Chapter 188

"What should we do, Rin?"

Archer, with his keen eyes and ears, asked Rin, who had just angrily hung up the phone, her face darkening.

Rin's clenched fist began to tremble as she struggled for three seconds before coming to a decision.

She clicked her tongue and raised her head, revealing a fierce expression. "Ignore those guys. Just remember that the guardian of Fuyuki City's ley lines is the Tohsaka family! Let's go, Archer!"

Watching Rin decisively walk towards the entrance, Archer chuckled and shook his head. Rin's personality really hadn't changed a bit.

But then Archer thought of something. When Rin asked him recently if there had been any unusual events, did Shirou taking in a magical girl count as unusual?

...

At the Matou residence, Illya, standing at the door, wanted to bite Matou Shinji out of sheer frustration.

"I'm sorry, my master caught a cold today. For the sake of the guest's health, please leave."

Looking at the very polite maid (Rider) wearing a mask and acting the part, Illya had a few choice words she wanted to shout at Shinji.

"Fine, tell him if he has the guts to stay hidden at home forever and never see me!"

After leaving this message and storming off, Rider suddenly realized that there was something odd about what Illya said.

What did she mean by "if he has the guts to stay hidden at home forever"?

What had her master done to this small, adorable girl?

Oh no! Matou Shinji, you scumbag, did you...?

The more Rider thought about it, the angrier she got. Her clenched fists made cracking sounds. Internal strife and external threats—how could she let herself be defeated?

Thus, a certain revolutionary spirit, previously doused by a high-pressure water gun, reignited within her, growing more intense.

...

At dinner, Sakura sensed something was off about her brother's natural expression but couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"Brother, where's Rider?" Sakura asked, puzzled.

"I don't know. She's probably busy," Shinji shrugged and continued eating the dinner his sister had carefully prepared.

"There was so much food tonight..." Sakura looked troubled.

"Don't worry, Sakura. I'll eat it all!" Shinji smiled, glancing under the table.

Dinner time, in the literal sense, was just dinner time for both servants and ordinary people.

Tonight, it was bound to be explosive.

...

At 4 AM, an hour after dealing with a rebel, Shinji finally opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.

After so many days of diligent training, his second spirit, Linghui, was nearly fully tempered. Once completed, his combat power would reach the level where he previously used the three-stage experience card to defeat Zouken.

Although he might still fall short of some of the top-tier combatants in the Nasuverse, he would be strong enough to tackle his next mission world with confidence.

His next mission was assigned right after completing the previous one, but the system recommended he rest and increase his strength before taking it on.

The system suggested a year of rest and power-up, but as a kind-hearted and charitable young man, Shinji had refused without hesitation.

He couldn't delay in bringing power to those who needed it across the worlds, helping them achieve their dreams. No delays were acceptable!

One month of rest at most!

The revolutionary spirit in Rider, snuffed out once more, reluctantly opened her eyes, glaring at Shinji.

This cold-blooded enemy commander showed no mercy. She had tried to lure him into a trap but failed. His forces were too strong, breaking through her defenses without giving her a chance.

Suddenly realizing her position, Rider wondered if she was the real clown in this situation.

"Rider, want to have a fight?"

"What?"

Rider was shocked. Did he still have the strength to fight?

Slap!

"Stop overthinking. I mean a real fight."

Confused by the slap on her butt, Rider was cautious, knowing her master's tricks. Every time he came up with something new to torment her.

Seeing Rider muster her strength, Shinji decided against a full-on fight, worrying he might break something.

"Never mind, I don't want to break anything."

Hearing this, Rider sighed in relief. If there were another fight, her defenses might be completely overrun.

But just as she relaxed, she felt something was wrong. Shinji took advantage of her distraction to sneak attack her!

Matou Shinji, you scoundrel!

Didn't you just say you didn't want to break anything?

What does this mean?

"Breaking in another sense is fine."

Hearing Shinji's whisper in her ear, Rider had no time to ponder the meaning, for it was already too late!

...

Watching Rider leave his room, blushing and exhausted, Shinji lay back on his bed, hands behind his head, smiling.

It wasn't entirely Shinji's fault. Rider was too greedy. He had warned her to retreat after the battle, but she refused, wanting to stay close to him.

Shinji didn't like sharing the battlefield with the enemy after a battle. Rider should have known this but still pretended ignorance to stay near him.

Greed led to its own downfall.

Shinji preferred sleeping alone, a habit from his previous life, possibly due to never having a real girlfriend.

Seeing the clock showing 6 AM, Shinji realized he still had time for morning training. He quickly got up.

Also, the battlefield was no longer suitable for rest.

Shinji trusted that Rider would clean up the battlefield once he left, so he didn't worry about it.

...

Spring had arrived, bringing new life. Magical girls were active in the streets and forests, fighting refreshed tentacle monsters awakening from frozen ground.

Running to a forest, Shinji concealed his presence, watching Miyu train under Saber's guidance with Shirou assisting.

Watching Miyu's attacks in her short skirt, Shinji couldn't help but curse the world's constraints, preventing any accidental glimpses.

She was just a child! How could you do this to her?

After watching for half an hour, Shinji decided to leave. Magical girls were just like that.

Besides, Sapphire suited Miyu better.

At least there were fewer constraints.

...

Before class, Shinji kindly greeted Rin, who had heavy dark circles under her eyes.

"Tohsaka, you look great today."

"Are you looking for a fight?" Rin's eyebrow twitched as she smirked. "By the way, you knew about the ley lines, didn't you?"

Shinji spread his hands. "Does it matter if I did? I'm not the guardian of Fuyuki or a mage. What does it have to do with me?"

Though infuriating, Rin couldn't deny he had a point. She could only seethe inwardly.

"Remember this..." Rin hissed through gritted teeth, then leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "By the way, where's that wand?"

"I don't know. After it helped me, kind-hearted me gave it its freedom."

"What?!" Rin slammed the desk, standing up. "Do you know what that wand is like? How could you let it go?!"

"Sorry, but it's my freedom. You have no say after renting it to me."

"Having money doesn't make you... Wait..." Rin's anger vanished as Shinji slowly pulled a check from his pocket.

"I'm in a good mood today. I was thinking of renting it for another month, but if you're so reluctant, then..."

Rin's attitude shifted instantly as she grabbed the check, her righteous demeanor returning.

"Of course, it's a legitimate business. I won't interfere with how you use it! Even if you use it as a toilet brush, I won't mind! How about renting it for a year?"

"Two months will do. I don't have much change on me."

No change? Rin looked at the check, wondering just how rich Shinji was.

Luvia, energetic as always, flicked her golden curls disdainfully. "As expected of the poor Tohsaka, getting excited over pocket change."

"What did you say?!"

Rin and Luvia's bickering continued, their love-hate relationship unchanged.

...

In the midst of dealing with a stomachache...

This was typed on my phone with one hand. Using voice input would be embarrassing (covering face)...