Fate/Gamer Alternative

Chapter 18

Rin returned to her mansion that night tired and depressed. Her first battle with Lancer's Master is a testament to how combat inept she is. Her failure- A stark reminder of the fact that Shinji was right about not being prepared for this war

As the door creaked open, she looked at the state of the house.

Its clean and spotless floor, its decorated ceiling, its lavish furniture once a part of her father's collection, all displayed in a luxurious setting that showed off the Tohsaka's past glories

The moonlight's shadow seem to overwhelm even that. Standing in this large room gave her an odd feeling of loneliness

'How funny' After turning on the lights, Rin plop down carelessly on the sofa 'It used to be more fun with them here, and I never realized that'

The thought of her sister and whatever Shinji is to the young heiress sent a burst of alienation to her mind. Shaking her head, she tried to abandon those sentimental thoughts

Instead, she focused back on the recent battle

"Archer, how are you doing after that blue spandex guy?"

"Mildly injured. Not much else" A voice came from the darkness. Unseen, but not unnoticed "He pinned me down and repeatedly thrusts at me until my defenses are broken, but I'm fine"

Rin sighed after checking his condition through their shared Mana link

"If it wasn't for Shinij we both would have been toasts" She grumbled "As much as I dislike the guy, we're now in his debt"

"Was he always that powerful?"

"What do you mean "always"? This is the first time you've seen him fight"

"I've scouted out potential Masters from your school days before. He just didn't stand out that much" Archer turned his gaze away in contemplation  "Apparently I was wrong"

Well, it wasn't an incorrect statement. After analyzing the fight, Rin came to notice how easy Bazett has been riled up by that Matou.

What the hell. The same woman who calmly pressured her with such tenacity had almost given in to impulse with only a singular exchange from the other Master

The way he had appeared at the timing that would make Lancer's Master lose her momentum, then proceed to insult and debase her human value with unrelenting swiftness...

It was too smooth to be considered a coincidence. Was it all a part of his plan? He didn't just stumble upon them fighting and wing it like a dumbass right?

"There's a chance we'll encounter him next as an enemy. What are our odds of winning against Shinji?" She muttered while looking at the ceiling "He's smart, resourceful, and we know nothing about his Servant. Victory will be difficult"

"Then why not kill him?"

"Absolutely impossible" Her reply came flatly "Not to mention the fact that I'm in his debt, Shinji isn't someone you want on his bad side"

"But assume the probability that you end up as the last two participants in the war, you'd want ot take care of things first, no?"

"You speak as if you already know me" Rin asked, puzzled

"Apologies, Master. I merely made an observation" Archer bowed. His words hit that subconscious part in her brain that registers lies - an instinct honed through having a childhood with Shinji Matou's notorious bullshitting

"Ha, you know what? Under normal circumstances I'd believe you" She leaned back "And if I'm incredibly dumb and naive and inexperienced. But the fact is that I've ben tricked before, and have since then find a mild intolerence to it"