Chapter 177

Upon returning home after encountering some difficulty, Luvia was not at all discouraged. She had anticipated the opponent's pride, so it didn't exceed her expectations.

As a super-genius among commoners, and possibly a seventeen-year-old prodigy who mastered magic, Luvia thought she might also be somewhat arrogant if she were in his position.

She was just a bit displeased.

In the lounge (or war room), Luvia received a high-grade tea befitting her status from the butler, August, while contemplating her next move with a furrowed brow.

"Miss, the transfer procedures have been completed..."

"Yes, I know."

Luvia took a sip of her tea, then calmly placed the cup back on the table.

Although she disliked people who were arrogant because of their talents, this Matou Shinji was a bit special. After all, he was suspected of being capable of performing true miracles.

If he weren't arrogant at all, she might dislike him even more. Excessive humility could be infuriating.

"Miss, dealing with someone as confident and arrogant as the head of the Matou family won't be easy with ordinary methods. If force is used, we must also consider his combat capabilities. That maid today was undoubtedly a powerful Servant..."

August, standing by with a slight bow, adjusted his small glasses and continued to worry for his mistress.

"...So, we need to find another breakthrough point. If he's proud and conceited, Miss must appear even more so. If we can make him lose in this battle of pride and arrogance, then..."

Listening to August's words, Luvia picked up a few books titled "The Dominant Prince Falls in Love with Me" from the table, prepared by August, and frowned.

"So, you want me to read these commoners' delusional novels?"

August responded, "The situations are completely different, but some scenes can be referenced..."

Luvia, lacking interest, flipped open the first page and glanced at it casually. Upon seeing the scene where the heroine slaps the hero upon their first meeting, she couldn't help but feel it was too unrealistic.

This novel... is too irrational!

Why didn't the prince punish this rude woman and instead, left saying, "You've piqued my interest"?

Finding the novel increasingly fantastical, Luvia lost interest in reading further and tossed it aside. She then got up and went to bed.

Lying in bed, while inwardly mocking the novel's opening scene, Luvia felt there might actually be something to learn from it.

If the dominant prince and commoner girl scenario were to be applied to her, it might be more like—a truly dominant and invincible queen versus a somewhat arrogant little prince of a small country.

"To surpass him in pride and arrogance..."

As she thought about it, Luvia suddenly conceived a brilliant opening move—one that would leave a deep impression and showcase her distinct pride and arrogance.

"Oh hohohohoho..." Luvia laughed uncontrollably, her eyes gleaming with a predatory and strategic light, "Matou Shinji, this queen... will utterly crush your pride and arrogance!"

Meanwhile, having just returned home, Shinji felt an inexplicable shiver. He lamented inwardly about his fate of being constantly targeted by women (Karen, Luvia).

"Perhaps this is what they mean by 'beautiful women often have short lives.'"

Hearing Shinji's lament, Rider, who was cleaning up the chaotic banquet hall, couldn't help but scoff inwardly.

Her Master really lacked self-awareness. Among all the women who could tolerate him, apart from Sakura, it was probably just herself.

"Rider, goodnight. And... if you're up for it, we can continue tonight~"

Hearing this, Rider, who was washing dishes, subconsciously turned the faucet to full blast, causing water to splash everywhere...

Seeing Rider fumbling with the faucet, Shinji knew she wouldn't dare to act up for now and hummed a tune as he cheerfully returned to his room to sleep.

...

An hour earlier.

Realizing someone was chasing her, Miyu, in a panic, could only hide behind a tree in a small park, where she was found by Shirou, the embodiment of altruism.

Seeing her standing there, looking nervous and avoiding his gaze, with her little red feet from the cold, Shirou, though unsure of the situation, couldn't ignore someone in need.

"...So, do you want to come to my house?"

Seeing Shirou awkwardly scratching his head while extending his hand, Miyu stood frozen, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Seeing the girl cry, Shirou panicked. Did she see him as a bad guy trying to abduct a little girl? He hurriedly explained.

"I have no bad intentions; I just thought you might need help..."

"Yes! Thank you!"

Seeing the girl interrupt him and thank him sincerely with tears streaming down her face, Shirou sensed she had a secret. But so what? Helping a child in need didn't require overthinking.

"Well, come with me, um..."

Seeing Shirou troubled over what to call her, Miyu quickly introduced herself, "Miyu! My name is Miyu!"

"Oh, Miyu, that's a nice name. My name is Shirou Emiya."

I know...

Miyu pressed her small hand to her chest, her downcast eyes softening. She then lifted her head again, "Hi, Shirou-san!"

Seeing the girl's radiant smile through her tears, Shirou's expression softened as well.

No matter what, this child didn't seem like a bad kid, and that was enough for Shirou.

...

Seeing the familiar Emiya residence and the brother standing at the entrance saying, "Welcome, come on in," just like in her memory, Miyu's tears overflowed again.

"Hi, Shirou-san..."

Seeing the girl's glistening tears and the genuine joy they conveyed, Shirou's wariness disappeared, and he unwittingly said something that would get him taken away by the police if they were present.

"Miyu, take a bath first..."

...

The Magic Association acted swiftly, detecting seven unusual energy fields in Fuyuki's ley lines at night, immediately notifying Bazett, who was on a mission to retrieve the Holy Grail.

Receiving the new task, Bazett began her investigation without hesitation, thus missing out on a long-overdue private chat with Shinji, hoping for a next encounter...

After searching all night with her big dog, Bazett accurately identified the locations of the seven special energy fields. However, since these fields were in an unseen mirror world or a space layer, without a means to enter, she chose to report back to the Association.

The Association, upon learning this, quickly instructed Bazett to return and obtain the means to enter the mirror world before continuing her investigation.

So, before dawn, Bazett checked out of her hotel room, informed Shinji (by breaking down his door) that she was leaving, and boarded a return flight.

Shinji, who also sensed something wrong with the ley lines, didn't say much. He wanted to enter and retrieve a card for research but had no means other than using the system to take his physical body into the mirror world. Currently, he could only let his spirit enter, which had no combat power.

Using the system would cost a world-crossing opportunity each time, which was too wasteful.

Perhaps he could blast his way in—like with Gilgamesh's EA, but he couldn't command Gilgamesh, and such destruction was too powerful, damaging the building.

So, he could only wait for Bazett to return and hitch a ride to the mirror world, sneakily obtaining a class card for study.

Or perhaps...

Shinji suddenly thought of something. In the FHA storyline, there was a red gem in the box in the basement of a certain twin-tailed girl's house.

Although he wasn't sure if it was the same as the one in Magical Girl Illya, he remembered it had the same voice actress and no integrity.

Maybe this red gem could open the way to the mirror world. He needed to find a way to trick the twin-tails into lending it to him.

It might even be possible to recreate a magical girl in this world!

Although Illya wasn't a real loli, there was still Miyu!

Thinking it increasingly feasible, Shinji started planning how to trick the twin-tailed, short-skirted girl into handing over the red gem.

...

In anime, the weather was always perfect for the start of school, with cherry blossoms in full bloom. It was as if predetermined, never failing.

Today was such a day—

Standing at the school gate with Sakura, Shinji, hands in his pockets, looked up at the overly sunny sky and the cherry blossoms drifting down on a gentle breeze, feeling genuinely moved.

"Summer vacation is just around the corner."

A passing black-haired twin-tailed girl and a red-haired spiky-haired boy twitched their eyes upon hearing Shinji's remark.

"Shinji, summer vacation is still more than three months away..."

Shirou, in a good mood from helping a homeless girl last night, kindly reminded him.

"What are you talking about, Emiya? My life is basically one long vacation! Spring break is over, so summer vacation is next, right?"

"That's not a vacation! You're just skipping classes most of the time!"

The twin-tailed girl couldn't help but retort.

"I won't let you insult my life! Nor will I allow you to insult the word 'vacation'! Humans... are free! Human vacations should also be freely chosen!"

The twin-tails were infuriated: "What kind of theory is that! The one insulting your life is you!"

"Matou, the student council will implement strict rules regarding your absenteeism in the third year!"

Seeing Issei, who had somehow escaped the shadow of his revered older brother, Shinji smiled lightly and said, "Don't joke, Issei. You won't be the student council president in the third year."

"Shinji, since no successor was found, Issei is temporarily still the student council president..." Shirou kindly reminded him.

"What?!"

And so, the noisy, lighthearted school life resumed once again.