Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 919 - : First, a Score of Ninety

The golden arrow.

Its arrowhead is not the traditional flat shape, but a peculiar cone. The tail is not balanced by feathers but by three evenly spaced loops. At the intersection of these loops is a black pearl, which occasionally releases lightning that spirals around the golden shaft.

Does it look familiar?

It should! Compress this golden arrow from both sides, melt down the shaft, and reforge it into a short, thick cylinder, and it will become even more familiar.

Yes, this is none other than the modified version of the Noble Phantasm Indra's Thunder" that Shinji frequently uses.

Five years ago, during his final battle with Shirou, he conceived the idea of modifying his Noble Phantasm. At that time, due to inexperience, he could only restore the Undying Blade to its original form as a bow. After five years of research, he had discovered a way to change the form of Noble Phantasms.

Though it's not perfect—he can't manipulate it freely like a certain red-clad Archer—he can still extend the golden Vajra to become a golden arrow. Unlike concept extraction, which weakens the power, this transformation does not diminish the strength of the Noble Phantasm. On the contrary, the arrow shapes better suit the bow, even receiving its enhancement.

With these effects combined, the power of Indra's Thunder is elevated further. Although combining Karna's bow with the divine artifact of the thunder god who killed him might seem odd, Karna's nature suggests he wouldn't mind—this is the same Hero of Charity who willingly removed his golden armor, knowing full well that Indra was deceiving him.

The flames of the sun rise from the bow, twisting, and entwining.

Lightning from the thunder god emanates from the magical jewel, wrapping around the arrow.

Both are recognized as the most destructive forces of nature, and the sun god and thunder god are the most revered among natural deities. The combination of their powers produces a 1+1>2 effect, so intense that even Scáthach feels immense pressure.

As the arrow shoots into the sky, the solar flames rage, and lightning surges!

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The golden brilliance finally overshadows that persistent red, swallowing her entirely.

"Did we win?"

The same question is asked simultaneously at the Matou household and on the field.

Reactions differ depending on the location.

At the Matou house, both Kirie, who couldn't help but speak up, and the mystic Medea, as well as the calm Fujino, all wear strange expressions.

That's your Servant—if she's killed, it's like losing your arm.

On the field, Bazett doesn't think that far. She's simply captivated by the fierce battle before her. Her Servant, Cú Chulainn, who knows Scáthach extremely well, is twitching at the corners of his mouth.

"This is bad... She's going to get serious."

Serious?

Before Bazett can ask further, a wave of ominous magic power suddenly erupts from the air.

Like brambles of chilling dread, it ravages the campus.

The air freezes.

Not metaphorically—it's frozen, as the magic filling the atmosphere solidifies.

That sensation is no less intense than the forest of stakes below or the previous arrow of Indra.

It's... a Noble Phantasm!

At that moment, a crimson, burning missile-like light rushes toward Shinji, who is surrounded by layers of stakes.

Accompanying it is Scáthach's iconic low voice, though not loud, it drowns out the thunder in the sky.

"Gáe Bolg! (The Spear of Piercing Death)"

Without a doubt, this missile-like attack is the Noble Phantasm's true name release.

The famed cursed spear from Celtic mythology, a Noble Phantasm that ensures death with a single blow—being targeted by it is akin to receiving an invitation to the gates of the underworld!

Though this Noble Phantasm belongs to Lancer, Cú Chulainn, and requires special skill to use, it shouldn't be usable by other Servants. However, Scáthach is an exception, as she is the one who gave this spear to Cú Chulainn and taught him how to throw it. This feat has been exalted along with the spear and Cú Chulainn's legend, allowing Scáthach to use the spear freely, even unleashing its true name.

At the moment of the true name release, the red light multiplies at an astonishing speed. Though its quantity can't compare to the forest of stakes below, its power and density surpass them.

If Shinji's stakes were like a rain of arrows, then Scáthach's spear throws are a storm of bullets—the former leaves a corpse, while the latter shreds the body to pieces.

"Not only is she returning my move against me, but she's doubling it. My Shishou's fiery temper hasn't changed one bit—fine, let's see whose spear is sharper."

As the cursed spear nears, Shinji surges with magic, raising his right hand high. The ground around him surges with an even stronger killing intent, brought forth by the stakes that could induce trypophobia.

Since he can't compete in quality, he'll be overwhelmed with quantity, which is the greatest advantage of the Kazikli Bey.

The deadly spear descends from the sky, while the terrifying forest rises from the ground.

The clash between the spears and stakes, the collision of magic, and the contest of myth and legend make the frozen air swirl a hundred times faster, shaking the earth in an instant.

The stakes fall like wheat, some accompanied by the bending of the cursed spear's deadly fangs. The gap between the spear and Shinji shrinks bit by bit.

Finally, the spear and the stakes decide the outcome.

The spear, with its first strike advantage and height, pierces through the mountain-like layers of stakes. However, by the time it reaches Shinji, only the spear's body remains, with very little magic left. It fails to penetrate the shield in Shinji's hand.

At the final moment before the outcome was decided, Shinji added another layer of defense—Athena's Shield, a Noble Phantasm of a higher rank than the spear.

As the force from the shield dissipates, Shinji reaches out with his other hand, grabs the spear, and in the next second, throws it.

But the target is not Scáthach, who has already broken through the thunder and flames, but Cú Chulainn, forced to the edge of the field, the true owner of the cursed spear.

At this point in the battle, Shinji no longer needs this awkward spear. Nor does Scáthach—after throwing the spear, two more nearly identical cursed spears appear in her hands. These are her true Noble Phantasms, the ones she used to break Shinji's Indra's Arrow. Seeing these two spears that made Cú Chulainn say Scáthach was getting serious.

"Forcing me to use both spears proves that your ten years of effort have paid off. I'll give you a score of ninety. But to defeat me and get full marks, you'll need more than this."

As Scáthach says this, she is filled with joy—joy for her disciple's growth and joy for the chance to fight without restraint.

That passion overflows from her crimson eyes, pouring into her fighting spirit, making it soar even higher, and causing Scáthach's presence to become even more terrifying, almost overwhelming the heavens and the earth.