"Are you okay, Shirou? Should I call an ambulance?" Fuji-nee fussed over him like a mother, while Sakura watched with a worried expression.
"I'm just feeling a little under the weather. I can go to school," he said, cozy in his futon. They had forced him back into his room after he had claimed sickness.
"You can't, senpai! You have to take care of yourself," Sakura said.
"Really, I'm fine. You both are acting like I'm dying."
"Maybe you are!" Fuji-nee cried, hands balled like a toddler. "Don't worry Shirou, I can take care of you!" Shirou shuddered. Fuji-nee's "care" might actually send him to the emergency room.
Luckily, he managed to get them to leave before the yakuza got involved, with a promise to rest for the whole day. The moment he heard the front door shut, he got up and headed straight to the shed.
He felt bad for lying to them, but he was far too distracted to go to school today. Ruminating, there were a couple points he could infer.
First, there was another magus in Fuyuki. The magus in question was far more competent than he was. Finally, the magus could have killed him, but didn't. Instead, he was spared, healed, and left none the wiser.
The last point was the crux of his confusion. Why? Why attack me and leave? Shirou couldn't decipher the purpose of it. He had checked his schoolbag, and nothing was missing. His bank account, according to Fuji-nee's father, had no recent activity.
Material possessions were not the goal.
Me. I'm the target, he concluded.
But that led to more questions. Was there something special about him? Was he the only victim, or was the magus attacking everyone? He didn't know, and his line of reasoning frayed, a dead end.
There was one more avenue he could examine: the curse had struck his back. If there were any traces of it remaining, he could find it and study it. Unconsciously, he rested his head in his hand, his mouth a thin line.
Yesterday, Shirou had failed to analyze his hand; the attempt had given him nothing but a splitting headache. Failure was expected, as he had only ever succeeded using Structural Analysis on inanimate objects, like tools and machines. How could he decipher his back?
The issue wasn't necessarily the material. Humans were organic, but organic material was just another type of material, like an oaken table, or a grip made of leather.
No, the issue arose when the material was alive.
A human being constitutes trillions of cells, trillions of tiny, living organisms, with their own purpose, their own life cycle. In a way, a clump of cells was a microcosm of humanity: they grow and die and reproduce, operating under a shared sense of survival. To grasp a single living cell would require a microscopic precision; a single imperfection was the difference between life and death. For a perfect understanding, Shirou would have to repeat the process for every single cell, as even the most identical of cells had minute incongruities with each other. There was too much information for a human brain to comprehend. It was akin to tallying every tree in the earth, or counting every star in the known universe. An impossibility.
Regardless, Shirou would attempt it. To understand his entire back was too much, he knew. But if he mentally partitioned his back into pieces, then analyzed a singular point at a time, he could construct a diagram of his body, building it bit by bit.
Closing his eyes, Shirou began. Starting from where he was struck by the curse, he began analyzing tiny chunks of his back, piecing them together. Like pixels on a screen, he thought wryly.
After around an hour, Shirou opened his eyes. Though his head was spinning, it was more of a buzz rather than the battering of last night. He hadn't yet found anything unusual, but he wasn't discouraged.
Good.
Shirou's hands clenched around the bar, chafing against the cold steel. His arms felt foreign to him, wobbly and numb. Focusing his core and tightening his grip, he used the last bit of strength he had and pulled his head above the bar.
Finishing the pull-up, Shirou dropped to the floor of the shed, heaving. He had been exercising for a couple hours now, and his upper-body felt like mush.
Dragging himself up, Shirou wobbled out of the shed, leaving a small, dark trail of droplets onto the dirt behind him. He trudged to the kitchen. A hefty bowl of porridge greeted him on the counter, dotted with a pickled plum. A small note card was propped on its side. Written in a neat and tidy hand, was a short message: Get better soon, Senpai! Shirou grinned. Sakura must have made it before she had left.
Grabbing the porridge, Shirou sat down, exhaling as he hit the floor. He felt numb, but it was nothing compared to that night, the curse invading his body, and the helpless feeling drawn from his own uselessness. Slowly, he lifted a spoonful of porridge to his mouth. It was warm and smooth and savory. A perfect comfort food. He would have to thank her when she got back.
Exercise was a part of his daily routine, but he hitherto limited it to the mornings, and never persisted for such a long duration. Before, Shirou had only wanted to be fit, just to be ready in case of an emergency. But now I need strength.
Shirou's mind was already fatigued from his Structural Analysis. He would practice Reinforcement in the evening, his nightly routine. That left him time to train his body.
Physical training was useless compared to magecraft. It would never fend off a curse or grant him the power to resist hypnosis. But if it made Shirou more resilient for even a single moment, then it would all be worth it. If he was faster, he could have dodged the curse. If he was stronger, he could have dragged himself off the ground. If, if, if. Hypotheticals were never his forte, but he lacked anything concrete.
Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, crunches, pull-ups, any exercise he could think of, he did. A star athlete trained their body relentlessly. He could do the same.
Finishing the porridge, Shirou washed the bowl, then stretched his body.
Now, it was time for the legs.
Shirou dragged his front door open, huffing from the effort. He had just returned from a run, and his legs felt more like weights than limbs. Fuyuki always had lengthy, gentle winters, so a typical winter afternoon was more like a cool autumn. It would have been pleasant if he hadn't ran for miles. His skin was flushed red, radiating heat over the course of his entire excursion. Sweat enveloped him, his clothes clinging to him like bandages on a bloody wound. Shirou wanted to go straight to his futon and lie down, but he was sticky and gross. He needed to take a bath.
Glancing at the clock, Shirou saw that it was about time for afternoon clubs. Sakura and Fuji-nee would be at the archery dojo, with Shinji and Mitsuzuri .
Peeling off his shirt, he took a minute to catch his breath, enjoying the feel of cool air on his now bared torso. Running wasn't something Shirou enjoyed, but it was exceedingly useful. According to his gym teacher, it worked almost every muscle at once, especially the core and legs. It tested endurance and raised stamina. If he ever needed to cover ground, he would be stronger now, more capable.
It was also exhausting.
So tired… His eyelids were drooping.
Feeling somewhat refreshed, he stood up and sauntered into the living room, nearly coughing. His throat was screaming for relief. First, a cup of water, he decided, and then straight to the washroom.
A startled yelp broke through his stupor.
"S-s-senpai?"
Sakura stood in the kitchen, draped in her apron. Her entire face, from her ears to her neck was a dark shade of scarlet. Her mouth was agape, as faint little breaths escaped her throat, and her gaze was locked onto his torso.
For a fleeting moment, there was silence.
Shirou spun around, covering his chest with his shirt.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura!" he yelled, shame and embarrassment erupting from within.
Before she could reply, he stumbled into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Turning on the shower, he swiveled the handle until the water was at its coldest.
If they never acknowledged it, they could forget it ever happened.
The hearty aroma of chicken broth danced through the air. A few bowls of chicken noodle soup were placed on the table, freshly made and ready to eat. Peering inside, Shirou spotted diced celery, carrots, garlic amidst pasta and chicken, accompanied with hints of pepper, rosemary, and sage.
Sakura took a seat, directly across from him, elegantly folding her legs underneath.
The awkwardness was palpable.
"So, uh, you came back early today, Sakura," Shirou said, taking the plunge. "I thought you'd be at school."
"I-I knew you would try to cook, senpai, but you were sick, so I wanted you to rest. So I got permission from Fujimura-sensei to leave and take care of you…" she trailed off, staring into her bowl. Her cheeks were still pink.
"Oh… thank you, Sakura. I appreciate it," he replied.
Sakura nodded, still silent, bangs obscuring her eyes.
"The porridge tasted great," he added.
She said a word of thanks.
Shirou silently sighed, and turned his attention to the food.
"Where were you, senpai?" Sakura whispered, after he had almost finished his soup. "You weren't in your room. I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find you."
Shirou felt a pang in his chest.
"I was feeling better, so I went on a walk," he assured, in his most soothing tone of voice. "I wanted some fresh air."
Sakura pursed her lips. "You said you were sick, and you disappeared. I was so worried..."
She looked up from her food, meeting his eyes for the first time since she returned. Her gaze was resolute, yet restless, like lavender pools of fervent concern.
"Promise me, senpai. Promise me that you'll keep yourself safe. Please," she pleaded, wrenching his heart into two.
A promise would be little more than a lie. Shirou had already lied to her once today. He did not want to lie again.
"I'll do what I can," he said. "What's wrong, Sakura? Did something happen?"
He was only gone for an hour. It shouldn't have been a cause of distress. And yet…
"O-oh. It's nothing, senpai. I was just worried," she muttered. "There have been, um, incidents in the news recently. Fuyuki might be getting more dangerous."
She's more right than she realizes, Shirou mused.
"Sakura," he intoned. "Do you want me to take you home?"
Sakura's eyes widened, and she swiftly shook her head.
"I-"
Before she could continue, Fuji-nee burst inside.
"I'm back! Shirou, are you feeling better?"
She stared at him, then Sakura, then his empty bowl, then back to Shirou, and put the pieces together.
"You ate without me?" she roared.
"I can't believe I was worried about you!" Fuji-nee cried, in between spoonfuls of soup. "Is this how you repay my concern?"
"Is this how you treat sick people?" Shirou grumbled, rubbing his head. It was said that a master could use anything as a weapon. Fuji-nee had proven that saying true by using a rolled poster as a sword and his body as a training dummy.
Sakura handed him an ice pack. "Senpai, are you alright?"
"He'll be fine, Sakura. He has a thick skull," Fuji-nee said, now fed and content.
Shirou rolled his eyes, but held back his response.
"By the way, could you take Sakura home today?" he asked instead.
"Sure," she shrugged. "What's up?"
"I heard about crime on the news," Sakura explained, "Now Senpai doesn't want me to go home alone anymore."
"But Fuyuki is quite safe, right? My dad makes sure of that," said the yakuza princess.
"Fuji-nee, you might as well do it. Just in case," Shirou said.
"I told you, senpai, it's not a big deal."
"Even so, you never know," he said.
"Don't worry, Shirou. I'll take her home." Fuji-nee declared. "As a teacher, your safety is my responsibility."
It was settled. From now on, Fuji-nee would give Sakura a ride home when it was dark, they agreed.
After dinner was done, Fuji-nee retrieved her scooter. Sakura stood in the doorway, struggling with a yellow helmet that matched the design of the scooter. The helmet was too big for Sakura's head, and she fidgeted with the straps.
"Do I really have to wear this, Fujimura-sensei?" she pouted.
"Safety is Taiga Delivery's top priority!" Fuji-nee said. "Now, hold on tight!"
She smacked the back of her seat with her palm, and Sakura gingerly climbed on.
Fuji-nee started the engine, then shot off, Sakura clinging to her with fear.
"See you tomorrow, senpai!" she yelled. Her voice was mixed with the wind.
Shirou waved a hand goodbye, then chuckled once they were out of sight. So cute.
Sakura had raised a good point. With the onset of winter, the nights were getting longer, and the magus was still out there. There were potential victims everywhere, and Shirou was doing nothing. Time and tide wait for no one. If he wanted a chance at finding the magus, he needed to be proactive.
Weeks had passed and the days grew colder. It was the time after dusk, and the streets were empty except for a few stray stragglers. The chill of the wind ran through Shirou's hair, and he was once again glad he had donned a thick jacket.
Shinto was the modern, more dangerous half of Fuyuki, and Shirou had taken to patrolling it over the nights, searching for the unknown magus. Slung over his shoulder was a large bag that contained a shinai, a first aid kit, pepper spray, water bottles, and anything else that might be helpful in an emergency.
Shirou hadn't encountered any real emergencies. Rather, it was small incidents, like a drunk person needing a ride home, or a drunk person that had collapsed, or a drunk person was harassing another drunk, or a person was drunk and a sober person was taking advantage of that. In the end, it was all tied to the bottle.
He had normally solved these incidents by calling the police or a taxi. It was once when a drunk had gotten violent, and Shirou had dispatched him with ease. His training was paying off, and he could feel himself building strength. Workouts were easier, and longer runs no longer winded him like before.
Even if he didn't find the magus, Shirou believed the patrols were worth pursuing. He could help students in the day, and adults in the night.
Reaching his shed, he ended his vigil.
Like always, Reinforcement wasn't going well, but his Structural Analysis was yielding progress. He had recently found something in his body, a small, miniscule fiber. It wasn't a nerve, but it was reminiscent of one. The nerve-like object was connected to small strands that led to other nerve-like objects. It felt more like an organ rather than a curse, but it certainly wasn't natural.
Did the magus place this inside of me?
Observation could reveal so much. Tonight, he was going to experiment.
Forming a circuit, Shirou amassed magical energy. Gasping, he directed it into the nerve-like object in his back, all at once.
The magical energy disappeared. His insides caught aflame. Shirou couldn't move. It took all his willpower to keep from crumpling to the ground. His limbs were numb and his vision blurred, as his back was stabbed by a phantom knife, over and over again.
Shirou recognized this pain. It was the same pain he experienced every time he formed a Magic Circuit, but worse. He couldn't control it. Heaving, Shirou's nails bit into his palm, willing himself to concentrate.
Over the course of many breaths, he hardened his mind until the pain was bearable. Slowly, a substance flowed from the nerve-like object. A trickle of magical energy. Dazed, Shirou placed a finger around a wooden plank and tried Reinforcement.
The plank shattered into a million splinters.
Of course. He let out a pained, spiteful bark, and his body shut down.
Lying awake, Shirou stared at the ceiling of his shed, unable to move. Despite it all, Shirou sported a giddy smile. The pain was receding, and his body was cooling. The "nerve-like object" was the equivalent of a Magic Circuit, and it wasn't disappearing. It was his, like all his other organs were, and he had already found over a dozen, ready to be activated.
Winter break was in three days. He had all the time in the world to test them.
My Magic Circuits.
Winter break was finally here. Rin had received the principal's permission to leave school a few days earlier without earning a mark on her record, citing her own academic rigor. And so, Rin had boarded a plane and landed in London's Heathrow Airport before the weekend had arrived.
Rolling her shoulders, she stretched her limbs, neck, and torso, working out the soreness from over half a day of sitting, a small groan escaping her lips. The plane tickets were so pricey, yet the seats were so uncomfortable!
Exiting the airport, Rin waved down a taxi in the cold, chilly air. Her English was practiced and fluent, and she was on her way to Druid Street, right by the Clock Tower's campus. Her father had left her a recommendation letter, along with descriptions of all of their major facilities of the Clock Tower and how to get to them. Kirei had supplied her with the missing details, a brief overview of notable changes over the last decade. These resources were the key to entering the Clock Tower.
The taxi passed over the London Bridge over the River Thames. Rin drank in the scenery. She had never traveled abroad before, so every sight was new, unique. Many of the buildings appeared historical, with architecture developed over hundreds of years, from Georgian to Victorian to modern day.
At last, the taxi stopped. Rin paid her fare with great reluctance, shocked by the amount. She had a limited budget, and couldn't afford any unnecessary expenses.
The thick odor of grease and exhaust greeted her upon stepping out of the cab. Rin bundled her scarf around her nose, frowning.
The streets were flooded with people. Luxury was aplenty, she noted, contemplating the woolen pea coats and silken shawls that adorned the people around her. Hoping that she didn't stand out too much, Rin took out her directions and followed the street signs, roaming over tiled walkways and winding roads, twisting and turning, until she set foot in an unobtrusive side road. Abruptly, the presence of other people vanished.
A Bounded Field, Rin thought. She had barely noticed it, subtle as it was. The purpose of this one was to ward civilians away.
This whole area belonged to the Association. In the distance, she could see the namesake of the Clock Tower, jutting into the clouds. She headed towards it, until she stopped in front of a small castle.
According to Kirei, this building was where the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory was located, the classroom of Waver Velvet, otherwise known as Lord El-Melloi II. The other survivor of the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Doors of patterned wrought iron and cedar wood blocked her way. A doorman stood in front of it.
"Excuse me, could you guide me towards the office of Lord El-Melloi II?" she asked.
The doorman gave her a wary look. "Miss, only students, professors, and permitted guests are allowed inside the Clock Tower."
"I'm a prospective student," she said. She fished out her father's recommendation letter and handed it to the doorman.
He scanned it once before handing it back. "This is from a decade ago," he said, pointing out the date ascribed at the top of the page. "I can't accept this."
"It has my father's seal and signature on it. Shouldn't that be enough?"
The doorman denied her.
Rin made a fist. All this way from Japan, and she couldn't even get into the building. She had another letter from Kirei, but there was no way the Mage's Association would take a word from a priest. Could she hypnotize him?
"Miss, I will have to ask you to lea-"
"She is with me!" A voice announced from behind her.
Rin turned around, surprised.
A girl around her age strutted to the doorman, proud as a peacock. She had the air of a noble, and the appearance of one as well. Her silky blonde hair was split into long drills that ran down her back, styled by large blue velvet ribbons. It was the most absurd hairstyle Rin had ever seen, yet the girl made it look good. Not just good, Rin thought. Beautiful. She wore a sleeved blue dress, stitched with white laces, frills, and pearls. Her posture was bold and elegant.
"Miss Edelfelt," the doorman said, eyebrows raising. "I wasn't aware of your arrival today."
"No matter," Edelfelt said, waving it off. "I am here with my friend from abroad. I will be showing her around the Clock Tower."
Rin gaped.
"Understood, Miss Edelfelt. However, I will still need some verification."
"This girl is my honored guest as an Edelfelt," she said, expression turning cross. "As a host, I will be responsible for her visit. Unless you are doubting my character?"
"O-of course not, Miss Edelfelt. Right this way," he said. With a wave of his hand, the doors opened with a great creak.
Edelfelt stepped forth, beckoning RIn to follow her. She quickly caught up, matching her stride until they were out of earshot of the doorman.
"You have my gratitude, Miss Edelfelt. I don't know what I would have done with you," she said honestly.
"It was my pleasure," she said. "I could not leave a future classmate in the cold."
She must have overheard them. "I've heard the Clock Tower is quite rigorous. How can you be so sure that I'll get in?" Rin asked.
The noble gave her a confident smile. "Edelfelts have an eye for talent, and your skill is sublime. To forge a connection between us can only open doors."
"You're too kind," she replied, her cheeks heating a little bit. The girl was so unabashedly honest, Rin couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "I hate to trouble you again, but do you know where I can find the office of Lord El-Melloi II?"
"But of course, for I am here to see him as well. Come, walk with me," she said magnanimously.
They walked for a bit in silence, as Rin observed the interior of her future college.
"So, what brings you here? And where have you arrived from?" Edelfelt questioned, curious like a cat.
"I'm from Japan. I'm here to receive guidance from Lord El-Melloi II," she answered.
"Japan! What a beautiful country. I visited when I was but a child," Edelfelt said fondly, raising a hand to her cheek. "It was quite unforgettable."
"Yes, my home is lovely. The sights, the food, the people, I already miss it," Rin said.
"I would love to visit again someday. When the time comes, would you show me around?" she requested.
"Of course, Miss Edelfelt. I would love to."
"Please, there is no reason to be so formal with me. Are we not friends by now?"
"I suppose we are," Rin agreed. "That reminds me, I don't believe I've gotten your name yet."
Edelfelt stopped, turning towards her. "I am Luviagelita Edelfelt, heir to the Edelfelt family. But you may call me Luvia," she said proudly. Luvia extended a gloved hand towards her. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss…?"
Rin shook her hand. "Tohsaka. Rin Tohsaka," she answered, matching her smile.
Luvia's smile froze, and she smacked Rin's hand away, her face twisting into a mien of disgust.
"Tohsaka?"
"Stay away from me, Rin Tohsaka!" Luvia growled. "Stop following me!"
"I need to get to El-Melloi's office!" Rin retorted. "We're going in the same direction!"
"Quiet! Don't get within six feet of me," she replied, her hands balled into tight fists. She stomped away.
"What's the matter with you?" Rin asked. She was so lost. The moment she had said her name, Luvia had transformed from a sociable, kind person into…this.
Luvia turned around, fire in her eyes. "I can't believe I helped a Tohsaka, of all people! My kindness was wasted on a lowly rat."
" What? How dare you, you stupid-haired dimwit?" she snapped.
"How uncouth. Now you show your true colors, Rin Tohsaka," Luvia declared. "I see you for what you are."
Rin grinded her teeth, biting back the urge to throw a fist. Verbal sparring was a gift of hers, but this conversation was more like a brawl in the mud. A brawl that I will win.
"Are all Edelfelts such two-faced brats?" Rin accused.
"It seems that country bumpkins cannot recognize their betters." Luvia shot back.
The barrage of insults escalated, vocal barbs and thorns pricking into each other's skin, until they stopped in front of a door. A nameplate labeled it with the title "Lord El-Melloi" indented into its gold surface.
"We have arrived. Do me a favor and make yourself scarce," Luvia said haughtily, waving a hand like she was shooing Rin away. "It's not like Lord El-Melloi II will have time for a bumpkin."
She turned away, reaching for the doorknob.
"Oh, I don't think so, Luvia." Rin grabbed her shoulder. "I'll be going in first."
Luvia stared at her fingers, bemused. "The gorilla does what she does best," she said, before shoving Rin away.
Rin stumbled backwards. She bristled, limbs taut, ready for a fight. Luvia raised her fists in front of her.
The distance closed, but before they could come to blows, the door swung open, and a girl in a hood exited.
Rin dropped her guard, and Luvia did the same, stepping apart. Taking a deep breath, Rin relaxed, not willing to give off a bad first impression to a Clock Tower denizen.
The girl in the hood watched them both, tilting her head. She looked like she was plucked out from a 1950's movie screen and thrown into reality. She was a walking motley of black, white, and everything in between. She donned a cloak the color of ash over a black bomber jacket and a checkered black skirt, all layered under a leather jacket that shone like ink under the light. Her legs were covered in thigh-high black stockings, paired with glossy black boots that were studded in metallic beads. Her skin was pale and her hair was silver. Rin couldn't see her eyes, but she wouldn't be surprised if they were monochrome as well.
"Um…what's going on here?" the girl in the hood mumbled. Her voice was as soft as rabbit's fur.
Rin's eyes flicked over her, unsure of what to say.
"We were having a lively talk, Gray," Luvia said, saving her from thinking of an answer. "We are here for separate visits to Lord El-Melloi II, Rin Tohsaka and I."
"Oh, I'll let him know," she said, hurriedly retreating into the office, leaving them alone again.
"Her name is Gray?" Tohsaka whispered once the door had shut.
Luvia snorted. "Fitting, right?"
Rin's lips quirked up. "It really is."
They shared a private laugh. Does the name decide the person, or does the person decide the name? Rin wondered.
The door opened once again, and Rin heard Gray's voice again, barely audible.
"Miss Tohsaka, my master would like to see you first."
Giving Luvia a triumphant side-eye, Rin waltzed into the office, relishing Luvia's frustrated countenance.
Nodding to Gray, she marched into the office, shutting the door behind her. The first thing she noticed was the vast number of heavy books, tomes, and textbooks sporadically placed around the room. They lay on the wooden floor, the leather chairs, and the desk, and many were covered in a layer of dust. The walls were dominated by bookshelves that reached the ceiling, save for two curtained windows that served as the only source of light in the room. In the corner, Rin spotted what appeared to be a Japanese video game console, the same that her classmates snuck into school.
This is the office of a Lord? She turned towards Gray, whose head was tilted to the floor. There was no one else in the room, leaving only one person to be Lord El-Melloi II.
Sitting behind the desk was a man Rin could only describe as stern. She knew he was young, only around ten years her senior, but yet he had the bearing of a middle-aged man. A scowl was etched into his gaunt face, and his brow was furrowed. She could count the stress lines on his forehead, right above his austere eyes. Dressed in a tailored suit, he was every bit the magus, except for the long red scarf wrapped around his neck.
"Greetings, Lord El-Melloi II," she said, bowing slightly. "I am Rin Tohsaka."
"Tohsaka," he said, as if he was tasting the name. "Why have you come to see me?"
Instead of answering, Rin raised her right hand. El-Melloi II sighed. "I see," he said. "And what do you mean to do with that?"
"Win."
The lord frowned. "Every participant plans on winning the war. My predecessor was the same. Are you truly prepared?"
"No," she admitted. "But that's why I'm here. As a survivor of the previous war, I wanted to consult you for your expertise." "Expertise," he scoffed. "I survived out of sheer, dumb luck."
Rin considered her words, unsure of how to respond to that. "Any perspective is valuable. You survived when my father didn't."
El-Melloi II paused, before nodding. "Very well. Take a seat, Tohsaka."
He gestured towards one of the four chairs in the room, and she sat down in one of them.
"I only have one piece of advice for you. Treasure your Servant. Your relationship with them, above all else, will determine how you fare," he said, as his gaze grew misty. "You, the Master, will be their anchor to this plane, but the Servant is the lodestone. They will carve your fate with blade and fist."
Rin had already learned this from her father's journal, but there was a difference between reading it and hearing it said so heartfeltly. "Did you treasure your Servant?"
"Not at first," he admitted. His eyes turned to a faraway place. "But in the end, it was the only reason I survived."
As if to drive in the point, El-Melloi II recounted certain stories of Rider's antics. He told of video games and drinking and running all around Fuyuki at his Servant's whim. He told her of battles and declarations and ambitions that stretched the entire globe. By the end, El-Melloi II had a small smile on his face, happily reminiscing about the man who had changed his destiny.
Once again, Rin was made aware of the gravitas of a Servant. They were more than just legends from history. They were people, with hopes and dreams and feelings. More than anything, she needed someone who she would get along with.
But then he began quizzing her. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the seven common Servant classes? How did a Command Seal work? What were the limits of a Command Seal? "I have no interest in hearing about your death," he had said, and it suddenly became a lecture.
By the time he was finished, over an hour had passed, and Rin held a far greater understanding of the ritual behind the Holy Grail War.
"If you get into a fight with another Master, what will you do?" he queried.
"Summon my Servant."
"Good," he said. "But what of your own capabilities? If your Servant is preoccupied, what will you do?"
"I would scope out their skills, and then either shoot a Gandr at them, use one of my jewels, or retreat, depending on the situation."
"A Gandr or a jewel," he repeated. His eyes narrowed. "Gray, please fetch Luviagelita."
Gray left, and a few moments returned with Luvia by her side.
She was unimpressed. "I've been very patient today, Lord El-Melloi II. Why is Rin Tohsaka still here?"
Reaching inside his desk, El-Melloi II brought out a thick iron disk. "My apologies, Luviagelita. Please shoot a Gandr here," he said, tapping the disk.
Luvia frowned, before cocking her left arm straight, her palm open and fingers pointed. Her other arm moved to support it. The glow of a Magic Crest flowed down her sleeve, and a black and blue Gandr materialized in front of Luvia, followed by the crack of a gunshot. The curse slammed into the iron disk, the impact blowing away nearby books and papers.
Steam rose from a deep, circular gouge in the iron disk.
"A radius of three centimeters, and a depth of two," El-Melloi II measured. With a tap, the iron disk reshaped itself, like it was never dented in the first place. "Rin, please do the same."
Rin glowered. She knew where this was going. She repeated the same exact actions Luvia took, culminating with a deep, circular gouge in the iron disk.
"A radius of three centimeters, and a depth of two," El-Melloi II repeated. "Interesting."
Luvia became indignant. "So the Tohsaka has a similar curse to me. This means nothing!"
"Exactly!" Rin said, joining her.
"I wasn't done yet," El-Melloi II said, before they could argue. "Both of you, please show me one of your jewels."
Rin took out a ruby, and Luvia presented a sapphire. Both were cut into triangular shapes with rounded edges.
"You've got to be kidding," Rin groaned.
"You cheap copy!" Luvia was aghast. Rin couldn't blame her. She palmed her face, rubbing her forehead to stem the coming headache.
El-Melloi II continued. "Gray, please examine the two jewels and tell me what you see."
The girl in the hood walked over and grabbed both gems, tapping them, flipping them over, viewing them from every facet. Eventually, she came to a halt, and handed the gems back to their owners.
"They look and feel the same," she murmured in a wondrous tone. "Even the magical energy stored inside appears equal, in both potency and quantity."
El-Melloi II cackled, and Rin bit her tongue, staring daggers at Luvia, who met her glare with embarrassed fury.
"It's rare to see such a perfect match among strangers," El-Melloi II said, amusement dancing in his expression. "The two of you could make great strides together."
"Absolutely not!" Rin and Luvia said in unison.
Rin left the office fuming. What were the odds that the two of them had such similar skill sets? Next to none. Some higher dimensional being had to be playing a trick on her. There was no other explanation.
The door creaked shut, and Gray shadowed her, leaving Luvia to have her discussion with El-Melloi II.
"Thank you," Gray murmured from behind.
Rin turned around. "What's there to thank?"
"You made my master happy," she said. "I don't think I've ever seen him smile like that before."
Rin shook her head. "That wasn't my intention. All I wanted was to learn more about the war."
"Thank you for that as well. He's never talked about the war with me before. I've always wanted to know who his Servant was."
"He only told me out of respect for my father, I think. And you still don't know Rider's name." El-Melloi II had mentioned everything except his identity, Noble Phantasm, and death.
"Yes, but master always gets so wistful whenever he thinks about him. Now, I can at least picture who he was. His name doesn't matter."
"Still, it's not like I did anything," Rin denied. Earnest people were so stubborn.
"Thank you, Rin," she repeated, lifting her head so they were level with each other. For the first time today, Gray met her eyes. They were the color of fine jade, as bright as the coming of spring. "If there's any way I can assist you, just say the word."
"It's no problem," Rin replied, averting her gaze. "But if you really want to help, could you tell me about the two Mage's Associations' representatives?"
Gray's eyebrows knitted together. She checked the surroundings. "I shouldn't say this, so please keep this a secret," she started. "But one of them should already be in Japan. He isn't a good person. I don't think I'm allowed to tell someone outside the Clock Tower his name, but he's dangerous. The other representative hasn't left yet."
Rin filed the information away, then acted on a hunch. "Is the other representative Lord El-Melloi II?"
"No." Gray slumped, dispirited. "My master wants to participate, more than anything in the world, but he has other responsibilities binding him to London, so I think he's given up. The other representative is an Enforcer. That's all I know about her."
Enforcers. Magi specialized in killing other Magi. The hunting dogs of the Association. Her enemies were strong. Rin would have to be stronger.
She was about ready to depart when Lord El-Melloi II exited his office, Luvia in tow.
"Rin Tohsaka. I have a final question for you," he stated, after Luvia was gone. "What is your other purpose in coming to London?"
"I wanted your guidance regarding the previous war, Lord El-Melloi II," Rin said plainly.
"You came all the way from Japan just for advice?"
He was sharp. She supposed there was no reason to hide it any longer.
"I'm searching for a catalyst. Can you help me obtain one?"
A/N: Just wanted to let everyone know my schedule has gotten busy lately, so future chapters will likely be written a lot slower. Still, I'll try my best to write when I have time.