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"Hmm... Your physical techniques are strong, and your martial arts are sharp. I can't spot a single weakness," Scathach said, her voice calm but carrying a hint of approval.
She gave a small smile, tilting her graceful neck as she finished the wine in her glass in one smooth motion. A few drops clung to her full red lips, catching the soft glow of the lights in a way that felt quietly enticing.
"But your skill with Rune Magic is just average," she added, her tone shifting to a gentle critique.
"If I'm right, your teacher didn't pass down the full set of Runes to you."
No surprise there, she was a master sharpened by time. After only a handful of fights, she'd already zeroed in on his flaws. Yuto hadn't gathered all the Rune Stones yet. He'd mastered 15 so far, but 9 more were needed to complete his Rune Magic.
"Archer," she called, her voice steady.
Scathach turned, stepping toward him with an easy elegance. Her purple bodysuit hugged her frame, showing off a figure that was striking yet refined. Her chest shifted slightly with each step, full and flawless in a way that drew the eye without effort. Her legs, long and strong, moved like they belonged in a manga panel, wrapped in sleek stockings that caught the light just enough to notice. And that waist: narrow, toned, with faint lines of muscle, gave her a sharp, almost mesmerizing contrast.
No wonder she'd crashed the FGO servers back in the day. Her charm had a pull that was hard to ignore.
"After some talk, Rin's agreed to team up with you," Scathach said, her words casual but firm.
"In the days ahead, we might end up fighting. But I'd rather not face someone too weak."
"So, for now, I'll train you in combat and Rune Magic. Get strong enough, and you might even take me down one day, right?"
Her purple hair was pulled back neatly, framing a face that was both delicate and striking. There was a quiet allure in her every move, a maturity that hit just right. She loved a good fight, no doubt about it.
Yuto couldn't help but feel a spark of respect. Scathach stood out from anyone he'd met. She was powerful, captivating, and fearless in a way that pushed him to step up.
"Then I'm counting on you, Master," he said with a grin, keeping it light but earnest.
"Good. Let's start with a ten-kilometer run," she replied, deadpan.
"Huh?!"
...........
A new day rolled in.
A gas explosion at Homurahara Academy had shut the school down for three days straight, giving Rin Tohsaka and Artoria a rare breather.
Inside the Tohsaka family's European-style house, the four of them gathered for a strategy meeting.
"The problem is that the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light!" Rin snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.
"First, the Berserker who attacked me and Lancer. Then, two days ago, that Rider, Achilles, the Greek hero, showed up, plus some unknown Caster. In just a few days, we've turned into their biggest target!"
Rin stood there in a black nightgown, her pale face showing signs of exhaustion. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. With her stubborn personality, being stuck on the back foot was bound to rile her up.
Before this Holy Grail War kicked off, she'd been dead certain of her odds. Fuyuki City was her turf, after all, she had the home advantage locked down. The other two families hadn't made a peep, leaving her as the only player from the Three Founding Families.
'Smooth sailing. I've got this,' she'd thought. Victory seemed hers before the first move. How could she lose?
As heir to one of the Three Founding Families, Rin knew the Holy Grail better than any outsider. Letting other magi join the war was just a setup, they'd be fodder for the families' endgame. But once the war started, things went sideways fast. A classmate she'd thought of as a nobody turned out to be Archer's Master. Then her sister, sent abroad years ago, came back, snagging the Saber Rin had wanted for herself. It was a mess. How could she not be ticked off?
"This Caster's got 'High-Speed Incantation,'" Rin said, frowning. " Caster's spells hit me so fast it's like they're instant."
Yuto rubbed his chin, thinking it over. In the Nasuverse, only a few Casters had that skill, mostly big names from the Age of Gods. The way this one fought screamed Medea, the witch who thrived on ancient magic. But he had no proof yet, so he kept it to himself.
"Archer, are you sure Rider's Master was from the Matou family?" Rin asked, massaging her temples.
After taking down Achilles, they'd tracked down his Master. The guy was just a weakling from an overseas Matou branch, clueless about their bug magic. The once-mighty Matou name was a shell of itself, faded, with no one left to carry it.
"Yes," Yuto said, handing her a cup of black tea. "He's from a side family. According to him the real Matou line died out fifty years ago."
"Some small-time overseas clan got lucky with Achilles' relic and came to Fuyuki thinking he'd sweep the war. He didn't expect to lose everything."
That's the Holy Grail War for you: brutal. Yuto wasn't the type to let threats slide. Cutting them down clean was the smart play.
"Phew..." Rin sighed, taking the tea with a quick, grateful look. She downed it in one go, her eyes lighting up at the taste.
"Archer, any way to find Caster and her Master?" she asked, hope creeping into her voice.
Scathach isn't good at tracking, so Rin turned to Yuto.
"No problem. I'll scout it out," he said with a nod. It had to happen eventually.
Rin smiled, pleased with his quick answer. Artoria's Archer was a real asset. Although her Lancer was strong, she was a battle maniac. All she wanted was a worthy opponent, which left Rin stuck managing the headaches.
"If Caster's near the school, that's our shot," Scathach said, leaning in.
"True," Rin agreed, nodding.
Artoria blinked, confused. "Wait, what? I'm lost again."
Yuto smiled patiently. "Caster's the weakest class in the Holy Grail War. Servants are pure magic, so they shrug off spells pretty easily."
"Plus, times have changed. Mystery's fading, and modern settings choke out Age of Gods magic. Casters from back then start off at a disadvantage. To win, they've got to set up a workshop and lean on home ground. Find that, and we've got her base."
"So, how about we team up to take her out?" he suggested.
Rin glanced at him, then Artoria. "Fine. But after that, we're back to being enemies. Don't forget it."
She needed this alliance, things were slipping out of control. Between Sakura, the hidden Caster, and an unknown Berserker, the threats were piling up. A solid ally could ease the load on her and Lancer.
"Then I'll handle tracking Caster and her workshop," Yuto said, giving them a firm nod before vanishing on the spot.
..........
Time flew, and night fell fast. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting it red, while a slim moon climbed into the sky. Fuyuki City settled into a quiet darkness.
Among the steel and concrete towers, Yuto leaped between rooftops with ease. Scathach followed, carrying Rin in her arms.
After a day of digging, he'd figured out who Caster was.
At 12:01 a.m., the four of them reached the base of Mount Enzo, home to Ryudo Temple.
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