Words Count: 4727

A/N: As promised, a free Ep for International Women's Day for my non-existent female readers.

Here's my usual spiel:

You can read from Episode 85 to 111 (And six Eps of the Sequel – Fate: False Sovereignty) in advanced. The Tier starts from as low as 1USD, try it out!

P a tr e on . com (/) LiamThePoor

In a single instance, I went from my Room in France to the Clock Tower, hunching over as I felt Gaia's Reality Marble starting to affect me, as though attempting to make sense of my abrupt appearance three-hundreds miles away from my original location.

The sensation was like getting slapped in the face, and with it went all my anger, leaving a mere ember of what it once was, smoldering and ready to explode at any moment's notice, yet far more tamed. Deep down, I was well-aware I was not Lorelei's opponent, not now… Not yet. Beside, we now had a Mentor-Apprentice relationship, neither of us could physically hurt each other until the decade-long Geas became invalid.

Sure, since our Contract didn't cover things or people, the Unofficial Queen of the Clock Tower could target my businesses and even friends, but why on Earth would she do that? There was literally no reason to, and seeing as Zolgen itself claimed it was not privy to the details, perhaps this whole ordeal was simply a huge misunderstanding on our part? Releasing a shuddering breath, I quickly put a lid on that flame, allowing it to just… Shimmer.

Already, I could feel [Madness Enhancement] taking its toll on my mentality as the Fire of my Wrath started knocking against said lid, yet I was firm. I could not afford to bring War to the table, especially not when my opponent was THE Lorelei Barthomeloi herself. The skirmish we had two days ago had proven my Mentor was more, much more than I could handle at the present.

'What's the plan then, Leo-tan? Are you just going to charge into her Office, demanding answers?' There was the slightest touch of sarcasm in his voice, likely thinking I wouldn't do it for real.

'Pretty much.' I replied, tapping my foot anxiously. 'I don't want to fight Lorelei, not right now. But, I can't let this go unpunished either. If push comes to shove… Fight it is.'

Before I even knew it, my foot had shattered the spot I was standing on as my new Trait: [Madness Enhancement] began to creep in ever-so slowly. Whispers- Voices that were mine, yet not started setting in, ordering me to choose the bloodiest, most violent options. They hurried me to kill my way into Lorelei's Office, to crush her skull like watermelon and watch while her brain-matters spilled on the floor.

For a second, I was tempted to do exactly that: To push [Hell King's Engine] and [Future Tragedy] on full-blast, kicking down Lorelei's door with [Madness Enhancement] fueling me for righteous vengeance. I could do that and cause tons of damages no doubt, but I was also well-aware that would likely be the end of me… Thankfully, my Rationality, plus [Mind's Eye] were enough to keep those voices at bay for now.

'That's a terrible plan… You're gonna get your ass kicked twenty different ways, Leo-tan.'

'Perhaps, but if I'm to continue working with Lorelei, it needs to happen–?!'

"Ahhh–!" Snapping towards the source of the unfamiliar voice, I stood still in shock as a woman got into view, wearing naught but a wet towel to save her propriety. ""Who the Hell are you?!/Why are you in my Room?!"

"Your Room?" I repeated, confusion visible on my face. My head was whirling with thoughts, 'Have I teleported into the wrong Room? But, that's not possible…'

[Blink] operated based on memories or… Feelings, so to say. I couldn't blink somewhere I had never been to and this should have never happened, unless the Room was immediately assigned to someone else after I was shipped to France. "I'm sorry, is this Room 1408?"

"No!" The woman shouted, her ebony skin glistening with droplets of water, her frazzled black hair shaking violently as she pointed at the door. "It's Room 1407. Now get out before I beat you up! I'm not afraid of hitting a child!"

"I- I'm sorry? I thought this was–" What the fuck? There was an accuracy-system to the Elder Blood? I never knew that… Hell, I had never even had this problem once, and I was teleporting through the Continent back in the Witcher-Verse. "– Never mind that, I'm really sorry. I must have- must have gotten the wrong Room."

Embarrassed, I rushed to the door, covering my eyes to hide the near naked woman who was standing three, four feet away. It wasn't like she was ugly, but I really, really did not need sexual-misconduct on my files right now. Imagine how Rin would feel if she knew I was busy non-consensually harassing a woman who looked like she had just gotten out of her bathtub, while she was suffering at the hands of Lorelei Barthomeloi!

"I'm really fucking sorry, I didn't mean to barge into your Room!" I raced outside Room 1407, slamming the Room shut and slumping against the door. "Goddamn it!"

Things weren't going my way, and even the fact I just got a glimpse at the nude body of a beautiful woman was not going to distract me from it.

I should have known, since I– Or he was young, he had never gotten good anything good without misfortunes following very closely behind. In this case, the 'Goods' I received were my new Race and its Racial Advantages, and the multitude of Traits.

Now… Now came the misfortunes:

First it was Rin's situation,

Then it was the Elder Blood malfunctioning,

What's next?

'It's almost like I used all my Good Luck to draw–' Thankfully, I caught myself just in time before I accidentally revealed the existence of the Game to Angra. 'Draw what? A lottery ticket?'

The Daemon questioned, but I simply shrugged his inquiries off. Perhaps sensing my reluctance to talk on the subject, my Daemon-Friend abruptly changed the course of the conversation. 'Gotta say though, you really are down on your Luck recently. It's almost like everything bad that can realistically happen is happening to you… It's fucking bizarre.'

"Well, you know what they always say, Good things never last." That was all I had to say facing his comment, thick with resignation and a sense of powerlessness which I utterly despised. There was not much I could do, even if I confronted Lorelei, whatever Geas Rin had been forced to sign was likely already in-effect. I could fight and rage all I wanted, but the only thing I could do was hope the Deal wasn't too excessive until the Grail War.

Why the Grail War?

I was banking entirely on the fact that maybe, just maybe my presence had not changed the future too much and Medea of Colchis– The widely-despised Witch of Betrayal would again make an appearance. I doubted I'd be able to gain her affection, but surely there were things in my repertoire that would be useful for the Witch? Or maybe I could start the search for Rule Breaker right now?

That was a possibility,

'Or you can ask Gilgamesh for the Prototype? You basically have a walking treasure-trove in your corner, and you aren't using her enough.'It wasn't like the thought hadn't hit me once or twice, unfortunately… 'Gil won't help me, not in this. She wishes to personally create a Hero, and a Hero– Even if their morals aren't the best, must get over obstacles on their own. Have you ever seen a Hero coming to his or her sponsor, constantly asking for help?'

'Herakles would not have been able to finish the Twelve Labors without helps from the Olympians. Karna was given straight-up unbreakable Armor and later traded it for a Planet-Burster Spear. Gilgamesh herself was born with a Treasury filled with mystical weapons and armors! I have several more examples I can list here and now, what's your point?'

'Gilgamesh isn't the Gods. If the Gods are Game Admins, who want to actively join in on the funs, giving out discounts left, right and center, then Gil is a Watcher or Reader who merely wishes to observe. It's not the same.' I managed to counter, before hearing voices and footsteps approaching from a distance. "Have you heard about what happened? Apparently, Lady Barthomeloi has taken in an Apprentice!"

"That's old news, just this morning she took in a Tohsaka and–"

"You meant one of the Founding Houses of the Holy Grail Ritual?! No way! Why would Lady Barthomeloi care about some Ritual?"

"What do you mean by that? The Holy Grail War is–"

"A complete hoax! Is there any record of someone actually winning it and receiving the so-called 'Wish'?" The third man scoffed, seemingly disdainful at the mere thoughts of the world-renowned Ritual.

In an instance, I burst into motions in front of the chattering group, head tilting menacingly, a faux innocent smile silently brimming on my lips and hands clasped behind my back. "Gentlemen, I'm quite invested in what you three just mentioned, is there any chance you all will tell me the details?"

"And who are you to demand anything of us, which House do you hail from?" Usually, I'd waste time dicking around with them, but with Rin's wellbeing yet to be determined, I did not care for jokes. "I'm Leonis Magnum–"

Eyes landing on the glittering medals proudly-displayed over their chests. "– I'm the Holder of the Title: Youngest [Cause] in the Clock Tower, and I do believe I outrank the three of you. So… Will you very kindly tell me what I want?"

"If we don't want to, what are you going to do?" The third Magus asked, chuckling as he looked at me up and down in visible disdain, almost as though he could not believe someone like me would get the attention of Lorelei Barthomeloi. In all fairness, he wasn't wrong. While I knew my new Mentor would show herself, I was only aware of it thanks to [Future Calculation]. If not for

"You don't look like much, mate… How did a bloke like you get the Queen herself to invite you into her clique, I wonder? And as her personal Apprentice too!" His piercing blue-eyes zoomed in on me, devilish and filled with malice. There was jealousy too, I idly noted. His friends, on the other hand, were far more cordial, tugging the guy back by his sleeve. "Dude, leave him alone! I heard he got into a fight with Lorelei herself–"

A fight which I clearly lost… But apparently being courageous/insane enough to battle one of the most powerful Mages alive was something to be proud of for most, given the looks I had seen sent my direction every once in a while. "Did he win?"

"Nope." I answered for him. "I lost quite miserably actually. The fight lasted four minutes at most, and I went out of it with a lame foot."

My claw-shaped hand burst forwards, clutching his neck like a newborn chicken, face nearing his with a twisted smile, whispering. "But that's against Lorelei Barthomeloi… Against the likes of you‐ you lowlifes, I won't even have to break a fucking sweat. All it takes is a twitch and your head will fall. Remember that–"

I threw him to the ground, listening to his chokes and spittle in sadistic joy as a creepy, vicious smirk unknowingly crept on my mouth. "And do remember, there's a reason I'm your Superior. Think of me however you wish, but have a little respect… Now–"

I faced the two guys who were much, much polite and chuckled. "– What was it you were saying about Rin Tohsaka?"

To be fair, his reaction was understandable. These guys had likely spent decades of their lives to perfect their Crafts, never getting that big-break they all thought were righteously-deserved, then all of a sudden, some kid who was no older than their little brothers, or sons in many cases, not only got promoted to a Higher Rank than theirs, but was also noticed by someone whom they could merely wish to catch a rare few glimpses of despite living in the same Building– The Big Ben.

Didn't mean I wouldn't beat the living shits out of them for disrespecting me though…

"Well?"

"I- Uhmmm- I don't know much about it, but news have it that Lord Trambelio is out to get her. Lady Barthomeloi intercepted and took Tohsaka under her wings, that's- that's all I know. Please, don't hurt me?" The scaredy-cat hurriedly begged, hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. I just smiled kindly… Granted after what took place mere seconds ago, my supposedly 'kind' smile might as well have been from the Devil himself to them. "You don't happen to know where Lorelei- I meant, where Lady Barthomeloi is, do you?"

"I- I don't. I have only seen the Vice-Director on a handful occasions, s- sir." That was… Not exactly unexpected. That woman did strike me as someone who would consider any kind of meaningful human-interaction and relationship to be a waste of time. It's no wonder most had not even seen her in person. In my head, I couldn't help thinking what a lonely existence she lived. To be the strongest, most powerful, most brilliant woman alive, and to have no one to share that with…

In a sense, she was not too different from the Golden Queen herself, they were so similar I could barely distinguish the two if not for the differences in their appearances. Perhaps that was why both had picked me? Because even though they couldn't have possibly known I had the Game, they could passively, instinctively sense…The oddness that was clinging to my Soul?"I- I think Lady Barthomeloi sleeps in her Office…? I don't- I don't know, maybe you can look for her there."

"Right. Thank you for your cooperation." I offered him a hand, only now realizing the Magus was on his arse, shaking violently like a leaf in the Eye of a Storm. He gingerly took my hand, asking. "Do- Do you want me to show you the way? I can–"

"Nah. I know where her Office is, I'm her Apprentice, remember?" I snorted, winking at him and took off in a second, leaving behind naught but blurs of my form, which shouldn't be a big-deal. I had been able to achieve this Level of Speed for ages… With [Petal Burst] and [Reinforcement]. This was the first time I was able to leave trail of afterimages without any Enhancement-Spells. 'Damn, High-Human and F-Rank are OP.'

With that thought in mind, I raced towards Lorelei's lair, swords still clutched tightly in my grasps, ready should they be needed.

Needless to say, they were needed.

— [Fate: DML] —

Silently, Rin poured tea into the cup that was standing empty on the brunette's desk.

Parts of her– The prouder, more prideful parts despised the fact she was having to serve tea to someone else. The meeker ones couldn't be more thankful… Constantly telling her, 'It could have been worse. You could be serving a perverse, balding old man who's palming your bottom or something.'

The tsundere swiftly hushed the voices into silence.

Since the Vice-Director basically owned her now, it was in Rin's best interests to serve the woman to the best of her ability. For how long, the tsundere knew not. Maybe until the famous Vice-Director grew bored of Rin constantly hovering over her? "Tell me, how do you know my Apprentice?"

Boy-Did that annoy the craps out of Rin.

Once upon a time, she was the only Mentor Leo had,

Now that he had Lorelei Barthomeloi herself, the tsundere couldn't help but wonder if she had gotten even more useless than she was already. Despite knowing deep down it wasn't her fault… It wasn't her fault House Tohsaka was basically isolated from the Clock Tower as a whole, it wasn't her fault she possessed little to no value politically, and it certainly wasn't her fault she was unable to properly defend herself.

Yet, it upset her all the same.

Who could have thought, the Rin Tohsaka who once stood against a crazy, psychotic Master in the Fourth Grail War would experience the day when she was forced to live as someone else's cupbearer? She definitely hadn't thought this would be her future. Parts of Rin hated Leo for dragging her into this, but she also knew it was either this, or her little sister suffering under the hands of Matou Zouken and Shinji, both of whom were inhumane animals from what she had heard.

'You can do this, you're Rin Tohsaka. It's just serving tea and cleaning… How hard can it be?'

"Tohsaka, I'm asking you a question." The Vice-Director raised her voice ever so slightly, setting the beautifully-crafted pen she was using down. Nervously, Rin answered. "I- He and I were taught by the same Priest. He wasn't very good at teaching… Or Magecraft, so I had to teach myself and Leo."

"Ah? So before me, you were his Mentor?"

"I- I wouldn't dare take credits for his current achievements. I only taught Leo the basics." She did not forget to force an awkward smile on her lips. Rin was prideful, but she understood it would be unwise to compare herself with someone of Lorelei's Level. To take credits for her parts in Leo's feats would be both an overestimation of herself and an insult to the Queen of the Clock Tower.

'The rest was Rewards from that so-called Game of his.' Obviously, that went unsaid.

"I see… I heard he was gone for two years–" And so, as she had expected, the dreaded-question came. "– Any idea where he was during that time?"

"I- I don't–" Unseen hands squeezed at Rin's heart as she tried to lie. Immediately, she fell to her knees, clutching her chest and doubling over in pain. "You know you can't lie to me… That's the first strike, next one will be more painful–"

Rin felt cold fingers reached and caressed her face. The touches were so gentle, so full of love that for an instance, she almost thought she was back in the loving embrace of her mother again. That Illusion was shattered near instantly when she looked at the woman kneeling on one knee beside her, teary-eyed.

There was not even a change in the woman's stone-cold, stoic expression, only the slightest traces of curiosity. Lorelei lifted her face up by the chin, gazing into her eyes. "Is it really worth it? I doubt he even knows what you're going through at the moments. Everyone has been ordered to keep your trial a secret from Leonis. In fact, I expect him to be having fun in France right now, unaware of the result. So ask yourself this, is keeping Magnum's secrets worth all the pains you're experiencing?"

For a second, Rin was genuinely tempted to say no, to spill the beans.

Thankfully, she held strong, only managing to croak out with great efforts a, "Y- Yes, it- it is."

Nothing else was said as silence descended on the two.

There were flickers of… Something in the Queen's gaze, Rin noted. Perhaps it was a flicker of Humanity, or Empathy or Sympathy for someone so young. Whatever it was, the tsundere was just thankful that it helped divert the subject. "Very well, you are loyal to your friend, that I can respect–"

Letting out pained gasps, Rin got to her feet, feeling the aching pain slowly subsiding. "– That's all for today, Ms. Tohsaka. You may retreat to your Quarter, you'll know when I have needs of your service."

The tsundere didn't waste any time, hastily backing towards the door, hoping that maybe, just maybe if she silent enough, her new… Owner would forget about her existence, only things never went the way you hoped. It was a lesson Rin had learnt over and over again, and she was to learn it once more. Loud rings echoed in the Spartan-looking Office, blaring alarms caused by the multitude of complicated Bounded Fields weaved together, likely made by Lorelei herself.

"Oh?" The Queen chuckled, seemingly amused by the sudden occurrence. With a flick of her wrist, a screen- one that was unattached to any machine or mechanism, flashed to life, showing the other end of the hallway leading to the Office. There, a group of seven Enforcers who were patrolling as usual, were talking to someone, "I thought he went to France?!"

Rin shouted.

She couldn't be wrong, that silhouette was far too familiar, that irritating smirk that seemed to contain nothing but disdain towards everything, as though he was constantly amused by a joke unknown to the entire World. Then, there were the slight twitches of his eyelids, the flutters of his lashes, the only indication of the carefully-hidden rage that's bubbling just underneath the surface.

There was no doubt about it, Leo was here, and he was visibly trying his best to hold onto his Rationality… Somehow, that set off a horde of butterflies in Rin's stomach. It wasn't out of relief, there was nothing the boy could do to help her at this point. It was more the fact that he cared enough to come, and judging from his normally curly hair was even more messy than usual, he must have come in a hurry.

"So did I… Apparently, I was wrong." The brunette lamely commented, as calm as ever. "I just want to see my beloved Mentor, ain't nothing wrong with that, is it?"

Leonis' voice, something which even Rin found irritating at times, sounded like the voice of an Angel– A mix of those unholy Old Testament abominations, and the calming, graceful choir of the Baby-looking Angels who became mainstream much later on.

"The Vice-Director has said, she does not wish to see anyone at the moment. Leave now, or face the consequences." The Leader of the group said, his clenched, gloved fists raising towards Leonis. The black-leathers shinning, brimming with his Mana. "This is not a fight you want to take, I can assure you. I will quite literally destroy you in combat, it won't even be close."

Leonis responded, the sole hints of his rising temper being the shines of his blades. Next, he turned to straight to the screen, screaming. "Teach, I know you're listening in on this. Can you tell these dumbasses to let me through?! It's important."

Amusement in her eyes, Lorelei palmed her desk, and a mechanism that allowed her voice to spread all the way to Leo's end was flipped on. "I do not take visitor this late, but you're free to come back tomorrow morning."

"You heard the Lady Barthomeloi, return in the morning and you'll be welcome, Lord Magnum." Rin watched as her friend sigh, seeming tired. For an instance, she thought he would really do as he was asked and left. That assumption quickly dissipated when he said. "Then I can hope to ask for your forgiveness later."

That was all the sign he gave before he launched into actions, his blades glimmering in the dreamy yellow light of the chandelier. The nearest Enforcer was caught off guard, thrown into the wall after getting hit by Invictus' pommel. Apparently, they weren't used to being defied, since the group looked shocked out of their minds. Rin wasn't, she was used to Leo's antics, and if there's one thing that boy didn't lack, it's recklessness.

The other six who had recovered jumped forth, brandishing their enchanted gloves and weapons. A blonde with spider-like Mystic Code on his back made to yank the glowing appendages, throwing it with great force and precision at the boy. The pink projectiles were either dodged or deflected by Leo's blades, but that wasn't the end. Not even close.

"Hmmm? Leonis knocked Jameson out in one-hit… He wasn't that strong when we fought." Lorelei commented on the side, once again sipping on her tea like she was watching a particularly interesting movie and not her subordinates and Leo battling to the death.

In a burst of motions, the boy batted away a giant flailing morning-star with ease, his feet twisting to avoid a spear coming at his face. Then, he teleported behind the group, opting instead to race towards the Office. It didn't take long for him to reach the door, yet just as he did, a force knocked him back several feet. Cyan-Flecks started to cover his silhouette, Leo attempted to blink inside Lorelei's Office.

Rin could even see Space itself being torn apart, but that wasn't enough. Whatever Bounded Field that had been set up diverted his destination, and he instead teleported somewhere else, disappearing in the light. Seconds later, he reappeared, looking even more frazzled than before, his gaze landing on the group of Enforcers. "I'm sorry for this!"

He went to attack them, a giant Finn-Shot converging on the tips of his fingers. Such an attack would have- should have only hit one target, yet the moment it was shot, the Ball of cursed Mana split into three, taking down four of the Enforcers with them. Unfortunately, Leo did not come out unscathed as one of those pink spidery-appendage pierced his shoulder. To his credits, there wasn't even a change in his expression, not a hint of pain could be found.

What came next did manage to elicit a yelp from her friend though, as a boomerang went whirling past his head, enlarging with every inch it covered, until it was as big as the hallway they were in. Leo blinked behind an Enforcer, presumably the owner of the boomerang, wrestling his arms to his back and waiting for the Mystic Code to hit. He did nor succeed, for the weapon while unconventional, was clearly able to distinguish friend and foe, growing smaller and cutting the side of his temple near his left eye.

Once he realized that, Leo opened what looked like a portal just as it returned to hit his exposed back. Like that, the Mystic Code was sent to somewhere else, and taking advantage of the position they were in, her ashen-haired friend snapped the Enforcer's arm. Head tilting down to avoid the spiky warhammer coming at his face. It was a blunt weapon, by all rights, it shouldn't be able to cut or slash, yet the sheer force it was delivered with was enough to tear the skin off his head as he blinked away in a haste.

"Leo!"

"He's performing better than I'd have expected…" Lorelei hummed. "Did something happen while he was away? His Agility and Strength have received a massive increase."

Still as water, Leonis appeared over the warhammer-guy, jumping on his back and putting him in a chokehold. He did not notice the one of downed Enforcers rising behind him, or perhaps, he did notice, he simply didn't care. That changed when a Mana-Laser pierced his stomach, tearing at the warhammer-wielding Enforcer's ribs. Leo fell to the floor, cursing and clutching his wound. He wasted no time sending a wave of lightning with [Ansuz] at the men, this time knocking them out for good.

"Ha-Ha… I- I told you, this isn't a fight you want." Leo glared straight at the screen, then aimed his fingers at the door. [Ansuz] and [Finn Cannon] harmlessly rippled the Bounded Field. Seeing that, her friend got to the edge, reinforcing his blades and stabbing them into it. Again, they slid off harmlessly.

Not to be deterred, Leo looked at the weapons sprawling on the floor and grabbed them, chucking at the Bounded Field. When that didn't work, he started chucking people. Rin groaned, even Lorelei's lips began to twitch at the sheer absurdity of it all as she lowered the expertly-layered Bounded Fields.

Unfortunately, since he had already thrown one of the downed Enforcers at the door, the poor man ended up through the wall and right on Lorelei's desk, knocking everything to the floor. "… That's going to be taken from your paycheck, my dear Apprentice."

"Teach…" Leo spoke, his face lighting up at the sight if her. "Rin!"

She would lying if she said seeing him so excited didn't bring an embarrassed smile to her lips. Sadly, their moment was broken by a cough from the Vice-Director. "What is it that you wish to discuss, Leonis?"