Shinji was, arguably, a handsome youth, with seaweed-like blue hair framing his forehead. Apparently, he'd never heard of a comb. Once I recognised him, in that beige academy blazer and pants, recognising the girl he was dragging along was easy too.
It was Sakura. Sakura Matou, his adopted little sister, and the magus meant to become the next head of the family because of Shinji's own lack of affinity for magecraft.
Naturally, with how this world was, that meant he was free to abuse and force himself on her to let out his frustration. The poor girl didn't even resist, wallowing in her own guilt for taking his place, even if it had never been her choice. Not to mention the 'training' she was undergoing... Ugh, someone needed to nuke the Matou family.
I would feel no pity for Shinji. Age could only excuse so much.
The number of students died down past the main intersection dividing Miyama Town in two. We followed them at a distance for a while. Then, when she was certain there was no one around, Bazett spoke up.
"What are you going to do?"
She'd never even asked me why I was following them.
"They're the Matou children."
The Enforcer narrowed her eyes, "Of the Three founders of the Holy Grail War. Yes, the Matou should have a servant of their own."
For the three who began the ritual, participation was guaranteed by default. Why wouldn't it be?
"Are you saying one of them is responsible for the attacks? Enji, I don't think someone from such a family would be so careless."
"Well, if I'm wrong, we'll just leave."
Tugging at my sleeve to make sure my command seals were hidden from view, I poked my lips a tad, opening and closing my jaw to prepare myself. Then, with a deep breath, I started approaching the two teenagers with a hand in my pockets.
"Hey, big guy, you look so cool bullying a girl." I raised a hand, smiling amiably. "I wanna be just like you too."
A bit cliche, but it did the job. Shinji stared at me for a moment, baffled. His blue eyes took in my much taller form, and a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. Suddenly, his hesitation was gone as if it had never been there.
"Mind your own business, you lanky oaf." He clenched his fist.
Damn.
Without a proper response, I immediately resorted to violence. With a rough yank, I threw him to the ground.
"D-Don't hurt him-" Sakura started, a hand over her chest.
I reeled my fist back just as he rose to his feet and shoved it into his guts. Shinji coughed out spit and inhaled sharply with a pitiful moan. It felt oddly pleasurable to bully someone like him. He collapsed to his knees, clutching his stomach with wide eyes.
"Why..." He squeaked, "I didn't even-"
I offered no words and reeled my fist again.
There, something a tad unexpected happened. Sakura grabbed my arm with both her hands. She was... She was trying to stop me, I realised.
"Please... stop."
That only made me want to hurt him more even when I had nothing against him personally. That thought was what made me stop and lower my fist.
"You better not..."
"I won't. I won't even touch her! I promise!"
The youth scrambled to his feet and ran away. Sakura gave me a strange final glance before turning to follow him. I couldn't help but be confused by what had transpired.
I'd walked up to them with a plan in mind, but then... No, there was no but. I had only accomplished what I'd set up.
Bazett rounded the corner a moment later. There was a smile on her face. She nodded approvingly. "Not that I disagree, but that didn't..."
I grinned.
"Give it a moment."
A person like Shinji Matou was wholly incapable of reeling in their ego. I had humiliated him, as a civilian. It didn't matter to him what my intentions were, or what I knew, he would never even consider something like being purposely targeted.
No, the only thing on his mind would be making me pay.
Sakura bearing witness only made it that much worse. After he was done with me, he'd probably even do something like 'take' her right in front of me to show me my place since I'd done it for her... allegedly.
But, I was Meguna here. Straight up. Not Megumi, no.
It was about time I started acting like it.
The existential dread and confusion passed every time I actually confronted someone.
Suddenly, the wind itself hissed. I heard something sharp tear through the air, headed right for me, alongside the clanging of steel chains. Bazett heard it too, judging by how she raised her fists.
I did not call out the Ten Shadows.
No, I reversed the summoning mechanism for the Divine Dogs.
The world became slower, my eyes grew sharper and my nose picked up on smells I had never known were there. Cursed Energy rushed to my hands, and my nails became that of a wild beast's.
I side-stepped aside just in time to avoid a long dagger linked to a thick steel chain and leaned back to avoid a second one that came swiping at my torso. My hands found the chains instantly, but yanking them proved to be futile. Instead, whoever was holding them ripped me right towards themselves.
A voluptuous and tall woman with long purple hair that reached her knees with a strap around her eyes. Her expression remained blank as I flew her way, but I managed to glimpse her twitching fist.
The opportunity to react never even came.
Lancer stepped out of the thin air beside her, wielding a blood-red spear that thrummed with mystical power. His hound-like red eyes found me for a fraction of a second before they narrowed at the chain wielding woman.
In the blink of an eye, he shifted, and his lance was aimed to tear through her chest.
She quickly jumped away, almost as if she'd taken flight. One of her daggers collided against a streetlight, wrapping around several times, before she gave it a tug and used it to spin about the air to come right back.
Lancer was prepared for her.
He made to pierce her neck. She deflected the blow with her dagger, only for Lancer to poise himself once again and tear through her shoulder instead. In brutal fashion, he ripped the weapon out, spraying her lifeblood all over the wall next to them.
All that had happened in mere seconds, faster than any human could have followed.
I recognised both these incredible individuals.
Medusa.
Cu Chulainn.
From the looks of it, Shinji was about to get Rider killed.
Beside me, Shuwen took physical form. His hands were behind his back like usual, but there was a curious look upon his face.
"That child has doomed her."
"Better for us," I said. "I don't want a repeat of Caster."
"She shan't leave this place alive, Master. I promise you this."
I was rather proud of myself for engineering a situation where there could be no loss.
"That's Lancer." Bazett informed calmly.
I decided to not betray her expectations.
"Assassin."
"We should find her master."
I nodded.
That was kind of the whole point.
-
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