Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"........."

Misaki Ayako glanced at Shirou in surprise, noticing a certain undeniable authority on his face.

She understood that staying would only be a burden, so she nodded in tacit agreement:

"I understand... Amamiya, please be careful."

"Senior!?"

Misaki Ayako pulled Matou Sakura along to leave, but—

"Wait a minute, who gave you permission to leave your seats?"

Atoram's voice seemed to have a kind of binding effect, making Misaki Ayako's feet unable to move for a moment.

Shirou frowned involuntarily: "..."

"Hey, please don't unleash your murderous aura so fiercely. I have no intention of fighting you, Amamiya Shirou."

Shirou glanced at his subordinate: "Was that your attempt to curry favor?"

“This is truly rude of me. My subordinates seem to be unfamiliar with the etiquette of East Asian culture. I will apologize on their behalf.”

As he said this, Atoram slowly raised his right hand.

Then, a large number of lightning bolts were released from his palm, piercing through his subordinates kneeling beside him, and they all collapsed while smoking.

"This... this can't be movie special effects, right..." Ayako Misaki's eyes widened.

"It's just a little punishment, don't worry... I didn't kill them."

Atoram said with a smile, "We can't let the noble Amamiya Shirou become an indirect murderer."

Shirou remained unmoved and was not intimidated by his intimidation.

"What is your purpose? Stop beating around the bush," Shirou said coldly.

"I was hoping to build a friendship with you, but it seems I'm not very popular."

Atoram sighed sadly, and Shirou thought he was like a bad stage actor.

"Shirou Amamiya, I want to obtain your magic crest."

Name your price, and Gresta will meet any astronomical sum.

So that's how it is. Shirou finally understood the man's request.

Although Shirou Amamiya is a third-rate magician, his magical characteristics are quite unique.

His "Enhancement Magic" surpasses any repair magic, capable of reinforcing internal damage to matter and thus completing the repair process.

As for Shirou's "projection magic"... according to Morgan, even she couldn't replicate it.

Shirou had been warned by Arisu before that his power might attract the attention of those with ulterior motives, but he hadn't taken it too seriously at the time.

Unexpectedly, it actually happened.

What are your thoughts?

Seeing that Shirou remained silent, Atorum urged him on.

"I can not do it."

Shirou answered without hesitation.

He would never agree to such a deal.

"Really? You don't want to...?"

Atoram murmured, "You value the inheritance of magic more than I expected, that's a good thing..."

"Wait a moment."

Shirou interrupted him, correcting him: "It's not that I 'don't want to,' but that I 'can't do it.'"

"?"

Atoram looked puzzled, and Shirou explained further.

"Magic imprints refer to the inheritance left by parents to their children, right? I don't have such a thing, so naturally I can't sell it to you."

"what are you talking about?"

"I said I don't have a magic mark."

Shirou said with a matter-of-fact expression, "Although I live with my adoptive mother now, I am an orphan. I don't even know who my biological parents are, so of course I can't accept the Crest transplant..."

I said, "Didn't you do any research before coming to Japan?"

"——————"

Atoram's expression turned extremely ugly, a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief.

In the world of magic, possessing a magic crest is not only proof of being an heir to a magic family, but also represents an absolute difference in strength.

Although magicians live in a world that values ​​lineage, this "lineage" is different from the "lineage" of horse racing. It refers more to the knowledge and research accumulated by a family over hundreds or thousands of years.

Through generations of accumulation, research, and practice, magicians ensure that their descendants inherit even greater power, ultimately reaching the vortex that records all truths—this is the operating logic of Western magic.

Atoram couldn't fathom how a brat like Shirou Amemiya, who didn't even have a Magic Crest, could defeat Archibald, the Einzbern, and their Servants in that legendary ritual.

Well... I've been training in a world stronger than the pan-human history for three thousand years, Shirou thought to himself.

"----hiss."

Atoram took a deep breath and finally regained his composure.

He believed the red-haired boy's words.

Shirou Amamiya's value may be higher than he imagined.

"I understand, then..."

"Shirou Amamiya, would you be willing to leave this country with me? To put it bluntly, would you be willing to become my research subject?"

"No way, I have to go to school tomorrow."

Shirou refused immediately.

"........."

This is the second time I've been rejected today.

Atoram has never been rejected by the same person twice in his life.

He immediately switched to another mode, spreading his arms wide.

"That would be war."

Atoram made a pretentious announcement.

"War, war, war... Ah, it sounds so barbaric!"

To choose to fight against me, Golesta, is utterly foolish!

He shook his head with great regret.

However, the smile that appeared at the corner of his mouth was impossible to hide.

That smile clearly showed that, no matter what he said, he regarded the savage killing of each other as a form of entertainment.

The Golestas are a family that inherited ancient Middle Eastern bloodlines.

Because they only joined the Clock Tower in recent generations, and half of the magic they use falls under the category of sorcery, they are treated worse than their strength, but they are still quite troublesome.

However, it is said that they conquered neighboring organizations and even seized oil extraction rights through their family's unique magic. On the surface, their power and wealth are among the best in the Clock Tower.

Athoram is the current head of House Gresta.

His current personality is entirely due to the education he received from a young age.

If you want something, just grab it and swipe the blade.

Athoramuth has always received this teaching.

In order to select a leader for the clan, the father gave his brothers, including him, various trials, and the young man handled everything in the most efficient way.

Then, unlike his father, who inherited the title in the association but did not step into the world of magic, Atoram embraced magic with great enthusiasm.

He vigorously expanded his influence in the magic world—mainly through financial means.

This nouveau riche nature earned Athora the derogatory nickname "Oil King" among London magicians.

However, his skill as a magician is undeniable.

Shirou wondered if the man was mentally unstable.

Even after learning about his experiences in the Fourth Holy Grail War, he still dares to shamelessly talk about "war"...

Oh dear, it seems I was too gentle in the past. My lenient attitude towards enemies gave others the illusion that "this guy is easy to bully"...

I'm sorry.

Normally it would be fine, but now, Shirou has no intention of letting the dangerous individuals who approach him off easily.

Irisviel is carrying my child (Ilya) in her belly, I can't let them be in any danger...

Shirou walked toward Atorum, his clenched right hand enveloped in a green glow.

"...!?"

The brown-haired youth probably didn't expect Shirou to walk towards him on his own initiative.

Realizing he was in danger, he immediately showed a panicked expression.

"Wait, wait a minute, I haven't finished speaking yet!"

"Huh? Isn't it already a 'state of war'? Was that a joke just now?"

"of course not!"

In the end, although Atoram was afraid, his pride prevailed.

Shirou's opinion of him changed slightly; to be able to put on airs to this extent, he was quite a character.

Of course, you'll get a punch in this round.

Just as he was about to knock Atoram down with one punch, a strong magical reaction came from afar.

This energy came from afar.

Soon, the atmosphere around Shirou and the others began to tremble—

It was as if it was reminding Shirou that something big was about to happen.

"……run!!"

The boy turned around and shouted at Ayako Misaki. This shout also released the restraints that Atoram had placed on the two of them, and the girl took a step forward almost without hesitation.

"I am the bone of my sword."

The boy whispered.

Facing the hammer of light descending from the sky, Shirou remained fearless, pondering as he raised his right arm.

"The Seven Realms of Heavenly Cover (Round Albion) ————!!"

The magnificent spectacle created by just one chanting made Atoram's eyes widen.

Initially, it was a huge ring of light depicting intricate inscriptions.

Then, the ring changed.

While the shape extending outwards from the center easily evokes the image of a blooming flower, closer inspection reveals that the separated parts are not actually petals.

They are less like flower petals and more like dragon scales.

Seven dragon scales, as blue as the sky, formed a dome-shaped shield, easily blocking the sudden attack of the magic bullets.

The magic bullet, which was clearly powerful enough to pierce any city wall, could not penetrate Shirou's magic seal; it merely burned on the surface.

This is an inevitable result.

Because the protective shield projected by Shirou is made of the hardest substance ever created on this planet—

The skin of "Grand Dragon" Albion.

This is one of the few non-sword Noble Phantasms that Shirou can project, and it is also the strongest defensive technique he possesses.