The Heart To Stand Up To Fate

by GrimGenesis

Summary:

Quinn Vermillion, the Informant of the Tower, has seen a lot of crazy things in his life. It comes with the territory of working as an Informant, especially as someone who deals with the world of Magecraft. At this point in his career, he'd probably been around the entire globe and seen everything.

That's what he thought, but then he decided to join a little organization called Chaldea at the behest of his close friend, Olga Marie Animusphere. Her father, Marisbury, had recently died, and now Olga was being forced to take over operations. Quinn couldn't say no when she asked him to come with her and help. However, the last thing he ever expected was for the entire world to burn.

Humanity is now on the verge of extinction, and Chaldea now only has a handful of staff members. They're up against heroic spirits, demon pillars, and so much more, and Quinn and the others are just humans. Still, that didn't mean they would give up yet. Despite the tragedy, and despite how hopeless it may seem...Quinn knew they would pull through. Most certainly, this would be the most interesting job he's ever taken up.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Moonlit World’s Informant

“Are you kidding me?! This is absolutely absurd!”

“I assure you, this is no joke. Now lower your voice. You’ll disturb the classes happening nearby, as well as give me a migraine.”

“I believe I have a right to be angry! How could you possibly charge this amount just for information!?”

“I’ll assure you, this information is worth every cent. It’s worth its weight in gold and gemstones. I worked quite tirelessly to get my hands on all of it, so a little gratitude would be appreciated before I hand it off to you.”

“A ‘little’ gratitude? This is highway robbery! You’re practically charging the worth of an entire estate for this!”

“Don’t be so absurd. It’s not nearly that much.”

“Not that much?! You’re charging a fortune!”

"You should see how much I charge for dangerous jobs..."

Quinn Vermillion sighed as he looked at his livid client with a disapproving glance. He shrugged as he pushed up his glasses before responding to the other man's harsh, shrieking tone, brushing his unkempt, dark black hair away from his emerald green eyes as he did.

“You’re the one who hired me and agreed upon these conditions. I told you I don’t work for cheap and still accepted. I took that to mean you were able to pay out my usual price.” Quinn explained casually and coldly, unbothered by the growing rage in the other man’s face as he tapped the fingers of his gloved hands against the table in an annoyed, rhythmic manner.

“I didn’t think it would be this much!”

“You hired an informant to dig up some dirt for you. What did you expect? This job isn’t cupcakes and rainbows. I risked life and limb to get the information I have, especially in this world of ours.” Quinn retorted with a scoff. “Sure, I get a lot of info just from keeping an ear to the ground and picking up everything I hear or see, but big jobs like this require focused searching and risking gambles to get it.” 

Quinn then leaned over the table the two of them were sitting at to get closer to his client as he whispered the next part in a quiet, soft, yet stern voice.

“You were the one who wanted me to find out all the details of those rogue mages' plans. I might be an informant who works both in the sunlit and moonlit worlds, but for dangerous moonlit jobs like this, I charge a rate that matches. This isn’t the same as getting information on a gang or drug trade for the cops. These are dangerous magi, which, in this case, had dangerous chimeras that I was forced to sneak around and eavesdrop on. I think this price is justified, all things considered. I’m actually being lenient to you. Others would no doubt charge much more.”

“You damn–!”

“If you really want, we can call off our deal. You won’t have to pay up, and I’ll forget everything I learned about those rogue magi. We can both be on our way.” Quinn offered with a huff, making the client freeze up for a moment before he let out a groan of defeat.

“Fine. I’ll pay.”

“Thank you, good sir,” Quinn said cooly as he held out his hand. 

The client grumbled under his breath as he dug through his pockets before pulling out a checkbook and writing a check. He then tore it out and shoved it into Quinn’s hand. Quinn then brought the check closer to get a good look at it, and then he smiled as he pocketed it in his trench coat pocket.

“Good. Everything is in order. of course, if this check suddenly can't be checked in for any reason, then don't think for a second I won't get what I'm owed. One way...or another.” Quinn nodded with a threatening smirk before he pulled a large, thick notebook out of his other coat pocket and pulled out some of the sheets from it before offering them to his client. “I wrote everything down in my report. I’m sure you find everything you’re looking for in it.”

The client cautiously took the sheets away from Quinn before skimming through the papers quickly, his eyes widening as he parsed through the report.

”...Yes. This will do,” the young man muttered softly before he folded the report and placed it in his suit’s breast pocket. "Despite the price, I must say you performed the job swiftly and still managed to get all of this information. I can see now why you are so highly regarded among the Lords of the Clocktower. No wonder you have gained titles such as The Informant of the Clocktower.”

“Please don’t bring up those ridiculous names. They make me cringe every time I hear them. I’m just doing my job, so I don’t understand the need to make it sound as though I’m some incredible person of interest.” Quinn muttered as he frowned and crossed his arms.

“Perhaps it is because there are very few people in your line of work who are as knowledgeable of the moonlit world as you. From what I heard, people point to you if anyone needs to find something out, and considering you were somehow able to gather this much info on those rogue magi within a matter of days, the same group of magi that no one under my employ could find even a scrap of information within the weeks prior to hiring you. I was expecting much less from you. That was why I was so angry that you were charging so much and telling me to pay before you showed me anything you found. I thought you were trying to scam me and run off when you had no information to give me.”

“I aim to fulfill the job given to me to absolute completion. This was nothing. I suppose I can understand your doubts about me, though. Not that I really care what you think.” Quinn shrugged once again. “So, will that be all? You are satisfied, yes?”

“I hate to admit it, but yes. I am quite satisfied.” The client nodded.

“Then I will be on my way,” Quinn said as he got up from his seat. “I hope you come to me again next time you need information like this.”

“I pray that never comes to pass… I’m not sure my coffers could handle hiring you again.” The young magus grumbled as Quinn left.

Once he exited the room, Quinn adjusted his dark trench coat before walking off through the halls. As he walked, he took out a box of cheap cigarettes with a heavy sigh.

"About damn time. I was starting to go crazy talkin' to that dumbass." Quinn rolled his eyes as he brought the box up to his mouth and pulled a cig out with his teeth. "Fuckin' novice. This is why I try to only work with regular or experienced customers."

Just as he was about to pull out his lighter, Quinn suddenly felt a vibration within his pockets. He stopped as he pulled out his phone and checked it.

RF: How’d the meeting go?

Quinn hummed as he leaned against a nearby window and shot a response back quickly before taking out his lighter and lighting his cigarette.

QV: Good. The client paid in full and was satisfied with the report in the end.

Quinn slowly breathed in before he grasped the cig in his mouth away to let out a slow, long puff. He figured that was good enough and was about to continue on his way, but another message caused him to stop to check once again.

RF: Cool. That means you aren’t busy for the rest of the day, right? Do you think we could meet up for a lesson later?

That got an audible snicker out of Quinn as a small smile forced its way onto his stoney visage.

QV: Always so eager, aren’t you?

RF: Of course! So?

Quinn hummed again as he thought for a moment before shooting back a reply.

QV: Sure, why not? Are you still in class right now?

RF: Yeah, about to go to my last class now. We can meet up right after.

QV: Okay. We’ll meet at the usual spot. I’ll be waiting for you.

RF: Got it, boss!

Quinn let out a sigh as he smiled at the message before putting away his device.

“There goes my free time. I even bought that new book, too.” He complained in a lax tone as he started walking again. “Might as well head over there and wait. It shouldn’t take too long for classes to end for the day, but maybe I can get a bit of reading in as I wait. At the very least, I'll be done with this smoke by the time she arrives, so I won't have to worry about her getting on my case about my health. Tch, as if I need to worry about something stupid like that.”

So, Quinn began traversing the long, elegant hallways, passing by a few people as he went once he reached the lower levels of the place. Quinn had seen many places, but he felt as though he would never fully get used to being at the Clock Tower. 

Every time he was there, he couldn’t help but find it all surreal. With how often he came here for his work, one would think he would eventually get used to it. At least nowadays, he doesn’t feel nearly as alien as when he arrived at the tower for the first time.

It certainly didn’t help that he kept getting looks whenever someone spotted him, though it was usually the students. That really wasn’t much of a surprise. Of course, the students would be curious if they saw an outsider wandering about. It didn’t help that he wore mostly black, with the only exception being his navy blue turtleneck. The large, black trench coat probably didn’t help, either—not that he would get rid of it. 

He really liked the coat. It made him feel cool. Like a real-life Doctor Who. Quinn was certain he would make a great time lord.

“They seriously made this place way too fancy for what’s essentially a magic school. Why couldn't they make it like Hogwarts? That would have been way more fun.” Quinn chuckled as he finally made it out of the large facility. He took one last puff before taking out his portable ashtray container and dropping his used cig into it as he looked around the busy streets of London. “Let’s see. It’s been a while, but if I recall, it should be over in that direction.”

It took a bit more walking, but Quinn’s memory did not fail him. It never did.

He smiled as he saw the old cafe still sitting in the same spot he remembered it being. He sped up his pace a little bit as he hurried inside, and the moment he opened the door, the familiar scent of coffee and other delightful smells reminiscent of fresh breakfast greeted him, along with the cozy interior he remembered.

“Ah…feels like a second home, or would it be third now?” Quinn smiled as he walked over to his usual seat, only to pause when he saw someone was already sitting there.

Quinn’s smile fell into a frown when he saw that. Normally, this wouldn’t bother him. While he called it his seat, he couldn’t actually claim a spot in a public place like a cafe, no matter how often he used it. However, the problem wasn’t the fact that the seat was unavailable. It was who was sitting there at the moment.

Sitting in his spot was a young woman. She was shorter than Quinn and had long, silvery-white hair as well as narrow, stern, amber-gold eyes. She wore the very familiar outfit usually worn by high-ranking members of the Mage’s Association, along with an orange shirt underneath the uniform, an orange skirt, and even orange stockings. To top it all off, the young woman had a stoney expression at the moment, and hints of terror, dread, and anxiety were dancing within her steely eyes, making her look fragile at that moment, something a strong woman like her would never let people under normal circumstances.

Quinn sighed. He knew this woman all too well, and judging by her expression, this was not going to be a jovial conversation like the ones they so often had whenever he was in the city.

He shook his head before finally walking up to the woman's table and plopping down on the other side. The noise seemed to startle the woman out of her train of thought. She jolted at the loud, sudden noise before looking over to Quinn, who simply looked back at her with an amused expression, an expression that did not betray just how forced the smile was.

“Geez, I know it’s been a while, but I didn’t think I’d run into you here, Little Animusphere,” Quinn noted, and a playful, mischievous smirk formed on his lips.

“Y-You…!” The woman began to growl as her face turned a deep shade of red, whether out of anger or out of embarrassment over having been startled like that. Either way, Quinn couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of it, which seemed to only make the woman angrier. “S-Stop laughing! And I’ve told you to stop calling me that!”

“So you’d rather I’d go back to calling you ‘brat’? I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing. What sort of deviant are you?” Quinn smirked, causing the woman to nearly pop a vein from sheer frustration. Quinn could almost see steam coming out of her ears as she turned redder and redder, so he decided perhaps that was enough for now. “Okay, okay. I won’t call you that anymore. Today, at least.”

That seemed to calm the woman down a bit, as she no longer looked like she was ready to strangle Quinn anymore. Still, that didn’t seem to have taken the original edge off her, as she went back to looking just as cold and distant as she did before Quinn arrived. 

So much for that plan… Nothing left but to be direct.

“So, how are you, Olga? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Quinn asked with a light, soft smile.

“Hmph. I am perfectly fine. And yes, it has been a while—a few years, actually.” The woman, Olga Marie Animusphere, stated coldly.

“A few years? Has it really been that long?” Quinn asked with a genuine frown. “It hardly feels as though it’s been that long.”

“I doubt it would, what with you constantly traveling around. With that wanderlust you have, you must have walked across the whole planet by now.” Olga huffed as she turned away, refusing to look Quinn in the eye at all.

“Hmm…I’m not sure. I might have, now that I think about it,” Quinn mused. "But you know it’s because of my job. I gotta keep up with everything that’s happening so I can continue being a perfect informant.”

“That’s not true at all, and you know it. You use that ‘job’ of yours as an excuse to travel. The fact of the matter is if you really wanted to, you could keep being as efficient in gathering information as you are now if you were locked in a basement in the middle of nowhere, and no one would be able to figure out how you pulled it off. That’s why you’re so highly sought after.”

“H-Hey, don’t go saying things like that. People might actually start believing rumors like that.” Quinn stammered a bit as he nervously rubbed the back of his head.

“People already believe that. Rumors spread like fire, and everyone at the Clock Tower has heard of the infamous Informant of the Tower, the man who knows everything. If he doesn’t know something somehow, you can be assured that he will very soon. No secret is safe from you, or so they would believe.” Olga sighed. “The fact you don’t know that is just proof of your own foolish denial in regard to your reputation among magi.”

“Urk–!” Quinn recoiled backward at the harsh statement. He then limply fell forward, his head dropping onto the table in defeat. “O-Ow… Always with the biting remarks, huh Olga?”

“Please, enough of the carefree attitude and games. I am very much not in the mood.” Olga said softly as she rubbed her temple. “I…am really not capable of our usual banter.”

Quinn frowned as he got back up to look at Olga with an analyzing eye. Damn. This really was bad, huh? Usually, that would be enough to distract her so he could work on lifting her spirits.

“...I think I’m going to need some coffee and another smoke for this,” Quinn muttered, his cheerful and relaxed expression morphing to a weary, serious one as he raised his hand to call over a waitress. He ordered a cup as he pulled out his little box of cigarettes and a lighter. “You don’t mind, right? We are sitting in the smoking section here.”

“Just don’t puff it in my face.” Olga grimaced as Quinn lit a cigarette and took a deep inhale before turning away to let out the large cloud of smoke he had gathered. “I don’t understand why you do that. You know how bad that is for you, correct?”

“Yep. These things kill people more than any violent crime and even traffic accidents, or so statistics say.” Quinn nodded.

Quinn then immediately took another large inhale of the cig, flashing Olga a huge, stupid grin as he did. The act caused Olga to give a deep, frustrated sigh.

Once the waitress brought Quinn’s cup of coffee over, he took a deep sip of the black, bitter liquid before looking back at Olga with a much more serious look.

“...What happened, if you mind my asking?” Quinn asked in a soft, cautious, yet stern and serious voice, his eyes now narrowed as he prepared to take in every word spoken. Olga seemed to flinch at the sudden shift in his demeanor, but soon, she relaxed before taking a drink of her own cup of coffee before eventually replying.

“You remember my father, correct?”

“Of course. Marisbury. Couldn’t forget him even if I wanted to.” Quinn nodded, muttering the last bit under his breath as he scratched his neck anxiously and blew out another puff of smoke. “What about him?”

“...He’s dead.”

Olga’s words seemed to cause the entire building to drop many degrees in temperature for Quinn, who suddenly felt a chill course through his body at the sudden, startling news. His cigarette actually fell out of his mouth the moment he heard that, and his jaw slackened and drooped dumbly. Quinn felt as though he had been run over by a dozen horses while being stabbed by thousands of blades, and he barely even knew Marisbury that well.

Quinn could only react in one way.

“Oh…” He muttered as he felt his skin start to pale.

"Yes. 'Oh'." Olga grumbled out a response. 

Suddenly, Quinn could imagine the reason Olga seemed so distressed, and he perfectly understood the pain she must be going through.

He brought his cup to his mouth and drank the rest of his coffee in a quick motion before grabbing the cig he dropped and putting it back into his mouth. He then rubbed his forehead anxiously as he began taking very quick puffs from the cig, the cig burning up and a much quicker rate than before, though he didn't even realize that. After a few more seconds, Quinn quickly realized he had burnt through the entire cig once he felt the lit tip begin to touch his lips. A new, bubbling feeling and angry frustration surged in him when he realized that.

So much for smoking to relieve stress... To say Quinn was now panicking a little in his head would be an understatement.

He was going to need a lot more smokes after this…and maybe a stiff drink if he could sneak one in.

Finally, after a beat of silence, Quinn finally had the strength to speak again after he put away his burnt-up cigarette in his portable ashtray.

“Are…Are you alright?” Quinn asked carefully as he slowly moved a hand over to hold Olga’s in an attempt to comfort her. He felt her hand twitch at his touch before she moved her hand to tightly grasp his as she started to shake slightly.

“I…I don’t know.” She revealed. “They…say he was found dead in his office at Chaldea.”

“Chaldea? That special facility you told me that he made, right? The one that was to protect humanity’s future?”

“Correct. They…They say he killed himself.” Olga managed to force out.

“Suicide?” Quinn questioned, taken aback that apparently, Marisbury had taken his own life. “Is that really true? He…didn’t strike me as the type, but…” He trailed off, unsure of how to finish that thought when he was talking to the daughter of the man in question.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything about it. I have been here running the estate and the astrology faction since I took over for my father, ever since he ran off to spend all his time on Chaldea.” Olga explained. "They had only just discovered his body, and I only found out a few hours ago…”

Olga then clamped up for a moment as she gulped nervously. She tightened her grip on Quinn’s hand even more, so much so it was starting to numb his hand, but he didn’t say anything as he waited patiently for Olga to continue. Pain couldn't bother him anymore, so giving Olga something to use to vent, even just slightly, was the least he could do for her if his words couldn't bring her comfort.

“It’s alright. It’s just the two of us here.” Quinn told her. That seemed to be enough to get Olga to continue again, as her expression hardened before she shook her head.

“I shouldn’t care. I don’t care that he’s dead.” Olga muttered angrily. “The only things I ever got from him were an empty estate and a facility in the middle of nowhere that I’ve never seen.” She then ran a hand down her mentally drained face before suddenly slamming it against the table.

“I never received anything of worth from that man! Not even his attention, and certainly not his love! He was too focused on that facility of his and the true successor he actually wanted.” Olga growled. “The only thing I was good for was maintaining the estate or acting as his representative at the Clock Tower. I bet he never even thought of me at all. Clearly, he didn’t if he decided to off himself like this!” She hissed.

“Olga…”

“No! Don’t ‘Olga’ me! I’ve been hearing that all day!” Olga screamed. “All people have said to me is, ‘Are you alright, Miss Animusphere?’; ‘Oh, poor Olga’; ‘My condolences, Lady Animusphere’; as if they even care! They’ve never cared about me before. They only saw me as a disappointment, and now that my father is gone, they’re trying to please me by giving me pity or sympathy, but I don’t want any of that! I don’t need pity or sympathy because I don’t care that my father is dead! If anything, I’m furious with all the sudden work he dropped onto me with his death!”

She was shaking now, his hands trembling with anger as she shook and seethed.

“That man was an amazing magus, yes, but he was not my father. He was just the person who helped birth me. Why should I care if he’s dead now? He never deemed me worthy of his own concerns, so why should I spare him any now?”

Olga then froze and stiffened up when Quinn moved his free hand on top of the hand she was using to squeeze his other hand. She turned to face him, and a deep look of understanding and pain was clear to see in his face.

“I get it, Olga. It’s not fair, is it?” Quinn asked softly, causing Olga to flinch. “It’s not fair. You shouldn’t care. He never gave you a reason to…and now he never will.”

That did it. The hardened mask Olga had created broke down after that. She couldn’t help but look down as she seemed to curl into herself ever so slightly, ready to completely fall apart at a moment.

“It’s not fair… Why did he have to die now of all times? Why?” Olga felt a few tears fall from her face, causing her to let out weak chuckles. She looked back at Quinn with red eyes. “My father died, and now everything is worse.”

“I know. I know,” Quinn whispered as Olga tried to fight back the rest of her tears.

Eventually, she managed to stop crying and recompose herself. Her eyes were still a bit red, but at least she didn’t look like a mess. After getting her another cup of coffee, she managed to calm down enough to hold a conversation again.

“So... you’re being sent to Chaldea to pick up where Marisbury left off?” Quinn asked after taking a sip from his new cup. The dark, bitter liquid matched his current mood well.

“Yes. I am to fly off within the coming days. Honestly, who do they think they are, telling me that without any warning. At least they’re giving me until the start of the new year to finish my remaining business at the Tower before I have to go.” Olga groaned as she rubbed her forehead wearily. “It’s funny. I had tried to join Chaldea before as a Master Candidate, but I was promptly rejected for having no aptitude for their methods, and Father told me to stay at the Tower to continue my studies and to act as his representative should it be necessary. Now, here I am, being forced to become its director. How ironic…”

“Where even is Chaldea? I haven’t the foggiest idea, and I’ve practically been everywhere on the planet at this point,” Quinn asked with a raised eyebrow.

Worryingly, Olga’s initial response was a loud, forced laugh, not at all like the cheerful laugh Quinn had managed to pull out of the young Lord before. It was unsettling, to say the least. When she finally stopped, she showed him an extremely forced smile as she answered.

“Antarctica.”

Quinn nearly dropped his cup at hearing the simple response. His eyes were now wide and twitching ever so slightly as Olga watched him with genuine amusement. She was enjoying having their typical roles reversed for once.

“Antarctica? They’re forcing you to fly off to Antarctica?” Quinn muttered before he slowly slapped his face with the palm of his free hand. “You’ve gotta be kidding me…” He groaned quietly.

“You’re taking it better than I did.” Olga smiled. “Can you imagine? Building a facility there, of all places? What was going through my father’s head, I will never know. I can see the logic behind the location, but still…”

“It’s so far and removed from literally anything else; it’s shocking no matter how I think about it, even when accounting for logic. It just sounds ridiculous.” Quinn finished her thought for her. “Forgive me for saying this, but I do not envy you, Olga.”

“I should hope note.” Olga snickered a little before her expression returned to being a bit more serious. “Still, this is an interesting opportunity. I have always been curious about my father’s little project, so getting to see it myself after all this time is something I can’t deny excites me a little. It is a little muddled by having to suddenly become its new director despite knowing nothing about it all, though. Even more so under these circumstances.”

“Seriously, they couldn’t have given you more time? No, I shouldn’t blame them. It’s Marisbury who didn’t bother to tell you anything about Chaldea.” Quinn sighed before pushing his glasses up to rub his emerald green eyes. “So what are you going to do?”

“I have no choice but to go and fulfill my duty,” Olga replied before tightening her fists. “I have no choice, even if the other magi deem me as nothing more than a failed replacement. It is my duty as the sole heir of the Animusphere family.”

“As expected from Little Animusphere. I shouldn’t have expected anything less.” Quinn smiled.

“I told you not to refer to me by that horrid name!” Olga fumed as Quinn started laughing again, now relaxed from his previous tense state. 

“So I guess I won’t be seeing you for a long time once you leave. It’s not like I have any reason to come visit you in Antarctica, after all. I think penguins are cute and all, but I’m not traveling all the way down there just to see them and you.”

Quinn had meant it to be a joke, but seeing Olga’s suddenly muted and downcast expression caused him to reconsider if he should still be taking this seriously like before. But before he could, Olga began to speak again, this time in a slightly nervous voice.

“About that, I…” She began to trail off while averting her eyes before shaking her head a little and returning her gaze to Quinn, coughing a little to clear her throat before she did. “My, how convenient. To think we would run into each other like this so suddenly. It must be something akin to fate.”

“Eh?” Quinn tilted his head upon hearing the typical haughty and domineering tone of Olga Marie Animusphere, which had all but been vacant prior to now.

“Considering we are here like this at the moment, it must be fate or perhaps destiny even. I suppose I have little choice now.” Olga smiled as she placed a hand on her chest that she puffed out proudly. “I was told that I may bring whatever I might need to fulfill my duties at Chaldea, including any servants or helpers I might need. I was thinking over it in my mind right before you showed up, so now I suppose I could lend the offer to you.”

“Then…you mean to say–?”

“Yes.” Olga nodded before flashing Quinn a confident smile. “Quinn Vermillion, would you like to join me as a member of Chaldea? I believe having your talents and expertise would be a huge boon for us, and I assure you that you will be compensated as well. What do you say?”

Quinn blinked a few times before what she had asked him finally clicked in his mind. He almost wanted to ask if she was serious, but knowing her, she wouldn’t have said it if she hadn’t been. So that just left Quinn to choose. 

Chaldea, huh?

The choice was obvious then, wasn’t it?

“Okay.” Quinn shrugged before he finished his coffee.

“I know you might not accept my word for it, but I assure you that–” Olga suddenly stopped talking as her eyes nearly popped out of her head from pure surprise. “Wait, what? What did you just say?”

“I said okay. I accept.”

“R-Really?”

“Why would I lie? I’m a little offended. We’ve known each other for so long, so you really ought to know when I’m serious about something.” Quinn huffed as he set his now empty cup down. “I’m interested in Chaldea, anyway, so I don’t see why I shouldn’t accept the offer. Sure, I’m not too fond of having to fly off to Antarctica for the foreseeable future, but it’s not the worst thing in the world.”

“What about your job as an informant? You’re just going to give it up like that?”

“It’s just as you said before. I don’t work as an informant because I love the job. It’s a fine profession, but you were right in that it was just the perfect excuse to travel. And considering I’ve practically gone everywhere on the planet aside from the north and south poles this past decade, I might as well get started on that now, right?” Quinn then raised an eyebrow at Olga. “Why are you so surprised? I accepted your offer, so be happier.”

“R-Right. Of course. I shouldn’t be too surprised. It’s not like you could have rejected any offer I made. You certainly know your place in that regard.” Olga forced a confident smile back onto her face as she postured a bit.

Quinn frowned at that a bit before it suddenly hit him, and he found himself laughing a little while his mouth curved up into a mischievous grin.

“I see. So that’s what you were after, Olga.” Quinn smiled widely, causing Olga to freeze once again when she caught sight of it.

She knew that smile of his. That was the smile Quinn had right before some awful punchline came to humiliate her.

“S-See what?” She asked.

“You said how convenient it was for us to meet like this, but this wasn’t a coincidence at all! You wanted me specifically, so you sought me out! That’s why you’re here!” Quinn said with a huge, smug smile as he leaned in closer toward Olga and stared her dead in the eyes, causing her to turn away as sweat began to form on her face. That only made his own grin widen.

“Th-That’s not true. You just so happened to be here, so I thought I would ask.” Olga denied it, but it was much too late.

“Oh, no. Don’t try to lie now, Little Animusphere~. We’ve known each other for so long that there’s really no reason to try to come off as tough and independent now.” Quinn remarked in a sickeningly sweet voice, causing Olga’s cheeks to start to violently turn red as he continued. “You were so nervous about going to Chaldea by yourself, weren’t you, so you decided to try to convince me to come with you! I bet you came up with a huge speech to try to convince me, so my agreeing to it so readily must have thrown you off! It’s so sweet! Am I that important to you, Olga? I didn’t know you thought so highly of me!”

“I-I-I do NOT!” Olga practically shrieked as her face turned even redder. 

“Yeah, you do! You knew this was my usual haunt since we’ve had plenty of chats here before, and you've even seen me speaking with clients here, so you decided to take a chance and wait here to see if I would show up. How long were you planning on coming here to see if I would ever drop by? It’s so precious!” Quinn gushed loudly.

“Sh-Shut up!!!”

Quinn let out boisterous laughter as Olga screamed with a bright red face. After a while, Olga seemed to give up trying to deny his claims. She fell onto one of her open hands and hid her face with a loud groan, which only got more laughter out of Quinn. Once he had finally calmed down, he wiped a tear out of his eye before returning his gaze to the embarrassed Lord of the Clock Tower.

“S-So…” He began before clearing his throat and getting the last bit of chuckles out of his system. “So why did you want me anyway? You’re the head of the Animusphere family. Surely you have plenty of other people you could have called upon. So why me? While I would say we are close considering how long we've been friends and associates, I’m not actually part of your family or department.”

“That is true. There are plenty of capable magi in my department and even in branch families,” Olga admitted. “But in terms of skill and capability, none can match you. And in terms of trust…” Olga then averted her eyes. “...You should know where you stand in that regard.”

“I see.” Quinn smiled. “It can’t be helped, I suppose. At the very least, I’ll now be working for an incredibly capable boss. There isn’t anyone else I’d rather work for.”

Olga blushed again as she huffed at his claim, though Quinn could see the ends of her lips curving upward despite her feigned annoyance.

“You’re just saying that,” Olga muttered quietly.

“You know I’m not. I know it’s been a while, but do I have to tell you how amazing you are again? I can still make that list for you if you want. It might be a bit too large for a single page, but I’m sure I can make it right now if you give me an hour or two to jot down everything. I might even need an entire notebook, now that I think about it.”

Quinn was mostly joking, but he wasn’t lying when he told her that he could definitely write a sizable list of everything he found admirable about her. She clearly knew that since her immediate response was for her eyes to widen as she waved her hands frantically at him.

“N-N-No!!! Don’t! There’s no need to write out a list like that!” She cried out in a mortified tone, but Quinn took that as a sign to start listing off things for her vocally.

“Well, the first thing that comes to mind is incredible beauty. Any man would be lucky just to see you smile at them. It's quite obvious. Only fools wouldn't be struck speechless by looking at a pretty lady like you.” Quinn stated, prompting Olga to shut up as her face lit up once again. As she struggled to process the term ‘beautiful’ that was used to describe herself, Quinn continued without waiting for her to recover. 

“Secondly, you’re one of the most impressive magus I’ve had the pleasure to meet. You’re far more capable than many of the lackluster magus I’ve been hired by in the past. Thirdly, you’re incredibly strong mentally. Your mental fortitude is so impressive that it actually scares me sometimes, and I find myself wishing I had that same strength on numerous occasions. Fourthly, you don’t take other’s shit lying down. You’re a proud woman who strives for perfection and won’t tolerate anyone discrediting the work you’ve done, and I respect you greatly for that. Fifthly–”

“ALRIGHT, I GET IT!!! ENOUGH!!!” Olga screamed before she dropped her face down into her elbows and held her head while letting out a quiet, mortified moan. Quinn chuckled as he shook his head with a bit of fondness

“You’re still so weak to compliments, I see. That’s my fifth point. It's just another adorable aspect of you.” Quinn added, causing Olga to let out another groan. Quinn laughed as he pulled out his third cigarette for the day and lit it. “Anyway, enough of that. You said they’re giving you till the start of 2013 to arrive?”

“Correct. That’s all the time they’ll allow, but I’m expected to be there as soon as possible.” Olga answered as she lifted herself back up, her cheeks still tinted red as she attempted to put back her broken composure. “I apologize for giving you this offer and then forcing you to prepare on such short notice.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t really have anything I want to bring anyway. I rarely pack more than a few essentials for my trips anyway. Besides, I doubt they’ll let me bring in too many things. This is a secure, hidden, magus facility, after all.”

“That is true.” Olga nodded. “So there is no issue with this?”

“Not that I can think of,” Quinn said before he paused and frowned. “Actually, there is one issue that needs to be addressed.”

“And that is?”

“Weeeeeeell–”

“Boss! I’m here!” A new voice exclaimed, cutting off Quinn, who let out a small, amused sigh when he heard it.

“Speaking of the devil, and she shall appear.” He noted with a small smile as he pushed up his glasses.

“Who–?” Olga tried to ask, but before she could, the owner of the voice darted around the corner and rushed over to their table.

It was a girl, one who looked to be nearing the start of adulthood. She appeared to be Asian, most likely Japanese, and she had short, bright, reddish-orange hair that went down to right above her shoulders. She also had a noticeable cowlick, and the girl's hair was tied in a side ponytail on the left side with a yellow hair band. Most notable, though, was her outfit, which was one of the standard uniforms for students of the Mages Association.

“So boss, when are we gonna–” The girl began to say, but she stopped the moment her light orange eyes fell upon her ‘boss’ and the woman he was sitting with. She stared at the two of them for a minute before she aimed a disapproving frown at Quinn. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing your latest hookup.”

Quinn almost inhaled his cigarette when he heard that, but he did inhale some smoke he wasn’t prepared for. The cigarette was spat out from his mouth as he began to cough roughly, all while Olga stared at the young girl with disbelieving and offended eyes.

“Hookup!?” Olga shrieked.

“Yeeeeeeah, hate to be the one to break it to you, but you aren’t his first. Heck, you aren’t even his thirtieth at this point. I’ve honestly lost count. He just can’t help himself,” the girl explained before shaking her head in disappointment. That’s when she squinted at Olga a bit and let out a soft hum. “That being said, I didn’t know he was into women like you.”

“Woman like me?! And what’s that supposed to mean?!” Olga nearly popped a vein when she heard that.

“Well, you–”

“Ristuka!” Quinn shouted in alarm once he finally managed to get enough fresh air to speak. “That’s enough! So please, stop talking! She isn’t–” Quinn immediately cut himself off when he spotted Olga’s death glare aimed at him, so he quickly reviewed and then amended what he was going to say. “We aren’t together like that! She’s an old friend and we’re talking business!”

“Is that so?” Ritsuka asked as she took another look at the furious Olga. That’s when she noticed what Olga was wearing and fear began to appear in her eyes. “W-Wait…that uniform… Don’t tell me she’s–”

“That’s right. Ritsuka Fujimaru, allow me to properly introduce you to the brand new Lord of the Astromancy branch of the Clock Tower, Olga Marie Animusphere.” Quinn introduced to the shell-shocked Ritsuka before he flashed her a wide, forced grin that promised death. “So please, mind your words.” He hissed under his breath.

“R-Right…” Ritsuka muttered weakly as she followed Quinn’s motion to sit down next to him once he scooted over for her. Olga continued to glare at the girl as she sat down with a meek expression before she finally sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“Alright, I’ll bite. Who exactly is this, Quinn?” Olga questioned in a pointed tone.

“Like I said earlier, her name is Ritsuka Fujimaru,” Quinn explained as he gestured to the now-silent girl. Olga glared at the girl before turning back to Quinn with a look of disappointment.

“Please tell me you two aren’t–”

“NO!!! Why would you even assume that?!” Quinn shouted in alarm as he waved his hands frantically. “Would you two please stop acting as if I’m some sexual deviant?!”

The girls gave him deadpanned looks once he said that.

“You mean you aren’t?/Have you met yourself?” They both asked at the same time, causing Quinn to groan as he put away his ruined cigarette.

“So I like to enjoy myself a little. It’s not like it’s wrong.” Quinn muttered in annoyance. “And even then, I’m not so bad as to break the law! Ritsuka’s still only a minor!”

“And unlike him, I have standards.” Ritsuka chuckled as she playfully shoved Quinn.

“Gee, thanks!” Quinn shot Ritsuka a frown as she flashed him a bright smile.

“So what is your relationship, then?” Olga questioned.

“She’s…I guess you could say, apprentice.” Quinn explained. 

“An apprentice? You?” Olga repeated with a raised eyebrow and a surprised tone. “I didn’t take you as someone who took on students and the like.”

“I’m usually not, but I made an exception here,” Quinn admitted as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Of course. I’m just that impressive, after all.” Ritsuka puffed out her chest proudly at that.

“I met her a year ago when I was in Japan, and after getting to know her a little, I decided to take her under my wing as a student and apprentice.” Quinn began to explain as he gave Ritsuka an amused smile. “I’ve taught her a few skills I’ve picked up already, so she’s quite a capable informant already. Nothing on my level, obviously, but she’s quite impressive for a novice greener than grass. Right now, I have her attending a few classes at the Clock Tower to improve her magecraft.”

“Magecraft? So she’s a magus?” Olga questioned. Ritsuka flinched when she heard that, and her smile twitched a little.

“W-Well, you could say something like that…” Ritsuka replied before she forced back on her bright expression. “Hey, so enough about me. What were you guys talking about before I got here? I thought the boss was finished with work today. And is it really okay for us to be talking about magecraft in a public cafe like this?”

“If you really want to know, we were just starting to talk about you. And you should already know why it’s fine for us to speak like this here.” Quinn told her before frowning slightly as he reached over to the napkin dispenser and lifted it up, revealing a barely visible magic circle that glowed ever so faintly. 

“You know there’s a bounded field here that causes people to not take notice of us unless we address them directly. That’s why this cafe is my haunt. You know that. We've been here before, so don’t try to change the subject right now. Olga needs to know more about you before we continue our previous discussion.”

“B-But–”

“Ritsuka,” Quinn spoke firmly in a serious tone, causing Ritsuka to back down and avert her eyes. “To answer your question, Olga, yes. She is a magus of a sort.”

“Of a sort?”

“To put it bluntly, her abilities as a magus are subpar if I’m being particularly generous,” Quinn explained, much to Ritsuka’s chagrin. “Although, in my opinion, it’s impressive that she even has the ability to perform magecraft, even at such a level.”

“Is she a first-generation magus, then?” Olga took a guess. 

“Not quite, but you’re not too far off the mark. At this point, she might as well be. From what the two of us understand, Ritsuka’s family, the Fujimarus, used to be a magus family of average levels.”

“Used to?”

“Yeah. Nothing special, really. Perhaps that’s why they eventually stopped practicing magecraft altogether. There’s hardly anything left from when they were magus. Records must have been hidden or destroyed as time went on for some reason or another because that’s all I was able to find when I looked into it. Not even Ritsuka’s parents know anything about magecraft, so who knows how many generations have passed since they practiced it.”

“If it’s been that long since her family has practiced magecraft, then they should have eventually lost their ability to perform magecraft at all. A family’s magic circuits deteriorate if they aren’t used, and the likelihood of their children being born with fewer and less potent circuits increases until the family’s abilities die out.” Olga noted before it clicked for her. “Oh, I see. She is quite impressive if that’s the case.”

“Isn’t she?” Quinn smiled. “To think that someone with a higher-than-average number of magic circuits, each of decent quality, would suddenly be born from a family line that had quit the practice. Even better, they still haven’t degraded to an unsalvageable point yet. It caught my eye, along with other things.” 

Quinn then let out a few chuckles as he dropped a hand onto Ritsuka’s head and ruffled her messy hair. 

“Imagine this: One day, I’m walking down an empty road when I pass by an empty park where one lone girl is sitting, pouring over a book detailing magecraft.”

“She was researching magecraft in public!?” Olga shouted in horror.

“I didn’t know at the time!” Ritsuka immediately replied as she knocked off Quinn’s hand, and he started laughing. “I had just found a really old book in the attic and thought it was interesting, so I started reading it after school ended and lost track of time! I didn’t know it was something to keep hidden from people!”

Olga groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Thank goodness only Quinn saw you then.” She grimaced at the thought.

“True. Once I saw what she was reading, I decided to talk to Ritsuka a little, and after learning that she truly wanted to learn real magecraft, I spoke with her parents a little and managed to get their permission to take her under my wing.” Quinn finished his story.

“So you told them about the world of magecraft?” Olga asked with a deep frown.

“Of course not. What do you take me for? No, I only told them about being a special kind of informant and used a bit of hypnosis to do the rest. They think Ritsuka’s doing some kind of special internship for a government job, which isn’t entirely a lie considering jobs I’ve done in the past.” Quinn told her.

“Then you were alright with lying to your parents and using magecraft on them like that?” Olga asked Ritsuka.

“Not really, no. I would have rather told them the truth. Maybe one day I will, but I know that a magus isn’t allowed to tell normal people about magecraft. Something about how the more people that are aware of magecraft decreases the mystery fueling magecraft and weakens it. So, I’m willing to keep it a secret for now. This is the path I wanted to take, after all, so I’m willing to follow the rules in this regard.” Ritsuka answered.

“Good. I would have hoped for that much if you were a student at the Clock Tower as well,” Olga said before looking back at Quinn. "I have a better picture now, and I can imagine what that issue you were mentioning was.”

“Then you know what my one stipulation for taking your offer is,” Quinn said.

“Offer?” Ritsuka asked though she didn’t get an immediate answer from either of them.

Olga took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and thought for a moment. After that brief pause, she looked again at Ritsuka before returning her gaze to Quinn.

“You said Ritsuka had an above-average number of circuits of decent quality?”

“That’s right. Believe it or not, she has twenty-one circuits of average quality. Ever so slightly above the average magus, correct?”

“And her actual skill in the craft?”

“As I said, subpar, though I’d chalk that up to lack of experience and a lack of a magic crest. She’s only been at this for almost a year now. I’m certain that eventually, she’ll reach a much higher level and eventually be able to create a new crest for her family line.” Quinn answered before folding his arms. “Unfortunately for those asshats at the tower, she’s my apprentice, meaning I’m going to my damnest to make sure she doesn’t end up like ‘typical’ magi. I’m going to make sure she ends up on the right path in this line of work.”

“So you’re going to make sure she ends up as a spellcaster, then?” Olga frowned.

“Of course. I’m training her to be my successor as an informant. It's foolish to rely only on mystics in my line of work. It's a great world out here, and it's far easier to use whatever is available than limit yourself like that. Besides, would you expect anything else from me?” Quinn asked with a smile.

“Unfortunately, no.” Olga sighed. After a brief pause of silence, Olga spoke again. “And you’ll vouch for her?”

“Without question. I wouldn’t have taken her under my wing if I didn’t see anything in her,” Quinn answered without hesitation. Olga let out a small hum before she nodded.

“If you’re so certain, I don’t see any reason to say no. You’ll just have to convince anyone else who disagrees, which I’m sure you can do with ease. I doubt any of them will last a minute in an argument with you.”

“You know me so well,” Quinn smirked. “Then you’re fine with it?”

“While I am not too fond of the idea, I do trust you and your decisions. You’re surprisingly a good judge of character and ability.” 

“Hey! What do you mean ‘surprisingly’!?”

“The point is, I’ll allow it. As long as you both produce proper results, you’ll see no complaints from me,” Olga replied. “Is that your only condition, then?”

“Yep. I can’t think of anything else.” Quinn nodded. 

“Good, then start preparing for the journey. I plan to be done with my business ahead of the deadline, so I expect the same of you.” Olga said as she stood up. “I’ll give you a call once everything is ready. Don’t be late.”

“Obviously. I’ll have you know I’m quite punctual when it comes to jobs.” Quinn told her. “Well then, I’m happy to be of service, Little Animusphere.”

“...You aren’t going to stop calling me by that retched name even after we arrive, will you?” She asked in an unimpressed tone.

“Nope,” Quinn answered cheerfully.

“Ugh…I’m starting to regret giving you that offer…” Olga grimaced as she walked off, leaving a chuckling Quinn and a confused Ritsuka behind at the table.

“...You know, the two of you really do sound like you’re into each other when you act so casually together like that. I’ve never seen any magus act casually like that, especially with you.” Ritsuka noted. “Are you sure you two haven’t hooked up before?”

“We most certainly have not.” Quinn shot a frown at his student before turning away. “...I can’t do that to her. It wouldn’t be right, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did that to her.”

“Oh?” Ritsuka let out a small gasp before a familiar mischievous smirk formed on her face. “Wait! Are you telling me that you actually like that Olga lady? Like, really like her?”

“Don’t you have better questions to ask that don’t relate to gossip about my personal relations?” Quinn asked pointedly as he pulled out a new cigarette to smoke.

“I guess,” Ritsuka admitted happily, granting Quinn some mercy as she dropped the topic. “Sooooo…what just happened? What exactly were you and Olga talking about?”

“Well…” Quinn smirked as he took out his lighter. “You could say that we just got hired by a Clock Tower Lord to work at a top-secret government magecraft facility in the middle of bumfuck nowhere.”

“...Wait, what?” Ritsuka blinked a few times.

“Better pack your bags once we get back, ‘Suka. We’re gonna be away from civilization for a long time, I imagine.” Quinn said as he got up from his seat.

“U-Uh…I-I…” Ritsuka tried to respond but found herself lost for words as she trailed off. Quinn just laughed as he patted her shoulder.

“Welcome to the world of magecraft. It’s weird. Luckily, it’s about to get stranger.” He laughed as he led her out of the cafe. “So about that lesson you wanted…”

---

Many months later…

“Wooooooow! Fancy ride you got here,” Quinn called out as he pushed up his dark-lensed glasses and stared at the privately owned helicopter in front of him, ready to take off at any moment. “I didn’t think we were going to get such fancy treatment.”

“Obviously, this sort of thing should be expected when it comes to a Lord of the Clock Tower. Besides, I am to be the new director of Chaldea, so this much is the least they could do.” Olga huffed as she crossed her arms happily.

“THIS IS SO COOOOOOOL!!!” Ritsuka shouted, her expression brightening to extreme degrees the moment she saw the large vehicle they were to ride in.

“Please do try to keep the excitement and volumn to a minimum once we board, Miss Fujimaru. This will be a long flight, so I’d rather not have a headache the moment we take off.” Olga scolded as she narrowed her eyes at the young girl.

“How can I not be excited? This my first time seeing a helicopter in person, let alone ride one!” Ritsuka exclaimed.

“It is a pretty neat experience, isn’t it?” Quinn smiled as he put a hand on his hip and played with the lit cig in his mouth. “And this is one of those nice helicopters, too, so it’ll be a nice, quiet, smooth ride. I might actually be able to get in a lot of reading during this trip.”

“You and your books,” Olga rolled her eyes amusedly. "Come on, you two. We should hurry up and head off. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can see just how bad it is there at Chaldea for a moment.”

“That’s true. I’m really excited to see what this place is like! A place designed to protect the future of humanity sounds incredible!” Ritsuka smiled as she followed close behind Olga as they walked towards the helicopter.

Quinn let out an amused sigh as he watched his protege follow Olga onto the helicopter like an excited puppy. He took the cigarette from his mouth and put it in his metal cylindrical ashtray before following them at a more reasonable pace.

“Chaldea, huh? It better not be boring.” He mumbled as he stepped onto the helicopter.

Fortunately or unfortunately for Quinn, ‘boring’ would be the last thing that happened.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Welcome to Chaldea

When the helicopter door opened, Quinn felt a burst of crisp, frigid air hit him without remorse. He let out a breath when he felt it hit him, releasing a foggy white cloud from his mouth due to the temperature. Thankfully, his clothing had been enhanced to resist extreme temperatures of all kinds, so this was just a refreshing, cool breeze. 

The sight around him was breathtaking. While there was nothing of note to look at, just being around the bright, white snow and ice that made up the continent was an experience very few people ever got to have.

It was a frozen wasteland, yet it was still beautiful. Quinn could never deny that. This world…Earth…humanity…it all was just so beautiful to him. Every part of this world filled him with pure wonder and love, whether it be the life-filled or lifeless parts.

This was it. This might not be the biggest reason why he traveled, but it certainly played a part in it. To see the parts of the world that would leave people speechless like this. He would imprint the sight into his mind and never forget it.

This is what it was all for. Why he made all those decisions in his life, even if it ended in nothing but pain. He was reminded of that fact every time a sight such as this greeted him.

What a lovely start to 2013.

Quinn loved it. He had to. He could have stayed there forever if he had been left alone, taking it all in.

Too bad the two ladies with him weren’t nearly as enthusiastic about the wonder of Antarctica. 

“Quinn! Hurry up and get in here! We’re letting the cold air in!” Olga yelled at him.

Quinn sighed as he turned around to see Olga glaring at him from the front entrance of a large white facility. She was tapping her foot against the hard snow, her typical scowl on her as she huffed impatiently.

“Alright. Coming.” Quinn called out as he took out a cig and lit it while he walked over to his lovely, beautiful boss. “Did Ritsuka already go in?”

“Yes. She wanted to see more of the area, but apparently, her clothes didn’t have a good enough enhancement on them to prevent the frigid temperature.” Olga grumbled as the two of them entered the building.

“Yeah, I figured. That’ll teach her to pay attention to me when I’m showing her something.” Quinn chuckled. “I can’t exactly blame her for that reaction, though. She was really excited about this.”

“I could tell during the trip.” Olga rubbed her brows in exasperation as she recalled how energetic the girl had been throughout the flight. “You certainly haven’t taught her the proper etiquette of being a magus.”

“That’s because all of that is a bunch of hogwash anyway. It’s a load of crap worth less than the dirt we walk on. Or, I guess it would be ice in this case. Either way, you must realize how foolish it is to act like that constantly. I can understand during business transactions or when one is required to be professional, but constantly? With how bloody the world of magecraft normally is? No thanks. I’d rather act like myself than something I’m not, and that’s something I refuse to compromise with anyone. I’d rather die, thank you very much.”

“I suppose I can concede that point. Focusing only on pride and honor will get you killed in the end. One might be allowed to act like that within their workshop or estate, but out in the real world, against real threats, it is nothing but a hindrance.” Olga nodded. “If one has the time to boast and feel proud, they have the time to refine their skill and craft.”

“And isn’t that the golden truth?” Quinn smirked. “That’s something you must have learned when you realized you weren’t going to get anything from anyone despite your namesake, huh?”

“You be quiet. While I will concede your point, I will not forsake my own pride. Everyone may have forsaken me, but I am still an Animusphere, and I demand respect now that I am the head of the family.” Olga frowned. “I haven’t worked to this end just to be treated as some hindrance or annoyance again.”

“That’s fair. You are the superior here. You should be shown a certain level of respect.” Quinn admitted.

“Indeed.” Olga smiled smugly before her expression slowly shifted to a more somber one. “...What about you? You speak as though you were also forced to learn that lesson.”

“Heh, it’s not a story worth mentioning.” Quinn gave a forced chuckle, taking a long draw from his smoke before continuing. “If I had to say anything about it, it would have to be how I wouldn’t have learned anything if I hadn't met you. I think…I would still be wallowing if it weren’t for that fateful day. I'd still be the same person who I was. It’s so much harder now to fall back into that habit. If I were just a little bit luckier, maybe I’d be able to forget it entirely.”

Olga’s eyes widened a bit at the sudden confession. Quinn hardly, if ever, spoke about himself, usually avoiding anything regarding the topic if he could help it. For him to suddenly come out and tell her about something like this was shocking. Welcomed, of course, but not any less surprising. 

Then a rare, genuine, soft smile came to Quinn’s face as he turned to her with gentle eyes that seemed to shine when they met her eyes, catching her even more off guard. Olga could only stare at the shining emerald gems so sweetly looking at her own amber orbs. 

“I only realized I could still be ‘myself’ by spending time with you, little brat. Your Incessant nagging brought drove point home.” He told her as something warm filled his words. “I don’t think I ever thanked you for that, so…thank you, Olga. I don’t think anyone else could have done it but you. You really are something, y’know that?”

Being given genuine thanks and praise like this… Olga was so unused to it. She always took his usual praises as teasing, but sometimes he would say truly heartfelt things. It made her feel special, and her heart briefly stopped before jumping up into her throat, bringing her this warm feeling that kept getting hotter.

This was something she was not at all accustomed to. Perhaps that’s why hearing those kinds of words always resulted in Olga’s face lighting up instantly like a schoolgirl’s when she spoke to an upperclassman she adored.

Olga felt her heart skip several beats as her face flushed rapidly. When did he decide to be so open with her!? She was always so used to Quinn being the cheerful, know-it-all informant who teased her mercilessly. The one who always tried to bring a smile to her face as he shined his ever-present grin. That was their usual dynamic, so the Animusphere heir was never prepared whenever Quinn suddenly became tender and genuinely sincere or honest like this. 

In these brief moments, Olga felt closer to understanding the puzzle that was ‘Quinn Vermillion’, something she had been attempting since they met. The closer she got, the more her heart ached in longing while they were apart.

Quinn was never prepared either, as seeing Olga’s blushing face caused him to realize what he just said. He quickly cleared his throat as he turned away from her, his cheeks now dashed with a tint of red as he schooled his expression back to his usual cocky smirk, clearly forcing it back on as he spoke once more.

“Anyway, don’t mind Ritsuka. She’s just excitable. She has been stuck in a normal life and a normal, boring place for so long that she’s more than happy to take in all the new sights and experiences. I remember when I had that curiosity, too. Ritsuka’s just like I was when I was younger: so clueless about everything yet so willing to learn and take in all of it. I can’t hold her back myself. It’d be a disservice to my past self and ‘Suka if I did. Plus, I’d feel like a huge hypocrite if I did that.” Quinn quickly changed the subject back to his hyperactive apprentice. “It certainly doesn’t help that she was blindfolded for the entire trip since she’s not allowed to know where we are. How could she not be curious about this super secret hidden magi base?”

Olga kept her gaze on her new assistant and advisor, catching the subject change within that word vomit the informant threw out, but she decided not to mention it as she turned away, a small smile on her lips that she forced into a stern frown. With a newfound lightness in her chest, she returned to the atmosphere and status quo the two were enjoying before. Once again, they were the light-hearted, intelligent fool and the stern, proud failure of an heir. What a pair they were…

“Obviously. She’s hardly a magus with no rank or proper position in Chaldea. As such, she’s not authorized to know such classified information.” Olga responded.

“Yeah, but that only makes her want to find that out more. That’s how I taught her. She already has a strong sense of curiosity, so my nurturing of it only made it stronger and easier for Ritsuka to satisfy it.” Quinn shrugged. “I might be teaching her my craft, but I won’t turn her into something she isn’t. She should be allowed to be who she is, that bright-eyed, spirited youth who seeks the unknown. I’d even say the world needs more people like her. People that are kind, excitable, and so full of life and vigor.”

“I…suppose you are right. I do not have much experience with people like Miss Fujimaru. For years now, I’ve been dealing with other magi with their ulterior motives. I am not used to someone so…open and honest.” Olga admitted.

“Like I said, the world needs more people like her. Would be a lot less stressful not having to keep up appearances with people like her. Then again, it can be stressful just being around someone like that, too,  what with how energetic she is, so it evens out, I suppose.” Quinn laughed as they continued walking through the facility, which caused Quinn to frown a little as he fiddled with the smoke in his mouth. “Do you think your father made this place white enough? I think I’m about to go blind.”

Pure white once again greeted Quinn when he looked at the interior of Chaldea. Everywhere he looked, there were shades of white and sometimes a bit of gray. There was such a distinct lack of color that Quinn started to feel out of place wearing dark blacks and blues.

God, if they tried to force him into a blindingly white uniform, he was gonna have to smack a bitch. 

Not Olga. Anyone who called her that would be getting slapped until their teeth fell out.

“Seriously, would a few splashes of color kill the workers here? Was your father trying to go for some sort of Tomorrowland exhibit or something with the design of this place?” Quinn quipped as he frowned at the dull-colored walls and floor.

Olga didn’t seem fazed at all, comparatively. She just kept on walking as if the sight was completely normal.

“Hurry along, Quinn. We need to head to the command center. We should also find Ritsuka as well. I told her to wait for us, but it seems she went ahead. Who knows what kind of trouble that girl will get herself into.” Olga grumbled.

“If she’s retained anything I’ve taught her, she should be investigating the place. Getting a lay of the land, learning what she can, that sort of stuff.” Quinn shrugged as he followed after his new boss.

“If she had waited, she would have gotten all of that without any issue.” Olga shot back.

“True, but she probably considers this a test of a sort. I did tell her before we met up to fly here that she should consider this a chance to show off what she can do as not just my student but as 'Ritsuka Fujimaru'. She’s really self-conscious about her abilities and heritage, or rather lack thereof.” Quinn explained. “Considering I won’t be able to teach her or guide her nearly as much now that we’re here, she’s probably trying to make an effort to prove her worth since she’s only here on my recommendation.”

Olga turned to look at Quinn with a raised eyebrow before she sighed.

“You instigated this then, did you?” Olga accused.

“I wouldn’t call it such a mean word like that. I’d call it more…giving her a little nudge so she can start growing on her own.” Quinn smiled cheekily as he gestured ‘cutely’ with his hands a ‘little nudge’. “She might have only been my apprentice and student for about a year now, but I have confidence she can get on just fine without me.”

“Every time you speak, I regret my decision to bring you and your student here more and more…” Olga grumbled as they continued on their way.

“No, you don’t. You like me too much to leave me all on my lonesome. I bet if you had it your way, you’d never let me leave your side.” Quinn replied with a coy, teasing smile. He stole a glance at Olga, and from the way an ever so slight smile was tugging on her lips as she actively avoided looking at him told him he was right. 

As expected. He was always right.

“It seems you’ve finally arrived.” Someone suddenly said. “So you’re Olga Marie?” 

Quinn and Olga stopped walking (and flirting, but neither of them would admit they were doing that) and turned around upon Olga’s name being called out. 

The man who had called out to her was a strange-looking man who stood at the other end of the hall. He wore an all-green outfit and a large green hat that matched, though the hat had spikes protruding out from the base. The man walked with an elegant cane, a staple of many proper magi. However, this man kept a friendly smile on even as he moved to greet Olga, his eyes squinted shut as his lips reached his cheeks.

“He definitely has a strange outfit, doesn’t he?” Quinn leaned over to Olga as he whispered to her, getting a slight nod from her as they both stared at the strange, odd-looking man. “Look’s like we’ve run into an odd person already. I was hoping it would take a few more days at least.”

“It’s as I’ve always told you. You’re a magnet for the eccentric and odd.” Olga nodded as her frown deepened. “My associate is correct, despite his bluntness. You stand out quite a bit with a strange outfit like that. It’s not something many magus would wear. You appear to know who I am. May we have your name?”

“I suppose it has been a while since I have left Chaldea. It makes sense you would not know who I am.” Lev nodded, his smile remaining as he spoke. “I’m Lev Lainur. Nice to meet you.” Lev introduced himself as he tipped his hat and raised his hand for a handshake with the new director.

Olga only frowned as she raised an eyebrow at the gesture. Quinn was much the same. He stood to the side silently, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly as he observed the man. The man, Lev, didn’t seem offended by this, though. He merely laughed it off as he lowered his hand.

“Oh, no handshake? That’s fine. It’s worth working for.” He smiled. “Trust is something that takes time to gain. That’s what makes it something precious.”

Quinn immediately got to work, narrowing his eyes slightly as the man approached Olga. Time seemed to slow to Quinn as he began to 'look' at the man. Within just a moment, Quinn took in every single detail about the man. Every aspect of his appearance and every little twitch or breath. Nothing would go unnoticed as Quinn observed the man speaking to Olga.

While Olga might not know who the man was, Quinn did. He had heard the name at the Clock Tower, even if only briefly. Lev Lainur. He used to work under the Department of Archaeology of the Clock Tower before he left in 1999. Guess he was invited to be a part of Chaldea, but that was pretty much all that Quinn knew of the man.

Which meant he needed to learn much more about this Lev Lainur within this one moment. It was part of Quinn’s job, after all. He was, officially, Olga Marie Animusphere’s personal advisor, but there was a bit more to it than that. He knew exactly what his real purpose was. Stealing a glance at Olga only confirmed it. The brief flicker of doubt in her eyes as her frown tightened for a second before relaxing again.

She suspected him, so Quinn was obliged to access this man, along with every other person at this facility. After all, Quinn’s job was to advise the little miss on things, just as she requested. So nothing would escape his sight. Not a thing as he observed Lev Lainur speak to Olga.

And to do that efficiently, he would play his part properly.

“Lev Lainur?” Olga repeated.

“Yes, that is correct. I am the one who created The Near-Future Observation Lens SHEBA.” Lev explained, causing Olga to take in a sharp breath as Quinn raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“You helped create the SHEBA?” Olga gasped as she looked the man up and down again.

“Uh…is that something impressive?” Quinn asked as he pushed up his glasses. “What’s SHEBA?”

“Y-You…! Didn’t you read the files I gave you before our trip here!?” Olga exclaimed.

“Files…?” Quinn muttered before recognition shined in his eyes. “Oh, right! Yeah…files…that I totally read. Definitely briefed myself on that. Most certainly, I have been informed on everything I need to know…about this place…Chaldea. Yep. Did not forget to do that. I did not fall asleep soon after reading the first page.”

Olga only sighed in embarrassment as Lev laughed. Quinn showed off a toothy smile that shined bright enough to hide any embarrassment as he thought about what was said.

Although…it wasn’t as if there was any real embarrassment to be found. That was just the appearance he showed off.

Obviously, he did read those files. Well, it would be more accurate to say he skimmed through them, but that hardly mattered.

The Near-Future Observation Lens “SHEBA”. An integral part of Chaldea and its operations. It was paired with the beating heart of the facility: The Simulated Global Environment Model "CHALDEAS". CHALDEAS utilizes the soul of the world as a basis in order to project the earth’s status in both the past and future. Currently, CHALDEAS is set to project the earth’s future, a hundred years ahead of the present. 

Unfortunately, CHALDEAS is practically useless without the lens needed to observe it. Thus, SHEBA was created. With SHEBA, CHALDEAS’s projection can be properly observed. Chaldea can accurately pinpoint any anomaly that should appear in the projection, whether in the past or the future.

Truly, SHEBA was a feat of engineering and magecraft. For Lev to have created it, it reflected his prowess as a magus and technician. 

“Whatever this SHEBA thing is, if Little Animusphere here is so impressed by it, then the man who made it must be just as impressive,” Quinn smirked as he continued his act, playing the part of the fool perfectly, the mask settling on him like a used glove. “It must have been quite the experience, huh, Mister Lev?”

“I can hardly believe it myself sometimes. But aside from that, I’m just a simple technician and magus here.” Lev explained. “It’s good that you’re finally here. We have a lot to go over and do.”

“Yes, I can already imagine.” Olga grimaced before she cleared her throat. “Anyway, I should give a proper introduction. As you know, I am Olga Marie Animusphere, the new director here. The…foolish, childish, carefree man beside me, if I should even call him that, is Quinn Vermillion, a personal advisor I brought along with me.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Mister Lev!” Quinn flashed a smile as he gave a slight bow and offered Lev a hand of his own. 

“A personal advisor? I see. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Vermillion.” Lev nodded as he took Quinn’s hand with a firm shake. 

“You can just call me Quinn or Vermillion. Calling me ‘Mister’ makes me feel old.” Quinn laughed, inwardly shivering at being addressed so formally. 

“Yes… Pardon my asking, but are you not the Informant of the Tower?” Lev asked curiously.

“Ah man, don’t tell me that stupid name has reached even this place?” Quinn forced out an awkward laugh, forcing back a deep frown as he kept his perfectly practiced smile on. “Don’t tell me you believe all those rumors. I’ll tell you now, none of them are true.”

“So you haven’t saved all of India from some nuclear crisis?” Lev asked as he tilted his head like he was genuinely curious about it.

“Heavens, no! I don’t even know how that rumor got started.” Quinn shook his head.

“Still, to have you here at Chaldea, and as the new Director’s personal advisor…In fact, how are you and Director Animusphere associated?”

“She’s a close friend of mine. She asked me to come with her and help sort out the mess here, and I can’t say no to such a beautiful, charming woman, y’know?” Quinn replied.

“Shut up, Vermillion…” Olga growled before she turned back to Lev. “But speaking of messes, what is the situation here, Lev?”

“Things are difficult at the moment, to say the least. Thankfully, we have been able to maintain a certain level of efficiency regarding our operations, but things are far from good. The staff here is under quite a bit of stress due to the recent and sudden passing of the previous director.” Lev explained, his words causing Olga to frown when he mentioned her father’s suicide.

“Really?” Quinn hummed as he brought a hand to his chin, a certain level of seriousness returning to his features. “Are things truly so bad right now?”

“Unfortunately, and, pardon my saying this, things were not helped when they learned who would be taking over as director.” Lev sighed with a frown.

Olga flinched hard as Quinn’s cheery smile suddenly looked very strained. It was just as they expected. No one seemed happy that Olga Marie Animusphere, of all people, was taking over Marisbury’s position here at Chaldea.

It made sense, in a sick, twisted sort of way that Quinn could understand, even if he hated it. Olga was still very young, being only twenty years old. Quinn wasn’t much better himself. He was only four years older than Olga. Compared to many other magus, and even many of the employees at Chaldea right now, they were inexperienced children with no tangible achievements, especially when running a massive organization such as Chaldea. 

Suddenly barging into and gaining authorization in a facility such as this must be insulting to the workers here and to the other magus at the Association.

Olga had it even worse than that. At the very least Quinn, despite being a spellcaster and not a true magus, had his reputation as the Informant of the Tower to fall back on for credibility. While Olga can be praised for getting him as part of the staff, she lacks any real achievements in either magecraft, engineering, or anything else really. In fact, she was much lower than those working there in comparison. 

Failing to have any aptitude for being a Master Candidate for Chaldea due to her lack of Rayshifting ability was enough to cause a major scandal. The heir of the Animusphere family, despite her impressive magic circuits and talent in magecraft, could not even do the work her father was doing. 

A useless girl whose only use was to continue the bloodline. That was the insulting way people saw Olga Marie Animusphere, and it was only solidified when Marisbury took on Kirschtaria Wodime as his top disciple, with rumors spreading that Wodime was a better successor than Olga and that Marisbury was sure to pass on his crest to him instead of his own daughter.

It only made sense that the same animosity would be here at Marisbury’s very own facility, much to the chagrin of his daughter.

Quinn despised it, this ‘truth’. ‘Useless girl’ was the furthest thing that Olga was. People were just blind to that fact, but no matter how much Quinn believed in her, Olga was stuck with that reputation and had to deal with it. 

If only Quinn could slice those damn fools in half…

Quinn only barely shivered at that violent, impulsive, intrusive thought. Damn it, this situation was pushing him back several steps. Even after all this time, it seemed like he hadn’t changed entirely. That small, disgusting part of his heart still remained.

But that’s when he felt something soft and warm tenderly brush up against his hand, causing him to steal a glance at Olga, who hadn’t turned to face him but still gave him a sign of reassurance with a simple touch of her hand. It was a sign for him not to worry about her and to keep his cool. It was a way for him to ground himself once more and not regress, even if she couldn't ever know that.

She really was quite the woman…

“Yes. That is understandable. The transition will be difficult for everyone, I am sure.” Olga said emotionlessly, forcing back whatever feelings she had. She already knew what people thought of her and refused to let it show in public. “However, it is what it is, and I will do all that I can in order to keep Chaldea running smoothly.”

“Just as I believed you would.” Lev smiled, getting a confused look from Olga as he continued. “Allow me to lead you to your office, then. I’ll brief you and everything as we go.”

“Very well. Lead the way, Lev.” Olga said. 

“Of course, Director,” Lev said as he began leading Olga and Quinn through the halls. After a moment, he added something. “And in regards to what you said before…”

“Before?”

“My outfit.” Lev began, turning to Olga, though it seemed he wasn’t offended. “You say my outfit is strange? I stand out? Of course I do. I’m the only anachronistic one here. But this is my pride as a Mage and my way of respecting the history of your Animusphere Family. Even though this is a modern facility, it’s still an Animusphere Workshop. If so, you should have at least one man like me: a traditional, typical Mage.” With his piece said, he turned back around and began walking again.

Olga blinked a few times in surprise at Lev’s explanation while Quinn felt a smile tug at his lips at the man’s response. It seemed like not everyone in this facility was displeased with the current state of leadership.

“That would certainly explain it. I can respect that.” Quinn replied, motioning Olga to walk with him again, and they followed Lev.

“Hmm. I suppose he does have a point.” Olga smiled as she walked beside Quinn again, and Lev led them around the facility. 

The place was pretty chill for a place designed to protect humanity’s future. From what Quinn could tell, while things were tense and stressful due to the previous director’s sudden death and Olga coming to replace him, work was still going on as usual. They would sometimes see others moving about the white hallways as Lev showed them the place’s library, rec room, bedrooms, and cafeteria. 

Despite the lack of colors aside from white and grey, Quinn had to admit he was impressed and intrigued by the facility. Chaldea was an exciting place, for sure. So much so that Quinn began to feel that familiar twinge in the back of his head the further Lev led them around.

It didn’t take long for them to finish the tour, and once it was done, Quinn went off on his own to satiate his growing 'Informant Curiosity', as he called it, while Olga and Lev stayed behind in her new office to discuss operations. While Quinn had wanted to go off and explore, he had been a bit worried about leaving Olga on her own, but she sent him off before he could even say anything to her. In fact, she shooed him away, as though he were some pesky bug that was annoying her, which he probably was with how he was jittering in place.

Really, despite his worries, he knew he had nothing to fear. No matter what happened, if anyone could take care of themselves, it was most certainly Olga Marie Animusphere. She was the strongest person he knew.

Even so, Quinn couldn’t help but feel the tiniest glimmers of fear at the prospect of leaving her alone in this place.

Despite his concerns, Quinn did as he was told and went off on his own. He could always briefly skim a folder or file and get all the info about what Olga and Lev discussed, or, even better, talk to Olga about it when he gives her his report later. 

For now, though, it was exploring time.

“I wonder how much Ritsuka has seen of this place by now? I should hope she’s covered half the facility by now.” Quinn hummed as he pulled out another cig before pausing. “...I never asked, but is smoking allowed here? I don’t see any vents or anything…shit.”

Putting away the cig for now, Quinn sighed as he continued walking down the hall. He began wondering where he should go to start his solo investigation, but he suddenly stopped when he felt something.

“What in the…?” He couldn’t help but verbalize his confusion as he turned his head in the direction he was feeling…whatever this was. It was something he had never felt before. It was as though…as though… 

“Something that should not exist does…” Quinn muttered as a small smile formed on his lips.

He had a pretty good idea what this was, and if he was right, then that would be the most interesting thing to check out.

“Guess I have my heading,” Quinn smirked as he turned around and began walking towards that strange feeling.

It didn’t take long for Quinn long to find the source of his strange feeling, and his smile got wider once he opened the door to find a workshop. Not just any workshop. A workshop that looked as though it was ripped out from an era long gone. 

The room looked like it wasn’t even a part of Chaldea. Compared to the boring, dreary whites and grays he was just in, this room was filled with color. The floors were made of actual wood that seemed to have a golden shine to them and stone brick walls. Within the room itself were several bookshelves and desks filled and covered with books, sheets, and papers. 

Those papers were used, and they showed detailed illustrations that looked like blueprints when Quinn took a closer look at them. The room was also filled with nicknacks and other strange things that Quinn had no clue what they might be.

“What a fascinating place,” Quinn said as he walked around the workshop. “This room is filled to the brim with magic. This isn’t a typical workshop. This is something far beyond that. Only someone truly talented could have created all this.” Quinn smiled as he turned to a seemingly empty spot in the room. “Isn’t that right, Caster, I presume?”

“Oho? How perspective.” A disembodied voice hummed with curiosity.

“Perspective is the name of the game with me.” Quinn shrugged. “Besides, it’s hard not to notice you when you’re giving off such powerful magical energy like a beacon. It almost felt as though you were calling to me.”

“I’m not sure what you mean by that. After all, I try not to consume much energy to preserve Chaldea’s resources.” The voice told him, causing Quinn to hum as he put a hand to his chin.

“I suppose I’m more sensitive to magical energy around me. Either way, don’t you think it’s rude not to show yourself to me now that we’re speaking to each other like this? I’ve never met a Heroic Spirit before, so I’d like to see who created such a fantastic workshop with my own eyes.”

“I suppose that is only fair. Very well.” 

With that, a sudden glow appeared in the spot Quinn was gazing at. As blue prana began to blow away, Quinn was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a beautiful woman in a red and blue dress holding a fancy staff with a blue gem inside the top. 

Indeed, the woman was beautiful, though she could never hope to hold the title of ‘most beautiful’ in Quinn’s eyes. No, this woman’s beauty was almost picturesque, like a work of art sculpted perfectly by an expert. Despite this, Quinn couldn’t help but think that this woman was familiar. He couldn’t quite place it, but there was a perfect beauty to this woman that felt almost like a painting.

Painting… Hang on…

“You have the Mona Lisa’s face.” Quinn nodded to himself as he examined the Servant in front of him. “Then…you must be Leonardo da Vinci. That would also explain the look of this workshop. I thought I had stepped into a room from the Renaissance era.”

“You certainly are sharp. I’m surprised you figured out my identity so quickly. Yes. I am indeed Leonardo da Vinci, a Caster class Servant.” Caster nodded before a slight frown formed on her lips. “I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed. I was hoping to get another fun reaction from someone shocked by who I am and my appearance.”

“It’s obvious what you did, isn’t it? You must have tampered with your spirit origin to look like your prized work of art for the sake of beauty. That, or you just so happened to be a woman in life, and all the conspiracy theories that the Mona Lisa was a self-portrait were true in a much more literal sense, meaning history somehow managed to fuck up once again, only this time on a much more major scale.” Quinn surmised quickly as he leaned against a table and smirked at the Heroic Spirit. “Well? How close am I? Are either of those correct?”

“Oh, you are most certainly interesting.” Caster’s frown quickly changed to a wide grin, her eyes beginning to sparkle a little the more she heard Quinn speak. “To answer your question, it’s the former. After all, there’s nothing wrong with taking the form of what I considered ideal beauty during my life, no?”

“Of course not. It’s not like it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. I’d say it’s pretty normal, all things considered.” Quinn shrugged while keeping his toothy smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Caster. My name is Quinn Vermillion, the personal advisor of the new direction, Olga Marie Animusphere, and a simple informant.”

“The pleasure is all mine, and none of that ‘Caster’ nonsense. Call me da Vinci.”

“Then please do the same with me. No titles and no abhorrent ‘mister’. Just call me Quinn or Vermillion.”

“I will. Still, an informant, you say? I should have guessed. Those eyes are not only sharp but knowing and curious. I must ask, Vermillion, but are you also a genius?”

“No. I am but a simple, average man who has lived a slightly interesting life. Nothing more. I’d even call myself an idiot. Anything interesting you may see in me is just the result of living a full life of excitement and growth.” Quinn told her.

“Truly? But your eyes are just like mine.” da Vinci leaned in as she stared at Quinn’s emerald orbs with her pale blue gems. “Those are the eyes that can grasp anything and everything. Composed eyes that thrive on knowledge.” She then tempered her smile as he backed away, showing off a gentler smile than the vast, intrigued one from before. “If those are not the eyes of a genius, then you must be quite skilled and talented in your craft. You must have worked hard to earn those eyes and a mind to match.”

Quinn raised an eyebrow at the Caster before he burst into laughter. He couldn’t help himself as he covered his mouth and nearly buckled over. Eventually, he calmed himself and looked back at Leonardo with teary eyes.

“Sorry, but that was just too funny. Talented and skilled? Me? Surely, you must be pulling my leg. I just keep an ear open, look around a bit, explore, travel, and sometimes use a bit of magecraft to cheat. Not anything anyone else couldn’t do.”

“It is not wrong to boast every once in a while, Vermillion. It’s only natural for those who have mastered their craft to feel pride in their work.” da Vinci smiled as she proudly put a hand on her hip. “Perhaps it the way you have mastered your craft that causes you to feel no pride in your earned skill, or perhaps it is something else. I won’t pry, but whatever the case may be, a genius like myself can see true skill when I see it, or are you calling me a liar?”

Quinn paused and stared at the Servant once she had finished speaking. The way she was looking at him with that knowing look. He knew it well. It was the same look he gave to people whenever he knew something they didn’t or when he knew a secret of theirs that they had been hiding. That was the look Caster was giving him, and Quinn could feel his heart drop the moment he realized precisely what Caster must have realized.

He cursed under his breath. He supposed he wasn’t doing an excellent job at hiding it. If someone looked just a bit closer at him, they’d see it just as Caster had apparently, but no one had ever noticed it or called him out on it before, so he tended to forget about it himself. Of course a genius he had just met and was bantering with would pick up on it immediately.

However, despite Quinn's initial dread at being outed, he responded by letting out another loud laugh.

“Hah! As expected for the Uomo Universale. I’m just no match for you. I should have expected you to figure me out so quickly.” Quinn let out a sigh.

“On the contrary, you were the one to correctly deduce my True Name upon seeing me. If anyone should feel like they lost this battle of wits, it’s me.” da Vinci admitted. “But enough of wits and banter. As I said before, it is truly a pleasure to meet you, Quinn Vermillion. I look forward to working with you here at Chaldea.”

“Likewise, da Vinci. I’ve never worked with a Servant before, so this will surely be an interesting experience.” Quinn replied as he offered her a hand, which she took with a firm grasp. “I must ask about your master, though. If you could, who exactly is your master? I’d like to meet the person who summoned the legendary Renaissance man. In fact, why were you summoned? I am honored to be speaking with you, but I can’t imagine there is a Holy Grail War to be fought at the moment, especially here in this barren ice field we’re stuck in.”

“Indeed, there is no Holy Grail War. My summoning was quite strange. For one, I have no Master. The facility itself can be considered my ‘Master’ in this instance, as it is the mana source anchoring me to this plane of existence.”

“The facility itself?” Quinn repeated before he thought for a moment. “It must be thanks to the FATE system, then, yes?”

“Indeed, though it is still incomplete. Even with the facility supplying me with energy, I would have faded away entirely if not for my quick thinking.”

“Quick thinking?”

“Indeed. I created a special dummy for myself that I am asserting as my ‘Master’, allowing me to stay here in this facility.” da Vinci smiled as she showed off a small dummy that looked like a child version of herself that was merely sleeping.

“You created that?” Quinn blinked a few times as he examined the doll. “Incredible. It looks so life-like.” Quinn reached out and touched it before pulling his hand back with wide eyes. “It even feels like a person!”

“Of course! I am the Uomo Universale, as you say.” Caster proudly proclaimed as she let Quinn examine her ‘Master’.

“Still, to have to create something like this to remain anchored here…could Chaldea not provide you with a proper Master?” Quinn felt he had to ask.

“They probably could, but I am not interested in any contracts. While not having a proper contract prevents me from properly fighting, I am here as an aid and not as a weapon, so it’s better for me this way. For now, at least.”

“I see.” Quinn nodded in understanding. “And the purpose of your summoning?”

“It was the result of Chaldea testing the FATE system again. Officially, I am the third Heroic Spirit summoned by Chaldea, brought here to assist in protecting humanity's future, " da Vinci explained before she frowned. “As to how we are going about that mission, and with so little to work with…I have my work cut out for me. I’ll leave it at that.”

Quinn frowned when he heard that. Why did he get a sinking feeling from that last bit?

“I appreciate you being so cooperative with me, da Vinci, though I am surprised you’re freely divulging this information. I would have thought you would’ve put up some resistance to my questions and prying.”

“I don’t see why not. You are the new director’s personal aid, so I see no reason to hide anything from you or lie.”

“And if I’m lying?”

“You’re not lying. I can tell. Besides, someone like you is too earnest to lie without reason. I can tell these things. Call it a woman’s intuition.”

“Well, I won’t complain. I have no reason to question a genius such as yourself. Not when it’s making my job that much easier.” Quinn shrugged. “Since you are being so cooperative with me, can you answer a few more questions? Such as what your work entails?”

“Certainly, but before that, I believe there is something you and, more importantly, the new director should know.”

Quinn didn’t know what it was that Caster thought was important to show him, but he knew he certainly did not like that serious grimace that had appeared on her face. So, hiding a gulp, he asked the obvious question.

“And what would that be?”

The Caster sighed as she looked at him with weary, cautious eyes.

“Have you or the director heard of the Demi-Servant experiments yet?”

No. They had not. Quinn did not know what Demi-Servants were or what experiments involving them might entail, but hearing those words together in that way only filled him with the kind of dread he only felt when he was moments from discovering the worst parts of humanity.

And discover those parts he did.

When da Vinci showed him the records of what Marisbury and his team had done, Quinn thought he was prepared, but being prepared for the worst never prevents one from reacting to some kind. Not when they had an empathic heart. Not when they were still, undeniably human at their core.

That was how Quinn found himself stomping out of Caster’s workshop, making a bee line towards the target of his rage and disgust. Caster hurried out to follow him, calling out for him a few times before she realized she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Instead, da Vinci followed after the informant to ensure he didn’t do anything reckless.

‘Reckless’ certainly was a possible outcome. Quinn Vermillion was on a war path, and that was how it appeared as he seamlessly traveled through the white hallways of Chaldea. Without any trouble and without so much as asking for directions, Quinn quickly found what he was looking for, almost as though he knew where it was from the very start.

Slamming open the door (or, at least, as much as he could, considering it was an electric-powered door that was opened through a button press), Quinn burst into the room. He found himself inside a medical area filled with all the sorts of supplies and items one would expect to see, but as he turned his head, he finally saw what, or rather who, he was looking for.

Two people were in the room, chatting amicably before Quinn’s sudden arrival. The first was Ritsuka, sitting on one of the cots across from the second person. The second person was a young man with fluffy, bright orange hair tied into a small ponytail at the back of his head. He gave off the appearance of a very lax person and looked very easygoing—the kind of person who could make a whole room feel relaxed.

This was him. The man Quinn was looking for. The monster.

“Q-Quinn?” Ritsuka said in surprise as she and the other man turned to him. “What are you–”

“Romani Archaman!” Quinn bellowed as he stomped over to the doctor and roughly grabbed the collar of the man’s shirt before lifting him off the ground and slamming him against the wall.

“Quinn!” Ritsuka shouted in surprise as she rushed to stop her mentor, but then she heard Quinn speak.

“I know about the girl. I saw the reports! What the hell did you damn fools do!?” Quinn yelled as he glared at the startled, confused doctor with a look that could kill.

Ritsuka was startled by it by the display, too. She had only seen Quinn like this very few times, and all those times were when he was truly furious. When Quinn Vermillion was really, truly angry, it was as though he became a completely different person. 

His kind eyes sharpened into daggers as his smile twisted into a deep sneer. His lax, slouched posture straightened up, and he almost gave off the impression of a soldier. His grip on Roman’s collar was so tight that Quinn’s knuckles were turning stark white, and his expression burned with indignant fury.

Romani Archiman himself became very shocked at hearing Quinn’s accusation, only managing to give a startled response at first.

“Y-You…know?” Roman asked.

“Yeah, I do! Your friend, Caster, showed me! So you’re going to answer me, Archiman! What did you, Marisbury, and all the magi here do?! How could you do something so..so… heinous?! It’s an outrage against humanity and nature itself!” Quinn almost screamed out, a vein on his forehead bulging as he got angrier.

“Enough, Vermillion. There is no need to get violent.” Caster said as she entered the room. Ritsuka blinked a few times in surprise and confusion at her appearance. Roman looked a bit dumbfounded at her, but Quinn kept his eyes on the doctor as he growled.

“I know that…” He admitted. “But I can’t just ignore it, either! Something like this should have never happened!”

“Quinn, what are you talking about?” Ritsuka asked, breaking out of her trance of shock and nervousness at her mentor’s current temperament. “Doctor Roman…did he do something wrong?”

Quinn felt his lips tremble at the question, and his resolve wavered slightly. How in the world was he supposed to explain the horrors that had been laid out for him to see? How was he supposed to expose his precious student to it? How was he supposed to put how he felt into words when no words adequately described his feelings?

Quinn wasn’t sure how to even begin explaining. Thankfully, he didn’t have to answer as Roman sighed.

“I wasn’t planning on hiding our sin from anyone. I agree with you. What happened was awful. It’s still something I’m trying to accept as well.” Roman said as Quinn returned his gaze to the man. “I have an idea, but do you mind confirming who you are for me.”

“...Quinn Vermillion. Personal advisor to Director Olga Marie Animusphere.”

“So you are here with the new director. I was never going to hide anything from the new director. You don’t have to believe me, but trust me when I say I am doing my upmost best to take care of that girl now, even with everything that happened.”

Quinn stared at Roman eye-to-eye for a few moments. His shining emerald orbs stared into the doctor’s green orbs, and once the informant saw no deceit to be found in the doctor’s eyes, he let Roman go as he relaxed.

“Sorry,” Quinn muttered an apology before looking back up to Romani. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to see her. This isn’t a request.”

Romani sighed before giving a nod.

“I’ll lead the way.” He said. “You won’t be able to speak or interact with her, though. She’s still under medical supervision.”

“That’s fine. As long as I can see she’s in a healthy, good state, that’s fine.” Quinn relented. 

“Then let’s go,” Roman said with a small smile that had no cheer in it. He left the room, and after he did, Caster, who stood at the door, stole a glance at Quinn before following the doctor. That left Quinn with his student, who was beyond confused by what had happened.

“Is anyone going to tell me what the heck that was about!? What in the world did Doctor Roman do to upset you so much?” Ritsuka shouted. 

Quinn opened his mouth to answer but found words couldn’t come out. His mouth had become too dry. But despite his loss of words, Quinn looked at the severe expression his student was shooting at him, and in no time at all, he relented, finding his voice once more.

“What’s your view on Doctor Archaman?”

Ritsuka was surprised at the sudden question. She did not know why her teacher was suddenly asking this, but she decided to give him the best answer she could give at the moment.

“I’ve only spoken to him for a bit, but he doesn’t seem to be a bad person. He seems really kind and caring, if a bit lazy and carefree. I can’t see him not being friendly with anyone, and I can’t imagine someone like him doing something terrible purposefully. He seems sensitive to that sort of thing.”

Quinn nodded at Ritsuka’s words as he took a moment to think. If there was one thing that he had learned throughout his time with his apprentice, it was that she was an excellent judge in character. And just like that, any remaining anger faded away from Quinn as he turned to his student with a tired look.

“Do you really want to know what happened?” He asked.

Ritsuka took a deep inhale of air at the question, knowing its weight. Even so, she gave her response without hesitation.

“Yes. Tell me everything.”

And so he did.

 

---

Ritsuka Fujimaru was just a normal child. For the entirety of the sixteen years she had been alive, she had lived normally. She had a normal family, lived in a normal town in a normal country, and had normal dreams and aspirations. Even when other people around her hated the world's normalcy, Ritsuka never hated it. Even now, none of that has changed.

What had changed was her awareness of the world around her. 

That ordinary, average girl had accidentally popped the bubble of her world of normalcy, and she learned just how small her world was in the grand scheme of things. And in the face of this truth, Ritsuka did not waver. She did not hesitate. She did not cry over how small she truly was in the world.

Instead, Ritsuka felt the desire to understand. To comprehend. 

If the world was so much larger and grander than she ever thought possible, she wanted to see it all. Even if she was no one special, even if everything about her, her background, personality, and goals, were all average, even if it was mere coincidence that she had even learned about the world of magecraft…

She still wanted to understand. 

Truthfully, it was Ritsuka’s insistence on Quinn when they first met that led to her being taken under his wing. She wanted to learn, and Quinn, for some reason, Ritsuka still wasn’t entirely sure of, eventually conceded and agreed to teach her. However, he clarified one thing with her before they started traveling together.

“You may be a child, but being a child will not stop the world from proceeding as it always has been before now. As you have learned, the world is far grander than anyone might realize, but that also means it is far crueler too. If you travel with me, you might be exposed to such scenes. Violence, cruelty, horrors, tragedies–the worst of humanity will be there to greet us alongside any beauty we might behold.”

“So…do you truly wish to understand? Do you really want to know what’s out in this world?”

Even though Quinn described Ritsuka as a child, which she was, he let her make her own choices as though she were an adult and always made sure to listen to what she had to say. 

He did not coddle her, look down on her, or speak overly simply to her. And, if Ritsuka so desired, he would not sugarcoat things. He stood beside her as her teacher, viewed her as an equal, and was brutally honest with her if she desired.

Not once in the year she traveled with him did Ritsuka wish Quinn would avert her eyes from the harsh truth they encountered. Without hesitation, she took it in, and even if her heart broke into several pieces, even if her mind reeled from the awfulness of it all, even if her body tried to physically reject whatever she was seeing, she did not look away.

Ritsuka wanted to understand—both the good and the bad.

That remained true here in Chaldea as Ritsuka fought back the primal urge to vomit at what her teacher had told her.

“Chaldea created living beings similar to humans and has experimented on them.”

Quinn spoke curtly and bluntly, as per usual whenever Ritsuka told him to reveal the horrible truth to her, as though he were still processing the truth himself. And what an appalling truth it was. The goosebumps that formed on her and the way her hair stood on end at just the thought of what must have happened within these walls shook her in a way that hadn’t happened in a while.

The walls of Chaldea might be pure white, a perfect symbol of its goal of preserving humanity and human history, but the actions done here in the name of that protection were as far away from pure as one could get.

There she was, alongside her mentor, the good doctor, and the strange woman. They were in an observation room, looking over a bleached-colored bedroom. Everything in this room screamed ‘sanitized’ to Ritsuka. There was nothing in there aside from a bed and a table. It was empty and without color.

Empty and without color…except for the lavender-haired girl who lay on the bed with an empty expression. Ritsuka felt her heart twist whenever she caught sight of the poor girl’s expression. 

The girl’s name was Mash Kyrielight, or so Romani told her and her teacher. Apparently, the people who made her didn’t even think it essential to name the girl they had done these things to, as it was the kind-hearted doctor supervising her health who gave her the name ‘Mash Kyrielight’.

That’s right. ‘Made’. Mash wasn’t human. She was a created being. A ‘designer baby’ made in a lab all for this experiment.

And what a horrible experiment it was. ‘The Demi-Servant’ experiments. It made her sick.

Ritsuka knew what a Heroic Spirit and Servant were. It was part of the brief education that she got at the Clocktower, and Quinn had given her a basic rundown as well. That was why she was shocked to learn that the strange woman who had told Quinn about these experiments was a Servant herself. Leonardo da Vinci if Quinn wasn’t just messing with her. She would certainly have to take time to speak more with her, but that would have to wait until a better time.

This knowledge about Servants allowed her to understand the goal of these experiments. Chaldea had created not just Mash, but several ‘designer babies’ in an attempt to put a Heroic Spirit within them in order to have complete control over the Heroic Spirits power for themselves.

For that purpose, Mash was created, and she was the only survivor. The only ‘successful’ experiment. The rest of her ‘siblings’ were destroyed during the other trials.

And even then, was it really truly ‘sucessful’? The Servant that was bonded and fused to the poor girl’s body seems to have become dormant, refusing to show themselves or their power. Most likely, its done out of spite and disgust at what was done. That girl went through so much…only to gain little scraps of ‘sucess’.

Ritsuka held a trembling hand to her mouth as she stared with horrified eyes at the victim below. Ritsuka knew the first law of magecraft was ‘to be a magus is to walk with death’, but this was something else. This girl, Mash never asked for any of this, yet was force to walk that path regardless.

It was terribly cruel, and Ritsuka could only imagine how horribly lonely such an existence was, being treated like this…

“Sir…” Ritsuka began somberly as she turned to her teacher, but her words died in her throat when she saw his face.

Quinn always put on a stony expression whenever they were faced with something horribly cruel. Ritsuka believed it was because he had seen so many of those sights that it hardened him to the point that he could no longer visibly emote to such scenes or that perhaps Quinn had seen things far worse than what Ritsuka had seen with him during their travels. Maybe it was even because Quinn was trying to appear strong in front of Ritsuka to give her some kind of reassurance.

This scene in front of them currently was different, though. Quinn did not have a story, unfeeling mask on as he stared at the lavender-haired girl below. Instead, he stared at Mash with a look of stunned disbelief and muted horror, and tears slowly trailed down his cheeks.

“Quinn…?” Ritsuka once again spoke, this time gently brushing her hand against his.

Quinn startled at the sudden touch as he turned to Ritsuka, greeted by her concerned expression. Her distress at the sight in front of them was still evident as well. That seemed to bring him out of his trance as he wiped his eyes and turned back to his student with a strained smile.

“I’m okay. Just…nevermind.” Quinn muttered before running a hand through his dark hair with a sigh. He turned to the doctor and Caster, sternness entering his gaze as he began to speak to them. “How is she?”

“So far, fine.” Roman answered as he kept his own eyes on Mash. “Her vitals are stable, and there haven’t been any oddities.”

“I see,” Quinn said as he pulled out his box of cigarettes. Just as he pulled one out, Caster immediately snatched it from his hand, shaking her head at him, causing him to grumble as he put the box away. 

“You all will be lucky if your new director doesn’t get a seizer or stroke when I report this to her,” Quinn told them plainly. “For her to learn that her father not only planned all of this but went through with these experiments for years… It will shatter her. I hope you know that.”

Romani clenched his fists at that, but his expression said solemnly as he kept looking at the poor Demi-Servant stuck in her blank room. He knew he had no real response to that. He had already decided to come at this issue acknowledging the sins which had been done here, so he couldn’t say anything against the informant’s words. Still…

“What do you plan to do? With Mash, I mean.” Romani asked.

Quinn raised an eyebrow at the doctor before turning away.

“That is not up to me to decide,” Quinn answered. “But nothing will happen to her. The girl has done nothing wrong, so I don’t see why we should punish her. In fact, I’ll try to see if she can get more freedom. A growing girl deserves more than an empty room.”

Romani spun around to Quinn, but Quinn kept his gaze away, averting his eyes from the good doctor. Still, Romani smiled as relief flooded his senses.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. I haven’t done anything, and I’m hardly the one who should be thanked if things go well.” Quinn grumbled. “Well, I got to make a report about this. That’s gonna be fun.”

“I’m sure you can handle it.” Caster smirked as she patted Quinn’s shoulder. “A bright man like yourself should have no issue with something like this.”

“You clearly know nothing of the new director.” Quinn rolled his eyes, but there was a certain sense of fondness and amusement in his eyes as he said that. “Right. I’ll be on my way. ‘Suka, you’re with me.”

“H-Huh? O-Okay!” Ritsuka nodded quickly as she followed behind Quinn. She turned back around and waved goodbye to Romani and Caster, getting a small smile from the doctor and a curious smirk from the Servant as she and her mentor left the observation room.

“Sooo…why’d you tell me to follow you?” Ritsuka asked.

“I won’t be keeping you long, don’t worry.” Quinn let out a small laugh. “I just wanted to tell you that I will be expecting a report about what you’ve learned so far at the end of the day.”

“Already?” Ritsuka asked with an exhausted tone. “Isn’t that a bit soon?”

“Yeah, well, things have changed.” Quinn frowned. “I know I said I wouldn’t be able to teach you as consistently as before, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna let up on your training, and with what we’ve just seen, I’m starting to think that the more eyes I have around this place, the better, and that means I’ll need to see just how far you’ve progressed in the year you’ve been with me.”

“So you’re saying you trust me?” Ritsuka asked with hopeful eyes.

“I trust your judgment and my teaching skills,” Quinn replied. “Something smells here in Chaldea, and I’m unsure where the stench is coming from.”

“You haven’t figured it out yet? You’re usually on top of mysteries and cases like this.” Ritsuka noted.

“Yeah, well, again, things are different here,” Quinn muttered. “Aside from that report, I wanted to give you one more order. Or rather, a request.”

“Yes? What is it, Sir?”

“That girl we saw, Mash Kyrielight…Be a good friend to her, if you could. She needs good people in her life.”

“R-Really? That’s it?”

“Do you have a problem with that request?”

“No, of course not! I’d be happy to be her friend. At least, if I’m allowed to speak with her. I doubt they’ll allow someone like me to enter her room and hang out with her.” Ritsuka laughed sheepishly.

“That’s true, but I’m sure that’ll change. One day, anyway.” Quinn smiled. “Anyway, I’ve got go talk to the lady of the house. She won’t like it if I keep her waiting. You go off and do whatever it is you think you should do. Be careful, though. I’ll be testing you later.”

“Yeah, yeah. I got it. See you later, boss.” Ritsuka smiled as she walked off, leaving Quinn alone in the hallway.

He stood there as he watched Ritsuka leave, and once she turned a corner, leaving Quinn truly alone–

BAM!!!

Quinn growled as he slightly turned to his right. His clenched fist had been slammed into the wall with as much force as the informant could muster, which was enough to create small cracks around the around Quinn had punched. He slowly removed his hand from the wall, specks of blood being left behind on the impact sight as his knuckles ached. Even through his dark gloves, dark spots of crimson were evident.

He had most certainly broken his knuckles by doing something so foolish. But still…

“...Why? Am I dreaming? Is this a nightmare? Am I hallucinating? Why now? I thought I had finally…!” Quinn muttered to himself as he held his damaged hand close to his chest and covered his face with the other. “Am I…still being punished? Is that what this is? Is that why…that girl…”

No answers came. All Quinn got was silence. He grumbled as he rubbed his injured knuckles briefly before taking out his box of cigs, angrily taking one out and lighting it in one swift motion. Thankfully, no pesky servants were there to tell him he was in a non-smoking area or to stop him from slowly killing his lungs some more.

Not like it even mattered…

“I’m just seeing things. That’s it. Nothing else.” Quinn convinced himself as he turned and kept walking. “There’s no way. I mean, what are the chances?”

If he wanted to, Quinn could easily find the answer, but he wouldn’t. He was confident he already knew the answer, and even if his assumption was wrong, he would rather be ignorant of the truth for once in his life.

So, he walked forward, eventually reaching Olga’s office without thinking about it. He quickly swapped the glove on his injured hand for a new one before opening the door and barging in without warning.

And in the same swift motion it took to swing the door open, Quinn Vermillion had put on several more masks. 

“Oh, Little Animusphere~!” He sang out in a voice far more carefree and easygoing than what had used prior. “I’m back from surveying this terrible mess we’ve gotten ourselves into~!”

Olga Marie, sitting at her desk alone examining several documents on a holographic monitor, shot her eyes up in surprise at the sudden intrusion, only to relax and even become annoyed by whom she saw.

“Oh… It’s the fool.” Olga hummed blankly as she returned her gaze to her papers. “I assume you have come to give me details about whatever you have discovered. Have you found any potential suspects?”

“That’s right, Daaaaaarling! I’m here to share with you all the juicy details I’ve uncovered! But no, I haven’t gotten any leads or suspects yet.” Quinn answered in a sickenly sweet and cheerful voice. 

Olga paused once again as she slowly looked back up at Quinn; however, this time, there was no annoyance or dismisal in her eyes. Instead, there was just concern.

“Is something wrong, Quinn?” She asked with genuine worry.

“What? No! Nothing is wrong with me! No injuries or worries!” Quinn smiled widely as he moved his hands around animatedly, making a grand showing of it like it was something amusing. 

Olga would have never known he had crushed his own knuckles with the way he was waving his hand around. It was as if they were never injured at all.

Unfortunately, the grand gesture only made Olga more put off.

“Serious, what happened?” Olga asked with a frown. 

“Nothing! Don’t you trust me, Olga? I’m hurt! Truly! But I suppose that just means I need to work harder to melt your icy heart.” Quinn flashed a wide, toothy grin, so wide that it almost hurt. 

“Quinn, that’s not–”

“So, how was the meeting with Mister Builder-of-SHEBA? Was he as strange as his outfit when you were alone with him?” Quinn asked teasingly before gasping and putting a hand to his mouth. “Don’t tell me you’ve already fallen for him!? Has his charming smile seduced you?”

Olga was now thoroughly confused. She didn’t even know how she should respond as Quinn kept talking and talking and he wouldn’t stop he couldn’t stop. 

He had to act as though he hadn’t just seen something so grotesque that it made him want to slice his face off. The cruelty that Olga’s poor excuse of a father performed knowingly, willingly, all to ‘protect humanity’ or whatever hilarious lie he fed his team here in Chladea. Quinn couldn’t stand it, and he wished he could just forget and be ignorant of it all once more, even if that was impossible.

Now here he was, forced to explain somehow that very same horror to Olga, the horrors her father committed in the name of some selfish sense of justice and greater good. Somehow, Quinn had to find the right words to delicately explain all of that to her, the person whose heart he knew would implode on itself if he were to fail.

So he kept talking, playing up that foolish, teasing persona he always wore to cheer her up more and more. He couldn’t stop, even if each word spoken made him sick. He had to get her to smile, and then surely he’d be able to find the right combination of words to prevent her from dying in his arms should she take the news poorly.

If anything were to happen to Olga, Quinn’s own heart wouldn’t be able to take it. He couldn’t bear another loss.

Then, as though reading his mind, Olga finally got a word in edgewise.

“Quinn!” She shouted, finally getting him to be silent as she stared him right in the eye, a seriousness and sternness Quinn hardly ever saw aimed at himself now targeting his very soul, or so it seemed.

And then, that sternness melted away to something so warm it nearly made Quinn cry.

“Quinn…” Olga began, much softer than before.  “Please tell me what’s wrong. Did you find something awful here in Chaldea?”

“Wrong, why would you-?”

“It goes both ways, you know.” Olga forced a smile as she got up and stood right in front of the Informant. “We’ve known each other for years, so while you might know plenty about me, I also know plenty about you. You always play up that foolish persona of yours whenever you wish to be underestimated, to lighten the mood, or even to disguise your own emotions. I’ve seen it from you several times.”

“Whatever it is, it has actually rattled you.” Olga deduced.

Quinn flinched only ever so slightly. Honestly, there were only two people in the world who might be able to see right through him, and only Olga could do it so quickly and bluntly.

When did Quinn become so relaxed around her that she started being able to see the ‘real’ him? Is it even the ‘real’ him she sees, or is it just another mask underneath the mask? How much does she understand about him? Quinn wished he knew. He hoped she could understand everything one day, even if he knew it was impossible.

With that, he dropped the exaggerated act, and his overly playful, cheerful, easygoing persona dissipated to something more level. The wide, bright smile dimmed, and his eyes narrowed as Quinn sighed and braced himself for what he had to tell his boss.

“I can’t fool you, can I, Olga?”

“No. I’m surprised you still try.” Olga frowned as she got up and moved to his side. “Now, what is it that you’ve learned? What could bother the all-knowing, miracle-working Informant of the Tower to such an extent?”

“I’m not all-knowing, and I’m not a miracle worker.” Quinn muttered as he opened and closed his right hand anxiously. “I’m just…just human.” 

There was a brief moment of silence, but then Quinn spoke.

“Your father has done terrible things, Olga.”

Olga seemed confused at first, but after Quinn pulled out documents from his coat and presented it to Olga, Olga’s expression slowly shifted from perplexed, to wary, to outright horrified. 

It only took a moment before Quinn was at his lady’s side, embracing her into a warm, comforting hug as she sobbed and screamed and trembled in absolute horror and fear at what she had just heard. She had nearly gone catatonic if it weren’t for Quinn’s presence, but she was still in a bad state by the end of the explanation.

Olga was a mess, but Quinn wouldn’t leave her. He would never leave her. Even if they had found themselves entwined in the middle of this terrible horror Marisbury left for them, he wouldn’t run away.

Quinn had always been stubborn, and he was determined to help Olga through all of this. He had promised to stand by her side always, after all.

Thus, their first terrible day at Chaldea ended, and the start of their first and only relatively peaceful year together at the facility began.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Blissful, Peaceful, Wonderfully Naive Days

I have been an informant for nearly a decade now. I still recall the day I opened my eyes, seventeen and lost in the world, yet with an opportunity I did not deserve. I wondered every day why I was granted such a chance. If it was a blessing or a condemnation. Yet I still moved forward, dead on my feet as it were.

When I was given the chance to see this world in its entirety, I took it. To understand what I had been missing, but I never imagined I would still be enraptured by it, and all that I have seen. Every day feels like a dream, like I’m living in a wonderful, breathing painting. It makes me wonder when it will end, but those thoughts get more distant as more time passes.

I never thought I’d feel like this again, and it’s all thanks to the things this world has allowed me to have. The sights I have seen. The people I have met. Bit by bit, I was granted more and more, until I arrived here, to the person I am now, in this place where I am now.

And in all my years, living on this Earth, no part of my life could ever hope to match the blissful, peaceful, wonder days I spent at Chaldea. Nothing could ever encapsulate what I felt and experienced during the time between 2013 and 2015.

Honestly, those days…they were beautiful. Because it was normal, everyday life. Lived in our own little way in our own little part of the world.

---

“Hmm…” Ritsuka hummed loudly as she walked down the sterile white Chaldean halls, ignoring the strange glances the few passerbys gave her as she exaggerated each step forward with a small pout on her lips and her eyes narrowed.

They didn’t matter. Because she was on a mission.

“Warmer…” Ritsuka muttered to herself as she examined every little insignificant detail around her.

There were no markings left behind. No prints to be seen, whether it be from shoe, hand, or finger. No dirt or snow was tracked anywhere in the hall. The air didn’t feel disturbed, either, nor did anyone Ritsuka passed by seem bothered by anything aside from her, the strange commoner girl who was now working there (kinda sorta, things are a bit complicated since she technically only works under her teacher, but that’s an issue for Quinn and Olga to deal with!).

To the naked eye, nothing was out of place, and if this was what Ritsuka was dealing with even a few weeks ago, she would have thought so too. Unfortunately for her target, she was not the same Ritsuka from those last few weeks. No, she had grown now, and she could now spot the tiniest little differences that no sane person would bother noticing.

Good thing she wasn’t sane. Not the normal kind of sane, anyway. An important part of being an informant, or so her teacher had taught her.

“Remember, keep all your senses alert and ready to pick up any discrepancies around you. Feel your surroundings, look for strange smells, keep your eyes primed and ready, allow your ears to pick up even the most minute sound, and even keep track of how your tongue feels and whether you taste something strange in the air. And, of course, make sure you can pick up any changes to the prana around you, whether it be the mana in your environment or your own od. All of it is the very basics of scouting for an informant, and you’ll have to sharpen all of these senses to complete mastery if you want to be a good informant.”

That’s right. Even the most innocent of changes, no matter how tiny, could be a vital clue in her search. After all, she had been at Chaldea long enough to have memorized how these halls should feel to her. How they should smell. Sterile would be how she described the typical Chaldean smell, but with all these people working here, walking through the halls, it’s normal for that to be overpowered by other smells. Right now, Ritsuka’s nose was finding a hint of citrus perfume. Not strange at all, since plenty of workers at Chaldea, men or women, might care if they smelled nice or not.

But that wasn’t the case here. Ritsuka knew the truth. Because underneath that citrus scent…was another much fainter smell. A smell only someone like her, who has trained to master her senses, could pick up, and it was much clearer when she used a bit of her od to enhance her senses.

A faint stench of smoke and tobacco.

“Gotcha.” Ritsuka smiled widely as she happily darted down the hall, following the path charted for her.

The nose knows, after all.

Ritsuka followed the faint scent, darting down the hall and turning several corners, before finally, she reached her destination. With proud, determined eyes, she opened the door in front of her…and was greeted with a room stolen straight from the Renaissance.

“Oh?” da Vinci looked up from some experiment she was working on, something involving some kind of remote car. “Well, if it isn’t the queen of mischief herself! It’s strange to see you all on your lonesome, though. No lessons or training today?” The Caster asked as she motioned for Ritsuka to come in.

“I’m in the middle of training right now!” Ritsuka happily explained as she entered the workshop. “Speaking of which, you wouldn’t have seen Quinn by any chance, have you?”

“Quinn? Nope. Haven’t seen him all day.” Caster replied as she continued to fiddle with her device. “Why? Is this part of your lesson?”

“Yeah. Every once in a while, Teach gives me a lesson he calls ‘field training’.” Ritsuka explained. “It’s basically just a game of hide and seek…but played by informants…with stakes.”

“Those stakes being…?” da Vinci asked.

“Well, I don’t know what will happen if I win, because I haven’t yet.” Ritsuka sighed. “But each time Quinn wins, he makes sure to make it sting! When I lost in Beijing, he forced me to join him in the Great Wall Marathon. And once that was over, we spent the rest of the week doing it again on our own. With no rest stops or breaks. Over. And OVER.”

Ritsuka still felt her legs tremble with pain just at the memory of that terrible week in China. She genuinely thought she might die then, and, worryingly enough, she would have welcomed it with open arms by the end of that week. If Ritsuka did win this game today, she was half tempted to ask Quinn how the hell he managed to do those marathon runs without any breaks and come out the other end looking only a bit winded. Seriously, what kind of juice had he been drinking for that to happen?

Thoughts for later. Ritsuka had a game to win in the here and now.

“You wouldn’t mind if I looked around for a bit, would you?” Ritsuka asked.

“By all means, go ahead,” da Vinci made an approving gesture.

Now with permission, Ritsuka quickly began to look around the room, not touching anything immediately as she examined everything with an eye of scrutiny. He had to be here somewhere. The trail had led Ritsuka here for a reason. Could the Servant be in on his ploy? Perhaps, but even if that were the case, the trail would have continued on passed this room, but since it hadn’t, Quinn had to still be here somewhere.

Ritsuka started to narrow her eyes as she spun around slowly. Where could an adult man be hiding in this little workshop? And from those places, where would the devious Quinn Vermillion hide?

Ritsuka Fujimaru’s eyes found themselves on one of the many small cabinets in one of Caster’s shelves.

No…there couldn’t be it. Those were so small. A child could easily fit in there, but a grown man?

Well, it’d be a tight squeeze, so maybe—

THUNK!!!

Ritsuka nearly jumped out of her skin when a sudden loud noise shook her out of her thoughts. That came from the wardrobe on the other side of the room. Ritsuka felt a tiny frown form on her lips. What a careless mistake to make at the worst possible time. It was unlike her mentor, which only caused her doubt to grow. Still, it would be foolish to let this opportunity pass her by, should it truly be just her luck finally turning around.

Ritsuka moved over to the wardrobe, Caster watching with a curious eye, before pulling open the doors without any fanfare. The moment the doors swung open, something fell out of the closet, landing right at her feet. It was a cup full of paint brushes. It seemed as though the cup was haphazardly placed in the wardrobe, and the cup tipped over on its own, falling to the bottom and spilling out the paint brushes.

“Ah, I suppose I’ve been rather busy lately, I haven’t had time to properly clean up after myself,” da Vinci laughed.

Ritsuka only sighed as she cleaned up the mess and properly set up the cup, making sure it was secure enough not to tip over again. After closing the wardrobe door, Ritsuka turned to the Caster, who was now digging through the cabinet Ritsuka had been eyeing before, pulling out some supplies and papers before closing the door behind her. So much for that place…it’d be one thing if Quinn were in there, but him with all the stuff in the cabinet as well? Unlikely.

“Damnit, did I mess up somewhere?” Ritsuka muttered to herself. “But the smell…”

Was there another smoker in Chaldea? That couldn’t be. Ritsuka has been profiling the other workers as part of her assignments, and none of the workers she’s seen are smokers, let alone heavy smokers like Quinn, who constantly smelled of tobacco. Maybe Quinn knew Ritsuka would pick up even that faint trace of smoke on him and used it to lead her astray? It wouldn’t be the first time he pulled a fast one on her. She’ll never forget New York’s game for that very same reason.

“Shit, I must have passed by him!” Ritsuka cursed. She must have missed some other clue. Quinn was always messing with her by leaving trails and hints; she just followed the wrong one. “Graaah! I’m gonna lose again!”

Now with panic and desperation in her mind, Ritsuka darted out of the Caster’s workshop, causing the Uomo Universale to giggle as she watched the young girl leave. After a brief pause once the student had left, Caster turned back to the cabinet she had grabbed her supplies. She moved back to it and opened the door before looking inside with a smile.

“You can come out now. She’s gone.”

“T-Thank you…” 

A shivering, slightly sweaty Quinn, who was folded in the small cabinet like a pretzel while holding the cabinet’s contents in his hands and lap, muttered out his thanks. Slowly, the informant crawled out of his hiding space, an eye twitching ever-so slightly from his close encounter. 

“I didn’t even leave her any hints this time. How did she…wait. She mentioned a smell.” He then grabbed part of his trench coat and pressed it against his nose before taking a sniff. “...Damn it, it’s still there.”

Ah, the one downside to his terrible habit: the smell would never come out of his clothes. He would forever smell like smoke and burnt tobacco. With a heavy sigh, he let go of his coat and ran a hand down his sweaty face.

“That was close. If not for you, she probably would have found me.” Quinn muttered.

“Well, I needed those supplies anyway. I would have laughed if she still checked there.” Caster replied. “You said you didn’t leave her any hints?”

“Well, she’s only been doing this for about a year, so I couldn’t just leave her alone in some random place in the world with no directions on how to find me. I had to leave a trail for her to follow. The first few times, I made it very obvious without giving away my position. Then, after she started to get more confident, I started to remove hints. This was the first time I didn’t leave her a trail to follow. At least on purpose.”

“How is she supposed to learn anything if she never finds you? Doesn’t seem like a good lesson for your student,” da Vinci pointed out, not in an upset tone, but a more curious one.

“Well, it’s hard for me to be super blatant with it. Master of deception and disguise over here, you know.” Quinn adjusted his coat as he spoke. “But I always manage to leave enough for her to get real close, but she always overthinks things in the end. So many times she could have easily found me, but then doubted herself and flew off in the opposite direction. Wanna know where I hid in New York? I disguised myself as a bellhop working at the hotel we were staying at, and she walked by me over a dozen times. Hell, she looked right at me and even spoke to me on one occasion, but still didn’t figure it out. My disguise and Brooklyn accent were too good, I guess.”

That got a laugh out of both of them as Quinn tried to pull out his cigarettes, only to have the box swiped out of his hands by Caster without her even looking. Pouting, Quinn shrugged as he leaned back against the wall.

“Don’t pout at me. You know the rules.” The Caster lightly scolded before turning her nose up at the rolled-up drug. “These things are pretty bad for you, y’know? Poisons the mind.”

“So they say.” Quinn smiled widely with a shrug. “They say those things kill more people than AIDS. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to smoke in peace.”

He got a frown in response and a slow shaking of the head. Quinn sighed as he turned away. So much for that.

“She is getting better at this. You have to admit it… She is getting better. Can’t believe she’s already on this level. She’ll be a monster soon enough.” Quinn muttered with a laugh, enjoying the thought, it seemed. “Eventually, she’s gonna win, and without any help from me. She just needs to be a bit more sure of herself.”

“What do you think will happen when she does find you one during one of these games?” Caster asked.

“Who knows? Maybe she’ll try to needle me about personal details. I dunno. What’s a young, seventeen-year-old girl interested in nowadays?” Quinn asked. “Even if I knew, who knows if Ritsuka will give a typical response like that. She might still be the same old Ritsuka I met back in Japan, but she’s grown and changed since then.”

“True enough. What about you? What will you do if Ritsuka still doesn’t find you by the end of this game?”

“Eh, I don’t really think about that until it happens. Truth is, every time she loses, I just use the win as an excuse to move up to the next most strenuous physical training I had planned for her. We were always going to get there eventually, it just seems more convenient to do it under the pretense of a punishment.”

“Is physical training really so important to a modern-day informant?”

“More than you would think, especially when we work in the moonlit world of magecraft.” Quinn sighed. “If I had a nickel for every monster, beast, or crazed assassin with magic I’ve encountered thus far, I’d be able to fill this room with nothing but nickels.”

“Sounds like the adventurous life!” da Vinci laughed.

“That’s one way to describe it!” Quinn joined in with his own laugh and smile. “Honestly, staying here at Chaldea, while a bit less exciting with a much less interesting view unless I go out into the snow, it’s at least calmer. Never thought I’d settle down anywhere. Let alone a magi facility like this.”

“Oh yes, I’m sure that’s the only reason why you’re staying here.” Caster shot a playful smirk the informant’s way, one Quinn happily took with grace as he flashed her a dashing grin while gesturing dramatically her way.

“You’ve caught me. I’ve actually been enchanted by the Uomo Universale! How could I possibly leave this frozen wasteland without getting to know the living beauty who puts masterful paintings to shame in front of me?” Quinn declared as he placed a hand over his chest.  “My heart could not take our parting, not until we share a dance and drink under the stars!”

“Such a romantic. What a lovely evening you’ve planned out. Who will be joining you this time? Sylvia? Cerejeira? Mao? Or are you planning on wooing me with your frivolous words?” da Vinci asked with a raised eyebrow and a doubting smile.

“Frivolous? Hardly. I mean every word I speak, especially when it involves a wonderful lady such as yourself.” Quinn confessed. “Who wouldn’t want to spend time with Leonardo da Vinci, especially when you now share your appearance with the mysterious beauty that is the Mona Lisa? Every time we are together, my heart flutters so!”

“Oh? Are you sure it doesn’t do that whenever you are around the director, per chance?” da Vinci asked playfully.

Quinn’s smile twitched, barely noticeable for just a single moment, and once it passed, it had vanished underneath his charming demeanor. 

“I’d never think of another woman when speaking to you, da Vinci. How could I when my thoughts are filled with nothing but you?” Quinn asked.

“Ooh! That was a good line. I nearly swooned.” Caster laughed off the compliment, clearly not taking it seriously with how she dismissed it. “If you keep that up, I might just have to consider your proposal just to see if you’re as fun as you make yourself sound.”

“Your rejection wounds me so? Does your heart belong to another man? Have I been thwarted before I even begun?” Quinn feigned a scandalized gasp. “Who is it? Who has won the heart of da Vinci? Could it be Duston? Meuniere? Or…no! It can’t be! Is it Romani? Say it isn’t so!”

“Okay, that’s enough out of you.” Caster said after she snorted. She then flicked Quinn’s forehead, eliciting a small yelp out of the man. “You speak such words, but you still haven’t looked me in the eye since we first met. Are you still so thrown off by my knowing your little obvious secret, even though I’ve not shared it with anyone else, even after all this time?”

Straight to the point, huh? Quinn’s smile never faded, even with the topic shift. His grin still remained wide and perfect, like plastic on a toy.

“Oh please, if that was what was worrying me, I’d already have done something about it,” Quinn replied casually. “I’m not one to be so bothered by that when I know you won’t share what you know. Besides, it’s not like you know everything. I’ve still got some cards close to my chest. I’m a professional, y’know? Now, if you managed to figure out those…well, it wouldn’t be an issue…for long.”

There was a beat of silence as da Vinci paused her work and turned to look back at Quinn, who was staring at her with an unchanging expression, that plastic smile stuck onto his face like a painting. He just looked at her, unblinking and with these…blank eyes—eyes that were cunning and sharp underneath those thick glasses—letting his words sink in before, eventually, his expression cracked with a snort and he burst into laughter.

“Man, you should have seen the look on your face!” Quinn exclaimed. “You looked so confused! What, did you think I was serious? What can I do against a Servant? If you wanted to kill me right here, right now, even without a Master, there isn’t much I could do to stop you. Not sure why you took me so seriously.”

The Caster just continued to look at the laughing informant, finding herself once more narrowing her eyes at him as she tried to piece together this puzzle that always seems to be missing a piece, and right when she thinks she’s found it, turns out she had grabbed the wrong piece or was missing another another one altogether.

Da Vinci prided herself on being a genius, and when she first met Quinn, she was confident she knew his type, a type so very much like her. She saw it in his eyes. 

But after spending more time with him, speaking with him like this, humoring his flirts and compliments and curiosity, the Caster realizes again and again that perhaps she didn’t truly know anything about the person that was Quinn Vermillion. 

Not that it bothered her. In fact, da Vinci was delighted to be able to meet someone so intriguing! Her boundless curiosity loved the challenge this man presented her.

“I wonder…” Caster found herself with another cat-ish smile on her lips as she laughed alongside Quinn, wondering just what his true intentions were.

“Welp, it’s been long enough. Time to let ‘Suka know her punishment for losing. Maybe a few laps in the simulator? Combat training? Magecraft training until she’s completely drained? No, that wouldn’t work. I’m a terrible magecraft teacher for her right now, and I don’t want her to pick up my habits. Hmmm…I’ll figure it out when I get there.” Quinn shrugged. “She’ll need to be ready for what comes next, especially if my plan works.”

“Oh? You have something planned for her?” da Vinci asked as she leaned towards the informant. Quinn couldn’t stop his smile from widening as he whispered to the Caster.

“Well…let’s just say I’m hoping to get Ritsuka…let’s call it a promotion of sorts.” He told her before giving her an okay sign with his hand. “Don’t go telling her. It’s a little surprise I have planned.”

“Promotion?” da Vinci repeated before it hit her. “Oh. Ooh!”

Indeed, staying at Chaldea was far too entertaining for her to return to the throne.

---

“Team…A?” Ritsuka repeated as she stared at her teacher with confused eyes. “I…I-I don’t think I quite follow.”

“C’mon, it’s not that complicated,” Quinn told her. “I got you a promotion, approved by the board and the director herself! You are now officially the ninth member of Chaldea’s A team! Whenever, or rather if, there are any missions we need to send personnel on, you’ll be on the frontlines with our best of the best! Congratulations, Master of Chaldea.”

Ritsuka continued to stare at her teacher as though he were speaking some strange alien language. Eventually, her head slowly turned down towards the plate of half-eaten food in front of her. She had been enjoying lunch before this, and now suddenly there was a pit in her stomach.

Error. Cannot compute. Cannot compute.

Ritsuka felt the onset of a headache as she tried to figure out just what the heck was going on. But, of course, as she was trying to reboot her brain from its blue screen state, one of the friends she had been happily eating with before this abrupt announcement decided to let their thoughts on the matter be known.

“Welcome to the team, I guess. Glad to have you onboard.” Kadoc mumbled as he took a bite of his sandwich.

“You be quiet, Kadoc!” Ritsuka yelled, snapping out of her trance when she heard his snark. “Q-Quinn, what do you mean I’m part of Team A now? I-I can’t just suddenly be a part of it, can I? A-And you said the director herself approved of this? H-How? W-Why?!”

“Are you not happy to be an official member of the group now, Ritsuka dear?” Pepe teased as he watched Ritsuka’s confused panic play out.

“You already wormed your way into the group. Might as well be official.” Hinako grumbled as she continued to read, not at all interested in the news just delivered.

“T-That’s not the issue!” Ritsuka replied.

“I do not understand. I cannot see any issues with your joining us if it has been approved by the director herself. Would this not be the perfect opportunity to prove yourself, like you’ve been wanting?” Kirschtaria chimed in.

Ritsuka nearly recoiled at his blunt assessment. How the hell did he know about that? Ritsuka never mentioned any of those insecurities! Was he some kind of mind reader, or was Ritsuka just stupidly obvious with her thoughts around the others?

“Kirschtaria, it’s a little rude to say something so personal out loud…” Ophelia told him, getting a small ‘oh’ out of Wodime as he offered Ritsuka an apologetic smile, but the damage was already done, and Ritsuka could only sigh in defeat and embarrassment. 

Ritsuka then felt an awkward pat on the back that might have been trying to be reassuring, but failed miserably, considering who was doing it had no people skills at all.

“Don’t worry, Senpai. I’m sure you’ll fit in just fine! And since we’ll be working together now, we’ll have more opportunities to speak, too.” Mash pointed out, a small smile on her face as she spoke.

“Okay, not to say you’re wrong or anything, Mash, but seriously, why do you keep calling Ritsuka that?” Beryl asked. “She’s still just a newbie here, y’know? How is she your senpai?”

“Because she’s human,” Mash said succinctly as though it explained everything.

“What the heck does that even mean?” Beryl wondered with a frown.

“It’s the same kind of logic used to explain why you’re worse than scum.” Daybit retorted.

“You saying you understood that?” Beryl turned to the strange prodigy, apparently unbothered by the insult.

Yes, Ritsuka was eating lunch with all the members of Master Team A. Somehow, during those first few days of arriving at Chaldea, Ritsuka had met all of them, and being the people person she always was, it was easy enough to befriend and get along with all of them. That didn’t mean that she expected to assimilate into the group so easily after meeting and befriending them, and she certainly never expected to join their ranks. 

She was just an average nobody who could barely do magecraft right! Sure, Kadoc wasn’t the best with magecraft, either, when compared to the others, but at least he has the lineage and the rayshift affinity to back it up! Ritsuka was literally found on the side of the road by some random spellcaster. What did she have to offer to this team of elites?

“Quinn, give it to me straight.” Ritsuka began as she looked at her teacher with confused eyes. “How in the world did you pull this off? Why on earth would Olga sign off on me being on Chaldea’s main strike force? I’m terrible at magecraft!”

“You’re not terrible.” Quinn rolled his eyes. “You’ve only been at this for a year. I’d say you’re at a much better level than most would be. At least you have a teacher as kind and dedicated as myself.”

“Yeah, who makes me do squats until I can’t feel my knees before making me run marathons in the simulator…” Ritsuka muttered under her breath.

“What was that I heard? You want to run more? Did I hear that right?” Quinn asked as he held a hand to his ears playfully.

“Nothing! I said nothing!” Ritsuka quickly yelled, getting a cough out of Kadoc. A cough Ritsuka was sure was a mocking laugh he was trying to hide, judging by how the others were smiling. She chose to ignore them for now. “I’m being serious, Quinn. I’m not saying I’m angry or upset at this. I just…don’t understand the reasoning. I’m just me. What could an ordinary person like me have to offer in this position?”

“Well…” Quinn hummed as he rubbed his chin before smirking at his naive student. “Aside from being my student with my recommendation? It might have something to do with how you have a 100% affinity for Rayshifting, but that’s just my guess.” He shrugged.

Ritsuka blinked when she heard that, her jaw dropping as her brain blue-screened again. Suddenly, the smiles from Team A turned to shocked expressions, and Kadoc’s laughs died in his throat as he went just as wide-eyed as Ritsuka. There was a brief silence as they all let that revelation sink in.

Ritsuka had 100% affinity and compatibility for Rayshifting, the most important aspect for Chaldea’s Masters to have, and with an affinity that high, Ritsuka had more affinity than everyone else there.

Ritsuka was stunned into silence by that news, but it didn’t take long before someone broke the silence.

“Kadoc, buddy, I think she just replaced you.” Beryl leaned in and whispered that to his teammate.

“Wha-? S-Shut up, Beryl!” Kadoc shouted as he made a move to smack the assshole, only for Beryl to dodge the blow and laugh. Once the silence was broken, Ritsuka snapped out of her trance, finding herself leaning back in her chair as she stared at nothing.

“...Holy shit.” That was all she could muster. She slowly turned back to Quinn, the smug bastard who was still grinning at her like a loon. “...How?”

“How do you have the highest recorded affinity anyone’s ever seen, or how did we figure out you had those levels in the first place? Because no one knows the answer to the first, but if it’s the second you're asking, that blood test you did? We finally got the results back, and that’s what the egg-heads figured out.” Quinn told her before patting her on the shoulder. “Congratulations. Turns out you’re quite extraordinary, huh? Of course, I already knew that.”

Ritsuka didn’t respond right away. She was still suck on the whole ‘100% affinity’ part of it all. She was expecting to hear she got this promotion to Team A all because she was Quinn’s apprentice, and while she was proud to hold that title, it would be a lie to say being recognized solely for that fact alone could be infuriating for her. She knew she was just an ordinary girl whom Quinn just so happened to meet and take a liking to. She knew that all too well and was reminded of that fact constantly, every day.

But to know that this promotion was not solely due to her relationship with Quinn Vermillion, the Informant of the Tower, but because of something she was born with. Because of something intrinsically tied to who she was.

Once that fact finally clicked in her mind, Ritsuka realized she had started smiling like an idiot, giggling to herself.

“Hehehehe…” She couldn’t help it. She was just too happy now. She couldn’t stop. The others noticed, obviously, but they couldn’t help but smile at Ritsuka’s joy.

“I do believe this calls for a celebration.” Pepe smiled. “Getting a new team member certainly calls for some sort of treat, don’t you all think?”

“Indeed. This is wonderful news.” Kirschtaria nodded.

“I’m still surprised this was approved,” Hinako said before putting down her book with a serious, thoughtful expression. “No disrespect to you, Ritsuka, but Team A was specifically chosen by Marisbury, the previous director. He gave us the title ‘Crypters’ for that very reason. I don’t see how Ritsuka could be added to Team A even with the current director’s approval. Why did the board approve the decision?”

“Well, you are correct that since the previous director set up Team A and all the rules and regulations involving you ‘Crypters’. We had to prove that Ritsuka being added to the team wasn’t a stunt to boost people’s opinion of Olga by having someone Olga knew and chose put on Team A. That’s why we had to go around all that in order to convince the bigwigs fully on this decision.” Quinn admitted. 

“Technically, Ritsuka isn’t a true member of Team A. She’s not going to be given the special label you all have since Marisbury didn’t choose her to be one. However, I managed to convince the board and Olga that her skills and sheer Rayshifting affinity would be a boon to have on the strike team of elites, so on paper, Ritsuka is a ‘reserve member’ for Team A.” Quinn clarified while motioning heavy quotation marks with his hands. “So basically, bureaucracy and magus bullshit states that Ritsuka is technically not a true member, but she’s essentially a member of Team A.”

“Hmm. See, that sounds more believable.” Hinako commented.

“Typical for magi, I suppose, even if it’s bullshit.” Kadoc sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “I mean, if Ritsuka had been at Chaldea when Marisbury was alive and she had the same level of affinity and her experience with the Informant of the Tower, there’s no chance Marisbury wouldn’t want her as a Crypter. I mean, at this rate, she’ll be more qualified than I am. She has more useful magecraft and higher affinity than I do, after all.”

“Don’t be like that, Kadoc! That’s not true at all. I’m still a novice compared to you.” Ritsuka immediately replied to the pessimist across from her. “Honestly, I’m just glad I’ll be able to help you all more, and now I finally have a purpose for being here instead of being Quinn’s carry-on.”

“Well, now that you’re part of the team, there’s one thing that needs to be decided.” Pepe smiled cheerfully. “You’re a Master Candidate now, ‘Suka! Which means, should we be sent out to rayshift, you’ll have to summon a Servant like the rest of us.”

“Me? A Master?” Ritsuka repeated, seemingly still in disbelief over the whole thing.

“That’s right, Senpai.” Mash nodded. “As a member of Team A, I will be accompanying you all during any potential rayshift to act as a catalyst in order for you to summon Servants.”

“That’s right… Heroic Spirits. I remember a few vague lessons about them at the Clock Tower, but I’d never thought I’d have to put them to use.” Ritsuka hummed whistfully. “Summoning heroes, huh?”

“With that expression, you must already have someone you’re gunning for, huh?” Beryl laughed. “So, who is it? All of us Crypters already have an idea as to what kind of class we’ll be aiming for, and some of us already have preferences for who our Servants will be. Me personally? I’m probably gonna go for an Assassin. They’ll work best with how I operate, though I don’t really care who I get specifically. What about you?”

“O-Oh, well…” Ritsuka averted her eyes as she scratched her cheek sheepishly. “...It’s kinda embarrassing, actually.”

“It’s ok. We won’t judge. Are you hoping to summon a hero you admire? Because that’s what I’m hoping for.” Ophelia told her. “I enjoy Richard Wagner's operas, so if I were to summon a Servant, I’d hope to summon Sigurd.”

“Oh, I know him! He’s the Norse hero who wields Gram in the Völsunga saga! The one who slayed a dragon and saved the Valkyrie Brynhildr. He’d be really strong.” Ritsuka nodded. 

Yes, but I only want to summon him because I admire the stories he’s in. It’s actually pretty selfish.” Ophelia admitted. “Is it the same for you?”

“Y-Yeah, I guess,” Ritsuka muttered. “I’d…probably aim for a Saber or Rider, but that’s because I’d really, really want to summon Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune.”

“Ah, the legendary Samurai from the Genpei War.” Pepe nodded.

“He’s probably one of the most famous samurai in Japan,” Kirschtaria added. “It makes sense to want to summon someone so renowned from your home country.”

“But it’s just because of all the stories we were taught when I was still just a child. The legends of Ushiwakumaru and the tales of Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune are known by everyone. I pretended to be him and recited all the songs and play lines. Wanting to summon him is just because I want to fangirl over meeting him.” Ritsuka frowned as she forced out chuckles. “It’d probably be better to stick with a less-draining class if I’m being practical. Something like Assassin or Caster. That way I won’t absolutely drain my reserves in a battle.”

“I’m sure we can figure it out at another point in time. Most of us don’t have specific Servants in mind anyway, and we can’t guarantee who it is any of us summon. We can plan all we want, but it’s still up to whoever answers our summons in the end. What we’re expected to get or want doesn’t matter.” Daybit interrupted in that stone-cold tone of his.

“True enough. No point worrying about the future right now.” Ritsuka hummed before turning her head over to where her teacher was.

Quinn had stopped paying much attention, it seemed, after he had finished delivering the good news. Now he was sitting down at a table close by, nursing a cup of black coffee (ick) and a cigarette (which he shouldn’t even have. Ritsuka could have sworn da Vinci had swiped those from him.) all while staring at…something. Ritsuka followed his eyes, only to immediately frown when she noticed Quinn was eyeing some female worker off on the other side of the dining hall.

Unbelievable. Even here, he didn’t stop his philandering. 

Not that Ritsuka could entirely blame him, though, this one instance. Cerejeira is hot. Ritsuka wouldn’t deny that.

Still, as his student, she wished he at least tried to hide it, or at least was less frequent with these acts. She was getting tired of women going through her in order to have more meet-ups with Quinn.

So, Ritsuka forced a smile as she decided to ruin her teacher’s lecherous daydreaming.

“What about you, Boss?” Ritsuka asked with a shit-eating grin.

“Huh? Whaszat?” Quinn muttered with a slight slur as he was forced out of whatever lewd train of thought he was in the middle of. “What’re you talking about?”

“Servants! If you were a Master, who’d you hope to summon?” Ritsuka asked.

“Heh, funny joke. Never gonna happen.” Quinn laughed before shrugging.

“Huh? What do you mean by that?” Mash asked, causing Quinn to avert his gaze as he continued.

Ritsuka bit back a frown. Mash had mentioned it before, but…why did Quinn always—ugh, whatever. She’d pester him about it later.

“There’s no reason to think about it because I’m never becoming a Master. I’m not a Master Candidate here, and I don’t have any wish I need some sketchy cup scummy magi cooked up to reach the root to grant me, so it’s not really a hypothetical I need to think about.”

“Well, that’s no fun,” Pepe commented with a frown.

“No wish? That’s unusual. Everybody’s got something they want that they don’t have.” Beryl pointed out. “Everyone’s got at least one selfish wish in ‘em, even if it’s small or petty.”

“True, but mine isn’t anything that can be granted. It’s an entire impossibility. Not even true magic or the Root itself could grant it. It’s just a pointless dream of mine.” Quinn grumbled before clearing his throat. “So no. I don’t have anything I want currently. And I’ve never considered the possibility of summoning a Heroic Spirit for such a petty reason.”

“There’s gotta be someone you’d want to summon. We all have heroes we admire, don’t we?” Kadoc asked.

“Hmph, I think Quinn’s just being modest. I think he just doesn’t want to admit who he’d want to summon because he’d be a bigger simp than me with his personal hero.” Ritsuka smiled, not at all convinced by Quinn’s words.

“Don’t say it.” Quinn groaned as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

“Ignore him, what’re you talking about, Ritsuka?” Beryl asked, now entirely invested in this topic. Not just him, the other Crypters also seemed interested, even the aloof Hinako and Daybit.

After all, they all knew who the Informant of the Tower was, but no one knew who he was. No one knew anything about the man behind the title. Hell, many people didn’t even have the privilege to know his real name. Meeting him in person and working with him in Chaldea is already plenty strange for most magi who are familiar with the rumors surrounding him, but no one even came close to knowing any personal information on the man.

That is, no one aside from the new director and the man’s own student. So, hearing any information on the Informant was pretty juicy gossip. Gossip Ritsuka was all too happy to indulge to embarrass her teacher. He could consider this revenge for China.

“He’s the biggest King Arthur fanboy in existence,” Ritsuka told them. “Like, ninety percent of the stuff he reads is stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I’ve seen him read the same book over about a thousand times at least, and I’ve only been traveling with him for a year. I bet you he’s the kind of fan who’s read the stories so much he’s memorized even the most minuscule detail in the stories. Heck, I bet he’s the same kind of fan who can’t stand it when other people get things wrong about the story and has to correct others on it.”

“King Arthur. I see. He is the most famous hero in Britain.” Kirschtaria said.

“Seems a bit obvious, though in hindsight.” Beryl frowned. “I mean, what a boring choice. I was expecting something super out of pocket, like some random, obscure legend that was super controversial or something.”

“Well, I’ve never heard of anyone reading the same story so many times.” Hinako pointed out.

“It is a famous legend. It’s only natural that people have such deep feelings towards it.” Ophelia noted.

“King Arthur, the King of Knights,” Mash muttered before a ghost of a smile formed on her otherwise blank expression. “I quite like the tale myself. Doctor Archaman managed to bring me books on famous stories like King Arthur. It really is an inspiring tale. A peasant boy who pulls the sword of selection and then becomes a king, inspiring his people and creating a wonderful nation. It is one of my favorites as well.”

“...You don’t understand. That’s not what–” Quinn suddenly began to speak before trailing off. His face was twisted into a deep frown, and his eyes were so narrowed they were almost glaring. “That story isn’t…” Quinn tried to say something in a low grumble, but he trailed off again before letting out a deep sigh. 

“If I must think about this pointless hypothetical, I’d certainly never summon anyone from the King Arthur legends.” Quinn suddenly spat out.

“H-Huh?” Ritsuka blinked in confusion at her teacher’s words. 

No, not just that. She’d never heard him talk with such a tone of distaste before. It almost sounded like the very idea disgusted him. 

But…that didn’t make any sense. Quinn loved the King Arthur stories. Ritsuka knew that for a fact. She knew for a fact he kept a pristine copy of all the stories and legends with him in his room, and that he read them during every break he took.

So why…?

“Why not?” Ritsuka asked. Quinn then turned to her, his emerald eyes softening before his features relaxed once more.

“...There’s a reason the saying ‘never meet your heroes’ exists,” Quinn answered calmly. “I’d rather not ruin the impression I have of someone I admire so much.” Quinn then took a long draw out of his cig before rubbing his hand on his chin. “If I were to summon someone solely for personal reasons…perhaps maybe Jeanne d’Arc? I'd love to know what sort of person the Maid of Orleans was like, but summoning her as a Servant…What class would she be in? Saber? Lancer? I doubt she’d even answer a summoning in the first place, so it doesn’t matter in the end of the day. I’m better suited for a Caster or Assassin anyway with my abilities, anyway. I don’t like direct confrontations.”

That was an understatement, Ritsuka wanted to say. Quinn didn’t like violence. It’s why he never carried any weapons. Even when things got dicey, he always tried to handle things in swift, humane ways. Quinn Vermillion was the type of person to solve things through negotiations or subterfuge. In that regard, a conniving Caster or tricky Assassin would suit the Informant’s style perfectly.

Although in some special cases, when words failed, Quinn would fight back, but the look in his eyes afterwards was always…

Ritsuka never did like it.

Maybe pulling Quinn into this discussion was a mistake. She just wanted to rib him a bit, not actually get him upset. In hindsight, talking about heroic spirits, beings summoned typically for a Holy Grail War, might not have been smart or tactful of her. But something about how he addressed his personal heroes seemed off to Ritsuka, but she didn’t want to dig any deeper into how he reacted. 

“Okay, that’s enough small talk.” Quinn suddenly said as he turned to the group, his cheeky smile now back and his eyes now gleaming with that usual energy he tended to have again. “Now that you’re part of the elite team, Ritsuka, that means you’re gonna have to do a lot more magecraft training, and unfortunately, that means it’s time for you to get another teacher.”

“Another teach–what!?” Ritsuka yelped in shock at the news.

“You don’t have to scream. I mean, I’ve already had you do lessons at the Tower for a while, and I’ve been hoping Olga would start teaching you more advanced magecraft stuff. Frankly, I’m a little worried I’ve been holding you back in this. If there’s anyone who should be teaching you magecraft, it’s not me. I might have taught you all the useful stuff I can, but I can only hope you haven’t picked up any of my awful habits with what I’ve already taught you.” Quinn laughed.

“That’s not true! You’re a great teacher! I’ve learned so much from you!” Ritsuka argued. “I won’t be able to do anything with magecraft if not for you.”

“I’m not denying that, but I’ve pretty much taught you everything I reasonably can, which is all the basics and some useful spells and techniques. Anything more would be asking too much of me, nor would it be fair to you.” Quinn said before taking a puff. “It’s as I’ve told you. You aren’t bad at magecraft, merely inexperienced. Compared to me, you’ll end up far better and more well-rounded.”

“Ah.” Pepe suddenly let out an understanding noise. “I see. Your craft is too specialized, isn’t it? That’s why you want Ritsuka to learn better magecraft under someone else.”

“Heh, I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to piece together what exactly I can do.” Quinn smirked before forming an X with his arms. “Sorry to say, but you’ll get nothing from me. My secrets are important to my craft! If anyone were to figure it out, I’d be up shit’s creek! Besides, ‘specialized’ isn’t the word I’d use. It’d just be useless and irresponsible of me to try to teach Ritsuka everything on my own when I’m so poorly equipped to do so.”

“So…Olga will be teaching me more about magecraft?”Ritsuka asked nervously.

“That’s the plan. I had to do some begging, but I managed to get her to fold.” Quinn said proudly, as though it were an achievement. Actually, it probably was, considering the type of person Olga is, even with Quinn doing the asking. “Lucky you, right? You’ll be getting personal lessons from the director herself. She’s still the heir of the Animusphere line and a Lord of the Clock Tower, y’know? This is a pretty special privilege. You better be grateful to me and her.”

“R-Right!” Ritsuka nodded.

Great. Now she was already feeling nervous at these ‘personal lessons’ she’ll be taking.

“If it’s magecraft you need help with, don’t be afraid to come to me should you need assistance,” Kirschtaria told his new junior. “It is the duty of the leader of Team A to help my teammates, so it’s no issue for me.”

“Really?” Ritsuka asked.

“Not just him. We’re all working together to help protect and preserve humanity’s future, so we all will help you if you need anything.” Ophelia added.

Ritsuka suddenly felt a surge of joy as she looked at her friends and now-teammates, who all reaffirmed that sentiment. From Kadoc’s shrug, which hid more kindness and care he’d ever visibly show, to Hinako’s gaze that she tried to hide under her hair and her book. Even the oddballs Beryl and Daybit seemed to be on board, if Beryl’s wide, feral grin and Daybit actually paying attention to the conversation was a sign of anything.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad?

---

Yes…those days were the best. They were filled with laughs that didn’t need to be anything more than what they were. The sights every day were the same, but somehow, I didn’t find myself getting bored with them. I somehow managed a routine. A bit of normalcy. Who would have thought?

It was nearly perfect.

Even if it had…moments where that beautiful image I was seeing cracked a little.

---

Olga was glaring again, and she hated that she was.

She just wanted breakfast. Just to have something other than the coffee she needed in order to keep functioning day in and day out, constantly working the whole time, and still not being good enough (she’s heard the grumblings of the workers, and she is trying). She just wanted to feel, for even a moment, that she was in control and was handling things well enough.

So why was she sitting at her table, alone, glaring at him? She hadn’t even touched her food aside from a few picks with her fork because she was so distracted, and it infuriated her.

He was just speaking with a staff member. Someone who worked in the control room. Sylvia, if Olga correctly recalled. It was completely normal for two co-workers to be speaking casually like this.

So why did it upset her so much? Why did it make her want to tear out her hair or punch that insubordinate man in that smug face of his? Why did this scene across the dining hall force her to calm herself down as best as she could in order to not launch a flurry of Gandr in her anger?

Quinn was only speaking with a co-worker. Who just so happened to be a woman. A conventionally attractive woman. One who seemed to smile when he started to speak with her, and even at a distance, Olga could tell Quinn was flirting. Again. And Sylvia was flirting back. 

And this wasn’t the first time they had spoken like this.

The glass Olga was holding in her hand cracked ever so slightly, and Olga nearly cursed when she noticed.

It’s not a big deal, Olga. You already made peace with this long before now. You’re the director of Chaldea, so suck it up and act like it.

Olga could only sigh before angrily taking a bite out of the Eggs Benedict she had on her plate.

She was so focused on not being focused on what was in front of her that the director missed that someone was approaching her with her own plate.

“Director Olga?”

“Hm? Oh, Fujimaru. Did you need something?” Olga asked the new reserve member of Team A once she finally noticed her.

“I was wondering if I could eat breakfast with you?” Ritsuka asked with a smile. “May I sit down?”

Olga raised an eyebrow at Ritsuka before she shook away her immediate thought. Ritsuka wasn’t truly part of the world of magi. Not like she was. Not like many of the other Chaldean employees. She didn’t have the same perspective on her as others. To top it off, she’s unusually friendly. It shouldn’t be so strange that she’d want to share a meal with her boss.

Not just boss, but teacher now. How did Quinn ever manage to get her to agree to this? That man can talk circles around people. At least Ritsuka has proven herself as a dedicated student, one Olga found more enjoyable to teach than others she’s had the displeasure of mentoring. Ritsuka took her lessons seriously and was always earnest and put her all into everything she did, unlike her teacher, who always seemed to joke around.

“That is fine,” Olga told the eager girl, who seemed to beam as she sat down right next to Olga. 

Not across. Beside. As though they had been lifelong friends instead of employer and employee, teacher and student, for only about a few years now. Olga didn’t know if she considered it odd or admirable for her to be so…open with her feelings.

The only one who would be so openly casual around her was…

“Hey, Director, I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while now…” Ritsuka suddenly said, bringing Olga out of her thoughts before they could begin.

“And what would that be?” Olga decided to humor the girl.

“How come you haven’t told Quinn you like him? Romantically, I mean?”

Olga choked, and she hadn’t even taken a bite of anything. Despite that, something went down the wrong pipe the moment she heard Ritsuka’s quiet, innocent-sounding question. Olga nearly stood up in her alarm, but she kept herself seated as she tried to silence her coughing fit in order not to cause a scene in the highly crowded area.

Once the director finally caught her breath and was no longer at risk of dying, she turned her cherry-colored face back to her student, who was still innocently sitting there as though nothing were wrong and she hadn’t just asked a highly inappropriate question to her boss and teacher.

Olga immediately stole an inconspicuous glance at the man in question. Still chatting up Sylvia and enjoying every minute of it. So much so that the two of them are now leaving the dining hall. 

Joy.

At least he didn’t seem to notice.

“That is none of your concern,” Olga growled.

“So you aren’t denying you have feelings for him?” Ritsuka asked.

“I said nothing of the sort,” Olga spoke through gritted teeth.

“But your immediate reaction was to say it wasn’t my concern, not to deny it outright,” Ritsuka argued, though not in a pesky, annoying, nosey sort of way. Just genuine curiosity. “Why haven’t you told him? He’d probably stop if you told him his flirting with other women bothered you so much.”

“What he does on his own time does not bother me.” Olga tried to say, only for Ritsuka to shake her head.

“Olga, you were staring daggers at Sylvia and Quinn just a few minutes ago. You were trying to hide it, but it was obvious.” Ritsuka told her gently, getting a brighter blush out of the director.

Great. Just…great.

Olga couldn’t do much more than sigh as she palmed her face.

“I can’t believe I’m having this talk with you right now,” Olga grumbled.

“Well, I mean, who else are you going to have it with?” Ritsuka laughed it off.

That hurt Olga more than she cared to admit, not because of what Ritsuka said, but because of what she didn’t have to say. Those words were the equivalent of saying Olga didn’t have any real confidants at Chaldea. No real friends. No real relationships outside a very small handful.

And it was true. None of the employees at Chaldea liked Olga at all, seeing her as nothing more than an overbearing and shoddy replacement for the original director who acts tough only so they don’t underestimate her for being so young and inexperienced. And that was just the typical employees.

Romani Archaman? Someone who only worked here because of her father and worked directly under him. Even if he wasn’t involved in those terrible experiments (begrudging, though it may have been), he was just like the others. He acted all scared whenever she was nearby, even though it was his own fault for being so lazy and causing everyone else around him to start slacking off.

The Caster? Olga didn’t trust her, not when she was still without a proper Master, and the Servant seemed to know this and kept her distance from the director.

The Crypters? All hand-picked by her father individually, and the leader of the group was the man who many said was a better heir than Olga was for the Animusphere family, and her father seemed to agree if the amount of time he spent teaching Wodime meant anything. Olga might not say it out loud, but it certainly affected how she saw Wodime, even if he tried to act cordial.

Mash? Olga couldn’t stand to be around her too long. Because of the guilt of what her father did to the girl, and fear of what the girl, or maybe even the Servant inside her, would do to her if they got the chance. She didn’t know why she let Romani and Quinn talk her into letting Mash join the staff, but even if she couldn’t look at the girl without getting chills and an undeniable feeling of death, Olga decided she shouldn’t look away from the girl. Still, it made anything more than a passing glance hard, let alone conversations or anything more meaningful.

So, having any kind of casual relationship at Chaldea was pretty out of the question for the director. The only exception from the workers she has met at Chaldea was Lev Lanuir. For some reason, he seemed to respect her, though Olga didn’t understand why. Still, it was nice that at least one of the employees who worked under her father seemed to appreciate her and her tireless work.

Aside from him, the only other exceptions came from the two who arrived with her. That bumbling informant who always smiles and his naive apprentice. So yes, Ritsuka was correct that she was the only person Olga could speak to about such vapid topics like romance, as bothering Lev with this seemed trite, and speaking with Quinn about it was obviously out of the question.

Well, if she had to talk about it, she might as well get straight to the point.

“It’s not so simple as just confessing like in whatever childish novels you’ve read,” Olga admitted.

Ritsuka didn’t say anything in response. She simply nodded before allowing Olga to continue speaking.

“What would I even say? ‘I love you’? Such meaningless words. What weight would they carry when the two of us hardly ever spend time together due to how differently we’ve lived our lives before arriving here? I was always confined to my family and the Clock Tower, and Quinn…he was always gone. I only got to interact with him occasionally, and sometimes it would take years before we could even speak for a moment together. What real affection could form under those circumstances?”

“What does it matter? If that’s how you feel, shouldn’t you give it a try anyway?” Ritsuka asked.

“Oh yes, wonderful idea. Let me just wrap myself in a relationship. I’m sure I can juggle the stress along with all my new responsibilities being the director of Chaldea, which is responsible for preserving humanity and its future.” Olga spat out as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why don’t I just hold up a bright, neon sign telling everyone that I’m not qualified at all and can’t handle anything more than what I’m dealing with currently, let alone personal matters.”

“So…it’d just be too much right now for you?” Ritsuka asked.

“...No. Not just that.” Olga replied after a brief pause. “Some things are better left unspoken, after all. I’m sure Quinn feels the same way.”

That’s right. That was the most important thing. Olga was already fortunate to have someone she could trust so deeply. Someone she could care about so much. Someone whom she knew, without a single doubt, had her back. Who believed in her. Who would constantly praise her as long as she asked.

Asking for more would be too much. She already feels that she takes what she has for granted sometimes. For her to ruin this wonderful thing she’s managed to gain all to sate her selfish desires? It would hurt more than any rejection. It would hurt more than the truth Olga already knew. That her feelings were solely one-sided. After all, Quinn Vermillion would flirt with anyone who would listen except Olga. The truth was in the nickname he used to address her. Little Animusphere. He still saw her as the little girl whom he had met all those years ago, and that was fine.

Olga was fine with that.

“Maybe, but sometimes, it’s better if unspoken things are said. It’s nice hearing something nice, even if you already knew about it.” Ritsuka began. “It might not be my place to speak, in fact, it really isn’t. This is just me butting into your business, but…I think it’s possible for you both to be happy. That’s all. At the very least, I’m rooting for you, and I think you have a chance. And it’d be better to try now instead of constantly holding in your feelings, always wondering about what could be, right?”

“I suppose…” Olga relented before shaking her head. “Not that it matters now. The fact of the matter is, everyone at Chaldea is far too busy, Quinn and I included.”

“Isn’t Quinn supposed to be your assistant? Isn’t he helping you put a dent in the work you have?” Ritsuka asked.

“Unfortunately, no, there’s too much, and Quinn has to balance helping me with my duties with his own.” Olga frowned. “I’m afraid I rely too heavily on him.”

“He probably likes it, since it means you trust him so much.” Ritsuka laughed. “Honestly, I don’t think he’s been happier, being here.”

“Is he?”

“I think so. He’s a hard guy to get a read on, even when you’re around him for so long. You start picking up things here or there, but it’s just a single piece in a puzzle, or so it feels. You understand, I’m sure.” Ritsuka said as she looked at the director.

“Yes, I do.” Olga nodded once with a frown. 

Olga had told Quinn that she knew him as well as he knew her, but how much of that was true? Olga always wondered that. Did she truly know who Quinn Vermillion was, or did she just have this impression she made of him she thought was the truth? How much could a person really know someone they only got to meet or speak with only occasionally, with massive gaps in between? How many glimpses of genuine reactions, whether happy, sad, or angry, showed someone’s true self?

Sometimes, Olga got to see underneath the plastic smile she saw, but how many layers did it truly go? Were sudden flashes and moments of real smiles actually real? What about the ones where he allowed himself to do anything aside from smile at all? Olga rarely got to see him be vulnerable or upset. He always tried to smile and be cheerful or teasing around here, but… Was any of that real or just for show?

Everyone wore masks, Olga included. She was anything but the ‘capable director’ inside. It made sense for an informant to have so many. The playful flirt. The naive optimist. The wise mentor. The cunning deceiver. The childhood friend. And so many more, so many that even Olga could sometimes feel lost.

In a way, even those words of understanding she had shared with the man were just as hollow. What did she even know about him, truly, she wondered at times.

“Yeah… It’s hard, feeling like you don’t know someone you feel close to.” Ritsuka nodded when she saw Olga’s downcast expression.

“You spent an entire year with the man. I might have known him for nearly a decade, but I was never around him for such a long period of time. I would think you know him better than anyone.” Olga pointed out.  

“Yeah, but I’d say I know just as much as you probably do. He hardly talks about anything in his personal life or even how he feels. Which is fine, but I can’t help but wonder. And I’ve only seen glimpses of him as, well, himself.” Ritsuka said before turning to Olga with a serious look. “I’ve seen him get as angry as he was when we first arrived, after he confronted Dr. Roman, but not that much. I think that was the first time I was a little scared of him. I didn’t think that was possible. It was pretty shocking.”

“It was that bad? I knew something was wrong before he told me just how bad the situation was, but…I didn’t know he reacted so strongly.” Olga muttered.

“He’s always secretive. It probably revolves around his life as an informant, dealing with information and secrets and all.” Ritsuka said before smiling. “But I know he cares, and he trusts us. So, to me, it doesn’t matter that I might not truly know him, not really. Because I still have his trust. He’s my friend and mentor, and I care about him, too. And he cares a lot about you, too. I’ve seen it, and I know it’s not fake.”

“Fujimaru…”

“Sorry. I’m being nosy again.” Ritsuka apologized. 

“No, it’s…actually nice speaking about these things with someone who understands to an extent. Someone I can confide in aside from Quinn.” Olga flashed a ghost of a smile. She then shot Ritsuka a mock expression of disapproval. “But don’t forget, I’m still your magecraft teacher. None of this changes that.”

“Heh, of course, director.” Ritsuka smiled, holding back giggles at Olga’s attempt at bringing back her harsh director persona after a heart-to-heart.

Of course, nothing nice could last forever.

“D-Director Animusphere!”

Olga straightened up at the alarmed voice rushing into the dining hall. She turned her head to see Sylvia rushing back into the dining hall. She was alone now, but Olga didn’t notice that. What she did notice was how frazzled Sylvia appeared.

“What’s happened?” Olga asked, standing up from the table immediately, truly putting back on her role as director again.

“S-Something’s happened! To Miss Kyrielight and Dr. Roman!” Sylvia shouted.

Olga inhaled sharply. 

Oh no…

Olga didn’t wait. She immediately hurried out of the dining hall with as much poise as she could keep despite the fears running through her head. Did Mash lose control of the Heroic Spirit inside her? Did she hurt someone? Did she hurt Roman? Surely not. That man was practically her father, but would the Servant see it as such? She knew letting that experiment roam free was a terrible idea.

Olga was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn’t notice Ritsuka following right behind her, even more worry very visible in her eyes and expression.

Olga continued her rushed pace until she made it to Mash’s room, only to stop by what she saw. 

The door was wide open for some reason, having failed to close automatically like it should. An emergency code was used to get in, which would only be used if the room had been locked from the inside. And only certain people had that code.

Hurrying inside, Olga couldn’t hide her gasp at what she saw. 

Romani was tending to a crying Mash. All of her fingers were broken, bent at unnatural, horrifying, painful angles that the doctor was currently fixing, which meant more pain as the bones and joints were shifted back into place so that splints could be applied.

Olga’s breath hitched at the sight, and Ritsuka let out a gasp and ran to her friend’s side.

“Mash!” She cried out, falling to her knees at the side of Mash’s bed. “What happened to you!?”

Mash tried to speak, but her voice was broken between sobs of agony. So instead, the doctor spoke.

“Beryl Gut. He did this.” Romani growled at with more hatred than Olga thought possible. 

“What…?” Ritsuka muttered with horrified, stunned shock.

“He snuck into Mash’s room and did this… He said it was because he loved her.” Romani gritted his teeth. 

Ritsuka’s face shifted from confusion to terror once she heard that, and Olga felt her stomach twist.

Love? What kind of love brought a person to hurt the person they ‘loved’? And in such a brutal way? Olga might not have gotten much love in her own life, but she knew that wasn’t love. Not at all. It was something more vile and twisted than that.

Love must be warm and kind. A passing smile, a gentle brushing of fingers, comfort in someone’s presence, or little praises born from admiration. 

This was not love. It was not any love Olga knew or wanted to know.

“Where is Beryl?” Olga asked.

“He was taken away. By Quinn.” Romani answered. “Quinn had to physically stop me from hitting the bastard more, and took him out of the room so I could focus on helping Mash. I want him banned from being near Mash. I don’t want him anywhere near her or her room.”

“Done.” Olga instantly replied. That was understandable, and Olga was not so heartless as to deny that request. “He’ll be suspended for this as well. He will be punished for this.”

“B-But…I don’t understand.” Ritsuka spoke. “B-Beryl’s never done anything like this before! He played the playful jerk at times, but he’s been completely normal and cordial before this. Everyone liked him! Why…would he do this all of a sudden?”

An understandable question, especially when Ritsuka saw Beryl as a friend and teammate. This was a deep betrayal for the kindhearted girl.

“S-Senpai…” Mash suddenly spoke up, immediately pulling Ritsuka’s attention back to her as she continued to talk. 

Or rather, attempted to talk, but it was too much for the girl, so Ritsuka leaned in closer to hear what Mash was saying. Mash spoke, and Ritsuka listened, and after hearing what Mash had to say, Ritsuka’s eyes widened before she immediately got back onto her feet and looked at Doctor Archaman.  

“Where did Quinn and Beryl go?” Ritsuka asked.

“I don’t know. He just quietly took Beryl away after pulling me off him.” Romani answered.

Ritsuka nodded at that before looking back at Mash with a soft, weak smile. “I’ll be back soon.”

Ritsuka ran out of the room after that. Olga had a terrible feeling seeing that. Why would Ritsuka run off like that when her friend was hurt like this? Olga bit her lips before looking at Romani. 

Focus on what you can do now, Olga.

“I’ll bring the nearest medkit. Make sure Mash is well taken care of.” Olga told the doctor.

“Of course.” Romani nodded, completely focused on helping Mash.

Olga hurried out and got the doctor what he needed. It took a while, but eventually, things seemed to improve. No serious, permanent damage was done. Physically, at least. The doctor stayed behind to keep monitoring Mash’s condition, and Olga was left to her own devices again.

She decided to find Ritsuka to see why she had rushed off, but Ritsuka wasn’t the first person she found. Turning the corner, Olga nearly bumped into Quinn himself. Olga wanted to say something, an apology for not paying attention to where she was going, or perhaps to ask him what happened with Beryl. She didn’t get the chance to ask as Quinn stormed by her, his hands shaking and his face like stone. Olga had never seen him like that before. She tried to reach out and say something, but someone stopped her before she could.

“Don’t,” Ritsuka said, coming from where Quinn had, grabbing Olga’s hand to keep her from following after the informant. Olga turned back to the student, only to be greeted with a strained look from the girl as she slowly shook her head. “I think…he needs some time to himself.”

“What happened?” Olga asked.

“I dunno….but…I think whatever happened with him and Beryl, it got bad.” Ritsuka muttered as she hugged herself. “When I found them…Quinn was…” Ritsuka bit her lips. “I don’t think it’s something I should share, but…” Her eyes sharpened with a dark glare as she stared at the ground. “Beryl was laughing the whole time.”

That was all Olga heard in regards to whatever happened between Quinn and Beryl. After the whole incident, Beryl was suspended from his duties and put on house arrest, as well as being barred from being anywhere near Mash and her room unless with others present, mostly so he could still operate with Team A.

A decision someone despised more than anything.

“I want him gone, Olga,” Quinn growled as he paced in her office. “I want him gone, out of Chaldea. Now. I don’t care how. I’ll throw him off this goddamn mountain if I have to, I don’t want him in the same building as Mash, or you, or anyone else! He’s dangerous!”

“I know, and I agree. To think he’d truly be like this, and that he’d been hiding that side of himself for so long…” Olga grumbled as she sat at her desk.

It was just the two of them in her office, and normally, it would be a time for them to share reports on the current happenings in Chaldea, but the reveal of Beryl Gut’s true sadistic self as thrown the entire place for a loop. The calm, courteous, even at times vanilla persona Beryl had shown was now shattered, revealing the magus who found torture and murder to be art and fun.

No one was happy about that revelation, nor did they like the truth of the situation:

“But we can’t,” Olga spoke through gritted teeth. “Like it or not, Beryl Gut is a Crypter. Chosen specifically by my father. We cannot remove him from his position here at Chaldea.”

“Why not? Are we really going to let the words of a dead man lock us in this place with that psycho?” Quinn fumed. “What the hell was Marisbury thinking, bringing on someone like him? Insanity, I tell you. He must have been insane not to see the danger that beast could be to this entire operation. What role could someone who finds pleasure and beauty in tainting the objects of his ‘love’ with pain, torment, and misery have in protecting humanity? Makes me sick…!”

Olga couldn’t say anything to counter that sentiment, since it was one she shared, though it was surprising to hear Quinn express that so audibly. Still, nothing could be done. Olga couldn’t do anything. Nor could the others. Marisbury had chosen Beryl as a Crypter, and as such, their hands were tied. Marisbury’s words were absolute within Chaldea.

Though Olga couldn’t help but wonder…

“With this revelation, do you think…it was Beryl after all?” Olga asked tensely.

That seemed to snap Quinn out of his anger, as he stopped his pacing, standing still as a statue before turning back to Olga with a blank expression.

“...No. In fact, I think this clears him.” Quinn eventually said.

“How so?”

“Because Beryl takes pleasure in murder. That’s been made apparent. Someone like him wouldn’t need a motive to kill.” Quinn said before frowning. “Which is why he would never let his victim kill themselves before he could have his way with them.”

Olga gritted her teeth. Quinn was right. If Beryl was the culprit, he would never let her father kill himself before he could have his fun.

A frustrating truth, but the truth nevertheless.

“Then does this narrow down your lists of suspects?” Olga asked. 

Yes, this was the true purpose for Quinn being in Chaldea, not just to be Olga’s aid, but to discover why her father committed suicide. To find the culprit who killed him, even if they never pulled the trigger. 

“I suppose it does,” Quinn muttered. “I still believe it has to be one of the Crypters Marisbury chose, but I just can’t figure out which one. Marisbury’s death would hurt Wodime more than help, considering his position as Marisbury’s golden student, so he has no motive. The same goes for Kadoc, who seemed ecstatic to be chosen by the previous director for this role. Ophelia wouldn’t go against Wodime, and Hinako has been working for far longer than anyone else here at Chaldea, so she had the opportunity long before then to make a move against the director, but didn’t.”

“That leaves us with the last three, but now Beryl seems to have been cleared,” Olga grumbled.

“Yeah. Only Marisbury’s fingerprints were found on the gun at the scene. Of course, not leaving fingerprints is as simple as wearing gloves, but he only had the one wound to the head. Beryl would have done much more, and it wouldn’t have been a clean or painless death.” Quinn explained.

“Which leaves us with Scandinavia Peperoncino, whose real name and identity we still do not know, and Daybit Sem Void, the strange wunderkind whom no one understands,” Olga stated.

“Yes, but regardless of who did it, I still can’t find the motive. For any of it. Why would Marisbury kill himself, seemingly? What was the point of it all? Nothing was left behind aside from his corpse. I’ve never seen anything like it. On the surface, it seems open and shut, but…the motives are what make it so confusing.”

“And no one else could have been responsible?” Olga asked.

“Only the Crypters have such easy access to the director. It has to be one of them if someone was responsible. I just can’t figure out the ‘why’ for it.”

“You’ve been at this for a year now. Perhaps there truly is nothing more to this than my father killing himself for no reason.” Olga frowned.

“No…No, there’s something to this. I know it.” Quinn told her before biting his lips tensely. “I…I could have figured it out by now. No, I should have, but I—”

“Don’t blame yourself for this, Quinn. This isn’t your fault.” Olga told him. 

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. I–” Quinn stopped himself before averting his eyes. “Give me a few days, Olga. A few days, and I’ll have the answer.”

“What are you–?”

“Do you trust me?” Quinn suddenly asked.

“Of course,” Olga replied without hesitation. 

“Then believe me,” Quinn told her, his emerald eyes looking straight into her amber orbs. “I’ll figure this out in just a few more days. That’s a promise.”

Olga looked at Quinn for a moment, taking a moment to think over his earnest words and promise, before finding herself able to smile at him.

“Okay. I’ll hold you to that, you know.” Olga chuckled.

“Of course. What kind of informant would I be if I failed with something so simple, and as a favor for a dear friend, too!” Quinn grinned as he gestured dramatically with his hands. “So I’ll do my best. Anything for you, director!”

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” Olga replied before letting out a tense breath. “Our best, huh? That’s all we can do, I suppose.”

That’s right. Not just Quinn, or Ritsuka, or any of the others. Olga still had to do her best, too. To live up to her family’s name and to fulfill her duty.

Quinn seemed to notice where Olga’s thoughts were going, so he did something strange all of a sudden.

“Hey, do you know how to dance?” Quinn asked without warning.

“What?” Olga blinked as she looked at Quinn with confusion. “Y-Yes, I learned how as a child. Why do you–?”

“Good, then c’mon, let’s dance a bit!” Quinn flashed her a toothy smile as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up from her chair.

“H-Huh? W-Wha–no!” Olga yelped. “I-I still have work left to–!”

“Forget about that for just a minute or two? You’re always back here in your dark, stuffy little office working yourself into exhaustion. You could really use a break every now and then, and what better way than to dance your stress away? I’m a great dancer myself, I’ll have you know.” Quinn told her as he gently held her hands before pulling her a bit closer, moving one of his hands to one of her shoulders as he looked down at her. “We might not have any music, but dancing is still fun. Don’t worry, I won’t step on your toes.”

Olga didn’t even have a chance to pull away before Quinn led her in a simple little dance, swaying side to side while leading her in simple motions in her small office. This was not a place for dancing, nor did Olga have time for such simple pleasures, let alone things that made her heart thump so much in her chest, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. Something about this gave her a feeling like flying as she let herself be pulled around by this man’s gentle hand. Even though she had not danced since she was a child, the movements still remained in her mind as she began to match Quinn’s motions.

It was only a few minutes before she realized that fact, and suddenly, Olga could not be bothered to care much. This simple moment was more fun than she’s had in most of her life, and it was so nice. Even if they did not do anything special, no twirls or dips, just moving around like this was nice. It was just as Quinn said. It was a nice break, something Olga would have never allowed herself to have on her own.

Yet this goofball still would pull her aside, just for a small dance like this. It brought a laugh out of her with how absurd it all was. That seemed to be Quinn’s aim, as his smile seemed to brighten before he moved a bit closer to her.

“Hey, you’ve got this. You’re the most capable person I know. And I’ll remind you of that however many times you need.” Quinn told her, and all Olga could do was hide her face from him.

Typical of him, finding ways to sneak praise to her even when she didn’t ask.

It only lasted for a moment before it had to stop, but Olga might remember it for the rest of her life.

---

It was still nice, even with the little cracks here and there. I would have enjoyed it if nothing ever changed. That would have been fine.

But everything changes. It’s the way of the world. Nothing could be allowed to stagnate. Nothing ever should stagnate. I know that.

But I never expected what happened at the end of that bliss. I never could have predicted what would happen on July 30th, 2015.

The day everything burst into flames, and I failed to keep my promise.

It all came too soon. For all of us.

---

BEEEEEEEEP!!! BEEEEEEEP!!!

Alarms were blaring in her ears. She couldn’t focus as the staff around her scrambled at their stations. All she could do was try to process what was happening around her.

And what was happening was a disaster.

“The Shiva Lens has detected an abnormality!”

“Coordinates confirmed!”

“Abnormal value rising!”

“Laplace is getting a read on the situation.”

“Hurry!”

Olga bit her thumb anxiously as she stared at CHALDEAS, only to be struck with fear at what she was seeing.

“The light…” She muttered as she paled. “It’s fading. The light of CHALDEAS…”

“CHALDEAS was created from a reproduction of Earth’s soul.” Lev panickedly said behind her at his own station. “If the light of that civilization is extinguished…”

He trailed off, but he didn’t have to finish. It was clear to everyone what would happen. 

Humanity was doomed. By the observations they could make, humanity would not live long enough to see the start of 2017. They would die out by December 2016.

Olga would not let that happen.

“Gather humans who can be Master Candidates right now!” Olga shouted–no, demanded fiercely. “We’ll move from Rayshifting experiments to actual use!” Olga turned back to CHALDEAS with a tense glare. “Unless we regain the light of CHALDEAS, humanity has no future.”

No one argued with her. No one could. Not with the sudden possibility of extinction. They could only listen to Olga as she followed protocol. They had to gather enough potential Masters who could Rayshift. Once they had and they got approval from the UN, they would be able to send the Masters, starting with Team A, into the abnormality. The Singularity that was detected in 2004, Fuyuki, Japan.

Olga kept up the brave, stern face she had crafted for her position, giving orders without showing how much she wanted to throw up in her anxiety. It was during this moment that she stole a glance at her trusted aide, her advisor, and her most trusted partner.

Quinn was beside her, a couple of feet away. And Olga found that none of his typical cheer was there in his expression. He looked pale, haunted even. His eyes were wide, the emerald orbs shrunken down to pinpoints as he stared at CHALDEAS as it slowly turned more and more red and the lights faded. His hands were shaking, and he was taking ragged breaths.

“This isn’t possible…” Olga could hear him mutter under his breath. “This can’t be…!”

Suddenly, Quinn seemed to jump up from his spot before turning around and quickly rushing out.

“Quinn?” Olga asked in confusion. “Where are you going? I need you to–”

“I’ll be back in a moment. I need to check on something.” Quinn interrupted before leaving without another word.

Olga wanted to scream. How dare he leave her like this! But there wasn’t much she could do. She still had duties to tend to. She’d berate him later.

…She was more worried now. The situation was dire, but for Quinn to react so fearfully… Olga would have to make sure he was alright once she got the chance.

For Quinn, though, there was no time. He felt his heart jump around in his chest as he made his way back to his room.

Impossible. It was impossible for this to happen. There was just no way this was happening right now.

Quinn always silently wished he were the one who was clueless about things. He always bemoaned what it meant, being the one who had to know everything.

Well, now he was clueless, and it terrified him. Leave it to Fate to deal him with such an ironic hand.

So he had to make sure. Make sure he wasn’t as clueless as he felt right now. He was Quinn Vermillion, the Informant of the Tower.

He could find out anything, even if he didn’t want to. 

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice that he had passed by da Vinci as she was making her way to the surveillance room to check up on what was happening. The Caster was alarmed that Quinn was heading in the opposite direction.

“Quinn?” She asked as the man stormed by in his frenzied panic. “What’s going on? Why are you–?”

Quinn didn’t even give her a glance as he immediately turned the corner. Leonardo was shocked. That wasn’t like him, even if things were dire. Something was wrong.

So, the Servant decided to follow after him. After more walking, the informant made it back to his room and immediately went inside. Caster hummed as she watched on. What could he be doing in there at such a time? Leonardo decided to sate her curiosity, turning into her Astral form before attempting to enter the room without being noticed, only to be blocked as she approached the door.

A bounded field. Several high-ranking bounded fields, actually. All around Quinn’s room, like magical locks that would keep even Servants out until they could break the fields. These fields were simple in their purpose: alerting the caster of anyone attempting to enter the room, even invisible beings like a Servant, and preventing entry from anywhere but the door, even for invisible, intangible beings like a Servant in their astral form. Even then, one could only enter if the door was opened for them. Something very simple for a Caster like da Vinci, but with so many bounded fields, even if it took her a second to get through them all, it would be enough time to alert Quinn what someone was doing.

What reason would Quinn have to secure his room so much?

Well, it was none of da Vinci’s business. She was merely curious about Quinn’s strange reaction. She was going to leave things be and head back to the surveillance room, but then—

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!”

An inhuman shriek of absolute agony pierced the walls. 

Suddenly, da Vinci was no longer trying to sate her curiosity. Immediately, she broke through the boundary fields in an instant and rushed into Quinn’s room, no longer bothering with her astral form.

“Quinn? Why did you–?” Caster began, but stopped when she saw Quinn on his hands and knees, blood dripping down his face, falling below him to the ground, and his glasses knocked on the ground beside him. “Quinn! What happened?! How did–?”

Leonardo moved to Quinn’s side to help him, but she froze when she finally got a good look at him. 

“Y-You…” da Vinci, the ultimate genius inventor, found herself at a loss for words by what she saw.

This was… What is…? Why was-? 

She knew it was something like…but not–!

“Ah…Caster. Perfect timing.” Quinn spoke in a small whisper as he raised his head, not looking at her, but at something only he could seemingly see. Da Vinci got a better look at him when he did this, and it only made her take an instinctual step back. She couldn’t stop looking at…

Quinn didn’t care, or perhaps just didn’t notice. Instead—

“Ha…haha…”

Suddenly, Quinn’s head snapped back as his mouth opened widely.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! HEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!”

And manic laughter broke out from his mouth. Quinn’s bloody face hung back as he laughed up at the ceiling, unable to hold himself back. And once his crazed laughter finally stopped, he moved a hand over his face, his smile unnervingly wide.

“Ah… I see. I get it now. So that’s how it is? How cruel, making me wait so long for this. How cruel, finally giving me this bliss after…” He trailed off as he ran his hand across his ruined expression. “So this is it, huh? Fine. So be it.” He muttered in a dead, passionless tone.

Then, he turned to Caster, who was now eyeing him with suspicion. 

“Hey, Caster.” He muttered as he raised his bloodied hand towards the Servant. “Make a contract with me. If you don’t, many people will die in the next few days, and humanity might be lost forever.”

“...What are you planning on doing?” da Vinci asked cautiously.

“What else? I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do.” Quinn answered with a smile. “I’m going to going to protect what matters most to me. No matter what.”

Notes:

This ended up being longer than expected, and I probably could have done a lot more, but I wanted this to just be a single chapter. I wanted this to cover the time between Olga, Quinn, and Ritsuka coming to Chaldea and the start of Grand Order, but that's a time period of multiple years (Marisbury died in 2012 and Olga arrived at Chaldea in 2013 in this story, and Grand Order starts in 2015). I didn't want to spend chapters and chapters during this time frame, so this chapter was just a few important snippets from the time frame.

I also wanted to focus less on Quinn’s perspective here, as I think the perspective of those around him, especially in regards to how they see Quinn, is a lot more interesting. Expect to see a lot of that in this story. And I fear I might have planned my hand a bit too much in previous chapters, in regard to Quinn’s perspective in some ways, but it’s fine. The story is still in its starting phase.

Anyway, I think I’ve left a few hints and clues in this chapter for things to come, and I’m excited to get this show on the road with the proper start of the singularities. Blissful days always come to an end one way or another, right? I hope you all are ready for what comes next. The drama, the action, the heart-pounding tension, the mystery and intrigue—I’m sure it’ll be a fun time.

Notes:

This is a story that I've wanted to do for a while. This is actually the fourth draft I've made for this story specifically, and each draft has been drastically different from the previous one, despite the overall story being the same. As such, this story, in particular, is a bit of a passion project for me. In fact, I started writing the original draft after I started posting EaST and the original Bit by Bit, making this my third fanfic idea, dating back to 2020-2021, I believe.

Quinn is a character I've had for a while now, and he's grown so much in these drafts. I can't wait to show him off. I'm very proud of what I'm planning on doing with him. After stumbling around with Quinn, trying to figure out exactly where I wanted him to start and where I wanted him to end up, I finally ended up with this version, which has easily become one of my favorite original characters I've come up with. I hope you enjoy him, too, as more of this story comes out.

Speaking of which, do not expect this story to be updated immediately. I've only published this chapter on a whim as I finish up EaST. I'm showing off what I have for this story and a few others that are presentable to see how people take them. If I don't decide to finish Bit by Bit and Draw of the Cards before then, I will most likely start writing for this story again after I finish EaST. I don't want to spread myself too thin by writing a dozen stories.

I do plan on finishing this story, as I plan to do for all my stories. Still, I've had this in my documents for so long that I figured it'd be better to just show what I have and see if people like it or not.