Dear readers,

As you may have noticed, I haven't had enough time to fully dedicate myself to updates lately. Time has become a scarce luxury due to increased responsibilities in my current job. However, tonight I take this moment to proudly share my work as KaleidoMirror with you.

I deeply appreciate your patience and continued support. Your comments and suggestions are crucial to me as they help me improve and adjust the narrative according to your preferences.

I would love to hear in the comments which story you would like me to prioritize for faster updates.

I would like to emphasize that "RWBY" and its respective film adaptations are the property of Monty and Rooster Teeth Productions. Similarly, "Fate/Stay Night" and its various adaptations and visual novels are owned by author Kinoko Nasu and Typemoon.

Are you ready?

Enjoy!

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Golden Apple Theater / Theater der Goldenen Apfel

Unexpected Invitation / Unerwartete Einladung

Shirou sighed, feeling tired and uncomfortable as he followed Officer Ironwood through the imposing horseshoe-shaped auditorium. The sheer magnitude of the place impressed him.

"This is definitely one of the largest venues I've ever seen, Mr. Ironwood," Shirou remarked, sensing an atmosphere filled with anticipation. Around him, rows of elegantly decorated balconies and boxes added a touch of sophistication to the murmuring crowd.

Ironwood chuckled softly, surprised by the look of awe on Shirou's face, so different from his usual rigid demeanor. "We'll have the chance to give you a special tour of the most important civilian areas of the Kingdom, if you wish," he said, glancing at his pocket watch and sighing with relief. "We can't keep you cooped up in the facilities forever, Ensign Emiya. You've demonstrated outstanding performance and training in all your evaluations from the past month."

"Are you sure?" Shirou replied briefly, watching as the grand orchestra tuned their instruments and made final adjustments before the gala's special performance. "Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

Ironwood sighed before continuing. "You know I never underestimate your abilities. We just need to finalize the necessary administrative paperwork to ensure you get that recommendation letter you've been hoping for."

"They'll probably just tell me to participate in more 'training events' to be 'ready'," Shirou muttered, evident frustration in his tone. The small altercation from two weeks ago still fresh in his mind.

Ironwood frowned slightly, recalling the incident where Shirou's request to 'act as an escort' had been flatly denied. Even he had found it exceedingly difficult to make a difference, despite multiple attempts to overturn the decision of his direct superiors, who remained inflexible.

"You need to be patient, Shirou, if you want a chance to rise through the ranks. Meanwhile, we're closely monitoring the special project's development with several positive advancements for our superiors."

Ironwood led Shirou to a more reserved section where they could have a more suitable conversation.

"After all, the 'mysterious Saint' is currently visiting the continent of Anima on her sudden pilgrimage. It has left the entire Kingdom of Mistral in a commotion that still lingers after her arrival."

"It's just that I still have my doubts about Miyu's role in all this," Shirou clenched his fists in frustration before taking a deep breath. "Especially since the high command of the Atlas Army arranged this, which I don't understand despite all the 'good reasons' they've given us."

"It's complicated, Shirou, but it all comes down to 'cooperation' between the continents of Remnant and the significant influence of the four academies and the governing council in each kingdom," Ironwood explained, suppressing a hint of disdain for the bureaucracy. "In this case, the Atlas council felt compelled to accept the 'invitation' to the Saint from Mistral, hoping she could provide help and comfort in the areas most affected by recent Grimm attacks."

"At least my sister's identity will remain secret, and her security is extremely tight," Shirou rolled his eyes before his right hand rested against the elevator wall as they entered.

"You can be sure of that. Even General Ironsides herself has been an effective deterrent for anyone who might want to interfere."

"But..."

"I know the past six months haven't been the best," Ironwood looked at the still frustrated expression on the young man's face. "But there's no reason to stay on high alert. You're expected to take a step back this time and trust the security measures we've put in place."

"Still, I'm not entirely comfortable with the arrangement involving the Ironwood family," Shirou revealed, though his tone betrayed a hint of hesitation.

"Are you referring to my being the guardian for both of you?" Ironwood asked, touching the control panel and sensing Shirou's concern.

Shirou nodded as the elevator doors closed.

"I'm sorry," Ironwood approached to place a hand on Shirou's shoulder, trying to find the right words. "It's just a formality, but I want you to understand that my intentions remain the same. I only wish to offer you the opportunities you deserve."

"I really want to believe you, but... it's just that I don't know my role in all this yet," Shirou sighed, trying to find comfort in the officer's words.

Since both had accepted the arrangements in the Aurora Project, the siblings had resigned themselves to this kind of 'observation.' They tried to see the positive side amidst all the negatives, which had been a tough pill to swallow, especially for the elder Emiya, who had experienced the most negative changes in his lifestyle lately.

"In time, you certainly will, Shirou," Ironwood assured with comforting firmness.

The elevator started to ascend with a subtle movement.

In his mind, Shirou found solace in the constant contact he maintained with Miyu thanks to the scroll communication device. Although he still struggled to adapt to this strange device, he couldn't help but smile at the frequent conversations about the customs, architecture, and culture where Miyu was currently residing. She described them as very similar to Japanese.

"Is Kuchinashi City really that special?" he murmured before the doors opened, and both men stepped out towards a place he wished he didn't have to visit.

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Golden Apple Theater / Theater der Goldenen Apfel

Schnee VIP Area / VIP-Bereich der Schnee

"We've arrived," announced Ironwood, pointing to a large wooden door carved with intricate designs leading into the opulent hall. "Prepare to meet some of the kingdom's elite, who are in direct contact with the Schnee family. They're eager to hear your impressions and comments, given your recent distinction as the youngest Ensign in the entire military's history."

Shirou took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves threatening to overwhelm him. "I hope I can meet their expectations," he said, striving to keep his voice steady.

"You'll do well," Ironwood gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Remember, I trusted you for a reason."

With those words, Ironwood pushed open the doors, revealing a luxuriously decorated meeting room. As they entered, Shirou moved through the opulent balconies towards a more exclusive section of the event. He felt all eyes on him, evaluating his every move.

"Thanks for the compliment," he smiled wryly at the man, "but I still don't quite understand why I was invited," he murmured to himself, recalling the ambiguity in Patriarch Schnee's words three days ago during his visit to the Atlas military headquarters.

His gaze swept across the room, noting the elaborate ice and crystal finishes that reflected the evening's celebration lights. It was evident that the main reason for the high society gathering in honor of the Schnee family was extremely important.

An older man, with a well-groomed gray beard and piercing gaze, rose from his seat.

"Welcome, Ensign Emiya," he said with an authoritative yet friendly voice. "I'm delighted you could join us tonight, along with Officer Ironwood."

"Leader Schnee," James responded with his impeccable military bearing and usual professionalism.

"It's an honor to be here, Patriarch Schnee," Shirou bowed his head respectfully, emulating the standard military salute.

In his mind, the elder's personal welcome contrasted with the reserved looks they received from the other guests. Accustomed to the curious and often hostile stares he had been exposed to over the past six months, Shirou decided to focus on maintaining a calm conversation and avoiding any incident that might mar the occasion.

"I hope you forgive this old man's selfish desires," still with his refined bearing and aura of power, Nicholas smiled benevolently as he approached. "This is just the beginning of the evening. I truly hope you enjoy it."

Before Shirou could respond, the elder noticed his entourage approaching.

"Don't worry about the curious looks, young Shirou. Atlas can be a reserved place, but you must forgive our distinguished guests, who are highly intrigued by your presence since they've heard a lot about your accomplishments over the past few months."

Ironwood, who had been observing the interaction seriously until that moment, intervened politely, trying to lighten the mood.

"Shirou, allow me to introduce you properly. I'm sure they'll be interested in getting to know you better."

At this point, Shirou could only nod, grateful for his superior's guidance. After briefly bidding farewell to Patriarch Schnee, they agreed to reconvene when the overture began, signaling the introduction to the show.

Over the next few minutes, the Officer introduced him to several prominent personalities of Atlas. Emphasizing his importance, he mentioned that even General Isolde appreciated his performance as a future prodigy.

This changed the perspectives of those present, transforming their treatment of Shirou into a more polite courtesy, though he still perceived a hint of caution in their looks and gestures. He found himself immersed in varied conversations, from Dust technology to the local economy, each topic providing a new perspective on the kingdom and its inhabitants.

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At a certain moment, an elderly businessman with an air of evident curiosity approached Shirou with an apparent genuine interest.

"Entonces, Ensigne Emiya, ¿qué piensa de los recientes acontecimientos relacionados con la 'Santa de Atlas'? Ha sido un tema de discusión candente entre la alta sociedad aquí."

"So, Ensign Emiya, what do you think of the recent events concerning the 'Saint of Atlas'? It's been a hot topic of discussion among high society here."

Shirou maintained his composure, though the mention of the 'Saint' always stirred conflicting feelings within him.

"It's certainly an interesting topic. It's a blessing that the Kingdom has genuine hope, especially with her appearance during such turbulent times like those that struck the northern region just over three months ago," he said, his voice wavering briefly before continuing, "Even now, there's still debate about the origins of her existence."

The businessman nodded with satisfaction.

"It touches us deeply. Times have changed drastically since the 'Saint' appeared. But many here believe it's only a matter of time before even the most reluctant embrace the Dust reforms proposed by Mr. Jacques, being jointly supervised by Leader Polendina, who promises us a second miracle that's been talked about so much lately."

Shirou pondered a moment before responding.

"I feel that advances in artificial intelligence, much less futuristic concepts like androids, are still uncharted territory even for me, Mr. Hudffing," he smiled, placing a hand behind his head, feeling nervous at the thought of 'Big Kid'. "But I'm more interested in the innovations in the 'heating network,' hoping it will improve conditions in the slums."

A part of Shirou deeply admired Polendina for his kind and enthusiastic personality, explaining the project's progress in each of their meetings. Especially for Miyu, who was extremely grateful for the real support they both had received, though they couldn't ignore their debt to Ironwood.

After all, over the past few months, the Doctor had been a significant part of Shirou's learning about Atlas and some generalities about this new world. On the other hand, neither of the siblings had ever had the pleasure of meeting the 'Son-in-law' of the Schnee family, so Shirou had decided to reserve his comments on this occasion.

Mr. Hudffing nodded seriously, sipping his wine with satisfaction.

"It's understandable, Ensign Emiya. But we are truly optimistic, given that in a year, advancements will be presented to the council. I hope Leader Ardent brings us good news in the economic sector and perhaps some political interests," the man elegantly covered his mouth, resuming his manners to change the conversation. "My little mistake, but I think even the great contribution of the 'Saint' in the last raid allowed the creation of the most recent 'Dormir Village', with this, it's no exaggeration to say it was a great honor for the kingdom."

The conversation continued animatedly. Shirou asked a couple of times about some topics that piqued his curiosity, gathering certain impressions of Atlas. During the talk, he caught fragments of the main reason for his invitation: the upcoming tenth birthday of Weiss, Nicholas's granddaughter, to be celebrated in three days. However, he sensed there was more on the elder Schnee's mind, details he would unfortunately discover later.

Meanwhile, James Ironwood ensured that the rest of the interactions went smoothly, while the Patriarch Schnee watched with a mix of curiosity and satisfaction at the center.

Finally, the music began to play slowly, signaling the event's start. The guests began to say their goodbyes, making way for the Patriarch Schnee to invite Ironwood and Shirou to follow him to their respective places with an enigmatic smile.

"Young Shirou, I would like to have a more private conversation with you before you leave," approaching the young man, he placed a hand on his shoulder before whispering. "But I think we should enjoy the show for now."

Shirou nodded politely, anticipating with intrigue what the Patriarch had to say to him.

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The Golden Apple Theater/ Theater der Goldenen Apfel

Overture of the Snow Princess/ Ouvertüre der Schneekönigin

From the start of the overture with the rise of the curtain, the intensity of the instrumental music enveloped the audience in an atmosphere of anticipation.

The partially lit stage displayed a winter-themed setting, with barren trees and even a breeze among 'snowflakes' where a group of 'actors' performed a meticulous and beautiful interpretation.

Shirou was aware that he was completely uneducated, not appreciating the details of the choreography, but he understood that there was a certain atmosphere that escalated with each new change. After a few minutes, a group of young people emerged from the sides, singing with an indescribable passion, always in sync with the orchestra's accompaniment.

"I hope you enjoy what happens next, young Shirou," said Patriarch Schnee, without taking his eyes off the stage. Shirou, surprised, could barely nod before refocusing on the performance.

Then, as if time stood still, a figure appeared in the center of the stage. What followed was something he could never have imagined.

A young woman with long white hair, elegantly dressed, and with a presence that immediately captured his attention.

It was the first time they made eye contact, but a part of him couldn't look away from her. He recognized her immediately due to the imminent resemblance to photographs in newspapers and on television whenever the SDC was mentioned.

"She is Weiss Schnee... his granddaughter, isn't she?" he murmured, surprised by the soft and melancholic atmosphere, accompanied by the keyboard instruments, which had a great impact on the most important part of the opera, marveling at her voice's increasing brilliance with each note.

From his seat, Patriarch Schnee did not respond, but his gaze showed a great mix of pride and peace.

As the song progressed, Shirou noticed that there seemed to be increasingly profound 'thoughts' in Weiss's performance.

"She seems to be someone... lonely?" he murmured, trying to follow the chorus in the background.

He himself acknowledged that he was not the most intelligent person in the 'human' field, but he could recognize that young Schnee definitely used a 'facade,' something he was certainly familiar with in his 'new life.' This was only the first step for him to wonder what kind of secrets and desires were hidden behind that grace and nobility that seemed to be her innate nature.

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Without realizing how much time had passed, Shirou was surprised when the music finally concluded. The entire theater erupted in applause, but he remained in his seat, immersed in deep silence while processing the experience he had just lived through.

Patriarch Schnee watched with great pride from his own seat, perceiving the mix of emotions on Shirou's face. With a slight and warm smile, he stood up and approached him.

"You are absolutely right, she is Weiss Schnee, my dear granddaughter," he finally responded to his previously ignored question, but his eyes shone with deep affection. "A young woman with a heart of gold and a voice that resonates like no other in all of Remnant."

Shirou nodded slowly, still absorbed in the echoes of Weiss's performance.

"It's incredible," he finally murmured, his words barely audible amid the crowd's ongoing celebration.

"Certainly, she has completely inherited her grandmother's talent," added Patriarch Schnee with a tone of nostalgia, remembering past times. "But you can't deny that she also has her own unique shine."

While Officer Ironwood stood aside, seemingly focused on observing the stage, giving space for Patriarch Schnee and Shirou to have a more private conversation, as Schnee had previously requested.

"How can someone... express so much in a single song?" Shirou pondered aloud, more to himself than to the Patriarch. The melody resonated in his mind, hiding something that was impossible for someone so young to possess.

Patriarch Schnee nodded seriously, but his eyes showed complex emotions.

"Weiss has been through a lot lately," he admitted, choosing his words carefully and repressing the urge to sigh. "That's why, despite my best efforts to make a difference, I have found it difficult to change anything."

Shirou's eyes returned to Weiss's figure on stage, noticing how she seemed to maintain a certain distance, even among her fellow performers, who exchanged smiles and greetings but did not get too close to her.

"Then... do you think I might make a difference?" he asked, feeling a hint of nervousness he hadn't felt before, wondering if she could even see him from the