Unlock new chapters and exclusive illustrations at https://www.patreon.com/Rayish
The long-awaited day had finally arrived—the day of the War Game between the Hestia Familia and the Apollo Familia. The atmosphere in Orario felt different that morning. The city, usually busy with daily routines, was now filled with excitement and anticipation. Everyone was talking about the upcoming War Game, and it seemed as though the entire city had turned the day into a holiday. Everyone wanted to be part of this major event.
On that quiet morning, Shirou stepped out of Twilight Manor, taking a leisurely stroll after spending time in a storage room near the garden, where he had been training Riveria in magecraft earlier at dawn. As usual, their training took place before sunrise, while Orario was still asleep. Shirou had been regularly teaching Riveria about Reinforcement, one of the fundamental branches of magecraft, and had been witnessing her rapid progress. With this technique, Riveria could temporarily enhance the durability or strength of objects by channeling Prana. Today, Shirou smiled in satisfaction as he recalled how Riveria had finally achieved a 75% success rate in channeling Prana into the targeted object—a remarkable feat for someone new to magecraft.
As he walked through the streets, which were starting to get busier, Shirou enjoyed the fresh morning air. Around him, Orario's merchants were already setting up their stalls. A variety of goods, from food to trinkets, were neatly arranged, all prepared for the influx of people coming to watch the War Game. The entire city seemed to be in a festive mood, as though this wasn't just a battle between Familias but a grand celebration for all of Orario.
For many people, today was a special day. Shirou could feel the excitement in the air, even though he himself wasn't particularly interested in the crowd. His gaze wandered from one corner to another until something unusual caught his eye—in the distance, he saw someone hiding behind a building. It was Syr. She was wearing her usual uniform, but strangely, she seemed to be avoiding being seen. Her movements were quick, and she was clearly trying to avoid drawing attention.
Curious about what Syr was up to, Shirou stopped walking. Instead of approaching her directly, he chose to stand at a distance, carefully observing her. There was something odd about the way Syr was moving, as if she was waiting for something or someone. Shirou sharpened his focus, trying to figure out what was really going on.
As he stood in place, Shirou silently waited, his eyes never leaving Syr, who appeared restless. Thoughts began swirling in his mind—what exactly was Syr doing? Why was she hiding behind a building? Shirou knew that Syr wasn't an ordinary person, and there was a high chance that she was involved in something bigger. Could this be related to the War Game? Or was it something more personal? Shirou decided not to act rashly and continued observing from afar, trying to read Syr's movements.
In his heart, Shirou felt that something was off, but he chose to wait and see what would happen next. Whatever Syr was doing, Shirou was ready to act if necessary, although for now, he could only watch and wait.
A horse-drawn carriage appeared in the distance, passing through the increasingly crowded streets. Shirou, still watching from afar, saw that Bell Cranel was seated inside, along with several members of the Hestia Familia. The carriage seemed to be heading toward the arena where the War Game would take place. As the carriage drew closer, Bell appeared serious, clearly preparing himself for the upcoming battle.
Shirou smiled slightly as he saw Bell in the carriage. "So, Syr was waiting for Bell to pass by," he thought. His guess seemed logical, considering how much attention Syr had always given Bell. Shirou even suspected that Syr might want to give something special to Bell as support before the War Game. However, as the carriage passed by where Syr was hiding, something unexpected happened—Syr remained still and didn't move. She didn't greet him or do anything at all. She just stood there, watching Bell for a moment before letting the carriage pass without any action.
Shirou's guess had been wrong. This left him puzzled. If Syr had been waiting for Bell, why didn't she do anything? Why did she let Bell pass without saying a word? Shirou frowned slightly, trying to understand the situation.
But shortly after the carriage moved further away, Syr suddenly did something unexpected. She began running hastily. In her hand, she held something that looked like a necklace with a green gemstone that glittered in the morning sunlight. Syr ran as fast as she could, chasing after the carriage that was now moving further away.
Shirou, still observing from a distance, was intrigued by her actions. He used Structural Analysis, a magecraft technique that allowed him to analyze objects from afar. His focus shifted to the necklace in Syr's hand, and instantly, he could sense the magical power contained within it. This was no ordinary piece of jewelry—the necklace was a protective charm that could shield Bell from magical or physical attacks, a precious talisman clearly intended to guard him against the dangers ahead.
Shirou couldn't help but smile in amusement as he realized Syr's true intention behind her actions. "She wanted to add some dramatic flair," he thought. Instead of simply handing the necklace over, Syr chose to chase after Bell dramatically, perhaps hoping to make the moment more memorable and emotional. To Shirou, it was a bit funny, but it also showed how much Syr cared for Bell.
When Syr finally caught up to the carriage, Bell, who was sitting inside, looked surprised to see Syr running after him. Breathless from her chase, Syr handed the necklace to Bell with an eager expression. "Here, Bell! I want you to have this," Syr said, still catching her breath.
Bell accepted the necklace with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Syr," he said, unaware that the necklace was more than just a piece of jewelry. He didn't know that it was a powerful protective charm, something that might save his life in the upcoming battle.
From a distance, Shirou observed it all with a small smile. Bell might not have realized the true value of the necklace, but Shirou knew that Syr had given him something incredibly important to protect him. As Shirou continued on his way, the smile remained on his face, amused by Syr's dramatic effort to give Bell something so meaningful.
Shirou walked over to Syr, who was still trying to catch her breath after running to chase down Bell's carriage. Her face was flushed from exhaustion, and her hair was slightly messy. When she noticed Shirou approaching, Syr looked surprised. Shirou greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of playful mischief.
Syr immediately blushed, her face turning even redder from embarrassment. She looked at Shirou nervously and asked, "How long have you been watching me?" Trying to hide her embarrassment, she stared at him with a mix of curiosity and nervousness, as if afraid his answer would make her feel even more awkward.
Shirou grinned widely, enjoying the awkward moment. "Oh, I've been watching since you were hiding behind the building," he replied, holding back a small laugh. "You really looked suspicious, waiting for something so anxiously."
Syr quickly lowered her head, feeling even more embarrassed knowing that Shirou had seen her from the very beginning. "How could I be so foolish…" she thought to herself. But not wanting to stay in this awkward moment any longer, she quickly tried to change the subject. With a slightly nervous tone, she asked, "So, what are you up to this morning, Shirou?" Her face was still red, but she tried to appear calm.
Shirou chuckled softly, fully aware that Syr was trying to shift the conversation away from her embarrassing moment. However, he decided not to make her feel more awkward. "I'm just taking a morning walk," he answered with a smile. "I might stop by the market later to buy some ingredients for breakfast."
Syr, relieved that Shirou wasn't dragging out her embarrassment, suddenly looked more excited. Her eyes sparkled, and she quickly grabbed Shirou's hand. "What a coincidence!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I'm actually supposed to buy groceries today. You can help me carry them, right?" She smiled brightly, trying to fully move the mood away from the earlier incident by inviting Shirou along.
Shirou couldn't help but smile at Syr's quick change in demeanor and nodded gently. "Of course, I'll help you," he said, glancing at her hand still holding his. Although he had originally intended to just go for a walk, Shirou knew that spending time with Syr was always fun and full of surprises. Together, they headed to the market to buy the ingredients.
At the morning market, Syr eagerly picked out various food items. She selected fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, quality meats, and many other ingredients she needed. Syr seemed very thorough in choosing each item, ensuring that everything was in the best condition. Shirou, walking beside her, continued to follow along, helping carry the growing number of items.
Shirou ended up holding a lot of Syr's shopping—large bags filled with vegetables, herbs, and heavy meats—but he didn't mind at all. As an adventurer with level 4 strength, this kind of weight was nothing to him. He lifted all the bags with ease, as if they were just light shopping bags.
As they began walking back toward the Hostess of Fertility, Shirou, curious about the amount of food Syr had bought, finally asked. "Syr, why are you buying so many ingredients? This seems like a lot more than usual."
Still looking excited, Syr smiled and explained to Shirou. "Oh, that's because we're hosting a viewing party at the Hostess of Fertility for the War Game! We'll be preparing lots of food for the customers who come to watch." Syr looked pleased as she talked about the big event. She knew the War Game was going to be a major event for the entire city of Orario, and this opportunity would also make the day special for their restaurant.
Shirou furrowed his brow slightly, confused. "A viewing party? How can you watch the War Game from a restaurant?" he asked, feeling odd about the idea of seeing the battle live from such a distant place.
Syr giggled, enjoying Shirou's puzzled expression. "Ouranos, the god overseeing Orario, uses his power to broadcast the War Game live to the whole city. Large screens will appear in the sky at certain spots, and our restaurant got the chance to display it here," she explained, her bright smile showing how excited she was about the event.
Shirou smiled at the explanation, though he still felt a bit strange about it. In his heart, he recalled the televisions from his world—devices that only needed electricity to display images. It amazed him how his world's technology could achieve something similar without divine power. "It's funny," he thought, "Here, even watching a battle is made possible thanks to the power of gods." Shirou let his mind wander for a moment, comparing the world he lived in now with his original, tech-filled world, but he smiled because both worlds had their own kind of magic.
Shirou and Syr arrived back at the Hostess of Fertility after finishing their shopping at the market. As they entered the restaurant, the atmosphere inside felt calm and cozy. Some waitresses were busy cleaning tables and arranging utensils for the day's preparations. Among them, Anya and Ryuu were wiping down tables and setting up chairs to ensure everything looked neat.
When Anya saw Shirou and Syr coming in with loads of groceries, she immediately greeted them with a cheerful smile. "Oh, Shirou! As usual, you're Syr's personal servant whenever you two meet," Anya teased with a small laugh, clearly poking fun at him. Her sharp cat-like eyes glimmered mischievously as she watched the two of them.
Shirou simply smiled and carried the groceries into the kitchen without hesitation. "It's no trouble, I'm happy to help a friend," he said calmly, his tone showing his sincerity. He never felt burdened by small tasks like this, especially if it helped someone he knew. For Shirou, helping others was part of who he was—something ingrained in his very nature.
Ryuu, observing their interaction from nearby, gently shook her head. Her usually calm face wrinkled slightly as she commented, "Syr is getting more relaxed. It seems like she gets lazier when Shirou is around." Her words may have sounded cold, but there was a subtle hint of humor behind them, showing that she knew it was all just friendly banter between them.
Syr, not at all bothered by Ryuu's comment, simply smiled sweetly while sitting in one of the empty chairs. With a playful and carefree gesture, she raised both her hands and said, "Tehee~!" It was her signature response when she didn't feel like defending herself. After all, she knew her friends didn't actually see her as lazy; they were just teasing each other.
Shirou, Anya, and Ryuu exchanged glances before laughing softly together. The atmosphere at the Hostess of Fertility was always warm like this, with every waitress feeling comfortable with one another, even if they sometimes teased or made sharp remarks.
In good spirits, Shirou continued preparing the ingredients in the kitchen, while Syr stayed seated, feeling content that all the preparations were going smoothly thanks to her friends' help.
After helping bring the groceries to the kitchen and making sure everything was neatly organized, Shirou prepared to leave. "Alright, I need to head back to the Familia to prepare breakfast," he said as he picked up some of the ingredients he had bought for the Loki Familia.
Syr, still sitting casually in the chair, looked at Shirou with curiosity. "Shirou, are you going to watch the War Game here with us or at the Loki Familia mansion?" she asked with a soft smile, hoping Shirou would join them at the Hostess of Fertility.
Shirou furrowed his brow slightly, confused again. "Is the War Game going to be broadcasted at the Loki Familia mansion too?" he asked, surprised. He had just realized that the War Game would also be shown at his Familia's home.
Anya, who was standing near the table, immediately chuckled. "How could you not know, Shirou? The Loki Familia is one of the strongest Familias in Orario! Of course, they'd be showing the War Game at your mansion," she teased with a playful tone, her sharp eyes gleaming mischievously as she watched Shirou scratch his head awkwardly.
Shirou could only smile sheepishly. "Hehe, sorry. I guess I really should watch it with my Familia," he replied with a small sigh. "They've probably already prepared everything for today."
Ryuu, overhearing the conversation, nodded in agreement. "Spending time with your Familia is important," she said in her usual calm tone. Behind her soft voice, there was a sense of nostalgia for her old Familia, long gone. Her thoughts drifted briefly to the past, remembering the warmth she once felt with them.
Syr smiled and then offered a suggestion, "In that case, after the War Game, come here for the victory celebration for Hestia Familia. We're throwing a big party here."
Shirou chuckled at the suggestion. "You're really confident that Bell will win, huh?" he teased, giving Syr a playful look. To him, Syr's belief in Bell was so strong it was as if she could already see the future.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity to joke, Anya quickly chimed in. "Actually, Syr invited you here because she needs your help. If you're around, she can relax again!" she said with a big laugh. Her comment made Syr react immediately.
Syr quickly placed her finger to her lips and whispered to Anya with a mock-concerned expression, "Quiet, Anya. Don't let Shirou find out!" she replied softly, pretending as if she didn't want her secret to be exposed.
Shirou could only smile at their antics. He knew that interactions like this were part of the friendly dynamic at the Hostess of Fertility, and even though they often teased and joked, there was a strong sense of camaraderie among them.
After laughing together, Shirou waved goodbye for the time being. "Alright, I have to go now. See you later!" he said with a smile, leaving the Hostess of Fertility with his groceries. Syr, Anya, and Ryuu bid him farewell with warm smiles, hoping to see him again after the War Game.
Shirou returned to the Loki Familia mansion with a calm but quick pace. Once there, he headed straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for everyone. This had become a routine for him. The kitchen filled with delicious aromas as Shirou began cooking, his hands moving skillfully to prepare various dishes. Soft pancakes, perfectly roasted meat, and a variety of side dishes began to line up on the kitchen table. Shirou ensured everything was in perfect condition before finishing the cooking process.
Just as Shirou finished preparing breakfast, Aiz appeared at the kitchen doorway. Her usually calm face was now slightly brighter, as if she was eager to enjoy Shirou's cooking. "Thank you for breakfast, Shirou," Aiz said with a small smile, her eyes full of gratitude. She quickly sat at the dining table, not wanting to wait any longer to taste the food.
Before long, the other Familia members began to gather at the table. One by one, they joined in, enjoying the relaxed morning atmosphere while eating the breakfast Shirou had prepared. Light conversations filled the air, with talk of the upcoming War Game taking place. Shirou noticed Finn sitting not far from him, and he used the opportunity to ask something that had been on his mind.
"Finn," Shirou called. "Where will the War Game be shown today?"
Finn turned, sipping his coffee. "You can watch in the meeting room with us. We'll all be gathering there to watch the live broadcast," Finn answered with a smile. "It's the best place to enjoy the match together."
Shirou nodded in understanding, though there was still one thing bothering him. "What kind of screen will show the War Game?" he asked, curious.
Riveria, who was sitting nearby, immediately stepped in to explain. "The screen will appear in the sky, in the shape of a large circle that will display the live events from the War Game," she said calmly, visualizing how the screen would look. "It's the result of the power of Ouranos, allowing us to watch everything without being at the arena."
Hearing this, Shirou thought of the technology from his world that could broadcast events live without the need for divine power. Riveria, who knew a little about Shirou's more modern world, was curious. "In your previous world, was there a device that could do something similar?" she asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Shirou smiled and began to explain simply. "Yes, we had devices like televisions, computers, and phones. They could broadcast events live too, but not through divine power. It was all done with technology—electronic devices that transmit signals and images from one place to another." He patiently explained how the technology in his previous world worked, and though his explanation was simple, it was enough to leave the Familia members in awe.
Everyone listening was astonished. Technology like that, which could do the same as the power of a god, was something hard for them to imagine. In a world reliant on magic and divine powers, suddenly Shirou's tech-based world seemed much larger.
Tiona, always full of energy, suddenly jumped up from her seat. "Shirou! Come on, use your Magecraft to make one of those! I want to see a screen that can show events live!" she said excitedly, her eyes gleaming with hope.
Shirou could only smile sheepishly. "Unfortunately, I can't do that," he replied, scratching his head. "Devices like that are too complicated and can't be made with just Magecraft. The technology there is very advanced, and it takes many tools to create something like that."
Everyone listening laughed softly, feeling relieved but a bit disappointed that they wouldn't be able to see the device Shirou described. However, their admiration for Shirou's world didn't diminish at all. They continued to talk about the upcoming War Game, marveling at how Shirou's technology seemed like its own kind of miracle.