It never once occurred to Emiya Shirou that someone could blow a basic magic circuit out of proportion to such a ridiculous extent.
So when Zhou Yuxuan suddenly pulled back mid-fight with a look of utter shock on his face, Emiya had no idea what was going on.
Was he still going to fight or what?
"Emiya-dono, I've now thoroughly experienced both your martial prowess and Western Magecraft," Zhou Yuxuan said as he sheathed his massive greatsword, clearly wanting to call it a day. "You are indeed the real deal. Wamuu-sama's test ends here."
"…Wait, that sword of yours—you never even drew it."
Emiya didn't feel ready to end the fight just yet. That heavy ring-pommel sword had never actually left its sheath—Zhou had just been swinging it around like a door panel.
Which meant that the blade had never actually been unsheathed, and thus its True Name Release as a Noble Phantasm had never occurred.
He had wanted to observe it firsthand. In order to project a Noble Phantasm, the more intimately he understood and analyzed the original, the more accurate the copy would be.
"You noticed?"
Zhou Yuxuan smiled and ran a hand along the black sheath. A low dragon's growl seemed to echo from within, resonating with power.
"This sword... is usually more of a ceremonial heirloom and token of the Zhou family. It cannot be drawn lightly. If activated, it exacts a price close to one's very life. Besides, you are now considered an honored guest of the Zhou clan, not an enemy that needs to be slain."
"..." Emiya fell silent. So unleashing it would drain him of magical energy—possibly even life force. That was no small price to pay. He couldn't in good conscience ask Zhou to reveal its full power.
"If you insist on seeing the true form of 'Dragon Severing Platform,' I could submit a request to Wamuu-sama," Zhou added. "She is the only one who can fully wield it, and she already holds you in high regard. She may be willing to demonstrate its power."
A grinning face suddenly popped into view as Old Tang slapped Emiya hard on the shoulder. "You really are something, Brother Emiya. Just a little chit-chat and boom—you're on the radar of the big shots. Me? I've only got my esports résumé going for me."
But he didn't sound bitter at all. On the contrary, he seemed delighted, as though tagging along with Emiya meant a future full of food, fortune, and high-status company.
Sure enough, in the next breath he started schmoozing.
"Brother Zhou, about that ruins job… I mean, hunters usually go in as cannon fodder, right? But now that your family acknowledges us, how about me and Brother Emiya just—y'know—skip that part?"
Zhou raised a hand. "It's just a job payment. Since Emiya-dono has been recognized, he'll receive full compensation without having to enter the ruins. As for you… that's up to him."
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Old Tang beamed like he'd just won the lottery. "Brother, this time I—"
But Emiya wasn't listening. He was squinting into the distance.
"Does your Zhou family have any other business here today?" he asked.
"Eh?" Zhou was confused. "No. Just this private meeting with you. The other families won't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest."
Emiya had enhanced his vision using Magecraft.
While Reinforcement was a basic spell, it had flexible uses. Besides strengthening limbs for power, it could also amplify the senses—when applied to the eyes, it acted like a pseudo-Clairvoyance.
His archery precision was due not only to skill and quality equipment, but also to exceptional eyesight.
"I can see vehicles heading this way in a straight line."
———
Su Xiaoqiang sat in the backseat of a black Audi A8, its engine humming lowly. The car's stereo played "Daily Growing" by Irish band Altan. Uncle Li was at the wheel. Night was falling, the city lights sparse, and the pitch-black car seemed to merge with the growing darkness.
Her official excuse was that the hotel was boring and she wanted to go for a drive. But in truth, she was heading to the location that red-haired boy—Emiya Shirou—had asked her about earlier.
More than curiosity, she was captivated by the grim determination on his face. He had looked like a soldier on a mission, someone carrying a heavy burden who would charge into danger without hesitation to save his comrade.
Bored out of her mind and fabulously wealthy, Su Xiaoqiang had already conjured up an entire movie-worthy scenario in her head. Moved by her own mental screenplay, she felt completely invested.
"Miss, it's quite dark now. For safety, we really should turn on the headlights," Uncle Li suggested.
"Eh! No, no!"
She waved her hands in flustered panic. Uncle Li raised a skeptical brow. She'd refused headlights since the drive began, claiming she wanted to enjoy the 'natural night view.' Clearly a lousy excuse.
Then he spotted a large dark-colored truck barreling down the road in the same direction they were headed. Though she said they were just out for a drive, she was clearly trailing it.
Uncle Li quietly switched his phone to speed dial and recording mode.
Before long, he slowed down the car.
"Miss, we're almost there."
"Really!?" Su Xiaoqiang exclaimed, before catching herself. She hadn't told Uncle Li the destination.
"How do you know?"
"Because there's a 'Road Closed, Vehicles Detour' sign ahead…"
Uncle Li furrowed his brow as he finished the sentence. The truck ahead of them had just plowed right through the barricade and continued onward.
Su Xiaoqiang was secretly thrilled. Blocked roads? Definitely something shady going on.
She was about to tell Uncle Li to drive through as well when—
Knock knock knock.
Clear tapping came from outside the car window.
She instinctively lowered the glass—only to be hit by a chill that shot from her scalp to her toes.
They were speeding down a deserted road—how could anyone be knocking?
But the window was already halfway down. And there, outside, was a familiar face.
A red-haired young man.
"?"
Using Reinforcement Magecraft on his legs, Emiya Shirou had sprinted up to catch the Audi. Seeing her reaction, he touched his face.
Did he really look that scary?
"It's you!"
Su Xiaoqiang relaxed a little, her stiff expression softening. Uncle Li brought the car to a slow stop, hand moving away from the emergency call button.
"What are you doing here? This place is... I mean, this is a nationally protected archaeological site! No unauthorized access!"
As she tried to argue, Emiya calmly presented a full stack of documents obtained from Zhou Yuxuan—excavation permits, cultural preservation licenses, and group certifications—shutting her down completely.
All she could do was blurt out in disbelief:
"Wait… archaeologists are this fit now? You caught up to an Audi on foot and you're not even winded?!"
(End of Chapter)
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