FATE: Target of Grand Master

The next day, the two went to the student cafeteria together and both chose very light white porridge with pickles.

After a night's rest and digestion, along with a light breakfast, both of their injuries had healed, and their magic power had recovered by half.

After discussing it, the two decided to conduct a complete exploration of Moonsea Academy.

Strangely enough, after Xia Yan awakened, the NPCs who used to greet and interact with him seemed to disappear, all going about their own business. Only when Xia Yan initiated a conversation with them did they seem to recognize him and respond accordingly.

That's good, at least I don't have to worry too much about the impact on NPCs when I take action.

The two of them inspected every part of the school, from top to bottom, floor to floor, including the rooftop and the adjacent church.

The result can only be described as mixed.

The good thing is that there are no dungeons like in the original games, so you don't have to grind for materials and items like in games. You just need to go to the arena on time.

At the same time, apart from a few special NPCs who appeared in the original work, such as Kirei Kotomine, Taiga Fujimura, and Sakura Matou, none of the Masters who might pose a threat to Xia Yan in the original work appeared.

But this is also what Xia Yan found somewhat disappointing.

Rin Tohsaka, Rani VII, and even the Aozaki sisters from the church were not there. The entire academy was both safe and monotonous. Perhaps in BB's view, the purpose of this trial was simply to eliminate the Master, so there was no need to design it in a very detailed way.

Night fell quickly, and Xia Yan and Nero went to bed early to conserve their energy for the second round of battle.

"The results of the first round of the qualifying tournament have been confirmed. Masters who have advanced to the second round, please proceed to the lobby on the first floor to draw your opponent."

At 8:00 AM sharp, the AI's notification sound clearly and loudly reached Xia Yan's ears through the outer wall of the lounge.

Fortunately, Xia Yan went to bed early the night before and woke up early, unaffected by the notification.

"Let's go, musician, and see who our next opponent is."

Nero has fully recovered and is looking forward to his second opponent with full health and mana.

The two arrived at the lobby on the first floor, where a machine resembling a casino slot machine stood quietly against the wall, with a cartoon BB character on the electronic screen emitting pre-recorded voice messages.

"Congratulations on surviving another round! Come here and choose your opponent for the next round. Just pull the lever below to find a match."

"Player, that sarcastic tone is making me very uncomfortable. May I cut this device down?"

Nero summoned the "Primordial Flame," and it didn't seem like he was joking.

"Then we won't be able to find opponents," Xia Yan said helplessly.

"That's perfect. Without opponents, we don't have to fight. Food and rest are guaranteed, so we can just stay here and wait for that weirdo to come and beg us to go back."

Nero's method was indeed very satisfying, but Xia Yan felt that if they really did it, he and Nero would most likely be trapped in this trial forever.

After all, even Morgan couldn't easily break through BB's rules. It's not that Xia Yan underestimated Nero, but compared to Morgan, Nero's strength was still somewhat weaker.

While calming Nero down, Xia Yan seized the opportunity to pull the lever on the BB slot machine. The three BB symbols that were originally static on the screen began to scroll. After a while, the scrolling symbols stopped one by one, revealing three identical figures.

It was an orange-haired woman dressed as the mascot of a hamburger chain and wearing a clown mask. If you are familiar with FGO Craft Essence card art, you should be able to recognize her as the character from the four-star Craft Essence: Rhapsody - Lanlu-kun.

Seeing Xia Yan staring thoughtfully at the screen, Nero asked, "Player, do you know this person?"

"Yes, her name is Lanlu-kun. She is a pitiful woman who went mad due to the trauma of losing her baby in the womb and suffers from severe anorexia, only able to eat what she loves. Her Servant is Vlad III, a Lancer-class servant."

"Oh, you really know a lot about us."

A delicate female voice came from behind the two of them.

Xia Yan and Nero hurriedly turned around and saw a slender woman wearing a clown mask and a white-haired man wearing armor with serrated spikes.

"Player, what's going on? I'm sure they weren't here just now. It's like..."

"It's like they appeared out of thin air after I pulled the BB slot machine and confirmed my opponent."

Xia Yan also realized this.

"Hmm? My wife, can you understand what they're babbling about over there?"

Vlad III spoke to Lanlu Jun beside him.

"I don't understand either. Oh well, that's not important. What's important is that they all look delicious."

Lan Lujun revealed a long-lost expression of excitement.

"Oh~ My wife is showing a rare appetite? Hmm, hmm, I understand. These two are as tempting as the main course at a state banquet. My gun can't wait to pierce their bodies and share their flesh with you. Ahahahahaha..."

Vlad III laughed maniacally as he summoned his crimson spear.

"Hey, you guys should know that starting a fight right now is against the rules!"

Nero, holding the "Primordial Flame," stood in front of Xia Yan.

"Huh? That stuff is nothing compared to my wife's appetite! My wife's appetite is as rare as a shooting star streaking across the night sky. If we don't seize this opportunity now, my wife will suffer the torment of hunger again. Feel honored, you are a gift from the gods, and we will kill you with reverence."

"Wait a minute, I can't pretend I didn't hear that."

Just as Nero was about to raise his sword to meet Vlad III's attack, three black swords were shot at Vlad III first.

clang!clang!clang!

After Vlad III easily finished off the challenge, he turned to look at Kirei Kotomine, who was walking slowly towards him.

"Are you going to stop my wife from eating?"

Vlad III's murderous intent instantly boiled over.

"Hmph, it seems I can't communicate with you using words."

Kirei Kotomine was equally unyielding, gripping all six black keys simultaneously with both hands.

Just as the atmosphere between the two was about to explode, Lan Lujun suddenly spoke up: "Ah! No! No! My appetite is gone. Seeing this man is like seeing a huge spoonful of chili oil inexplicably poured over the main course at a state banquet. I have no appetite at all. No, I have to go back. I feel like I'll never be able to eat anything again if I look at him even once more."

After saying that, Lan Lujun turned and left on his own.

"My wife, wait for me."

Vlad III instantly abandoned his murderous intent and left with Lanlu Jun.

Seeing this, Kirei Kotomine also put away his black keys, but he muttered to himself, "Although I don't care that much about my appearance, what you just said was a bit too hurtful."