Note:

Hahhh...

Okay. Let me say this again just once. It annoys me to even have the need to write this but I need to say it.

I write because it's fun. I've mentioned this already but I said in my previous Author Notes that I'll be changing a few things from Mushoku Tensei. Maybe it was my fault for not putting the (AU) tag? Maybe. But I did mention that Shirou was not from any of the routes. No, maybe that was my fault again. I should have been more specific.

Point is, I make mistakes. I'm human, you're human... maybe you're Rambo for all I care you could even be a potato! Lol. Hahaha. Lame joke there. Anyway, to make things clear this isn't a serious fic. Even Shirou is different from canon Shirou. He has a different back story. So fucking different he might as well be an OC! Or so I would say if I was being harsh with myself.

I'm writing this story for the fun of it. So please don't be too critical even if you're a coward who hides behind the guise of anonymity. I won't stoop so low as to 'insult' those people who just don't have the mind to read the Author Notes I write then point out the same mistakes I mentioned on those same Notes. It's fckin hilarious.

I'm not discouraging criticism with hard proof of my mistake. Like those readers who point out my grammar and spelling mistakes. I appreciate them and grateful for those corrections. Maybe mention things like, this chapter has too much info dump, you got a plot hole here, this character is being inconsistent with his/her previously portrayed character. Things like that. But please refrain from doing the thing I mentioned above. Well, I think that's all. Damn, I got drained just trying to write this note. My motivation bar was spent. Lol.

Also, I might raise the rating to M. I'm too lazy to put up a poll so can you review or something if you agree or not with the decision?

Hope you enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but this story's plot.

Chapter 6(Childhood): Departure

-0-

Murmurs of prayer echoed within the hallowed halls. Robed men and women kneeled together as they prayed to their Saint. In front of them, the High Priest preceded over the mass. This was in celebration of the day that Saint Milis ascended to the realm of the Gods. Saint Milis was their God.

Such was their devotion that they named their nation after their God. The Holy Kingdom of Milis was the second most powerful human nation in the world. Their Kingdom was located to the south, the bridge between the Demon Continent located in the east and the largely human populated western continent, also known as the Central Continent.

Candles lit the hall, and light from the glass windows above filled the room. Hymns were sung, prayers were said and the Holy verses were read.

A young girl of about ten years old gasp in discomfort in her chair. Her head pounded like a drum. Mana exuded from her body.

Everything hurt. The girl wondered as she fell to her knees. She felt a burning pain in her chest as fire seemingly erupted within her. Visions started to fill her eyes. She knew of things that was, were, and will be.

Were these visions of the past? Or was it a glimpse of what was to come?

People called it a blessing, she called it a curse.

The girl who was hailed as the Holy Maiden of Milishion writhed in pain. People reeled about her in panic as they tried to comfort her.

They were within the Church's inner sanctum. There was nothing they could do but try to relieve the girl's pain. The High Priest only watched on with anticipation at what was happening. Many knew of what was happening. It was another Oracle.

The girl before them had once predicted the flood of the river Eustane. She had foreseen the disaster of Forul. She had glimpsed the future of Milishion five years from then. All that came from her were proven true, lives which should have been lost were saved, calamities were averted.

She was known as the messenger of Milis. Light gathered around the girl. People said that an angel of God spoke through her.

Miko, that was what they called them. People who had supernatural abilities gifted to them by God. Because where else could such a blessing come from but from God?

The girl was named Miko, after the name that people called them by.

She had an unusual ability. She was able to see a person past or future by looking at a person in the eyes. But she needed to know what she was looking for in order for her ability to function. The more specific it was, the easier the strain was for her.

For example, if she needed to find if a person was innocent of a certain crime. She must first know what the crime was about. Then she would search the person's mind for traces of it. She could also use it to ascertain lies, which was what she had the most experience with.

Her ability was almost akin to mind reading.

That was the reason why she remained isolated in a chair at the front of the congregation. Nobody wanted to look her in the eye in fear exposing their darkest secrets. Everyone had something to hide. Everything would be laid bare before here, if she only looked for it.

But at certain times, she would be able to get a glimpse of the past or the future of the world. The conditions for her to achieve this was yet unknown. There were no specific conditions nor circumstances for her ability to manifest. Her greatest ability, the ability that earned her great renown over all of Milishion was the ability to look into the past or the future of the World itself.

A prophet they called her. They hailed her as the second coming of the Saint Milis. Even now, there was already a faction within Milishion forming around the girl. A faction that had all kinds of people within it. Some wished to use the girl as figurehead and rule behind her. Some wished to follow her only because it would benefit their cause. Yet still, there others who followed her because they believed she really was to become a Saint like Milis.

There were even those who saw her as a God. How could they not? She was able to see the future. The ignorant masses worshipped her as all-knowing. She was omniscient. She could learn of the past and of the future. But there were things humans could not change even with all their power.

So, it was easily noticed when she started wheezing loudly. It was followed by her collapsing on the floor. Multiple of her followers immediately reacted by calling the healers. Panic beset them as they tried to do something to ease her of the pain.

Light engulfed the maiden lifting her into the air momentarily. As if possessed she spoke as visions flooded her mind.

An army of thousands stood against the vast legion of monsters. Humans, demons, beastkin and a hundred other races were gathered under a single banner against a common enemy. They fought against impossible odds. But it was a struggle in futility. The sheer numbers overwhelmed them. Their banners were broken, their weapons shattered and their remains dismembered.

All the seven races would stand at the brink of extinction.

To the east, a bastion of humanity stood. The gray citadel, the mighty fortress wherein dwelled the Rose. Upon a throne, he slept. The gatekeeper, he who held the key, the answers to these visions.

Kingdoms would be devoured, nations would be eradicated and the very earth would be laid desolate. It would be the rebirth of the Age of Chaos. But against great adversity, Heroes would arise.

"Gather forth the seven Champions

Lo, the first, the Sword of Humanity

the pillar unto which lay our hopes,

His weakness was Acedia, stagnation."

Far to the west, a lone wanderer roamed the barren wastelands. Searching for salvation for a sin which he would carry till his demise. He was once the leader of a proud and noble people, warriors of few equal. But they were betrayed and even now, the world views them as evil incarnate.

The innocent would be slaughtered. People would cry out to the Gods but their prayers would remain unanswered. It would be known as the darkest era. But the beacons of light known as Heroes would shine ever brighter amidst the ruined land.

"Of the Demonkind's peerless Spear

the restless eternal wanderer

Carrying the burden of his peoples

He who lost once lost to Superbia."

From the north, that perilous land of great dangers. A girl was born, the daughter of a slave. Garbed in rags and bound in chains, she was born knowing nothing but and hardships. Why would one such as her, choose to risk her life for people who done nothing for her?

Even her fellow slaves pitied her. A 'half-breed' demon, they would call her. Her delicate obsidian wings wrapped around her protecting herself from those who would seek to harm her.

Monster which had kept themselves hidden in the depths of the earths would once again see the light of day. The mindless corrupted dragons of old whose wings could eclipse a city, they would seek flight once more to devour and wrought destruction.

"The bloody Scythe of the Sky

None but her King may tame her

Her strength would know no equal

But Luxuria shall be her downfall."

The Great Forests of the south burned. Nothing but embers remained as the conflagration spread through the forest. The once beautiful evergreen vegetation was no more, in its place charcoal and ashes remained. The proud Beastkin were no match against the numberless host of monsters.

Many would weep and grieve the loss of their home. It drove some of them to insanity. Amongst this people, there was one among them whose mind was broken beyond redemption that they would no longer recognize her.

"Oh infernal Hammer of the Beastkin

She who was broken and remade

Even thy allies will fear thee

Beloved daughter of the insatiable Gula."

Deep within the waters of the nameless seas, even the Ocean race would not escape from these forces. Beware, Leviathan awakens from its slumber. The krakens would overrun their domain. None were exempt from the purge of all that lived.

From the waters, they would seek refuge towards land. A descendant of this sea-dwellers would one day take up an ancient relic of the past. He would gain fame and glory for his people. Armed with his ancestor's greatest treasure, he would be lead his people back to their homes one day.

"Wielder of the Bow of the Ocean

Thy aim is true and thy path is right

But thou beware of thy affliction

Invidia shalt blind you from your goal"

A thousand millennia have passed since the ancient era, a race thought extinct would once more flourish. The sentient Dragon race who had protected all of the six races during their infancy. They would flourish once more with a hatchling's birth.

Within the heart of a dungeon, a nameless relic broke. Within that relic was an egg, moments later it would hatch. The cursed dungeon would identify it as an enemy. Monsters spawned to rid the dungeon of the perceived intruder. A small weak humanoid dragon was born. It stared at the monsters that advanced upon it.

With its unnatural instincts, the young hatchling knew it was in danger. One could only guess at the outcome, the young hatchling destroyed the monsters with the same ease as breathing. A young dragon is still a dragon. Few are its equal's even from birth.

"Guardian of the Dragon's Glaive

From birth, thou art powerful

As an elder, thou shalt be peerless

But in thy blood still runs Avaritia's curse."

The girl collapse on the floor as if the strings that held her in the air were cut. Paladins surrounded her as healers took care of her. Her breathing was heavy and labored. She attempted to speak even with the pain she was suffering.

"Let her up. Allow her to speak." The High Priest intoned.

The healers complied.

"Speak child, what is it you wish to tell us.

"He who hold the Staff of Wisdom

Born from the miracle of a prayer

Thy choices shall dictate this world's fate

But thou beware of mindless Ira."

With those words, the girl finally fainted.

How long had she slept? She wondered. Sounds buzzed around as her consciousness returned. She allowed herself to open her eyes. Slowly, she woke up from her slumber.

Healers were quietly attending to her. None of them dared to meet her eyes.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Lady Miko. Please don't push yourself, you are still recovering from overusing your power. The healers say that you will heal with a bit of rest." A young woman clad in light armor admonished her. She smiled lightly at the woman.

"I am alright Therese. What happened earlier?" She asked again.

"Do you not remember?"

Flashes and glimpse returned to her. That's right. She saw a vision, a vision of the world ending. The last thing she could remember was the sight of a young woman with golden brown hair and green eyes holding her staff high as she obliterated an army of monsters with but a simple gesture.

The ease with how the woman crushed a force that could equal an army astounded her.

Usually, she did not know if what she saw was from the past or the future with the randomness of the vision. She was not sure. More often, when she used her abilities actively, she was able to determine if the visions she saw was of the past or the future because she was able to witness it from her target's perspectives. There were nuances and telltales if what she was seeing was a memory or something that was yet to happen.

She felt her body shivering as she remembered the vision. It was a vision of the future. This time she was sure of it. She had seen an older version of Therese talking with the young woman with emerald eyes, the woman who had represented the Staff.

Was Therese related to that green-eyed woman in anyway? She did not know. But she wanted to know. She wanted to ask Therese to look her in the eye. She had never used her ability on Therese out of respect to her devotion. She had accidentally caught glimpses of the woman named Therese Latreia. She was a trustworthy and noble person.

So, she did not want to betray her by doing something as looking at her past or future without consent. She did not want to lose the only person she could call a friend. Even now, few were able to approach her without either fear or reverence in their eyes.

Asura.

The name called to her. That's right. Three of those Heroes were to gather in Asura.

"Therese, can you please call arrange a meeting with the Pope for me. I would like to ask him for a favor."

Therese scowled as she heard the order.

"Lady Miko, you shouldn't take those words lightly. Something like a simple favor from that man might put us in a great disadvantage. Favors for someone like you aren't to be taken lightly. Can you not disclose it to me first? Maybe I can arrange something for it to be done somehow..."

Therese closed her mouth because of the girl's intense gaze.

"I must go to Asura. I need to know what's going to happen. Someone in there holds the answers."

'The answer to what?' That was what Therese's face was telling her. She was curious but her mind was dwelling on the more important matter.

Miko waited for a favorable response from Therese. She did not want to inconvenience the young woman but just for once, just for now. She needed to go there. She knew she would never have a moment of peace unless she learned the answer to the multitude of questions she had.

For this, she needed to ask the Pope for a favor.

Milis was ruled by the three factions.

The Order of Instruction which was composed of a majority of the general populace.

The Order of the Temple which was consisted of the majority of the older noble families.

Lastly, there was the Order of the Church which had the royalty as its head. The last Order was the smallest yet the most powerful Order in Milis. The Order of the Church was also known to take a neutral stance and was the faction that balanced the opposing Order of Instruction and Order of the Temple.

To put it shortly, they were the Instruction, the Temple and the Church.

Though she was a member of the Temple, Miko still needed the permission of the Pope who was a member of the Instruction to be able to get out of the country. It was a simple matter negotiating with the Order of the Church once the Instruction stopped blatantly opposing them.

She needed the clearance and agreement of all three Orders.

It was times like this that Miko resented having fame she did not ask for. She was simply too important to Milis to be allowed anywhere outside of the country without a legion of elite Paladins and Inquisitors to protect her. Such a force was quite sizable for a simple escort. But such was the fame and importance of the girl hailed as the 'Oracle of Milis'.

"My Lady..." Therese sighed, as he gave up. "If that's what you want. Then you'll have to agree that I accompany you."

"Thank you, Therese."

"You're not giving me a choice are you, Lady Miko?" Therese smiled wryly.

Miko could only bow her head. Therese sighed in defeat.

"If you are really intent on doing this, I want to go with you. As the appointed Captain of your guards, it is my responsibility to protect and guide you."

"Ah, you also want to visit your sister, don't you?"

"Well, there's also that..." Therese said as she leaned on her left foot while crossing her arms. "I've nearly forgotten until you told me. Wait! It's a bad manner peeking on other people's private matters Lady Miko... even mother didn't know of that letter how'd you get a hint of it?"

"One of the guards was talking enthusiastically of a messenger arriving and giving you a letter yesterday. Rumors were even spreading around that it was from a secret lover. I'm sorry, but I was just curious to what it was..." Though her tone was apologetic, Therese knew this wasn't going to be the last time this would happen. Miko knew her too well and Therese also trusted her too not reveal such things even if she knew them.

"Then I guess we have an agreement?"

"I just hope nothing happens on our trip..." Therese rubbed her forehead as she felt the impending headache.

The girl opened her mouth wanting to contradict the statement, something was going to happen on the trip. Her eyes widened momentarily as she looked at Therese's eyes. Her ability had activated unconsciously again. Something that was going to happen in the future... a vision of such things flashed before her.

After the vision dispelled, her mind was able to make a sense of what she saw and she was struck by clarity and realization.

So that's how it was. Therese was related to the symbol of the Staff. Therese was the aunt of that green eyed young woman. Or wasn't the woman still a girl?

She hummed to herself. She did not have to say anything for now. Knowledge was power, she had learned from an early age how vile humans were. She knew secrets that could easily destroy the lives of many people. Yet, she did not disclose any of these secrets to anyone. Milis teachings taught that one should have a compassionate heart to teach the sinners of their mistakes and correct them.

She was a devout believer in the good of humanity even with what she saw. No, it was because of what she saw that she wanted to give them a chance. Many were forced to do evil deeds because of circumstances beyond their control. Shouldn't she, a follower of the faith, have greater heart for forgiveness and compassion because of that?

One could say she was wise beyond her years. But wasn't this just because of what she saw?

Lies and deceit were common among the holy servants of the church. This was not what she had wanted when she volunteered to serve Milis. This was not what she had expected. But one can only deal with what lot they have in life. As much as she saw deceit and cruel hearts, she had also seen people who were pure and naive.

All humans had varying characters, dreams and desires. There was good as there was evil.

She wondered. What was the seventh Hero like? She was girl who followed her heart and allowed her emotions to dictate her actions. Yet, that girl was happy. Miko envied the green-eyed girl. She envied those Heroes. She envied them all. They suffered and would suffer again, they struggled and would struggle further, and they achieved countless victories against various adversaries.

They were powerful. They were able to 'defy fate'. They were able to alter destiny that even the Gods could not. Maybe... just maybe... she could ask one of them to save her. Any of them... but one person in particular stood out, the crimson haired warrior who would lead those vaunted heroes...

She was Miko, a girl who could see the future. She had seen her future.

-0-

The messenger bowed respectfully as he gave the letter. Celeste broke the royal seal and started to read the message immediately. She grimaced. This was still within the scope of her predictions. She steadied her breathing. They had at most a week before they would depart for Arusu, to the Royal Court.

"Celeste, what is it?" Shirou asked curiously. Beside him was the red headed girl, Eris.

"J-just something for me to deal with Master. We'll be talking about it later after dinner. I would like you to go wash yourself. Ah, also, can you go look for Asturia? I want you to talk to her. If you did something wrong then apologize. She seems to be avoiding you because of something."

"Eh... okay. You can go ahead Eris. I'll go look for Asturia."

Eris stare at him suspiciously.

"You did something to her didn't you."

Shirou clammed his mouth in silence.

"So, you did do something to her. Let me go with you. I don't know what you did but I think it was about something stupid again." Eris placed her practice sword on her shoulders as if to emphasize her point.

"Okay..."

That was as far as Celeste heard as she refocused her attention on the messenger.

"Has Revan sent anything else?"

The messenger looked behind him before reaching a hand into his coat. He extracted a small wrapped parcel that was bound and sealed by a red string.

"This was all that he sent Lady Celeste. Sir Revan has also told me to pass a message to you. He says he is gathering the Shadows."

Celeste carefully checked the parcel before placing it on her belt pouch.

"As expected of Revan. He's only useful for this kind of things... If only he wasn't so much of a loner he would be more qualified to lead us..." There was no use dwelling on things she could do nothing about.

"Thank you for your service soldier. I want you to give this to Revan before anything else." Celeste took out a scroll she had wrote earlier. They were sealed with magic. Only by performing a certain procedure would one be able to open the scroll safely, otherwise, it would explode. "Take care of it. It has been sealed by a dangerous [Sealing Magic Array].

The man slowly held out both hands to receive the scroll. Once he secured the scroll safely in his bag, he let out a breath of relief.

"Also, take this. You deserve it. If you need anything else just ask, you can rest here for now. You can depart tomorrow at dawn."

The man caught a small bag that was tossed at him. Heavy, he heard the sweet clinking of gold coins from inside as he checked it.

"Thank you for this milady. But... uh, isn't this too much. We, uh..." The man bowed again as he tried to find words to convey his thoughts.

"You can keep it. I'm sure the road was harsh and dangerous. Also, I know you have a family to feed Lieutenant Herman. It would be prudent for you to keep it."

Celeste left before the man could refuse again.

Her thoughts were on the contents of the letter. It was a decree from the King. They had no choice but to obey. She clenched her hand into a fist. She wanted to curse someone, she wanted to blame someone for this. She wanted to shout out in rage and frustration. They had worked so hard to keep Shirou hidden, but somehow, all the work their work was undone because of a single mistake. Lord Phillip...

She sighed again. She had been doing this a bit too much lately.

"There's no use dwelling on what can't be fixed." She spoke the words to herself.

Her mind turned to other matters. There had been an advanced party sent from Buina telling them that the remaining villagers were retreating. They would probably have to settle in other villages. Buina was a lost cause. Reports wrote that several frontier villagers were already being overrun because of monster raids and infestations.

Buina was just one of many and most like not the only one to be destroyed. She had already sent a message to the court asking for the mobilization of an armed force. Favorably, the Legions of the Rose. The territorial army of Fedora was already struggling with keeping the roads safe. They would not be able to handle both the protection of the roads and the frontier villages.

Most of those villagers would probably settle down on the nearest village. Here in particular. She was not the leader of the village. But she was the current leader of the Crimson Rose. Most of the residents of this village were members of the Rose, both retired and active soldiers and adventurers. For that reason, she was already assigned in an unspoken vote that she was the de facto village elder, people who oversees the local matters.

She made her way into her make shift office. She did not know how long she spent going over several reports and writing some more.

She had not even noticed when Chloe had gone into her room and left her food. She had been far too absorbed in her work as her overstressed mind forced her to concentrate more than she needed to.

-0-

Allowing her breath to steady, Asturia stood in front of a seated Shirou. She tried not fidget under his unusually sharp gaze. They were alone in Shiro's room.

"Okay... I can do this." She straightened her pose and leveled a finger at the person in front of her. "You're from another world, aren't you? You're a reincarnated person."

She could not discern any change in his face, he hadn't even reacted at all. The only notable gesture he made was tilting his head in silence. After a few moments, he spoke.

"What made you come to that conclusion?"

"Aha! I knew it! Fu fu fu, of course! I'm that stupid you know? Your name is of Japanese origin and from what I've heard of what other people say of you. Besides the fact that you act differently from your age..."

His face was still blank. It annoyed her. This was supposed to be the big reveal where he would panic and deny everything! Maybe she could even try out that Ojou-sama laugh while he begged at her feet to not tell anyone about it! She would hold a her hand to her mind while laughing 'Ho ho ho ho'. Well, something like that!

Damn it. Her mind was going off to 'imagination land' again. Wait, he didn't deny or accept if the statement was true yet.

"Even if my name is from a 'Japanese' origin as you say, what makes you think that I'm what you say I am? Maybe this world has the concept of 'Japanese' names that you don't know about?"

Okaaaayyy, he was annoying. That blank stare and the way he was twisting his word, it was obvious he knew something. She knew that he knew she knew.

"..."

"Well?"

She could almost imagine a smirk on that damnable face.

"I was someone who lived in Japan."

She tried to look for any reaction.

"Oh, okay." He sat there silently. Maybe he was thinking about it? She couldn't tell with how blank his face was. It was almost like she was talking to a robot. He wasn't usually like this. She had seen him act around other people.

"Can't you at least react!"

The boy stared at her as if looking at an alien creature. He straightened his postured and an imitation of shocked expression appeared on his face.

"Oh! So, you are!"

She glared at the boy. She felt like she was being mocked.

"What kind of reaction was that!"

"Huh? But I'm just trying to figure out the appropriate reaction to this kind of situation. I've never encountered something like this yet so I'm trying to remember any situations that had any-"

"Stop! Stop! What are-... okay not that. So, are you a reincarnated person or not?"

She had realized this when they had first met. The boy opposite her had a peculiarly different name. She had never encountered any such things yet from this world that resembled the Japanese culture or anything like it. She had read something about a passing mention of rice fields from the from a country to the south. What was the country's name again? She couldn't remember but it something like Rice country or something...

"I am."

Her head snapped at him so fast she thought she felt her neck stiffen.

She had considered this possibility. She was someone who had reincarnated into this world like some of those generic light novels characters. Wouldn't there be the possibility of other people also reincarnating into this world?

It had taken her a bit of thinking and contemplation if she even needed to do this. But she wanted to know someone who was in the same situation as her. Maybe it was that which pushed her to do this. She wanted to get to know that only person who she thought was connected to her home world. Maybe it was nostalgia or something like home sickness...

She awkwardly sat down on the bed behind her.

Now that he had confirmed it, she was dumbfounded. Her mind was wiped out of all the things she had been thinking of asking and of her so called 'devious plans' were not even on her mind.

"Are you alright?"

She felt dizzy.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" His concern seemed genuine.

"I'm just taking my time digesting it."

"If you say so..."

The room was quite for a few minutes as she tried to calm down her nerves.

"Hey..."

"What is it?"

"How come they named you Shirou, or was it you who named yourself that... I mean, I wasn't actually sure in the first place if it was true or not that you were really the same as me... Sorry if I just let my imagination run wild..." She awkwardly tried to apologize for something she didn't know.

"It's alright. I guess my mother named me Shirou. I don't know why either but Shirou was also my name before I was born here..."

"What?" She gawked at him.

"Huh?"

"You were named Shirou from the start? Wait... this all too confusing. So if they..." Okay, this was just plain awkward. If he hadn't been named that somehow, she wouldn't know who if he was someone like her? Ugh... She didn't know what to think of anymore.

They sat in silence just staring at each other.

"Can I ask you something?" She drew her knees to her chest.

"What is it?"

"This may be... a bit personal but how was your previous life?"

"Hmm? I had a lot of regrets... I guess I died trying to correct those mistakes I made while following my ideals."

"That's... admirable." It was. Compared to him, she had leaved her former life as a NEET... she didn't want to remember it. In her former life, she would be someone who would be called a failure of society. Even her own family threw her away because she was useless.

She remembered his last day with bitterness. She had promised herself she would change things. But was she really capable of that? Even the simple matter of stepping out from the gate of their home had taken her great effort.

"I guess I want to do things differently this time."

Shirou nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, that's what I thought too. But... I can't really change who I am. I don't know if things will end up the same or differently for me."

"Hehe, then I'll help you with that. As someone who's stuck in the same boat, shouldn't we look after each other's back!"

How long had it been since she had called anyone a friend...? Well, another male friend, Sylphy-chan was her sister! No, both sister and best friend! So she didn't count. Ah, Sylphy-chan was also her future bride! She took her mind out of the gutter as she tried to remember her past life.

Even in high school, she had been labeled as an outcast. She did have a few acquaintances who shared the same interests and hobbies as her.

Shirou stared at the hand she had offered to him. He shook it with a firm grip which she returned. This was the first time she had done a western styled introduction...

"I'm Asturia Great. I don't really want to tell you about my former life because it's embarrassing... nice to meet you Shirou. Ah, also can we keep this a secret..."

Shirou nodded.

"I am Shirou Baleares Asura. In my former life, I was known by the name of Emiya Shirou. I hope to know you well Ar-Asturia. Please treat me well." The boy smiled. It was the first true smile she had seen from him.

She swore to live this life with no regrets, she didn't regret getting to know Shirou.

-0-

"Shirou, let's talk." Celeste gestured towards a chair. He took a seat.

"What is it Celeste?" Was this about the message she received a few days ago? He wondered. Celeste had bags under her eyes and her complexion was pale. How long was it since she had relaxed under the sun?

"Read this first." He was handed a letter. The seal had already been broken prior which meant Celeste had already read it. The message within was short, but Shirou could tell the seriousness of the subject.

'By the decree of I, Tirion Anemoi Asura, hereby order the Fourth Prince, Shirou Braeares Asura, to return to the Royal Court by the fourth day of the sixth new moon of winter.

This is in accordance to the wishes of this King to declare the next heir to the throne. The details of such matters will be discussed by this King only with thy arrival. I pray to the Gods that this message shall reach thee with all haste. This King shall await thee and pray for thy safe success in returning home.'

Shirou frowned at the last statement. This place was his home. He had no wish to be King. He did not care who sat on the throne.

"In three days, we will be departing to Arusu. Do you understand how this will affect you Master?"

He did. Even he did not wish to be on the throne, the other heirs would suspect him. Who did not want power? Whoever sat on the throne, they had the power to detain the other heirs in fear of rebellion. The King could also gather enough influence to execute his siblings without fear of repercussions by ruling them out as criminals. That was the worst possibility.

He in particular held great influence over the second greatest order in the Kingdom. He was a powerful person from other's point of view.

He had no choice. He had to do something. Even if he was not to become the King, he should at least have his freedom and the freedom of those close to him. If they could not detain him, it was possible that they would take someone close to him as a hostage.

Though he hated politics, he was forced to learn its ways to survive against the Clocktower in his former life. He was known as a Sealing Designate, a person who had a unique ability or thaumaturgy. In his former world, Sealing Designates had two fates, they either allowed to live as collaborators and subjects under the Mage Association's supervision or they were killed and their corpses confiscated along with all their research. If a Sealing Designate was unlucky, they would be captured alive and used as a specimen for research.

He had been able to escape both creating a third choice for himself. He became a freelancer who took contracts for the Clocktower, yet he was only affiliated with them as a contractor. Maybe it was luck that he had been able to set that contract. Being acquaintances with the Queen of the Clocktower also helped. It was not until he was put under Zelretch's employ that the Clocktower left him alone.

He could have chosen a fourth path, the choice to oppose the Mage Association. That would have been a life on the run, forever trying to evade Enforcers. This was a choice that he could have made. He held something powerful enough for the Mage Association not deem him worth the casualties in exchange for his capture.

Some people had helped him learn. A certain woman in particular had deemed it for him necessary to learn the ways of a King. A single person's power alone does not make him powerful. What makes a person powerful is his strength, his influence and his authority over others.

He had no say in the matter. He was proud to say that he had the best teachers, though he had not been the best student. He was forced to learn how to lead an army, how to navigate the world of politics and how to manipulate the masses.

'A king must know how to lead his armies to victory, a king must know when plots are being set against him and a king must know how to bend the will of the people to his own.'

It was a load of bullshit if it only it didn't come out of that person's mouth. But if someone else had told it to him, then those words would really make sense.

A King must be a General, a Politician and a Saint or a Devil to his people. It was represented by the sword, the dagger and the scepter.

Shirou gave back the scroll to Celeste.

"Does Chloe know about this?"

She hesitated before answering.

"She does not know about it yet. I will tell it to her in the morning. But what will you do Master?"

"I have no choice. We must go. Celeste, will you follow me on this bloody path?"

"I am yours to command my Liege."

For others to live, some must die. It was the truth.

He lived while others had died in that burning inferno of the aftermath of the Fourth Holy Grail War. For the sake of those who died while he could live, he must strive to continue living. Was this not his curse?

"Can you inform Lord Sauros of this for me? I would prefer it if they set up precautions if things go south. Eris... she is a good girl." He had grown attached to her. A little sister who was loud and always caused trouble. "Tell them to officially cut off the intended engagement between us. I do not want to drag them down with us if we lose this scuffle."

"Shall I immediate write a letter to them now?"

"Yes. I would also want to talk with Roxy-sensei." Celeste undertood what he was doing. He was going to cut off all ties with the people he knew in case things went wrong for them. Because there was always a chance that their unseen enemies might go after the he had grown to know as friends. This were people he had grown to value.

He had already lost many like them. It was not an experience he wanted to repeat.

-0-

"Now... this is the type of precise mana manipulation in order for you to advance you rank in magic. It's not only a matter of manipulation but also the amount of inborn mana you have. If you do no not have the mana to produce a King ranked spell even if you have the ability to manipulate mana at the level of an Emperor ranked, then it's impossible for you to become a King Ranked Magician.

Everything is not a matter of ability but also inborn talent. But even if you have the talent and the potential, if you don't try to put an effort into learning you would never reach the higher ranks."

Roxy stared down at her two new students. Shirou was off to the side reading a scroll she had given him. He was exempted from this because he had already finished it. They were under the shade of a tree in the backyard of the house.

Eris was barely listening as her eyes drooped ready to close anytime soon. Asturia was another matter, she seemed to be listening intently but her eyes were also trying looking at her strangely.

"Now this is an advanced Water Spell..." She tried to ignore how odd her new students were.

Asturia was a natural at magic just like Shirou. Maybe another prodigy? Celeste had approached her and asked her to teach the two children beside Shirou, she also told her she was paying for it. She didn't mind teaching another prodigy...

Where were all these prodigies popping from!? Well, Eris wasn't that talented compared to the other two...

But Asturia was absorbing her teachings like a sponge. She could discern ten things from a single statement. Not that she was complaining.

"Let me show you." She lifted a palm in demonstration. "Bestow the protection of water to the place where thou demands, let the crystal-clear stream appear here. [Water Ball]."

A water-ball the size of a head appeared in her hand. It flew towards the open space. It floated a few more meters forwards before finally splashing to the ground.

Asturia was looking at it intently.

"Now try it."

"Yes Sensei!" Asturia shouted enthusiastically. She took the same pose that she did and started chanting. "[Water Ball]!"

A water ball of the same size and travelled at the same speed appeared.

"..." Roxy caught herself before she could utter a curse-word.

"Asturia..."

"Yes Sensei?"

"That was a [Chanting Omission] wasn't it..."

"[Chanting Omission]? You mean the short incantation? Uh... I'm sorry Sensei, was I supposed to do it the way you did?"

Luckily, she had already dealt with something like this before. Her experience with Shirou was both a blessing and a curse due to how much trauma she suffered with how she continually surprised her by doing things she had not expected. She tried not to remember the things she learned about the boy.

He was someone who continually surprised her. So, she had learned to somehow expect the unexpected when it came to him.

"Did Shirou teach you that? I mean, did he teach you how to shorten your spells?"

"Eh? No..."

The boy in question perked up at the mention of his name. He put down the scroll and turned to them.

"I didn't teach her that. I haven't even taught Eris anything but the basics of Elementary Fire spells."

"Uh, yeah... we had a book at home about the basic of magic. I learned from that..."

She stared at the girl with a deadpan expression.

"There are no books that teach [Chanting Omission]. If there was, I'd have found a copy of it already."

[Chanting Omission] was learned only through experience. Even she who had also been called a prodigy during her studies at the Academy was never able to put the experience into words.

[Chanting Omission was something that was almost similar to instincts to her. The deeper one has of the understanding of magic, the larger the chance of learning [Chanting Omission]. How could she describe what magic felt like?

How could she even begin to describe water as it was used in magic?

Water was a liquid. In its purest form, it had no smell, color nor taste. It always in a continuous cycle. It was fluid. It fell from the sky as rain, it formed the rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and seas. Water was a necessary substance to ensure the survival of all living creatures.

One needed to understand the depth of an element before one was able to perform something like [Chanting Omission]. One must need to learn 'everything' about it. It was even said that it was possible to learn [Voiceless Incantation] by such methods. She had seen Shirou perform [Voiceless Incantation], so why should it not be possible for someone like Asturia to perform a [Chanting Omission]?

"How did you do that?" Shirou asked.

Right. She remembered Shirou saying something about him needing to Chant the entire verse in order for him to pull of some spells. But wasn't his proficiency with that unique magic of his so high that he didn't need an incantation?

Shirou was capable of [Voiceless Incantation] but only with his unique magic and a few basic Elementary level fire spells.

"I just thought how water was formed. You know? How science explains the precipitation of moisture in the air and how it can condense into clouds, it would then rain once the temperature drops to a level that allows the condensation of moisture? I just concentrated by condensing the moisture and creating the water ball."

Roxy couldn't understand a few of the words they used. How does moisture condense? What did she mean by precipitation of moisture? What did all those have to do with magic? Was this the depth of understanding needed to achieve [Voiceless Incantation]? She just couldn't wrap her head around it.

She could see Shirou nodding as if he had finally realized something.

"So that's how it was... so it was something like that. So, I just needed use the concept behind it?" Shirou nodded as he spoke.

Why did she feel like a dunce with those two speaking? What were they even talking about? And since when had this two gotten so friendly?

Shirou held out a hand. Mana coalesced to form a dagger in his hands. He cut a small wound on his hand. Blood seeped out from the wound. What was it with the boy and his tendency to cut himself up?

Asturia seemed to be surprised by how the dagger appeared. She did have the same reaction when she had first seen it. A unique magic that enabled him to create blades... What an overpowered magic...

The blood stopped flowing out after a few minutes. They watched in fascination as Shirou did something to the blood.

Slowly, the small amount of blood formed into a ball. It hardened and after a few more moments, the ball had turned solid. It was a slow process but a small red ball finally formed.

"Wow... hey what was that Shirou? How'd you create a dagger? How'd you do that?"

Shirou examined the small red ball. He even tried to bite it.

"It's hard... iron. But how does Chloe create her axe with just a single drop of blood?" Shirou stared at the ball absently, lost in thought. Every now and then he would mutter something to himself.

"Ahem! Your please listen to the lesson first Asturia. Wake up Eris."

"Ah? Eh? Oh right, sorry Sensei."

Eris rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Hey, Shirou! Let's go play."

"Eris, I thought your Grandfather told you to attend the magic lessons."

"But it's boring!"

"Eris... if you listen seriously to Roxy-sensei's lesson until the end, I'll make ice cream for you for dessert."

Roxy's ears twitched at those words. Her expression hardened as she turned to Shirou.

"Shirou..." This was a matter of sweets. In other words, this was a very serious matter. She tried to do her best imitation of a child begging for cookies. Shame was thrown out of the metaphorical window.

"Yes Sensei, I'll make some for you too."

She allowed herself a pat at her success.

Shirou stood up and patted his clothes. His steps were slow as he headed for the house. She could tell there was something on his mind, something aside from the magic lesson. She returned her attention to her two students.

"Okay, let's continue the lesson."

-0-

Chloe watched the scene unfold with a bit of sadness and amusement.

"You're leaving?" Eris muttered as if unable to believe what she just heard. "Why?"

Several horses whined as they were held still by the soldiers. A small group of knights were assembled at the gate of the town. There were even some villagers who had come to bid them farewell.

Shirou remained silent. He had already resolved himself on this matter, his decision that he announced to them last night assured them.

"...It's not like we won't be meeting again, right? It's just that it's unlikely for me to return here..."

"Is- is it because of something I did?" The red haired was almost on the verge of crying with tears forming in her eyes.

"No... it's not that Eris. You didn't do anything. It's just... I have something I must do." Shirou denied as he tried to comfort the girl.

"Bu-but..."

A look of discomfort appeared on Shirou face. With a sigh of resignation, he lifted Eris chin to look at her eyes.

"Eris." He could see Shirou grasping for words to say. If they were a little bit older, the gesture would have seemed like a romantic one.

"...promise ...come back..." The words were barely a whisper but she was able to hear the girl whisper it nonetheless.

"I- you're really giving me no choice." Shirou let out another sigh. "Alright, I promise that we'll meet again."

"If you don't fulfill your promise I'm gonna find you one day beat you up you're going to regret ever breaking your promise." Eris embraced him in a bone breaking hug before running off with a blush on her face.

A smile formed on the onlooker's face. A few chuckles could be heard even from the knights.

"How good it is to be young..." A knight muttered as he tried to suppress a laugh.

Shirou turned to another girl that had been beside Eris. They exchanged a few words that even she could not hear. They seemed to reach an understanding before shaking each other's hands.

"See you Asturia."

"Good luck Shirou." She smiled as he waved him off.

"Shall we, my Prince?" Shirou accepted Celeste's hands as they walked towards the waiting horses.

Chloe could feel her emotions rushing to the edge. She was not the only who did not want to leave. But they had no choice.

"Neh... Shirou, can you also promise me something?" Shirou turned towards her curiously, this was the first time she had ever addressed him informally.

"What is it Chloe?" She smiled and ruffled the boy's hair.

"Let's come back here someday..."

Shirou replied with a smile. It was one of innocence and satisfaction from simple happiness.

"Yeah... let's return here someday." A strange feeling of relief flooded her. Chloe silently assisted Shirou as they mounted on a horse.

The knight escort lent to them by the Lord of Fedoa followed behind. The orange glow of the morning sun reflected on the mountains to the east. It was a beautiful sight, one that she had come to appreciate.

The scent of morning dew pervaded the air as they rode on. She wanted to remember this. She did not know what to expect. She was born a warrior, raised and lived as one. Expect the worst but hope for the best.

She would do that.

The riders slowed down as they sighted a blue haired girl sitting by a tree on the side of the road. She assisted Shirou to dismount and followed after him. The knights stood by at a distance.

"So, I guess this is a farewell eh, Sensei..."

"Shirou, come here." The boy followed her as they walked away from the road.

The grass was still wet with dew making the scene appear mildly enchanting. Roxy lifted her staff.

"This might be a little sudden but with your departure, I guess this was to be expected. As for you last exam, I want you to cast a spell. If you succeed in doing so, then by my authority and jurisdiction as a Saint ranked magician, you will become one of us and enter our ranks as a seeker of knowledge. I will bestow on you the rank of a Saint Magician."

"...Thank you, Sensei, for giving me this chance..."

Chloe could feel something stir in the air. It might be what they called mana.

"Observe closely Shirou, I know you are weak with conventional elemental spells and require more mana to cast it so I dug up a spell that is ranked as Saint Magician spell." Which must have been the reason she was up all night. Chloe had seen the candles still burning when she woke up early that morning.

"Rulers of the north, Warrior of the east, Scholar of the west, Servant of the south, descend with rain, depart with the wind. Oh, King of the winds who reigns over the four gates of heaven. Follow the white steeds of sea. Guardian of the north, howl, rage, show upon this tiny existence thy unequaled fury. On pure white wings of the wind, remain steady to become the breeze, move to become the wind. Let thy roar resound through the skies. Run and become a storm.

[White Blizzard]."

It had slowly becoming colder with each verse she spoke. The clear sunny skies were suddenly filled with thick clouds. They waited, a minute later the wind grew stronger. Something was falling from the skies.

She caught the white flake on her hand. It was snow, pure white snow like those that fell on her homeland. She allowed the nostalgia to engulf her. The scent of blood and pine. The cold touch of the wind as it passed by her.

Even Shirou seemed startled by the power within that incantation. They remained there for who knew how long. Maybe the snow had lasted more than an hour before it dispersed, she did not know. The blue haired girl turned towards Shirou.

"That was a spell that I had invented during my stay in the Academy. If I had put more of my mana into it, it has the potential to create a blizzard even on a sunny day. But it would be more powerful if used when the season is cold and when you are high in the mountains. Now Shirou, do what I did. Here, you can borrow my staff. Allow your mana to run through it, channel it."

Shirou nodded in understanding.

"Sensei, can I use something else?"

Roxy nodded slowly.

"You can but I advise you to not cheat right in front of me Shirou. I don't know if you are able to create a magic blade that can achieve a similar effect to this but I would be able to tell if it was made differently."

"You know I won't do that Sensei. But can I use a tool that can increase my affinity to the water element? I don't think I'll be able to cast the spell without completely draining me..." Shirou stated seriously.

"Of course, I know, I'm just reminding you. And yes, I'll allow it. As long as it's not the tool that creates the spell, then it should be allowed. It's not unheard of to use magic tools to assist a magician with a spell."

The boy stood there for a moment, concentration etched on his face. Then a staff appeared on his hand. On its head was a massive blue gem. The staff itself was made of a gnarled and withered black wood.

"Rulers of the north, Warrior of the east, Scholar of the west, Servant of the south, descend with rain, depart with the wind. Oh King of the winds who reigns over the four gates of heaven. Follow the white steeds of sea. Guardian of the north, howl, rage, show upon this tiny existence thy unequaled fury."

[White Blizzard]."

The incantation was shorter but Chloe could see Shirou's face paling with each word. They waited again. A minute passed, then two. The clouds had gathered again covering the skies with its white fluffy sheets.

Shirou nervously waited alongside them.

Roxy patiently observed the skies. Then the snow started to fall. Roxy turned to his student who was barely able to stand. Shirou let out a breath of relief. She smiled and assisted him with a shoulder.

"You did well Shirou. Congratulations. You are now officially recognized as a Saint Ranked Water mage." Roxy stared at Shirou with a sad smile on her face.

"Thank you for this Roxy-sensei." The boy engulfed the blue haired Migurdian in a fierce hug. Roxy seemed startled for a moment but returned the hug.

"Master... we must go." Celeste broke the silence with a bit of impatience in her tone.

"Oh, right. Sorry Celeste. I need to go now Sensei."

"Wait..." Roxy searched through a bag slung over her shoulders. She took out a wrapped box. "Traditionally, a wand is gifted to a student before he even begins his lesson. You... you were not quite what I had expected as a student and I can't think of anything useful to gift you with. I wand would be useless with you so... take this instead. It has no value and I doubt you'd have any use for it..."

Shirou opened the box and took out a necklace. It had what appeared to be bones and rough-cut stones as beads.

"Sensei! This is... isn't this something important to you!"

"You can have it Shirou. As I said, I don't I can procure anything that you can't you'll find useful with your... unique magic, I doubt you'd need magic tools. This is the only gift I can think of."

Shirou stare at the ageless girl and bowed.

"Alright. I hope we'll meet again someday Roxy Migurdia." It was obvious that Shirou respected the magician. She bowed towards the girl, at the edge of her vision she could see Celeste doing the same.

"Farewell Shirou Braeares Asura. May the spirits be with you and may your journey be free of perils."

There was no need for words to be said. Chloe nodded towards her and Roxy returned the gesture.

As they walked towards the road, leaving the girl behind them, Chloe put a hand on Shirou's shoulders.

"Don't worry Master, I know that one day you'll meet again. People of the Demon race live longer than humans, so maybe you'll see her again."

"I know. It's just that, I'm a little worried for her, for them. Even with all the preparations we've prepared. I'm afraid of the possibility of someone finding them and using them against us..."

"You worry too much Master." This time it was Celeste who assured him. "Lady Eris has the protection of her family and Roxy is a Saint ranked magician who take on most threats on her own. I don't have any doubts that she even has the potential to surpass her current self and become a Water King Magician."

Shirou visibly relaxed.

They mounted the horse with some assistance from the knights.

Chloe could not help but find herself thinking. She had moments like this. She rarely like thinking about hard things, but right now... her thoughts turned towards her Lord and the home they left.

Both Revan and Celeste were of the opinion that Shirou was born to be King. She didn't anything about politics and ruling a kingdom but she knew Shirou was someone able to incite intense emotions on people. He had an aura about him that spoke of his power whenever he got serious. But for all his power, Shirou did not want to become King.

She didn't understand how and why they needed to get to the capital. She knew the arts of war and how to read the flow of battle, but things such as this were beyond her. Why did they have to leave?

When would they return here? She didn't know. There was also the chance that they would never return here. Celeste had told her of one of their contingency plans. If Shirou was ever put at risk because they were not able to gather enough support, even with Shirou refusing the throne, then there was the chance that they would head north instead to the heart of the Rose.

Farewell. She didn't like that word. It brought about a strange sense of foreboding filled her. It meant that they would never meet again. But she muttered the word any way. It felt natural when she said the words. It seemed fitting.

"Farewell."

-0-

A.N.

Okay... some things to say here. Miko-chan's ability in canon wasn't that advanced, but it has some weaknesses too. It's almost similar to Hitogami's power except it is weaker...It'll be discussed in the later chapters so no pressure. As I mentioned in the earlier chapters, I'll be doing a few edits here and there on Mushoku Tensei lore.

I want to make things clear on how largely Shirou influenced the world from canon. There will be massive differences. And also, sorry about the mass introduction again... I was reluctant to do this because I think some readers might have a hard time remembering all the characters. Cause seriously, Mushoku Tensei has a LOT of characters. I won't be introducing any major characters again until chapter nine or so. Only minor ones.

And... ah yes. Lemme put this one here.

Acedia

Ira

Luxuria

Gula

Invidia

Avaritia

Superbia

Just try to guess what this was for...

Ah... yes. Also for what Asturia looks like? Imagine a younger looking Zenith Greyrat with green eyes.

For the current King of Asura... I can't remember his name. If anyone can remember just tell. For now, I'll refer to him as Tirion.

The last scene felt a little awkward to me. I wasn't comfortable writing it so hope it turned out well enough by standards. Lol. Also, did anyone notice it? A flag was raised... I mean triggered... nah, ignore I said anything.

Oh, and please leave a review.