Type-Moon's Problem Child from Collapse

"Big Brother, Big Brother, that move you just did was so cool—can you teach Illya?" The little girl at the door clearly didn't understand Fu Yuan's current mood. Instead, she ran over excitedly, hugged his arm, and looked up at him with a face full of anticipation.

Fu Yuan looked down at the little girl clinging to him, his expression softening slightly. But when he saw her eyes practically sparkling like stars, he found himself in a bit of a bind.

"Pretty please, Big Brother?" Seeing no reaction from him, Illya deployed her skill—Act Cute. Actual effect: zero.

Thanks to Illya's antics, Fu Yuan managed to calm down. As for her cute act? Come on, that was weak! The Honkai World had no shortage of bishoujo, and besides, there was one living inside him.

"What are you two doing!" Just as Fu Yuan fully settled down, a trembling, shocked voice came from the doorway.

Fu Yuan's brain, which had just started to relax, short-circuited again.

'Why are you panicking? You didn't do anything wrong.' Su Mei asked, puzzled. The junior disciple brother's reaction was a bit off.

'Right! Why am I panicking!' Fu Yuan suddenly sorted out the logic. 'Geez, back at St. Freya Academy, I'd developed a reflex to that line!'

"Master, I think I can explain." Having fully thought it through, Fu Yuan's expression turned completely calm as he prepared to use his level-ten eloquence to clarify the situation.

"Could you put Illya down from your arm before you speak?" Kiritsugu Emiya said with a complicated expression.

Fu Yuan froze for a moment at those words, then slowly peeled Illya off himself. He was about to unleash his level-ten eloquence when...

"Kiritsugu, Kiritsugu! This Big Brother looked so cool holding that wooden stick just now!" Illya said excitedly to Kiritsugu at the door, like a child sharing a brand-new toy.

Kiritsugu looked at Fu Yuan, who had turned to stone, then at the wooden stick in his hand. Connecting it with what Illya had said, he had a vague guess.

Chapter 6: Change

[Honkai is Honkai, planning is planning. Once you're on the boat, you see it through to the end—though it feels like that end is coming soon. Kinda sucks.]

"Wait, if you two eloped, who could even stop you?" Fu Yuan looked at Kiana, who was dead serious, and Mei beside her, whose face was flushed red, utterly confused.

Kiana looked at him like he was an idiot. "What are you talking about! I want to be together openly and properly!"

Fu Yuan: ??? "So what does that have to do with you wanting to fight me?"

"Only the strong deserve beauties. Likewise, only the strong can protect them." Kiana said those bizarre words with a straight face.

"So what's the actual connection?!"

"Are you an idiot? Don't you claim to be Schicksal's strongest? Beat you, and I prove I'm stronger than anyone."

Fu Yuan: ...

"Get lost!"

In the hall of Einsbern Castle, Illya looked at Fu Yuan with stars in her eyes. Kiritsugu and Irisviel also felt a flicker of curiosity, though Kiritsugu's expression was complicated.

"I think we should discuss our battle plan." Fu Yuan, under the gaze of the others, weakly raised his little hand, finally bringing up a serious topic.

"Ahem, I agree we need to discuss the plan." Kiritsugu coughed twice and kindly followed Fu Yuan's lead.

"I've already prepared a plan. I'll head to Fuyuki City ahead of time. You and Irisviel take the morning flight tomorrow, pretending she's your Master. How about it?" Kiritsugu laid out his pre-prepared plan completely, then tossed a stack of documents to Fu Yuan, gesturing for him to take a look.

'How about it? I think it sucks!' Fu Yuan silently complained. In a normal Holy Grail War, unless Archer wasn't serious, you'd have your ashes scattered the moment you arrived.

Still, Fu Yuan said nothing. Even if he did, Kiritsugu wouldn't listen. Given his own special nature, even if his Master died, he could find another in no time. He didn't want Kiritsugu to die, but if the guy insisted on walking into death, he wouldn't stop him.

Then Fu Yuan eagerly raised his little hand, like a student asking a teacher a question in class: "Master, what about Illya?"

Kiritsugu looked at him with some confusion, but after considering his childish behavior, sighed and said, "This is war!"

But Kiritsugu didn't finish. It wasn't just about war—the head of the Einzbern Family wouldn't let Illya go. After all, his reputation was terrible. They wouldn't trust a notorious Magus Killer.

'Bullshit!' Fu Yuan thought disdainfully, but he didn't call him out. Kiritsugu was leaving tonight anyway, and there was no way he could control what Fu Yuan did tomorrow.

"Oh, I see!" On the surface, though, he put on a look of sudden understanding and nodded his little head cooperatively.

'A Heroic Spirit, even one manifested with a child's mentality, catches on to this kind of thing instantly!' Kiritsugu thought, finding nothing wrong.

"Then is there anything else you need, Saber? I'll have it prepared as soon as possible." Kiritsugu suddenly stood up, his expression turning serious.

'What I need, you can't possibly prepare.' Fu Yuan silently complained, but on the surface, he answered seriously.

"If possible, please give me a compilation of Reinforcement Magic and Projection Magic. Simple, practical things like that are worth learning."

'Saber hasn't studied basic magecraft? Ah, right. The magic foundation in that Eastern country is different from here.' Kiritsugu nodded to show he understood, then went to instruct the maids. After that, he immersed himself in studying the enemy's data.

Fu Yuan also flipped through the documents symbolically. Seeing the familiar names, he felt greatly relieved.

Then he felt his arm being tugged twice. He looked down at Little Illya with some confusion.

"Big Brother, play with me!" Illya deployed her skill—Act Cute again.

Damage: one.

Special effect: successful.

Enemy mental defense reduced by 80%.

Fu Yuan hadn't wanted to study the documents anyway, so the moment Illya brought it up, he quickly nodded and sneaked out with her.

Fu Yuan stood blankly in the snow, looking at the overly excited Illya, a bit puzzled.

"Big Brother, come find Walnut Bud!" Illya didn't notice anything off about Fu Yuan. Instead, when she saw him lagging behind, she excitedly pulled him forward again.

Fu Yuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. 'Is it too late to go back now?'

He, Fu Yuan, was already a big kid!

"There's more over here, Illya."

"Big Brother, you're so fast!"

When Kiritsugu Emiya came out, this was the scene he saw. Watching Illya being dragged around in a frenzy by Fu Yuan, Kiritsugu opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. 'Is it too late to summon again now?'

"Ahem. Is there something you need, Master?" Fu Yuan immediately straightened his expression as he spotted Kiritsugu coming out, while simultaneously steadying Illya, who was about to crash into him.

"..." Kiritsugu Emiya composed himself. It had to be said, Kiritsugu's control over his expression was just as reliable as his time management.

"Saber, I'm entrusting Irisviel to you!"

Hearing this, Fu Yuan only then noticed that the sky was already growing dark. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, but on matters like this, he wouldn't fool around.

"Please, trust me as much as you can, Master!"

'I'd have to be out of my mind to trust you!' Kiritsugu roared inwardly, though on the surface, he gave a silent nod without changing his expression.

Fu Yuan stood beside Irisviel and Illya, watching from the castle gates as Kiritsugu Emiya and Maiya Hisau's figures gradually disappeared.

Mindful of the others nearby, Fu Yuan suppressed the urge to leap for joy, instead putting on a look of deep reluctance. At the same time, he was already scheming about what to do next—something productive, perhaps? Like a snowball fight?

"Mom, when will Dad be back?" Illya tilted her little head, looking at Irisviel with confusion.

"Soon." Irisviel had fully accepted the future by now, and she comforted Illya with a gentle demeanor.

Just then, Fu Yuan suddenly spoke up: "How about we take Illya to see Dad tomorrow?"

"No!" Irisviel's voice turned sharp in an instant. She had already accepted her own death in the future, but there was no way she would let her daughter witness that.

Fu Yuan seemed completely unfazed, speaking to himself with a calm expression: "I hear the current heir of the Aozaki Family has the potential to become the Grand Puppeteer." (Don't roast me! Aaah! I know I messed up!)

Irisviel's expression, which had been ready to continue scolding, froze on the spot. If she could live, who would want to die!

But this was the fate of the Einzbern Family—a fate she had been told of since birth. Even if now, because of Kiritsugu and Illya, she no longer valued the family's glory as much.

She still had no real chance of survival. Not to mention how many puppeteers were capable of giving her a new body, she had been created to exist as the Lesser Grail. The family would never allow her to change bodies.

And the famous puppeteers all had ties, one way or another, to the Einzbern Family. Those independent ones with no connections were unwilling to offend the Einzbern Family for someone already doomed to die.

But the Aozaki Family was different. Rumor had it that family itself was connected to magic, so they wouldn't fear the Einzbern Family at all. Still, the price for their help must be enormous.

Irisviel thought for a long time, then finally shook her head. Given the depth of that family's resources, moving them would at least cripple the Einzbern Family. She was afraid of death, but she still had deep feelings for this family.

Still, she wanted to thank A Yuan. But as Irisviel lifted her head, about to speak, she saw a transparent gemstone tinged with an eerie violet light.

"She'll agree!" Fu Yuan's childish face was filled with seriousness.

After all, someone who would become a Grand in two years couldn't possibly fail to see through this Honkai Crystal. Though the Honkai Crystal wasn't precious to him, in this world, it represented a new source of energy—a discovery that would drive any Magus mad.

Irisviel looked at A Yuan, whose expression was utterly serious. Fu Yuan simply smiled back at her. For some reason, Irisviel's voice suddenly grew choked. She started with quiet sobs, then broke down into loud, unrestrained crying.

"Thank you! A Yuan! Thank you!"

Just as Fu Yuan was about to say something to comfort her, little Illya beside him suddenly bristled.

"Don't you dare bully Mom!"

It was abrupt, completely out of place. But watching this scene, Irisviel suddenly laughed—crying and laughing at the same time.

Chapter 7: Me, Constraint, Reliable, Got It?

"A Yuan, it's my birthday today. I want to eat cake." Kiana's voice was different from usual as she said this. Though she was acting spoiled, there was a strange lack of life in it.

"This isn't the time you wanted a Children's Meal." Fu Yuan gave her a slightly exasperated look. He still hadn't forgotten the feeling of everyone staring at him when he went to buy her that Children's Meal before.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

Finally, Fu Yuan let out a sigh and said, with great resignation, "What kind?"

"N-no, it's okay, A Yuan. I suddenly don't want it anymore?" Kiana seemed to think of something and lost her appetite on the spot.

A few veins slowly popped on Fu Yuan's forehead. He wanted to hit someone. But seeing this idiot's pitiful expression, his anger suddenly deflated. He put his hand on her head and forcibly turned Kiana's face toward him.

Fu Yuan spoke slowly, word by word, with utter seriousness: "Kiana! If you want to go, then go. No one can stop you. Believe in yourself."

Looking at Fu Yuan's earnest expression, Kiana was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into loud sobs: "I want to go! I do! But I can't!"

Fu Yuan felt like he had sighed more today than in an entire month. But seeing this idiot so heartbroken, there was nothing he could do but indulge her again. What else could he do? After all, she was the Chong Chong he had raised himself.

Fu Yuan dusted off his clothes and stood up, turning his back to Kiana. As if mentioning something trivial, he said, "Then let's go!"

Kiana wanted to say something more, but Fu Yuan spoke again: "Since you can't believe in yourself, then believe in me! Leave the rest to me. No one can stop you from finding her."

(Actually, the above has nothing to do with the main story. It's mainly to write about the protagonist's experiences in the Honkai World, shaping his personality at different ages. Also, to write about the Honkai world as I imagine it—a Honkai without dogshit management.)

"Junior Brother, you once said one thing wrong. Otto's plan was already completed by someone a long time ago."

Su Mei looked at Fu Yuan, who was at a loss dealing with Illya's anger, and suddenly felt a bit emotional.

"Hehehe! Maybe so!" Although Senior Sister's voice was very soft, Fu Yuan still responded accurately.

Just as he had no secrets before Senior Sister, wasn't she the same before him? The relationship between the two of them really wasn't something ordinary people could understand.

"If Big Brother doesn't take Illya out to play tomorrow, then Illya won't forgive Big Brother!" For the current situation, Illya still hadn't sorted things out. "But Big Brother really didn't bully Mom, so I'll take the chance to ask for something good! Hehe! Illya is so smart."

"A Yuan, no, it's still too dangerous!" Irisviel looked at Fu Yuan, who was about to agree, and quickly stopped him.

Fu Yuan: ?

Illya: !

Under the gaze of the two little ones, Irisviel suddenly felt a bit nervous, but this absolutely couldn't be agreed to.

Unlike Kiritsugu, Irisviel trusted Fu Yuan, but she understood the Einzbern Family's methods better. As one of the original Three Great Families, it was impossible for them not to have some countermeasures against Heroic Spirits.

To this, Fu Yuan just blinked and didn't say anything. After all, a Herrscher's abilities really weren't that easy to understand. No one could stop him tomorrow anyway. (For example, the Thunder Herrscher, who could decompose matter into particles, only discharged electricity—this wasn't something you could master just by knowing a bit of knowledge.)

Looking at Little Illya with her cheeks puffed up in anger, Irisviel could only pretend not to see it. The foundation of a great family wasn't something one or two people could shake.

"It's okay, Little Illya. Leave it to Big Brother!"

Illya looked around in confusion, then finally at the smiling Big Brother. Suddenly understanding this miraculous scene, she nodded happily.

Irisviel looked at Little Illya, who had suddenly become cheerful, and gave a bitter smile. She could guess that A Yuan had used some method, but she didn't say anything more.

After all, given her current status, the Einzbern Family wouldn't go too far. They still didn't know she wasn't planning to fulfill her responsibilities.

"Irisviel, I'll take Illya home first." Fu Yuan wasn't worried at all about what would happen tomorrow. He had already started thinking about what to eat for dinner. Dinner was already eaten! So he could think about what to have for a late-night snack!

Irisviel looked at Illya, who was still a bit sulky with her, opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. Though she felt that sentence just now had a bit of a double meaning.

Late at night, Fu Yuan sat alone in the hall, studying the newly acquired Projection Magic and Reinforcement Magic. As for why he wasn't sleeping—come on! Did a Heroic Spirit need to sleep?

Su Mei, inside the Stigma, also didn't need to sleep thanks to Fu Yuan. Sensing her Junior Brother's mental fluctuations, the corner of her mouth twitched. At the same time, she silently complained: You're just worried you won't be able to get up tomorrow morning.