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-Fuyuki Town.
3rd POV*
Shiki returned to the house where he was greeted by Lawrence. "How was it? Did you encounter something interesting?" he asked observing the small excited smile on Shiki's face. Shiki stared at him before smiling, "Yes, I suppose that could be called an interesting meeting" she said making Lawrence curious.
"Alright, I won't ask about it. Let's enter, Bea already finished cooking the dinner" Lawrence said shaking his head. Shiki stared at him with complicated gaze, she ponders why Lawrence didn't delve more about it. And here she was wanting to share that fascinating encounter, however that line of thought didn't last long as Lawrence turned around again. This time he has a warm expressions plastered on his face, "I'll look forward to hearing your story later"
That made Shiki elated, both of them entered the house where the group are already sitting on the chairs only waiting for them. "You're 20 minutes late than normal woman, where have you gone?" Anastashia didn't forget to throw a meaningless insult at Shiki who was used to it. "I handled a problem that you have no possibility of solving" Shiki said placing her rear on the chair.
"Umu! Everyone is finally here! Let's partake already, I am famished!" Nero seemed overjoyed to know that all of them are already gathered. She is just a maid for today so she wasn't given permission to eat on her own. Bea gave her a scolding when she tried to ignore that. Now Nero is doing everything she has to ignore Bea's strained eyes.
The group ate their dinner in a joyous atmosphere, there are casual teasing but nothing revolves into serious fight, everyone respected the dinner table making them restrain themselves from doing something stupid. Anastashia even prevented herself from gluing towards Lawrence as that would break the atmosphere.
Shiki also shared her experience during that time astounding everyone. They could not believe that she met a Servant who purposely let her go without even doing anything to her. That would be most unreasonable thing that would happen in a Holy Grail War, as it is a war that every master would use cheap tricks just to get the advantage.
"He is a great figure, I can guarantee his identity as a ruler" Shiki said glancing at Nero who was stuffing herself with food. Nero paused seeing her gaze, "What? There is a magnanimous ruler infront of you! How could you be so blind to not see that" Nero looked at Shiki with pity probably thinking that she is so small minded that she could not even accept her presence yet.
Nero wiped a small tear threatening to drop from her eyes. Shiki twitched at that statement, she ponders how Nero grow to become a ruler with this quirky mindset. "Well, rulers tend to have a more unique mindset of their own, otherwise they wouldn't be rulers without it. Don't think too much Shiki, you will see soon, maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow" Lawrence mysteriously said smiling at Shiki.
"Hnn" Shiki groaned in acceptance. She decided not to think about it as it would only hurt her mind. "By the way Nero, how will you fare against the King of Conquerors? Do you think you will be able to win?" Lawrence asked Nero who tilted her head. "I cannot compare myself without even seeing the opponent but if you are asking me master then my answer will be simple. I'll win! Umu! What a perfect fit! Nero and Winning… Yes!"
Nero seemed to gain new enlightenment as she hummed in satisfaction. "She is a lost cause master, can you hand me the authority to fix her up?" Bea asked gazing at Nero who was still in her own world. This made her sigh as she was disappointed in this so called Emperor of Rose. "Uhh… sorry you can't do that Bea. Believe me, Nero is better this way" Lawrence scratched his cheeks responding to Bea.
Although dissatisfied, Bea didn't say anything. "Did you say something about me Master? Oh right, taste this new food I created Master! It has an exquisite taste!" Nero heard her name so she turned, however her attention was immediately drawn to the food which she claimed she created. "Hm? Are we having an Eldritch for dessert today?" Lawrence couldn't help but comment seeing the horrific lump of thing.
The evening ended with everyone fulfilled. Another morning came, all of them came down at the same time already seeing the breakfast served in the table. They thanked Bea for cooking and ate immediately. They are now relaxing in the living room with nothing to do. This is the moment when Shiki remembered the talked he had with Lawrence before. "Nero, let's fight" she said.
"Huh? Why?" Nero asked weird out by Shiki's sudden request. "I want to test myself with a proper Heroic Spirit. Lawrence said that my physical capability can now handle blow from people like you" Shiki told Nero her reason who took the idea differently. "Umu! I see! You deemed me the most suitable partner for your training right? As expected, my charm can even affect woman!" Nero proudly claimed.
Shiki deadpan at her but didn't refute her words, it would only cause unnecessary trouble arguing with someone like Nero. "Yes, yes. I was indeed charmed by you, so shall we start the fight?" Shiki just accepted her words and stared at Nero seriously. This time Nero stopped her haughty attitude and faced Shiki with utter seriousness. "Do know that challenging me will instigate you pain. Despite knowing that do you still dare to request it?" she asked.
Shiki without wavering answered. "Is that even a question?" Nero smiled hearing that. She can at least commend this girl's spirit for trying to confront her, it is without a doubt a commendable feat. "Anastashia, can you help?" Unexpectedly Shiki looked at Anatashia first instead of Lawrence. The words that she has spoken baffled even the person herself.
"Simple task" Anastashia gave a confident smile preparing her jewels. With the help of Bea, they managed to encircle the backyard with different kind of jewels filled with prana. Anastashia then started the ritual, she is currently creating the Bounded Field that Araya Souren made before, she was so fascinated by it that she can't help but study it more carefully.
Now regardless of not being able to create a perfect one, Anastashia can still manage a small one with the same properties as that Bounded Field. In other words, the Paradox. The backyard lit up from the jewels shining, the ritual then proceed to do its job. Anastashia began chanting controlling the way the jewels move. She fully comprehended what is happening and is delicately dominating the spell.
It didn't take long for Anastashia to create the same kind of Bounded Field. Araya Souren used many years just to cover the entire block with his Bounded Field and here Anastashia is doing the same thing within just minutes. Her genius mind easily supported her reputation, this made Anastashia pleased and frustrated at the same time.
She is satisfied that she can really recreate the Bounded Field that is almost touching the tip of Magic while dissatisfied because she has to use a lot of time and resources just to create a small one. Now that the stage was set, Nero and Shiki stood in the middle of the backyard facing each other. There was only determination in their eyes ready to show their might.
Nero already changed from the maid outfit in to her usual Red Military Dress. She deemed the maid outfit too uncomfortable for fighting hence why she took it. Nero has no doubt that Shiki is strong so she didn't let her guard down even just for a second in this confrontation. She is just excited with the thought of placing Shiki on her place.
"Umu! Although the stage is a bit lacking, I praise your talent Miss Ana! This is a beautifully made Bounded Field!" Nero smiled observing the change in her environment. She don't know what it will do but she can conclude that it won't hurt anyone or do them damage.
After the small time of appreciation, Nero faced Shiki who was already itching to start. "To honor this fight, I won't use items except for the Agility Dagger" Shiki said throwing the items that Lawrence has given her. After taking them off, she can instantly sense her strength being drained with the lack of items. Most of them enhanced her strength and speed after all, it is normal for her to feel weak without them.
"Items? Ohhh! What is that, that is so elegant!" Nero complimented specially seeing the Assault Cuirass which is designed delicately. "It is the items that Master has entrusted us. It can enhance our strength making us powerhouse that can handle Heroic Spirits on our own" Bea explained to Nero who just recoiled hearing her voice.
"I-Is that so? Umu! I must ask master for one of those after this match!" Nero seemed to have decided something as she hummed in satisfaction. "That's enough, let's start already" Shiki was getting impatient so she just cut off Nero's trance. "I suppose wasting time will do us no good. Let us proceed then" Nero brandished her sword pointing it at Shiki.
Shiki took a second to appreciate the sword, 'It indeed fit the owner perfectly' Shiki thought in amusement. Shiki shook her head and just readied her Blink Dagger, she positioned herself to a stance that she is most comfortable with.
Nero observed Shiki ready to accept her blows, though the next moment, she was taken aback when Shiki abruptly vanished from her location only to reappear beside her. Shiki was fast and caught Nero off guard yet Nero's full experience helped her resolved the situation by raising her sword and casually parrying the strike.
CLAANG!!
The sound of their clash was heard along with the shockwave produced by it. Shiki was about to continue her assault when Nero unexpectedly took a distance away from her. "Umu! Your strength is commendable! It would be a great addition to Rome's army! Now, show me your proper worth! Surely you don't end in that amount right?" Nero said smiling at Shiki.
She was fairly surprised that the first clash almost ended in her lose, she is now seeing Shiki in new light. If before she only thought of her as a girl who have a considerable amount of strength for a normal human then now, that changed. She displayed a much better movement than she initially thought, Nero can even compare her to some of the Heroic Spirits she has met before.
Shiki also didn't refuse her challenge, she readied herself as the second clash continued.