True Magician

Chapter 32

Kuoh Academy.

The next day.

Under a beautiful evening sunset, I and the entire cast of the Occult Studies Club stood across from each other, parodying old 90's cowboy action movies in every tradition.

The battlefield was ready.

Admittedly, as they set up their barriers, my eyebrow occasionally twitched in realization of how weak they were. In the anime, when the battle against Kokabiel was taking place and Sona and her retinue were holding the barrier, I had no questions about the barrier's strength and stability. Now, however, there are. And very big ones at that.

At that point, Sona was far weaker than she is now, and how the hell did their barrier hold back the attacks of the Fallen, who had TEN wings? Even for plot convention, this ranking of forces is just too illogical. So I put my closed field on top of theirs, just in case.

- "Master, why do I have to be the one to do this? Again."

Ah, yes. Of course, I brought Archer along. And he'll be the one to test their skills. I think a little change of scenery will do him good. Well, given recent events.

- "Well, imagine if I put Gilgamesh against them. What would he do to them?" I began, to which he rubbed his temples and remained silent, "Or Lancelot, or Enkidu, or Hera..."

- "I get it," he grumbled, "But Saber or Rider could take over, right? Or, God forbid, Merlin."

- "Hmm? Is your inner Hero of Justice messing with your head again?" I rolled my eyes, and his eyebrow twitched, "Don't tell me you don't think you're the best fit? Isn't your versatility the deciding factor?"

- "Tsk," Archer tsked.

While we were talking, an impatient Rias intervened.

- "Shall we begin, Sensei?"

- "Right!" Issei seconded her.

- "Uh-huh," I replied and stepped aside, then shouted to Archer one last time, "Remember, Emiya. People die if they are killed."

Shirou froze for a moment and then produced his favorite blades and threw them at me in annoyance. In response, I squatted down, causing the married swords to fly over me.

- "Ouch? Why do you have to react like that, Emiya-kun? Just because I'm right doesn't mean I'm right, right?"

Now he took out his bow and started shooting Hrunting at me, which of course were blocked against my magic circle.

- "To complete the package, throw at me also the very spear whose owner took your heart, aha-ha-ha."

- "That's it! You're dead, Master!" he shouted and was about to rush at me when a black and scarlet ball of energy flew towards him.

- "Attack!" Rias shouted, and the retinue rushed to the attack, while she kept throwing the orbs as if there were no other use for them.

Kiba was the first to reach Archer with his sword and swing it, but was blocked by Emiya, who wasn't even looking in his direction. Akeno flew up into the sky and raised her hand. From that a magic circle appeared, from which lightning flew out and headed for Archer.

But it too was repelled by him, to which he received the widened eyes of Rias' entourage. She wasn't discouraged and continued to fire lightning bolts while in the air. Though Emiya wasn't really paying much attention to her either. A cost of the battle with Medea, I suppose. Well considering the circumstances preventing him from using devastating Caladbolg-type Noble Phantasms.

Shirou swung his Bakuya and flung Kiba away from him, breaking his sword in the process, then dashed towards Rias. On his way to her, Koneko stood in front of him, which he jumped over and threw his swords at the King of the retinue.