Shinji Matou at Your Service

Steam, steam, steam.

Mist, mist, mist.

Droplets, droplets, droplets.

The sea surface within a few kilometers was entirely shrouded in various forms of water.

This was the result of the collision between water and fire. Water was evaporated and vaporized by the high temperature, while the heat of the flames was gradually reduced by the endless water. The immense magical power contained in the slashes and water dragons became the irreplaceable driving force and catalyst of this confrontation.

With each meter it advanced, the slash that dyed the space black, like ink splashed on paper, was worn down by the oncoming water flows.

Meanwhile, the nine water dragons formed by drawing countless seawater were continuously eroded by the high temperature.

One, two, three, four...

One meter, two meters, three meters, four meters...

The water dragons fell one by one, and the heat in the slash diminished more and more.

This battle between water and fire was finally coming to an end.

The last water dragon!

The slash was now less than ten meters away from the steadfast Shinji standing on the sea floor.

With a "boom," the water dragon exploded as if it had been filled with dynamite, once again erupting into boundless steam, mist, and droplets.

Amid the ever-changing water vapor, a trace of black still resolutely moved forward.

Though unremarkable, though only a tiny bit remained, it still advanced, proclaiming the victor of this water and fire battle.

However, winning the water and fire battle did not mean becoming the ultimate winner.

Just a few meters from the sea floor, where the fire slash was about to strike, a new radiance blossomed in Shinji's hand.

That was the magical light that existed only in the Age of Gods, the true ether stored in the Fantasy Greatsword, the genuine light of twilight.

When this radiance bloomed, the chapter of Ragnarok depicted by Shinji was truly complete.

The ultimate magic that Scathach realized in the ruins belonged to Scathach, but this chapter personally chanted by Shinji, this epic personally painted, was truly Shinji's realization.

Hence, he added the suffix "Saga" to the original magic name "Ragnarok," and the final form of the magic with nine water dragons and the twilight light differed greatly from Scathach's conception.

Twilight bloomed, and the last ashes were completely dissipated.

In the twilight light that filled the field of vision, Shirou, hovering in midair, and Shinji, standing firmly on the ground, exchanged glances and simultaneously charged at each other.

Since the long-range magical duel using all their powers could not determine the victor, they returned to the most primitive close combat.

The black-clad priest whose red glow had completely dissipated gripped his katana with both hands and slashed down.

Shinji, who had poured out all his thoughts and magical power, swung his greatsword heavily.

There were no deceptive moves, no various techniques, only the purest contest of strength.

In terms of physical fitness, Shinji had the advantage, but Shirou had the advantage of height and position, and his mastery of his weapon was far superior to Shinji's. Thus, the greatsword and katana were locked in midair, neither able to overpower the other.

"Ooohhhhhh—!!!"

"Ahhhhhhh—!!!"

The two roared at each other, using this most primal method to boost their momentum, intending to overwhelm the opponent.

However, both had such a strong desire to win that they fell back into the sea, their bodies submerged by the returning water, and even their roars were muffled, yet the final victor was still undecided.

Even with difficult breathing and increasing pressure on their bodies, neither showed any sign of giving up.

The grinding sound at the point where the katana and greatsword locked continued, only muffled by the seawater, making it hard to hear clearly.

Ten seconds!

Twenty Seconds!

Thirty Seconds!

One Minute!

One Hundred Seconds!

Their eyes were bloodshot, and their faces were ashen.

In such an extreme state, whoever could hold on for even one second longer would be the final victor.

Suddenly, a faint light began to dissipate from the surface of the Fantasy Greatsword.

Seeing this, Shinji's pupils contracted, while Shirou revealed a cunning grin as if he'd expected this.

It was the light of spiritual particles, indicating that the Fantasy Greatsword was about to lose its physical form and that Shinji's magical power was waning.

The current Shinji was no longer in an Incarnation state and could not generate magical power by himself. The power converted from his thoughts had been exhausted in the previous strike. His only source of magical power was still far away in Millennia Castle, and distant water couldn't quench the nearby fire.

On the other hand, Shirou's magical power was supplied by the Greater Grail. Although it couldn't significantly enhance his strength like a Command Spell, it was virtually endless on a regular level. Barring the cumulative damage to his body, Shirou could fight indefinitely.

"Am I going to lose? Can't I even win like this?"

A trace of frustration arose in Shinji's heart, and his high spirits began to wane, allowing Shirou to gain the upper hand instantly.

At this critical moment, another voice echoed in Shinji's mind, warm and profound, like the vast plains of the Aegean region.

"It's not time to give up yet."

"Chiron-sensei?"

"Queen Scathach taught you magic, so as your teacher, I can't lose either. Watch this—Antares Snipe!!!!"

As soon as the words fell, a faint light appeared on the distant horizon, a sign of the night's end and the dawn's arrival.

In the distant Age of Gods, it heralded the start of a new day and signified the release of Chiron's Noble Phantasm's restrictions.

A meteor descended from the sky with zero delay, carrying the power of Sagittarius, and hit Shinji's back precisely.

Surprisingly, Chiron's strongest arrow did not harm Shinji, nor did it affect the stalemate between the two. It turned out that the force of the arrow had long been worn down by the seawater, leaving only the purest essence of the Noble Phantasm to outline the constellation of Sagittarius behind Shinji.

"I understand now. This is the power of the constellations, the secret of Antares Snipe. But the constellation closely connected to me isn't Sagittarius, it's this one!"

A dazzling brilliance erupted in Shinji's eyes, and the star behind him changed to depict a warrior holding a sword in one hand and a woman's head in the other.

This was the symbol of the first power Shinji obtained upon arriving in this world, the legend of the great hero Perseus who ascended to the heavens after his death. Its name was Perseus!

Realizing the danger, Shirou's veins bulged in his hands, and he unleashed his maximum power.

Shinji reacted even faster, immediately dispelling the physical form of the Fantasy Greatsword, allowing the katana to slash into his chest. At the same time, he swung his fist, landing a heavy blow on Shirou's cheek.