The rain poured relentlessly, striking the ground in heavy sheets.
Makoto looked up at the sky, slightly annoyed.
"…It's raining this hard… when is our test even going to start?"
Richard stood beside him, unfazed.
"You need patience."
Fujiko crossed her arms, nodding lightly.
"He's right. Just wait."
—
The scene shifted.
A girl stood alone on the roadside, gazing up at the storm-filled sky.
"…Should I go?" she murmured.
Rain soaked the streets, the sound of footsteps echoing as people hurried past.
"…Yeah… I should."
She tightened her grip on her bag and suddenly dashed forward, weaving through the crowd with surprising speed.
Moments later—
She pushed open the door of a café.
A small bell rang.
"…I think too much," she muttered softly, brushing her damp hair aside.
"I got a little wet…"
A voice came from inside.
"So… you came, Kurumi Sako. It's been a while."
She paused.
"…Yeah."
—
Across from her, a figure sat by the window.
Kamiya Shinya gazed quietly at the rain outside, his expression calm—almost unreadable.
The storm reflected in his eyes.
Kurumi smiled softly and sat down.
Outside, the rain poured heavily—relentless, unending. Droplets struck the café window in uneven rhythms, sliding down like fading memories. The sky was dim, wrapped in a dull gray, and the world beyond the glass looked distant… almost unreal.
She placed her bag beside her, a faint drip of water falling from its edge.
Kamiya, still gazing at the rain, spoke quietly—
" it's raining a lot. Don't you agree with me?"
Kurumi followed his gaze toward the window, watching the blurred silhouettes of people rushing through the storm.
"Oh yeah… it looks beautiful."
A soft rumble of thunder echoed far away.
Kamiya's eyes remained fixed outside.
"I love the rain."
His voice was calm… but carried weight.
"It reflects sadness… and many other things. You can't deny it."
The rain intensified, tapping harder against the glass.
"That's why… rain is a season where people find love… sometimes."
A pause.
"For some, it's sad… for others, it feels good… comforting."
Kurumi smiled gently, her fingers brushing against the warm cup.
"…Yeah. I agree with you."
The warmth of the tea contrasted with the cold, damp air surrounding them.
Kamiya finally shifted his gaze toward her.
"You should drink your tea… or it'll get cold."
"Oh—yeah, I didn't even think of that…"
She let out a small breath, lifting the cup.
"This atmosphere… really gives me chills…"
Her voice softened.
"And the way you talk… that's why it gives me chills."
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Kamiya tilted his head slightly.
"…Is that so?"
Kurumi quickly took a sip.
The warmth spread through her.
"…Yeah… it's really good."
Kamiya gave a small, quiet smile.
The sound of rain filled the silence again.
Then—
"…By the way," he said, "did you get the key I asked for?"
Kurumi paused, then nodded.
"…Yeah. Here."
She opened her bag and took out an old key.
It looked worn… aged… as if it carried time within it.
"…This key… it opens a box."
Lightning flickered faintly outside.
"I don't really believe in these superstition things…"
Her voice lowered slightly.
"But after my father died… he left it to me when I was young."
The rain softened—just slightly.
"I thought… maybe it meant something."
A small pause.
"…But I guess it's nothing at all."
She pushed it toward him.
"…So you can take it."
Kamiya picked it up without hesitation.
"…Thanks. It's very important to me."
Kurumi smiled awkwardly.
"…Yeah… I heard you like collecting weird things."
She quickly waved her hands.
"Not like that—no, no—"
Kamiya let out a soft laugh.
"I like being called weird."
He leaned back slightly, eyes calm.
"It's actually a good thing."
Kurumi blinked, surprised.
"…Is that so?"
Kamiya nodded.
"Everyone in this world has weirdness."
The rain continued to fall, softer now—steady, almost calming.
"Don't you think… that's what makes them unique?"
Kurumi's eyes lit up slightly.
"…Yeah."
She smiled.
"That makes sense."
The scene shifted.
Rain still echoed faintly in the distance, tapping against the academy's high walls.
Makoto and Richard stood near the training ground—both clearly bored.
Makoto stretched lazily.
"Y'know… when I stole your candy back then, you cried like a kid."
Richard didn't even look at him.
"…Enough with those brain-dead jokes."
Makoto grinned.
"Hey, seriously—after seeing all this, I just remembered someone."
Richard glanced at him slightly.
"…Who?"
"Kamiya Shinya. You know him?"
Richard frowned.
"…No. Who is he?"
Makoto shrugged.
"After you left, I made new friends. He's… kinda different. Really calm, kind… and yeah—popular with girls too."
He smirked a little.
"I'd say he's a really good guy."
Richard stayed silent for a moment.
"…I don't know about that. But… the name sounds familiar."
Makoto tilted his head.
"Hmm… maybe."
A pause.
Then he looked around.
"…Wait—where's Fujiko? I just saw her—"
He suddenly pointed.
"Oi—you there!"
—
Fujiko was sitting off to the side… casually eating popcorn.
Without even trying to hide it.
She froze.
"…Oh."
A beat.
"…I got caught."
—
Makoto and Richard stared at her.
Then both of them reacted at the same time—
"Seriously?!"
—
Before the moment could settle—
A strange feeling crept in.
Cold.
Unpleasant.
Makoto's expression shifted.
"…What's this…?"
That heavy, negative sensation lingered in the air.
Slowly, he turned his head—
Toward the corner.
—
Rohan stood there.
Watching him.
Silently.
—
Makoto's face twitched.
"…Will you please stop staring at me like that? It's creepy. Seriously—it gives me chills."
Rohan flinched slightly.
"I-I just…"
He hesitated, fidgeting.
"I just felt… kinda ashamed after seeing you…"
—
Makoto instantly dropped to the ground.
"WTH?!"
He looked up, annoyed.
"I'm a weeb too, you know—what kind of logic is that?!"
He stood back up, brushing himself off.
"…Anyway—you're in our team too, right?"
Fujiko answered from the side.
"Yeah. He is."
Makoto nodded, then looked at Rohan again.
"So tell me—what's your サーバント name?"
Rohan avoided eye contact.
"…It's a secret. For now."
Makoto groaned.
"Come on, it's not that serious. You can tell us—right, my friend?"
—
The air remained slightly tense.
That strange feeling… still hadn't fully disappeared.
The scene shifted.
Rain traced slow lines across the café window.
Kamiya Shinya stood quietly, the faint glow of the outside light reflecting in his eyes.
He turned the key between his fingers.
"…This key…"
A faint smile formed.
"…it's something worth adding to my collection."
Outside, the rain softened—no longer violent, but steady… like a quiet whisper.
His gaze lowered slightly.
"And this box… it definitely has a purpose."
—
Kurumi looked at him, her fingers tightening slightly around her cup.
Kamiya picked up his coat.
"Well… I should get going."
He glanced at her.
"You should take care."
Kurumi's cheeks tinted red.
"…R-right."
—
Without another word, he stepped out.
The café door closed behind him with a soft chime.
And the rain welcomed him back.
—
The scene shifted again.
—
Makoto crossed his arms, staring at Rohan.
"Come on, at least tell me something. How's your father like something strong okusto or something "
Before Rohan could answer—
A voice cut through.
"Well… shouldn't it be time for your test?"
—
All of them turned.
Araki Amatsuka stood there, a faint smile resting on his face.
"Let's see how capable you are."
He stepped forward slightly.
"After all… a special-grade Okutso will be teaching you."
—
Makoto's eyes lit up slightly.
"…Who could that be?"
—
The large doors slowly opened.
A faint creaking sound echoed through the hall.
Smoke drifted out first.
Then—
A man stepped in.
An old figure.
Wearing glasses.
Calm.
Unbothered.
A cigarette rested between his fingers as he took a slow drag, exhaling lazily.
His presence alone… felt heavy.
Like someone who had seen far too much.
—
The atmosphere changed.
Even the air… felt different now
"Well, well… Haruki Yoshida. It's been a while. Still as cold as ever, I see."
The man didn't look at him.
A slow exhale of smoke left his lips.
"Yeah."
Just one word—but it carried weight.
Makoto narrowed his eyes slightly, studying him.
So this is him… Rohan's father…
No wonder…
Before the moment could settle—
"Could you shut up, Araki?"
The room froze.
A guard stepped forward instantly. "You can't speak to Sir like tha—"
He stopped.
No—his body stopped.
His voice died mid-sentence.
His eyes widened in pure terror.
He couldn't move.
Not even a finger.
Haruki didn't even look at him.
"I wouldn't hesitate to kill you," he said calmly. "Or any of your guards."
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Then—
Araki raised a hand casually.
"It's fine. I told you… don't provoke him."
The guard staggered back, drenched in cold sweat.
Araki sighed lightly.
"He's not someone you can handle. Not an ordinary Okutso."
Haruki finally lifted his gaze.
Took another sip from his glass.
Then—
His eyes landed on Makoto.
Sharp.
Piercing.
"So… you're Takashi's son."
A pause.
"Makoto Mori… right?"
Makoto straightened instinctively.
"…Yes."
Then those same eyes shifted.
"To you—"
Richard didn't flinch.
"Richard Bougainvillea."
Haruki's lips curved slightly.
"Interesting…"
A faint smirk.
Not friendly.
Not warm.
Just… dangerous.
Then he leaned back slightly.
Smoke curling upward.
"Tell me something."
A pause.
"Why are you here?"
His gaze sharpened.
"Your motive."
The air tightened again.
"Why do you want to join?"
Haruki exhaled slowly, smoke dissolving into the air.
"Three questions."
His voice was calm—but heavy.
"Which one do you think is true?"
A pause.
"Will you save humans?"
Makoto didn't hesitate.
"Yeah. I'm human… so saving humans isn't even a question."
Haruki said nothing.
His gaze shifted.
Richard spoke next, almost lazily.
"Being greedy… killing sometimes—for the greater good… I'm fine with that."
A faint silence followed.
Then—
"The next," Haruki continued, "to create a peaceful society."
Makoto frowned slightly.
"…That's obvious too, isn't it?"
Haruki stared at both of them.
Then—unexpectedly—
"You did well."
He tossed something—two small metallic tags.
"These are your scores. You passed this stage."
Makoto blinked.
"…We passed?"
Haruki took another sip.
"The third answer was mediocre."
A pause.
"But acceptable."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Though… that's not how things actually work in the Shingen Force."
Makoto's expression hardened.
"…What do you mean?"
No answer.
Instead—
Haruki vanished.
A blur.
—BOOM—
Makoto's body slammed into the wall before he could even react.
"Ghh—?!"
Too fast.
He couldn't even see it.
Richard moved instantly—
His fist cut through the air toward Haruki's face.
Haruki tilted his head slightly.
Dodged.
Effortlessly.
Richard followed up—another punch, sharper, faster—
Blocked.
No—stopped.
Haruki's hand caught it.
Then—
A single strike.
—THUD—
Richard hit the ground.
Silence.
Makoto forced himself up, breathing rough.
"…Tch… then how about this?!"
He grabbed a nearby flower pot and swung it.
Haruki didn't move.
His fist moved once—
—CRACK—
The pot shattered mid-air.
Fragments scattered like dust.
Before Makoto could react—
—IMPACT—
He dropped.
Flat.
Helpless.
Haruki stood there, untouched.
"I didn't even use a fraction of my power."
His voice remained indifferent.
"And you're already down."
A pause.
Cold eyes.
"Your first instinct… wasn't to survive."
"Remember that."
Rohan, sitting at the side, clenched his fists.
"…Father… don't hurt them too much."
Haruki didn't look at him.
"They won't die."
A slight pause.
"…If they're worth anything."
Makoto lay on the ground, groaning.
"…Damn… that hurt."
He slowly sat up, cracking his neck slightly, then let out a small laugh.
"…Kinda brutal… but not bad."
A grin spread across his face.
"Since he's that strong… makes it more fun."
He clenched his fist lightly.
"I'll take my revenge."
He said it in a half-joking tone—but his eyes carried intent.
"…What do you think?"
Richard exhaled, still lying back.
"…I don't know."
A pause.
"…He's strong. No doubt about that."
He glanced upward.
"He took us down like it was nothing."
His voice lowered slightly.
"…If I had a little more time… I would've used Horus properly."
Makoto turned his head.
"…Your サーバント?"
Richard didn't answer immediately.
Makoto clicked his tongue.
"…Where was mine then?"
A slight frown formed.
"Susano didn't even respond to me."
A pause.
"…Maybe he knew it was just a test…"
He looked up at the ceiling.
"…Or maybe…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…he just didn't think it was worth it."
Makoto pushed himself up, brushing the dust off his clothes.
"…We should train our Shingon," he said, looking at Richard. "Don't you think?"
Richard glanced at him, calm as ever.
"…Yeah. But Shingon isn't something you use casually."
A pause.
"It's only for when your サーバント is in danger… or when you have no other choice."
Makoto listened quietly.
"We don't need to rely on it all the time," Richard continued. "Our サーバント are already strong enough."
His tone grew slightly serious.
"And we can only use Shingon five times."
Makoto blinked.
"…Five?"
"If you overuse it… it can damage your body."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Makoto looked down at his hand.
"…I see."
Then he let out a small breath.
"We shouldn't rely on our サーバント all the time either."
He looked back at Richard.
"They're like us… not tools."
A pause.
"But yeah… if Shingon is only for emergencies…"
He nodded slightly.
"…I'll keep that in mind."
Richard gave a small nod.
"Good. That's better."
"…It's dangerous if you misuse it."
Makoto scratched his head lightly.
"…Is that so?"
"…Yeah."
A brief silence followed.
Makoto exhaled.
"…Alright then."
Makoto stretched slightly, still recovering.
"…So what do we do now?"
He looked at Richard.
"…If I want to summon Susano again… do I need to go home? To check that chant I used before?"
Richard shook his head.
"…Not needed."
Makoto blinked.
"When you used that… it already activated."
A pause.
"What you have to do now is simple."
He looked at Makoto directly.
"Call your サーバント's name."
Makoto listened carefully.
"And say it clearly—"
"'I release you from your seal.'"
"Or—"
"'I summon you… Susano.'"
"That's how it works."
A brief silence.
"…That's the summoning."
Makoto frowned slightly, thinking.
"…And if I'm not wrong…"
He looked at his hand.
"I need to focus on my willpower too… right?"
Richard nodded.
"…Yeah."
"That's the key."
Silence settled between them—
Not confusion anymore.
But understanding.
Richard didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
"Watch."
A faint glow began to gather around him.
"Here…"
His voice steadied.
"I summon you—Horus."
—A burst of light—
Golden radiance spread outward, forming a massive figure behind him.
Horus appeared.
Tall. Majestic. Overwhelming.
Makoto's eyes widened.
"…Whoa."
"It's like mine… but bigger…"
—
A voice echoed in his mind.
"…Of course it is."
Makoto froze.
"You can't even use me properly, idiot."
"…Huh?"
He looked around.
"Who's that—?"
Richard glanced at him.
"That's how I summon Horus."
As if answering—
Horus spoke, its voice deep and distant.
"…So it depends on training."
Richard nodded.
"Exactly."
—
Makoto took a step forward.
"…Alright."
"I'll try it too."
"…Finally."
Susano's voice echoed again in his mind.
"Let's do it."
Makoto focused.
"…Hey… Susano. Is that really you?"
"Of course it is."
"…Then how do I summon you?"
A brief pause.
"Focus on your will."
"Like I told you before."
Makoto took a breath.
Richard watched quietly.
"…Interesting."
"He's communicating directly with his サーバント…"
—
Makoto clenched his fist.
"…Alright."
His voice grew firm.
"Here—"
"I release you from your seal…"
A pause.
"…Susano."
—
Silence.
Then—
A surge.
Wind burst outward.
Energy spiraled violently around him—
—BOOM—
Susano manifested.
Standing behind him.
In full presence.
Makoto was pushed backward slightly from the pressure.
"…Whoa—"
He steadied himself.
Then—
He smiled.
"…So you're Susano."
Behind him, the figure stood silently.
Then—
"…Yeah."
A deep voice answered.
"I am."
Makoto glanced toward the road behind him.
"…That's her, right?"
Richard didn't even turn fully.
"…Yeah."
A small pause.
"…Your reaction already answered it."
Makoto scratched his head lightly.
"…Anyway… how are we gonna train?"
—
"Train your Shingon."
Susano's voice echoed calmly in his mind.
"Refine your will."
"Make yourself stronger."
Richard nodded slightly, as if aligning with that.
"…It'll give you a boost. But it needs control."
Susano added—
"Focus. Precision. Not just power."
A brief silence.
Then Richard spoke again.
"…We need two things."
He raised two fingers.
"Physical strength."
"And willpower."
Makoto listened carefully.
"…And our bond with our サーバント."
Richard lowered his hand.
"…That's what matters."
He turned slightly.
"…So—let's train with them."
Makoto smiled.
"…Good plan."
—
Richard started walking.
"…Follow me."
Makoto blinked.
"…Where are we going?"
"…Training room."
"…Where is that?"
Richard didn't answer.
"…Just follow."
Makoto sighed.
"…Alright…"
—
They walked.
But—
Makoto slowed slightly.
His eyes shifted.
Far away—
A woman stood watching.
Silent.
Unmoving.
Their eyes met for a second.
She smiled.
A quiet, knowing smile.
Makoto frowned slightly.
…Who is she?
Does she know me…?
—
Richard's voice cut in.
"…We're here."
Makoto snapped out of it.
"…Huh?"
He looked up.
And froze for a second.
"…Whoa…"
Before them—
A massive training field stretched wide.
Open. Structured. Built for combat.
"…This place is huge…"