Fate: Bonds Beyond Humanity

by Apprentice of Life

In a world where all can be real, what does it mean to be human? What is the meaning of humanity? A meeting between a human and a devil will have them discovering the truth while chasing their dreams. My take on the combined worlds of Fate and DxD with characters from other franchises if they can be adapted to it. Harem.

15. Chapter 15

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

…..

15- Status Report?

…..

To work in a forge it is recommended to have a certain knowledge of chemistry. The need to know the composition of metals, their heating points and resistances is fundamental in this line of work. Even with the modern day internet helping much with the information, tests still need to be made to determine the limit and the ways that the smith can improve their own work.

That doesn't help when the information is missing since when it comes to magic there is no way that such things are going to be on the internet...in theory.

Scientists work around the clock to improve the technologies that humanity uses and many of their contributions can and do help the magical side of their world, Shirou is one of the people that reads many of their contributions and even tries to apply them on his projects.

But even the most famous scientist on the planet doesn't have some of the resources he has, including one legitimate Muramasa. The katana stands at the center of his workshop, pristine and clean while he studies the methods the master used and tries to imitate the smith himself.

Since his goal is to make an armor he thought that if he can make anything capable of surviving a direct blow of Muramasa while being light and easy to hide then it would be a success. It was simple logic, armors and shields are made to stop weapons and anything that can survive a Muramasa deserves praise.

He failed more than just a couple of times. Steel, once well forged, can resist Muramasa if he doesn't use magic to actually make the blade even sharper and at that point he managed to cut in half a stack of weapons, weapons that he made himself.

The strongest piece of armor he managed to make was so big that it looks like a cosplay costume, heavy but huge nonetheless with broad shoulders, some spikes and a lot of metal. It was made big to help channel mana and improve the defenses and it was a success since it did stop Muramasa.

Except it is too big, anyone using it is going to stick out like a sore thumb. But it survived with a scratch. "How are you a failure again?" Shirou asks the sword, even knowing it couldn't answer he still felt the need to let the question out. "Really, how? What was Muramasa trying to accomplish that you are still a failure even being able to cut steel when someone uses you properly?"

Again nothing.

'What wouldn't I give to pick that old man's brain. Or if my magecraft allowed me to understand more of the creation process.' Sad fact is that even when he repeats the same moves that Muramasa used there is something missing. 'The problem isn't technique, I am reproducing it perfectly. It's something else.'

Still he couldn't deny that his katanas are getting better and better with each attempt. Not on the level of Muramasa, not even close, but its progress that he is using to figure out the better kinds of armor to make by first testing them against his own swords to then bring out Muramasa.

He can make good armor, the week he spent working on the project was well spent. Shirou just can't do the kind of armor he wants, light and concealable. Something he can use with a shirt or at least a jacket and not look suspicious.

'Either that or I need to grow bigger.' Shirou steps around his forge and picks up a bullet proof vest. 'Still a little heavier than what I want but if I can mix the idea of an armor with the structure of kevlar.'

Three knocks rang on his door and the magus went to open it. In her normal clothes, consisting of a teal shirt and white shorts is Koneko. Instead of her usual stoic face she actually was looking a bit disturbed, something that is normal for her these days since she returned from the Underworld, for reasons that he didn't like but can do nothing about at the moment since he can't really understand.

"Liz asked me to remind you that tomorrow classes are back and you should sleep early." She relays the message briefly and turns around to return to the house. He didn't call for her or anything similar since for a while she started to despise the garden where his workshop stays.

Closing his place of research, Shirou looks around his garden. And now it was a proper garden with flowers and better taken care of, the benefits of someone's training and using senjutsu. Even in the middle of a town and with the little space they had to work with, the place was beautiful now thanks to Yoruichi's efforts.

And she reminds him of some of her efforts by karate chopping him on the back of his neck, almost making him stumble. "Finally finished with your man cave for the day?" The nekomata asks, standing above said workshop while dressed in black sleeveless shirt and pants. "Great! Time for your training!"

"Whoa! Calm down Yoruichi! I have class tomorrow!" He jumps back to dodge her advance as she almost tackles him to the ground.

"That is exactly why we have to train now or else you will get slow." The woman charges again and Shirou dodges, running in zig zag. Of course the nekomata is holding back quite a bit of her speed and making sure her movements are visible for him but she is still much faster than he is.

Since the development of touki needs him to be in top condition that is how they train when possible. Games of tag, combat and meditation. When Yoruichi is present and not back in Kyoto, something she actively needs to do more than she expected and spends some days at his house and others there, she is going to focus on getting him to use the energy by applying her training methods.

Trying to dodge another charge, the redhead fails and is tagged on his leg. "You're it!" The woman announces as she takes her distance in the backyard.

Smiling to himself, Shirou can still remember what he overheard and a part of him wonders if this is her real way of flirting, not being overly blunt or making offers that could make him uncomfortable by putting him on the spot but playing with him, spending time with him and teaching him.

Senjutsu is complicated, that is how he will sum it up if asked about the subject. Not only is it hard to learn but Koneko has something against it that he doesn't have any idea what.

It all began a few days ago when the little devil showed up with her King, announcing their return, asking how each other was doing and promising to talk more once classes begin properly.

There was also a small serious talk about the events that happened during the break with a message and a report from the devils that were there during the period but seeing that Shirou was alright, and after he explained a resume of the events, Rias left Koneko with him while leaving in a good indicating that something good had happened.

Shirou wanted to explain things better but he barely had time to mention the Muramasa when Rias declared she had to leave because of paperwork, something that usually would have her a little hesitant but she was still happy. She just wanted to see him and took advantage that she had to drop by to leave Koneko and see how he was going and that they would have time to discuss more later.

When the small girl entered his house she had grown stiff and asked if some yokai had passed by. Shirou affirmed that and explained that a friend is living in his house from time to time and that she is a nekomata.

It was when Koneko met Yoruichi that things got even more confusing. The way the cute girl looks at the older woman in suspicion everytime they are in the same space is concerning to say the least. Shirou tried to ask exactly what was going on when Yoruichi introduced herself as Kuro and offered to teach Koneko about senjutsu, something the whitehead rejected on the spot.

When the two of them are alone Shirou calls her Yoruichi, but when Koneko is around she insists on being called Kuro, "The less people know a member of Kyoto's elite is here the better."

But that wasn't his main problem. Koneko's repulsion of senjutsu is. The fact that a small girl like her can look at his garden, a former empty backyard that is now full with life, and feel hate and distaste is something that bothers Shirou a lot.

He offered to talk to her and listen to her reasons but after she said that "Senjutsu is bad", walked out of the conversation and he couldn't manage to make her talk about it anymore than that.

'Maybe I should try and bribe her with some food?' The problem is that it is a delicate subject. From experience the redhead can tell that he felt better once he talked about his own problems thanks to the woman he is chasing and he wants to help Koneko.

'The question is how?'

The magus feels a pair of hands on his head, almost making him hit the ground. "Distracted?" Yoruichi already knows the answer to that. "Don't be. You need to focus on the present to use ki. Touki is a lot about the understanding of the self, your present self." Shirou quickly jumps to try and grab her but Yoruichi is already away from him again. "Better. Remember to keep your focus during combat, the after can be thought about, well, after."

"I know…it's just Koneko-"

"I will take a look at it next time I am in Kyoto." The nekomata interrupts him before he can say anything else. "She is a reincarnated devil right?" Once Shirou nodded, the raven, almost purple, haired woman crossed her arms. "I will take a look."

"Thanks Yoruichi." He approaches her but stops just shy of touching the woman. "You are awesome."

"Nyahaha. Trying to distract me?" She sounds amused and is positioned ready to run but Shirou makes no moves.

"Just speaking the truth." The magus motions at the house. "Shall we turn for the night?"

"Bold of you to invite me to your bed like that." The woman doesn't move from her spot and Shirou shrugs.

"You are always invading my bed in the middle of the night. At least you don't occupy much space." Because so far she has done it only as a cat.

"Hum~" Humming for a second she hits her fingers on his back and gets to the other side of the backyard. "Come on now. You haven't tagged me once. Use your magic if you need to."

"It wouldn't be fair!" He charges again and his hand is about to touch her when she side steps and jumps to the side.

"I disagree. In a fight you should use every resource at your disposal-" She doesn't have time to finish as Shirou turns to pursue her. "Now that is better!"

Yoruichi does a flip to the side and Shirou is in route of collision with his workshop only to kick the wall and change his direction towards her. The woman smiled at the maneuver since it showed that Shirou is learning with their 'playtime' and getting a better sense of space and mobility.

"You are using too much brute force." Yoruichi chastises him as he keeps trying to at least touch her. "Touki is not only the muscles Shirou, is the mentality." He jumps at her again and again, she uses her flexibility to jump over him, placing both her hands on his head in provocation.

"I know that. Don't worry," the magus smiles at her, "I will catch you one of these days."

"Maybe if you used Reinforcement~" Getting up and turning, the redhead doesn't hesitate and rushes at her again.

"It wouldn't be fair." He says simply and Yoruichi just shakes her head.

"I am a yokai Shirou. It's already not fair." And he knows that but that isn't really what is unfair to him.

"I won't use a shortcut. When I catch you it will be with touki, not magic." The woman blinks and then starts to laugh.

"Nyahahaha! Well said!" She likes his attitude. 'Not unfair for me but for himself. He has no delusions that it will be easy to catch me.' Her smile turns a little feral but then she holds it back. "You better be ready whenever you get it. Because once you do, our spars are going to get more...intense."

Shirou just smiles at the thought and goes back to chase her, taking care to not touch some of the newly grown bed of flowers that the woman takes care of during her free time. The chase keeps going for a few more minutes, the two having fun.

Meanwhile, watching from the second floor of the house, is Koneko. The girl can't hear what they are saying, their laughs or their shouts. A small barrier made from ki that the flowers are creating is keeping any sound muffled to anyone outside of it.

It's not much a question of security as is of privacy since anyone could enter and not be affected or someone with ki proficience can just pierce it with their own skills without disturbing the structure.

Something that Koneko can do if she wants...but she is hesitating.

For all intents and purposes she is there as another bodyguard for Shirou and the moment that she saw the yokai, a nekomata, and using senjutsu on top of that made her extremely upset. Only the fact that Shirou was being polite with the woman and that she is a friend of his stopped Koneko from attacking without mercy until the yokai was a mere stain on the ground.

'She shouldn't be here.' Koneko thinks while watching Shirou try to get the woman. Training as she called it, training for the redhead to learn senjutsu. 'She shouldn't be teaching that! That is dangerous!'

Watching the woman using ki is disturbing for the young devil, Koneko can't stop her hands from shaking even if she holds back the impulse to jump off the window and attack.

Not that she would win, she knows for a fact by just watching their training for the last couple of days. 'Kuro is too strong.' It's a sobering thought to the girl. 'She is stronger than buchou, stronger than everyone else here.'

In fact Koneko had already come to the conclusion that even if everyone of the ORC, excluding Shirou and Liz, joined together to fight the woman they would still lose. Every instinct is telling her that victory is not an option against the yokai at the present moment.

She didn't know what to do in this situation. For now the nekomata is not doing anything wrong. 'For now.' Koneko thinks in fear, old memories resurfacing as she watches the woman's moves. 'So sharp, so fast, so lethal.' The precision of the woman's moves were better than the last ki user she saw.

The devil doesn't want to dwell in those memories but she feels she needs to. Just watching her new 'roommate' is enough to remind her of some unpleasant things, things that left deep scars on her heart.

'How long?' Koneko asks herself. 'How long until you show your true self? How long until you lose yourself?' In her mind senjutsu is one thing and one thing alone, dangerous.

The nature of it is very much like a fly trap, looks unassuming but that was only until the prey steps on it and finds itself dead. It is also many times more alluring than a simple trap, attracting people with promises of power that sound irresistible.

There were benefits to learning to manipulate ki but on the devil's mind there are far more dangerous consequences. She would speak from experience if she dared to but she can't.

All she can do is her job, being Shirou's bodyguard. All she has to do is to wait for the moment that the other shoe drops and the salvage nature of the woman is exposed. The same way it happened in the past.

…..

Normal days are something to be appreciated after struggles of life and death, or training that can feel like that the day after. Sitting in the car beside Liz, Shirou is going to school for the first time after the break with a new companion on his lap. "You sure you don't want to stay at the house?"

"And lose the chance to see the famous Kuoh Academy?" Yoruichi or Kuro as how she wants to be identified as, rebutted. "Besides dinner is going to be there so I need to be there as well."

They had just left Koneko at her school and were making their way to the academy grounds. Shirou now is not using the blazer of the uniform anymore, summer is still around and the heat would be insufferable for most students if that part of the uniform was obligatory. The ladies, as Koneko herself showed once she was dressed, were using short sleeves and no capes for the season.

"Okay. I just don't want you to be bored the whole day." Because he is going to be in classes and he already has a notion of how stir crazy the cat lady can go if not distracted by something.

"Nyahaha! Don't worry about it. I will find you during lunch and later when classes are over." The cat says with an amused tone. "Can't wait to meet the Gremory heiress as well. Heard some good stuff about her."

"And you aren't going to go after any trouble, are you?" She just snorts at his question.

"Shirou…do you think so little of me?" The redhead gives her a skeptical look.

"I am sorry but who was the one that couldn't wait for the dinner to get ready and run all the way to get some lunch while I was cooking?" If anything she just looks amused. "You can be really impatient when you want to be."

She doesn't even sound ashamed when she says, "Relax. It 's gonna be fine. I will just explore for a bit, see the sights of the school that for now has managed to mix both the mundane and the moonlit world and take a look around. Nothing much." Then Yoruichi looks at him. "You brought my bento too, right?"

"Of course I did." Shirou never forgets about the bentos he needs to make. "Just find us on the rooftop during the break time and if there is any normal humans-"

"Act like a cat. I know, it was my idea, remember?" While she is comfortable in both forms, a strange woman running around a school without proper credentials will spell trouble for everyone involved. She also doesn't want to be bothered by other members of their community if they know that one of the leaders of Kyoto is around. "Just remember to call me Kuro. I'm sure that Rin will also catch on once you introduce me."

''Reintroduce' is the word I would use.' Still Shirou can see her point. Rin is smart and will easily realize that Yoruichi doesn't want to attract attention once she hears the fake name. "Are you sure you won't be more comfortable around the house or town? I can call you when it's dinner time."

And with the way the cat woman can run there is no doubt she can easily cross the city and arrive at the school without wasting any time at all. "Nah. Not in the mood for naps today. Want to explore."

'Sometimes I wonder if that is her 'cat nature' acting up.' But Shirou can't claim to be a specialist on yokai so he is going to keep his mouth shut.

"We arrived." Liz informs both her passengers as she enters Kuoh Academy.

"Huh...for some reason I expected it to be bigger." That baffled the magus' mind.

"What? The size of two colleges is not enough for you?" The place is still huge for the redhead with the multiple places of learning, gyms and other facilities he can see himself and get lost if careless. "At least it is not like the first day of classes where the clubs exhibit themselves to find new members."

"That sounds more like what I imaginated." Yoruichi comments.

It is in the parking lot that the trio is going to separate, Liz is going to go to the teacher's lounge, Shirou to his class and Yoruichi to explore since a human walking around with a pet cat is uncommon enough that could bring him troubles. Looking around at the cars present he sees models that he never saw before in the area, models too old and hard to maintain for teachers. 'Am I forgetting something?' It was the impression the magus had.

"Well, I'll get to check the college's area first." Yoruichi comments, jumping on the top of their car. "Gonna check the sites, maybe raid a kitchen and show up on the rooftop in a couple of hours."

Shirou nodes at the schedule. "I will try and make sure everyone there is part of our world but just to be safe don't say anything unless you see everyone with a pin."

"Yeah, yeah. Your special symbol that only we can see." The cat wasn't really impressed with such methods, calling the pin a mere parlour trick. "Don't worry. See you guys later." WIth that she jumps over another car, startling the driver and runs towards a building in the distance.

Both residents of the Emiya house look towards each other with the maid shrugging and the student taking a deep breath, hoping that nothing goes wrong.

After saying their goodbyes, the last duo separate until the end of the day. Shirou can't wait to see his friends again, he can easily admit he missed them. Still, a lingering thought persisted that there was something different this term, something he is forgetting.

Either way he picked his bag and made his way to the lookers to trade shoes. As the first day of the new term, even if it's summer, most students are going to take their time to arrive at school. It's not unusual for some to cling to their beds in the idea that the break is not over just yet or that they can miss the first day.

Thanks to that Shirou saw no problems in making his way to the hallway that would take him to his class, the same one as previous term. It is on the way there he sees a girl that he never saw before.

Calling her a girl may be a mistake since she is already developed enough to be a young woman and the girl's uniform didn't hide her figure. She has golden hair styled mostly in large coils with two blue ribbons holding them back in a way to better show her face and her brown eyes while only tails of her on the front while the rest runs around her shoulder and back with a little to hide her forehead.

He can also see the familiar pin on her uniform but it is not relevant at the moment, especially since she looks distracted.

She is tall and there is an air of elegance around her. Even as she stands there looking at a piece of paper, trying to decipher its meaning, she showed no rush or irritation, just worked on her task.

What really caught Shirou's attention was, 'Her face looks like Rin's.' The magus thinks to himself. Even their body types were somewhat similar and in the summer uniform he definitivally could tell even if the new presence before him is a bit bigger on certain parts.

Still, never one to leave others in trouble or alone if they need help, Shirou approaches the blonde woman, something that other students haven't done before either from intimidation from her appearance that suggests a noble or just out of fear of embarrassing themselves.

Shirou holds no such fears or compulsions. "Excuse me miss? Something wrong?" She turns to him, expression calm. "Do you need help with something?"

Upon hearing the question in a different manner something in her mind clicked. "My apo...sorrys?" Her japanese is a bit broken and it is clear she is trying to figure out what to say. "Can't speak...that well…"

"Can you speak english or german?" Shirou, realizing the problem, trades languages, first to english and the girl gives him a smile full of joy. Her smile makes him grateful for the hours Sella spent trying to correct his english since it once gave him a lot of problems. 'Worth it.' Even if not perfect he can still help.

"Oh, thank goodness. I was starting to get worried that I was going to waste the whole day." Even the tone that she spoke with sounded elegant as she replied to him in perfect english. "I am sorry to be a bother but can you help me?" She presents him the paper. "I tried to arrive a bit earlier to get the day going but I have no idea where to go since the guide I should have apparently haven't arrived yet."

Getting the piece of paper she can see that there are some instructions and a small map of the school. "It is showing where to go and find the student council, but I think at this hour there won't be many members around."

"Frustrating." She comments under her breath but then calms down. "I really wish that I didn't need to come to Japan so soon. I am really not ready for this."

"Some kind of problem?" Tried to coax her to talk gently while motioning to her to follow. "I can take you there. But you are right, you should at least have a little more grasp of japanese."

"I agree but my family insisted that I should come here as fast as possible to get a leg up on the competition. And they did it suddenly too. Out of all the asinine ideas...I am sorry. It's not your problem." The girl lifts a little of her skirt and does a laides' courtesy, a bow to ask forgiveness in a more european style. "Not only that but me coming here earlier than intended has backfired on me and is giving you difficulties as well, my apologies for that."

"It happens, there is no need to worry about it. Sometimes things just don't go as planned." Shirou can say for experience. "Come on. I will take you to the student council's room. With some luck someone there is going to be able to help us."

The two move in the direction of the student council at a calm pace. The early morning air is refreshing since Kuoh is designed to maximize its environment to help the students to stay as comfortable as possible. The fact that there aren't many people around also contributes to the calm air since there aren't many conversations happening just yet.

"While I appreciate the assistance," she begins with the intent of letting her intentions clear, "you don't need to bother. Just give me the directions if this detour is going to give you any trouble."

"Not at all." Shirou replies fast, still walking in the direction they need to go. "I like coming to school early but I usually just read or talk with anyone around. Since this is the first day odds are that none of my friends is around yet so this is no bother."

"Still, I appreciate the help. It's frustrating not knowing where to go in a foreign place." The blonde admits with a smile.

"Where are you from anyway?" He asks out of curiosity.

"Finland." She replies with a smile. "Quite away from this place don't you think?"

"I can imagine. How is it there?"

"Colder than here but then again we are in the middle of summer at the moment." The redhead nods his agreement, turning into a hallway.

"Whatever your family sent you here must be urgent to have you travel half of the world." The blonde chuckles.

"Still up to debate. It's more an opportunity than anything at the moment." She fixes her golden locks while following the redhead close. "It was either me or my sister but she is the less...sociable between us. So it is up to me to see if there is profty to be made in the Far East."

Shirou lets out a non critical "Hmm." And tries to change his approach to the conversation. "I have a sibling too. She is in London at the moment for study."

"Ah. She must be enjoying the place then. If you want I can give some recommendations of spots she can do some shopping." She then snaps her fingers. "Or better yet. Since you helped me I can give her a discount on one of my family properties."

Shirou had already realized that the lady before him is someone of a certain stature. Her face, her mannerisms, her posture, way of talking and even how she walks practically screams aristocrate or at least someone of a higher lot in life. Rias has some of the same habits even if more overt but unlike the devil that walks with plenty of confidence the woman before him also carries a certain readiness, an edge he can't place what means yet.

Either way, "I am not doing this for a reward." He says gently, trying to not offend the lady with him.

"But still, it would be remiss of me to not give you something to express my gratitude." She stops walking and Shirou takes it as a cue to do it himself. "Please, tell me if there is something you need and I promise you that I shall deliver."

Looking to the sides and noticing that they were still a little away from their goal Sihrou decides to reject kindly so as not to give anyone troubles. "I don't need a reward. Just helping is enough."

The blonde raises an eyebrow in question. "Why help then?"

"Because you looked to be in trouble?" She doesn't reply immediately but he can see she heard him.

"I looked to be in trouble?" He nods.

"Yes. You were lost and not knowing where to go. I am just giving a hand. Nothing much." She looks confused, like she doesn't understand him but Shirou is sure he is still speaking english. "There is no need to reward me. I just want to help;"

His new acquaintance offers him a smile. "You know that most people would just offer some directions right?"

"I have some free time." An absolute truth and the young woman can see it on his face.

"Either you have the best poker face I have ever seen or you don't know who I am." She motions to the pin on his shirt."

"Kinda hard when we don't know each other." He replies with humor.

She then understands something. "I just realized that I haven't introduced myself yet, silly me." Both stop and once again the young woman makes a courtesy bow. " My name is Luviagelita Edelfelt or, in the japanese tradition, Edelfelt Luviagelita. You may call me Luvia if you so wish."

The name isn't familiar to him. "Emiya Shirou." But his name is for her by the way her eyes go wide.

"It 's you!" Her voice doesn't hide her surprise and shock. "You are the magus who managed a pact with Gremory!"

'I didn't miss these reactions.' He tried to pinpoint the now identified Luvia on his mind but besides reminding him of Rin he can't remember ever meeting her. 'Is she one of the magicians that didn't enter the special class? Wait a minute! She has recently arrived and is going to the student council...I knew I forgot something!'

Now the redhead magus could remember the last days of the last term where there was an announcement in his class that more magicians were arriving from Europe and some other stuff. Nothing changed for him since his timetable is still the same with Waver Velvet as his homeroom teacher but that didn't change the fact he completely forgot about the new additions.

"That is me alright." He admits, breaking the small silence he inadvertently brought upon them. "Nice to meet you." Shirou offers his hand for a shake and the blonde accepts.

"I suppose I now owe you more apologies, Lord Emiya. A person like you taking your time to help another is truly admirable." There was no change in the girl's disposition, she truly believes what she is saying. "Indeed such noble character may be the reason why the Gremory heiress found you worthy of a pact with her house."

"Lord?" That before anything else was what Shirou managed to focus on. "Why did you call me that?"

"But aren't you a Lord compared to the masses?" Luvia points out with absolute certainty. "You are one of the few that ever managed to snag a deal with the whole clan of the Gremory, the heiress herself, ever since the last descendant of Solomon disappeared. That alone is worthy of praise and curiosity." She starts to walk around him and he checks the sides to see if anyone is paying attention to them. For the moment there is no one. "You not only hold a pact that many wish and dream to acquire but the fact that you have and it's not something that you inherited speaks much of your skill. Rumors already circulate on what Rias Gremory had you do for her to give such honor."

"So far just some research." She stops when he says that. "Nothing much. Progress has been...slow." Since all he can do now is test materials or improve his forging method there is little to be done on that front. "But that isn't really important at the moment."

"If you say so." Luvia accepts his comment out of respect for his privacy. "I still owe you a favor either way, Lord Emiya. As a fellow magus, please, tell me how I can pay back my debt."

In Shirou's opinion there is no debt but saying that isn't going to help him. Previous experiences with his sister and friend tells him that the woman before him won't accept a 'no' for an answer and he needs to come up with something before he ends in a situation similar to Setsuna where he is left with no choice but to do something.

"Don't call me lord." That got the blonde blinking.

"Excuse me?" She sounds confused once again.

"Don't call me lord." He says simply, hoping that no one that can understand english pass by them. "I am no lord. Just call me Shirou, Emiya if you want to insist on being formal, but for me just my name is fine."

The girl stays still for a second, tilts her head then smiles. "Very well. Shirou it is." Aristocratic but beautiful, the girl exudes elegance. "But I find it odd that you are so...simple. Not a bad thing mind you. But I expected someone that managed your position with the devils to be more ambitious."

"Sorry to disappoint." She shakes her head at his apology.

"Don't. If anything, it is refreshing. At least my assignment is not going to be an unpleasant one." Luvia comments. walking ahead of him but motioning him to go so she can follow.

"Assignment?" Shirou asks, now he is the one curious.

"As you must imagine, your existence sent waves around our world. Now everyone knows that new pacts are actually possible with a great house of the Underworld." Yes, he can admit to knowing as much. "However, there are no heirs for everyone, not all houses have lost their old alliances and even those that did and survived the Underworld Civil War, none can compare to the Gremory at the moment. You are in a unique position and everyone has eyes on you."

"Including you?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Either for an alliance or marriage. Whatever comes first." Luvia admits with a shrug.

"What? Backtrack a bit there. Marriage? What?" He was almost having a crisis at that moment.

"Why of course. You are single and believe me when I say that many want to at least have a foot with the Gremory." She explains like it was the most simple thing in the world. "You are, technically speaking, one of the most influential people on the planet...didn't you know that?"

Shirou could remember his mother congratulating her for the pact, the way some people talked to him during the last term and even how the Tohsaka patriarch acted with a certain degree of respect.

It was at that moment that the shoe dropped and Shirou understood that things may be more complicated than he realized. "And you are fine with such a thing?"

Shirou is surprised once again in a short period of time when Luvia nods. "It is something normal in the moonlit world." She can see how disturbed he looks and with a smile she compliments. "Not that you need to worry about that for my part. I wouldn't marry someone that I barely know or don't like. If anything else I hope we can be friends and maybe even business partners if the opportunity arises."

"That works for me." Shirou manages to say. 'She is being really upfront about that and her intentions.' The redhead finds himself liking that attitude. "Let's go to the student council's room. The sooner we get your timetable the better."

Making their way was easy, they were already close and took less than five minutes to find the right door. Fortune shines on them since they also see someone already there, exiting the room, someone that can help them.

"Good morning Shitori-fukukaichou." Shirou salutes in japanese the devil Sona Sitri, or as she is known on the school grounds, Shitori Souna.

"Good morning Emiya-san." It takes the devil a second to notice the other presence behind the male. "I am sorry. I don't recall who you are."

Luvia brushes her off. "It 's fine. I am new to the school and was instructed to come here to get my timetable. I apologize if I arrived too early." The devil shakes her head.

"No. It is fine. Unfortunately the situation at the moment has many of us and the faculty busy at the moment. First day troubles are common." Sona avoids talking in more detail and instead opens the door. "Please enter. And Emiya-san, could you please do so as well? If you are not busy, of course."

"Sure." Entering the room it was what could only be called a mess.

Lots of papers are spread around, columns of paperwork cover the desks and besides Sona there was only her Queen, Shinra Tsubaki, who was focusing on her work but took herself apart long enough to deliver a nod to the new arrivals before returning to her duties.

"If I may; what is happening here?" Luvia questions and Sona sighs.

"Let's just say that some unforeseen things happened. Some people got arrogant and stuff is starting to pile up." Sorting some papers the Sitri's King collects a small stack and offers it to Luvia. "Please sign those. Nothing magical there but you can take a look. There is also permission to join a club if you so want and your timetable. Speaking of it," the petite woman turns to Shirou, "since you two are in the same class; can I ask you to give her a tour of our facilities, Emiya-san?"

"I have no problems with that but…" He can't stop himself from looking around. "Don't you need some more help?"

That actually got a chuckle from the pureblood devil. "My peerage officially joined the council but the numbers we have that are aware of the moonlit world are not enough to keep up." She sighs again. "I will admit that I didn't expect so many magicians would try to join...but then again, most are a greedy lot."

The fact that the two humans present were magicians didn't even bother the devil but none replied to her observation. While Shirou has minimal knowledge of the politics of the West he knows that for the most part it was a nest of vipers and that his sister chose to adventure in it, regardless of protests.

Luvia on the other hand knows exactly what she is talking about and a part of her can't believe that the term barely started and something is already going wrong because of the new students...but for the most part she can. 'Let the games begin.'

"For better and for worse I can't trust normal people to look at most of these files. Mostly because some of them are not stubborn about why they want what they want." Sona picks a paper at random and reads a line. "'Since I can't see the benefits of practicing with a commoner, I must insist on being transferred to Lord's El-Melloi's class'."

"Feh. They don't know what they are losing." Luvia comments but Shirou has another question.

"Shouldn't the staff from the school be the ones taking care of it?"

"Not all of the staff is magically inclined." Sona tells them. "But those that are did help a lot. Problem is that other things are happening, complaints of ranking, the trading of classrooms. Suffice to say this is only happening this year because I will be damned if I allow it to follow me to the next."

"Sorry." Shirou can't help but say it since from what Luvia herself told him all that is partially his fault.

"Don't be." The devil said back. "Kuoh is supposed to be a center of learning and recruitment. Sooner or later something like this would happen. It's only natural that us devils, the ones that got the ball rolling, are the ones with most of the job." Sone says with conviction while getting a chair ready for herself.

"Do you want me to call Rias?" Shirou offers but the pureblood devil brushes him off.

"She already got her pile. Rutal also was supposed to work on this and now we have to compensate." That made the redhead feel guilty. "Now off you two go. Show her around for a bit and then escort her to your class. Have a good day."

Dismissed, both humans make their way out of the room. Shirou felt almost like he had a dark cloud over his head while Luvia was checking her classes. Considering how their school works he knows that they will be in the same room either way. "I will…" He never had given a tour before. "Show you where our classroom is...I don' t know what to show after."

"Well...the cafeteria I suppose?" She offers with mirth. "Not that I need. Sebastian packed my lunch so you can show me a nice place so we can eat in peace."

The redhead nods. "Sure. You can eat with me and my friends. Most of us are in the same class and we are all...from the moonlit world." Then the male had a thought. "We also need to see if there is any club you want to be a part of. One of my friends, Setsuna, hasn't managed to find something that suits her just yet."

"There is no need for that." Luvia replies swiftly. "Such activities only get in the way of my work and research. Such endeavors, while praise worthy for those with time, are not something that magicians like us can waste our time in."

"Technically I am in a club." She turns at him with a raised eyebrow.

"And what exactly does 'technically' mean?" He can't hide his surprise at her question. "A magus like you has your own research right?" After a nod, she continues. "And you use this club activity time to work on said research, correct?" Another nod. "Then how are you in a club if you are using it for something that is not part of the club."

"That...is a good point." Remembering how he was offered, all those months ago, to join and use the club as a workshop doesn't change the fact that he actually doesn't do anything 'club-like'.

Sure he cooks for everyone there but in reality that is not a club to anyone. It's more a place of rest and work for Rias Gremory and her associates. In reality the Occult Research Club is nothing but a front that did nothing and existed because the owner of the school said it did.

"I don't really know why I should bother with such activities then. As those that dwell on the fantastic, most of it is quite boring." Luvia concludes and Shirou doesn't find anything to disagree with her.

When he was in the kendo club, he had to hold back a lot to the point he didn't participate in competitions. It just wouldn't be fair.

However, "Unlike us, Setsuna is trying to find something to develop her interests more artistically. Please keep that in mind."

"If that is the case I shall not pry or offend." She lets out a small laugh. "On the contrary, anyone that seeks to improve themselves deserves praise and support. I hope that I can find myself a friend of this Setsuna as well."

"I think that is not going to be a problem." In fact he can almost see the two of them getting along rather well. "Besides Setsuna there is also Kiba and Rin. Well, those are the ones in our class but there is the rest of Rias' household for you to meet."

"Introducing me to Rias Gremory already?" Luvia can't hide her shock. "Shirou...it is generous of you but you don't need to go out and do all that on my behalf."

"What are you talking about?" Shirou is confused.

"You are being too generous." The european magician says. "I already feel that I have a debt with you. There is no need to introduce me to the heiress of Gremory."

"I just want you to meet my friends." To him that was not that much of a big deal. "Since I have to show you around anyway and I will go to the club at the end of the day there is no trouble for you to drop by for an introduction and a meal."

"An introduction and a meal?" Now it is Luvia who is confused.

"Since most deals that devils make are at night and my workshop is also there, everyone kind of just gathers together and we eat together before going to do our own work. I think you will like that." And to Shirou having someone new on the table sounds fun too. 'Will Akeno still want cooking lessons? We never talked about picking them back up once the classes returned.'

For the moment, while Shirou is busy with his own thoughts, Luvia is breaking apart the sentence that he just uthered. Together with every exchange that they had so far, trying to find some sign of deceit and trickery and once she found none she tried to deduct what reasons he could have for such an invite.

Took her a few moments to find a logical explanation and that was in part because of her upbringing. The reality is that the two of them live in different worlds, hers is where what he is offering is an honor and a privilege, something that many want and not all can have; opportunity.

Opportunity to get along with one of the future leaders of the devils, opportunity to make contacts with people that said devil also has contacts with, opportunity to spend time with him, especially when she admitted that he is part of the reason why she is in Japan in the first place.

But then she looked at it from his perspective, not from the point of view of someone that lived in intrigue, was groomed for politics and even away from her usual crowd is not going to allow herself to just lower her guard.

But that is not his perspective and Luvia found herself amused. "I will be happy to meet your friends."

For him that is all it is, he met someone nice in school and he is going to introduce them to his other friends there. Maybe that can develop later in the future in something else, nurtured into true friendship or something else.

But for now all Emiya Shirou wants to do is to extend a hand to someone he just met and didn't want to leave alone.

'Definitively not what I expected.' Luviagelita can at least say she is intrigued.

It didn't take long for Shirou to show the way to their classroom and to indicate the best routes for coming and going from the place. Getting inside he half expects to find it empty only to see a familiar face already on her desk reading a book. "Setsuna. Good morning."

In her familiar ponytail and still wearing the boys uniform but in the summer edition that didn't do any favors in hiding her hourglass figure. The hanyou smiles towards her friend. "Shirou. Good morning." Then she turns to his new companion. "I don't believe we have met yet."

Took a second to Luvia to respond and when she did it was not perfect. "I apologize...I am new. My name is Luviagelita Edelfelt." Then she bows in the european costume.

"She had to come here from Europe a bit sudden so she is not used to japanese yet. But she knows english." That got his older friend to frown.

"That is my worst class." And indeed it is but Shirou shrugs.

To Setsuna he says. "If you need to say anything, tell me and I will translate." And then he said the same to Luvia while Setsuna got up from her desk and offered a bow.

"A friend of Shirou...is a friend of mine." Said the ravenhead in broken english.

"My fault. Need to learn japanese fast." Luvia said and no one disagreed.

Seeing as they still have some good time before classes Shirou decides to ask Setsuna. "How was your vacation? Was your family alright?"

The young woman smiles and replies. "It was great. I managed to spend some time with my sister between her studies and we came up with a couple of ideas for clubs I would like to try."

Upon hearing this, Shirou turns to Luvia and gives her a short explanation and the blonde also tries to join the conversation with a pointer or another while they wait for more people to arrive.

…

A new term means the possibilities of new challenges and new problems. That is true both for the students and the teachers and none other than Waver Velvet felt the weight of how this term is going to shape out to be.

With the additions of the new students from Europe, in numbers he didn't expect, the long haired man had to use the last days of his vacation to get a lot of papers sorted out. And even on his first day of classes he knows that he isn't really done.

"You are smiling there, Waver." A woman with short brown hair, Fujimura Taiga, approaches with a smile of her own, making him frown. "Don't be like. Why did you stop smiling? Classes start soon and we are going to be able to see our dear students."

In the teacher's lounge he can hear the chuckles around him. "I was having pleasant thoughts until just now." Waver says, no bite on his voice but still leaving implied he wanted to be alone with his thoughts.

That didn't stop the 'Tiger of Fuyuki' from sitting at his side. "So...how was your break?"

'I really wish that I had a cigarette.' Waver laments his situation. "Normal." For him normal implies that he got to work anyway in the expansion and improvement of his avenues of research.

"Really? That is boring." The woman then directs her attention to another of the teachers on their main table. "And yours Liz? How was it?"

The white haired gym teacher is eating some chips and the woman has to wait until she finishes munching before giving her reply. "Messy." Then she goes for another bite.

"Really? That is it? You guys are no fun." Yet the woman makes no effort to go and talk with other teachers around the room. "My vacation was the best. Me and gramps got together with some friends and we moved to the beach where there was a party…"

Waver turns his attention off the woman's rambling, focusing on his surroundings at the present moment. 'No sign of him so far.' The teacher thinks to himself.

This term there is a person in the school that, regardless of his accomplishments, Waver is hesitant to face. But it is a confrontation he has to do regardless sooner or later and part of him is hoping that it happens on the soon side.

It was the main reason he arrived hours before anyone else, only losing to the whitehead homunculus, and sat down to wait for the moment where he will have to face his old teacher.

He isn't afraid, fear is something that he already discarded a long time ago, Waver remembered the exact second when it happened and he landed himself into debt to start his small venture in Japan.

Even without fear, part of him is still that student that had his ideas rejected and left the classroom with nothing more than a scream and the demand to be taken seriously. 'God, where have the years gone?' His musings were not enough to see a small cup of coffee being deposited in front of him.

"You really should drink a little Waver-san." The small stature of Jaken, in his human disguise, comments. "Today is a big day for you."

As odd friendships may go, the fact that a magus from Europe became best friends with a Yokai from Japan is not the weirdest thing in his opinion. "Many thanks." He takes a shot at the coffee and almost spills it out. "You-"

"Liquid courage. Figure you are going to need it soon enough." The bald man motions with his head and Waver sees the person he carried both a deep respect and a lot of hatred to.

Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, best known as Lord El-Melloi, looks like the typical noble. His face can be called sharp with white hair that was once blonde, his blue eyes were firm and now has a small beard and mustache where in the past he prefered very much a clean shaven face, both between shades of blonde and white.

He is tall, as tall as Waver himself dressed in a long blue coat in the same color as his eyes but there is a harshness on his face that makes him unapproachable for many people. In fact just because he entered Waver can see that plenty of teachers, both of magical and mundane origins, start to exit the room with haste.

A true Lord of the Clocktower, he is the head of the Mineralogy department and was once the instructor of a young Waver Velvet, something the man made sure to remind him every other meeting between them.

Jaken places a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I think he wants to talk with you." As the right hand man of another noble, the kappa is more used to such cues that those in higher stations present when they want something but don't feel like saying it.

Taking a deep breath, Waver gets up and starts going towards the door. "Wish me luck." He says, barely audible.

"Good luck." Instead of his friend, the one that gave into the request was Liz. He still gives her a nod in appreciation.

No words are traded, the two magicians just step out of the room and Waver follows his former teacher. They don't take many steps away from the teacher's lounge when the younger of the men decides to say. "No offense my lord but I have classes soon enough and I would like to go and finish my preparations for that."

"Huh. Still the same arrogant brat. Just taller." The man turns and gives Waver a look as a blob made of mercury falls from the sleeves of his coat and moves around them for a bit making a small barrier around them.

"Quick boundary field?" Waver made a point to sound unimpressed.

"Just to avoid prying ears." The way he replied was equally without interest, if anything they are not former student and teacher talking but two strangers. "Let's go directly to the point. I want Emiya Shirou in my class."

'He really didn't waste time.' This is the first meeting they are having in Japan. "It was agreed that I could keep any student that wished to stay in my class or that didn't ask to change to any other one."

"But that doesn't help the students if they don't know what they are missing." If the man was waiting for an overt reaction, the younger teacher had every intention of giving him none. "The circumstances of his current situation are disturbing and a bit depressing but we both can agree that he should have the best teacher possible."

"Indeed, every student should have the best teacher possible. But I don't think we agree on what being the best teacher means." A frown appears on the older man's face but he can't deny his former student sentiment.

That is the crux of the conflict between them. It all began when a younger Waver Velvet presented his first research, about how lineage is not absolutely relevant to the development of magic. He was laughed off, mostly because the man in front of him at the present didn't hesitate to just step in front of the whole class and just call his work ridiculous.

The incident began, not a rivalry, but animosity between the parts. Waver always made a point to not bother in getting on any of Kayneth's classes, keeping his distance when possible but still pushing his work to prove the other man wrong.

In return the lord did not ignore his former student pursuit, he made it harder on Velvet, using his influence to make sure that his peers, harsh nobles with similar opinions, were there to put the young man down.

And the blackhair didn't quit, even when offered the chance. He expanded and used the fact that since the lord wanted him actually out of the Clocktower at some point, he would go and start his work elsewhere, Japan and the devil's holdings in the area.

A fairer man would admit that at the very least Waver's efforts are worthy of praise. Lord El-Melloi knows he is not a fair man. 'Life is hardly fair.' The lord of the Clocktower thinks to himself. "I shall offer him to transfer to my class. It won't be hard to send some of the lesser stock to yours if you don't mind."

"If he wants to move I won't oppose. But don't try to trick or force him."

"I am not an uncultured swine." He replies with a sneer.

"You do realize he has no old lineage right?" Velvet can't stop himself from saying it with amusement.

"As far as anyone knows." The comment was unexpected to the senior Kuoh's teacher. "No memory from his past, no registered bloodline and yet he is a person born with circuits. He may be the descendent of an old lineage and his talents may just be the result of his memories coming back in a different way."

'Except that everything he does is basically new.' Waver refrains from saying it. "True, he may be the descendent of someone of renown. Doesn't change the fact that we don't know, neither does he."

With that both arrived at an impasse. The very idea that a commoner was able to get the Gremory's attention is enough that Kayneth found a loophole in Shirou's lack of memory to justify his talent and Waver can't use it to keep him away from the redhead.

"You know who his father...potentially is? Don't you?" But there is still the last, 'know' information that is circulating around.

Emiya Kiritsugu is a dangerous man, the fact he has the reputation he does and is still alive is proof of the danger he represents with all the traps that it can bring out. The Magus Killer is not someone, especially a magus, wants to mess with. "Irrelevant."

Waver blinds at the word. "I think I misheard you." The older magus chuckles.

"I said 'irrelevant' as in, who his father is at the present is irrelevant, inconsequential." The man smiles a little. "Just thinking of the fact that such a heretic has raised a proper magus irritates me greatly, but it also makes sense if he is not as heretic as the rumors say."

In reality the lord doesn't care, 'to be a magus is to walk with death' and Emiya Shirou presents a good enough opportunity that he is willing to risk his life. Not that he has any intention, he wants to be the mentor, the teacher to the young magus, to help him reach new heights and establish or reestablish the 'Emiya's' lineage on the Clocktower.

Taking a deep breath, Waver decides to let it go. "If you want to talk to him, to invite him, I won't be opposed. But don't expect me to just send him to you unless he asks." He can see his former teacher's smile grow bigger, that is exactly what he wanted.

"Good." The man turns around to leave.

"How is the family?" But before he can undo the boundary field Waver inserts a question he knew would bother the man before him.

"They are fine." Lord El-Melloi says between his teeth. "My son is growing up nicely and is showing real talent in our arts." Pride filled his voice.

"And your wife?" With any other person, Waver wouldn't keep poking like that but unfortunately for the man before him he is the exception.

"She is at home." But the magus of the Clocktower doesn't lose his composure.

A chance presents itself to the younger teacher, a chance to keep pushing his adversary's buttons and get a more explosive reaction. Instead the long haired man holds back. "I hope young Kanadth will join our prestigious school when he is of age."

And just like that the tension on the man's shoulders leave him as he turns to look at the younger magus. Black met blue as the younger of the pair doesn't retreat, he is trying to convey that while he respected his once teacher's position he won't be cowed either way. Much in the same manner he wasn't in his youth.

Sad for the Lord El-Melloi, that is the biggest demonstration of respect he has gotten in a while that didn't involve a subordinate or a family member that has some sympathy for his position.

Still the pride of a magus can be a monumental thing and Kayneth decides to leave his once student without giving the man any other word.

'At least that is over with.' Waver comments as he watches his 'superior' leave, undoing the small field he created on the way. 'He shouldn't be making fields like this around here. This is not the Clocktower.'

Didn't change the fact of what happened and that Shirou has a teacher that wants him as a personal student. All that Waver can do about it is shrug, he made sure that Emiya Shirou was going to stay in his class for at least another term but the redhead can change if he wishes.

At least on the privacy of his mind he has to admit that the Archibald's class is the best one for magicians by the simple fact that the man has many more years as a teacher in the Clocktower than himself and that pretty much all the students he has in his class are magicians, including some of Waver's rejects.

That is because of how he setted up, his intention is to basically do the same or at least a similar job to the one he does at the Clocktower with a class directed and focused on that with as little to no non magicians as he could get away with.

Considering his reputation and the fact that many want a pact with a devil he succeeded in filling his class with just magicians, both because they made lines to get in there as soon as possible by his reputation and the lack of desire from learning outside of their brand of magic.

That is just fine for Waver, he was to expand more, to mix and match fields of study. And that is the reason that he knows that Shirou isn't leaving his class, the young magus is more interested in his friends than himself, unlike most magicians.

Returning to the lounge he can see that most professors are already gone, only his friend, the homunculus and the woman he considers insufferable are left. "Waver? You alright? Jakken told us that Archibald-sensei was your teacher once and that he was super cruel and-"

"I am fine." He gives her a glare to show he is not amused. "And what is that about my teacher?"

If Taiga didn't care or didn't notice, it was up in the air for everyone else. "Jakken told us that the new guy was your teacher and that he is a bully." She says immediately.

"You told them?" There was no betrayal in his voice, just disappointment. "Does that mean everyone that was here or just those present?"

"..." Jakken stays silent and Taiga suddenly starts to whistle while looking to the side.

'Does she realize that this cartoonish attempt to look inconspicuous just makes someone look more suspect? No, she doesn't.' But the Clocktower magus then turns to the third person in the room.

They have a silent agreement in a sense, she craves food most of the time and if her family is not the one under the line of fire, "Taiga insisted and Jakken told everyone," Liz is easily bribed.

"Liz! Why?" The Tiger asks, tears appearing in her eyes.

"Want a big rice ball today." Is the reply, a reply that Waver nods to.

"I will buy it during lunch." Accepting the terms and happy his bribes still work he turns to his friend. "Did you need to tell?"

"She left me with no choice." Translation: 'I couldn't hypnotize or kill everyone and you know how overbearing that woman can be! Lay off my back!'

"You could have just left." Translation: 'You weak fool!'

"She didn't let me leave." Jakken says, a little ashamed.

"Hey! Don't treat me as a villain!" The tiger manifests herself again between the two friends. "Look, I get that you must be a bit disturbed by having your old teacher around, especially if he was a bully."

"I guarantee to you that I am perfectly fine." His protest went ignored.

"But there is no need to fret. Your friends are here to support you!" She ends with a cheer and her arm raised but none of the present reacts except by Liz who finally eats the last chip of her snack. "Ahem. I mean, why don't we all go out after classes to get some drinks and talk about the bad teachers we had growing up."

"Like our students?" Jakken questions.

"On a monday?" Waver asks at the same time.

"We all have been students at some point." While Taiga said that she didn't notice both men in the room turning to look at the homunculus present who was throwing her garbage on the trash. "We can also go out and blow some steam, trade some stories of how our teachers sucked and we are better than they were."

"I must reiterate; you want to go out drinking on a monday? The first day of classes no less?" The tall man actually has a smile at the moment.

"Bah, then we go friday! The important thing is for us to go and have some fun." She turns to the disguised yokai. "What do you say, Jakken? Want to hit the bar either today or at the end of the week?"

"I have other-"

"Love to come too." Waver interrupts his friend, surprising the kappa as he smiles. His eyes said it all. Translation: 'If I have to deal with her, so do you!'

"Sure. Love to." He sounds depressed but that didn't stop Fujimura-sensei from letting out a cheer.

"Great, I know a couple of cool places we can go! There is this bar that a friend from my highschool days you guys are going to love!" Then she blinks and turns to Liz. "You are invited as well, Liz-sensei."

"Pass." Came immediately, no hesitation or distractions while the white haired maiden gets up and starts leaving the room.

"Wait! Hold on! Liz- aaaaaaand she is already gone." A little of joy left the woman's tone. "Seriously, I can't read her for the life of me. Sometimes it is like I'm talking with a statue or something." Both men look at each other in silence. "Anyway! Today or friday? We need to decide this now!"

By the tone of her voice it was clear that the woman wanted to go drinking today. In unison both men nod to each other and say "Friday!"

"You two are no fun." She says with a smile, it was infecting the other two. "But we have more to do now. Let's make the days of younger minds brighter!" And with that Fujimura Taiga left in a rush to get going with her day.

"You have to admit that woman is amusing at the very least." Jakken comments but received no reply. Feeling that the silence is his fault, he decides to say. "I am sorry."

"It is fine. We can't change the past." Waver said with a sigh while going to the place where he left his briefcase. "By the way, I have no intention of paying for my drinks friday."

"Heh I figured as much...are you going to be alright?" The bald one asked with a frown.

"And why wouldn't I be?" Instead of replying immediately Jakken picks his cane and examines it.

"I heard that our new 'colleague'," with disgust present in his voice, "refused any and all students that don't follow a certain criteria. That means you now have all of them, at least the best ones, in your class."

"And that changed nothing." When he saw the bald man look at him confused, Waver smiled. "I always established a meritocracy in my classroom. By just accepting one kind of student he is rejecting the potential of others, a waste really."

"But he also only has to teach a single curriculum."

"Specialization has both advantages and disadvantages. But if you want to help teach..."

"No!" The yokai cuts his friend immediately. "While I have little problem teaching history here and there, aren't you there to try and glob me up with a class of my own. I will only teach the followers and children of my master! Nobody else."

"Sure Jakken, sure." The human starts to make way to his class. 'I wish I could get you to help more. Things have the potential to be messy, especially this term.'

He had to fight a bit to convince his friend to take a more active part on Kuoh but once Rutal tried to screw up with Rias he had an opening. It took a while and even a letter to Sesshomaru but it worked and Jakken took the job, besides being on the board of directors and some small functions.

His final goal is to have the yokai become an active teacher to take over lord El-Melloi's class when the man eventually leaves. And Waver is convinced he will leave at some point and all the magus can do is plan and hope to at least have something prepared for when his old teacher decides to jump ship.

But that is for the future. While his job as a teacher is to help his students to become what they want and get what they wish to achieve, he also must remind, both them and himself, of the present. And in the present he is going to be late if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Around him he sees other students with a considerable rush in their step. Unlike a teacher who can get themselves delayed with justifiable reason, when a student arrives late they are at the mercy of said teacher and there are those that are considerable...harsh at the best of times.

Getting close to his classroom Waver Velvet feels...something. He can't describe what exactly it is but if he had to call it something it would be his 'problematic sense'. A type of instinct he developed while on the Clocktower that warned him when a problematic situation is afoot and that while he had nothing to do with it he will end in the middle of it anyway.

'That is just my imagination.' Waver tells himself, hand getting ready to pen the door. 'I haven't felt like this since leaving England.' Instead of wasting any more time he opens the door. "Good morning."

Tension. It wasn't for him either but there is a tension in the air and he can feel it. So thick is the tension that he is sure that he doesn't even need a knife to cut it.

Looking at his students he sees a standoff between two of them with Emiya Shirou in the middle trying to play some sort of mediator. On one side is a face he grew familiar with in the first term, Tohsaka Rin and she looks pissed. Sure to the majority around them they couldn't see it but there was murder on her eyes and a twitch on her eyebrown that promised murder.

And on the other side is a blonde student he is sure he didn't have until this point but with her clearly european descent he can take a shot in the dark and say for certain that she is new and one of the new magicians coming from Europe. She also had a certain similarity with Tohsaka and a memory filled him with dread.

'Wasn't one of the Tohsaka's part of the Edelfelts until they ran away or something?' He didn't know all the details but one of the heirs, something rare in magicians' families since their crest could be passed to multiple people, ran away or defected to the other family. 'That can't be the reason for this, right?'

There are two sides to this story and he didn't have all the pieces, both past and present. It's not hard to believe that a family can still be upset from having their secrets stolen and that the mess hasn't been a problem for anyone because both sides were in opposite corners of the world.

But now they weren't and this...he decides is not his problem. "Sit down! We have new students and a new term to begin." He announces and is grateful that his authority is enough to control the girls. 'Let them fight if they want! Just not in my classroom or vicinity for that matter!'

Taking a look at his class he can tell that there are way less magicians than before, most are yokai and devils with just six humans in the room besides himself. And two of them want to rip the other apart.

Aside from the Edelfelt there are two blonde boys that looked different enough and a girl with white long hair. The three also look like nobles but nothing particular stuck on his mind for the moment. 'I need to make the call to see if their names jump from my memory.'

For now things are peaceful but he can tell that the two women were not done with their discussion. Either way, Waver Velvet now knows his sixth sense is real for problematic students and that he will do everything to stay away from both of them when possible.

…

Usually Rias loves meeting new people and when she saw that Shirou brought a new friend to the clubroom she was excited.

Now she is confused. "Shirou...can you explain what is happening? From what Kiba explained, they just met each other today."

The motive for the question was the pair of girls that were having a debate in the middle of her clubroom. "Hohohohoho! Tohsaka you really are pathetic. If you need extra money I can help you. By hiring you as a maid!"

"Like I would ever work for you!" The other blackhaired girl of the duo voices her protest. "I would prefer to work for the school as a janitor before I ever enter under your employment."

"Desperate as you are to sell your soul, I can see that! Hohohoho!" The blonde said, following it up with another laugh.

"I am still figuring it out." Shirou comments.

"I have a theory." Yoruichi, known to everyone as Kuro, says with a smile on her voice.

"And what would that be Kuro-san?" Akeno asks while finishing serving tea for everyone else, leaving a plate with milk in front of the cat.

"They are too much alike and are now in conflict by rejecting each other." Said the cat.

"So...like magnets?" Kiba asks.

"Didn't we have a phenomenon like that before?" Rias points out and they all turn to Liz and Koneko. The two of them are enjoying their usual lunch break before dinner. Some noticed that Koneko was eating a little slower than normal but there is no mistaking the delight on both their faces. "I mean...they are alike right? I am not the only one seeing that I am?"

""You aren't."" Almost everyone says it at the same time with the exception of Yoruichi who just laughs.

"Nyahahaha! Not everyone that is similar can get along. Most of the time there is always conflict when two similar people look at each other and see something they don't like." Her neck is scratched by Rias who gives a smile.

"An interesting point. I suppose that if you are right then that makes Koneko and Liz the more mature pair between them." Hearing the cat purr Setsuna approaches Shirou and whispers in his ear.

"I know I couldn't ask during lunch but why is Yoruichi-sama here?" The hanyou can understand the need to hide the real identity of the visitor but her curiosity was already pushing her to her limits.

"Long story, tell you later." He would have told her during lunch but Luvia and Kiba were there and Yoruichi didn't want any attention towards her.

But that didn't stop Setsuna from recognizing the smell of the yokai and when they looked at each other the older woman quickly introduced herself as Kuro and told everyone that she is spending some time at Shirou's house to help him train...and because of the food.

"Are you sure you don't want to assume a more human form, Kuro-san?" Rias asked, still petting the cat much to their joy.

"Do you know how good it is to be a cat? Every couch is a bed, every window a place to rest and I can sleep wherever I want." She brags about her transformation. "Honestly I may change once Shirou puts up the food but that also depends on the food itself."

Yoruichi is still a person that can be easily recognized so Shirou may have to take care of what he makes for dinner so she doesn't need to transform. "I am still interested in a report of the investigation that happened in the summer. To think there was a clandestine organization in my city."

"Didn't the devils here send you one?" Shirou asked only for Rias to shake her head.

"Theirs is incomplete compared to yours and I am also interested in Yoruichi's observations. As a leader of a faction she may have some insight that I don't have."

"I can guarantee that besides what we already explained there is not much to add." The disguised Yoruichi said with confidence. "The only things left outside of the report are Shirou's successes in surviving and acquiring a Noble Phantasm."

"That is right!" Rias claps with delight. "To think Shirou would not only find himself facing another one but he would conquer it also." Her smile is huge as she turns to her fellow redhead. "Did you bring it?"

"Well no but I-" He stops himself short of finishing the phrase, looking to Luvia who is still in the midst of a heated discussion with Rin. Approaching Rias he whispers in her ear. "I can trace it."

"YOU CAN-?" She didn't need to finish the question and Shirou just nodded. "A Noble Phantasm?" He nods again. "How is that possible?"

"I don't know." To him it was a sword and that is why he managed to trace it but it is also a Noble Phantasm and he is confused about the whole thing.

The pureblood devil now regrets having to rush out of the house days ago, she wants to see the Noble Phantasm. But she can be patient and she is in a great mood. Luvia's presence is something that she didn't expect but she can see it is Shirou being nice since devils wouldn't have problems communicating with her while she learned japanese properly.

But nobody expected the volatile relationship the Tohsaka and Edelfelt heiresses would have towards each other. Either way he gave his word he would introduce them but so far most of the time the new arrival at the club has been spent in fighting with her 'secretary'.

"I can't wait to face a Noble Phantasm in our spars." Kiba says, actually showing a smile of excitement.

"Indeed. It will definitivally be fun." Setsuna also commented, much to Shirou's horror.

"Are you two insane? You want to face a Noble Phantasm?" Speaking from experience Shirou can confirm that is a terrible idea.

"Shirou...we already train with real steel. It's just a sword, it won't make any difference." Kiba tries to reassure his friend.

"Kiba...you don't know what that sword is capable of yet." The magus frowns while trying to think in the best way to explain. "If an accident happens with any of our other weapons then we can survive them because we are holding back. But we can't stop every cut or bruise and believe me when I say, a cut from Muramasa is going to be the worst cut in your life."

"Is it wrong that you are just making me more interested?" Setsuna asks and Kiba shakes his head.

"I am interested too." At the Knight's comment Rias decides to put her foot down.

"No practicing with Noble Phantasms. They are really dangerous! You should know Kiba." Instead of showing regret the blonde devil just smiled.

"Why should he know?" Shirou asks in curiosity.

"One of my brother's peerage members has a Noble Phantasm." The information surprised the non devils that listened. "Now that we know you can actually make them, maybe I should have you two meet each other. Once you show me Muramasa that will be the second Noble Phantasm that I will have seen in my life."

Rias had just seen Noble Phantasm recently when her brother passed the Gremory castle. The memory made her smile as the possibilities started to enter her mind when she realized the potential Shirou has.

'But the fact he can replicate Noble Phantasms...that is unheard of. Can he apply it to his creations?' Once she realizes the last thought she asks Shirou. "What do you learn with Noble Phantasms? Can you apply it to your normal stuff?"

"Yes, actually that is something that I wanted to talk with you about-"

"YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING PIG!"

"I AM NOT THE ONE CRAWLING IN THE MUD!"

"OKAY STOP IT NOW! BOTH OF YOU!" At Rias' command both girls stopped moving and talking. From the position of their fists it was clear the thing was about to go physical. "What is wrong with you? Rin, you are usually more composed than that! And, is Luviagelita correct? Care to explain why you two are at each other's throats?"

""She started!"" Both say in unison. Then they turned to each other and looked about to brawl for real.

"Shirou, no offense but I think this is not gonna to work." Rias can't help but say it.

"They have been at it all day but here it is worse. I don't know why!" At the magus comment Akeno injects, smiling.

"Maybe the avenue? Here they don't have to hide each other's dislike."

"EIther way we need to separate them." Shirou starts to step forward but Akeno places a hand on his shoulder. "Something wrong?"

"Must we?" The Queen asked him. "Sometimes the best way for such problems to be solved is if the people fight."

"In my club they won't!" Rias says determined. "Rin! Either you cease hostilities now or you won't eat dinner!"

The effect is immediate and Rin steps back, lowering her fist. But everyone can see the squim on her face and can tell she isn't comfortable backing out like that.

Something her opposition capitalized. "Are you that much poor Tohsaka that you can't pay for your own meals and need your mistress to do so for you? How far the mighty family has fallen! Hohohohoho!"

While feeling humiliated Rin refused to say a word. "You know nothing." It was Koneko who couldn't stop herself.

"Pardon?" Unlike with Rin, whose Luvia can't stop herself but be hostile from both family history and the fact that she just rubs her the wrong way, the blonde magus turns to the small devil with respect and interest. "I understand that Tohsaka is having financial problems and that apparently she is munching on your King as much as she can. Or is there something that I am not seeing?"

"Shirou food is good." Liz follows up Konoko's comment. "It's the best."

Luvia eyes turn to the redhead, curiosity prompts an eyebrow to go up and she asks. "Do you cook for everyone?" After a nod the magus stopped to process how much time Shirou spent cooking since not only he made the bentos for everyone at lunch, having even one to what she can describe as a familiar and he still is going to make dinner. "When do you do your research?"

"After dinner, before going home." To most magicians that would be sacrilege but since he spent most of his time training or studying it wasn't much for him. "I like cooking."

"I don't know how good you are Shirou but I have eaten some of the finest foods Europe can offer." Luvia says with pride. "My family has some of the best staff on the planet to many functions and even the butler that accompanied me, Sebastian, can be equated to a 5 star cook in his own right." Rias is avoiding interrupting the human since much of the description can also be applied to herself. "I am sure your food is excellent but to the point that Tohsaka needs to eat everyday without being out of necessity is hard to believe, even if her family fell on hard times. It makes sense you are feeding lady Gremory peerage since you two are in a pact and that can be the terms of it but Tohsaka is an outside agent, a hired outside agent sure but still an outsider in your deal."

"Girl...don't criticize until you try." Yoruichi lets her amusement show when she talks, looking absolutely smug with Rias still massaging her neck. "I can promise you this...once you go Shirou you won't want to go back."

"Indeed." Rias agrees with the assessment. Massaging a cat while sitting on her desk surrounded by her followers gave her the image of a movie's gangster in the mind of the european magus. "I can guarantee that Shirou's skills in the kitchen are the real deal and that it would be remiss of me as an employer to deny his skills to all who partake in my table."

'I am happy that everyone likes the food but that is not the problem here.' Shirou thinks with a sigh. "I am gonna to ask what no one is asking...why do you two hate each other? Really why? You met today."

"She rubs me the wrong way." Rin says without hesitation.

"Besides the fact that her family stole some secrets from mine," Luvia elaborates, glaring at Rin who was glaring back, "she also rubs me the wrong way."

"That is no reason." Shirou points out. "And why do I feel that we went in circles with this talk?"

"Forget about it." Rias says suddenly. "Instead let's focus on what is important. It's almost dinner time and Luvia," the blonde stood straight when the devil called her name, "you will be allowed to stay for dinner. But I don't want either you or Rin fighting or to pass a certain level of decibels when talking. Am I clear?"

"Yes Buchou." Rin confirms in acceptance while Luvia nods.

"I confess that now I am curious to see how good Shirou is in a kitchen since everyone speaks so highly of it."

'And in the end nothing is being solved.' Shirou lets out a mental sigh and starts to make his way to the kitchen. "I will get everything ready."

"Let me help." Akeno immediately starts to follow him.

"Still wanting those lessons?" Shirou asks while they follow down the hall and to the kitchen.

"You bet. I also have been working on mixing devil magic with magecraft." That made the magus do a double take while the Queen just smiled. "No progress so far since the results appear to be quite volatile."

Arriving in what everyone calls 'Shirou's third workshop', they start to separate the pots that they were going to use. "Is the pantry full?"

"We had it filled yesterday. What are we making?" She picks two aprons, throws one at him and ties the other to her waist. His has written 'World's Greatest Chef' while hers is 'Assistant Number 1'. Shirou found himself smiling while getting ready himself.

"Lets see...I wanted to make a feast to celebrate our meeting but…"

"The potential war between our dear Rin and Luvia delayed everything." Akeno completed. "I think we should have let them fight. It would be fun to watch."

"And we would have to fix the building later." That didn't take away the smile from Akeno's lips, she really wanted to see that fight going. "What do you want to eat today?"

The Queen stopped to think for a moment and decided to shrug her shoulders and say. "Anything you make is going to be great anyway. Why don't we make some curry?"

"Is curry proper for dinner?" The young woman's ponytail shakes with her head as she comments.

"Shirou, we are devils, we work late anyway and something that gives energy is only good." Then she wonders with mirth. "I also believe that Edelfelt-san ever had such a dish in her life. It's a chance to give someone something new to taste."

Considering that Luvia fits the stereotype of the noble girl who is still learning more about the world and if that is at least a bit true then there is a good chance that she never tasted something like curry in her life. "Very well. Let's do curry."

"Yes, chef Shirou." Akeno says with a salute and moves to help him separate the ingredients.

"How was the break for you guys?" There is nothing stopping them from conversing while cooking.

"It was usual really. The Underworld doesn't change much from every other couple of months." Akeno says while cutting some vegetables. "Most of the time we just stay at the Gremory main house with the rest of the family."

"When you say the rest of the family you mean Rias' and their peerages right?" His assistant nods.

"Pretty much. Most of the family gathered together to discuss something that bothered Rias, a contract that she didn't want."

Shirou didn't pause his work but he voiced his concern. "It's about the Phenex?" He can still remember the problems last term.

"Don't worry about it. We got some good news on that front and we don't have to deal with them here anymore." Hearing her say that made the magus feel better.

"Good to know." It was a relief for him, knowing that the situation is mostly solved. "So they aren't going to bother us again?"

"Mostly you. They aren't going to show up in the mundane world without reason and aren't going to keep an eye on Rias' interests out of paranoia." They start to mix up the sauce. "Either way there is no need to worry for now. Just work on the EMs. If you manage to complete them there is no way we can't force the Phenex to leave us alone."

"What do they want anyway?" He knew that there was a conflict of interests but it sounded more than just money to him.

"They are just greedy. Nothing strange about it." The way she said, the way she smiled, it raised alarms in Shirou's mind.

"What are you not telling me?" For the first time since they began the redhead stopped working.

"Nothing important.." Looking at her, Shirou couldn't tell if Akeno was being honest with him. "Don't worry too much Shirou. Rias has everything under control."

The reassurance sounds genuine and he decides to accept it. "If you say so."

It would take some time to get everything ready and during it they talked about other things, the Rearguard being mentioned but not expanded upon since Shirou didn't want his friends in the middle of it. Akeno explained some things about the Underworld and what she did on the break and they both traded ideas for new kinds of tea since Shirou got some suggestions from Rin's sister.

While not talking much about the firm full of warriors, Shirou talked about Muramasa. It wasn't to brag about it but his admiration for the blade.

When it came to that sword it was actually a topic Shirou is happy to talk about. "I am still studying it and you just wouldn't believe how different that sword is compared to any other work I made."

"Is it better than Kiba's swords?" He nods. "Can you show me?"

"The original-"

"Doesn't need to be the original. I just want to take a peek." Akeno suggests, the curry is almost complete, only needing to properly cook to get done. "I kinda want to see it. Can I?" Her smile is small but her excitement is visible.

Thinking about it for a bit, Shirou didn't see any harm. "Okay." He raises both hands. "Trace on." The katana Muramasa manifests itself and Shirou carefully offers it to Akeno for inspection. "Be really careful with it. Even as a fake, its edge is the sharpest I have ever seen in my life."

Getting her hand on the handle first they touch hands and their eyes meet. Shirou gives Akeno a careful nod as her other hand is on the back of the blade to avoid accidents and to make sure nothing can go wrong she takes a delicate step back while keeping the sword on her hands steady.

'It's certainly different.' Akeno thinks while changing her handle to hold the katana properly with both hands. 'Compared to Beowulf-san's sword it doesn't have an aura- No, there is. It's really cursed.'

Her magical senses could tell for certain that she is not holding a normal object but her point of comparison is far more powerful. It still didn't take away the fact that if the sword on her hands caught her off guard then she would be dead, her Rook's defense wouldn't be enough to stop it.

"Rias said that she saw another Noble Phantasm. Did you as well?"

"Yes. One of the pawns of Sirzechs-sama has a sword. It is a Noble Phantasm." She keeps observing the blade and trying to use Structural Analysis on it without much success. "But this is incredible. You really made a Noble Phantasm with just magic."

"And the blueprint I have on my mind." With how much he studied the sword even without magecraft he can recite every detail of it, from the number of strikes used to where the steel came from.

It is the same with any sword or weapon, he can never forget about them. After analysing them with his magic it is like the deals can't leave his mind even if he can forget other things.

"Can you make another? But without magic?" It was a good question, it was a dangerous question.

"No...there is something missing when I try. I don't know what yet." He sounds frustrated about the fact.

Something that Akeno caughted on and had her giggle. "You are thinking about it even now aren't you? About what is missing?"

He chuckled back at her. "It won't stop nagging me until I figure it out."

A small alarm rangs, time to finish the curry. "Look to the bright side. You are about to see another girl fall over your food." Akeno said with a teasing smile.

"Don't exaggerate too much."

…

"Shero. Won't you become my butler? Please?" After dinner Luvia can say for certain she is enchanted in some way. "I promise that I will give you anything you want."

"Don't you have any dignity?" Rin demands to know while her counterpart shrugs. Her plate is empty, making any of her words lose any bite.

"I know what I want." She picks Shirou's hands and looks him in the eyes. "And I want Shero! His food, his contacts! Everything! If not as a husband then at least as a butler!"

They barely had finished the food and the blonde woman is already making her move. "She acts fast." Yoruichi says between bites, still in her cat form and enjoying her own helping of curry between Shirou and Rias while Luvia throws herself at him.

"I am sure that lady Gremory wouldn't mind if we started a relationship." The curly blonde says, looking at the redhead devil and practically asking permission.

Rias is biting her lip to stop her from laughing. "Sure I wouldn't mind. But I believe someone else would object if you suddenly became Shirou's fiance."

"Shirou with a fiance?" Setsuna had her attention zoomed in the word. "What is this about?"

"Luvia here wants to become Shirou's fiance. "Akeno pounced at the opportunity for some mayhem.

"She can't. If anyone is going to be his fiance it is gonna be me." Declared the hanyou.

"What? Wait-" Shirou tries to say something.

Only for Rias to follow her Queen on the teasing. "If you two want to compete for Shirou's hand I wouldn't have any problem with it."

Thanks to devil's magic her words were understood for both women in both their languages. They glare at each other, now recognizing what the other was properly saying and accepting that they were now aware of each other.

When their eyes met, Setsuna and Luvia gave each other a nod. For the moment they couldn't talk properly, not really but a challenge is issued. Neither of them has any interest in backing down.

"I have to say; this is the most amusing dinner I ever had." Yoruichi says with a smile while Shirou trades between japanese and english in trying to calm down both girls who look at each other. "And so a rivalry is born." The cat says with a bit of fanfare. "Anyone else going to throw their hat on it?"

"In the competition? Sure." Akeno admits. "But not like that. I prefer the more...subtle approach."

"Heh. Fine by me. I enjoy the competition." The Queen raises an eyebrow to the cat's little challenge.

"Oh really." Since the being before her is a yokai, and from what Koneko described a beautiful woman as well, the Himejima heir felt a thrill on her spine. "Then let the games begin."

Meanwhile Rias watches everything with a smile. 'I may be getting some of Akeno's bad habits. I am having too much fun with this.' An empty plate appears to the side and she turns to see Koneko.

"Can you pass me the rice buchou?" Seeing her little Rook's cute face, Rias gets the plate, fills it with another helping of curry and rice and gives it back. "Thank you."

"You are welcome." And then she returns to watch the communication issues Shirou is suffering. "Fufufu. I am spending too much time with Akeno."

…

Shirou allows his body to fall on the couch, finally allowing himself to relax. Luvia's declaration caused more troubles than it was worth, especially with Setsuna who decides that she also has a claim. "This would have been much easier if they could talk with each other."

"Fufu. Don't worry Shero. I will take care of that. There are some spells that can help with learning new languages or translations, Luvia will receive one of those by tomorrow if I have anything to say about it." Rias can't help herself and her smile grows bigger when she sees Shirou gringe. "What is wrong Shero? Don't you like the nickname?"

"I have no problem with the nickname. Just heard it too much today." Finally he looks around and notices that only Rias, Liz, Yoruichi and himself were present. "The others have gone to work?"

The devil King nods at the question. "I gave Rin some paperwork for her to work on but she can do that in her house. And Setsuna decided to turn in early since you said that you won't be needing help in the forge today." Turning to Yoruichi she scratches the cat's neck and asks. "Is this something to do with this little fellow?"

Maybe Yoruichi would have responded if she stopped purring. "Not really. I discovered something while studying the Muramasa and well…I think I figured out why my weapons can't transfer spells in an efficient manner?"

The information shocked Rias enough that she stopped petting Yoruichi, much to the cat's displeasure. "That is- Are you serious? You found a way to solve that problem?"

"Not quiete. I said I found 'why' they can't transfer spells, not how to solve it just yet." He can see the disappointment on Rias' face. "I am close! Just need to work better! With a bit more time-"

"Calm down Shirou. I am not disappointed or anything." She made sure to smile to show she means it. "I just got excited for a moment there but there is no rush." Once again she begins to pat the cat. "So, what is the problem and how do we solve it?"

"To cut a long story short; Muramasa was a genius and just by studying his sword I understood that I don't know how to make blades perfectly." Rias blinks in confusion.

"But I have seen some of your swords. They are perfectly fine in my opinion."

"'Perfectly' is not the right word for it." Yoruichi interrupts them. "Think a little more Shirou. There is no such thing as perfect so what exactly is that you are trying to accomplish."

Hearing her words Shirou says. "I just need to get better at making swords. I think the material is not the problem, my skills are still not up to par to the point where reproduction is possible without tracing."

Theoretically once his skill gets to a high enough level he won't need rare materials to just place a spell on his swords, he will be able to make a sword perfect for it. That is what he realized he was missing since he was making weapons for the spells but not making it in a way that it would fit. Just building the blade around the spell doesn't help, especially with the overly complex ones, like healing.

"In a way you could say that all this time I was trying to fit two mismatched pieces of a puzzle; they make sense when you look from far away when in reality…" He lets her finish.

"It's not really how it should look." Rias pauses to think. "What do you need?"

"Time." Shirou admits. "Compared to Muramasa who spent his life working on his swords it still will be faster, I just need some time since I can get better materials."

"Do you still want the rare stuff or should I cancel the orders?" Even if it's not for the EM if her magus wants rare materials she will make sure he will get them.

"Maybe I can find something that can close the gap of skill. Either way, no more european swords, scimitars or rapiers, I am practicing katanas only for now and until I get on Muramasa's level that is the swords that I will work on making."

At Shirou's declaration, Rias smiles. "If that is what you want, go for it. Just remember to work on the EM."

"I will make a katana version if it's what it takes, but now I feel like I am one step closer to making it able for mass production." No one can deny that Shirou is determined to see that project to the end.

"Does studying Noble Phantasm really help?" A thought crossed the redhead devil's mind. "I mean, most of them are artifacts beyond comprehension. Only sacred gears can be called more complex."

"I don't know. Maybe it's because it's a sword made by human hands? I sure can't make Blackbeard's gun." It is his connection with swords acting up again, something that he can't tell exactly where it came from or how it worked.

"Then we need another Noble Phantasm for a test, another sword. Fortunately I know someone with one." Rias brags.

"Your brother's pawn right? Akeno told me about him earlier." And then the smug expression on the devil's face turned into a pout.

"I can't believe she already- No, I can. Akeno takes pleasure in taking the wind out of my sails." Massaging her forehead the King then wonders. "You already showed it to her as well didn't you?"

"To be fair if you weren't in a hurry a few days ago you would have been the first to see it." She crosses her arms beneath her generous bosom and her pout gets more pronounced. "...Want me to show you now?"

"Yes, it would help." Rias is still upset but the desire to see another Noble Phantasm in person superseded any annoyance she has at the moment.

Getting up and approaching the desk Shirou turns on his circuits again. "Trace on." It appears in a flash of teal and carefully he places the blade on the desk. Before he could say anything the pureblood devil began to talk.

"Muramasa, one of the great swordsmiths of Japan. Born around the 16th century there are few that can claim the mantle of best swordsmith and Muramasa is one of them. Rival to Masamune, maker of cursed swords, his skill and technique were recognized by Tokugawa Ieyasu who praised his swords more than any other and insisted that his family used them when possible. However tragedy struck and not just one time, for many members of the Tokugawa family found themselves falling to the blades of Muramasa and for that reason alone a curse began to be spread that such swords demanded Tokugawa's blood. Rumors, legends or lies spread around until the curse became fact and when someone wanted to rise against Tokugawa at their side you could find a Muramasa. Legends say that these blades have no equal, its edge the sharpest. This is really a Muramasa~"

Everyone else stayed silent as Rias talked, joy and excitement in her voice as she handled the blade with care, greater than Akeno's did previously and with almost reverence she studied it with a huge smile on her face.

It was only when she ended her little history lesson that she noticed how everyone was looking at her. Slowly realization starts to dawn on Rias' face as she realized that she said every word while geeking out about the katana.

A blush starts to make its way around Rias' face making it match her hair. "Ahem." The devil tries to deflect but it fails since all the eyes are still on her.

'What is that reaction?!' Shirou's mind was almost screaming as his heart skips a beat. It was clear the girl was embarrassed by the display of knowledge for some reason but the magus didn't notice or cared, the way she looked at the moment stole his words from him.

"Impressive." Yoruichi said while looking at Rias, the girl blushing a little more. "Are you a fan of swords?"

"Kinda…" And she said nothing else, still trying to control her blush. "But it is a magnificent sword."

Finally controlling herself, Rias manages to examine the Muramasa closely. Her evaluation is not much different from what Akeno deduced, comparing it with the swords from her brother peerage and recognizing it is a Noble Phantasm different from the one she has seen.

But there was something that was bothering her. "I can feel that there is a curse but I don't feel it affecting me."

"It's because you don't want to use it." Shirou explains but Rias shakes her head.

"That is not the one I am referring to. Doesn't this sword want the blood of Kings? Or is it just Tokugawa's?"

"Not quite." The redhead says. "The Muramasa has an ability that nullifies most defenses from Kings and governors but I don't think you would count anyway."

"What do you mean? I am a King." At Rias' response Yoruichi chuckles.

"Sorry but no you aren't." The devil gave the cat a glare but she just chuckled more. "The title of 'King' to you devils is a leader of a small group they collect. That is not a King, it's more of a commander, a banner lord, you can even argue that you are more of a captain than a King. Still respected but not really having the authority a King should have."

"She is right." Shirou agrees with Yoruichi, surprising Rias. "A King is someone absolute, even if they have to share their power with a government sometimes, a true monarch is someone that rules uncontested and faces no challenge in the borders of their realm...bar a revolution or rebellion. A governor of lands also is in a similar category but you don't really have lands...yet."

"In that case you can, lets say, call the Rulers of Kyoto Kings but not every 'King' of a peerage is a real King." Yoruichi completes the thought. "I mean, what kind of real King serves under another King? Can you think about what kind of mess that would be and the egos involved in it?"

"Something like that happened in Europe actually but the point remains," Shirou points to Muramasa, "against a King, someone acknowledged as a King, with the lands, respect and power of one, this sword can ignore their defenses for the most part. Its sharp edge will find and cut the target. But even if the opponent isn't a King it is a terrible idea to forget that this is a Muramasa and a Noble Phantasm. Underestimating its edge is to invite death."

"Weren't you the guy who decided to fight a one on one match just to stop the death of the enemy?" Yoruichi points out.

"He did WHAT?" Shirou takes a step back while Rias turns her glare on him. "Not only did you decide to go inside a den of illegal magicians but you also fought against a Noble Phantasm by yourself? Are you insane?"

"I-" She didn't finish.

"I should have dragged you to the Underworld with me!" She gets on her feet, slamming her hands on her desk. "Facing a Noble Phantasm! Didn't you learn your lesson at the mall?"

"Breath Rias." Shirou tries to calm her down. "Everything ended fine. Just take a deep breath."

And that she did, taking a couple of deep breaths to calm down. Meanwhile Liz looks at the floor feeling partially guilty for the whole incident.

"Nyahahaha! Careful with the blood pressure Rias Gremory." Yoruichi can't stop herself from laughing.

"I can't see why this is funny Kuro-san. Shirou shouldn't have fought a Noble Phantasm! It makes me want to know exactly what happened in this Rearguard Firm and rips someone's head off."

Instead of answering the question the cat decides to say. "It's already solved for the most part. Fuyuki is safe as far as anyone can tell and technically the only crime they committed was to set up in the wrong place, as crimes go, that isn't the worst."

"But if they had a Noble Phantasm and they know Shirou can trace them-"

"That is why I'm around. I can't stay around everyday but I promise you this: I won't let anything happen to him."

Devil and yokai stare at each other, blue and yellow eyes showing that neither is willing to retreat. If the cat shows weakness the devil is ready to pounce on it since her guarantee would be worthless. On the other hand the devil is being judged by her character, to prove she is willing to stick her neck to keep her promises.

Both women liked what they saw and nod in agreement.

"You all do realize that I have a Noble Phantasm now right?" Shirou points out, making the sword on the desk disappear and easily calling another one. "I have one in hand whenever I want to. Doesn't that make me dangerous enough to take care of myself?"

"Isn't he cute when he thinks he can watch over himself?" Yoruichi asked.

"He is my magician after all. Maybe he should join a club for real so he stays out of trouble." Rias replies, both were smiling and Shirou just rolls his eyes. "But I want an honest report of what happened to you all during the break."

"Don't you have a lot of paperwork to do?" The magus mentions.

"I can multitask." Once again she crosses her arms under her boson and just looks at Shirou. "I was going to let it go but you decided that picking a fight with a Noble Phantasm is a good idea. Now I want the details. You can use the time to wait for Koneko to come back and go home with you."

Human and cat look at each other and Shirou takes a deep breath. "It all began when Kuro showed up at my door…"

…

A couple of hours later, the Emiya house residents, including Koneko since Rias refused to let Shirou leave without her, were making their way to the parking lot.

"What do you think she will do about this Khaos Brigade?" Shirou asks Yoruichi, Liz wouldn't know the information and Koneko would follow her King's lead.

"Inform her brother for one. Maybe he has more information." The way to the car was silent, most students and teachers had already gone home and only the college side was working. "I honestly didn't want to get that guy involved in it. Being a leader is enough work already and this whole thing may lead to nothing."

"And the ley line?" Koneko asks in a low voice, clearly she didn't want to talk to Yoruichi. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"It's not safe." Yoruichi can feel the animosity the small girl has for her, another thing she needs to investigate on her next trip to Kyoto. "It's not dangerous either. We don't know what is happening with it and all we can do now is keep an eye out and make sure nothing goes wrong."

The small girl didn't hide her glare and Shirou is about to ask what that is about when he notices someone leaning in their car. It was a blonde man dressed in the Kuoh uniform but with the blazer of the winter version with the shirt open to reveal a yellow undershirt.

His head was bobbing in a rhythm with headphones on his ears, the hair is styled in a similar fashion to Shirou's normal hair style but a little longer but not enough that the gold locks would impair his vision.

As they approach the young man opens his red eyes and turns to look at them, a small smile appearing on his lips as he takes out his headphones. "Took you long enough. I have to say, you are a busy man, Emiya Shirou. I arrived early to find you but you were already here even earlier and then after classes you just rushed to a building full of devils. Talk about taking a leap into the snake's nest."

Once the guy stood properly Shirou notices he is smaller than the stranger. But what caught his attention, even more than his words, is his posture. The way he just stood there, the way he smiles, the way he refers to the devils and he can tell the blonde knows he is in the presence of some with Koneko.

Yet, everything is done with supreme confidence. He was declaring to all present that he knows about the supernatural, right in the middle of devil territory, their center of power no less, and he has no problem in doing it while throwing them a minor insult.

Looking relaxed with a hand on his pocket, that person doesn't move as both Liz and Koneko step forward to protect Shirou. That itself starts to send alarms over his head since he knows that the girls have better instincts when it comes to danger and that they consider the person before them a threat.

But the blonde doesn't react much, he tilts his head and gives everyone an amused smile. "I didn't come here to fight." He informs Shirou. "I want to talk with Emiya Shirou, alone if possible."

"Can I help you?" To avoid conflict the redhead says it fast before anyone can say anything.

"As I said, I wish to talk to you alone. But I can understand if your bodyguards are not willing to let me." He offers a small shrug. "A strange person waiting for you in the middle of the parking lot doesn't inspire confidence."

"And what do you want to talk to him about?" Yoruichi asks, also getting into position in front of Shirou, her youki and aura signaling that she is ready to transform.

"Calm down a bit, yokai. I already said I didn't come here to fight didn't I?" His smile gained an edge to it. "While you gave troubles to my friends a couple of weeks ago, I am being polite here so I suggest you do the same."

'This guy...is confident. Really confident.' Shirou observed. Even with Yoruichi letting out a considerable amount of power, the person before then doesn't look bothered. He is ready to defend himself, his smile says so, but his posture is still relaxed. 'It's almost like he is saying he doesn't need to be on guard against us.'

It was a attitude that spoke of power, even if nobody was sensing anything particular at the moment. Making a decision, Shirou steps forward.

"Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of them."

Chuckling, the blonde man replies. "While your maid may be loyal to you and I have no problem with her around I have no reason to trust any of the others."

Shirou smiles a bit and says. "And neither trust me since I can just talk with them later anyway." Blinking at the reply, the man starts to laugh.

"Hahahaha! You are right Emiya Shirou! You are absolutely right! Hahahaha!" The man keeps laughing but Shirou tries to get the conversation back on track.

"You are with the Rearguard?"

"You could say they are with me but yes. In a way." The blonde man steps forward and before any of the others could react Shirou steps forward as well. "Is it true that you can make Noble Phantasms?"

By the smile he knew denying was useless. "Just copies." That got the man to smile more.

"I can see why they called you Faker. A part of me feels offended even by just the thought of someone like you existing and screams to destroy you with my full power." That puts everyone else on guard. "But I would prefer to have someone like you as my ally."

That got everyone to stop and try to understand what the man just said. "I-" Shirou the most surprised of all.

"Of course!" The man says with the same confidence he already showed. "You are capable of doing something truly impressive. The reproduction of Noble Phantasms! Such skill can only be called miraculous but you also do it without help of gods or sacred gear! Talk about impressive!"

In her mind, Yoruichi was panicking. 'Recruitment? I didn't expect that. Such organizations are usually secretive, depending on anonymity to keep themselves going. To be willing to recruit someone means to be willing to offer something. Shirou being able to create Noble Phantasms has the potential to upset the balance but it is just potential. Too much risk, especially since he is already with the devils.'

"I am sorry but I must refuse." Shirou says immediately and once again everyone is surprised, even the mysterious man. "I have no intentions of joining any shady organization just like that."

The man took a second before he smiled. "Ironic considering you have a deal with a devil but fair enough. What if we weren't 'shady' anymore?" The proposition has everyone else silent. "Believe or not I am a high enough member that I can and will divulge some of our secrets. After all, even before your clash against the Rearguard we already had an eye on you."

"You did?" Shirou asks, processing what the man had said.

"Indeed. Your sister didn't want to get you involved but recent events helped our leader convince her." He says everything with a smile, like he didn't tell Shirou something upsetting like his sibling's involvement.

"Who are you?" At the moment the magus didn't know if he was asking about the man or the organization itself, the information that Illya is involved in somehow stunning him to the point he was having difficulty keeping up.

"I am the descendent of the world's oldest legend!" The blonde says with some fanfare. "I am the strongest member of the Hero Faction and I am a comrade of Illyasviel! I carry the name of my ancestor with pride and joy for he was the First Hero! The King of Heroes! You may call me Gilgamesh! And Emiya Shirou I am here to ask: Do you want to be a hero?"

…..