Simultaneous Transmigration: We Share a Role-Playing System

Chapter 96 Rebirth: I Became an Arcane Pioneer in Type-Moon

Invincible Young Hero Locke: "Hey, why do you think they would believe in the existence of the Black Dragon? Is it just because the Demon King Beast and other monsters appeared in that book, 'The Record of Peaceful Customs'?"

Naruto Rock: "They probably wouldn't dare to gamble, after all, he spent 20,000 to set off Orochi like fireworks, and even brought out the Four Mysterious Ultras. They're probably terrified, so they'll just give him a way out and let him go."

Hogwarts Locke: "Twenty thousand!!! A whole twenty thousand! That's enough for me to level up so many times! You just treat it like fireworks?! I'll bite you to death!!!"

Locke, responding to the curse: "Damn it! You really bit me! Let go! Let go!"

Because every time Locke is given popularity points at Hogwarts, his popularity points always disappear just before they are used up, so far he is the only Locke who hasn't leveled up at all.

Therefore, everyone could only acquiesce to his intermittent bouts of madness, after all, who knows how long this wizard would remain a Nine-Wisdom Warrior.

Locke in black robes: "However, don't you think the popularity points they've generated these past few days are actually related to the faith they've been talking about? After all, their popularity points skyrocketed as soon as they started suppressing them."

Pirate Locke: "But let's forget about getting involved in religion. This thing is purely toxic, and there's absolutely no need for it."

Naruto's Rock: "Wait a minute, I think I understand what you mean. Actually, it doesn't have to be a religion. Turning it into a story isn't a bad idea either. How about we try to gain popularity through cross-industry collaborations? For example—"

Locke in black robes: "Draw comics."

Invincible Young Hero Locke: "Hey, you know what, you can really give it a try."

Naruto's Rock: "In that case, why don't I just follow Jiraiya's example and write a book? A whole 'Make-Out Paradise' version of 'The Tale of Peaceful Times'?"

Jujutsu Kaisen Locke: "?"

Jujutsu Kaisen Locke: "Turn on your microphone and communicate!"

Just as everyone was making a ruckus, a Rock with a limp appeared before them. He was the Type-Moon Rock who returned at the same time as DC Rock.

Pirate Rock: "Have you made your choice?"

Type-Moon Locke: "Of course."

Hogwarts Locke: "What did you choose?"

Faced with his own question, Locke remained silent, instead extending his hand to the crowd: "See for yourselves."

January 2004, 1, afternoon.

The winter sun slanted across the teaching building of Suigunhara Academy, gilding the frost-covered window frames with a warm gold.

In the abandoned clubroom, the air was filled with dust and the faint plastic smell of old appliances. Screwdrivers and multimeters were scattered on a corner of the desk. Shirou Emiya was squatting on the floor, staring intently at a malfunctioning amplifier.

As a half-baked magician who hasn't even fully mastered the proper magic system, his forte is using this shoddy enhancement magic to repair the damaged structure of objects.

The pale blue magic flow, invisible to ordinary people, traveled along his fingertips, drilling into the broken wires and malfunctioning components, and the previously malfunctioning machine showed signs of starting up again in an instant.

Just as the magic was at its peak, the wooden door of the classroom suddenly creaked open, letting in the cold wind from outside.

Emiya Shirou's movements abruptly stopped, almost instinctively severing the magic circuit, and his magical power instantly vanished.

His back was tense, and when he looked up, there was still a lingering wariness in his eyes. But when he saw who was standing at the door, that tense vigilance instantly collapsed, his shoulders slumped, and he breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"What? It's Locke. Seriously, you scared me."

Locke, leaning on his cane, coughed twice, dragged his injured leg over to Shirou, sat down opposite him, and placed his hand on the amplifier that needed repair, helping him tidy up the scattered parts.

"Shinji said he couldn't find you, so I guessed you were hiding here. What, planning to take a shortcut using magic again?"

Shirou Emiya's face instantly fell as his friend saw through his thoughts. He scratched the back of his head and explained with a hint of embarrassment, "After all, I don't have your amazing skills, Locke. I can only use magic to fix these things faster." Shirou Emiya scratched the back of his head, his tone still carrying the lingering embarrassment.

Locke glanced at him, picked up a loose screw with his fingertips, and said in a calm but unmistakably serious tone, "Magic is indeed a good thing, and I never object to you using it. What makes us human is our ability to use tools to extend our capabilities. But relying too much on magic and treating it as a shortcut to solving everything is ultimately not a good thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took the screwdriver from Shirou, and with a light twist of his wrist, he quickly and efficiently reconnected the broken wire and put the misaligned component back in place.

As the amplifier emitted a steady, soft sound, he casually placed his tools on the table, dusted off his hands, and looked out the window at the bare branches. He suddenly sighed softly, "Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. I never thought my leg would still be like this."

The relaxed atmosphere in the air froze instantly.

Emiya Shirou's self-glow involuntarily fell on his leg, which he could never muster any strength for.

Beneath the school uniform trousers lies the lifelong disability etched by the devastating fire that consumed everything ten years ago.

The winter sun slanted across the room, but it couldn't warm the suddenly heavy air. A variety of emotions welled up uncontrollably in my heart: heartache and guilt for my friend's unexpected misfortune, and a surging sense of confusion about the fire and my own vague "ideal of justice."

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, he opened his mouth, but ultimately only managed to utter a low, hoarse call: "Locke—"

"I'm fine, Shirou." Locke interrupted him first, stood up, and smiled as he gently tapped the tip of Shirou's shoe with his cane, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather.

"It's been so many years, I'm used to it. It's just that I'm missing the strength of one leg. It doesn't stop me from walking the path I want to walk. After all, people have their limits. Maybe everything I have now is because I traded this leg for it."

It was only at this moment that Shirou Emiya suddenly came to his senses.

Beneath the seemingly ordinary and harmless exterior of this friend who always wears a gentle smile and even needs a cane to walk, lies an extraordinary talent.

Unlike himself, who only had a rudimentary grasp of magic, Shirou knew better than anyone that if Locke wanted to, there was almost nothing he couldn't do—the only prerequisite was whether he was willing to.

The winter wind swirled fine snowflakes across the window sill, making a soft, rustling sound.

"Shirou."

Locke abruptly stopped at the classroom door, his cane striking the concrete floor with a clear, resounding thud that broke the silence. He didn't turn around, his back to the afternoon sun, his voice carrying a heavy, tentative tone that Shirou had never heard before: "If one day we end up on completely opposite paths, what will you do?"

Emiya Shirou was taken aback by the sudden question, a strange, inexplicable bitterness welling up inside him. He didn't take it as a joke; instead, he lowered his eyes and pondered seriously for a long time. When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with unwavering seriousness: "I don't know the specifics of what to do. But if one of us deviates from the right path, the other will definitely pull him back. Whether that person is you or me."

The moment he received the answer, a faint, enigmatic smile slowly appeared on Locke's lips, a smile that seemed both relieved and wistful.

He didn't say another word, but leaning on his cane and dragging his unsteady leg, he walked step by step into the shadows of the corridor, leaving behind only a whispered sentence that seemed almost carried away by the wind: "Is that so? That's fine then."

Meanwhile, in Locke's inner world, looking at the idol he had watched grow up, he could only utter a sigh of regret.

"Forgive me, Shirou, I swear this is absolutely the last time. After all, there aren't many stages this suitable anymore."

After he finished speaking, his own control panel appeared before his eyes.

Name: Fujimura Rock

[Bind Character Card: Victor (Assistant Professor at Piltover University)]