Fate Coiling Sword Chapter 18: Summoning (Patreon)

Beta read by Shigiya and Darklord331

Next update is gonna be Snafu and An Archer's Promise

.

.

.



-Fuyuki, Emiya Residence-


Sakura stood outside Shirou's door, the first rays of the morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the world around her. The soft hues of pink and orange painted the sky, creating a breathtaking backdrop that seemed to breathe life into the serene surroundings. Birds chirped melodiously, their songs intermingling with the gentle rustle of leaves as if orchestrating a symphony of nature.


The beauty of the rising sun captured Sakura's attention, causing her to pause for a moment. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she basked in the tranquil scene before her. The warm embrace of the sun's gentle rays filled her with a sense of peace and contentment.


The flowers in the garden seemed to respond to the sun's arrival, their petals unfurling as if reaching toward the light. Her gaze wandered, taking in the vibrant colors that dotted the landscape. 


She never thought the world would look so beautiful, each day baffled her sense. "Everything used to be so dull…" For instance her time in school, she barely remembered anyone's face or name. All of them were just a hazy dark fog that made it impossible for her to even talk to them — not that she ever wanted to.


Yet she started to see and feel the vibrancy of the world around her more often. 


As Sakura soaked in the beauty of the morning, her smile grew dimmer as she couldn't ignore the fact that this little moment of joy was only temporary. A spark of frustration flashed within her eyes as she imagined going back to the pit again. Her worries barely lasted a second before they got interrupted by the sound of light snoring from the room's other side. 


"Right… I shouldn't waste any time then," Taiga was going to arrive any minute now and she already prepared breakfast for the day. Having it become cold would be disappointing. "Senpai, it's already morning." 


She called out, following her regular schedule of the day. Get up, freshen up, cook breakfast in case Shirou was still sleeping, and go to school. Though lately, the redheaded boy seems to continuously spend more time by himself in the shed, it didn't take a genius to know what he was doing inside. Neither of them brought up the matter of magecraft to each other, continuing to interact with each other normally. Yet they couldn't completely get rid of the awkward underlying atmosphere, trying to play around the subject which wouldn't go away any time soon. 


'Maybe he doesn't feel comfortable bringing it up with me…' 


Why did that thought feel so uncomfortable to her? She also wanted to keep her side a secret. Never should the only person care about finding out just how tainted she was. Perhaps it was for the best that they kept pretending that this matter didn't exist, as she wouldn't be able to face him if he were to ever find out the truth. 


"..."


No answer came from the other side.


"Hm?" A confused hum escaped her lips, since she came here, Shirou would always wake up quickly — sometimes the girl didn't even need to call him. Perhaps it would be better for her to go inside and wake him up like in the past.


As Sakura turned to make her way toward Shirou's room, her steps light and graceful, she carried with her the serenity of the morning, a faint glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. The boy had a cute face in his sleep, once in a blue moon she found him drooling like a kid, and it nearly made her heart unable to skip a beat. "I should take a picture just in case and show it to Taiga-san." 


Taiga for all her childish tendencies was surprisingly quite mature when it mattered, which was why they kept the fact that she lived here a secret as Shirou insisted that she would have marched inside the Matou residence if she ever found out the slightest rumor about her treatment.


Her thoughts once briefly drifted back to her own home, a place that she didn't dare call such. It was a pit, a vile nest teeming with worms that wriggled and squirmed. The pain had become a numbing constant, the slimy sensation of those repulsive creatures crawling both on her body and deep within her like the parasite they were. But she quickly pushed those dark thoughts aside, banishing them to the depths of her mind. This was not the time to dwell on her past torment.


Taking a deep breath, Sakura raised her hand and gently knocked on Shirou's door, calling out to him for breakfast for the final time. She listened intently, waiting for his familiar voice to respond, but the seconds ticked by with no answer as she expected. A sigh escaped her lips, knowing all too well what this meant. Shirou indeed went into a deep sleep. 


Without hesitation, Sakura reached for the door, sliding it open silently. "Ah," A rather strong scent of sweat wafted into her nose, his scent being far more potent here than anywhere given he must have not cleaned the place for a few days with how busy he was. Her face blushed, growing crimson as a weird sensation traveled all across her body. 


It was a feeling she experienced countless times before, but this time, something else was different. An element that caused her entire body to freeze, her breath catching in her throat.


There, lying peacefully on his bed, was Shirou Emiya, fast asleep without a shirt on. 


"A-Ah!" 


The soft rise and fall of his chest as he breathed and it was hard to believe he actually had a decent amount of muscles given she couldn't perceive much from the clothes he regularly wore. She couldn't tear her eyes away as if she were witnessing a private moment meant only for her. 


A myriad of emotions swirled within her. Admiration, affection, and a longing that she had kept hidden deep within her heart. The sight of Shirou, vulnerable in his slumber, stirred something within her that she couldn't fully comprehend. It was a mix of tenderness and desire.


'It's getting worse,' she thought, fully aware of the reason behind her unusual reaction within her body.  


But just as quickly as those emotions arose, Sakura did her best to push past them. This was not the time nor the place to delve into that side of hers. Yet before she knew it, Sakura found herself kneeling to his sleeping face. The close proximity made her senses get muddled, an indescribable heat growing inside as her breathing turned into heavy pants.


Quickly, she had to wake him up as soon as possible and leave. 


"S-Shirou," Sakura called out softly, her voice almost a whisper. "It's time to wake up. Breakfast is ready."


There was no response from the slumbering Shirou, prompting Sakura to get closer, her shaky fingers gently moving strands of hair away from his face. Sakura didn't know how much time she spent gazing at the young man's face. Having momentarily forgotten what she wanted to do at first, and then just focused on the bliss of the closeness itself. She knew she was enjoying his warm scent and gentle breathing more than she should.


"Yo-You're sleeping right?" 


She watched Shirou's relaxed eyelids for a time. For a while, worried that he might open them, and see her there in this pathetic state. This made her panic a bit, but he never moved. Becoming aware of her position, she let her hands on his face, her heart feeling like it would burst at any moment.


Still, Shirou remained motionless, lost in his peaceful dreams. A flicker of worry danced in Sakura's eyes as she carefully approached the bed. Her fingertips brushed against his cheek, the warmth of his skin sending a shiver through her body. 


'It feels so different,' thought the girl, noticing the lack of her numb state of mind when just a touch sent a lightning sensation throughout her body where. Something more extreme made her feel hollow back in the pit. "You've been spending a lot of time in the shed, lately, it's not good for your health, senpai." 


Her gaze got increasingly heated as she felt the touch of his lips on her fingers. 


What stopped her from going any further? 


"I'll soon be in the same school as you and Nee-san. We'll have a lot of fun, won't we?" She whispered, chuckling as he made a weird face when lightly pinching her cheeks. 


For him to not wake up from this made her believe that he really must have pushed himself last night. Sakura didn't bother checking what branch of magecraft he practiced for it mattered little to her. 


"Did you know, when I always wake up here, I wonder if I'm dreaming? It feels so surreal at times that I had trouble believing anything really. 


"I wonder, are you and Nee-san hanging out often? I once saw you with her and another girl inside Copenhagen." Her eyes grew darker, brushing her hands from his face to the neck then the chest. "I don't have any right to be jealous yet I still couldn't help it. You looked so happy back there… it's a good thing Nii-san didn't see you together with her or else he would have gotten very mad. Are you perhaps her friend? Or…" 


Her face got close to his, so close that she could hear his breathing and feel his breath. Tantalizing her senses, making that itch within her grow ever so more intense with each passing moment. Her thighs rubbed against each other, hoping to alleviate some of it but with little success.


Her hand traveled down to his arms before clasping his own, they were bigger and rough yet indescribably warm. "Did you get hurt again?" She said after noticing the hand wrapped in bandages for some reason, holding a tissue stained from blood. 


"You really are a bad person, senpai. Keeping a dirty person like me so close to you and then sleeping so helplessly… I might lose control if you keep continuing acting like this." Her body moved on its own lips got closer, maybe just this one thing wouldn't harm anyone, right?


"Mmmm…" Shirou stirred in his sleep once again, his eyelids moving as he showed signs of waking up. Sakura froze, his sudden action forcefully bringing herself back to reality as she recoiled and fell backward. "Sakura?" 


"Hah… Hah… Hah…" This time, she panted harshly from the fear and horror at what she was about to do just now. An unforgivable act, one caused by her momentarily losing control of herself. Worst of all, a part of her grew upset that she failed to go any further!? No! Nonono! "S-Senpai?" 


Had he seen her in that state? She couldn't remember, her mind thrown into complete chaos. 


"Ah, it's morning already?" Oblivious to the panic-stricken girl before him, his head buzzed with sounds and a splitting migraine. It honestly felt like he didn't even get a single second of sleep. His body just felt so drained that even the sunlight in his room irritated his eyes. "Ah, I'll be there in… just… a… bit?" As his vision slowly adjusted from the blurry mess, Shirou was surprised to find no one in his room but himself. Confusion soon settled in as he believed that someone came over to wake him up. "Uh, I'm probably imagining things." 


If it was Fuji-nee, then the woman would have been smacked a couple of times for daring to oversleep and miss school again. Sakura on the other hand always waited for him to wake up whenever he was in the shed or his room. "Hah, I was probably just imagining it. What is it again?" 


A quick glance at the clock widened his eyes as the realization settled in that he was already late. "Damn it, Fuji-nee is going to chew me up again and Issei will give me another lecture." 


He wore his clothes, not bothering to take a shower as there was no time for that. Holding his bag, he walked out of his ro—


"Master," Shirou halted, nearly falling to the ground as an ethereal voice came from behind him. His head slowly turned behind to see the air shimmer as a figure that could only be described as mesmerizing appeared before him. "What are your commands for the day?" She asked with a monotone voice that lacked any feeling whatsoever. 


But to him, it was akin to a thunder strike hitting his mind as the memories of last night came rushing back to him. 


"Oh," was all he could say at this moment. 


{Break}


(A day earlier)


The night seemed to stretch on endlessly as Shirou Emiya continued his solitary vigil in the small, dimly lit shed. Beads of sweat trailed down his face, glistening in the dim light as he pushed himself to the limit, determined to overcome his failures. He had rolled up his shirt sleeves, filled with scraps and cuts which had yet to fully heal, evidence of the relentless training he had put himself through — though most were just from failed attempts of certain spells.


With each failed attempt at attempting a new branch of thaumaturgy, his frustration grew, and he punched the ground in anger. "Damn it!" he cursed, his voice echoing through the confined space. "Why can't I get it right? It shouldn't be this hard!"


Before him lay dozens of notes, strewn about haphazardly, along with the familiar book from Luvia filled with meticulous handwriting and intricate tips on thaumaturgy. It was a treasure trove of knowledge, yet it felt like an insurmountable barrier between Shirou and his goal. Even casting a simple light source of all things proved a tremendous challenge to him!


He picked up the book and flipped through its pages again, trying to glean any new insights. "Come on, Emiya, you can do this," he encouraged himself, but doubt lingered in the back of his mind. The weight of responsibility to carry on his current self grew day by day. With more challenges presenting themselves to him lately where his skills with weapons would just no longer be enough. 


Shirou shook his head, dispelling the self-doubt. He had no time to indulge in negativity; he had work to do. "Am I really incapable of learning anything else?" The countless failures and challenges that presented themselves to him for years emerged in his mind, answering his question. "The old man was right…" Taking a deep breath, he focused on what he knew best and just kept refining that again and again. Reinforcement on both objects and himself along with his Projection magecraft.


"Trace, on," he called, picturing firing the hammer of a gun, and thousands of shimmering blue motes swirled around him, taking the shape of a long katana. He poured a precise amount of Magical Energy into the blade, reinforcing it to its utmost potential, and swung it with all his strength. The sword cleaved through the wooden dummy with ease, leaving a clean cut. "At least I can still do this, but the sword is still quite brittle and breaks rather easily with enough stress."


A spark of contemplation ignited within Shirou, but he knew that a single success was not enough. He glanced around the shed, spotting the empty gun he left nearby. Grabbing it, he focused again, attempting to trace a bullet and load it into the chamber directly — a method he imagined to speed up the process of reloading whilst in combat. 


Crack!


Unfortunately, fitting a bullet within a confined space with extreme accuracy was hard. On many occasions, the piece of lead wouldn't even appear inside and just form on his hands. He even managed to have it fire on its own the first few times and injure his hands again. "Come on… I may be an inept Magus but I can still do this!" 


With his eyes closed, Shirou once again repeated the process. It took him a few seconds of deep concentration, but he felt the weight settle within the weapon. "Phew… finally. After ten attempts I barely managed to do it." A ten percent success rate, whilst miles better than his first attempts, it did not satisfy the boy. Already this success was accomplished with all his focus, time, and concentration — something which he couldn't accomplish in a fight. In that scenario, his chances were a single digit nearing zero. 


'I just need to increase those odds with enough practice. Would be nice to have someone I can spar with. I made many months' worth of progress with Luvia in a matter of days.' Her proposal to visit London grew ever so slightly attractive. 


And he really wanted to see her again in person instead through a phone.


"Here goes nothing," he murmured, raising the gun towards the reinforced blade. A gunshot echoed through the shed as the bullet struck the blade, and the upper part of the sword cracked under the impact. Shirou's face contorted with disappointment.


"Not enough," he muttered, clenching his fists. "I need to do better." His mind raced with thoughts of his own inadequacies and the expectations he felt crushing down upon him. "Again." 


Shirou returned to his training, tracing swords and bullets repeatedly. He lost track of time, his mind and body immersed in the magical processes. Steam began to rise from his body through the continuous use of his Magic Circuits, and his clothes clung to his soaked skin.


During a momentary pause, he recalled a conversation he had with Luvia once more. "You've got an unusual way of using magecraft, Sherou," she mentioned in a past phone call. "You should focus on refining what you already know if you're in a hurry. You won't achieve anything, especially when it comes to magecraft with an impatient attitude."


Her words echoed in his mind. She was right; he had spent so much time trying to learn new spells that he had neglected his true talent—reinforcing his own creations to their utmost limit. What was wrong with what he already knew? Nothing, his fight against the monsters just proved that. His weapons just needed to get sharper, his body stronger, faster, and his aim better. 


"Trace, on!" he shouted again, forming another blade in his hands. This time, he focused on reinforcing it to its limit. Sweat poured down his face, his body trembling with the effort. The blade glowed with an intense light as the magical energy flowed through it. "Please don't blow up, again." 


Emboldened, he continued his training, each swing more precise than the last. He retrieved the empty gun again, tracing bullets after a few failed attempts and loading them. His determination burned brightly, overcoming the pain in his hands and the exhaustion creeping into his bones.


As the night wore on, Shirou found himself locked in a rhythm, switching between tracing and reinforcing, never allowing himself a moment of respite. The hours blurred together, and the shed became a sanctuary for his relentless pursuit of improvement.


His mind wandered back to the notes and the book from Luvia. "What am I going to do with this now?" The boy felt bad for all his efforts and the results he showed. 


He decided to take a break, his breath heavy and labored. Shirou collapsed on the ground, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. Picking up the book, he started reading again, this time with a newfound appreciation for the wisdom contained within. 


Some of the spells within the book were information rather than steps on how to use them. A few branches of magecraft recorded inside mentioned using gems to store Magical Energy, the same thing the Edelfelt used and apparently Rin as well. He honestly found the idea of having what was basically a portable battery and possible explosives quite interesting. For the latter, they could deliver twice the damage which was small enough for him to carry multiple without any issues. 


Some parts mentioned about old magecraft that involved totems sometimes crafted in the image of a god or animal. There wasn't much information on it, though Shirou believed that the person who wrote this part just abandoned researching the subject anymore. 


"Which reminds me," he took out the small snake headpiece of a statue he found. Keeping it at most times in his pocket as a good luck charm. "You are a snake, though I'm sure this is what they meant by totem or idol." 


At least it was beautifully carved, he still couldn't get over how detailed the piece looked despite having been submerged under the ocean water for who knew how long.


"I can't use them, but I can't improve my knowledge of magecraft in general. Who knows, it can help me in the futur—ah!" 


His body jolted from a minor wound, he noticed a stray piece of glass that he accidentally grabbed from his work bench cut his hand. A trail of blood dripped from his limbs to the ground below. 


Woosh!


"What the—!" The boy's eyes widened with shock as he hastily got up sluggishly, dropping the small piece unknowingly. His gaze fully on the light emanating from the ground below with a complex pattern revealing itself. "The summoning circle! But I never activated one! What's going on?!"


His heart races as he looks at the bloodied circle, knowing he has inadvertently triggered some kind of summoning ritual. A horrifying thought crossed his mind that sent shivers down his spine. 


"This… This shouldn't be possible!" The source of the Fuyuki fire, the event that led to his memory loss, the loss of countless lives, Kiritsugu's death and so much chaos — the Holy Grail War. All of the stories he heard once again emerged to his mind like an avalanche. The old man said this shouldn't happen for the next few decades!" He exclaimed.


"Argh!" Shirou clutched his hands as a burning sensation spread all over his limb. "A Command Seal…" the redhead instantly recognized the blood-red pattern forming on his backhand. His old man having described it countless times in the past. 


A surge of magical energy erupts from the circle, engulfing the room in a blinding light. Shirou shields his eyes, trying to make sense of what's happening — going all pale at the implications of what was to come. 


Out of the luminous glow, a shadowy figure emerges. As the light fades, the unmistakable silhouette of a woman becomes apparent. Her appearance as captivating as unsettling, her most distinct feature is her striking head of long, light purple hair. Her locks cascade down her back untamed, akin to serpents writhing around her. Eyes hidden away with a blindfold making him even more wary about her appearance. 


He could already feel it in his bones, the suffocating presence of this being before him. An entity equally as frightening and powerful, someone who could kill him within a split second. 


"A-A Servant?" Even as his limbs tensed with both fear and apprehension, Shirou couldn't help but divert and have his gaze linger for a few seconds on her outfit. A form-fitting, dark purple bodysuit that accentuates her lithe and rather gifted figure. The purple fabric which covered the upper area and stocking didn't leave much for the imagination.


Yet the part that sent a jolt within his mind were the chained daggers within her hands. No… it would be better to call them stakes. Weirdly enough, despite these points, Shirou couldn't help but be momentarily captivated by her appearance. This wasn't what he imagined a Servant's appearance to be, tales of heroic figures of the past with feats that forever remained ingrained in the annals of human history.


"Servant Rider, I have answered your summon." She spoke for the first time, her expression impossible to read or even discern with that mask covering her eyes. "Do feel free to command me as you wish."


How was he going to explain this to Sakura? Fuji-nee was going to kill him…


{Break}


-London, Clocktower-


As the day's last rays of sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the lecture hall, Waver El Melloi stood before his attentive students, his speech loud and clear for everyone in the modern magecraft theory department. All were evidently captivated with his lectures, taking notes after notes for each syllable that was spoken by the man himself. He had a way of captivating his pupils, making the esoteric subject matter accessible and fascinating.


"Now, class, that brings us to the end of today's lecture," Waver announced, his stoic face showing no hint of exhaustion despite having spent hours teaching different classes with barely any rest. "I hope you all found our discussion on the integration of magecraft with electronic devices enlightening."


Nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, prompting Waver to crack a smile. His students weren't just attentive; they were genuinely engaged.


"As a young magi, you must understand the significance of this topic," he continued, his somber tone eclipsing any kind of noise inside the room. "The world is changing rapidly, and with it, so must our approach to magecraft. Embracing technology doesn't mean forsaking tradition; it means evolving and expanding our horizons."


A hand shot up at the back of the room, belonging to a bright-eyed student named Marcus. Waver nodded lazily, crushing the cigarette he was smoking inside an ashtray on his office table, and gestured at the Magus to ask whatever question he had. 


"Professor El Melloi, how do we reconcile the need for secrecy with the integration of magic and technology?" Marcus inquired, a genuine curiosity in his voice.


A sigh escaped Waver's lips as he nodded at the valid question. "Ah, the age-old concern," he mused. "As magi, we carry the responsibility of preserving the secrecy of our craft. However, the integration of magecraft with technology offers opportunities for us to camouflage our work within the trappings of the mundane world."


He walked to the edge of the platform, ensuring he had every student's full attention. "Remember, subtlety is the key. Seek inspiration from the art of concealment in our historical texts. Concealment does not mean abandoning tradition. It means finding creative ways to veil our magical workings from the prying eyes of the unaware."


The students listened intently, scribbling notes as Waver elaborated on strategies to blend magic and technology seamlessly. His real-world examples and anecdotes added weight to his teachings, inspiring his pupils to think critically and embrace innovation in their magical practices.


"Now, before we conclude," Waver said, his voice growing a touch more serious, "I want you all to remember that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a life-long journey. Treat every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't shy away from experimentation, for that is the path to true discovery — but be sure to know your limits unless you don't want to die a painful death."


As the bell signaling the end of the class rang through the halls, the students gathered their belongings and started to leave, a buzz of excited conversations following in their wake. Before they could all depart, Waver raised his hand to stop them momentarily.


"Before you go, don't forget to submit your essays on the applications of modern magecraft in urban environments by next week," he reminded them warmly. "And if you have any questions or need guidance, my office door is always open… only on weekends, don't waste my time then."


The students nodded gratefully, reassured by their professor's willingness to support their academic endeavors. As the last student exited the room, Waver took a moment to revel with the silent atmosphere before going through his notes for the next topic of his lesson.


"Hmm, today I had Integration of Technology and Magic. As technology continues to advance, the department explores ways to incorporate modern technology into magecraft or adapt magecraft to work alongside technology. They may delve into areas such as magical circuits, ley line networks, and their connection to modern energy sources."


Inscribing a few notes, he already planned the topic for his next class. "Interdisciplinary Approach. The department can encourage collaboration with other magical and non-magical disciplines, such as alchemy, astrology, physics, and computer science. This interdisciplinary approach could lead to new discoveries and innovative applications of magecraft."


His role in the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory was not just to impart knowledge but to nurture a new generation of magi who would carry the torch of magical innovation into the future. 


As the last of the students left, Waver made his way to a more private area of the building where most of his main office was located for a much-needed smoke break… again. He took a deep drag from his cigarette, letting the nicotine soothe his nerves after the invigorating class. Exhaling a large puff of smoke, he gazed absently at the documents around him.


One of which was a blue gold envelope with a seal stamp that made his heart shake from worry. 


However, his moment of tranquility was interrupted when he noticed a hooded figure standing a few meters away. The girl's face was partially obscured, as she quietly sat on the sofa and read some books he gave her. She hadn't spoken the whole time, it was obvious that her mood wasn't exactly the best right now.


He knew the reason behind it.


"Gray," Waver greeted her, raising an eyebrow. "Still upset about our meeting with the Galliasta heir?"


Gray nodded solemnly, her voice tinged with discomfort. "Yes, I didn't like how Atrum Galliasta stared at my face and body. It felt... wrong. He wasn't even showing you proper respect at the end, arrogant and narcissistic."


Waver frowned, understanding her unease. "Unfortunately, such people do exist," he said, his tone tinged with disapproval. "But they usually tend to meet unfortunate ends sooner or later."


Gray seemed to find some comfort in his words and nodded again, but her curiosity got the better of her. "Umm, are the rumors true about him being able to bring back Basmu-type creatures with Chimera monsters?"


Waver scoffed at the notion. "I highly doubt it," he said dismissively. "There's a very small chance that he's capable of such a thing. More likely, someone else is pulling the strings, using him as a puppet. I have researched his past along with his family's, the chances of him being behind such a creation are lesser than me achieving True Magic."


"So… who do you think is responsible?"


Just as he was about to elaborate, his attention was diverted back to the letter sitting on his table — he couldn't ignore it for any longer or else that woman would cut off his head. It was an official message from the Vice Director, Lorelei Barthomeloi herself. Waver's heart rate quickened, and he could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he read the lines.


As he absorbed the contents, shock washed over him, causing the cigarette in his mouth to fall to the ground unnoticed. He was at a loss for words, his mind racing with the implications of the letter's contents.


"Sir?" Gray noticed his weird behavior and wondered what was written there. 


Just then, his phone rang within his pocket with a ringtone belonging to a single caller, and he hesitantly answered the call. To his surprise, he heard his sister's voice on the other end.


"Reines…" the timing was too suspicious, the chances of her scheming something behind his back already got confirmed with the tone of her voice.


"My dear brother, did you like my little gift?" she said, her playful yet haunting tone to the man.


His eyes widened, and his voice trembled with anger and frustration. "What did you do!?" he shouted, unable to contain his emotions. "How the hell did you even achieve this!? The spots were full last I checked!" 


His sister's laughter echoed through the phone, leaving him with a sinking feeling in his gut.


"Why are you so angry? I made it possible for you to achieve your dream when you were about to give up, right? You should be showing some love and praising me for being an amazing little sister~! Anyways, don't ask too many questions, go and have fun. Be sure to bring me back some souvenirs." 


"Wait, REINE—Damn it, she cut off her phone!" 


At this moment, Waver wondered how in the world he managed to owe a major favor to the Devil without even knowing about it and the kind of price he'd have to pay. He collapsed on his chair, feeling a splitting headache which made even smoking his cigarette feel pointless. 


"Sir?" 


Once again, Gray wondered what the hell happened to her caretaker to look like he was about to collapse.