Minato was an ordinary man. At least he thought.

  He was a simple man. He wanted to get paid well, and he was willing to do what it took.

  He originally joined the Fujimura Group, but they were too tame and barely raked in any real money.

  He asked around, joined a new group, and the next thing he knew, he was knocked unconscious.

  When he woke up, he was bound to a chair in front of a table.

  “Oh, you're finally awake. I almost thought I’d have to spsh water on you, which would be terrible. Do you know how many Africans don't have access to clean water?” a voice said.

  Minato looked in the direction and found no distinguishing features.

  Except for a familiar red helmet.

  “It’s you!”

  “It’s me!”

  “What? Nothing?” The man? sighed. “I was hoping you’d call out a name or something.”

  “...You don’t have a name?”

  “If you mean one given to me when I was born, then yes, but I’m not gonna tell you that. The helmet isnt just for show, y’know. I meant an alias. The name whispered through the streets. Something that strikes fear into the hearts of many. It doesn't feel right giving a name to myself?” ‘Red’ rambled.

  “...That …makes …sense.” Minato hesitantly agreed.

  “But enough about me. Let's get to know you.” It quickly turned around. “Word around the block is that you are stockpiling trucks—lorries no less. What up with that?”

  “I-I dunno, ask the boss man. He's in charge of the operation.”

  "Oh. That's a shame because he's no longer with us. That is to say, you're the only one still with us. So congrats on its surprise promotion! I hope your superiors won't mind.”

  Minato paled. If it wasn't obvious, it was clear now.

  The person in front of him had killed the rest of his group except him.

  “I dunno man, I dunno what to tell ya.”

  “Come on, surely you know something, right?”

  “I’m serious, I don’t know nothing!”

  “Hah. I tried to py nice.” It quickly got behind him and grabbed his head.

  Shortly after, his head made contact with the table. Hard.

  “I think you’re forgetting the position you’re in, you fuck.” It said against his ear. “The Fujimura group wanted all of you dead. It’s only because of me that you even have the chance of taking another breath. So help me help you, and you might just leave here alive. Capiche?”

  Minato agreed, and ‘Red’ let go and went around the table again.

  “First things first. How did you acquire the trucks and warehouse?”

  “We bought them.” It moved. “I’m serious! There’s an office in the warehouse; in there are the documents for the purchases.”

  ‘Red’ stopped and considered his words. It turned and left the room, though it was hard to say how.

  Soon it returned with a bundle of paper in their hands. ‘Red’ shuffled through the papers before pulling out some. “Are these the ones?” A nod.

  “Here’s the warehouse stuff... Down payment, mortgage, closing costs, permits, licenses… Wow, you certainly were going the whole nine yards for this pce, eh?” It rambled on. “And the trucks too! Making sure that you went to different pces so nobody would be clued off. I would almost appud you.”

  “Almost.”

  “So tell me, what were you pnning to do with this stuff? And I don’t want to hear any bullshit about you not being in charge, because I already know that.”

  “A heist!”

  SLAM

  “Don’t fucking lie to me, asshole!” ‘Red’ tightened the hold on his hair and pulled him closer, dragging his face across the table.

  “I’ve seen many heists before; hell, I’ve been part of and taken down some in my day. I know how an operation goes, so unless you are some of the dumbest motherfuckers I’ve ever seen in my life, you are not pnning a heist.”

  “I don’t know anything, I swear!”

  “Still pying dumb, are we? Fine.” ‘Red’ grabbed his hand and held one of his fingers.

  “This little piggy went to market.”

  SNAP

  “This little piggy stayed home.”

  SNAP

  “This little piggy had roast beef.”

  SNAP

  “This little piggy had none.”

  SNAP

  “This little piggy went…”

  CRUNCH

  “all”

  CRUNCH

  “the”

  CRUNCH

  “way”

  CRUNCH

  “home!”

  CRUNCH

  “Wait!”

  “Oh? Remembered something?”

  “Trafficking! We were pnning on doing some trafficking.”

  "What are you pnning on dealing with?”

  “I don’t know.” Red grabbed his other hand. “I really don’t!”

  “Do you know who’s buying?” Shake.

  “Is this all of the important information you have?” Nod.

  It sighed for a long time and melted into the chair. “Well, that's disappointing.”

  “But I expected as much.”

  “W-w-what do you mean?”

  “My friend, you don’t know how fucked you are, do you?”

  “I thought you said that I would live.”

  “I said you had a chance.” It stood. “Have you never heard of the phrase ‘the house always wins’? I guess not since Japan banned gambling.”

  “W-wait! I’m sure I can help you. Please just give me a chance!”

  ‘Red’ grabbed a crowbar and dragged it across the ground.

  “The truth is... the game was rigged from the start.”

  BANG

  The st thing he heard before losing consciousness was cpping.

  London, Engnd

  “Damnit. I know Kiritsugu said that Engnd was going to be colder, but I didn’t take him seriously. If only my Canadian blood transferred to my soul.” I mumbled to myself.

  I paid close attention to my appearance, not just because it was cold. This is the first time I’m putting my disguise into action.

  I’m wearing a haori jacket and hakama pants, both with cotton material and in dark navy. The rest of the outfit is tame and more contemporary.

  I take out my pocket mirror and inspect my face. Stark white hair pointing in all directions. Steel eyes. Tan skin.

  Originally, this look was a consequence of Shirou Emiya overusing his Projection magic, but I realized that I could use this to my advantage. I had studied a bit about magecraft that could alter the appearance of something, and while I wouldn't consider myself the best, I had gotten a good grasp on Projection magic. I usually don’t condone bckface in any shape or form, but hopefully, this will be the only time.

  Unfortunately for me, though, despite my best wishes and pnning, even though I was already in London, I still had to wait three days before I could take the ‘initiation test’ for the Clock Tower.

  So this was how I found myself aimlessly walking through the streets of London. My suitcase and items, except a singur sheathed sword, were in my hotel room and protected by multiple small-scale Bounded Fields I had set up. However, as I walked, a peculiar scent wafted through the air, something that I immediately picked up on.

  ‘I’m not close enough to the Clock Tower that I should be picking up scents of Magecraft. I don’t think so anyway. So, who’s using Magecraft in public?’ I thought, having nothing better to do and already having debated the consequences, followed the peculiar scent.

  I made my way through the crowded city streets, weaving through alleyways and side streets before stopping at the edge of a translucent bounded field that gave off the cents of magecraft. This close, it almost felt like it was pushing away at me, though it was probably my magic scene that was fring up.

  I didn't even have to try to shrug off what if a mental affliction it tried to put on me, probably something to forget about and/or ignore the Bounded Field and what was inside it.

  Of course, I could still turn back, but my curiosity was gnawing at me. I’m armed, and within London, if a pulse of Magecraft too rge was felt, the Clock Tower would come stampeding in, regardless of who or what was causing it.

  I cautiously stepped through the Bounded Field before taking a stance. Having waited Enough to realize no one was approaching to attack, I continued forward, hearing sounds that the Bounded Field had previously blocked off. With a little Reinforcement Magecraft and parkour, I went up to a rooftop to see what I can now recognize as an argument in record time.

  The arguments seem to be between one blonde girl who seemed to be around his physical age and a simirly-aged boy with blonde hair tied back in a short ponytail.

  “For someone of your pedigree, cornering a dy such as myself in such a pce is awfully unbefitting.” The blonde-haired girl spoke haughtily, an eyebrow raised as an elderly butler stood stoically behind her.”

  “I know it was your family that stole my book!” The boy spat, fury burning in his eyes.

  “Your book? Why would I care about some random book?”

  “It wasn’t just a random book!”

  ‘I should just watch them; they are both big boys and girls. They're also Magi; they could handle themselves without me having to butt in. Besides, should things prove... dangerous, than I could at least learn something hopefully. Until then, I have a good vantage point all the time in the world and great skill in people watching.’ I thought, ‘And Mr. Accuser has a weapon on him.’

  “Trace On,” I muttered. Staring at the bde on the male, he felt a surge of information flood his mind all at once, though it was as if recognizing one colour from another. Within a moment, the entire history of the bde became avaible to him.

  Despite how quiet I thought I was, it didn’t seem quiet enough as the elderly butler standing behind the blonde-haired girl shifted. The man's head tilted and inclined ever so slightly so that he could stare directly at me from the corner of his eye, something that I met head-on.

  I raised my hands to show that I meant no harm before breaking the impromptu staring contest, focusing my attention back on the arguing pre-teens.

  “You can’t even go to a meeting without a butler to hold your hand!” The boy, ‘Michalis Galliasta’ my mind offered, accused the girl.

  “Hm. Just because your family is of a standing not to send a butler out after their heir is no means for pointing." The blonde-haired girl replied, waving her hand.

  “Are you mocking me!?”

  “I would never stoop that low as to mock an heir or heiress of a family.” I sighed, knowing that in saying that, she had mocked him for doing the same.

  My exhale had been a tad too loud as the eyes of both preteens snapped towards me in arm. I rested a hand on one of my knees and propped my head with an elbow on my other knee.

  “You! Who are you, and who gave you the right to ugh!?” Michalis asked accusatorily.

  Meanwhile, the blonde-haired girl, who I now recognized to be Luviagelita Edelfelt, narrowed her eyes at me.

  “I’m just a swordsmith. Don’t mind me; I’m not looking to get involved unless things get too dangerous." I smiled brightly to try and charm them, opening a single eye back up as Michalis scoffed.

  “A swordsmith? Hah. A third-rate Magus then? How sad." I raised an eyebrow at the boy’s arrogance.

  “Auguste. That boy…” Luvia muttered to her butler, tilting her body more towards him.

  “He’s certainly unique, Lady Luvia,” Auguste responded simply, getting another response from Michalis.

  “Scared of a mere Third-Rate, Edelfelt?”

  “You know, stranger. It’s incredibly rude for you to not only eavesdrop but also not to introduce yourself when amongst a heiress like myself." She pced a hand on her chest.

  “Touma. A pleasure to meet you both.” I smiled before Reinforcing my body and dropping off the edge of the two-story building, rolling to better absorb the impact.

  Of course, this simple action put me on the back foot. At least as far as the magi are concerned. I had shown proficiency with a spell, so should things go down a hostile route, they would know one of my spells at my disposal.

  “I am Luviagelita Edelfelt, and this is my butler Auguste.” Luvia greeted me politely, if a little arrogantly, and I smiled politely and half-bowed.

  Then I turned to stare at Michalis. “H-How dare you stare at me like that, you commoner! Look away at once before I make you.”

  It didn’t take a genius to see he was afraid of me.

  I shrugged and looked away from him. I opened my mouth to strike up a conversation with Luvia.

  Before getting cut off, “You never gave us a family name. What’s wrong? Scared to admit you’re Third Rate?” Michalis taunted me.

  “Despite his crude manner of speaking, Mr. Galliasta has a point, Teouma. If you’re a magus, then you must know the rules of the Clock Tower and the Magi families within it?”

  “That’s rich coming from you.”

  “I believe it’s usually considered polite to not barge into a conversation." Luvia admonished the other family heir, getting an embarrassed blush and scowl from him.

  “This commoner barged in first!”

  I adjusted my Traditional Japanese and modern street-wear fusion clothing as a gust of wind blew through the alley they all stood in.

  “Well, Teouma?” She asked, pcing both of her hands on her hips expectantly.

  ‘Her mispronunciation of my name is surprising. I knew she couldn’t say Shirou properly, but I didn’t realize it extended to just Japanese things. Her accent shows up in strange ways.’

  “Sorry, I’m not a part of the Clock Tower yet. My aptitude test is in a couple of days,” I said with a shrug Adjusting my sword to my step, then strung up on my back.

  “So, you’re not giving your name away because they have no sway in Magus society?” Luvia guessed with a small grin, only to falter when I shrugged.

  “Not really. From what I know, the Mage Association doesn’t really focus too much on Eastern Magus, like myself. The name of my family would probably be known, but there’s no point in slinging it around. Their accomplishments aren’t my own after all.”

  “Is that so?” Luvia muttered, an inquisitive gleam fshing through her eyes.

  “Now. Galliasta,” I began, causing the said boy to begin going an interesting shade of purple, glowing lines slowly starting to inch across his dark tan skin “Listening to the conversation. You should perhaps go into such an accusation with actual proof. Don’t you think?”

  “Don’t you dare lecture me!” Michalis gripped the hilt of the bde by his side, something that was met by the tensing of Luvia.

  In a fsh of metal, Michalis’ sabre was drawn from its sheath and levelled at the two preteens’ across from him. I chuckled nervously and held my hands up in surrender.

  “Hey now. I was just trying to help you. Like I said, I’m a neutral third party here.” To emphasize my point, I stepped a few steps back to make an equal distance between all three parties.

  “You’re barely a nuisance, let alone some sort of weird mediator,” Michalis spat, making me hum as I lowered my hands.

  “Are we done here, Mr. Galliasta? I don’t exactly find it fun to stand here and be accused of something neither I nor my family did,” Luvia drawled suddenly, her patience for the situation having reached its end.

  “But I know it was you and your pack of hyenas you call a family!” Michalis snapped, shifting his sword into a more aggressive stance.

  “Careful, Galliasta. Keep going, and I’ll think you’re about to attack me,” Luvia warned him in a low tone.

  Faced with open hostility, she could already see him beginning to fold under the invisible pressure. Before I could do anything, Luvia reached into her sleeve and pulled out a singur red crystal, making my eyebrows raise into my hairline.

  The silence within the Bounded Field held for a solid minute before, with a scowl, Michalis began to back up. The boy sheathed his sword and backed up a couple of steps before turning and power-walking out of the alley.

  “Well. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be involved with something like this for my first day in London,” I chuckled, scratching my head.

  “Well, for what it’s worth. I hope I didn’t sully your opinion of me or my family.” Luvia inquired, smiling at me while putting the crystal back in her sleeve.

  “Oh no. The opposite, actually. You were far nicer than he was.” I jabbed a thumb in the direction that Michalis had left.

  “Well, that much was obvious.” She replied haughtily, earning a snort.

  “It’s been... interesting to meet you, Luvia Edelfelt. I guess I’ll see you in the Clock Tower, maybe.” He nodded his head at her before beginning to turn around.

  I paused as I heard her clear her throat very obviously in a way that reminded me far too much of Rin. So doing what I’d do with her, I slowly turned back. Evidently choosing the correct choice when Luvia smiled in satisfaction.

  “I believe you still owe me a family name, Mr. Teouma?”

  “Ah. Of course.” Luvia’s smile turned into a more amused smirk at my dry tone.

  “Touma….Muramasa. A pleasure.” I smiled and gave her a full bow before walking away again.

  ‘Crap. Out of all the people to meet, why her?’

  Luviagelita Edelfelt. One of two heirs of the distinguished lineage of the Magi. A powerful Magus whose presence is never involved in the Fifth Holy Grail War, usually.

  That part is not what I’m afraid of, though. It’s the fact that she and Rin always fight like savage animals!

  'Well, it was just a chance encounter. It’s not like I’ll see her again.’

  Two days ter...

  “Could use some work,” I muttered, walking through the streets of London once again, idly eating a wrap I made.

  “Teoumaaaaa!” The preteen blinked, stupefied, and spun on the heel of one of his feet, seeing the form of Luvia running up to him excitedly.

  “Ah…Luvia?” I questioned, taking another bite of my mediocre wrap as she ran up to me.

  “Teouma” She greeted me in a more refined manner once she got closer. “How have you been? I see you have a wrap, but would you like to get a drink with me? I know a pce that makes great hot chocotes nearby.”

  “Oh? I wouldn’t want to intrude if you were already looking to go there. And I’m trying not to spend too much before getting into the Clock Tower.” I chuckled sheepishly.

  “It’s ok. I’ll get you a drink. On me” She smiled, and I raised an eyebrow before shrugging.

  “If you’re really sure, then ok. Let’s go see if this hot chocote is worth it." I gestured for her to lead the way, which she happily began to do.

  Within minutes, I found myself seated in a very nice, but obviously expensive café. I sat across from the noble heiress as we waited for their drinks to be delivered.

  “Now, Teouma. Would you mind answering a question for me? Since I was so kind to get you a drink free of charge,” Luvia asked, her voice innocent and eyes sparkling.

  “Ah….” My face reverted to its neutral expression. “This was never about a friendly meetup. Was it?”

  “Whatever do you mean? Are we not having a good time, Teouma?” She gave me a sad, pouting expression.

  A second ter, it was complete with wide doe eyes and a wobbling lip. ‘Thank God there weren’t tears involved.’

  “Jeez ok! Nothing too serious, though.” He relented, deadpanning again at the victorious sparkle that shot through her eyes.

  “Your family. The Muramasa cn. Did it begin with Senji Muramasa? The Senji Muramasa?” She asked, whispering to keep her voice down.

  In response to the question, I rested my elbow and pced my cheek in my palm, before moments ter sighing at Luvia.

  “Yes. My cn started with him. At least as far as Magecraft goes.”

  “I see. But then they never joined the—oh yes. My family is from Finnd. It’s a lot colder there!” Luvia suddenly switched topics, notifying me that someone was coming and sure enough a waitress approached with two drinks.

  “Thank you.” I winked at the waitress getting a smile and people from the girl as she gave both of us our drinks and went off to the kitchen.

  “As I was saying. They never joined the Mage's Association?”

  “Saw no reason to. Their goals didn’t align, and my family didn’t really care about the politics of Magi.” I took a sip of his hot chocote and hummed, “Huh. This is actually pretty good.”

  “Of course it is. It’s backed by my family after all.”

  “Hm,” I merely hummed and took another sip, brushing off her humble brag.

  “So, what brings you to the Clock Tower now?”

  “Wanted to learn more stuff,” I shrugged, pcing my drink on the table.

  “Well, evidently,” she giggled, taking a sip of her drink.

  ‘It does help that this is an experiment on how far my cloning capability can go or the fact that I can keep tabs on Waver Velvet and make sure he doesn't die to unforeseen circumstances. But I can't just tell that to somebody on our second encounter now, can I?’

  We slipped into silence afterwards. I had nothing to say, and Luvia seemed to decide what she wished to say. Or she was waiting for me to speak first? One of the two.

  Eventually, however, it was Luvia that broke first.

  “Teouma”

  “Hmm?”

  “The comment you made the other day about your family's accomplishments not being your own?”

  “I did say that, yes,” I responded, already knowing where this line of questioning was going.

  “Do you really believe that?” There was something in her voice that I couldn’t quite pce.

  However, his confusion over exactly what she was feeling wouldn’t stop him from giving her an ‘honest’ answer. She wasn’t an enemy, so he wouldn’t lie.

  “I do. My family's dream is something I wish to carry on, and I’m using the knowledge they developed to help me do that. But what they did and what I do are completely different.” I answered with a shrug, finishing off my drink and frowning.

  “I see. Teouma I believe that you would be an excellent fit with-.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m going to need to cut you off right there. As much as the offer is tempting. I’m not going to limit my services to just a single family.” Luvia’s smile fell, and she gave him a calcuting look.

  “If you did so, we could get you the greatest quality materials, magical or otherwise.” She bargained with him, yet all he did was shrug.

  “My ancestor became a legend in history with only low-quality iron at his disposal. I can get by using scraps.

  "That's...awfully bsé for a family Heir, Teouma,” she muttered with a twitching eye.

  “I wasn’t raised as some high-css Magus heir, Luvia. I understand how my actions may be weird to you, but I’m not going to lie or budge on this."

  “I understand Teouma. Then how about this? I won’t ask or try to make you only create items for the Edelfelt family. However, in return for sponsoring you and taking you into the Edelfelt faction, and thus the Democratic Faction, you offer members of the Edelfelt like myself a discount on commissioning your wares?” She bargained with him, resting her elbows on the table and leaning forward towards him.

  “What sort of discount are you expecting?” He asked curiously, idly grabbing a menu and skimming through it before his eyes widened dramatically as he registered the prices inside.

  ‘Christ, talk about overcharging. With the amount of money we would have to spend to have a full meal here, I could probably make a decent, no, damn good meal for the entire Fujimura group.’ I thought before being snapped out of it as Luvia spoke up.

  ‘We’ve ordered takeout for the entire family for less than it’d cost the two of us to have a full meal here. There’s no way that the food could possibly be good enough for that much.’ He thought to himself in a slight daze

  “I’d say a 20% discount sounds fair.”

  “20%? No way. How about 10?”

  “You get quite a few benefits from being sponsored by us, Teouma. It’s only fair that we get a rge discount like that. I’m actually being generous by offering 20%." She argued, waggling a finger pyfully in my direction.

  “Really? What do I get by being sponsored?” I asked.

  “Wellllll, you’ll get a lot of the basic materials from us, maybe. But you also are considered under the protection of the Edelfelt and can access some of our resources to your advantage.” Luvia was careful in the way that she worded everything.

  I doubt any of it was a lie, of course. She's wording it so I only heard the benefits of joining her, not the aspects of me joining that she would benefit from. But I've had people try scummier practices on me, thinking me a fool. The improved honesty is refreshing.

  “I agree, if we get to come back and change the deal once I turn fifteen.” He replied, getting a raised eyebrow from her.

  “And how old are you right now, Teouma?”

  “10.”

  “Oh, we’re the same age! Wonderful~” She cooed, cpping her hands together.

  “Huh. Neat. So?....”

  “Hmmmm. Only once we’re 15?” She inquired in a low voice, her mind churning with responsibilities.

  “Unless you do something I think will make it impossible to work with you. Yes.” He nodded, and she clicked her tongue, seeming to mull it over as she leaned back in her seat.

  Raising her gss to her lips, she began to drink, only to blush bright red when only a loud slurping sound came out of her empty cup. The noble heiress had finished her cup without even realizing it.

  “And what would such things be?” She questioned me, clearing her throat and trying to get the red on her cheeks away.

  “Trying to stop me from creating for others. Trying to sabotage me in some way, shape, or form.” He spoke airily, adjusting his position in his seat.

  “Hmmm. Those are both acceptable terms. So, do we have a deal then? Mr. Muramasa?” She asked with a small smile, holding a hand out.

  “Yeah, I suppose we do.” He shook her hand and gave her a small grin. “Now, I need to go and get ready for tomorrow. It’s been fun, Luvia.” He stood up and straightened out his top.

  “Oh, no need for that anymore. I’ll let them know that the Edelfelts are sponsoring you.”

  “Huh. Well, that’s neat. Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Teouma, but still come to the Clock Tower tomorrow. I can help you get a dorm sorted out and show you around.” I cocked my head to the side slightly.

  “Sounds like a pn. I’ll try to be around there at about 8.” I raised an eyebrow as she instantly made a kind of choking sound and paled before realizing that I had noticed her reaction and did a 180 to immediately start blushing.

  “I-I…8 will do. D-definitely it will.” I stared at her for a moment before sighing.

  “You usually don’t wake up that early, do you?”

  “I do too! I am a respectable heiress, and when I participate in school, I am extremely well versed in being in css for at least ten minutes… C-Csses just haven’t started yet." She stuttered in embarrassment, pying with one of her drill tails.

  “Of course, Luvia. Would 9:30 fit better?”

  “Y-Yes, that will do perfectly.” She couldn’t even look at me anymore, steam practically leaving her ears from how red she was.

  "See you tomorrow.” He began to walk out, leaving an embarrassed Luvia in her seat. ‘You and Rin are very alike but its a shame that you too will get along so poorly.’

  Clock Tower

  The Next Day...

  “Say, Teouma?” Luvia suddenly questioned me, the two walking away from the Department of Astrology.

  “Yeah?” I ignored the whispers of a couple of older students as they made fun of my clothing and the sword at his side. ‘I know I have style. They clearly don’t.’

  “What departments are you looking to-”

  “Hey, you there. Third-Rate Magus!” I instinctively turned around.

  Upon doing so, I was met with the uproar of ughter from Michalis Galliasta and some ckeys he seemed to be toting around through the halls of the Clock Tower. The dark-skinned, blonde-haired boy almost fell over from how hard he was ughing before he finally straightened out, wiping a tear from his eye.

  “Hah! What did I tell you? He even answers to it!” He sneered at his ckeys, listening to their ughter that was already beginning to get extremely obnoxious to Luvia.

  “Can I help you, Michalis?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

  However, upon doing so, I noticed the reaction from Michalis but almost missed the same reaction from Luvia. Being of astonished shock, both of them retreat from me. Though Luvia’s could barely be considered a half-step, Michalis took a full step back before gring and growling.

  “How do you know my name? I never told you it, you peasant.”

  “Isn't it obvious? Magic.” I did jazz hands

  “Grrrr. You dare to mock me!? How dare you look down on me, you disgusting third-rate.” Michalis growled, gring at him and taking a step forward.

  “I’m not looking down on you. I just want to know what you want from me.”

  “I want an apology for looking down on me.”

  “I apologi-"

  “And I want your sword as recompense.”

  I shut my mouth. It was probably so quick that there was a click.

  “You’ve done nothing to deserve this bde. Nor was it made for you. Should you pay, I will make you a bde, but this will not be within your possession.”

  “And why should I make such a concession for a third-rate that probably begged his way into the world of Magecraft?” Michalis demanded, reaching a hand out for the hilt of my bde.

  “If your hand moves any closer to my bde, I will treat it as attempted theft and will do what I must.”

  “Oh? You wish to fight me? A member of the great Galliasta family?” Michalis bragged.

  “No. But I’m not scared.”

  “Hmm. Very well then. I challenge you—”

  “Galliasta, are you serious!?” Luvia cried with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

  “—to a duel. Do you accept, Third-Rate?”

  “Deal.” I said without hesitation, getting a smug grin from the child.

  “Meet me in room 32-A.” Was all he said, turning around and beginning to walk away.

  “Teouma. I know that you seem confident, but are you certain?” Luvia asked, tilting her upper body forward slightly as she did so.

  “I’ll be fine, Luvia.” I replied, staring at Michalis’ back as he walked away “Don’t worry about me.”

  (...)

  I breathed calmly and lowered myself, one hand on the sheath of my sword and the other curled around the hilt.

  “The match will go until either of us is stopped or surrenders. Sound fair?” I asked, not reacting to Michalis’s arrogant snort.

  “Very well, Third-Rate. If you’re that afraid, we will go by those rules.” He smugly commented.

  For a few moments, nothing happened before one of Michalis’ ckeys seemed to finally lose patience and shout out, “Just start already!”

  “Trace On!” Green lines spread over Shirou’s skin before he fired himself forward.

  “Kirous luuhun asti! (Curse to the bone)” From the hand of the arrogant Magus, sickly yellow energy spread through the bde currently held in his grip and seemed to cover it, tip to pommel.

  Despite knowing he had used the bde thanks to Structural Grasp, I still had no concrete knowledge of what curses he could create, so once the preteen began to wind up for a swing, I pushed back. Skidding back a meter or so after nding, I watched three bullets of curses, not unlike Rin’s Gandr, hurtle toward me and easily manoeuvre myself out of the way. I drew my bde and held it out to let one of the cursed bullets hit, a cocked meeting it as the curse was cut and split off in two directions to what's the energy to sustain itself and sputtered out of existence.

  Spinning the bde in my grip, I sheathed it before unching myself forward once again; however, my approach came from his side, thereby avoiding another volley of curses. Seeing my rapidly approaching form, the blonde began to freak out, wildly swinging his sword while stumbling backward.

  With a breath in, I pushed the tsuba up with the thumb of my hand that was pced on the sheath of my weapon. At the same time, I started to draw it with my other hand, increasing the speed at which he drew his bde even more. With a pulse of Mana, the katana in my hand suddenly lit with fmes.

  With a terrible screeching sound, the bde met the bde, and in an instant, Michalis’ arm was thrown up and back, making him stumble back even further until eventually he tripped over his foot and began to tip back even further. Taking advantage of the opportunity with the increased speed and reflexes my reinforced body gave me, I hopped forward and flipped the grip on his katana. Both of them hit the ground of the training room.

  “Surrender.”

  “N-Nev-” I adjusted my grip. “O-Ok! Ok! I surrender!” With a nod, I stepped off of him and extinguished my bde.

  Knowing for a fact that if I didn’t show off right now, the disappointment I would face would be immeasurable, I closed my eyes. I spun and swung around before spinning the katana with my hand, sheathed it behind my back, and walked.

  “Teouma! That was spectacur!” She called out, jogging up to me before falling into a comfortable walking pace beside me.

  “Felt boring.”

  “Well, if you’re looking for something more interesting, we can always spar together, Teouma. It’d be good training for both of us.”

  “Maybe. For now, I just want to keep looking at the different departments. Any of them that you think would fit swordsmithing?”

  “Hmmm. Mineralogy or Creation, perhaps?” She asked, raising a finger and cocking her hand slightly as she did so.

  “Possibly. Mineralogy would be around things like ores and gems, right?” I asked as the two of them walked comfortably through the halls of the Clock Tower, noticing the shocked looks I was getting from simirly aged Magi.

  “That’s right. I take Mineralogy csses myself. For my Magecraft.”

  “I saw you pulling out a gem during your meeting with Michalis. I thought it was for your Magecraft, but I wasn’t entirely sure and didn’t really want to pry.” I chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head.

  “That’s sweet, Teouma. Have you heard of Jewel Magecraft before? You don’t seem awfully surprised by it?” She questioned, tilting her head to the side.

  "The Second Owner of the city I live in also uses that sort of Magecraft.”

  “A-Ah…” I blinked at her as she seemed to take the next few steps almost robotically. “Teouma… By chance, would the Second Owner you speak of happen to be a member of the Tohsaka lineage?”

  “...That’s right. Do you know about them?” I stalled, trying to make sure things didn’t go to shit.

  “Our families have...talked in the past. I imagine that the heiress is doing well after the passing of her father.”

  “I’m not too sure; we’ve never talked.”

  "Well, that’s a shame. Ah! Here’s the department of Zoology!” She excimed.

  “I want to see what kind of things they do in there." I mumbled, getting a slight giggle out of her.

  “What they’ll let us see." She reminded me, giggling a bit more as my expression fell and my head sagged.

  “Right. Magus secrets and everything.”

  “That’s right. Now let’s go; we’re burning light.”

  Omake: The Superweapon of The Clock Tower

  “Alright! That’s all the departments. Now the st thing to look at is the vault.” Luvia let me know, making my eyebrows raise.

  “The vault?”

  “That’s right, Teouma.” Luvia dragged him into an elevator and pushed the button, making Shirou wonder when there was an elevator next to them “The vault is where all the greatest magical artifacts of the Clock Tower are kept.”

  “Magical artifacts, you say?" I was practically salivating at the thought of them

  “That’s right. Some even say that there’s a superweapon in the vault, capable of matching all of the superweapons of Ats.”

  “You don’t say?”

  “Indeed. Its so dangerous that no one has been able to wield it since its creator. Rumour has it that it may even be a divine construct.” She whispered conspiratorially, unaware of the sudden silver glow of his eyes.

  “Bring me to the weapon.”

  “That was the pn, dear Teouma. This is a tour after all. Who knows, maybe it’ll inspire you to create something.”

  Five Minutes ter…

  “kabun wo sute

  omosa wo sute

  hayaki wo sute

  teme wo shita”

  “AAAHHHH!”

  “toei kaishi”

  “OH MY GOD!”

  “shinzui kaimei

  kansei rinen shuzoku

  tanzo giho rinkai”

  “WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED!?”

  “soko ni itaru wa amata no kensan

  koko ni itaru wa arayu o shuren

  kizuki no kizuita

  katana dzuka”

  Luvia stood in the fire and fmes of what had once been the Clock Tower. In a circle left pristine of smoke, rubble, ash, or any kind of blemish. Her body was sck, and her eyes were bnk.

  “Impossible….Its impossible……”

  “en wo kiri

  sadame wo kiri

  go wo kiri”

  “MISS EDELFELT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? HE’S COMING BACK!” The student who shouted this soon screamed in terror and avoided a cut in space and time.

  “en gyo wo mote shukogou tatsu

  yaigaki utsukuro wa Senji no yaiba.”

  “The superweapon of the Clock Tower belonged to Teouma...”

  “TSUMAKARI MURAMASA!”

  ???

  Category: Magical Weapon

  Access: [TOP SECRET]

  File: ???

  Entry: 28

  I thought it was impossible, but I did it.

  His magecraft is all rooted in the concept of Sword, to the point where he could be considered a sword.

  Therefore, would it be possible to ‘consider’ others as swords?

  I thought it was impossible; for one reason or another, the soul would never survive the transfer.

  Until now, that is.

  While the morality and ethics are poor, the results speak for themselves.

  Pushing a human’s soul to its limit before snuffing it out increased its strength enough to have it transpnted and survive.

  Note to self: buy soundproofing and earplugs to decrease the noise.

  Regardless, I now finally have the fruit of my bours.

  While my naming sense isn’t great, I cannot ask others for obvious reasons.

  Thus I shall call this weapon:

  PHANTOM EDGE

  I hope it was worth the wait

  Thank you all for being patience with me.

  I definitely posted ter than I wanted. (I posted at 12 the next day)

  Regardless, the chapter's finally out, and many things are rolling.

  With that, this is FmingHotGarbage signing off!