Section 1: You're Santa Claus! (First Half)

A fairy godmother, you say?

Yeah! The kind of good witch that makes you pumpkin carriages and pretty dresses.

You know, this year Puppy was my fairy godfather during Halloween.

Sure, the script was all over the place, and the ending was super chaotic, but it all started with our resident fairy godfather.

He may not have always been the most dependable fairy godfather...

...hehehe, but I can't complain about the happily ever after ending!

Um...

Is "fairy godmother" a term present-day mages use?

Or do they use a more technical term?

Hey now, no complicated labels or rankings, okay? That's not what the audience wants.

A fairy godmother is a fairy godmother, period. She's basically the same as Santa Claus.

Anyone who gives great presents is a fairy godmother in my book!

Ah. So that is how you see it...

Then perhaps, as I am a master of ancient runes, I should do something for Christmas as well.

Of course☆ You'd make a perfect fairy godmother!

I can't do it myself, since my schedule's already full with getting ready for next year...

But if you're interested, then just go for it! Don't worry, someone's gotta have enough free time on their hands to help you out!

All right, see you later☆

Hmm...

From what I've been told, it sounds as though December is synonymous with Christmas, and Christmas with December.

But I've never done anything special in December before. This simply won't do.

If only I understood this Christmas thing. Hmm...

Winter... Festivities...

...Could it have something to do with Joulupukki?

I think...

...it involved the teachings of a messiah...

...Phew.

(Oh, Saint Martha!)

(This is perfect. They say she herself carried on her messiah's teachings.)

(If anyone here understands Christmas, it will be her.)

Excuse me, Martha? Saint Martha?

Could I have a moment of your time? There is something I wish to ask you.

...Hm?

...Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were calling me.

What can I do for you, Your Majesty, queen of Scandinavia?

...Hmm.

You look well and truly exhausted. Or am I imagining things?

Huh?

That's very astute of you, Your Majesty. It's no wonder you used to rule an entire Lostbelt.

That's very astute of you. I see you weren't the queen of all Scandinavia for nothing.

You are just as wise as I've heard.

Oh, it's nothing. I have always kept a close eye on my beloved children. Hehe.

But never mind me, Saint Martha. What happened to you? You haven't lost any magical energy...

So then, you must be mentally fatigued.

Oh, um... It's no big deal, really.

I've just been getting into a lot of battles lately, in both my Rider and Ruler Spirit Origins.

You see...

There you are, you delinquent Heroic Spirits!

I've finally found you! You're the ones who taught the young Heroic Spirits those bad words, aren't you!?

What will you do if they start repeating them all around Chaldea!? Get over here! It's time for a lecture!

Aw crap. It's Martha.

Hey, this is perfect, Caenis. C'mon, let's see how we do against her!

Hmph. Don't gotta tell me twice. Bring it, Martha!

Oh? You've got spirit, I'll give you that! Very well then, prepare for the lecture of a lifetime!

There you are, you delinquent Heroic Spirits.

What were you thinking, using the simulator as your personal playground?

Stop this right now, or I'll do it for you!

Aw crap, it's Martha again!

The hell? You're in your Ruler Spirit Origin!? Shit, you must really wanna throw down today! Some saint you are!

Huh!? (Twitch)

Wh-what are you talking about! Of course I'm a saint!

The only reason Tarasque isn't here with me is that your teasing has made him shy!

Hey, look! She's distracted thinking about some crap!

Woohoo! Now's our chance to blow this joint!

...(Gasp of realization)

Heeey! Get back here, you twooo!

Hmm... It's just that...

There are these delinquent Heroic Spirits who seem determined to never give me a moment's peace...

...so yes, I suppose I may be a little fatigued.

Hmm, I see.

Of course, when Master needs it, I'm happy to fight.

But deep down, I really don't feel like I'm cut out for it.

I know the legends paint me as the saint who subdued a dragon, but...

...

As far as I'm concerned, I'm still the same humble girl from Bethany.

My biggest concern used to just be making dinner for the day, and I was happy with that.

But then, I met Him.

And before I knew it, I was farther away from Bethany than I'd ever dreamed...

(Aha! This is it... This is my chance to be a fairy godmother!)

I see.

Yes, I see it clearly now, Saint Martha. You are exhausted.

I, too, have some idea of what it is like to lose your way, and not know where you are headed.

Very well then.

Saint Martha!

Y-yes?

I will take care of this!

Huh?

First, I will draw on the power of my runes.

Today, I shall be a fairy godmother like the one of Cinderella's talenot a magician who concerns herself with the First or Second Magic, but a fairy godmother in the colloquial sense.

Saint Martha!

Y-yes?

You shall be reborn. It's like starting anew.

Skippity Scáthachy skoo!

Aaaaaaaaahhh!

？！

I... I...

...Huh? I'm totally fine...

No, wait. I think I'm a little shorter?

Oh, hello, Master!

Yes?

Huh? What do you mean?

？！

Yes, that name sounds adorable. You should start calling yourself Santa Martha.

Hm?

Who are you, Miss? You look like a witch.

Wait, no. Mom... No, that's not right either! You're Scáthach-Skadi, right? Huh?

My memoriesor rather, my whole Spirit Origin, feels different somehow...

I, um...does this mean I

Yes, that's right. I used my Primordial Runes to adjust your Spirit Origin.

You are still very much Martha, and you retain your memories as Saint Martha, the Heroic Spirit...

But you should also feel less like a saint in this form.

Hmm, how can I put this...?

You are familiar with young Alexander, Kid Gil, the little sister version of Jeanne, and the Altria who dresses in white, yes?

You are as they are now. You are one possible version of Santa Martha the Heroic Spirit.

Huh?

Oh, there's no need to overthink it. It's really quite simple.

You were exhausted, so I made you younger to give you a pick-me-up!

？！

Youth is power. It holds so many possibilities simply by virtue of being incomplete. It is the sprout that shines as brightly as the stars.

I have no doubt it will give you new stores of strength to draw upon.

O-okay...

There really is no need to overthink this. Simply go and do what comes naturally to you.

Oh, but then again...

Perhaps it would be better if I gave you an assignment. I can't just leave you to fend for yourself after changing your Spirit Origin, can I?

？！

Now, what shall we do with you...?

I know. How about this?

I have transformed your Spirit Origin into Santa Claus! Now, it's time for you to spread Christmas joy in Chaldea!

Yes, that should do it.

That sounds interesting.

Now, now, this concerns you too, Master.

I see you already know where this is going, Master. I should have known.

I expect you likely know a great deal more about Christmas than I do.

？！

Needless to say, you will be Santa Martha's guide. I trust you have no objections?

Santa... So, I'm Santa Claus...

That's right.

Santa Claus!

...Hang on. What's Santa Claus again? No, wait, don't tell me. I think I know this!

Let's see... Oh, right, I remember now.

It's a kind of pastry!

It's not?

Hmm.

Exactly.

Though she retains her knowledge in this form, she is still inherently unfamiliar with matters she knew little of at this age.

Well, she does. However...

Though she retains her knowledge in this form, she is still inherently unfamiliar with matters she knew little of at this age.

So, in some cases, her memories may have sufficiently faded to the point she feels she no longer has them.

？！

Santa Claus... Santa Claus... Now, what was that again?

I feel like it's right on the tip of my tongue, but...no, can't quite remember.

To be honest, I know little about Santa Claus, too. All I know is what that strange demoness told me.

But from what I've been able to gather, I believe it's something like Joulupukki.

Joulu...pukki?

...I'm sorry. I may have overstated it.

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure whether that's true. It was just the first thing that came to mind.

I'm impressed you know that, Master. Then you must also know that I was merely saying the first thing that came to mind.

The truth is, I have no idea what connection Joulupukki and Santa Claus have to each other, if any.

？！

All right, I know what to do. We should talk to someone who knows all about Christmas and Santa Claus!