Not even done rejoicing new abilities, pondered keeping specialist clones close and not sending on missions. They're not much stronger than normal clones, but bonuses huge.
Remembered "Dream Team" and checked city—found them quick at Shirou's house, sleeping. Well yeah, 4am, need some rest. Wondered when I last slept. Couldn't recall—almost a month ago? Realized it's kinda unhealthy. But no consequences, so shelve for now—sleep after war.
*6pm, same day.*
Watching stream of schoolkids heading home, still perched in tree ambush. Nothing special today—Shirou and Rin teamed up, hit school in pairs destroying barrier seals—handled quick, relatively. Made Sakura's brother tense, snagging them one by one for weird talks—or so I think, since I still avoided school.
From his chaotic pacing, he senses shit's coming—speaking of her, or rather Illya with Berserker. Fine for me—used to 8-hour ambushes, pleasure below average. Though honestly, periodically distract on other stuff like main body snack, ponder magic, and prep coffin!
Yeah, that one—Illya leaves good impression, dumping her future corpse in woods or alley is crime! First thought burn with fire magic, but no—not right. And who knows if I'll need her body later? So swiped coffin from ruined Church, prepped Forest clearing deep in woods with empty-spot illusion.
As for entertainment for said Illya—not much, girl's sat on playground literally next street most of day—while Berserker like me perches in tree watching school. She's worn out, tried everything possible—for playground, not many options.
Honestly thought she'd snap by hour 2 in ambush, but no—endured. Why "ambush"? Didn't turn off circuits, shines magic decent distance.
Made me ponder why—Rin doesn't keep circuits on constantly. And doubt it's healthy—I haven't checked, but probably not good for body. Circuits like muscles—tense periodically fine, but constant tension? Can tear 'em. Don't know if applies to Magic circuits, but probably.
I remember talking about "upgrades" done on her—and comparing to Rin with circuits on, difference huge, not in Rin's favor. Side effect of "upgrades"?
All possible, but if so—questions how long she'll last like that? No, I know she's Homunculus—could've modded her for max output this war. And her survival post-war not planned.
Given artificial humans possible—maybe justified. Hmf, definitely preserve body—maybe study later, find diffs from normal human physiology? Been thinking own upgrades long, and here's material.
Sure I wanna make myself space marine—yeah, Warhammer echoes won't quit! Dream: 4 lungs, 2 hearts, extra organs, pump muscles! And as jacked near-3m dude, feel way confidenter than 1.5m twerp! Yeah, complexes! Given average Japanese height—justified.
But first dissect Illya—not now though—so add freeze coffin point, that magic available. And need human/gomunculus experiments. Hm, reasons to raid Einzbern family for all property/knowledge piling up.
So musing ethics of live experiments and murder/looting—half hour passed, school near empty. Few kids, teachers, janitor don't count. Illya thought same, headed to school—random collaterals gonna random.
Rin and Shirou left school hour ago—Shirou with Sakura toward his house. Rin ran home—maybe Artoria waits? Doesn't matter, time to act! Make ambush clone, descend and tail Illya.
Thus leisurely we near where Sakura's brother holed up—some Warehouse? Dunno what this one-story building is, never cared while "studying." Keep respectful distance from Illya—who knows. Reaching "Warehouse"—Illya sends Berserker ahead.
Inside more like fancy country house—odd. Found Sakura's brother in spacious candle-lit room, sprawled on sofa with glassy-eyed schoolgirl and wine bottle in hand—tobe nearby on table.
"What a surprise—I wondered who came. Underclassman? You're a Master, right? Your Servant looks impressive. Wanna join me? I can teach you lots—I'm from noble Matou line! One of three families fighting for Holy Grail, we can give you much!" Sakura's brother gestures to room corner where Rider manifests. "Oh, let me introduce—my Servant! Or wanna fight? Not talkative, huh. Fine. Always dreamed of watching two Servants battle! Rider!"
*Red Magic circles flare on floor/walls, chains burst out binding Illya and Berserker.*
"See? What I meant—simple trap and you fell easy. So, join me?" Shinji Matou.
"Berserker." Illya's voice sounded weary, and Berserker tore chains with one move—circles winked out, trap gone.
Shinji shoved schoolgirl aside, jumped up, grabbed tome. "Go Rider!"
Rider made knives with emanating chains, dashed to corner, then bounced corner-to-corner wrapping Berserker—who ignored it—so she tried side attack but ate fist to body, flew into wall, stayed down—all chains vanished.
"A?... eee..." Shinji's smile faded, awkward silence fell. He calmly approached fallen Rider. "Hey, did I say you could lose? Get up! Get up now! Up, you worthless shit! Up before she thinks your Master's weak!"
Waved tome glowing—no effect. Angrier, lightning hit Rider, he added kicks. Lasted 15sec till tome flared.
Shinji dropped tome, frantically patted it. "Go out, out now!"
Tome didn't care—burned up, second later Rider mana-dissipated too. Even more awkward silence. And I felt 3 indescribables: my heart! Rider's heart! Also—"wait, you can do that?" And "fuck you're a loser."
"You done?" Illya's calm voice.
"A? Aaaa..." Shinji turned to Illya, slowly crawled back. "I lost, right? Out of Grail War! You won't kill me?"
*Illya silent.*
"My family can give much! Join us, join!" Spotting something in Illya's eyes, Shinji bolted screaming through nearest door. "No, I won't die! No!"
"Berserker, kill him." After order, sensing mood, Berserker leisurely pursued Shinji.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan