Chapter 3: Bonds, Training, and the Power of the Fool
The weight of the night still lingered as Minato sat in his room, gazing at the Evoker in his hand.
Messiah.
Summoning him had felt… natural. Almost effortless. And yet, something told him that he had barely scratched the surface of what he could do.
This world, these people—they weren't just characters in a game anymore. They were real. Their struggles, their fears, their hopes—he could feel it. And that meant he had a responsibility.
If he had the power to change things… then he would.
But first, he needed to start building his foundation.
The bonds that would make him stronger.
---
Morning
The next morning, Minato woke up early, feeling an unfamiliar energy coursing through him. It wasn't just the enhanced physique he had received from the Essence of the Fool—it was something deeper.
He showered, got dressed, and headed downstairs, where he found Mitsuru and Akihiko already discussing something at the table.
Mitsuru glanced at him. "Good morning, Arisato."
Akihiko smirked. "Still standing after last night, huh? You're tougher than you look."
Minato met his gaze evenly. "I don't plan on going down easily."
Akihiko chuckled. "Good answer."
The conversation was interrupted by Yukari, who walked into the room stretching her arms. When she saw Minato, her expression flickered—something between suspicion and curiosity.
"So, uh… about last night," she started, crossing her arms. "That wasn't normal. I mean, I had to train for months before I could summon my Persona properly, and you just—bam! Messiah? That's not something a newbie should be able to do."
Mitsuru nodded. "I agree. Your control over your Persona was… unprecedented. Do you have any prior knowledge of Personas?"
Minato paused, considering his words. He couldn't exactly tell them the truth.
"I've always been good at… adapting," he said carefully. "I don't know why, but it felt natural."
Yukari frowned but didn't press further.
Mitsuru, however, had a calculating look in her eyes. "Regardless, your abilities make you an invaluable asset to SEES. Tonight, we'll test your potential further. Be ready."
Minato nodded.
He had no intention of wasting this opportunity.
---
School
Gekkoukan High School was just as he remembered. Walking through the halls, he could hear snippets of conversations—students whispering about weird occurrences, ghost stories, and the mysterious incidents plaguing the city.
His first class was unremarkable, but it was during lunchtime that something important happened.
"Hey, new guy!"
Minato turned to see Junpei Iori striding toward him with a grin.
"You're the transfer student, right? Man, I heard you were living at the dorm with Mitsuru-senpai and Takeba. That's gotta be crazy."
Minato smirked slightly. "It has its moments."
Junpei laughed, clapping him on the back. "Dude, you gotta tell me all about it. And, hey, since you're new and all, why don't we grab some ramen after school? My treat."
[A new Social Link is forming…]
Minato felt it—a familiar warmth, the feeling of a bond beginning to take shape.
Thou art I, and I am thou…
The Magician Arcana has awakened.
He extended a hand. "Sounds good."
Junpei grinned and shook it. "Awesome! You're alright, dude."
As he walked back to his seat, Minato exhaled.
His first Social Link.
Now, it was time to start building more.
---
After School
By the time the evening rolled around, Minato was standing on the rooftop of the dormitory, stretching his limbs.
He wasn't just here to relax.
He needed to test the limits of his body—the enhancements he had received.
Taking a deep breath, he moved.
His body responded with a level of precision and speed that was beyond anything he had experienced before. A simple sprint felt effortless. A standing jump carried him higher than should have been possible.
He threw a punch, and the sheer force behind it sent a gust of wind rippling through the air.
This… this was power.
But he needed control.
"Whoa."
Minato turned to see Akihiko leaning against the entrance to the rooftop, watching him with interest.
"You move like a pro," Akihiko said, stepping closer. "You ever trained before?"
Minato wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Not formally."
Akihiko smirked. "Then you've got raw talent. You should start training with me."
Minato raised an eyebrow.
"I don't go easy," Akihiko warned.
Minato grinned. "Neither do I."
[A new Social Link is forming…]
The Chariot Arcana has awakened.
Akihiko punched his fist into his palm. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
That night, Minato began sparring with Akihiko.
And for the first time in his life, he felt truly alive.
---
Midnight
When midnight arrived, Minato and the others gathered outside the entrance to Tartarus.
The massive, ever-shifting tower loomed before them, stretching impossibly high into the night sky. The air around it pulsed with unnatural energy, and the shadows of unknown horrors flickered within.
"This is Tartarus," Mitsuru said, her voice steady. "It is our battleground. Every night during the Dark Hour, this place emerges, filled with Shadows. Tonight, we begin your real training."
Yukari looked nervous, but she put on a brave face. "Just… don't die, okay?"
Junpei smirked. "Pfft, no pressure or anything."
Minato exhaled and stepped forward.
A new battlefield.
A new challenge.
And for the first time, the power of the Fool Arcana would be unleashed in full.
The fight against fate had begun.
---
End of Chapter 3