"They say if you can't Rayshift, you should train like crazy."
Heresy? A Sealing Designation? Formalin? Politics? Bargaining? Maneuvering?
Of course, Olga Marie would resist!
All of it!!
"This is it! I've found it! The Sword of the End, Enki! It's a sword, a bow, even a tonfa! Incredibly versatile!"
This will be my main weapon!
A New Wisdom
In the quiet of her study, Olga Marie pored over books and documents.
She devoured the tomes of wisdom recommended by Da Vinci-chan, each page a lesson in enlightenment.
"…"
She recalled Media Lily's words.
Words that shocked her—a master, even in youth, admitting defeat as a mage.
"Gather the stars," she had said, advice clearly meant for Olga Marie, perhaps even a revelation.
As long as you remain a mage, you cannot win.
"…Losing, being unable to win, isn't an excuse to do nothing."
In the past, she might have thrown a tantrum and begged Lev for help.
But not now. Those words belonged to Ritsuka.
Ritsuka wasn't blessed with talent or lineage. As a mage, she lacked exceptional skill.
She was someone who, by all accounts, should have been overlooked—yet she had reclaimed three histories.
Without honing her magecraft, without superior Magic Circuits, without a storied family legacy.
Yet she pressed forward, fulfilling the Grand Order, carving a path toward a certain future.
…That's right. Great deeds don't require appearances, magical prowess, or an illustrious lineage. The mages who boasted such things all burned to ash.
All it takes is courage—to keep moving forward without stopping. That alone is the only force capable of dispelling this despair.
…And that's what everyone taught me.
"…I won't stop."
Indeed. Despair and injustice are no reason to halt.
There's no need to arrive at despair. All that matters is to keep advancing toward a radiant, hopeful future.
Hope, bonds with others, and the courage to press on—those ensure the path continues.
"As long as everyone keeps moving, there's a future ahead…!"
So, I'll do what I must.
Even if there's an insurmountable injustice, I'll find the strength to overturn it.
…Hoping, at the very least, to pave the way for their journey.
My training will continue.
"…Phew."
Taking a moment to breathe—
"Excuse me, may I come in?"
"Eek!?"
A knock at the door and a gentle voice rang out simultaneously.
"Y-Yes, I'm coming!"
Scrambling to the door in a flurry—
"Wah!?"
She tripped spectacularly as she opened it.
"…Are you alright?"
Standing at the threshold was the great sage, Chiron.
…And there I was, sprawled before him.
"Y-Yes… please, come in…"
She poured freshly brewed coffee with a soft clink, offering it to him.
"Here's some coffee, please enjoy."
"Ah, thank you. …Such courtesy and care—you're a kind young woman, aren't you?"
Chiron smiled warmly.
"Eek!"
"Haha, no need to be so formal. Here, my card."
"C-Card?"
"I've heard it's customary in modern times. A business card, at the very least."
"Y-Yes! I'm honored!"
…Getting startled every time won't do. I know that. But this is Chiron, the great sage.
The legendary mentor of countless heroes, who became a constellation himself.
And… the prototype of my beloved Sagittarius, the constellation I always gazed upon. How could I not be nervous?
…But.
"…I'm sorry for losing my composure."
Regaining her calm, she sat down and met Chiron's gaze directly.
I'm the director. I can't keep floundering.
I have to act like a proper director, even just a little.
"…Resolve, determination, and courage."
"?"
"They're what hold you up. And… respect and gratitude, perhaps?"
"…! Yes!"
He saw through me in an instant…! This is the insight of a sage who shines in myth…!
"My apologies for being so forward. Your spirit is just so radiant, it dazzled me."
…That made me happy.
Not just the praise, but that Chiron recognized what I gained from my friends, Ritsuka and King Gil.
To have something so precious, given by those two, acknowledged by a great sage—it filled me with indescribable joy.
"Thank you!"
"Heh, humble too. …I've heard about your condition."
He sipped his coffee and turned to face Olga Marie fully.
"A human who received the Holy Grail, becoming one with it—a rare 'Vessel of the Grail' who overcame a fated death."
"…Yes. I was granted a miracle by Gil."
I'll never forget it. The one miracle he gave me.
Because of him, I'm here.
…Gil is my savior. No amount of gratitude could ever be enough. He's my one and only king.
"They say it made eating, excreting, even sleeping unnecessary. …How do you see it?"
"…Huh?"
I blinked in surprise.
Eating… not starving to death is a blessing. No need for the bathroom is convenient. Sleep… not needing it means I can do more.
I think it's wonderfully practical.
"—I'm worried about you."
…What?
The great sage, worried about me?
"Most humans who witness miracles become warped. By fame, greed, or base desires. What about you? Has your way of 'being human' been warped?"
"…That's…"
"I'm concerned. Forgetting how to act human risks undermining your very existence."
…!
"Warping doesn't corrupt the body or mind—it corrupts the soul. The soul degrades. Wisdom or miracles may save it, but they don't heal it. Even immortality doesn't strengthen the soul."
…He's right.
Even with the Holy Grail, without Ritsuka or the King, I know what would've happened.
'Nothing would've changed.' I'd have blamed the world's injustices, clung to Lev, and pathetically given up thinking.
…The soul can't be saved alone. Someone has to be there beside it.
"You seem to understand my words."
"Yes. My soul was saved in a place beyond the Holy Grail."
Ritsuka, Mash, my master, the staff, all the Servants.
And… Gil.
"That, I swear, is true."
"Yes. That's why I'm afraid. Afraid of a future where a miracle consumes you, making you less than human."
"—…"
"Your brilliance, your future—they're irreplaceable. Treasures no one has the right to steal."
He finished his coffee.
"So, would you allow me to guide you on your path?"
…That means—
"Um, that means…"
"Yes. I want to be your teacher."
I nearly fainted. Actually, I blacked out three times.
"Whoa!"
Chiron caught me as I collapsed.
"I'll watch over you. To ensure you don't fall to the inhuman, to keep you from losing your way. Like a constellation shining in the sky."
"Ah—"
"I'll protect your 'humanity.' …Will you permit my meddling?"
—Of course.
"Y…"
There's only one answer—
"Yes!! Please, I'd be honored, Great Sage Chiron! It's more than I deserve!!"
I'm thrilled. Not just to learn from my idol, Chiron.
…But to know the hero I admired is so kind and noble—it's more than I could've hoped for.
The Sagittarius I gazed at in the sky.
I wanted him to be as wonderful as that light.
That childish wish… it came true.
"It's settled, then. I look forward to teaching you, my student, Olga Marie."
"The honor's mine, Great Sage Chiron!"
"Haha, no need for 'Great Sage.' Call me Teacher, if you would."
"Yes, Teacher!!"
"Here, then."
"?"
He handed me a schedule.
"A daily routine devised by me and the Heroic King. Eight hours of sleep, an hour's nap, and three meals—you'll follow it."
…An ideal lifestyle… and Gil came up with this?
"Oh, and a message from the Heroic King."
"Y-Yes?"
"'There's no one like you. Value yourself as much as your diligence and effort, you fool.'"
"—!!"
"'I greatly admire your dedication and struggle. Know that what you lack now is self-care and rest.'"
…Gil…
"'Don't catch a cold. Don't make me nurse you.'"
"—!"
"You're loved, Olga Marie."
"Yes…"
"He's a remarkable man, your king. He devised this routine as well."
"…Yes… I'll do my best…"
I clutched the schedule tightly.
"I'll… take care of myself… Thank you, Teacher…"
—Thank you.
…I love you, Gil…
"Now, shall we stretch our legs for a change?"
"Yes?"
"Yes, pankration."
"…Y-Yes…"
"Hey, Marie!"
At the training grounds, Ritsuka waited in a tank top and spats.
"Ritsuka, you too?"
"Yup! Heracles and Achilles said, 'Pankration's perfect for you!'"
"…"
"Mash said she'll make us lunch afterward! Let's make that our motivation!"
"…Alright."
"You two are fortunate. Comrades who share your joys and struggles are invaluable."
"Yes! I'm thrilled to train with Marie!"
"And you, Olga Marie?"
—No need to ask.
"Yes! I'm happy!"
"Excellent."
"Happy's a bit dramatic, Marie."
"Hehe, but it's true, isn't it?"
"Bwahahaha!! The gang's all here!"
With a boisterous laugh, the golden Heroic King appeared.
"Gil!? Why!?"
"I'm the overseer! To ensure no injuries or accidents befall you, I'll watch your training!"
"Perfect choice!"
"Master! Olga Marie! Train to your heart's content under my watchful eye! But don't overdo the abs or back muscles. A toned body is ideal—none of that Amazonian bulk."
"Of course, we'll preserve their soft, radiant femininity. It's important."
"You get it, Great Sage."
"Call me Chiron P."
They clasped hands firmly.
"Gudao said a bit of a six-pack is just right for athletic girls."
"Gudao?"
"My dear friend! I'll tell you about him after!"
"…Alright. You, me, and Mash—we'll talk about everything."
"Sweet!"
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
Achilles arrived like a gust of wind.
"My apologies. I was crafting a masterpiece with Jeanne-senpai."
Heracles appeared, lion-like in his presence.
"I'll teach the basics of pankration. It's a blend of wrestling and boxing, so…"
"I'll handle the strikes. I'll teach you the heroic blows that knock out foes in an instant!"
"Gentlemanly, Achilles. For every injury they sustain, I'll give you a pankration lesson."
"Got it, Teacher!"
"I'll teach grappling and joint locks. The goal is to strangle a lion."
"Nero did it too. It's effective against foes immune to weapons."
"I could teach Uruk Arts, but teleportation's a prerequisite, so it's a high bar. Another time."
…Teleportation!? That's incredible!
"Heracles, Achilles, and Teacher Chiron as mentors… amazing!"
"And the greatest king as our overseer."
"Hmph, stating the obvious. Don't make me blush."
"Whoa, what? You do like the praise—GAAAH!?"
In a flash, Gil unleashed a golden ripple, teleporting from all directions to pummel Achilles with clones.
"That's Uruk Arts. I'll teach you someday."
"That was a cheap shot!"
"Failing to react makes you the fool. I'll answer provocations—with fists."
"Damn, actual teleportation? That's cheating…"
"Let's begin."
"Got it!"
"First, let's loosen up. Playfully spar with each other."
"Spar…?"
"Yes, spar."
"Catfight? Hell yeah!"
"Bwahaha! I'll oversee! Go all out!"
"Alright! Let's do this, but no injuries!"
"Here I come, Ritsuka!"
"Wait, wait! Don't forget the greetings!"
"Right, it's in the Kojiki, isn't it?"
"Domo, Olga Marie-san. I'm Ritsuka."
"D-Domo, Ritsuka-san. I'm Olga Marie."
"A Japanese greeting. Very refined."
"Now for the Greek style. Listen up…"
"Got it."
"Understood."
They clenched their fists and bumped them together.
"I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka, the Last Master of Humanity, guided by my dear friend Gudao's teachings."
"I'm Olga Marie Animusphere, Director of Chaldea, advancing under the Heroic King's radiance."
"It's time! Show me what you've got!"
"Here we go—!"
They clashed!
"TO VICTORY!!"
—A moment of youth in a new land—
"By the way, I'm the master of Uruk Arts. As its evangelist, I had to show up."
"Hear my voice!! All gates, unlocked!!!"
"Look to the heavens! The fires of ruin are ready!!"
"Awaken, Ea! The stage is set for you!!"
"Know hell!! With the sword only this Heroic King wields!!!"
"NO WAY—!? Why are there so many shiny gold guys!?"
"Don't interrupt the rare adult me. Honestly."
"I'm an utterly hopeless goddess ×5"
"Ugh… help me…"
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