"What?"
Shirou was completely confused, while Rin had a strange expression, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing, her mouth twitching, and her face dark with frustration.
"What do you mean, 'what'? I said you were accepted."
Shinji put his hand on Shirou's shoulder, looking genuinely at Shirou's face, acting as if he had selflessly opened the back door for his friend.
"After all, we are friends!"
Seeing Shinji's sincere face, Shirou felt deeply moved, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Shinji..."
"And, I'll find you the best magic teacher suited for you. Because... we're friends!"
"Shinji...!"
At this moment, Shirou's emotional connection with Shinji reached a hundred percent, tears welling up in his eyes. If it weren't for their genders, Shirou might have... cough, cough!
Seeing Shirou so touched that he seemed ready to pledge his life, Shinji thought he should find a time to talk with Archer. After all, he had promised Shirou the best possible teacher.
Archer wasn't particularly fond of Shirou, right?
So, making him Shirou's teacher would be perfect.
They were part of the same system, and Archer had studied at the Magic Association in his lifetime. This arrangement was perfect!
Shinji wasn't worried about Archer refusing.
After all, if Archer heard that he could openly teach Shirou and even assign him lots of homework, he would probably agree without hesitation.
Shinji wondered how Shirou would feel when he saw "Teacher Emiya" on his first day. He might even thank Shinji face to face out of excitement.
"Hey, Emiya, don't be fooled by him. I think that school is just..."
"Ahem!"
Shinji quickly covered Rin's mouth with his hand and put on a serious face again, "Tohsaka, actually, the organization has an important mission for you!"
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Don't worry, only you can complete this mission!"
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Okay, the mission..." Shinji was interrupted as Rin broke free and bit his hand, "Are you a dog?!"
"You're the dog! And by the way, I never joined your organization, nor will I ever!"
"Is that so? Then it's a pity. I was thinking that if you joined, the organization might consider sponsoring your tuition for studying at the Clock Tower..."
Shinji shook his head regretfully.
"Well, if you don't want to, then..."
"Wait!" Rin interrupted, squinting her eyes, looking serious, "What's the mission?"
"Very simple, just like patriotic students throughout history, study hard abroad and bring back the knowledge to benefit your country!"
Seeing Shinji give a thumbs up and wink, it took Rin a few seconds to understand what he meant – to bring the knowledge of the Magic Association back to the organization!
"If you do that, you'll definitely become the Magic Association's number one target. Do you believe that?" Rin frowned, feeling exasperated. She had never seen someone so shameless!
"Emiya, could you bring us some tea?"
"Oh, sure!"
After Shirou was sent away, Shinji crossed his legs and continued casually, "Don't worry, the Magic Association wouldn't dare go all out against me. The cost could be a disaster that might destroy the world. They can't afford it."
Seeing Shinji give a thumbs up and smile, Rin fell silent.
If anyone else said that, Rin would think they were crazy. But when Shinji said it, she believed he was genuinely prepared.
If the Magic Association crossed this man's bottom line, his retaliation wouldn't just target them; it would make the whole world suffer.
He was that selfish and crazy!
"What exactly do you mean by 'cost'?"
"Just making the mysteries of this planet known to everyone. How about that? Pretty ordinary, right?"
Rin: ...
Seeing Shinji's nonchalant expression, Rin suddenly realized she had underestimated his madness. His methods were as cruel as the worst demons!
But...
She could only pray the Magic Association wouldn't provoke him lightly, because he really might go all out, leaving no room for negotiation.
Making mysteries known to everyone would cause unimaginable chaos. Once people knew about selfish magi, riots would be inevitable.
Not even the government could suppress it!
Just as Shinji said, no organization could bear such a cost.
"Shinji, you really do things thoroughly. Do you realize if these words get out, how the Magic Association and every organization aware of mysteries would treat you?"
"Don't worry, they can all come at me. If I can't beat them, I'll run. Then, bit by bit, I'll spread the mysteries, driving them crazy until they despair completely."
"I've said it before, I'm very selfish. I don't care what happens to others. The world's destruction? Humanity's extinction? Not my problem."
Seeing Shinji's indifferent attitude, Rin gave up trying to reason with him. It was pointless.
This was Matou Shinji's nature!
"What if they threaten you by harming those you care about?"
"When did I ever give the impression that I can be coerced? No one can make me compromise. Threats? They'll only make those foolish enough to try regret it even more."
Hearing this, Rin finally understood the domineering side of this usually carefree man.
He not only had a calm mind but also a hidden domineering nature that he rarely showed!
"Of course, don't worry. I follow the principle of 'don't mess with me, and I won't mess with you.' So, as long as they don't touch my bottom line, I'll let bygones be bygones."
"You..."
Rin wanted to say more, but Shinji interrupted her again.
"Besides, I believe some old guy who enjoys watching the show will take responsibility and warn them. Otherwise, I'll just have to call him out for being disrespectful and start researching machines to travel to parallel worlds."
"What?" Rin was confused, then realized who Shinji was referring to.
"You mean... the Second Magic User, Zelretch?"
"Who else? Peeping into others' privacy like a pervert. So, if he doesn't want trouble, he should play his part in the Magic Association."
Saying this, Shinji glanced at a spot in the air, "Did you hear that?"
Rin quickly stood up, looking around and bowing repeatedly.
"Master, please don't mind him. He's a bit crazy. His words don't count. Wishing you long life and good health!"
"Tohsaka, you're cursing him. He's already lived for hundreds of years."
"Shut up!"
Rin glared at Shinji while silently admiring his courage to threaten a mage of Zelretch's level!
"Anyway, it's a small punishment for his constant peeping. I've long disliked that old guy. This time, he should know that peeping is a crime with me!"
"Shut up!"
"Listen, Tohsaka, your respect for him is your business. It doesn't stop me from disliking him."
Shinji felt a strange presence that had been watching him since he returned from the Naruto world disappear.
"Tch, annoying old guy."
Seeing Shinji's disdainful expression, Rin couldn't hold back anymore. She grabbed his shirt and gritted her teeth.
"Do you want to die quickly? He's a mage! He can easily kill you!"
"Don't be silly. If he really tries, I can escape. And... if I return to this universe, you'll be offering incense at his grave."
Seeing Shinji's sincere smile, Rin felt both angry and helpless. This man's confidence and arrogance were unshakable!
And he had the ability to back it up! Damn it!
"Wait, Shinji."
Rin suddenly noticed something, looking at Shinji with a strange expression, "What do you mean by 'this universe'? Escaping to a parallel world won't help if you clash with the Master. What are you talking about?"
Realizing his slip, Shinji shrugged, "This world and all its parallel worlds are just one universe to me. So..."
"Are there other universes?" Rin asked in shock.
"Who knows."
Shinji smiled faintly, taking the drink Shirou handed him.
"Thank you, Emiya."
"No problem."
Watching Shinji chat casually with Shirou again, Rin realized this man was far beyond her imagination.
He was unfathomable!