The next day, Shirou woke up as dawn began to break through the darkness. As usual, he woke up earlier than most members of the Loki Familia, preparing to teach Riveria magecraft in the warehouse. After a quick bath and getting dressed, Shirou stepped out of Twilight Manor, the cold morning air softly brushing against his skin.
On his way to the warehouse, Shirou encountered Aiz, who was already outside. Aiz's blonde hair flowed beautifully, her face slightly serious yet fresh. She seemed as though she was about to start her usual training for the day.
"Aiz," Shirou greeted with a smile.
"Are you going to teach Riveria again this morning?" Aiz asked in her usual calm voice, but with a warmth that was familiar.
Shirou nodded. "Yes, like always. And you? Are you going to train Bell again?"
Aiz nodded as well. "Yes, he needs intense training before the War Game. That's why I have to train him before too many people wake up."
Shirou understood that Aiz knew Bell still needed more guidance. Looking at Aiz, he felt pleased to see how serious she was about helping Bell. Aiz not only trained for herself but also dedicated her time to others, something that reminded Shirou of himself.
"Thank you for leaving food for me yesterday," Aiz said sincerely. There was gratitude in her voice, though her face remained calm and composed as usual.
Shirou smiled, feeling warmth from her words. "It's no problem. I'll make sure to prepare breakfast for you too," Shirou replied with a light teasing tone, but there was sincerity in his words.
Hearing that, Aiz's eyes sparkled a little. Even though her expression remained calm, there was a glimmer in her eyes that showed how much she appreciated Shirou's thoughtfulness. "I'll be looking forward to it," she said softly, as if Shirou had promised her something very important.
After a few seconds of comfortable silence, Aiz signaled that she was leaving. "I'm going now. See you later, Shirou."
"See you later, Aiz," Shirou replied, watching as Aiz turned and walked away, ready to train Bell. Shirou felt a lingering warmth in the air after their brief conversation.
He then continued his walk to the warehouse, feeling at peace. This morning, Riveria was waiting for him for their magecraft lesson, and afterward, he planned to prepare a special breakfast for Aiz.
Shirou entered the warehouse that morning. Inside, he saw Riveria sitting gracefully on one of the chairs, patiently waiting for him as usual. The morning light that streamed in from a small window illuminated part of her calm face, radiating the aura of both a noble and a High Elf full of dignity. Yet, behind that calmness, there was a soft look in Riveria's eyes as she noticed Shirou entering.
As Shirou walked toward her, Riveria noticed something different about his face. Normally, Shirou appeared focused and full of energy before their lessons or discussions, but this morning, there was a cloud of concern shadowing his expression. Riveria, who was always attuned to the emotions of others, sensed it immediately.
"Shirou," she called softly, breaking the silence. "Before we begin, I can see something is troubling you."
Shirou paused for a moment, looking at Riveria with eyes full of gratitude for her concern. How did Riveria always know what he was feeling, even when he hadn't said anything?
"Is this about the Hestia Familia and the War Game against the Apollo Familia?" Riveria asked with a calm yet caring tone.
Shirou let out a long sigh, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten just by hearing the question. He sat down in the chair in front of Riveria, feeling safe enough to open up his thoughts.
"Yes...," Shirou replied, staring at the floor. "I feel stuck. Bell and the Hestia Familia are facing a huge challenge, and I can't do anything to help. Aiz has been training Bell, but that alone doesn't ease my anxiety."
Shirou exhaled deeply, his emotions in turmoil. "I joined the Loki Familia to become stronger, not just for myself but to help others. But now, I feel restricted by the rules. Other Familia aren't allowed to interfere, and I can't stand by and let Bell fight alone."
Riveria listened attentively, not interrupting Shirou's words. Her gaze was gentle and full of understanding. When Shirou finished speaking, she looked at him with warmth.
"You've already done more than you realize, Shirou," Riveria said, her voice soft but firm. "Sometimes, the best help we can offer isn't direct intervention. You've strengthened yourself, and even though the rules prevent you from acting, you can still support Bell indirectly. Just like Aiz is doing. And trust me, Bell knows that he's not alone."
Shirou lifted his head, moved by Riveria's words. There was warmth and depth in her eyes, and Shirou felt a sense of calm begin to settle in his heart.
Riveria continued, "Remember, every Familia has its own challenges and tests. This War Game is a test for Bell and Hestia. Sometimes, those tests are something they have to face without us. But that doesn't mean you're powerless. Emotional support, even from afar, holds its own strength."
Shirou looked at Riveria with deep gratitude. "Thank you, Riveria. I... don't know what I would do without your words."
Riveria gave a faint smile. "You will always find your way, Shirou. You just need to trust in yourself and the people around you."
They both sat in a peaceful silence, allowing the calm to soothe their hearts. Shirou felt a bit of the burden lift, and he was ready to continue with the magecraft lesson that morning.
Today, Shirou and Riveria continued their magecraft training, specifically focusing on deepening the technique of Reinforcement. Shirou had taught the basics several times, but Riveria felt there were still aspects she hadn't fully mastered. Although Riveria was an exceptional mage with extraordinary mastery over magic, the technique of Reinforcement, which focused on strengthening inanimate objects, was more complex than the nature-based magic she typically used.
"I'm still not very smooth with Reinforcement," Riveria said in a low tone, though her face remained calm. She rarely admitted her shortcomings, especially in the realm of magic. But with Shirou, she felt comfortable being honest.
Shirou smiled gently, trying to reassure her. "It's okay, Riveria. This technique is different from the magic you're used to. Let's see how you're doing with it now."
Riveria nodded and prepared to demonstrate the technique. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the rune-like magic circuit on her back. Prana began to flow slowly from within her, visualizing a tree growing from a seed, a symbol she always envisioned when activating her magical energy flow.
With smooth movements, Riveria picked up a piece of wood from the pile nearby. She focused, letting prana flow from her body into the wood in her hand. Slowly, the wood began to glow faintly, but after a few moments, the light only covered a small part of it. Despite her best efforts, the prana absorbed by the wood was only half-filled.
Riveria opened her eyes, slightly disappointed with the result. She sighed softly, realizing that her effort was still not perfect. "As you can see... I haven't done it correctly," she said, her voice weaker than usual.
Before Riveria could feel worse, Shirou approached with a warm smile. "Hey, you've done an amazing job, Riveria," he said in a calming tone. "Reinforcement is harder than normal magic because it involves deep knowledge of the material we're strengthening. You've shown incredible improvement since the first session."
Riveria looked at Shirou for a moment, touched by how he comforted her. Shirou could see a bit of pride and gratitude in her eyes, even though Riveria rarely expressed such emotions openly.
Shirou continued, "It takes time and more practice to perfect it. I didn't master it quickly either. What's important is that you've got the prana flowing smoothly, which is a big step."
Riveria nodded slightly, feeling relieved by Shirou's praise. "Maybe I'm too used to more... natural magic. This technique is more technical, focusing on objects rather than natural elements. But I'll keep practicing," she replied, her voice filled with determination.
Shirou's smile widened. "And I'll be here to help whenever you need. Try again, we'll do it together."
With a lighter heart, Riveria tried the Reinforcement technique again, this time with more confidence, while Shirou patiently guided her.
Riveria continued to put her full effort into mastering the Reinforcement technique with Shirou's help. But despite multiple attempts, her progress was still slow. Every time Riveria tried to channel prana into the object, the result wasn't entirely satisfactory. She stared at the wood she was holding, still only half-filled with prana, and let out a long sigh, feeling a bit disappointed.
Seeing Riveria's reaction, Shirou maintained his gentle smile, trying to keep her spirits high. "Don't worry, Riveria. This may take more practice. You've made good progress, and with time and patience, you'll get it. Consider it homework."
Riveria, usually firm and independent, suddenly complained with a rare hint of playfulness. "Homework, huh?" she said, looking at Shirou with a soft gaze, as if wanting to avoid the task. "Why does learning with you feel like going back to school?"
Shirou chuckled, happy to see Riveria's softer side emerge. "In that case, let me lighten the mood a bit," Shirou said, trying to lift her spirits. "There's another way we can try. How about you use Reinforcement on your own body?"
Hearing this, Riveria's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. She had heard of this concept before but had rarely tried it herself. "Can you show me?" she asked eagerly.
Shirou nodded. Calmly, he began to activate Reinforcement on both hands, letting the prana flow smoothly. His hands began to emit a soft aura from the prana filling each muscle cell, strengthening him from within.
Curious, Riveria moved closer, and without thinking, she touched Shirou's reinforced hand. Shirou was slightly surprised by Riveria's touch, feeling nervous as her soft hand made contact with his. Her touch was gentle but filled with curiosity.
"So this is what it feels like?" Riveria murmured in awe. Her soft and cool hand carefully traced Shirou's fingers and wrist, examining the strength flowing beneath his skin. "This is amazing... The prana feels so strong and stable," Riveria said with admiration, unaware that the closeness was making Shirou a bit flustered.
Shirou tried to stay calm despite feeling a little embarrassed by the sudden physical contact. "Yes, it strengthens my body from the inside. With practice, you can do it too," Shirou said, trying to keep his voice steady. Although he felt shy, he continued to guide the curious Riveria, while internally trying to ignore the nervousness brought on by the intimacy of the moment.
Riveria slowly withdrew her hand after feeling satisfied, a soft smile gracing her face. "You're really incredible, Shirou. Maybe one day, I can be this strong too," she said, half praising, half hopeful.
Shirou just smiled while scratching his head, which had started to blush, trying to hide his embarrassment. "I'm sure you will, Riveria," he replied gently.
Shirou then looked at Riveria with a serious expression after demonstrating how to use Reinforcement on his own body. "Before you try it, I must warn you," Shirou said firmly. "Don't rush it."
Riveria, still fascinated by the Reinforcement ability and imagining how she could strengthen her body, felt caught off guard by Shirou's warning. With a calm but curious smile, she asked, "Why shouldn't I try it right away?"
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Shirou took a deep breath, trying to explain carefully so Riveria would understand the risks involved. "Reinforcement can be very dangerous if used without proper control. If the prana you channel is too much and exceeds your body's capacity, the result can be fatal. Instead of strengthening your body, the prana could overload and destroy the part of the body where the Reinforcement is used," he explained, emphasizing the importance of control and balance when using the technique.
Hearing Shirou's explanation, Riveria's face turned serious. She imagined the consequences of being careless with Reinforcement. "You mean... my body could get damaged? Injured?" she asked, slightly panicked, as she hadn't realized the danger before.
Shirou nodded. "Yes, exactly. Reinforcement is a very powerful technique, but it comes with high risks. If not done carefully, it could destroy you from the inside. Do you remember how that glass shattered when I showed you prana overload a few weeks ago?"
Riveria clearly remembered that incident. At that time, Shirou demonstrated how Reinforcement could strengthen inanimate objects. However, when he intentionally overloaded the prana to illustrate what happens when it's excessive, the glass he used as an example cracked and shattered into pieces within seconds. The sound of the breaking glass still echoed in her ears, and now she was grateful that Shirou had reminded her before she attempted it without caution.
Riveria felt a slight panic in her heart, thankful for Shirou's timely warning. "So it can be like that, huh... I didn't realize how dangerous this is."
Shirou smiled slightly, seeing the anxiety in Riveria's eyes, and said gently, "Don't worry. As long as you do it slowly and carefully, I'm sure you can master it. Remember, this training takes time, so don't rush."
Riveria took a deep breath, feeling calmer after hearing Shirou's explanation. She realized that she had almost acted recklessly without considering the risks. "Thank you for reminding me. I don't know what would have happened if I had tried it right away," Riveria said, a little embarrassed, as she looked at Shirou with deep gratitude.
Shirou smiled gently, "That's normal, Riveria. Reinforcement is a complex technique, but we'll practice it slowly, and I'm confident you'll be able to master it."
Riveria smiled back, feeling more at ease and confident, though still full of admiration for Shirou.
Still fascinated by the Reinforcement ability, Riveria couldn't contain her curiosity. Suddenly, she came up with an unusual idea and looked at Shirou with a sly smile. "How about… you use it on me?" she asked, leaning forward slightly, her green eyes filled with intrigue.
Shirou was startled by the request. His face turned red for a moment, and he looked at Riveria with a hesitant expression. "What? You mean, I use Reinforcement on your body?" he asked, making sure he wasn't misunderstanding.
Riveria nodded softly, this time with a look of confidence. "Yes, you channel the prana into my body," she replied calmly, though her heart was pounding. "I want to know what it feels like, and... I trust you."
Shirou swallowed hard. This wasn't something he was used to doing, especially on someone else. "Then... you really have to trust me," Shirou said with a slightly strained voice. "You have to let your body relax and not resist the prana I'll be channeling. If you resist or fight against the flow, it could cause harm."
Riveria smiled slightly, understanding how serious Shirou was in his warning. But she didn't want to pass up this opportunity. Blushing a little, Riveria playfully teased Shirou, "Didn't I tell you before... I'm willing for anything you do to me?"
Her statement immediately made Shirou's face turn red again. Her words reminded Shirou of the previous night, when Riveria lay in his lap in an elegant gown, asking him to use Shakespeare's Noble Phantasm. The image of Riveria, graceful and resting comfortably on his lap, resurfaced in his mind, making him blush even more.
Riveria noticed Shirou's nervous and flushed expression, feeling delighted inside. She enjoyed seeing this softer, flustered side of Shirou, finding it more endearing. For a High Elf like Riveria, who rarely showed softness or closeness to others, moments like these were truly precious.
Shirou tried to regain control of his emotions and focus on the task at hand. "Alright," he said, taking a deep breath. He looked at Riveria seriously. "I'll try, but remember, if anything feels uncomfortable or wrong, tell me right away."
Riveria nodded, ready for what was to come. She closed her eyes, letting her body relax and open itself to Shirou's prana. Shirou began to activate Reinforcement, directing prana into his hands and slowly channeling it into Riveria's body.
As Shirou's prana flowed through her, Riveria felt a gentle warmth spreading throughout her body. Her body felt light, as if an additional strength was filling her. But more than that, she felt a deep sense of closeness with Shirou. In that moment, it wasn't just prana that flowed between them, but also trust and a profound intimacy.
Shirou, still focused on channeling prana, occasionally glanced at Riveria to make sure everything was going smoothly. When he saw that Riveria looked calm and was enjoying the process, he felt a little relieved. But deep inside, he couldn't ignore the strange feelings that arose as they were so close.
Riveria, now fully experiencing the strength of Shirou's Reinforcement, slowly opened her eyes and looked at him with a soft smile. "Is this what it feels like... to use perfect Reinforcement?" she asked, her voice full of awe.
Shirou smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes, this is what I feel when I use the technique. It's not just about physical strength, but also about aligning with the prana within you."
Riveria could only gaze at Shirou with admiration, and in her heart, she realized more and more just how special the man before her was. "Thank you, Shirou," she said softly, her voice full of warmth.
Riveria left the warehouse with excitement, feeling the effects of the Reinforcement that Shirou had channeled into her body. A cheerful smile adorned her usually graceful and calm face, a rare sight. She felt lighter and stronger than before, as if additional strength had seeped into every muscle.
To test its effect, Riveria began walking quickly through the garden near the warehouse, and without realizing it, her speed increased. The fresh wind swept across her face, her green hair shimmering in the morning sunlight. Every step felt firm and powerful, showcasing just how effective Shirou's Reinforcement had been.
Driven by growing curiosity, Riveria picked up a large stone nearby—a stone that would usually feel heavy to her. This time, she lifted the stone with ease, as if it weighed nothing at all. She looked at her hands in amazement, laughing softly to herself, feeling like a child who had just discovered a new toy.
Shirou, watching from a distance, smiled as he saw how much Riveria was enjoying her newfound strength. He had expected that the effects of Reinforcement on Riveria would be impressive, but seeing it firsthand made Shirou feel proud as a teacher. Still, there was something different about Riveria's excitement this time—not just from her enhanced physical abilities, but from the happiness that came from the trust and bond they had built together during the training session.
Riveria continued to test her abilities, this time with a high jump. Her legs propelled her with incredible speed, and she leaped into the air, her body soaring for longer than usual. When she landed gracefully, she paused for a moment, feeling an extraordinary sensation that she rarely experienced. This strength, though only temporary, made her feel invincible, and more than that, she felt more alive—more free.
After practicing for a while, Riveria returned to Shirou, her breathing still steady despite all the energy-draining movements she had just performed. "I can feel an incredible power. This is truly amazing, Shirou," Riveria said, her gaze full of gratitude.
Shirou smiled gently. "I'm glad you like it. But remember, the effect is only temporary. You'll need to use Reinforcement again to renew it."
Riveria nodded, but the cheerful smile remained on her face. She felt closer to Shirou after this training session. They were not just teacher and student but also partners who trusted each other deeply. And in her heart, Riveria was determined to stay with Shirou, learning and growing together.
Riveria was still enjoying the euphoria from feeling the effects of Reinforcement in her body, running enthusiastically in the peaceful garden. However, she suddenly stopped when she saw Lefiya standing frozen near the trees. Lefiya stared at her with wide eyes, her face full of shock. It had never crossed Lefiya's mind that her usually graceful and calm mentor could act so carefree—jumping and running with such freedom.
Quickly, a sense of embarrassment crept onto Riveria's face. She cleared her throat to cover her nervousness and returned to her graceful demeanor. "That's enough for today. The morning is advancing, and I must return," she said in a formal tone, though inwardly she was trying hard to control her embarrassment.
Lefiya, still unable to hide her surprise, awkwardly nodded, trying to process the drastic change in her mentor. As a highly respected High Elf, Riveria rarely showed a different side of herself, and this was a truly new moment for Lefiya. On one hand, she was happy to see her mentor's cheerful side, but on the other, she felt confused.
Meanwhile, Shirou, secretly enjoying Riveria's reaction, couldn't resist teasing her. "Don't forget your homework, Riveria," he said with a playful smile, reminding Riveria about the Reinforcement practice they had done.
Feeling even more embarrassed, Riveria quickened her pace and didn't look back. Her steps grew faster as she headed toward Twilight Manor, as if she wanted to escape the situation. However, she couldn't help but let a small smile form on her lips, even though her face was flushed. That strange feeling—embarrassment mixed with happiness—made her heart race.
Behind her, Shirou and Lefiya exchanged puzzled but slightly amused glances at Riveria's unexpected antics. Shirou thought to himself, "It seems today's Magecraft practice had more of an impact than I anticipated."
Lefiya chuckled softly, watching Riveria run off, then turned to Shirou with a curious smile. "I've never seen Riveria that happy before," she said with a small laugh. "What did you do to make her so cheerful?"
Shirou, still recalling the amusing moments, smiled broadly. "It's because of the Reinforcement I used on her. She was jumping around, enjoying the effects on her body."
Lefiya was a bit surprised to hear that but smiled faintly. However, she couldn't ignore the subtle, uneasy feeling growing in her heart. Shirou continued, "Actually, Riveria always gets cheerful when I teach her Magecraft. I think she really enjoys the learning process."
Shirou's last words gently pierced Lefiya's feelings, like a needle pricking unnoticed. Her smile gradually faded, and without realizing it, jealousy started to flow into her heart. Lefiya had always seen Riveria as a calm, wise figure who rarely showed emotion. But now, there was a different side—a side Riveria only showed when she was with Shirou.
With a slightly changed tone, Lefiya asked, "Does... Riveria often show that side when she's alone with you?" She tried to keep her face calm, but there was a hint of frustration she was trying to hide.
Shirou, unaware of Lefiya's jealousy, nodded with a smile. "Yes, there are many moments when she seems very different. She becomes more cheerful, and honestly, it's really nice."
Lefiya bit her lip lightly, trying to suppress her feelings. She couldn't ignore that Shirou spoke about Riveria so easily, as if he knew a very personal side of her mentor—a side Lefiya had never seen. And that jealousy kept growing, even though Lefiya tried hard to push it down.
"I see..." Lefiya replied softly, thinking to herself, Do I need to do something to make Shirou notice me the way he notices Riveria? Even so, Lefiya tried to shift her thoughts and smiled again, though the smile wasn't as sincere as before.
Lefiya felt a surge of jealousy pierce her heart. She envied Shirou, who seemed to know a side of Riveria that she hadn't seen, and envied Riveria for receiving Shirou's full attention in such a personal way. Those feelings swirled within her—a mix of admiration, jealousy, and a growing desire to be closer to Shirou.
Noticing Lefiya looking thoughtful and quiet, Shirou softly called her name. "Lefiya, are you okay?"
Startled from her thoughts, Lefiya shook her head, trying to shake off the troubling feelings in her heart. She looked at Shirou with determined eyes, though there was still a hint of awkwardness. "Shirou, I want you to use Reinforcement on me... just like you did with Riveria."
The request left Shirou momentarily speechless, feeling unsure. "But, Lefiya... you've never studied Magecraft before. I'm afraid you might not be used to the flow of Prana."
Feeling rejected, Lefiya immediately whined in a playful tone, trying to grab Shirou's attention. "Come on, Shirou! I can't use Magecraft myself because you said I don't have magic circuits after you checked before. But at least let me feel it directly from you."
Shirou could only offer a wry smile at the request, but in the end, he relented. Lefiya's desire was strong, and he didn't want to disappoint his good friend. However, he still felt the need to warn Lefiya. "Alright, but you really have to relax and not resist the flow of Prana I'm going to send. If you resist, it could be dangerous."
Lefiya stopped whining and flashed a bright smile. "I'll listen to you, Shirou. Don't worry, I can do it!"
Shirou sighed and nodded, then stood in front of Lefiya. He placed his hands on her shoulders and carefully felt the flow of his Prana. "Okay, I'll start slowly."
Lefiya held her breath, preparing to receive the flow of Prana from Shirou. Though she knew little about Magecraft, she felt happy to receive this special attention from Shirou—a unique experience that made her feel closer to him.
As the flow of Prana started to seep into her body, Lefiya felt a warm sensation spreading throughout her. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling, feeling so connected to Shirou.
"It feels... warm," Lefiya murmured softly, a small smile forming on her face.
Shirou smiled as he watched Lefiya's reaction, though he remained cautious. "Don't tense up. Let the Prana flow naturally."
Lefiya nodded, and the warmth continued to fill her body, giving her a new experience she'd never felt before. Although she couldn't master Magecraft, at least now she could experience what Riveria had felt—and that eased her jealousy a little.
Inside, Lefiya felt satisfied with the special attention Shirou had given her.
Lefiya, filled with happiness, began to test the effects of Reinforcement on her body. She jumped around enthusiastically, feeling light and full of energy. Every movement felt faster, and her strength seemed to increase dramatically.
As he watched, Shirou smiled, seeing Lefiya's excitement, which was very similar to Riveria's earlier reaction. "You really remind me of Riveria when she first tried Reinforcement. Just as cheerful and... full of joy."
Lefiya chuckled, stopping her steps and turning to face Shirou. "Yeah, maybe I do resemble her," she said with a smile, her eyes shining with happiness.
After a while of playing with her newfound strength, Lefiya felt satisfied. "Thank you, Shirou! I never expected to feel something like this." Her cheerful smile hadn't faded since she began feeling the effects of Reinforcement.
Shirou smiled gently, feeling pleased to have made Lefiya happy. "You're welcome, Lefiya. If you're satisfied, maybe we should head back now."
Lefiya nodded enthusiastically, and the two of them began walking back toward Twilight Manor. Throughout the walk, the atmosphere between them was light, even though not many words were spoken. They felt comfortable just being in each other's presence.
Once they arrived at Twilight Manor, Shirou turned to Lefiya. "How about we help in the kitchen? They must be starting to prepare breakfast now."
Lefiya nodded in agreement. "I'd love to help, especially if it means getting to taste your cooking!"
They both smiled together and entered Twilight Manor, heading straight to the kitchen to assist with the meal preparations.