The day was nearly over, and everyone had more or less finished what they could. Rin going back to her home with Archer, and Shirou walks back to the school again. Now, why he's going back to the academy after just being attacked by Rider is certainly a question. Answer: because apparently the school called him and told him to either come back and explain why he left early, or he'll have a mark on his school record which won't do for his future. Apparently Rin hypnotized only one teacher, meaning other teachers who noticed them gone believed they ditched.
'Guess magecraft isn't as much of a problem solver as I thought.' Shirou thought as he headed back to school. Thankfully, Shirou wasn't going back there without back-up. With Rider being around and that mystery bounded field Rin found, up on the rooftop watching Shirou is none other than Musashi. Keeping a good eye on him and ensuring no harm befell him.
Ozpin himself just leaving to take a little walk apparently, trusting Musashi to watch over Shirou.
"Though a real hero should be capable of watching himself." Shirou sighs. Logically, he knew that becoming strong wasn't going to be as simple as video games. Heck, he understood why he lost against Servants, and why just because he now has powers, doesn't mean he'll just win all of a sudden. It sucked, but that was how life is. The road to being a hero is a long one, and deep down Shirou knew he was being impatient.
However, will the enemy Masters and Servants wait for him to understand the full effects of what is going on. Obviously no. They'd sooner kill him before he became a threat to them, in order to accomplish their goals. More so since he's not just a Master, but a weak one as well.
This meant Shirou is at a disadvantage against all the other magus. Thankfully, he has Musashi, Rin, and Ozpin by his side to help him out. Granted, Shirou rather not get them involved, yet circumstances said otherwise.
The school soon came into sight, and it appears classes are still ongoing. Though Shirou decided to make it so he came in through another entrance and not the front gate. Knowing their might be a possibility Taiga will see him and question him where he went and why he ditched school so suddenly. Shirou not wanting her to get involved in this Holy Grail War mess, and would rather she live life normally.
Eventually Shirou entered the school and kept on going. He already came up with a possible excuse, and while he won't lie, since he sucks at it, he'll just give the truth just without the magical stuff. Saying he heard a scream and discovered the molested girls, which thankfully Rin healed, and freaked out and ran. There were some holes in the story, but not enough to get people to be suspicious of. Worst case scenario, Rn had to come and do something to their memories. So long as she didn't hurt them or get them involved, Shirou is fine with that.
'Plus,' Shirou's eyes wandered, as if attempting to spot something. Particularly, any hidden circles. 'We don't need a panic if they realize a field is up here.'
According to Rin, someone has placed a bounded field here. While she didn't know what it did as she hadn't had the time to study it, she told him that it could be from an enemy Master. The only problem being that she didn't know who would set it up in the first place, as aside from her and apparently Shirou, she didn't sense any other magus here at all.
So that meant either they weren't from the school, or they were very well hidden. Likely the former, as in Rin's words she would have sensed any magus around, and the only reason she didn't sense Shirou is because he never used magecraft often if not at all in school. Truth be told, Rin stated he wasn't even a real magus on paper, and is more akin to a person that just got powers that were unused often. Shirou couldn't exactly deny that.
Still,, he was getting better at Reinforcing items now. Not to mention while he still needed better practice, Shirou felt himself able to use aura a bit easier if he imagined it as his usual magecraft Reinforcement. Ozpin already having told him that among the abilities Aura can give a person, reinforcing an item is one of them. So while stuff like increasing his speed, augmenting his strength, and creating a full body shield is still out of his grasp, Shirou discovered that he could use the reinforcement part of aura much easier.
Wasn't too different from the magecraft version, and even better, he didn't risk hurting his body when reinforcing himself. No more feeling that burning rod in his spine.
"Emiya." Shirou then heard a familiar voice, and from there he saw someone he considered a very good friend. Blue sea-weed like hair, decent looks if the girls he sometimes saw around him is an indicator, and sometimes helped him out. Shinji Matou. "What in, what are you doing here?"
"Oh. Hey Shinji." Shirou says to the brother of Sakura. "I'm here since, er, because I got caught ditching classes."
"Paha. Wait a second. You. Skipping classes?" Shinji then laughed as if there was something funny that Shirou didn't get. The blue haired boy then looked at him as if he made a silly joke. "And what caused you to ditch? Taiga wanting more food from you?"
"Nope." Shirou then decided to give the excuse he was going to give his teachers. "I found some girls that were hurt outside the school and being molested." Shinji's eyes then narrowed, something Shirou didn't notice. "I then ran off, and well, got...scared?"
Shinji didn't seem to buy it, and Shirou didn't blame him. While the amatur magus couldn't say he liked the situation he was in with Rider, he was far from being actually scared. Angered really at how Rider and whatever jerk of a Master she had done to those poor girls.
"I see." Shinji's hand then went into his school bag case, where they brushed against what appeared to be some kind of book. Something to read from home. "And did you see anything...weird?"
"Nope." Shirou then tried to sound convincing. "I mean, Tohsaka came and suddenly I was...at home?" For a moment Shirou felt he was going to be outed as a liar. Instead, Shinji then smiled as he laughed and patted Shirou on the shoulder.
"Oh! You met Rin then, huh." He then smirked as if thinking of something. Like he figured something out that Shirou didn't know of. "Yeah, I can see why'd you forget anything that happened there. Not because of your mind repressing stupid trauma of course. But because of Rin."
"Huh?" What did Shinji mean by that?
"Hey, Shirou." Suddenly, in a manner that definitely crossed personal space, Shinji grabbed Shirou and purposely dragged him with him. Away from the hallways and elsewhere. "Let me ask you something. What do you know of Tohsaka?"
"Tohsaka." Did Shinji… "That she's the school idol. Isn't she?"
"Oh. More than just that." Shinji laughed as he continued to drag Shirou into an empty classroom. Once they were in, Shinji then close the door and checked out the small window. Once he confirmed nobody was coming, he then turned around and gave a smile. "See Emiya, Tohsaka is more than just an idol. Though...the same can be said about me."
"Hm?" Shirou was now slightly interested, wondering what Shinji meant. The sea-weed covered boy seeming to revel in Shirou's confusion and looked more prideful than usual. He then looked into his school bag and took out a book. A rather strange one that made Shirou uncertain what genre it was.
Though something in him then seemed to tell him something was wrong. More so when suddenly, when Shinji flipped open his book, it began glowing a purplish blue light from it. Magecraft.
"After all," Shinji then grinned as he then waved his hand. From the book, a black shadow came out and cut apart an entire row of desks like nothing. "I'm a magus!"
Shirou gasped.
"Hey! Who's making that noise in there!?" A voice of an angry teacher is then heard, with the locked door clicking. "Are you breaking school property punks!?"
And they were in trouble for doing as the accused said as both boys heard an angry voice. They looked at each other and instantly understandment came to them.
CRASH!
Both broke through the glass window of the classroom and ran as quickly as they could while more yelling was heard. They never looked back.
"?" Ozpin stopped walking and looked at the distance. For a moment, just like in Beacon, he swore once again his student was getting in trouble. It certainly never changed, even in another world.
"Daddy! Daddy! Come on, let's go!"
"Slow down sweetie! Wait for papa."
Yet the same can be said for good moments, as Ozpin smiled warmly as he saw a young girl being chased by her father. The two are having a rather good time and he watched them off. Reminded him of...the good days. Before depression settled on him for a time.
Sighing, Ozpin looked up at the beautiful sky. This world may be far from perfect, yet it didn't have her presence in it. And while he knew he had to go back, deep down, if he's being honest, Ozpin wished...Wished he could continue these days without worrying about her. The endless wars. The disappointments. Betrayals born from either cowardliness or simply because they become wary. The endless cycle of life and death. Yet he knew that wasn't so.
"Unless…" Rin's worlds along with Kieri's came to mind.
"It can grant a single wish."
All Ozpin had to do was somehow defeat seven Servants. Yet, considering how little he knew of their strengths, let aside being an actual participant, it was impossible.
Shirou's Command Seals in Ozpin's sight.
'No.' Ozpin told himself and forgo the horrible thought. He has done many things throughout his life, and some were far from clean. The man he once was, long gone with any signs of the old heroism he once held, withered and changed to something of the more modern times. One that while necessary, was far from what made Ozpin proud.
Even then, there were just some things even Ozpin refused to step down on. He may have fallen, but not that far.
"?" Ozpin then paused and looked around. "Uh." Then groaned as once again he saw no people around. Which can only mean one thing. One thing that quite frankly, is getting annoying as he ponders if maybe he can learn this spell himself. Because as much as a nuisance it is being used on him, Ozpin can see the potential in it as well.
"So, who is it this time?" He then asked aloud, to get this over with. He was getting far too old for this kind of thing. From then to his eyes, he then sees two figures. Two that he never recognized, already knew who they were thanks to Shirou. "Ah, I see." He says in all seriousness. "The girl and the man on steroids!"
"What kind of reaction is that!?" The girl then suddenly yelled out, the cool calm composure she had vanished when hearing that title. Though just as quickly as she said this, she then forced herself to be calm as that was not the Einzbern way. She then looked at Ozpin and scowled. "You are the one hanging with Oni-chan?"
Oni-chan? Ozpin had no idea what that word even meant. Let aside who it even referred to. An item? Though it's likely a person, he just didn't know which. He was just going to guess...Rin maybe?
"Yes, I am." Ozpin then answers, though tries to be as vague as possible.
"Hm." Illya then stepped forward. Her brute of a Servant, Berserker, staying behind yet clearly ready to intervene if things went badly. Ozpin didn't know how strong Berserker is, but he's not willing to do anything that would provoke such a response. As for the gitl, she then said, "Mr Ozpin,"
'How does she know my name?'
"My name is Illya. Or as you may know it as Illyasviel von Einzbern, one of the families that made the Holy Grail Wars."
"Ah yes, the Holy Grail War." Ozpin mused. "A battle to the death, and yet, nobody has won despite all these years. Quite a waste, is it not?"
"Perhaps to an outsider." Illya then gives a smile that doesn't match those cold calculating red eyes of hers. "For a magus, you seem pretty pathetic." She then bluntly said. "No bounded field to stop others from watching you or defenses. Though I guess that's expected considering you come from America. Such an underdeveloped country."
So she can use clairvoyance, or something of the sorts. While he was great in battle, admittingly, Ozpin wasn't good with certain spells like her. though then again, what she lacked in battle back then she made up for with many different spells including non-combatant ones. This girl must have had the same.
"I admit, I was never good at doing such defenses." Ozpin tells Illya. "I consider myself a warrior first and foremost. Though I do know how to sign papers and run a school." Though he usually left the former for Glynda. What was the point of having a deputy if he couldn't use her for that? Good times.
"A warrior huh?" Senses went off. The power of aura giving Ozpin that sixth sense warning. Instantly he moved to the left.
Bam!
Where a strange and unique sword made of countless wires fell right behind him. It then glew brightly telling Ozpin this wouldn't be good. He was right, as soon after, the strange construct exploded in a flash of magical light. The ground around where it had landed gone and dust flying everywhere.
"Guess you aren't as weak as I thought." With Illya being slightly impressed as she saw a strange green energy orb covering Ozpin that didn't even have a scratch on it. The headmaster giving a slight glare at Illya for the attack, dispersing his protection. "What?" Illya says innocently. "You weren't going to die from that, would you? Otherwise, you'd be useless."
Ozpin ignored her for a bit and attempted to look if there were any other attacks coming his way. That was his mistake.
"Ignoring me."
A large breath can be heard, and from behind Berserker was behind Ozpin. The headmaster was surprised as his eyes glanced at Illya's direction. Showing the ground now having two feet on the sidewalk.
"For someone so big, he's quite quick." Trained Huntsmen can do that type of thing all the time. Though Ozpin certainly didn't expect this Servant to do it despite its size. Not to mention, every instinct in Ozpin is yelling at him saying this Servant is dangerous. Highly dangerous!
"Of course he is! Berserker is the strongest hero there is." Illya then bragged as she walked up to Ozpin with a little step in her toes. "He is after all, the powerful Heracles."
"Oh my." Ozpin said in an impressed manner despite the fact that had no clue who that was. Safe to say they must have been a strong warrior at the least. On the bright side, he could now give this information to the others. Once he got away of course.
"Now then," Assuming he got away at all. Alive in that manner as the girl looked up at him while Berserker looked down at him. One wrong move, and it'll be a race between him putting up his shield or Berserker crushing his head. "What to do with you. I mean, I'm not sure how to feel about you spending so much time with Oni-Chan."
"I see no problem with it at all." Ozpin then said, using his words carefully. This girl is clearly the type to not care about killing someone. She may not be a psychopath, however she seemed to genuinely have no care if he died, showing a warped personality of sorts. "I am just a simple man. Nothing more than that."
"A man who has fought Rider though with his bare hands." Illya grinned. "It's not unheard of for a person to face a Servant. Why, I heard a few stories where in the past three wars, some Masters would face a Servant." She then giggled. "They died, with only one of them at best capable of blocking an attack."
Ozpin stayed silent. Letting her continue on to increase his chances of living. But just as Berserker is ready to crush his head, he got ready to deploy his magic. Worse comes to worse, he'll need his cane.
"Yet," Illya then turned around, then back with interest in her eyes. "You managed to fight on par a bit with Rider. True she was weakened because she has a pathetic Master, and you had help, but still. Eyes met eyes. "Just who are you?"
"Just a man who has lived for a long time and made many mistakes. But always moving forward." Ozpin says plain as day. Now ready to see what move will be made. Her leaving him. Or her trying to kill him. Even if the latter happened, in time, he'll just live on.
As for Illya, she sensed no falsehood in Ozpin's words. She knew nothing of him, or just where he came from. Only knowing he came up and is with Shirou Emiya and nothing more than that while wielding strange magecraft she hasn't seen before.
'Perhaps a little investigation is in order.' With that thought, Illya began moving away. "Alright then Me," She told Ozpin. "I decided that you get to live. For now." He didn't slacken or let down his guard, good. "I don't know what you plan on doing, living with Oni-Chan, but I suppose there's no harm in it for now. Just know this" She then raised her little finger up. "I will kill you. But it'll be worse if you get in the way of me killing Oni-Chan."
"Do you hate them that much?" Ozpin then asked out of nowhere, with Illya blinking a bit at the sudden question. For a second, her mind attempted to find an answer to the question she was told. Did she hate Shirou.
She looked out the window where it snowed, eyes looking to see if he would come, but never did. Saying one word. "Daddy?"
"Yes." Illya says coldly. "I do hate him."
Berserker then silently moved toward her and began walking with her. As she gave her answer and began moving. Knowing she'll meet either Ozpin or more importantly, her brother, later on. Though as she moved, she then heard Ozpin call out to her one last time just as she disabled the bounded field around them.
"If you truly do hate him, then why is there no form of resentment or loathing in your voice?" Illya then paused for a second as she stopped walking. No sooner after, two more of her constructed swords then fell upon the old man. An explosion is heard, yet she knew he didn't die and kept on moving. Never once giving an answer.
Because deep down...she didn't know either.
"Finally." Shinji moans. "We got away in time."
"We wouldn't have had to if you hadn't destroyed a bunch of chairs." Shirou spoke back, though not as tired as Shinji since aura was helping him. The seaweed haired boy scowling though while not admitting it, knew that maybe he shouldn't have done that either. At the very least they got away in time before anything bad happened like getting caught. No point in having detention when a war is happening.
"Whatever!" Shinji said spitefully. "The point is, I'm a magus. Got it!"
"Right, right. Got it." On one hand, it is a surprise for Shirou to learn Shinji is a magus. On the other hand, after all the surprises he's seen, Musashi's identity, Rin being a magus, Ozpin and his aura, he didn't feel as shocked as those times. Something that made Shinji scowled as he felt his reveal as a magus was being treated like a person not caring for the trash they threw out.
"In any case," Shirou then looked up at Shinji. "I have to ask this now. If you're a magus, then, have you been the one putting up that barrier around the school?" The one that could potentially hurt people and those around them.
"Barrier huh." Shinji smirked. "That barrier is just insurance."
"Insurance?"
"Emiya, this is a war." Shinji tells Shirou. "I'll be honest since we're pals. My family is one of the three Great Families here in Fuyuki."
"One of the three!" But that couldn't be right. I mean, when he was told by Rin of the families, it was mentioned that it was the Tohsakas, Einzberns, and Makiri families that made the Grail Wars. Unless…
"Our family was called Makiri, but now it's Matou." Shinji confirmed as he saw Shirou's expression, dispelling any doubt. "Granted, I admit, like you I'm far from a proper magus. It's why Rin never detected me either."
Right. Rin mentioned only those who emit a certain amount of mana can they be sensed. If Shinji is in the same boat as him, then it's no wonder he was never found. Still, that didn't explain one thing.
"What does the barrier do?" While Shirou did consider Shinji a friend, that doesn't mean he's blind to some of Shinji's actions. Being somewhat intolerable at times, and rather rude. While he didn't want to think the worst of him, SHirou still needed to know what that barrier did.
Shinji scoffed. "I don't have to tell you. I mean, we are enemy Masters."
"Shinji…" Shirou slowly said.
"But," Shinji then spoke. "I can say this, that it's meant for my protection. As I said earlier, despite being the...heir…" Shinji then gritted his teeth, as if remembering something bad. "I don't know many spells of protection. So that barrier will help me out in case things turn for the worst." Shini then smirked. "Although, I may be willing to tell you," Then held out his hand toward Shirou. "If you ally with me."
"Ally with you?"
"Of course." Shinji smiled. "I mean, think about it. Both of us are weak Magus. However, I have knowledge you don't have. So while you do have a strong Servant, it won't matter much without such knowledge."
That wasn't exactly untrue. Shirou knew he lacked a lot of things, and while he appreciated his father for raising him, Kiritsugu more or less half-assed his knowledge of Magecraft. So in a way, this proposal wasn't so bad. Except for one thing.
"How did you know I have a Servant?" Because no way he ever told Shinji that.
"Had my Servant watching. The one I have isn't very strong, so I ensured they keep hidden but keep an eye out for anything interesting."
"..." Okay, that seemed plausible. Though there was another matter he needed to know. "Okay then. What about Sakura though?"
Shinji narrowed his eyes. "What about her?"
"Is she a part of this? The Holy Grail War."
"Tch." Shinji clicked his tongue. "As if that brat knows any of this. I'm the heir of the Matou's not her! She's just a normal person!" Shirou didn't like that tone of his, but it was offset by the relief that Sakura isn't a part of this war. He didn't know what he'd do if she became a part of it.
'At the very least, she'll be safe.'
"Anyway," Shinji then interrupts Shirou's thoughts. "Moving on, what say you and I team up. Together, I'm certain we can win this war. Maybe even get Tohsaka in on it."
Actually, Shirou's already allied with Rin. Guess Shinji didn't know that. Now however, it was time for Shirou to decide. To ally with Shinji, or leave him be. To get a new ally, or make an enemy. While he didn't want to be an enemy, Shirou also wasn't sure if he should team up with him since Shinji still refused to give him details on this barrier.
'But,' What would the others say, if he told them he had the offer of a new alliance?
Rin. Musashi. Ozpin. Even that bastard Archer.
Wouldn't it be good to have more allies, making it three against four. Shinji's Servant joined their own group, helping against the others. Yeah they'd have to fight eventually, but maybe they can compromise by then.
"Well Emiya?" Shinji asked for one last time.
Breathing out, Shirou then held out his hand...and shaked it.
"Alright then Shinji, you have yourself an alliance. Don't make me regret it."
"Oh Emiya." Shinji smirked as his hand gripped Shirou's own. "Have I ever done anything for you to doubt me?"
Yes Shinji. Yes you have. And because of the changes here in this timeline, it seems Shirou has accepted a deal with the wannabe devil. Granted, while it could end badly (for Shinji), who knows, maybe things can go decent. In any case, the Shinji Route has been accepted, while Ozpin thankfully wasn't crushed by Berserker's hand.
I'm pretty sure Ozpin can kill Heracles. But that'd likely take most, if not all the power in his cane to vaporize Heracles. Best case, all twelve lives gone in one move. Worst case, only a certain amount are wiped and then he's in trouble.
Overall, a good day for them both. But now time to push aside this day-to-day life and get back to some action. Caster makes her move, and our heroes will face whatever she has in store for them.
Until Next Time.