"Come, come, children, one at a time! No cutting in line!"
Village elder Jack was organizing the kids for their martial soul awakening.
Since Shirou Emiya was standing with Tang San, he naturally ended up at the back of the line.
"Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass. Soul power: zero. Child, your talent as a soul master isn't very high,"
the black priest said to the first child.
There weren't many people in Holy Soul Village, so the line moved quickly.
Soon, it was Tang San and Shirou Emiya's turn at the end of the line.
They quietly watched as the other kids awakened their martial souls.
Tang San found most of the results familiar—none of them awakened Blue Silver Grass, but instead things like hoes, sickles, or even a carrot or an apple.
Soon, it was Tang San's turn.
"Come, child, stretch out your hand!"
Tang San did as the black priest instructed.
As expected, Tang San's martial soul was Blue Silver Grass—just like in the original story.
"Child, even though your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, your innate full soul power means you can still become a soul master,"
the black priest said.
Tang San clenched his other hand tightly. He thought no one noticed, but the black priest had caught it. Still, he said nothing and continued calmly.
After Tang San walked off in a daze, Shirou Emiya stepped up.
"Come, child, stretch out your hand!"
The black priest looked at the red-haired boy and, for some reason, felt a strange stirring inside—something hard to describe.
Still, he spoke as usual.
Shirou Emiya followed the instructions. Tang San, now standing aside, was also curious about Shirou's martial soul.
The awakening circle lit up, and green lines appeared on Shirou's arm. They spread all the way up to his face.
"Oh?"
The black priest narrowed his eyes, clearly intrigued.
"Let's check your soul power next."
He didn't tell Shirou what his martial soul was but went straight to the soul power test.
Shirou placed his hand on the crystal.
Ouch!
"It looks like your soul power is level three. Not too high, but enough to become a soul master,"
the priest said, watching the crystal glow.
But a sharp light flashed in the priest's eyes.
"Alright, the awakening ceremony is over. I have other villages to visit, so I'll be on my way."
With that, he hopped on his horse and left, not even staying for Old Jack's polite invitation.
---
"Shirou Emiya, what's your martial soul?"
Tang San asked as he walked over, watching the black priest disappear into the distance.
"Ah, um… my martial soul seems to be a strengthening type,"
Shirou answered with a smile.
"Strengthening type?"
Tang San tilted his head, confused.
"Yeah, like this!"
Shirou picked up a stone from the ground. He closed his eyes, and those green lines appeared again—this time extending into the stone.
"I can make the things I touch stronger."
He threw the stone forward.
Whoosh!
It flew out at high speed, the force strong enough to ruffle Tang San's hair.
"That's fast!"
Tang San thought, amazed.
"That's my martial soul,"
Shirou said, and Tang San looked to where the stone had landed—farther than it should have.
Now Tang San understood Shirou's ability.
---
"Oh, Xiao San, Shi Lang, how did it go with your martial souls?"
Old Jack asked as he returned, having seen off the black priest.
Tang San and Shirou told him.
"Xiao San, Village Chief, I'll go home now,"
Shirou said, glancing at the midday sun.
"Oh! Oh! I see, Shirou. It's noon. Do you want to come eat at my place?"
Old Jack offered.
"No thank you, Village Chief. I promised to have lunch at home today."
Shirou politely declined. He wanted to see his sister.
"Alright then, next time you must come eat at my place!"
Old Jack smiled. He clearly liked Shirou—after all, what old man doesn't like a kind-hearted kid?
So, Shirou went home.
"Come on, Xiao San, I'll go back with you and talk to your father, Tang Hao,"
Old Jack said.
---
Shirou ran fast—his body was in great shape. Not even a red lance could kill Shirou Emiya!
He ran until he reached a castle.
It looked out of place—so grand and majestic in such a remote area.
Shirou once asked Kiritsugu why they built it here. His wife had answered simply:
"Because it's peaceful."
"I'm back!"
Shirou called as he entered, taking off his shoes.
"Welcome back, Shirou!"
A white-haired little cutie greeted him. Even though she was a wife, Alice Feier was adorable.
"Is Kiritsugu home?"
Shirou asked, rolling up his sleeves and heading toward the kitchen.
"Unfortunately not, Shirou. He's out,"
Alice replied.
"Oh,"
Shirou said, understanding. He didn't get to see Kiritsugu much these days.
Shirou was a great cook, and soon lunch was ready.
They sat at the table together.
"Shirou, how did your martial soul awakening go?"
Alice asked while eating.
"It seems to be a strengthening type. Look!"
Shirou demonstrated, green lines glowing on his chopsticks.
"What about your innate soul power?"
she asked next.
"Level three,"
Shirou replied.
"Oh? Then that's enough to become a soul master! Good, I'll take you to register at the soul master academy tomorrow!"
Alice was direct.
"Huh?"
Shirou blinked, surprised.
"It's okay, Shirou. We're rich, so don't worry about anything. Just go to school!"
Alice smiled.
Shirou already knew Alice had a very spontaneous personality—but still, this felt a bit sudden.
But he couldn't really say no to her.
And so, Shirou Emiya ended up going to school in a daze.
Read 15+ chapters ahead at
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(End of Chapter)
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