Chương 3: Hero vs Villain?
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Rin, feeling unexpectedly grateful to Accelerator for restocking the kitchen, decided to cook dinner that evening. It was a gesture of appreciation, though she didn't expect him to acknowledge it. She knew it was a small thing, but she hoped it would show him that she wasn't entirely ungrateful or useless.
As she busied herself in the kitchen, she decided to make one of her favorite Chinese dishes. The aroma of stir-fried vegetables, garlic, and soy sauce filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. When dinner was ready, she set the table and called out to Accelerator.
"Dinner's ready," she announced, trying to keep her tone light and pleasant.
Accelerator wandered into the dining room, eyeing the spread of food with mild curiosity. He took a seat and, after a moment's hesitation, began to eat. Rin watched him, trying to gauge his reaction.
"This is Chinese," he remarked between bites.
"Yes," Rin said, nodding. "It's one of my favorites. I hope you like it."
Accelerator grunted in response, which Rin took as a sign of reluctant approval. As they ate in relative silence, Rin couldn't help but steal glances at him. Despite his rough exterior, there was something intriguing about him.
"So," she began, breaking the silence, "are you interested in the summoning ritual I'm going to perform later?"
"No," Accelerator replied immediately, not even looking up from his plate. "I'd rather rest."
Rin sighed, feeling a twinge of disappointment. "You're really hard to get along with, you know that?"
Accelerator shrugged. "Not my problem."
Rin couldn't help but chuckle at his bluntness. "You're going to have a hard time finding a girlfriend with that attitude."
Accelerator paused, giving her a sideways glance. "I'm not looking for a girlfriend," he said, his tone flat.
Rin shook her head, feeling a strange mix of exasperation and amusement. "I don't understand you, Accelerator. You're so... difficult."
"Good," he replied, taking another bite. "Keep it that way."
As they continued to eat, Rin found herself growing more concerned about him. She realized that she was starting to care about his well-being, and the thought made her flush with embarrassment. "Am I being stupid?" she muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Accelerator asked, looking up.
"Nothing," Rin said quickly, waving a hand. "Just thinking out loud."
They finished their meal in silence, the tension between them easing just a bit. When they were done, Accelerator stood up and headed for his room. "Thanks for the food," he muttered, almost begrudgingly.
"You're welcome," Rin said, a small smile on her lips. She watched him leave, her mind still swirling with thoughts about him.
Later that night, as the clock struck 2 am, Rin began her preparations for the summoning ritual. She had chosen this time carefully, knowing that her mana was at its peak during these early morning hours. She drew the summoning circle with meticulous precision, her heart pounding with anticipation.
She couldn't help but think about Accelerator as she worked. Despite his abrasive nature, there was something about him that made her want to understand him better. She shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand.
"This is it," she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. "I hope this goes well."
With everything in place, she stood before the circle, ready to begin the ritual. She could feel the magic coursing through her veins, the energy building in the room. She was moments away from summoning her Servant, a crucial step in the Holy Grail War.
But before she could start, her thoughts drifted back to Accelerator one last time. She wondered if he would ever show any interest in the magic and the battles that defined her world. For now, though, she had to focus on her own journey.
Rin stood before the summoning circle, her heart racing with anticipation. She took a deep breath, focused her mana, and began the chant with clear determination.
"Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone.
The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.
The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled."
The air around her crackled with energy as she continued the incantation, the circle beneath her feet glowing brighter with each word.
"I announce.
Your self is under me, my fate(doom) is in your sword.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.
Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance ―――!"
As she finished the chant, a blinding light erupted from the circle, followed by a deafening explosion. The force of it rocked the entire room, sending Rin stumbling back.
In the next room, Accelerator jolted awake, his eyes snapping open as he heard the explosion. "The fuck? Tohsaka!!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the walls.
Rin twitched her lips in frustration, realizing the magnitude of her clumsiness. She didn't know why the phenomenon occurred but forced herself to focus on the task at hand. She turned her attention to the Servant she had summoned.
Standing before her was a man with white hair and a ruggedly handsome face. He wore a red coat over a black body suit, and his eyes held a piercing, steely gaze. He exuded an aura of confidence and power, a true hero from a bygone age.
Rin's excitement grew. She believed she had summoned a Saber, the most powerful class of Servant. However, her anticipation turned to confusion when the Servant spoke.
"I am Servant Archer. I ask of you, are you my Master?"
"Archer?" Rin repeated, baffled. She stared at the clock on the wall and realized with horror that it was an hour earlier than she had intended. Her carefully laid plans had gone awry.
"No, no, no!" she muttered, her mind racing. "This isn't right. I was supposed to summon a Saber!"
She felt a comedic sense of despair wash over her, almost losing all hope. Just as she was about to succumb to her frustration, she heard heavy footsteps approaching. Accelerator was coming closer, his presence undeniable.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Archer immediately moved to guard Rin from her spot. His memories as Shirou Emiya, before becoming a Counter Guardian, told him that no one should be inside Rin's house during her summoning. Given her empty wallet and solitary nature, there were no helpers either. Archer's wariness grew as the door to the room was suddenly blasted into bits, the wooden shards raining towards him. With swift reflexes, he parried the debris, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the intruder.
Accelerator entered the room with the aura of a full-fledged villain, his face twisted in anger from being awakened by the explosion beneath his room. He surveyed the scene, his sharp eyes landing on Archer. "Heh, and who the hell are you supposed to be?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "A cosplayer with a hero complex? Nice costume, but it's a bit much, don't you think?"
Archer remained calm, his gaze steady on Accelerator. The white-haired esper's vicious tongue was relentless. "What's with the swords? Trying to compensate for something? Or maybe you're just into medieval reenactments."
Without a word, Archer dashed towards Accelerator, using Kanshou and Bakuya. His movements were fluid and precise, but as his blades neared the young man, they suddenly bounced back, as if hitting an invisible wall. Twice, his weapons were deflected, flying from his hands and clattering to the floor.
"Kehahahahaha…!"
Accelerator's grin widened, a manic edge to his expression. "Nice try, hero. But you'll have to do better than that." He laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. "You're just swinging sticks around. Is that all you've got?"
Archer narrowed his eyes, analyzing the situation. This opponent was unlike any he had faced before. He retrieved his blades and readied himself again, determined to find a way past the mysterious force. He launched another series of attacks, each one more calculated than the last, but every strike was met with the same infuriating reflection. The blows seemed to rebound with even greater force, sending Archer skidding backward.
Rin watched with a mix of horror and fascination. This was not how she had envisioned her first encounter with her summoned Servant. She had hoped for a smooth introduction, not a battle against Accelerator, a seemingly invincible adversary.
Accelerator's taunts continued, each one designed to provoke. "Is that it? I expected more from someone claiming to be a 'Servant.' You're just a joke."
Archer's mind raced, seeking a strategy to counter the reflection. He altered his approach, attempting a feint followed by a swift strike, but the result was the same. Each attack was repelled effortlessly, until finally, Accelerator unleashed a powerful burst of force. The impact sent Archer crashing into the wall, a pained grunt escaping his lips.
Pinned against the wall, Archer stared seriously at Accelerator, who stood grinning like a maniac in the center of the room. The esper's presence was overwhelming, his confidence unnerving. Archer's analytical mind continued to work, searching for a weakness, a chink in the armor of this seemingly unstoppable opponent.
Accelerator's laughter echoed through the room. "Come on, hero. Is that all you've got? Show me something interesting, or I might just get bored and finish you off right here."
Archer's resolve hardened. He wouldn't let this madman get the better of him. He pushed off the wall, ready to engage once more, his determination unwavering despite the overwhelming odds.
The tension in the room was thick as Archer and Accelerator readied themselves for another clash. However, before they could engage, Rin intervened, shouting at the top of her lungs. "Stop! Both of you, stop it right now!"
Accelerator turned his head slowly, a look of incredulity on his face. "Hah?" His voice dripped with disdain, clearly irritated by the interruption. Archer, meanwhile, remained silent but continued to keep a wary eye on Accelerator, his stance defensive.
Rin pointed an accusing finger at Accelerator first. "What you did was completely unnecessary! Archer is not an enemy!"
Accelerator clicked his tongue in annoyance and looked away, his expression clearly showing that he didn't care for her explanation. "Tch, whatever," he muttered, his interest waning.
Archer, still cautious, took a step back but kept his gaze on Accelerator. "Who is this guy?" he asked Rin, his tone demanding an answer.
Rin sighed, trying to maintain her composure. "He's... a friend," she said, not wanting to delve into the complicated circumstances of Accelerator's origins and his sudden appearance in her world. She knew it was a vague explanation, but it would have to suffice for now.
Accelerator, losing interest in the conversation, turned on his heel and began to walk away. "I've got better things to do than play babysitter for you lot," he grumbled, heading back to his room. His footsteps echoed down the hallway until they faded into silence.
Rin let out a sigh of relief, the immediate danger having passed. She turned back to Archer, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you see that? What Accelerator did just now? That was incredible! He was able to combat a Servant and even gain the upper hand!"
Archer nodded, though his expression remained serious. "Yes, I saw. Despite being a loud emo, he appears to be overpowered"
Rin's excitement was palpable. She couldn't help but let out a small cheer, feeling a newfound sense of optimism. "With Accelerator on our side, we might actually stand a chance in this war, even without a Saber Servant!"
Archer watched her, lips twitching from her words, though it changed into smile. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and despite his reservations, he couldn't deny the impressive display of power he had just witnessed. Rin's optimism was a stark contrast to the grim reality he often faced as a Counter Guardian, and it was refreshing in its own way.
"Listen well" Archer cautioned, "powerful allies can be unpredictable. You need a good look at him, master"
Rin nodded, her eyes still shining with excitement. "I know, but this could be the edge we need. I have to believe that this unexpected twist might just turn things in our favor."
The room was filled with a sense of anticipation, the reality of the Holy Grail War beginning to sink in. Rin's thoughts raced with strategies and possibilities, her mind working overtime to integrate Accelerator into her plans. Meanwhile, Archer stood by, ever vigilant, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and dangers.
As Rin's excitement began to settle, she turned her attention back to Archer, her mind racing with questions about her newly summoned Servant. "Alright, Archer," she began, "let's start with the basics. What's your true identity as a Heroic Spirit?"
Archer crossed his arms, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Ah, that. I'm afraid I can't give you a straight answer, Master."
Rin's face fell instantly, her expression morphing from hopeful anticipation to massive disappointment. "What do you mean you can't tell me? How am I supposed to make plans if I don't even know what you're capable of?"
Archer's smile widened slightly, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and apology. "It's not that I won't tell you, Rin. It's that I genuinely don't remember. My memories are... hazy, to say the least."
Rin let out a frustrated sigh, her hands dropping to her sides. "Great. Just great. I summon a Servant with amnesia. How am I supposed to strategize when I don't even know your strengths and weaknesses?"
Archer chuckled, the sound low and somewhat mocking. "I wouldn't worry too much, Master. I may not recall the details of my past, but I assure you, I'm more than capable in battle. And besides, you're smart enough to figure it out as we go along, aren't you?"
Rin shot him a glare, her frustration evident. "This isn't a game, Archer. The Holy Grail War is a deadly competition, and we need every advantage we can get."
Archer raised an eyebrow, his tone turning more serious. "I understand that, Rin. But dwelling on what we don't know won't help us. Instead, let's focus on what we do know and what we can do right now. I may not remember my past, but I can still fight. And together, we can figure out the rest."
Rin huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Fine, but you'd better prove your worth soon. I'm not planning to lose this war because of an unreliable Servant."
Archer gave a small nod, his expression softening slightly. "Understood, Master. I won't let you down."
Despite her frustration, Rin couldn't help but feel a bit reassured by Archer's confidence. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with Accelerator's unpredictable power and Archer's combat skills, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"So," Archer continued, his tone lightening once more, "any other questions, or are you ready to move on to the next step in your grand plan?"
Rin sighed again but nodded. "Let's move on. We'll figure out your abilities through some tests later. For now, we need to prepare for the battles ahead. This war won't wait for us to get our act together."
Archer smirked, giving a slight bow. "As you wish, Master. Lead the way."
With renewed determination, Rin began to lay out her strategies, hoping that with each passing day, the pieces of the puzzle would come together, and she would discover the true potential of her Servant.
The morning sun filtered through the windows as Accelerator grumbled his way out of bed, cursing the monotony of his new life. The peace and quiet were almost suffocating for someone so used to chaos. There were no insane experiments or lunatics challenging him to pointless battles. He shook his head, trying to clear away the remnants of sleep, and headed downstairs.
As he descended, the aroma of something cooking wafted up to meet him. He paused in the doorway of the kitchen, his eyes widening in disbelief. There, standing at the stove, was Rin's Servant, Archer, expertly flipping pancakes. Accelerator's dumbfounded expression deepened as he took in the scene.
"Oi, what the hell? Are you actually a home servant?" Accelerator's voice dripped with incredulity. Despite his mocking tone, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of caution. The previous night's encounter had shown him that Archer's physical abilities were nothing to scoff at. Perhaps even comparable to the saints he had heard about in Academy City.
Archer turned slightly, his face impassive as he placed a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of Accelerator. "Good morning. I figured you might need this."
"Hah?" Accelerator glanced at the cup, then at Rin, who gave him a thumbs up from her seat. His disbelief only deepened.
Archer continued, "I don't particularly like you, but you did take care of my Master, so I'm willing to overlook last night."
Accelerator's face twisted in anger, but he restrained himself. He took a sip of the coffee and was surprised by how perfect the taste was. While he was drinking, Rin stated her plans for the day, which included going to school with Archer to scout.
"Whatever," Accelerator muttered, finishing his coffee. He left the house, Rin seeing him off with a smile. As he walked down the street, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, a familiar panel floating in front of him.
[Notice. A Quest has been given.]
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