After Masamichi brought Toji to the classroom, Medea returned to her room.
It was a storeroom Masamichi had assigned her, which she had converted into a small, temporary magic workshop.
Standing at the door, Medea cautiously looked around.
Only after confirming that no one was nearby did she confidently remove the barrier placed on the door.
The next moment, a room that countless Artoria fans could only dream of appeared before her eyes.
On the left side of the room were several plastic mannequins the same size as Artoria.
Even their figures had been replicated perfectly.
Some wore Artoria's classic blue and white skirt armor.
Others wore the imposing black armor from her corrupted form in the Heaven's Feel route.
Still others donned the formal dresses Medea and Artoria had worn in the game's storyline.
These mannequins did not have blank, white plastic heads.
Each one had Artoria's face, sculpted by Medea with different expressions.
On the opposite wall stood a cabinet filled with countless candid photos Medea had secretly taken of Artoria.
The cabinet to the right housed Artoria figures—every one a dream collection piece for any true Artoria fan.
With their variety of styles and exquisite craftsmanship, even the most casual enthusiast would instantly recognize the maker's obsessive devotion.
At the center of the room was a wooden table.
It was covered with many magical tools.
However, unlike the strange and ancient implements typically associated with witches, most of the magical tools in Medea's room were clearly modern products.
Spray guns, desk lamps, chemical reagent bottles... After entering, Medea quickly closed the door behind her and dashed toward the center table with a speed completely unbefitting a magician.
"Now it's time for today's Artoria energy recharge."
Clenching her fists against her chest, Medea's face turned red with excitement.
Then, from who knows where, she pulled out a crystal ball and placed it in the middle of the table.
As she activated the ball, the figure of Artoria on the training field came into view.
"Ahh, ahhh, so cool. Saber in uniform..."
After some brief conversation among the group, Masamichi brought out wooden swords and long staves as training tools.
Artoria was the first to step onto the field.
"I get to see Saber's heroic posture first? So lucky!"
The crystal ball remained fixed on Artoria's figure.
Medea's excitement peaked as she saw Artoria and Toji standing opposite each other.
"That beast-looking guy better not hurt Saber."
Suddenly, a trace of worry crept onto Medea's face.
It wasn't that she doubted Artoria's strength.
It was simply concern for someone she liked.
In Medea's eyes, if Toji even scratched a single strand of Artoria's hair, it would be unforgivable.
"How should I punish you if Saber gets hurt, Toji?"
Behind her, a demonic shadow seemed to flicker into existence.
Only in this moment did Medea truly resemble the terrifying witch of legend.
"Should I curse you so you have bad luck forever?"
Several scenes rapidly played through Medea's mind.
Toji, walking down the street, gets targeted by a runaway truck. He tries to dodge, slips, and gets hit, sent flying through the air.
He goes to the supermarket, finds the bread sold out, and can only bring home instant noodles and a convenience store hot dog.
He walks past a building and gets hit by a falling vase.
He steps in dog poop on the street.
He tries to make instant noodles at home, only to discover there's no seasoning packet or fork inside... One petty curse after another played through Medea's imagination.
Slap.
"Perfect. That's it."
Medea clapped her hands, an adorable smile on her face.
Then she refocused on the crystal ball.
There would be plenty of time to fantasize later. Missing a single moment of Artoria's charm would be a loss she couldn't bear.
"As expected of Saber. That gorilla doesn't stand a chance."
On one side was Artoria, just 1.54 meters tall and weighing only 42 kilograms.
On the other was Toji, over 1.8 meters tall and at least double her weight.
The stark size difference created an irresistible contrast.
Like watching a tiny girl beat up a shady uncle in a street fight, the moe contrast was too much.
"How despicable! His sword was taken, that's clearly a loss! How dare he not admit defeat... Ah! He kicked sand too?!"
Medea had fully entered her role as Artoria's No.1 fangirl.
Soon, Artoria's match ended.
It was time for the other three troublemakers to take on Toji.
Medea had no interest in that.
The crystal ball's view remained fixed on Artoria.
Once again, Medea was overwhelmed by her cuteness.
Literally overwhelmed.
In the small room, she rolled wildly across the tatami mat, her legs curled up tightly while her hands flailed around in a frenzy.
"So cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute, so cute..."
"Petite, strong, and hungry."
"I must catch her no matter what. And after I catch her..."
After rolling around like a lunatic, Medea sat up, her hair disheveled, her cheeks flushed, and looked at the crystal ball with a dazed, lovestruck expression.
"Princess dresses. Maid outfits. Gothic style..."
"Saber must wear them for me every day. Hehe... hehehehe..."
Completely absorbed in her fantasy, Medea failed to notice that everyone on the training ground had already dispersed.
Someone was walking down the corridor toward her magic workshop.
Swoosh.
"You're here, next we'll—"
Masamichi's voice gradually trailed off after opening the door and seeing the scene inside.
The eyes behind his sunglasses froze.
Life-sized Artoria mannequins.
Figures of Artoria in all sorts of poses, some modest, some not.
A cabinet filled with clearly candid photos.
And Medea, in the middle of the room, completely lost in fantasy.
She was frozen stiff.
The sudden silence was more terrifying than anything.
"Ahem."
Masamichi lightly coughed into his right hand before speaking.
"Medea-sensei, after school, everyone plans to go out together for some shopping and fun. Please be ready and gather at the Tokyo Jujutsu High entrance. A car will take us to Shinjuku."
With that, Masamichi quietly left the room.
'Everyone at Tokyo Jujutsu High really is... full of talent.'
Masamichi thought silently.
After he left, Medea slowly unfroze.
The next moment, she turned into a steaming mess.
A large amount of steam burst from her flushed little face.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)