Embedded Files
Talent is a crucial part to success, but the effort brought into it can carry you for a long way
Shinji's origin as a "Parasite" goes well with the concept of "life bonding" between dofferent organism. That and combine with the skill "Parasitic nerves" allow me to attach part of myself to another animal and slowly consume it
After several months, the crows I experimented on has started showing signs of intelligent response
You have completed your daily task
- Perfect your familar's movement control
+5 points
Total point: 455
Sitting in the middle of a room located at the back of a tenple which is situated in the middle of a forest, a young boy breathed out. As he did so, the flutter of black wings greeted him as he open his eye
Dozens of crows surrounded him. Their once dull black eyes are now a shining red, a sign indicative of his posssession over them. Their mind, which was corroded by his will since the first time they conenct, is now but a vessel for the Magus to impose his will on
They were the perfect familiars, as he has found out, crows are more intelligent and flexible than your normal animals
Shinji Matou got up from his bed
"Keep doing what you're doing" I told the crows "One half survey the city. Bring me visuals on anything abnormal that happen. One fourth will guard my Workshop while I'm gone. Don't let Issei or any of the monks in"
The cawed in confirmation., I then gesture toward the final fourth of my familiars
A black hole rippled forth in space, swallowing them into my inventory
+40 [Black Crows Familiar]
Doing this way, I can summon them to my side at any minute
I got up from my sitting position and stretched. The dozen or so books surrounding me were scattered across the floor-- the result of one night of late night studying
It's surprising how the power of magecraft can motivate you to study for once. I bet you no Magus have tried incorporating Magecraft to their convenience before
The ones who did are obviously those with common sense
"Clean up my room before you go" I said to the crows. They started picking up the items as I went and prepare for my day. Donning my uniform, packing my bags, and throw away the batch of Red Bull energy drink into the trashcan. It's the first day back in highschool
Can't wait to meet my friends again
____________
"Hey Issei. Ready to rumble?" I greeted my friend
"Shinji...I don't know how you can be so energetic first thing in the morning" The glasses-wearing boy sigh as he finish his shift for the day.
He picked up his bag from the ground and followed after me. We descended down the stairs from the temple
"It's been a year since you moved to Ryuudou Temple, isn't it" After a moment of walking, he said
"Yeah" I look down
From up here, one could see the entirety of the town below. Tiny houses. Little people. Small pets and animals. Each doing their own mundane thing, ignorant of the mystery around it
The city itself hasn't changed a lot. It's still 2004, the population is low enough that you can host an entire magic war on the street and people would still blame it on leak in the pipes
Speaking of magic war, it's about time isn't it?
_________
The Emiya residence was quiet in the morning. Except the for the blue hue coming out from the shed in the backyard, where a youth sat patiently on the floor while practicing his Magecraft
That youth is Emiya Shirou
"Hypothesizing the imaged target" He held out his hand, which is gripling the pipe "Accept its origin. Mold the mana to that sensation. Synpathize with its growth. Synchronize atomic property...Trace On!"
A spark of pain ran down his spine, causing the boy to gasp. He doubled down. A pair of hand immediately clamped on his shoulder. Mana flooded the place, easing the pain in his body
Shirou took in deep breath as a girl walked out from behind him, a signature scowl on her face
"This is why I said to practice with your circuits before doing any Magecraft, you dumbass"
"Sorry, Rin"
"Honestly..." The Tohsaka girl huffed. She don't know why she is even helping him. For one Shirou is the son of the Magus Killer. For two, he is practicing Magecraft in the city without permission, making it a violation of the Association's rule
If it wasn't for Shinji asking her to train the Emiya, she would have kicked him out a long time ago
Oh, she just answered her own question
Shaking her head to get rid of thoughts about that boy, she turned back to her friend
"So how does it feel?"
Shirou reached to his arm, where the twenty seven magic circuits lit ablaze with a green glow, interwoving like electrical circuits on his flesh
"I'm still getting used to it" He slowly said "It isn't as painful as before"
"I would advise to be careful. While not as risky as converting nerves like you did, the unlocked circuits can overheat and fry your brain once they are flooded past their Mana capacity"
"Thanks. That makes me feel safer"
"I can't tell if you're bullshitting me or not...and that makes me worried" Rin mutter, before raising her head "Anyway, it's time for school"
"Yeah. You go first"
"One more thing" He look up to see narrowed eyes coming from her. "You should stop practicing so late at night. Bad things happen during that time"
She turned around. It was then he noticed Rin is already clad in her highschool uniform. The redhead boy watch as she close the door to the shed, leaving him behind. He scratch his head and throw away the pipe in his hand
"I wonder what's got her so tense today"
__________
Rin walk to school along with another girl
As they enter the schoolyard, the boy's eyes were collectively drawn to them. There was no subtlety in the way the hormone-driven apes roam over her body. Rin huffed and continue walking, already used to her fame as the model student desired by others
Only Sakura paused to look at the boys, her eyes looking around to see the one person she always see the school day start. Disappointment flood them when she didn't spot him
A familiar mop of messy blue hair sneaked up behind her
The Matou girl turn around, only to feel someone hug her from behind
"Morning Sakura! Miss me?"
She let out a small eep
"Nii-san!"
Shinji release the flustered girl and laughed. Behind him a tired Issei walk out, shrinking from the withering stares sent at him by most of the male populace
He and Rin exchanged glares, before the monk excuse himself to the student council building. That leave the two of them with him
"Yo Rin, Sakura. How have summer been?" Shinji greeted her. She, in turn, level a pointed glare at him, making the boy blink in surprise
"What's wrong?"
"We hve a nice summer. I took Sakura to learn some of our...traditional craft, but she doesn't seem to have a knack for it" Rin said, shifting look at the onlookers. The ones who look like they have no idea what was being discussed. Shinji seem to realize it as he scratch his head
"Well. Seems like you had a good time" he remark, turning to the other girl "Come on, let's go in then. Sakura?"
"Huh-- Oh yes. Wait for me Nii-san!"
Rin couldn't help but notice how it was he whom Sakura is now trailing after. The girl has a cheerful smile on her face
She also recalled the way her sister is looking for him earlier
"Just what is it about that guy...."
The gỉrl sighed
________
"I met Shirou on the way here" I said to Rin walking beside me "The guy told me you've been teaching him some neat stuff in the past month"
"I'm merely teaching him the basics. That's all he will ever be good at"
"You don't need to learn complicated stuff to be decent. Mastering the basic have its perk too"
I said and chuckled. Rin make a puzzled look, but decide to stay silent
"I'm going to ignore that. So how have you been? Any progress on restoring the bloodline?"
"For now I'm just focusing on restoring our Magecraft" I interrupted her "And before you ask, yes. It's going surprisingly well"
Rin opened her mouth in surprise
"Well, that's good. Sakura's missed you ever since you moved from our house and was wondering how you're doing"
"Oh?"
The girl shift her foot awkwardly
"I just want to say you are welcome at our place any time, so don't be shy to visit"
"Is it Sakura's words, or yours?"
"Does it matter?" she scowled
Just in time, the school bell rang. We exchanged farewells and part ways to go to our respective classes
"See you later you beautiful tsundere"
"Call me that again and I'll use Gandr on your ass"
I smile and watched her walk away with a scowl on her face. Rin look especially cranky in the morning, and a compliment or few could improve her mood for the day
Of course, a compliment could go a long way when it comes to girls
Rin Tohsaka, Jeweled Magus Prodigy
Relationship: Close friend. Consider you a nuisance
A grin spread across my face
"Rin's reached the friendship value. That's one down"
I finally manage to grind our relationship until she grows enough a conscience not to kill me in a magical deathmatch. This way, I have conquered the first death flag
What am I doing, you ask? I'm raising my relationship meter with as many characters as usual so when the time comes, they won't have the heart to kill me.
It's the ultimate tactic. By being a charming nice guy, I actually stand a chance at gaining pity from others
And as to why I can gauge our relationship, it's by this skill I purchased from the system
[Yanmeter]
A skill that calibrate the distance from you to a person's deepest emotion. In correlation with that distance, a relationship is approximated and shown as part of the in-game interface.
Warning: Due to complexity of the human emotion, the system can sometime give out inaccurate results. User is not advised to blindly trust the given value
An overpowered skill bought for a cheap price. The Yanmeter turns your life into a dating sim game without the romance aspect, allowing one to approximate their place on the social hierarchy and avoiding social death flags
What? Did you think there's gonna be a timeskip without me buying any useful skill? Bitch please, I'm speedrunning removing desth flags here. I'll become the master of heart-stealing and have everyone dancing in the palm of my hand!
As I enter the classroom, there was immediately a ruckus. I stopped with my eyes wide open
"Shinji's here!"
"Oh my god where!?"
"Shinji-senpai!"
The Yanmeter will allow me to get it on with virtually anybody I interact with
So virtually, my plan of befriending everyone is likely to be a success
Except there's only one drawback to that plan
"Please have sex with me!"
I started running
__________
The hall is empty, and the little space under the stairs prove to be a good hiding spot
"School's not even started yet and those crazy people are already over me..."
"Shinji? What are you doing here?"
I tense and look up, but relax after seeing it was Shirou who just arrived at school
"Ah, Emiya. Sit down. Brother here have something to ask of you"
"Sure. What is it?"
"What are you suppose to do when women throw thenselves at you?"
"Uh...dodge them?"
Excellent answer, but still, not what I'm looking for. Shirou sat down next to me. He inspect me from head to toe
"Why are those girls chasing after you in the first place?"
My face immediatey soured
Unbeknownst to Shirou, he was digging at my biggest mistake ever since coming here
A mistake made with such significant fallout even the likes of Lostbelt wouldn't be able to erase
It all started the summer from last year
"...I tried to be a nice guy"
Shinji Matou canonically is a big jerk. He treats everyone like trash, and people in turn is disgusted by him. He is also a playboy, but despite his attitude girls still flood to him
It is the lowest kind of trash, deserving nothing but scorn.
And I thought maybe if I stop being such a disgusting lowlife, everybody would take a liking to me
As I explain to him, the Emiya's eyebrows raised
"And it backfire you how?"
"I became too nice..."
From the moment I started my first year in highschool, I aim to get top academic score and try to get along with everybody. Unbeknownt to me at that time, the persona works too well
Turns out girls dig a guy with the "bad boy" look, a reserve attitude, and a nice body. With [Devil's Tongue] to aid in different conversation, as well as [Fitnesse] that keep my body at top shape 24/7, I unironically become a chick magnet
The revelation is as big as when you realize you have had superpowers your whole life, but is too stupid to use them
"Hey Shirou. Wanna do high jump after school together?"
"Sure" Although surprised, he agreed
I need to take my mind off things. Maybe some exercise with my bro will help clear me from those thoughts
___________
School's first day ended. After the ceremony, I bid farewell to my class until next week to return home. After that, some casual conversation between me and the Tohsaka sister occur
Rin decided not to hold back information from me
"Are you aware of what is coming?" She asked
"If you're gonna say the Holy Grail War, yeah"
"Really? I thought somebody like you wouldn't know about the ritual" There was a hint of surprise in her voice "Have you been studying this town?"
"You might not know this but...That's all Zouken ever said about back when he was alive" I said "The man is obssessed with it"
Sakura slightly shivered in disgust. I put a hand on her shoulder, prompting the girl to slowly relax. Her eyes were downcast
"Sorry for mentioning him"
"No, it's okay" My sister shook her head "I'm just...overreacting"
Even if it was already four years since his death, there is no denying the man has had a negative impact on her psyche
When I said I want to continue the Matou bloodline, my adopted sister had threatened to kill me on the spot. That's how unstable she was
In any case, I'm glad Rin took care of her. I wouldn't know what to do otherwise. I turned to the girl while ignoring Sakura who is shivering beside me
"In any case, why are you asking me about it?"
"It's just... your wish is to restore the Matou's Magecraft supremacy, right? I figure since you're the last descendant of the house which belong to the original family. you'll be a contender"
"Uh, no? I'm not going to participate in it"
Rin look at me with wide eyes. In turn, I only shrugged
"It's a magical death match, Rin. First, I don't want to fight you. It's bad for my heart" I held up a finger "Second, I don't want to risk my life for a meager wish. That's not how I want to restore the bloodline"
"How do you want to do it, then?"
"That's a secret"
I don't want to disappoint her by saying I'm planning to simply marry a hot chick with powerful Magecraft. She'll laugh at me. And I'll laugh at myself too
As I'm about to leave, Sakura grabbed me by the hand
"Shinji. You know that being the only Matou left means you are a permanent participant in the War, right?"
"...what?"
"The Heaven's Feel ritual was originally established by the Matou, Einzbern, and Tohsaka with the aid of their teacher. To ensure victory was theirs, an additional clause was added"
"Of the seven joining the grand ritual, three shall be from the blood that create it. Matou, Einzbern, and Tohsaka's" Rin lift a finger "That means there's a likely chance you might be forced to join"
The news struck me like lightning
In the original timeline, Shinji Matou wasn't selected because he has no talent as a Magus
But in this timeline? The one where "Shinji" was gifted with the power of a g*mer and have been practicing his crafts for months, thus qualifying him for the position of a Master?
At that moment, I realize the severity of the situation
'I'm fucking screwed
_________
"Welcome home, Shinji--"
I slammed the door behind me and stormed straight to my room. Issei and the monks look on with wide eyes as the wooden door slammed shut behind him
In the room, I pace around worriedly. Sweats run down my eyebrow as I rubbed my hand. When I can't think of anything, my teeth grit together in frustration
"So it comes down to it, huh?"
It has already been a trap from the beginning
The more I level up and try to avoid my desth flag, the more it comes down to me being forced to join this war. Rescusing Sakura. Killing Zouken. I get to be the only Matou Master. Reenable my circuits. Befriending Gil. Preparing myself for a royal assfuck once the time come
The System played me like a damn fiddle
I open the window to check my balance
Total point: 445
Over the last year I've been doing side quest and daily tasks to up my point reserve. I thought I'm finally going to get a cool skill if I can break the 500 points limit, but plans have changed
In the past, I would only focus on skills that are absolutely vital. Not anymore. I'm entering a magical tournament and is going to need all the helps I can get
"Status"
Shinji Matou
HP:500/500
MP: 290/290
Strength: Karate practitioner
Agility: Pro Athlete
Endurance: Average Teenager
Mana: Larger than Normal
Luck: A fortunate fate
Perks: [Survival Instinct], [Resolution], [Devil's Tongue]
Skill: [Pain Resistance], [Fitnesse], [Pocket Space], [Pocket Valley], [Circuit Conversion], [Enhanced Projectile], [Luck Up], [Parasitic Nerve], [Matou Magecraft], [Eye of the Mind D] (False)
There has been a notable stat increase in Strength, Agility and Endurance ever since I learn Reinforcement during the fight with Rin. I could hit harder, move faster, and tank more powerful attack
However, my physique would still stay below average if I don't apply Reinforcement
So I need something that can add to my skillset
"I need to buff my skill in close combat"
That is exactly what I lack
I could still remember when Rin almost manhandled me at close range. It's only by pure difference in experience that I manage to best her
So to compensate for that...
-150 points
[Master Martial Arts]
- Having honed your body to the absolute limit, you have reached the boundary between human and the supernatural in combat. Increase attack speed of punches and kicks by 100%
Instantly, I could feel my muscle condensed and contract into a tight formation. It was as though several pounds of power has been packed into my tiny body
I jab at the air several times, causing shockwaves to explode out from the air in front of my hand. My kick aimed at the can of Red Bull on my desk sliced through no smoother than a blade, as though it has been split in half by a sharp object
I did several backflips. The motion, which has been almost impossible before, now felt like second nature to me. I cartwheel several time, feeling the motion as natural as breathing
"Is this enough?" finally landing to a crouch, I asked myself
I can probably further enhance it with Reinforcement. That should be enough for me to hold off against the likes of Kuzuki or Rin
Still, it doesn't hurt to be more careful
With no hesitation, I open the system shop again
-150 points
[Expert Knife Throwing]
- Your efficiency with throwing bladed weapons can astonish even those well-versed in the art. When throwing a bladed projectile, critical hit chance is increased by 60%
The second skill I purchase is one that complements well witb my inventory tricks and faux Babylon Gate. With that, my remaining points dropped down into 145
Later that evening, I went out the temple to train with my new abilities
_________
You may ask me "why are you going so fast dude? Isn't your goal to remain safe and stay out from this Grail War", in which case, shut the fuck up
Just because I want to be safe doesn't mean I will do jackshit when it comes knocking on my door. I'm not one of those main characters who remain passive all the time, because I figure out the best way to solving a problem is to confront it at the get go
With even a chance of me being forced to go in a desthmatch, I'll do everything in my ability to prepare accordingly
"So that is why you call me out here?" The blonde kid question me with a bored face "To see how you would fare against a Servant?"
"Nah, to see how long I could survive against you" I smirk "You see, the best kind of training is one done under pressure. Having you as an opponent would be devastating, but it would be an interesting experience"
The blonde kid I know several years ago is still there. Miraculously, he stayed at the church when Kirei died and is overtaken by a new overseer. I stopped contacting him after I went to Ryuudou Temple a year ago
But still, it's good to see an old friend from the beginning days
"What do you want me to do again?"
He asked as I walk backward, until the two of us is fifty meters apart from each other, separated by a long plain meadow with wild grass growing over the place
"Attack me with your barrage of weapons. I will try to dodge them and make contact with you. One hit and I win"
"If you are capable of doing that"
"Heh. You'll be surprised"
"I like how you think, Shinji" The kid smile "But going easy is not my forte. Try to stay alive"
Golden portals open up behind him. Dozens in number, each loaded with a low-grade weapon designed not to hurt me
Or it could be because he don't deem me worthy of his treasure. Either way, I have the starting advantage
I kick the dirt below me and dash forward. Before I could take a second step, numerous weapons pierced the ground in front of me, causing me to lose time evading them
The Gate of Babylon is a powerful tool
But unfortunately, I have the counter to them
Gil's eyes widened as his second barrage of weapon was shot down before it could impact me. He look up to see numerous black holes dotting the sky
"I see. So that is your [Inventory]!" He bellowed "A strange and versatile creature, but can it match my treasure at their full might?"
More blades came my way, and I realize none of the ones from my inventory will be able to match him. With a swipe of my hand, [Pocket Alley] was activated and swallowed the projectiles midair
"Wha---YOU'RE STEALING MY TREASURE NOW?"
"Hey man I gotta win" I said, using the captured weapons and launch it back at him "Consider them borrowed!"
[Master Martial Arts] and [Reinforcement ] was activated at the same time, accelerating my speed unt I was just a blur shooting toward him. None of the blades made contact with me. When I was five meters in front of him, Gil summon his own blade
"Wait, I thought you are an Archer class Servant!"
"Not everyone in the Archer class is an Archer!" Without waiting, Gil attacked
Only due to [Eye of the Mind] did I react in time
I duck down the first swing made by the Servant. Dashing back, I barely made it so his blade only nick me by the shirt. The attack barely take a second as I backflip from him, at the same time the ground in front of exploded as his sword pierced through it
So this is what a Servant is like
Even if they are an Archer class, which has low physical parameters, and the one I'm fighting is only a preteen, there is no denying the difference between our strength
Devising a plan in my head, I summon a blade from my inventory to clash with him. My [Reinforcement], combined with [Master Martial Arts] and [Parasitic Nerves] temporarily strengthen my arm grip to the point of them achieving an explosive burst of strength equal to an artillery cannon
The two swords clashed, and the ground beneath us explode from the impact. A large grin spread across Kid Gil's face as debris fly past him
"Marvelous. To think you could achieve that level of strength in such a short time. You are worthy to be my friend!" declared the bastard as he put more strength into his weapon
I did not reply. [Resolution] blocking out the chipped damage, I push forward and break the blade hold
But Gil was faster
He stepped into my range. In a smooth motion, the blade slashed across my chest
"Looks like I'm the winner"
In return, I merely smirk
[Parasitic Nerve]
Summoned Crow's special ability activated: [Illusion]
-1 Crow Familiar has been sacrificed
"Hah?"
Gil blinked, as the Shinji in front of him...burst into a storm of crow feathers. As the feathers dispersed, laying in his place is the corpse of a very dead crow
But where is the real Shinji?
'Behind!' Gil immediately react and duck under the sword swing courtesy of the other boy. The Matou jumped back with as two blades shot out from his inventory, which was easily blocked by the Servant
However, he threw the blade in his hand at Gil in a last attack.
The blonde boy swung at it, but the blade disappeared as the inventory window opened in front of him. At the same time, Gil felt a slight impact behind him
The sword bounced off his skin and clattered to the ground, stained with a drop of his blood
"Did he just..." Gil wondered as he closed the portals around him. The battle has ended
And it is not him who won
"Yeah. That's a victory for me, man" Shinji walk to him with a smile. Gil look at the blade on the ground, his own eyes slowly widening as he recounted the battle against him
He shook his head and turned back to inspect Shinji
"Your arm is bleeding" He remarked, looking at the Matou's hand
"Bleeding? I'm pretty fucking sure all my bones are shattered" Shinji raised his arm, which hung limply in the air like a depressed penis "You were not kidding about the going serious on me part"
Even if the battle end up in his victory, all Shinji did is surprising Gil with his trick to score a cheap strike
In the process, he has to rely on his foreknowledge of Gil's fighting style, at the same time combining all his experience and skill into a cohesive strategy.
Even the , it's a narrow match
"I see you've learned some new tricks up your sleep"
Shinji shrugged. Moments later, crows flew out from behind him and land on nearby trees
"They're my familiars. I bind them to me using Matou's magecraft. They have high-level illusion casting as a racial trait, so the first hit is actually you hitting my crow disguised as me"
"I see, and how did you actually hit me with that last throw?"
Shinji raise his hand. A knife materialized out of midair as he threw it backward
An inventory window swallowed the projectile. At the same time, the window materialized into existence on the other side of the field. The knife flew out from the window and stabbed into the tree
"I can teleport knives now"
"You mean, you finally achieved the Second True Magic?"
"Kind of" I grinned "Pretty sure the Inventory counts as an Imaginary Space and not an actual alternate dimension, so I can store items and open a portal to them wherever I want. Doesn't make me the second coming of Zelretch though"
With [Enhanced Projectile] and [Expert Knife Throwing combined the accuracy bonus stacked. In total, I have a 80% chance for critical damage per projectile
"Have you thought about putting yourself into this thing and just teleport everywhere you go?"
"I'm not a dumbass. Once I enter that space, I wouldn't be able to get out"
A player can't store himself in the inventory. That's common sense. Besides, time is frozen inside, which means I wouldn't be able to move even if I can open a way back out
"Anyway. Thanks for practicing with me" I scratch my head "Next time I'll buy you ice cream"
"And a playdate at the local five star restaurant. I heard there's some good food there"
"Gil, I don't think I can afford that"
"Don't worry. I'll pay you to treat me to a meal"
Is that how that works with rich people? Anyway, I can't imagine somebody like Gil would even enjoy having someone like me in his company, so I stayed silent and put him farewell
Gil went back to the lone road leading up to the church. Looking at it, I can't hell the premonition of dread rising inside me when thinking about the fact I'll have to register there as a participant for the next war
Shaking my head, I decided to check the notif window appeared in the fights
Gilgamesh, King of Babylonia
Relationship: Very close friend. Generally interested in spending time witb you
Oh boy, is this good? It's probably good, right
Good job, Yanmeter. Now I finally have Gil on my side, I can rest easy knowing there's a demigod as my playmate.
___________
"Where even is Shinji?"
Standing at the school gate, Shirou Emiya mutter to himself
The boy promised him to do high jump, but here he stands, two hours after the school has closed, and there is still no sign of him. He could already see the sun going down the horizon, which mean night is coming soon
Soon, he begin to do high jumps by himself
The evening sun reflected off the boy's sweaty form as he failed the first time
Not giving up, he tried a second time. Still fail. Shirou tried it for a third time, to the same result. He repeated the process countless time
So immerse was he that he did not notice the girl stopping beside the fence to watch him
Silver eyes swayed in the evening breeze as soft amber eyes observe him. The girl is interested. A small smile form on her lips every time he fail
That same smile falter whenever Shirou got back up and repeat the process
A part of her feel frustrated. The other part is enthralled
She should be back at the church right now, playing with that blonde kid, but instead here she was, enraptured by a fool who does not know his limit
Scowling, Caren Hortesia made to leave the park
It is then, a voice said behind her
"Yes. I did it!"
It was a shout of victory. A cheer for success. An unpleasant sound, like wolf howling in their insignificant triumph. She clicked her tongue and continue walking
Yet still, Caren can't help thinking about the boy
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