popped open a bottle of milk, drinking it.

"Let me go! The captain is inside there!" A girl shouted making Ren blink. Women. Sighing, he went out of the male's area, a towel draped around his shoulders, and looked at them. He saw a rather flustered Illyasviel, and a black-haired girl being handled by several more people.

"Everything alright?" Ren asked, catching their attention, the seventeen-year-old held one of those strap thingies with his left, hiding his tattoos while chugging the bottle of milk down his throat. Finishing his bottle of milk, Ren looked at the red-eyed albino who nodded.

"Y-yes," the young girl stuttered out as she blocked the tanned girl's path. She was shaking and is obviously scared. Poor kid. Not his problem.

"You do know, that you have just dragged your captain in a mixed bath right?" Ren told the tanned girl who froze. Good, that will help this albino out. "It's not illegal for Family members to enter mixed baths, but it is illegal to enter the gender-segregated ones. Especially, if you consider that you are intimidating who I can only assume as the owner's daughter," Take the hint brat. I'm doing you guys a favor here! If the magus killer gets angry then...

"I'm sorry!" The tanned girl shouted, huh, looking at her, she was an Amazon. Poor Illya just blushed and tried to stop the girl from bowing, Ren, on the other hand, just bought a new drink and chugged it without a care.

"Well, thanks for the bath and drinks," Ren said, paying for the drinks and putting on his sunglasses. HE ignored the girl's stuttering embarrassment with a chuckle. Putting on his boots and sunglasses, he was about to leave when.

"Thank you for helping me! I'm Illyasviel con Einzbern!" Illya shouted. Glancing over his shoulder, Ren merely nodded at her.

"Cruz, Ren Cruz," Ren said before disappearing from their view.

Okay, He now had an idea why it was called Witch's secret house. It took him 20 minutes to find and to bypass some wards and barriers with his runes. Oh how much he loved them.

Sighing, Ren opened the door only to see that it was rather bare. Cautiously, he formed a rune of protection under his clothes, better be safe than sorry.

"Oh, a new arrival," A voice from an old woman called out. "A new face, and from someone, I haven't met in a while,"

"You know my Teacher?" Ren asked, cautiously walking towards the counter, hand, gliding down his face, forming his signature mask and goggles.

"Of course I do, he was one of my loyal customers before he retired 20 years ago. You and his students always have a tell that allows me to recognize you," The old crone said with a chuckle. "Although, you might be the last one. I assume you're here for they grimoire?"

Grimoire? What Grimoire? His teacher hasn't told him about anything like this.

"Oh, he didn't tell you? He had a grimoire specifically made for you, He sent it to me three months ago," Okay, so it was a month or two before he arrived, around the time he went with the Hermes Familia. "He was quite proud of you in his letter and he was quite specific with this. I'm Lenoa, and welcome to the secret witch's house," The old hag said.

"Ren Cruz," Ren said, swiping his hand over his face making the mask and his goggles turned to a pair of aviators. "What's the grimoire about?" Ren asked her, he knew and read that mages of high capabilities were rather... annoying.

"Tch! The first student he had in a while and a hardass too," Lenoa said, "Keep it up and no ladies would want you," Bitch! You wanna die?!

"Just tell me," Ren said, reaching a hand out for the Grimoire. Lenoa, seeing that the young man was weak to this grinned. Oh no.

"You know, I have some love potions and magic I have in store, it might help you with your problems," Lenoa's offer was rather tempting. No, Cruz stay strong! No love magics.

Wait, if he did... he can be a dnd bard!

What?! NO!

"No," Ren shut down the witch's offer. True charm and love magic would help him and his rather nonexistent love life, but he only has three magic slots. Two, counting his rune magic, which he will never give up.

"You sagelings are so annoying when you got your minds set at something," Lenoa said, tossing him a grimoire. Catching it, Ren opened it only for his eyes to widen.

Information assaulted his mind.

Vasílissa dolofónos

Oh yeah!

"I really should visit him and thank him for the gift," Ren said with a smile. His new magic was a rather simple one. Simple, dangerously efficient, and Brutally effective, and he fucking loved it.

"If you want, I can introduce you to some good single witches so you won't be lonely," Lenoa cackled at Ren's expression. The young man just sighed. "In fact, a rather capable one is arriving now,"

"No thanks, I still want to be single, besides, it's not like anyone's gonna wants to be with me," Ren said with a smirk.

"Oh really?" Lenoa said with a grin.

"Of course. It's not like something is gonna happen that would make girls fall for me," Ren said, somehow, the witch's grin just got bigger.

"Why not tempt fate?" Lenoa asked with a grin making Ren shrug.

"I suppose," Ren then raised his hands. "Oh, God, give me a beauty!"Ren shouted dramatically, making Lenoa chuckle.

The door soon opened harshly with a gust of wind. Reacting in instincts, Ren formed several enhancement runes around his body that raised his status a lot. Reaching his hands out, he caught a shadow and skidded off the floor stopping a few inches in front of the shop's counter. He had his shield out protecting himself and what he just caught. Ah! His sunglasses!

"Well, it seems like your plea was heard!" Lenoa cackled evilly as she looked at Ren.

"What are you?' A groan cut him off. Looking down, Ren saw a mop of green wrapped with a cloak.

...

Huh? She is pretty cute. Wait...

OH, SHIT!

Ren started to nervously sweat and shake. Now, living together with an elf like Ryuu, he knows first hand what would happen to people trying to touch elves without their permission. But now, a high elf!

Oh, God, please don't kill me.

"You okay?" Ren asked, smiling nervously for who was in his arms was nine hells, Loki Familia's executive, Riveria Ljos Alf. Dark met Jade, as the young soldier's glasses broke and disappeared. The young adventurer, just stood there waiting for a reply as he carried the high-elf princess in his arms.

He also spelled out his doom.

"Heavy," A tick mark appeared on the high elf's face.