Chapter 33: A Quiet Night (Patreon)

"Um, Sakura, you should at least put some clothes on, right? You'll catch a cold."

Sakura shook her head firmly, making it clear she had no intention of letting go.

For her, perhaps she still couldn’t fully distinguish whether this reality was a dream. Considering Sakura’s life up until now, the present moment might feel too unreal—so gentle it bordered on dreamlike.

But even if it were a dream, she didn’t want to miss a single detail… such a small, humble, self-effacing girl, holding on with all the fragile determination she had.

Seeing through her thoughts, Shinji set the laptop aside and leaned back against the sofa.

He stayed silent for a long moment, gathering his thoughts, then finally spoke.

"Sakura, without a doubt, this is reality. You’re completely free now. And even though the Crest Worms have been removed, the Magic Circuits they forcefully opened haven’t disappeared. They coexist with your original ones.

"You might not have noticed yet, but possessing both the 'Water' and 'Imaginary' attributes now, your talent as a magus will slowly recover and reveal itself. For the first time, you can choose your own path.

"Whether you want to live as an ordinary person or a magus—that’s your freedom. No one will bind your thoughts anymore. The pain, helplessness, loneliness, and sorrow of the past weren’t entirely meaningless.

"At the very least, they can help you cherish the future more. And finally… I’m sorry. It seems your brother was far too slow."

"It took me ten extra years to finish the task and completely end the Matou family’s lineage as magi. Because of that… I let you wait in helplessness and pain for ten more years."

"Nii-san, do you dislike the path of magecraft?" Sakura suddenly asked.

"Hmm… I suppose I despise it."

"Suppose?" Sakura blinked. Hadn’t her brother declared to Grandfather earlier that he despised magecraft without hesitation?

Shinji merely smiled and shifted the topic.

"In any case, my impression of most magi is this—

"A group of people who raise hands they believe are noble, yet those hands have long since rotted to the bone, constantly giving off a putrid smell they mistake for fragrance."

Hearing that, Rider couldn’t help but re-evaluate her Master’s brother.

The final line especially—simple, yet sharply insightful.

Sakura pondered for a moment, even if she didn’t fully understand, then said softly:

"Then I won’t become a magus. I want to become someone like Nii-san."

"Huh?"

Shinji froze.

Why wasn’t she following the script?

He’d talked so much precisely so she could live a simple, happy life as an ordinary person.

What did she mean become someone like me?

"Sakura, regarding gender reassignment surgery… although the technology is advanced in some countries, your brother still recommends thinking it over carefully before deciding."

Watching Shinji’s serious expression as he rested his chin in his hand, Sakura couldn’t help but laugh—genuinely laugh.

The brother she had admired for so long no longer treated her differently from anyone else.

Even though she knew his attitude for the past decade had been an act to protect her, that he had been caring for her quietly in secret… this feeling now, this closeness, made her happier than anything.

It felt like finally receiving something she had longed for her whole life.

That boy, half a head taller than her, had remembered his promise all along.

"Speaking of which, Sakura, there’s something else you should know."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember Uncle Kariya?"

"Mhm…"

"Back then, he was the one who wanted to save you the most. But because he was too weak, he failed. The last time I saw him…"

Shinji recalled the scene: a man on the verge of death, hair completely white, right eye lifeless. The only person in the Matou family who still had a conscience, enduring soul-wrenching agony as he forced a smile and patted Shinji’s head.

‘Shinji, promise Uncle… don’t bully your little sister in the future…’

Truthfully, Shinji didn’t dislike those hot-blooded, manga-protagonist types—fools who would throw everything away for the sake of what they cherished.

They never hid their feelings. They stood against injustice first, fought with their lives, and showed no fear even when the power gap was hopeless.

He didn’t dislike fools like that.

As for Kariya, Shinji remembered the mixed opinions from his previous life. But to Shinji himself, he respected the man.

After all, he genuinely wanted to save that little girl. That alone was enough.

But Kariya wasn’t the protagonist. He had no plot armor. He even had flaws and small schemes. And so, he met a tragic end.

That was why, ever since regaining his memories, Shinji had chosen his own method and his own positioning.

He wasn’t like the protagonists who could act recklessly yet always look cool in the end. And in the Type-Moon world, even protagonists met grim fates.

So for him…

Laying low was the only way!

Unless everything was perfectly prepared, and the east wind was blowing at full gale!

Pulling himself back from his thoughts, Shinji looked at Sakura—her expression complicated, as if remembering something—and he said softly, "Alright, time for bed. Also, I’ll handle tomorrow’s funeral alone. Goodnight."

He carefully slid his arm free from a certain softness and stood up.

…

Squeak—Thud!

Cough!!

The moment the bedroom door closed, Shinji suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of blood.

He nearly collapsed.

Clutching his chest, feeling his internal organs twisting and tearing, Shinji cursed internally.

You damn system! You never mentioned the experience card had side effects!

[You didn’t ask.]

Refund! You dare take 60,000 points from me and give me this?! Refund!!

[Don’t get worked up. It’s just a little backlash.]

Are you worthy of the trust I placed in you?! Refund!!

[…]

Half?

[Piss off.]

…

Late at night.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Shinji confirmed that the main quest was complete. Before he could properly check his rewards, exhaustion dragged him into deep sleep.

3:00 AM.

Rider, unable to hold back her curiosity, stood silently by his bedside, watching the sleeping boy.

The faint bloodstains at the corner of his mouth hadn’t even been wiped clean.

She understood immediately that the blood on the floor and on his lips was the price of borrowing future power. But she had no intention of telling Sakura—because Shinji clearly didn’t want her to know.

The “dreamless one” who defied common sense… a man wrapped in mystery.

What Rider found most fascinating was precisely that.

If he didn’t dream…

What would happen if he were induced to dream?

Rider lightly licked her lips…

Morning.

Shinji woke feeling refreshed, but before he could check the system interface, he sensed something wrong.

Rider was kneeling beside the bed, slumped forward, unable to maintain her clothing—and her entire body was turning semi-transparent, barely breathing.

Shinji stared blankly.

What did I do in my sleep?
Is my ability in that area really that strong?
She looks completely drained!

A Servant becoming semi-transparent meant she was almost completely depleted.

"Sakura’s magical energy supply was cut off… and my own magical energy was completely drained…" Rider whispered weakly.

Ah.

So that’s how it was.

At a time like this, he should—

Shinji took off his upper garment.

Well, what could he do? He was a good person, wasn’t he? Magical energy replenishment, right? He got the hint. He was mentally prepared.

"Give me some blood…"

Shinji froze.

Then he lay back down, pulled the blanket up, and turned over.

Go play by yourself!