*Evening that day.*
Sitting on the white throne, indulging unhappy thoughts—I overdid it with the heart; it wasn't fresh, and I didn't even marinate. And I'm a shitty shashlyk maker too. So I've been throne-sitting an hour thinking. Felt nothing new in me—no, feeling plenty now, but not what I wanted!
Trying to find a silver lining—in the portable fridge it shouldn't spoil much, and nausea will pass soon. Now I can brag I ate my own heart! Though sounds more like a threat. Wonder if usable for intimidation?
*Day after.*
Sitting in a clone by the school, watching—no changes, no new Servants. A bit worried the unforgettable night meant no regular key-spot monitoring via clones.
*4 days later.*
I'd rehearsed my future role, and changes finally came—in school, trailing Sakura's brother in spirit form is a sexy purple-haired beauty in leather... em, I don't even know what to call it? Shoes? Boots? Anyway, something on high heels going almost to her ass.
Initially thought stockings, but no—part of her footwear. The too-small-for-her dress tight in the chest, skirt hiding little—silent on that. Only other thing: eye bandage—how's she see through it? Overall picture raises tons of questions for "ancient heroes."
Though morally prepared, the template still tore a bit. Caster was exotically dressed but modest overall. But what's this walking sex on legs? Can't theorize who even! Exclusion method says Rider—the rider. But what or who she rides, sans dirty thoughts—I can't guess. And her name? No theories!
Maybe insane disguise to confuse and hinder ID. And with Sakura's brother at 15-17, satisfying his fetishes too. But I see it's her actual clothes—can't take stuff into spirit form, only what was on body at summoning. Works on my clones, same rules for other Servants. So this is her battle gear and kit.
Tracked the sweet pair all day. No debauchery, which... probably a plus. Daytime, they did nothing; nighttime—no debauchery either. Maybe biased, shouldn't judge by clothes? But saw Rider walking school dropping blood, making circles—suspecting trouble, backed off, rightly so. End: weird barrier flashed over school. What and why? Dunno. But her magic? No big news.
Assigned dedicated clone to tail when not school/home—found their house long ago, but... too much protection, and recalling family traits shuddered, decided fuck going near those insect-philes. And magical bugs tensed me hard—how they'd interact with me in spirit form. Theories weren't rosy, given my magic-item experience.
Recalling old musings, wild thought: was that cricket at my Caster meet a spy?
Something deep says I've finally lost it—probably common sense, which I don't exclude. But paranoia says I'm likely right, reinforce camp defenses and kill bugs within kilometer! Yeah, found couple runes for wards in Rin's books—not god-tier, but better than nothing. Hm, send clone to rob gardening store for bug spray chems.
Nodded to wise self on security breach—continued watching. First, they did nothing special, but rotten soul of the guy showed. Soon attacks on classmates, dragging to alleys for rape. Revealed another Servant trait—hypnosis or mental, since girls had memory issues after.
Mda, even I have limits, hadn't sunk that low—didn't watch or interfere. Just distanced and waited them out. Unpleasant, but tried not thinking or prying.
Until I noticed Rider brighter in Magical sight. Alerted me; next time decided to watch—couldn't grasp what Rider did, just held girl by neck, girl paled. Vampire type? Guy held faintly glowing book; end, left girl to him—didn't watch that.
So many wondrous discoveries this world brings! Remembered something like this exists, but hadn't encountered! Didn't peek in mouth to confirm fangs. Most like Energy drain... hm. Checked old notes, refreshed memory—guy not magus, magic book from his dad.
Theory: destroy book, Rider vanishes. Viable kill method, but no heart. Dilemma. That evening, canon started.
Habitually checking key spots via clone in Rin's basement—library, lab, Workshop. Saw her open never-before-used room; didn't close door fully, so spied from hall unnoticed.
"Time's right..." Rin mutters, touching her hand. "O silver and iron, foundation stone of the architect's covenant, heed me in the name of our great teacher, Archmage Schweinorg..."
Listened to start, lost interest in summoning chant. Noted her circle different from one I stole from Shirou's house.
Local magi love spouting such nonsense. I just cursed the ceiling and yelled, and summoned my Servant fine. Though my dislike didn't spare me reading similar drivel learning spells.
Later, trial-and-error shortened to simple "Ice Arrow," no appeals to frigid abyss depths, great ice spirits etc. But paid with long cast—annoying, but mentally comfy. Felt clownish awhile; magic should be science! Not this, though not for me to say...
While I indulged moral torments on being's futility and magic world order, Rin finished—bright loud *PSHIK*. Nothing, but moment later noise above, she bolted to upper floor.
Silently trailed at distance—risky, since she should summon Shirou Emiya as Archer. Archers have detection skills, but I'm Assassin with bonuses vs him. And it's Shirou... can't see as real threat, though know he's "Heroic Spirit." Also thought: test if he sees me—if yes, better expose now than later suddenly.
Eh, feeling some Spanish shame. Watching anime as kid—one thing; reality—another. Shirou sprawled mid ruined room; changed much over "summer," gained tons of cockiness, but unmistakable... that face. And it starts: bla-bla-bla—clock wrong, summoned wrong one, bla-bla-bla. Actually offensive words.
Covered eyes so not see these clowns measure whose got more gonorrhea and sort relations. Girl, really don't pose as world queen and lip-talk; get you subconsciously sensed Shirou, standard shit-girl reaction. Even earned somewhat, but still. And climax begins.
"Master-Servant relations must be strictly regulated from the start." Rin preps to humiliate/dominate.
"Yeah, I'll agree there, but why should I consider myself your Servant?" Archer-Shirou keeps lounging on broken sofa.
Rin shows hand with Command Seals. "This proves I'm your Master. Right?"
"Oh god, that's what? Not that I wanted to see. Wanted to know if worthy of my loyalty." For more pathos, even stands from sofa.
"What? Am I not good enough to be your Master?" Rin's burning.
"Regretfully, I acknowledge you as my Master, but on one condition. During war, ignore your orders. I'll decide everything myself; no objections, hope?" Archer-Shirou tries bending situation to self.
"So, acknowledged but won't obey? Why? You're my Servant." Rin.
"Yes, formally. Obey formally too. In battle, I decide? Till Holy Grail War ends, hope you hole up somewhere. Even inexperienced, it'll help. Mad at you? Of course I respect you; must bring victory to Master—my win is yours, gladly share spoils. That work? Anyway, for safety, leave all to me; expect nothing from you." Archer-Shirou.
Hm, logical in principle, but less arrogance and different phrasing might've worked. I'd agree—hell, hiding far now. But on young girl who thinks superior cuz magus and all—that, tccc.
"Now I'm pissed! Fine, won't play nice—force it!" Rin finally flares.
"You wouldn't!" Seems Shirou gets what's coming.
"Would! Ungrateful brat! You're my Servant! Absolute obedience to any order!" Rin used Command Spell.
And I just sat melting. Also recalled Hassan—I was unfair. At least he didn't make scenes.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan