C404

Shirou had been putting in work, training Illya and her team for over a week.

Out of the three, Chloe was definitely the most combat savvy. And when it came to smarts and leadership, Miyu took the cake.

Illya, on the other hand, with her possession of the Grail's Crystal, was like a cannon ready to go off. With his guidance, the trio started to find their roles, and their coordination just kept getting better.

He acknowledged their efforts, and as a result, Illya and the others couldn't help but break into smiles.

Observing this team of Illya and her friends, he felt a sense of pride knowing they represented the new generation. As their senior, all he could do was offer them training advice.

Today was the weekend, and he had a plan to take them into real combat.

"Real combat?" Illya asked curiously, "Who are we going up against? Is it Gil-kun?"

Sapphire chimed in, "Why does Gil-kun pop into your mind when it's about real combat, Lady Illya?"

Chloe smirked, "Because that guy has a villain's face."

Miyu took a moment to think and then turned to Shirou, asking, "Is this about the Class Cards?"

He gave a confirming nod.

Initially, when he came back to Fuyuki City, his plan was to take down all the Heroic Spirits from the Class Cards. But the whole situation with Ruby put a pause on that, and he had to shift his attention to keeping an eye on Ritsuka and the Ruby. After his talk with Irisviel, though, a new idea started to form in his mind.

As time went on, he discovered the truth about Pandora from Gil and Astraea, and this new knowledge sparked even more thoughts and ideas in his mind. His guidance to Illya and the others had a hidden, somewhat impure purpose behind it.

Beyond simply enhancing their powers and improving their odds of surviving the uncertain and mysterious future of 2004, he also wanted to prepare them to stand by Ritsuka and support her when the time came.

In the end, he was just strengthening the people around him.

For Illya and the others, the Class Cards' Heroic Spirits were excellent practice targets. For this reason, he hadn't even taken back Saber Class Card yet.

Saber, in her Class Card mode, proved to be an incredibly formidable opponent, perfect for their training sessions.

Surprisingly, Artoria was entirely supportive of this training. However, watching Illya and the others defeat another version of herself in combat gave her an odd feeling.

At that moment, Gray arrived with some food, only to discover Miyu and the others happily following Shirou towards the city.

"Um... What are you all up to?" Gray asked cautiously.

Miyu replied, "Fujimaru-niisan is taking us for some real combat."

Gray glanced at the apple pies in her basket, unsure of what to say. Initially, Artoria used to make the food, and Gray learned to do the same.

Throughout the week, she had been making various fruit pies and bringing them to feed Shirou and the others. She earned the money for this through her part-time job. It was all tied to her values; she disliked inconveniencing others and didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

Illya flashed a warm smile and said, "Gray, why don't you come along too?"

Chloe chimed in, "Yeah, come along too."

Gray hesitated for a moment, feeling unsure. "Well... I... I might end up causing trouble for you all."

Why had she been coming to feed them so often throughout the week?

Maybe...

It was out of envy.

Despite arriving in Fuyuki City alongside Miyu, she couldn't help but notice how everyone else formed close-knit groups of friends, while Gray still found herself alone.

It wasn't much different from when she was in London.

Her feelings were conflicting. On one hand, she didn't want to trouble others, but on the other hand, she envied Miyu for having made so many friends.

Just then, Artoria, who was walking behind her, gently pushed her forward and earnestly said, "Go ahead, Gray. Don't be afraid to interact with people, and don't be afraid to make a little trouble."

"Your Highness..."

Artoria's serious expression softened as she spoke reassuringly, "I'll be right beside you. So, go ahead, make friends, express your feelings, be yourself, and don't be afraid."

Gray nodded earnestly.

Shirou glanced at Gray, who had caught up to them, and led the group to the riverside in the Shinshin-machi area near the newly built Fuyuki Bridge.

During his time using the Eternal King's Card, he had recorded the positions of the Class Cards scattered around Fuyuki City using his Noble Phantasm.

He asked Chloe to cast a spell to obscure their visibility and then used the abilities of the Ruby and Sapphire to open a gateway to the Mirror World.

As they entered the pitch-black world, before he could see the surroundings clearly, countless light cannons rained down on them.

He quickly used evil only to create a shield for himself, while Illya and the others faced the barrage of magical attacks.

Illya and Chloe were a bit flustered, but Miyu calmly said, "01, three o'clock, barrier. 02, ten o'clock, shield."

Hearing her instructions, Illya immediately set up a magical barrier at three o'clock, and Chloe placed several shields at ten o'clock.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom -"

The magical cannonballs poured down like rain, but the majority of them landed not too far from Illya and her others. Only a few were directed at them, but they were all blocked by the magical barrier and shields.

Miyu had already anticipated all of this.

Upon seeing the onslaught of magical cannonballs, she instantly calculated their trajectories and the potential area of impact on herself and her two friends.

Miyu remained calm and composed throughout the whole thing. but there was a slight oversight as some of the magical cannonballs were aimed at Gray, something she hadn't accounted for.

However, it turned out that it didn't matter.

As the magical cannonballs came hurtling towards her, Gray confidently wielded Add, transforming it into the form of a holy sword, and skillfully sliced through each projectile with grace and elegance.

"Gray, you're amazing!" Illya praised, causing a hint of a blush to spread across Gray's cheeks. She waved her hand, trying to downplay the compliment.

Shirou approached the group and offered his compliments, saying, "You all handled that brilliantly, and Miyu, your command was exceptional."

Miyu waved her hand, blushing slightly as she responded, "It's all thanks to Fujimaru-niisan's guidance. You once told me that a commander on the battlefield relies not on their physical strength, but on their strategic mind. Anyone can panic, but a commander can't."

"I'm glad you still remember my advice."

She lowered her head even further.

Chloe pouted and pointed to herself, asking, "Don't I have anything worth praising, onii-chan?"

"Hmm, let me think... No,"

Chloe: "..."

"Alright," he clapped his hands to gather their attention, pointed at the sky, and said, "Your opponent in this battle is up there."

They looked up and couldn't help but feel their scalp tingling.

The sky was filled with magic circles.

In the heart of those magic circles stood a female Heroic Spirit draped in a deep purple magic robe, skillfully commanding the magical cannonballs.

There was no doubt about it – she was their opponent in this battle.

It was none other than Caster Medea!

Approaching Gray, he commended her, "That swordplay just now was exceptional, Gray."

The praise made her blush, and she replied, "It's... it's nothing, really."

"By the way," he continued, looking at Add with a hint of nostalgia, "Add can also take the form of a sword."

"Yes, because Her Highness once mentioned that Add not only carries your holy lance but also her holy sword."

"So the Sword of Promised Victory is also hidden within Add?"

Gray nodded and timidly looked at him.

"Morgan really created an exceptional Mystic Code," he remarked with a smile.

Meanwhile, as they spoke, Medea's light cannons began sweeping across the land. However, Shirou and the others were not their targets; the destructive beams were aimed at other areas.

He glanced at the particular direction and remarked, "Looks like we're not the only ones after the Class Cards."

Luvia, with a determined expression (or rather, Astraea), pulled Rin along and rushed towards him.

Approaching him, Astraea composed herself, putting on a gentle and elegant smile as she stood by his side and greeted, "Greetings, King of Men."

He nodded, "Greetings, Goddess Astraea."

"Please, there's no need to call me 'Goddess Astraea'; just Astraea will do," she urged, sounding a bit anxious.

He nodded, "I understand."

Astraea's smile grew even warmer.

Meanwhile, Rin, catching her breath on the side, couldn't fathom what had just happened. She couldn't believe that a seemingly normal goddess like Astraea had pulled her into this chaotic situation as if she had gone completely mad.

"So, what brings all of you here?" he asked.

Casually twirling a lock of her hair, Astraea replied softly, "Rin is overseeing the leylines of Fuyuki City, but these Class Cards have been causing problems. I've come to assist Rin in clearing them up."

"I see..." He nodded in understanding, but he didn't continue the conversation.

Astraea began to feel a little anxious. Why wasn't there more discussion? Wasn't he supposed to discuss things further and potentially be involved in her host's destiny?

Just then, Rin interjected, asking, "What are you doing, Shirou?"

"I'm training Illya and the others."

After a brief pause, he added, "By the way, do you think you can leave these Class Cards to Illya and the others to handle?"

"Wait, training...?"

He nodded.

"I guess I have no other option. Fine," Rin sighed, then turned her attention to Astraea, who appeared a bit bashful while playing with her hair. In a slightly distressed tone, Rin said, "Lady Astraea, let's go."

Astraea's expression suddenly stiffened, and she looked at Rin with a hint of surprise. "Rin... Are you really leaving now?" she asked, sounding a bit reluctant.

Rin nodded, "Staying here would only be a burden."

She pouted, "But that witch is just a slightly accomplished magus from our era. I can handle her without even lifting a finger."

Rin pointed at herself and said indignantly, "But I might be in danger!"

With a reassuring smile, Astraea replied gently, "Don't worry. Rin is a good child. Luvia and I will make sure to keep you safe."

Illya chimed in, saying, "Yes, we'll protect Rin as well!"

Gray, feeling a bit shy, softly added, "Um... count me in too. I'll protect Rin."

Rin: "..."

At that moment, Sakura walked in from the void corridor and asked curiously, "Is someone trying to harm nee-san?"

After a pause, she approached his side and gazed gently at Rin. "You can rest assured; my brother and I will also protect nee-san."

Rin: "..."

"What is this! What the hell is this!" Rin weakly knelt down on the ground.

She felt a strong malice emanating from the world.

Reflecting on her life, Rin realized how tirelessly she had devoted herself to studying magecraft. Her pursuit of magical knowledge had been unwavering and more profound than even her twin, Luvia, who was also a formidable magus.

In the world of magi, Rin could easily be deemed a genius, with her remarkable achievements and dedication to magecraft throughout her life.

Yet, the outcome was disheartening.

Luvia was chosen by the goddess and became her vessel. Not only did she possess divine power, but her combat prowess and aura far exceeded Rin's.

And what about the people around her?

Her younger sister, Sakura, also awakened her Imaginary Numbers and got chosen by a primordial goddess, just like Luvia. It seemed like everyone around her was receiving some divine favor or powerful abilities.

As for Illya and her group... they had more than one Grail.

Then there was Gray. She possessed a holy lance and a holy sword, and to top it off, she still harbored the spirit of the King of Knights within her body. It was like a never-ending series of impressive feats for everyone but Rin.

And then there was Shirou...

Ugh, let's not even get started on that. He managed to single-handedly demolish the Fourth Holy Grail War when he was just six years old, earning himself the title of the legendary Eternal King.

Monsters were all around, and she was the only normal magus.

What on earth was going on?

In this moment, Rin couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of malice emanating from the world. It was as if everything was conspiring against her, and she couldn't understand why she seemed to be the odd one out amidst all these exceptional people.

She stood up and swayed towards the void corridor.

Astraea asked, "Rin, where are you going?"

Rin's voice was filled with emptiness, "I'm going home... back to Fuyuki. There's no place for me here anymore." Her eyes looked hollow, reflecting the deep sense of defeat and loneliness she felt in that moment.

...

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