Author's notes

One more episode until the arc's finished! Abigail in Kivotos is the best decision ever ( ToT ). Anyways—

ENJOY!

Fate/Grand Order: Where All Miracles Begin, SCHALE

A Visitor from Beyond (5/6)

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Thirty minutes felt like thirty hours as they waited for the inevitable. The sound of footsteps in the hallway made everyone stiffen, their eyes darting to the door.

Knock. Knock.

The door slid open, and there he was—Fujimaru Ritsuka, their teacher, standing in the doorway. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried a weight that made the students shrink. Moreover, a small figure also followed, Abigail also came with him.

The five girls—Kotama, Yuuka, Noa, Hare, and Maki—stood stiffly in a line, guilt written all over their faces.

"Good evening, everyone—" he said, his tone neutral. However, he blinked in surprised when the two unexpected faces were there. "I see you're all still here—"

"We're so sorry, Sensei!" they chorused, bowing deeply.

Ritsuka blinked at the dramatic apology. "Alright, alright, no need to bow that much. Raise your heads."

Yuuka looked up hesitantly. "We really crossed a line... Wiretapping you and Abigail-chan, it was wrong. We weren't thinking—"

"And we dragged Abigail-chan into it too," Kotama added, fidgeting with her glasses.

Ritsuka crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing on Kotama.

"Kotama, do you have a moment to explain why I found a camera inside a teddy bear gifted to Abigail?"

Kotama opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Yuuka, unable to bear the silence, blurted. "Sensei, it wasn't just her! We were all involved!"

Ritsuka's eyes flicked to Yuuka, then to the rest of the group. "All of you?"

They nodded in unison, looking like children caught stealing cookies from the jar.

Ritsuka sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright. Let's talk about this."

The girls braced themselves for the scolding of a lifetime, but instead, Ritsuka calmly pulled up a chair and sat down, his expression softening. "First, I want to hear why you did it."

The unexpected approach left them stunned. Slowly, Kotama found her voice. "We... we were curious, Sensei. About you. About Abigail-chan. About... everything."

Hare added hesitantly, "You always seem so... perfect. But we know so little about you, and when Abigail-chan showed up, it just... made us more curious."

Ritsuka listened quietly. When they finished, he leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. "Sigh...I understand your curiosity, but there are boundaries you shouldn't cross—like spying on someone's private life."

The girls nodded, guilt written all over their faces. The man's tone wasn't harsh but it carried weight.

"That said... I'm not angry. Disappointed, yes, but not angry. What I do expect is for you to take responsibility for your actions and learn from this."

Relief washed over them like a wave, but the guilt still lingered.

"Sensei... we're sorry," Kotama apologized again, her voice sincere.

"We all are. I'm sorry, Sensei... and Abigail too." Yuuka added, and the others nodded in agreement.

Ritsuka smiled faintly. "Apology accepted."

From his side, it was a little unexpected that Yuuka and Noa were involved too. However, he had no rights to be angry with them. Since the secrets he held were indeed directly related to them, he was also in the wrong for keeping it to himself.

"..." The man looked that his students' faces— or rather... heads. They bowed again. Nonetheless, who they had to apologize to the most wasn't him, it was Abigail. "Abby?"

"Mhm, It's okay, onee-sans..." Abigail responded, her eyes still showed lingering worried.

"I'll let this slide this time," Ritsuka continued, "because I trust you've learned your lesson. But this better not happen again. Understood?"

"Yes, Sensei!" The girls nodded solemnly, looking down.

The atmosphere lightened, but only for a moment. The room still held an air of tension. The girls exchanged glances, as though silently debating who would speak next. Finally, Yuuka gathered her courage.

"Sensei! We..." She hesitated, her voice faltering.

Ritsuka closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them. His expression turned solemn. "Our conversation. You're going to ask about that, aren't you?"

The girls froze, startled by his perceptiveness. In the end, it was time for the most important matter to be sorted.

Clenching her fists hard almost drew blood, she let what she'd been holding in her chest out. "Sensei, we heard everything!" Finally, the girl blurted out, her trembling eyes looked straight at his.

"Who are you? What is your goal? What is a singularity? Why does it relate to our city? And..." Her voice softened. With his image reflected in her eyes, she asked.

"Are you... really our teacher?"

Ritsuka's gaze flickered, his usual calm demeanor cracking slightly. He looked at Abigail, who glanced up at him with her face full of concern.

This was the very situation he had feared. With his secrets exposed, there was a real possibility he could become an enemy to all of Kivotos. Resolving a singularity was never a clean process—it could collapse the city, much less risked to the lives of the students— their entire existence themselves.

This was why he had kept everything secret. Not just to avoid becoming a target but to mainly protect the students from unnecessary worry. If the truth spread, it might create chaos—or worse, hostility—before he even had a chance to fully investigate the singularity and plan for the best course of action.

'Master-san... Or should I—' Abigail's hesitant voice echoed telepathically in his mind. 'Erase their memories?'

'No, Abby. We don't need to take it that far.'

In cases like this, most mages would resort to drastic measures to ensure secrecy. Memory erasure was a soft approach compared to the alternatives. If it had been someone like Kadoc, Kirei, or even the Assassin Emiya, they might have gone as far as eliminating the witnesses to protect the mission.

But Ritsuka wasn't them. These weren't just strangers—they were his students. He couldn't bring himself to harm them whether physically or mentally.

Abigail hesitated, biting her lip. 'But, Master-san...' Her voice wavered. She hated the idea of erasing memories, but part of her felt it might be necessary to protect him. In addition, she had broken the promise with King Gilgamesh— to not intervene. She failed again.

Not only she couldn't protect her master from disappearing from Chaldea, she also failed her only task— just how hard was it to visit quietly? If she hadn't gone to school, all this mess wouldn't have happened. Now, the students knew his secrets— what would happen if the inhabitants were to learn of the truth? How much would it affect the future? And what would be its result?

And even worse, her master seemed to be too immersed in his teacher role. He should've sacrificed the few to save the many— this was also just a memory wipe, deleting their memories from the previous few hours weren't hard at all.

Abigail was lost in her thoughts. No matter how many time and many things she considered, erasing memories right now might be the best solution. Yet as she looked at Ritsuka, she saw the resolve in his eyes.

It was then she realized— this wasn't just his role as a teacher influencing him. This was who Fujimaru Ritsuka had always been—a man who valued trust and kindness above all else.

Figured out the answer, the girl let out a faint smile, the tension in her heart easing.

The little girl swept her glance at everyone face, took a deep breath and prepared for a bombard of questions.

Ritsuka took a deep breath. "I'll answer your questions.. as much as I could."

Ritsuka sat silently, his gaze fixed on the group of students in front of him as he waited for their questions. Abigail sat close to him, her small hands clutching the hem of his sleeve nervously.

Noa, calm and collected, spoke.

"After researching the names you mentioned, we found that all of them come from old historical records and legends. A deity from Aztec mythology, a beast and a king in Mesopotamian epics, dragon slayers from Norse mythology... Even more surprising were the newer names—an antagonist from fiction, a sage from folklore."

"And then there's the Holy Grail and Rhongomyniad—myths and artifacts tied directly to the same legends as the sage."

"..." Ritsuka leaned back in his chair, his lips pressed into a thin line. He said nothing, simply letting her continue.

"Sensei, before this, we already knew you weren't from Kivotos." Yuuka chimed in hesitantly. "You're male, an old human without a halo... It's like you stepped straight out of the historical records. That alone made you... different."

Kotama added nervously, "But after overhearing everything—your conversation about singularities, and all those names from myths and legends—we're sure you're not from our world."

"Even with the conflicts in timelines and locations for these names and yourself," Hare said thoughtfully. "It's clear you're from a world similar to ours. A world that, at the very least, shares its past records with us, proven by the myths and legends we recognize."

"Even you Abigail-chan..." Noa added, her eyes looked at the little girl with mixed emotions. "There is also your name in the course of history..."

The room fell into a brief silence before Yuuka muttered, "It's like you and Abigail-chan... came from the past."

Ritsuka remained quiet, his expression unreadable. Just as he had feared, they had heard everything—down to the last detail. These girls weren't ordinary either; they were sharp, analytical, and relentless in their pursuit of the truth, as expected of Millennium students.

Still, He hated lying, especially to those he cherished. But now, there was no hiding the truth. Even if he tried, they would see through it.

Ritsuka sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "You're not wrong," he admitted, his voice low but steady. "I'm not from your world. And neither is Abigail."

Abigail looked at him, wide-eyed. "Master-san..."

He glanced down at her, offering a faint, reassuring smile before turning his attention back to the girls. "What you've guessed is closer to the truth than you realize. But it's also far more complicated than that. I will give you the answer as much as I can."

"Complicated?" Yuuka asked, her brows furrowing as the girls exchanged glances.

"My role— Before I became teacher in this world, I had a duty to resolve a singularity. However, I wasn't alone— with aids and supports of those names you mentioned, I resolve singularities to make sure the human order continues on the right path.

"What— How?" Maki stuttered in surprised. "That sounds so— epic?"

"Supports... from the historical figures?" Kotama muttered, shocking at what she heard since it betrayed scientific principles she sticked to her whole life.

"Under certain circumstances, yes."

Noa, upon her realization, looked at the figure next to him. "And Abigail-chan?"

"She's one of them. Someone who found her way to me."

Abigail smiled shyly, nodding.

Ritsuka's words hung heavily in the air, their weight evident in the silence that followed. The students exchanged glances, their faces a mix of amazement, worry, and disbelief. To think that their mild-mannered, sometimes overworked teacher had such a monumental responsibility—resolving singularities to ensure the survival of humanity—it was a truth far beyond their comprehension. Even the most ambitious scientist or the wildest dreamer couldn't have imagined this.

And yet, here he was, sitting in front of them, calmly explaining something that could unravel the fabric of their reality.

Finally, Ritsuka continued his explanation. "Retrieving the Holy Grail from this singularity would mean resolving it. And if my theory is correct, this city—Kivotos—is sustained by the Grail's magical power. That's why I suspect that all of Kivotos is, in fact— a singularity."

"Magic... so it's real..." Hare whispered, her voice tinged with awe and disbelief. As students devoted to science, they had grown up dismissing the supernatural as nothing more than fiction. Yet now, their teacher stood before them, speaking of magic as casually as one might discuss physics.

"Sensei, if you retrieve the Grail... what happens to the city?" Kotama asked.

After hearing the question, Ritsuka hesitated, his mind running through the possibilities. Normally, retrieving the Grail meant the collapse of the singularity. But in this case, this was a parallel world—a timeline different from his own. He didn't know what the 'Proper Human History' of this world was supposed to look like.

After a moment, he answered carefully. "Everything will return to normal."

"Normal?" Yuuka repeated, her voice carrying a mix of skepticism and hope.

The teacher nodded slowly. "Mhm. As your world should originally be."

The students fell silent again, their expressions shifting as they processed his words. Though he spoke with confidence, there was an ambiguity to his answer that left them uneasy. Noa, ever perceptive, narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched him. It was clear he wasn't telling them everything.

Ritsuka's gaze softened as he continued. "But I don't know what your world normally looks like." he admitted quietly. Nevertheless, In his mind, he added the darker truth he couldn't bring himself to say:

If you're supposed to exist, you will. If not... then...

The weight of his unsaid thoughts seemed to settle over him, and he exhaled deeply, forcing himself to remain composed.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The silence took over the room, clouding the atmosphere. The students were speechless as if their brain stopped functioning. The conversation had reached a dead-end. With further intel from his, they couldn't proceed... Yet, they still knew, he'd spoken the truth but some information remained hidden.

The eyes looking at him— the feelings; they trust him but at the same time, they urged to know more.

They wanted to know him more, know about what could happen and what to do.

The silence was broken again by the man.

"It started when I suddenly found myself in this world. I didn't know where I was or how I got here. But then, I met the General Student Council President."

The mention of her title sent a ripple of surprise through the room. "The General Student Council President? The missing General Student Council President?" Yuuka mumbled, her eyes wide in sudden realization. The timing of his appearance suddenly clicked in her mind. When she first met him, it was right after the President's disappearance...

"She agreed to let me investigate the singularity together," Ritsuka continued, "to uncover the secrets of this city and help it at the same time. That's how I became a teacher. I know it sounds... unconventional, but..."

He paused, his smile growing softer. "Even though it started that way, my feelings now are genuine. After spending time with you, taking care of you, and watching you grow... I've truly become your teacher."

The students exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from uncertainty to something warmer, even more trusting. The man's words carried a sincerity that reached their hearts, even as their minds struggled to grapple with the enormity of his revelations.

Abigail, sitting by his side, let out a faint smile.This is who he is, the master of Humanity— Her one and only master.With a little chuckled, she was reminded yet again why so many people followed and loved him.

"Sensei..." Noa mumbled.

"Since it's come to this, I'd like to propose a plan. But for it to work, I need your trust."

The students exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what he was about to say. Yuuka leaned forward slightly, her brows furrowed in concern, while Noa silently observed him.

"I want to investigate this singularity," Ritsuka continued. "At the same time, I'm still your teacher. That doesn't change. You'll live your lives normally—study, play, and dream like you always do. Meanwhile, I'll work to uncover the mysteries of this city, the secrets behind its creation, and what happened to this world during the blank thousands of years of history that were erased."

"And then, I'll find a solution."

"You're all my students, and I won't let any harm befall you. No one will disappear— Never."

The room fell into silence, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone. His declaration wasn't just a promise; it was a conviction. A commitment to protect not only their lives but the bonds he had formed with each of them.

Ritsuka's thoughts swirled as he watched their reactions. He didn't want to become their enemy, and he certainly didn't want to risk their lives. He needed time to investigate, to piece together the truth behind the singularity. The blank history, the magic circles, the pillar of light—all of it pointed to a reality he needed to understand fully before taking action. He couldn't risk resolving the singularity without knowing what it would cost.

If protecting them meant delaying his return to Chaldea, so be it.

"Sensei..." Yuuka muttered, her voice trembling slightly, the weight of his resolution sinking in.

Noa's pen, which had been scribbling notes earlier, stilled in her hand. Even Kotama, who was usually brimming with questions, found herself at a loss for words.

Breaking the tense silence, Abigail hesitantly stepped forward, clutching the hem of her dress. "Please... Onee-sans... Please leave this matter to us. Please trust him—he... he really wants good things for you."

The little girl's words were unpolished, her hesitation was as clear as day. It was as though she was afraid of saying too much, betraying her master's trust by revealing something she shouldn't.

Yuuka stared at Abigail, her inner turmoil visible on her face. "Abigail-chan..."

Clenching her fists, the little girl continued. "Master-san... He's always thinking about you. About your safety, your happiness. Please... trust him. He won't let anything bad happen."

Ritsuka's chest tightened at Abigail's plea. Turning back to the students, he met each of their gazes directly. "You've seen some of the truth. I can't erase what you've learned, and I won't force you to forget. But I'm asking you—trust me. Let me do what I must, and I promise, I'll protect you all."

The room fell silent once more, the students absorbing his words.

"Sensei." Noa finally spoke.

The man turned to her. Her amethyst eyes met with his. But instead of a cold or hesitant tone, her tender lips curled into a faint smile, warming the room.

She chuckled subtly, and soon, the other students followed, the tension easing as the corners of their mouths twitched upward.

"Noa?— everyone?"

Ritsuka and Abigail exchanged confused glances, entirely unprepared for this reaction. It wasn't what either of them had expected at all.

Noa, seeing the bewildered expressions on their faces, tilted her head slightly. "You've misunderstood a lot, Sensei." she began, her voice carrying a calming reassurance. "Yes, we were shocked by the secrets you've been keeping from us. Anyone would be. But—"

"..."

"—But, there was never a moment... where we doubted your intentions."

Her words hung in the air, cutting through the remnants of unease. Abigail blinked in surprise as her blue eyes started to sparkle, looking at her roommate.

"In your world—" Noa continued, "you're not a 'teacher,' are you? You're a 'master,' or something along those lines?"

The room turned its attention to the duo. Abigail and Ritsuka hesitated before nodding slightly, unsure of what Noa would say next.

"And Abigail-chan—" Noa said, glancing at the little girl. "You're his 'servant,' right? Like those names you two mentioned before?"

Again, the duo nodded slowly.

At that, Noa's soft smile widened.

"At first, I thought this whole 'master' and 'servant' thing sounded incredibly cruel. But after spending time with Abigail-chan and seeing how she acts around you—after seeing you these past months—'servant' isn't the right word at all."

Abigail tilted her head, her confusion clear. "Noa-san...?"

Noa chuckled gently. "If being a 'servant' meant being treated like you're part of a family, being cared for and protected at every turn, then I'd say you've been very lucky, Abigail-chan."

Abigail's cheeks flushed as she looked at her master, clutching the hem of her dress shyly. "Master-san has always been kind to me..." she murmured.

Noa nodded knowingly, turning her gaze back to Ritsuka. "Sensei, you must treat your 'servants' with such kindness and respect for them to love you this much. That's what I've seen—here, and from what little we heard in your conversation. Even those historical names you mentioned, the ones from myths and legends... whether they came from ancient tales or famous epics, it's clear how deeply they care for you. They were so worried when you suddenly disappeared from your world and ended up here. That much is obvious."

Ritsuka stayed quiet, his eyes locked on Noa as she spoke. Her words were cutting through the guilt that had weighed on him.

"No matter if it's taking care of the mysterious Aris, helping your students' problems even if you ended up staying up late to finish documents. Sensei..."

"Your actions, your eyes, your words—they don't lie. You are who you are. And no matter what, in our eyes, you'll always be our teacher."

A hush fell over the room as her words sank in. Even Maki and Yuuka who usually quick to make lighthearted remarks, stayed silent, letting the moment linger.

"It's us who should be thanking you, Sensei."

"For trying to save our world, for being here when you could've chosen not to be."

Ritsuka blinked, taken aback. He opened his mouth to respond, but Noa wasn't finished. She looked back at her friends, a slight, playful tilt to her head. "And, well... we were the ones who eavesdropped on your conversation, weren't we?"

Some of the students chuckled nervously, their guilt showing. Yuuka scratched her cheek awkwardly, while Hare glanced away, clearly embarrassed.

Noa's smile turned more determined. "But Sensei, since this matter involves our world, too, please don't shoulder it all on yourself. Let us help. We may not understand everything, but we'll do what we can."

Ritsuka's throat tightened as he watched his students, their determination and trust shining through despite their fears. Abigail glanced up at him, her blue eyes shimmering with hope.

"Thank you," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, all of you."

The room stayed quiet, the weight of his gratitude hanging in the air. And for a brief moment, despite the uncertainty of the future, they all felt just a little lighter. Yuuka, Hare, and the rest of the Veritas girls joined Noa.

"So, Sensei..."

"We trust you, at same time, trust in us..."

"Please—"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Walking down the brightly lit streets of Millennium with their steps unhurried, the four of them chatted in a light conversation. The tension that had gripped them in the Veritas room earlier seemed to have melted away, replaced with a semblance of normalcy. Abigail, as usual, clung to Ritsuka's arm, a plushie in her hands, while Noa and Yuuka walked on either side, occasionally glancing at the pair.

After the conversation in the Veritas's clubroom ended, the students all agreed to keep the matter in secrecy— Absolute, confidential, and classified. No one was allowed to take this matter outside or else chaos would surely to be stirred up.

Despite Kotama's protest cry, video and voice records were all deleted.

"Nooooo! Sensei! It was for research purpose! Please!—"Said the girl who keep replaying her teacher and Abigail's adorable moments.

Nonetheless, some questions still lingered.

"Abigail-chan, so you come here to help Sensei?" Noa asked, tilting her head curiously.

The little girl shook her head hesitantly. "No... I wasn't supposed to. I was only tasked to visit him, not to help or interfere. I was told that very clearly." Her gaze dropped to the ground, her grip on Ritsuka's arm tightening slightly. "But... now that things have turned out this way, I don't know anymore."

Yuuka chimed in, her brow furrowed. "So, you're saying you were sent here just to check on Sensei? Nothing else?"

"Mhm," Abigail nodded. In her mind, the stern voice of King Gilgamesh echoed once more:

Ritsuka Fujimaru is carrying out his duty, and it is not your place to disrupt him. What he faces now is a part of his growth as a master.

Her heart sank slightly, the weight of those words pressing down on her. But at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder if the King had foreseen this outcome.Was this part of his plan? Did he expect Master-san to work with his students?

Noa glanced at Abigail's conflicted expression. "Abigail-chan, do you think we're meant to help him resolve this singularity?"

"Maybe... King Gilgamesh is very wise. He sees things I can't even begin to understand. But... he also likes amusement." She sighed, her small shoulders slumping.

Then, suddenly, Abigail turned to Noa and Yuuka, her blue eyes shimmering with determination. "Please! Noa-san! Yuuka-san! You're so close to Master-san—please help him! He won't say it, but he needs you!"

"Abby...?" The master muttered under his breath, that was an unexpected move from the girl.

Noa's lips curled into a playful smile. "Oops, Sensei, did you hear that? Your servant is recruiting us to take care of you. Right, Yuuka-chan?"

Yuuka puffed up her cheeks in mock frustration. "Ahh, Sensei! I swear, so much happened today! One day—one day—you're going to explain EVERYTHING to us. No more secrets!" She crossed her arms and pouted, looking every bit the frustrated yet adorable student.

Ritsuka chuckled dryly and nodded. "Mhm. I promise."

"But it's going to cost you!" Yuuka declared, a faint pink glow spreading across her cheeks.

"Oh?" Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, his teasing tone creeping back in. "What do you want as payment, then?"

"Mooou... Ugh— Dinner!" Yuuka blurted out, her face growing redder. "A very good dinner. You're treating!"

Ritsuka smirked. "Hmm, is that all you want? It's not like you've ever paid for your dinner when working in SCHALE, though."

"Sensei!" Yuuka stomped her foot, flustered. "That's different! And don't you dare blame me if I gain weight from all the good food!"

The love birds playful banter continued, with Noa watching them with a knowing smile. She then turned to Abigail, her tone gentle. "By the way, Abigail-chan, since you've traveled to this world, does that mean you've traveled across parallel worlds to be here?"

Abigail blinked, a bit caught off guard by the question. Yuuka's attention quickly shifted back to their conversation, her curiosity piqued. "Parallel worlds? That sounds so advanced! How do you do it? Is it some kind of super high-tech equipment? What's the theory—"

"Master-san, help!" Abigail pleaded, looking up at Ritsuka desperately. Since their secrets were exposed and no one was around, she called him his original title.

"Abby's a bit special so she's the only one who can come here." The master chuckled and ruffled her hair. "One day, I'll tell you all about it, okay?"

Yuuka pouted again. "Mou! You're such a secret-keeper, Sensei!"

Noa tilted her head thoughtfully. "And, Abigail-chan, when will you return to your world?"

"In three days..." Abigail's expression turned a bit somber, she mumbled with a hint of sadness. "I don't know if I'll be allowed to visit again."

Seeing the little girl saddened, the three exchanged a quick glance in unison.

Noa, the first one to came up with an idea, placed a comforting hand on her little shoulder. "Then let's make those three days special. We should have a farewell party before you leave!"

Abigail's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? Noa-san?!"

"Mhm!"

"Can I invite my friends?"

"Of course." Noa said with a warm smile. Abigail happily cheered, shifting her position from Ritsuka's arm to Noa's arm instead.

Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, noticing some details missing. "Where's this party going to be held?"

"Fufu... SCHALE, of course." Noa replied matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, fine... as expected. I knew it..." The teacher muttered under his breath. It was his fault expecting to have Party elsewhere so he didn't have to suffer the mess from after party. Nonetheless, it was for Abigail, he was more than willing to sacrifice whether it was his sleep or physical and mental fatigue.

"Master-san! Can I stay with Noa-san for another night?" Abigail suddenly asked, clinging tightly to Noa's arm as they walked together.

"Hm?" Ritsuka tilted his head in slight confusion. Just earlier today, Abigail had been excited about spending the night at SCHALE with him.Did she change her mind? Had Noa completely won her over?

"Well—I... I've been having trouble with my studies." Abigail admitted sheepishly, glancing up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "The past few nights, Noa-san has been helping me revise, and tomorrow I have a quiz..."

From a sudden surprise, Ritsuka smiled softl— the little girl seemed so dedicated to her studies. "Of course, Abby. Good luck with your quiz!" he said. Still, he couldn't help but tease her. "But does that mean you're choosing Noa over me?"

"Noa-san takes such good care of me!" Abigail chirped. "She teaches me everything clearly and slowly, and her handwriting is so neat! She even writes example problems for me!"

Ritsuka raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Wait, so you're studying even at night?"

Abigail pouted at his tone, her cheeks puffing up slightly. "Master-san! I'm working hard!"

Noa chuckled and added warmly. "She's been an excellent student, Sensei. A really good child. She even likes drawing and scribbling during her breaks. My notebook is full of her sketches—mostly cats, but they're adorable."

Hearing what he considered unbelievable, Ritsuka gave Noa a mock-serious look. "Abby didn't cause you any trouble, did she?"

"Not at all." Noa replied with a smile. "Why? Did you think she would?"

"Well... maybe just a little." Ritsuka admitted as he glanced at Abigail. Back in Chaldea, when she was around her friends—or Anastasia, to be precise—she loved pulling pranks. 'Harmless' pranks, she'd call them, but they almost lost Cu Chulainn several times and several variations of him— because of them. She happened to have a mischievous streak when she felt like it.

Abigail gasped in protest. "No! I'm not a bad child!"

"Yeah, yeah... you're not." The young man said with a laugh. "You're doing really well so far. Just three more days, Abby. Stay out of trouble, okay?"

Abigail nodded firmly. "Mhm!"

Ritsuka held out his pinky. "Pinky promise?"

Abigail grinned and hooked her tiny pinky around his.

"Pinky promise!"

The image warmed Yuuka and Noa's hearts. What both felt in common— it was like an everlasting promise between father and his lovely daughter.

With smiles lighting up their faces, the three people shared a heartwarming moment.

What an adorable girl she is...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

BREAKING NEWS!

[Live Broadcast: Kronos News Club]

"This is Kawaru Shinon, reporting live from Gehenna Academy, where an incident has shocked the entire school community! Earlier this afternoon,one of Gehenna's high school buildings suddenly collapsed without warning. Emergency response teams have confirmed that380 students were injuredin the incident. Thankfully, all injuries have been categorized as minor, with no critical cases reported."

"The cause of the collapse remains unknown. Witnesses and victims have reported a baffling phenomenon: many claim they cannot recall anything about what happened just before the incident! Strangely, some survivors have described vague memories of a massive, translucent tentacle striking the building before it crumbled to dust. Authorities have yet to confirm the validity of these claims!"

"With the signing of the Eden Treaty just months away, tensions between Gehenna and Trinity are already high. COULD THIS BE AN ATTACK ORCHESTRATED BY TRINITY?! OR IS THERE ANOTHER FORCE AT PLAY HERE?!"

The camera panned to the scene behind her, showing paramedics and medical teams tending to students, some of whom were sitting on stretchers or being wrapped in bandages. The towering ruins of what used to be a school building loomed in the background, surrounded by members of Gehenna's Prefect Team, who were busy cordoning off the area and investigating.

"Fortunately, a trusted voice of reason is here to help shed some light on this matter. We have with us none other thanRitsuka Sensei from SCHALE! Sensei, thank you for being here. Please, what do you make of this situation?"

"..."

"Please, Ritsuka Sensei!"

The teacher stared blankly at the camera.

"It's a gas leak."

And there he answered, with the most expressionless— soulless response ever.

The murmuring of bystanders and nearby reporters briefly quieted as Kawaru Shinon blinked, clearly surprised by the simplicity of his explanation. "A... gas leak?" she repeated, her brows furrowing. "Sensei, could you elaborate on that?"

"Yes, a gas leak," Ritsuka repeated, his tone unwavering. "When volatile gas builds up in a confined space, it can become highly flammable. Something as small as a spark—a cigarette, a faulty wire, or even the heat from sunlight refracting at the wrong angle—can trigger an explosion. That's most likely what happened here.A GAS LEAK."

"But, Sensei, what about the witness reports? Several survivors mentioned seeing a translucent tentacle before the building collapsed. How would a gas leak explain that? And what about their sudden memory loss?"

"Certain types of gas, when inhaled, can cause temporary disorientation or hallucinations. High concentrations can even damage short-term memory. The 'tentacle' some witnesses claimed to have seen could easily be a visual hallucination brought on by the gas. As for the memory loss, it's a known side effect of exposure to neurotoxic gases. The confusion and gaps in recollection make sense in this context."

"So, Sensei... you're saying that this entire incident was caused by a simple gas leak?!"

"Yes." Ritsuka replied firmly. "It's a gas leak."

"Thank you for your insight, Sensei!—"

"And there you have it, folks—according to Ritsuka Sensei, this incident was caused by a gas leak! We'll continue to investigate and provide updates as more information comes to light— Wait, is that—"

"Head Prefect Hina!— Head Prefect! Can you share any updates on the situation? Is it true that—"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"So, you're saying..."

Ritsuka began, rubbing his temples. "...today, you were picked on by Gehenna students?"

"Yes!"

"Since they came in a group, you surrendered and followed them to their place?"

"Yes!" Abigail nodded enthusiastically, clutching one of her plushies.

"And then... you thought it was their hideout, so you 'slipped' your hand?"

"Yes! And then the building wentKABOOM, and it collapsed!" Abigail threw her arms up dramatically, mimicking an explosion.

A man and a girl sat on a couch, his expression was a mix of disbelief and exhaustion. On the other hand, Abigail, fresh from her shower and dressed in her star-patterned pajamas, sat before him with an innocent smile.

The teacher sighed deeply, leaning back into the couch as he covered his face with his hand.

"Abby..." He muttered.

The little girl tilted her head. "Did I do something wrong, Master-san?"

"No, no..." He removed his hand, his tired eyes meeting hers. "I just think you might have misunderstood something. You see, Gehenna's delinquents might act tough, but they're still students. If you consider them criminals, then... well, their whole school would be a criminal den."

The man wiped the sweat off his brow as he spoke. It seemed he had caused Hina and Ako a train-wreck of trouble. Similar to him, the two were practically drowning in paperwork. The difference was that while he dealt with the problems of an entire city, they faced the same workload—both in quantity and quality—just from their school. To make matters worse, he also had to endure Ako's relentless whining directed at him.

That's something best left avoided.

"Oh... I see." Abigail mumbled, hugging her plushie tighter. Her blue eyes blinked innocently, as though processing his words.

Ritsuka chuckled dryly, patting her head. "Tomorrow is your last day here. Make sure not to cause any more trouble, okay? We're having your farewell party, after all."

Abigail's eyes sparkled with excitement at the mention of the party. "Yes, Master-san! I promise I'll be good tomorrow!"

"Good." he replied, standing up and stretching. "Now, let's get some rest."

The two made their way to bedroom, Abigail skipping happily beside him.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

As if the she was floating in an endless void.

The world around her felt weightless, timeless—

Everything was bathed in pure white—no ground, no horizon, just an infinite expanse of nothingness.

She turned her head, searching for anything, anyone, but there was only the vast emptiness.

"Where am I..."

"Master-san?"

"Where am I... What's happening?"

"Is this a dream...?"

The little girl tried moving her limbs, it moved, but she didn't go anywhere.

In this nothingness, she could do nothing. Even the sensation, the feeling of being alive— the feeling of having one existence— she barely felt it.

Suddenly, voices echoed in her mind

They overlapped and resonated from nowhere yet everywhere.

It's us who should be thanking you, Sensei.

For trying to save our world, for being here when you could've chosen not to be. Please don't shoulder it all on yourself. Let us help.

It was Noa's voice.

Then came a deeper, commanding tone— Gilgamesh's voice.

Ritsuka Fujimaru is carrying out his duty, and it is not your place to disrupt him. What he faces now is a part of his growth as a master.

Just this once, he has to do it himself. You are not to interfere or help at all costs.

The words sent a chill down her spine. Abigail spun around, trying to find the source of the voices, but she was alone.

However, it didn't end yet— A stranger voice, a voice she'd never heard before, rang in her head.

You've crossed the line—

—Foreigner

Then, out of nowhere, a large golden swirl appeared before her. It radiated an otherworldly majesty. Its presence was overwhelming, exuding both authority and an undeniable sense of humanity's will.

The golden swirl spun around her slowly— as though showing its majestic presence.

Even though the little girl had never seen it before, she instinctively knew what it was.

It wasAlaya, the Will of Humanity.

The girl's eyes widened in shock. The will of humanity had manifested itself before her eyes. Nonetheless, before she could react, she felt another presence behind her. Abigail turned sharply, her breath catching as she saw a second manifestation.

Unlike Alaya which was a collection of soul remnants, this being had no defined form— or rather, it had taken any shape or form yet. Like a newly formed embryo— it was a circular, violet light with a jet-black center, resembling a total solar eclipse with an eerie, glowing outer ring. Its presence was suffocating, and Abigail could feel its consciousness—alive, aware, and far beyond her comprehension.

Looking at it gave her a sense of familiarity yet uneasiness.

And the way, it looked at her... She felt a sense of discomfort yet reassurance.

Alaya's voice echoed, cutting through the suffocating tension.

Do not intervene... or else...

As the sentence ended, images began to flashed before Abigail's eyes.

Kivotos—destroyed.

Her friends—Noa and Yuuka—lying motionless

Her Master—Ritsuka—died, engulfed by a tide of particles—

And turned into—

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Ahh—!" Abigail shot up, her breathing ragged and her eyes wide with terror. She clutched her chest, feeling her heart racing as she looked around the dark room.

Breathing heavily, she touched her face— her hands trembling as she confirmed she was awake.

Finally, she escaped that strange dream...

However.

Normally, Servants didn't dream unless they chose to.

Dreaming was like an on/off switch. This meant, without external interference, they couldn't be forced to dream much less seeing visions they didn't ask for. Nonetheless, this was no ordinary dream—it felt too vivid, too real. Was it a prophecy? A warning? An omen? Or something else entirely?

"Hmm? Abby?" Ritsuka's sleepy voice broke through the silence. He stirred beside her, his drowsy eyes filled with concern as he noticed her small body trembling. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Abigail hesitated, her lips quivering. "...Yes."

Despite his blurry vision, the moonlight reflected the moisture in her eyes clearly. The man sat up, placing his hand on her head— running his fingers through her blonde hair that shone brightly in the moonglow.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"...No." she whispered, shaking her head. "It's... it's nothing, Master-san."

He frowned, unconvinced, but didn't push her further. He just sat there beside her, petting her head gently as though she was the most fragile thing in the world.

"Master-san, I want to go on a walk."

"Hmm? Do you want me to come with you?"

Abigail managed a faint smile, shaking her head again. "No, Master-san. You should sleep. You worked hard today."

He sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Alright. But don't stay out too late. Tomorrow's an important day, remember?"

"Mhm. I'll be back soon." she promised, slipping out of bed.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, her body turned translucent as millions of big and small golden particles— Abigail transformed into her spirit form, her body shimmering as she out of the room and through the open window.

Into the endless night sky.

.

.

.

.

.

As Abigail soared through the quiet, moonlit city, her mind raced with thoughts.

That dream, it still lingered, haunting her with its vivid images.

She couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just a dream. It was too real—too deliberate.

"That was Alaya... but what was the other thing?" the little girl muttered to herself.

The golden swirl was familiar; Even though he had never seen it, she'd heard of Alaya before from her Master and others in Chaldea. They said maybe because it was the will of humanity itself, ones would instinctively recognize its identity.

But the violet entity... it was entirely something else.

And its conflicting presence had been— suffocating.

Abigail hovered mid-flight, her small figure outlined against the glowing skyline of Kivotos. The vibrant beam of the Sanctum Tower pierced the night sky like a lighthouse in a sea of stars. As She gazed at it, her delicate hands clutched to her chest as her expression hardened with resolve.

"...No matter what, I have to protect him. And everyone here..." she whispered to herself, her voice carrying a quiet strength.

With renewed determination, she began her flight again, weaving through the towering buildings of the city. She thought of the one day she had left.

Tomorrow, she would return to Chaldea and deliver all the information she had gathered.

The thought made her sigh softly, her previous joy momentarily clouded.Would they let her come back again?she wondered.Not just to visit, but to truly aid him in his ordeal?

The little girl shook her head, letting the chilly night air whip through her hair. "Even if I can't... I'll cherish every moment of this world while I'm still here."

Abigail soared high above Kivotos, the city stretching out endlessly below her. When she looked up, the heavens greeted her with a sea of stars that shimmered brilliantly, undimmed by the city lights. Each constellation seemed to wink at her, sharing a secret only the sky could keep. Her blue eyes shone brightly, reflecting with the luminous glows of countless stars decorated in the vast universe.

When she looked down, the city reflected that same brilliance in its countless lights. Streets bustled with life even at this hour, students walking home or gathering in small groups, laughter carrying faintly through the night. Neon signs glowed, illuminating cafes, karaoke bars, and shops that remained open late into the evening.

Her heart swelled with wonder as she drank it all in. Kivotos was unlike any place she'd ever known—a world filled with warmth, hope, and endless possibilities.

A faint smile spread across her face as she twirled mid-air, spinning joyfully in the open sky. For a moment, she forgot her worries, letting herself be a child, embracing the sheer beauty of the moment.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After some time, Abigail slowed, her flight becoming more deliberate. Something unusual tugged at her senses—a faint, almost imperceptible distortion in the air. She paused, narrowing her eyes as she scanned the horizon.

"...This presence..." she murmured. Her instincts told her this wasn't part of the usual energy she felt in Kivotos.

She couldn't see it, but she felt it—like a ripple in the fabric of reality.

"This was never here before..."

The sensation grew stronger, almost as if it were calling to her. For a moment, she hesitated. But curiosity—and the faint feeling that this might be important—spurred her forward.

She followed the disturbance, her flight path leading her farther from the city. Below her, the modern skyline gradually gave way to sprawling mountains and quaint villages with an unmistakable Eastern aesthetic. Lanterns hung outside houses, and tiled roofs gleamed faintly in the moonlight.

Finally, her journey reached the destination. It brought her to a traditional Japanese shrine nestled at the foot of a mountain. Torii gates lined the path leading up to it, their crimson paint glowing faintly under the moonlit sky.

Abigail descended slowly.

The closer she got, the more she could feel it—a dimensional rift, hidden within the sacred grounds.

"...It's here." she whispered, her voice barely audible as the air around her began to shift.

As she stepped closer, reality itself seemed to ripple. The shrine's surroundings distorted, the lanterns flickering unnaturally as if caught in a gust of wind that didn't exist.

Before she could process it further, the world around her warped entirely.

.

.

.

.

.

"..."

"..."

The world around her transformed. Gone were the mountains, the villages, and the shrine. In their place was a vast, empty expanse stretching endlessly in all directions. The ground beneath her feet was smooth, like polished obsidian, and faint ripples of light shimmered across it as if reflecting an unseen sky.

Surrounding her were 4 torii gates, their deep red arches glowing faintly, seemingly suspended in midair in the four cardinal directions.

At the heart of this vast emptiness stood a single figure.

The woman had an ethereal presence, exuding an aura of ancient wisdom and quiet strength. Her waist-length white hair, tied into a two-side-up hairstyle with dark purple ribbons, seemed to glow faintly under the strange light of this realm. Dull purplish-gray eyes framed by red eyeliner gave her an enigmatic expression.

Behind her swayed two immaculate fox tails, their fur white as fresh snow. Perched atop her head were two white fox ears, twitching slightly as they caught the sound of Abigail's cautious footsteps.

"Welcome, little visitor," the fox woman greeted, her voice soft but echoing through the empty expanse as if the space itself carried her words.

Abigail's gaze sharpened. The presence before her was unlike anyone she'd met in Kivotos. It wasn't just the appearance—she could feel it. A complete spirit origin, like her own. Like those summoned in Chaldea.

"You are... a servant?"

The fox woman smiled, her lips curling upward in a knowing, almost playful expression. "Correct."

Abigail took a step forward, her blue eyes never leaving the woman. The white hair, the fox-liked traits—it reminded her of someone.

"Are you... Tamamo-san? Or perhaps... one of her tails?"

.

.

.

"Fufufu!" The fox-woman laughed. It was soft and melodic, echoed faintly like wind chimes in the vast space.

"No, no. I am neither Tamamo-no-Mae nor one of her fabled tails." She said, her tone amused yet respectful. "To compare us would be akin to comparing the heavens and the earth—in both age and personality."

The woman's expression softened even more.

"Tamamo-no-Mae is like asenpaiwolf to me." she said, tilting her head slightly. "But as for me? I amKuzunoha—a Caster-class servant, summoned into this singularity."

"A rogue servant..." Abigail murmured. "—Summoned into this singularity?"

The fox woman nodded, her eyes gleaming faintly. "Indeed. A rogue servant, wandering through the fragments of this distorted world."

Kuzunoha took a step forward, her presence overwhelming yet oddly gentle. "And what of you, little girl? A foreigner spirit in a foreign land. Our meeting here must be the product of fate." She smiled faintly. "You, too, feel the weight of this world's mysteries, do you not?"

Abigail's expression tightened. "...You said this world is a singularity. Do you know why? What caused it to become one?"

Kuzunoha's gaze grew distant for a moment before she spoke, her voice suddenly carrying a poetic cadence, as if reciting a tale from long ago. The torii gates around them shimmered faintly, each one resonating with Kuzunoha's words. The surrounding changed, the sky darkened and the air rippled— In an instant, the scenery blurred and transformed, as though travelling back into the depths of history.

"I'll tell you."

"This is the story of this world—"

"What has become ofmankind, what have they done— what path have they chosen..."

.

.

.

"And how this world became a singularity."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

END.

END CREDIT

Somewhere far, far away...

.

.

.

CLANG!

The sound of hand slamming against the table reverberated throughout the elegant dining hall. Plates and glasses bounced into the air, miraculously landing back in place without shattering.

"—!"

"I KNEW IT!" Tamamo-no-Mae shouted, her golden fox ears twitching in sheer frustration. "This feeling! MORE FOXES! MORE FOXES ARE APPEARING!"

Across from her, three women sat in uneasy silence, exchanging cautious glances.

"No, no, no—this can't be happening!" She continued. "It's not enough that I already have to deal with that ridiculous fairy queen waltzing in and calling herselfGoshujin-sama'swife!" She slammed her hands on the table again, causing the dishes to !

( ㅁ) !

"Now my fox instincts are SCREAMING!" she wailed dramatically. "I've even been dreaming about him—surrounded by random wolves! Wolves, I tell you! A silver one! A black-and-red one! AND NOW—A WHITE ONE!"

"..."

The other women simply stared, their expressions unreadable.

"And mark my words! It's only going to get worse! I sense it in my very tails!" She whipped her tails around for dramatic effect. "Soon, there will be a BIGGER black one! And after that—AN ENTIRE PACK OF FOXES! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡"

"..."

"...Are you sure it's not just a bad dream?" Hassan of Serenity asked tentatively, her voice soft as she tried to calm the fox down. "Maybe you've been overthinking it, Tamamo-san...?"

SLAM!

"NO, IT WASN'T!" Tamamo yelled, her ears twitching in indignation. "This is myterritorial fox wife instinct! MyGoshujin-samamust only have me! My position as the sole and eternal wife must NEVER be shaken!"

The plates on the table once again launched into the air as Tamamo's hands slammed the , CLANG, CLANG!

"Tamamo-san, calm down..." Serenity tried to soothe her, but the temperature in the room suddenly spiked— she froze, her eyes darting to the side. "Kiyohime-san...?"

The dragon girl's usually calm and refined demeanor was gone, replaced by a fiery aura as her temperature rose dramatically. This was typical Kiyohime— especially when the matte was about love.

"She's not lying..." Kiyohime muttered, her voice low and dangerous and her eyes glowed ominously. "It's true.Anchin-sama...Anchin-sama..."

"Ehh! Kiyohime-san!" Serenity panicked, scooting away from the dragon girl and turning to her last hope for reason. "Raikou-san, you—"

But she trailed off as she saw the Berserker. Minamoto no Raikou was seated primly, her hands clasped together as her motherly aura turned... distinctlyominous.

"Unacceptable." Raikou said softly, her eyes shadowed but radiating fury. "Absolutely unacceptable. Mother will not allow this!"

"Raikou-san—!" Serenity tried to interject, but Raikou's voice only grew firmer.

"When he returns—"

"HE NEEDS CORRECTION!"

.

.

.

.

.

.

END.

Author's notes

NOA best girl (this arc hehehe...) best Abby's mommy! And now we're getting closer to this arc's finale!

More hints and lores started to reveal themselves as well! What is that thing Abby see?! And more— Kuzunoha made her entrance as rogue servant? How will the plot go? What is the author thinking?! How will it end?!

See you again in the last episode of the 2nd arc! Stay tuned for future update!