Chapter 4: Artoria-sensei
A while later.
Chaldea Academy, library.
As the librarian, Murasaki Shikibu's violet-like purple eyes were fixed on the blank sheet of paper before her.
The pen in her hand was soaked with ink, yet she still couldn't write down the very first line.
"Sigh…"
The beautiful, full-bodied widow stared at the white page on the desk, gently supporting her forehead, letting out a helpless sigh.
"In the words of modern authors, this is called writer's block, right…?"
Volume 4 of [Eigu: Reverse Genji Plan] was clearly nearing its manuscript deadline, and the editor had urged her many times, yet author Murasaki Shikibu couldn't come up with a single spark of inspiration.
"Forcing it to say, it's probably still missing the most important visual sense…"
After all, she was merely writing a novel based on that boy, Mochizuki Eikou, but the two of them had never truly interacted. Up to now every description of the main character came entirely from her stereotyped impressions of him.
An author will lack a sense of imagery when facing something unfamiliar; humans cannot imagine what they have never seen.
This was exactly the reason for the writer's block.
"Uwaaa…"
Murasaki Shikibu suddenly wanted to cry; she felt she was on the verge of being unable to write anything.
She really wanted to write, yet at the same time she didn't want to write!
If only she could meet that boy named Eikou again, observe more of his behavior and mannerisms, and use it as material for writing—it would surely be so much easier.
But that boy hadn't appeared for a long time.
It was said that recently he was participating in something called the Holy Grail War of Love, always busy with all sorts of things.
Even the original source of inspiration was nowhere to be found, so how could she have any motivation to continue writing?
" 'Eikou energy' is in serious shortage, I, Kaoruko, have completely lost the ability to write anymore…"
(Note: According to what I've researched on Google, Shikibu's old name was 'Fujiwara no Kaoruko,' but this remains unconfirmed in history. However, in an FGO voice line, Shikibu said verbatim: "I am a Servant...a shadow formerly named Kaoruko, formerly named Murasaki Shikibu. I have already left my mark on history." Something like that.)
Murasaki Shikibu weakly collapsed onto the manager's desk, exhaling a lonely sigh that was almost unbearable.
"I really want… to meet that boy again just once more…"
She wanted to see him immediately; otherwise she might burst into tears!
Just then, from the library door came the sound of hurried footsteps, accompanied by a somewhat flustered call.
"A… Artoria-sensei…"
From outside came the urgent voice of a young man,
"Please don't hold my hand so tightly…"
Right after that came a noble, cold, ruler-like female voice: "But if I don't hold you tightly, I feel you'll immediately find an excuse to run away. If necessary, using horse rope to tie you up is hardly a problem."
"Capturing and imprisoning someone—is this the inherited instinct of the 'ahoge family'?…" the boy muttered.
That voice sounded so familiar!
Murasaki Shikibu's beautiful eyes widened slightly; she quickly put on her glasses and poked her head out from the desk.
At the library door stood a blonde, green-eyed beauty with a tall, full figure, holding the hand of a young boy, stepping confidently and powerfully into the hall, while that boy was being pulled along by her every step.
That boy… wasn't it precisely Mochizuki Eikou?!
Why had he appeared here, and beside him was a noble blonde beauty radiating the domineering big-sister aura—who was she?
Though she didn't fully understand the situation, Murasaki Shikibu's eyes instantly sparkled; she had a feeling something very interesting was about to happen.
Perhaps this would become excellent writing material!
"Artoria-sensei…"
Eikou said with a slight blush,
"Didn't you say you were going to give me a make-up lesson? Why did you suddenly bring me to the library like this? Shouldn't we find a quieter and more private place?"
"No problem," Lion King Artoria said calmly, "to be precise, here is even better, because I want to tutor you in all the subjects you are still weak in. In the library we can always find reference materials, and everyone gathered here is educated, so teaching here is all the more appropriate."
She slightly furrowed her brows and asked, a bit puzzled: "But why do I feel as though everyone's eyes are focused on me? Why is that?"
Eikou thought to himself: if you just looked in a mirror you'd understand, Artoria-sensei. Don't you know how beautiful and alluring your figure is? A blonde, green-eyed beauty with a scorching hot body standing here—those gigantic breasts make it impossible not to draw everyone's gaze!
"Then let's start with your homework; take out all the assignments from your bag."
Artoria pulled out two chairs and spoke to him in a commanding tone.
"…All right."
Facing such a noble, cold, and serious sovereign, Eikou only felt immense pressure, completely losing any mood for joking around.
He obediently sat down on the chair.
"Very good,"
the blonde beauty said solemnly,
"Mochizuki Eikou, before I teach you, I need to formally introduce myself. My name is Artoria Pendragon Lancer. At present I am still only an intern teacher, and I am in charge of helping you pass the upcoming exam. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready," Eikou nodded a little stiffly.
"Don't be nervous, in truth my feelings are the same as yours,"
Artoria gently comforted him,
"I have experience as a leader and have managed a casino and a hotel, but I have never once held the position of teacher. To be precise, you are my first time. I'm also a bit lacking in confidence, so let's work together on this."
Lady Murasaki Shikibu at the side couldn't help but exclaim softly: "First time?!"
"Don't say things that are so easily misunderstood; saying 'first time' can make people think the wrong thing!" Eikou hurriedly corrected.
After all, with all the businesses her family owns, why would she still come to school to be a teacher—could it be she wants to experience Merlin's feeling?
"I don't understand what part is misunderstood, and what exactly people would think wrong about?"
Artoria asked with a confused expression,
"If you don't like the phrase 'first time,' then call it a 'first experience.' Study well, because tonight, before you are exhausted, I will not let you off!"
Murasaki Shikibu's face beside them grew even redder.
Isn't this even more misleading? Why does every sentence you say make people think that way, Eikou sighed inwardly. Could it be because her appearance is so seductive that anything she does just exudes hormones?
Contrary to her mature, alluring exterior, this Lion King was rather naturally airheaded, seemingly lacking some common knowledge in certain areas.
Eikou thought to himself: before teaching me, it would be better if you first went back to study sexual education with Merlin…
[Chaldea Academy has arranged for you an intern teacher to give you private lessons.]
[You and Artoria begin supplementary study.]
[During the supplementary lesson, you vaguely sense a gaze directed toward you from within the library hall.]
[Please make a skill check for Instinct.]
A die falls.
[The score is C, check successful.]
[By instinct, you have identified the owner of that gaze—it is the library manager Murasaki Shikibu; she is hiding behind the bookshelf!]