Melusine's eyebrow twitched imperceptibly as the blue-haired boy settled into the chair opposite her without invitation. The weight of two stares pressed against her—his nervous gaze and the purple-haired girl's burning scrutiny, as if she'd committed some unforgivable transgression.
This human again.
Her grip tightened imperceptibly around the half-eaten croissant. The audacity to approach her after their last encounter, to bring this possessive creature along as if staging some absurd confrontation—it made her want to crack open his skull and see what malfunctioning thought process kept compelling him to cross her path.
Across the table, Tohka studied the silver-haired girl with wary fascination. Up close, the Spirit's beauty was undeniable—porcelain skin, luminous eyes, an otherworldly grace even while nibbling pastry flakes. A twinge of insecurity prickled at Tohka's chest.
So Shido likes this type?
Then her shoulders squared. No matter. This aloof girl lacked her most powerful assets! Tohka deliberately straightened her posture, her chest thrust forward in silent declaration of superiority.
Melusine observed the display through half-lidded eyes before rolling them with disdain. Pathetic.
Her attention snapped back to the boy who'd been sitting in awkward silence. "What do you want?" The words cut through the bakery's warmth like winter wind.
Shido startled as if electrocuted. "A-ah! You're... Lancelot, right?"
Melusine's glacial stare made him immediately regret the question.
"Right. Stupid question, sorry—"
"I repeat." Her golden eyes sharpened to dagger points. "What. Do you. Want?"
A sudden burst of static in his earpiece preceded Kotori's hissed command. Shido swallowed hard.
"Would you... like to go on a date with me?"
The ambient bakery noises seemed to halt. Melusine's expression didn't change, but the temperature around their table dropped several degrees.
Tohka's cheeks puffed out like an angry squirrel's. She understood the necessity because this was how Shido saved Spirits, after all....but the visceral protest in her chest refused to be rationalized away.
"No." Melusine's voice was soft, deadly. The glint in her eyes promised violence if he pressed further.
Shido's Adam's apple bobbed.
-----
Aboard the Fraxinus - Command Center
The mood indicator for Spirit codename "Meteor" plummeted to near-zero levels, the holographic display flashing urgent crimson alerts across the bridge. Kotori's lollipop stick snapped between her teeth.
"What the hell just happened?!" She slammed both hands on the armrests of her command chair, leaning toward the main screen where real-time biometrics showed Melusine's spiking hostility levels.
"Commander, the subject exhibited severe negative reactivity to our suggested dialogue prompt," a technician reported, fingers flying across his console. "Approval ratings dropped ninety-eight percent in—"
"No shit sherlock!" Kotori's voice cracked with frustration. "I want to know why a simple date invitation triggered nuclear-level rejection! Psychological analysis, cultural cross-reference, something useful!"
The bridge crew exchanged nervous glances. "We... don't have sufficient data to—"
"Useless!" Kotori thrust out her hand. "Comms device. Now."
Before anyone could react, Kyouhei Kannazuki materialized at her side like an overeager butler, the wireless earpiece already balanced on his open palm. "Your wish is my command, my fiery little—"
Kotori snatched the device mid-sentence, silencing him with a glare that could melt steel. She jammed it into her ear, the system syncing with Shido's implant with a quiet click.
"Onii-chan, listen carefully," she hissed, watching the live feed where Melusine's killing intent visibly radiated through the surveillance cameras. "If you value your third limbs, do not respond verbally. Ask her why the question upset her. Subtly. Like a human being, not a dating sim protagonist."
Through the audio feed came Shido's startled "Wha—"
"I said no talking back!" Kotori's grip threatened to crush the armrest. "Unless you want another twelve-hour 'special training'? Now move."
On screen, Shido's gulp was clearly visible as he turned back toward the seething Spirit.
The air between them still crackled with tension as Shido carefully phrased his next question. "I... I'm sorry if I offended you. Could you tell me why you refused?" His voice carried genuine curiosity beneath the caution, as if walking across thawing ice.
Melusine's golden eyes narrowed, but the oppressive chill in the air lessened slightly. She didn't answer immediately—instead, her gaze locked onto the nearly invisible comm device in his ear with unsettling precision.
"I know whoever is listening through this boy can hear me," she declared, staring straight ahead as though seeing through the surveillance cameras to the Fraxinus command center itself. "Your motives for harassing me are irrelevant. But understand this."
Her next words fell like a guillotine blade:
"Never attempt that again."
The temperature dropped several degrees as she continued, "I already have someone... someone I..." The word 'love' caught in her throat, replaced with, "...someone who dear to me"
Turning to Shido, her voice still sharp. "Human, whether your intentions are pure or not, remember this—we are strangers. Know your place."
With that, she rose gracefully from her seat. The elderly shopkeepers called after her, "Little Lancelot, leaving so soon?"
Melusine paused just long enough to nod. "Thank you for the meal." The bell above the door chimed softly as she exited.
Shido sat frozen, staring at the empty chair where a croissant crumb still remained on the plate.
Tohka, who had been unusually quiet during the exchange, finally broke the silence. "Nn... what was her problem?!" she huffed, wrapping her arms around Shido's arm possessively. "But it's good she's not interested in you! Right, Shido?"
"Kotori, I—"
His sister's voice came through the earpiece, uncharacteristically gentle "Do what you think is right, Onii-chan. I trust you."
Without hesitation, Shido stood. "Tohka, wait here just a moment."
Though confused, Tohka nodded. "O...okay?"
Shido was already moving, bursting through the bakery door into the afternoon sunlight. Down the street, Melusine's silver hair caught the light like a beacon.
"WAIT!" he called, sprinting after her.
Melusine turned with the precision of a drawn blade, her silver hair slicing through the air. "Did I not say to cease bothering me?" Her voice carried the edge of a winter gale, golden eyes piercing through Shido's resolve.
Shido bowed slightly at the waist, hands clenched at his sides. "I apologize for how we've approached this. Our organization exists to help Spirits—whether their powers are sealed or not." He met her gaze squarely. "You called us strangers, so... let's start properly. Would you permit me to be your friend? As a friend, I swear to help however I can."
The wind between them stilled as Melusine studied him. "Help?" Her tone dripped skepticism. "Define this 'help'."
"Anything within our power," Shido declared.
A dangerous glint entered Melusine's eyes as she stepped closer. "Then find someone for me." The words came out sharper than intended. "Can you?"
Shido's breath hitched. "I can't promise success, but I swear to try with everything I have."
Melusine studied him with unnerving focus, her mind racing through. Master's child? The absurd thought surfaced before she could quash it. No—she'd stationed herself outside his chambers nightly, intercepting everything from sneaky Kiyohime to that overambitious Barghest. Unless...
Her gaze flickered over Shido's features again. Blue hair eliminated Queen Morgan's bloodline. Cú Chulainn's..? Possible, but— Master's preferences certainly didn't.....
"That's acceptable," she said abruptly, cutting off her own spiraling thoughts. When Shido didn't immediately react, she arched one silver eyebrow. "Why are you still standing there?"
"Ah! Right, I just—" His words cut off as Kotori's voice buzzed urgently in his earpiece. With an apologetic wince, he pulled out his phone. "One second—video call."
The screen flickered to life, revealing Kotori's face her usual commander headband conspicuously absent, replaced by a white one. "Hi there~! I'm Shido's little sister, Kotori!" Her voice dripped saccharine sweetness, a complete tonal shift from her usual commanding bark. "So you're the famous Lancelot? Let's all get along, okay?"
Melusine regarded Kotori's image on the screen with undisguised disinterest, her expression remaining as impassive as carved marble. The forced cheerfulness did nothing to mask the calculating gleam in the her eyes. Melusine had spent centuries navigating the intrigues of Faerie Britain, and this child's ploys were transparent.
Kotori's shoulders slumped in an exaggerated sigh, her fingers tapping the frame of her lollipop. "Fine, let's try this again properly." In an instant, her demeanor shifted. "Greetings, Meteor—or should I say Lancelot? I'm Kotori Itsuka, Commander of Ratatoskr. And I'm here to negotiate terms."
"Kotori—" Shido began, but his sister's glare through the screen silenced him.
"Helping you would require significant resources," Kotori continued, steepling her fingers. "So I propose a formal agreement between us."
Melusine's eyebrow arched marginally. "State your terms."
"We will dedicate Ratatoskr's full capabilities to locating your missing person," Kotori said, her crimson eyes sharp. "In exchange, you provide assistance when we require it."
A beat of silence passed as Melusine considered. The offer was... pragmatic. More importantly, it came from someone with actual authority, unlike the well-meaning but powerless boy before her.
"Hmph." Melusine crossed her arms. "Conditional acceptance. I will refuse any demand that conflicts with my purpose."
Kotori's lips quirked in acknowledgment. "Naturally. Do we have an accord?"
Melusine gave a single, curt nod. "Agreed."
"Excellent." Kotori turned her attention to Shido. "Onii-chan, escort her to Fraxinus for detailed negotiations. I'll expect you both shortly." The screen went dark before Shido could respond.
Melusine's golden eyes slid to Shido, who stood awkwardly between the bakery and the street. "Ah—right! Just give me a moment to collect Tohka," he stammered, already backing toward the shop door.
As he disappeared inside, Melusine exhaled through her nose. This "Ratatoskr" had better prove more competent than its representatives suggested. For now, though... the path to finding her Master had finally opened.....
------------------------------------
Chaldea Cafeteria
Ritsuka sat slumped over one of the sterile white dining tables, his fingers tangled in his hair. The weight of his knowledge pressed down on him—this timeline existed before the explosion. Before Lev Lainur's betrayal. Before Director Olga Marie's...
He exhaled sharply, forcing the memory away.
If I expose Lev now, he'll just accelerate his plans. And who would believe him? A rookie Master claiming to be from the future? They'd dismiss him as stressed or delirious.
But there was one person who might listen.
Ritsuka pushed himself up, his chair scraping against the floor. Romani. No—Solomon. If anyone could help navigate this, it was him.
In Romani's Office
The moment Ritsuka entered, Romani's hands flew across his keyboard in a panic, hastily minimizing a very familiar pink-and-blue streaming site.
"Oh! R-Ritsuka! What brings you here?" Romani plastered on a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his fingers still hovering guiltily over the Alt+F4 command.
Ritsuka couldn't help but chuckle. "Some things never change, Doctor."
"I—I have no idea what you mean! Very important work happening here!" Romani spun in his chair, blocking the screen entirely. "Ahem. You look troubled. Everything okay?"
Ritsuka's amusement faded. He met Romani's gaze squarely. "Doctor... if I told you something unbelievable, would you believe me?"
Romani blinked, then leaned forward, resting his chin on interlaced fingers. "Depends on what you say. But I'm listening."
Ritsuka took a steadying breath. "I was sent back in time."
Silence.
Then Romani burst out laughing. "Ritsuka, come on, even as jokes go—"
"It's not a joke." Ritsuka's voice dropped, low and urgent. "Professor Lev no it should be the Demon God Pillar Barbatos is going to destroy Chaldea. He'll kill the Director. Half the staff. And before you dismiss this..."
He locked eyes with Romani.
"I know who you really are."
Romani froze. For a heartbeat, his usual awkward demeanor flickered—replaced by something far older, far wearier. Then, with forced levity: "W-Wait, you know about my... Magi☆Mari subscription...?"
Ritsuka amused. Nothing has change.
"No doctor," he said. "I know you're King Solomon."
The air in the room turned to silent.
Roman stared at him. The playful glint in his eyes hardened into something ancient and assessing. When he spoke again, his voice was devoid of its usual warmth.
"Explain. Everything."
(A/n: I planning to rewrite chapter 1 until chapter 3 and is there anyone can help me fixing my dc server? i did create one but i dont know how setting it up....)