The faint hum of life filled the air at the train station as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Tokyo skyline in soft orange hues. Ritsuka Fujimaru adjusted the strap of his bag, filled with textbooks and notes, as he waited on the platform. Beside him, his close friend, Yuji Nakamura, stood with a calm but cautious demeanor, their conversation drifting back to their latest seminar project on digital marketing.
"Remember, Ritsuka," Yuji said, glancing at his phone to check the time. "We need to link the audience analysis with actionable insights. I'm pretty sure Professor Yamamoto will nitpick that part."
Ritsuka nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, yeah, I got it. I'll finish my section tonight."
Yuji adjusted his glasses, a faint frown on his face. "You always say that, but you look like you're carrying the weight of the world sometimes. Don't overdo it, alright? You need to take care of yourself."
"Thanks, Yuji. I'll try."
The announcement for Yuji's train echoed through the station. He gave Ritsuka a small wave. "Alright, see you tomorrow. Don't forget to send me the draft!"
"Got it. Take care," Ritsuka replied, watching his friend board the train.
As the train departed, Ritsuka was left alone on the platform. His own train arrived shortly after, its sleek silver form pulling to a halt in front of him. He stepped inside, surprised to find the carriage completely empty.
"Strange," he murmured, taking a seat by the window.
The train began to move, its rhythmic clatter soothing yet eerily quiet in the absence of other passengers. Ritsuka leaned back, closing his eyes.
Memories of his past flooded his mind. The halls of Chaldea, the endless battles, the faces of Heroic Spirits he had summoned. Mash, Da Vinci, Goredolf and countless others who had stood beside him through the darkest of times. He remembered their smiles, their sacrifices, and the quiet moments of camaraderie between battles.
"Those were the days, huh?" he whispered to himself, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.
Suddenly a fog took over his body and train.
When he opened his eyes, he froze.
The train was gone.
Instead, he found himself in an enormous auditorium. The architecture was morden yet grand, reminiscent of a temple. The air buzzed with the noise of thousands of spectators. He saw rows upon rows of students, all appearing to be around seventeen years old, numbering in the thousands.
"What the…?" Ritsuka muttered, scanning his surroundings. His instincts, honed from years of fighting for humanity, immediately kicked in.
The atmosphere was heavy with expectation, and the distant murmur of the crowd filled the space. His hand instinctively reached for his belt, only to find it empty, he forgot he is not master anymore.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. Stay calm. Observe. Figure out where you are.
Suddenly Ritsuka Fujimaru clenched his fists, trying to suppress the storm of emotions coursing through him. The strange memories now settling in his mind were vivid, real, and far too detailed to dismiss as hallucinations. The body he now inhabited wasn't his own—it was thinner, weaker, younger. His fingers twitched, unfamiliar with their shape and strength.
He replayed what he'd just pieced together: a dungeon break, monsters, an orphanage, a military academy, and now this—graduation day for non-combatant cadets. The memories of this version of himself painted a life so different, yet eerily similar in struggle to his own.
"Ritsuka, you sure you're okay?" Ayaka Sajyou's concerned voice broke through his thoughts. Her blue eyes searched his face with genuine worry.
"I'm fine. Really," Ritsuka replied, forcing a smile.
The sharp pain in his temples had dulled, but the lingering disorientation wouldn't leave. His gaze shifted toward Yuji Nakamura, his supposed friend in this world. This Yuji looked younger, more carefree, and his glasses had a thicker frame. Seeing a familiar face helped ground Ritsuka, even if this wasn't the same Yuji who'd waved goodbye on the train platform just minutes ago—or perhaps lifetimes ago.
"So," Yuji leaned in with a teasing grin, "you're not fooling me. Did some girl catch your eye today? Or are you still hopelessly oblivious?"
Ritsuka blinked, momentarily stunned by the sheer normalcy of Yuji's tone. It contrasted starkly with the surreal weight pressing down on his chest. "I told you, it's just a headache."
"Headache or not, you look pale. You should rest more," Ayaka said, adjusting her glasses. Her tone was gentle but firm, reminding him of someone he couldn't quite place from his past life.
Before Ritsuka could respond, a ripple of excitement passed through the stadium. Whispers buzzed among the students, and their gazes collectively turned toward a single figure entering the auditorium.
"That's her," Ayaka whispered, almost reverently.
Ritsuka followed their eyes, and his breath caught when he saw her. Manaka Sajyou.
Manaka's presence seemed to cast a spell over the room. Her long silver hair gleamed under the soft lights, and her delicate features held an almost otherworldly charm. She moved with grace and confidence, her emerald-light blue eyes scanning the everyone as though she were both above it and yet deeply engaged with it. In her eyes everyone are nothing.
"She's the granddaughter of Hero Sajyou," someone whispered nearby. "And she inherited his Gift—Holy Saint. She's destined to save humanity."
"She's incredible," another murmured. "We could never compete with someone like her."
Ritsuka's gaze lingered on Manaka. He could see the admiration and borderline worship in the eyes of the crowd, but something about her unnerved him. Maybe it was the way her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Or maybe it was the lingering remnants of his own memories, warning him not to trust beauty so readily.
His instincts, honed through countless battles and strange encounters, were screaming at him about Manaka Sajyou. There was something deeply unsettling about her. He glanced at her again on the stage, her face now displayed prominently on the holographic screens.
"What is this feeling?" he thought. "Even at this distance, I feel like something's off. Ominous, even."
"Ritsuka?" Yuji's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You've been staring for a while. Don't tell me you've fallen for Manaka too?"
"No," Ritsuka said quickly, shaking his head. "I was just… thinking."
Manaka's eyes briefly flicked toward him, and for a moment, Ritsuka thought she might have noticed him amidst the sea of faces. But then her gaze moved on, and the moment passed.
As the cheers settled, Ritsuka leaned back in his chair, gripping its sides tightly. He wasn't sure what was happening or why he was here. But one thing was certain—this wasn't his world.
The announcer's voice echoed across the auditorium:
"—Hero Association's Agent Military Academy Tokyo Branch Graduation, Class of 2024, Rank 1 Cadet, Manaka Sajyou."
The last name struck him like a bolt of lightning. His head turned sharply to Ayaka Sajyou, who sat stiffly beside him. Her face was composed, but her fingers fidgeted nervously with her glasses. Ritsuka could see the emotions bubbling beneath her calm exterior—conflict, pain, and perhaps a hint of fear.
He opened his mouth to ask, but quickly shut it. "No," he told himself. "That's crossing a line. Whatever her connection to Manaka is, it's not my place to pry."
Of course, Yuji had no such reservations. Because he is shameless friend to them.
"Hey, Ayaka," Yuji said, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "Is she your sister? You never mentioned her back at the orphanage. Man, I think I'm in love. Please introduce her to me—I'll try my luck!"
Ayaka didn't even look at him, her tone cold as she replied, "If you want to die, I'd be happy to introduce you. And we'd get a holiday for your funeral."
Yuji feigned a gasp, clutching his chest dramatically. "A sadistic woman as always! Wishing for a holiday at your close friend's death? I curse you—you'll never get a boyfriend!"
Ayaka adjusted her glasses, smirking. "Then I'll make sure not to help you with any of your subjects in the future."
At that, Yuji immediately folded, putting on an exaggeratedly servile expression. "I was joking! I swear! You're the most kind-hearted and beautiful person I know!"
Ritsuka couldn't help but crack a small smile at their antics. Despite the bizarre and disorienting circumstances, Yuji and Ayaka's playful bickering grounded him, reminding him of the camaraderie he once had in Chaldea.
Ritsuka shook his head, laughing quietly as they bickered like children. "They really are close friends," he thought. The warmth of their dynamic reminded him of Mash and Da Vinci.
The announcer's voice cut through their banter.
"—Class of 2024, Rank 2 Cadet, Olga Marie Animusphere."
The hologram shifted to display another figure stepping onto the stage. Ritsuka's breath caught in his throat as his gaze fell on a face so familiar it hurt.
Olga.
No, it wasn't his Olga, but the resemblance was uncanny. The sharp features, the confident stride, and the commanding presence—it was all there. Memories flooded his mind of their short yet impactful time together, and a sharp pang of guilt twisted in his chest.
"Wait, isn't she the daughter of the disappeared Guild Director of Chaldea Guild?" someone whispered nearby.
"She looks good, but I wouldn't go near her."
"I heard she took over her father's guild when she was young. No wonder she's so cold to everyone."
Ritsuka tried to block out the chatter. This wasn't the Olga he knew. She didn't share his Olga's experiences, her pain, or her sacrifice. "It's wrong to see her in this Olga," he told himself firmly. "They're different people, and I have no connection to this version of her."
Yuji, of course, seized the opportunity to tease him. "Ritsuka, I always knew you had a thing for white-haired beauties!"
Ayaka joined in, adjusting her glasses with a playful smirk. "I see your type now—white hair and evil-looking women. That's a popular trope in novels these days, isn't it?"
Ritsuka groaned. "Yuji, if you don't stop, I'll tell everyone you wet the bed until you were ten years old."
Yuji's eyes widened in panic, and he slapped a hand over Ritsuka's mouth. "You traitor! You can't betray your best friend like that!"
Despite the teasing, Ritsuka's mind remained distracted. As his friends laughed and argued, his gaze drifted back to the stage. Manaka stood there, basking in the applause of the audience, while Olga remained poised and aloof.
As the announcer's voice introduced
"Class of 2024, Rank 3 Cadet, Shirou Emiya,"
Ritsuka's heart skipped a beat.
A young man with reddish-brown hair and a calm, collected expression stepped onto the stage. His presence was unassuming, yet there was something about him that commanded attention.
Ritsuka's eyes widened in shock. "Grampa..." The word slipped out of his mouth so quietly that no one noticed. But he quickly caught himself, swallowing the lump in his throat. This Shirou Emiya was not the one he knew. Still, the resemblance was striking, both in appearance.
As the applause filled the hall, murmurs began to rise from the crowd around him:
"...This is why people say a Gift is all that matters. Who cares if you try hard? People like him end up taking top spots anyway."
"That guy completely lucked out with his Gift."
"His grades are said to be average for the past 10 years. See? He's just a lucky bastard."
"Yeah, I've heard of him. His Gift was announced, right? What was it again... Sword Saint?"
"I wonder what he'd be without that Gift. Probably nothing."
Ritsuka frowned, a bitter taste in his mouth as he listened to the envious remarks. "Humans never change, no matter the world," he thought. He shook his head, brushing off the negative energy.
After the ceremony concluded, Ritsuka, Ayaka, and Yuji headed to the restaurant provided by the Hero Association for the cadets. Yuji, of course, was the driving force.
"I'm starving!" Yuji groaned dramatically. "Let's go eat the free food. It's the least they can do after making us sit through that whole thing!"
Ayaka sighed, pinching him on the arm. "You're so shameless. At least pretend to have manners."
Ritsuka chuckled at their antics as they followed Ayaka's lead. Neither he nor Yuji were good at navigating unfamiliar places, so Ayaka took charge, exuding an older-sister-like air.
Upon reaching the restaurant, the trio found a table with three chairs. A kind-looking older woman with short white hair approached them, her soft voice greeting them warmly.
"Hello, young ones. What can I do for you?"
Yuji, as usual, spoke without thinking. "Grandma, we're starving! The ceremony took way too long!"
Ayaka immediately pinched his arm again, making him yelp. "Sorry about his behavior," she apologized, her tone polite.
The woman chuckled, unfazed. "Oh, don't worry. I hear the same complaint from students every year."
Ritsuka smiled as he took the menu and placed their orders. "Grandma, I'd like French fries, a cheeseburger for Yuji, and vegetable pasta for Ayaka."
The lady nodded, jotting it down before heading to the kitchen.
As they waited, the trio observed their surroundings. The restaurant was bustling with other cadets, all dressed in uniforms similar to theirs. A large TV displayed footage of the graduation ceremony, highlighting the 2,000 students who had just graduated.
When the food arrived, Ritsuka thanked the woman sincerely. As she turned to leave, she paused and glanced back at them.
"So, what are your cadet ranks?" she asked, curious.
Ayaka spoke first. "Rank 935," she said confidently.
Yuji grinned. "Rank 974."
All eyes turned to Ritsuka, who hesitated for a moment before mumbling, "Rank 1000." His face turned red as he admitted it, clearly embarrassed to be the last-ranked cadet.
Yuji burst out laughing. "Ritsuka! You're literally the last ranker! That's hilarious!"
Ayaka sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yuji, stop teasing him. At least he's here, unlike some people who barely scraped by in the preliminary exams."
Ritsuka tried to laugh it off, but his mind wandered. "Rank 1000... I guess I really am starting from the bottom again."
Still, as he looked at his friends laughing and bickering, he felt a sense of normalcy that he hadn't experienced in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, this new life would give him a chance to find his footing again.
No, he can't accept this life.
As the three friends sat down to eat, the lively chatter continued. Ayaka, breaking from the banter, suddenly asked a serious question.
"So, what about your future goals?" she said, her tone calm yet firm.
Yuji made an exaggerated surprised face. "Ayaka, come on! Don't you already know? All of us want to become heroes, earn loads of money, and take care of the orphanage!"
Ayaka's expression darkened, giving him an angry look. "That's your simplistic dream, Yuji," she said sharply. "I want more than just being a hero. I want to create a Guild—a real one, not just some minor association. I want to make it one of the top 5 guilds in Japan. That's my dream."
Ritsuka, watching her eyes blaze with determination, couldn't help but admire her resolve. But reality tugged at his mind.
"Are you sure about that, Ayaka?" he asked cautiously. "I mean, creating a guild in this era? The top guilds have been dominating the field for over 20 years. Breaking into that is... not going to be easy."
Yuji nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Ayaka, why not just make a mercenary group instead? We'd still get money and could operate more independently!"
Ayaka's gaze didn't waver. "Ritsuka, Yuji," she said, her voice steady, "sometimes you have to take risks to achieve something big. I've been dreaming about this since I was young, and I'm not giving up just because it's hard."
Then she turned to Yuji, who was wolfing down his burger. "And Yuji, eat slower. No one's going to steal your food."
Yuji grinned sheepishly, swallowing hastily. "Fine, fine. But if your guild plan fails, Ayaka, we're doing my mercenary idea. I'm just saying."
"Joining a mercenary group means giving up our cadet ranks," Ritsuka reminded them.
"Ritsuka, you think we're going to get top ranks anyway?" Yuji scoffed. "We're just extras—no one cares about us."
Ritsuka smiled faintly, not disagreeing. As much as he wanted to encourage them, he couldn't shake the realism of their situation. Still, he admired their ambition, and maybe a part of him wished he could share in their dreams.
After finishing their meal, they headed to the apartments provided by the Hero Association. The quiet halls contrasted with the earlier noise of the restaurant.
Stopping at her door, Ayaka turned to face the others. "Go freshen up. We can talk about what to do during the two-week vacation later," she said.
Yuji stretched, yawning. "Yeah, I still wonder why they're giving everyone two weeks off. Feels weird."
Ritsuka shrugged. "I think they want us to use the time to train and prepare."
Ayaka nodded. "Correct. Once classes start, there won't be any breaks until the main exams. So make the most of it. Anyway, see you guys later."
They parted ways, and Ritsuka entered his assigned room. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against it and let out a deep breath.
Alone at last, his thoughts began to swirl. Everything that had happened today felt surreal. The ceremony, the familiar-yet-different faces, Ayaka and Yuji's unwavering goals—it all stirred emotions he wasn't sure how to process.
But above all, one thought consumed him.
"Sorry, Ayaka. Sorry, Yuji. You're both amazing friends, but..."
He clenched his fists, a pang of guilt stabbing at his chest.
"I really wish to return home."
His mind drifted to his old world—his original world. The memories of Chaldea, of the battles, of the people he couldn't save—they weighed on him like a phantom presence.
"I need to find any hints, any way to go back. No matter what."
Ritsuka fujimaru sighed deeply, shaking his head. There was no time for self-pity. Tomorrow was another day, and he had to keep moving forward, even if the path ahead remained unclear.
He will find a way to reach his world or find who brought him here.
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Profiles:
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Ritsuka Fujimaru
A righteous, honest man and a hardworking individual. Though he comes from a humble background, he tragically lost his parents during a dungeon break, where monsters killed them. Due to prolonged exposure to mana, he awakened his own mana abilities at a very young age. One day, a different version of Ritsuka Fujimaru mysteriously possessed his body. This other Ritsuka is kind, accepting, sociable, altruistic, earnest, and reckless, with remarkable experience and extraordinary talent. But he wants to go back to his world and find who brought him here.
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Ayaka Sajyou
Ayaka is an insecure individual, deeply traumatized by her childhood and the expectations of her clan. She was never able to measure up to her sister's achievements. After her mother's death, her life changed overnight. For unknown reasons, she was cast out of her clan but was allowed to keep her family name. Ayaka harbors knowledge of her clan's dark secrets but chooses to stay silent, understanding the dire consequences of revealing them. She later found happiness in an orphanage, a stark contrast to her past life, and became determined to establish the top guild in Japan alongside her best friends, Yuji and Ritsuka. Her friends didn't understand why she so fixed on creating guild. But she had Bigger goals and hide many things from her close friends. Because it was better in that way so they won't die.
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Yuji Nakamura
Yuji is a carefree person who loves eating and spending time with his friends. He is average in most aspects and doesn't possess any standout traits but is fiercely loyal and would lay down his life for his friends and the orphanage he holds dear. He relies heavily on his friends and often gets scolded by Ayaka for his laziness. Secretly, Yuji dreams of having a love marriage, which is one of the reasons he joined the Hero Association to study, a fact he keeps hidden from his friends.
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Manaka Sajyou
Manaka is a noble and genius girl, known as the granddaughter of the legendary hero Sajyou. She inherited the same gifts as her grandfather, which led many to view her as a savior destined to protect humanity. However, Manaka has no interest in such expectations and harbors no care for humanity. She is far stronger than anyone suspects but chooses to keep her abilities hidden. She has numerous secrets and personal goals, making her a person others find difficult to trust.
Some say she is not what she looks like. Only few can see through her.
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Olga Marie Animusphere
The youngest girl to ever run her father's guild, Olga inherited a foreign guild brought to Japan 14 years ago to bolster the country's strength. Under her father leadership, the guild rose to become one of the top guilds. However, after the sudden disappearance of the guild's original director, young Olga took on the enormous responsibility of keeping the guild from collapsing. This burden forced her to sacrifice her childhood and personal happiness.
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Shirou Emiya
when Shirou awakened his gift as the "Sword Saint" and was subsequently taken in by the authorities. Later Adopted by an Emiya agent who worked directly for the Japanese government, but He lost his freedom and childhood, becoming a weapon for the government. Forced to train every day, Shirou grew up in isolation, receiving no affection or care. His only reprieve came in the form of three years at the Hero Academy, where he was allowed some freedom. Despite this, Shirou struggles to connect with others and lacks the ability to make friends.
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