Chapter 186: Simultaneous Show-downs

During that time, the light that separated from her converged on top of her. It took shape of a cup before it materialized. Surprisingly, the cup looked extraordinary even though it's a relic at best. Though, Shiro didn't mind this as he attracted it to his hand.

"The Lesser Grail..." Sella mumbled.

As she knew about Illya being the Grail's vessel, she wasn't surprised much. In fact, she had long accepted that the three of them will fall into this war; for their existences are crucial to attain the True Magic. That's why she sincerely took care of Illya and made the best out of their time.

However, she realized that their future might've changed with the intervention of the boy in front of her.

"Ojou-sama..."

*****

A few minutes ago.

Just before Shiro fought Sasaki Kojirou in the Torii Gate, three people found themselves inside the Ryuudou Temple. Surprisingly, they appeared not far from EMIYA who is staring at the moon peacefully.

"...Hm."

After seeing them, he calmly nodded and transferred his thoughts to his new master, Medea.

"Leave him to me." Shirou said.

Rin tugged the sleeve of his jacket as she worriedly said, "Emiya-kun."

"I see. Good luck, Emiya."

Meanwhile, Sayaka is more carefree and went ahead to intercept the incoming Servant. Seeing this, Rin stopped being anxious and bid him good luck. Furthermore, while she kept her expression normal, her ears are as red as a tomato.

After all, she considered kissing him in the cheek before they parted!

'What am I thinking? Did I get infected with my teacher's romantic life?!'

From the moment she discovered Shiro's identity as a Magician, she really thought about asking him if he accepts students. It's not that unreasonable, however, as Magicians represent the peak of mages. Furthermore, he really seemed mysterious when talking with her.

Though, she really didn't expect for him to ask her first.

Seeing two of Shirou's comrades leave them alone, EMIYA raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on it. Though, he's also confused as to where he got the confidence to fight him alone.

"You're planning to fight alone?"

"That's right." Shirou sported a determined look, surprising EMIYA. "Even if the path in front of me is one wrought with thorns, I would still walk on it."

For a moment, EMIYA had an illusion that the Shirou in front of him is vastly different from a few days ago. He doesn't know the reason behind his changes, but he decided to confront him seriously.

"Then, show it to me."

Simultaneously, the began chanting:

""I am the bone of my sword.""

""Steel is my body, fire is my blood.""

""I have created over a thousand blades.""

""Unknown to death; nor known to life/Unaware of beginning; nor aware of the end.""

""Have withstood pain to create many weapons/Withstood pain to create weapons, waiting for one's arrival.""

""Yet, those hands will never hold anything/I have no regrets. This is my path.""

"So as I pray..."

"My whole life was..."

Reality started bending itself as the two are about to finish their arias. Their eyes came in contact with each other, telling the other of their own determination.

EMIYA is determined to end the suffering of a "Shirou Emiya" in one world.

Shirou Emiya is determined to fight for his ideals until the very end.

""Unlimited Blade Works!""

Instantly, their surroundings became that of a wasteland. The only strange thing is that the clock gears and the dreary clouds are only present in EMIYA's side. In Shirou's side, it is a clear sky devoid of anything that blocks the rays of sunlight.

Bzzzt-!

A bolt of green lightning appeared in Shirou's hands before it turned into the two blades that he's the most accustomed to—Kanshou and Bakuya.

Coupled with his experiences in the other world, it is not wrong to say that he has the bearings of a fighter. At least, this fight won't be a one-sided one.

Tacitly, both of them projected their own weapons. EMIYA is surprised to see that Shirou is able to project some Noble Phantasms that he hadn't shown, but he attributed it to the change that he'd experienced.

They looked at each other once more and knew that it is time.

Their fight has begun.

*****

On the other side, Rin and Sayaka is facing Caster who is continuously bombarding them with magecraft. The former relied on her [Reinforcement] being strong enough to dodge them while the latter immediately transformed into her [Doppel] state and confronted Kuzuki.

Bam-!

Bam-!

"Souichirou-sama!"

"You won't get to!"

Rin threw more than ten jewels at Medea before making them explode. Since they are at least decades old, the mysteries gathered in them is considerable. Yet...

...this "considerable" level, her teacher gave around hundreds at the very least.

"Tsk! An annoying bug!"

While Medea is frustrated, Rin is feeling amazing right now.

"So this is how it feels to squander money?"

If it's her from before, she definitely wouldn't have thought that there will be time when she throws such jewels like pebbles.

Bang-!

Bang-!

Bang-!

Not long after, Medea realized that she wouldn't be able to defeat Rin easily.

"Since Souichirou-sama has my mark..."

Confident that the magecraft in Kuzuki's body would nullify her own magecraft, she started casting her big move.

Magic circles started appearing in the skies of the Temple. It became large and numerous enough to cover the entire Ryuudou Temple. Rin and Sayaka noticed the abnormality a second later, but Medea's [High-speed Divine Words] are still faster.

Boom-!

Boom-!

Boom-!

"[Rho Aias]!"

Sayaka didn't forget to launch a few projections at Kuzuki's direction before fending off the lasers using the trojan shield. Although, it began cracking slightly due to the sheer intensity of the magical laser attacks.

Meanwhile, Rin hastily put up a [Mana Barrier] that compressed mana to its furthest, forming a solid wall that is focused on both physical and magical attacks.

Still, it couldn't last long under these barrage.

"Tch. If this doesn't work..." Rin lowly mumbled. "[Please lend me your power]."

That moment, she felt a force randomly selecting between the connections that she has. Soon, it stopped into the Rin who claimed to be a space commander.

She heard a hum as soon as it was finished. Even though she doesn't know what is it, the hum simply transmitted this knowledge:

'Space Ishtar—1st Form.'

Immediately, her control over mana became way stronger, allowing her to fix the cracks on her shield. Not only that, she also received a temporary katana and a gun in her waist.

"This..!"

The weapons didn't contain mysteries, which made her think that they're mundane weapons. Though, she soon changed her thoughts as she felt the strange aura surrounding these weapons. They're not mysteries, but something that belonged to mankind.

What's more, she instantly knew how to use the katana in her waist. She felt that it's only temporary, but what she could learn permanently is up to her.

Clink-!

Without hesitation, she unsheathed her katana, letting out an intimidating aura that belonged to the space commander who fought many battles.