The next day, it was already past noon when Shirou finally woke up. His body still felt heavy from the previous night—the banquet had stretched into the early hours, and the celebration only ended when the first rays of morning bathed Orario. It was no wonder that everyone in the mansion slept in.
He was still leaning on the bed, trying to organize his thoughts, when he heard a soft knock at his door.
"Who's there?" he asked, his voice still hoarse from sleep.
"It's me, Shirou." The calm, familiar voice of Ais sounded from the other side.
He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair.
"Just a minute, Ais." he replied, already getting up in a hurry.
"Alright." she responded immediately.
Shirou couldn't simply open the door and welcome her just like that. So, in a few swift motions, he began tidying up the room, picking up clothes scattered around, and then headed to the makeshift kitchen. There were still dishes and utensils left from breakfast—the result of going to bed in a hurry after the banquet. With agile hands, he cleaned and washed the dishes, wiping the table until everything looked presentable.
When he finally deemed it acceptable, he opened the door. Ais Valhalla, with her ever-serene expression, was waiting there.
"Come in." he invited, stepping back to make space.
She entered silently, and Shirou guided her to the small table he had prepared. Then, he began preparing tea, a motion that had become almost automatic for him.
"What's the matter, Ais?" he asked gently. "You came looking for me early… is something wrong?"
Ais didn't answer immediately. Her clear eyes followed his every movement, as if she were organizing her words internally. Finally, she said:
"I want to join Bell's class tomorrow." she declared firmly. "I don't want to just sit around doing nothing."
Shirou raised an eyebrow but couldn't help smiling ironically as he placed the cup of tea in front of her.
"That's very typical of you." he commented.
He had expected something like this. Ais had never been the type to passively stay on the sidelines; for her, action and training were as natural as breathing.
"I understand." Shirou continued. "In that case, be ready early tomorrow. We'll train together."
Ais's eyes sparkled subtly, and she nodded with a slight movement of her head.
"Hmm."
---
A few hours later, in the forge, the metallic sound echoed through the room as Shirou hammered a glowing blade. The heat from the fire illuminated his face when a familiar voice rang from behind:
"Hey! Ais is training too?"
He immediately recognized Lefiya's surprised exclamation. Without stopping his movements, he replied:
"That's right. She's not the type to rely on the efforts of others. She wants to get stronger on her own." Shirou's smile was almost imperceptible but sincere. "It suits her personality well."
"I see…" murmured Lefiya, thoughtful.
She had originally come to inform him about the grand celebration that would take place that night in honor of Ais and Shirou's recent achievements. Unlike the intimate dinner they had the previous day, this would be an event for the entire Family. The order of events seemed reversed, but no one cared—the important thing was that everyone could share in the victory.
However, upon hearing that Ais would also be training, something stirred in Lefiya's heart. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly raised her voice:
"So… I'm going too!"
The hammer slipped from its rhythm for a moment, and a loud crack echoed. The blade being forged had developed a fissure. Shirou sighed and set aside the ruined metal.
"Lefiya…" he said, drying his hands on a towel. "Ais and I don't have much to teach you. Wouldn't it be better to train with Riveria?"
"But I want to train with you!" the elf exclaimed suddenly, grabbing Shirou's hand firmly. Her eyes, glistening with emotion, stared up at him pleadingly. "Please!"
Her gaze reminded him of someone about to cry. Shirou felt his resistance crumble.
"Alright, alright." he sighed, resigned. "Come when the time comes. I'll think of something to train you with."
"Really, brother?" Lefiya exclaimed with a radiant smile before throwing herself into his arms, wrapping them around his neck.
Shirou, stunned, barely managed to react to the sudden hug. Watching the young elf, who seemed increasingly comfortable acting without restraint around him, he felt helpless.
"She's like a little devil…" he thought. "When did I raise her to be like this? She's even a bit like Sakura…"
Still, he couldn't help but smile, even with a hint of melancholy.
---
After Lefiya left hopping happily, Shirou returned to his forge, but his mind was no longer focused. He thought about the magical sword.
During the dungeon exploration, many things had happened, but at no point had he forgotten about his project. He had tested various magical swords, one by one, until finding the path that best suited his abilities.
While Orario's blacksmiths sought to increase the durability of magical swords, Shirou followed a different path: he wanted a disposable blade, capable of unleashing all its power in a single strike. After all, all his swords, except the original, were projections—illusions destined to fade. Ideally, the weapon was meant to explode in power at the final moment.
This work was arduous and solitary, but Shirou did not complain. This constant pursuit of self-improvement was, in essence, what kept him going.
---
At night, the Twilight Mansion was alive with celebration. Flags waved, music and laughter echoed through the halls, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly prepared dishes.
As one of the honorees, Shirou arrived early and naturally prepared some special snacks for the Family. He couldn't favor only the exploration team from the previous night—everyone deserved recognition.
Thus, with his culinary skills already refined thanks to his life in Orario, he served dishes that quickly awakened the instincts of the crowd.
"Shirou is really cooking!" someone shouted.
"Ahhh, I want to eat!" another voice echoed.
Soon, a commotion formed in the dining hall.
"Don't fight! They're mine!" Loki shouted.
"That's not fair!"
"Ha! Who cares? I'm a goddess!"
Chaos ensued, but Shirou just smiled. To prevent Ais and Lefiya from getting involved in the noisy dispute, he discreetly called them over and led them to the kitchen.
"Here." he said, gently stroking both of their hair. "I made something just for you. Eat in peace, without competing with those animals outside."
The simple gesture brought a quiet warmth to the small kitchen. Lefiya laughed softly, Ais remained serious, but her eyes sparkled slightly, and Shirou simply smiled.
"Humph… taking care of my little sister is my duty."
And so, amid the celebration stirring the entire Family, Shirou found a rare moment of tranquility.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."