He Tore Through The Holy Grail War, And You Still Call Him A Dragon?

Dong, dong, dong… Shirou leaned against the sword rack holding Noble Phantasms, the sound of rain pelting the warehouse roof tiles echoing throughout the building.

He still couldn't grasp the inspiration or trick behind training Unlimited Blade Works. His gaze wandered to the storm outside, heavy enough to crush the earth. A Reality Marble was the intrusion of an inner landscape upon reality—but that one missing spark left his mood unsettled.

The sound of leather boots scraping the concrete mixed with the rain. A red-haired girl hopped through the puddles in the corridor and slipped into the warehouse. Nono shook the wet fringe clinging to her forehead, a few droplets flicking onto Shirou.

He shook his head, masking his frustration with a swipe across his face.

"What are you spacing out for?" Nono sat beside him, leaning against the wall with her silky hair as a cushion, not caring about the dusty warehouse.

"Watching the rain."

"Liar." Nono rolled her eyes.

"Fine, fine… not the rain then. Watching you. That's better, right?" Shirou replied offhand, but his eyes drifted from Nono's damp clothes to the curve of her collarbone, then the rise and fall of her chest with each breath.

Nono froze for half a second, her eyes widening as heat rushed to her ears and painted them red. She turned away, muttering, "A few days apart and now you can't say a single honest word!"

"No helping it. Some things no one else can do for me—it's a road I have to carve out myself…" Shirou lowered his voice. "By the way, how's Melusine? Still sleeping?"

"She? When is she not?" Nono stood, her eyes scanning the walls scarred with countless blade marks and the gleaming swords, then stopped at a cabinet. Her clean hands pulled out two cans of beer.

With a chuckle, she cracked one open, took a sip, and set the other beside Shirou. "Didn't think you had a cellar hidden here."

"Just a storage cabinet, nothing fancy." Shirou slid the sword rack further away.

They sat at the entrance, listening to the storm batter the tiles, the runoff forming silver threads that tumbled from the eaves.

"And your assistant, Saya? I didn't see her at noon. Out again?"

Nono sipped the beer, the taste off somehow, and kicked at the air in annoyance. How could he worry about another girl right in front of her?

"Didn't you give her a history magic research project? Before I went to the Genji building, she was always buried in books, running around like your shadow. What, now she's changed?"

"That was before. Things are different now. The Holy Grail War has entered a dangerous stage. I told Saya not to go out too much."

Shirou fiddled with the tab of his can, staring down.

"But she said her brother—who has dementia—was moved to Tokyo, living alone in a studio apartment. No relatives nearby. She worries he can't take care of himself, so she goes out every day to check on him."

Nono frowned. "Taking care of a demented brother? Every single day? If it's that much trouble, why didn't she ask to move him here? Or at least nearby?"

Shirou shook his head. "Her parents already paid several months' rent in advance. She doesn't want to waste the deposit. Even if it means commuting daily, she insists on it."

"Hah, clever about money as always. But the train fares don't count?" Nono pouted. "Honestly, I think she has other motives. She's not stupid. She knows how dangerous this world is right now. If she still insists on going out every day, she's either courting death or scheming something. Don't trust her blindly."

"So what do you suggest?"

"Next time she goes, I'll tail her. See if she slips up." Nono lifted her chin with a mysterious air.

"And if you find nothing? You'll waste all your time?"

Nono pointed to where Melusine usually slept. "Then we'll swap shifts—let her stalk instead."

I knew it… Shirou silently drank, foam rising in his can. "Fine. At least you'll keep her safe. If you make it to her brother's place, warn them both. Better leave Tokyo. Things are far too dangerous here."

"Yeah, yeah." Nono folded her arms, agreeing quickly. "But I don't agree with one thing you said."

"What?" Shirou blinked.

"'Some things no one else can help with'… I hate that line." Nono turned, locking eyes with him. "You always say stuff that cuts others out, like you'll carry it all alone. It's discouraging, you know?"

Shirou shook his head. "Even if I said it out loud, what's the point? It'd only burden others."

Unlimited Blade Works reflected one's mindscape, tied to one's spirit.

In fact, different versions were different. Red A's UBW was a wasteland bristling with swords, a sky of colossal gears, flames at the horizon—a symbol of his machine-like life as Alaya's guardian.

UBW Shirou's was also filled with swords, but beneath a clearer sky—his path distinct from Red A's. Miyu's brother, the great hero Shirou, had a frozen snowfield beneath a crescent moon.

Each heartscape revealed its bearer's spirit. He too needed to forge his own.

But more importantly—he had to know how to train a Reality Marble in the first place.

He wasn't UBW Shirou, who had Red A himself as a tutor. That path was unique—future teaching past, a perfect system made for oneself. Unfair but undeniable.

For a Fate-line Shirou with no foundation, it would take ten years just to learn, and ten more to master. Far too slow for this Grail War.

He needed a special trick.

Shirou sighed. "…Might as well tell you. A Reality Marble is an advanced Thaumaturgy, based on the theory of the World Egg. It's said to approach True Magic itself. The Holy Grail, for example, is a creation of Magic."

Nono blinked, lost. Shirou gave up, pulling another can from the cabinet. "See? Your magic theory's what I taught you. If I can't solve this, you sure can't."

Like advanced calculus—if you can't, you just can't.

But the bluntness stung Nono. "Fine, fine, you're amazing. I admit I don't know anything about Reality Marbles. But aren't there others you know?"

"So?" Shirou raised an eyebrow.

"Idiot! If I'm not good enough, then ask another woman!"

She slapped her mouth shut too late—her words sounded… wrong.

Thankfully Shirou missed the nuance, clapping his hands. "Right, I could ask the little miss—"

"Little miss…?" Nono's eyes sharpened.

"Uh—" Danger prickled his neck. He remembered Nono hadn't met Charlotte yet, didn't know his nickname for the doll-like Western heiress.

"I mean Nüwa! I slipped. I meant Mistress Nüwa." He quickly scrolled through his phone.

"Oh, her. She does have a bit of that 'little miss' vibe. Well, she is our benefactor. Asking her isn't bad when you're lost."

Nono thought of the half-serpent matriarch, stifling a snicker. That woman was anything but childlike—troublesome to no end.

Shirou set down his empty can and, under Nono's watchful eyes, dialed. Honestly, he hadn't even prepared small talk.

"Hello, Mistress Nüwa?"

The line exploded with sound. Her lively, piercing voice barreled through static.

She asked if it was Shirou, why he hadn't messaged in so long, if he'd forgotten her number. Was he well in that foreign land, any troubles?

That's her, Shirou nodded inwardly. Still a rapid-fire tongue, words spilling like bullets.

"I've been okay. Life's… exciting, a little troublesome, but most of it's handled."

He skimmed through his adventures, glossing over the divine details. No need to involve her or the Zhou clan here.

"I see. But don't push yourself."

After a pause, her voice firmed. "If things get too dangerous, then give it up. Come back here. Think of it as keeping a retreat open, alright?"

"This…"

Suddenly she raised her voice. "Nono's with you, isn't she?"

Already leaning close, Nono jumped in.

"Yes! Long time no see, Mistress Nüwa! I get it—you're worried he'll throw himself into saving the world and die. Then why not send a submarine to wait offshore, just in case?"

"Simple enough!" came the reply. "And Shirou, you heard her. Human effort has limits."

"I know, I know! But wait—it's not that dire. I'm just stuck on training." He hurried to explain.

"Oh? Then tell me… By the way, Shirou, it's been ages since we talked properly. Sometimes when I'm busy, I think of your days there. I even lose my appetite from missing you."

"Ah—r-really?" Shirou faltered under the blunt words.

Beside him, Nono gave the faintest cold snort, crushing her can flat in one squeeze.

"It's about magic theory…"

As he spoke, Shirou realized this was how their bond began—online debates over training.

Now, it was just like back then.

(End of Chapter)

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