The week passed in the blink of an eye, and before anyone realized, Friday was already knocking at the door, announcing that the weekend was just around the corner, waiting to begin.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.
The morning light streamed through the wide kitchen window, dancing across the marble countertops and reflecting in golden fragments on the dark wooden cabinets.
The silence was comfortable.
Kazuya sat alone at the central counter, wearing a snug black sweatshirt and black soccer shorts.
The glass cup between his fingers was warm, and the black coffee seemed the only worthy companion for that lazy morning.
He sipped slowly.
No rush.
The steam rose in thin spirals, dissipating into the air like thoughts he chose not to pursue to their end. His eyes, a piercing blue, wandered through the open window toward the lake shimmering in the distance.
The past few days, free from any school responsibilities, had been surprisingly peaceful. He spent most of his time in the underground space he had created to serve as his "wizard's workshop." He felt it was time to have a dedicated space for his experiments and research, so he devoted several days, starting from Sunday, to building this place, which was only completed the previous night.
For someone capable of using alchemy to manipulate matter with magical energy, nearly a week to create a simple workshop might seem like slow progress. But the truth was, he had built something incredibly complex—an underground structure that extended throughout his entire property, so detailed and sophisticated that the time spent seemed almost insufficient.
Naturally, he worked on several projects down there. With enough time and data, there was "literally" nothing he couldn't achieve, for with [Pioneer of the Stars: EX], everything became possible.
One example was that he had literally created an Artificial Intelligence so advanced in the future that it was somewhat terrifying. He installed it in his workshop to assist with his projects. How did he create it? Well, with his high-level programming skills from his past life, combined with all his current knowledge and a brain programmed with [Memory Partition] and [Thought Acceleration], everything became easy—not to mention his personal skill.
His biggest ongoing project was connecting his AI, which he named [Minerva], to a global information-gathering system: microgolem ants he created in numbers sufficient to spread across the entire world, undetectable by magic or any technology he deemed primitive. The ones he called [Queens] could reproduce by absorbing any type of energy. He created them to be deployed in places beyond the planet, like the Underworld and the Heavens, aiming for his information network to reach every corner of the world, including dimensional realms designed for different supernatural factions to inhabit.
But setting his projects aside, he also dedicated considerable time to training his [Longinus] and mastering his [Balance Breaker] state. Additionally, he delved deeper into the study of Magecraft and the control of his Reality Marble, achieving a truly terrifying level of mastery in each of these areas.
He also attempted to assume his [Dragon Form], both to familiarize himself with it and to train his physical and magical capabilities in that state. In parallel, he began experiments in manipulating his own soul, seeking to develop new forms through it and achieving an acceptable level of control. Fortunately, his "wizard's workshop" was spacious enough to support such dangerous and unstable experiments.
As a natural consequence of this intense training, he unintentionally revealed the full extent of his combat abilities to his Servants. They were genuinely shocked to witness what he was capable of in this new life, far beyond what they remembered from his time as Chaldea's Master. Luckily, a quick, improvised explanation sufficed. He attributed part of his power to the influence of the Root and the rest to the rigorous training he had undergone since reincarnating. It would be tricky to explain everything convincingly when, eventually, they accessed his memories through the dream cycle, but that was a bridge he'd cross when the time came.
Not that he wasn't terrified by the possibility that had started forming in his mind over the past few days when he finally grasped his situation logically, rather than emotionally, as he had in the early days of this life when he gave in to his delusions and behaved in a way that was deeply embarrassing. In fact, he silently thanked his stars every morning when he realized none of them looked at him strangely. He was almost certain that if they saw his first life—completely mundane, devoid of any power or significance—their reaction would be one of aversion. Would they see him as truly useless? The mere thought bothered him more than he cared to admit… and he absolutely didn't want to bear their disappointed gazes.
Pushing these inner anxieties aside, there was something worth celebrating: the past few days with his Servants had been simply wonderful. It was a life he could never have imagined living during his pathetic first existence, a true dream that had now become reality. And more than that, a dream he wanted to protect at all costs.
That was precisely why he was so determined to become stronger.
In every way.
In every possible form.
Fortunately, his [Fate Gacha] had been a great help over the past week. Despite his luck still being as abysmal as ever, [Rank: E] as always, he managed to acquire some valuable skills.
First, he obtained two Class Skills. The first was [Riding: EX], denoting an exceptional ability to ride virtually any mount or vehicle. Rider-class Servants typically possess this skill at a high level, but the [Rank: EX] classification indicated something beyond normal limits. Even Dragon-type mounts, which usually required a separate skill, fell within his mastery thanks to this extraordinary rank.
The second skill was [Presence Concealment: A+], making him exceptionally suited for espionage and infiltration. This skill allowed him to disappear completely, becoming nearly impossible to detect, even by someone with a Servant's heightened perception. However, its effectiveness diminished the moment attack preparations began, momentarily revealing his position.
Moving on to more "personal" skills, he acquired the fearsome [Lightless Three-Stage Thrust] from Okita Souji.
This technique consisted of three movements—First Thrust, Second Thrust, and Third Thrust—originating from the Hira-Seigan stance, where the blade is tilted laterally, aimed directly at the opponent's eye. However, the true terror of the technique lay not in its form but in its execution.
Unlike a "near-simultaneous" attack, the strikes all occurred at the same time. For a moment, the First, Second, and Third Thrusts simply existed together, in the same space and moment. Even if the first was blocked, the other two would still be there, occupying the same position, inevitably breaking through the defense. This contradiction, this impossible overlap, caused a localized rupture in causality at the tip of the sword.
The result? A technique against which it was practically impossible to defend. An attack that went beyond physical destruction, collapsing the very logic of cause and effect at the point of impact.
Additionally, there was [Protection of the Sun God: A+], a blessing granted by Ra to Ozymandias. Essentially, it was the direct grace of the Egyptian Sun God, though he hadn't yet fully discovered its purpose. He also received [God-King of the Burning Sands: EX], a unique skill that further amplified his Charisma. And finally, [Imperial Privilege: EX], a skill that, through the sheer insistence of its bearer, allowed him to temporarily acquire abilities that would otherwise be impossible to possess under normal conditions. At Rank A or higher, this skill reached an almost absurd level: even physical burdens, such as those required by divinities, could be temporarily assumed.
These were the only skills he managed to acquire after eighteen rolls, including today's.
He also had the fortune of obtaining two Noble Phantasms.
One was [Ramesseum Tentyris: The Shining Great Temple Complex], and the other, [Abu el-Hol Sphinx]. Both came from Ozymandias, which left him stunned because he thought his luck had abandoned him, but it seemed his fortune was still quite chaotic, as he managed to obtain two absurdly powerful Noble Phantasms.
Beyond that, he only acquired common, mundane items, nothing noteworthy. Except, of course, for a few Servants he was lucky enough to summon… who were now living under the same roof as him. A reality that, as absurd as it seemed, was becoming strangely natural at this point.
Speaking of which.
The soft sound of barefoot steps on the floor snapped him out of his trance.
Kazuya slowly raised his eyes, still holding the coffee cup.
A girl came into view.
A young woman with delicate features, in the prime of her youth. She had large, elongated eyes that shifted between shades of violet and blue depending on the light. Her long, straight blonde hair was tied in a large braid, her skin was fair, and she had a petite frame with well-defined curves. She wore an adorably outdated pajama, reminiscent of a white cotton nightgown with light blue embroidered details, long sleeves, and a small ribbon bow under the collar, the delicate fabric resting discreetly on her thighs.
Jeanne d'Arc.
One of the Servants he had summoned during the week.
Like the others, she remembered his past life as Ritsuka Fujimaru, as well as the romance that had blossomed between them, a feeling that began in the Orleans Singularity and matured over time in Chaldea. Naturally, all memories differing from the original story were carefully crafted by the programming of his first life.
Lately, he had been thinking that his life as [Ritsuka Fujimaru] was an artificial timeline, but emotionally real… as if it had truly happened, like a world pruned by the [Root]. Perhaps that was the answer to his ability? He theorized over the past few days that the world he created, pruned from the Nasuverse, had become his unique ability in the form of a gacha.
"Good morning, Kazuya…" Jeanne said, her voice soft and full of life, like the breeze before dawn. Her violet eyes, deep as the skies of the Loire, locked onto his, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down. She smiled, as sincere as ever, with a tenderness that came from her soul.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Kazuya raised an eyebrow, still holding the coffee cup between his fingers.
"Good morning, Jeanne… And here I thought only the righteous woke up in such a good mood." He took a sip and set the cup on the counter. "Slept well, my personal saint?"
Jeanne approached slowly, and with a faint smile, replied, "God blesses those who wake with a light heart… And yes, I slept peacefully… Thank you for that."
After saying this, she sat beside him at the counter and gazed out the window for a moment, as if appreciating more than just the scenery.
"Was your training with Scáthach productive?" she asked, turning her eyes back to him. "Or did you break your routine today and decide to rest?"
"Of course not, you know I can't rest. God helps those who rise early, right? Besides, training keeps my body in shape, so I think it's a nice bonus, and it was very productive as always…" Kazuya said with that half-cynical, half-charming smile that Jeanne had come to recognize as quintessentially Kazuya: one that hid truths behind jests.
She laughed softly, her eyes shining with gentle warmth.
"Vanity isn't a sin… as long as it doesn't overshadow faith…" she commented, letting out a sigh, though her smile lingered. "I'll still convince you to take a full day off, you know? A day without training, without summons, without absurd plans."
He arched an eyebrow, looking at her with the same provocative air he always carried.
"And miss the chance to be dragged to bed by you when you decide to force me to sleep all day? No way."
She blushed faintly but didn't look away.
"Well… putting my training routine aside, want some coffee?" Kazuya offered, finally moving to grab a second mug.
She looked at him, her eyes sparkling like the reflection of light on a stream. "Yes, please… But it's cruel to change the subject like that, Kazuya…"
"It's not exactly a subject change. I just thought you'd like to have coffee with me. Don't you?"
"N-no, that's not what I said, now you're putting words in my mouth…" Jeanne grumbled, making a slight pout while watching him with her eyes.
Kazuya let out a low chuckle, already pouring the coffee with ease. The aroma grew stronger, more comforting. He slid the mug toward her, and she accepted it with both hands, gently blowing on the steam before taking a small sip.
For a moment, silence returned—not the awkward, empty kind, but the kind that only exists between two people who share something true.
"You've changed, you know?" she said suddenly, staring at the dark surface of her coffee as if she could find answers there. "Since Chaldea."
It had been three days since she was summoned, alongside her vengeful counterpart, whom she had come to consider a sister after everything they experienced in Chaldea. In that short time, Jeanne noticed something she couldn't ignore: Kazuya had changed.
He was no longer just the human who had once been thrust into extreme, unfavorable situations, carrying the weight of saving the world alone. There was something different now, not just in his posture or power, but in his gaze, in the way he spoke and acted. Subtle changes, but noticeable.
And yet, it wasn't a bad thing.
Those small transformations showed that, in this world, he had lived. Not just survived or fought, but truly lived. And to her, that was what truly mattered.
Kazuya didn't respond immediately. He simply rested his elbows on the counter, supporting his weight with his arms, and watched her in silence for a few seconds.
"You've changed too," he said finally, in a lower, almost contemplative tone. "Since we started dating in Chaldea… I remember you blushing every time you saw me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips, tinged with nostalgia.
"But that's good, isn't it? Change means we're still alive. That we're still moving forward."
Jeanne blushed slightly, averting her eyes with a gentle smile. There was tenderness in her gaze when she looked back at him, as if his words had touched something deep within her. Her fingers brushed the warm ceramic of the mug, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Perhaps in a France she'd never see again. Perhaps in the fire. Perhaps in him.
"Yes…" she murmured. "Sometimes, I wonder if all this is really real. The past two mornings, I woke up thinking you might disappear at any moment."
Her words hit him like a thin, silent blade. A subtle tightness gripped his chest. He leaned a little closer to her, his gaze serious but calm.
"I won't disappear again, Jeanne."
She looked at him again. There was something in her eyes, that persistent spark of faith. Faith in God, yes, but also… faith in him.
"Promise?" she asked. Not like a child seeking comfort, but like a weary warrior needing an anchor.
"I'll promise as many times as it takes to ease your worries about that," he replied without hesitation. "Not even the Root could erase me from you."
She smiled, one of those soft smiles that made his heart slow down and race at the same time. A smile that said she believed him, even if the entire world screamed otherwise.
Kazuya extended a hand and, without saying anything, lightly touched the tips of her fingers.
"You know… I may not be the same idiot from Chaldea, but… I'm still me," he said, his voice low. "Maybe stronger, more determined… but I still care. About you. About all of you. And that will never change."
Jeanne closed her eyes for a moment, as if etching his words into her soul. When she opened them, she held his hand firmly, squeezing gently.
"I know. I feel it," she said, her voice vibrating with a mix of sweetness and certainty. "Even if everything around us changes, even if this world throws us into another war… I'll stay by your side. As I did before."
She stood from the stool and, before he could say something sarcastic—which, let's be honest, was expected—she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Kazuya stood from the stool where he was sitting, approached Jeanne, and gently pressed her against the edge of the marble counter while deepening the kiss, sliding his tongue over her white teeth and capturing her fragrant tongue. His hands slid to her waist, while Jeanne, with an almost inaudible sigh, let herself be enveloped, her arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer…
But, as if fate had a sense of humor as sharp as Kazuya's, the two were interrupted.
"Well, well, what a touching scene to witness so early in the morning…" came a sharp voice, laced with sarcasm but tinged with an undeniable hint of poorly disguised jealousy.
Jeanne Alter, or Jalter, as Kazuya called her, entered the kitchen with deliberate steps, the sound of her fluffy slippers echoing on the polished floor.
Jeanne, still flushed from the kiss, pulled away slightly from Kazuya, her violet eyes blinking with a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
Kazuya, on the other hand, merely turned his head, a cynical smile already forming as he faced the newcomer.
Jalter stood at the entrance, arms crossed under her chest, her expression torn between irritation and something she'd never admit aloud. Her appearance was, as always, striking. Her light blonde hair, shorter than Jeanne's, fell in slightly messy strands, with the characteristic ahoge pointing upward like a stubborn antenna. Her pale skin contrasted with her yellow eyes, which gleamed with a fierce intensity, like embers ready to ignite anything in their path. The pajamas she wore were a curiously adorable choice for someone so associated with vengeance: a black cotton set with dark red details, patterned with small, stylized dragons that looked more cute than threatening. The slightly loose shirt slipped off one shoulder, revealing the pale curve of her collarbone, while the pants ended in elastic cuffs that hugged her ankles. It was a stark contrast to her usual "burn the world" aura, but somehow perfectly suited her tsundere demeanor, blending reluctant charm with a touch of rebellion.
"Joana…" Kazuya greeted, his tone dripping with provocation as he leaned back against the counter, arms crossed casually, as if he hadn't just been caught in an intimate moment. "Slept well?"
He had summoned Jalter alongside Jeanne and a certain Saber Alter in the same daily roll three days ago, and he was surprised that she remembered the events in Shinjuku that he had created, where his version of [Ritsuka Fujimaru] ended up in a romance with both Salter and Jalter—a miracle that worked, considering the two hated and loved each other? It was hard to define their relationship…
Jalter huffed, her eyes narrowing as she strode to the kitchen island, grabbing an apple from a fruit bowl with an almost aggressive motion.
"Don't change the subject, you smug idiot," she shot back, biting the apple with more force than necessary.
"I walk in here and find you all mushy with her," Jalter jerked her chin toward Jeanne, who was now seated again, her cheeks still faintly pink. "What happened to 'Good morning, Joana, my dear'? Or does that only apply when a saint isn't monopolizing you?"
Jeanne, ever the embodiment of calm, raised her eyes to Jalter with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Jalter," she said, her voice as soft as a spring breeze. "No need to get so upset. There's plenty of room for all of us, you know."
"I'm not upset!" Jalter snapped immediately, her tone rising an octave as she tossed her hair back, the ahoge swaying with the motion.
"I just think it's… ridiculous! Yes, ridiculous, that he's all lovey-dovey with you first thing in the morning, as if I'm not even here. Hmph." She turned her face away, biting the apple again, but her eyes betrayed the jealousy simmering beneath her facade of indifference.
Kazuya laughed, a low, genuine sound, as he approached Jalter with the same carefree confidence he used to defuse any situation.
"Want some coffee too, or would you rather I give you exclusive attention to make up for Jeanne's 'monopoly'?" He leaned in slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "Because, you know, I'm great at multitasking."
Jalter blushed, her pale cheeks taking on a rosy hue that she tried to hide by turning her face further.
"Tch, I don't need your pity," she muttered, but didn't back away when Kazuya stepped closer, standing just inches from her. "And don't you dare think I'll beg for your attention, you conceited jerk. I'm not one of those lovesick girls chasing after you."
"But you are chasing after me, aren't you?" Kazuya teased, reaching out to touch her ahoge, which swayed as if it had a life of its own. "Or at least, you're here in my kitchen, in those cute dragon pajamas, picking a fight over a kiss."
Jalter swatted his hand away, but the gesture was more playful than aggressive.
"Don't touch my hair, you idiot! And these dragons are menacing, not cute!" She pointed at the pajamas, as if the pattern could somehow uphold her reputation as an unrelenting avenger.
Jeanne, watching the interaction, let out a soft giggle, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Jalter, you're adorable when you try to act so tough," she said, her tone filled with genuine affection. "And the dragons are really cute. They suit you."
"Don't call me adorable!" Jalter shot back, pointing an accusatory finger at Jeanne, but the fire in her yellow eyes softened as they met the other's gentle gaze. As much as she tried to maintain her furious facade, the bond forged through battles and shared moments in Chaldea still held strong. She was grateful her "saintly" counterpart hadn't gone into full-on onee-sama mode—that would've been a pain to deal with.
Kazuya, seizing the moment, grabbed another mug and began preparing coffee for Jalter, his movements fluid and natural, as if he'd done it a thousand times.
"Relax, Joana. You know I don't play favorites…" he said, casting a sidelong glance at her as he placed the coffee in front of her. "But if you want to fight for attention, I can drag you to the training mat with Scáthach later. Who knows, maybe you'll manage to knock me down this time."
Jalter took the mug, blowing on the steam with an air of disdain, but her lips curved into a reluctant smile. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Seeing me sweat and try to take you down while you show off."
She took a sip of the coffee, her eyes fixed on him over the rim of the mug. "But don't worry, Kazuya. I'm patient. I'll wait for my moment to put you in your place."
Jeanne smiled, resting her chin on her hand as she watched the two.
For a moment, silence reigned in the kitchen. Only the sound of coffee being sipped, the faint clink of a spoon against a cup, but that was quickly interrupted.
DING DONG!
The sound of the doorbell echoed through the mansion.
"Oh, no…" Jalter nearly dropped her mug. "Who's the bastard brave enough to ring that thing so early in the morning?!"
"Delivery?" Jeanne asked Kazuya. "Are you expecting something, Master?"
"It's not a delivery…" Kazuya commented, his eyes narrowing, his smile fading for half a second. "I sensed… demonic presences…"
Jeanne arched an eyebrow, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear, maintaining her calm expression. "Demons? Here?"
As with all the other Servants he had summoned before, he had told them everything about this world, including the fact that God was dead here. Jalter didn't seem to care, and Jeanne wasn't shaken either, as in her view, this was a false God, quite different from the God of her world, once again proving her unshakable faith. He assumed Jalter shared the same view, though she wasn't as devout anymore? Or perhaps she was, hiding it behind her tsundere demeanor…
Kazuya nodded, taking a deep breath.
"Yup… Five, to be exact. Three are familiars… and one of them…" His expression turned faintly bored.
He stood up and stretched before heading toward the mansion's entrance. Since his property spanned several kilometers, the magical protections were spread around the perimeter, not along the road leading to the entrance itself. Technically, anyone could reach the gates, as the path was free of barriers. However, the gates themselves were protected by layers of complex spells, impossible to breach through conventional means.
These were enchantments crafted with the help of Scáthach and Skadi, so he seriously doubted even someone like Ophis could cross them without being detected or stopped.
But now, he had to deal with the demons.
____________________
🚨 Emergency 🚨
Guys… I almost didn't make it today 😭
It was so close. Life hit me with a full shounen anime combo, but here I am, barely standing, posting at the last minute just to keep the promise!
But listen:
👉 On Patreon, there are daily chapters dropping without fail!
And starting next week, we're going for TWO chapters per day — yep, TWO! Because sleep is optional and writing is sacred.
Now let me joke around a bit:
💸 If just one person signs up for the $10.99 tier, I solemnly swear (witnessed by gods, devils, and imaginary editors) that I'll start posting THREE chapters a day during the weekdays.
And if — by some twist of fate — more than one person signs up for that tier (which I find statistically impossible),
I'll post FOUR chapters on two days of the week, just to celebrate.
And who knows how far we'll go from there?
Now, if anyone feels like a renaissance patron and signs up for the $15.99 tier, you'll get a MEGA RELEASE of FIVE chapters on Patreon! All at once. Like a literary blessing rainstorm.
💬 And hey — want to just read ahead a bit?
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The plan is: by the end of next week, I want to have 20 chapters stacked up, ready for you to devour.
And that's not all — there are some new stories coming your way too 👀
Anyway, thanks to everyone who's reading, supporting, and commenting.
You're the fuel (and the healthy emotional pressure) that keeps this going.
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