After: Orleans
Chaldea, being an observatory that also doubled as an agency that protected the Foundation of Humanity, was expected to encounter hostiles. And while it's members were supposed to be some of the best Magi around, without practice, even the most talented master could find themselves in a difficult situation if caught unaware.
That's why the resident genius Da Vinci, who Ritsuka had always admired while reading history books, created the combat simulator; apparently as a pet project. If you could consider a Bear a pet, that is. A bounded field in a secluded room that could expand, retract and change it's insides and the contents within. A forest one day, a beach on another. Pick Ghosts, Zombies, Pirates, Wyverns. Actually, scratch that last one. He would die a happy man if he never saw another wyvern.
Even so, blasting their coded clones into oblivion was somewhat satisfying. After blasting the Wyvern to smithereens and confirming the area was clear, he lowered his arm and deactivated his circuits to let himself rest.
Another enemy spawned behind Ritsuka Fujimaru, a centaur. It charged at him while his guard was down and hit him with it's lance square in the chest. Even tough the boy would suffer no real injury, the impact still hurt like a punch to the gut.
Before the creature could strike him once more, a red light flared above them, and the centaur stopped dead in it's tracks.
"That's enough." A voice said, echoing trough the room. The clone dissipated into cubes of light, and the forest he was in became a white room adorned only with a grid pattern. From his side, a woman sat on a raised platform, her orange and black outfit contrasting heavily with the white walls and floors.
"What did you do wrong?" The woman asked.
"I lowered my guard?" He asked, rubbing his back.
"Wrong." Said the woman. She looked at him with a frown, as if expecting something more.
"I didn't scan the area?" He asked again.
"¡For god's sake! No, Fujimaru." She said, clearly frustrated. Watching that expression never got easier. Especially because the director Olga Marie herself was the one that suggested these "private training sessions" for the novice master to help him be more combat effective.
"Sorry. I don't know, maybe this whole magus thing isn't for me." He said, scratching the back of his head. However, those words only seemed to enrage the white haired woman.
"None of that!" She said, pointing a finger at him. "You are a master of Chaldea. MY Chaldea. I won't have members that aren't the best in their field. I'll make a mage out of you, like it or not. Is that clear?" She said, arms crossed and legs spread, like a general watching a rookie.
"Yes, Director!" He said, standing upright with haste.
"That's better." She said, now relaxing her posture and her mouth twisting slightly upwards. It was like talking to a different person, a kind and patient being that seemed to genuinely enjoy helping others. Those flashes were only momentary for Ritsuka, and he never saw them outside the training room.
"So…" She said, taking out a book from her pocket and opening it. "Even tough your magic is pretty weak, you have some affinity for Fire spells. As long as you know when to use it, you shouldn't be exerting yourself so much." She explained, pacing back and fort while looking at her book.
"Director, shouldn't Mash be here too?" He asked suddenly.
"No Fujimaru. This is for you only." She said with a stern voice, looking at him from the corner of her eye.
"But shouldn't the Master and Servant practice together? To strengthen the bond?" He asked. He had seen Emiya and her newly summoned servant go time and time again into the simulation chamber, each time exiting bruised and scarred but with a smile on their faces, and where always in each other's company. While he and Mash did the same, he still felt somewhat disconnected from her in a way.
"Yes. They should. But you need to rely on Mash to survive, while she can take care of herself if you aren't around. Understand? You need to be more than her Mana Battery, you need to be an asset." She said. The words hurt, he was no stranger to his weakness, but after Fuyuki he had taken some pride in his command of the situation.
"I get that. But what can I do against a servant? Against a Dragon?" He pressed.
"Against a servant, nothing. Against a Dragon, also nothing. But not all enemies are big monsters, some are just humans. Or mages. Or spirits. Those you need to be able to handle." As she spoke her eyes became narrower, as if talking about something particularly unsavory.
"You mean like Lev?" He asked, only to put a hand over his mouth. He cursed himself. Why did he bring that up?
The Director became still, but nothing else, a far cry from the few days after Fuyuki where she became visibly upset whenever anything that wasn't about future operations came up. Olga Marie would excuse herself and go to her quarters, and stay there for a few hours, leaving command to Romani. The good doctor didn't mind, and told everyone that the Director was just taking time to organize a better plan, or feeling under the weather. Few believed him.
"Yeah. Like that." She said with a monotone voice. Fujimaru stiffened. "Training's over. Practice your fire blast if you want. Meet me here at 7'o clock tomorrow. Don't be late, or you'll be in your bed full of Gandr, got it?" She asked, looking at him with amber eyes that almost seemed to be on fire.
Without another word, she walked to the entrance. While the boy could do nothing about the bad mood the put the director in, his mouth moved faster than his brain.
"Come on director! I didn't mean, I'm sorry!" he said, trying to close the distance between them.
"Director!" No reaction. Again.
"Olga!" He said her name this time, thinking that would at least catch her attention. It didn't stop her either however, and she exited the room without stopping. By the time he got outside the training area, she disappeared into the hallways of Chaldea.
"You finished early, Senpai" Said an airy voice from his behind. When he turned around, he saw his Servant stand up from a bench, meant for those that would be using the training room. Of course, with the bombing of the Rayshift Hangar, only the two Masters and their servants used it.
"I pressed the L button." He said. Mash was the only one he truly spoke to without restraints or worry about annoying her. His Servant was actually an incredible listener, and didn't seem to mind when he went on long rants about inane topics.
"Oh. You need to be more careful, Senpai." She said, offering him a bottle of water. The boy took it and in one swift move started to gulp on it. His throat was incredibly dry. He had exerted himself more than before.
"I know." He said, cleaning his mouth with his sleeve. "Me and my big mouth."
"I think it's that big mouth that helped us bond with the servants in Orleans, Master." She said with a kind smile.
"But it was you who bonded with Jeanne and Amadeus." He countered.
"I would say they encouraged me, I didn't really offer them much in return." She said, dejected.
"Nonsense Mash. You did great! You protected all of us, and kept our spirits high. That's more than I myself can say." He countered.
During the singularity, Mash had gone toe to toe with Wyverns and soldiers, while her Master only sat behind her, occasionally assisting her with his mystic code. And even then, he was almost eaten if not for the interference of his partner.
"Thank you Senpai. I's good to hear that, both from you and Tohsaka-san." She said with a small bow of her head.
"Tohsaka?" He asked.
"Yes. Ritsuka Tohsaka, you partner." She said with her visible eyebrow raised. The boy returned the confused look.
"I thought her name was Emiya." He said. Mash pondered for a moment, and then used the small device on her wrist to bring up a screen.
"Her name is registered as Tohsaka in the Mage's Association and Chaldea's files." She stated, showing him the screen. The boy leaned forward to look, his mouth a thin line. She lied to him, or…
"You know, it's bad to gossip about people behind their backs." Said a boisterous, lively voice.
"I will not tolerate offense to my Master." Added a second, robotic but sweet one.
Down the hallway came Ritsuka Emiya, Tohsaka, whatever her name was, with her white clad servant in tow levitating slightly above the ground.
"H-Hi, Senpai." Said Mash, bowing quickly. "W-We were not g-gossiping. Just talking…" She said in a shaky voice. Although the girl talked normally around him and Olga, she was still extremely shy around everyone else, especially other Servants such as the one that now accompanied them.
"No lies detected Master." Said the red eyed servant.
"Relax a bit Ortlinde. I don't mind my friends talking about me, as long as it's good things." Said Emiya with a devious smile, seemingly aimed at Fujimaru. Yes, they were friends. Or so she said. Fujimaru wished he could say the same, but was still unsure of the nature of their relationship. She teased him often, and they smack talked during combat, but never conversed about deep or personal stuff, outside of that moment after Singularity F.
After Orleans, they were at least "Battle Buddies" as the red haired girl liked to call them. The would plan strategies together, and Emiya seemed to be exceptionally good at that.
"Understood. Will take into account." Said the hooded Servant. She was a Valkyrie. A heroic spirit Chaldea Summoned to assist Emiya. While she had been a competent magus in combat, she was still considered a liability with Olga, something that his partner didn't take well at all. So at her and Roman's insistence, another permanent summon like Da Vinci was attempted. The result was Ortlinde, who in her words had "Answered the Call of a Warrior's Heart."
"So… Done training with snow white?" Asked Emiya, her smile replaced by a scowl.
"Yes. A little earlier than usual." He answered. At this, Mash stepped forwards.
"If that is so, perhaps we could have some time to practice together." Said Mash with a hopeful smile. Before Fujimaru could answer, Emiya had already gone ahead to the entrance.
"Sorry lovebirds, but it's our turn. Maybe go share a smoothie or something." She said, waving goodbye to them as the doors closed.
"That was not cordial Master." Said Ortlinde's muffled voice.
"There's no need between friends. Now, Battle Start!" Shouted Emiya. Behind the doors, a sound was heard, and then a battle along with commands.
Ritsuka Fujimaru sighed. Emiya was strong, and took her training extremely seriously. Every single available chance at the chamber; she took it. He worried that she may die of exhaustion, despite her seemingly infinite supply of sheer will.
"Sorry Mash. Maybe another time." He apologized.
"O-Of course Senpai. Anytime." She said with a yelp of surprise. Looking at her wrist watch, she started moving away from him. "I need to check up with Doctor Roman."
"Now? Didn't you want to train?" He asked, visibly confused.
"Yes but… I figured he could wait, if we trained that is." She said with a blush. "See you in your Room Senpai!" She shouted while running towards the good Doctor's lab.
Fujimaru Ritsuka stood there, utterly confused. His life was just too full of strange characters.
It was past dinner time in the mess hall. The staff had gone to sleep, the dishes were washed and the tables were clean and empty. Tough the 2rd singularity had no yet been detected, Da Vinci assured them that at any moment, another mission would be available.
The red haired Ritsuka thought that a board game would be a good bit of fun before going to sleep. That would have been true, if she hadn't been playing this hellish game about monopolies.
"Right on time. Better pay, customer!" Exclaimed Olga Marie proudly, holding her hand so Ritsuka could hand her the money.
"Can I simply sleep on the street? I think I would prefer that." He said, counting his money. He had 1000 dollars left, he needed to pay 650. He was on the blue properties, if he fell on any of the next ones, he would definitely lose.
"Don't worry Ritsu, I'll get your money back once she falls into my hotels." Said Emiya with a wink. That nickname again. She used it at the worst times, when his tension was high and people present.
"That's against the rules, Senpai." Said Mash.
"Nothing says players can't give other players money." Answered the redhead.
"But nothing says you can either. Besides, we said no alliances." Answered Marie.
"But a Master and a Servant must work together." Said Mash.
"This is a game Mash." Said Fujimaru with a smile.
"But…" Whatever Mash was going to say was drowned by Olga.
"Don't count of getting this money back, you Red Headed Demon." Said Olga with a snarl. It was no secret that the Director and Candidate 46 where at each other's throats since the start. The reason he did not know, but according to Da Vinci it was due to a Magus feud. Yet, since Emiya saved her life, that feud had become less personal and more like banter. Or so Fujimaru hoped.
"Oh sorry, Snow White. But I have the red and purple properties, all trains are mine. Wether you fall in Luck or in Prison, there's no escape from me." Said Emiya, and for a moment she looked like she was going to bust out an evil laughter.
"You certainly are good at this game, Master." Commented Ortlinde, eyeing her meager property cards. The Valkyrie did not take well to the game, and always bought whatever she fell in if it was available, squandering valuable money and never trading with other players.
"Please. This game is luck, just like life." Said Olga.
"I don't know Director, there does seem to be some skill involved." Countered Mash.
"Yes, but like the real world, luck plays a huge part. All skill is then devoted with dealing with whatever situation you end up with. Don't forget that when you come to London, Mash." Said Olga. The Animusphere heir had proposed (or more like ordered) the Demi-Servant to come with her to the clocktower when the time came to explain the whole mess Chaldea was going through. Mash seemed equally excited and terrified for that, and that was reflected in her more diligent training.
"Maybe in real life, but this is my domain biatch." Said Emiya, looming dangerously over the table like an evil overlord.
"Jeez Emiya, no need to be like that." Said Fujimaru, now getting annoyed at his partner's antics."It's your turn Director." he said, looking at her. When she looked back, he averted his gaze in instinct. His earlier demeanor left him ashamed, and now he couldn't even look at Marie in the eyes.
With a shake of her clasped hands, and a rattling within, she threw the dice on the table. A double three, landing her squarely on Emiya's most profitable property.
"Aw yeah! Pay up." She said, leaning over the board and rocking and whole table.
"Like I said, luck. Your turn, Lancer." Said Marie. Ortlinde looked away for a moment.
"You go again Director. You pulled doubles." She said. Everyone except Emiya forgot about that rule every time it came up.
"Right." Said the director. With a second throw, her silver figure landed on a train, another property of Emiya.
"Nooooo." Cried Olga, flopping for the table.
"Yesss." Said Emiya, directly taking the money from Olga's side with an evil grin.
"Why do we play with this stupid house rules again?"Asked Marie with a glare.
"My game, my rules." Said Emiya while counting her money.
"This game comes with rules for a reason." Added Mash.
"You're right Mash. But isn't this more fun?" Asked Emiya, pointing at the despairing Director. Olga only groaned.
"I miss Mozart. He would have liked this." Commented Mash.
"Yep. If only we could summon him" Said Emiya.
"You are not able to?" Asked Ortlinde.
"Chaldea's running on fumes." Said Olga, lifting her face from the table. The valkyrie looked confused, so the white haired woman clarified. "An emergency generator. Summoning Servants with the FATE system would burn trough whatever we have left. Emiya summoned you herself, so she is the one maintaining all of your functions. So until the main generator is repaired, no more servants."
"Yeah. We're kind of fucked. But at least he have freakin' Valkyrie with us." Said Emiya, nudging Ortlinde with a grain.
"This unit has a maximum power level. Without my sisters, I'm afraid I won't be of much help." Said the black haired girl.
"None of that, we'll make you strong." Said Emiya, hugging the girl. She went stiff, but otherwise didn't react.
They did their next rounds in a relative silence, until Olga saw the clock.
"Damnit! That late?" She asked, getting up. "We better go to sleep. A good schedule is important, especially for you two." She said to the Masters.
"Yeah. Im kind of beat." Said Fujimaru while stretching.
"Oh come on. Don't wuss out." Taunted the red haired master.
"Like I would Tohsaka. But there are more important matters than some board game, and If you're tardy, I'll pull you out of the mission." Said the Director.
"Pulling rank? Not cool director." Upon the mention that name Tohsaka, a question that bothered him since morning came to the front of his mind and couldn't stay there.
"I tough your name was Emiya." Said Fujimaru. At this, both girls stiffened.
"Oh man." Said the female Ritsuka, a hand covering her eyes.
"I see. So your reports were falsified." Said Olga, her voice cold.
"It's nothing like that. Tohsaka is just the name I use around the Association. And with good reason." Said Emiya, her voice serious. Olga Marie still looked at the Red Haired Master like she was trying to eviscerate her with her mind.
"Since you saved me, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Emiya. I don't doubt you are a Tohsaka, those gems of yours are proof. But also Emiya? That's worrying." She said, and with that, the Director stormed off, leaving the three teenagers and servant in an uncomfortable silence.
"I'm Sor-" tried saying Fujimaru, but Emiya stopped him.
"I know. I know. She was going to find out anyway." She said. She sounded tired. Without a word she began packing the game. The other members of the table helped her without command.
"What's the deal with the name Emiya?" Asked Fujimaru. To his surprise, Mash was the one to explain.
"Kiritsugu Emiya was a freelance mercenary, called the "Magus Killer" since he specialized in killing Magi. He has a very bad reputation, and also a Sealing Designation due to his unique, time altering magecraft.
At this revelation, Fujimaru gawked at Emiya, who seemed to be engrossed in the packing of the game, although it was obvious she was avoiding their gazes.
"Your dad is a Time Wizard?" Asked Fujimaru. At this, Emiya looked at him with shock and a blush.
"What?! No!" She said. His face froze. He connected the wrong dots.
"Then…" He began.
"My dad did know him, but I haven't got any relation to him." Said the female Ritsuka.
"Maybe you should tell the director." Said Mash.
"You think that bitch will believe me?" Asked the red haired girl. At hearing this, Mash did something unexpected.
"You may not like it Senpai, but the director is not evil. I'm sure she'll understand." She said, coldly. Both teens looked at their companion with wide eyes. "So please… At least try."
For a moment, Emiya was silent, her eyes darting around the table, and the still scattered pieces of the board game.
"Alright." She said. After that, they packed the game in silence once more.
"Well, I'll take this to my room. Guess I better pull something less malevolent next time, right?" Asked Emiya.
"Next time?" Asked Ortlinde.
"Yes. We need to relax from time to time, no?" She asked. "Do you not like board games?"
"Valkyries have no built in preferences, tough we do prioritize the souls of Heroes." She said in that robotic tone. "But I admit it was… a good way to bond with Master." She admitted with a blush. Both Ritsuka's smiled at how endearing it was.
"Alright. See you tomorrow, Fujimaru." Said Emiya, going away with her servant.
"Guess I'll see you latter, Senpai. Good Night." Said Mash with a bow. However, something lingered on the boy's mind, and he had to get it out in the open, it was his nature.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"About what?"
"You, defending Olga. I thought people didn't like her." He personally found her strong, the way she tried her best under duress, her way to command others trough persistence. But nobody else seemed to appreciate that.
"Well, she is…" Mash started to say, but stopped, as if wondering what to say. "Sorry Senpai, but, could I tell you another time? It's complicated." Said Mash. That did not ease Fujimaru's worries, but he wanted to respect his servant. That's what the bond was about after all.
"Alright then. Good Night Mash." He said, going to the dorms. Since their rooms were nearby, they went together, making small talk along the way.
Alone in his bed, Ritsuka wondered about his new companions. All of them seemed to be something he was familiar with on the surface, but underneath that, much more. He felt strange, he himself having nothing to hide. Those thoughts ate away at him until he fell asleep.