In Type-Moon, Starting with Adopting Sakura

Sakura Tohsaka was much calmer about it and not nearly as excited. She merely gave a slight bow in thanks.

"Mm, you sisters go play. Big brother came to see your father today."

After that brief exchange, Rovey had more or less grasped the personalities of the two sisters. He gently patted their little heads, watched them enter the bedroom together, then followed Aoi Tohsaka into the Tohsaka Family's reception room.

Tokiomi Tohsaka, the Tohsaka Patriarch, had already made preparations there. He had even personally brewed black tea for Rovey to display his courtesy.

When he saw Rovey enter under his wife's guidance, a smile appeared on his face. He then instructed his wife to leave first, saying that he wished to speak with Rovey alone.

Aoi Tohsaka had no objections. She nodded slightly, withdrew from the reception room with utmost decorum, and quietly closed the door behind her.

Click—!!

As the wooden door slowly shut, the atmosphere in the room subtly changed.

If their conversation outside had merely been mundane pleasantries, then from the moment they entered this room, they would be getting down to business and speaking as Magi.

Tokiomi Tohsaka had precisely understood this, which was why he had asked his ordinary wife to leave.

Rovey naturally felt the same way.

Outside was outside, and inside was inside. If one wished to establish oneself in the Magecraft World, the two had to be clearly distinguished.

His visit to the Tohsaka Family today had not been a whim. He had come with a purpose.

Since they had exchanged pleasantries for so long, it was time to get to the point and discuss how he ought to spirit away this man's daughter.

Harboring completely different thoughts, the two men seated in the room lifted their teacups and began praising each other in perfect unspoken accord.

"Please."

"Please."

Thy Daughter, I Shall Raise Her

Tohsaka Family, reception room.

Dressed in a well-fitted handmade red suit, Tokiomi Tohsaka sat on a luxurious sofa. With practiced movements, he lifted the porcelain lid of the exquisite teacup and scraped it lightly against the top of the steaming tea. He then used a prepared silver spoon to add two sugar cubes before taking a tea whisk from its box and stirring at a steady pace until everything was evenly mixed. As time passed, faint grayish-white powder drifted across the surface of the black tea, creating a rather artistic sight.

Though his movements were elegant, and his decent looks and attire made him appear exceptionally refined, was there really any need to deliberately learn and display such almost overly demanding procedures in front of others? At least in Rovey's eyes, this complicated tea-drinking ritual was nothing but trouble.

Even in Europe, there probably were not many refined nobles like Tokiomi Tohsaka who fussed over every single step. At least, in Rovey's impression, most nobles simply stirred it a little for show before drinking it. Who went through such elaborate procedures? Why was a Magus researching this instead of properly studying Magecraft?

Magecraft aristocrats—Magecraft came before aristocracy. More than maintaining a noble façade, what they ought to care about was whether they could go further down the path of Magecraft.

"Crowley Patriarch, please."

Naturally, Tokiomi Tohsaka, seated across from Rovey and still maintaining his elegance to display the Tohsaka Family's cultivation and bearing to an outsider, had no idea of Rovey's rich inner thoughts or his discomfort. He simply extended another warm invitation.

"Then thank you, Tohsaka Patriarch."

Rovey likewise picked up his teacup. Based on his memories, he imitated the way his teacher drank tea, lightly using the lid to steep it, stirring it a few times, then bringing it to his lips. He sipped the tea in small mouthfuls and continued with some polite remarks.

"What fine tea." Rovey smiled as he praised him. "And your tea-making skills are exceptional as well. It is no inferior to the tea served at London nobles' banquets. I never expected the Tohsaka Patriarch to possess such superb skill at making tea."

"Is that so? It is nothing special. So long as you enjoy it, Crowley Patriarch." The gentle and elegant Tokiomi Tohsaka smiled in reply. "It seems my skills have not grown rusty after all."

In truth, Rovey could not taste any difference between Tokiomi Tohsaka's tea and instant tea from outside, since he was not someone particularly concerned with noble appearances.

"Mr. Tohsaka, let me once again wish you a happy New Year. I have intruded greatly by visiting today, so I hope you will not take offense."

Rovey set down his teacup and smiled at Tokiomi Tohsaka.

"Not at all. Rather, it is an honor that the Crowley Patriarch would personally visit during the New Year."

"After all, London's customs differ from ours. Differences in one's sense of timing are perfectly normal."

Tokiomi Tohsaka waved a hand, unconcerned by the matter.

"However, for the Crowley Patriarch to personally pay a visit today, you surely did not come merely to exchange greetings. Is there something important?"

As he spoke, Tokiomi Tohsaka revealed a rather puzzled expression.

He too had been perplexed by Rovey's visit.

Though he was relatively well-connected within Magecraft circles, due to regional differences, he had only nodding acquaintances with most Mage Families of the Clock Tower and had no particularly deep relationships with them. Therefore, he could not help feeling puzzled when he saw Rovey personally visit.

"Yes, there is indeed something important I wish to discuss with the Tohsaka Patriarch. I did not notify you in advance because I could not find the Tohsaka Family's contact information. Also, I was still in Europe at the time and had no way to send a message across the continent. That is why I suddenly visited today. I hope I have not disturbed you, Tohsaka Patriarch."

After some thought, Rovey did not beat around the bush. He intended to get straight to the point and make the matter clear to Tokiomi Tohsaka.

...Something important?

Upon hearing those words, Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression became slightly grave. He looked at Rovey and nodded gently.

"Then may I ask what business the Crowley Patriarch has in visiting today?"

"Well, it is a long story, but it mainly concerns your daughters." Rovey continued.

"You mean... my daughters?"

The instant Rovey's words fell, the atmosphere in the entire room abruptly became heavy. The harmonious and pleasant air between them vanished without a trace.

Tokiomi Tohsaka's brows furrowed slightly. He suppressed his heart, which had long ceased to be calm, looked coldly at the young man before him, and asked again.

"Since it concerns my daughters, Mr. Crowley, could you explain in detail?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka suppressed his emotions and did not reveal much outward fluctuation, continuing to question him with an unchanged expression. Yet the hand that had been holding his teacup had unknowingly tightened around the jeweled cane hidden at his side, while a dangerous aura gradually filled the air.

Clearly, if Rovey spoke of anything harmful to him or his daughters, Tokiomi Tohsaka would immediately strike and use his Magic Workshop to detain Rovey here.

Rovey had naturally noticed this situation long ago and had prepared a response before arriving.

He waved a hand, as though he had not noticed the dramatic shift in the atmosphere at all, and continued smiling. "Please rest assured, Tohsaka Patriarch. I am willing to swear in the name of the Crowley Family that the purpose of my visit will never harm your daughters, nor will it endanger the Tohsaka Family's interests. There is no need to be so tense."

Hearing that oath, Tokiomi Tohsaka calmed down slightly, though the confusion on his face did not lessen.

"Then what exactly do you mean...?"

"Unlike certain old fossils at the Clock Tower, I am not an agent of Sealing Designation. Naturally, I would not do anything to harm your daughters. Moreover, I came with sincerity, visiting as a Magus pursuing The Root."

After thinking for a moment, Tokiomi Tohsaka nodded. His tightly furrowed brows eased somewhat.

Though he had not fully believed him, at least the atmosphere was no longer as stiff as before.

Seeing this, Rovey pressed while the iron was hot and addressed Tokiomi Tohsaka again in a sincere tone.

"As Magi who likewise pursue The Root wholeheartedly and walk the road of truth, I trust the Tohsaka Patriarch understands, does he not? The true meaning of our existence as Magi, and the supreme goal we seek—reaching The Root!"

"Of course I understand!"

At the sound of that familiar term, Tokiomi Tohsaka nodded with extreme solemnity, answering with fervor in his voice.

"To reach The Root is the great goal we Magi devote our lives to fulfilling. It is the ideal we pursue our entire lives, and it is undoubtedly the lifelong ideal of the Tohsaka Family as well."

"But everyone knows that on the path toward The Root, the efforts of one person alone are entirely insufficient. That is why we Magi value the inheritance of bloodlines and leave the Magic Crest that embodies a lifetime's work to our blood heirs, all so that one day our descendants may reach The Root in our stead."

Listening to Tokiomi Tohsaka's emotional and somewhat wistful account, Rovey's delight was becoming harder to suppress than an AK.

He had not expected things to go so smoothly. For Tokiomi Tohsaka, who truly regarded reaching The Root as the ultimate goal of his life, once this topic was raised, the man could fill in all the remaining details with his abundant imagination.

All Rovey needed to do now was continue drawing closer to Tokiomi Tohsaka through conversation, gradually lower his guard, and make him see Rovey as a fellow traveler. In other words, fool him silly first.

"You truly are someone wholeheartedly walking the path of truth, Tohsaka Patriarch!!" Rovey looked at Tokiomi Tohsaka and spoke with feigned delight.

"Of course. Reaching The Root has always been the goal of both myself and the Tohsaka Family."

At this moment, Rovey's words had dispelled much of the doubt weighing on Tokiomi Tohsaka's heart, though it had not entirely vanished. He asked the man before him once more, "And what does this have to do with my daughters?"

"It is related, and very greatly so."

Rovey nodded, then said solemnly, "I had previously heard that your two daughters possessed talents rarely seen in the world. After seeing them in person during this visit, I discovered that the rumors were indeed true. Both your daughters possess miracle-like constitutions. They are beloved children of Magecraft."

"Your eldest daughter bears a miraculous affinity that combines the Five Great Elements into one. Her talent needs no further explanation; she will certainly become a rising star shining throughout the Magecraft World. Your younger daughter is even more remarkable, possessing the Imaginary Numbers Constitution, an attribute rarer still than the Five Great Elements. It would not be an exaggeration to say that each of them is a Magecraft treasure beyond measure!!"

He knows such details?!

After hearing Rovey's description, Tokiomi Tohsaka could not help shuddering. He immediately felt an uncomfortable sensation, as though the man before him had seen through him from the inside out.

Every word Rovey had said was completely correct. Rin possessed the Five Great Elements combined into one, while Sakura possessed the Imaginary Numbers attribute. He had painstakingly guarded this secret for years and had even placed disguises on both daughters, yet he had never expected that even so, they had failed to escape the Clock Tower's notice.

It left him rather upset, while also making him curious about Rovey's source of information.

After all, he had always watched over his two daughters closely. In other words, someone had investigated the Tohsaka Family's secrets thoroughly right under his nose, yet he, their father, had been completely unaware.

How terrifying was that?

And how had it been done?

The more he thought, the less he understood. Tokiomi Tohsaka shuddered inwardly, then resolved to conduct a major inspection of the entire Tohsaka Family. Only after uncovering the truth would he be able to rest easy.

As a Magus, he could not tolerate hidden spies beneath his very nose that he had failed to notice.

Rovey could only say that it would all be wasted effort, because his source of information was called Nasu Kinoko.

"So your intention is to... adopt one?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression was somewhat strange. By this point, being an intelligent man, he had roughly guessed the purpose of Rovey's visit and asked tentatively.

"Just as you are thinking, the purpose of my visit is to adopt one of your two daughters. In the future, one of them would inherit the Crowley Family's Magic Crest in my place, and she would continue walking the path of seeking truth for me until she pushed open that door containing truth! I hope you will grant this request."

Rovey nodded with a sincere yet resolute expression.

After laying so much groundwork, it was time for him to lay his cards on the table.

To tell Tokiomi Tohsaka that the purpose of this visit was that he had set his sights on his daughter.

And he was not stealing or snatching her away, but openly adopting his daughter.

Thy daughter, I shall raise her!!

Forced Magic Contract

I will personally pluck that most dazzling jewel—

From a Magus's perspective, Tokiomi Tohsaka's two daughters were undoubtedly treasures of the Magecraft World, precious gems whose value rivaled the legendary Jewel-Grade Mystic Eyes.

As the elder sister, Rin Tohsaka bore the extremely rare Composite Constitution that combined the Five Great Elements into one. Her Magic Circuits and talent for Magecraft were likewise outstanding, and her future was limitless.

Her younger sister, Sakura Tohsaka, was no less remarkable. She possessed the Imaginary Numbers attribute, which was even rarer than her sister's composite affinity. Judging purely by the mystery and rarity of their constitutions, Sakura Tohsaka could be said to possess even greater talent.

In any era and any region, these two Magecraft qualifications would be the most dazzling and eye-catching existences. Calling them miracles would not be an exaggeration.

Tokiomi Tohsaka understood this very clearly, and he was particularly delighted by it.

After all, upon personally witnessing the talents his daughters possessed, he could pursue dangerous undertakings with fewer reservations. Even if he were unfortunate enough to fall halfway along the path of pursuing truth, his daughters, who had inherited Tohsaka blood and possessed talent far surpassing his own, would continue exploring in his place.

Yet behind the overwhelming joy brought by seeing his descendants prove so exceptional, Tokiomi Tohsaka's heart was also filled with indescribable sorrow and distress.

If he had only one daughter, whether it was Rin or Sakura, he would have been ecstatic over her talent without any reservations.

But he happened to have two daughters of unparalleled talent.

Powerful Magecraft constitutions and the mystery they possessed—meaning abnormality—would inevitably attract other abnormalities. Though the sisters were still young, Tokiomi Tohsaka, as their father, could already clearly foresee that their futures would never be peaceful.

Under the continual influence of such unparalleled talent, even if he wished for one of them to live a stable life, it would be nothing more than a vain hope.

This had been the problem haunting Tokiomi Tohsaka's heart ever since Rin and Sakura were born.

Rovey, who understood Tokiomi Tohsaka's situation and troubles very well, chose this moment to approach him and directly lay the matter bare.

"Tohsaka Patriarch, as a Magus who has walked the field of Magecraft for many years, you surely understand the situation your two daughters currently face." Rovey lightly tapped the tabletop with a finger as he looked at Tokiomi Tohsaka.

"One of the fundamental rules of the mysterious world is that mystery attracts other mystery, and abnormality brings new abnormality. That is why we Magi always encounter things ordinary people could scarcely imagine.

"I believe your daughters will certainly be the same."

"If it were merely weak magical power or mystery, we could suppress it with Mystic Codes or seals and thereby restore peace. But your two daughters are far beyond that."

"A Composite Constitution of the Five Great Elements, and an Imaginary Numbers Constitution—these are undoubtedly among the highest mysteries in the mysterious world today. Looking across the entire world, there may not be more than a few Magi who could compare with your daughters in terms of constitution. Therefore, ordinary seals and Mystic Codes cannot permanently suppress them."

As he spoke, Rovey looked at Tokiomi Tohsaka's silent face and continued.

"So your only option is to let your two daughters enter the field of Magecraft. Yet the Tohsaka Family has only one Magic Crest, and its inheritance is singular. That means you can solve only one daughter's problem. The other can only live as an ordinary person, but her constitution will continuously draw incomprehensible anomalies to her until she eventually meets with disaster."

"I believe this troubles you deeply as well, does it not? Compared to the theory-focused Clock Tower, perhaps the Wandering Sea and the Atlas Institute have methods for resolving such problems. But those are hardly good places for you to go. After all, once those mad archaic Magi and Alchemists witness two miracle-like Magecraft constitutions, they will certainly do everything possible to forcibly claim them and keep them behind for careful study."

Rovey did not mention the Clock Tower because he believed that, as a frequent visitor who flew to London every few months to publish papers and attend lectures, Tokiomi Tohsaka knew perfectly well what kind of place it was.

Given the inhuman methods of those old fools at the Clock Tower, if they saw two such miraculous constitutions, they would certainly use preserving mystery as an excuse to seal the sisters in formalin and preserve them.