Shirou was surprised. "You mean Extra is further divided into several classes?"
The mysterious woman nodded seriously. "Master understands quickly. That's a great help.
That's right, Extra is divided into many types. In my case..."
She paused briefly, then said with a smile, "I belong to the type that excels at concealing its true name and abilities.
If an Assassin is a Servant who conceals their form on a physical level, then my class is the type that conceals itself through magecraft.
I can't just hide my information from enemies—even my own Master can't grasp it."
"Oh!"
Shirou nodded as if he had suddenly understood and said happily, "No wonder I couldn't see Big Sister's attributes at all! So that's how it is!"
Wow! She really was such a kind and beautiful big sister!
Shirou thought happily, It's wonderful that I summoned such a kind Servant—
It would be even better if she lied a little less.
The silver-haired beauty continued, "So, like the Assassin and Caster classes, I'm not suited for direct combat.
To be honest, my current combat ability isn't anything to look forward to. I'm sorry about that, and I hope you can understand."
Shirou hurriedly shook his head. "No, no, no. The strong have their own way of fighting, and the weak have theirs. There's no absolute distinction between strength and weakness in war."
As long as the tactics were sound, even a weak human could defeat a powerful fae. Shirou firmly believed this.
"Master said something wonderful. Hehe... All right, then. Now we're getting to the important part."
The mysterious woman nodded in satisfaction, then pretended to clear her throat.
"Although this is a trait of my Servant class, I think it would be difficult for me to earn your trust if I hid everything from Master.
You certainly wouldn't want to entrust your back to a suspicious strange woman, would you?"
"Well..." Shirou nodded.
"So I'm going to reveal my true name here."
"Oh!"
Shirou sat up straight.
He hadn't forgotten that the catalyst he had used for the summoning was the "Round Table."
Therefore, the woman before him was definitely connected to the Knights of the Round Table.
Which Knight of the Round Table was she? It was really hard to guess.
Although there were plenty of peerless beauties like her in my "Fae Round Table," there really weren't any Round Table knights who were magus types... Ah, wait. There actually was one.
The mysterious woman asked, "Master, do you know Merlin, the Court Magus of Camelot?"
Shirou's eyes widened, and he quickly nodded.
Anyone who knew the legend of King Arthur knew the Flower Magus Merlin.
The Court Magus of Britain, King Arthur's teacher and prophet.
He had foretold the struggle between the Red Dragon and the White Dragon long before King Arthur was born.
After King Arthur's birth, he became the great mentor who bestowed knowledge and the king's path upon her.
But shouldn't Merlin be male?
No, since he was a legendary sage, it wouldn't be strange for him to want to change his gender! I'll magnanimously forgive his perverted hobby this time!
Shirou's eyes shone as he swallowed excitedly. "You... no, could you be Merlin?"
The mysterious woman proudly puffed out her chest. "I'm his sister."
Shirou: "..."
The Female Magus placed her slender fingers against her chest and said smugly:
"That's right. I'm the younger sister of the legendary Grand Magus Merlin.
You may call me Lady Avalon, the Flower Magus from Paradise... Huh? The light in Master's eyes suddenly went out! The warmth is gone too!
Uwaaah, what an obvious change in attitude! Why?! Master! Wake up, Master!!!"
Shirou dejectedly lowered his head. Why did I summon some random Servant from the roadside...
Volume One 031: Sorry, Can I Return Her? (3/6)
The silver-haired beauty who claimed to be Merlin's sister—Lady Avalon—grabbed the boy's arm and began shaking it in a panic.
"I'm Merlin's sister! I'm also from Paradise, a genius magus who's completely equal to my brother! Be a little more honest and show some happiness, Master!"
Shirou's mouth twitched. "No... Even if you say that, Merlin is certainly amazing, but his sister...
You're just an outsider with no connection to Camelot, right?"
Lady Avalon bit her lip aggrievedly and wiped away the tears glimmering in the corners of her eyes. "Guuu... I can't refute that..."
"Well, you've already been summoned, so there's nothing we can do about it. It's not like I can return you."
Shirou stood up and stretched. "Let's get some rest early today and discuss our plans tomorrow, all right? I'll prepare a Guest Room for you."
However, the Female Magus remained seated and made no move to stand. "You can return me."
Shirou was instantly overjoyed. There's such a good option!?
The silver-haired beauty abandoned her previous frivolous attitude and said seriously, "I hope Master can agree to several conditions.
If you can't accept them and make an agreement with me, I'll return to the Heroic Spirit Throne right now."
"?"
Shirou turned back toward Lady Avalon in surprise.
However, an atmosphere completely different from the one moments ago surrounded the silver-haired beauty. It was as if she were insisting that she wasn't joking with her Master.
Shirou silently returned to his seat.
"Go ahead."
"First, during this Holy Grail War, I will neither reveal myself nor fight on the front lines."
"What does that mean?"
"Spiritualization... Master should have heard of it, right?"
Shirou nodded, and Lady Avalon continued.
"It means that I'll remain spiritualized throughout the ritual. I won't appear before anyone besides my Master, much less fight the enemy Servants.
Of course, I won't simply do nothing. I'll provide support from the sidelines and do my utmost to fulfill my duties as a supporter... without revealing my form."
Shirou's mouth hung half open in surprise. "Are you saying you want me to fight the enemy Servants?"
Even though Rain Amamiya Shirou was a qualified magus capable of summoning Servants, his body was still that of a child.
What was Merlin's sister thinking, sending an eight-year-old to the front lines to fight heroes from myth and legend?
"Is it because of your class ability?" Shirou asked.
"That's right. I'm better suited to covert support work... but that isn't the main reason."
The silver-haired beauty narrowed one eye slyly and said seductively:
"It's because, Master, you're obviously much better suited to the front lines than to providing rear support."
Shirou: "..."
"Please rest assured. I'll do everything I can to protect Master's safety and fulfill every duty within my capabilities."
Shirou looked straight into her eyes. "Can I trust you?"
Lady Avalon nodded. "Please trust me."
Shirou said, "Understood. Then it's settled."
Lady Avalon blossomed into a radiant, flowerlike smile. "Good. Let's continue with the second point."
Shirou frowned. "There's more?"
The Female Magus's expression turned solemn. "This is actually the more important point. I require Master to promise me—under no circumstances are you to reveal any information about me to the outside world.
My true name, class, abilities, origins, and relationship with my brother...
Do not reveal any of this information to anyone. Can you do that?"
"If I can't, you'll return to the Heroic Spirit Throne, right?"
Lady Avalon froze for a moment, then nodded firmly.
"Understood. I promise."
Shirou accepted readily. Compared to the previous condition, the second wasn't particularly harsh.
In fact, even if she hadn't asked, Shirou had no intention of mentioning it.
Everyone, look at me! I have an announcement! I, Shirou Amamiya, summoned a Servant from the roadside!
No way was he going to let that happen.
Lady Avalon happily clapped her hands. "Wonderful! I knew you'd agree~
Then, for the time being, I look forward to working with you, my adorable little Master~"
Shirou: "You're finished."
Lady Avalon: "Mm, I'm finished."
Shirou: "Now that you're finished, it's my turn to speak."
Lady Avalon: "Huh?"
The red-haired boy said as a matter of course, "You can't be the only one allowed to set conditions."
Lady Avalon's expression turned strange. "...Go ahead."
Shirou said, "While Big Sister is spiritualized, don't interfere no matter what I do.
Of course, feel free to point things out or criticize me if you want. But I'll also completely ignore you and do whatever I want."
"...Uh."
Lady Avalon's pink lips parted slightly. She clearly hadn't expected Shirou to say something like that.
"What? You can't accept it?" Shirou pressed.
The Female Magus, who had seemed composed ever since her arrival, lost her footing.
"No, that's not it... But the value of a Servant lies in providing advice and making plans for her Master..."
"You're welcome to talk to me whenever you're materialized like this, but while you're spiritualized, I'm afraid I'll refuse to accept any advice from Big Sister."
Lady Avalon asked in astonishment, "And if I don't agree..."
Shirou spoke in a completely unconcerned tone. "Then I'll have to ask you to return to the Heroic Spirit Throne. You can leave right now."
"Mm."
Lady Avalon's stunning face instantly went deathly pale.
Several seconds later, she clenched her lips, then slowly lowered her head.
"...I agree, Master."
Hearing this, Shirou shook her hand in satisfaction. "I look forward to working with you from now on, Big Sister Avalon."
And so, Shirou and the silver-haired beauty who called herself Lady Avalon entered into a verbal agreement.
The most twisted pair of Master and Servant in history had probably just been born.
The next morning.
Before you continue