Void/Fate

Singularity F: 4

The cross-shaped shield deftly absorbed the fireball onslaught.

"I did it-!" Mash's triumph was short-lived as another fireball aimed for her; she skillfully parried the incoming projectile.

"In battle, staying focused is crucial. Your opponent might exploit any distraction for a surprise victory," Cu advised.

"I'm sorry..."

"No need to apologize, lass. You're learning, and I'm here to enhance your skills. You're doing well," Cu reassured her with a thumbs up.

Resuming their positions, they continued sparring. Mash, initially focused on tanking, received guidance from Caster to incorporate dodging into her defensive repertoire.

From the sidelines of the ruined gym, three figures watched the spar.

Director Olga tapped her foot impatiently, biting her thumb in frustration.

"Is there an issue, Director?" Ritsuka inquired.

"This is dragging on, and we're uncertain if Berserker will show up or not," she voiced her concern.

"We have three servants with us; I believe we'll manage," Ritsuka reassured.

"Remember, in a fight, anything can happen," Olga warned sternly.

"Yes, ma'am!" Fujimaru saluted. Saber remained still, eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

Silence enveloped them, the only disruption being the echoes of impacts against Mash's shield. Her agility improved steadily, predicting and dodging lightning runes with increasing precision. Mastering this skill required persistence, with Mash falling and rising repeatedly. Cu's guidance, however, propelled her toward mastery.

"Quite the quick learner," remarked Dr. Romani through the hologram.

Saber observed the training with keen interest, reminiscent of his own past. Memories surfaced of being trained by the five strongest warriors of his era—relentless yet graceful, strong yet fair, fast yet patient. A pang of longing for the camaraderie and familial bond with his former mentors swept over him.

"Are you okay, Saber?" Ritsuka asked with concern, noticing a momentary flicker in Saber's gaze. The void within their mask remained unfathomable. Saber, comprehending the inquiry, nodded.

"I just want to be sure... You seemed sad for a moment."

Saber briskly turned away, internally reinforcing the notion that he felt nothing. He convinced himself of his emotional hollowness.

"..." Ritsuka cast a worried glance at Saber but shifted their attention back to the ongoing spar.

"We're done here!" exclaimed Caster.

"Finally, we can go," commented Olga.

"Only the spar, not the training," he added.

"Damn it," sighed Olga in response.

"Now, she can dodge fast hits and tank substantial attacks, but I'm not at full power here, being from the Caster class; I just explained some basics. That's why I need Saber to assist our lass here," Cu explained, pointing at Mash. Saber looked at Cu, then at Mash, contemplating for a moment.

He understood the art of battle, but training was a new experience. Drawing from techniques taught by his former mentors, he nodded and made his way to the stadium, walking with an ethereal air under his cloak.

Saber faced Mash, who displayed nerves on her face.

This isn't ideal. A warrior must remain calm.

Unable to verbalize, Saber sought a non-verbal way to convey this. He clicked his fingers, catching Mash's attention.

"Y-yes?" she nervously responded.

Saber gestured towards himself, first taking a quick breath, then shaking his head to signify 'No'. Afterward, he took a deep, calm breath and gave a reassuring thumbs up.

"I believe he's telling you to stay calm and collected!" Ritsuka exclaimed to Mash.

She gazed at Saber, who nodded.

"Okay, stay calm. He's not here to harm me; he's just helping me. Even if he seems scarier than Caster-kun, I don't need to panic. It's fine," Mash thought to herself. After a few breaths, she composed herself and steadfastly met Saber's gaze.

Saber approached her methodically, and she tightened her grip on the shield handle. As he neared, he forcefully struck her shield with his weapon, and she resiliently absorbed the impact.

Saber continued the training with deliberate strikes, guiding Mash on defensive maneuvers and optimal shield usage. Each clash carried a lesson, an unspoken communication between master and apprentice. Saber, though unable to utter words, conveyed a profound understanding of the art of combat.

In the midst of the training, he demonstrated precise footwork, indicating the importance of positioning in defense. As Mash absorbed these teachings, her movements became more fluid, adapting to Saber's guidance. The silent exchange between them unfolded as a symphony of skill and learning, with Saber shaping Mash into a more formidable warrior.

At times, Saber would gracefully retreat, creating a momentary distance before executing a swift lunge forward. Reacting instinctively, Mash raised her shield. In a masterful display, Saber redirected the force of his strike with a subtle twist of his blade, imparting a crucial lesson on the art of anticipating and countering attacks.

Continuing the training, Saber circled around Mash, deftly feinting attacks from various angles. A subtle nod from him signaled for Mash to focus not only on the weapon but also on tracking his movements. This invaluable lesson underscored the importance of situational awareness, fortifying Mash's defense against unforeseen assaults.

In another phase, Saber purposefully slowed down his strikes, urging Mash to study the trajectory of his sword. Through expressive gestures, he prompted her to keenly observe his body language, stressing the significance of reading an opponent's intentions. With each passing moment, Mash honed her ability to discern patterns, elevating her skill in predicting and countering incoming attacks.

After learning more about the basics, they started fighting.

In the final moment of their intense training, Mash found herself overwhelmed by Saber's calculated strikes. Despite her valiant effort, she was unable to thwart every move. As the clash concluded, Saber gracefully sheathed his sword.

Approaching Mash, he extended a hand to help her stand. The exhaustion on Mash's face was evident, but Saber's gaze held a sense of approval. Without uttering a word, he conveyed that the outcome mattered less than the effort she put forth.

Mash, slightly out of breath, met Saber's approving gaze.

"Did I do well, Saber-kun?" asked Mash.

Saber responded with a thumbs up, prompting Mash to happily hug him. He stood there somewhat awkwardly.

"Good job, lass! You're definitely not going to die today!" Caster chimed in as he approached them.

Olga deadpanned, "Really?"

"Yup."

Ritsuka stood in front of Saber, who looked down at him.

"Thanks for the help, Saber."

Saber remained silent, patting Fujimaru, who was left speechless.
He couldn't pinpoint the reason behind his actions, but it seemed that lacking such consideration himself drove him to extend it to others.

"Heh?"

"Servant - Master affection related thing, I think. Some Servants act like big babies," explained Caster.

The moment was abruptly interrupted as Dr. Romani, appearing as a hologram, urgently yelled, "Guys, there's a Servant signature approaching at great speeds!"

"Perfect," Olga muttered sarcastically.

"Don't worry, Senpai, we'll protect you!" Mash assured Ritsuka.

Saber, without words, gripped his weapon with a clear intent to face the impending threat.