AD 2015.
Rin stood before the recently completed Spiritron Calculation Engine, Trismegistus.
Looking at the real-time footage of the candidate training broadcast on the large screen, she curled her lips in boredom.
"This disciple of yours is truly stupid enough!"
Beside her, Reines also looked at the Fujimaru Ritsuka displayed on the screen with displeasure.
"A bit stupid indeed, but don't worry, certain qualities in this disciple of mine will definitely open your eyes!"
Rin shrugged indifferently, picked up the mysterious creature Fou who had been clinging to her leg, and held it in her arms.
"Fine, for your sake, I will keep my expectations up."
At this point, Waver, who was nearby, pointed to a corner of the screen and said,
"Rin, is this person really the elite among the candidates you mentioned?"
Rin's eyes twitched as she watched Akuta Hinako's clumsy performance on the screen. 'Damn it! Which idiot connected Akuta Hinako's live feed to the big screen?!'
"She has a special talent, although she is indeed quite weak most of the time, hohoho."
Hearing Rin's awkward laughter, Waver stopped questioning and turned to give Reines a look before speaking.
"Rin, on behalf of El-Melloi, I agree to your request. From today on, Reines officially joins Chaldea, and El-Melloi becomes your ally once again."
"That's for the best! After all, the curtain is about to rise. Before that, we must shut those annoying flies up, right Professor Lev?"
Beside them, Lev Lainur Flauros gentlemanly took off his hat and bowed to Rin.
"Of course, Director. We certainly cannot afford to be entangled with certain factions of the Clock Tower at a time when abnormal fluctuations have already begun to appear in human order."
"Then it's settled. Lev, Reines, Touko, you three accompany me to resolve the Clock Tower issue. Meanwhile, Olga Marie, from now on you are the vice director. This time, Shinji will lead Gudako to begin the first Rayshift experiment, target: Fuyuki City during the 2004 Holy Grail War!"
After speaking, Rin rubbed her cheek against Fou and turned to leave the Spiritron Calculation Room.
Olga Marie looked at Fujino with a face full of joy, proudly showing off with her chin tilted up.
"Fujino! How about that, I'm the vice director! Hahahahaha, from now on you all have to call me vice director..."
It had been five years since the Old Director's death. Five years ago, Rin had her status as a Magus stripped by the Mages Association due to her attack on the Clock Tower. However, in the world of magecraft where might makes right, a mere status was completely inconsequential.
Over these years, except for those stubborn elements still hostile to Rin and Chaldea, other major powers had actually accepted the status of Chaldea as a rising organization. The Wandering Sea and Atlas had even reached cooperation with Chaldea in many fields.
Similarly, the Church, a major power on the mystery side, misunderstood Rin as some kind of 'Holy Maiden' or'Saint' because of the Michael incident back then. They also expanded cooperation with Chaldea in various aspects and even sent Fujimura Taiga—a woman with heavenly luck who was actually a free-loader—to Chaldea as a liaison officer.
To the Church, Fujimura Taiga was indeed a free-loader, but to Rin, Fujimura Taiga was a person of immense value. When Fujimura Taiga arrived at Chaldea, Rin had already prepared the'seat' for the Jaguar God in her Throne of Heroes, just waiting for the right moment for Fujimura Taiga and the Jaguar God to merge into one.
However, although Chaldea's development seemed prosperous on the surface, there were still many crises hidden in the shadows. Foremost was Lev, left behind by the former director. Rin had never dealt with this guy who played an important role in the Incineration of Human Order because she believed that as long as Goetia was willing, he could always find another pawn like Lev.
Second was the fluctuation of human order. Whether it was the butterfly effect or some other reason, unknown fluctuations began to appear in human order starting from 2015, with the fluctuations during the 2004 Fuyuki City Holy Grail War being the most intense.
Third was Sajyou Manaka. This princess of the root had been pestering Rin incessantly, having secretly infiltrated Chaldea several times over the years. If she hadn't taken the initiative to appear before Rin every time, perhaps... And because Rin only played FGO up to the seventh chapter in her memories before transmigrating, she knew some information about Goetia and Solomon through the internet, but she knew nothing about what came after. Team A, Fantasy Trees, Lostbelts, the Alien God—Rin was completely ignorant of those.
Olga Marie watched Rin and the others disappear from Chaldea in the light of teleportation, then set about preparing for Shinji and Gudako's first journey through time and space.
In the Chaldea Control Room, Olga Marie looked at Shinji and Gudako, who were ready and had entered the coffins. She turned to the staff nearby and nodded. As the system started, a synthesized female voice came over the broadcast.
"Observation system ready!"
"Laplace in position!"
"Target localized Spiritron transmission countdown 10 9... 3 2 1!"
Then, in the Rayshift room, a brilliant azure light flared up.
"Transmission complete, system entering standby!"
At the same time, the large screen in the Control Room began to simultaneously broadcast footage of Gudako and Shinji.
Not long ago, Akuta Hinako, who had finished her virtual Spiritron calculation test, came to her room, intending to take a good bath to relieve her fatigue. But after opening her door, Akuta Hinako's expression changed, her eyes as cold as if they would turn someone into ice.
"Touko Aozaki!"
At this moment, Touko was lying on Akuta Hinako's bed in an extremely ungraceful posture, casually flipping through Akuta Hinako's books.
"Oh, you're back. I've been waiting for you for a long time. The blood you provided last time isn't enough."
"What do you want to do with my blood again? Haven't you already used my blood to create a 'True Ancestor' body!"
"Don't be so nervous. I promised Rin I would never harm you, so I will definitely keep it. This time I'm asking for your blood because I want to see if I can contact that fellow gaia through your blood."
"Take it!"
Saying this, Akuta Hinako cut her wrist with her fingernail and casually took a cup, filling it nearly halfway and placing it on the table.
"Alright, you've got what you wanted. You can leave now!"
Touko lazily stood up from the bed, walked to the table, picked up the cup containing the fresh blood, and turned to speak to Akuta Hinako.
"So irritable. We are somewhat of the same kind, aren't we?"
"Who is the same kind as you? Get out, and next time you are not allowed to enter my room as you please!"
Touko looked at the irritable Akuta Hinako, shrugged, and turned to leave the room.
However, just as Touko was about to step out of the room, she paused and said with a mischievous grin on her face,
"By the way, are you still unwilling to provide Xiang Yu's blueprints? Maybe if you provide the blueprints, I can build another one for you!"
"Get out! Get out of here!"
"Hahahaha..."
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