The summoning circle shimmered with ethereal light as Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight stood ready. They had performed countless summons, yet this one felt... peculiar. The air itself seemed to hum with a cryptic energy. When the light faded, a cloaked figure emerged, his face obscured by a sinister mask, his robes bearing intricate designs that seemed to twist with the light.

The man tilted his head, gesturing dramatically with his gloved hand. "Well, well! Isn't this unexpected? A summoning not of desperation, but of curiosity! Tell me, young Master, what drives you to tamper with the threads of fate?"

Ritsuka blinked. "Uh... who are you?"

The man placed a hand over his chest with exaggerated grace. "I am but a humble scholar, a seeker of truths buried within hearts and destinies. You may call me... the Master of Masters."

Mash frowned, gripping her shield. "Master of Masters? I've never heard of a Heroic Spirit with that title."

"Of course not," the Master of Masters said cheerfully. "I'm not exactly the type to leave breadcrumbs in history books. No, no, no. My work is... let's say, less about the past and more about the infinite possibilities of the present." He leaned forward, inspecting Ritsuka. "And you, my dear summoner, have an interesting heart. Bold, yet uncertain. Following your guiding key, are we?"

Ritsuka scratched his head. "Guiding... key? What does that mean?"

The Master waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, forget it. You wouldn't understand yet. Too much heart-to-heart talk gives people headaches. Trust me, I know." He turned on his heel, his cloak swirling as he gestured toward the room. "Now, what is this place? Chaldea, was it? A repository of hope and chaos? Delightful!"

Mash stepped closer to Ritsuka, her voice low. "Master, do you think we can trust him? He's… strange, even for a summoned Servant."

"I can hear you, you know!" the Master called over his shoulder, spinning back around. "And yes, strange I may be, but I'm more useful than I look. You summoned me, after all. Not that I entirely understand why. But no matter! Show me around, won't you? I'm dying to see what kind of mess you've got brewing here."

Ritsuka exchanged a glance with Mash, then shrugged. "Alright, I guess. Just... don't touch anything too important."

The Master clapped his hands together. "Splendid! Lead the way, my heart-guided companions."

As Ritsuka and Mash led the enigmatic Master of Masters through Chaldea's labyrinthine hallways, the figure strolled casually, hands clasped behind his back, whistling a peculiar tune. His masked face turned this way and that as if appraising every wall, every terminal, every flicker of light with childlike curiosity.

"Impressive place you've got here," he remarked, his voice light but tinged with amusement. "All these gadgets and gizmos, yet the heart of it all lies in the people running around, doesn't it? Fascinating."

Ritsuka glanced at Mash, who gave him a subtle shrug, neither entirely sure how to respond.

Before they could comment, a loud voice boomed from around the corner. "Ah, there you are, Fujimaru! I was told we had a new summoning, and—who in the world is this?"

The group turned to see Director Goredolf Musik approaching, accompanied by the diminutive but brilliant Da Vinci Lily. Goredolf's expression was a mix of suspicion and pompous authority, while Lily's was more curious, her bright eyes fixed on the hooded newcomer in the black raincoat.

The Master of Masters turned to them with an exaggerated bow, his cloak flaring dramatically. "Ah, the mighty Director of Chaldea and the ever-charming Da Vinci, I presume? A pleasure to meet you both! Uh, well, not really since the young lad here briefly mentioned you two while I was taking my stroll within your place."

Goredolf puffed up his chest, clearly taken aback but trying to maintain his composure. "Hmph! Of course you know who I am. As the Director, it's only natural. But who are you, exactly? Another Servant, I take it? You hardly look like a proper Heroic Spirit!"

The Master waved his hand dismissively. "Proper? Who needs proper when you have flair, my good Director? Names and titles are just window dressing, aren't they? What truly matters is the role we play in the grand drama of life. And I—well, let's just say I'm a wandering storyteller, here to add a little spice to your tale."

Goredolf squinted. "That... doesn't answer my question at all!"

"Doesn't it?" The Master leaned in slightly, his tone suddenly low and conspiratorial. "Or perhaps it answers more than you're ready to hear?"

The Director flinched, stepping back. "Y-you can't intimidate me with riddles! I am the Director of Chaldea, and I—"

"Oh, I'm not intimidating you," the Master interrupted with a chuckle. "I'm just letting you realize how much you already don't know. Fun, isn't it?"

Before Goredolf could sputter a reply, Lily stepped forward, her small frame brimming with curiosity. "And what about me? You seem like someone who enjoys riddles and games. Do you have something cryptic for me, too?"

The Master turned to her, tilting his head as if appraising her. "Oh, little genius, I could spin you a tale or two. But you—" he gestured to her with a lazy flick of his wrist—"you already know so much, don't you? Brilliant beyond your years, a marvel of intellect. And yet..." He paused dramatically, his masked face leaning closer to hers. "You're still playing catch-up to the one you're modeled after."

Lily's smile faltered slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Only that shadows can't outshine the sun," the Master said, straightening up with a flourish. "But don't fret. Shadows are just as important in painting the full picture."

Ritsuka winced. "Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Yes!" the Master said cheerfully, turning back to Goredolf. "And no. That's the beauty of it."

Goredolf, now visibly flustered, jabbed a finger at the cloaked figure. "I don't like you. You're far too... unsettling! Fujimaru, I demand you keep this... this weirdo under control!"

The Master clasped his hands together, feigning hurt. "Oh, Director, such harsh words! And here I was thinking we'd get along famously. After all, you've got that 'big fish in a small pond' energy down pat. Very endearing."

"Big fish—! Why, I never—!" Goredolf fumed, his face turning red as a tomato.

Da Vinci Lily, sensing her superior's growing agitation, tugged on his sleeve. "Director, maybe we should let Fujimaru handle this for now? He doesn't seem dangerous—just... eccentric."

"Eccentric?" Goredolf barked. "He's a walking headache! But fine. Fine! I'll leave this to you, Fujimaru. But mark my words, if this... person causes any trouble, it's on your head!"

As the Director stormed off, muttering to himself, Lily gave the Master one last curious glance before following. "You're an odd one," she said. "But I kind of like odd."

The Master tipped an imaginary hat. "The feeling's mutual, pint-sized Da Vinci. Until we meet again."

As the Master of Masters continued his tour of Chaldea, Ritsuka led him into a laboratory, where they encountered Sion Eltnam Sokaris. The brilliant scientist was immersed in her work, with her Servant, Captain Nemo, standing calmly beside her, arms crossed, exuding quiet confidence.

"Ah, Sion!" Ritsuka said warmly, catching her attention. "I'd like you to meet our new guest. He was... uh, an unexpected summoning."

Sion looked up, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto the cloaked figure. "Unexpected, you say?" She approached with curiosity, her coat trailing behind her. "And who might you be, stranger?"

The Master of Masters tilted his head dramatically, his hands spreading wide. "Who am I, indeed? A question with no simple answer, my dear Sion. A storyteller? A seeker? A shadow that dances on the edge of meaning? Take your pick!"

Sion raised an eyebrow. "A cryptic one, I see. Well, I'm Sion Eltnam Sokaris, current head of Chaldea's technical division. And this is Captain Nemo."

The Servant gave a polite nod. "I've fought in many seas, but I've never encountered a Heroic Spirit quite like you."

The Master leaned closer, inspecting Nemo with an exaggerated air of fascination. "Ah, a seafaring soul! I bet you've seen some wonders in your time, Captain. Tell me, does the abyss ever speak back?"

Nemo blinked, caught off-guard by the odd question, while Sion narrowed her eyes in thought. "You speak like someone familiar with the unknown. What class are you, exactly?"

"Oh, excellent question!" The Master clapped his hands, clearly delighted. "Let's make a game of it. Hmm... what could I be?" He began pacing dramatically, gesturing wildly with each suggestion. "A Ruler, perhaps? Guiding others with wisdom and fairness? Nah, too stuffy. Maybe a Saber! Dashing, heroic, cutting through obstacles like a hot knife through butter? Eh, too obvious. Ooh, ooh, how about a Pretender!" He turned back to them with a flourish. "It's all the rage these days, isn't it? A mystery within a mystery, hiding behind masks and roles?"

Mash, who had been quietly consulting her terminal, suddenly spoke up. "Actually, um, we just checked. You're registered as a Moon Cancer."

The Master froze mid-pose, one leg lifted in a dramatic stance. He slowly turned his head toward Mash, his voice dropping. "...Come again?"

"A Moon Cancer," Mash repeated. "Like BB."

For a moment, there was silence as the Master stared blankly. Then, with a flourish, he stumbled backward, clutching his chest. "A Moon Cancer? Me? Oh, the irony! The tragedy! What cruel twist of fate is this?"

Ritsuka scratched his head. "Is it really that bad?"

The Master straightened up immediately, brushing off his cloak. "Not bad, no. Just... unexpected! Although..." He tapped his masked chin thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, there's something poetic about it. A class tied to the Moon, meddling in the balance of things. It does have a certain... je ne sais quoi."

"You're oddly accepting of this now," Sion remarked dryly.

"Oh, I'm nothing if not adaptable," the Master replied cheerfully. "Though, if I may say, Foreigner might've been a better fit. You know, dabbling in realms beyond understanding, defying conventions. But hey, what's life without a little surprise?"

Sion sighed, clearly not sure what to make of him. "Well, whatever class you are, you're certainly unique. Just don't break anything in here."

"No promises!" the Master called over his shoulder as he began examining one of her machines, much to her visible annoyance.

Captain Nemo glanced at Ritsuka and Mash. "Is he always like this?"

Ritsuka groaned. "We've only just met him, but... yeah. Seems like it."

Mash gave a small smile. "At least he's entertaining."

Sion crossed her arms, watching the Master poke at a console. "Let's hope he's more than just entertaining."

"Oh, I'm so much more than that!" the Master chimed in without looking up, making them all wonder just how much he was actually listening.