I am the protagonist

Runes that enhance oneself in a short period of time, runes that grant one the ability to see far, and runes that improve one's perception.

Furthermore, there are various combinations between runes. Eighteen different runes can be combined to create a wide range of effects, one of which is called [High-Speed ​​Divine Word].

As someone who is learning to use runes, Shirou doesn't need to use any so-called spells. In ordinary battles, using single-byte runes is enough. He can only use [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] when he needs to use the Real World. Otherwise, he doesn't need it at all.

Moreover, if Shirou wanted to, he could use the Real World without using the High Speed ​​Divine Word. He just needed to stop time completely. Couldn't he finish reciting the incantation to use the Real World in ten seconds?

However, the [High-Speed ​​Divine Word], which is of little use to Shirou, is quite useful to Rin and Sakura. For ordinary magicians like Rin and Sakura, they definitely need to chant incantations, so the [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] becomes very useful when using incantations.

Since that's the case, let's begin now.

Shirou's fingers immediately began to rapidly write runes in the air.

It's like creating a magic workshop, where runes are written into items to turn them into magical items.

Countless runes began to be arranged and integrated one by one into the polished gemstone.

Each rune has its own unique function. Theoretically, it's already considered good if a magic item can hold a few runes, but Shirou forcibly compressed a large number of runes into the gem.

But after doing all this, Shirou frowned.

[So that's how it is; the quality of the gemstone's engraving can also affect the runes that are inscribed upon it.]

[If my gold-carving skills were a bit better, I might be able to incorporate more runes... I guess I didn't have much experience with my first work.]

It's quite reasonable that the quality of the gold engraving also affects the quality of a magic prop.

Just like the goldsmith Tarpo that Shirou met before, that old man's craftsmanship was quite outstanding. The fact that even higher-level Vongola Gears can be created using the Vongola Rings and Animal Boxes definitely shows the influence of goldsmithing skills.

I must take the time to study gold carving techniques properly; it would be even better if I could improve my skills through research.

These are all things for the future, and Shirou isn't going to dwell on them too much right now.

Because of the poor gold-carving technique, the magic props were not made perfectly this time, and their additional effects were still lacking.

The increased magic power and rapid magic power recovery are not a big problem, but there is a problem with the High-Speed ​​Divine Word. Because the space inside the gem is no longer enough to hold the runes, Shirou has to take a step back and choose the High-Speed ​​Divine Word, which is a level lower.

It's just that the effect is a little worse than a real high-speed divine spell, and it's really just a tiny bit away from being instantaneous. However, it's true that it can greatly shorten the time of chanting spells.

After adding runes, Rin and Sakura's gift was complete.

Next up are Saber and Rider's gifts.

The gifts from Rin and Sakura are relatively easy to handle, but what should we do with the gifts from the two half-Heroic Spirits?

In fact, Shirou also had some thoughts on this. Heroic Spirits must have situations where they have to fight, so support abilities that directly enhance their own abilities are definitely more suitable.

After all, Saber and Rider are already quite strong Servants, and further enhancing their strength... this kind of gem would probably be very difficult to achieve, but giving them some support abilities might be more practical.

When it comes to practical support skills in battle, Shirou's first thought is about his own time.

It accelerates its own time and decelerates the time of the external world.

Consume a certain amount of magic to accelerate your own time, allowing your actions to transcend the concept of time.

Consume a certain amount of magic to slow down time in the external world, allowing your consciousness to keep up with a speed that exceeds what your consciousness can keep up with.

In terms of time management, both of these abilities are undoubtedly very powerful auxiliary abilities.

Although this use of time lacks destructive power, the Heroic Spirits themselves already possess terrifying destructive power. If they use time-assisted abilities, Shirou believes that Saber and Rider's strength can reach a new level.

Of course, this is also because this effect is easier to achieve.

As the owner of the Law of Time, Shirou's greatest skill lies in manipulating time.

Adding the power to accelerate and decelerate time to a gem is very simple, even much simpler than creating Rin and Sakura's gift.

[Saber and Rider's gifts went without any problems. Is it because this is my usual ability that makes it easier to create magical props from them?]

It seems I should use runes more often in various situations and thoroughly understand how to use them as soon as possible.

After finishing the gifts for Saber and Rider, Shirou finally stretched his muscles.

"It's finally done."

I looked up at the sky outside the window; night had already fallen.

"I got home at a little past one in the afternoon, and now it looks like it's already eight or nine o'clock."

"I wonder if Rin and the others are asleep yet. Let's go out and check."

Shirou walked out of his room with the four completed necklaces.

Chapter 51 Rin, too excited to speak

Shirou walked out of his room and, as he approached the living room, he could see the living room light was on through the sliding door.

【Aren't they asleep yet? Perfect, if they're still awake, I'll give them the gifts today.】

I opened the sliding door, and sure enough, there were four girls sitting in the living room. However, all four girls had changed into their pajamas and seemed to be getting ready for bed.

Shirou has seen this scene many times in the past month. After all, they live in the same house and sometimes there are opportunities to see each other in private clothes in their rooms. However, since girls' pajamas are usually quite proper, it's generally not a big problem if they are seen.

Just don't let your eyes wander aimlessly.

At least doing that wouldn't be seen as perverted.

"Rin, you guys are still awake?"

"We didn't sleep because we were waiting for you. If you had stayed any later, we would have really gone to sleep."

Rin couldn't fall asleep tonight, especially after learning that Shirou was preparing gifts for them. If she didn't see the gifts Shirou had prepared, she would definitely keep thinking about them all night.

"Sorry, sorry, the preparation time was a little longer than expected, and there were some minor flaws."

"Oh, it's alright. Shirou is a beginner too, so there will definitely be some flaws in his first attempt. He'll just have to try harder next time."

Hearing the sigh in Shirou's voice, Rin couldn't help but comfort the somewhat disappointed Shirou.

Is this abnormal?

It's normal for beginners to have flaws; there's nothing wrong with that.

When she first started learning magic, she also had many things she couldn't do well, but now, through time and practice, she can do them very well, right? Besides, Shirou is already doing very well.

She had only been learning magic for a little over a month, but she had already built her own magic studio, which was much better than what she had done before.

Now that a gift of magic props has been made for them, Rin believes that Shirou should not be placed on any stricter demands.

"Well, I'm still a bit lacking in gold engraving skills. I didn't realize that gold engraving skills are directly related to the quality of magic props."

This was something Shirou hadn't anticipated.

You should know that Shirou had always thought that magic items were simply items with magical properties, and that such items were called magic items.

The skill description for prop making states that the quality of the materials used and the props being made are directly related. However, the skill description does not state that the exquisiteness of the craftsmanship is also directly related to the quality of the magic props.

"Rin, Sakura, this is for you."

Shirou presented a ruby ​​necklace and a sapphire necklace to the two girls respectively.

"Ruby..."

This is indeed a gemstone that Rin likes very much. Looking at the carefully polished ruby ​​on the necklace, Rin couldn't help but feel an indescribable fondness for it.

Sakura couldn't contain her joy as she looked at the sapphire necklace in her senior's hand.

[They say there are some flaws, but isn't Shirou's work quite good?]

The carving and polishing of the gemstone were generally fine, just like any other gemstone sold in stores. But what Rin liked was that the gemstone had her name, "Rin Tohsaka," written on it in English, meaning that the gemstone belonged solely to her.

"Well, after all, it was something you worked hard to make, Shirou, so I'll accept it even if it has some flaws."

Rin is still a bit arrogant as always.

"Senior, then I'll accept it."

Sakura is much more straightforward than Rin, who is her older sister.

As Shirou watched Rin and Sakura put on the necklaces, he remembered something he had forgotten to remind them of.

"Rin, Sakura, you need to take it easy once you put them on. You might feel a little uncomfortable at first."

"Don't worry, Shirou, it doesn't matter if the necklace doesn't work."

Rin put the ruby ​​necklace around her neck.

The moment she put it on completely, the magic circuits in her body seemed to be stimulated and immediately connected with the gems on the necklace.

In the Emiya residence, a large amount of powerful magical energy was continuously absorbed into Rin and Sakura's bodies, constantly filling their magic circuits. Even when it was overflowing, they continued to absorb it.

"Hmm~"

"This...this is..."

Rin and Sakura blushed as they felt the strange sensation of a large amount of magic power surging into their bodies; their magic circuits felt like they had a fever.

The two sisters soon discovered that their bodies were already full of magic, but a lot of magic was still flowing into their bodies, filling their magic circuits, until the magic was twice as much as before before it finally stopped.

"Shirou, what... what's going on? Didn't you say there were flaws?"

Even if Rin were completely clueless, she would know that this necklace definitely didn't have the problem she imagined; in fact, it was a very rare and unusual magical artifact.

Such magic items that directly increase a magician's magic power without even damaging magic circuits are extremely rare. If such an item were on the black market, it would definitely be a highly sought-after item by many magicians.

Sakura was also puzzled at this moment. Her senior had clearly said that there was a problem with the magic props he made, but now it didn't seem like there was a problem at all.

"Senior, are you lying to us?"

"No, these two necklaces, as my first creations, do have flaws. However, the flaws I'm referring to are not in the effects of increasing magic power and accelerating magic power recovery. The flaws I'm referring to are in the effect of [High-Speed ​​Divine Word]."

At this point, Shirou couldn't help but sigh.

"If the gold carving technique on the gemstones were better, it would make the [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] even more perfect. However, it is because the treatment on the gemstones was not done well that the [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] is flawed."

"..."

At this moment, Rin and Sakura really had nothing to say.

Rin's face turned as red as if she had been holding back her anger, and she pointed at her necklace for a long time without being able to say a word.

At this moment, she was excited.

"High-Speed ​​Divine Words... Shirou... you... you..."

"Is there a problem?"

"……No."

Seeing that Shirou completely failed to understand the value of the necklace, Rin managed to control her excitement. However, she became even more careful when touching the necklace around her neck, because she knew that this necklace was probably the most valuable thing she had on her right now.

Chapter 52 The Necklace Given to Saber

[This idiot really has no idea what the value of magic props of this caliber is.]

Shirou can be completely indifferent to the things he makes, but Rin cannot be indifferent to her necklace.

Not only did wearing this necklace nearly double her magical power... but even Rin was speechless. Her magical power was already considerable, surpassing even her father's; to double it on top of that? It was explosive!

[High-speed divine incantations...that's something magicians can never obtain; it's a simplified spell technique possessed only by magicians of the Age of Gods. Modern magicians can never obtain high-speed divine incantations, nor can they simplify spells in such a way.]

[If people find out about this necklace, Sakura and I will definitely be targeted by a bunch of magicians.]

What those magicians really wanted was this necklace.

A necklace that can be imbued with [High-Speed ​​Divine Words] is far more valuable than any magical item.

If the essence of the [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] ability can be discovered from the necklace, it might even be possible to create [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] independently of the necklace.

Seeing that Shirou still didn't understand, Saber began to explain some things to him.

"Shirou, high-speed incantations are the patent of magicians from the Age of Gods. Magicians from the Age of Gods could use magic directly with magic circuits without chanting incantations, but modern magicians cannot do that."

"...Is it something that's so hard to obtain?"

Shirou genuinely didn't know that [High-Speed ​​Divine Word] had a certain degree of targeting. After all, in his mind, weren't ranged classes like mages supposed to develop melee combat skills? He himself had a very hardcore mage foundation, but in battle, he often fought in melee.

Moreover, the closer the distance, the more powerful the output.

"Have modern magicians not changed their fighting style to melee combat? Apart from rune magic like runes that don't require incantation, shouldn't melee magicians all be developing in the direction of high-speed divine incantation?"

These words made Rin feel a stomachache.

When did magicians move from the back row to the front row? Normally, magicians still stand in the back row; there's no possibility of a magician standing in the front row.

"Shirou, is there some fundamental misunderstanding on your part?"

"Really? But Rin yourself said that modern magicians are all capable of close combat, right?"