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The sun blazed overhead, its heat softened by a gentle breeze that turned the air into a warm, flowing shimmer. Yuto had just wrapped up his second morning workout of the day.
"Morning, master." Yukino drifted in from the bedroom and smiled seeing Yuto.
"Morning Yukino. Let's eat breakfast," he said, guiding Yukino to the dining room.
The moment he sat, Pan-san, his pet cat, leaped into his lap, rubbing against his hand with soft meows. Fed daily with his spirit energy, the little feline had grown plump and clever. She sprawled lazily across his knee, her tail flicking now and then, looking like a chubby black balloon.
"Master, today's breakfast is European-style," Trimmau announced. Her eight arms deftly carried a table's worth of dishes toward them.
"Meow!"
Pan-san jolted at Trimmau's odd shape, letting out a startled cry and bolting from Yuto's lap.
"She doesn't seem to like me," Trimmau said quietly, turning away with a trace of disappointment.
"Don't worry, Pan-san just needs time to get used to you," Yuto reassured her. He dug into the delicious spread while inspecting three Craft Essences: [Steel Training], [Rune Stone], and [Capsule Servant].
He hadn't used the [Rune Stone] yet. Tapping it, a swirl of light flared, and five ancient runes from Rune Magecraft etched themselves into his mind. In myth, these were linked to Odin, but in Fate, they belonged to Celtic heroes like Cu Chulainn and Scathach.
{Author's note: Nasu might've confused runes with Ogham script, but let's just go with it.}
Yuto opened his hands, and five glowing runes floated above his palms, radiating power. Yukino and Trimmau watched with interest.
"Master, I sense decay and rot from these," Yukino said, her tone grave. As a yokai, she could feel the menace in the deep red rune.
"That's the 'Rune of Death,'" Yuto explained. "It's normal for living beings like you to feel uneasy around it."
In Fate, runes from the Age of Gods were potent, ideal for surprising foes in battle. After fiddling with them, he activated [Steel Training]. His muscles tensed, and his blood surged briefly, though the effect was minor at its current level.
Breakfast done, Yuto descended to the basement's magecraft workshop. He tossed the [Capsule Servant] to the floor and began the Servant summoning chant.
"Heed my call, my will creates your body,
And your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the Grail's call,
And obey my will and reason, then answer my summoning!
I hereby swear, that I shall be all good in the world,
That I shall defeat all evil in the world!
Seventh heaven clad, and the great words of power,
Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!"
A hum rose as spirit particles swirled, and mana poured from him, igniting the summoning circle in a dazzling flash.
"Did it work?"
The light dimmed, revealing a tiny figure hovering above the circle. The original [Capsule Servant] card featured characters like Rin Tohsaka, Shirou Emiya, Gilgamesh, Jeanne d'Arc, Artoria, Archer EMIYA, Cu Chulainn, Nero, and Artoria Caster.
The small figure sighed, then stepped forward with graceful confidence.
"Servant Saber, Nero Claudius, answering the call! UMU!"
"Impressive choice, Magus! You've got an eye for greatness!"
Yuto blinked, startled. He hadn't expected to summon the Roman Empress on his first try.
"Hmph, indeed it is I," Nero proclaimed, tossing her golden hair and striking a proud pose. "Praise me, cheer for me. I permit you to celebrate my arrival!"
But she hadn't noticed her size. Bumping into his leg, she opened her eyes wide. "Magus, why are you so massive? Are you some ancient giant?"
Yuto coughed lightly, crouching to her level. "Nero, hop onto my hand. It's tough talking like this."
"Very well," she agreed, leaping into his palm with a tiny whoosh.
Only then did she realize something was amiss. "Magus, why am I so small?"
"You're a Capsule Servant, summoned in miniature form."
"Hmm, I'm not sure what that means, but the Throne of Heroes gave me knowledge of this world… Flying birds, running carriages—so fascinating!"
Yuto smiled at the tiny emperor in his hand. "I'm heading to school. Want to come?"
........
Leaving the basement, Nero perched on Yuto's shoulder, gawking at everything. After a quick chat, she grasped that this world had demons and curses but no Holy Grail War. Plus, her Master was absurdly strong…..stronger than her as a Servant. So, she decided to kick back and enjoy the ride.
At figurine size, Nero found the world towering and vast from Yuto's shoulder.
"Meow?!"
A surprised meow sounded from the corner. Nero glanced at Pan-san, who stared back warily. "Your pet, Magus? Quite a chubby cat."
"Meow!"
Whether she understood or not, Pan-san purred and lunged into Yuto's arms, sparking a lively chase with the tiny empress.
Yuto sighed, rubbing his forehead. Home was about to get a lot noisier.
...…..
Kaguya Shinomiya stood at her doorstep, clutching her bag and inhaling deeply. Her ruby-red eyes gleamed with excitement.
Today, the family car had broken down after a stray cat tampered with the engine. After much pleading, she'd convinced the servants to let her go alone—a rare opportunity!
Raised under strict rules, Kaguya found thrill in the ordinary llike walking to school with friends, something she'd always longed for. Today, she'd make it happen.
"Miss, are you sure you'll be okay?" Hayasaka Ai, in her black-and-white maid uniform, asked with worry.
"I'll be fine, Hayasaka," Kaguya replied, keeping her composure. But Hayasaka, who'd known her since childhood, could see the joy simmering beneath.
"Alright, be careful," Hayasaka said. To her, Kaguya was more than a mistress, she was like a troublesome little sister.
"Thank you, Hayasaka!" Kaguya gave a small nod before darting out of the mansion like a bird set free.
The outside world felt new and strange—cars speeding by, workers hurrying along, and students her age laughing together. She walked among them, hands clasped behind her, fighting to hide her delight. A smile crept onto her lips and stayed there.
'I have to cherish this,' she thought. 'Who knows when I'll get another shot?'
Then, Yuto's face popped into her mind. 'How does he get to school? Time always slips away when we're together in the student council room…'
Her cheeks warmed, her beauty glowing like spring blossoms.
Waiting at a crosswalk, her heart jumped—Yuto was right there, across the street.
'He's here? Did he know I was thinking about him?'
Curiosity sparked. She bit her lip, hesitated, then started following him.
"Hmm, Magus, someone is tailing you," Nero, now in spirit form on Yuto's shoulder, said.
"I know. It's someone familiar," Yuto replied. His Red Dragon Constitution, honed by the Dragon Vein Craft Essence, kept him sharply aware of his surroundings. Plus, Kaguya's clumsy stalking was impossible to miss.
A playful smirk tugged at his lips. Suddenly, he sped up, weaving through the streets.
"Huh? Why's he running? School's not that close," Kaguya mumbled, puzzled but determined not to lose him. She gritted her teeth and chased after him, her slim legs racing.
He ran, she followed, and soon they strayed from the school route into unfamiliar streets.
"Huff… huff…"
Yuto finally stopped. Kaguya, breathless, tripped and fell with a thud.
"Ow… I think I twisted my ankle," she groaned, eyeing her swollen foot.
A shadow loomed over her. She looked up into Yuto's concerned gaze.
"President, what are you doing here?"
"I-I was just… taking a walk?" she faltered, caught off guard.
"Liar. You were following me, right?" Yuto teased, leaning over her with a knowing look.
"N-No, I wasn't!"
"Oh? Then explain this." He pulled out his phone, showing a photo of her sneaking behind him.
"I… I'm sorry," Kaguya whispered, her red eyes brimming with regret. 'He must hate me now.'
"You owe me one favor, and I'll let it slide," Yuto said firmly.
"What favor?" she asked, confused.
"Spend the day with me. Let's skip school."
"Skip school?" She blinked, the idea alien to her sheltered life.
"Silence means yes," he said, scooping her up by the waist and carrying her off.
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