117 Merlin's Professional Blame-Shifting
Because Chaldea had connected the network of this world, Magical Merli, as a virtual idol, was active across multiple worlds. His true identity and gender were both a mystery, but thanks to his vast knowledge, witty remarks, and charismatic personality, he had captivated countless men and women.
Usually, he amused herself by confusing and teasing men obsessed with virtual idols. Yet, due to his nature as a Incubus, Merli could not resist temptation and often used the network to flirt with beautiful girls, becoming their confidante and helping them overcome difficulties.
After the girls were moved and their needs satisfied, he would leave behind a trail of romantic debts and disappear.
Sometimes, however, some women would relentlessly pursue him. The tower where Merlin resided was proof of this. When things became unavoidable, he would disappear for a while to lay low, relying on the King and the Knights of the Round Table to cover for him.
Now he seemed to need someone to "take the blame" again, so he repeatedly used Shirou's abilities. With Shirou, who had a naturally "vulnerable-to-women" aura, he became the perfect choice. After all, the account in this world had originally been registered using Shirou's phone number.
"What? You want to date me?"
"Sorry, I'm actually a girl."
"What? Being a girl doesn't matter?"
"Sorry, I'm actually overseas."
"What? You're going to cross the sea to come see me?"
"Sorry, I'm actually an underage high school student studying in the second year at Chiba International Branch, my name is Emiya, please don't come looking for me."
At this moment, while the boy taking the blame was on a plane, Magical Merli was also active online, creating new legends one after another.
The blue-and-white plane flew through the sea of clouds. Below was a vast expanse of white. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, scattering the clouds, and a gap opened in the dense layer.
Looking down from the sky, one could see China's largest freshwater lake—Poyang Lake—and to the northwest of the lake, towering mountains, the Lushan range.
After a transfer, the plane landed at the first stop of the exchange program: Xunyang.
Upon exiting the station, a group of people in suits held banners that read: "Welcome Chiba Branch Teachers and Students to Jiangnan Xidao International High School, Xunyang Branch!"
"Hello, we're from Chiba Branch," said the middle-aged teacher, stepping forward to bow and greet the local staff.
"Welcome, welcome! Teachers and students from Chiba Branch," the local staff replied with smiles.
"Yes, hello, thank you, good morning, have you eaten?" Shizuka Hiratsuka greeted them in somewhat awkward Japanese-Chinese, shaking hands with the teachers.
"Uh… yes, thank you," the teachers hesitated, then smiled and responded.
"After eating, what's the proper phrase again?" Hiratsuka whispered to the middle-aged teacher in Japanese, puzzled.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, just say it's a pleasure to meet you, then move on to business," the teacher advised.
"If Hiratsuka-sensei isn't used to it, we can just speak English," the local teachers added with youthful smiles.
"Ah! True. Hallo, my name…" Hiratsuka repeated her awkward Japanese-English greeting.
After this, the middle-aged teacher could no longer stand it and personally stepped in. Thanks to years of experience in exchange programs, the discussion finally proceeded smoothly. "Using textbook phrases in practical exchange situations always ends up like this. Hopefully, no one punches you if they ask 'how-old-are-you?'"
Shirou silently activated his Mystic Eyes to analyze and learn the teachers' lip movements and vibration frequencies.
In his previous life, to improve his Projection Magic, he learned that projection relies on one's imagination to perfectly replicate a real object. The more knowledge one had of a weapon, the closer the projected Noble Phantasm would be to the original.
So, while studying in the Clock Tower, he learned a lot about weapons, including the writings of ancient nations. To project Gae Bolg, he naturally understood runes.
Even Ganjiang & Moye bore inscriptions in Spring and Autumn bronze script, which he had studied extensively, reading many classical texts. Ganjiang & Moye lived and died for the sword; in some ways, their fate aligned with his. So reading them wasn't a problem; what he needed now was to brush up on pronunciation.
At this time, a tall, well-built man in a luxurious suit with slicked-back hair approached, smiling gently: "Hello students, may I ask which one of you is Shirou, responsible for the Kyudo demonstration?"
"Ah, this gentleman is the exclusive sponsor of this event, CEO of the largest local internet company, Mr. Zhou. All funding for the exchange comes from him," said the Xunyang Branch's dean, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
"Ah, thank you for supporting both our schools, Shirou-kun," the middle-aged teacher shook his hand and called out.
"Hello," Shirou stepped forward and introduced himself.
"Hahaha, hello! Your Mandarin is excellent, a truly talented youth. I've seen your impressive archery videos online. I'm quite interested in archery myself, do your best!" The slicked-back man shook Shirou's hand.
"Thank you," Shirou replied.
"I'm curious about your purpose here, but since you were invited by Type-Moon, and you seem so upright, I won't pry. Actually, my daughter also studies at this international middle school branch, so please take care of her," the man whispered.
"Thank you for the compliment," Shirou understood. This must be the wealthy sponsor Da Vinci mentioned—if the sponsor insisted on inviting him, the school would naturally comply.
"Your school truly cultivates talented people. The female teacher here is also young and beautiful," Mr. Zhou said politely, shaking hands with the teachers.
"Haha, you flatter me," Hiratsuka said smugly, feeling this man had good taste, though she quickly deflated afterward.
"That concludes my business. Please discipline my child as needed; I have work to do, so I'll leave now," the slicked-back man said. The dean politely responded: "Yes, Mr. Zhou, next time please allow our school to treat you to a meal."
"No problem, but the treat is on me. Goodbye, teachers," the man said with a smile, escorted out.
A luxury car was waiting, with a little girl with twin braids sticking her head out, sticking her tongue out.
After seeing Mr. Zhou off, the dean returned and said: "Now, let's escort the teachers and students to the hotel."
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