Fate Coiling Sword

Chapter 21: Serenity

Beta read by Shigiya and Darklord331

.

.

.
-Emiya Residence-

These last few days, Rider learned quite a bit about her Master.

Safe to say, their first impression wasn't exactly the best. He looked more like someone who just discovered what the Holy Grail War was rather than an informed Magus. His reaction alone told her everything she needed that the ritual happened by accident more rather than intentionally. Though she was curious where he got that little snake ornament and why he kept it on himself — but she let it go. This confusion on her part lasted a second before worry settled in, a Servant could never win a war without a competent Master by their side.

Then again, she had to sigh in relief that he was at least a kind Magus and one who could use Magecraft. Limited as they were from her first impression, he at least knew how to use them. Yet even in the end, her hopes for winning this war were not exceptionally high even while she hasn't encountered any other Servants yet. The only saving grace was the early summoning, which gave them a head start to get a lay of the land and make a plan if Shirou knew how to use it well.

But for now, it seemed her Master was more focused on himself rather than the future.

"Gah!" A certain redhead cried out in pain as his back struck the wall of the dojo. His body sent flying from a single kick which she also made sure to hold back just enough to not cause any significant injuries. "Damn it, I thought I would at least touch you then."

Pretty scandalous words for him to utter without causing any misunderstanding and foolish as well on his end to even believe a human could have the capabilities to keep up with her. Rank B agility was not just for show, she doubted he even checked or knew how to use that skill available to all Masters.

"Let's try again, Rider." He said, pushing himself off the ground with a loud groan, his exhaustion already setting in with just how long they had been doing this for. Five hours? Six hours? She lost track of time at this point, not that it mattered much in the end. She could at least commend her master for his endurance. "Hah!"

The boy rushed forward with a shinai in hand, going for an overhead slash, which she dodged with little to no effort. What amounted to a light slap on the wrist forcing Shirou to the ground as she disarmed him at lightning speed and pushed his body to the ground with a step. 'This is oddly therapeutic.'

If he failed as a Master, then at least he faired well as a punching bag. One point piqued her interest concerning this entire 'spar' they were having.

"Why are you using a sword, Master?" She'd seen him carry around firearms and even used them as his main form of weapon compared to the sword. Practicing Projection Magecraft by creating empty bullet shells one by one a hundred times or practicing Reinforcement. For him to suddenly use a blade based fighting style confused Rider initially.

"Just trying to cover my bases, can't rely on guns alone during a fight. There is only so much I can do in close quarters combat with long ranged weapons." Shirou said, feeling her boot pressing on his back. A part of him couldn't help but comment how awkward it would have been if he were facing the other way. Rider's choice of clothing didn't make it any easier to look at her without his hormones acting up. "And I'm also practicing my Magecraft."

As those words left his mouth, the shinai broke down and disappeared into motes of light. Rider removed her leg off him and gave the boy some room to breathe. He discovered just how easily it was to create weapons like daggers, blades, and even the shinai compared to a singular bullet. His first attempt after the Chimera battle at the docks resulted in some failures which gradually diminished with time. Now, he barely needed any effort to Project them.… a strange sensation to experience a spell that he felt comfortable with.