: Female Tyrant
On that day, the Matou household gained a mysterious masked woman.
According to Shinji, she was a friend of Justeaze and was invited to become a new teacher to instruct the three novice magi.
Although this new teacher had no prominent reputation in the magic world, her insight and ability to teach students were unquestionable. With just a glance, she could discern the magical attributes of Kariya and Sakura, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, providing them with corresponding advice that left the two unsuspecting individuals convinced and grateful.
Those with such keen eyesight and abilities were few and far between, and, to top it off, she was a woman who appeared in the Matou household. The answer was clear: the Servant summoned by Shinji, and also his teacher, Scáthach.
Later on, her assessment of Byakuya, who happened to pass by yawning, hit the nail on the head and left people in awe.
This is what she said.
"Indulging in wine and pleasure, excessive indulgence has already damaged your foundation even though you're only in your thirties. If you don't start taking care of yourself and intensify your training, you won't live past forty."
Byakuya was immediately dumbfounded. After six months, he had already become well aware of Justeaze's capabilities, and naturally, anyone Justeaze invited would be no ordinary person. There was no need to doubt someone's words.
With a "thud," Byakuya knelt down.
Currently, he holds great power, handling all the affairs of the Matou household, a far cry from the puppet head of the household he used to be. Although he was not someone who coveted power, having finally tasted the flavor of authority, he did not want to die soon.
Shinji could not bear to see this and stepped in to resolve this situation. "Since Shishou has spoken, she must have a solution. Follow her instructions, and I guarantee you a long and healthy life."
Shishou, that is how every disciple refers to Scáthach during their apprenticeship, and Shinji was no exception.
"Really?" Byakuya's eyes were filled with hope, inadvertently aligning with Scáthach's preference—honesty. When dealing with Scáthach, the most important thing was to be sincere without any pretense or concealment, even if it meant revealing one's evil or despicable side.
Scáthach didn't deny it; she simply said, "Given the condition of your body, it will be difficult for you to live to a hundred, but if you work hard, reaching your seventies or eighties shouldn't be a problem."
"Yes, from today onwards, I will do whatever you say," Byakuya said. In the end, a father and son were still father and son, and Byakuya's level of bachelorhood surpassed that of Shinji.
"Starting today, abstain from alcohol and promiscuity."
"Uh... understood," Byakuya hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Ultimately, his life became more important.
"Do not stay up past 10 PM."
"Yes."
"Wake up at 5 AM and join Shinji for my physical training."
"Yes."
With each answer, Byakuya's face grew more and more dejected.
She was a female tyrant, even more exaggerated than Justeaze was.
Farewell, my alcohol.
Farewell, young girls. (With Byakuya's level of courage, he didn't dare to covet Justeaze and Scáthach.)
Just as Byakuya trembled in fear, his soul in disarray, Scáthach suddenly spoke, "Female tyrant, is that your evaluation of me and Justeaze?"
"Eh?" Byakuya, whose secret thoughts were exposed, suddenly looked up and met with bewitching eyes.
"Wondering how I knew?"
Byakuya nodded stiffly.
"It's just because I've lived a long time," Scáthach said indifferently, though her slender figure and smooth skin didn't make her statement very convincing. "But I can't turn a blind eye when you're secretly disparaging the two ladies. Have you prepared yourself?"
Byakuya was completely frozen, unable to utter a word.
"Teacher, you look so cool," Sakura, who was curled up on the couch like a little cat, blinked her big eyes and had an expression of admiration on her small face.
Shinji feels that something is amiss. If a sweet girl like Sakura were to develop a strong and domineering personality, would it not be disastrous?
He quickly said to his sister, "Don't imitate the teacher, girls should be gentle. Be careful not to end up unwed."
Although Shinji's words were spoken softly, they did not escape the ears of Scáthach, who served as a mediator for Assassin. She casually picked up a coaster from the coffee table and threw it at Shinji, hitting him squarely on the forehead.
"Speaking ill of women behind their backs is also a loss of male dignity. It seems that you require proper education. Come with me."
"Yes," the father and son replied like defeated roosters, sulking as they followed behind Scáthach.
Left behind, Kariya and Sakura looked at each other and smiled, saying in unison, "Brother is an idiot."
Justeaze continued flipping through the books she found in the dusty inkstone collection, expressionless as if recent events had nothing to do with her. However, as she glanced in the direction Shinji had left, there was a hint of inexplicable emotion in her eyes, even though she did not understand it.
Regardless of what this emotion represented, this proved that she had taken another step away from being human, which was what Shinji had hoped for.
After a brief interlude, hellish and arduous training began.
Although Scáthach had an education policy of teaching without discrimination, tailoring her methods to each individual, her teaching style was the epitome of the Spartan. When she entered the teacher mode, she was completely different from her usual elegant and intellectual self. Instead, she was strict to the point of cruelty. Not only were the training exercises difficult and dangerous, but any slight dissatisfaction resulted in physical punishment. At the end of each class, no one was unscathed. However, this esteemed teacher had already prepared runes in advance to heal injuries, so after a short rest, everyone would be as good as new.
However, while the physical injuries healed, mental scars could not be erased.
Shinji and Sakura were relatively fine and were still young and growing. Scáthach showed some mercy in her teachings to avoid affecting their physical development. But Byakuya and Kariya, two adults, had it tough. They faced various challenges in their extreme training, fainting numerous times during exercise. They even expressed thoughts about running away. The difference was that Kariya never acted on those thoughts, whereas Byakuya did.
However, it was all in vain. Accepting Scáthach's guidance had only two outcomes: graduate or die. As long as you did not die, you had to persevere. So much so that during rare moments of leisure the two brothers would avoid Scáthach if they saw her.
Through training that constantly pushed them to their limits, every member of the Matou family experienced astonishing growth at an incredible speed.
Sakura is the fastest-growing in magecraft. She already possesses the most outstanding magical aptitude in the entire family. Her attribute "Imaginary" is similar to Scáthach's "Shadow." In just two months, she not only surpassed Shinji but also compared favorably with Kariya, who had magical crest assistance.
Shinji falls behind Sakura in magecraft, but his progress in martial arts and combat skills surpasses that of the other three. It is unclear whether he was influenced by Perseus' "Divine Descent,' but Shinji's physique is not like that of a modern person. Instead, it resembled the ancient era. With Scáthach's warrior guidance, changes in his body far exceed simple additions.
Kariya's aptitude is even lower than that of Shinji, and his body has passed its prime training period. Whether it is physical techniques or magical growth, he cannot compare his talented nephew and niece. However, his efforts and perseverance have earned him Scáthach admiration, and it will not be long before he sheds the label of a rookie.
As for Byakuya, his initial intention was not to enhance his strength but to improve his overall health. In this regard, he achieved remarkable results. Although his physique did not undergo any significant changes, his lines became more robust, and his entire body developed streamlined muscles. During business party outings, several "old acquaintances" even commented that he had become more manly. However, in front of Scáthach, he remained a low-profile hamster.
As time passed day by day, the spiritual veins beneath Fuyuki City became increasingly active, and the mysterious aura in the air grew denser.
Finally, one day, unexpected news shattered the unchanging life of the Matou family.
"Tohsaka Aoi and Rin will leave Fuyuki City and return to the Zenjou family the day after tomorrow."
PS: Scáthach's evaluation of Medb: "An irredeemable girl who loves mischief. She loves men too much. However, I don't dislike such straightforward people."
PS2: Scáthach's Evaluation of Fergus (Shōgan): "He loves women too much. However, I don't dislike such straightforward people."
PS3: Although Scáthach usually appears intellectual and gentle, when she becomes angry, she can beat people up. After Cu Chulainn became involved with her sister, Aoife, Scáthach flew into a rage and threw a giant stone at him.
PS4: Cu Chulainn graduated from Scáthach's training after studying with her for one year and one month, demonstrating Scáthach's teaching level.
Note:
+1 Bonus Chapter if this work received every 100 Power Stone.