Author's notes
Now it's the second arc of this fanfiction! Fear not, this is equivalent to the side story regarding relaxation. It is noted that Clockwork Flower Pavane Chapter 1 and Eden Treaty Chapter 1 are skipped.
ENJOY!
Fate/Grand Order: Where All Miracles Begin, SCHALE
A Visitor from Beyond (2/6)
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Her name is Abigail, Abigail Williams.
Just her name had been enough for Ritsuka to drop everything and rush to Abydos High School.
Even with his busy schedule, he managed to arrive in just under half an hour, the urgency in his actions speaking volumes. The girls had been anxiously waiting, their curiosity growing with every passing minute. And when his car pulled up, they all perked up in unison, eager to witness the unfolding scene.
The man stepped out of the car, his sharp blue eyes immediately scanning the group before locking onto the youngest figure among them.
"Abby!"
"Master-san!"
Abigail's face lit up, and without hesitation, she sprinted toward him, her little arms outstretched. She leaped into his arms, and Ritsuka caught her effortlessly, holding her close as though he hadn't seen her in years.
The girls of the Foreclosure Task Force stood frozen, watching the reunion unfold before them. Some exchanged looks, others simply smiled at the pure, heartwarming sight.
"Aww... that's so cute." Nonomi whispered, a dreamy look on her face.
"Right? Look at how happy she is." Ayane added, her voice soft with admiration.
"Ugh, why don'tweget hugs like that?" Serika muttered, folding her arms in mock frustration.
Despite their teasing, there was a shared sense of curiosity among the group. Who exactly was this little girl to their Sensei? The way he smiled so genuinely, his usually composed demeanor softening completely, was unlike anything they'd seen. When he called her, his voice was laced with a warmth and relief they'd never heard from him before.
Recalling half and hour earlier...
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[Me]
Yes.
Her name is Abigail.
Abigail Williams.
After Shiroko texted the messages. There was a long pause this time.
The screen remained still, the typing indicator absent. Shiroko frowned slightly, her brow furrowing as she wondered if the mention of the name had caught him off guard.
Finally, the reply came through.
[Sensei]
Abigail Williams?
Are you sure?
Shiroko tilted her head at the screen, confused. "Nnn., I'm sure" she muttered to herself as she typed back.
[Me]
Yes. That's what she said.
She's standing right here with me. Why?
[Sensei]
Where are you?
Shiroko raised an eyebrow. That was an unusual response. Normally, Ritsuka would either give her more context or ask follow-up questions. But this time, he seemed... different.
[Me]
At Abydos. We're all here.
[Sensei]
I'm on my way. Can you please stay with her until then?
Shiroko blinked in surprise. "He's coming here." she announced, her voice cutting through the quiet tension that had settled in the room.
The girls around her exchanged looks of shock and curiosity.
"No way! He's actually coming here?" Serika exclaimed, her hands flailing slightly. "Shiroko-senpai, you really do get special treatment!"
"No, Serika-chan. It must be because of Abigail-san that he came. " Ayane asked, looking at the little girl.
Abigail's eyes lit up like stars. "He's really coming? He's really coming?" she asked twice, her voice trembling with excitement.
Shiroko nodded "Nnn, he said he's coming. Stay here for now."
The room was abuzz with speculation, but Shiroko couldn't shake the strange feeling she got from Ritsuka's tone. He wasn't usually this serious unless it was something big.
Looking at Abigail, she couldn't help but wonder—just who was this little girl, and why did Sensei seem so urgent about her?
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Back to the present.
After a few minutes of hugging, Ritsuka pulled back slightly— still holding Abigail securely in his arms.
"Abby, are you okay? How did you get here?"
Abigail giggled, shaking her head. "I'm fine, Master-san! I was looking for you! I came here on behalf of the entire Chaldea!"
"Really?" His brows furrowed.
"Yes, everyone was worried about you. They sent me to visit and check up on you!" Abigail replied smilingly. "It's great that you're not hurt anywhere. You are doing heathy and well, right?"
"I see... I must have made them worried."
"It's okay, Master-san! I'll give you all the details later! I also have a loooot of questions."
"Mhm— Thank you for being here, Abby." Pulling her into another hug, his hand gently brushed her blond hair that reflected brightly in the sunlight. The warmth they shared rivalled that of the sun, amazed the bystanders who had been watching the scene from the beginning.
"How is this so wholesome?" Nonomi whispered, nudging Ayane, who simply gave a relief smile.
Yet, beneath the lighthearted atmosphere, there was a growing sense of intrigue. Watching their teacher—someone who had always seemed composed, even enigmatic—open up so effortlessly to this child was a revelation.
As if sensing their stares, Ritsuka turned slightly, still holding Abigail. His calm, professional demeanor returned, though his eyes retained a lingering warmth.
"Thank you for looking after her." He said to the group, nodding in gratitude. "Abigail is... someone very important to me."
The girls exchanged glances, their curiosity only growing. Important? From what they saw, the bond between the two was nothing like the teacher-student relationship they had with him.
"Sensei." Shiroko finally spoke up, stepping forward. "How do you two know each other?"
Ritsuka hesitated for a moment, glancing down at Abigail, who gave him an encouraging nod.
"It's... a long story," he said with a small smile. "But let's just say Abby and I have known each other for a long time. Longer than I've been a teacher here. So— Yeah."
That only made them more curious. They watched as Abigail beamed up at him, her small hands clutching the lapel of his shirt like she never wanted to let go.
Whatever their history was, it was clear to everyone that the bond between Ritsuka and Abigail was something special, something deeper than they could understand. And for now, that was enough.
Ritsuka crouched slightly to meet Abigail's height and gently asked, "By the way, how you met the Abydos girls?"
Abigail tilted her head thoughtfully, fiddling with her hands as she answered. "Uhm... I found Shiroko-san on top of a building, uhm... So—"
Ritsuka's expression immediately darkened. He stood up and turned sharply toward Shiroko, his blue eyes narrowing. "Shiroko..."
"..." Shiroko froze under his gaze.
"Don't tell me..." His voice trailed off.
Shiroko broke, guilt evident in her stance. "Sensei... I—I'm sorry..." she admitted, hanging her head in defeat, bracing herself for the lecture she knew was coming. Plus, she also felt it— an ominous presence right behind her back.
Behind her, Ayane's voice dropped to an uncharacteristic chill. "Shiroko-senpai... What did youdo?"
Before Shiroko could explain further, Serika stepped forward, pointing dramatically. "Wait! Hold on!"
All eyes turned toward her.
"Sensei, why did she call you 'Master'?" Serika's voice was filled with suspicion as she pointed toward Abigail who blinked innocently.
Ritsuka froze.
Abigail froze.
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"..."
The two of them exchanged a nervous glance, their faces stiff with the panic of being caught off guard.
Serika narrowed her eyes, sensing something odd. "Don't tell me..." she began, her tone accusatory. "You've been using her as some kind of servant?!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ritsuka immediately held his hands up, desperately trying to calm the situation before it spiraled out of control.
"Absolutely not!" he exclaimed, his voice firm but laced with just a hint of panic. "You've got it all wrong!"
Abigail quickly nodded in agreement, waving her hands frantically. "That's not it! I-I call him 'Master-san' because... because..." She trailed off, looking to Ritsuka for help.
He cleared his throat, his mind racing for an excuse. "Because... it's a nickname. It's just something she came up with. You know how kids are."
"...A nickname?" Ayane asked, her skepticism evident.
"Yes..." Ritsuka confirmed, nodding firmly. "Abby likes to give everyone special names. It's just her thing."
Abigail caught on and nodded enthusiastically. "Y-Yeah! That's right! I gave him that name because he's so good at helping people, like a kind of teacher!"
Nonomi's eyes sparkled. "Master? Teacher? Like a master and disciple or something?"
"Exactly!" The master quickly latched onto the idea. "See? Nothing strange about it at all. Like how you all call me 'Sensei', she used the more childish term. It's just an innocent nickname."
The Foreclosure Task Force exchanged looks, still a little suspicious but slowly relaxing.
"Huh... I guess that makes sense." Serika muttered, folding her arms.
The tension finally began to dissipate, though Shiroko gave him a sideways glance, clearly catching on to his evasiveness. Abigail hugged him tighter, hiding her amused smile behind him, as the group accepted the explanation—at least for now.
"Well..." Hoshino finally spoke, clapping her hands. "Now that that's settled, let's focus on the fact that this adorable little girl somehow managed to find us in Abydos!"
The others nodded, and just like that, Ritsuka and Abigail silently exchanged a look of relief— knowing how close they'd come to giving away far more than they should have. Nonetheless, it was finished yet.
"So, since you said you knew each other before—was she also from 'outside of Kivotos,' like you?" Serika's sharp eyes gleamed as she leaned forward, clearly determined to get an answer this time.
Ritsuka froze for a fraction of a second, the words hanging heavy in the air. He had avoided this conversation for as long as possible, sidestepping every question with vague deflections or jokes. But now, with Abigail standing beside him, her innocent presence adding weight to the inquiry, dodging felt even harder.
"Yeah... Sorry," he finally replied, forcing a smile. "The details will come later."
The girls groaned collectively, clearly dissatisfied with his non-answer.
"When?" Serika pressed further, her arms crossed.
"Someday. Maybe... someday," The man replied with an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his neck.
Shiroko sighed but didn't push him further, knowing from experience that this was a battle they wouldn't win. Hoshino, on the other hand, seemed amused, chuckling quietly as she leaned against the wall. "Well, you're nothing if not consistent, Sensei."
"Thanks, I think..." Ritsuka muttered, relieved they were starting to let it go.
Abigail tugged on his sleeve gently, her soft voice cutting through the chatter. "Master-san, can we go now? I... I wanted to talk to you about something."
He looked down at her, her small hand clutching his sleeve and her pale blue eyes staring up at him expectantly. He gave her a small nod.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Turning back to the Foreclosure Taskforce, he gave them a quick wave. "Alright, everyone, I'll leave you to it for now. Don't cause too much trouble, okay?"
"Hey, we're not the ones causing trouble!" Serika shot back, puffing up indignantly.
"Mm-hmm." Ritsuka replied teasingly, already turning toward the exit with Abigail in tow.
"Goodbye, Onee-sans!"
As they drove away, the Abydos girls watched them curiously, their chatter picking up again as soon as they were out of earshot.
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"They really seem close." Nonomi remarked, her tone a mix of admiration and curiosity.
"Yes, but I wonder what's their connection?" Ayane argued. "She called him 'Master' again too."
"Shiroko-senpai, do you know anything?" Serika asked, narrowing her eyes at the wolf-girl.
Shiroko only shrugged, her face remained neutral.
"Not a clue."
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The hum of the car engine filled the space as Ritsuka focused on the road ahead, the soft glow of the evening sun casting long shadows across the dashboard. Beside him, Abigail sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her small frame dwarfed by the seat but her presence warm and lively.
Breaking the comfortable silence, Ritsuka glanced at her briefly.
"So, Abby... how's everyone doing?"
Abigail perked up at the question, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, yes! Everyone's doing just fine. In the beginning, everyone was really worried about you, but after some investigation, they felt more relieved."
"Investigation?" The master raised an eyebrow. A faint smile appeared on his face as he had confirmed his comrades' well-being. The others—servants, and the command team. Da Vinci, Goredolf, Sion— As long as they were fine, he couldn't feel more better.
"Mhm!" Abigail nodded enthusiastically, her hat bouncing slightly. "But I'll tell you properly later."
Her gaze shifted to the scenery passing outside the window before she turned back to him, curiosity in her voice. "By the way, Master-san, are you working as a teacher now? Those girls back there—are they your students?"
Ritsuka chuckled, scratching the back of his head with one hand while keeping the other on the wheel. "Well—yeah, kind of. I'm working as a teacher... and investigating a singularity at the same time."
"Wow, Master-san is always busy wherever he goes."
Ritsuka laughed softly.
After a few more minutes of driving, The man slowed the car and turned into a gated complex. "We've arrived."
Abigail's eyes widened as she stepped out of the car and looked up at the towering Schale building bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. "Waa! Master-san, is this your house? An entire building?"
"Mhm. Well—it's my workplace and my house combined. Come on in. We'll talk to our hearts' content."
"Yay!"
Abigail cheered happily, skipping to his side and clutching his arm as they walked into the building.
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The door to the teacher's office swiped open, and cheerful voices rang out.
"Welcome back, Sensei!"
"Welcome home, Sensei. Did you finish early to...day?"
Peeking out from behind a mountain of documents, a twin-tailed girl greeted brightly. Following her friend, the white-haired girl's also said her welcome— yet her calm and melodic voice trailed off as her eyes landed on the unexpected sight before her.
The two girls blinked in unison. Their eyes land on a small figure clinging tightly to their teacher's arm—a young girl with long golden hair and an innocent expression that could melt even the iciest heart.
"Hey, I'm back." Ritsuka said casually, stepping further into the room with the girl at his side.
"Ara, Sensei... do you have a guest today? A student?" The white-haired girl asked, her amethyst-colored eyes shifting curiously to the young girl.
Yuuka, still buried behind the documents, craned her neck to get a better look.
"Yeah, her name is Abigail."
The little girl stepped forward slightly, her voice soft but clear. "Hello, Onee-sans."
"Hi~" Noa replied, smiling warmly.
Ritsuka gestured between them to make introductions. "These two are my students. This is Noa, and the one over there trying to drown in paperwork is Yuuka."
The two girls nodded politely, though their curiosity was clearly piqued. It wasn't uncommon for students to visit SCHALE for consultations, but this situation was different.
Abigail wasn't the typical high school student they were used to seeing. Normally, Ritsuka's main role was to assist high school students rather than junior high or elementary. In addition, they seemed very close— too close.
Yuuka finally broke the silence.
"By the way, Sensei, did you finish your work with the Trinity students early today?"
"Well, you could say that," Ritsuka replied with a slight chuckle.
Noa, always the thoughtful one, turned to Abigail with a gentle smile. "Abigail-chan, are you here for a consultation?"
"Umm..." The girl hesitated for a moment, looking up at Ritsuka for reassurance. He nodded, and she answered. "Yes, Onee-san."
"Okay~ Would you like some tea? Or maybe hot chocolate?"
"Hot chocolate, please!" Abigail said, her face lighting up.
"Give me a few minutes, okay?" Noa said cheerfully before heading to the small kitchen area, performing her duty as the Seminar's sole secretary.
As Abigail took a seat on the couch, her wide eyes scanned the office, taking in every detail. Meanwhile, Ritsuka leaned over Yuuka's desk, engaging her in a friendly chat.
"Thank you, as always, Yuuka. I'll make sure to buy you a big, big dinner, okay?"
"Mou—Sensei! You're messing up my hair!" Yuuka protested, swatting his hand away as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Abigail watched the exchange quietly. She couldn't help but smile at the scene— Her master was always like this no matter who and where. They were very close, he treated the girl like how he treated his servants in Chaldea.
All of a sudden, a stray thought crossed her mind.
She remembered the teasing whispers in Chaldea—the ones that began with a certain King of Heroes.Female servants must brace themselves. He'd once said with a smirk. Watching Ritsuka interact with his students now, Abigail began to understand why those rumors had started.
The students' gazes lingered on him, carrying a faint sense of admiration and something else she couldn't quite place. It was a look she'd seen before in Chaldea—a look of devotion.
"Here's your hot chocolate, Abigail-chan." Noa's voice interrupted her thoughts, placing on a table was a cup of hot chocolate.
"Thank you, Noa-san." Abigail said sweetly, taking a careful sip from her cup.
"Enjoy~"
Ritsuka, noticing that Abigail had settled, gave her a faint smile. "Abby, let's talk, shall we?"
"Yes!"
"Come, come— " The master said as Abigail quickly set her cup down and walked over to him. Noticing the direction they were heading, the two students tilted their heads in confusion.
"Sensei?"
"Well, it's a little private this time." Ritsuka replied, glancing at the clock. "By the way, aren't you two heading home soon? It's almost the end of your duty time."
The two students exchanged a quick glance before Yuuka stuttered. "It's—It's alright, Sensei. We'll wait!"
"Eh? Are you sure?" Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"Yes, yes!" Yuuka insisted, her face slightly pink.
Noa only smiled, her expression unreadable.
"Okay... it's fine. Let's have dinner together later, then," Ritsuka said with a shrug. "Think about what you want to eat. My treat!"
"Mhm!" Yuuka answered eagerly, while Noa simply nodded in agreement.
As Ritsuka and Abigail disappeared upstairs, the two students sat in silence for a moment, processing what they'd just witnessed.
"That was... definitely his private area." Yuuka finally murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Noa nodded slowly, her serene expression betraying just a hint of intrigue. The direction the two went was upstairs— the teacher's home. Subconsciously, students knew it was his private zone they shouldn't trespass.
Yet, the girl they'd never seen before was allowed— no, invited, by the man himself.
This couldn't be more suspicious.
"..."
"..."
The two girls exchanged another glance, their thoughts swirling with questions.
"Who is that little girl?" Yuuka whispered.
Neither of them had an answer, but one thing was certain: this was no ordinary consultation.
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On the plush couch in Ritsuka's living area on SCHALE's upper floor, Abigail's slender arms hugged her doll lovingly.
The cozy room was warmly lit, the quiet hum of the building filling the air. Ritsuka settled into the seat beside her, leaning back slightly as he exhaled. Finally, they had the privacy they needed.
"Let's start." Ritsuka said, his voice calm but curious.
"Okay, Master-san." Abigail replied with a small nod "Let's see where it begins."
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as the memory surfaced.
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The command room buzzed with activity as monitors displayed real-time data streams. High-tech equipment lined the walls, and a number of Chaldea's staff moved about efficiently, their attention divided between their tasks and the ongoing discussion.
Abigail nervously stepped into the room, her small figure framed by the grand doorway. Her usual confidence seemed to falter as she glanced around the room. This wasn't her first time here—she often visited to play with friends or chat with the staff. But today felt different.
The tension in the air was palpable. The person who had summoned her wasn't the usual team of directives or support staff. It washim.
Standing at the center of the room, surrounded by a sea of familiar faces, was the golden-clad King of Heroes—Gilgamesh. The King, in his caster form, exuded an aura of authority that demanded respect from all present.
"A-Abigail, present!" she announced nervously, her voice cracking slightly under the weight of the countless eyes that turned to her.
Her gaze quickly scanned the room, and her heart sank. The gathering wasn't just a casual meeting. She saw many of Chaldea's most powerful figures assembled, shoulder to shoulder, their expressions grim.
"Ehh—!" Abigail let out a small, startled noise as her eyes darted between them.
The King of Knights, the Queen of Faries, the Archetype of Earth herself, plus the Archetype of Mictlan— a primordial goddess, a space beast...
The air felt heavy. The kind of heavy that made her stomach churn.
Gulping nervously, Abigail shuffled further into the room, her small feet hesitant on the polished floor. She couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility. After all, Ritsuka had been under her care, especially during the times Count Romani was unavailable. And yet, despite her best efforts, she had failed.
"Alright, Abigail is here," Da Vinci's cheery voice cut through the tension, though even she sounded slightly restrained. "Do you mind starting now, Your Highness?"
Gilgamesh cast a glance at Abigail, his glowing red eyes piercing but calm. "Hmm. Ritsuka is doing fine. You all don't need to worry much about him."
Abigail blinked.He's fine?Relief washed over her for a moment, though her worry didn't completely dissipate.
"That's great news!" Mash exclaimed, her voice betraying her relief.
"But where is he, though?" Sion interjected, her sharp mind already racing through possibilities. "Is he stuck in a singularity? If so, we could send reinforcements—if we can determine the coordinates, that is."
"I can give you his location so you may visit."
Da Vinci's brows furrowed at the King's words. "Visit?" she echoed, confusion laced in her tone.
"Yes." the King of Heroes replied. "But you are not to interfere with him."
The room went silent, every figure present exchanging glances of disbelief and concern.
"Not interfere?" Mash asked cautiously, her expression uncertain.
Gilgamesh's crimson gaze swept across the room, silencing any further questions before they could be spoken. "Ritsuka Fujimaru is carrying out his duty, and it is not your place to disrupt him. What he faces now is part of his growth as a master."
Da Vinci tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she leaned forward, tapping her finger against the edge of her clipboard. "Don't disrupt? Why? He needs servants to help him resolve the singularity, no?"
"Yes, what is a master without a servant?" Goredolf chimed in. He paused, visibly hesitating before pressing further. "Ugh—King of Heroes, can't we really send him support?"
His question seemed to resonate deeply with the room, drawing the attention of both servants and Chaldea's former masters. Kadoc clenched his fists, his icy gaze fixed on the floor. Though he'd always struggled with his own insecurities as a master, he understood Ritsuka's true strength better than most. It wasn't in his magecraft, but in his ability to lead and work with his servants. For him to be alone—without that support—was almost unimaginable.
"This is not the case this time. Just this once, he has to do it himself. You are not to interfere or help at all costs."
The declaration landed like a hammer blow. Abigail, still rooted to her spot, looked up at the towering figure of the King of Heroes, her hands trembling.
Da Vinci raised her hand in question. "Hmm, that's strange..." she said, her voice thoughtful yet tinged with unease. "Let me ask this to make sure: is it a singularity?"
Gilgamesh's expression remained stoic as he replied. "You're half-correct. This is another of Alaya's absurdities—a new trial for him."
Gasps echoed through the room, and the weight of the revelation bore down on everyone present.
"Another ordeal?!" Da Vinci exclaimed, her voice rising slightly as she slammed her hands onto the table. "Impossible! He's already overcome all the extra classes! What could Alaya possibly want now?!"
Gilgamesh remained silent for a moment, allowing the gravity of his words to settle in the room. Finally, he spoke, his tone firm yet calm.
"That's all I could say. If you wish for him to return safe and sound, believe in him. That's the only solution."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Even the most powerful and confident figures in Chaldea—those who had faced gods, demons, and primordial beings—seemed shaken. Abigail looked around, her gaze landing on Mash, who was clutching her hands tightly, her expression filled with worry.
"Believe in him..." Mash whispered, her voice barely audible over the silence.
For Abigail, the words felt both comforting and terrifying. She didn't doubt her Master's strength, but the thought of him facing another trial, alone, filled her with dread. Still, if the King of Heroes had confidence in him, she would have to find the strength to do the same.
Abigail, standing quietly in the midst of the discussion, felt her stomach knot tighter.
Her small voice broke through the silence, trembling but resolute. "Will... will Master-san come back safely?"
Gilgamesh's gaze softened slightly as he looked at her.
"The fool always finds his way home. Do not underestimate him. He has faced worse odds and prevailed."
"Well, that's fair." Kadoc muttered, breaking the silence. He shrugged, leaning back against the wall with crossed arms. "Who are we to underestimate that guy, anyway?"
"Mhm! I believe my Ritsu will come back safe and sound. He always does." Stepping forward, Female Hakuno's smile was radiant, though her eyes betrayed her lingering worry.
The other Hakuno and Ciel, who had long taken on the role of brotherly and sisterly figures for Ritsuka, also exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
The tension in the room eased slightly, the shared belief in Ritsuka's resilience slowly winning over the doubts.
"Right!" Mash said, her hands clenching into fists with renewed determination. "Senpai has always returned, no matter how impossible things seemed. He'll do it again this time!"
Da Vinci nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit, everyone. We've got to believe in our Master and do what we can from here. If King Gilgamesh says it's a trial, then we've got no choice but to trust him to overcome it."
Gilgamesh's mouth curled into a faint smile, his gaze sharp and commanding once more. "Come here, Abigail. I will give you his coordinates so you can visit him on behalf of all of us."
"Y— Yes!" The little girl blinked in surprise before stepping forward nervously.
"Heee... Your Highness," Da Vinci chimed in with a smirk. "Couldn't you just say it out loud for everyone to hear?"
"Mongrels!" Gilgamesh barked as he pointed toward a group of women gathered at the far end of the room. "Look at their eyes. What do you think would happen if this location were to be leaked to them?!"
All heads turned toward the said group, and a chill ran through the room. The women's gazes were sharp, intense, and far beyond the realm of mere curiosity—they radiated the fervor of devotees ready to move mountains.
Mash gulped audibly. "Th-that... might not be a good idea..."
Kadoc muttered under his breath. "That's not just determination. That's terrifying."
Gilgamesh continued "If these dangerous women were to interfere, Fujimaru would fail this trial. Some of them can rayshift. Some can travel through space. And others..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "It would be catastrophic."
With a flick of his hand, he summoned a ball of golden light at his fingertip.
"This is why you, little girl, shall carry the burden."
Abigail watched in awe as the ball of light floated toward her. It sank into her forehead, filling her with a warm and radiant energy. She instinctively knew it was more than just coordinates—it carried the love, trust, and yearning of countless servants.
"Now go..." Gilgamesh commanded, his tone softening just slightly.
"Ease the tension here and ensure the fool returns intact."
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"And that's the end of the story!" Abigail exclaimed cheerfully, her blue eyes sparkling as she leaned back against the couch.
Ritsuka sat in stunned silence for a moment, his hand coming up to rub his temple.
"...Ah, so this is one of Alaya's trials..." He muttered before letting out a heavy sigh, his palm sliding down his face.
"Yes! The King of Heroes didn't reveal much since he said it's something Master-san needs to overcome himself— " Abigail cheerfully explained. "Still, many, many servants miss you! They also sent me letters too!"
With a delighted wave of her arm, a pile of letters materialized on the couch beside her, neatly stacked and brimming with various styles of envelopes.
Ritsuka blinked at the sight before a faint smile crossed his lips. "Thank you, Abby. If you return, make sure to send them my words of appreciation, okay?"
"Mhm! ⸜(｡ ᵕ )⸝ "
The room fell into a comfortable silence as Ritsuka's gaze drifted toward the letters. His mind churned as he processed the implications of the trial while his hands were busily storing the letters.
Finally, Abigail spoke again, breaking the quiet. "Master-san, I have some questions too."
Ritsuka glanced at her, his faint smile returning. "Hmm? Go ahead, Abby."
"What's a halo?"
"Hmm? Where did you learn about this? Don't tell me— You see them too?" The man blinked, slightly caught off guard.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I couldn't see it." Abigail replied, shaking her head. "The Abydos onee-sans said I had one, but I don't even know what they meant. You can see them, Master-san?"
"Yeah, I can see them," Ritsuka admitted, his brows furrowing slightly. "But Abby... you definitely don't have one."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Then what do they mean?"
Leaning back against the couch, he crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Halos are kind of like... power sources. They grant students extraordinary physical capabilities, allow them to absorb damage, and even provide healing. If their halo is destroyed, the student dies."
The girl's lips parted slightly as she processed the information. "And each student has a different halo?"
"Exactly," Ritsuka confirmed. "The patterns and designs of halos are unique to each individual. I assume their characteristics are based on the student's personality and traits."
A heavy silence hung between them as both delved into their thoughts. Then Abigail spoke again, her voice steady. "Master-san, I think this matter might be related to something else."
Ritsuka's gaze sharpened, sensing the gravity of her words.
"What is it, Abby?"
She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I can feel it clearly—all the students in this city, they havespirit origins."
Ritsuka froze, his mind racing. "Spirit origins? Like...servants?"
Abigail nodded. "Yes... and from what you just described about halos..."
Extraordinary strength.
Abnormal durability.
Healing capabilities.
Damage absorption.
They die if it's destroyed.
Ritsuka's eyes widened as the realization struck him. "Halos... they have to be— they are spirit origins."
Abigail nodded again, her expression serious.
"This makes a lot of sense now..." Ritsuka murmured, rubbing his temples as he leaned forward. "Even though their power levels are nowhere near that of servants, the concepts align perfectly."
His thoughts churned, piecing together fragments of his knowledge and experience.What are they? Are they like pseudo-servants? Is it because I'm a master that I can see their halos?
As if... they're in the process of transforming into servants.
A conversion process... similar to how ordinary people become servants in the Servantverse.
A frown deepened on his face as his mind wandered further. Despite the lack of evidence, his experience and intuition made up the rationality of his theory.
They even share similarities with the Valkyries—combat dolls created with halos by Odin for battle.
To be fair, this wild theory had crossed his mind before, and thanks to Abigail, it was now strongly supported— Still, it required more evidence. Now, the man knew the direction he should be heading. His future investigation would surely be more purposeful.
Just what happened in this world, Alaya?
"Master-san?" Abigail's soft voice snapped him out of his reverie.
"I'm fine, Abby. Just thinking," Ritsuka reassured her, leaning back with a sigh. "Let's assume for now that they're lifeforms transitioning into becoming servants. If that's the case, Da Vinci and Sion might be able to make sense of it. When you return, make sure to share this with them, okay?"
"Mhmm!" Abigail nodded enthusiastically, her usual cheerfulness returning. Her gaze also softened, and her voice took on a more concerned tone. "By the way, Master-san... this concerns you too."
Ritsuka's eyes narrowed slightly, processing her words. "What do you mean?"
Abigail hesitated for a moment, her fingers clasping the hem of her dress as if steadying herself. "Even though the master-servant contract between us still exists... I can sense something strange about you. It feels like—like you have a spirit origin, like servants and the students here."
The master remained silent, his expression unreadable. Finally, he exhaled deeply. "...Since King Gilgamesh said this is another one of Alaya's ordeals, it makes sense now. Looks like this time, I've become an extra-class servant."
Abigail nodded solemnly. "Yes, but the question is—what class?"
"..."
A flicker of thought crossed Ritsuka's mind.
Alter Ego, Avenger, Moon Cancer, Ruler, Foreigner... He had embodied all of these classes before. Pretender was the only class left untouched, but judging by Abigail's demeanor, it likely wasn't that. In addition, the pretender class was very special— like an extra class of the extra classes. Chaldea had assumed it was likely impossible for him to pretend to be someone or someone to pretend to be him.
What class is this then?
Abigail tilted her head thoughtfully. "Since it's Alaya's ordeal, it must have adjusted something... Master-san, do you know?"
"Mhm." Ritsuka nodded, his gaze darkening slightly. "This is very different from the previous trials I've faced. This time, I feel restrictions—almost like shackles—all over my circuits. Even this..."
He raised his right hand, revealing a faint red glow emanating from his skin. The barely visible outline of Command Spells flickered like embers against his hand.
"The Command Spells... I can't use them. And I can't summon Shadow Servants either."
Abigail's eyes widened slightly, her hands unconsciously reaching out toward his glowing hand before pulling back. "Does that mean...?"
"Maybe the concept of master and servant barely exists here..." Ritsuka speculated, lowering his hand. "Or maybe there aren't any real servants in this world yet. Couple that with the fact that I've become this 'special-class' servant, and it starts to make sense why I barely have any of my master authority left."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling between them. Abigail looked at him with a mix of worry and determination, her small hands clenched tightly in her lap.
Noticing her concern, Ritsuka softened his expression and reached out to gently pat her head. "It's alright, Abby. I'll be fine. If King Gilgamesh says I have to do this on my own, then there's no reason to doubt him, right?" He chuckled dryly, though there was a flicker of unease in his tone.
"Mhm!" Abigail's voice was filled with conviction. "Everyone is rooting for you, Master-san!"
"I know, I know..."
After a brief pause, Abigail tilted her head, curiosity returning to her expression. "By the way, Master-san... What about you? What happened to you here?"
Ritsuka leaned back slightly, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. "Well, it's been... quite the experience, to say the least."
He closed his eyes briefly, organizing his thoughts, before beginning to recount his time in this peculiar world. The man told her everything— his first day at work when he fought a terrorist, helping the Abydos resolve immaculate debts, his days with the Game Development Department, and his currently ongoing task— looking after the Make-Up Work club.
As the man told her his experience, the girl's eyes sparkled.
One week in Chaldea was almost two months in KIvotos. Abigail couldn't feel more relieved that her master was safe and well, she could sense the calmness and happiness radiating from him—an emotion that felt rare and almost foreign when associated with her master.
Although she hadn't been together with him since the start of the Grand Order— Abigail knew—no, everyone in Chaldea knew—
Fujimaru Ritsuka never truly had a break.
Danger was a constant companion, coming and going like the tides. Catastrophes seemed to be woven into the fabric of his existence. The sight of him appearing lighter, free from the burdens that had weighed him down for so long, was a sight that would warm every heart in Chaldea.
Some servants had even gone so far as to contemplate waging wars against Chaldea—or even the entire world—just to release him from his endless responsibilities.
Now, in front of her, Ritsuka smiled—a simple, genuine smile.
It was the very wish of every servant in Chaldea, their deepest desire.
"Abby?" Ritsuka's voice broke through her reverie, his curious gaze falling on the girl who had unknowingly spaced out.
Abigail snapped back to reality, her face lighting up with a smile. "Ah! That's wonderful, Master-san! I'll make sure to let everyone know you're safe and doing well."
"Hahaha! Looks like I'll need to apologize to them for making them worry so much." Ritsuka chuckled, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
"Master-san! I'm also happy that I get to stay here for a while!"
"Oh?" Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, amused by her enthusiasm. "How long are you planning to stay?"
Abigail tilted her head thoughtfully before answering. "Hmm... Since the time difference between here and Chaldea is about one to six... I'll probably stay for a week here. That way, it'll only feel like a day has passed in Chaldea." She paused, her expression shifting to a slightly more serious tone. "If I stay any longer, I'll risk getting scolded."
Ritsuka couldn't help but laugh softly at her honesty.
After all, Abigail's true objective wasn't to meddle in the affairs of this world—it was to visit him, to see with her own eyes that he was okay. Coming here, talking, and sharing time with him wouldn't disrupt the natural flow of this world's matters... right?
Ritsuka leaned back into the couch, his eyes softening as he looked at Abigail. "I'll be honest, Abby. I've got a lot of things on my plate right now, so I probably won't be able to spend as much time with you as I'd like."
"It's okay, Master-san. You're working as a teacher now, right? That's a big responsibility." The apology in his tone was evident, and Abigail immediately waved her hands to reassure him.
"When I flew over the city, I saw so, so many students and academies—big and small. They were everywhere, like convenience stores. It's normal you're busy..." Her voice softened, and she muttered. "It must be fun too..."
Hearing her words, Ritsuka's gaze softened further. A sudden idea popped into his mind, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Abby, do you... want to go to school?"
The little girl blinked, her expression shifting to stunned disbelief. "Me... go to school?"
"Mhm!" Ritsuka nodded, his warm smile widening. "I can arrange it. If you want, you can try. What do you think?"
Abigail stared at him for a moment, her blue eyes wide with surprise. For someone who had lived through the dark, terrifying days of the Salem witch trials, the concept of attending school in a world like this—a world so vibrant and full of life—was almost beyond comprehension.
The man's mind wandered briefly to Abigail's past. Living in an era of fear and judgment, any semblance of a normal childhood had been cruelly taken from her. He remembered how the town hall in her era doubled as a rudimentary schoolhouse, but its environment was grim and unkind, nothing like what Kivotos had to offer.
This world, however, was different. Here, she could experience something closer to what she deserved—a carefree, joyful life, even if only for a short time.
Just her studying here for a little while should be fine, right?
"Mhm! Thank you, Master-san!" Abigail's face lit up with excitement, her hands clutching the hem of her dress as she nodded enthusiastically.
Ritsuka chuckled softly, feeling his heart warm at her joy. "Alright, then. You'll be staying here with me, and as for the school..."
"School? Will I get to be with the Abydos onee-sans?"
Tapping a finger to his chin, the teacher thought for a moment. After a few seconds, he revealed a faint smile, an idea forming in his mind.
"I think I have a better option."
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"So... you're saying— you want Abigail to enroll in our school?"
"Yes... Is that possible?"
Yuuka blinked, momentarily stunned at the man's words. The proposal wasn't what she expected when she sat down for today's SCHALE duties.
The meeting room at SCHALE felt warm and relaxed, yet the air buzzed with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Sitting opposite Ritsuka and Abigail, Yuuka and Noa exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a mix of surprise and contemplation.
Since the core members of the Seminar were here, this was an opportunity he couldn't overlook. After all, Millennium Science School wasn't just any institution—it rivaled the likes of Trinity and Gehenna, it also offered a quality environment neither too strict nor too free.
I'm sorry, Hoshino.The man thought in his head for not supporting the girl's plan to increase the number of Abydos students by any means.
"(_")" Staring at her teacher and side-eyeing her friend, Yuuka used her calculator head to process the situation.Who is this little girl to him, to get this much treatment?Their closeness bothered her a little. In addition to that... across from her, Abigail's blue eyes sparkled with hope and excitement, her expression so radiant it was almost blinding.
"Ara, of course. That shouldn't be any problem at all."
"Really? Thank you, Noa!"
Noa's lips curled into a small smile, her purple eyes twinkling. "Fufu, if you're that thankful, Sensei, free up your schedule for me one day, okay? And Yuuka-chan, of course, will join us."
Ritsuka chuckled at the cheeky yet elegant request. "Alright, deal."
Abigail, unable to contain her excitement, leaned forward. "Will I get to go to classes with Yuuka-san and Noa-san?"
Noa smiled kindly. "Sorry, Abigail-chan. You're a bit too young for our classes. How old are you?"
"Uh... 12," Abigail admitted with a slight blush.
"Ah, then you'll be placed in junior high." Noa explained. "But don't worry—Millennium is a big school, yet it's easy to get around. We'll see each other often."
"Mhm!" Abigail turned to Ritsuka, her smile glowing with excitement. "Look,Sensei! I'm really going to be in a school!"
TheSenseicouldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. To prevent a misunderstanding like what occurred at Abydos, he told her to call him 'Sensei' whenever they weren't alone.
"Also..." Abigail's eyes sparkled even more as she asked the next question. "Do I get to live in a dorm too?"
Her innocent inquiry made the other three freeze. Their eyes darted between one another, each silently debating the logistics.
"Abby, do you want to live in a dorm?" Ritsuka asked gently.
"Mhm!" Abigail nodded, then added, "But I also want to stay with you too..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Yuuka and Noa exchanged glances, their unspoken agreement clear. Right now, Ritsuka was her parental figure— so it'd be best she stayed with him, which is probably at SCHALE's dorm. However, the heart of the school experience came from sharing dorm life with friends, but Abigail was too young to live completely on her own. It was a delicate balance to maintain.
It'd be better if someone could take care of her.
Suddenly, Noa's voice broke the silence, her tone light but thoughtful.
"What about staying with me?" Saying with her iconic smile, all eyes turned to her. "Abigail-chan? What do you think?"
"Really?!" Abigail's eyes widened, and she immediately beamed. "Thank you, Noa-san!"
Yuuka and Ritsuka both turned to Noa, their expressions equally surprised.
"That was... fast." The teacher muttered under his breath. The reply came out instantly— it was way too fast. There was no way Abigail and Noa were already this close right?
The man was lost in his thoughts, looking at the two girls who were chitchatting happily.
Did she win over her with just hot chocolate? Why do they look like sisters even though they just met?
Out of the blue, a thought crossed his mind. Now that he thought about it, those two were very similar.
Despite her calm and collected demeanor, Ushio Noa was secretly a troublemaker who liked chaos to ease her boredom. Likewise, Abigail, for all her sweetness, had a naughty and mischievous streak that often surprised others. That explained the chemistry between these two.
So... the same personalities attracted each other, huh?
These chaotic girls won't cause any trouble, right?
"Well, let's wrap this up," Noa said, smiling at Abigail.
"So, Abigail-chan, you'll officially be a transfer student at our school."
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"Welcome to Millenium."
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END.
Author's notes
Holy Jesus Christ, this chapter is long! I couldn't find where to cut except there. The next update will be after the new year, so please don't wait— enjoy your holidays!
If you've read the one-shot, you must already known what the special-class servant this is. Did anyone manage to guess the lore I tried to pull? I left some hints already, what do you think happened to the world of Blue Archive? Feel free to share your theory. (Another hint: This novel's plot was written after the release of Ordeal Call 3)
Stay tuned for the next chapter! As I said, this arc is a light-hearted one.
Happy New Year!Wish you all the best!