Completion of the Magic Sword "Ame-no-Habakiri"
Information about the Noble Phantasm flooded into Shirou's mind. The Mystic Eye, radiating a warm amber gem-like glow, seemed to connect to space and time itself, showing him scenes from the sword's history since its creation.
He saw a famous ancient craftsman honing a sword blank, sharpening one side.
When the sword tip's edges were ground into a curve more suited for cutting, the magical sword emitted its very first glint of cold light upon descending into the world.
Next, in a room with traditional Japanese decor, a sinister black shadow loomed behind a sickly woman with long deep-purple hair.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes, drew her blade, and struck at the shadow in a swift motion. The shadow let out a miserable screech before vanishing without a trace.
She was a tall, curvaceous, and awe-inspiring female general. Even in illness, her dignity and authority remained undiminished.
That woman seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around.
Her eyes actually pierced through space and time, locking directly with the young man's. Shirou wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but for a brief moment, he thought he saw motherly affection in her gaze?
Before he could react, the vision shifted to another scene.
A katana was being enshrined in a Hachiman Daibosatsu shrine.
Under moonlight streaming through the windows, the blade reflected a cold light, and a hissing sound echoed from inside the sheath.
In the next scene, a girl riding a black steed raised this same katana and charged into battle, cutting down enemy heads one after another, creating legend after legend.
Eventually, after its master's death, the sword was stored away by the Genji clan. As the Genji fell from power, it changed hands several times before ending up sealed within a museum, preserved to the present day…
Shirou's consciousness returned from the space-time visions. The Mystic Eye continued to glow gem-like, and the Noble Phantasm began to take shape within his inner world.
"The magic sword Ame-no-Habakiri (Pale Green), originally named Hizamaru, one of the treasured heirlooms of the Genji clan forged during the Heian period. It earned the name Kumo-kiri (Spider Cutter) after Raikou used it to slay the yokai Tsuchigumo, a monster said to spread disease." Due to absorbing too much demon blood, the sword emits a snake-like hiss at night, earning it the name Houmaru (Roaring Blade). When it was passed down to Yoshitsune, it came to be known as Ame-no-Habakiri!"
A surge of powerful magical energy flowed from Shirou's palm, transforming into particles of light and circuit-like beams, coalescing into the shape of a katana.
Within the blade, layers of change played out—like reliving the original forging, the many times it had been sharpened and polished by its wielder, and the sparks that flew from clashing with demons and enemy weapons on the battlefield.
Finally, the magic sword let out a bloodthirsty hissing like a serpent. A flash of cold light gleamed from its slender blade.
The magic sword Ame-no-Habakiri fully materialized in the boy's hands.
Though merely a projection, it was visually indistinguishable from the original.
With the amplification from his Mystic Eye, Shirou's projection magic had reached a new height—making any difference from the real thing virtually negligible.
"Yukinoshita! Catch!" Shirou shouted, tossing Ame-no-Habakiri to the girl.
The black-haired girl, possessed by a Heroic Spirit, had gained combat skill and strategic knowledge from the spirit's influence.
Her fear had vanished, and she now radiated the heroic presence of a young prodigy general. Without even looking up, she reached out and caught the falling Ame-no-Habakiri with a steady hand.
Raising the sword, she stroked the blade like one would a lover.
She flicked her finger against it, producing a clear tone. With a satisfied smile, she said, "Yes, this is the feeling I wanted. Shirou, I really like it."
"Oh? Can you slash with it now?" Shirou asked with a smile.
"I still need about 20% more charge to activate the Noble Phantasm. It'll take a little longer," Yukinoshita Yukino said, staring at the chimera-like creature.
Noble Phantasms are the crystallization of a Heroic Spirit's feats and legend, invoked through chanting the True Name and infusing magical energy.
Most Noble Phantasms require time to activate—some need incantations, others require immense mana to charge.
According to the FGO system rules, her Ushiwakamaru build was equipped with the concept craft essence "Gem Magecraft: Antumbra," a tool based on the Second Magic. It provided 80% of the Noble Phantasm's charge from the beginning.
"Leave the rest to me!" Mash raised her large shield, which emitted a white glow that enveloped Yukinoshita. She used her skill, "Obscurant Wall of Chalk."
As the central seat of the Round Table of Arthur's Knights, this shield symbolizes Camelot and possesses many mystical abilities: granting impregnable defense, rapidly charging Noble Phantasms, and other divine blessings.
"That's enough. With this, I can win now!" Yukinoshita Yukino lightly flicked Ame-no-Habakiri, producing a clear ring as she declared firmly.
"Alright then, let me take you there!" Shirou summoned Bayard, the magical horse of Georges the Rider, and began charging toward the mutated Chimera over three meters tall.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood with both feet against Shirou's back, her left hand resting on his shoulder, while her right hand raised Ame-no-Habakiri, the sword that had cut down countless demons.
"Mash! Fall back!"
As they approached the Chimera, Shirou drew Ascalon and, riding the white horse, rammed into the beast head-on, drawing its attention.
Yukinoshita leapt high from the horse's back, the fur-lined scabbard behind her swaying like a raccoon tail.
She flipped through the air with graceful arcs like a dolphin leaping from the sea, landing on the Chimera's back.
"HAAAHH!! Dan-no-ura - Hassō Tobi(Eight-Boat Leap)!"
The blade flashed with thunderous arcs of slicing light!
"RAAAHHH!" The jet-black Chimera let out a mournful wail and collapsed.
Half its body was cleaved, revealing flesh-pink muscle.
Like a volcanic eruption, blood sprayed in all directions. Its torn wings drooped lifelessly, one of its claws hacked off. Finally, under the setting sun, it dissolved into black phosphorescence and vanished.
"Shirou-senpai! Yukinoshita-senpai! That's great—we did it!" Mash put away her shield, returning to her school uniform form, and ran over happily to high-five Shirou.
"Yeah! We couldn't have done it without you, Mash!" Shirou responded, giving her a high-five and praising her.
Just then, the black-haired girl sheathed her sword and walked toward them, raising her hand.
"You too, Yukinoshita! That was amazing support!" Shirou smiled, reaching his hand out for a high-five.
Yukinoshita sidestepped him with visible disgust, brushing past his hand to walk toward Mash.
Mash giggled and raised her hand to high-five Yukinoshita—but Yukinoshita grabbed her wrist firmly, like arresting someone, gripping it tightly.
It seemed that, now the battle was over, the influence of the Heroic Spirit on the girl's psyche had weakened, and she reverted back to her usual prideful honor-student self.
"You're that first-year transfer student, Mash, right? Care to explain what exactly is going on here?" Yukinoshita stared at her with a mix of 30% anger and 70% suspicion—clearly ready to settle accounts.
"I'm sorry, Senpai! It was rude of me, but this is something that concerns everyone. Please let me explain," Mash bowed her head deeply. She had no rebuttal to Yukinoshita's words.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself from the beginning, it was still a fact that she had taken advantage of Shirou-senpai's kindness and dragged him into this mess without his consent.
"Um… Yukinoshita, there's actually one more important thing," Shirou stepped up quietly to remind her.
"What now?!" Yukinoshita turned back impatiently.
"Well… how long are you planning to keep walking around dressed in something that's making hearts race and faces turn red?" Shirou covered his eyes with one hand, holding out her discarded jacket with the other.
The black-haired girl was dressed in a luxurious black and gold leather armor set.
It looked stylish but provided actual protection only on the shoulders. Her chest and back were completely exposed.
In fact, aside from this bizarre armor, she was basically only wearing red bikini bottoms. Her bellybutton and back were clearly visible, and her top was barely covered.
"Pervert! Don't look at me!" Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly realized what she was wearing.
She snatched the coat like a blur, shielding her front.
This time, the girl couldn't even force a smile.
Her face turned crimson as she glared at Shirou—her expression clearly saying: "Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"Well, I mean… honestly, it suits you. Like a majestic warrior maiden—beautiful and badass…" Shirou turned away, trying to choose his words carefully.
…Also, the kind of girl who could kill with just a glance—or with an actual blade.
Yeah, better not say that part out loud.
What looked like good eye-candy in a game, once it appeared in reality, was honestly a little much—especially when worn by someone like Yukinoshita, the cold, aloof, beautiful honor student. It felt like cheating.