He was bluffing. Shirou was bluffing hard. However, it seemed to be working. “That’s right,” he said. “The peak state that martial artists reach allow them to tap into the natural energies around themselves. It’s a bit more common in China, I admit, but you should have heard about it from the zen arts here.”
Rin blinked again and then frowned. “…Wait. So you’re telling me you’re not a magus… but rather a martial arts practitioner that reached a peak level of mastery?”
“Should I show you?”
Rin shook her head. “No. That’s fine. It’s just… give me a minute.” She brushed aside her black hair, fiddling with its ribbon and then said, “…Would you lend me your hand, Emiya-kun?”
“My hand?”
“That’s right. I just wanted to check something.”
Shirou nodded and then reached out.
“Master!” Saber grabbed Shirou’s hand before Rin could take it. “I do not believe this is a good idea. This Tohsaka-“
Shirou brushed Saber off. “Trust in me, Saber. Tohsaka wouldn’t harm me. Not after she saved my life.”
Hearing that, Rin froze. A second later, her mind must have caught up and spun back into action as she spluttered. “Wh-what are you talking about, Emiya-kun? I never-“
“I mean, it’s because of her letting me borrow notes a few times that I managed to get through some tests, you know. I can vouch for her character.”
Rin blinked. “…Right. I did that. Lend you notes… right. That happened.”
Shirou feigned confusion and frowned. “Did… something else happen, Tohsaka?”
“N-No! Nothing at all. But anyway, your hand!”
“Right. Here you go.”
Shirou finished reaching out.
Rin grabbed his hand, brushing her soft skin against his callused palms. When she felt that, she frowned. However, Rin’s expression grew neutral and she muttered something under her breath that sounded like structural analysis.
Shirou felt a surge of energy sweep across his body. It was foreign, chaotic. Something that carried hints of every element. However, he didn’t resist it. After a few moments, that surge of energy completed a circuit and returned to Rin’s hand. When it had, she leaned back and stared at Shirou with wide eyes. “You…? How are you still alive?”
“Hm? Lots of training and diligence. Why?”
“That’s…” Rin shook her head. “No. It’s probably better that you don’t know. But in any case… so you don’t know what a magus is, Emiya-kun?”
“Now I never said that.”
Rin glared at Shirou. “Emiya-kun.”
Shirou shrugged. “My father was one, but I didn’t have the talent for it. Because of that, I know what a magus is, but I’m not one. Apparently I didn’t have the right magic circuits for it.”
“…I’ll say. Your father was smart to not teach you. Who knows what could have happened if you went along with your crazy circuits.”
“Hm?”
“Nothing! Anyway… I guess you need an explanation about all of this.” Rin sighed. “Really, Emiya-kun. Why are you always wrapped up in these troublesome things…”
“Bad luck?”
“It must be. But in any case…”
Rin explained the scope of the holy grail war and gave a rough summary about the situation. It was the same that Shirou remembered: seven servants, seven masters, and a fight to the death for the Holy Grail. After that, Rin suggested that Shirou follow her to register at the church as a Master. Like that, Shirou, Rin, and their Servants headed to Fuyuki Church.
Unlike the original timeline, Shirou didn’t bother telling Saber to hide her armor. Also, unlike the original timeline, Shirou had a sword by his side. Since he was going the route of being an untrained magus but expert martial artist, it helped keep his cover.
In that way, the Masters and Servants headed up the hill to the church with Rin in the lead, accompanied by Archer, and with Shirou and Saber taking up the rear.
After walking for a while, Rin turned her head back and stared at Shirou.
He noticed and said, “Is something the matter, Tohsaka?”
“It’s nothing, Emiya-kun. Just…” She eyed the sword sheathed at his side. “Where did you get that thing?”
“Hm? You mean my sword?”
“That’s right. Is it an heirloom?”
“You could call it that.” Shirou fiddled with the hilt of his sword and said, “It’s something that my father helped make before he passed. A tool to keep the reckless me safe.”
That was a blatant lie, but Shirou made it the truth in his heart. That was the benefit of creating a sword from your own soul.
“I see. So it’s just like my pendant…”
“Pendant?”
Rin faltered for a bit in her pace and then pointedly turned her head back to the front. “N-Nothing! A-Anyway, you should be thankful. That sword is something else. It might even give you a chance against some weaker Servants, so be careful not to lose it.”
“I won’t. But thanks for the concern, Tohsaka.”
Her face was turned around, but Shirou could clearly see how the tips of her ear flushed red.
Archer scoffed at the display, but remained quiet after Rin sent him a glare.
Saber followed after Shirou and then said, “Master. That Tohsaka is right. Your blade is extraordinary and one that would not lose out even in my time. Care for it well and it will care for you in turn.”
Shirou nodded. “Thanks, Saber.”
The Servant of the sword smiled, lighting up her delicate face.
After a bit more walking, Rin stopped and said, “We’re here.” She turned around to look at Shirou and Saber. “The church is supposed to be neutral grounds, so you and Archer will have to wait out here, Saber.”
Archer nodded and then walked to a nearby building to lean against it.
Saber simply stood in place. She frowned, clearly concerned, but deferred to Shirou.
He smiled. “I won’t be long, Saber. Try not to get into a fight with Archer while I’m gone, alright?”
Saber smiled back. “I will try.”
Rin chimed in and said, “That goes for you too, Archer. Don’t start a fight with Saber.”
“I know, Rin. No need to tell me twice.”
After that, Rin led the way to the church. Shirou followed, trailing close behind her.
The tall and heavy doors to the church opened with a slow creak.
A man stood at the altar. Tall, with brown hair in a mullet and looming black robes, he carried a book in one hand. Was he waiting for them to arrive? The man smiled, revealing dull brown eyes, and said, “So you finally decided to visit, Rin.”
“Tch.” Rin clicked her tongue and said, “You know that rule about announcing our participation in the war is a fake one. I’m only here to humor you and introduce a new Master.”
“Hoh? I’m hurt.”
Rin rolled her eyes. “As if.” She turned to Shirou and said, “This is Kotomine Kirei, the priest in charge of overseeing the Holy Grail War.”
Kirei walked around the altar and approached them. His footsteps plodded slow and solemn. “Rin. Could you not have left introductions for me?”
“And trust you not to piss Emiya-kun off? No.”
Hearing Rin’s words caused Kirei to falter for a split second. After that, a smile spread across his face and the priest turned his attention to Shirou. “Emiya-kun, is it?”
Rin’s eyes widened. “Kirei. Don’t tell me-“