What happens when an entire month passes without incident?
—Almost everyone begins to doubt the existence of the "Lostbelts" mentioned in the diary.
After all, everything they knew came entirely from the contents of a single notebook. They couldn't even definitively prove that what was written inside was completely authentic. Aside from the diary, they had absolutely zero concrete intel on what actually happened inside the Singularities.
Even though the explosion in Chaldea and the disappearance of Team A corroborated some of the claims, as time dragged on with no further developments, whispers of doubt slowly began to circulate among the Chaldea staff.
Of course, if that were the only issue, it wouldn't have been enough to reduce Chaldea's staff from over two hundred people to the current skeleton crew. It's important to remember that the vast majority of the staff had been recruited by the previous Director back when Chaldea had virtually no reputation. A minor "incident" wouldn't have caused them all to jump ship within a month.
The primary catalyst for the mass exodus was the Mage's Association—specifically, certain factions within the Clock Tower intentionally stirring the pot.
And Olga Marie, who had been constantly arguing with them, understood this better than anyone.
Did the Mage's Association actually care about the threat of the Lostbelts?
Yes and no. They paid some attention to the warning, but overall, their attitude was largely indifferent.
They were one of the three great magical organizations, after all. They had been caught off guard and incinerated once before, but now that they were warned, there was no way they would fall for a sneak attack again, right?
Compared to a hypothetical future threat, they were far more interested in the immediate value of Chaldea itself, as well as the whereabouts of Team A.
Consequently, after a brief period of investigation, several prominent families—especially those backing the missing Team A members—began actively pressuring Chaldea.
Under the guise of investigating the "abuse of the Rayshift system" and the "suspected murder of noble Mage heirs," they launched a formal inquisition against Chaldea.
Their true goals were incredibly transparent.
First, they wanted to uncover any trace of the Team A members who had last been seen at Chaldea. At the very least, they demanded to know if they were dead or alive. This was essentially the prestigious families venting their anger and frustration onto Chaldea for its perceived "incompetence."
Second, they wanted to seize control of "Chaldea"—which was fundamentally the private property of the Animusphere family—for themselves. And they wanted to do it without spending a dime.
At the end of the day, Chaldea was officially a subordinate organization of the Mage's Association. The staff working there would eventually need to return to the Association for their future careers. Coupled with Chaldea's highly undesirable location in Antarctica and the complete lack of any Lostbelt activity... under a barrage of threats and promises of promotion, the staff began to leave in droves.
First to go were the Master candidates who had been gathered with the cooperation of the United Nations. They were systematically sent back.
Then went the elite Magi who had originally been assigned to Chaldea...
In a terrifyingly short amount of time, Chaldea was treated like a sinking ship carrying a plague. Everyone who could leave, fled.
Seeing right through the Mage's Association's underhanded tactics, Olga Marie was so furious she almost cried.
Why had she spent so much time arguing with the Association? Wasn't it to buy time for the Lostbelts to appear, so she could definitively prove her own worth—and the absolute necessity of "Chaldea"?
In the end, the Lostbelts never showed up, but Chaldea's "value" had certainly been proven.
Olga Marie didn't need to be a genius to figure out what those old men were thinking. Eighty percent of Chaldea's funding came directly from the Animusphere family; in other words, it was the personal property of her, the Director and family head. By methodically "purging" the staff, Chaldea would be forced to halt operations. Unable to maintain the facility, she would be strong-armed into "voluntarily" surrendering control.
Of course, the families spearheading this didn't actually want to manage Chaldea themselves. Their ideal scenario was to find a wealthy sucker to buy the facility off their hands after they swindled it from Olga Marie, pocketing the massive profit.
Olga Marie could technically pull strings within the Animusphere family to recruit new staff and refill the empty positions—but then what?
If she did that, Chaldea would truly become the sole, isolated territory of the Animusphere family's Department of Astromancy. While that sounded nice in theory, it would also decisively prove that no one else in the Association supported her. She would be forced to rely entirely on her family's resources to fend off the constant, predatory attacks from the other greedy factions.
Furthermore, possessing a strategic superweapon like the Rayshift system meant the number of people wary of Chaldea—and eager to tear it down—would only increase. They would absolutely kick her while she was down.
After constantly turning these thoughts over in her mind, and suffering through half a month of profound mental and emotional exhaustion...
Olga Marie... just wanted to give up.
With the Animusphere family's backing, it wasn't impossible to keep fighting... but why did she have to keep fighting them?
To fulfill the so-called grand ambition of the Astromancy Department, she had wasted three years of her youth trapped in this frozen wasteland. And what did she have to show for it?
Betrayed by Lev—or rather, Flauros, the traitorous Demon God Pillar. She had poured endless energy into maintaining Chaldea, yet practically no one genuinely respected her as Director. After a little pressure from the Association, the staff had fled, leaving behind a paltry two or three dozen people who had previously been entirely invisible.
And even the "Lostbelts" she had stubbornly chosen to believe in after the Incineration of Humanity had shown absolutely zero signs of appearing...
Feeling like an utter failure—both as a human and as a Magus—Olga Marie slowly lost her fighting spirit.
Aside from frustration, her heart was filled with nothing but regret and hesitation.
Regret that she had foolishly handed over the [Golden Blade of Intrusion] just to buy time and trust. It was like throwing a meat bun at a stray dog; she'd never get it back. Even if she couldn't use the Noble Phantasm herself, letting those greedy bastards have it for free was infuriating.
Hesitation over whether she should finally abandon this facility—the grand project built by her father's own hands, the place she had fought to protect for three long years...
...
Compared to Olga Marie's crushing despair, the atmosphere surrounding Fujimaru Ritsuka was significantly lighter.
The two girls walked side-by-side down the empty hallway.
"...There are only about thirty people left in Chaldea right now. They'll probably initiate a massive staff replacement soon, won't they?"
Mash, who had access to some inside information, spoke quietly.
The thirty people remaining were mostly those without prominent family backing, Magi who had always been marginalized by the Association, individuals with high empathy, or simply those who didn't act like traditional, cutthroat Magi.
"Eh? They're just replacing the staff? I thought the whole place was shutting down!"
Ritsuka was genuinely surprised.
"How could it? Chaldea represents an unimaginable investment of manpower, resources, and funding. No matter how extravagant the Association is, they wouldn't just abandon a facility like this without finding someone to take it over."
Mash offered a helpless smile.
"It's just that the current staff will likely be completely swapped out. Just yesterday, I overheard someone talking to the Director about buying Chaldea outright."
"Huh? Replacing everyone? Is that even allowed?"
Ritsuka was bewildered. How is that any different from buying a company just to immediately fire all the employees?
"I'm not entirely sure. The adults probably have their own complex political reasons..."
Mash offered an awkward, polite smile.
Dropping that heavy topic for a moment, Mash hesitated before suddenly asking:
"I asked the senior staff who stayed behind why they haven't left yet. They all said it was because they had a deep emotional attachment to Chaldea. But..."
Mash looked at Ritsuka, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
"Senpai, you're just a normal person. Why have you stayed in Chaldea all this time?"
It was important to note that Ritsuka was currently the only Master candidate left in the entire facility.
"Ah! I-I don't mean to imply I want you to leave, Senpai! I'm just genuinely curious..."
Feeling her question might have sounded a bit too aggressive, Mash panicked, waving her hands frantically and trying to explain herself.
"It's fine, I know what you meant."
Ritsuka comforted the flustered Mash while awkwardly scratching her head.
"Honestly, there isn't really any grand reason why I'm still here..."
Seeing Mash's expectant gaze, Ritsuka decided not to hide anything. She put on a serious expression and explained:
"Look at it this way. Being a Master candidate at Chaldea is technically a job, right?"
Mash nodded blankly.
"Exactly! Before that incredibly enthusiastic lady dragged me here, I proudly told my family I found a job that pays really well! Plus, jobs usually pay by the month, right? If I ran back home before I even finished my first month, not only would I not get paid, but it would also be incredibly embarrassing!"
Ritsuka threw her hands up, clearly expressing she was bound by the harsh realities of capitalism.
"Besides, staying at Chaldea doesn't actually require me to do anything! I have the entire day to myself, free room and board... honestly, I absolutely love it here!"
Ritsuka smoothly pivoted, her face lighting up with a happy smile.
"S-So that's how it is..."
Mash stared at her with dot-eyes, completely unsure of how to respond to that intensely pragmatic reasoning.
"Actually, besides the money, there is one other reason."
Realizing she had thoroughly shocked her junior, Ritsuka quickly added:
"Mash, you know I didn't know the first thing about Magecraft before I got here, right?"
Mash nodded firmly.
"So, while Magecraft might be totally normal to you guys, to me, it's literal, real-life magic! What kind of normal person wouldn't be interested in learning real magic? I'm no exception! So I figured I'd use this free time to pick up a few tricks."
"Oh! No wonder you've been spending all your free time asking Da Vinci and the Doctor to teach you Magecraft and help you train physically!"
Mash suddenly understood.
Hearing this, Ritsuka scratched her cheek.
Learning Magecraft was a genuine interest, but the physical training—especially the running—was mostly just because she was incredibly bored with nothing else to do, and she already had a habit of jogging.
"Though I don't think I have much talent for Magecraft. It's been a whole month, and all I've managed to learn are some absolute basics and that Gandr spell, which honestly doesn't feel like it hits very hard."
Thinking about her meager progress, Ritsuka felt a bit frustrated.
"Actually, Senpai, considering you're a first-generation Magus, learning all that in just a month is already incredibly impressive! Magecraft relies heavily on inherited Magic Crests and family lineages, so..."
Mash offered a gentle, tactful consolation.
"I see..."
Having fully expected as much, Ritsuka wasn't really discouraged. She was just trying it out for fun anyway; she had no intention of competing with actual Magi.
"Fou~!"
A familiar cry echoed nearby. Both girls instinctively looked down, trying to spot the elusive white beast.
Before they could find him, Fou expertly leaped through the air and landed comfortably on Mash's shoulder.
"This Fou guy is seriously like a ninja. And he's surprisingly agile."
Watching the creature, Ritsuka muttered quietly.
However, seeing Mash and Fou interacting so warmly, Ritsuka suddenly remembered an important issue. She couldn't help but ask with genuine concern:
"By the way... if all the original Chaldea staff are really going to be replaced, what's going to happen to you?"
"...According to the Director, I'll likely leave with her and move to the Animusphere family estate, I suppose?"
Mash fell silent for a moment before answering, her tone tinged with sadness.
She had lived in Chaldea since the day she was "born." While she had always yearned to see the outside world, the thought of leaving the only home she had ever known, going to an unfamiliar place, and potentially never seeing the people and things she cared about again... naturally left her feeling anxious and deeply sorrowful.
"I see... Well, I'll definitely find time to come visit you!"
Ritsuka thought about it for a second, then offered a bright, reassuring smile.
Seeing the brilliant smile on the girl's face, Mash froze. It took her a second or two to fully process the words.
"...Mhm."
Mash replied softly, the corners of her mouth curling into a genuine, happy smile.
"Uh, on second thought... the Director wouldn't actually ban me from visiting you, would she?"
Mash blinked, suddenly looking a bit unsure.
"Probably... not?"
***
Meanwhile.
Within a dimensional rift entirely isolated from the normal flow of time, fundamentally impossible to locate or observe.
An exact, flawless replica of the Antarctic Chaldea facility floated silently in the void.
Inside a specific room.
[I feel like I just had an incredibly long dream...]
Ever since he ignited the [Heart of Fire], he hadn't experienced a single dream. It was as if his brain had completely lost the capacity for it.
However, this dream was entirely different from the ones he used to have.
Lying on the bed, the boy's eyelashes fluttered slightly. He seemed on the verge of waking up.
A few seconds later, after blinking groggily several times, the faintly glowing, glass-like fiery pupils finally opened completely.
"You're awake! Praetor, you're finally awake!"
Seeing his eyes open, the young girl keeping watch beside the bed gasped in absolute delight.
Startled by the sudden voice, Takumi's consciousness fully anchored back into his body. His vision cleared, and he naturally focused on the beautiful face leaning incredibly close to his own.
Blonde hair, crimson attire, vibrant green eyes...
It was Nero!
It's just... she was leaning in really close. Their faces were practically touching.
Before Takumi could even react, Nero quickly stood up straight. Planting her hands on her hips, she stood by the bed and looked down at him with a triumphant, deeply satisfied expression:
"Hmph! This isn't a dream, you know! Standing before you is the Fifth Roman Emperor you know so well—Nero Claudius!"
"Well? How does it feel to see my brilliant face the exact moment you open your eyes? Are you incredibly surprised? Delighted?!"
Meeting Nero's eagerly expectant gaze, Takumi didn't immediately answer. He slowly sat up, rubbing his head in confusion, and asked:
"How long have I been asleep?"
Failing to hear the praise she wanted, Nero pouted slightly, but she answered honestly:
"I have no idea if you were dreaming or not, Praetor, but you've been asleep for quite a long time. Ever since you defeated Goetia, you've been completely out cold for exactly one month."
"A whole month? No wonder my brain feels like mush..."
Takumi looked down at his hands in realization. The horrifying, emaciated state caused by ruthlessly squeezing every drop of energy from his body to survive the Human Order Cannon was completely gone. Aside from his hair still being half-black and half-white, his hands and his body had completely returned to a normal, perfectly healthy state.
The regenerative capability of a non-human physiology is genuinely terrifying!
Even without any formal medical treatment or healing Magecraft, his body had naturally healed from a level of exhaustion and trauma that would have instantly killed anyone else.
Takumi glanced down at the floor. There were no shoes next to the bed.
Not that he needed them anyway. With a casual thought, he projected a pair of his standard combat boots directly onto his feet.
Having sorted himself out, Takumi stood up. He turned his attention back to Nero, who was still silently sulking because he had practically ignored her grand entrance.
Takumi pretended to ponder for a moment, then asked tentatively:
"Emmm... I'm so delighted I kind of want to hug the Emperor. Is that allowed?"
With the way he looked now... surely he was finally worthy of standing beside the girl who had once made him feel so profoundly insecure, right?