"Go ahead and fight with confidence. If you lose, we still have the First Generation Magical Girl to step in."
Since we've already come this far, let's let Rin Tohsaka and Luviagelita show their faces too. Everyone who can transform, transform! Normally, as the original Magical Girls, they should be overseeing the battle, but recently, their transformation caused such a commotion that Magus from all factions came knocking. They're now swamped with "clients" and have no time to supervise the fight.
"Why are you already assuming we're going to lose?!"
Prisma Illya puffed out her cheeks, displeased with Jiang You's lack of faith in them.
"And what's this 'First Generation' nonsense? Does it have to be Magical Girls handling everything?!"
"This is the Magical Girls' home turf, so naturally, they should handle it."
Jiang You didn't have a real reason; he just wanted to have fun. He pointed at Miyu, who had already launched her attack. "Stop dwelling on it! If you don't hurry, Miyu's going to steal your kill."
"It's not like we're rivals. What does it matter?"
Despite her words, Prisma Illya immediately joined the battle. While a hint of competitive spirit lingered, her primary concern was that Miyu might be overwhelmed and face danger alone.
The earlier simulation training proved invaluable. Medusa's true form far surpassed the Blackened Medusa in strength. Working together, Miyu and Prisma Illya quickly suppressed Medusa's movements, though they still lacked a decisive finishing move.
"This won't work after all," Ruby warned. Although their previous simulated battles had given them the upper hand, they remained mere simulations. Their attacks fell far short of what was needed to kill Medusa.
"It's time to use that move."
"Install, right?" Prisma Illya nodded. "Miyu, cover me!"
"Understood."
Miyu responded instantly. Unlike their first encounter in the original story, the two weren't rivals now, so Miyu had no need to seize the Class Card for herself. Taking over the offensive, she unleashed a barrage of projectiles to pin down Medusa's movements.
"So, who should we choose?" Ruby asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. In addition to the Archer Class Card they already possessed, they now had the Caster and Saber Cards Gudako had just given them. Jiang You's game cards could also serve the same purpose. After Prisma Illya arranged for their hotel stay, White Lancer Artoria and Medea had each offered their Servant Cards as a gesture of gratitude (Medusa's Card had already been acquired). With such a wide selection, Ruby mused, "Should we try the Saber Class, something we haven't attempted before?"
"Let's use Miss Artoria's Card," Prisma Illya declared. "Her Noble Phantasm is incredibly powerful—it can decide a battle in an instant."
"Actually, I think Miss Medea's card would be more suitable," Ruby countered, her tone shifting to a teasing one. "Miss Medusa isn't very durable; a low-power Noble Phantasm could take her down. Plus, Miss Medea's Noble Phantasm is a perfect counter to Blackened Servants. It should be a better fit."
"Speaking of which, Illya, I recall you've always admired your mother's figure. Could there be... another reason you chose this Card?"
"Shut up."
Prisma Illya muttered guiltily, "Begin Install!"
The White Lancer Artoria form of Prisma Illya materialized before everyone. Clashing with the thick, white, fur-lined red cloak draped over her shoulders was a form-fitting blue and gold battle suit. Jiang You recognized it as White Lancer Artoria's Third Ascension outfit. While it was meant to accentuate a mature figure, on Illya's current body, it only highlighted her... lack of development.
Overall, aside from her hairstyle and weapon, Prisma Illya now looked more like Artoria Lily—far too young and delicate.
"Shouldn't it be a full suit of armor?"
Prisma Illya instinctively covered her chest. The unique design of the outfit, with its empty chest area, made it feel like it could slip off at any moment. All she could think was how utterly embarrassing every Heroic Spirit's attire was. Aren't they ashamed to wear this stuff?
"Simplified attire minimizes physical restrictions and enhances combat prowess," White Lancer Artoria explained, removing her armor to reveal an outfit identical to Prisma Illya's beneath.
"My armor isn't some special Noble Phantasm offering substantial defense. In battles between Heroic Spirits, it's more of a hindrance than protection. This state is far more suitable for combat."
"I-Is that so?" Illya accepted the explanation with a mix of understanding and confusion.
"To think she's nearly on par with me..." Nero murmured, involuntarily comparing herself to White Lancer Artoria, who now stood fully revealed.
"No wonder Illya mistook me for Artoria earlier."
"If you two keep dwelling on this, Miyu won't be able to hold out much longer!" Jiang You interjected, ending the discussion. He knew the true reason behind the Heroic Spirits' revealing attire—it was for selling cards, after all—but he couldn't exactly admit that. Miyu had previously relied on teamwork with Prisma Illya in battle, but fighting alone was proving overwhelming.
"Oh, right! Miyu!"
With everyone so relaxed, Prisma Illya had been lulled into a false sense of security as well. Only Jiang You's reminder jolted her back to reality, prompting her to summon a white horse and charge toward Medusa.
However, the white horse, belonging to White Lancer Artoria, was still too large for Prisma Illya. Even on tiptoes, she couldn't reach the stirrups, forcing her to cling to the horse's neck to stay steady.
"Install?"
Gudako glanced resentfully at Jiang You. This shapeshifting ability was a classic power for Magical Girls—the original "Queen of Moe" was actually a transformation-based character. Yet Jiang You had kicked her back before she could even try it.
"You never told me you could do that!"
"So you really wanted to steal the XP, huh?"
Jiang You sighed, exasperated. As expected of Type-Moon's princess (or crown prince), even in another character's spotlight, she still managed to hijack their role.
"Don't worry. Once Miss Medea cracks the technology behind this, we'll have her craft a transformation wand for you to play with."
"You really know how to boss people around, don't you?"
Whenever Jiang You had a brilliant idea, Medea found herself working overtime. She instinctively pressed her forehead, already feeling a headache coming on.
"How do you plan to pay me this time? Soul Crystals again?"
"Then what do you want?"
Medea's tone suggested that Soul Crystals had lost their value. Besides, after her trip to the Seventh Singularity, she wasn't exactly short on materials anymore.
"Hmm... Let these children be my models."
Seeing Prisma Illya dressed up as various Heroic Spirits in adorable poses, Medea's obsession with creating living dolls resurfaced. "I'll give you a copy of the first batch of prototypes."