Kaboom!!!
"Indeed, you're managing to coordinate well, aren't you?"
"We've been together for a while now. By the way, it's surprising? That you're out of the map."
"I decided to take on the teacher position for now."
Today, I came to the simulator to guide Ritsuka's battle style. Honestly, there isn't much I can do. Before I can do anything, the Servants can handle it themselves.
"First, the member who came with me today is Mandricardo."
"Nice to meet you~"
"Firstly, I've observed your battle style well. The tank, damage dealer, and supporter roles are well-balanced. Frankly, the team composition is good."
Basically, Mash and Boudica serve as tanks. And types like Hijikata, Black Jeanne, and Saber Alter charge into the frontline to fight. Nobunaga provides long-range support. And X and X Alter engage in agile combat from the flanks. Plus, Chocolamisu supports with magecraft.
"Balance-wise, it's frankly good. But... even so, your basic strength is lacking. First, Ritsuka's Mana issue. Even with Chaldea's support, the total amount used at once has limits. For example, Alter, whose strength lies in rapid-fire of the holy sword, isn't utilizing that."
"That's true..."
Saber Alter nodded in agreement.
"Next is the issue of Spirit Origin Ascension. I could frankly provide full support, but... currently, only Saber Alter and Nobunaga have reached the final ascension. The others haven't even reached the third ascension."
Even members from Singularities or those who came directly, stat-wise, are versions that haven't reached the third ascension.
"Additionally, skill strengthening is also a problem. Stat increases too. This is a chronic and hated part of Chaldea's system... it's not your fault. And lastly, your battle style is ambiguous."
"Ambiguous...?"
"Your battle style is fundamentally too focused on protecting the Master, Ritsuka. Protecting the Master is naturally important, but because of that, you hesitate to distance yourselves from Ritsuka, and only Nobunaga and Hijikata fight without worrying about distance."
"But Dumpty, if we don't protect senpai, how..."
"I'm not saying not to protect. The problem is being too concerned about it, Kiritsugu. Ritsuka has rear support Servants like Semiramis beside her. If necessary, she can buy time and rush to protect. Currently, you're taking the existence of the Master as a burden."
"But..."
"The reason I left out Hokusai this time is solely for your safety. Because she knows that too well. This time, you'll fight in a state without her. Your opponents are me and Mandricardo this time. Ready?"
"Ready~"
"Eh, are you serious?"
"Yeah, Ritsuka. Usually, I'm so loved that my body is near invincible, but... if I receive an attack that would kill an ordinary person, I'll count it as my defeat. Also, I deliberately removed my protection to become ordinary. I'll only use Craft Essences. Not the Bonding Skill."
At my words, some of them looked at me with displeasure.
"Aren't you underestimating us too much? Even so, with just one Servant, you think you can beat us...?"
"Yeah."
Black Jeanne seemed very offended, but... notably, Saber Alter, Nobunaga, Boudica, and Hijikata seemed to recognize that I wasn't ordinary and were quite wary. Of course. A madman fighting Servants with just one companion.
The simulation was set to a forest, and we distanced ourselves a bit to prepare for battle.
"I'll say one thing to all of you... I know you all acted as heroes in your respective eras. But... the Holy Grail War and real war are distinctly different methods. Similar yet different, with immense variability. So, keep that in mind."
Tap, tap-tap... pitter-patter~
It seemed set to a light rain environment. Whatever, it doesn't matter.
Ritsuka took a deep breath, placed her hand on her chest, and the moment she opened her eyes, the battle began.
"Noble Phantasm."
"Yay!"
"!!!"
As Hijikata charged and Nobunaga fired her gun, Mandricardo's Noble Phantasm was unleashed.
Screech...!
"{Sermund de Durandal} (Oath of the Legion Sword)!!!"
Crash!!!
Kiritsugu quickly charged and blocked the slash with her shield. Though gradually being pushed back in strength, Boudica supported her back with her shoulder, blocking it without issue. Not bad. You've grown.
"Here I go~ Brilladoro!"
Mandricardo charged on the legendary steed that Roland rode. Nobunaga's shots, along with Chocolamisu's magecraft and chains, flew at him, but like a legendary steed, he swiftly galloped and dodged.
Clang!!!
Hijikata swung his sword to block him, but...
Fwoosh!
Mandricardo quickly turned his body, releasing the club and spinning in the air. Hijikata was thrown off balance and fell, and Mandricardo remounted. In his hand, Durandal was held.
"Here I go, {Rêve de Durandal} (Dream of the Peerless Sword)!"
In his hand, Durendal was held. Perhaps due to Hector's influence, it was Durendal, not Roland's Durandal. Probably an Atlantis creation.
Clang!!!
"Quite impressive!"
Saber swung a slash, toppling the horse, and Saber Alter charged, clashing with Mandricardo. It's about time.
"Please just fall asleep!"
X rushed at me, swinging her sword, saying "Alright then~" but...
"[Monstrous Boar]"
Bam!!!
"Guh!?"
Just like that, the 3-star Craft Essence, Monstrous Boar, was summoned. The monstrous boar that killed Diarmuid and became a divine beast by eating Rune Stones hit X, sending her tumbling on the ground.
X Alter's plasma cannon flew at me, but...
"[Wheel of Ra]"
Bam!!!
The sun chariot wheel sent by the sun god Ra burned and flew, blocking X Alter's attack.
Flare...
"Take this...!"
Black Jeanne glared at me, and flames erupted beneath my feet. But, the flames didn't reach me.
"[Rune Stone]"
I scattered the 3-star Craft Essence Rune Stones, deploying a barrier like the Lancer used in Heavensfeel, blocking the flames.
"What is this..."
Ritsuka was astonished, looking at Mandricardo. He was holding his own against Saber Alter, Boudica, Hijikata, Nobunaga, and Mash alone.
"How can he hold out like this alone!? It's like seeing Gawain!"
"Haha, I'm weaker than him. How am I holding out..."
"Mandricardo is right. The Master isn't just someone to be protected. Fighting alongside Servants... and seizing victory by striking at openings. That's what a Master is. [Phantasmal Species]"
Roar!!!
Using the Craft Essence Phantasmal Species, I summoned two divine beasts that Iskandar rides and charged them. That alone was enough to collapse the formation. Additionally, I used the Dragon Species Craft Essence to send out a wyvern.
"[Motorized Conqueror]"
I immediately summoned the bike Saber rode in the Fourth War, and I rode the bike to charge.
"Where do you think you're going."
Chocolamisu's magecraft and chains flew at me, but...
"[Red Sea]"
Crash!!!
"What!?"
"The path is cleared!?"
Using the Red Sea Craft Essence, I performed the miracle of parting the sea, breaking through the magecraft and chains, and opening a straight path.
Charging straight ahead, bullets flew at me, but...
"[Lunar Core]"
I charged while blocking with invincibility. Chocolamisu's magecraft protecting Ritsuka's side flew at me, but...
[The One Who Bears It Stands Here Alone]
5-star Craft Essence. From the Heavensfeel Bad End where Shirou killed Sakura, Rin, Illya, Zouken, and Kirei, choosing the path of becoming a Guardian of Justice, the Craft Essence where the corrupted Shirou appears.
Swish!!!
Wielding the ominous twin swords from the Craft Essence, he shattered the magecraft and aimed at Ritsuka.
"My victory."
"....."
Behind me, Mandricardo was holding off all the Servants alone.
"Ahh... it was tough."
"You did well to get buffed before coming, right?"
Mandricardo, buffed with support skills from my Servants residing in Chaldea. Holding out with just conviction? That's cool, but not realistic. In reality, it's loaded with buffs.
"Well, I won. See? How you fight in battle. That makes a big difference. First, Ritsuka, try to learn how to handle the Craft Essences you have. Just by handling Craft Essences, you can do so many things like this."
"... I only have Black Sword and Mapo Tofu, though?"
"That Mapo Tofu is very strong."
"Hmm..."
Perhaps because the advice given at the end wasn't satisfying, Ritsuka pouted and looked dissatisfied. A natural reaction~
"Let's keep it simple for today. Starting tomorrow, I'll borrow a classroom and teach you how to handle Craft Essences. Your stance as a Master is just starting to take its first steps, so no need to find it difficult."
"Umm... okay."
Seems like I have no talent for teaching...
"Let's head back~"
I took Mandricardo and went to have a meal.
A teacher, huh... how did I end up in such a burdensome position~?
Later in the afternoon, who should I spend time with...
Looking at the memo, I had a date with Taiga in the afternoon.
"Uwaah~! I'm sorry~!"
From a secluded space in the corridor, Illya's scream could be heard...
Last time, because of the fallen magical girl incident, I left the punishment to Abby...
The reason I gave it to Abby was simple. I just gave it to her when she happened to be nearby, but is this how it turns out...? Whatever, it doesn't matter.
Moving seriously for once, the mental fatigue is immense. Today's lunch, let's have grilled eel for the first time in a while────
"....?"
Blinking my eyes, when I opened them, what I saw was a dark place. A location that seemed like a basement. And, in front of me...
"Huh... strange? The prince should have appeared. Did my future sight fail?"
This is... oh dear, whose doing is this? Or is it really a coincidence?
Let me rest. I demand about 20 episodes of slice-of-life stuff...
Still, I should do what I came for.
"So... this is that, right? The thing I have to do... I'll ask."
To think I'd end up doing this. Annoying? But, it might be fun?
"Are you, my Master?"
"... Hmph, yes. I am, your Master. Beast."
To think I'd take on the role of a Servant.
It's bothersome, and somewhere it feels artificial, but...
Like a butler position rehabilitating a villainess? I did want to try it at least once.
"I am Sajou Manaka. Nice to meet you?"
"Yeah, nice to meet you, Manaka. First, I have one request for you."
"What is it? Perhaps, a wish for the Holy Grail?"
"If it's a wish, then a wish... Manaka."
I looked at her intently and delivered an important message.
"I'm hungry, so give me some food."
"..... Fo, food?"
"Yeah. Food is important. Originally, Koreans rely on rice for energy."
"Uh... that's surprising. I didn't think you'd say something so important was food... is that, wish-level?"
"Yeah. My meta this time is clear. From today, I'm a lolicon rice bug. Should I say that?"
"... Beast is, a very peculiar person...?"
That Manaka making such an expression. Hmph, I've pulled one off...