To be precise, Scathach's clone bore a resemblance to the Servants of the Holy Grail War that would manifest in the distant future.
The primary difference lay in the nature of their existence. A Servant was the manifestation of a Heroic Spirit, embodying their personality and power from a specific point in time, sustained by magical energy provided by their master.
Scathach's rune-created clone, however, was a direct extension of herself. It carried her consciousness and personality but operated at a diminished capacity—possessing only a fraction of her full power.
Her true body rested on the throne of the Shadow Kingdom, while her mind animated this temporary form.
Given the Age of Gods, magic power was abundant, and her clone didn't require Kevin's support. The main precaution Scathach needed was ensuring she remained unnoticed by other divine beings.
As the queen of the Shadow Kingdom, anonymity outside her domain was essential.
To this end, Ruger had extended his protection. During the day, as long as sunlight graced the world, Scathach could walk freely beside Kevin. At night, she merely had to refrain from drawing upon her power to remain undetected.
The very fact that Kevin had trained under her for five years without anyone discovering her presence attested to the effectiveness of these measures.
"Master… Master?!"
Kevin blinked in disbelief. His head tilted as he rubbed at his ears, half-convinced he had misheard.
Scathach, veiled and composed, looked at him with faint amusement.
"Yes?" she responded coolly, tilting her head.
"What did you just say?" Kevin's disbelief gave way to incredulity.
Scathach stepped forward, her hand darting out to pinch his cheek with a practiced ease that left Kevin no room to protest.
"Stop shouting," she admonished. "I told you, don't call me Master anymore. It's too conspicuous. Use something less obvious."
Kevin, distracted by the sharp pinch and her calm demeanor, stammered, "Then what am I supposed to call you?"
She smiled faintly under her veil, her tone light but deliberate. "Shi-chan."
Kevin froze, his mind replaying the name. Shi-chan? Was this really happening?
Scathach's affection for Kevin wasn't romantic. It was a bond formed through years of mentorship, more akin to that of an elder sister—or even a maternal figure.
Kevin, the boy she had watched grow up and guided with painstaking effort, was someone she felt a profound connection to.
"I just want to see you grow, Kevin," she said, her crimson eyes softening momentarily.
The words caught Kevin off guard. His face reddened as he awkwardly coughed.
"Master—Shi-chan—I… uh, appreciate it," he stammered, stepping back to create some space. "But could you not say it like that? It sounds like you're my mother or something!"
Scathach's calm expression faltered for a moment.
Boom!
Her hand flicked forward, delivering a light but firm flick to Kevin's forehead.
"You brat!" she scolded. "I'm more like your sister!"
Kevin rubbed his forehead, wincing. "Sister?! That's rich coming from you, BBA…"
His muttered complaint didn't escape her sharp ears, but Scathach let it slide.
Without further ado, Kevin grabbed her hand and started pulling her forward.
"All right, fine," he said, shaking his head with a grin. "Sister or not, you're still my master. Let's go home!"
The two rode together on horseback. Kevin kept his arms securely around Scathach as they traveled, but his thoughts were far from inappropriate.
The only sensation he felt was an odd peace.
By the time they returned, the sun was beginning to dip low on the horizon.
Cu Chulainn, freshly bathed and shirtless, walked into the room just as Kevin and Scathach entered.
"Ah, Kevin, you're back. Where have you been—"
Cu Chulainn's words froze mid-sentence as his gaze fell upon Scathach.
Though her veil and the subtle suppression of her aura disguised her presence, her long dark purple hair and distinct silhouette made her unmistakable to Cu Chulainn.
He blinked once, then twice, before his brain finally caught up.
Slowly, as if moving in a daze, he turned around and walked straight into the nearest wall, banging his head against it with an audible thud.
"An illusion…" Cu Chulainn muttered, his voice faint and disbelieving. "This is an illusion. I've been traumatized by training. That's it."
Kevin rolled his eyes. "Stop being dramatic. She's not an illusion. It's Master."
Scathach's veil shifted slightly as she smiled faintly at Cu Chulainn. "What? Don't want to see me?"
Cu Chulainn instantly straightened up, his entire body tensing.
"I wouldn't dare!" he declared, his voice high-pitched as he shook his head frantically. "It's just—just unexpected! Very unexpected!"
Without waiting for a response, Cu Chulainn darted forward, grabbing Kevin by the collar and dragging him out of the room.
After a few minutes, Cu Chulainn returned, now dressed and looking slightly less frazzled.
Kevin followed behind, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation.
After hearing the explanation, Cu Chulainn's reaction shifted to bemused sympathy.
"You know, Kevin," he said, shaking his head, "your situation is… unique."
He cast a glance toward Scathach, who was seated elegantly on the sofa, her legs crossed as she calmly observed the exchange.
Kevin shot Cu Chulainn a dirty look.
"Don't start," Kevin muttered.
Later that evening, as the three of them sat around the table for dinner, Cu Chulainn suddenly raised a question.
"Master," he said hesitantly, "is it true that you only have part of your original strength in this state?"
Scathach glanced at him and nodded. "Yes. Why do you ask?"
Cu Chulainn hesitated, then grinned sheepishly. "I was just curious. After all, this is the first time we've had you at such a disadvantage…"
"Ah, I see," Scathach replied coolly, tilting her head. "And now that you think I'm weaker, you want to beat me, is that it?"
Cu Chulainn froze.
His grin faltered under her sharp gaze, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, not at all! I wouldn't dare!"
Scathach smirked knowingly.
Kevin, who had been silently watching the interaction, leaned back with a smug grin.
"Coward," he muttered under his breath.
Cu Chulainn shot him a glare, but Kevin only smirked wider.
Scathach's soft laughter broke the tension. For the first time in years, the three of them felt like equals—just three people enjoying a quiet evening together.
But deep down, both Kevin and Cu Chulainn knew: Scathach, even at a fraction of her strength, would always be their master.
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