Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Clatter~

The ceramic spoon in Souma's hand suddenly fell to the floor, shattering with a crisp sound.

His face maintained the same elegant smile as the Tohsaka family motto.

Feigning composure, he looked down at the little loli. "Uh, I think I misheard just now. Could you… translate that 'huge news' again?"

There's no way I heard that right!

An ordinary guy like him—how could he possibly be chosen as the student representative to welcome Heroic Spirits?

"The news is—in three days, you will be the ordinary student representative welcoming the Heroic Spirits!"

Illya's smile grew even brighter.

Just as she'd expected.

Even this boy, who always remained unshakably calm in front of her—unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him—couldn't help but lose his composure at such incredible news.

Look, he was so surprised he dropped his spoon!

Illya let out a relieved sigh.

Ever since their first meeting, she'd felt an inexplicable familiarity with him—as if they'd met in a past life, bound by fate.

That was why she'd shamelessly started coming over for meals.

Time and again, he'd fed her until she was full, and she'd always wanted to repay him.

Now, she could finally return the favor.

Taking favors shortens your reach, and eating someone else's food ties your tongue—but once you repay the kindness, you can freeload openly again.

You could even move in together someday!

Just imagining being gently woken up every morning, served delicious breakfast, and walking to school together made Illya green with envy toward her best friend.

Even a little jealous.

Such a wonderful life—she wanted to wedge herself right between them.

Illya excitedly boasted, "Today, I met Dean Tamamo-no-Mae and personally recommended you to her!"

"In three days... student representative... welcoming the Heroic Spirits..."

Souma suddenly felt like he was dreaming.

Looking at the little angel's adorable face before him, he nearly teared up.

What have I done to deserve such a recommendation?!

Is this really an angel?

No—this is clearly a little devil in angel's clothing!

All he wanted was to avoid the Heroic Spirits and enjoy an ordinary high schooler's life.

Having walked through six thousand years of human history, safeguarding countless Heroic Spirits, his duty as a savior was already complete.

Why did they have to shatter his peaceful daily life?

Is this part of your plan too, Alaya?

Souma sensed undisguised malice—it was as if...

The whole world was out to get him!

At that moment, Roya ran over barefoot from inside the house, eyeing the broken spoon in confusion. "What happened?"

"Big Brother Souma is just too excited because he got chosen as the student representative to welcome King Arthur, Mordred, and the King of Heroes!"

Illya repeated cheerfully.

Such incredible news was worth repeating over and over.

"Aaaah, why wasn't it me?!"

Roya instantly let out a groundhog-like scream, clinging to Souma's arm. "You have to take me with you! This is my lifelong dream!"

King Arthur and the King of Heroes were her favorite Heroic Spirits.

Her room was plastered with posters of them both.

Every time she bought lottery tickets, she'd pray to the King of Heroes first, begging for financial blessings.

"Want me to give you the spot?"

Souma forced a smile, barely holding back tears.

He truly couldn't care less about this "opportunity."

Welcoming Heroic Spirits? He'd teased them countless times before.

Nothing amused him more than seeing them seething with frustration, wanting to punch him but utterly incapable.

But now was different.

Those guys could actually beat him up!

What if King Arthur and Mordred started another round of "loving father and filial child"?

If he jumped in to mediate, it'd be a straight-up suicide mission!

Because this time, he had no resurrection armor.

If he died here, it'd be permanent.

"Aaaah, but I wasn't chosen!" Roya was so jealous she wanted to bite him.

She'd trade places in a heartbeat—this envy was killing her!

Souma casually grabbed her by the scruff and set her aside, turning to Illya. "Thanks a lot!"

"You're welcome! I'm glad you're happy!" Illya beamed sweetly.

With this grand surprise, she could freeload meals guilt-free from now on.

Pure bliss!

As she headed to the living room to wait for dinner on the sofa,

Souma swept up the broken pieces and dumped them in the trash, pondering how to handle this mess.

In his current state, he stood no chance against three Heroic Spirits at once.

Time for some strategic alliances.

After the "Oldest King" video went viral, Gilgamesh should have regained his memories—undoubtedly considering Souma his most cherished friend now.

Next, he just needed to contact Gilgamesh in advance and cling to this pleasure-seeking monster's coattails.

With Gilgamesh's power, he could temporarily weather this crisis.

Perfect!

Just then, his phone rang.

He answered it and asked in confusion, "Miss Rin, what do you need from me?"

"To fulfill the promised surprise."

Rin paused, then replied with deliberate coolness, "I recommended you as the student representative to receive the Heroic Spirits, and it's been approved."

"...Thanks a lot!"

Souma felt his temple twitch.

Damn, were all three of those earlier "surprises" from them actually this?

He had genuinely tried to help them—why did they have to repay kindness with enmity?

"Hmph, you're welcome. We're even now!"

Rin snorted lightly.

Lately, he had been appearing in her dreams more and more often, making her unable to resist secretly observing him.

She had to use this recommendation to settle everything and fully restore her original aloof noble lady demeanor!

"..."

Souma stared at the hung-up phone, utterly speechless.

Miss Rin, this was clearly repaying kindness with enmity—how could it possibly count as "even"?

No sooner had the call ended than another one came in.

The other party demanded bluntly, "Souma, call me Daddy!"

"Piss off! What do you want?"

Souma replied with clear irritation.

The person who had just arrived was his good friend Julian, the magical genius of the Ainsworth family.

"Heh, such mortal intellect—can't even figure this out?"

Julian adjusted his glasses with his middle finger, replying with amusement. "Didn't I say I'd give you a surprise earlier? Well, here it is!"

"Uh… don't tell me you also nominated me as the student representative to host the Heroic Spirits?"

Souma rubbed his temples lightly.

His head was starting to ache.

"Oh? You actually guessed it? Aren't you going to thank me?"

Julian crossed his legs, eagerly anticipating the look of utter shock and delight on the other's face.

This was the grand surprise he had painstakingly prepared for him.

Surely, Souma would be so moved he'd cry, swear undying loyalty, and even kneel to call him "Daddy"!

"Oh, I so thank you for that!"

Click.

Souma hung up the phone with a sharp snap.

Damn it all!

Looks like he'd have to go all out and cling to Gilgamesh's thick golden thigh now.

Without Gilgamesh's help, he'd really be done in by these people ganging up on him!

As expected, only a "best friend" could be relied upon!

Once he got through this mess, he'd make sure to properly thank Gilgamesh.

Ding-dong~

A notification suddenly popped up on his phone—

[The UP you follow has just updated! Come check it out!]

Alaya updated again?!

What was it this time?

Souma immediately opened the video, only for his face to instantly pale upon seeing the title—

[Unlimited Blade Works]

***

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