Chapter Text
Ritsuka’s hero persona is defined by an elegant, flowing ensemble that feels both ancient and otherworldly in the modern streets of New York. The core of the outfit is a pristine white tunic topped by a sweeping, pointed white hat and cape, perfectly mimicking the iconic silhouette of Qifrey from Witch Hat Atelier.
Underneath, a dark navy inner vest creates a striking contrast, paired with tailored dark trousers. The fabric is enchanted to ripple gracefully with every step, casting an aura of scholarly mystique.Tied securely around his waist is a light-brown leather tactical belt pouch, designed to look like vintage military surplus. It blends utility with magic, sitting snugly against his hip.
Hidden within the folds of his robes and the secret compartments of this belt are his primary weapons: an elegant, brass-tipped quill pen and a pouch of enchanted chalk, allowing him to draw intricate magic circles at a moment's notice.
Lancer’s Theatrical Joke: The Fake Brush Buddy
To complete the look, Lancer went out of his way to craft a replica of a "Brush Buddy"—the little brush-like creature from the manga.
While it was meant purely as a prank to tease his Master's dramatic flair, the craftsmanship was surprisingly flawless. Lancer carved and put it together with painstaking detail, perfectly mimicking the cute, uncanny appearance of the original creature.
"If you're going to put on a show, Master, you've got to commit to the bit!" Lancer had laughed, slapping Ritsuka on the back.
Even though it was just a useless gag item that couldn't actually move or clean, the sheer aesthetic accuracy of the fake Brush Buddy was so spot-on that Ritsuka couldn't help but attach it to his gear, fully embracing his own love for theatrical presentation.
The chaotic roar of explosions and the screech of tearing metal echoed through the night. The Stark Expo had turned into a warzone.
Hidden deep within the shadows of the collapsing pavilion, Ritsuka stood perfectly still, his white pointed hood pulled low. Wrapped tightly around him was a Concealment Shield, a bounded field of magecraft that kept him entirely invisible to both the panicked crowd and Iron Man's advanced sensors.
He checked his internal clock. Timing was everything. If he stepped into the light too early, he would be branded an accomplice to Ivan Vanko, a rogue element plotting alongside a terrorist. But if he waited too long, the cost would be measured in innocent lives. He had to strike at the exact, razor-thin window between salvation and suspicion.
As he watched the flames reflect in the darkness, the fractured shards of his memories pulsed in his mind. The line between the ordinary man from Earth and Fujimaru Ritsuka, the Last Master of Humanity, had completely blurred. He was both, and neither.
From those agonizing memories of a bleached Earth, he knew exactly what it meant to take risks. He understood the cruel mathematics of sacrifice required to achieve a desired outcome. He was the Last Master; he had looked into the abyss of human extinction and survived. As long as humanity could live to see another tomorrow, he would gladly shoulder the crushing weight of the world once more—even here, in this strange universe of steel and heroes.
Gripping the brass-tipped quill hidden in his tactical leather pouch, Kifrey prepared to make his first mark on the Marvel universe.
Taking a deep breath, Kifrey finally made his move. Magic circles hummed to life around the soles of his boots, granting him a temporary burst of superhuman speed. He blurred through the smoke like a ghost in white. Before leaping into the fray, he mentally sent a sharp command to his Servant: “Lancer, assist the evacuation from the shadows. Stay completely off the cameras. The world isn't ready to see you yet. You are my trump card.”
A silent acknowledgment pulsed back through the Master-Servant bond as Lancer vanished into the darkness.Darting into the chaotic heart of the expo, Kifrey focused entirely on defense and rescue.
He didn't cast a single offensive spell. With practiced precision, his brass-tipped quill and enchanted chalk swept across the ground. At one corner, a newly drawn magic circle expanded into a transparent golden dome, shielding a group of cornered civilians from stray gunfire.
At another, he activated a glyph that reshaped the asphalt and concrete, rising them up into solid barricades to block incoming debris.When a massive piece of a collapsing pavilion threatened to crush a fleeing family, Kifrey traced a rapid sequence in the air, casting a levitation circle that froze the falling concrete inches above their heads, allowing them to escape safely.He actively avoided engaging the rampaging Hammer Drones, prioritizing civilian evacuation over combat.
Whenever a rogue drone locked onto him and drew too close, Kifrey simply dropped a quick deceleration circle beneath its heavy metal feet. The magic instantly slowed the robot’s movements to a crawl, buying enough time for the crowd to scatter while Kifrey vanished back into the smoke, leaving the armored monstrosities completely bewildered.
High above the city lights, Tony Stark and Rhodey streaked through the night sky, the thrusters of their Iron Man and War Machine armor roaring at full burn as they raced toward the chaos at the Stark Expo. At the same time, miles away on the ground, Natasha Romanoff and Happy Hogan were tearing through the streets in a sleek car, speeding toward Hammer Industries to shut down the source of the rogue drones.
Suddenly, their comms crackled to life with a live tactical feed from S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
"Stark, Romanoff, listen up," Agent Coulson’s voice sounded over the secure line, tinged with uncharacteristic confusion. "We have an unidentified anomalous entity on the ground at the expo. Visually, he looks like something out of a fantasy novel—wearing a pristine white tunic with a pointed white hat and cape. But he’s not a civilian."
Tony scanned his HUD as satellite data began feeding into his armor's display. "What’ve we got, Coulson? Another one of Vanko’s parlor tricks?"
"No, he's actively working against the drones," Natasha interjected, her fingers flying across a S.H.I.E.L.D. tactical tablet from the passenger seat next to Happy.
"Thermal images show him moving at superhuman speeds. He’s using some kind of pen and chalk to rapidly draw geometric circles on the ground and in the air. The moment the circles are completed, they trigger multiple localized phenomena.""
Phenomena? Like what?" Rhodey asked, adjusting his flight trajectory.
"Defensive golden barriers, instantaneous concrete manipulation, and kinetic levitation fields," Natasha read from the live field report, her eyes narrowing as she analyzed the footage.
"But here is the strangest part: he has engaged zero offensive measures. He isn't attacking the drones at all. When they get close, he just drops a glyph to slow them down. His entire operational focus is strictly civilian evacuation. He is prioritizing getting people out over destroying the targets."
Inside his helmet, Tony stared at the shimmering gold domes popping up on his digital map. "A wizard in a white hood playing crosswalk guard? JARVIS, pull up a clean visual on Gandalf the White. Let's see who we're dealing with."
Sonic booms shattered the air over Flushing Meadows as Tony Stark and Rhodey made a hard, thruster-assisted landing right into the epicenter of the Stark Expo.
The scene greeting them was nothing short of surreal.Amidst the smoke, ruins, and the terrifying crackle of rogue tech, the mysterious white wizard stood defiantly. He wasn't wearing a regular hood; instead, a crisp, white pointed hat sat perfectly atop his silver-white hair, tilting slightly forward. Around his waist was that rugged, light-brown military tactical belt pouch, fully loaded with tools of a different world.Right at that moment, Ivan Vanko unleashed a ferocious, dual-wielded slash of his electrified plasma whips.
The superheated energy arced through the air, aimed directly at a group of cowering civilians.Before the whips could tear through flesh and bone, the wizard completed a swift, sweeping motion with his brass-tipped quill. Instantly, an immense, geometric magic circle erupted from the asphalt, manifests into a massive, transparent golden barrier.
The electric whips slammed into the glowing sigil with a blinding flash, sending sparks flying in every direction, but the golden dome held completely firm, protecting the trapped civilians.Catching sight of the two armored heroes, Qifrey looked back, his calm demeanor unbroken despite the chaos.
He raised his voice, pitching it perfectly across the roaring battlefield."Lord Stark! General Rodhey! You have finally arrived!"
Qifrey shouted, maintaining the massive barrier with a steady hand. "Please, deal with the villain yonder as swiftly as possible. I shall continue the mass evacuation here. I highly advise you to redirect your engagement to a location far from the populace with minimal collateral damage—perhaps the park nearby. Exercise caution, Lord Stark, General Roddy."
Inside their respective helmets, both Avengers blinked in sheer bewilderment. The HUD displays flickered against their eyes, but nothing in their advanced tech could explain the bizarre titles they had just been given.
"Lord Stark?" Tony repeated the words over the private comms, a mix of amusement and confusion in his voice. "Did Gandalf just call me 'Lord Stark'? I mean, it has a nice ring to it, but we are definitely not in a Renaissance fair, Rhodey."
"And he called me 'General Rodhey'," Rhodey grunted, adjusting his targeting systems while staring at the immense golden dome holding back Vanko's plasma whips. "First of all, it's Colonel. Second, how does this guy even know who we are? S.H.I.E.L.D. said he just dropped out of nowhere."
"He's got tactical awareness, I'll give him that," Tony muttered, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the battleground. "Look at the crowd. He’s right. If we fight Vanko here, the collateral damage is going to skyrocket. The wizard's idea about the park is actually our best bet."
Vanko roared, tearing his glowing whips away from the golden barrier, leaving dark, scorched gashes in the air as he pivoted his attention toward the two armored suits. The arcs of electricity hissed violently against the ruined pavement.
"Alright, Colonel Roddy—sorry, General—let's take this party to the garden like the wizard suggested," Tony commanded, firing up his repulsors. "On my mark, we corral him away from the pavilion!"
With synchronized precision, Iron Man and War Machine unleashed a heavy barrage of micro-missiles and repulsor blasts. The explosions didn't aim to kill Vanko, but rather to cut off his flanks and force him backward.
Working together like a pair of high-tech sheepdogs, they drove the roaring Ivan Vanko away from the trapped civilians, dragging the chaotic duel straight toward the open, deserted fields of the nearby park.Behind them, safely within the shimmering protection of the magic circle, Kifrey gave a single, firm nod of approval before immediately turning back to guide the remaining survivors into the shadows.
With Iron Man and War Machine successfully luring Vanko away to the nearby park, Kifrey immediately turned his full attention back to the civilians. Moving with enhanced agility, he swept through the remaining ruins of the Stark Expo, guiding every last trapped survivor out of the burning pavilions and into the designated casualty clearing station.Once he confirmed that the immediate area was clear and everyone was out of harm's way, Kifrey stood before the crowd of shocked and bleeding survivors.
He took a deep, dramatic breath, fully embracing his inner theater enthusiast. He didn't actually need to chant an incantation to use this level of magecraft, but to him, committing to the performance was half the fun.With a grand, fluid motion of his brass-tipped quill, he rapidly traced a large, intricate geometric magic circle on the pavement. The lines pulsed with an otherworldly light.
Kifrey closed his eyes and reached toward the distant place beyond the world.
The Throne of Heroes.
The connection was faint—a fragile thread left behind by a lifetime spent fighting alongside Heroic Spirits as Chaldea's final Master. He could never wield their legends as they did. At best, he could borrow an echo, a pale imitation granted with their consent.
Tonight, he only needed one miracle.
"Lady of the Lamp, Florence Nightingale... May I humbly request your blessing to aid those who are broken and wounded."
The magic circle flared, and he delivered the Noble Phantasm chant with absolute, unyielding conviction:
"I will cure you, even if it kills you. I will purge all that is toxic, all that is harmful! For as long as I have this power, I shall see everyone to their welfares... Nightingale Pledge!"
Instantly, a soft, ethereal purple healing light erupted from the glyph, washing over the crowd. The warm energy seeped into the victims, instantly knitting open flesh, erasing bruises, and soothing the smoke-damaged lungs of the panicked civilians.As the light faded, Kifrey lowered his hands, suppressed a self-satisfied grin, and walked over to the dumbfounded team of first responders.
Adjusting his white pointed hat, he bowed slightly and spoke with scholarly humility."I must apologize," Kifrey said, his voice laced with gentle regret. "My magecraft is only capable of fully healing superficial to moderate injuries. For those with severe trauma, I could only stabilize their vitals. Now, it is your turn, doctors and experts. You are the true heroes of this day. I shall take my leave and scan the remaining buildings to ensure no one else is left behind."
Before the paramedics could even utter a word of thanks, the white-cloaked wizard spun on his heel, his robes billowing gracefully as he vanished right back into the swirling smoke, deeply pleased with his own dramatic debut.
A short while after the dust had settled in the nearby park, Ivan Vanko was finally defeated, and Tony had successfully pulled Pepper Potts from the wreckage of the exploding drones.
Still wearing their scuffed and soot-stained armor, Tony and Rhodey, along with a shaken but relieved Pepper, made their way over to the casualty clearing station.They were immediately greeted by an unbelievable sight.
Dozens of paramedics were working alongside a crowd of civilians who, just minutes ago, had been severely injured—but were now sitting up, completely healed, whispering about a mysterious purple light. Standing right in the center of the camp, brushing dust off his pristine white tunic, was the enigmatic wizard.
Tony’s faceplate retracted as he stepped forward, his eyes locking onto the strange figure. "Alright, I'll admit the purple light show was a nice touch. Saved the city a lot of medical bills. So, who exactly are you, wizard? And what's with the Gandalf cosplay?"
Qifrey didn't seem bothered by the sarcastic tone. Instead, he maintained his scholarly grace. He elegantly placed his right hand over his heart, tilting his head forward into a flawless, polite bow."Allow me to introduce myself,"
Qifrey spoke, his voice smooth and calm. "My name is Qifrey, the Magic Scholar. It is an absolute honor to meet you, Lord Stark, General, and Madam Pepper."
Rhodey immediately let out a heavy sigh, crossing his armored arms. "I told you before, man. I am not a general. I’m a Colonel."
Qifrey paused. He tilted his head to the side, his white pointed hat shifting slightly as a look of genuine, academic confusion crossed his face. "You are not? Huh... that is peculiar. It seems someone has thoroughly muddled up the records, or perhaps I have simply misplaced my documents on normal human world affairs?"
Pepper "Please excuse my companions, Mr. Qifrey. It has been a tremendously stressful night for all of us. But on behalf of Stark Industries and everyone present, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. What you did with that purple light... it was a miracle. You saved countless lives tonight."
She stepped forward, past Tony, offering a warm and genuinely grateful smile to the white-cloaked scholar. Her professional instincts were already kicking in, trying to process the existence of actual magic while managing the immediate aftermath of a public relations disaster.
"As for your documents," Pepper continued, shooting a playful, reprimanding glare back at Rhodey, "don't worry too much about the mix-up. Given Colonel Rhodes' incredible performance tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if that promotion to General comes sooner rather than later. Your records might just be a little ahead of their time."
Tony scoffed, crossing his arms. "Great. Just what we need. A time-traveling wizard who hands out military promotions. Pepper, honey, you're enabling him."
Qifrey smiled warmly beneath his pointed hat, bowing once more to the Stark Industries CEO."Thank you for your immense kindness, Madam Pepper,"
Qifrey replied, his tone radiating scholarly humility. "For now, I have managed to mend many souls. However, my magecraft cannot cure fatal trauma, nor can it regrow amputated limbs or heal old, deep-seated scars. From this moment onward, the duty falls to the doctors and medical professionals. They are the true heroes of this day."
He paused, checking the darkening sky with a slight look of theatrical urgency."And for that, I must apologize, but I must take my leave immediately. I have a familiar at home that needs to be fed right away, and it is getting quite late. My deepest gratitude and regards to you all."
Before anyone could question what kind of "familiar" a New York librarian-wizard kept at home, Qifrey swept his brass-tipped quill through the air. With breathtaking speed, he traced an intricate geometric circle onto the pavement right beneath his boots.Instantly, the magic circle erupted with a brilliant, blinding white radiance. Qifrey stepped firmly into the center of the sigil. The light flared exponentially, casting long shadows across the pavilion and forcing Tony, Pepper, and Rhodey to shield their eyes from the intense glare.When the luminescence finally faded a second later, the area was dead silent. The white-cloaked scholar and his glowing circle were completely gone, leaving nothing behind but the faint scent of ozone and chalk.
Tony lowered his gauntlet, staring at the empty space where the wizard had stood just moments prior. He let out a sharp, deeply irritated sigh."Son of a..." Tony muttered, turning his helmeted head toward Rhodey. "A damn teleportation spell. Great. He just skipped out on us using actual, literal magic. JARVIS, tell me you tracked that energy signature, because I am not losing a wizard to a 'feed the pet' excuse."