Chapter 9
Illya woke up once more in her bed, this time with Leysritt by her side. There was a damp cloth on her head, and her entire body was sore, with even the slightest movement inducing pain throughout it.
"What happened?"
"Mistress, you fainted from overtaxing your Magic Circuits. The mana drain from Berserker in her enhanced form overwhelmed you, and with the sudden spike in consumption from her Noble Phantasm, you simply fainted immediately. Internal injuries were sustained, as well as burns in the areas with Magic Circuits. If Berserker hadn't instantly cut the connection between you two, you would have suffered fatal organ failure, or worse."
Looking down at her hands, she could see that they were completely recovered, her smooth white skin unblemished.
"How many days has it been Leysritt?"
"You were in the tank for five days, and unconscious for another day after leaving the tank, mistress."
The Einzberns had healing techniques beyond most mages, but using said techniques required immersion in a tank similar to the creation of homunculi, since in the end these techniques were only side products from their homunculus magecraft.
Still, even though her body was completely healed, it was still incredibly fatigued and sore, while she could also feel her Magic Circuits slightly strained. It was a miracle that she hadn't spontaneously combusted from her body heating up. Most magi would receive some form of damage from exerting their Magic Circuits to the limit, whether it be pain, numbness, burns or some other form of feedback unique to their Circuit. However in Illya's case the backlash from pushing too much was especially strong, since 70% of her body contained Magic Circuits. It also meant that the link between her Servant and herself was much stronger, so if Berserker suddenly started consuming massive quantities of mana, she would feel it quite keenly.
She could feel Berserker close by in spiritual form, silently watching over her as she recovered. Even though she was the main cause of her fainting, she still bore no ill will against her. After all, if you injure your hand when hammering in nails, it's because you weren't careful enough when using the hammer. She was at fault for failing to notice it in time and misused her tool, injuring herself.
"Also, Elder Acht will discuss future endeavours with you after you fully recover."
With that, Leysritt left the room to let Illya rest after excusing herself out.
Without having anything better to do, Illya simply closed her eyes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
The next day, she went to meet with Acht.
Jubstacheit was sitting at the head of the table in the large room, same as before when she first brought Berserker to meet him after summoning her. He cut an imposing figure in the chair, his aged features lacking any trace of warmth or senility, an astute light shining from his eyes. Once again, Illya was reminded that he held no affection for her whatsoever.
"Your Servant was able to surpass her summoned parameters and reach another level of strength." It wasn't a question, it was something he had observed with his familiars.
"It seems that her strength is at the very least on par with our previous Servant, and very likely exceeds Saber's strength in that ascended form of hers. In light of that, I have decided that you must keep her in that form at all times from now on, unless in critical conditions that absolutely forbids further draining of mana reserves." Illya stiffened.
"But-"
"Yes, I know that the burden will be heavy, especially since the Grail won't be supporting your Servant. However, this is an effective way to train you and your Servant, for the future battles that will take place where massive drains on your mana reserves will become necessary. By becoming accustomed to it now, you will be able to endure it somewhat better later on, and it will surely prove to be a great boon to you, as fainting in the middle of a duel between Masters would be unfortunate, to say the least." Illya, unable to talk back, resigned herself to her fate.
"We have also prepared training for you and your Servant, which we will start in the coming days. I look forward to the progress you will make." Jubstacheit watched her closely, but she betrayed no more emotions on her face.
"That is all."
Illya was dismissed, and left the hall without looking back.
Once she got into the room, the first thing she saw was a low round table bigger than her bed situated in the middle of the room. It was completely black, and a blanket seemed to be stuck to the bottom of the table, letting people stay nice and cozy. Snuggled right inside the blanket was Berserker, back with her usual attire, sitting at the table eating exotic Japanese traditional confections and spilling crumbs all over the place.
"Master, it seems you have recovered. Here, have some Kuromame-pan."
Saying so, she pushed a plate of what looked like bread studded with black beans. Illya only stared at her in a daze.
"W-what is this?! Why is there a huge table in my bedroom?"
"Master, you promised me a kotatsu, a daily supply of wasanbon sugar and luxury Japanese sweets. Did your memory get impaired as well when you fainted?"
Illya suddenly recalled what Berserker had said right before she went on a rampage in the forest.
-Flashback-
"R-really? I'm that amazing? To the point that you'll give me all the sweets you have?" Surprisingly, Berserker blushed at her praise, while some drool almost escaped from the corner of her mouth at the words "sweets" before she managed to suck it back in.
"So if I do really well, you'll even give me luxury Japanese sweets from a long-established candy store every day along with a daily supply of 5kg wasanbon sugar? And if it's not too much to ask for, even a portable Black Round Table-type kotatsu?"
Normally, Illya would reject these ridiculous demands out of hand, even from her own Servant. But after seeing her Servants strength, she was happy to comply.
"Of course, I'll buy you the very best Japanese sweets from the most famous of stores for the entire Fifth Holy Grail War. I'll even sign a geis to guarantee it!"
-Flashback End-
"T-that was…" Illya blinked in frustration, her mouth opening and closing without any words coming out, unable to refute Berserkers claims. Then it struck her.
"But, I only promised to buy the sweets! The rest of the items weren't included in the promise as well!" Grinning triumphantly, she thought she had won.
Berserker simply stared at her from the kotatsu, before leaving it (with extreme reluctance) and approaching Illya.
"What are you trying to do? Berserker? B-berserker?!" Berserker bodily lifted up Illya into the air, cutting off all forms of escape. No matter how much she struggled and writhed, she wouldn't be able to beat a Servants level of strength.
"Berserker, unhand me at once! Put me down!"
"As you wish, Master."
But instead of putting her down normally, Berserker shoved Illya into the kotatsu unceremoniously, before burrowing into the kotatsu herself next to Illya.
"What...ah, this actually doesn't feel too bad." The warmth of the kotatsu slowly melted Illya's stubborn heart, lulling her into a sense of security and peace.
"Fuwwaahhh, it feels like I could stay here all day." Illya sighed happily, reaching for the black bean bread automatically and munching on it, completely forgetting about everything that had happened earlier.
"Wait, this is bad, I'm falling to the charm of this mysterious object. My mental defenses are being breached again!" Illya panicked, trying to get out of the (cursed?) table.
"Don't resist it Master. Give in to the power of the dark side." Berserker grabbed Illya's leg, refusing to let her leave.
"I can't, have to resist it, have to remember my purpose! Strengthen Berserker, get rid of the table, strengthen Berserker, get rid of the table, strengthen the table, get rid of my worries, eat more black bean bread, get rid of my worries by sleeping at the table…" Already, she was snuggling up in the kotatsu and eating more black bean bread, her earlier resistance completely fading away. Her willpower was quickly eroded by the allure of the kotatsu, losing all form of motivation as she sank deeply into the warm caress of the dark kotatsu, inviting her into eternal rest in the dark.
"I don't want to get out…" Even her thoughts were completely infected, like a spell had been cast over her.
Next to her, Berserker secretly smiled in satisfaction. At least, her worries wouldn't bother her that much in this kotatsu. She had seen the pain in her eyes, and even though she was a Servant fated to only exist for the Holy Grail War, she still wanted to do her best as Illya's Servant, to help her in any way possible. A blue-jersey wearing friend of hers had been the first to show her warmth, and if possible she also wanted to let her Master break free of the cold fetters that bound her frozen heart. Even if she was from the Dark side of Alter, that didn't mean she couldn't care for her Master as well.