Chapter 640

Although he appears to be a perfect superman to outsiders, he carries a genetic curse that he cannot reveal to others.

That is, in the most crucial, decisive moment, they always inexplicably falter—

But this time, she was certain she hadn't messed up.

A single glance at the figure standing on the altar was enough to understand what an extraordinary Heroic Spirit he had obtained.

It was a red-haired man, about twenty-five years old, dressed entirely in red.

He has regular facial features, a strong physique, and long arms and legs.

His red hair was streaked with silver strands, and his golden eyes shone with a light that seemed to pierce through everything.

"..."

I initially thought Servant were familiars and therefore should be invisible, but they look completely human.

Her face is also very nice, the kind of face I find very pleasing... but that's not the point.

It seems that heroes who make their mark on history are generally quite outstanding in appearance... But that's not the point!

In Rin Tohsaka's eyes, the red-haired youth displayed his various abilities as Servant.

That's an overwhelming number, so much so that it wouldn't be surprising if it were mistaken for a Berserker.

"Uh-huh!"

She took a deep breath, feeling that she had to show the demeanor befitting Master and not be overwhelmed by the other party's aura.

"You belong to me," this must be made clear to him from the very beginning.

"--Just to confirm, you are indeed my Servant, right?"

"Ah, it seems that's how it is."

The red-haired youth observed Rin Tohsaka, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"...?"

Am I just imagining things?

Rin Tohsaka frowned slightly: the Heroic Spirit she had summoned was scrutinizing her with great interest.

The look in his eyes wasn't exactly lewd, but it still deeply offended the girl.

Why are you staring at someone's body while wearing that sentimental and nostalgic expression?!

Rin Tohsaka has a high sense of self-respect, was somewhat dissatisfied with the attitude of this Heroic Spirit.

As Three Founding Families of the Holy Grail War, she certainly knew how Heroic Spirit transcended humanity.

Is that why he looks down on me?

"I don't care how powerful you are, please understand our master-servant relationship."

"Oh...? Are you going to declare your master status right away?"

"Of course, to win the Holy Grail War, we must first clarify our superior-subordinate relationship."

"Hoo hoo, at this stage... does her personality still have a prickly edge...? That's kind of refreshing... so cute..."

The Heroic Spirit muttered something to itself.

When Rin Tohsaka asked him what he was muttering about, he shrugged and brushed it off.

"How do you plan to prove that you are worthy of my master?"

The red-haired youth revealed a provocative smile.

"I don't need to prove my qualifications; what I want to know is whether you are willing to obey my orders."

Due to the height difference of over 20cm, Rin Tohsaka had to look up at her.

Even so, the girl staring intently at the Heroic Spirit exuded an aura that was in no way inferior to his opponent's—or so she thought.

"If it's a reasonable order, of course I'll obey; it's Servant's duty."

What are the criteria for judgment?

"Of course it's me."

"So, you mean you'll disobey orders you deem unreasonable?"

"... What should I do?"

The young man tilted his head, looking at the disgruntled Rin Tohsaka with a happy expression.

This attitude fueled the fighting spirit within the young girl.

"No, you have no choice... As my Servant, you must obey my orders unconditionally."

As she said this, Rin Tohsaka raised her right arm, showing the other person the crimson Command Spell on the back of her hand.

At the same time, the girl's lips curled up in a smug smile.

Hmph, you don't think I know nothing, do you?

I heard bits and pieces about Master from my father, so of course I knew about Command Spell.

"Got it? Any objections now?"

"How scary, how scary."

"..."

"So what?"

"What?"

Rin Tohsaka asked in a daze, and the Heroic Spirit looked down at her and spoke.

Do you think that Command Spell will make me obey you unconditionally?

That kind of thing is nothing more Servant; it cannot win my heart.

In my opinion, you're just a rash little girl; how could I possibly entrust you with the complete strategy for the Holy Grail War?

If you were 20, that would be one thing, but you're only 17...

"------"

Rin Tohsaka didn't hear a word that followed.

She felt a buzzing in her head.

Oh, Father, I think I'm not going to make it.

I'm almost at my limit...

Rin Tohsaka clenched her fist, and then—a crimson light emanated from the back of her hand.

"----Anfang! (Setting)."

"... What are you planning to do?"

The red-haired youth stared dumbfounded at the black-haired girl.

I'm going to make you understand our hierarchical relationship right now!

Vertrag! EinneuerNagelEinneuesGesetzEinneuesVerbrechen!!

(Declaration! Command Spell, in accordance with the laws of the Holy Grail, inflict the Law of Commandments upon this person, my Servant!)

Are you an idiot?

"Shut up, you're so noisy! Listen up, you're my Servant! That means you have to obey my every word, right!?"

The magic of the Command Spell successfully reached the Heroic Spirit's body through the magic channel between the master and servant.

After the red light faded, the Tohsaka Family's basement returned to Serenity.

"... Did it... successfully?"

Rin Tohsaka spoke, her voice trembling.

Ugh... to waste precious Command Spell on something like this!

She was filled with deep regret and self-loathing, and wanted to die.

However, the Command Spell that have already been used cannot be retrieved. If only I could make the man before me submit—

"Master, you really are an idiot."

... They didn't become compliant at all.

Rin Tohsaka is now filled with remorse and just wants to bang her head against the wall.

The red-haired youth with silver streaks in his hair sighed and suddenly began explaining the correct use of Command Spell to Rin Tohsaka.

Command Spell are only effective when the Master gives a clear command to act.

Conversely, if vague concepts are issued, such as "Win the Holy Grail War!" or "Obey me forever!"—commands with a broad scope and long duration—the effectiveness of the commands will be greatly reduced.

Additionally, Servant with "Magic Resistance" can resist Command Spell that they do not wish to obey to a certain extent.

"So..."

"So the Command Spell you just used was completely wasted; it had no effect whatsoever."

"... How could this be?"

Rin Tohsaka's face turned deathly pale.

The red-haired youth gave a wry smile, then his expression suddenly turned serious.

"Although the Command Spell was completely ineffective, I sensed your resolve from your actions."

I apologize for teasing you just now.

I didn't mean to look down on you; quite the opposite, in fact.

"... exactly the opposite?"

"Because I like you so much, I couldn't help but want to tease you a little, just like a primary school boy would do to a girl he has a crush on."

"Wh... wh... wh... wh... wh, what are you saying all of a sudden!"

Rin Tohsaka flushed instantly, and she began to stammer.

"Yes, to a woman you're meeting for the first time, say things like... like..."

You might as well say you look down on me! You're definitely just teasing me!

The handsome red-haired youth smiled broadly and said, "I like you so much that I wanted to tease you," making Rin Tohsaka's heart pound.

"From tonight onwards, I will be more open with you."

"Even if we don't say things like that..."

Rin Tohsaka covered her cheeks shyly.

This guy's real identity... could he be some kind of legend in the male escort world?

"Although I don't know the specifics of the Greater Grail here, let's fight to the very end together, Master."

"Um?"

Rin Tohsaka, covering her burning cheeks, looked up and saw that the red-haired boy had a small bottle in his hand.

The red-haired youth spoke, gazing at the liquid inside the translucent bottle.

"This is a 'rejuvenating elixir' I got from a friend."

He then twisted open the bottle cap and drank the contents in one gulp, leaving Rin Tohsaka no time to react.

As the girl stared in disbelief, the red-haired youth's body emitted a pale light.

A few seconds later--

A boy of similar age to Rin Tohsaka appeared in the basement.

"Sigh... my stats have dropped, though they're still pretty high... wait a minute!?"

Rin Tohsaka dropped open. "How could this be... You are... Emiya?"

"That way, we can communicate on equal footing, Tohsaka?" the boy said with a mischievous grin.

Those were undoubtedly students from the same school as her.