How About You Guys Find Another Savior

Scathach, still seated by the stone wall, picked up the training spear beside her and smiled silently.

Initially, she had taken him as a disciple on a whim, simply to pass the time out of boredom.

She had expected him to last only a few blows before she sent him away.

"...It seems things turned out a little differently than expected."

Interlude in the Shadow Realm: Life (2)

Scathach wasn't the type to have a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

What she said, she truly did.

Xi Jianxi had long understood this about her and didn't expect Scathach to ease up on his training just because he wanted to research using magic to make something grow in this desolate land.

Perhaps because his performance had been too good recently, Scathach's training became even more rigorous than before.

She no longer distinguished between training magic or martial arts, escalating the intensity of each combat session.

As Scathach had predicted, Xi Jianxi still didn't utter a single word of complaint during training, only sighing about being exhausted after it was over.

Then, after a brief recovery, he would run off to continue his independent research into magic.

The castle where Scathach resided was vast, spacious enough to house an army of tens of thousands.

—Though the only problem was the lack of provisions here.

Xi Jianxi had cleared a patch of land near his residence and was there every day, attempting to create fruit-bearing plants using magic.

From then on, when Scathach had nothing else to do, she gained another pastime: watching from the side as Xi Jianxi put his efforts into this near-futile endeavor.

Knowing that even if she spoke up to stop him, Xi Jianxi wouldn't cease his research, Scathach let him be.

The repeated failures didn't dampen Xi Jianxi's spirit; he would simply sit down after a failure to reflect on his methods.

Then, he would apply the lessons learned to his next attempt.

—The one hundred and thirty-seventh failure.

Scathach counted silently.

When Xi Jianxi had exhausted every method he could think of and failed for the one hundred and thirty-seventh time, he finally stopped, looking weary, and sat there lost in thought.

"Have you decided to give up?"

As the sole spectator, Scathach deigned to ask.

"No, I just feel like I've been limited by common sense in magic... If I could just change my approach a little, perhaps I could..."

Xi Jianxi hunched over, gazing at the soil that had been watered.

"Perhaps so," Scathach said casually. "After all, what you're trying to do is itself an act akin to performing a miracle."

"A miracle..."

"Indeed, magic itself is a manifestation of miracles," Scathach nodded and continued, "I don't think I've ever properly explained this to you. I suppose I'll add a short lesson today."

Upon hearing this, Xi Jianxi immediately turned around to face Scathach.

As he was her only student in the Shadow Realm, Scathach had no specific rules for her lessons; perhaps during combat, or in casual conversation during breaks, anything could become part of the lesson.

"Listen closely. The miracles humans can perform can be broadly classified into four categories: magic, rituals, sacraments, and curses. Conversely, any miracle that can basically be achieved within the scope of human ability, regardless of its form, can ultimately be categorized into these four." Scathach placed a hand on her hip and, with her usual relaxed yet authoritative posture, stood before her disciple and explained concisely, "But above these, there is a higher tier: the authority possessed by the gods."

"Authority..." Xi Jianxi repeated the word, which was not entirely unfamiliar but one he had never delved into deeply.

Scathach then chuckled, "However, that's a topic that requires a separate discussion, so I won't go into detail here."

Her reaction made Xi Jianxi pause slightly. He looked up and gazed seriously at his master.

"So, Master, are you implying... that what I'm doing now is an attempt to replicate the act of a god creating life from nothing?" Xi Jianxi swallowed and asked with a hint of surprise.

"What do you think?" Scathach simply smiled. "It's just trying to plant a fruit tree in a place where there is no life. To think that with just this ability, you could claim to have touched upon the authority of the gods, that would make the gods far too cheap."

With that, Scathach turned to leave.

Xi Jianxi called out to her from behind, "Then what about you, Master? You who have taken countless lives, whether human, undead, or even gods, you surely must be able to—"

"You've certainly grown, daring to mock your own master now." Scathach turned her head back, a smile tinged with killing intent on her face, as if she would draw her spear and begin the next round of training at any moment.

Xi Jianxi, however, remained seated and shook his head earnestly, "No, I didn't mean it like that, Master."

"I was just joking," Scathach nodded. "Indeed, I who have taken countless lives possess great power. But listen, my disciple—"

She turned and slowly walked into the castle, her voice drifting from the shadows.

"No matter how great the power, it may not be able to make a flower flourish endlessly in an impossible place."

Xi Jianxi couldn't help but touch the hair on his head.

He realized then that his own hair had never grown, always remaining at its initial length.

With this thought, Xi Jianxi stood up from the ground, looked at the land behind him, and fell into a long silence.

Then, after the next training session, Xi Jianxi resumed his research into this miracle, which could be described as 'forbidden' to a certain extent.

And Scathach, as if never tiring of the sight, continued to watch this nearly futile, foolish act, sometimes from her room window, sometimes on the castle walls, and sometimes nearby.

Finally, during a moment of rest in a doze, Scathach suddenly sensed a vast life force sprouting from a corner of the castle.

She immediately rushed to the inevitable location upon waking.

A sapling was slowly breaking through the soil, growing at a steady pace. At this rate, Scathach estimated it would soon be taller than Xi Jianxi, who stood there controlling his magic.

Surprised that her disciple had finally accomplished this, Scathach also noticed the hidden danger. She was knocked unconscious from behind almost as soon as Xi Jianxi turned to report his success to his master, who was standing there.

The sapling's growth gradually slowed and finally stopped at a height of nearly two meters.

As Scathach picked Xi Jianxi up from the ground, her palm brushed against the tree trunk.

"I never thought you'd come up with using yourself as nourishment to cultivate life," Scathach said, feeling both helpless and impressed by her disciple's actions. "It's just a pity I can't let you continue. Authority is still too immense for a human body."

Saying this, Scathach glanced at the blossoms that had appeared on the branches.

They were apple blossoms.

"Having touched even a sliver of this authority, killing you will become more difficult than killing me."

She shook her head with a smile, turned, and left carrying Xi Jianxi.

She never told him about this until he left the Shadow Realm.

Prologue: Lineas El-Melloi Arch Zolti (1)

1999.

Five years after the Fourth Holy Grail War.

London, Clock Tower.

"I heard you met Touko?"

In the faculty lounge of the Department of Creation, an old woman in her seventies, her hand wrinkled with age, held a teacup and asked Xi Jianxi, who was sitting on the sofa opposite her.

"I can't really say I met her," Xi Jianxi replied perfunctorily.

Last year, he had gone to Tokyo and met Touko Aozaki for some reason. However, whether the current Touko Aozaki was her true self or a substitute puppet body, even Xi Jianxi didn't know.

In fact, Xi Jianxi had been sought out by Touko Aozaki in the late eighties. After all, wandering around outside using the name of Touko's disciple for so long was bound to attract the attention of the person herself.

After some minor friction, the two became acquainted.

Not only did Xi Jianxi not participate in the mission to enforce the Sealing Designation on Touko, but he also used his position to pass information to Touko. Of course, Touko, who was already difficult to track down, more often borrowed money from Xi Jianxi.

"What, were you stood up?" the old woman asked.

"No, I just didn't get the money I asked for. After a bit of a back-and-forth, we parted ways," Xi Jianxi said, resting his chin on one hand. "Don't talk to me about dereliction of duty. I already retired from the Sealing Designation executors. Lord Baroweta."

The person speaking to Xi Jianxi was none other than Inorai Baroweta Atrohem, the Lord of the Department of Creation at the Clock Tower, who could also be called the dean, and the teacher of Touko Aozaki mentioned earlier.

Despite being a teacher, Inorai was a typical Magus. Although she was Touko's benefactor, she was also the one who strongly recommended enforcing the Sealing Designation on her disciple.

She conducted political actions as naturally as breathing, without personal feelings ever interfering.

Therefore, Inorai would try her best to win over Xi Jianxi to a necessary extent, promoting him as one of the top Magus representatives of the democratic faction.

"Hahahaha..." Inorai let out a pleasant laugh.

Xi Jianxi didn't care whether the Lord believed him or not; the facts were there. He had indeed gone to ask for money and didn't get it. Instead, he got into some trouble.

Moreover, Touko Aozaki had left Tokyo and her whereabouts were unknown, even to Xi Jianxi.

"So, you called me here just to inquire about Touko? This is all I can say," Xi Jianxi shrugged, but he didn't leave immediately.

Inorai would never act without reason. Since she had invited Xi Jianxi over, she must have had more than one thing to inquire about.

"I heard your two daughters are also nearing middle school age?" Inorai asked.

"The older one will enter middle school next year, and the younger one will have to wait another year," Xi Jianxi had no reason to conceal this.

Especially in the past few years, Sakura had grown rapidly as a Magus in all aspects, so Xi Jianxi had already been confirming her future direction with her.

Whether she would come to the Clock Tower next year to start advanced magic courses, or continue her studies at a regular school before deciding whether to pursue the path of a Magus.

With Sakura's current level, even if she didn't join the Mage's Association, she wouldn't be passively drawn into various magic-related affairs due to her own qualifications.

And Sakura had, as expected, expressed her desire to step further into the world of Magus. Xi Jianxi would not stop her.

"No wonder I saw the information of a girl with your surname recently, sent to the Clock Tower," Inorai chuckled, her aged face becoming more wrinkled and creased.

"That's right, I sent her," Xi Jianxi said.

The Clock Tower had no shortage of young students who came to study magic courses, so Sakura was not conspicuous among them. At most, curious students might find out about her adopted status.

"Then, it's just perfect," Inorai suddenly said something incomprehensible.

Xi Jianxi did not press for an explanation.

Then, as if it were a pre-rehearsed cue, just as Inorai and Xi Jianxi's pleasantries were about to conclude, someone knocked on the door of the Lord's lounge.

A blonde girl, about Karen's age, with delicate skin like porcelain, walked in. The girl elegantly adjusted her skirt. But what was most striking were the determined will revealed in her fiery red eyes.

At just a little over ten years old, she could display such an expression, making it hard to imagine what she had experienced in her short life so far.

Her flame-colored eyes, after briefly scanning Xi Jianxi, gradually turned sky blue.

Mystic Eyes.

Xi Jianxi immediately understood that this girl was a holder of Mystic Eyes, and she had been appraising him with them just now.

Following behind the girl was an adult man with long hair, who was more than half a head taller than her.

"Waver Velvet..." Xi Jianxi called out the other's name. "No, I should call you Lord El-Melloi II now. You've changed a lot in a few years."

"Conversely, you haven't changed at all," Lord II replied, exchanging pleasantries with Xi Jianxi. A slight smile touched his stern face.

The man who had looked only a few years older than Waver five years ago now appeared younger than him, who had become Lord El-Melloi II.

Of course, it was also possible that Lord El-Melloi II was simply too burdened by worry, which had prematurely etched signs of aging onto him.

"Magus have to know how to maintain themselves, of course," Xi Jianxi said casually, his gaze falling on the little girl in front of Lord II. "Then this must be—"

"I am Lineas El-Melloi Arch Zolti," Lineas introduced herself with a mischievous smile. "I was a participant in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and I am also the adopted sister of Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, whom you killed. Would that make it easier to understand, Mr. Xi Jianxi? Although, in terms of actual blood relation, I am his niece."

"I see," Xi Jianxi said, smiling as he glanced at Inorai. "So, Lord Baroweta sold me out to the El-Melloi faction, and they've come for revenge? Wouldn't it be inappropriate to fight here?"

Lineas, however, gracefully ran over and sat beside Xi Jianxi, acting like a little girl clinging to an adult, though her imposing aura could not be underestimated.

"How could that be? If we were to fight now, I'm afraid the Departments of Creation and Modern Magecraft would change hands by tomorrow," Lineas stared at Xi Jianxi. "Besides, before my adoptive brother participated in the Holy Grail War, there were constant reminders within the El-Melloi family that he was doomed to die, yet he went anyway. As expected, you killed him, so it's not that easy for the El-Melloi to seek revenge."

"Is that so? Then why have you come to find me?" Xi Jianxi addressed Lineas with the approach he would use for a child. "Miss El-Melloi, the head of the family?"

He reached out to ruffle Lineas's hair. Lineas didn't dodge, playing the part of an innocent child.

Prologue: Lineas El-Melloi Arch Zolti (2)

"I'll explain that," Lord II said, walking over and sitting on a single sofa to the side. "As for our purpose, I'd like to invite you to become Lineas's tutor."

"Huh?"