Chapter 45

"Respected Student Council President, I wonder what important matter you have called me to this remote place for?"

Contrary to his respectful tone, Shirou Emiya, who felt he had the upper hand, made no effort to hide his smug satisfaction that was about to burst out of him.

Rin closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the urge to beat that ugly, smug face. Even so, her expression was far from pleasant.

Whether it was due to her genius or sheer coincidence, the girl's obvious look of disgust dispelled the last bit of doubt in Emiya's heart.

Forced to submit due to the circumstances but still maintaining her stubbornness and pride, this was what attracted the self-proclaimed playboy, Shirou Emiya. If Rin had become a lowly, sycophantic girl who clung to the strong, he might have turned and run immediately. Due to the relationship between the Emiya and Matou families, Emiya knew the girl, who had been called a genius since childhood, all too well. Rin's current behavior made Emiya firmly believe that she was indeed forced to cooperate with him to fulfill the long-held wish of the Matou family.

"Have you read the email? What is your answer?"

As the one making the request, Rin's tone was overly harsh, but this only fueled Emiya's desire to conquer. He took a few steps forward, no longer caring about any safe distance, with a frivolous expression.

"I never thought I would hear such words from your proud mouth. The genius mage, the current head of a prestigious mage family, actually asking for help from me, a worthless person without any magic circuits. Hahaha!"

Magic circuits are the unique simulated nerves within a mage's body. Only through magic circuits can life force be converted into magical energy, and they serve as the foundation for connecting to the Greater Magic Circuits.

The number of magic circuits, a talent one is born with, is determined at birth. This rare commodity, which ordinary people almost never possess, was something Rin, as the heir of a mage family, had in abundance, which was the main reason she was called a genius.

However, this genetic trait was not guaranteed, and Shirou Emiya was the best example. Despite being from a mage family, he became a laughingstock because he lacked even a single magic circuit.

Shirou's casual attitude about his lack of magic circuits did not surprise Rin. Although she knew how sensitive he had been about the topic of magic circuits in the past.

From the barrier he set up at school, it was clear that even though he was still weak, Shirou Emiya could now successfully use magic.

Rin had heard of methods to forcibly open and activate magic circuits in those without them, but that was not important. Her task now was to play her part according to the script.

"You should know that the Matou family specializes in gemstone magic. However, the few gemstones that symbolize our family have been sealed with special magic. The quickest way to break the seal is to destroy them. I ask your Servant, the strongest among all classes, the Berserker, to help me. This is my request."

Without needing to act, Rin could easily gain Emiya's trust by simply being herself in front of someone she despised.

"You're right, my Berserker is indeed the strongest Heroic Spirit. Helping a weak mage is indeed an interesting thing."

If there was a textbook example of a petty person getting what they wanted, it was the current Shirou Emiya. Simplifying "the strongest in terms of power" to just "the strongest," he showed no sign of shame.

"Let me guess, what do you plan to do with the gemstones after you get them?"

With one hand on his chin, Emiya thought he looked very thoughtful, but to Rin, he looked like a poor comedian who couldn't get a laugh no matter how hard he tried.

"Hmm, your Heroic Spirit summoning failed, didn't it? Since the gemstones are symbols of the family, it's not surprising they have special functions. Can you use those gemstones to summon again? I haven't guessed wrong, have I?"

Thanks to Levi, who helped hide the fact that Kaguya was her Servant during their previous encounter, Rin didn't have to admit to already having a Heroic Spirit while still asking for help. This attitude of surrendering without even facing a setback would not fit the image she had cultivated in Emiya's mind. Rin silently praised Levi's cleverness, though such praise would rarely reach his ears.

"You're right, what is your answer?"

Too much explanation could reveal flaws, so Rin simply acted as if she didn't want to talk much. She had no interest in conversing with Shirou Emiya anyway.

"Strong helping the weak to grow, though it doesn't pose a significant threat, it's still a bit troublesome to have an extra opponent. Miss Rin, without sufficient benefits, do you think anyone would do such a foolish thing?"

Looking at his self-satisfied face, Rin really wanted to punch him and stomp on him a few times.

—Let's remember this.

The girl silently told herself.

"The long-held wish of the Matou family, you should know a little about it. Unlike your Matou family, for the Matou family, winning the Holy Grail War is enough. As for the wish the Holy Grail can grant, I can give it to you as part of the deal."

Rin was not lying. The ability of the Holy Grail to grant the victor's wish, which others pursued eagerly, was always just an optional bonus to her.

Reaching the 'Root' through the Holy Grail—this was the wish of her father, Tokiomi Matou. And this wish, passed down to her as the heir after his death.

"Truly worthy of the genius praised by all, you're already deciding the ownership of the Holy Grail before even having a Servant? Hahaha... Rin, I like this side of you."

Interrupting Rin's thoughts, Emiya took two more steps forward.

"However, from the current situation, the Holy Grail should belong to me, who has the strongest Servant. Using something that belongs to me as a bargaining chip, isn't that too easy? How about this..."

"Shut up! Take back your filthy thoughts!"

Rin immediately interrupted Emiya. Given her knowledge of this man, how could she not guess what he wanted? Even if she was acting out of necessity, she could not accept any insult.

"First of all, the strongest Heroic Spirit is definitely Saber. Even to get the Holy Grail, don't think I will agree to your despicable demands. I have said my piece. Whether you accept or reject it is up to you. Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have a Servant. Otherwise, I would be happy to show you why I am called a 'genius.' Even a Berserker can't keep me here!"

Stepping away from the wooden door, Rin stood straight. She reached into her pockets and pulled out a few dazzling gemstones, as if her patience had reached its limit, and she was ready to defend her dignity at any cost!