That protagonist is trash; I could do better!

Saber looked around in confusion, saw Shinji Matou in front of her, then looked at Irisviel with a gentle gaze: "I'm back, Irisviel, but what's going on here?"

Shinji Matou stared at the Command Seals on the back of his hand, making sure there were no problems, and smiled, "Use the Holy Grail System to perform a pre-summoning."

"Hasn't the Holy Grail already disintegrated?" Saber asked in surprise.

"I've repaired it, but I'm still far from having enough mana reserves to start a Holy Grail War, Saber. Feel your body."

"This is···"

"The spirit origin that makes up your body is a degraded version of a Servant, which can reduce magic power consumption by more than 90%. Of course, your combat power as a Servant will also be impaired as a result, and you will be unable to use Noble Phantasms."

Saber smiled gently: "I see. I am already content to be able to return to this world and protect you all."

The interlude is probably less than twenty chapters long.

I should be able to finish writing in about three or four more chapters.

Chapter Ninety-Six: The Sisters' Shura Field

A few months later, the Matou family

"Feel the laws governing the crystallization of the five elements, regulate and balance them, accumulate magic power, let it flow and transform freely—why can't you do something so simple!"

Under Shinji Matou's biting sarcasm, Rin Tohsaka's small face showed anger as she gritted her teeth and reached out to control the five elemental crystals in front of her.

Elemental crystals, symbolizing different elements, are placed within a pentagram magic circle. Under Rin Tohsaka's control, they emit a faint light, and the power of the elements is injected into different crystals to form a balance.

But this result did not last long; all the elemental crystals emitted a bright light simultaneously, indicating that they were about to explode due to the elemental chaos.

"No!"

Rin Tohsaka screamed and instinctively covered her head to avoid crouching down.

After a long while, seeing no movement, she opened her eyes and cautiously observed her surroundings. Meeting Shinji Matou's disappointed gaze, she blushed slightly and complained indignantly, "It should have succeeded. The quality of these crystals is impure, mixed with the power of other elements."

"I deliberately gave you this crystal to practice on, and I'm really disappointed in you." Shinji Matou shook his head and turned to leave.

Rin Tohsaka made a face at Shinji Matou's back before leaving the room.

Outside, Shinji Matou encountered Sakura Matou as soon as he stepped out. She was wearing a black sailor uniform with a red ribbon tied around her neck. She had grown from a little girl into a graceful young woman, inheriting the temperament of her mother, Aoi Tohsaka. She was gentle and dignified, like a Yamato Nadeshiko born into a noble family.

Last year, Matou Sakura officially became a junior high school student.

Sakura Matou smiled slightly at Shinji Matou and said, "Brother, I was just about to go call you. Breakfast is ready. Where's my sister?"

Shinji Matou said irritably, "Those good-for-nothings don't deserve to eat breakfast."

"Who are you calling a good-for-nothing!" Rin Tohsaka rushed over angrily, glared at Shinji Matou, and then quickly changed her expression, saying gently to Sakura Matou, "Sakura, I won't stay here for breakfast. I've been researching magic all night, and I want to go back and get some sleep."

As she spoke, Rin Tohsaka yawned and stretched lazily.

"You've worked hard. In that case, please feel free to use my room," Matou Sakura said with concern.

"No need for that. See you at school tomorrow."

Goodbye, sister.

Shinji Matou shouted to Rin Tohsaka as she came downstairs, "Don't forget the magic assignment I gave you. Don't come back if you can't finish it."

"Why are you so long-winded? I know." Rin Tohsaka glared at Shinji Matou again.

Rin Tohsaka possesses adaptability to the five elements, allowing her to use elemental magic based on a specific magical property.

Furthermore, its magical properties are superior to Matou Shinji's [Flow] [Transformation], allowing it to manipulate the accumulation, flow, and transformation of magical power. Except for its inferior control over flow, it is essentially superior to Matou Shinji in the other two aspects.

Whether it's her magician attributes or magical characteristics, Rin Tohsaka possesses first-rate talent and is very suitable to inherit the alchemy mastered by Shinji Matou. Shinji Matou doesn't have the concept of secret magician teachings, so he basically treats her as a half-apprentice.

After Rin Tohsaka left, Shinji Matou covered his mouth and chuckled, "My brother and sister still have such a good relationship."

"Can you even call her attitude towards me good?" Shinji Matou rolled his eyes. It wasn't that Shinji Matou was oblivious to his feelings; they simply disliked each other.

"I think it's a good idea. Let's go eat first. Miss Saber has been waiting for a long time."

······

Back at the Tohsaka residence, Rin Tohsaka originally planned to take a bath and then have a nice nap. However, as soon as she entered the house, she saw her father, Tokiomi Tohsaka, sitting on the sofa in the living room, frowning and deep in thought.

"Father," Rin Tohsaka greeted.

Tokitomi Tohsaka snapped out of his reverie and nodded, saying, "Rin, is now a good time? I have something very important to discuss with you."

"Ok."

Rin Tohsaka followed Tokiomi Tohsaka into the study. The atmosphere was serious, and it was the first time Rin had ever seen her father so hesitant.

After a long pause, Tokiomi Tohsaka asked, "Rin, what do you think of Shinji Matou?"

Huh?

Rin Tohsaka was surprised, and then her mind raced as she tried to figure out why her father had asked the question.

Could it be that I've gone to the Matou family too many times and upset my father? But if I don't go to the Matou family, I won't see Sakura.

With that thought in mind, Rin Tohsaka smiled and said, "He is a mature and steady magician. As an older brother, he is also taking care of Sakura responsibly. He also has many unpredictable secrets. He is the type of enemy I least want to face."

“Indeed, he has done a great favor for our Tohsaka family. Rin, what do you think of the idea of ​​forming an alliance with the Matou family?”

Rin Tohsaka smiled knowingly, "It's not bad at all. I often receive his help too."

Next, Tokiomi Tohsaka asked a few more strange questions, which Rin Tohsaka answered in a positive light.

·····

The following night, Tokiomi Tohsaka brought Rin Tohsaka to visit.

"Please enjoy." Matou Sakura placed the black tea in front of Tohsaka Tokiomi, then stood behind Matou Shinji and cast a questioning look at Tohsaka Rin, who was also standing behind Tohsaka Tokiomi.

Rin Tohsaka shook her head, indicating that she was also baffled.

Tokitomi Tohsaka, leaning on his jeweled cane, solemnly asked, "Head of the Matou family, please forgive my intrusion, but what do you think of my daughter?"

This question is indeed presumptuous...

Shinji Matou's expression was strange. Could it be that this father and daughter had come to become his apprentices? It was quite possible. Shinji Matou had always treated Rin Tohsaka well, and if Tokitomi Tohsaka went along with it and had Rin become Shinji Matou's apprentice, it would strengthen the relationship between the two families, which would be entirely beneficial to the Tohsaka family.

The thought of being able to openly torment the "Red Devil" in the future added a touch of malice to Shinji Matou's smile: "Rin is an excellent magician. Although she lacks training now, her talent is beyond doubt."

What is this guy talking about?

Rin Tohsaka cast a questioning look at Shinji Matou. Shinji Matou hadn't said this before, and had repeatedly undermined her confidence.

"In other words, you are quite satisfied with my daughter."

“Of course.” Shinji Matou picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"So, Matou family head, do you have any intention of forming a marriage alliance with the Tohsaka family?"

Ok?

Shinji Matou almost spat his tea onto Tokiomi Tohsaka's face. Holy crap, so he didn't come to become an apprentice, he came to propose marriage!?

"Huh?" Behind him, Rin Tohsaka was stunned and stood frozen in place.

Sakura Matou also used the tray to hide her surprised expression.

"I object!" Rin Tohsaka said firmly.

"No way!" Matou Sakura quickly agreed.

"Hmm?" Tokitomi Tohsaka gave Rin Tohsaka a strange look: "Rin, didn't you say yesterday that you had feelings for the head of the Matou family?"

So that's why those problems were caused!

"This...that...that's...there are many complicated reasons!" Rin Tohsaka was busy trying to explain but couldn't organize her thoughts. She felt incredibly frustrated. When she glared at Shinji Matou, she noticed that her younger sister, Sakura Matou, was looking at her with a hint of hostility and an unfriendly expression.

Finished!

Sakura is so cute.

Since I can't upload pictures for the next chapter, I'll just put the maid Saber from the next chapter here.

Chapter 97 Can a Knight King also become a maid?

In 2001, the forests on the outskirts of Fuyuki City were devastated, with the ground riddled with holes and the entire forest uprooted, as if it had been subjected to an indiscriminate bombing.

This land belongs to the Einzbern family. Not far away is the crater created by the Ea sword, which has now become a small lake.

Shinji Matou lay panting on the ground, using the last of his strength to shout, "I lost!"

After saying that, he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. His physical strength and magic power were completely exhausted, leaving him in a sorry state.

In the distance, Scáthach walked over, holding a magic spear. As her magic gathered, her tight-fitting clothes transformed into casual wear, a business suit that accentuated her graceful and slender curves. She reached out and grabbed Shinji Matou, lifting him up from the ground. Looking into his eyes, she snorted softly, "This time you've made some progress, but you're still far from satisfying me."

“Scáthach, I’m a real human now, while you’re a being of a higher level than a Servant. There’s no way you can win.” Shinji Matou smiled wryly.

What were those strange moves just now?

"You mean Bajiquan? That's a Chinese martial art that I commissioned the Magicians' Association to collect. But because the secrets of Chinese martial arts are more rigorous than those of magic, all I could collect was the basics. And because the foundation of magic is different, it's just an empty shell."

The Chinese martial arts in this world are not just for show. Kirei Kotomine and his son are skilled in Bajiquan. Kirei Kotomine believes that he has only learned the basics. His disciple, Rin Tohsaka, once used Bajiquan to beat up Medea, the magician from the Age of Gods.

Shinji Matou was naturally very interested in the Chinese martial arts of this world, but he couldn't find the right way to learn them. The transmission of martial arts between different schools was even more rigorous than that of magic.

After resting for a while, Shinji Matou asked, "By the way, how's that thing I asked you to do?"

“These few second-rate magicians have no room for further growth. Summoning familiars is a warning to them.” Scáthach replied indifferently, but familiars summoned with primordial runes could take a magician’s life with just a warning.

"They were all sent by the Mage's Association to investigate the Holy Grail... Never mind."

Scáthach ruffled Shinji Matou's hair: "Don't forget the reward you promised. If it's the King of Knights, it will satisfy me to some extent."

"Don't have too high expectations. Her spiritual foundation is incomplete, so she can't unleash her full power."

"It has nothing to do with strength, it's just a contest of martial arts. I don't ask for more now. How's the Holy Grail repair going?"

"The repairs have been completed, but it will take at least five more years to accumulate magic power."

"I'm really looking forward to the next Holy Grail War. The Land of Shadows and my second-stage Spirit Origin have already been killed by you. If this Holy Grail War can summon a Servant of the same level as the last one, my wish might be fulfilled. Shinji, you are now my only disciple, so you have to live up to your expectations."

The Fifth Holy Grail War, although starting at a slightly different time, will likely feature the same few participants besides the three starter families.

Bazette Fraga Macremis, one of the strongest magicians in the Clock Tower, can summon Lancer Cú Chulainn using relics.

Shinji Matou's lips curled into a strange smile. He was looking forward to seeing how Cú Chulainn would react when he saw his teacher Scáthach here.