Ariel, the student council president of the Magic University. Shirou had heard her name many times since entering the school, but had never actually met her.
One reason was that he was too busy and didn't have time for other things. The second reason was that he didn't think this Ariel was the Ariel he knew.
According to news from the Asura Kingdom, the Princess Ariel he knew had died in a political struggle.
If this was true, the Ariel at the Magic University was just another person with the same name.
What made him so sure was Fitz's existence.
Because he heard that Fitz was the guardian mage of that student council president, Ariel.
But he remembered that Princess Ariel's guardian mage was Derrick, a crazy fan of Muramasa, who left a deep impression on Shirou.
So, based on all of the above, Shirou didn't think that the student council president Ariel and the second princess Ariel of the Asura Kingdom were the same person.
They should have nothing to do with each other.
Therefore, Shirou never planned to meet the student council president Ariel, but he didn't expect her to ask Fitz to contact him.
"Is there something you need?"
Shirou asked instinctively, thinking that he had broken some rule of the Magic University again and was going to be criticized by the student council.
Fitz shook his head silently and said, "I don't know. Ariel Sama suddenly asked me to find you this morning and said she wanted to meet you."
"This…"
Shirou hesitated for a few seconds about this mysterious thing, and finally nodded in agreement.
Since she invited him, she might have something important to say. Shirou was busy, but he could spare some time, so he accepted.
Shirou followed Fitz to the student council office in the Magic University.
The student council office was on the top floor of the teaching building, at the very end. It was more luxurious than a normal classroom, giving a sense of immersion.
Fitz knocked on the door, and a male voice sounded from inside.
"Who is it!"
"I'm back."
Fitz replied, and the door opened from the inside.
Shirou felt familiar with the voice just now. When the door opened, a familiar face suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Luke?"
Although it had been several years, the man's appearance hadn't changed much, except that he was a little taller.
Shirou recognized him quickly. He was Luke Notos Greyrat, Princess Ariel's guardian knight.
"Yes."
Compared to Shirou's surprise, Luke seemed to have expected his arrival. He nodded calmly and stepped aside.
Since Luke was here, that means...
Shirou guessed in his heart and walked into the student council office silently.
The next second, he saw the familiar figure as expected. Sitting on a seemingly expensive chair, with beautiful blonde hair, despite her clear beauty, her body was in line with her age. Her muscle mass was the same as that of a normal girl, her chest was neither big nor small. She was Ariel Anemoi Asura, the second princess of the Asura Kingdom.
Ariel was sitting upright at the desk in the student council office. Fitz and Luke stood beside her in a straight posture, giving a serious impression.
But this serious atmosphere quickly dissipated with the smile on Ariel's face.
"Long time no see, Shirou-dono."
Ariel's voice was as before. Although she had experienced a lot of hardship and had more experience than before, her temperament was still amazing.
"Princess Ariel, long time no see."
After realizing it, Shirou bowed immediately.
Facing a princess, he wouldn't forget to bow.
But his behavior seemed to displease Ariel.
The second princess pouted unhappily and said with a complex expression, "It seems that we are not friends after all. So much happened between us..."
"So much? Eh? Eh?!"
Fitz looked surprised.
Shirou said helplessly, "Nothing happened, okay? You are a princess, how could anything happen between you and someone like me?"
"Is that so? But didn't you save me from the kidnappers?"
"You're talking about that..."
Shirou sighed, realizing that Ariel still liked to joke as before. He could only look troubled and found that the originally stiff atmosphere had become harmonious without him realizing it.
Shirou realized that Ariel's social skills had improved dramatically compared to the past. Now, even if she wasn't a qualified politician, she was definitely a skilled stateswoman.
It was clear what she had experienced in the royal capital over the years.
As Shirou was feeling emotional, Ariel suddenly said gently, "So, Shirou-dono, who is famous in this school and even in the northern continent, may I ask why you are here today?"
"?? Didn't you ask me to come?"
Shirou asked in confusion, but he found that Ariel was smiling faintly.
The smile seemed to say, "Yes, why do you only come when I ask you to come?"
Shirou realized that Ariel might be angry.
This was normal. As the student council president, her reputation in the Magic University was known to everyone. Shirou had heard about her many times.
But because of his inner doubts, Shirou never thought that she was the Ariel he knew. He didn't even investigate at all, until today when Ariel took the initiative to ask someone to find him, and he finally realized her identity.
It was clear how annoyed Ariel had been during this time.
Thinking of this, Shirou didn't hesitate and said immediately, "I'm sorry, it's my fault, I misunderstood your identity..."
Shirou didn't want to make any excuses. He admitted his mistake directly.
This eased Ariel's expression a little.
She said silently, "No, it's partly my problem too. After all, in order to prevent my political enemies in the country from finding out that I'm still alive, I've been deliberately hiding my identity as the second princess."
"So the news I heard in the Asura Kingdom was fake news that Princess Ariel deliberately released?"
"It's not fake news, because I was indeed assassinated. Without the help of Shi... without Fitz's help, I probably wouldn't have been able to survive the assassination."
"I see."
Shirou finally knew everything that Ariel had experienced inside the Asura Kingdom, and many complex thoughts flashed through his mind.
On the other side, Ariel's expression became serious.
She stared at Shirou's face and said slowly, "Compared to me, Shirou, your reputation has been very great recently. Not only did you solve the two most troublesome troublemakers, Linia and Pursena, after coming to the Magic University, but according to rumors, you were already a famous S-rank adventurer before coming to the Magic University."
"This…"
Shirou wasn't surprised that Ariel knew about his news, because he hadn't deliberately hidden his identity since finding Rudeus, so many people at the Magic University knew that he was the S-rank adventurer Shirou.
But perhaps because of the deterrence of the Magic University itself, no adventurers came to cause trouble for him, so he was living a comfortable life.
It was clear that Ariel didn't bring this up just to praise him.
Considering her purpose, Shirou thought for a moment and said silently, "I'm sorry, but if Princess Ariel wants to get my help, you may be disappointed."
Shirou guessed that Ariel might want to use his strength to participate in the political struggle inside the Asura Kingdom.
Although Shirou wasn't without this idea, his focus now was on finding Zenith, the last member of his family who was still missing.
Before solving this matter, he didn't plan to deal with other matters.
Ariel seemed to have expected his words. She said helplessly, "I've heard about the Greyrat family. I even helped Paul form an investigation team in the country, but my power was limited and I couldn't find your family's whereabouts."
"No, it's very good of you to have this intention, Princess Ariel."
Shirou didn't expect Ariel to have done so much. He felt more grateful to her.
But the problem now was still that he had to find his family first, so he couldn't give Ariel too much help.
Ariel didn't force anything. She said silently, "Yes, I can't provide you with much help now, but if I can ascend the throne and become the queen of the Asura Kingdom, I might be able to mobilize more power to find your family's whereabouts."
"…"
Shirou once again experienced Ariel's superb skills.
He didn't expect her to have such an operation. Shirou didn't even know how to react.
As he hesitated, Ariel suddenly burst out laughing. She shook her head silently and said, "Don't make that expression, Shirou. I know your personality. I won't force you to participate in the political struggle of the Asura Kingdom. But if you are willing to lend me a hand after you find your family, I would be very grateful."
"Yes, if I can find them, I am indeed willing to help you, Princess Ariel."
Shirou agreed not only because of his friendship with Ariel, who was a good friend, but also because of Ariel's personal charm as a qualified leader.
If she could become the king of the Asura Kingdom, she might be able to make that country a more fair and harmonious place.
This also fits Servant Emiya's pursuit of justice...
After the slave market incident, Shirou realized deeply that his heart had never been freed from the pursuit of justice.
After both sides made an agreement with each other, the atmosphere on the scene suddenly became relaxed.
Ariel was no longer as serious as she was just now, but instead became lazy and gentle.
This was undoubtedly Ariel's usual appearance, a posture that she wouldn't show to outsiders, only to those close to her.
"I never thought I would meet you, Shirou, at this Magic University. After hearing about the tragedy in the Fitz Territory, I thought I would never be able to see you again in my life."
"It was indeed a difficult journey."
Shirou recalled everything that happened during the Great Transfer, and showed a sad expression.
Ariel was very curious about what Shirou had experienced and kept asking him about it.
Shirou described the relatively easy parts of the Great Transfer.
But even the relatively easy parts sounded dangerous and crazy to Ariel and the others, giving an unspeakable sense of danger.
"It's hard to imagine that you could survive in that environment."
Luke said admiringly, "If it were me, I'm afraid I wouldn't have survived a day."
Fitz also nodded vigorously, feeling deeply admired that Shirou could survive such an event.
Ariel was also very surprised by Shirou's experience. She said silently, "After experiencing the Great Transfer, you went all the way from the Demon Continent back to the Central Continent, and then rushed to the Magic University to find your family. Shirou, you are really an incredible man."
"No, this shouldn't be anything."
Shirou wasn't being humble, he just didn't think he had done anything amazing.
Especially when he recalled the battle with the Dragon God Orsted, he would feel his own weakness and incompetence more clearly.
"Speaking of which, what is your purpose for coming to the Magic University, Shirou?"
Ariel asked curiously, "If it's to find your brother Rudeus, that should have been done, right?"
"Yes."
"But you don't seem to be planning to leave..."
"There are still some things to do."
Shirou said silently, not knowing how to respond, because the sword magic was related to his own secrets and it was difficult to tell others about it.
Seeing him like this, Ariel seemed to sense something. She said thoughtfully, "Could it be that Shirou, the reason you stayed at the Magic University is not only because of Rudeus, but also for another purpose... For example, Muramasa?"
"Eh??"
Shirou was startled that Princess Ariel would say this name, thinking that his identity had been exposed.
But Ariel said quickly, "Shirou, do you know that Muramasa has appeared at this Magic University?"
"Princess Ariel, do you know?"
"Well, I have my sources of information after all. The sudden appearance of a forging workshop in the Magic University can't be hidden from everyone."
"..."
Hearing Ariel's words, Shirou realized that she had misunderstood.
But this misunderstanding was quite good, so he didn't have to expose his identity.
"Master Muramasa was in the Boreas family back then. Now that you've come here, Shirou, it means that you really know Master Muramasa, right?"
"I guess."
Shirou didn't want to be exposed, so he followed Ariel's words.
Just as Ariel's eyes flashed with light, extremely concerned about Muramasa's affairs, the entire Magic University suddenly made a sound almost like an earthquake.
Then a rough male voice suddenly sounded:
"I am the Demon Lord Badigadi! Where is the human named Shirou Greyrat! I want to challenge him!"
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