Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

To outsiders, it seemed that he dared not act rashly because of Aoko's intimidation, but in reality, it was because he trusted Aoko that he did not do anything unnecessary.

Although I believe it, I am still somewhat dissatisfied.

"Don't be angry."

Aoko said with a smile, "Was that little girl who ran away just now Matou Sakura?"

Just as you said, he does indeed have considerable magical talent.

If we're only talking about talent, he might be even more outstanding than me... or even my sister.

I can somewhat understand Tohsaka's feelings when she sent him to the Matou family.

It's such a waste that someone with such excellent bloodline couldn't become a magician.

"Sakura is not only talented, she also works harder than anyone else."

Shirou wore a proud expression.

For Shirou, Matou Sakura is not only his younger sister whom he has known for nearly ten years, but also his junior in the school's archery club and his apprentice in magic.

After the Fourth Holy Grail War, two options were presented to Matou Sakura.

She could choose to return to the Tohsaka family and live an ordinary yet happy life.

Or perhaps they could stay in the Matou family, continue their studies in magic, and one day become a magician representing the Matou clan—

Sakura Matou decisively chose the latter.

Shirou did not ask for the reason; he respected the girl's decision and made arrangements for the follow-up matters.

Although Aoko had only heard about this from Shirou, she immediately understood Matou Sakura's motives.

She did it because of you, you idiot...

She wants to stay by Shirou's side.

I want to help my brother Shirou.

That's why Sakura gave up on returning to the protection of her mother and sister, and continued to use the name "Matou" from then on.

She was determined to become a magician, not for any other reason than to catch up with her brother Shirou.

This is only Aoko—

Only a woman can understand a woman's thoughts.

Aoko greatly admired her courage and awareness, but—

"However, if things continue like this, Matou Sakura will never be able to become a fully-fledged magician."

"...What did you say?" Shirou frowned.

Aoko covered her mouth and chuckled: "Because I'm always overprotected by those nosy upperclassmen."

"........."

Shirou admitted that he was being a bit overprotective, but this guy's approach was far too radical.

Aoko tilted her head: "Really? When I was her age, I was already fighting against terrifying witches, you know? No problem."

"No."

After much deliberation, Shirou decided that he still couldn't let Matou Sakura confront Atoram directly.

Although that man may look like a nouveau riche, his strength is genuine, and Sakura cannot win in her current state.

Shirou turned to chase after Atorum, but at that moment a magic bullet exploded on the ground at his feet.

"...Are you serious about leaving your girlfriend to pursue other girls?"

"Looks like I have no choice but to defeat you."

"If you can do it, then give it a try, Shirou... Magic Bullet, deploy!"

Aozaki Aoko gave herself a short and abrupt command.

Even the process of the magic being activated cannot be seen, yet more than thirty magic bullets were fired with a single word.

The daytime sky was filled with what looked like a meteor shower as rockets rained down on Shirou.

Standing at the center of the destructive storm, Shirou moved with remarkable agility, dodging the attacks of the magic bullets and even the stray debris formed by the explosions on the ground.

"Just asking... if fighting breaks out in the city, who will bear the responsibility for the damage caused?"

"There's no need to worry about that. Mr. Atoram has already indicated that he will cover all the compensation costs."

"Really? Then I'll be relieved."

The next instant, the space behind Shirou trembled, and dozens of swords brimming with magical power appeared out of thin air.

"Oh~ It's unbelievable no matter how many times I see it... Shirou, your 'projection'."

Aozaki Aoko excitedly licked her lips.

With a wave of her hand, a surge of azure ethereal energy formed beneath her feet.

Far exceeding the scale of previous battles, and far surpassing the total number of magic bullets she used in her duel with Aozaki Touko, they were created in an instant.

"........."

Shirou thought to himself, "Aoko has gotten stronger again."

Now, she should have no problem participating in the Holy Grail War.

Apart from Gilgamesh, she should be able to put up a fight against any Servant.

Caster's Great Sea Demon... Aoko should be its natural enemy.

In contrast, Shirou now lacks Lady Avalon's magical enhancement and also lacks the "Command Spell" life-saving mode.

If Aozaki Aoko's combat power is considered "Servant-level," then Shirou should only be considered "Master-level"...

of course not.

Shirou isn't always stuck in the past.

His body is also growing rapidly.

He is also constantly reclaiming the power of the past.

Although he was far from reaching his peak, he had acquired a variety of new skills upon returning to pan-human history.

The boy felt that he might not necessarily lose to Shirou Amamiya in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Let's test it out with Aoko...

To what extent have I grown?

Shirou raised his arm.

Then, he and Aoko unleashed their full firepower at the same time.

The cracking sound of metal echoed through the streets where a fierce wind was blowing.

The two stood there, and above them was a dazzling spectacle reminiscent of a well-budget science fiction movie.

Both sides tacitly kept the damage to a minimum; apart from the rampant turbulence of ether, no buildings in the vicinity were damaged.

Is the firepower showdown a 50/50 affair?

No, Aoko has an overwhelming advantage in speed... If this continues, I will lose.

Aozaki Aoko – In terms of the speed of magic circulation and release, she can be said to be the strongest in history.

No matter how hard Shirou trains his "Projection Magic" to its limit, he can never be faster than her firing magic bullets.

If you want to truly contend with Aoko, you can only use "Unlimited Blade Works"—

That is, skipping the casting process of "projection" and engaging in a lightning-fast barrage battle with her.

Or perhaps, switch to close combat?

Unlike ordinary magicians who give the impression of being weak in close combat, Aoko could even be considered the strongest mage in close combat.

By combining modern fighting techniques with her own magical properties, Aoko created a completely new fighting style and became invincible in every era.

Shirou judged that even if he switched to close combat, he probably wouldn't gain any advantage over her.

If I improve a bit more, I should be able to beat her in a couple of years; right now, I'm really not confident.

but--

"Martial prowess" has never been limited to close combat.

"It's not too late to beg for mercy, Aoko..."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, the red-haired mage curled up her lips in disdain.

"I'll return your words to you, Shirou. You'd better just admit defeat... huh!?"

Aozaki Aoko's composed smile vanished.

She saw the unique radiance of projection magic begin to gather in the boy's left palm, eventually transforming into a large, jet-black bow.

In Shirou's left hand, he held an "arrow" wreathed in eerie flames.

"Wait... isn't this a bit like cheating...?"

Aoko stared blankly at the one Shirou had placed on the bow.

That wasn't an arrow at all; it was something else entirely.

Although it looks like a sword, it's something else entirely...

It exudes an aura that doesn't belong to this world, "Fairy Sword Cavendish".

The truth is that Ya Ling's tentacles are burning fiercely—

"The outcome will be decided in this one strike."

Shirou muttered to himself as he drew the bow to its fullest extent.

"It's coming, Aoko... You're not allowed to die so easily."

"...Tsk!"

Aozaki Aoko was completely focused, nervously unfolding the spell in front of her.

Faced with that kind of attack, it would be meaningless to produce more magic bullets; quantity would become irrelevant.

The storm from the arrows alone would be enough to blow away your own swarm of magic projectiles.

If you want to fight back, you have to save up your strongest shot.

"Magic Bullet Form—"

Aozaki Aoko completed the energy storage of the light cannon at an unprecedented speed.

"Convergent projection—!"

Compared to Kyudo, which pursues the martial arts concept of "stillness," magicians clearly possess an absolute speed advantage.

but--

"Just being fast doesn't mean anything..."

As Shirou said this, he released the bowstring that his fingers were hooking—

"—Shoot down the horn of the sun (Trigger Galatine)"

The moment the arrow left his hand, an aura from another world (the Fairy Kingdom) devoured all the surrounding magic.

That was hellfire powerful enough to burn islands and the world to ashes, its arrows as fierce as a monstrous black hound.

The "demonic nature" of the calamity beast combined with Shirou Amamiya's "martial arts" to create the strongest attack.

The magic bullet unleashed by the mage was completely devoured by the black dog, leaving not even a trace of light behind.

The streets returned to calm.

Shirou found Aozaki Aoko on the street, which was a mess from the storm.

She sat on the ground with her back against the wall. Although she was not seriously injured, she was still hurt.

The most serious injury is to the right arm that fired the magic cannon; it won't be able to lift up for a while.

"Oh dear, it's turned into the same oranges as back then."