Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters]
The air inside the school was tense—thicker than fog before a storm. Students watched us from corners, teachers stood like statues in silence. We walked into the main meeting room.
Eric's presence was like a bullet to the calm. "Charles," he said, voice like flint on steel, "I told you. I warned you that your methods would doom you."
"You were right," Charles said quietly, eyes weary behind his chair. "It's my fault. I believed too strongly in a peaceful path… and now we're on the edge of war."
Erik crossed his arms. "Seems you've changed. I never thought I'd hear you admit your flaws. Maybe Emma should've knocked some sense into you a long time ago."
Emma leaned on the nearby wall, arms folded, her sharp gaze never leaving Charles. "Maybe I should have."
"You would've done it in heels too," Hakuno muttered to me.
I stifled a chuckle.
"Emma," Charles began, "I never meant for it to become this—"
Emma raised a hand, cutting him off. "Don't. You did what you thought was right. I did what I thought was necessary."
Xavier met my eyes. "You still believe in me, after all you've seen?"
"I believe in people who want to change," I said. "But we have to face truth first."
"After all, everyone needs a second chance professor. I still treat you as my friend." I said with smile.
He said "Thanks"
Raven stepped forward, the tension in her body clear from the way her hands curled slightly at her sides.
"Erik," she called out, her voice a mix of caution and pleading, "you don't have to do this… we don't have to hurt her."
Her eyes searched his face, hoping to find the man she once believed in.
Magneto—no, Erik—glanced at her with a quiet amusement. "Hurt her? Raven, I didn't come to wage war on Jean. But I won't stand idle while a ticking bomb rests in the hands of fools. The power in her doesn't play favorites. If it burns, we all burn."
He gave a nod toward Ritsuka and the others. "Besides, they have… interesting methods. Let's see if their plan holds merit."
"You recruited him?" Scott Summers stared wide-eyed at Ritsuka, then at Magneto, as if the universe had rearranged itself.
Ritsuka shrugged. "No recruiting. He came of his own will."
Erik raised his chin. "Because I refuse to let our kind die because of your incompetence."
That stung, and Scott's jaw clenched.
In the middle of the uneasy atmosphere, hakuno raised a brow, glancing around at the tension. "Why does everyone look like they've seen a ghost? We're still figuring things out."
Charles Xavier exhaled deeply, the wrinkles in his face betraying the weight he carried. "It's not that simple. We can't… find her."
Ritsuka's eyes narrowed. "what?"
James Moriarty, standing calmly with a faint smile tugging at his lips, answered, "She's evolved, Master. Her powers have grown so drastically that even Cerebro cannot detect her. She has cloaked her presence entirely."
Xavier nodded slowly. "Her mind… it's like a silent white void. I've never felt anything like it. I'm sorry."
For a moment, the silence grew heavier.
Then Moriarty gave a low chuckle, stepping forward like a magician about to unveil his final trick. "Well then… perhaps it's time to call in some friends who specialize in finding the unknowable."
All eyes turned to him.
Karna simply closed his eyes, arms folded. He already understood.
Hakuno remained silent beside Ritsuka, her expression resolute.
Ritsuka nodded once.
"I'll be back," he said, his voice strangely calm. Without another word, he turned and left the room.
Hakuno followed without hesitation.
Moriarty glanced back at the others. "Don't fret. My dear Master is full of surprises. What's one more miracle?"
---
The door shut with a muted click. I scanned the room—a quiet storage space with enough emptiness to serve my purpose. Hakuno lifted her hand, and a translucent barrier shimmered into being around them. Reality muffled. Time slowed. No eyes could see. No minds could intrude.
I knelt and placed my hand on the cold floor.
From the shadows at my feet, the fragment of the Cosmic Cube slowly rose, glowing with an otherworldly blue gleam—its radiance shimmering like liquid starlight, vibrating with the echo of possibilities.
The air shifted. Magic saturated every breath.
Hakuno watched in silence, sensing something ancient stirring in the Cube's pulse.
Ritsuka's hand hovered toward the artifact.
His voice was low, steady, yet the weight behind it made the room tremble with power.
"Heed my words.
My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the world's call, then follow humanity's path and answer me.
O Servants…
Who once walked with me through Hell and Heaven…
Come forth once more.
Walk with me again…
As Guardians of Humanity!"
The cube flared.
White-hot light burst outward, warping the edges of the barrier with energy so intense even Hakuno reflexively shielded her eyes.
Reality cracked.
From within that blinding light… a figure emerged.
A silhouette of elegance and power. Cloaked in shadow… yet unmistakably familiar.
As the light faded, Hakuno turned—
And froze.
I had stepped back—my face, for the first time in a long while, etched in fear. Not awe. Not uncertainty. Pure fear.
"Ritsuka…?" Hakuno asked softly, unnerved. She had never seen that expression on his face before.
The figure took a step forward, the glow around her fading.
The light finally faded, like the calm after a tempest.
And standing amidst the dim, shimmering air, framed by the lingering brilliance of the Cosmic Cube's light... was someone I had longed to see, yet feared I would never meet again.
A warm, familiar voice rang out with the exuberance of a stage performer and the brilliance of a Renaissance sun.
"Nice to meet you once again! Servant, Leonardo Da Vinci~!"
I froze.
"Right, from now on, I'll be your very own personal Da Vinci-chan, just for you!"
Her voice was exactly as I remembered—confident, charming, brilliant. The perfect genius. But this wasn't the small Rider Da Vinci that still lingered in Chaldean memory. This was her. The original. The adult Da Vinci. The one who died with a smile while our home was burning.
Hakuno, standing beside me, blinked in surprise. She had only known the Rider form in Chaldea. But this woman… was unmistakably her. She radiated wisdom and affection like the Mona Lisa's gaze.
And all I could do was stare.
Her shining eyes sparkled, tilting her head at my silence.
"Hey, what's wrong? Fufu~ Could it be you're too happy to speak?"
My throat tightened. My heart clenched. I hadn't realized I was shaking. My fists trembled, clenched so hard they ached.
"…Yeah," I managed to choke out, the air catching in my throat, "…I really am."
She smiled brightly, the same dazzling smile she always wore in front of the team in past, even when things were at their worst.
"Now that you've got this universal genius by your side again, there's no need to worry!" she said, playfully puffing out her chest. "Just rely on me from now on, Ritsuka!"
Tears broke free before I could stop them. Warm and quiet. I smiled through them.
"…Yes."
Da Vinci gently stepped forward, brushing my hair back and resting her hand atop my head like she always did when I was younger—when I still had the right to cry.
"Come on, Ritsuka. Don't make me sad now. I'm really, really happy to see how far you've come. Look at you… You've grown so strong."
And then—
"Yeah, we finally meet again. No need to cry anymore, Ritsuka."
A new voice, calm and gentle, rang from behind her.
I turned slowly. My heart skipped a beat.
There he was.
Doctor Roman.
Romani Archaman. Solomon. My mentor. My friend. The man who vanished at the end of our journey—his journey.
He gave me that same lopsided smile, his hands tucked in his coat pockets as if this was just another casual morning in Chaldea.
Hakuno blinked, puzzled. She had never seen him before. Her eyes studied him with the curiosity of someone seeing a living myth.
My body moved before I could stop it. I approached him slowly, tears still welling in my eyes.
Romani extended his arms, smiling, clearly expecting a hug.
I punched him across the face.
Hard.
He staggered backward, dazed. Da Vinci burst out laughing.
"Ehh?? EBH?! You hit me?! Why???" he whined, clutching his cheek in pure confusion.
I raised my fist again, ready for another swing. My voice was tight with years of pent-up frustration.
"I decided I would punch you when I saw you again, Doctor."
He looked up at me with a comical look of betrayal.
"No way! That's terrifying! You've gotten cold, Ritsuka!"
I didn't smile. I couldn't.
"You never told me anything. Not a damn thing. I didn't even get to ask before you were gone. You just… disappeared."
The room was silent.
Romani slowly got to his feet. His smile was softer now—nostalgic. Sad.
"…Yes. I'm sorry, Fujimaru."
My gaze dropped to the floor. I clenched my jaw.
"I don't want your apology."
He nodded.
"I know. And I don't regret what I did."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"I always thought it was better that way. That someone like me—a coward who always ran from responsibility—was finally able to do something meaningful… for everyone. And that's thanks to you, Ritsuka. You and the others."
He bowed slightly.
"…Thank you."
The sincerity in his voice shattered me.
I should've said it first. I should be the one thanking him.
Tears welled again as I bit my lip.
Romani glanced to the side, a cloud passing through his eyes.
"But… I did something terrible to Mash. If only I'd gotten there sooner…"
He didn't know.
"Doctor…" I began, voice steadier now, "…Mashu came back. She's alive. Safe. She came back to us later."
Romani's eyes widened.
"She's… alive?"
I smiled through tears.
"Yes. But… she can only be summoned under certain conditions right now. But she's grown stronger than ever. She's now known as Shielder Paladin."
Da Vinci chuckled, arms crossed proudly.
"We did discuss that she'd surpass even her own limits, didn't we? Guess she lived up to the name we picked for her."
Romani laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"I see… That's wonderful news."
He turned to me and smiled warmly.
"Thank you… for protecting her."
"Yes, Doctor." I said quietly, the pain in my chest lightened just a little.
Then, with a comically dramatic cough, Romani turned to Hakuno.
"And who might you be?"
We both spoke at once.
"She's my Senpai."
"He's my boyfriend."
We paused.
Realized what we just said.
Our faces turned bright red.
Romani blinked. Da Vinci raised her brow. And then…
They both grinned.
"You got another girlfriend while we were gone, huh?" Romani teased.
"Expected of a womanizer." Da Vinci added, smirking.
"H-Hey! That's not—!" I tried to protest.
Hakuno's face turned crimson as she crossed her arms and looked away, trying to hide her smile.
I groaned.
Some things never change.
---
Note: Finally I brought them. How is the chapter. Was it emotional? Romani isn't Soloman level but he can still help Ritsuka. Solomon is gone remember but not Romani. You can say he is 3 star servant now. An NPC type but he is one of most intelligent guy in this world. I decided to bring Adult Davichi this time.
With both of them the story will change so much. I love to write Tony, da Vinci and Romani and Batman working together. It's wonderful right?
More servants will come in this arc okay. I planned atleast 4 or 5 servants. Look forward to it.