Chapter 2: The Weight of the Master's Mantle
The steady beep of the medical monitors was the only sound filling the sterile silence. I lay still, every sense slowly waking as the fog in my mind retreated. Mash sat by my side, her lilac hair a soft curtain between us, her amethyst eyes tired but watchful.
"You really scared us," Mash whispered, fingers nervously twisting the edge of the sheet. Faint shadows under her eyes told stories of endless nights and battles fought not just on battlefields but within her soul. The faint, comforting hint of lavender shampoo she wore mingled subtly with the sterile scent of the hospital, grounding the moment in unshakable reality.
I wanted to say something—something reassuring—but the truth was, I felt swallowed by uncertainty. The title "Master" weighed heavy on my chest like a mountain. I didn't know what the future held, but the weight of expectation pressed inescapably on me.
Memories from the stories I had read flooded my mind—Masters commanding heroic spirits, fierce battles, impossible stakes. I had been a mere spectator before, now thrust into the heart of the story. A shiver ran down my spine imagining the Servants' expectations, those legendary spirits waiting to follow a worthy leader. Could I be that person? I shook off the doubt and replaced it with determination fueled by my fierce protective love for Mash.
Just then, the door slid open with a gentle hiss. A man entered—his hair fluffy and light-orange, his smile warm yet tired. At his side was a tablet showing complex readings, blinking softly.
"Welcome back, Aion," the man said. "I'm Romani Archaman, or Roman if you like. Head of medical here at Chaldea."
He chuckled softly, scratching the back of his neck. "You're the last Master Candidate to arrive. Quite the dramatic entrance, I must say."
Mash smiled sheepishly. "He collapsed during orientation, Roman. His mana levels were all over the place, like a star struggling to hold its light."
Roman nodded. "Your mana readings are unlike anything we've seen. It's a miracle you're conscious. You might have a deeper connection to the FATE system than the others. But don't worry, we'll help you control it."
As I absorbed their words, somewhere deep inside I felt a gentle pulse, like the distant beat of a heart thrumming in sync with mine—a reminder that the infinite creation power stirring within me was alive, waiting.
If I was granted the title—this impossible power—I had to rise beyond it. Not for their world alone, but for Mash. For everyone I might come to care for.
"Roman," I said, steadying my voice, "What exactly am I supposed to do as a Master?"
His eyes brightened. "You'll form contracts with Servants—heroic spirits summoned from history and legend. They'll fight alongside you to fix the Singularities, stabilize ruptured timelines, and save humanity. But it's no easy task. The role demands every ounce of strength, resolve, and trust."
Mash squeezed my hand gently, her smile now confident. "You're not alone, Senpai. I'll be with you every step."
I glanced at her, feeling the bond between us like an unbreakable chain. Then, with that fierce love burning in my heart, I nodded firmly. "Let's begin."
The road ahead would be brutal. But I was no longer a helpless reader of stories. I was a player, a creator, a protector.
And I would cast a new fate.
Roman glanced at his tablet. "We'll have you undergo calibration tests soon to adapt your powers fully—nothing too painful, but essential. Chaldea's survival depends on your readiness."
Mash nodded. "Training will be tough, but we'll take it one step at a time together."
I swallowed the knot forming in my throat but found strength in their words and presence.
The weight of the title settled deep in my bones. Soon, I would meet my Servants—the legendary figures I had admired from afar, now bound by contract to my will. The thought sent both a thrill and icy apprehension coursing through me.
Mash caught my hesitation. "Senpai, it's okay to be nervous. I was scared at first, too. But together, whatever comes, we'll face it."
Her simple words carried the strength of battles fought and fears conquered. That balance between hope and dread was what made her special.
As afternoon light filtered softly through the windows, I closed my eyes briefly, steadying my breath. My life had been a quiet tragedy, but this second chance was different. Here, in this strange new world, I had a purpose forged from love and iron will.
I wanted to believe—not just for me, but for all those lost in fractured timelines—that we could change the end.
For Mash.
And for the others.
I reached for her hand again, squeezing tightly. "Thank you for being here. I won't let you down."
Her smile returned, brighter this time—a beacon in the gathering dusk.
The future was a blank page waiting for us to write upon. And I was ready to take up the pen.
***
The gentle hum of Chaldea settled around us, but my mind raced ahead. Stories I'd read promised legendary battles and devastating losses. Yet, they also spoke of hope—of bonds forged stronger than steel.
I thought of the other Master Candidates, their faces unknown but soon to intertwine with mine. Would they understand the weight I bore? Would they sense the fierce love burning in my chest, the vow I'd made not just to Mash but to whomever might come into my life?
The world beyond these walls was breaking, time itself unraveling. But inside this quiet hospital room, a new story began.
My story.
And it was only just beginning.