Chapter 14 : Misaya Reiroukan

Well, most part of this chapter is from the original novel. Although I want to say, "Those who read the original and my old fic can skip this chapter." But I have fixed some parts from my previous fic. So, please! Please read this chapter too.

I might come back mid January as I have an exam to prepare for. But I will be wrapping up this arc before it. This arc will be finished between the next 2 or 3 chapters. And I promise. It will be the final power-up I am giving to Oz.

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1st day of Holy Grail War, 3rd POV

A young girl with red eyes and long black hair walked through the 2nd-floor corridor in her home late at night. The moon then comes out, the girl knows that there is nothing to be scared of, but she's still anxious. She looked at the garden from the window and she notes that it's different. She can't figure out what it is until she sees the magic workshop. She notes that it's too natural as the Holy Grail War has begun.

She knocks on the door to the lounge room. She was sleeping when her father called her through a familiar. Her father was gonna be busy setting up for the Grail War and carrying out his duties as the head of the family. She knows that he doesn't have much time to see her. Her father acknowledges her and calls her in. When she opens the door, she sees her father. He stares at her with a gentle expression and she was half relieved.

"You called me, Father?" she asked politely.

"Yes, I have something to tell you," her father said while smiling gently.

She then noticed someone was hiding beside her father, concealing itself with magic. She tried channeling prana into her eyes but she only gets to see a shadow.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"You are a genius. As your new tutor, I'm pleased," said the shadow figure.

The girl got scared and turns to her father. She hadn't been informed that her father receiving another magus for the Grail War.

The shadow bows and smiles at her father, the girl is still trying to figure out what/who the shadow is, she then compares the shadow to an incompetent apprentice begging to be taught by a great teacher, but then she notes that it is natural as her father was the best Magus in the far east, but his actions that way was also strange except her grandfather. Her father then begins to tell her that he has reinforced the workshop and that the shadow had turned the mansion into a fort.

Then her father told her, "Greet him, Misaya. For he is a person who will bring the Root to the Reiroukans."

The girl now known as Misaya is confused by his words and looks down and notes two lights above the shadow's head.

"I am a scion of many children who have received my teachings. I am an ancient person serving in the current world with the class of Caster. I am a Magus seeking the Root, the same as you," said the man wearing the white robes.

He then holds out his hand gently and quietly whispers, "Let's be friends."

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3rd day of the Holy Grail War

Rider appears at the Reiroukan Mansion during the afternoon. He looked around the mansion and criticizing it.

"I had come here as a messenger to tie an alliance between my master and Reiroukan Master," Pharaoh stated.

Misaya is shocked at him then saw a familiar flying above as if checking on the ground. And at the same time, Berserker was trying to break into the Reiroukan Mansion's grounds but was being held back by the barriers. Rider is shown into the parlor room for further negotiations and Misaya used her songbird familiar to spy the meeting.

"So, Rider. How did you get past my barriers?" asked the Reiroukan head.

"Your magic, it's not worthy to even for my own entertainment."

That shut the man up. But the alliance was made between Rider and Caster's master. When Misaya was checking Rider's stats, he stares at the familiar.

"Someone is watching us. And the watcher is clearly a novice."

Misaya in her bedroom was staring at Rider in his eyes and she starts to feel sick like she had a high fever. Although she's trying to be strong and endure it, she can't endure it and starts crying and screaming through the pain. It is without a doubt that Rider is trying to crush her. It was the same time that Caster gave Rider an evil stare.

At night, while checking the barrier that Berserker damaged, Caster heard the fight between Lancer and Saber. As it was not his job to interfere, he then turns to go back to the mansion but stopped. He turns around to see a girl. She has light blond hair and green eyes, about 14 years old. That girl is Manaka.

"So, you are Caster," said Manaka.

"Indeed, I am. By the way young miss, how did you get in?" Caster asked politely.

"Isn't it better to show you how?"

She then summons three 'shadows' from beneath her feet. As for Caster, he summons his elementals and defeats them without trying to hurt Manaka.

The girl tilts her neck and said, "Fufu. Your magic is quite unusual. It's very interesting!"

As she said that, she shined like radiance itself while her body is bathing in the moonlight. There was amusement in her smile.

"How about I become your friend?" asked the little girl while holding out her hand.

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At that time, Misaya POV

At night, I suddenly woke up from the bed. As I heard some voices from the back yard and knew that Caster was trying to repair the damage in the barrier that Berserker did. So, I tried to help him but as he is already fixing from the back yard, why don't I fix the other place. I've heard Caster said that the barrier near the forest is also damaged. I'm sure nobody will come here at night, more so if the barrier is still intact. Even if it was damaged, it is still functioning.

When I got downstairs, I went quickly into the forest to repair the barrier. When I finished repairing all the little tears in the barrier with the Azoth Dagger, which Caster gave me as a friendship on the second day he got here. I then start to walk on a path that had been pre-laid so that I could avoid all of the traps set up throughout the forest until I finally reach the hole. It's barely large enough to let a man in. But… wait. Why does it feel suspicious?

Oh no. It has been intentionally made with the wind to let an intruder in. I must report this to my father and Caster quickly. Suddenly, I hear a howl near me. I turned my head and saw a creature covered in fur. It is looking at me like prey caught in a trap. I quickly came into my sense and tried to contact my father and Caster through my familiar.

I turned and look at the beast again. It looks like a humanoid creature that was like a mysterious person and an insane beast at the same time. That pitch-black body, is that magic concealment? It also has sharp fangs and claws like a wolf.

Without a doubt, it is a servant. I can know just by the pressure that it's giving off. But its pressure is not comparable to Rider as I can still think and move. What should I do? Although I've asked for help, I'm currently far away from the mansion. Before I was able to move, the beast howls again. What happened? I can't move. Is it because of the howl?

What to do? It is charging toward me. I am going to die. I am going to die. I am going to die. As its claws and jaws and draws closer and pierces through my chest and bite my head, I saw him. A shadow of blue and silver jumps between me and the beast.

He looks like a knight in shining armor and has golden hair. He was standing gallantly there as the beast confronted him. When the beast howls again, my body stiffs, and my vision got blurry. But I can still make out stuff. As the beast is attacking madly, the knight is protecting me. Ah… he is also a servant. But why? Why did he save me? He's saving me rather than breaking into the mansion. But… is this what it means to be saved by a knight in shining armor? It is just like fairy tales.

Although the paralysis already wore off, I can't take my eyes off the battle. The knight was clad in wind and the beast is starting to feel the effect of Caster's barrier. I heard the knight saying, "I will never agree my daughter with you," or something. And it seems that the beast had enough. Disappearing into golden particles. The knight then turns his face to me and smiles under the moonlight.

"Are you okay, young miss?" he asked. I tried my best to nod my head.

"Then I am glad. I was passing near here and came quickly because I heard a howl. It is nice to see that you are safe. I shall take my leave now," he said while turning into the spiritual form.

After noticing him gone, I fainted.

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The next morning

I woke up from my bed. Wait. How? Ah… someone must have brought me back from the forest. When I went downstairs, I saw my father. He asked me if I was alright and what happened. I answered him while eating my breakfast. After talking with my father for a while, I'm standing in front of Caster's room. I feel ashamed for what happened last night. Caster opens the door and greeted me. He invited me into his room.

"Hello, Misaya. Can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm sorry Caster. Because of me, you need to fortify the barrier, didn't you?" I felt ashamed.

"It's alright Misaya. And because of that, I too gained many Intel. So, it was I who need to say thank you." He smiled trying to give me a reassuring smile.

"Really?!" I didn't notice that my eyes became sparkle.

"Yes, Misaya. And by looking at it, the creature seems to be Berserker." He turns toward me then bows before me and said, "I'm really sorry about yesterday Misaya. I should have fortified the barrier."

"It was my blunder. Please don't act like that, Caster somehow that's why..." I tried to deny it but he cuts me off.

"You're a lovely child, aren't you? Misaya. You probably can't understand yet, but that you are an important person to your father."

Is that so? I'm somehow important for my father?

"There is definitely a huge meaning, in the battle to obtain the Holy Grail. It is absolutely the dearest wish for every Magus to reach the 'Spiral of Origin.' Furthermore, it would be an absolute tragedy if I were to lose you at the same time. Because, Misaya, you, are my Master's light." Caster said while bringing me back from my thought.

"The light?" I tilted my head.

"It is an unmatched radiance, equally noble as the radiance of the stars that truly shined over the world once. It is not something that must encroach on, even if it is the Holy Grail War for example. You must not be there for, such things, as abandoning the futures of your loveable children for the sake of your dearest wish," Caster said while touching my cheek. It's gentle like father's and… warm like mothers.

He then continued, "Please don't forget somehow. All of my other beloved dear children were filled with the radiance of the noble stars. Misaya Reiroukan, to your father there is no other existence more than your own life."

I think he is speaking from the bottom of his heart. It was then a homunculus came in and told Caster, "Master Caster, a man is wanting to talk to you. He is waiting in the living room."

"Hmm? Strange. Well, let's go and see the man."

When we got into the living room, I saw a young man with messy grey hair and a katana near where he is sitting. When he saw Caster, he smiled.

"Hello Caster, this is the first time we meet each other, right? Nice to meet you. My name is Oswald and I am the Master of Ruler," the man said while holding his hand out to Caster. And Ruler? What is that?

"Nice to meet you too, Master of Ruler. To what pleasure do I own you?" And Caster seems somehow polite to him. A heroic spirit being polite to a human? That is something.

"Yeah, I came here to tell you that there will be no Grail War tonight," the man stated. What?! He can do that?

"You do know that you are abusing your power, right Master of Ruler?" Caster raised his brow.

"I know. And the reason is we will be having a feast with other Masters and Servants tonight. And I am here to invite you," the man said while standing up from the seat.

"And, what do I get out of this?" Caster asked.

"Magus to the core, huh?" the man smiled a little.

"Of course."

"I will let you study other Servants during this feast. But no fighting."

"I see. I am sure I'll certainly get something from this feast. I will come."

"Thank you. Hmm? Who is this young lady?" he asked after finally noticing me.

"This young lady is Misaya Reiroukan. Daughter of my master and also my friend," Caster said while putting his hand on top of my head.

The man named Oswald looked a little sad looking at me.

"I see. Caster, I do hope you won't break your 'friend'," the man said to which Caster stiffened. What did he mean? And why is Caster not replying?

"Well then, I'll need to go and invite other servants. See you tonight. You know the place, right?"

"Yes, The Imperial Hotel. I know."

"Then I'm off." He went off just like that. Caster doesn't look pleased. I wonder why. Anyway, I need to ask Caster, what Ruler is.

After seeing the man gone, I asked, "Caster, who is Ruler?"

"Well, you see. Ruler is an extra class Servant that a Grail brings forth to protect the concept of the Holy Grail War itself. Most of the time, the Grail act as the Master of Ruler. But it seems this time was not the case," Caster replied.

"Will they also participate in the war?" I asked.

"As far as I know about Ruler class? No, they won't. Rulers are given Command Spells for each of the Servants participating in the war. It will be a disaster if they participate," Caster replied while thinking something. Is it just me or Caster seems strange since I woke up? It must be my imagination.

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At night before going to bed,

I asked Caster as he was smiling throughout covering me with the blanket. "Caster, did something happen at the feast?"

He smiled, "I was thinking about Saber and Berserker. After seeing Berserker, Saber grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the corner while saying he needed to 'talk' with the doctor being together with his daughter. That made me think about those two's identity."

I smiled a little. It made me think that they might be heroic spirits, but they were also human before they died. But no matter what, Caster is acting strange today. I thought nothing about it and went to sleep.

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The next day, the 5th day of the Grail War, 3rd POV

At night, the head of Reiroukan noticed something formed in front of him.

It was Manaka who came here after sending Archer's Master back to the mansion.

"How do you do? Or, is it nice to meet you, I wonder? Right, Uncle Reiroukan?" She's smiling like a flower in full bloom while Caster's Master is cowering in fear.

He and Caster had noticed that there was a curse placed on his daughter when she was attacked in the forest. He thinks that there is no way someone could've broken through the barrier, however, if it was Manaka then it would've been possible as she is a monster according to what he feels right now. He turned back and then quickly went to look for Misaya and was praying to be alright.

He then heard, "Please have a long dream." It was the voice of Caster. Caster whispers to Misaya as she sleeps, he then sits on the edge of her bed and gently touches her cheeks, and calls out her name. He said her name. It was the name of the girl that was sleeping with shut eyelids. It was the name of the girl who was loved by her parents. It was the girl's name that established her as a noble sacrifice to be offered. But he floated an expression that had a tinge of sorrow, at that moment. He realized that he has already betrayed them before contacting Manaka.

"Everything in this world is yours. My master, you're a person who's connected to the Root, born being able to control all of creation. I cannot match your radiance; even the gods of the distant past filled with the light of the stars can become real," he turned and bowed respectfully at Manaka. Like he was facing his true master that he must serve.

"My master ― Miss Manaka Sajyou."

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The next morning,

Misaya woke up and felt something different. The mansion feels cold to her. Although it feels cold to her without her mother in the mansion it feels colder now. And more so, the homunculus maids are nowhere to be found.

She looked around the house and she saw her father lying on the stone pavement in the courtyard. For her, her grandfather died quietly in his sleep which is a good thing for a magus. She knows how serious death means. But she doesn't cry. 'To be a Magus is to walk with Death' was what burned into her head.

She realizes she has choices, whether to cry like a grieving child or to cry and seek help while inheriting her father's hopes, fears, and anguish. She doesn't know if she's feeling anything including sadness and her questions. And looking straight at reality realizing that this is happening and that there is something in her body.

She then saw Caster is walking near her father. "How is he still here. His master is dead. He should vanish when his master is dead. Did he consume a soul or… it couldn't be? Did he get himself a new master? Did he betray father?" thought Misaya.

"No way", she muttered. "Did… you betray my father?" she asked.

"Yes. Currently, I have obtained a new Master, as you have guessed. I have left a lethal curse, on your pitiful self, and your dear father has died with one as well", Caster said.

"You are lying", she denied.

"No, I'm not", Caster replied.

"But Von Hohenheim, you are…" she couldn't say the later part, which is 'my friend' part.

"Even though you said it yourself", she thought. Misaya could only look at Caster, speechless and also awkwardly.

His tall black figure came close to her lips, close to her ears like he was peering into her, as he approached her, without expressing it on his face which was well-featured in all of his expressions.

"Are you okay, little lady? You are still a young Magus", he said.

For her, his voice is very cold. It is very cold like an ice demon is talking to her. Then she remembered. She is currently talking to 5th ranked servant. She isn't confused and she wasn't shaking or crying either.

Then Caster continued. "It was the same, in the past. It hasn't changed, in the modern era as well", he gently touched her cheek while saying it.

"Magi, do not have friends in the truest sense of the word", he said into her ears with a husky voice. Then, he vanished into particles. Misaya stood still in front of her father's corpse. Her friend said magi can't have friends. Her eyes harden. From now on she won't trust anybody.

"What he said is not true, you know?", Misaya heard a man's voice behind her. She turned around and saw a young man with grey hair wearing a… café uniform?

"It is not true that magi don't have true friends. That guy… even though I've told him not to break his friend. Jeez", he continued.

Misaya then realized that she is talking to Ruler's master. Ruler class servant. It is not listed in the rank. She also doesn't know the man's Master degree. A Master degree is the rank of an angel. The right to participate in the Holy Grail War is bestowed onto a Master's body.

"Although a Master is chosen by the Grail, the details of that system aren't clear. But it is said that Mages who have a wish suitable for participation in the ritual can obtain a Master Degree. Can I also participate if I strongly wish to participate?", Misaya thought.

"What do you mean magi can have true friends? Caster said that we cannot", she said.

"I said we can, so we can. Just look at me. You might not know me very well but I have friends that I can trust my back in time of need. You've heard of the Magus Killer, right?" he said.

"Of course. Who wouldn't hear about that boogeyman? That name is officially given by Mage's Association to Kiritsugu Emiya, right?" she said.

"Yup, the one and only. You can say that he is one of my friends that I can trust my back during the hunt. (Aside from during the Holy Grail War, of course, I won't tell her that.) We had gone on a mission together and you must know he is very professional at planning. And another one I can tell is an executor", he said.

"An executor? I thought the Church and the Mage's Association are on bad terms. How can you befriend a person from the Church?", she asked.

"You know? Those things do not matter in friends. He can be an arse sometimes, but he is reliable. So, what I'm saying is you shouldn't close off your heart just because a friend of yours betrayed you one time. You will face betrayals when you grow up. You won't get far with your heart closed. Just keep your head up and face those betrayals. I know your father just died. You can cry. You can cry like a child of your age should. Let it all out", the man told Misaya to cry her heart out and she did. She cried hard. Very hard to be precise. The man didn't do anything other than patting her head and stroking her back.

"You okay now?", he asked.

"I'm sorry. I cried on you although I haven't told you my name. I know you already know my name but I want to introduce myself. My name is Misaya Reiroukan. Daughter of 3rd rank Master", she introduced herself.

The man looked amused by that. He showed her his Master degree and said, "Nice to meet you Miss Reiroukan, my name is Oswald Kingsley. And my Master rank is 8th ranked. And unlike your father's rank Thrones, my rank is Void. Master of Unknown rank servant, Ruler. Let's get along."

Misaya looked confused by that. Anyone would confuse by an unknown rank. For her, the lowest one is the 7th rank. The rank she knew is First – the 7-winged Seraphim, Second – the 6-winged Cherubim, Third – the 5-winged Thrones, Fourth – the 4-winged Dominions, Fifth – the 3-winged Virtues, Sixth – the 2-winged Powers, and Seventh – the 1-winged Princes. She hasn't heard about Eighth before.

"And from his Master degree, he has a wing. Shouldn't that make him 7th rank like Berserker's Master?", she thought.

"No, I'm not 7th rank. Just having 1 wing means nothing because Ruler is reasonable thus, I don't need to use my degree," he said as if he knows what she is thinking.

"Well kid, I know you want to go and live with your mother but you'll be living with us until the war is over. We will have a funeral for your father after the war. Say goodbye to him the last time", Oswald said.

"You look like a suspicious uncle trying to kidnap a kid. But, look like this is the only way if I don't want my mother in danger", she answered him while smiling.

"Goodbye father, I will always miss you. Your teachings, your warmth, and *sob* your smile." She looked like she was trying to cry again but she held herself back.

"Now, let's go. I'll introduce you to Ruler. I will do something to suppress the curse. And find the way to cure it." He then slashed his katana in the air to create a portal.

And Misaya was awed by this. For her, the portal is near the realm of true magic. And she went into the portal following the man she first met two days ago and also the man who will become her father figure.