Section One: Meeting Mentor

... ...

... ...

... ...I'm bored.

Now, now, my good man, let's not bellyache.

Though the beautiful librarian may have asked us to assist the library's patrons in her stead, and to guard against any hooligans who mean it harm...

We can hardly do the former if there are no patrons to assist...

Nor can we do the latter in the absence of hooligans.

All the money in the world can't buy such tranquility. What a wonderful day.

Now that we have jobs so completely free of responsibility, I believe the kids today would say we have won at life.

In the meantime, if you're looking for something to do, why not avail yourself of one of the many books around us?

Surely even a man of such...singular tastes as yours can enjoy the occasional reading session.

Hmm.

You Romans really are all about high civilization and stuff, huh?

Never been that into books. Not that I ever had many chances to read anyway.

I mean, I did learn how to read LatinI mean, your country's writing system, 'cause I had to...

But it was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life! I seriously thought I was gonna die!

Hmm, I see. But you didn't die, did you?

No, I did.

Did you now.

...Just to be clear, do you mean that figuratively? Something to do with some geis, perhaps?

Nah, it's cause of who taught me.

My teacher always said if I had time to learn a foreign alphabet, I should spend it learning new combat techniques.

Then she'd throw a spear at my head from three hills away.

Did she really? What kind of teacher does that?

Ah, right. THAT teacher.

Yup. Scáthach.

... ...

...That aside...

Hm?

Don't you think there's something truly delightful about the phrase "female teacher"?

Female teacher...

There is, isn't there!?

Female teacher Scáthach!

...

(That took the wind out of him so fast you'd think he'd been hit with an enfeebling spell!)

(But, nonetheless!)

(I have faith that you will persevere, Fergus, brave warrior of Ulster!)

... ...

...Yeah!

Now that I think about it...

That's hot! Definitely in the vicinity of hot!

Female teacher Scáthach!

That sounds great!

Yes it does!

Hehe.

Hahaha.

Honestly, I wasn't sure how being paired up with you here would go at first...

But now, I think it's working out nicely.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

This has been great image training. I'm finally one step closer to victory.

That much?

Yup. It's pathetic that I'm still afraid of her, despite all my accomplishments.

Even now that I'm a Heroic Spirit, I still can't get over my nervousness around her.

Your teacher, huh.

...Don't worry, you're not alone. My mother taught me a great deal, and I don't think I could say no to her even now.

Hm? No, wait.

What am I saying!? I can't equate my mother with Lady Scáthach!

Not her, of all people!

Hey, who knows. She might actually be flattered by the comparison.

Oho.

So you two have teachers of your own then.

Then again, this IS supposed to be a place great heroes gather...

...so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to hear teachers occasionally coming up in conversation.

!

(Who is that!?)

(I can hear them speak, but I can't sense them anywhere. They must be an Assassin with Presence Concealment...)

(...or possess an equivalent high-level skill with no ties to any particular class.)

That voice... That's a woman's voice.

If you meant to stay hidden, you would never have said anything.

And while I'm not proud of thisnope, at allI never forget a woman's voice, even if I've only heard it once.

Show yourself, intruder.

Oh my, how scary.

Easy there, big guy. I didn't come here to fight. I just want to talk, man-to-man.

!

(Man!?)

(To man!?)

(So this one is...a tomboy type!?)

(I didn't mean you!)

So you want to talk, not fight? Then let's talk about what it is you're doing here.

Well, if you must know...

I'm here to punish my student.

...and that's when I said:

"Wrong. Your head is already mine."

...Pfft.

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Why did you laugh at that!? That was horrifying, not funny!

I thought you were telling us a joke about a cherry blossom picnic! How the hell does this story have a severed head!?

And why were you so quick to cut it off in the first place!? There's nothing funny about any of this!

Forget sketch comedy; that was a horror story!

You'll have to forgive her. Lord Ushiwakamaru's jokes have always been on the bleeding edge of humor.

Well yeah, with a punch line like that, I could've told you there'd be bleeding involved.

At any rate, no more Genji jokes! They're just...unsettling!

I know what you mean, but while I may not be able to empathize with their situations...

...I do think they convey the intensity that comes with being a samurai warrior!

？！

You think so?

Hahaha. I'm not surprised to know that our customs are a bit difficult for people from other lands and times to appreciate.

Even in our own time, there were some who never quite "got" them.

So that's just how Genji jokes are, huh?

Oh, let me stop you right there, Lord Jason. Calling them "Genji jokes" could cause problems for numerous people...

So would you mind calling them "Genpei War jokes" instead?

How is that any different!?

Eh, fine, whatever. You say it's different, I'll take your word for it.

The Genji warriors I knew certainly had no end of brave tales to tell.

It seems like you're continuing their tradition admirably, Lord Ushiwakamaru.

Thank you!

I spend every day applying myself so I don't fall behind my ancestors.

And since Master continues to face more and more deadly threats by the day, I need to be more diligent with my training than ever.

I may be a Heroic Spirit, but I still have to train. I must get stronger!

While I commend your spirit, Master, I think it would do you well to get more rest, not less.

Yeah, exactly. Part of a leader's job is resting up whenever they can.

？！

Hmm...

Ushiwakamaru.

Yes?

You said you wish to be stronger?

I did, and I do!

Good. I'm pleased to hear you wish to become stronger.

You are a true warrior, Ushiwakamaru. I commend you.

You are too kind, Lady Scáthach.

If I may be so bold, would you do me the honor of teaching me a move or two!?

What are you saying, Lord Ushiwakamaru!?

Whoa, whoa, are you nuts!? How is that what's happening now!?

Go on, Master, you've gotta stop them before they kill each other! You know they will!

？！

That's an automated alarm! There must have been some damage to the base!

Right!

I'll go find out what's happening!

？！

There! I'm seeing a powerful magical energy signal in the underground library!

And...it's making its way to the Command Room!

？！

Oh no. This is terrible!

Lord Caesar and Lord Fergus are in the library right now!

They said they would fill in for me while I was here at the Command Room!

Hmm. Caesar and Fergus, huh.

Given how quickly the signal is making its way here, they must have been taken down in no time.

!

Ahh... Lord Caesar... Lord Fergus...

Is that so!?

Then this formidable new foe must have taken both their hea

Please stop smiling, Lord Ushiwakamaru! Now is not the time!

Don't bother; she obviously can't help it. At least she seems to be reacting to the formidable foe part, not the casualty part.

Worry not. I can sense that neither of them have vanished.

？！

Y-yes, it is.

It is strange, though. Two Sabers, each of whom use magical swords...

One such sword can carve through the earth itself, and the other can move at godlike speed.

What's more, they both obviously lust after Murasaki, so we can be assured each would do his best to impress her.

So then... Hmm?

No matter how great a hero or Divine Spirit this intruder may be, they should not have been able to get past those two so easily.

That leaves only one possibility...

(The intruder's a woman?)

The signal is almost here!

Look out!

Aah! The Command Room door!

Oho. They kicked it open, did they?

Now that's a power move!

Here they come! Be on your guard, everyone!

Kanra kara kara!

How nice of you all to come and greet me like this!

A Heroic Spirit? No...

I see, I see.

So this is where great heroes from across time and all the world gather, is it? One, two, three... Yes, it seems the rumors were true.

Indeed, those other two swordsmen weren't half bad themselves...

And I see there are a number of other formidable fighters here as well. Not bad at all.

Well, I suppose it's only fitting that I introduce myself properly!

Hey there, everyone!

I am one of the greatest swordfighters and strategists of all time, as well as one of Kyo's most famous onmyouji!

!!!

...!?

I am blazing flame that pierces the heavens like a pillar of fire.

The heavenly drums ring, but not with thunder! I streak through the night like a shooting star!

I am Kiichi Hogen!

I am Kiichi Hogen!

Kiichi Hogen...!

A legendary onmyouji from the tail end of Japan's Heian period! She's also the founder of a legendary swordfighting style, Kyouhachiryu!

Right, Senpai!

Kiichi Hogen is a renowned onmyouji from the tail end of Japan's Heian period! She's also the founder of a legendary swordfighting style, Kyouhachiryu!

？！

...She is also the custodian of the Rikutou, or "Six Secret Teachings" and Sanryaku, or "Three Strategies of Huang Shigong," two of the greatest treatises on military strategy ever written. She is from the same era as Lord Ushiwakamaru and me.

Oho.

That's right. And many legends also say that Kiichi Hogen was Ushiwakamaru's mentor!

...

... ...Hello, Mentor.

？！

U-um...

The legends pertaining to Kiichi Hogen were from after my time, but I have studied some of them since I materialized.

So I know that she is famous for their wisdom, and for being one of the greatest teachers of all time!

But even though she is a legendary onmyouji and sword saint, her true identity is

Hmm. That explains it.

No human could ever possess a Spirit Origin like that!

Be on your guard, everyone. Believe me when I say this Kiichi person is practically a god.

Well now.

Interesting.

I thought I'd only find human heroes here. What a surprise.

It seems there're some godlike ones, too. Quite the fun place you've got here.

Oh great, an Eastern god!

I thought they were dignified, graceful, and kept to themselves, unlike some Western ones I could name...

But I couldn't have been more wrong!

This one's clearly got the arrogance and intimidating presence down to an art form!

Are there ANY gods out there who do ANYTHING other than cause trouble?

...And I see there's no shortage of insolent humans here too. Hehe.

Aah! Don't look at me! I didn't say anything!

Hmm?

？！

That...

I can't say.

As they are standing right in front of you, you may as well just ask.

...Well, yeah, sure, but still.

U-um, seeing as she is a legendary figure, and has already introduced herself, perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to pick a fight...?

Agreed. Speaking as a Buddhist monk, I certainly have no wish to cut down every new person I encounter.

However, if she has no wish to engage in peaceful dialogue...

Don't be a fool.

She already kicked down our door and demolished two other Servants. Well, probably, in the latter case.

Therefore only one option remains to us. Am I wrong?

？！

Ahahahahahahahaha.

I like you, Red Eyes! I think we might have a lot in common!

The two Servants I ran into down below were so busy trying to hit on me that they barely put up a fight.

I wonder how you lot will fare?

Her magical energy levels are spiking! Master!

？！

？！

Forgive me!

What were you thinking, you idiot? Didn't I teach you better than that?

Forgive me, Mentor! I don't know why it is you've come here... But Chaldea is my Master's castle!

I'll never forget the debt I owe you, but if you mean to threaten it...

...then mentor or not, I won't show you any mercy!

Oho.

Well, well, well.

Now, that, I did not expect to hear.

Kanra kara kara...

Who do you think you're talking to, Shana-oh!?

Aw crap! Now she's really mad!

Lady Kiichi!

Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh! H-her magical energy is so strong! My own spells can't even begin to compare!

Now that's more like it!

Huh!?

Come, Master! I could ask for few opponents more worthy than an Eastern demigod!

This is exactly the sort of thing we've been training for. Everyone, follow my lead!

It seems we have no choice!

O-okaaay!

Hold up. When you say "everyone," did you mean me, too!?

？！

Understood!

Hmm!

Nicely done. Nicely done! You did well holding your ground against me!

Then again, this is my first time materializing as a Servant, so maybe this Spirit Origin isn't quite up to the task.

Then what will you do now, Kiichi Hogen?

Even if you are a demigod from the East, it was foolish of you to invade Chaldea on your own.

？！

Familiars do not count! Oh, wait. I suppose that would mean Servants do not count either, wouldn't it?

Hahahaha!

It would have been foolish of me if I'd meant to capture this place! In fact, I can think of few things more reckless than invading an enemy stronghold on your own!

However!

I didn't come here to start a fight. If anything, I came here to finish one.

Huh? What are you talking about?

Why don't you ask Shana-oh over there?

？！

Y-yes?

？！

...(Mumbling unintelligibly)

Well, um...

I guess I... Nnn...

... ...

U-um, Senpai? Maybe we should

That's all right, Lady Mash. Please, allow me.

As the legends say, Lord Ushiwakamaru did indeed train under Lady Kiichi, though she had already changed her name to Shana-oh at the time.

At any rate, while Lord Ushiwakamaru was learning the ways of martial arts under Lady Kiichi's tutelage...

...she made off with Lady Kiichi's ultimate strategies.

She made off with Lady Kiichi's ultimate strategies.

Yeah, no, we heard you the first time. That's not really the question.

Lord Ushiwakamaru, well...

That's right.

Though it pains me to say it, Lord Ushiwakamaru tricked Lady Kiichi's daughter into bringing out her parent's secret scrolls of ultimate strategies before she, well...

？！

She read the contents of a treasure said to grant godly power to any who could absorb its contents...and she did so without permission.

...

You little scamp.

Ahaha.

This is no laughing matter!

When I first materialized, I was surprised to see what a wreck the human world had become in the twenty-first century...

But then, I sensed your presence here!

I never had a chance to punish you back when we were alive since you met your end as Yoshitsune in Oushu...

...and it would've been too much trouble to track you down in the afterlife.

But! Now that we've both materialized in this world, all bets are off!

I don't care if your body's merely transient ether...

...or that humanity's barely hanging on by a thread!

So you're a Heroic Spirit now, huh? A shadow of humanity here from the Throne of Heroes?

So what!?

Shana-oh!

Y-yes!?

It's time for you to pay for your past misdeeds!

Now you wait right there while I prepare your punishment!

(I see. Welp, sounds like she made her bed. Now she's just gotta lie in it.)

(I see. Lady Kiichi does have a point.)

(I see. She really does seem to be doing this for Ushiwakamaru's own good.)

(I see. This just goes to show why you shouldn't take what doesn't belong to you.)

I see. Very well then, go ahead and punish her as you see fit.

Lady Scáthach!?

From everything we have heard, it is clear that you were entirely in the wrong. As a teacher with foolish students of my own, I can sympathize.

Or do you have something to say on your behalf? If you do, then by all means, let us hear it.

？！

... ...

...

I am Ushiwaka.

Yes, I know.

As such, I know nothing about my life after I became known as Shana-oh.

And of course, I know even less about my life as Yoshitsune!

So...could you maybe let me off the hook?

...

Lady Kiichi.

Oh come on, you can't expect us to buy that. I'm sure you remember everything up to your death, just like the rest of us.

Hmm. A typically valiant effort from Lord Ushiwakamaru, but in this case, it was not successful.

So, she's still on the hook then?

It would seem so...

I mean, that's like saying Alexander doesn't remember anything about being King Iskandar just 'cause he's still a kid.

No, wait. That actually sounds plausible.

Absolutely not! You remain very much on the hook!

I knew it!

...Oh well, it was worth a shot. Heh.

...

There. That careless "Well, it was worth a shot" attitude of yours.

That's exactly the sort of thing that really pushes my buttons, Shana-oh!

？！

A mallet? Huh?

N-no way. Is that the Mallet of F

The Mallet of Fortune! One of Japan's own omnipotent wish granters!

Explain.

It's a Japanese artifact that appears in numerous legends! And as Benkei said, it possesses power very similar to a wish granter!

Here I go!

Ah.

What happened to me!?

A single tap with the Mallet of Fortune, and voilà!

Embiggen!

No more Ushiwakamaru for you! You're now Shana-oh, just like what happened in the story of Issun Boushi!

In fact, while I'm at it, I'll do you one better!

Another tap with the mallet, aaand...

Embiggen!

You are now neither Ushiwakamaru nor Shana-oh!

No, you are now Overseer Yoshitsune!

Ah... Ahh... Ahhh!

Wh-what...is this...!?

No...Something's...not right...!

Oh no. No, no, no, no... It's you!

No...!

Ah!

Ushiwakamaru!

Oh, pipe down. I know you're just hamming it up like always.

What are you saying!? Take a good look at her! Something is truly wrong with her Spirit Originno, her Spirit Core!

Come now, don't be ridiculous. There's no way that could

Wait. Huh? Shana-oh?

Ah... Ah... Aah...

Aaaaaaaaaah!!!

？！

Her magical energy is spiking rapidly! Please get back, Master!

You're right; something IS wrong with her Spirit Core! It almost seems like her Spirit Origin is groaning under the strain...

What's going on!? I didn't even touch her Spirit Core!

... ...

Heh...

Master!

？！

Think nothing of it!

Lord Ushiwakamaru! Or should I say Overseer Yoshitsune now!?

What happened to you!? Why did you attack Master, of all people!?

Heh... Hehe... Hehe...

Hehehehehehahahahahahahahaha! Yes. Yes!

I've finally done it!

What's so funny!? And what are youah!

D-did you just give me a hug!?

Aah! No, you didn't! You stole the Mallet of Fortune!

Hehehe. Ahaha, ahahahaha!

At last, the Mallet of Fortune is mine!

She just...ran away? Doesn't take a genius like me to know this is really, really bad...

After her!

...Sure is a lot of racket out here.

What? Who're you?

...Hah!

... ...

...You're strong. But...

But what?

I've already tapped you with the mallet. You're the third one.

Hehe. Hehehe. Farewell, ruffian from a foreign land!

Tch.

What's going on here? Gordy's not going to be happy if he catches you fighting in the halls, you know.

What's going on here? Da Vinci's not going to be happy if she catches you fighting in the halls, you know.

Oh! If it isn't Cú!

Hm?

Wait.

Huh?

Cú?

Nn.

Cú!?

Shut up.

Cú!!!

What is it? Where'd she go?

Is something wrong, Lady Medb?

Not you guys too!? Wh-why do you look like that!?

What are you talking about? Know what, never mind. Did you happen to see

L-Lord Jason, look! You're...shorter!

Ugh. Keep it down, will you?

Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh! Y-you've all shrunk!

We whaaat!?

Wh-when did this happen!? And how did I not notice sooner!?

They are a great deal smaller. Ushiwakamaru must have used the Mallet of Fortune on them.

Now, where did she go? I don't see her anywhere, nor do I sense her magical energy.

Let me check for her magical energy signal...

You're right! She's no longer anywhere in Chaldea, or even its vicinity!

Hold on. I'll find her.

Nnn...

...There she is. She used the mallet to leap far off in that direction.

Wow, the Command Room's a total mess. What happened in here?

But anyway, never mind that now. We've got a new minute Singularity on our hands.

Do you guys have any idea what might've caused it!?

Kanra kara kara!

I don't suppose laughing will be of much help at this point. I'm sorry. That was foolish of me.

I only meant to rake her over the coals, but I seem to have started quite the blaze instead.

This is all my fault.

So don't blame this boy and his friends. The blame lies entirely with me!

But don't worry, I'm going to do everything I can to help make this right. Until this is over, you can consider me your faithful companion.

？！

Thank you.

Oh, one thing: whatever you do, don't ask me to take you on as a student.

Yes, I am one of the greatest teachers ever to live, and you would surely gain great power if I were to train you.

For example, if I were to bestow one of my ultimate technique scrolls upon you, you would absolutely gain a divine power. I guarantee it.

Oho. Would we now?

But I'm not going to do that, so don't ask. All right?

An ordinary human simply isn't qualified to be one of my students!

Good.

That, you can count on!

？！

So, you used the Mallet of Fortune, a Japanese wish granter, to make Ushiwakamaru grow bigger...

...which changed something in her Spirit Origin and Spirit Core that caused her to go berserk and run away.

And now, we've got a minute Singularity, too. She must have used the mallet to create it.

I'm honestly kind of impressed. I'd never have thought to escape into a minute Singularity.

Impressive though it might be, it's certainly not good. For one thing, we're down a Heroic Spirit...

Wow, the Command Room's a total mess. What happened in here?

But anyway, never mind that now. We've got a new minute Singularity on our hands.

Do you guys have any idea what might've caused it!?

Kanra kara kara!

I don't suppose laughing will be of much help at this point. I'm sorry. That was foolish of me.

I only meant to rake her over the coals, but I seem to have started quite the blaze instead.

This is all my fault.

So don't blame this boy and his friends. The blame lies entirely with me!

But don't worry, I'm going to do everything I can to help make this right. Until this is over, you can consider me your faithful companion.

？！

Thank you.

Oh, one thing: whatever you do, don't ask me to take you on as a student.

Yes, I am one of the greatest teachers ever to live, and you would surely gain great power if I were to train you.

For example, if I were to bestow one of my ultimate technique scrolls upon you, you would absolutely gain a divine power. I guarantee it.

Oho. Would we now?

But I'm not going to do that, so don't ask. All right?

An ordinary human simply isn't qualified to be one of my students!

Good.

That, you can count on!

？！

So, you used the Mallet of Fortune, a Japanese wish granter, to make Ushiwakamaru grow bigger...

...which changed something in her Spirit Origin and Spirit Core that caused her to go berserk and run away.

And now, we've got a minute Singularity, too. She must have used the mallet to create it.

I'm honestly kind of impressed. I'd never have thought to escape into a minute Singularity.

Impressive though it might be, it's certainly not good. For one thing, we're down a Heroic Spirit...

And for another, just look at us!

Indeed! If possible, I would much prefer to return to my original Spirit Origin!

...

You don't mind staying like this, right, Cú?

Of course I goddamn mind!

？！

？！

Hmm.

In that caseI mean, of course I'll go with you, too!

No self-respecting teacher would just allow one of her students to go around causing trouble!

Quite so. Fujimaru, you should take Kiichi up on her offer.

I cannot help you myself since I have other business to attend to, but I am certain she will be a powerful ally.

Go together, fight together!

Thank you, Lady Scáthach.

Not at all. Some problems can only be solved by teachers like ourselves, right?

E-er, right.

Now...go on, Fujimaru!

I'll back you up as best I can from here. Be careful out there, Senpai!