The False servant

I stared at the sword in my hand, my emotions swirling in a mix of awe and uncertainty.

On one hand, an overwhelming sense of admiration filled my chest, a kind of wonder that was difficult to put into words.

But on the other hand, a creeping doubt began to seep in—a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

This sword… even though I knew it was just a replica, far from perfect, there was still something about it that felt special.

Yet, one question lingered in my mind, refusing to leave.

'Just how strong is this sword, really?'

I turned around, scanning my surroundings. The ruins around me stood silent, a perfect witness to the answer I was about to uncover.

My gaze eventually landed on an old lamp post standing firmly amidst the debris. Despite its worn appearance, the metal still looked sturdy enough to serve as a test target.

I swallowed hard, trying to calm the storm of thoughts raging in my mind.

'Should I really do this?' I wondered to myself.

Doubt began to haunt me. What if this sword was nothing more than a beautiful façade? What if I had placed too much hope in something that was merely a replica?

But then, a small voice inside me spoke, brushing aside all my doubts.

'You'll never know unless you try.'

Gripping the sword tighter, I stepped closer to the lamp post. Each step felt heavier, not because of the armor I wore, but because of the tension hanging in the air. My breaths sounded a little strained, but I kept moving forward until I stood directly in front of the post.

I took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage I had left.

"Alright..." I muttered softly, the words directed more at myself than anyone else.

I positioned the sword with both hands, raising it high over my shoulder. Its shining blade seemed to reflect the burning determination within me.

'Time to prove myself.'

In one swift motion, I swung the sword toward the lamp post. My movement felt smooth, as though the sword was an extension of my body. The blade cut through the air, creating a sharp sound that echoed around me.

And then, a metallic clang resonated.

I froze. My eyes widened in disbelief at what had just happened. The lamp post that had stood firmly before me... was now split clean in two.

The severed post collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. I stood there, motionless, my eyes darting between the sword in my hand and the pieces of metal on the ground.

'What is this...? What did I just do?'

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my suddenly racing heart. Even though it had all happened right in front of me, it was still hard to believe.

Lowering the sword slowly, I held it up to my face. My reflection was clear on the blade, but there was something different. My eyes, which were usually filled with doubt, now shone with a newfound resolve. That expression—a steadfastness I had never seen in myself before.

I gripped the sword tighter, feeling the faint vibrations coursing through its blade.

The sensation wasn't like raw or brutal power. Instead, it was pure energy—a gentle yet terrifying force, as though I was holding something far beyond my understanding.

"So this… is your power," I whispered to the sword. The words felt strange, but I couldn't stop myself.

A sense of satisfaction began to creep into my heart, but along with it came a growing sense of responsibility. If I had this kind of power, what was I supposed to do with it? Was I truly worthy of wielding it?

However, those questions didn't linger for long. Instead, a small smile formed on my lips. This sword, even though it was just a replica, had proven its worth. And I… I was ready to use it.

I gazed at the ruins before me, the blade still gleaming in my hand. A gentle breeze blew past, carrying dust and dry leaves through the air.

"This is just the beginning," I said softly, my voice filled with determination.

---

One Day Later

It had been an entire day since I began wandering aimlessly, walking through the broken streets and ruins surrounding me.

As a Servant, I had come to realize one thing—my body no longer needed food, water, or even sleep.

At first, it felt strange. A body that kept moving without exhaustion, without hunger, without even the slightest hint of drowsiness. But now, I was starting to get used to it. Perhaps this was just part of my existence as a spiritual being.

In my right hand, I still held the sword tightly. Its polished blade reflected the faint sunlight that managed to pierce through the gray clouds above.

I walked leisurely, unaffected by the scenery around me—crumbling buildings, cracked roads, and an atmosphere that seemed to scream that life had long since abandoned this place.

But my steps came to an abrupt halt when I noticed something in the distance.

A group of creatures appeared, moving slowly amidst the drifting dust. I squinted my eyes, trying to make out what I was seeing. As they drew closer, I finally realized—they were undead. Skeletons.

I raised an eyebrow, both surprised and confused.

"Wait, this is strange," I muttered softly, observing them carefully.

Why were creatures like these here?

I thought back to the situation I was currently in. From what I had seen so far, I was certain that I was in Fuyuki. But still, something felt off.

If this really was Fuyuki, it should be the year 2004 according to Fate/Zero timeline, And seeing the city burned and scorched, this must have been the time right after the Fourth Holy Grail War had ended.

That would mean this was the time when Kiritsugu Emiya had just found Shirou in the ruins and decided to take him or should I say adopt him.

But… the presence of undead like these skeletons left me confused.

'Why are creatures like these here?' I wondered.

In the Fate/Zero or Fate/Stay Night series, I had never seen the existence of skeleton.

And that wasn't the only thing that unsettled me. For an entire day of walking, I had seen no signs of human life.

I began to question myself.

"Am I mistaken? Could this not be the Fate/Zero timeline as I thought? If so, then what timeline am I truly in?"

But before I could think further, the skeletons started to move.

Without warning, they surged forward with stiff but surprisingly quick movements. I took a step back, gripping my sword tighter, readying myself for their attack.

"No time to think, huh?" I muttered with a sigh.

The skeletons lunged at me simultaneously, wielding their corroded swords and broken spears—barely worthy of being called weapons.

I stood my ground, trying to maintain a calm expression. But inside? My heart was racing faster than usual. This was my first real fight as a Servant.

I raised my sword, gripping it tightly.

I felt nervous—of course, I did. I wasn't even a skilled swordsman. But there was something that kept me standing here instead of running away: curiosity.

I let out a small smile to calm myself, as I always did.

"Alright, let's see what I can do."

As the skeletons closed in, I took a deep breath, trying to focus.

If I think about it, I've always been a copycat.

If I've ever seen something interesting, something inspiring, I could definitely copying it. And now, I think I might even be able to copy Artoria's combat techniques.

Why am I so confident about this? It's because...

~~~

Flashback Starting.

A few days ago, at my classroom.

The classroom was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter as the recess bell had just rung. As usual, the students immediately got up from their seats, forming small groups to have lunch together or just chat casually.

Meanwhile, I sat alone at my desk, staring blankly ahead. Not because I didn't have any friends, but because I preferred to enjoy my break time quietly. Watching everyone laughing and talking endlessly like this often made me feel a bit overwhelmed.

I was about to take out my lunch when a cheerful voice called my name.

"Yuki-chan! Look at what I drew!"

I turned toward the voice. My best friend, Hana, was walking toward me with a wide smile on her face. She was holding a sketchbook, which she lifted slightly as if she wanted to show it off.

I gave a small smile, trying to hide my fatigue.

"What is it this time, Hana-chan?" I asked, watching her enthusiastic steps.

She stopped right in front of me, opened her book, and proudly showed it to me.

On the page was a fairly detailed drawing of a manga panel. It was a picture of Oda Nobunaga standing in Throne. But what stunned me wasn't who was drawn, but how she were drawn.

Nobunaga sat on a throne with an expression full of arrogance. Her body was bare, covered only by her long black hair, which fell to cover part of her chest, while part of her thighs were hidden by fabric.

My face instantly turned red.

"Ha-Hana-chan…" I stammered, quickly glancing around to make sure no one else saw the drawing.

Fortunately, everyone was busy with their own affairs.

"I know you like drawing, but… I think this is a little… uh, too revealing? And vulgar? Please, hide it before someone else sees it!" I said in a panicked tone, but still trying to keep my voice low.

Instead of feeling embarrassed or apologetic, Hana chuckled softly.

"What? Vulgar? Isn't it cool?" she said, tilting her head as if she didn't understand my discomfort. But after seeing my serious expression, she finally relented.

"Alright, alright," she said as she closed her sketchbook and placed it on the table.

"I just wanted to see your reaction, Yuki-chan. You're always cute when you're flustered like that."

I sighed in relief, though my cheeks still felt hot.

But Hana wasn't done. She looked at me with sparkling eyes, full of enthusiasm.

"By the way, Yuki-chan! How about keeping me company while I draw after school? Please, okay? I get really bored being alone in my apartment…"

I paused for a moment, looking at her face filled with hope. Hana was always like this—spontaneous and full of energy. Even though I sometimes felt too exhausted to keep up with her rhythm, I knew she just wanted to spend time with someone.

I finally let out a small sigh and smiled.

"Alright, Hana-chan. I'll keep you company. But don't draw anything weird again, okay?"

"Yay! Thank you, Yuki-chan!" she said, raising both hands as if she had just won a competition.

"I promise I won't draw anything vulgar again… at least for today."

I could only chuckle at her response. That's just how Hana was.

After that, our conversation shifted to other topics. Hana began telling me about her drawing ideas, and I listened while occasionally giving comments. The break time seemed to pass quickly, and before we realized it, the bell rang.

"Alright, see you later, Yuki-chan! Don't forget our promise!" she said with a big smile before returning to her seat.

I just nodded slightly, feeling that this evening would be quite interesting—or maybe tiring, considering how energetic Hana was.

---

At Hana's apartment.

Hana's apartment felt warm and cozy, even though it was small. In the middle of the room, there was a small table filled with various drawing tools—pencils, erasers, and piles of sketch paper already covered in doodles and drawings.

I sat on the floor, leaning against a small sofa, while Hana sat cross-legged across the table. She was engrossed in drawing something in her sketchbook, her eyes focused and her right hand moving quickly yet precisely.

I watched her in silence. Not because I had nothing else to do, but because watching Hana draw was always fascinating.

She always seemed to enjoy the process so much, even occasionally smiling as she added new details to her drawings.

"Yuki-chan, don't just sit there quietly. Watch closely," she suddenly said without taking her eyes off the paper.

"I am watching," I replied calmly.

"Good," she replied, sounding satisfied, as she continued to move her pencil.

A few minutes later, she finally stopped. Proudly, she turned her sketchbook around, showing me the drawing she had just finished. It was a picture of a female character in a dynamic pose, wearing a complex costume with many details.

I had to admit, it was very well done and complex. It was something that's can't be copied easily.

"What do you think? Cool, right?" she said with a wide smile.

I nodded slightly.

"Yeah, it's really good. You're very talented, Hana-chan."

She chuckled, then looked at me with an enthusiastic gaze.

"Alright, Yuki-chan! I have a challenge for you."

"A challenge?" I asked, feeling a bit cautious.

"Yeah! Try to copy this drawing," she said, pointing to her sketch.

"If your drawing matches mine, I lose, and I'll treat you to dinner. But if it's not even close, then I win, and you'll treat me. How's that?"

I let out a long sigh, feeling a bit annoyed by her sudden challenge. But on the other hand, I also felt intrigued.

"Alright," I replied, trying to sound calm, even though I was determined.

"I accept your challenge."

Hana beamed with excitement.

"Great! Let's get started!"

I grabbed a few sheets of blank paper from the pile on the table, then picked up a pencil. I studied Hana's drawing closely, trying to memorize every little detail—the bold and thin lines, the smooth curves of the character's hair, and the vivid expression on her face.

"Alright, Yuki. You can do this," I muttered to myself, then began to draw.

The room fell silent, with only the sound of pencils scratching against paper. I didn't know how much time passed, but I was completely absorbed in the drawing. I kept redoing lines that felt imperfect, ensuring the proportions and details were accurate.

Hana occasionally glanced at me, and I could sense the small smile on her face.

"You look so serious. Now I'm curious about the result," she said.

"I won't lose to you," I replied without taking my eyes off the paper.

After a while, I finally put down my pencil and let out a relieved sigh.

"Done," I said, handing her the drawing.

Hana took the paper and examined it closely. Her eyes widened, and then she smiled broadly.

"This is amazing, Yuki-chan! You really managed to copy it almost perfectly!" she said with admiration.

I felt a bit proud but tried to hide it. "Of course. I'm good at copying."

"Good at copying? Are you serious? This is more than just a regular copy. I didn't know you could draw this well!" she said with a small laugh.

I just shrugged.

"So, who won?" I asked.

Hana laughed again, then stood up and grabbed her bag. "Alright, alright, I admit defeat. As promised, I'll treat you to dinner. Let's go before I change my mind!"

I gave a faint smile and got up from my seat.

"Alright. Let's go."

She nodded as she walked toward the door with enthusiasm.

I could only shake my head as I followed her steps.

Even though it was a bit tiring, I found this challenge quite enjoyable.

At least I managed to win against Hana—and I got a free dinner. Not too bad, right?

Flashback End

~~~

Recalling that memory brought a faint smile to my face, but it also made me a little sad, knowing that I might never see Hana again.

Shaking off the thought, I refocused and stared at the skeletons before me with determination.

In my mind, I replayed all the fight scenes I had seen in anime. Artoria's movements, her techniques, the way she parried and attacked with precision—it all played in slow motion, like a sequence I was ready to use.

"Don't panic,"

I whispered to myself.

"Just follow what you've seen before."

With a step forward, I raised my sword, ready to face the first wave of their attacks.

The gleam of my blade clashed with their rusted weapons. A sharp clanging sound echoed through the air. I felt the vibrations run through my hands, but I gripped the sword tightly.

One skeleton thrust its spear at me, aiming for my chest with a movement that was quick but stiff. I instinctively ducked, letting the tip of the spear pass over my head.

"Their movements are slow. This... might not be as bad as I thought," I muttered softly.

Summoning a bit of courage, I swung my sword at the spear. My slash shattered it into pieces, and at the same time, the fragile body of the skeleton crumbled apart. Dust scattered in the air, marking the end of its existence.

I had just begun to feel a sense of relief when a second skeleton attacked from behind.

Sensing the assault, I quickly spun around, flipping my sword and striking its body with the blunt side of my blade. The skeleton was sent flying backward, breaking into fragments on the ground.

"They're... really easy to destroy," I said as I tried to steady my breathing. However, my right hand, which still gripped the sword, was trembling slightly.

This battle might seem simple, but for a beginner like me, it felt like a significant challenge. Even so, my body moved without hesitation. It felt as though something inside me—perhaps an instinct as a Servant—was guiding every motion.

I tried to mimic another technique I had seen before. With a bit of uncertainty, I spun my sword, slashing at two skeletons attacking simultaneously. The strike wasn't perfect, but it was enough to reduce them to dust.

One by one, the skeletons fell. Though my movements weren't as smooth or precise as the ones I had seen in anime, I managed to finish them all.

When it was finally over, I lowered my sword and let out a long breath.

"I did it..." I murmured. While I felt some satisfaction, I knew it wasn't because I was strong. They were just weak.

I stared at my sword, examining my reflection in its blade. The eyes staring back at me didn't reflect triumph but an awareness of my limitations.

"Maybe this was easy because they weren't dangerous enemies," I said as I gazed at the gray sky above.

I stood in silence for a moment, letting my thoughts wander.

'If my opponents had been a Servant… I'd have lost for sure, because I was lack of experience.' I thought, biting my lower lip.

With unsteady steps, I continued my journey. The sword in my hand felt a little heavier, as if reminding me that this was just the beginning.