AN: So here's the update, folks, the new chapter. I deeply apologize that it took so long to update because real world prevails folks! On the other news, I managed to get Skadi and get Merlin from the GSSR. Humble brag here, humble brag there. (Totally F2P here, only rolls for the GSSR… that means I'm a dolphin, right?). As a precaution, I will not be updating for a while on this Fanfic, since I will need to update my other remaining fanfics, such as League of Chaldea, The Monstrous Siren, FGO Side Effects and Little Swallow of Annihilation. You can check them on my profile. As a promise that I will return to this Fanfic the sooner I finish updating the rest, I have a surprise teaser at the end of this chapter. Stay safe, folks.

Chapter 54: The Knowing

Origami woke up from her minute nap, still processing what happened earlier. She was now inside a sealed room with a one-way thich glass. She was felt very weak, which coincidentally resulted from not being able to sleep yesterday.

She could feel the tender bump on her head as she attempted to touch it, only to find out that she was handcuff to the metal table. Origami was displeased. Then she remembered what happened earlier; she assaulted the meeting where the DEM Wizards are amd she never regretted it.

"Oh, you're awake, thank goodness." Origami didn't realize that she wasn't alone until she heard that familiar voice. It was Mable again and she was sitting in front of her, opposite side of the table Origami was facing.

Mable was watching with an interesting facial expression but her eyes were evident that she was also concern for her. Origami was just confused.

"Look, I think this is my fault." Mable admitted to herself. "I should have never said the truth to you if this how you react." She swayed her head as if she was disappointed to herself.

No. Origami thought that it wasn't Mable's fault. Whatever Mable said that evening was all true; they were really planning to abduct Shidou no matter what the cost and she was deeply enraged for them. She felt ashamed for herself because she was blinded by her wrath that she wasn't prepared for the actual scenario.

Origami was in the state confusion as she banged her forehead down the table in exhaustion. Mable just patted Origami's shoulder. Origami was a little weirded out by Mable's comfort over her.

Eventually, Mable stood up as she's apparently done with Origami. Before that, Mable nudged Origami's open hand and placed her own. She unclasped hers, and she dropped something onto Origami's palm. Origami immediately noticed and quickly closed her hand tightly. It was small and Origami can feel its shape.

It was a key and Mable just gave it to her? Just why? Origami was still confused. Mable thinks its time to say goodbye and give Origami a simple hand wave before she left from her seat and walk away to the door, which coincidently opened and in came Ryuko at the moment Mable was just about to exit.

Mable was staring right at Ryuko's eyes, which made Ryuko glared at her as she still doesn't know what her intentions were regarding Origami. She still has a lingering stare at the DEM Wizard until the door eventually closed on its own. Ryuko think its time to move on and sat in front of Origami.

"Origami, how are you?" Ryuko asked carefully.

"I-I'm fine." Origami said her voice being soft.

Ryuko sighed. It is so hard when one of her sergeant was acting strange. "I know that it just so hard to explain what was happening right now."

"They were planning something against Shidou and I couldn't let that happen." Origami stayed resolute as she maintained the gaze toward Captain Ryuko.

"I see. Never thought that they would have the idea to exclude you from the mission as well." Ryuko sighed. "You'll only hinder them as well."

Origami then glared at her Captain for a moment then made her head droop in failure. By accident, Ryuko eyed the key Origami has cupped in her hand and realized what was Origami was going to do after this and how Mable was her accomplice and the one who gave her the key.

"At this moment, you are considered suspend from your job until the DEM Wizard's mission is considered successful." Upon hearing that, Origami groaned to herself and its her own fault.

Also, she was also aware that Ryuko already have seen her hand and tried her best to keep herself natural. She can't have her frail emotion get the best of her, especially when her best chance at saving Shidou is the key given to her by Mable. Heck, she doesn't even know if it can unlock her cuffs in the first place.

Ryuko just cleared her throat and pretended not to see anything. "That's all that I have to say." The fewer the words, the better; Ryuko decided to give her a blind eye for the greater good. She eventually left the room in the same manner of Mable.

Even though Origami knew that both Ryuko and Mable where somehow helping her, she still retained her trust toward her Captain, unlike Mable. Mable's intention wasn't still clear and that it only made her more dangerous. Still, Origami welcomed all of the option she can get, event though she never asked them for the first place.

Ryuko eventually closed the door softly without any noise. She wondered when will Origami decide to escape and when she will, Ryuko will give her the code for the unused the suit that will help her with her fight.

"I'm a Master of Chaldea." Ritsuka stated.

"The what?" and Shiori was still confused. Drake was eating her hamburger beside her Master and was paying attention between them.

"Like I said I'm a Master of Chaldea who can command Spirits." Ritsuka really sucked from explanation. She hoped Shiori would understand. Unfortunately, Shiori was just confused as heck. Before Shiori could say anything. "Hold on. Before you say anything, I am from the other dimension, maybe another world." Upon saying that Ritsuka seemed to be looking down for a moment.

Shiori then thought of something to ask for a while when Ritsuka gave her chance to say something. "Are you a Spirit?" He asked with his eyebrows knitted together and he gulped.

"That's a simple question; I am not." Ritsuka denied. "I am 100% human being." When Ritsuka said that, Shiori could feel that she wasn't joking that she was indeed a human, or at least something between a normal human and Wizard if that's how Shiori could describe her in his own view.

Then Shiori looked at Drake curiously. "How about her?" Even though he was unsure what she was, he could confidently say Drake something supernatural if pay attention scrutinizingly.

"She's a Heroic Spirit." Ritsuka said and Drake shuffled. It seemed that Ritsuka would reveal herself at this moment. "… and to make you ease, they're not the same as Tohka, Yoshino, the Yamai Twins and Kurumi."

Even though Ritsuka said something terrifying, Shiori couldn't help but felt relieved, even for a little bit because Ritsuka said the truth before him. How does Shiori knows of it? He could see Ritsuka changed before him, as if Ritsuka wasn't burdened anymore in pretending. It's subtle but it counts.

Shiori totally placed his trust over Ritsuka because for a long time, Ritsuka didn't even harm them even though they have encountered many times. In fact, Tohka, Yoshino and the Yamai twins are friendly to Ritsuka's dormmates. What more can they prove?

"Then the rest of your dormmates…are they?" Shiori asked her.

Ritsuka nodded.

"I see." Shiori doesn't know what he can ask. He has too many things to bother with, like the issue with Miku.

"Hey, you're worried about Miku, right?" Ritsuka said. Shiori thinks that Ritsuka could read his mind but he just nodded. "You know I could help you with that."

When Ritsuka said that, Drake just looked like, what?

"N-no, you don't have to, the Ratatoskr—" Shiori said as he waved with his hand.

"I obliged." But Ritsuka was relentless. The Master of Chaldea thinks that Shiori really needed some help, not just from Ratatoskr alone. "Besides, its seemed that its all my fault dragging you to Miku without your consent. It ended terribly for you."

"N-no, its not your fault and I always intend to confront Miku whether I like it or not."

"I see but just like I've said earlier; I insist. If you really wanted to 'conquer' Miku through the announced festival." Ritsuka has this fleeting feeling that Miku might not stay true to her words, seeing she's incredibly selfish and will do everything to win, but that's just her guts, right? "To make things clear, Miku did not just want you and your supposed sealed Spirits but me." Ritsuka said as she pointed to herself.

Shiori just sighed. "It seemed I could not dissuade you otherwise." He has no other choice but to accept Ritsuka's help, seeing that she's totally aware that Miku was also aiming for her too.

"See, it's not that hard, right?" Ritsuka said which Shiori didn't reply. "On the other hand, how's your costume? Isn't that comfortable?"

When Ritsuka mentioned his full attire as a girl, Shiori was flustered. He became aware of his supposed crossdressing all of the sudden. He glanced toward his uniform as well as to his wig.

"Err, they are at least comfortable..." Shiori said softly as she played with his wig, caressing them using his fingers, to the point he was content. Immediately, he shook his head as not to delve into some kind of fantasy. "P-please, can we just not talk about myself?"

Ritsuka took note of it but it seemed to be kind of obvious that Shiori was quite enjoying crossdressing but not that she would tell him about it. Also, Ritsuka remembered the time she also went undercover while being crossdress into man during her time in Shinjuku. There's a big difference between Shiori and Ritsuka's crossdressing but can be applied in different purpose, because he's also in undercover too.

"Alright, if that's what you want." Ritsuka decisively said, which made Shiori relieved. By some coincidence, Drake has finished her own meal, seldom listening to their rants. When Shiori and Ritsuka looked at her, Drake just act surprised.

*STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE*

"What?" Drake just shamelessly said. Despite the large amount Drake has consumed, it was a miracle that not one sauce has stained her shirt. It seemed that she was infected by Saber's great appetite. Unfortunately, Drake has no shame when eyes were literally drilling right into her sould while

"Never mind." But deep inside, Ritsuka was lamenting about the cost, not thinking that Drake has already paid it on her account.

Meanwhile, Shiori was reminded of Tohka from Drake's appetite, which made him chuckled at the sight.

"Ah, it seemed that I'm needed now to the dorm." Ritsuka said as she became aware of the passage of time when she looked at the wall clock ticking silently. She stood up and nudged Drake, who was already finished. "See you again, Shiori-chan." Ritsuka said again as she walked away and went out of the restaurant.

Shiori couldn't do anything but wave them back. The information he just got was just overwhelming for him. First, the twin sisters that are very friendly to them turned out to be powerful Spirits as well and second, Ritsuka just casually revealed herself that she's quite aware of the Ratatoskr as well as revealing that her dormmate was a Spirit as well. Does that mean that the entirety of her dormmates were also Spirits too and that they are just living in front of their house?! How absurd.

Shiori shuddered from that thought but one thing that he needed to confirm.

Does the Ratatoskr already know about this? There's only one thing to find out.

The first mission regarding Miku has already concluded without any warning and the entire staff were having a mixed reaction about it, especially when freakin' Ritsuka joined the fray. They didn't expect her to dabble with their affairs as easy as that and it further complicates their mission. No, they do not blame Ritsuka for this, definitely not. The only thing that they could see something advantegous out of this is that this gave them the opportunity to further improve the relationship between Miku and Shiori(Shidou).

On the other hand, Mana Takamiya is perfectly fine after a long coma. Reine Murasame was currently checking Mana's current condition. Mana was currently sitting on the bed and she seemed to be deep in thought.

"All in all, your conditions are currently stable as expected." Reine said as she read the description on her tablet. Mana then turned her attention toward Reine.

"Is that so?" Mana said cautiously. Reine glanced toward Mana then just turned back to the tablet as she skimmed more information.

"I recommend some light activities to stimulate your muscles—"

Mana softly interrupts. "I'm actually in the care of the Ratatoskr, am I right?"

Reine was quiet for a moment. "Yes, you are."

Mana looked defeated. "A shame though. This means returning to the DEM is now practically a death sentence."

"Yes. That means I won't recommend it."

Mana just huffed. "Hai, hai. Don't worry about me. I still have my common sense unlike those other Adeptus."

"Oh?" Reine was amused.

"Besides my goals have been changed since my brother was actually here." Mana said softly.

Whatever Mana's goal was; it could be involved with Shidou. "Pray, tell me what was your goal?"

Mana then placed the tip of her finger onto her lips. "Teehee, it's a secret." She chuckled.

"I understand." Reine said nonchalantly as she was about summarized her checkup.

"I was wondering, I'm still in doubt whether you have anadvanced technology to reverse the damage accumulated in my body, including the repeatedly surgery in order to greatly enhance my abilities as a Wizard at the cost of my life span."

"What do you mean?"

"I knew what I've heard subconsciously. Someone, not something, has managed to actually heal me entirely using their own brand of magic. I can still feel the spare magic lingering within me. Whoever has done this to me must have been a more powerful Wizard. More powerful than the Adeptus."

"…" Reine just remained quiet.

Mana just smirked and excited all of the sudden. "C'mon, am I right? Is that individual here right now?" She was getting giddy.

"Please calm down." It's seemed that Reine has no other choice. Maybe, Mana did hear Ms. Nightingale's chants of her supreme ability. "We do admit that the current technology we are in possession weren't sufficient enough."

"Is she or he a high-ranking officer here? Is he or she that powerful?"

"What's the commotion here?" Kotori immediately interject, as she appeared right at the door with her arms crossed underneath her chest. Her coat was draped on her shoulders and a lollipop stuck in her mouth.

Mana's facial expression immediately soured. "Ah, the step-sister of my brother, am I right?" She said as she looked away.

"So, she's looking for Florence Nightingale, am I right?" Kotori smugly said. Mana became attentive all of the sudden.

"But, Captain—" Reine tried to say something but was immediately interrupted by Kotori.

"No worries, I won't worry for her in this situation. Just give her Nightingale's current location." Kotori just shrugged.

After a minute of an awkward silence, Reine finally agreed. "Ok then."

"But first, she needed some escorts to do so." Kotori commanded. "I can't just let her get off the hook that easily."

"Hai, Hai, that means I'm already a prisoner of Ratatoskr."

"It doesn't necessarily mean like that. You're obviously important to Shidou and I do not want him to lose someone close to him."

Mana just chuckled. "Hmph, I understand what you are trying to imply, as long as I can meet my savior."

Kotori really wanted to argue with Mana, saying that the Ratatoskr was the one who recovered her unconscious body but she wisely stayed quiet. "I don't know why you want her to meet that bad but I'm willing to be considerate."

"I'm just curious, that's all. I wondered where you get your allies after all." By that thought, whoever just made her feel healthy now must be someone that was incredibly famous.

But at that moment, Kotori already left the room. Bad impression. She seldom heard Mana's words.

Nightingale's session was almost over in the hospital. So far the place was lax since there are a few patients there and thanks to Nightingale's efforts, the mortality rate was nonexistent as it was and the recovery rate were astoundingly phenomenal. No doubt, the hospital was a famous spot thanks to Nightingale.

However, Nightingale never cared about being famous, she just wanted to do her job since it reminiscent her of when the time she was alive, although it was hectic as hell, unlike what she currently doing. She was currently wearing a nurse uniform which compose of a dress, apron and a cap.

In the hospital, a normal nurse is required to have a rest after a 12 hours of hardwork and so Nightingale must convince them that she was a 'human' as not the break the façade. She has the permission from her Master to do this.

Nightingale went outside for a wiff of fresh air while waving at the security guard by the door.

But that peace will not last for long as Nightingale became acutely aware someone was targeting her at instant. Not long after, a rustle in the bush.

*WHACK*

Nightingale sternly defended herself, using her forearm, stopping the baton from striking her body. She observed the interloper properly.

"You. I know you." Nightingale was visibly angered, albeit for a different reason. "You should be resting already." Nightingale already deduced who was the one assaulted her.

Mana meanwhile was pleased of what she was doing and did not even utter any word and she was currently wearing a sweater with a hood. She was putting all of her strength into the baton. What's more is that it was a security baton. She attempted to click the on button but Nightingale deduced her next move.

With her Understanding of the Human Body, Nightingale can prepare herself from any bodily harm that was about to inflict on her while at the same time, she can locate any weak points of any individuals. Nightingale swat away the baton away from her arms.

Mana did not lose her balance and immediately follow it up with an upward kick, which Nightingale gladly deflected. It was a miracle that Nightingale's nurse apparel didn't even tore from her extreme movement.

Where did Mana get a baton all of the sudden? Before meeting Nightingale beforehand, the former Adeptus did manage to get an escort courtesy of the Ratatoskr just to meet her 'savior'. Mana managed to knocked her escort out cold and stole his simple weapon. Then, she hid her escort within the bush nearby.

"Sugoii! So you can really fight well huh, Nightingale-san?" Mana complemented her, which Nightingale just ignore.

"This activity is unfit with you being recently recovered if I have to guess." Nightingale complained as she rushed forward. She intended to knock her unconscious in order to make her calm down.

Mana didn't listen to her instead. "Are you really a powerful Wizard or not, please answer me!" She said as she hopped away from Nightingale. Despite not using any magical enhancements on her own, she still has sufficient training to defeat a group of grown up men in a short amount of time.

However, Nightingale was no mere group of grown-up men.

"I don't have the authority to answer you that but one thing that remains a fact: You. Need. To. Go. To. Bed!!!" Nightingale said as she tried to strike her on Mana's sternum but the former Adeptus was just too nimble.

"Let me guess: you're a Spirit! A freakin' Spirit!" Mana exclaimed as she attempted to stab Nightingale using the baton and electrocute her. Nightingale, seeing that Mana is just relentless and stubborn as she was, disarmed her immediately as she closed up the distance between them.

Mana was promptly surprised. Even with her years of training, she finally concluded that she can't beat Nightingale in this norm setting to the point she finally conceded defeat silently. Nightingale wasn't satisfied and struck her at the nape, rendering her muscles useless.

"Oof!" Mana's body slammed down the ground but since she can't feel her body anymore, she only felt the shock of her body and not the body. "Ah, I'm defeated fair and square, it's your victory, Ms. Nightingale."

"I only applied this technique to most stubborn patients that I need to deal with." Nightingale explained as she picked up her body over her shoulder. B Strength at works, folks!

"Nee, tell me, are you really a Wizard or a Spirit?" Mana asked her curiously. She was lucky that the region below her neck were paralyzed so she still can speak clearly.

However, Nightingale didn't listen and went on walking away from the hospital. It seemed she needed some day-off for real as she can't put Mana there carelessly.

"As expected, good grief." Kotori was smirking to herself as she observed Mana's current condition. She was already in the dorm of Ritsuka together with Reine, who was now diagnosing her again. The Captain of the Ratatoskr was swaying her head in disbelief.

"Haha, laugh till you dead." Mana was mocking the hell out of her. She really wanted to strike Kotori on the spot but was hindered by her paralyzed body. Fortunately, Nightingale assured them that paralysis will only last about an hour.

Kotori huffed. "So are you satisfied that you've met your 'savior'?"

"Sort of."

Kotori felt that Mana was unnerving brat. "Sort of? Look what you did to your escort!" She pointed to the individual that was still unconscious at the other bed. It was a male and his face was bruised. Nightingale was the one who was taking care of him right now.

"It's lucky that he wasn't in a critical condition."

"I controlled my blows. I promise."

tsk*

Kotori was appalled by Mana's callousness. Meanwhile, Ritsuka was watching them with interest. The rest of her Servants where either too busy to notice them or was watching together with her Master.

"So you're Mana Takamiya, self-proclaimed sister of Shidou?" Ritsuka asked her curiously.

"Blood siblings to be exact." Mana corrected her.

Ritsuka glanced between Mana and Kotori and was satisfied with the tidbits of who looked closer to their siblings. Of course, it was obvious who was the real sibling. "I see."

"Hmmph." Kotori never cared for comparison.

"It seemed that I have no other choice but to join the Ratatoskr… for the sake of my brother." Mana declared and Kotori just smiled.

All according to keikaku.

Keikaku means plan— whatever.

They only need to wait for Mana to recover her muscles efficiently before they can teleport back to the Fraxinus ship. The escort guy also recovered thankfully but still needed to be sent to the infirmary as per Reine's instruction. Why the delay for Mana's recovery as they can go on despite she was still in paralyze? No reason at all but this is definitely Kotori's petty doings, not that Reine will have something to tell about it

Shidou was now already back home preparing for dinner and Kotori couldn't wait, if not for her job here. She couldn't help but think of the main course that her brother would be offering today.

"Oya? Researching us as usual?" Mana interjected Kotori's thought, and the Captain of the Fraxinus made a big fuss about it.

"Wha--?! Get back to your bed you annoying brat!" Kotori was annoyed that Mana interrupted her focus.

"Pfft!? Pot calling kettle back." Mana teased. "Besides, you can totally depend on me, a former Adeptus." She said as she pointed toward herself.

"Whatever." Kotori did indeed consider Mana's well of information from the DEM but today, it seemed that she has no mood for it. "Then tell me, o, wise one… what I am looking at now?" Kotori mocked her back.

"Let's see… you are investigating the presence of an unusual Wizards that seemed to be recruited by the AST—well depends if that's the case." Then she pointed toward the floating hologram of various portrait.

"Jessica Bailey, Adeptus 3 something something…ah that bitch." Mana concluded, which made Kotori rolled her eyes. "Mable Macintosh, Adeptus 4 something something…" Mana blinked twice.

She immediately stopped talking and just became serious all of the sudden and it made Kotori looked back at her.

Kotori furrowed her eyebrows. "You found something, didn't you?"

After a minute of not responding, Mana just nodded slowly while her eyes were set at a certain person depicted on the hologram.

"Mable Macintosh? This… this is just absurd."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Kotori was curious as hell. Is it something related to this individual named Mable Macintosh.

"Being called as an Adeptus means that the Wizard who has that title are stupendously powerful, or as what Ellen Mira Mathers claimed for herself, the world's strongest Wizard…"

Kotori was listening intently.

"Mable Macintosh, or whoever it was, definitely did not exist back at the DEM."

Teaser Chapter??

The … r

The …e

The clashing, angry dark waves clashed against each other…

Unbelievable…

Ferocious…

Cold…

Brutal…

It is as if no one can stop each other

from reaching each other's throat…

Even with the audience floating above, Wizards, Spirits, and Bandersnatches…

All couldn't do anything with this vicious battle of the two powerful individual…

No one can reach them, without risking themselves turned to the dust from the fiery wave…

The Dark-Tainted Tyrant…

Against the Demon King…

Whose darkness will by overwhelmed by the other?

Who would be the victorious…

Who would claim the title at the cost of the many…?