This Is My Holy Grail War [64]

Caster truly lived up to her title as a mage from the Age of Gods; her craft was leagues above the clumsy techniques of amateurs.

In contrast to the crude bounded field Rider’s group deployed, Caster’s preparations were both intricate and concealed. Unless one already knew something was amiss—like Assassin—it was almost impossible to detect. Even Rin Tohsaka, with her exceptional magical aptitude, hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

“Looks like someone stirred up a massive hornet’s nest…” Assassin observed as countless phantoms began gathering, waves of mana surging from multiple directions. Though Assassin lacked knowledge of magecraft and couldn’t discern the specifics of the energy, the situation was undeniably dire.

At this moment, the school resembled a wasp’s nest brimming with venom. And Matou Shinji was the fool who had decided to strike it. Perhaps even Shinji himself didn’t realize how terrifying Homurahara Academy had become.

Assassin could see the rough-hewn familiars amassing, their skeletal forms clattering with every movement. They swarmed together, their target the only living being still moving—Rin Tohsaka.

“These aren’t the dragon-tooth soldiers formed by the bounded field. These are Caster’s familiars,” Assassin said as he emerged from Rin’s shadow. The potent magical energy radiating from him immediately diverted the attention of every dragon-tooth soldier fixated on Rin.

Surrounded. Assassin surveyed the area, unimpressed by the frail, clumsy creatures. What did it matter if a thousand eyes were on him? All the dragon-tooth soldiers in the school combined couldn’t pose a real threat to him.

Lifting his gaze, Assassin locked onto the main school building. “These familiars are searching for Rider. Including Caster, all the major players are likely gathered there.” He pointed upward.

“Our first priority is finding that suicidal fool,” he added.

“I understand.”

As they spoke, a sweeping gust from Assassin’s blade sent the bones of ten dragon-tooth soldiers flying. They disintegrated into shards and fragments without the slightest resistance.

The rhythmic sound of scythe-like blows filled the air, each swing reaping another row of dragon-tooth soldiers.

Compared to a Servant, Caster’s familiars were utterly devoid of combat power. Even an ordinary person armed with a weapon could pose a greater threat than these cheap, mass-produced creations. They were a pale imitation of the legendary dragon-tooth soldiers, relying solely on numbers to overwhelm.

“We’ll head upstairs. I’ll leave the enemies to you,” Rin said as she darted toward the school building.

Assassin moved in her shadow, effortlessly obliterating every dragon-tooth soldier in their path. Scattered bones littered the ground but gave no satisfying clatter. Instead, they dissolved into misty vapor with a faint hiss, reduced to dust.

Caster’s meticulous magecraft ensured the mana didn’t fully dissipate. Instead, the energy transformed into mist, feeding back into the bounded field through embedded magical arrays.

Inside the building, the number of dragon-tooth soldiers seemed to increase dramatically within sight. It wasn’t that there were more of them but that the confined space made them appear denser, bottlenecking the hallways.

Under Assassin’s protection, Rin opened the door to a classroom. Except for unconscious students lying scattered across the room, there were no signs of other life.

Life energy was rapidly draining from the students, their mana being devoured and digested by the bloodstained bounded field. The scene resembled the inside of a monstrous stomach.

“I can sense Saber’s presence,” Assassin said. “At least three Servants are in this building.”

“Three?!”

“Saber is here as well. Should we head directly to the chemistry lab to dismantle the field or regroup with Saber first?” Assassin asked.

“Assassin, you’re ill-suited to face Rider or Caster. Regroup with Saber first,” Rin decided. “We’ll tackle this together.”

Ascending the stairwell at a swift pace, Rin seemed to lock onto her destination.

“Wait… Shirou’s classroom is on this floor!” she exclaimed. Her eyes darted from door to door before she threw open one of them.

Inside were more collapsed students and, leaning against the wall with a pained expression, Shirou Emiya.

Sweat dripped from his brow, and his clenched fists trembled as his sparse mana struggled to resist the bounded field’s curse. A Command Seal on his hand had already been used, signaling that Saber had been summoned. With Artoria’s guidance, Shirou had barely managed to endure the bounded field’s pressure.

The lingering traces of mana in the room made it clear that a battle had taken place here—several dragon-tooth soldiers had fallen.

“Assassin?” Saber called out. “You’re trapped in the bounded field as well? This must have been a premeditated strike. At the very least, it’s clear the enemy knows this school well. And…”

“It’s Rider’s Noble Phantasm,” Rin interrupted. “We’ll explain the rest later—for now, dismantling the bounded field is our priority.”

“They’re still alive,” Assassin interjected. “If we act quickly, we can save them.”

“There’s another Servant on this floor. Can you feel it, Assassin?” Saber asked. “If a Servant is stationed here, why place the core of the bounded field on the first floor?”

“In addition to you and me, there are two other Servants here,” Assassin replied. “If my guess is correct, Caster is hiding in this area. But the one who set up this bounded field isn’t her.”

“I see… Caster may also be a victim in all this,” Saber said, nodding. “In that case, dismantling the bounded field is indeed the best course of action.”

“Agreed.”

The dragon-tooth soldiers, which were already no match for Assassin, stood even less of a chance once Saber joined the fray.

Their destination: the chemistry lab—the epicenter of the bounded field.

Just as they broke through the waves of dragon-tooth soldiers, Assassin caught sight of Kuzuki Souichirou.

The mild-mannered teacher appeared to have just reached for the chemistry lab door, perhaps intending to chastise an unruly student.

But he was a step too late. As his hand rested on the doorknob, he turned to see two Servants charging toward him.

—

This is a fan translation of 这是我的圣杯之战 by 向希望祈祷. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!