Chapter 14

Emiya residence.

The next day.

Well, Issei never woke up, but slept until the next morning. Now he was sitting across from me in the very room I threw him in, eating the breakfast Emiya had prepared.

- Romani-sensei, why aren't you eating? And where is Archer-sensei? - he asked with his mouth full.

- I already ate and now you're on me," I said and shrugged. - Also, don't talk with your mouth full, perverted-kun.

After about ten minutes, he finished eating and asked:

- Well, sensei, how will you train me?

- Оh? Can't wait to get started already? How unexpected.

- I'm willing to do anything to help the President!

- Let's check it out," I said and snapped my fingers.

-0-

An unknown location.

A second later, we found ourselves on a small lawn in the middle of the forest.

- Sensei, where are we? - He asked in a state of bewilderment, looking around.

- 'It doesn't matter,' I said and after creating a table with a couple of chairs, I invited him to sit down. - Let's talk for a while.

After hovering for a couple moments, he nodded dumbly and sat down at the table, followed by me.

- Issei, what do you think is the deciding factor in this world? - I started the conversation, crossing my arms in front of me and adopting a business-like attitude.

- Boo..." he wanted to shriek, but I quickly interrupted him.

- If you finish that word, you'll lose your lower head.

He perked up, and, calming down, he thought for a while. For a long time. And after a while, having come up with nothing, he sighed tiredly.

- Power, pervert-kun," I said, to which I received a surprised look from Issei, and then continued. - Especially for the world you've gotten yourself into. The strong takes everything from the weak. And you're the weak one.

- Sensei?

- And the strong will take whatever he wants from you, and no one will bat an eye. Except you, of course.

- Why are you telling me all this? - he asked with a depressed look.

- To ask you a question. Do you want to continue on this path? Every moment of it could be your last. And not just for you, but for your friends, acquaintances, even your parents. Are you willing to risk their lives for your dream? A stupid dream, but a dream. I could just take Draig away from you and erase this phase of your life, making it nothing more than a dream. And you'll go back to being a normal, know-nothing boy with questionable hobbies. With a regular job. With an ordinary family. With an ordinary worldview. No mystique.

- But the President…

- I know what she said. For her, as for others, it's impossible. But not for me. I can extract your Holy Mechanism, keeping you alive and making you human again," I interrupted him. - So. Answer the question. Do you want to continue on this path?

When he heard my words, he was silent and thoughtful.

Why did I start this conversation? Well, even though I'm annoyed with Issei, he's bound, like Rias, by the world itself. He was just unlucky. His entrance into the hidden world was already a foregone conclusion. He can't get out.

This can be compared to Solomon's own situation. His fate, like Issei's, was already decided the moment he was born. His whole life was following a certain script, which was not allowed to deviate from the course by the Alaya and Gaia Nasuversa themselves. For then human history would be broken, as it had been in the Grand Order, and a singularity would occur that would lead to the annihilation of the entire species. The only thing he did of his own free will was to want to become human. To feel freedom. The freedom that all humans possessed. The freedom to choose.

- Getting sentimental, Romani? - Goetia spoke. - How... unusual. You're becoming like him.

- Not at all. I'm merely stating a fact. You must realize that, too. At least now. A man must choose his own destiny. And the one you call the Greatest Fool of Mankind did not have that privilege," I said and looked up at the sky. - I am an unknown variable, but I am human. And I influence the inhabitants of this world by removing the shackles that hold them back. And I do so of my own free will. I could have merged Issei with the Servant, or simply given him a powerful Noble Phantasm. But I didn't. And he's growing. Also of his own free will, choosing his own destiny.

- At the same time you, magic - created by Solomon under the influence of the world, was created as a simple fuse. And you never tried to understand people or their emotions. And now, under the influence of me, a human, you have grown, become better than when you were created. Haven't you noticed that yourself, Ritual of Mankind's Rectification of Order? Don't you think that rectification is the very shackles Solomon imposed on you? I don't think you'd be thrilled about that, would you?

Goetia's voice trailed off. On reflection, I suppose. Can't blame him for that. Immortal beings like him accept change very reluctantly and slowly. As do long-lived ones.

- It is their own will that leads them to destruction. They voluntarily give themselves into the hands of the same demons, for example, - asked the demon Agares. - What do you say to that?

- It's their own business. Their choice," I said.

- You are just like him, Romani," Goetia said out of his thoughts and fell silent.

- Quite possibly.

- Yes," Issei said confidently, interrupting the philosophical debate in my head. - I will become stronger and protect them, just as I protect all the people I care about. Even if it costs me my life! And Ddraig is my partner. There's no way I'm giving him up! Nor will I give up my dream!

I looked at him in surprise. All I saw in his eyes was confidence in his words. How...exciting. I guess it's the main characters' thing to overcome obstacles and go for their dreams. Heh.

- I see. Let's test your resolve," I said and stood up and snapped my fingers. The table and chairs disappeared and Issei fell to the ground, not expecting my actions.

- Well. Outside this clearing is your training area of three kilometers. Your task is to survive in it for the next three days," I said and pointed to the backpack in front of him. - It contains food and water for exactly one day and a sleeping bag.

- Three days?! How am I supposed to do that?! I don't think anything about camping! - he shrieked, glancing back and forth at me, pointing toward the forest.

- Ddraig will help you with that. He's a dragon after all," I replied and shrugged.

- What awaits us there, Mr. Magician? - asked the bewildered dragon. - I doubt very much that this is just an ordinary forest.

- It is indeed unusual. But nothing you can't handle. And you can just address me as 'Romani-sensei' or 'Magician'. Your formal address is a bit straining," I said and clapped my hands. - Now go ahead. Hop, hop, hop.

Issei snorted unhappily, but he shouldered his backpack and headed toward the forest, disappearing a little later into the shadows of its trees.

Am I afraid he's going to die? Nope. The entire forest is covered in a closed field, preventing him from dying and returning him to his starting point at the edge of the lawn when he receives a fatal blow. The closest analog is the field designed for Ranked games, but with slight Darks Souls-style modifications, since the gear will remain where he should have died.

And as for the forest dwellers? Shadow Servants with rank E- characteristics. Well, for the first 24 hours, at least. The second day, E-rank, and the third day, E+. Sounds like a good scheme to make him more adaptable to his surroundings to me. Although... It's better to be over-insured.

I made a small wave of my hand and three faces of the Hundred Faces appeared in front of me. I explained to them the workings of the closed field and said:

- Keep an eye on the boy. I don't doubt my magic, but I still prefer to prepare for contingencies. Do not interfere unless necessary," I said, and the faces disappeared into the shadows.

So, what's next on the list? I remember.

I took out a leaflet with the Phenex clan emblem from my pocket and poured magic into it. A couple seconds later, a magical circle of flames appeared in front of me, and Ravel stepped out of it.

I made a slight bow, placing my hand on her chest, and said:

- Good afternoon, Lady Phenex. I hope I have not interrupted you from important business?

- N-no, not at all. It's all right.

- Fine," I said and snapped my fingers, bringing back the table and chairs, but with a more noble design that had a tea set with a steaming teapot and plates of sweets. Then he held out his hand to her. - Tea?

- I-I'd love some," she nodded with a blush on her face and took my hand.

I smiled softly and led her to the table.

A nice tea with a noble lady... Just what I needed after today's tense thoughts.

-0-

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