Chapter 33
"Hey, Sakura, at least put on some clothes properly. You'll catch a cold."
Sakura shook her head, clearly unwilling to let go.
For Sakura, it was hard to distinguish whether this was reality or just a dream. Given her life up until now, this moment felt more like a dream.
But even if it were a dream, she didn't want to miss a single detail, such was the humble wish of a young girl.
Seeing through her thoughts, Shinji put his laptop aside and leaned back on the sofa.
After a long silence, he organized his thoughts and began to speak slowly.
"Sakura, without a doubt, this is reality. You are completely free now. Although the crest worms have been removed, the magic circuits they opened up haven't disappeared and will coexist with your original circuits.
Maybe you haven't noticed yet, but with your dual attributes of water and emptiness, your abilities as a mage will gradually recover. Finally, you can choose your own path.
Whether you become an ordinary person or a mage, it's your choice. No one will bind your thoughts anymore. The past suffering, helplessness, loneliness, and sadness were not in vain.
At the very least, they will help you cherish every bit of your future more. I'm sorry it took me so long. It took ten years to complete my mission, to end the history of the Matou family as a mage family, which made you wait in pain for ten more years."
"Do you hate magecraft, Brother?" Sakura suddenly asked.
"Well... I guess I do."
"Guess?" Sakura was puzzled, as her brother had firmly declared his hatred for magecraft to their grandfather.
Shinji smiled without directly answering and shifted the topic: "In my view, most mages are—
People who hold up their so-called noble ideals, which are already rotting along with their bones, continuously emitting a stench they believe to be sweet."
Hearing Shinji's words, Rider couldn't help but look at her Master's brother with new respect, especially for his sharp critique of mages.
Although she didn't fully understand, Sakura thought for a moment and gave her answer.
"Then I won't be a mage. I want to be like you, Brother."
"Eh?"
Shinji was stunned. This wasn't the reaction he expected. He had said all that to encourage her to live a simple, happy life as an ordinary person.
What did she mean by becoming like him?
"Sakura, gender reassignment surgery is quite advanced in some countries, but I suggest you think it over carefully before deciding."
Seeing Shinji's serious expression, Sakura laughed genuinely for the first time, feeling her brother no longer treated her differently.
Although she knew he had been pretending for the past ten years while secretly caring for her, this newfound openness made her happiest.
It was like finally obtaining something she had longed for.
That tall boy had remembered his promise all along.
"By the way, Sakura, there's something you need to know."
"What is it?"
"Do you remember Uncle Kariya?"
"Yes."
"He wanted to save you more than anyone, but he failed due to lack of strength. The last time I saw him..."
Shinji recalled the scene, where Kariya, with his hair completely white and his right eye lifeless, could be called the only person in the Matou family with any conscience. Despite enduring soul-piercing pain, he forced a smile and patted Shinji's head.
"Shinji, promise Uncle, don't bully your sister in the future."
Shinji didn't dislike those hot-blooded characters from manga who would risk everything for what they cared about.
They never hid their feelings, always stood up against injustice, and fought even when the odds were against them.
Such fools, Shinji didn't dislike.
Regarding Kariya, Shinji remembered mixed opinions about him, but he personally admired him.
After all, Kariya genuinely wanted to save Sakura, and that was enough.
However, Kariya wasn't the protagonist with plot armor to protect him from fatal mistakes. He had his own schemes, which led to his tragic end.
Since regaining his memories, Shinji found his own way of acting and positioning himself.
Unlike protagonists who could act recklessly and still shine, especially in the Type-Moon universe where even protagonists rarely had happy endings.
As for himself...
Survival was his only option!
Unless everything was perfectly in place!
Returning from his thoughts, Shinji looked at Sakura, whose expression had turned complicated as she recalled something, and said softly, "Alright, get ready for bed. Also, I'll handle tomorrow's funeral alone. Goodnight."
With that, Shinji gently freed his arm from her soft grasp and stood up.
Creak—Clack!
Slam!!
As soon as he closed the door, Shinji spat out a mouthful of blood!
Nearly collapsing, he clutched his chest, enduring the pain of his organs rupturing and displacing.
Damn it, you didn't mention the side effects of the trial card!
[You didn't ask.]
Refund! How could you take my 60,000 points for this?! Damn it! Refund!
[Calm down, it's just a little backlash.]
How can I trust you again? Refund!
[.]
Half refund?
[Get lost.]
Late at night, Shinji, enduring the pain, confirmed the completion of the main task and fell asleep before he could check the rewards.
At 3 AM, Rider, overly curious about Shinji, stood silently by his bed, staring at the bloodstains on his lips.
Rider knew that the blood on the floor and Shinji's lips was the price of borrowing future power. But she decided not to tell Sakura, as Shinji clearly didn't want her to know.
This illogical dreamless man, full of mysteries, intrigued Rider the most.
He doesn't dream. What if I induce one?
Rider licked her lips...
Morning.
Shinji woke up feeling refreshed but sensed something was off before checking the system interface.
Seeing Rider kneeling on the floor, slumped by the bed, her clothes barely clinging and her body turning translucent, Shinji pondered.
What did I do in my sleep?
And, was my ability that strong?
She's nearly completely transparent!
"Sakura's mana supply was cut off, and my own mana was drained..."
Rider finally spoke weakly.
Oh, I get it! This is when...
Thinking, Shinji took off his shirt.
No choice, being a good person, I get it. Mana replenishment, right, I'm prepared.
"Give me some blood."
Hearing this, Shinji lay back down, pulling the covers over himself and turned away.
Go play by yourself!
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
koijiro21
koijiro21 Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone