[EMIYA SHIROU]
[THE GAMER]
[LV 45 - 20000/44000]
[HP: 3800][MP: 35][MC: 27][ST: 920][SP: 21]
[STR: 50][DEX: 50][INT: 50][WIS: 33][CHR: 102]
[ATK: 100] [DEF:100]
Several footsteps could be heard rushing through the underbrush at night. The moonlight reflected on the length of sharp steel and ever sharper gazes.
The first Wraith was exorcised before it had even fully materialized and so did several more, until the rate at which they appeared surpassed that at which the tiny swordsman destroyed them.
But he was not alone. Two figures emerged from the woods and into the clearing. Busujima Saeko and Fujimura Taiga stood at opposite sides of the circle of trees, cutting down every Wraith drawn to their presence.
It was like a blender. Everything inside it was reduced to shreds.
The combined efforts of the three fighters made short work of the undead forces. Even though they would not stop coming until the sun rose, dealing with them had become a trivial experience.
When dawn finally came, Shirou lowered his sword and let out a relieved breath.
"Well, I guess we can call it a night, uh," he said with a smile.
"Very… very funny," gasped Taiga, leaning on Torashinai to support her weight while she caught her breath.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm… I'm good. Just a bit winded. How can the two of you go at it all night is beyond me."
"Well, my constitution isn't really human and Saeko's got years of specific training," he explained
"It's true. Furthermore, my clan was very picky about choosing partners. We have been cherry picking the best genetics for generations," said Saeko.
"Damn… how am I supposed to keep up the likes of you?" Taiga asked.
"Actually, you're doing an awfully good job of it as it is," Saeko replied. "Putting aside with the speed at which you've learned the Busujima style, you possess excellent stamina for a woman with no background in the Moonlit World."
"True," Shirou agreed. "For someone who's naturally laid back and lazy like you, that's pretty impressive. Are you sure you never heard rumors about having a supernatural ancestry?"
"Pfft. No way. I mean, my ancestors way back were all samurai, I guess, but it's not like I can trace them reliably."
"Well, it is impressive anyway," said Saeko. "Don't let appearances fool you. Normal or mostly normal human don't fare well in the Moonlit World. Even if you are being held by the hand, you've been making progress beyond anything I had expected from you."
"Yeah, I'm surprised as well," Shirou agreed. "I was worried you'd get overwhelmed, but you're actually holding up pretty well. That's a relief."
"Eeehn? I guess I'm pretty awesome after all," preened Taiga.
"Don't let it get to your head. There is no such things as safe or strong enough in the Moonlit World," warned Shirou. "Don't get careless."
"Speaking of which, what's that thing you're wearing?" she asked.
For the first time, Shirou had worn an armor of his making. It was composed of a dark chestpiece, as well as layered shoulder-pads, gauntlets and greaves. It was a sturdy, yet light protection, that gave Shirou an overall +200 points of defense, without applying Reinforcement.
That meant that any damage was reduced of that same amount, and if it was inferior it was even nullified. That was another thing of the Gamer Body. His overall defense value was added to all of his body. Striking at a weaks spot gave an higher chance to receive a critical hit, but otherwise it was like there literally wasn't any chink in his armor.
It would have been much easier dealing with Mikado's Wraiths if he had it back then. Speaking of which, today would be a week since that incident. She would show herself up soon. He needed to find materials to make better equipment and the idea he had in mind required Mikado's help.
In the meantime, he had to go through his usual routine.
"We should head back if we want to make it in time for school."
"Alright. I'm starving," declared Taiga. "Shirou, I'm going to leave it up to you."
"Fine, fine. You two go ahead and clean yourself up. I'll get started on breakfast."
"No, I'd like to take care of it for once," said Saeko. "You go ahead and take a bath."
"Are you sure? You know I don't mind."
"I don't mind either. Besides, I'm not a half-bad cook myself."
"Alright then. I'm looking forward to eat something made personally by you," he replied cheerfully.
Taiga looked like she wanted to say something in protest, but her expression changed midway through and closed her mouth, turning her face away so that Shirou and Saeko couldn't see her expression.
They all returned to Saeko's house down the mountain. and Shirou made his way to the bathroom.
After disrobing carefully, he stepped inside and started washing his body in preparation to getting inside the actual bath. He was almost done with that part when he heard the door opening and closing.
He turned his head around only to see Taiga standing there, wearing only a towel to conceal her modesty.
"T-Taiga! What are you doing in here?"
"Well... well, I thought we could save some time if we helped wash each other's back."
"I don't think it's such a good idea," he protested.
"No, I think it's a great idea," said Saeko, opening the door right behind Taiga.
"Wah!" the eldest woman yelped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"It's my bathroom," Saeko replied, matter-of-factly.
"Aren't you supposed to be making breakfast?" Taiga asked.
"Yes, but then I thought it would be much faster if we all just bathed and prepared breakfast together."
"That's would actually be pretty efficient," said Shirou, only to receive a glare from Taiga in response.
"Besides, it's not like you intended to take advantage of me being otherwise occupied to do something inappropriate in my own home, were you, Fujimura-sensei?"
"Ghrk!" groaned Taiga, having her master plan foiled before it even got started.
"Err… I think we should just get on with it if we want to go anywhere in time," interjected Shirou trying to placate his two girlfriends. "Fine!" snorted Taiga. "Of course," agreed Saeko. Saeko's bathroom was big, but not so much to easily accommodate three people, even if one was only half the size of an adult. They ended up sitting next to each other while they rinsed their bodies. Shirou was looking straight ahead, but he was acutely aware of the womanly curves at both sides of his vision. This was downright psychological torture.
And of course little Shirou wanted to make his presence known, so the redhead had to keep his legs firmly crossed to conceal his erection. While that might have worked, the two women weren't exactly slow on the uptake either and quickly noticed his uncomfortable way of sitting. Thus, there were three red-faced people sharing extremely close quarters with no barrier in between their nudity. All three wanted to do something about the circumstances, but of course none was so brazen to attempt it with one woman too many on premise. 'And yet,' both women thought unbeknownst to each other, 'this is probably going to become a recurring occurrence, isn't it?' Both eyed each other from the corner of their eyes, looking right away as soon as they met the other's gaze. Eventually, seeing that the tub wasn't big enough to accomodate all three at the same time, and that none of the women would give up the spot to the other, they ended up skipping on the hot bath and simply got redressed awkwardly.
The preparation and consummation of breakfast went a long way to break that atmosphere, but it wasn't completely dispelled until Shirou went his own way.
[br]
If Shirou thought he was done with belligerent women for the day, he was sorely mistaken. Upon returning home he found two other females staring dagger at each other.
One was Yoruichi, butt naked of course, and the other one was none other than Mikado Ryouko.
"Welcome back," said the Magus upon seeing him.
"Thanks. How did you get in?" he asked out of curiosity. "Oh, wait. Did you break through the planes with your Magecraft?"
"Yes. I moved all of my equipment to your tool shed in the Mirror World and then opened a portal to this side. I was not expecting anyone to be here."
"Clearly," said Yoruichi. "Shirou, what's going on? Why aren't you surprised that she's here? Didn't she try to kill you?"
"Oh, that's a thing of the past already. We're cool now," he said with an ease that made even Mikado herself lift an eyebrow and Yoruichi sputter.
"How in hell are you possibly cool with someone who tried to kill you and your girlfriend?" the dark skinned beauty asked indignantly.
"Girlfriend?" asked Mikado, but her question went completely unheard and unanswered.
"I don't think holding a grudge would really help anyone here" said Shirou with a shrug. "Besides, she's no longer in a position to hurt me or anyone close to me. That's more than enough."
"There something seriously messed up with your head, you know?"
Shirou shrugged noncommittally. It's not like he could deny her words. Even his Gamer Eyes told him that he was [Broken]. The problem (for the people around him) was that he found nothing wrong with his way of thinking. Trying to make him see reason was an endeavor more foolish than those he got himself up to.
"Anyway, Mikado-san, I was waiting for you to show up. I need your help with a project."
"Of course," she agreed easily. "What is it?"
"Wait, just like that?" asked Yoruichi.
"What's wrong? We have already left our differences behind us and agreed to cooperate fully. What's hesitation good for?"
"You know, this is the first time in a long while anyone makes me feel like I'm the sane one in the house."
"You are wearing your birthday suit," Mikado pointed out.
"Yes. Keep that in mind while you consider my previous statement and make your own conclusions."
"Alright, alright. You've made your point, Yoruichi-san. Sorry, but that's the state of things."
"It's not something you should apologize to be, you dumbass. This is your home and who you associate with is none of my business."
"It certainly doesn't look that way," said Mikado.
"Are you picking a fight with me?" asked Yoruichi annoyedly.
"Enough!"
Shirou's voice made both women jump in their skins. How could a child possess such commanding presence, neither of them could explain.
"You are both entitled to your opinions but there will be no fighting inside this house. If you must act like children you will be treated as such."
"... Understood," agreed Mikado after some hesitation.
"Yeesh. No need to get so worked up, you hardass," said Yoruichi dismissively.
"It's not like I enjoy being this way," he grumbled. "Now, for the love of God, go put on some damn clothes.
"Why is that you are more worried about a naked ally than a clothed enemy?" she asked.
"Because I'm much better at dealing with the latter," he replied in a deadpan. "Now go get dressed."
"Fine," Yoruichi huffed but still left to do as she was told.
"That was... interesting," said Mikado once Yoruichi was out of earshot.
"Sure, if you want to put it that way," replied Shirou.
"Yoruichi Shihoin... she's an infamous one in the Moonlit World. What exactly is your relationship with her?"
"We're friends," he replied without giving away too much.
"So I gathered," Mikado concurred, getting the hint and asking no further. "I took the liberty of putting everything inside your tool shed, but I would prefer if we could share your Workshop, for simplicity's sake."
Ordinarily, a Magus suggesting to share another's Workshop would either be asking to be killed or proposing marriage. However Shirou was a first generation Magi with no heritage to steal and Mikado was basically an indentured servant, therefore common sense did not apply.
"Sure. You already did anyway."
"No, I left everything in… that is your Workshop?"
"I'm a first generation mage with no Mysteries to steal and the people who have access to my home are all aware of Magecraft. What would I need a better place for?"
"I should stop trying to make sense of you by the standards of Magi," Mikado concluded.
"That would probably be a good start," Shirou agreed. "Anyway, let's go over there. Since you brought your things over, we might as well do some proper warding around it. In the meantime, I'll explain what I need."
[br]
The tool shed was stuffed to the brim with neatly stacked crates and the crystal structure holding the frozen figure of Lunatique Tearju. There were now several Boundary Fields wrapped around the structure, to protect its precious contents.
After setting up the Boundary Fields, Shirou and Mikado convened inside the building. He sat upon one of the many crates, while Mikado leaned against the crystal.
"So let me get this straight. You want me to open up a portal to the Mirror Side on a mountain, so that you can mine for spiritually infused ores?" Mikado asked once Shirou was done explaining what he needed.
"That's exactly right."
"That woman was right," Mikado sighed. "There is something wrong with your head."
"You've forced me into a much more difficult situation than that," said Shirou, scowling. "This is merely taking one step in that direction. Did you think I would just leap to the Land of Shadows and challenge its Queen to a single combat?"
"That wasn't my plan in the first place," she protested. "Contracting you was the only thing I could do to salvage the situation. Still, when you put it in terms of gradual progression, I suppose there is some merit to your plan. Why though?"
"So that I can have some custom-made Mystic Codes. I looked up the price of materials like that and I would have to farm Mana Cores for years just to buy a handful. The finished product is even more expensive, and I really can't go much further without some decent equipment. Especially not if the opponent is someone like Scathach."
"And have you already chosen a suitable location?"
"Not yet. There's only so much I can do on my own without anyone competent to bounce ideas with. I was waiting for you to show up so that I could run things with you before committing to anything."
"That is something I can fully agree with. I'm impressed. It does seem you thought things through."
"I do that fairly often, yet people are always surprised," Shirou grumbled.
"It is because you take huge risks, even by the standards of Magi. Projecting swords inside your own body as a way to boost yourself is an insane practice even for someone who walks with death."
"Right… then I suppose that asking you how to activate my Circuits isn't going to sound any better."
"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning. "You already do Magecraft, so of course you know how to use your Circuits. … What have you been doing until now?"
"Turning my nerves into temporary Circuits," he replied.
"Every time?"
"Yeah."
Mikado took a long, steadying breath, rubbing the bridge of her nose in apparent frustration.
"How are you still sane? Even if your body resets to its healthy state every time you rest, the pain alone should have driven you crazy."
Shirou shrugged. "You don't get to stay functional with dozens of blades propping up your body from the inside without some previous conditioning."
"That's… I have no words to respond to that," she concluded.
"I'm not really looking for your approval, but I need to get past this limitation. Will you please help me?"
"... of course," she replied with an odd look on her face.
"Thanks. Are you good to get started right now, or was there something else you needed to do first?"
"No, right now is fine. Any business I have to attend to, I can do at a later time."
"Awesome, let's get to it then," he replied enthusiastically. "What should I do?"
"Just sit somewhere firm and listen to my instructions."
[br]
After a few hours of attempts under Mikado's patient guidance, Shirou managed to activate his natural Circuits for the first time. However, because they had been inert for many years, it would still take him some time to get used to them.
Still, high tolerance to pain or not, it was a welcome change not having to stab his spine with equivalent of a scalding metal rod every time he had to use even the simplest of spells. The [Forgotten Circuit] label disappeared from the list of conditions as well, marking his becoming a full Magus for the first time.
It was small progress, but it was progress nonetheless.
By the time they were done, Shirou had to get started on dinner.
"Will you be eating with us?" he asked.
"... I will pass on that," Mikado replied. "I don't believe your friends and family would be very happy to have me around."
"Hm, I guess I can't really deny that. Considering you've brought your things over, I assume you want to stay here, right? I'll get a room ready for you, and I'll leave you something to eat as well."
"That would be… appreciated."
"Don't mention it. I'll be going back to the Reverse Side later. Do you plan on coming as well?
"No, there is nothing I need from that place at present. I will do some research on suitable areas for your material-gathering expedition while you're out."
"Thank you. I'm looking forward to hear what you'll find. I'll see you later."
[br]
After Shirou had left, Ryouko closed the door of the shed behind him, leaning against it with a sigh of relief.
Everything had gone much better than her most optimistic expectations. Although she had bound him to help her in a seemingly hopeless cause, Ryouko had bound herself to him in something that was slavery in all but name. Any other Magus would have demanded she reveal any and every detail of her Magecraft, basically robbing her of generations of research.
Emiya Shirou didn't seem to care one bit about any of that.
It shouldn't have been all that surprising, in hindsight. Everything she knew about him made him atypical by the standards of Magi. It was why she had made that wild bet and bound herself in servitude.
Still, she had expected way more hostility and probing on his part. Certainly, if their roles had been reversed, she would have wanted to know every last detail about him and his abilities, if only out of curiosity.
He cared nothing for any of that. She had set him up for a quest that would most probably kill him, and he didn't even seem to resent her in the least. Just what kind of person was he?
Ryouko would lie if she said that she wasn't becoming more curious about him than his unique abilities.
Still, all things considered, there was nothing she could complain about, and since things were that way, she had no qualms investing herself entirely. It was still an impossible quest, but having a definite goal to work towards put her in a better mood than she had been for quite a long time.
[br]
After dining with Taiga and Yoruichi, Shirou brought dinner to Mikado to the room he had reserved for her. He found her sitting at the small desk that was part of the western-style furnishing of that specific room. She was browsing through some obscure books and jotting down notes. Seeing her so absorbed he put down the plate on a corner of the table and left without word.
He had only stolen a glance at what she was reading, a geographical index of leylines across Japan. It seemed that she had every intention to help him with his project.
Not that she had a choice in the matter anymore, but Shirou was glad she was backing him up. Opening a hole to the Reverse Side in an unpopulated area was less risky than trekking there, but it was still extremely dangerous.
Yet nowhere as dangerous as seeking out the equivalent of a goddess in a layer of the world much deeper than anything he was currently setting his eyes upon.
As absurd as it sounded, Shirou believed that it was the most reasonable step he could take at the moment. Besides, even outside the sphere of the supernatural, the highest rewards came from taking the highest risks.
This paradigm was all the more true in the Moonlit World and with that awareness, Shirou headed to the Mirror World.
[br]
For the past several days, while he waited for Mikado to show up, Shirou did nothing but try his hand at making equipment or grinding. He managed to get his level up to 45, thanks to his access to the 2nd layer of the Reverse Side and the mobs lurking there.
Without Mikado coordinations, the Superior Wraiths could be easily kited one by one, so he managed to accumulate a massive amount of experience as well as train the [Japanese Archery] skill up to the level 50 of Advanced Tier. Unfortunately, unless he laid his eyes on a bow with the cumulative experience of a master, he would have to slowly grind it there with use. It would probably take him a few weeks, as opposed to the years it would take an ordinary person, but such was his hax and he wasn't about to complain. Unlike most modern-day bow users, Shirou needed the skill to survive.
More importantly, however, he had 21 points to allocate to his Stats. He had waited until he had enough points to bring his Wisdom up to 50 and still have some to spare before actually using them.
Now, with Mikado's support and a plan of action outlined, he felt confident with putting them to use. He quickly called out the status screen and tapped the button next to the WIS attribute until it reached 50 and hit confirm.
[Title Achieved: Sharp Instinct (I)]
[Your high Wisdom (50) has granted you a greater awareness of your surrounding. In combat, you can now detect all movements in one meter radius around you. Warning: Stealth and Assassination skills could get through it.]
That was a pretty decent skill to have. Especially when fighting against multiple opponents, knowing from where an attack was coming without seeing it was like having eyes behind his back. However that wasn't all that came with it.
[Title Achieved: Balanced Mind(I)]
[Description: Because you have trained all aspects of your mind (INT, WIS: 50) you have become more proficient in using your energy, reducing the amount of Mana consumed by all actions by 15%]
"Yes!" he exclaimed.
Something like that that was exactly what he was hoping for. His meager reserves forced him to consume Mana Cores faster than he could collect them. Now he had a little more breathing room when using Magecraft.
"Huh?" he said, when yet another prompt showed up.
[Title Achieved: Balance of Heaven and Earth (I)]
[Description: Because you have honed both your mind and body equally (STR, DEX, INT and WIS: 50), your existence is in perfect harmony within and without, granting you a passive Mana recovery of 15% of your Max MPs every hour when out of combat.]
Shirou stood still, reading the prompt over and over again. 15% Passive Mana recovery every hour. That was 5MP per hour, rounded down. Although it didn't seem like much, it was a game changer, especially since he had just acquired a 15% reduction in Mana consumption for all Magecraft.
He could keep up his boundary fields longer without having to sleep or consume Mana Cores, freeing even more time for him to grind all his skills. In the future he would have to increase all of his Stats equally if he wanted to reap benefits like this. If the number next to each title was any indication, there would be additional thresholds with even higher rewards further down the road.
Of course it came at a price. He could become stronger much faster if he used all of his points into the physical department, but experience had taught him that not all problems could be solved though brute force. In fact, he much preferred solving them without violence.
No, a balanced growth was preferable, even if it was much slower. He needed both wits and strength in equal measure. There was no doubt about it in his mind.
Speaking of which, it was high time he did some mobs hunting. EXP did not make itself after all.
[br]
A couple of days later, Mikado approached him after school, looking like she had slept very little. She never showed up for the meals, eating in her room and leaving the empty plate out of the door once she was done. Shirou assumed she got out only when no one was around, which made sense considering the bad blood between her and everybody else.
"I've did some research for areas that are spiritually rich, but not so much that they would attract powerful entities like Fuyuki does," she said as a way of greeting.
"Oh, did you find something?"
"Yes. It's an area with few humans, but not entirely desolated, so the Common Sense of Man should still push away some of the strongest spirits nearby. Furthermore, there's a considerable influx of people around this time of the year that should make things temporarily easier for us, without causing long-term impoverishment of the spiritual influences of the area."
"Hmm, and what place is that, exactly?" he asked.
She turned the atlas she had with her towards him and pointed at a place on the map.
Shirou's brows went up in surprise.
Well… he was certainly not expecting that. It looked like it was going to be a somewhat long trip.
"Megijima, huh?"
Taiga and Saeko would definitely not be happy.
[XXX]