Thanks for the invitation. I'm in Type-Moon, inheriting the legacy of Zi-O.

As expected, the next day, while Nianzhuo was still sound asleep, a shout entered his mind.

"Wake up, Mr. Nianzhuo~ Get up!" It was Mashu, who was constantly pulling at the corner of his blanket, trying to wake up this champion of sleeping in. "Mr. Nianzhuo, Director Mary is calling the staff to the control room for a meeting, hurry up!" Nianzhuo, who was just about to stay in bed and tease Little Eggplant, suddenly perked up and sat up, almost bumping into Mashu's face.

"You mean? Director Mary summoned all the Chaldea staff? Or all of them?" Nianzhuo shouted excitedly, grasping Mashu's delicate hand.

“Ah, yes, but before that, Mr. Nianzhuo,” Mashu’s face gradually flushed, “could you let go of my hand first?” “Oh, oh—sorry, I was too excited.” Nianzhuo quickly released Mashu’s hand, laughing awkwardly, and asked Mashu to wait for him outside the door. After he got dressed, he immediately ran with Mashu to the control room.

Incidentally, Mashu is now also an employee of Chaldea. When they arrived at the control room, Director Mary was frowning, seemingly excited about something, biting her thumb and spinning around. When she saw Nian Zhuo, Director Mary was startled at first, then quickly walked over to him and grabbed his hand without saying a word.

Seeing the beads of sweat on Director Mary's forehead and the barely concealed tension in her eyes, Nian Zhuo abandoned his teasing intentions. He tightened his grip on her hand, smiled at Director Mary, and wanted to reassure her that he was there for her and that she could rest assured.

Director Mary's chest, which had been heaving violently, finally calmed down. She took a deep breath and returned to the front of the control room.

She took a deep breath, facing the curious gazes of the many Chaldea employees before her, and slowly began, "Hello, fellow Chaldea employees. I am Olga Marie Animusphia, the director of Chaldea. The reason I've gathered you all here today is to show you this." She then gestured to a large calculation machine beside her, saying, "This is the Spirit Particle Calculation Device—Trismegistus—provided to us by the Atlas Institute according to the contract. With this, coupled with Chaldea's observations of the future, Chaldea, the organization dedicated to protecting humanity, will be even more capable of fulfilling its role in safeguarding humanity. I believe in you all, and I would like you to witness this exciting moment. Now is the time for continued observation of the future. Please join me in looking towards the future of humanity." Just as Director Marie was beginning to relax, a bright red warning appeared on the screen.

And the alarm that echoed throughout the control room.

Director Mary turned to look at the core of Chaldea, at the center of Chaldea. The giant sphere that had once shimmered with blue light was now grayish-white, having lost its vitality and slowly ceased functioning.

"Quick, quickly check what's wrong!" Mary reacted quickly, ordering the stunned researchers behind her to immediately check what the malfunction was. Hearing the order, the researchers also hurriedly checked which system had failed.

"Report! Report! The Light of Humanity simulated by Chaldea has disappeared!" This single report plunged the situation into its most critical phase. "What?!" Director Mary rushed to the researcher's side, staring at the flashing data on the screen. The measurements confirmed the disappearance of the Light of Humanity simulated by Chaldea.

"So that means... the future of humanity will be destroyed?" Someone's words caused panic among those present. "This, this is!" Another researcher reported, but it wasn't worse news. "Detected, detected a gap in history! Calculated as a singularity!" Hearing this report, Mary actually relaxed. Since a singularity had appeared, then that was the culprit that caused the disappearance of the light of humanity in Chaldea. Finally having a target to act on, Director Mary could relax slightly, then her sense of crisis turned into seriousness.

"Fellow staff, we have now found the culprit behind the disappearance of the Light of Humanity in Chaldea—a singularity! It occurred in 2004 in Fuyuki, Japan. The historical event was a local Holy Grail ceremony in Fuyuki City, the fifth one of its kind. Now, let Chaldea demonstrate the plan we have long prepared for this!" With a wave of her slender hand, Mary announced loudly, "Chaldea, the Light of Humanity Continuation Plan, First Order activated! Immediately summon the 48 Masters with the ability to transfer spiritual particles. The plan is about to begin." Mary then turned and began working on the detailed plan—

Looking at the busy crowd around him, Nian Zhuo smiled slightly, walked out of the Chaldea control room, stretched, and looked out at the swirling snowflakes. A sound like gears turning seemed to echo in his mind.

“Yes, it’s all begun. I’m ready, don’t let me down, Professor Rafe.” He turned and walked towards his room. “The primary objective, of course, is to protect Director Mary’s life.” He opened his door, and just as he was preparing for the impending explosion, a rapid knocking sounded.

As soon as the door opened, a silver-haired figure rushed into his arms.

"Director Mary?"

"Save me, Nianzhuo—"

It's coming! (Overjoyed)

"Help, help me, Nianzhuo!" Almost immediately after Nianzhuo opened the door, Mary hugged the heroic spirit in front of her, her voice trembling with sobs as she tightly embraced Nianzhuo's waist. "Why, why did this happen..."

Seeing Mary's delicate body trembling slightly, Nianzhuo could only hug her tightly in return. Stroking Mary's silver hair, Nianzhuo softly comforted her, "It's okay, Mary, I'm here, I'm here." He firmly pressed Mary's shoulders down, looking into her red eyes, and gently reassured her.

“I understand, Mary. I understand. You’re a proud girl, but you’re also afraid of failure. You’re a proud girl who feels nervous and defeated when you don’t gain the trust of your staff. But Mary, I’m here now. I am your Heroic Spirit, your guardian. In this crisis, whether it’s the world or you, I will protect you.” Looking at Mary, who was crying, Nian Zhuo’s thirst for power grew even stronger. “And now, what you should do is to make plans, dispel the staff’s anxiety, and show your confidence as the director of Chaldea. Don’t worry, I’m here for you.” Nian Zhuo wiped away the tears from Mary’s eyes and, seeing Mary gradually regaining her spirits, finally felt relieved.

"Hmph~ As a Servant, you actually dare to lecture your Master, you really have some nerve~" Mary turned her head and rubbed her eyes, then suddenly turned back, lifted her tiptoe, and kissed Nianzhuo's lips.

Seeing Nianzhuo's wide eyes, Mary blushed and ran away, leaving Nianzhuo standing there dumbfounded.

Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?

Touching his lips, feeling the softness of the kiss and the crimson stain from when they left, Nianzhuo could only shrug helplessly. "She's really becoming more and more likable." He then followed Mary down the same path, but he wanted to see... the very person who dared to fall asleep during Mary's speech!

Sure enough, as soon as I arrived outside the control room, I saw a girl with short orange hair wearing a Chaldea uniform lying on the ground outside, and in front of her were Mashu and... a silver-haired, white-furred little animal?

"Silver hair, animal ears, I'm healed," Nian Zhuo uttered cryptic words.

"Ahem, hello there, Mashu," Nian Zhuo greeted Mashu, whom he already knew well, and then sighed helplessly as Fou suddenly jumped onto him. "Sigh, Fou is still the same as ever." He pinched Fou's ear.

"Ah, hello, Mr. Nianzhuo!" Mashu returned the bow earnestly, then looked at Fou, who was clinging to Nianzhuo's shoulder and wouldn't leave, and agreed with a hint of jealousy, "Yes, ever since Fou met Nianzhuo, she seems to really like him, hmph~"

"So, what's up with this girl?" Although he already knew how the story would unfold, Nian Zhuo still sat down and poked the orange-haired girl's face. Then, the girl's eyelids fluttered for a moment before she opened her dazed eyes.

Upon seeing Nian Zhuo's face, the orange-haired girl screamed and backed away, "Who, who are you?!"

"Ah—even if I'm scared, I don't need to be like this, do I?" Feeling inexplicably hurt, Nian Zhuo clutched his chest. Then, regaining his composure, he smiled and said, "Hello, I'm Nian Zhuo, a Heroic Spirit. And this cute purple-haired girl next to me is Mash, Mash Kyrielight." He watched the girl in front of him nod blankly, ignoring Mash's flushed face behind him from the phrase "cute purple-haired girl." Nian Zhuo pinched Fou's ear on his shoulder and continued, "This cute white-furred animal is called Fou, and this place is Chaldea, an institution for the preservation and continuation of humanity." He then reached out and pulled up the orange-haired girl sitting on the ground. Seeing her still confused expression, Nian Zhuo realized she hadn't actually listened. He sighed softly, "Come with me, and Mash too. Maybe you two will become good friends?"

Then, the three of them, along with a white-haired animal, sat down together on the nearby escalator.

Meanwhile, in an unknown world, the most malevolent beast of time, Nen-cho, opened his gray eyes, watching the gears silently turning beside him. A cruel smile spread across his lips. "Ah, history begins. So young me. What will you do?" He grabbed a white watch from a pillar, tossed it to the last of the alien build stone sculptures, and with a wave of his hand, wiped away the marks on it. Then, the most malevolent beast of time opened a tunnel leading to Fuyuki in that world.

"If you want to be the best version of me, how will you deal with this 'gift' from me? Hahahaha!"

The fear of being pierced

"So, before you lost consciousness, what kind of experiment did you conduct at Chaldea?" Standing in front of the vending machine, she took out a bottle of coffee, then exchanged it for a bottle of water, and handed it to the orange-haired girl. The three of them sat together on a bench, listening to the orange-haired girl recount what happened before she lost consciousness.

"Hmm~ that experiment should be (spiritual particle infiltration), right? If you can't adapt, it can put a certain burden on your brain," Mashu adjusted her glasses and explained with a smile to the bewildered Nencho beside her.

"Ah, so that means that after that spirit particle experiment, it was Fou and Mashu who discovered you, who had lost your surface consciousness." Nian Zhuo sighed helplessly, rubbing his forehead, and summarized the events before falling into strange thoughts again.

(Regardless, the girl in front of me is undoubtedly the protagonist controlled by the "me" of the past. Although I have indeed seen her character art, I'm really good-looking.) After sizing up the girl in front of me, Nian Zhuo, satisfied with his own (just kidding) appearance, nodded. Only then did he notice that the orange-haired girl had raised her hand with a puzzled look on her face.

"So, the people here say I have the aptitude to summon Servants and command them, but speaking of which, what is spirit particle transfer?" With a puzzled expression, the orange-haired girl looked at Nencho and Mash beside her.

"You really came here completely clueless," Nianzhuo thought, a headache creeping over him as he recalled this part of the story. He then sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Alright, Mashu, could you please explain this to her?" (This would also help Mashu and Mashu build a better relationship, laying the groundwork for their future travels.) With that thought, Nianzhuo looked at Mashu with a pleading gaze.

“Since Mr. Nianzhuo has said so, then I shall be impolite.” Mashu cleared her throat twice, her words flowing like a gentle spring. “First, let’s start with Chaldea. Chaldea is a research institute and observatory that gathers scientists and scholars from various fields, regardless of whether they are magic or science, to ensure the long and resilient continuation of human history. Its primary research is developing the Earth environmental model, Chaldea. They define planets as possessing souls, and this is a miniature Earth simulated by replicating the soul of a planet. As long as the light of civilization still shines on Chaldea, humanity still has a future a hundred years from now.” Mashu let out a slight breath and continued, “But suddenly, these lights of civilization began to disappear without warning. The extinguishing of light means the extinction of civilization. According to observations, human history will be wiped out in December 2016.” Her gaze turned serious as she looked towards… The orange-haired girl beside her, who was trying hard to understand, said, "After organizing the information, we finally observed a new anomaly: a spatial singularity—F. In 2004 AD, in a certain city in Japan, a region that did not exist in history up to 2015 (an unobservable area) was discovered. Therefore, Chaldea defined it as the cause of human extinction and proposed to the United Nations to conduct a spirit particle transfer experiment, which was approved." Mashu, finally getting to the point, nodded and thanked Nianzhuo, who handed her a bottle of water, while continuing to explain, "Spirit particle transfer is the act of converting humans into spirit particles and sending them back to the past to intervene in phenomena. In layman's terms, it's time travel; by using this method, we can travel to the past to investigate the cause of future extinction and then sabotage it. In summary, this is the outline of Chaldea's planned spirit particle transfer." Looking at the stunned Nianzhuo and the orange-haired girl, Mashu tilted her head in confusion, "You two—"

"Ah, umm, I'm fine. But I was actually invited to participate in such an amazing plan!" The orange-haired girl, who was the first to react, waved her hand, responding to Mashu's actions with a surprised expression. "So, time travel has become practical now!" She nodded repeatedly as she spoke, giving the impression that the Giant of Light from the manga had already appeared several times in reality. Then, as if she had just remembered something, she extended her hand. "Ah, sorry for the late introduction. My name is Fujimaru Ritsuka. It's not a very memorable introduction, I'm very sorry. Nice to meet you." Mashu looked at Ritsuka's friendly smile and her outstretched hand, lost in thought for a moment, before finally extending her hand to shake hers. Then, looking at her own palm, Mashu's eyes suddenly softened.

"Ahem!" A light cough from a boy broke the BL atmosphere. It was Nian Zhuo, who had been neglected and hadn't expected to see Ritsuka, the Gudako, flirting with his little eggplant. He extended his hand to Fujimaru Ritsuka. "Hello, Ritsuka, my name is Nian Zhuo. I'm a Heroic Spirit, or what you call a Servant. I'll introduce myself later. I hope we can get along well." Ritsuka naturally responded to Nian Zhuo's handshake with a friendly smile. "However," Nian Zhuo changed the subject, putting his arm around Mash's slender waist, "Sorry, Ritsuka, Mash is mine. Don't you dare lay a hand on her!" Ignoring Mash's flushed face, Nian Zhuo patted Ritsuka's shoulder and laughed happily. Then the three of them started talking about ordinary things, and the atmosphere visibly improved.

"Mashu," a hoarse male voice broke the atmosphere. Nianzhuo's eyes gradually turned cold as he looked at the tall man approaching.

“Ah, Professor Lev,” Mashu recognized the man as he approached. “By the way, the pre-selection meeting for Master candidates is about to begin. You should hurry to the control room.” While advising Mashu, Lev turned his gaze to Ritsuka, who had also stood up beside him. “Eh, you are…” Pressing the mobile terminal on his left hand, Fujimaru Ritsuka’s information immediately appeared on the virtual screen. “Ah, you are number 48, the ordinary person who was selected.” He then adopted a comforting tone, “But please don’t be pessimistic. This mission requires all of you to complete.” Squeezing his green top hat, Lev squinted as he introduced himself to Ritsuka.

“My name is Rafe Lenore, a technician here,” Rafe said, ignoring Ritsuka’s “hello,” and instead asked her, “By the way, aren’t you coming along?” “Eh? Where are we going?” Ritsuka was still confused and waited for Rafe’s reply.

"It's that pre-meeting, right?" Leif turned around and shrugged, urging Ritsuka to hurry up. "If you're late, the director will be watching you for the next year. As for what happens if you're watched, well, let your Heroic Spirit Nianzhuo behind you tell you." Ritsuka then turned to look at Nianzhuo behind her, only to find him turning his head away, refusing to look at her. However, the sweat pouring down his face told Ritsuka everything. "Then, where is it going to be?" Filled with fear of the unknown director, Ritsuka frantically pleaded with the three of them for help. Mashu then grabbed Ritsuka's wrist and said, "Come with me, and Mr. Nianzhuo too," and led Ritsuka out. Nianzhuo shook his head helplessly and followed slowly. Only Leif remained, taking a surprised breath before also heading towards the meeting place.

Standing in the descending elevator, Rafe looked at Mash standing side by side with Ritsuka in surprise. "I didn't expect Mash to actually approach someone other than Nencho. Mash, what do you think is it about her that attracts you?"

Mashu looked up at Ritsuka beside her. "Senpai, she's... a human." "????" Both Leif and Ritsuka showed strange expressions. Even Nianzhuo wondered why Mashu would think this way. Then Mashu pushed up her glasses and smiled as she spoke again, "To correct myself, I should say she's... more like a person?" (This sentence sounds like an insult, Mashu.) Nianzhuo was inwardly cursing, but outwardly maintained a smile as she watched Ritsuka's lips twitch. He practically burst out laughing.

I've always wanted to see this expression on your face!

That embarrassed expression on his face from being humiliated, hahaha!

Next up is Rafe, hehehehehe

The above describes the mental activities of a person with impure thoughts.

“She seems a little different from the people here,” Mashu said, ignoring Ritsuka and Lev’s expressions, and continued, “Well, after all, people living in Chaldea all have some quirks, more or less.” Lev, stroking his chin, also spoke slowly.

"What... what does this mean?" Ritsuka turned to look at Rafe behind her, then looked down through the smooth, mirror-like elevator screen.

The mechanical structures, some tall and some short, resembling tree branches, surrounded the central "trunk" like stars around the moon, their surfaces covered with dense magical patterns. Just as she was about to speak, the elevator arrived at the ground floor with a "beep" sound.

After that, Director Mary's pre-master preparation meeting officially began.

How could Zi-O lose when he's right in the face?

The three then arrived at the control room, where the director had clearly been waiting for some time, waving to Nianzhuo. Nianzhuo, with a helpless expression, walked to Mary's side. Then, accompanied by a light cough from Mary, she began her performance—

"Ahem, I am Olga Marie Animusfia, the director of Chaldea. And you, sirs, are individuals selected from various countries, or those discovered to possess extraordinary talents. These talents refer to adaptability to spirit particle infiltration, possession of magic circuits, and magical aptitude. However, these are merely special talents and do not signify that you are anything special." Fine, Miss Marie immediately mocked the 48 Master Adapters present. Nian Zhuo, watching Fujimaru Ritsuka constantly dozing off at the end, stroked his chin, anticipating the upcoming spectacle.

"Please remember, you are merely tools to protect human history." With these words, a slight disturbance immediately arose among the 48 Masters in the audience. Of course, Nian Zhuo was well aware of their thoughts. These were special talents selected by various countries, each one probably incredibly proud. Now, suddenly being called tools... Little tsundere Mary was truly a genius at conversation. Although he was internally criticizing them, Nian Zhuo still maintained a scrutinizing gaze on the Master candidates present.

“But they’re all just ordinary people.” Looking at the crowd in the seats, Nian Zhuo’s eyes couldn’t help but show a hint of pity. “These people will all die in that explosion. I still have a chance. If I can save these people…” Clenching his fists, Nian Zhuo dismissed the thought. “No, no, if these people don’t die, Ritsuka won’t have a chance to appear, and the plot can’t develop. The only thing I can afford now is for Mary to be confirmed dead and not have much impact on what happens later.” Then, turning to look at Mary, who was still talking beside him, Nian Zhuo silently took the blame for these lives.

"With great power comes great responsibility." For some reason, this phrase suddenly came to mind. "But right now, I'm not enough, not enough. I can't bear the weight of these people's lives, let alone..." Nian Zhuo's eyes turned cold. "Although I bear the title of Guardian, I'm not a true Guardian..." He said this, but the fleeting thought of craving power that crossed his mind was quietly planted in his heart without him even realizing it.

――Plot Break――

"Silence!" Director Mary shouted, looking at the noisy crowd before her. "Anyone who cannot accept this, please leave Chaldea immediately." The crowd immediately fell silent. Mary looked at the 48 Master candidates who hadn't left, a hint of appreciation in her eyes.

"Very good. To this day, our Chaldea has achieved many outstanding results..."

"Hoo~~~~~~" Just as Director Mary was puffing out her chest, preparing to introduce Chaldea's glorious achievements, an untimely snoring sound rang out, interrupting Mary's speech.

Instantly, the director spotted the orange-haired girl who was the last one everyone was watching. He walked up to her and, with a flick of his finger, brought up the information on the rude person in front of him.

"Number 48, that ordinary person," the director said, his anger flaring as he looked at the girl in front of him with displeasure.

"Pfft—" Mashu in the stands also looked incredulous, while Rafe chuckled lightly with disdain, and Nian Zhuo, who had been standing with Director Mary, could barely contain his twitching lips.

Just then, a smile appeared on Ritsuka's face. Filled with endless mockery, Mary, seeing this, was so angry her hair practically flew off her head. Her eyes widened, and she lifted Ritsuka up—

Then, without saying a word, she threw it out. (Director Mary dared to throw away human evil; she succeeded.)

"Ahem," Nian Zhuo couldn't help but let out a slight laugh. Clearly, Mary blushed and quickly walked up to Nian Zhuo upon hearing this.

"Hmm!" The golden eyes held a threatening glint as it looked at the Heroic Spirit who was taller than itself. Only after seeing Nian Zhuo raise his hands in surrender with an apologetic smile did it nod in satisfaction. "Hmm~"

"Ahem~" Mary tried to regain her dignity, then remembered something and pulled Nian Zhuo toward the door. "I almost forgot, you also have to participate in the activities of the First Singularity. Although I don't know why you have the adaptability to Spirit Origin Transfer, hurry up and get ready!" She skillfully opened the door again and pushed Nian Zhuo outside.

Then Nianzhuo turned his head, and just as the door was about to close, Mary waved with a smile.

"Don't lose, my servant~"

Only Nianzhuo remained, standing outside the door, feeling the wind blowing...

"This is really... I like it more and more." Scratching his head, Nianzhuo walked back to his room.

"From what we've come to know, Mashu took Ritsuka to her room, then Ritsuka met the doctor, and then—" Nianzhuo touched the driver and two watch faces in his pocket.

"This means the Rafe Plan has begun. At the very least, we need to protect the director from being blown up, but Mash and Ritsuka are over there too. Let's just take it one step at a time." Pinching his forehead, Nian Zhuo returned to the vending machine.

"Let's wait and see how the story unfolds." A hint of seriousness flashed in Nian Zhuo's eyes. "Should we go check on the people in Group A?"

――――Shift in Perspective――――

2004, Japanese Fuyuki

A white-haired man watched the sparks exploding in the street, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Unlike the world I've been to before, this time there are several people here who aren't in my memory. What's going on—"

On the ground, after the explosion, the two sides finally separated.

On one side is an unidentified spearman with blue hair, red eyes, shimmering silver earrings, wearing a robe and wielding a staff (spoiler alert!), who is actually a caster.

On the other side was a bizarre monster, its neck twisted at an exaggerated angle. Its body was a mix of blue and red, and sharp fangs protruded from its split mouth. It also held an unidentified watch-like object in its hand.

"Hey, you! If you're a Heroic Spirit, state your name!" the blue-haired man shouted, looking at the monster in front of him, seemingly mistaking it for an unknown Servant. "This guy, is he one of the Servants defeated by Saber too?"

"Nian Zhuo... My King... Watch... Seize... Humanity... End," the blue-and-red monster muttered incomprehensible words, twisting its head to look at the blue-haired man opposite it, its eyes filled with longing. "I... I am... Build, your power... Take it!" Then, ignoring the blue-haired man in front of it, the blue-and-red monster took the initiative to meet him.

Then, smoke once again filled the streets.

Through the telescope, they saw the names of objects in the hands of a certain type of rider, who was muttering strange things to himself.