Chapter 19: Swift return to the mundane

"And this disturbs you?" Goetia mused as he took another sip of his soup, red eyes fleeting over to Sothis as she hovered over Byleth's shoulder with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"It does." She answered "I have no memory of any Goddess...but that feels wrong. I should know, but I do not." she clicked her tongue "It is most troubling."

Goetia's eyes flickered over to Byleth "Did this ring true for you as well?" the woman shook her head, a small frown on her face.

"Didn't recognise it." She paused "Was also more concerned with the bandits."

"Yes…" Goetia sighed, looking back at Sothis "You neglected to mention your rather casual use of temporal reversal."

"Did I?" Sothis gave a blink and a tiny smirk "It must have slipped my mind."

"Hmph." He grunted in response "In any event, you have been able to narrow down your questions."

Sothis stared at him for a few moments before she nodded her head "Indeed, there is something about that canyon which strikes me as familiar. However, I cannot remember it at all." she growled "This lack of memories is most infuriating to me. So many answers are within my grasp and yet so painfully out of reach."

"I am certain that you shall receive the answers you seek in due course." Goetia replied to her, then turned his attention back to Byleth "You returned to the Monastery late, I was not able to inquire as to the reactions of the students."

"Oh?" Sothis grinned at him "Concerned about the children, are you?"

"Curious." He instead replied with a blank expression "Not concerned. They are all evidently still alive."

Sothis rolled her eyes "If you must know, there haven't been any immediately harsh reactions."

"That is fortunate then." Goetia nodded his head "In the mean time-"

"Oh? You must be the other person Lady Rhea allowed into the Monastery." A rather confident voice interrupted him, he turned his head to see a lightly tanned woman with short blonde hair wearing steel armour walk towards his table. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Wow, they weren't kidding about you being a foreigner." she chuckled "I don't think I've ever seen anyone look quite like you."

"...I see." Was all Goetia replied with cocking his head to the side "I assume you are a recently returned knight to the church."

"I am." She nodded "Catherine, wielder of Thunderbrand."

"A sword then?"

"Oh, right." She chuckled "You probably haven't heard of the Holy relics then." she looked down at the table, raising her own tray of food meaningfully "You mind if I take a seat?"

"I hold no control over where you sit." She blinked as his response, then looked at Byleth, the blue haired woman shrugged and gestured to the empty space.

"Thank you." She moved around and sat down, looking Goetia up and down and taking a sniff of the air before she narrowed her eyes "You smell like trouble."

"You have an affinity for detecting magical anomalies then." Goetia replied, looking nonchalant at the accusation "And trouble is opinionated."

"Hm." She grunted, crossing her arms "As long as you don't show that opinion towards Lady Rhea, that's fine."

There was something reverent about the way she spoke the phantasmals name which went beyond the Clerics. He assumed she was rather overzealous in her devotion to the Archbishop, although considering the location he was in, it was hardly a surprise.

"Causing trouble within the Monastery is not one of my current goals." He replied, taking another sip of his soup "It would be foolish, considering they currently employ me."

"Not out of respect for the Church?"

"Respect, you say?" Goetia paused "I have told the Archbishop that I acknowledge all she has accomplished, and I was genuine in that." his eyes flickered over to her, locking onto her own "Respecting the Church would be a very different matter. I would not demand that any visitors to Jerusalem respect Yahweh, although it would be preferable."

"Hmm." Catherine grunted, looking none too pleased about his statement before she slowly nodded her head "You are a foreigner, so I doubt you have spent enough time with the Church." she narrowed her eyes "Although I would ask you remember your place here and watch how you speak."

The threat was hardly subtle, both Goetia and Catherine stared at eachother for a few moments, Sothis and Byleth watched them, the former had a frown on her face as her eyes darted between Goetia and Catherine, the latter's expression remained blank, save for the gleam of concern in her eyes that something would occur.

Nothing did, Goetia slowly nodded his head "As expected, you take your faith seriously."

"Of course I do." She huffed "I was chosen to be a knight by Lady Rhea herself."

"Hm." Goetia hummed, nodding his head slowly "To be picked by the Archbishop herself…" he gave a small shrug "Regardless, I am curious as to why you are here."

"Well, I heard a few rumours going around the monastery when I got back." She shrugged "Mainly relating to a one armed foreigner and a new professor." she looked over at Byleth "Heard you came back from a bandit raid yesterday." she nodded her head "Good work, thinking about a bunch of heathen thugs desecrating a sight like Zanado makes my blood boil."

Byleth nodded her head "I only assisted the students."

"Kingdom of Faerghus right?"At Byleths nod, she chuckled "From there myself." she turned to Goetia "Speaking of, you went with the Golden Deer kids to Charon territory, right? Demonic Beasts?"

"I did." He nodded his head "You heard of that?"

"Well, the knights spun some pretty wild tails." She shrugged "Not bad for a mage." she frowned "I suppose with only one arm you can't really do much else."

Goetia raised an eyebrow "Do not assume my lack of a limb makes you my physical superior." he replied "I utilise offensive spells because that is my forte."

"Oh?" Catherine got a glint in her eye "You packing muscle under that robe then?" she chuckled.

"I didn't think you could fight without magic." Byleth tilted her head to the side "You can?"

"I have never fought with a sword." Goetia answered "Admittedly, my hand to hand was passable at best." he shrugged "Although it was never a concern."

"Why?"

"I could simply augment my strength and speed to be superior to my opponent."

"Sounds like cheating." Catherine huffed "Where's the achievement if you aren't using your own natural strength."

"My proficiency in magecraft could just as easily be argued as 'natural strength'."

"Not like that." The knight rolled her eyes, stabbing her fork into a slice of meat and shovelling it into her mouth, chewing loudly before swallowing and pointing the implement in his direction "And don't get smart. I mean like physical strength." she chuckled "I bet you're skinny under that robe."

"My health is within acceptable parameters." Goetia argued back.

"How about an arm wrestle?"

"No."

"Scared?"

"I have nothing to prove."

"Oh well." She shrugged "Suppose I should have expected that." the 'from a mage' was left unsaid and Goetia was hypothesising that she had greater respect for those who engaged in my physical activities. Or she was attempting to goad him into acting by playing on his perceived pride.

Well, he did have pride, but it wasn't going to be used to draw him into something as trivial as an arm wrestle.

"Well." Catherine wipe her mouth, after finishing her lunch "I only came here to see the new arrivals, I'm sure we'll speak later." she nodded to Byleth, then turned to Goetia "And if you would rather do something beyond read musty old books, there is a training ground." were her parting words.

"Well…" Sothis blinked, staring at the knights departing form "She seems confident."

"She's an abrasive zealot." Goetia bluntly replied "Although given her position, I would be more surprised if she wasn't."

"That's rather rude." Sothis frowned at him "Although, she does seem rather devote in her belief."

"You can fight without a sword?" Byleth looked at him, Goetia turned back to her and nodded once "Oh...Spar?"

"Spar?" Goetia frowned "If you wish me to spar without augmentation, it would be a fight in your favour."

"Oh." She blinked "How strong are you with it?"

Goetia raised an eyebrow "I could easily enhance my speed and body to surpass you." he explained "In which case, it would become a fight in my favour."

"Hey, sparkles, Teach!" Claude's voice called out to them, Goetia sighed, turning his attention to the pupil.

"Von Riegan." Goetia nodded to him "You wish to speak of something?"

"Well, I just thought you might be interested in a bit of gossip." Claude gave a careless shrug.

"And what 'gossip' do you believe would interest me?"

"Don't quote me on this, but I heard from the merchants that there's something big going on in Kingdom territory." Claude explained, looking around conspiratorially before leaning down "I heard that Lord Lonato has apparently started to send his people into a bit of a frenzy."

Goetia furrowed his brows "Frenzy?"

"Yeah." He nodded his head "He's been pretty vocal with his dislike of the Church for a couple years now, but apparently something might have tipped him over the edge."

"An uprising?" Goetia surmised "You are informing me that there is a potential uprising taking place."

"I'm merely passingly along rumours." Claude argued back "I normally wouldn't put stock in them...but apparently Thunderbrand Catherine is back."

"We've met."

"Oh?" Claude blinked, then nodded his head "So that one's true...if she's back at the Church, something important must be going down."

"I doubt that whatever forces Lonato can rally behind him will content with the Church." He paused "But I suspect he knows that as well…"

"So the big question, is why?" Claude shrugged "Truth is, I don't know Sparkles." he turned to Byleth "You're teacher of the Blue Lions, you heard any rumours?"

She shook her head "None."

"Huh…" Claude crossed his arms "Might be just that then, but there are a few too many knights here for a simple rumour right now." he hummed "Well, no use worrying about heresay. I'm sure you'll know before anyone else." he turned back to Goetia "Also, I wanted to ask you about what your research."

Goetia nodded his head "Meet me in my workshop later."

"I'm going to assume that just means room." Claude chuckled "See you around Teach, Sparkles."

"You seem to be rather close with the young child." Sothis cupped her chin "I did not think you had much patience for him."

"I do not." Goetia replied "He is extraordinarily curious with the lack of restraint to match." he paused for a few moments "Although, he is useful. Despite what I may state about his lack of stealth, it is more than sufficient to hide from the denizens of the Monastery."

Sothis and Byleth blinked at him "You're...using him to spy for you?"

"Spy implies I am seeking specific information." Goetia replied "I am simply confident that he will be made aware of rumours and approach me under the guise of 'gossip' and inform me of them."

"You…" Sothis gaped at him, then narrowed her eyes "You are more devious than I had expected."

"Devious implies malicious intent." He countered "I harbour none, I simply wish to be kept aware of current events. Surprises, especially unpleasant ones, are something I wish to avoid."

"...Makes sense." Byleth shrugged "Ambushes are bad enough, they can get you killed."

"Indeed." He nodded "In any event, I am now aware of the current rumours regarding Lord Lonato and shall not be surprised if they are true."

"And what interest do you have in Lord Lonato?" Sothis raised an eyebrow at him.

"None what so ever."

"So...you've basically been told useless information."

"All information is useful, it merely differs in value according to current objectives." Goetia shrugged "I currently have no interest in the political occurrences of a minor Lord of the Kingdom, however, so the information is of little value."

"So, you want to know about it, just so you can say that there's nothing worth knowing?"

"I wish to be kept informed so that I can determine if there is anything of value to know." He replied, Sothis responded with the flattest look she could muster while Byleth remained blank faced, although her eyes showcased some confusion at his wording.

Which she was, she didn't quite understand what he was saying. He wanted to be told about things he didn't have an interest in, just so he could say he didn't have an interest in them? That didn't make much sense to her.

"Because its pedantic." Sothis scoffed, reading her mind "And it still makes you devious."

"It is hardly underhanded if any can make use of Von Riegan's personality." Goetia argued back, then sighed "However, the point is moot." he stood up, having finished his soup "And the time of our lunch break is coming to an end." he continued on "I suspect that you have informed your class that they may utilise the day as they see fit?"

Byleth nodded her head.

"Good." He affirmed "It means that the young Mercedes can begin her tutoring with me." he turned away, levitating his tray behind him "Should you encounter her before I do, inform her I shall be in the library."

"Okay." Byleth nodded "...What are you teaching her?"

"Healing Magecraft." He replied "I shall also see if the library has volumes relating to human physiology, failing that, I shall speak with Manuela."

"Physiology?"

"If you intend to heal the body, you must first be aware of what you are healing." Goetia replied as he moved away "Else there would be significant damage."

"Hm." Sothis hummed as he departed "I hate to say it...but he is actually becoming useful." she sighed "Teaching something more civilised than blowing up bodies or punching heads off at the very least."

"...I think its useful."

"I know you do." Sothis yawned "Because you are skilled in such things."

As it turned out, there were no books on human physiology in the library. Although considering it was geared towards the history of Fodlan or the learning of magic and other texts useful for Nobles, he doubted he would have had much luck to begin with.

It, unfortunately, meant he would have to seek out Manuela.

"A book of the human body?" The woman raised an eyebrow at him "Why in Fodlan would you need something like that?"

"For my tutoring." He answered "Do you have one?"

"I have a basic anatomy diagram, yes." She nodded "But why is that necessary?" she frowned, cocking her head to the side "Most would simply use a light spell or a vulnerary to heal their wounds and it certainly sounds less convoluted."

"Light spells and Vulnerary's only heal flesh wounds and damaged organs." Goetia responded "They do not right broken bones or heal minor curses."

"I don't know about curses." Manuela replied "How did you know that?"

"I checked."

"How?"

"...I checked." Was all he replied again and left it at that, Manuela frowned but eventually sighed and shook her head.

"Somehow I get the feeling I don't want to know." She replied, but slowly nodded "But you are correct that bones need to be reset before a healing spell can be cast." she looked at him inquisitively "You are saying you have a spell which doesn't need that?"

"I am aware of a great many that do not require such criteria." He responded "However, to teach them, the user must be aware of what they are healing and what function it serves."

"And you need a basic understanding of human anatomy for that." Manuela surmised "Well, I suppose that makes sense." she shrugged "I have a few diagrams knocking around that I can lend to you." she replied, turning around and walking across to the table near the infirmary bed "Lets see...no...not there." she frowned, then went through several other drawers while Goetia blankly stared at her.

After another five minutes of searching, much to his growing irritation, although his face didn't show it, she eventually returned with several diagrams of the human body rolled up for him.

"Here, these are the spares I have." She handed them to him "Although I would appreciate that they not get damaged, they do take quite some time to make, I'll have you know."

"They will be kept from harm." Goetia replied, turning away "Destroying reading materials would be an act of stupidity."

"Yes, well. Off you go dear."

Goetia's lip twitched at the word before he departed then infirmary, making his way back to the Library.

"There are two differing spells you will need to learn." Goetia explained to her as he set down the drawings "The first, is structural analysis. It is a simple spell which all Magi are aware of how to use, relating to the understanding of the construction of the analysed object."

"Oh." Mercedes nodded her head "So, it is learning how something is made?"

"Yes." Goetia responded, pleasantly surprised that she caught on quickly. "However, despite its simplicity, learning the components of an object mean nothing if you do not understand what they are." he gestured to the diagrams "Therefore, you will familiarise yourself with the inner working of the human body."

"Gosh...that seems complicated." Mercedes blinked as she studied the closest one too her.

"It is a time consuming process." Goetia admitted "However, most Magi were able to acquire a simple grasp of structural analysis magecraft within a month, proficiency comes as you advance." he looked back at the diagrams "Once your structural analysis is skilled enough to be used on a human, then we will advance to learning basic healing craft."

"I understand." She nodded "I'm grateful that you are taking the time to teach me."

"There is nothing to be grateful for yet, I have not begun to teach you anything."

"I'm grateful for the opportunity." Mercedes went on, completely ignoring his point "You can show gratitude for the intention behind an action, you know?"

"…" Goetia furrowed his brows ever so slightly in confusion, the act of gratitude should be awarded only after the action had achieved the desired effect. Showing it beforehand was worthless...and yet… "I see."

"Is something wrong?" Mercedes asked, tilting her head to the side as her eyes glinted with a small amount of concern.

"No…" He answered, shaking off his worries "For now, you are familiar with the act of casting spells, are you not?"

"I am." Mercedes nodded her head.

"Then we shall begin in the basic lessons of structural analysis, you will understand the process behind it and then we shall move onto reading mundane items." He explained, Mercedes gave another nod of her head and a small smile.

"I'm ready to learn."

"Hmph." He grunted "Structural analysis itself is a simple spell, however there is much thought process that goes into it. It cannot be rushed, else important details will be overlooked or it could fail entirely. Therefore, once the process begins, you require absolute concentration, however as you become more accustomed to utilising the spell, the process is shortened exponentially."

"So, its like sewing? The more you do it, the easier it becomes?"

"...An...apt metaphor, I suppose." He acknowledged "Regardless, I doubt that you will become extraordinarily skilled in the craft, likely only enough to grasp a person at their most complex, however it will entirely depend upon your element and origin."

"Element and Origin?"

Goetia's eyebrow twitched, he hadn't even covered that with Lysithea yet "Another time, when all my students are present, however a brief description would be the form of magecraft or concept your have the most affinity with."

"Oh, I see." She nodded her head, still looking confused on the subject but not commenting further on it.

"Returning to my original point, structural analysis requires you to channel magical energy into the object to map out its design, it requires delicate control. Too little and the image you receive would be vague and incomplete, too much and the object will become oversaturated and you will experience overexposure." He paused "A metaphor for the first would be attempting to light a room with a single candle and the second would be lighting the room with a bonfire."

"Too little is not enough detail and too much is dangerous?"

"To both yourself and the recipient." He explained "You are channelling your own magical energy into the spell, thus if you use too much you will slowly begin to tire yourself out before you find the root cause of the problem."

"Alright." She nodded "What's the first step?"

Goetia's hand went into his pocket, before pulling out a jewel "Your first step is to channel your magical energy."

Mercedes eyes widened at the small green gem "My goodness! Where did you get that?"

"I crafted it."

"Eh?"

"A gem is nothing more than a combination of rock, sand and water, I merely used alchemy to craft one to suit my purposes." He looked down at it "This will act as storage for your magical energy."

"Did...but…" She blinked owlishly at him "You...made this?" she tentatively reached out, almost afraid to touch the gem as she picked it up, eyeing the green crystal with an almost reverent gaze "Its...its beautiful."

"It was also time consuming." Goetia explained "But they shall serve their purpose for now."

"Still, I hate to think how much this is worth."

"Nothing." He explained, then paused "Nothing to me at least. I have no doubt some merchant would seek to purchase them from me and exploit my talent at making gems, but it is entirely a copy. It was artificially created by me and is only serving its purpose as a container for magical energy."

"So...its not as good as the real thing?" She looked back at him, tilting her head slightly.

"It is structurally inferior to a natural gemstone, yes." He nodded "But it was crafted to be a cheap, disposable copy. Therefore it was not designed to be equal to the genuine stones." he shrugged "To that extent, it is no different to the false gems you could purchase from a market stall."

"I suppose." She replied "But I still think it looks very nice." she smiled at him "Its very impressive you can create something like this, you must have worked very hard."

"...I spent great amounts of time watching others." He eventually explained "I merely observed this craft and thought it quaint. My...progenitor...could craft something superior with less." He remained silent for a few moments, a dull look in his eyes before he blinked and looked back at her "Irrelevant topics aside, you will begin by channelling your magical energy into this gem. Whereas you would normally do so to fuel a spell, you will simply focus on the gem."

"Well…" Mercedes nodded, a confident look on her face "I'll do my best!"

"Indeed." Goetia nodded, then watched as she closed her eyes, a slightly strained look on her face as she attempted to follow his instructions.

There was a sound akin to shattering glass as the green gem in her hand exploded, the widened her eyes and let out a panicked squeak as small stones went shooting off in different directions.

"Oh goodness!" She gaped at the remains of the gem, a growing look of horror mixed with guilt on her face as she looked to Goetia "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"That was more impressive than I envisaged." Goetia cut her off, wiping the front of his robe down and removing several tiny shards of gem from his clothes "I had crafted that gem to store the bare minimum amount of magical energy the average apprentice could muster." he looked back to her "You overloaded the gem. It means I underestimated you."

"You...you aren't mad?"

"Why should I display anger at this?" Goetia frowned at her "This was my own blunder, with the rate at which Lysithea had taken to Runes, I should have expected that my estimations of the magical energy of magi in Fodlan were too low and properly accounted for that." he shrugged "Regardless, it confirms that I will need to design the next gem to be more resilient."

"Oh...I'm still sorry." She gave him a guilty expression "It must have taken some time to make."

"It took five minutes."

"Oh...T-then the materials-"

"I collected dirt and rocks from the pond."

"O-oh...Well…" She still held a look of guilt on her face as she seemed to fidget in her seat before she looked back at him "I still feel bad."

"There is nothing to-"

"How about I bake you a cake?"

"...What?"

"A cake, as an apology." She nodded to herself "That's what I'll do." standing up "I'll also try my best not to destroy your hard work!"

"There is really no need for-"

"Have you ever tried cake before?"

"No, I have-"

"Then I'll make you your first." She beamed "Don't worry, I'll make sure its delicious!" she turned around, then speed walked out of the library, leaving Goetia standing there, staring at her retreating figure.

"I haven't finished the lesson yet…" He murmured, he wasn't sure whether to feel annoyed or incredulous at her sudden shift. He also thought he now had a decent understanding of her personality.

An airhead.

"It failed?" Thales cocked his head to the side "I had thought the modifications were enough." he growled, slamming his hand on the table "Damn it all." he looked back at Solon "Did it kill any of them?"

"No." He shook his head "It seems the new librarian is a greater obstacle than anticipated. He was apparently able to dispatch it with ease."

"He was supposed to be some foreign peddler in magic." Thales scoffed, a look of anger on his face "And he promised that the beast could deal with any resistance, that was why we sent it to hunt down those brats to begin with."

"In that case...perhaps modifications need to be made?" Solon suggested "Or a different approach is needed."

Thales mulled it over in his head "True...he did say that the blood of a dragon was needed to improve them further." he crossed his arms, a smile coming to his face, before he wiped it away "But it cannot be done now. The plans of the Western Church are too close. They've drawn too much attention to that accursed monastery."

"True." Solon nodded his head "However...they cannot be there the whole time and the young one is vulnerable." he paused for a few moments "And what of our benefactor?"

"He is currently in the Kingdom with the Lord." he scoffed "Arming peasants." he mockingly intoned "As if giving them swords makes them more than trash."

"He merely suggested a test, as I am led to believe." He replied "Kronya is almost ready for the disguise."

"Good." Thales nodded "Although she's far too careless. Ensure she does not reveal herself too soon."

"Very well." Solon nodded "...And? What of the foreigner?"

"Being a skilled insect still makes him an insect." The Agarthan scoffed "He can be dealt with at our leisure."

AN: Yo. Yeah, so Mercedes is being taught structural analysis and healing magecraft, which kind of go hand in hand. And Catherine is here, everyones favourite insane religious zealot.

Also...Oooooooh.

Big shift.

Anyway…

I know what you're all waiting for…

Omake: Back home again V

Goetia watched as Lysithea was virtually abused by Scathach, all the while Cu Chulainn and Claude watched in the distance, looks of equal amusement on their faces as the young girl virtually flailed about under the repeated strikes of the Celtic Lancer.

The second the Lancer had discovered the girl could use Primordial Runes, she had been demanding she demonstrate how skilled she was.

It wasn't skilled enough for her liking, at which point she began teaching her herself.

It wasn't just runes, however, that she was being taught. No, Scathach had decided to teach her hand to hand combat and spearmanship.

Goetia was fortunate that the Lancer had decided not to bring him into it as well.

"Well, well, well." An amused voice called out from behind him, Goetia looked over his shoulder to see Da Vinci sliding towards him with a grin on her face "Don't see you here too often."

"Scathach saw fit to take my former student to the simulator to train her." Goetia explained, returning his gaze back to the pair "I decided to observe."

"Well…that's fair I suppose." She nodded, then cast a sideways glance at him "I've seen you and Romani are no longer avoiding eachother like the plague."

"Yes…"

"Hmph, that's good. He felt he was being bullied more than usual." She joked "I've also heard that you've been shooing him out of his office to relax more and more." she cocked her head "Why?"

"He does not live as a human." He replied immediately "He looks human, talks human and acts human...but he does not live as one." he looked down "He lacked the freedom of a human...if I can grant him that wish, even for a short while, then that is enough."

"Ooooh." Da Vinci grinned at him "You seem to care quite a bit for someone who never smiles. Does Romani remind you of anyone then?"

"My...father." Da Vinci blinked at that.

"Oh." She flattened her expression into an unusually serious one "You acclimatised too quickly. Even if you were a genius like me, it still took Archer, Caster and Saber some weeks to get used to everything." he crossed her arms "You took all of an hour."

"Is that so?"

"Yes." She nodded "And then there was your magecraft." she grinned "Magecraft, not the magic that the fodlan system uses. Caster was kind enough to demonstrate some of the original magic she was taught before your arrival."

"…"

"Primordial runes, huh?"

"…"

"...You aren't from Fodlan, are you?" She cocked her head to the side "No...you aren't from their world originally."

He looked her dead in the eyes "Hm...It seems I have underestimated your deductive skills."

"Well, I am a genius!" Da Vinci grinned, pointing a thumb at herself "Although I know you aren't Solomon, that much was true." she frowned "...Was he your father?"

"Solomon...yes." Goetia nodded his head "To refer to him as my father would be accurate…"

"Romani reminds you of him does he?" Da Vinci raised an eyebrow.

Goetia gave a sad smile "He lived as a King, rather than the humans he seemed to love." he shrugged "Like I said...even if I can grant his wish for a little while...that is enough."

Da Vinci's expression took on a more forlorn one "Still not going to give your true name?"

"No…" He shook his head "For now...no. But...perhaps when the time is right." he looked Da Vinci in the eyes "You know as well."

"He's not that good at keeping secrets." Da Vinci gave a wry smile "Even if he was...I'm still a genius."

"...Quite so." He nodded slowly, Da Vinci's smile slowly morphed into a grin.

"...Does that make Mash your adopted Sister?"

Goetia's face blanked "...That is...technically?"

"You know she and Fujimaru are in a relationship, right?"

"...I did not...your point?"

"If they get married...that would make him your brother in law."

"…" Goetia stared at her for several seconds, Da Vinci had trouble holding in her laughter at the growing look of realisation on his face which could only be described as a personified 'blue screen'.

Ritsuka jolted as his door opened, he looked over his shoulder away from his desk to see Caster stood there. The red eyes of the servant locked onto him and Ritsuka felt an indescribable pressure wash over him.

"Caster?" He blinked "Is...is something wrong?"

He stepped in, then looked around the room "...Kyrielight isn't here, is she?"

"Mash? Wha-no!" He gaped "Why would she be in my room!?"

"You are in a relationship-"

"Ergh!?"

"-and I wanted to ensure I did not disturb you."

"H-how did...Da Vinci?"

"Da Vinci."

"Oh…" Ritsuka's head fell into his hands "She's like the overbearing aunt I never had." he looked back up after a few seconds "Is...is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes." He nodded his head "There is one thing…"

"What is this?" Romani looked at Goetia as they all gathered in a decorated room in Chaldea.

"Dinner." He explained.

"I can see that…" Romani nodded his head slowly "But…" he gestured to the other occupants of the table "What's with this line up?"

Ritsuka, Mash and David stared at the pair in a mix of confusion and amusement.

"You are technically Mash Kyrielight's father." Goetia pointed out "Considering her close relationship with Fujiamaru-"

"Her what!?"

"You...were not aware?"

"No, I wasn't!" He rounded on Ritsuka and Mash, both of who were blushing up a storm and looking away from the Doctor "What is this I'm hearing about!? Mash!"

"I-um...well...I…"

David snickered, looking at Goetia with an obvious look of amusement "Alright...family dinner." he nodded "So why are you and I here?"

Goetia's eyes flickered back to David, he instantly saw the knowing expression in them "...Why indeed."

Elsewhere, Da Vinci was watching the security cameras in the command centre and cackling madly, tears streaming down her face.

She henceforth dubbed it the Solomon family gathering.