Chapter 88

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Lefiya returned to her seat near the anvil, observing Shirou as he prepared his materials. With a curious tone, she asked, "So, have you decided what you're going to forge, Shirou?"

Shirou gave a small smile, teasing Lefiya's curiosity. "You'll see soon enough," he replied, his voice calm but full of intrigue.

Lefiya sighed, pouting as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Lately, you've been acting so mysterious. It feels like reading a book that hides its final chapter."

Shirou chuckled softly at her complaint. He said nothing more, merely grinning before focusing on the blueprint in his mind—a simple gray bow. The design was practical and ideal for a beginner in forging.

"Alright, let's start here," Shirou murmured quietly to himself. He closed his eyes, recalling the steps from his tracing magecraft. "Step four: imitating the skill of its making." A memory not his own seemed to flow into him, offering profound understanding of how to forge the bow.

When he opened his eyes, his hands moved with precision. He lifted the hammer and began striking the heated iron rod on the anvil. The clanging sound of metal meeting hammer filled the room, creating a steady rhythm. Each strike seemed deliberate, demonstrating his skill even though this was his first time forging anything.

Meanwhile, Lefiya sat silently, her eyes fixed on Shirou. Her gaze wasn't just on his skilled hands but also on his body, glistening with sweat. His white tank top clung to his skin, revealing the contours of his muscles. Lefiya's cheeks turned red as her thoughts wandered to how attractive Shirou looked in his seriousness.

Without realizing it, she muttered softly, "Why does he have to look like that while working…" Her voice was barely audible, but her bashful smile couldn't be hidden. She quickly turned her gaze away, trying to focus on Shirou's work instead of her racing thoughts.

The repetitive clanging of metal echoed through the room. "Clang, clang, clang," the hammer struck the iron rod with a steady rhythm. Shirou worked with intense concentration, refining the shape of the bow that was gradually taking form. When the top of the bow bent to his liking, he set the hammer down briefly, picked up the glowing rod with tongs, and submerged it in a nearby bucket of water.

A hissing sound filled the room as steam rose from the water. "Ssshhhhh..." Thin wisps of vapor added a dramatic touch to the forge, already glowing with the light of the fire.

While waiting for the metal to cool, Shirou turned to check on Lefiya. What he saw was her awkwardly grabbing a book and pretending to read as if she hadn't been watching him. Shirou blinked in mild confusion but then noticed something else—her shirt was damp, showing that the heat from the forge was making her sweat.

He walked over to her slowly. Lefiya, still feigning interest in her book, was startled when Shirou stood in front of her.

"Are you alright?" Shirou asked as he projected a small magic sword encased in ice. The sword radiated a refreshing chill. He handed it to Lefiya. "Here, use this to cool down."

Lefiya was surprised, her eyes widening as she accepted the magic sword. As soon as her hands touched its hilt, a soothing coolness enveloped her, replacing the heat she had felt. A small smile crept onto her face, her blush deepening—not from the heat, but from Shirou's thoughtful gesture.

"Thank you, Shirou," she said softly.

Shirou simply nodded before returning to the anvil to continue his work. The rhythmic clanging of his hammer resumed, while Lefiya sat quietly in her chair. She held the ice sword tightly, its coolness a relief, but it was the warmth from Shirou's care that made her heart flutter. With a faint smile on her lips, she allowed herself to bask in that feeling, even as she tried to remain composed.

Shirou worked with unwavering focus, hammering the lower part of the bow, which was steadily taking its final shape. Meanwhile, Lefiya watched him intently. Every movement—from the swing of his hammer to his measured breaths—drew her in further.

As the afternoon progressed, Shirou finally paused his work. With steady hands, he brought the nearly finished bow to the water bucket. The hissing of steam filled the room again as the hot metal cooled. Once satisfied, Shirou carefully lifted the bow from the water.

Curious, Lefiya approached him, her eyes shining as she took in the result of his hard work. "Is it finished?" she asked eagerly.

"It still needs a few finishing touches," Shirou replied, inspecting the bow.

Lefiya suddenly remembered something. "Wait a moment!" she exclaimed, rummaging through one of the old boxes in the corner of the room. After some searching, she pulled out a bowstring that was still in good condition. "Here, this might be perfect for your bow," she said, handing it to Shirou.

Shirou accepted the bowstring with a small nod. "Thank you, Lefiya." Carefully, he attached the string to the bow, ensuring everything was perfectly aligned. Once done, he handed the simple gray bow to Lefiya.

"For you," he said with a faint smile.

Lefiya took the bow gently, her fingers tracing the cool metal surface. As she examined it closely, a memory surfaced in her mind. She looked at Shirou with a mix of surprise and emotion. "This bow… it's exactly like the one I bought for you when you first joined Loki Familia!" she exclaimed.

Shirou nodded slightly, a small smile on his face. "I made it intentionally similar. That was my first bow here, and I wanted to honor it by recreating it. Thank you for choosing that bow for me back then."

Hearing that, Lefiya felt a warm sensation in her chest. She smiled meaningfully as she held the bow tightly. "This bow will be a very precious memory for me too."

After finishing the forging session, Shirou and Lefiya began tidying up. Shirou put the tools back in their place, while Lefiya helped by cleaning up the dust and organizing the old boxes they had opened earlier. Despite their fatigue, the atmosphere was light, especially with the new bow now held tightly in Lefiya's arms.

When everything was clean, they walked side by side out of the forge, heading toward Twilight Manor. On the way, Lefiya looked at the bow in her hands with a complicated expression. "Shirou, I have to be honest," she said softly, "I don't know how to use a bow."

Shirou raised an eyebrow. "You don't know how to use a bow? I thought Elves were usually skilled archers. Just look at Riveria, she—"

Lefiya snorted, stopping in her tracks and glaring at Shirou. "Listen, Shirou. Not all Elves are the same! Lady Riveria is an exception. She's naturally talented, whereas I… well, I've never had that kind of talent."

Shirou smiled, hearing the protesting tone in her voice. He thought Lefiya looked adorable when she was upset. "Alright, alright. In that case," he said in a calming tone, "how about I teach you instead? Archery isn't difficult if you practice properly."

Lefiya was momentarily surprised by Shirou's offer, but her expression quickly lit up with excitement. "In that case, why wait? Let's start practicing right now!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, even quickening her pace.

Shirou found Lefiya's sudden burst of enthusiasm amusing. "Hold on, Lefiya. We need to find a suitable place to train. Besides, that bow was just forged—at least give me time to ensure its quality before using it."

But Lefiya was already walking ahead, turning back to call out, "If you're slow, I'll start without you!"

Shirou could only shake his head with a smile. "Alright, alright. But don't blame me if your bow needs repairs later." He quickened his steps to catch up with Lefiya, who seemed increasingly impatient. "Wait for me, Lefiya. Let's do this together."

With a spring in her step, Lefiya led the way to the training hall located at the Manor's edge. Shirou followed behind, observing how Lefiya's bright smile seemed to shine even more under the golden hues of the setting sun. The building, though simple, was bathed in warm light streaming through its large windows.

As they entered, Shirou remarked, "Here we are again. Feels like just this morning I was helping Aiz dodge Tsubame Gaeshi slashes."

Lefiya turned to him with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling. "That's right! And now it's my turn. This morning, you helped Aiz, and now you have to help me!" she declared eagerly.

Shirou nodded, beginning to set up the training space. He carefully placed several archery targets at the far end of the room, ensuring they were stable. Then, he raised his hand and used magecraft to project a quiver full of arrows along with a belt to hold them. With a touch of flair, he handed the quiver to Lefiya. "Here, for you," he said gently.

Lefiya accepted the quiver with a slightly nervous look. She tried to strap it over her shoulder, but the belt slipped awkwardly, making her look a bit clumsy. Shirou found her attempts endearing but chose not to comment.

"Alright, Lefiya," Shirou said, stepping back a few paces to give her space. "Now, try shooting one arrow at that target."

Lefiya frowned, confused by the instruction. "Huh? Didn't you say you were going to teach me?" she asked, her voice tinged with protest.

Shirou smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "I will teach you," he replied casually. "But first, I want to see where your skills are now. Don't worry, I won't laugh."

Lefiya looked at him with a mix of doubt and irritation. "You better not laugh," she warned, though her cheeks reddened slightly from embarrassment.

Shirou nodded calmly, crossing his arms as he watched. Lefiya took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, though her heart raced faster than usual. With a small pout, she prepared to fire her first arrow.

She positioned her feet, carefully nocked the arrow, raised the bow, aimed at the distant target, and released. The arrow missed its mark, landing on a neighboring target—right in the center of the chest of the painted figure on it.

Lefiya's face turned red with embarrassment, but she quickly forced a confident smile. "Eh-heh, I meant to hit that target from the start!" she said, trying to sound convincing.

Shirou, standing nearby, suppressed a grin, his expression remaining calm. He gestured at the target and said lightly, "Alright then, keep going. I want to see more of your amazing skills."

Why did I have to pretend to be good? Now I have to prove something I clearly can't do! Oh no, this is bad! Lefiya thought, biting her lip in frustration. But she didn't want to back down so easily.

She picked up another arrow and tried again. This time, her shot missed the entire target board and hit the floor instead. Yet, Shirou didn't tease her; he simply nodded as if offering silent encouragement. His steady gaze only fueled Lefiya's determination.

"Alright, I'll try again!" Lefiya muttered to herself, half in self-encouragement. She continued to fire arrow after arrow, but none hit the mark. Some landed in the walls, others bounced off harmlessly into corners. After ten failed attempts, Lefiya finally lowered the bow with a sigh of frustration.

"Alright, I give up!" she said, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation and a playful pout. She turned to Shirou, her eyes pleading slightly. "Now, please teach me. You promised you'd help!"

Shirou chuckled at Lefiya's mix of despair and persistence. "Okay, okay. I'll teach you now," he said, stepping closer. "But first, we need to start with the basics. Otherwise, you might damage the bow before you even hit the target."

Shirou approached Lefiya with calm steps. "Hold that position for a moment," he instructed, gently adjusting her posture. He carefully repositioned her shoulders and arms, ensuring the bow was held properly. "Lefiya, if you hold your body like this, your shots will be more stable," he added, guiding her elbow slightly higher.

Lefiya remained silent, her body stiff—not from nervousness about archery, but from something else. Shirou's focused attention on her, his careful movements, and his closeness made her cheeks feel warm. She wanted to say something, but the words seemed stuck in her throat. So this is what it feels like to have Shirou's undivided attention... she thought, trying to savor the moment.

"Alright," Shirou said after a moment, stepping back slightly to assess his adjustments. "Your posture is correct now. Try to relax. Take a deep breath, focus on the target, and release when I give the signal."

Lefiya followed Shirou's instructions. She inhaled slowly, clearing her mind, and aimed the bow at the distant target. "Now... shoot!" Shirou commanded, his tone firm yet gentle.

The arrow flew from the bow with decent speed. Although it didn't hit the bullseye, it at least embedded itself in the target board. Lefiya's eyes widened in disbelief. "I hit the target!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.

Shirou nodded with a smile. "Great job. That's much better than before. You're starting to get the hang of it."

Lefiya's determination ignited further. She nocked another arrow, her confidence growing with each attempt. Shot after shot, her performance steadily improved. Though not all of them hit the mark perfectly, several arrows began to land closer to the center of the target.

"You're improving quickly," Shirou praised her warmly. "With a bit more practice, you'll master it in no time."

Lefiya beamed, not just from Shirou's praise but from the joy of her progress. "Thank you, Shirou. I won't give up!" she said resolutely, her eyes sparkling with determination.

Standing with her bow in hand, Lefiya's gaze fixed on the target ahead, but her thoughts weren't entirely on the board. I want him to focus on me again... she mused, recalling how Shirou had patiently corrected her posture and spoken to her with such gentleness. The memory felt comforting and... special. She shook her head, trying to push the thought aside, but the desire lingered.

She loosed another arrow, deliberately aiming far from the target. The arrow soared past the board and struck the ground. "Ah... I still can't get it!" she said weakly, feigning frustration. She turned to Shirou with a pleading expression. "Shirou, could you teach me one more time? I really don't know what I'm doing wrong."

Unaware of Lefiya's mischievous intent, Shirou smiled patiently. "Of course. Don't worry, we'll figure it out." He stepped closer, standing beside her, and gently touched her arm to adjust her position. "Raise your left elbow a bit higher. Yes, like that. And make sure not to tense up too much when pulling the bowstring."

Lefiya could barely hide her smile. She relished the attention Shirou was giving her. Still, she tried to maintain a serious expression. "But Shirou... am I holding the bow correctly? Maybe my grip is still wrong?" she asked in a slightly playful tone.

Shirou tilted his head, scrutinizing her grip carefully. "Alright, let me fix it again," he said, taking Lefiya's hand gently and repositioning her fingers on the bowstring. "Like this. You'll feel more stable now."

A warm sensation spread through Lefiya. She knew Shirou was simply helping, but every touch felt so sincere and full of care. "Thank you, Shirou," she murmured softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Under Shirou's guidance, Lefiya prepared for another shot. This time, she focused entirely—both on her technique and on her desire to make Shirou proud. She took a deep breath, drew the bowstring back slowly, and released the arrow.

The arrow flew straight, hitting dead center of the target. "I did it!" she cried, her eyes shining with happiness.

Shirou smiled broadly. "Great work, Lefiya. You've improved so much. I knew you could do it."

Lefiya looked at Shirou, her heart brimming with joy. At this rate, I wouldn't even mind missing again... she thought, though this time, she kept the thought to herself.

After Lefiya's archery practice concluded, Shirou approached her with a light step. "Lefiya, may I borrow the bow for a moment?" he asked, holding out his hand.

Without hesitation, Lefiya nodded and handed over the gray bow they had been using. Shirou accepted it carefully, holding it as if it were something precious. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing his energy to perform Structural Analysis. When his eyes opened, he wordlessly projected a series of arrows. One by one, they flew from the bow, each striking the bullseye with perfect precision.

Lefiya stood with her hands on her hips, her brows slightly furrowed. "Is Shirou showing off? I just started learning, and now he's flaunting his skills," she muttered in a sulky tone, though a small part of her was also impressed.

Before she could say more, Shirou slung the bow over his back and projected an identical bow into his hands. Calmly, he resumed shooting. The result was the same—each arrow struck perfectly in the center of the target, without a single miss.

When he finished, Shirou dispelled the projected bow and removed the original bow from his back. Handing it back to Lefiya with a composed demeanor, he said, "Here, your bow."

Lefiya took the bow with a puzzled expression. "Shirou, what exactly were you doing just now? Why did you shoot with two identical bows?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

Shirou gave a faint smile. "I wanted to compare this bow, which I forged, to the one I projected using magecraft. I wanted to see how well I did."

Lefiya tilted her head. "And the result?"

Shirou sighed softly and shook his head. "The bow I forged is slightly inferior to the one I projected. I still have a lot to learn."

Lefiya paused for a moment, reflecting, then gave a small smile as she reached a conclusion. "So, if I were to rank them," she murmured, "the bow made by a master blacksmith comes first, then the bow you projected, and lastly, the bow you forged?"

Shirou nodded slowly, looking somewhat disappointed. "It seems so."

Before Shirou could say anything further, Lefiya suddenly hugged the gray bow tightly to her chest. She looked up at Shirou with bright, determined eyes and declared, "I don't care if this bow is the worst. To me, the bow you forged is the best!"

Shirou was stunned by her words. His smile slowly returned, and he nodded gently. "Thank you, Lefiya. That means a lot to me."

Lefiya nodded, her warm smile unwavering, as she hugged the bow as though it were the most precious treasure she had ever owned.

They stepped out of the training hall with unhurried steps, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly in the corridor. Outside, the sky had transformed into a canvas of twilight, painted with hues of orange and deep purple, while stars began to emerge one by one. The cool evening air settled around them, but the silence between them captivated Lefiya more than the chill.

Shirou walked beside Lefiya, but his expression appeared troubled. His mind was clouded with doubt. Should I continue forging? he questioned himself. Even though he had the ability to replicate the techniques of master blacksmiths through Tracing, his hard work today couldn't even match the bow he had projected. If that's the case, what's the point of learning to forge? he thought with a heavy heart.

Lefiya glanced at Shirou, concerned. She recognized that look—the look of someone losing confidence in themselves. How many times had Shirou been there to encourage her, giving her strength when she felt weak? Now, it was her turn to do the same. Taking a deep breath, she decided to speak.

"Shirou," she called softly yet firmly, drawing his questioning gaze. "You know, this is your first time forging. Nobody gets it perfect on their first try, but I believe that one day, you'll become an incredible blacksmith."

Shirou gave her a weak smile, still skeptical. "Lefiya, even if I keep learning, wouldn't it be faster for me to simply project weapons? I can create exact replicas of others' weapons without going through all this effort."

Lefiya stopped in her tracks, standing in front of him with unwavering eyes full of conviction. "That's not the point, Shirou. You're not just copying—you have the potential to create something unique, something that's entirely your own. I can picture you forging a new sword for Aiz, a massive axe for Gareth, or a perfect spear for Finn. And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll create a weapon even greater than anything in Orario."

Shirou stood still, absorbing her words and the confidence shining in her eyes. He exhaled deeply, but this time a small smile tugged at his lips. "Alright, if you believe in me, I'll keep going. Tomorrow, I'll try again. I don't want to let your trust down."

Lefiya grinned widely, holding back the surge of joy bubbling within her. "That's the Shirou I know!" she said, her steps light as they continued walking.

Deep inside, Lefiya cherished her small, personal happiness. Tomorrow, I'll get to spend more time with him again. Maybe I can't help him forge, but at least I can be there to support him, she thought, clutching the gray bow close as if it made the night feel warmer than usual.