Chapter 295

"Do you understand now? Since I'm not a magus, this is the only way I can transfer mana to you."

Shinji explained earnestly, holding up one finger. His eyes showed no hint of malice, as if the kiss he had just given Saber was solely for the purpose of transferring mana.

"To think... it has to be done... this way..."

Saber turned her flushed face away, stammering. A small wisp of steam seemed to rise from her head, indicating her embarrassment.

"Why... why didn't you tell me... about this earlier? I... I..."

Seeing Saber struggling to speak, Shinji seriously and shamelessly... I mean, earnestly explained.

"I was worried you wouldn't believe me, that you would still think I'm a biased Master, favoring one over the other."

Saber felt a pang of guilt at Shinji's thoughtful explanation.

Maybe she had misunderstood her Master! Perhaps he had been avoiding giving her mana to spare her the awkwardness of this intimate act.

No wonder Shinji always replenished Rider's mana in private. Such behavior could easily be misunderstood if done openly!

"Alright, that kiss should have given you some mana, enough for tomorrow's activities. Let's leave it at that. You must be uncomfortable with this method, right?"

Seeing the sincerity in Shinji's eyes, Saber became convinced she had misunderstood her Master.

"Wait! Shinji!"

"Yes?"

"It really is just for replenishing mana, right?"

"Of course." Shinji nodded.

"You do the same with Rider, right?"

"Yes." Shinji nodded again.

"It's just a necessary act between Master and Servant to replenish mana?"

"What's wrong?"

"I..."

Saber, feeling a mix of shame and determination, turned her head away and clenched her fists. "Maybe in some ways, I can't match Rider, like setting aside my shame..."

Sensing something, Shinji quickly intervened. "Wait, Saber! There's no need to compete over this! It's not necessary!"

"No!"

Saber shook her head, her expression serious. "I am your Servant, and I will be for a long time. I can't let my shame cause you trouble! I need to be like Rider..."

"Wait!" Shinji interrupted, "There's no need for that! You are you, and she is she!"

"No! I must overcome this! Necessary mana replenishment shouldn't be something to be ashamed of! Master, please continue to give me mana!"

Seeing Saber's determined eyes, Shinji, who occasionally had a soft heart, couldn't help but give in again.

About ten minutes later...

Seeing Saber's red face, Shinji silently thought that her kissing skills still had a long way to go to match Rider's.

Although he wasn't particularly fond of Saber, what he did was indeed... stimulating!

"Just... a little more..."

Once her heartbeat settled, Saber, unable to look Shinji in the eye, placed her hand on her chest and whispered like a mosquito.

Feeling a slight pang of guilt, Shinji didn't stop and instead reached out, turned Saber's delicate face, and kissed her again.

...

After leaving Saber's room, Shinji marveled at her progress. In just twenty minutes, her kissing skills had improved significantly!

From being completely passive, she was... ahem!

In any case, he had fulfilled his duty as a Master, and that was enough. Lastly, he hoped Saber wouldn't lose sleep over this.

Her armor... was quite hard.

"Scumbag."

A passing young Servant muttered, shaking his head.

"Go play elsewhere!"

...

Today, everyone's mana was almost depleted due to the morning and afternoon battles with the tentacle monsters.

As the organizer of this island trip, Shinji felt he had to take responsibility!

So...

After seriously explaining, "I just want to check if anyone is feeling unwell due to lack of mana, and if necessary, I can selflessly offer my strength," he was kicked out of Rin's room.

"Get lost, you scumbag!"

Bang!

Despite being kicked out, Shinji didn't feel discouraged. His goal was just to check if anyone had physical issues due to depleted mana. From Rin's kick, he could tell she was fine.

Good, he felt relieved.

Now, where to go next?

Shinji felt a bit troubled.

Sakura's place? Bazett's place?

Sakura's result would be similar to Rin's, and Bazett... didn't seem challenging, so she could be last.

Wait!

Shinji suddenly remembered that there was another guest, a golden-haired ringlet girl who came as Gilgamesh's retainer (nominal Master)!

Whether he was familiar with her or not, she was a guest.

Hospitality must be shown to guests!

Showing concern for their well-being was basic courtesy.

Yes!

Shinji nodded, making up his mind.

Next stop, the golden-haired Finnish crane!

However...

Creak—

Rin reopened her door, poked her head out, and gave Shinji a look as if she were staring at trash.

"Listen, Shinji Matou. If you don't want to die, stay in your room and sleep tonight."

"Don't worry. I plan to do just that."

With that, Shinji turned to leave. Rin had told him to stay in a room, but she hadn't specified whose room.

As long as it was a room!

"If you cause any trouble with so many people around, I will kill you."

"Yes, yes! Don't worry. I'll stay in a room and sleep!"

Waving, Shinji walked away.

Watching him leave, Rin didn't realize the loophole in her words until Shinji disappeared around the corner. She then closed the door, retreating inside with dark circles under her eyes.

Rin was puzzled. If it weren't for her strong self-control, she might have actually let that scumbag stay overnight.

For some reason, in her weakened state, that scumbag was especially attractive! She couldn't stay in the same room with him for long, or she'd lose control!

"That scumbag..."

Cursing him, Rin chose to sleep.

...

Despite all his planning, Shinji hadn't accounted for Luvia bringing a butler. After being questioned relentlessly and denied entry to Luvia's suite, he gave up.

After confirming Luvia was fine and politely saying goodnight, Shinji went to his sister's suite.

Although he expected the outcome, he had to show concern. After all, Sakura's mana had been completely drained by the giant squid during the day.

If necessary, he could offer some blood.

Knock, knock.

As expected, Sakura's voice came from behind the door, without her opening it.

After learning that her brother was worried about her physical condition due to depleted mana, Sakura assured him she was fine despite the lack of mana.

With that, and a mutual goodnight through the door, Shinji headed to his last stop of the night—Bazett's room.

After knocking and receiving permission to enter, Shinji opened the door to the dark living room.

He closed the door and turned on the light.

Seeing Bazett, red-faced and seemingly prepared, sitting on the couch, Shinji put on his most gentle expression.

"Bazett..."

...

As certain indescribable things were happening, on the beach, Lancer, buried in the sand, woke up and dug himself out.

However...

Seeing the separate small house marked "Lancer" outside the villa, Lancer felt something was off.

Although the house had all necessary amenities, its location seemed odd.

Staring at the "Lancer" sign for five minutes, Lancer finally realized.

"This looks like a doghouse!"

Of course, in the quiet night, no one paid attention to Lancer. Only two suites still had lights on, with silent classes ongoing.

In the quiet night, only the sound of waves crashing against the cliff responded to Lancer.

Splash! Splash! Splash!

...

The next day, many people were noticeably out of sorts.

One was Saber, who couldn't seem to look Shinji in the eye and blushed when their eyes met.

Another was Bazett, even more affected than Saber.

Shinji, having replenished the mana of two Servants and a Keeper of Seals, spent the whole day yawning, lacking energy.

Sakura seemed fine, but her smile was unusually bright.

Rider, for some reason, silently followed Sakura, head lowered.

Lastly, Lancer was still complaining about his accommodation, but Shinji ignored him. After all, it was his choice to come along.

Not making him sleep outside was already considerate!