Episode I: Lily's Departure

Haaa! Hah! Hiyaa!

It's such nice weather, isn't it, Senpai? Oh, would you like some more tea?

Today I've prepared a special apple tea. Have some more. It'll help you relax.

Doctor ate too many rice cakes, so he's feeling ill. He wants you to at least enjoy yourself in his stead.

Fou...foou...

It seems Fou has the day off today as well. With weather and a breeze as nice as this, it's only natural.

Haaa! More skillful! I must be more skillful! Faster, too!

Since this is a Singularity, what we're seeing here is not definite, but all the greenery and warmth is the real thing.

Having the perfect weather for a picnic, we haven't had strange luck like this since Halloween.

This too

Haa! Yaa! Noble Phantasm Level 1, Caliburn!

Yes. This is all thanks to Senpai's kind consent to help Lily get stronger.

If Senpai keeps on doing this, it's only a matter of time before ads like "Got worries? Come to Fujimaru's Consultation Room!"

gets posted on the bulletin board in Chaldea's cafeteria. But don't worry, if that happens, leave the management to me!

I'll manage your schedule with an iron fist to make sure you become the most loved person within the Heroic Spirit community!

Foou? Foufofo fouuuu?

Come now. You can't go acting like Kojirou did when Martha was around, Fou.

Lily's troubles are severe. We need to help her out any way we can...

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What a surprise. You're training all by yourself, Lily?

Yes. I am still an immature Saber, so I want to hone my sword skills whenever I have time.

But...no matter how hard I train, my Holy Sword is not getting any stronger.

Though I'm improving little by little, my Noble Phantasm, the pride of a Servant, is still immature...

And so I've decided to take my leave at this time.

I have no future as a Servant, so I am afraid I will only be a burden to you, Master...

Oh, Lily...

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Stop. This is important, so staple that mouth shut, Senpai.

I am an immature Demi-Servant, so I know painfully well how Lily feels.

In particular, the level of one's Noble Phantasm is a serious issue. Right now, Lily and I have formed an Unenhanced NP Alliance.

So I want you to be particularly careful about saying anything about Noble Phantasms.

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That's why The only thing left for us to do is to train. Training will never betray anyone!

You are a magnificent Saber. Given the opportunity, you'll succeed for sure!

Don't worry, ok? Isn't that right, Master!

I-I'm not so sure about that... I think you're exaggerating when you say A rank.

But I appreciate the compliment. It builds my confidence to hear you say that, Master.

Fou, bring me a stapler. It's on Doctor's desk.

Fou, foou!

N-No, that's not necessary, Mash. What Fujimaru says is true!

It's all due to my lack of confidence and my inexperience...

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All right. It's been decided. This next Rayshift will be for Lily's training.

We must strike while the iron is hot! Before Doctor recovers from his stomachache. We're going to Rayshift on our own!

Whew. I have completed 1,000 strikes, Master!

Even though this is my usual practice, I'm so glad that Fujimaru can witness how I have improved!

Fou, foou.

Well done. From what I've seen, your attacks are perfect.

...However, there is still a conundrum. The issue is not with you, Lily.

It's why in the world the strength of your blade won't improve...

I'm sure...that it must be my lack of confidence that clouds the glow of this holy sword.

I am a phantom consisting of elements separated from a certain Heroic Spirits.

I am the "if" that existed between the time I drew the Sword of Selection and the moment I became King.

The "if" version? Is that different from Alter?

Yes. Indeed "she" also has a form that's in training. But that form is not as flowery as me.

I am nothing more than an "if" that is dissimilar to the authentic me.

But as long as this Lily exists, I am not a fake or a fraud

It's just I cannot help but think that I am not who I originally was and that I am just a mere phantom.

Now I am unable to train without casting aside my doubt, and I can't unleash my holy sword's potential either...

More specifically, I can't increase my Noble Phantasm level... That's what my doubts have led to.

Oh, Lily...

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What?

What was that?

Fou?

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Whoa! Whoaaaaah!

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It appears to be a meteorite. It must have fallen from the sky.

No need to worry. I don't detect any radiation, killer viruses, or any other variety of dangerous substances.

You two really overreacted. This kind of thing happens all the time, and is completely harmless.

N-No, I don't mean the meteorite! I mean, I would like some orders from you, Senpai!

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Well, yes. The other Servants say that it doesn't, but when I'm alone it happens pretty often.

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Absolutely right! Your words are quite correct!

There's a person coming from the rocke...I mean, from the meteorite! What? Could this be!?

No need to explain! Because I was able to give you a clear view of me when I made my emergency landing!

At any rate, I can't stand by and watch this anymore! You there! You're a Saber Class, right?

Y-You mean me!? ...Yes, I'm still a novice, so I'm the lowest rank of the Saber Class.

Yes, that attitude of yours is pathetic! Fainthearted! So terribly fainthearted! Are you pitiful or what?

All that's left for you to do now is fight! Prepare yourself, Saber! You as well there, Master!

I, Mysterious Heroine X, will show you what it means to be a true Saber!

A mysterious Servant has come to fight! Senpai! Lily! Prepare for a fight!

Y-Yes, of course! No matter who the enemy is, it is a knight's duty to protect their Master!

That was pretty good for a warm-up match. If I have to compare... Yes... Just like warm-up exercise!

That is to say, you're all still novices! Like preschoolers who can't even wake up in the morning!

I think we got in some pretty good blows... That Saber even blurted out some "oofs"...

Right. When my hand slipped and accidentally hit her in the shin, she kept saying "It doesn't hurt at all" despite the tears welling up in her eyes...

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Fou, foou...

No, to be honest, I was holding back. I didn't ambush you from the dark...

...bury land mines, or kidnap anyone important to you, did I?

Ah, well...that certainly was a fair and square fight, very much like the Saber Class.

By the way...who are you, anyway? If my eyes were not mistaken, you came out of that rocket...

Humph! Thank you for finally asking!

I'm Heroine X! I'm the Saber of Sabers! I'm the ultimate Saber!

I am the one and only holy sword wielder in this universe, an one-for-all kind of Saber!

Really? Based on that track suit... who knew you're someone that amazing!

The Saber of Sabers... So you're a Grand Class? Or wait, but... Your class is...

Silence. You call yourself Shielder or whatever, but as a freshman in the Fate world, you cannot see the truth.

What you can see with your eyes is not all that there is. To get along in the world, sometimes you must turn your eyes from the truth and let it remain ambiguous.

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... A Master that understands... Very nice...

...It's Heroine X, right? Explain why you attacked us so suddenly.

After that, I would request that you leave immediately. We are busy with Lily's training.

You've hit the nail on the head, Shieldy! I told you that I'm the ultimate Saber Class Servant, right?

From where I stand, I cannot overlook that feeble Saber there.

I have a very important mission, though I cannot speak of it.

At any rate! You call yourself Saber Lily, right? What you need now is special training and a teacher that you can respect!

Th-That's right! That is why I'm training with my sword...

I said that you need a teacher! You require the help of a great Senpai that has fought many years as a Saber!

Therefore, you're quite fortunate. As expected of me, the one with A rank luck.

What I, Heroine X, hide is my First Class Saber Teaching License.

It was fate that forced Du Stallion II to crash land here. Let me show you that I'm a first-rate Saber!

A-All right! I don't really understand you, but sure, I'd appreciate it!

Nice answer! I like you! Let's get started. I shall now explain exactly what kind of training you shall undergo.

You will gather the three kinds of materials that possess mysterious powers which are spread across this world.

They have fallen from my spacecraft. If you don't gather them and repair it, I cannot return home.

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You can't return home... I feel so sorry for you...

All right! Leave this to me! I need to gather materials and repair that vehicle, right?

...Right. I'm usually not one to trust in others, but since things are generally going my way, I'll let it slide.

Now I shall tell you the true details of your training. This spacecraft will probably summon a large number of monsters.

It is a very out-of-place object. There's about as much wealth here as all of England.

Therefore, it is obvious that huge mobs will descend on it to make it their own.

Your job is to fight these lawless bands, defeat them, and gather superparticles called "Altrium."

Altrium are energy particles present throughout the universe. It seems impossible, but if we can get some, I can make this work.

You there, Shieldy, Master, you're not going anywhere. It's too late, so give it up.

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Yes... New Year's vacation still isn't over. This is a pretty rough turn of events, Senpai...

At any rate! Once you have gathered enough Altrium, I shall power up Lily by myself.

Explanation complete! If you want more details, then gather spacecraft materials and Altrium!

From now on we must be fierce as demons. We will cut down all Saber-faces we run into.

Even if they're not Saber-faces, just looking like one is also a sin! So we'll cut down the likes of Jeanne d'Arc, too!

A Saber's dignity rests on battle. Experience and learn this. Nowbegin your warrior training, Lily!

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Fou, foou!