Unlock new chapters and exclusive illustrations at https://www.patreon.com/Rayish.
The two of them finally arrived in front of the Loki Familia's physical training building. The structure was quite large, with heavy wooden doors and tall windows always left open to keep the air fresh. The sound of creaking wood greeted their footsteps as Shirou pushed the door open, followed by Aiz, who walked calmly behind him.
Once they reached the center of the spacious, empty training hall, Aiz immediately turned to Shirou with her usual serious expression—but this time, there was a hint of impatience in her tone.
"Please... the sword, Shirou."
Shirou nodded. He stood straight, closed his eyes briefly, then raised his right hand. Prana light enveloped his open palm, and a moment later... clang!
A familiar-looking short sword—Aiz's signature weapon, Desperate—appeared in his grip. The difference was, this time, the blade wasn't sharp. Instead, it was blunt, its smooth surface adjusted for sparring practice.
"The blunt version. As requested," Shirou said, handing it over.
Aiz accepted it with both hands, examining its curves and balance. She bent slightly, then swung it slowly through the air. Whshhh! The wind it generated was still palpable, though not as sharp as the original.
"This really is... just like mine," she murmured softly. For the first time, she was wielding a weapon not forged by Orario's blacksmiths but one projected by Shirou. And the sensation it gave her was surprising.
"Imitation is my specialty," Shirou quipped, crossing his arms.
Aiz stared at the sword for a moment, then lifted her gaze, this time with a rare glint in her eyes—one filled with curiosity.
"Then, the weapon you'll be using..." she said hesitantly, "is it what you call... a Noble Phantasm?"
Shirou's lips curled slightly.
"You remembered," he said quietly, then glanced at the empty weapon rack in the corner of the room.
"Yes," he continued. "I'll be using one of them. But don't worry... I'll try to pick one that won't... blow this place up."
Aiz nodded with a serious expression—but beneath it, her excitement was rising. Her heart beat a little faster. This wasn't just an ordinary training session. It was a chance to see another side of the man she admired... and, little by little, was growing to love.
Shirou lowered his head slightly, one hand resting on his chin as he pondered. A Noble Phantasm suitable for training... But it can't be too dangerous, and it should be impressive enough for Aiz. That narrowed his options considerably. He didn't want to summon anything explosive or overly destructive. Yet, this was Aiz—someone who wouldn't be impressed by an ordinary blade.
Suddenly, soft footsteps approached. Aiz's shoes made almost no sound on the wooden floor, but her presence felt incredibly close.
"So, Shirou?" Her calm voice broke through his thoughts. "Have you decided?"
Shirou lifted his head—and was startled to find Aiz's face mere inches from his. Her golden eyes stared intently, as if demanding an answer.
"H-Huh?" Reflexively, Shirou took a step back, nearly tripping in his surprise. "Uh... well... do you have a preference?"
Aiz tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Like... what kind of weapon do you want to see? A sword? A bow? A spear? Something... interesting?"
Aiz seemed to think for a moment, then her eyes gleamed faintly. "I want to see another one of your Noble Phantasms... one with a special technique. Like when you fought Revis... that sword illusion technique of yours."
Shirou fell silent for a beat. Tsubame Gaeshi...
Aiz's thoughts weren't far off. She still remembered that day vividly—how Shirou had stood tall before her, battered and wounded, becoming the hero who challenged Revis with power not of this world. The shadow of three overlapping slashes—an attack that came from three directions at once.
"So, another legendary weapon... one I haven't seen before," Aiz said.
Shirou took a deep breath. "So... you want a Noble Phantasm I've never shown you before?"
"Correct," Aiz replied without hesitation.
Shirou straightened his arm, then looked up at the ceiling. "Hmm, actually... what have you seen so far?"
Aiz spun the blunt Desperate in her hand, then listed them in a flat but memorious tone. "Monohoshizao. Atalante's bow—the one you used to create that rain of glowing green arrows. And... Rho Aias, the flower shield you used to protect us from the corrupted spirit's attack."
Shirou nodded slowly. "So just three, huh?"
"Yeah," Aiz nodded quickly, her voice suddenly childlike with curiosity. "But you once said you have many." She made a wide gesture with her hands, as if stretching out an invisible space. "A whole lot."
Shirou chuckled softly at Aiz's rare expression—her eyes sparkling, her lips not as tight as usual.
"Alright," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I'll show you one I've never shown anyone... not even during the Knossos expedition."
Aiz leaned forward slightly, holding her breath in anticipation.
And Shirou began to summon it—a Noble Phantasm he had kept reserved only for dire situations.
"Trace... On."
With a deep inhale, Shirou raised his right hand forward. Prana light gathered in his open palm, swirling into a dense spiral of energy. The ripple of power enveloped the surrounding air, making it tremble. Then...
Glimmer—!
A golden flash erupted in a holy light, and from within the vortex, the form of a sword slowly emerged. Its blade was long and elegant, a bright silver that shone like the morning sun. The spine of the blade was adorned with gleaming gold lines, merging with intricate engravings at its center. The hilt was made of white gold, wrapped in deep blue with a cross-shaped ornament. And at the heart of the sword, a name was inscribed in symbols of the Fae—so majestic it felt awe-inspiring just to behold.
Excalibur.
The aura of the sword wasn't just magical—it was like a symbol of hope and victory itself. Unlike other weapons that radiated killing intent, Excalibur shone like the sun... yet carried an air of absolute destruction if unleashed.
Aiz, who had been standing just a few steps away from Shirou, stared at the sword intently. Her eyes widened, mesmerized. The light from the blade reflected in her golden irises, making her look like a child witnessing something extraordinary for the first time.
"This sword... is beautiful," she murmured softly. "Who was its original wielder?"
Shirou smiled faintly, his gaze warm. "It belongs to Saber, my Servant. A king and a knight. She was known as the King of Knights."
Aiz looked at Shirou, then back at Excalibur as if she had just encountered an unwritten legend. "Saber... so this is the sword she used?"
"Yes," Shirou answered, glancing at the sword. "She wielded this blade to protect her kingdom, her people... and her ideals."
Aiz nodded slowly. "Then... she must have been incredibly strong."
Shirou didn't respond, only nodding faintly before swinging Excalibur through the air. Fwoooosh! The slash cut through the air perfectly, leaving a faint golden trail in its wake. Shirou channeled prana into it, and instantly, the blade's light grew brighter, radiating a holy aura that even Aiz could feel piercing her skin.
Aiz, despite being two levels above Shirou, unconsciously took a step back. "Your swing... carries something different," she said seriously. "I can feel it. Not just power... but something like... the weight of her resolve."
Shirou scratched the back of his head with his free hand, smiling wryly. "Heh... seems like this is overkill for sparring, huh. Excalibur isn't a weapon you can hold back with."
He lowered the sword slowly, letting the golden light fade, then looked at Aiz with a slightly embarrassed expression. "Guess this is... just for showing off."
Aiz kept staring at Excalibur with a gaze full of reverence, then nodded slowly. "Even if it's just showing off... It's impressive."
A brief silence fell between them, filled only by the sound of their breathing and the fading hum of prana.
Aiz was still staring at the spot where the last particles of Excalibur's light had disappeared, her gaze fixed as if reluctant to let it slip from memory.
"Can... I try it?" she asked suddenly, turning to Shirou with serious eyes veiled in deep curiosity.
Shirou looked at her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Sure, if you want."
Without hesitation, Aiz sheathed Desperate into her own scabbard, then reached out as Shirou projected Excalibur once more—this time without active prana. Without the holy light, the sword seemed calmer, as if hiding its power behind silent elegance.
Aiz gripped the hilt gently, feeling the cold of the blade seep into her palm. She swung it once, twice. Light. Sharp. But what captivated her wasn't its weight or form—it was the feeling... of holding a legend.
"When you wield this sword... is there a technique like Tsubame Gaeshi?" she asked while slowly swinging Excalibur.
Shirou shook his head. "It has a technique, but... not like Tsubame Gaeshi."
Aiz stopped mid-swing and turned to him. "What's the difference?"
Shirou looked at Aiz with a serious expression, then began explaining. "Excalibur is a Noble Phantasm that stores its power in its 'True Name.' To unleash its full strength, I have to call out its True Name. Meanwhile, Monohoshizao, the nodachi, doesn't have a special power. But it carries a technique... the memories of its previous wielder. Tsubame Gaeshi."
"So Tsubame Gaeshi comes from the technique of an ordinary human," Aiz murmured, "while Excalibur... is something far greater."
Shirou nodded slowly. "Exactly."
Aiz gazed at the sword once more, then stepped forward and handed it back to Shirou. "Then... I want to see you use it. Activate its True Name."
However, Shirou immediately raised a hand, gently refusing while pushing the sword back toward her.
"Trust me, that's a bad idea," he said. "If I fully activate Excalibur... half of Orario could be destroyed."
Aiz shivered instantly, quickly pulling the sword back to her chest as if afraid of touching a doomsday button. "That... much?"
Shirou nodded with a resigned expression. "And... even though I'm Level 4 now, I'd probably collapse and pass out for days if I actually activated it."
Aiz's eyes sharpened, revealing unconcealed worry. "Then... what about before? When you didn't have Falna and were just an ordinary human... what would've happened if you forced yourself to activate this sword back then?"
Shirou only gave a wry smile and then answered calmly but with absolute certainty.
"I'd definitely be dead."
Aiz froze. She had no reply, only a slow nod as she stared at Excalibur once more—this time with even deeper respect. The sword wasn't just beautiful... it held power that should never be misused.
And to Aiz, the true wielder of such power wasn't just someone who could swing it... But someone who knew when not to use it. Like Saber... or like her hero, Shirou.
Aiz was still holding Excalibur carefully, her fingers tracing the fine lines on the blade as if trying to read the history contained within it. But her curiosity wasn't sated yet. She looked at Shirou and asked, "Then... how do you activate its True Name?"
Shirou turned to her, then closed his eyes briefly, recalling the sword's memories—ones that never faded. The image of Saber, her golden hair fluttering on the battlefield, standing tall with unshakable light in her eyes.
"Like this," he said softly.
Aiz nodded, her eyes unblinking.
Shirou slowly raised both hands, gripping empty air as if truly holding Excalibur. His shoulders straightened, his breath drawn in slowly, then—
"EX—!"
His voice boomed, loud and full of energy. His raised hands suddenly slashed downward, the motion firm, as if cleaving an invisible foe before him.
"—CALIBUR!!"
The echo of his shout spread through the entire training hall, bouncing off the stone walls and high ceiling like a war cry. Even the thin dust on the floor seemed to tremble.
Silence.
Shirou remained still, only now realizing how loud he'd been. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his expression slightly embarrassed. "Uh... sorry. Got a little carried away."
But when he glanced at Aiz... the girl was staring at him with an unusual look. Her eyes were wide, full of admiration, almost sparkling.
"That... was so cool," she murmured softly, like a fan seeing her favorite hero in action for the first time.
Shirou blinked. "Huh?"
Aiz lowered her head slightly, nodding slowly. "You looked... like a hero from a legend. When you shouted that. Maybe because you truly believed in it."
Shirou paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I was just imitating, really. Saber was the one who first showed me... what a true knight is like."
Shirou lowered his head slightly, his awkward expression returning. But in his heart, for some reason, Aiz's praise just now felt heavier and more meaningful than any cheer he'd ever heard.
"Then... I want to try it too," Aiz said, gazing at the legendary sword in her hands. "But... this won't destroy Orario, right?" she asked worriedly, her brows slightly furrowed.
Shirou stifled a laugh, exhaling softly. "Don't worry," he said casually. "Activating a Noble Phantasm's True Name can only be done by its original wielder... or by me if it's a projected copy."
Aiz nodded, then took a short breath. "So only you and Saber can truly unleash its full power?"
"Yup. Just the two of us," Shirou confirmed with a light nod.
Aiz's face brightened instantly. She lifted Excalibur slightly, then closed her eyes. "Even if it's just pretending... I'm glad I can try." With a straight posture and a serious expression, she stood like a true knight. For a moment, an aura of grace and charisma enveloped her.
Slowly, she closed her eyes, letting her imagination carry her. In her mind, she stood in the middle of a battlefield. The wind brushed against her face, and a golden-red sky stretched endlessly above. Excalibur felt like more than just metal... it felt like a fragment of destiny itself.
Suddenly, Aiz opened her eyes. With a firm motion, she raised Excalibur above her head. Her breath hitched for a second, then she cried out, "EX—!"
The slash descended in sync with her shout. "—CALIBUR!"
Her swing downward was precise, nearly perfect.
And at that moment...
Wuussshhh!
A gust of wind magic suddenly enveloped Excalibur, swirling around it. The golden blade vanished from sight, leaving only the hilt hanging in the air like a faint shadow.
Shirou was startled, his eyes widening. He quickly stepped closer, observing the faint whirlwind of air spinning around Aiz's hand. "That... Invisible Air?" he murmured, recalling Saber's signature technique to conceal her sword from enemies.
Aiz was still confused. "What's happening, Shirou? I... I really can't see it."
Shirou sighed in relief, then nodded. "The sword is still there. It's just cloaked in wind magic now. Like an invisible veil... It's a technique to hide the sword's true form."
Aiz looked at her hand, still gripping the now-invisible hilt. She lifted it slowly, feeling its weight unchanged. "Oh... you're right," she said softly. "It's still there..."
Shirou kept staring at Aiz with a furrowed brow. He couldn't hide his curiosity. "Aiz, you have wind magic, right? But... can Ariel make things invisible like this?"
Aiz shook her head slowly, her golden hair swaying gently with the motion. Her hand still clutched the hilt, now hidden by the magic. "No, my magic doesn't have an effect like this. Ariel only enhances speed and sharpness... it doesn't make objects vanish from sight."
Hearing that, Shirou grew even more puzzled. If it's not from Aiz, then this magic must be coming from the sword itself... from Excalibur. But why? I don't recall Excalibur reacting like this. Is it because of Aiz?
He stared at the girl before him. Aiz seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the sensation of wielding the sword, swinging it lightly, her body fluid yet precise. Her movements were graceful, like dancing in the wind. Her gaze was focused, and a spark of life shone in her eyes.
For a moment, Shirou couldn't distinguish Aiz's face from someone else he once knew—Saber.
The similar features. The concise way of speaking. Their shared love of food. The knightly aura. And now... the legendary sword responds to her presence.
Wild thoughts began creeping into his mind. Could Aiz and Saber be the same person... but from different worlds? Like him and Archer—two sides of the same person from different timelines.
Shirou shook his head slowly. That was a ridiculous idea. It made no sense.
But... why couldn't his heart dismiss the possibility?
He chose to keep it to himself.