In the morning I saw Sella running around the house looking for something, but, thank God, this did not affect the rest in any way.
But on the way to school, we met a sluggish Edelfelt. Sluggish enough to yawn every few minutes.
— What's the matter with you? Didn't get enough sleep?
- Eh? - she yawned again and tried to figure out what they wanted from her. - Yes… I had to cook for Altria until she got tired of eating. She was eating... eating... she wasn't satisfied with normal food… Only my... Shero, what should I do? She's a monster!
—Just a little unpretentious in food, — I mutter. - Wait, did you give her a name?
- You need to call her something, — she made an innocent face. - This monster... sorry Arturia... this monster loves terrible food! Lots of terrible food! I barely fed her!
- It should be easier then, — I try to calm her down. — She will adapt and get into a rhythm. She just got used to her appetite.
- Played out? - there is horror in Edelfelt's eyes.
- Don't worry, everything will be fine... after all, she is also a Saber.
At this time, Saber assumed a confused and even embarrassed look.
Did I overdo it by any chance?
- Do I eat that much?
— No, of course, - with a smile, he took her hand. — You are very cute when you eat, so you can not deny yourself.
That's how we got to school.
The first thing I had to do was check if there were any suspicious individuals nearby. It turns out they are. The same Issei is wandering near the school gates, but you can't fool me! It wasn't difficult for me to jump over the fence to sneak into the school.
Although this caused surprise among my companions ... but I want a normal morning.
On the way to the school building, I realized that I was doing some nonsense. No, honestly, what kind of game is going on? Why am I hiding?!
What the hell?!
Only full realization came when I completely overcame the entire distance and reached the goal — my desk.
Something has to be done about it. Otherwise, the circus will engulf me... no, if I can't avoid it, then at least I'll try to be on the wave.
Yes, I'll have to lead it all!
But…
I'm afraid my liar skills may not be enough here.
After waiting for the change, Saber called over and resolutely went to talk to Issei. Otherwise, he can go far... it's Issei!
- Emiya, do you have a conversation with me? - now he looks like a real student council president, not a sexist. How perceptive.
- There is... and we'd better find a quiet place, — dragged him to the roof.
- Hey, Emiya, what's going on?
- Wait, - Saber stopped his objections, just waiting for Saber to approach. And when she came... - In general, so, Issei, I have to inform you so that there will be no more omissions and invitations to the temple, Arturia is my girlfriend.
I put a Saber in front of him. Let him consider.
—If it's your choice, I don't mind, - he replied calmly... no, is he serious? First he wants to know everything, now into the bushes? - The main thing is that you are not connected with someone suspicious, like Tosaka.
- Well, since that's all... then we're off— - I grab Saber by the hand and quickly get out.
- Shiro, what was that?
- Issei offered me to move to a temple where there are no women and help me.
Stunned, Saber didn't say a word.
That's where we decided to end.
The second lesson turned out to be funnier. Edelfelt fell asleep ... sitting... holding her back, as an exemplary student should ... and her head decided to correct this defect. Therefore, there was a thud from the contact of the forehead and the surface of the desk, and then a cry.
The wake-up call was successful.
When the lunch break came, she went to look for coffee, and I decided to settle another business. Yes, it also belongs to the category of "being on the crest of the circus wave".
- Rin, we need to talk.
And he dragged her away from prying eyes and ears.
—What do you want to talk about, Emiya-kun?
Yes, it's the roof again. Maybe I should set up a bench here? A table?
— That stick still refuses to work with you?
- The obnoxious stick wants another mistress, — she grumbled. - Useless piece of magic… He took a fancy to your sister, Ruby buzzed all ears!
—I can help with that,- I answer thoughtfully. I know where to put the stick.
- Will you give her Illiya? - I was surprised, which is not surprising.
- No ... okay, I'll try to explain from afar, — I sigh, adjusting to the working mood. —As you know, there are Heroic Spirits. If in this War from the Miyu world they are placed in the map, then in my war we call for Servants. You've already seen how it happens, — Rin nods and listens attentively. She knows nothing about the War. - Servants are a kind of copy of the real Hero, placed in an artificial vessel. Incomplete Third Magic, it seems, so they are not quite material, can go into a disembodied state, are immune to most non-magical attacks and a bunch of bonuses. All this has a negative side. To exist in the world, they need an anchor, which acts as a Master, as well as mana. Literally every action consumes mana. Thus, the combat potential is limited by the capabilities of the Master. The more mana he has, the stronger the Servant. Even activating a Noble Phantasm can exhaust a Servant's mana reserves and... dispel it. Usually, it is used as a last resort. Hardly anyone will give up a powerful weapon, but not everyone can provide the right amount of mana, so it turns out that a weak Servant would rather die from such a thing than actually do something. My chains are enough to fight myself, and to provide Saber. I had magicians in my family... the devil knows who and when, maybe even you and I are distant relatives. Only my updated stocks can show the bottom in a serious mess, which is unlikely, but suddenly?
- what? - Rin was upset. — Wh-why are we distant relatives?
Is that all she's interested in?
Oh, and Rin.
- Judge for yourself, — I grin. — I've lived my whole life in Fuyuki. My family, too, even though I don't remember much about them. There are not so many active mage families in Fuyuki, as you can understand.
- A-a-a, - now it's stuck. - Don't you remember your family?
- Emiya Kiritsugu is my foster father, — I shrug. — You once asked there why I don't have a mark and my knowledge of magic is small... that's the answer. Even if Father wanted to, there was no way he could pass on Emiya's legacy to me. This is not relevant to the case. So, just think, what will happen when Saber can use the Noble Phantasm the way he wants? Phantasm of the Anti-Fortress class. Unlimited recharge from the Kaleidoscope…
Rin waved her head and... realized. No, I REALIZED. It penetrated her. It was good so penetrated, even shuddered.
- She can destroy the city in a matter of minutes!
— And will actually become a Caster, remaining a Saber… But there is another side.
— What other side?
- The war in my world is over. No matter how much mana I have, one day I won't be able to keep it in this world and then it will disappear… The stick will provide her with everything she needs. It will fix it securely in the world.
- Emiya-kun, what you're suggesting is unthinkable,— the skeptical Rin grumbles. - I understand your desire to stay by her side as long as possible. But this…
—I'm already doomed, Rin.
— What are you talking about?
— In the end, I won't even have a normal death. The contract with the World is still a trap, I will become a Heroic Spirit and this is not discussed, or rather, a Guard of Counteraction ... but this is the same bullshit, only in profile. Anyway, some jerk will be able to summon me as a Servant. Archer as an illustrative example. It's not pleasant enough. They will be torn out of the timeline and forced to kill, saving humanity, to work as an ordinary cleaner.
Having spoken out, it even became easier for me. Well, it's not that it was hard, but sometimes it's necessary to think about such things, and it's not so pleasant.
My fate has already been decided. You can tolerate this outrage for the sake of an extra day next to Saber. It doesn't matter if I die now, known as high school student Emiya Shiro, or if I live longer, becoming a world-famous, albeit in narrow circles, hero.
I have already been chosen for me.
This is my destiny.
— You can take the stick, - Rin answered after a long silence— - I don't need it, it just ruffles my nerves.
- Okay, - I smile. Life, after all, has something good. — You are, after all, a kind girl.
- Tell me too, I'm doing this to get rid of this stick. Saber needs it more.