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Before dawn broke, the small warehouse in the corner of the garden was peaceful and quiet. Inside, Riveria sat cross-legged, fully focused on practicing the magecraft techniques taught by Shirou. Gracefully, she closed her eyes and tried to channel prana through her magic circuits. This time, she concentrated on her ears, something she had never attempted before.
Slowly but surely, Riveria began to notice a change. A warm sensation spread from within her body to her ears, and the world around her seemed to come alive. The soft sound of the wind, the rustling of leaves, and even her own heartbeat became clearer than ever before.
"I did it..." she murmured softly, almost in disbelief. A faint but genuine smile graced her usually dignified and elegant face. It was a significant achievement for her, despite its apparent simplicity. She had repeatedly tried to perform Reinforcement on her body, but this was the first time she succeeded in enhancing her ears—a particularly sensitive area for an Elf like herself.
The joy of success made her eager to move to the next step: enhancing her vision. However, as she began to contemplate the process, doubt crept in. Riveria knew that eyes were incredibly delicate, and a mistake could have dire consequences. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
"Stay calm, don't rush..." she whispered, reassuring herself. She decided to wait for Shirou—her teacher and the one who, unbeknownst to him, made her heart race.
Riveria glanced at the warehouse door patiently. "He should be here any moment," she thought. In the meantime, she replayed the techniques Shirou had taught her in her mind, ensuring she hadn't missed a single detail. As she waited, her face reflected a rare softness, a sign of both enthusiasm and admiration for Shirou.
With her newly reinforced Elven ears, Riveria heard footsteps approaching the warehouse. The gentle sound of shoes on the ground and the creak of a small door outside reached her clearly. Her face turned slightly red—not just from her training success but because she recognized those steps. Shirou had arrived.
Riveria closed her eyes briefly, recalling an embarrassing incident from a few days prior. That morning, in her haste to find Shirou in the dining hall, she hadn't realized she was still wearing her nightgown. Her face flushed as the memory surfaced, and the quiet laughter of her Familia members watching the scene replayed in her mind.
She lightly patted her cheeks with both hands, trying to shake off the embarrassment. "No," she whispered determinedly. "This time, I will act as I always do—graceful and elegant." Taking a deep breath, she steadied her rapidly beating heart.
The warehouse door opened slowly, and Shirou stepped inside with light, measured steps. Riveria greeted him with a soft, elegant smile, still seated cross-legged on the rug. "Good morning, Shirou," she said in a calm tone, though her heart was racing faster than usual.
Shirou returned her smile warmly. "Good morning, Riveria. It feels like it's been a while. The last time we trained together was four days ago, before the Knossos expedition." He closed the warehouse door behind him and walked closer.
Riveria gave a small nod. "Indeed, it does feel like a long time," she replied. "How is your body holding up after the expedition? You must be exhausted."
Shirou shrugged with a small smile. "Honestly, not too bad. I'm more worried about you overexerting yourself after that expedition, especially with this magecraft training."
Riveria was slightly taken aback by his concern but quickly composed herself. "You don't need to worry, Shirou. This is just light practice. Besides, I feel like I'm getting better at Reinforcement. In fact, I successfully enhanced my ears this morning," she said, subtly proud yet maintaining her elegance.
"Really?" Shirou looked both surprised and impressed. "I'd love to see how much progress you've made. You must've been working hard."
Hearing his praise, Riveria smiled gently, hiding her delight. "Of course. After all, I wouldn't want to disappoint my teacher, would I?" she teased lightly. Yet, in her heart, she knew this training was more than just improving her abilities—it was a way to spend time with Shirou.
Shirou sat cross-legged on the rug across from her, recalling the plan he had for today's session. "Today, I want to teach you how to create a Bounded Field," he said seriously yet warmly, his eyes watching Riveria closely to ensure she followed his words.
Hearing this, Riveria's smile widened, her curiosity piqued. "I'm very interested! Creating a Bounded Field sounds like a fascinating lesson." But before Shirou could continue, she raised a hand gracefully. "But Shirou, before that, I have a question. How can I apply Reinforcement to my eyes? I'm still hesitant to try it alone for fear of injuring myself."
Shirou nodded, understanding her concern. "Alright. I'll explain the steps in detail." He carefully outlined how to focus prana, channel energy slowly into the eyes, and avoid exerting excessive pressure. His voice was calm and attentive, holding Riveria's full focus.
After finishing his explanation, Shirou added, "It might be better if I demonstrate it directly." He touched both sides of his face, closed his eyes, and channeled prana into them. When he reopened his eyes, they emitted a faint glow, showing that the Reinforcement was successful. "This is the result," he said.
Riveria watched him with admiration, though her curiosity wasn't fully satisfied. "Shirou," she said softly, "Could you try it on me? I'd like to experience it firsthand."
Shirou was taken aback, a wave of awkwardness washing over him. "Riveria, I... I'm not sure that's a good idea. The eyes are such a sensitive part of the body. If I make a mistake, it could hurt you," he said, scratching the back of his head, and searching for another excuse.
However, Riveria simply closed her eyes gracefully, a faint smile on her lips. "I trust you, Shirou. Whatever happens, I'll accept it," she said calmly, her tone so reassuring that Shirou found himself unable to refuse.
Shirou was stunned. In silence, he observed Riveria's serene face, her eyes closed with confidence, making her look both beautiful and fragile. An unusual feeling stirred in his chest, causing his heartbeat to quicken.
With slightly trembling hands, he gently touched Riveria's eyelids, almost as if he were afraid of hurting her. "Alright... I'll try. But let me know immediately if you feel anything wrong," he whispered.
Closing his own eyes briefly to steady himself, Shirou activated Structural Analysis to map the structure of Riveria's eyes. Then, with utmost care, he channeled prana to reinforce her Elven eyes. Throughout the process, he could sense the intricate perfection of her eyes' physical structure, prompting him to be even more cautious.
"It's done," Shirou finally said, slowly pulling his hands away. "Try opening your eyes."
Riveria opened her eyes slowly, as if afraid of breaking the beauty of the moment. When she looked around, a radiant smile appeared on her face. "Amazing! My vision is so much sharper. Shirou, you're truly incredible!" she exclaimed with excitement.
Shirou let out a relieved sigh, his smile returning. "I just did my best. But don't rely on me too much. You'll need to practice so you can do it on your own."
Riveria nodded, her eyes still sparkling with joy. "Of course, Shirou. But I must admit, having a teacher like you is a blessing."
She gently touched her eyes, trying to sense what Shirou had done. Carefully, she activated Structural Analysis, attempting to understand the flow of prana within her eyes. A strange yet familiar sensation emerged as she detected the energy Shirou had infused. "So, this is how it works…" she murmured, noting the amount of prana used and its precise placement in her eyes. With a growing understanding, Riveria smiled slightly, pleased with her progress.
Shirou, standing near the warehouse door, dusted off his pants. "Alright, now it's time for me to show you the Bounded Field I've set up around this warehouse," he said as he walked outside.
Riveria stood and eagerly followed Shirou out. Once outside, Shirou gestured around the area as if indicating the space. "The concept of a Bounded Field is fairly simple," he began. "It's like an invisible barrier created using prana to detect or protect a specific area."
Riveria listened attentively, her recently enhanced vision allowing her to focus on every detail. She nodded slowly. "So, it's like a barrier to detect intruders?" she asked, seeking clarification.
"Exactly," Shirou replied as he walked toward one corner of the warehouse. "At the four corners of this building, I've placed magic stones. These stones are connected by pathways I created using this metallic paint." He pointed to a thin silver line encircling the warehouse, faintly shimmering in the morning light.
Riveria crouched to touch the metallic pathway. Carefully, she activated Structural Analysis again, studying the structure Shirou had constructed. She could feel Shirou's prana flowing steadily through the pathway, connecting each magic stone. "I can feel your prana here," she said with admiration. "You're really efficient with your use of prana."
Shirou smiled faintly at the praise. "I make sure this pathway stays active while I'm here. If anyone moves within this area, I'll sense it immediately. No one can enter without me knowing," he explained, pointing to the painted line forming a square around the warehouse.
Riveria stood up and looked at Shirou with curiosity. "Do you have to refill the prana in this Bounded Field regularly to keep it active?" she asked, delving deeper into the mechanics.
Shirou nodded lightly. "Yes, I recharge it every time before our training sessions to ensure it remains active. It's become a routine for me." He slipped his hands into his pockets and continued casually, "It's not difficult—just takes a few seconds to recharge. Plus, it keeps this place safe for us to train without worrying about prying eyes."
Riveria nodded again, impressed by Shirou's dedication to securing their training area. "I think I need to learn how to create something like this myself. It seems incredibly useful in certain situations," she said with a small smile.
Shirou looked at her with a warm smile. "You've learned so much in just a few days. If you keep this up, I'm sure you'll be able to do it effortlessly."
He glanced at the green meadow stretching beside the warehouse, the gentle breeze ruffling his hair. Turning to face Riveria, who stood nearby, he asked, "Do you think it's okay if we mess up that meadow for training? I know it might go against the rules about keeping this place clean," his tone carrying a hint of hesitation.
Riveria, who typically held cleanliness and nature's beauty in high regard, felt a moment of doubt. But this time, for the sake of the lesson led by Shirou—a man who had quietly captured her heart—she considered making an exception. After a brief moment of thought, an idea came to her. "Then why don't we just use Projection?" she suggested with a gentle smile. "That way, we won't actually damage anything. You can dissolve everything back into prana once we're done."
Hearing her suggestion, Shirou smiled. "That's a great idea. Alright, I'll project what we need." With a slight focus, he raised his hand. "Trace... on," he murmured. In an instant, some magic stones, a can of metallic paint, and a brush materialized in front of them. He handed them to Riveria with a small nod. "Here, give it a try."
Riveria took the items, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. "Alright, I'll give it a shot," she said as she walked to the middle of the meadow. Kneeling down, she arranged the magic stones into a triangular formation, slightly different from what Shirou had taught her earlier. Then, carefully, she opened the projected can of metallic paint, dipped the brush, and began drawing lines to connect the stones.
Shirou stood nearby, watching her every move. "Good. Make sure the lines are unbroken. The flow of prana will be more stable if the connections are seamless," he reminded her gently.
Riveria nodded, fully focused on her task. When she finished the last line, she stood up and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "It's done," she said, gazing at the triangle she had created.
Shirou approached, inspecting her work with a satisfied smile. "Good job. Now, try activating it with your prana and feel the flow," he suggested.
Riveria closed her eyes, concentrated her thoughts, and began channeling prana into the Bounded Field. Within seconds, she felt the resonance from the three magic stones connected by the metallic paint. "I can feel it," she said excitedly. "The flow is stable, and I can sense the boundaries of this Bounded Field."
Shirou nodded, pride evident in his expression. "That's an excellent first step. You're learning quickly, Riveria."
Riveria smiled softly, her heart fluttering slightly at Shirou's praise. "It's all thanks to your guidance," she replied gently.
In the distance, Aiz, who was practicing with her sword, completed her final move and sheathed her weapon. Her gaze shifted to the meadow near the warehouse, where she noticed something unusual. Riveria, whom she had always seen as motherly and graceful, was crouched on the grass, drawing something with metallic paint. The sight was peculiar enough to pique Aiz's curiosity, prompting her to approach.
Her steps were light and swift, as usual, until she stood close to Shirou and Riveria. "What are you doing here?" she asked in her usual flat tone, though her eyes betrayed her curiosity.
Shirou turned and gave a faint smile. "I'm teaching Riveria about magecraft, specifically how to create a Bounded Field," he explained, gesturing toward the triangle on the ground.
Aiz remained silent for a moment, realizing she had nearly misunderstood the situation. Though her face remained calm and expressionless, she felt a hint of embarrassment for assuming Riveria was randomly defacing the meadow. "Oh, I see," she said quietly, then added, "In that case, I'll leave so I don't disturb you."
But before Aiz could step away, Shirou called out to her. "Wait, Aiz," he said, making her pause. "Actually, you could help Riveria with her training."
Aiz furrowed her brows in confusion. "Me? But I don't understand magecraft. How can I help?" she asked, her tone uncertain.
Riveria also looked curious. "Yes, how could Aiz help? Isn't this more about prana usage?" she asked, glancing at Shirou.
Shirou nodded, his smile full of confidence. "You'll both understand in a moment. Riveria, sit in the center of the Bounded Field and focus on sensing its flow," he instructed.
Riveria complied without asking too many questions. She sat cross-legged in the middle of the triangle she had created, closed her eyes, and began concentrating to sense the energy around her. "What should I do now?" she asked, her eyes still closed.
Shirou then turned to Aiz. "I need you to step in and out of the triangle's boundary. Jump over the painted lines a few times, but do it with your usual movements," he explained.
Although still slightly puzzled, Aiz obliged. With light steps, she leaped out of the triangle and then back in, repeating the motion several times with her characteristic silent grace. Each movement was precise and controlled.
"How about it, Riveria? Are you sensing anything?" Shirou asked after a while.
Riveria opened her eyes slightly, then closed them again, trying to immerse herself in what she felt. "Yes," she said softly. "I hear a faint whirring sound every time Aiz steps out or back in. My elven ears twitch with every change. It's like waves of energy reflecting off the boundary."
Shirou smiled with satisfaction at her response. "Good. That's one indication that the Bounded Field is active. For me, I usually feel a slight jolt in my body when someone enters or exits my Bounded Field. You're on the right track, Riveria," he praised her.
Aiz glanced at Shirou and Riveria, still not fully grasping the technical aspects of magecraft, but pleased to have been helpful. "What else should I do?" she asked, ready to continue.
Shirou smiled faintly, shaking his head. "I think that's all we need to do for now. Your magecraft training is complete, Riveria. You picked it up remarkably quickly, and that's impressive," he said, his tone satisfied.
Hearing his praise, Riveria's cheeks flushed slightly. However, despite her happiness, she felt reluctant to end their time together. She looked up at him with a slight protest in her voice. "But there's still time before breakfast, isn't there? Can't we do something else? I think this lesson could be expanded."
Shirou looked a bit perplexed, his expression reflecting uncertainty. "Uh, well… what do you want to do?" he asked, trying to find a compromise.
Aiz, who had been silent until now, suddenly raised her hand like a child asking permission. "If I may," she said calmly but with curiosity, "maybe Shirou could show us some magecraft you haven't demonstrated before?"
Riveria immediately nodded in agreement, her eyes lighting up. "That's a great idea. But if possible, show us something related to what we learned today," she said, pointing to the metallic paint can near them.
Shirou scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, hesitant. "Honestly, I'm not sure this will work… or if it will even be useful. But alright," he said at last. He picked up a clean brush, dipped it into the paint, and walked toward an empty patch of the meadow.
With slow, deliberate movements, Shirou began drawing something on the ground. Line by line, a complex pattern emerged. A large circle formed the core of the drawing, adorned with symbols and inscriptions unrecognizable to both Riveria and Aiz. There was something ancient and enigmatic about the design.
Riveria watched intently, her curiosity deepening. "What is this? It seems more intricate than a Bounded Field," she asked, stepping closer for a better look.
Shirou gave a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the circle he was nearly finished with. "This is a Summoning Circle. In my old world, circles like this were used to summon… something. I discovered this design back in my workshop," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. Memories of Saber surfaced in his mind, bringing a warmth and slight ache to his chest.
Aiz approached, standing beside Riveria. "Summoning something? Are you going to try it now?" she asked in her usual flat tone, though her eyes revealed great curiosity.
Shirou paused, gazing at the circle with eyes full of emotion. "Probably not. I don't know what might appear in this world. This circle is more of a… reminder. A way to honor where I came from," he said softly, his voice heavy with meaning that was hard to put into words.