Soon enough, classes for that morning came to an end, and Hakuno is seen prowling around the hallways anxiously. With some time to spare, she doesn't exactly know what to do in this situation.
Sure, she had considered the option of entering the library and looking up on Leo's servant, but apparently every other master who had seen the epic battle this morning also had the same idea, to a point where the library was jam-packed with people. The girl didn't bother trying to wrestle her way through to try and obtain any history-related books on him, so she figured to come later in the afternoon or after she returned from the Arena...if the library was still open around that time that is.
Walking around the school's compound, she notices a nostalgic-looking item outside by the school's gardens; the vending machines. Back during the preliminaries, she would often buy their green tea infused strawberry milk. A weird combination yes, but she liked the taste of it no less.
Taking out her terminal, she looks at the price of a carton of the milk. "Hmm...20ppt, quite cheap when compared to the items sold at the commissary." Punching in a few numbers and pressing a button, she hears the sound of the carton falling onto the latch. Taking it out, she pokes the straw through it and takes a few sips, reminded by its familiar flavour and taste.
"I know that it's easy to earn money through defeating enemy programs in the Arena, but I'd advise you to not waste your money, Master," Archer advises, sighing as his master plops down onto a nearby bench, looking over at the blooming flowers. "Ok...but it can't hurt to drink one of these every one and then now, can it?" was what she intended to reply when she realized that she wasn't the only one there with her servant.
"Why...if it isn't Hakuno. As usual, you drink some of the strangest things." "Shinji..." The man walks over, smirking as he sits down by the bench next to her, taking a sip of his own drink; it seems that he purchased the grape soda. "So you're also a mage. I couldn't feel your presence so I almost forgot about you," he says. Hakuno sweatdrops; she had almost forgotten his habit of insulting people without a care in the world. "Is...is that so?"
"Jeez, the heinous preliminaries were a pain to get through though. And in order to dwindle down the competition, they had the participants do some crazy hunting back in that final room. And me, being the naturally gifted person I am, made it!" Hakuno recalled the time when that effigy began attacking her. So that was the reason why it was able to function without an owner?
"A few years back there was a rumour floating around...something about a "Holy Grail" that could grant any wish, with the organization in possession of it, the SE.RA.PH. I searched the web until I found it. Though various computers we can dive into that looks as real as possible, it's still all made up. So...does that mean that there's a server on the Moon or something?" At this point, Hakuno couldn't really tell if he was talking to her or just voicing out his thought aloud to himself, but she listens on anyway.
"Right here...this is the highest thrill." With a wave of his fingers, something resembling a virtual computer pops up in front of him, displaying several charts and lists of people on the screen, causing Hakuno to gasp in wonder. "That's...a pretty terrifying thing to say," she mutters a moment later.
"I mean...that's the basics of the basics. Check out this list. All of these people from our class during the prelims were potential master candidates, but now more than half of them are NPCs. What's more interesting is that the SE.RA.PH seems to have an administrative puppet in the student council," Shinji explains, his grin widening. She eyes the list of people, some of which she had seen...dead in the final room. Gulping, she takes a step back.
How could Shinji act so calm and happy like this? Did he feel no remorse or sadness seeing his classmates that have died? It was almost as if...he looked to be having fun? Despite the life or death situation that they all were stuck in? And that administrative puppet...he couldn't mean Issei, could he?
"...Alright, this is it! From here on out, what's at stake is the Holy Grail! The other masters may have started this tournament, but I'll be the one to win it!" Hakuno goes shocked at his bold declaration as he stands, giving her a pitiful look. "Shinji...you couldn't mean..."
"I mean...my servant is the strongest, so there's no way I'd lose! And on top of that, I can trick the NPC data so they can become emotionally attached to me. Just think...with only a couple of routines, I can overwrite important data and this war will be a cake walk!" With a snap of his fingers, two NPC girls appear behind him, appearing motionless as they stared at him and Hakuno blankly.
In that moment, Hakuno realized how terrifying the war was. That's right...they were all fighting in this war to win. Even a kind person...like Nagisa...could become the worst opponent just to obtain the Holy Grail...and that frightened her just thinking about it. They would do anything to win...to survive...even if that meant their friends or those dear to them, and Shinji was the clear testimony for that.
With another wave of his fingers, the computer vanishes into thin air as he begins walking back towards the school building, with the two girls following closely behind him. "Well then, I'm off to have a little fun. See ya Hakuno, if you survive that is!" he laughs. Hakuno watches him until he leaves, before she lets out a breath of relief that she didn't even knowshe was holding in.
It was then that she heard her terminal beeping. Taking it out, she eyes the text displayed on the screen reluctantly: The next combatants will be announced on the second floor's bulletin board. So this was what Kotomine was talking about.
A combatant announcement...this must mean who she was going to battle one-on-one with. As much as she tried to escape it, it seems that there was no running away from the truth. Standing up, she walks over to the bin to dispose of her carton, unaware that her hand had been crushing it during the entire conversation with Shinji before she walks back inside.
Walking down the long hallway to get upstairs almost felt like torture. All she wanted to do was return to her private room and pretend like this was all just a long, bad dream, but even she knew that she had to face it sooner or later. Reaching the second floor, she turns and takes a few steps towards the bulletin board, her eyes slowly going up to read the what was posted on the dreaded white piece of paper.
Upon looking at it, she sees two names, of which is her own...and the other one-
Master: Shinji Matou
Battlefield: First Chimeric Lunar Sea
Her eyes go wide in horror; Wait...no, this had to be some sort of mistake. Rubbing her eyes, she looks back up on the board to see if she had read wrong. No, the names were still there...then that means-
"Hmph...figures. Who would've thought that we'd meet this soon. So you're my first opponent? I mentioned this morning but, I'm nothing but surprised that you managed to even qualify. " Swiftly turning her head, she barely manages to register the being that came over at some point during her initial shock and was currently standing two feet away from her. He looks over at the names, before smirking at her.
"But I guess here, all things are possible. Hey, you might even be the most strongest magus there is. We're at different levels even though we're friends. Still, I should congratulate you." Hakuno doesn't react to his comments, overwhelmed that the situation she was facing as Shinji pats her hard on the shoulder.
"Hey, didn't you just barely squeak through the prelims? I guess you're a charity case. Being mediocre has its advantages. You get these handicaps and whatnot. Oh, but keep in mind that this tournament is all about true strength, so don't get too overconfident." Shinji continues to ramble on, yet his voice feels distant to her ears.
Shinji steps back, placing a hand to his forehead as he laughs. "And the guys running this are geniuses. Just look how intense and first round is. Come on, I meam forcing people to give up friendships in orded to win? That's pretty insane." The guy says all this whilst ignoring the fact that Hakuno was still staring at him in shock, barely registering any of his words.
"Oh, what a cruel mistress fate can be, right? Even I, the strongest master here, is pained by this." After that little outburst, Shinji plasters on a plastic smile and gives her a solid slap on the back, snapping her out of her trance.
"Well, let's keep things clean, ok? It should be a good fight. After all, you're a master too. When we see each other again, it'll be as enemies. Don't let our former friendship hold you back!" With that, he promptly walks away, with Hakuno unable to look back at him as he does so, her legs pinned to the floor.
...She has to fight Shinji and her servant. No matter how many times she repeats herself, those words fail to register in her brain. Does that mean that she has to kill him, a fellow human being, when she has no clue as to why?
This whole situation has fast become a nightmare. If she was in a bad dream, she wanted to wake up...now. Shinji is making light of the situation but...why does she feel like she's trapped in a living Hell?
"Master...? You ok?" She blinks, snapping her head towards the voice of her servant, the man staring at her with raised eyebrows. "You've been spacing off for some time now, y'know? Are you feeling alright?" he asks. "...I-"
In that moment, the bell goes off, and at the same time, her terminal beeps with another notification of classes starting in a few minutes. Hakuno looks down at her shoes, troubled at how she was going to deal with this huge dilemma. "...It's nothing. Let's head back to class."
0101010101010101010101010101010101
By the time classes had ended, Hakuno's mind was in a turmoil; she couldn't focus on what Taiga had been teaching at all. Just the thought of having to face Shinji and his servant by the end of the week had her sweating with tension. Sure, he had a ton of flaws and she disliked his attitude since they met but that didn't mean that she wanted to kill him.
Sighing, she gets up from her seat only to have her terminal ring once again. Taking it out, she eyes the message that appeared on it: The primary cipher key has been generated. She tilts her head to the side. Primary cipher key? What was that supposed to be? Well...it's definitely a key of some kind...
For some reason, her mind flashes back to that priest. Though reluctant, it would probably be a good idea nonetheless to ask Kotomine about the messages she received via her terminal. After all, he did say that participants have the right to ask about any of the basic rules of the tournament.
She walks over to the door, about to exit the classroom when she feels something ram against her body at full force. Staggering, she lets out a gasp before her eyes come in contact with none other than Nagisa. "Hey Hakuno! I heard that you've already been informed of your opponent! So who is it?" Nagisa smiles.
Hakuno looks away from the girl. Should she tell her? I mean...she did have option not to but, there couldn't be any risks in telling others who her opponent was, right? After all, she'd feel bad not telling her, seeing how Nagisa was eyeing her eagerly. "It's...Shinji Matou."
At the mention of his name, Nagisa's jaw drops...possibly due to shock. "Ah...I see. So you're going up against that guy, huh? He's really strong. There's a reason why he's such a famous hacker." This deflates Hakuno a little as she takes a step back. "Oh...but...!"
Taking ahold of her hand, Nagisa gives Hakuno a serious stare. "...I'll be wishing you good luck! Sure, he may be tough as an opponent and all but, I do hope that you win Hakuno!" In that moment, all Hakuno could feel was surprised. She...was not expecting her to say that. Nagisa...wanted her to win?
Somehow, Hakuno felt as though Nagisa's words were some sort of motivation, an encouragement, like she was telling her not to give up, like she still had a chance. Unexpectedly, the corners of Hakuno's lips curled upwards to form a smile. "...Thanks Nagisa. I appreciate that."
Just as she left, a question pops up in her head. "By the way, who's your opponent for this round?" "...? My opponent? It's Leo." Hakuno froze, stopping in her tracks as she recalled the fight that occurred in the cafeteria this morning. There was no doubt about it...Leo's servant was strong, and even Leo seemed like a strong magus as well.
"I know he's strong. But...I'm not gonna go down that easily!" Hakuno blinks at Nagisa's determination, even more surprised at her positivity. "I mean...I'm not sure how well my servant strength stands up to his but...I have no intentions of losing of him! So...you should do your best too Hakuno!" Hakuno is at a loss for words, her smile widening. For just a while...it felt as though she stood a fighting chance against Shinji.
"...Yeah, I'll do that." "Good! Well, I'd better get going! I have a ton of training to do in the Arena!" Waving with a huge grin on her face, Nagisa walks off, with Hakuno watching her back. It felt weird but...the girl couldn't help but be envious of Nagisa, wishing that she was just as positive as her.
Exiting the classroom, she immediately sees Kotomine on sight, the priest lingering on the second floor. Walking over, she taps him on the shoulder to get his attention as he turns. "Ah, the young master, what great timing. I have a few things to say to you before you enter the Arena." Something to say? Was it regarding the message she received earlier?
"Earlier, the computer registered that the Primary Trigger had been generated, did it not? Two triggers must be retrieved by the end of this week, if you mean to participate in the tournament," he explains. Ah, so it was some type of requirement. However, Hakuno still didn't know what these 'triggers' were. "Triggers?"
"A trigger, or cipher key, is a key to the Coliseum- and a way to cull weak masters." Somehow, it seemed as though she's heard something phrased similarly like that before. Was everyone around her trying to hint something?
"All masters were required to obtain them during the course of the preparation period. Fail to obtain the triggers in allotted time and it will be...gave over...as it were." Game over...in other words, failure to do so would mean deletion by the system. Hakuno gulps, her mind spiralling onto the possibilities of not being able to complete the task.
"Don't look so worried. It's a simple task to prove that you're ready for the Elimination Battle." A simple task...he claims it to be so but, Hakuno doubted that it would be that easy. However, seeing that all masters were also required to do the same, she had to make sure to obtain them.
On another note, Kotomine did mention that two triggers were required...though she had only been informed of one. "Two triggers?" "The Arena itself will be divided into two floors. And one trigger, or cipher key, is generated per floor. So obviously, that results in two per match-up. It's the job of the master to go and retrieve these cipher keys. For convenience, everyone refers to them as Primary Trigger and Secondary Trigger. You will be notified through your portable computer terminal when a trigger generates." Ah, so that means that the second trigger would only be notified later. "I see, thanks."
"Oh, and just another reminder before you go. Combat is strictly prohibited between masters in the Arena and on campus at all times. If for some reason, a fight occurs, the system will shut it down. As a penalty, the status of any master caught fighting on campus will be downgraded." This important fact raises another question in her head. Did that mean that Leo and Shinji's statuses were downgraded after the fight in the cafeteria this morning?
"Well, no; I let them off after a fair warning. It's only the second day of the first round after all. However, should there be any more fights occurring around campus before the Elimination battles, those masters will be dealt with appropriately." Hakuno nods, taking this to mind...which meant that she should try to stay away from Shinji at all times whilst on campus just in case. After seeing how short-tempered he was this morning, the last thing she needed was to get into a brawl with him.
With no more to ask, Hakuno thanks Kotomine and quietly leaves to the first floor...only to run straight into her opponent, much to her dismay. Shinji, like usual, throws her that dislikable smirk of his as he begins rambling on.
"Hey there Hakuno. Going to get the trigger? Well, it sucks to be you. 'Cause I'm going in right now too. A total cretin like you won't be able to find it, but good luck anyway. Hahaha!" Ok, what in her right mind made her think...for even a moment, that she was friends with this rude jerk? Hakuno resists the urge to possibly give him a good slap across the face to wipe off that smirk of his as he walks off, still laughing.
"...Wow. I guess the old saying about leopards not changing their spots is true after all." Hakuno doesn't even want to comment, instead internally sighing; was Archer seriously going to start conversing on this? Of him and his attitude of all things?
The servant however, follows up with an unexpected suggestion. "Whatever the case, this might be a good chance for you to practice. Hurry, let's go after him." Practice? What did Archer mean by that? Surely he didn't mean sparring with Shinji's servant or anything, especially after Kotomine's warning...right?
Nevertheless, Hakuno decides to follow her servant's advice, and heads down the hallway towards the Arena, a sense of dread and unease lingering in her. Somehow, the girl felt like a bad premonition was approaching; something was definitely going to happen when they got inside the Arena...and it wasn't gonna be great for either of the two.