Artoria's feelings were extremely complicated at the moment.
However, she was someone who could take things up and put them down. She never thought of herself as an invincible figure, so she quickly adjusted her mindset.
Still, she was quite unwilling to accept it.
"With this, I suppose I've passed the test?"
Eiji removed his mask, restoring silence inside and outside the kendo club.
He turned to Scáthach, who stood nearby with her arms crossed, accentuating her impressive bust, and asked her.
"Yeah, no problem."
For some reason, Scáthach's attitude had become quite casual, as if she no longer cared, looser than it was yesterday.
"Do as you please, but remember to maintain at least a two-thirds attendance rate. If you fail a grade, I won't help you."
Nice.
Ah, Achilles, you keep suffering in the classroom—your bro is out of here!
"Eiji-kun."
Seeing that the conversation between the two had ended, Artoria, who had been standing quietly to the side, finally spoke up, her gaze burning as she looked at Eiji.
"May I invite you to join the Kendo Club?"
"Whoaa—!"
As soon as she said this, an uproar broke out outside.
Most of the boys in the Kendo Club were heartbroken, wailing that even the captain had fallen for the allure of "God," while a select few were overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear.
"Incredible! The flower of the Kendo Club is inviting God to join her club?"
"What? The flower of the Kendo Club is inviting God to fill out a marriage registration form?"
"...No, now that's just ridiculous."
***
Inside the dojo.
"Join the Kendo Club?"
Eiji showed a troubled expression.
"But I've always been part of the Go-Home Club."
In other words, he was trying to refuse.
Type-Moon Academy had a relatively free-spirited atmosphere and didn't enforce mandatory club participation, so Eiji had always gone straight home after school.
"I won't require you to attend any sessions—I can guarantee that!"
Artoria took a step forward, earnestly making her promise.
"Wait, why are you so obsessed with getting me to join?"
"Don't mind it. This is just her old habit acting up."
Scáthach answered Eiji's question.
She gave a faint smile, full of indifference.
"The Kendo Club's captain is famously unwilling to admit defeat. Whenever she loses a match, she'll keep pestering her opponent until she manages to win."
"That… I wouldn't say it's exactly…"
Artoria guiltily averted her gaze.
"B-But joining a club has its perks! For example, you can earn extra academic credits, and you can train here for free. The dojo is always open to club members..."
Not exactly the most compelling benefits.
If it were real Heroic Spirits, it'd be a different story—Eiji would actively seek them out for a match. But he had no interest in practicing alongside ordinary students.
"Hold it! Kendo Club, thou shalt not claim him first!"
Before Eiji could refuse—
A thunderous voice rang out from beyond the dojo.
The crowd outside instinctively parted, creating a path. Amidst the murmuring commotion, a confident young girl appeared, stepping into their view.
She bore a strong resemblance to both Artoria and Okita Souji in appearance, but her figure was noticeably fuller—especially her "fate," which were so well-endowed that her school uniform buttons were on the verge of bursting. Even grown women would struggle to match her.
"Student Council President!?"
"Is this the latest battle for God?"
"Interesting! Glad I stuck around for the show!"
Amidst the chaotic chatter, the girl walked through the crowd with proud, lively strides.
At the entrance of the dojo, she removed her shoes, letting her white-sock-covered feet step onto the wooden floor. She then approached them—unlike Artoria, who wore black stockings, she wore white ones.
Scáthach had already switched into full spectating mode at some point, watching this farce with great amusement.
Student Council President.
Eiji knew her.
She was the daughter of the Roman Financial Group, known throughout the academy as the "Umuu Weirdo," famous for her extravagant ways—a second-year senior, Nero Claudius.
"Eiji, abandon that ridiculous Kendo Club and join My Student Council!"
She strode right up to Eiji, completely ignoring the darkened expression of the Kendo Club's flower beside her. Wearing a bright and cheerful smile, she looked at Eiji with boundless enthusiasm.
Huh?
Why are you here too?
"Hold on a second! Calling the Kendo Club 'ridiculous'—I can't just ignore that!"
Artoria immediately stepped forward, inserting herself between the two, glaring at President Nero with obvious hostility.
"Besides, I invited him first! Even if you're the Student Council President, you should wait in line!"
"Why does this need to follow an order? Obviously, first come, first served!"
Nero scoffed, placing her hands on her hips and throwing Artoria a mocking look.
Artoria's expression tightened, clearly infuriated by that remark.
"Uh… Can I leave now?"
Eiji raised his hand, looking every bit the innocent bystander. "I'm not really interested in the Kendo Club or the Student Council. I just want to join the Go-Home Club!"
"Well, don't be too quick to refuse! I shall offer you an irresistible deal!"
Nero hummed confidently, extending her right arm while placing her other hand on her chest. She maintained her dazzling smile, exuding absolute self-assurance as she spoke.
"That's right—it's Me!"
"???"
"Simply put, I have my eyes on you!"
"Oh, that's pretty normal."
"Beauty is a rare treasure. Ordinary people, when faced with a beauty far beyond their own reach, become too self-conscious and unworthy to even approach. I did my research—over the past three years, the number of people who have confessed to you doesn't exceed one hand."
That was true.
Since growing up in this world, Eiji had barely received any confessions. Most people chose to admire from afar—that alone was enough for them.
Because Eiji's charm far surpassed normal levels, making others incapable of developing romantic feelings toward him. They simply saw him as a being of a higher plane, entirely out of their league.
Only those with naturally sky-high confidence dared to confess to him.
And throughout his life, such people could be counted on one hand—most others were wealthy women trying to approach him with money.
"But I am different! I will prepare myself with all my heart and soul, seize that beauty for myself, and do everything in my power to protect it—as My exclusive possession!"
President Nero boldly declared her possessiveness in front of the entire crowd, without the slightest hesitation.
Clap clap clap!
Eiji couldn't help but applaud, sighing, "As expected of a tyrant."
"Oh?"
Scáthach shot him a meaningful glance.
"My nickname, is it? Hahaha! Don't stop—praise Me even more intensely!"
Nero felt no shame at all. Instead, she proudly lifted her head and puffed out her chest.
That level of overwhelming self-confidence—surely there weren't many people in the world who could match it.
***
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