Fate series and characters belong to Nasu and TypeMoon

This was like defnitely 3 years ago since I last updated this... Mainly because after I wasn't able to get Assassin Summer Nitocris and my interest dropped due to reason being too much waifu.

Anyway jumping between Final Fantasy XIV and Genshin Impact, it'd be a miracle I can continue up to Orleans Singularity. More or less same reason as if there's too much waifu emphasis my motivation fickles like a candle.

Also personally this chapter took the longest to write because high and low, my brain trying to make sense how a magic circuit works in basic training for few chapters before... Unfortunately having to jump where both Gudao and Gudako got the hang of their respective magecraft. Hence, this and one other chapter will be complete bullshit on the writing of their magic training.

Also, I've put up Ritsuka and Ritsuko's bio on tumblr here: post/639201311700762624/fgo-destiny-awakenings-fujimaru-ritsuka-and

And in regards to being able to post review, no this isn't about receiving a bad review really. It's for my own insanity being so obsessed with numbers of kudos, bookmarks and comments... I'm getting burn out all the time due to being reminded constantly no one likes Male MC, everyone likes female MC. Female MC is better just because they are superior for being female instead of personality and such.

So yes, I'm sick of seeing complaints all around of people hating people choosing or preferring male MC over female. Some of us likes meaty sausages than disgusting swollen cancer size breast and seafood vaginas, okay!

If you have beef with people writing yaoi, or male MC because it's not your love for Gudako, then kindly stay away from my fic. Because I'm always having to restrain to make Gudako more shitty out of spite and make Gudao the best MC of all the time, when I'm trying to write both are equal and flaw instead of gender preferences.

End of my rant, so hope you guys enjoy until I can figure out how to write and end this training arc!

Author Note: This chapter will contain one of the twist I'm playing around on Fate's lore in regarding magus family. Of course most of its made up to fit around the magecraft they are based on.


News Flash: Projection magic is still the most useless magic of all

Bright blue light shone inside a spacious chamber. Pair of hands stilled above a metal orb with written magical circle below. Both Masters dressed in their sports attire, sitting on the ground with legs folded as they entered training for their magic.

The metal orb transformed in Ritsuka's circle. Where it ranged from 'The Thinker' sculpture, a wire cord to different objects rapidly. Dressed in a dark blue T-shirt and black track pants, his blue orbs narrowed as he applied on pouring more mana.

Their teacher and Section Chief Sadakuni, attired in a maroon T-shirt and dark track pants, issued a nod to him. "Just like that, Ritsuka-kun! Keep that amount of mana, but don't overwork yourself!"

To Ritsuka's right, his sister's brows furrowed in annoyance.

Unlike him, Ritsuko's metal orb hardened under her transferred mana instead of transforming.

Yet, with another sharp breath to blank her mind, she transmitted her more mana into the metal orb.

Both her hands slumped down, and sweat forming on her head. Ritsuko breathed in heavily while her brother took another deep sigh to breathe out fatigue. The transformed metal orb before him reverted to its natural shape once he stopped infusing his mana.

An hour passed when their first class began. Both siblings could feel this training taxed more energy than they worked out in their sports practice. A few nods from his head, Sadakuni took the two metal orbs in his hold. "Well done, you two. We'll cover a 5 minutes recap as our break."

Ritsuko fell back onto the ground. A loud whine escaped from the orange-haired Master's lips. "I thought juggling Archery and Softball was hell… This one won both of them!"

"What did you expect? One trained your muscle, and this one… Trained whatever that's inside of you, sis," Ritsuka gave out his own tired groan.

"Says the one who rarely broke out a sweat here…." A dull groan only came out from Ritsuko to quip back at the raven-haired Master.

"Oi, I'm just tired as you are too."

Laughter burst out from Sadakuni, watching both Fujimaru siblings squabbled at each other, "There, there.

"Practicing magic and engaging in sports are two different things, after all.

"To study magic, one requires talent and knowledge about magic."

His words caught Ritsuko to rise from the ground and reminded him. "But we don't have any of those bits of knowledge considering where we came from, Sadakuni-san. Let alone knowledge in magic, we don't have these 'magic crests' you speak of too. At least I recognize my mom is normal other than her abnormal nagging…"

As she rolled her eyes, Sadakuni nervously retracted his words and amended.

"R-Right, you grew from a typical family, of course…

"Anyway, even without those, both of you can nevertheless practice magic like your brother here.

"Ritsuka-kun seems to excel in a specific category of magecraft!"

"Me?" Ritsuka pointed at himself.

"That's right, could you try performing a Projection magecraft I showed you earlier?

"Just formed anything that enters your mind, Ritsuka-kun."

"If you say so, Section Chief," Heaved in a deep breath, the raven-haired Master shut his eyes closed to concentrate.

His right hand outstretched, channeling all his magical energy to form his image into reality.

Seconds afterward, the blue light emitted before disappearing; he opened his hand to display a small red rubber ball. "Like this?"

Two pair of eyes glimmered with amazement and pride, respectively, Sadakuni complimented. "Perfect! It's great that you're keen to pick up quick, but still risky if you're too impatient and rash. Similar to martial arts, any minute you made a mistake, even the simplest would cost your own life."

"I see…. Even if they are similar, it's very different compared to learning how to play sports."

Ritsuko summarized his speeches, more to herself for her understanding.

Another brief nod from the Section Chief, he offered a sympathetic smile. "I understand why you two wished to study magic. But it's not safe to rush things because you need to restore humanity. The progress you two made today are pretty good despite it being your first lesson."

An irritated huff escaped the orange-haired Master's lips, and she grunted.

"Maybe if someone shoots a message to Lev Lainur Flauros on delaying humanity extinction, we won't have to worry about time."

"That's not desirable unless Roman-kun gave up on all of us.

"But, since you guys knew the hold of switching on and off circuits when required," After laughing assuredly, Sadakuni handed one of the metallic orbs to Ritsuko.

"Just practice more on reinforcing. You made a solid understanding of how it works, so keep it up, Ritsuko-kun!"

"Understood, Sadakuni-san!" Ritsuko smiled and accepted the training tool into her hold.

As he smiled back, Sadakuni turned to the older Fujimaru to tell.

"Ritsuka-kun, you've gotten an exceptional grasp on Projection magecraft from what I have seen.

"It's good that you were intensively taught in Projection. So, I believe you won't mind I'm going to call for improving your reinforce magecraft of your projected shape onto the ball."

As Sadakuni was to hand over, Ritsuka nodded and complied, "Sure, anything to progress faster, Sadakuni-san.

"It's my first time that I got it successful, but a challenge like this provides a stronger incentive to practice harder."

Before he was to take hold of the orb, Sadakuni stopped and retracted his hand. While it puzzled Ritsuka, the Section Chief exclaimed with a shocked expression, "W-Wait, hold on! What did you say?"

Ritsuka echoed his earlier words with confusion, "A challenge like this provides stronger—!"

"N-No, before that! You… You mentioned this is your first time doing magic?" Sadakuni interrupted to give a further exact query.

"Yeah…" Ritsuka gave a definite nod. "Yeah, I did mention that."

"Are you sure, Ritsuka-kun…?"

"As sure as my sister who'll stay back at least one class during summer for a subject she failed in mid-terms."

Like always, Ritsuko shot an annoyed glare to her brother for that unwanted example to affirm his answer.

"I-Is that so…?" Withdrawn his hand altogether, he set down the metal orb before directing his concern on the wristwatch.

Button pressed and fingers flicking upwards on the appeared holographic screen.

Sadakuni muttered to himself while scanning through the data, "This…"

"Sadakuni-san…?" Ritsuko called out to him after she and her brother made a curious glance at each other.

But Sadakuni's attention remained onto the holographic screen while mumbling to himself, "No… Everything looks fine.

"There's nothing mistaken in Roman-kun's data…

"He even confirmed there's nothing wrong from what he picked up too…. Unless…"

Turning his concern back to the front, a careful expression grew on the Section Chief. "Ritsuka-kun, what do your Mom and Dad work?"

"Huh? Uh… My dad is a Director for Legal Affairs," Ritsuka replied.

"And your mom?"

"My step-mom is a regular clerk—!"

Before he could finish, Sadakuni interrupted and revised his question. "I meant your actual mother. What is she working as if you're still in touch?"

Before he could deliver, Ritsuka held back his tongue, and silence bloomed.

Blue orbs averting from Sadakuni garnered concern from both the Section Chief and his sister.

The raven-haired's lips appeared a thin line along with an inaudible gulp swallowed in his throat.

"Ritsuka?" Concern grew into worry for Ritsuko as knowing her brother had the familiar strange look on his face.

As she scooted closer to him, Ritsuka finally responded with a clear tone. "A psychiatrist."

Not catching his sister blinked in bewilderment at his return, Ritsuka beamed and went on.

"My mother works as a psychiatrist, Sadakuni-san.

"If they are your typical white-collar worker by day, secretive Magus by night….

"They would say something about succeeding this 'magic crests.'"

Relief sigh left the orange-haired Master's lips for a second. She shifted back to Sadakuni. "There you have it, Sadakuni-san. Us siblings coming from an absolutely normal household in an ordinary world. If we are a Magus's child, our parents will force us in here to make them proud or something."

"…. O-Of course! If you are born from a Magus family, you already know the things I teach you two." After gazing in Ritsuka's orbs to pick any hints of lies, Sadakuni accepted their comments after his hesitant yet complete honest answer.

He picked and passed the metal orb to Ritsuka. "Back before because this is your first time doing magic… I'd rather have you to work more of your Reinforcement magecraft instead."

In his hold, the raven-haired Master turned back with wonder. "Sure. But… Is it alright to not work on Projection, Sadakuni-san?"

"I said that under the notion you 'were' overly trained or maybe talented in Projection. Your projected ball that's reproduced is not only detailed, but it's even close to the real thing! Yet what you lacked was to reinforce its existence to appear longer…!"

At Sadakuni's compliment, Ritsuka showed a sheepish grin and admitted.

"I'm often told by my Mother I was just great in imagining—!"

But he bit on his lips to restrain himself from elaborating.

Before any reaction came from Sadakuni, Ritsuka cleared his throat.

"But as you suggested, it's not reliable if I can't make them last longer in reality, Sadakuni-san."

"That's right…! However, you recall what I spoke about the difference in priority between the two, right?" Sadakuni prompted the siblings.

Ritsuka nodded as an acknowledgment, relived the earlier lecture before they began their practice. While for Ritsuko, she raised her right hand with a nervous laugh. "If I'm not wrong, one is something like powering a target. The other was to construct one…"

Sadakuni threw a bright grin and nodded, "That's right. Strengthening magecraft, as the name signified, reinforces an item's effect. For example, on the practice I gave you guys, you can either reinforce it to be harder or softer."

On his own nod, Ritsuka clarified.

"And this transformation magecraft gives an added effect, like making it on fire or something?"

The Section Chief smiled, "Correct.

And Projection allows the magus to reproduce from nothing to something.

Because it's not magic elaborates on an object, that's already there. Hence it's the toughest to learn."

"Because Projection is creating things from scratch?" Ritsuko wondered.

"Yep, let's set it this way. Compared to buy a new phone at $600 and an upgraded phone costing at $200, which do you think is cheaper?" The Section Chief raised two fingers while describing.

"Err… The upgraded one?"

Ritsuka answered, confounded at the used example for elaboration.

Sadakuni grinned and revealed, "That's right.

"If you were to compare a weapon reproduced by 10% of your magical energy and strengthening by 3%, the strengthened one is better.

"It's preferred you just need to work on something that's already there, so Projection isn't something widely used."

"That makes sense. You'd lose a lot of energy to create new stuff instead of just enhancing it." Ritsuko nodded to herself, understanding the teaching given to them.

Sadakuni nodded, exhaled a breath, and stood. "Alright, if there are no other questions, we'll end your first magic lesson for today. Before we move on to managing with your Servants, let's practice on your physical combat!"

"Right!" Both Fujimaru siblings rose simultaneously at the next given lesson by the Section Chief.

While Sadakuni went off to the side to gather dummy weapons, Ritsuka stared back at the metal orb in his hold. "Useless huh…"

-0-

Two hours of physical training later, involving fighting holographic images and classes on martial arts.

The Fujimaru siblings followed Sadakuni behind him, with the latter taking them to the simulation room their Servants were in.

As they walked in silence, orange orbs glanced at her brother walking beside her. His blue eyes focused at the front, displaying a serene face.

But Ritsuko continued studying him as she recalled his earlier behavior.

The raven-haired soon recognized he's being stared at and darted on his left. He quirked one of his eyebrows and murmured, "What?"

"Are you alright?" Ritsuko asked.

An odd question, but Ritsuka replied to comfort her worries. "After that training? It's the same as my Kendo but tougher since it's for our best to handle Singularity enemies. You?"

"I'm fine… But that's not what I mean," Ritsuko corrected. One of her orange eyes glanced at Sadakuni, shifting back, and hissed. "I mean, are you really alright? You tensed up and had that same strange face again after he prodded about your own mom."

"Oh, that," Ritsuka faced to the front and sighed. "It's just him inquiring about our family background, sis. I was trying to remember where she worked when I saw her the last time."

"People asked about our parents, and you never even look tense!" Ritsuko rolled her eyes, skeptical of her brother's answer. She threw him an uneasy face and questioned, "But you did, so are you okay? And, this isn't the first time it happened too!"

Another sigh left Ritsuka's lips. The raven-haired Master insisted with one hand raised to pat her head. "I'm really alright, Ritsuko. Dad already brought up to me not to mope about her. It was her decision on her part for the divorce, too. What went on was concluded, there's no reason in remembering about the past."

Her brother asserted that he's over it, but his reaction made Ritsuko thought otherwise.

Before she could prod further, Sadakuni's strong voice announced, "We're here!"

Ended this discussion for another time, the Fujimaru siblings turned back and followed the Section Chief's lead into the room.

Inside the simulation room, there was another door in front of them beside the many monitors and control system.

A familiar dark slicked-haired figure wearing turquoise Chaldea Staff uniform observing the screen before him.

After a brief glance at the monitor, Sadakuni approached the figure.

"How's everything going, Duston?"

Upon hearing his name, Duston spun behind and replied. "You came in at the right time, Chief! Their third training period in the Basic Spear Training field was completed hours ago. The results are…"

Whirled back to the front, Duston explained the consecutive success results he got.

Sadakuni listened, and he voiced his own opinions.

The Fujimaru siblings observed their discussions.

"Hmm…." Hummed to herself, Ritsuko glimpsed at the door before facing back to them. It seemed like it'll be a long while before they could start on their next training. "Duston-san, Sadakuni-san, is it alright if we could go in and visit them?"

"Sure, Ritsuko-kun. They were supposed to be on a break, but…," A short, tight smile curled on Duston's lips. "Maybe they will after you both showed up."

Both Masters stared at each other from the odd answer they received. The only way to find out was to meet their Servants. The two made a small bow, routing towards the door to enter the empty capsules.

-0-

After reyshifting into the simulation, the sudden burst of white light greeted them. The white light faded, revealing a town square in the middle of the day. A scene same as 1400s buildings in European countries, Ritsuka noted in his head.

The orange-haired Master took a step forward to examine the area. "So, this is what their simulation looks like… It looks different from the one we went in the first time."

"From what Duston-san mentioned before, they've different layouts ranging from periods to places commonly caught in war, Ritsuko.

"No doubt their holographic technology along with mana helps magus and Servants to discipline in combat–!"

As Ritsuka was about to finish his explanation, a familiar deep voice yelled.

"Is that on purpose, Caster?!"

Sounds of metal and wood clashed against each other. Another familiar and hot-headed voice countered. "What are you talking about? I'm not missing my training target. Besides, you're picking a fight when your sword hit me!"

"That's because you're blocking my way, dumb dog!"

"Fucking bastard, now you're asking for it!"

Heads moved towards the voices' direction on their left, a blue-haired and white-haired Servants clashed their staff and swords respectively at each other. Teeth baring fiercely at the desire to see the other dead, though…. Both Masters were more into the lifeless skeleton around them.

Switched their attention back at them, Cu growled. "Bastard, why don't you just die already?!"

"I'm not the one who died 17 times because of their E rank luck. And by that luck, it applies to you, Caster!" Emiya snapped back.

"Wasn't that part of your doing as well? So, let's switch it in this series for you to die repeatedly!" Cu swung his staff back briefly. Then, striking back at Emiya, who blocked in response with one of his swords.

As Emiya lifted his other weapon to attack, both siblings watched from afar let out a groan. Ritsuko groaned at their now usual bickering, "They're at it again…? What happened to train with Mash-chan? Besides, was it really the 17th time?"

"She's doing her own training there," Ritsuka gestured with his blue orbs directing to their right.

Orange orbs followed to see at the other end of the town square, a familiar violet-haired girl fending off a group of skeleton warriors.

A white squirrel-like creature sat at a distance away from the young girl, whirling and smashing her shield at every single skeleton.

"Her own training, huh…," The orange-haired Master repeated her brother's words.

"Whether it's the 5th or 17th time he died from their last summoning, let's make it no one, or we need to re-summon them. Anyway, I heard Emiya-san wanted to know her fighting prowess, so he could coach her better, but…." When the raven-haired Master glanced over, his blue orbs widened.

Ritsuko's orange orbs followed and expanded at the deadly scene unfolding before them.

"Watch–!"

A pair of skeleton warriors lifted their spear and charged towards Emiya and Cu. When they could even thrust their spears right into their back…. Both Servants turned to glare before swinging their weapons at them, "You're interfering!"

Yelled in synch, sword and staff beheaded the two skeletons into holographic specks of dust.

Emiya and Cu shot another murderous glare at each other upon realizing how in synch they were earlier.

Once again, the blows of their weapons clashing echoed louder and rougher than before.

"So Duston-san said about them to us…," Ritsuko sighed in conclusion. She would've been impressed at how focused they were on their mission to kill each other. But the fact not an enemy prevented them from quitting fighting led her understood Duston's troubles.

"I wouldn't blame Mash when the teachers got too preoccupied in their rivalry to teach her anything," Ritsuka remarked. He settled with his sister; it's meaningless to stop the two and moved towards the Demi-Servant.

A final swing slashed across the skeleton warrior; Mash set down her shield as she watched it turned into holographic data left. A fatigue sigh escaped her lips after hours of physical training.

"Fou, fooou!"

Curious at her creature companion's cry, Mash heard footsteps behind her.

Ritsuko greeted, beamed, and waved at her, while Ritsuka aided Fou to settle on his shoulder with a chuckle.

The Demi-Servant's face illuminated and beamed, "Senpais!"

"Hey, Mash. Excellent work there, thanks for the hard work,"

Ritsuka greeted while he tickled Fou's chin, who squeaked affectionately at the touch.

Ritsuko grinned and took a stride closer. "How's your training going, Mash-chan?"

"Different before I become a Servant, Ritsuko-senpai.

"My body feels lighter to move around, and it wasn't a trouble with fighting against the monsters I've fought before!"

At Mash's content and enthusiastic smile, both siblings' orbs lit up in amazement.

"That's great!" The orange-haired Master shouted,

"Mash-chan's amazing as I expected."

The Demi-Servant's cheek colored a faint blush at the compliment, gave a bashful smile. "What about you? How did your first magic class go?"

Right as Ritsuko was to reply, a whiff of wind blew past the three. Cu appeared with one of his eyebrows raised at their left, "You guys are done, kid, imouto-chan?"

"Way faster than your 'training' with Archer, Caster.

"Sadakuni-san said our next exercise was with you guys once you're finished," Ritsuko chided and included the reason for their presence here.

Emiya soon materialized beside Mash and bowed his head with brows furrowed, "Right…. I'm sorry for neglecting you when I'm supposed to assess your combat."

"That's fine, Emiya-senpai," Mash showed a small reassuring smile to the Archer's apology.

"Duston-san helped me while you're busy,"

"Kyu, fooooou!"

While Fou leaped off from Ritsuka to return into Mash's arm, Cu remembered, "Oh, right. The young lady said, you guys went for your first magic lesson. Mind showing us what you've learned, you two?"

"It's only the basic that was taught like strengthening, transforming—That's right!" Spun to her brother, Ritsuko tugged his shoulder. "Ritsuka, show that trick you did when Sadakuni-san asked you to!"

Ritsuka made an annoyed groan and scowled, "Why me? Why don't you do it instead?"

Orange orbs rolled at him in retort. The orange-haired shot a pointed stare. "Gee, it's not like I'm suddenly an expert in one kind of Magecraft. Besides, your Caster is the one that's asking for it!"

"Oh?" Red orbs now turned his attention to his raven-haired Master; the blue-haired Caster showed a proud and broad grin. "As expected of my Master! You picked up things very quickly like I thought."

"Is that true, Ritsuka-senpai? Could you please show me what you've learned?" Now, it's Mash's turn to stare at him with awed glimmering in her eyes. He wouldn't fault her, as it was his duty as her Master to support the Servants in battle.

"That's–!" When Emiya's black orbs landed on him, Ritsuka resigned to the circumstance caused by his sister. He stretched his right fist out and corrected. "Fine, but it's nothing like what Ritsuko said, Mash."

Exhaled a breath, Ritsuka closed his eyes and focused his thoughts on remembering.

All eyes diverted to his right hand, waiting for the Magecraft Ritsuko saw.

One second later, a blue light illuminated from his fist.

Gasps of awed and surprises, along with eyes widened in amazement, came from the group. The light faded, and Ritsuka opened his eyes. He turned and opened his right palm, revealing a small red rubber ball resting in his palm.

Struggled to find words at the projected item, Mash swallowed a mouthful and blurted.

"A… Amazing, Ritsuka-senpai!"

"Kyuuuu, kyu!" Fou cried to compliment at the magic the raven-haired Master created.

"Projection Magecraft?" Emiya asked, only to receive a nod from Ritsuka as confirmation.

"What?" Cu let out a disheartened grunt and approached his Master closer. His left hand reached to pluck the rubber ball and scrutinized. "You can do the same thing as Archer, too–!"

Before the Caster could examine further, the red rubber glowed and faded away in his grip. "Oh?"

"From what Sadakuni-san said, I could only project what comes out from my thoughts.

"And, they don't usually last that long, Caster," Ritsuka clarified to his Caster.

The raven-haired Master closed his right hand and eyes. The same light glowed from his hand, revealing a padlock with a shiny silver shackle and lustrous bronze body. His blue orbs widened when Caster's words processed in his head, "Wait a minute…. Emiya-san could likewise do Projection Magecraft?!"

"Is that true? Does that mean you can project things from thin air too?!" Ritsuko turned to her Servant for verification.

"Not as detailed as your projection for appearance and the insides…." Emiya commented. When he picked up the padlock to inspect, it faded away a few seconds later. He swung back to the two Masters and added. "I'm more specialized in creating weapons rather than this."

"Is that where your bow and swords came from, Emiya-senpai?"

Archer nodded at the Demi-Servant's query. "I'll explain to the three of you another time. You two lack experience in being a Master first. Though… Ritsuka, you stated this is your first doing magic?"

"You too?"

Ritsuko mentioned, "This is the second time someone asked already!"

Emiya scoffed at his Master's incredulous expression.

"I'll be amazed if he's a natural genius for someone at his age finding his specialized Magecraft, Master.

"But it's impossible considering both of your position before arriving here."

The said raven-haired Master let out a huff and reminded. "Well, if we both are magus by our household, we would've been here earlier…. And likewise, being in a coma by the said person as the participants, Emiya-san."

"I don't think that's possible, Ritsuka-senpai.

"It's unacceptable for both siblings to study a Magecraft together in a magus family."

Mash corrected Ritsuka's retort, earning surprise from both siblings.

"Only one of them will learn to succeed their family lineage, while the other lead a normal life or sent into another magus family."

"At least that settles between which siblings would take over the family line…," Ritsuko murmured.

One last thorough examination of Ritsuka's face, Emiya turned to the side. "Hmm… I see, then."

Behind the group, a familiar brown slicked-haired man walking while searching the area. He soon spotted the group and headed to them, "Oh great, you guys are here!"

His voice caught both Fujimaru siblings' attention.

As they approached him, Sadakuni apologized.

"I'm sorry for cutting this brief. But it turns out there's an emergency meeting now. So, our lessons will go ahead tomorrow instead, you two."

"It's alright. We're the ones who should apologize for taking your time when you're busy!" Ritsuko shook her head with an assured beam.

"No problem!

"Anyway, just concentrate on your Strengthening Magecraft.

"If there're questions, we'll discuss it tomorrow!" At his last message, Sadakuni turned and sprinted off to the exit.

Raising and waving his hand goodbye to the Section Chief, Ritsuka muttered to himself. "Things on their end are pretty busy…"

"Aah…. Though," Cu went over, while Ritsuko headed back to Mash and Emiya, and stopped beside his Master. One of his red orbs glanced at Ritsuka with interest. "What are your lessons you're presumed to have with us, kid?"

"Sadakuni-san was expected to prepare us how to use this 'Mystic Code,' or the uniform we're wearing before heading out to the next Singularity.

"And, learning how to understand our role as a Master required to do for our Servant."

"Oh? That's pretty obvious. You two just order us around or dealing with the small flies. While us Servants take care of the big fish." The blue-haired Caster shot a confident smirk.

Ritsuka sighed before correcting his Servant. "No, what I meant was you needing to make peace with Archer before we start our next mission."

"Him?" Red orbs followed Ritsuka's blue eyes to where Emiya was standing. Watching him explaining with Mash and Ritsuko briefly, Cu turned back and rejected. "The only peace I make with him is him running back to where he came from. And, imouto-chan to form a contract with any Servant that's not him and one other."

A resigned groan escaped the raven-haired Master's lips. Not as if he didn't try, but he held overwhelming respect to the Master, who not only summoned them both. And also brought those two to work together for their own cause.

Laughter broke out from the Caster. He settled his arm around Ritsuka. "You should be more worried about yourself, kid. You're the one who suggested fighting alongside Servants! Though on that subject… Do you mean it for yourself and your sister to fix the anomalies?"

Ritsuka spun to meet Cu's red eyes staring right at him. It's as though he was seeking the truth behind the lies from his suggestion yesterday. Confused colored his face, the raven-haired Master questioned. "What do you mean? Isn't that why we choose to learn to fight—?"

"Oh, don't worry, I believe imouto-chan's reason. She got her own princess she wanted to protect as the Hero to her, kid." Cu chuckled, "But, you…. Your mouth says you're doing it for the people you're working for. Yet, your own actions spoke otherwise."

A puzzled and shocked expression now emerged on Ritsuka's face. How could it be wrong?

He's training as his role of Chaldea Master and member of the Organization to restore humanity.

To do for another reason, it's absolutely foolish to think so!

Before Ritsuka could open his mouth to rebuke, Mash's voice called from his back. "Senpai!"

Both Servant and Master spun behind, greeted by the three waiting for them. Ritsuka glanced at Cu briefly and responded. "What is it, Mash?"

"Ritsuko-senpai and I were wondering if you'd want to follow us to the library right now.

"Emiya-senpai suggested while you are studying magic, both of you should head there to understand the different magecraft that existed."

"If that's the case, count me in, you two," Ritsuka nodded. He raised his hand to remove Cu's arm on his shoulder and jogged towards his sister.

Observing his orange-haired Master chatting at her arrived older brother, Emiya caught Cu wearing a caught-off expression when his Master left him behind.

The Caster sighed decidedly to not pursue the matter if his Master refused to answer him. His red orbs then saw Emiya's black orbs peering at him. He shrugged to convey he didn't know what's going on.

Cu followed with Emiya, and their two Masters plus Demi-Servant spent the rest of the time in the library.

End of Issue #3


And... That's all for now! Caster Cu having doubts in his Master's real intention on wanting to fight side by side. And Ritsuka's own magic abilities is also giving everyone and himself doubts, because we all know this can't be random anime trope where MC suddenly expert in one magecraft out of nowhere!
This chapter is a part of pieces in playing a big role not in FGO main overall story but Ritsuka aka Gudao's own personal story. There are few of those I'm keeping around because I admit his is more of playing a big plot and character development of who he is as a person.
Anyway the reference of how many times Caster Cu died was based on the previous Carnivale Phantasm, which I may counted wrongly. And this is excluding the coming FGO Carnival Phantasm this year, so take your bets to see how many times Cu will die!