Even though Tohsaka Rin was hopeless with electronics, she could not help marveling that there was someone in this world even more foolish than she was.
"People may be limited by their bodies and unable to handle machinery, but Magecraft is different."
Fujimaru Kyoya had just used Jewel Magecraft to simulate a shotgun. This was Fujimaru Kyoya's Jewel Imitation Fist.
"For example, if I had truly wanted to kill someone with that last attack, I would not have crushed the jewel. I would have thrown it directly as a jewel mortar."
A mortar?
Kirei Kotomine swallowed. The scattershot made from mere fragments had already left his defenses in tatters. If that so-called mortar hit him, it would probably punch straight through his heart.
"Actually, in my original idea, altering a jewel's internal structure and creating something like a nuclear reactor inside it would definitely be interesting."
Of course, Fujimaru Kyoya was only thinking about it casually. Not only was he a novice in Magecraft, but he was also merely a high school student in the real world. He was still far too removed from something like a nuclear reactor.
Yet Fujimaru Kyoya's serious expression left both Tohsaka Rin and Kirei Kotomine utterly numb.
Though it was only a feeling, if this guy really did manage to create something like an Ether Reactor, fireworks might truly start going off all over the world.
"Rin, if time could be rewound, I would definitely advise you not to take this guy as your apprentice."
Kirei Kotomine regretted everything now.
After Fujimaru Kyoya graduated high school, he might go to a hellhole like the Clock Tower. If he really made an Ether Reactor, the Clock Tower might get blown off the map the very next day.
One Human Rocket Launcher had already given the Mage's Association enough headaches. Now there was a Human Nuclear Reactor too.
"No, I now think taking him as my apprentice was a good thing."
Tohsaka Rin watched Fujimaru Kyoya leave. Talent like his would be the greatest threat if it went down the wrong path. Though Tohsaka Rin did not think her Magecraft was particularly exceptional, at least she was not a bad person.
Nor would she allow Fujimaru Kyoya to become a bad person.
"Besides, the Holy Grail War is about to begin. With his help, won't I have a better chance of winning?"
"It is best if you think that way."
Kirei Kotomine neither agreed nor disagreed. After all, the last person who had thought that way was Tohsaka Tokiomi, and the grass on his grave was already three feet tall.
"Maybe I should bring something back for Ritsuka to eat."
Fujimaru Kyoya had gotten quite a bit of money from Matou Shinji. Though he had said it was for practicing Magecraft, buying something for his little sister would not hurt.
Just then, an intense sense of danger struck him.
It was a perception from the Ghost Brain, a warning from First Before First. Something terrifying seemed to be nearby.
What was it?
Fujimaru Kyoya began surveying his surroundings. He had only experienced this feeling of danger during simulations. Even though he already understood that the simulated worlds were connected to reality, this was the first time he had encountered such a sense of crisis.
Fujimaru Kyoya pushed the Ghost Brain nearly to its limit, simulating every possible attack around him. In the end, he locked onto a woman.
She was a red-haired woman.
"Oh? I ran into a fellow practitioner this quickly?"
The Red-haired Woman also noticed Fujimaru Kyoya's gaze and strode over openly.
"Young man, who manages the local Ley Line? I would like to pay them a visit."
Only Black Tea?
The Tohsaka Family residence was filled with an especially solemn atmosphere.
Tohsaka Rin opened the refrigerator at home, only to discover that there was nothing suitable to serve the distinguished guest before her.
"Would black tea be enough?"
Tohsaka Rin spoke with a touch of nervousness. The woman before her was the famous Human Rocket Launcher of the Magecraft world—or perhaps it would be better to call her the Fifth Magus.
"Black tea will do."
Aozaki Aoko looked around the old Western-style house, and a hint of nostalgia appeared on her face. Back then, she seemed to have been about the same age as Tohsaka Rin, living with a roommate in a similar old Western-style house.
"Fujimaru, come help me."
"Though the timing may be inappropriate, shouldn't we call that mapo tofu guy for something like this?"
Fujimaru Kyoya helped out beside the young lady. As a Magecraft apprentice, he should not have been qualified to do such work, but the moment he heard Aozaki Aoko's name, mapo tofu immediately ran off.
What a perfect example of sacrificing a fellow Daoist to save oneself.
Mapo tofu, weren't you the Fuyuki Running Man?
"Um... Your arrival is truly..."
Tohsaka Rin forced out a fake smile. Since the Tohsaka Family's ancestor had been a registered disciple of a Magus, she had a thorough understanding of just how terrible a Magus's personality could be.
This feeling of standing on the line between life and death was not pleasant at all.
"May I ask what brings you to Fuyuki? If there is anything we can help with, we will certainly do our best as long as it is within our abilities."
Fujimaru Kyoya took the black tea from Tohsaka Rin's hands, conveniently blocking Aozaki Aoko's view and giving Rin a moment to catch her breath.
She was his master, after all. As her apprentice, he had to look after her properly.
"It is not really a major matter. I originally would not have needed to come find you, but I have also managed Ley Lines before. I understand your difficulties, so I came to let you know."
Aozaki Aoko was not some demon, after all. She paid no attention to Fujimaru Kyoya's little maneuver, and it instead gave her the feeling of seeing her younger self.
"My sister has recently come here."
Fujimaru Kyoya did not know Aozaki Aoko's sister, but Tohsaka Rin had heard of the renowned Red of Crafter.
"That Grand Puppeteer has come to Fuyuki?"
Tohsaka Rin could not help growing nervous. Everyone knew that the Aozaki Sisters had a bad relationship. As things stood, it was almost impossible for Aozaki Touko, who did not possess Magic, to defeat her younger sister.
Could she be after the Fuyuki Holy Grail?
Tohsaka Rin immediately felt threatened. Following that line of thought, many things could be explained.
"There is no need to be so guarded. Her target should not be the Holy Grail. She simply does not want to drag things out any longer."
Aozaki Touko had not concealed her movements at all along the way. As her younger sister, Aozaki Aoko naturally understood what that signal meant.
"Back then, our relationship was actually not bad."
Aozaki Aoko did not mind bringing up the Aozaki Family's dirty laundry. After all, it was hardly a secret in the Magecraft world.
Back then, the Aozaki Family's Magus was nearing the end of his life. Touko had originally been chosen to inherit the Magic. She was a qualified magecraft user and the best candidate to inherit the family legacy, and Aozaki Touko had worked toward that goal all along.
During that period, Aoko, who had lived an ordinary life, had been very close to Touko. After all, there had been no conflict of interest between them. Yet that harmony changed after an unexpected turn of events.
"The Magic was passed to me, making her life seem ridiculous. Along with a few misunderstandings afterward, she and I spent many years hostile to each other."
Remembering her younger days, even Aozaki Aoko could not help smiling. She had never expected them to have been so childish back then.
"In short, the outcome between her and me will not involve Magic. Once Magic is added, the scales of victory and defeat become meaningless."
To be honest, Aozaki Aoko was tired too.
What had originally been a misunderstanding had escalated until neither of them could back down. With the Fifth Magic, she could not lose, while Aozaki Touko, who could revive endlessly, was difficult to kill.
Since that was the case, they would have a fight without resurrection and without Magic—a brawl between the strongest sisters in the world.
"I hope the Tohsaka Family can clear people from the streets at night for the next few days and keep them from getting involved in our battle. Of course, if we cause any damage, just pass it off as a gas explosion."
So the gas explosions in Fuyuki City were all the work of magecraft users?
Fujimaru Kyoya glanced at Tohsaka Rin, while Rin guiltily looked away. It was merely an excuse to brush off ordinary people, so why say it so earnestly?
"Then I will leave it to you. Also, do not use so much tea next time. It is nearly a lethal dose."
Aozaki Aoko naturally did not make things difficult for these juniors. This time was merely an internal matter of the Aozaki Family; there was no need to drag too many people into it.
As the front door slowly closed, Fujimaru Kyoya sensed her moving farther away.
"So this is a Magus? That pressure was truly intense."
Fujimaru Kyoya had actually been constantly observing Aozaki Aoko. Based on her current physical abilities and amount of Mana, he should not have felt such pressure. Was the source of that other power Magic?
"I never expected you to be scared too. Good thing she had no ill intent, or this would have become quite the mess."
Though she said that, the thought of a Magus wandering around on her territory was hardly pleasant for Tohsaka Rin.
"But is it really all right to leave it alone? You said that Magus uses Magecraft with extremely destructive power."
Fujimaru Kyoya could not help worrying. His family lived in Fuyuki City, after all. It would not be a good thing if they got caught up in it.
"Though the Aozaki Sisters are brutal, there have been no reports of them killing innocents indiscriminately. And if magecraft users like them duel, they will certainly set up a very reliable area. Their visit to warn us was merely a precaution."
Tohsaka Rin was not too worried. The Aozaki Sisters were not infamous villains, and she was not the only one who would have to deal with this. Kirei Kotomine would definitely not escape responsibility.
"Do not worry so much. Though that Magus seems rather average in her mastery of Magecraft, that Puppeteer has reached Grand rank. Constructing an isolated Otherworld would be effortless for her."
Seeing that Fujimaru Kyoya was still worried, Tohsaka Rin immediately tried to reassure him.
"Let us hope so."
Seeing that it was getting late, Fujimaru Kyoya prepared to head home. That Magus's interruption had pushed his original plan to return home much later into the evening. His parents had recently gone on a business trip, and he hoped Ritsuka had not gone hungry.
Fuyuki Members-Only Fine Dining Restaurant
"Big brother, I'm hungry."
When Fujimaru Kyoya returned home, that little ancestor had indeed already returned. Ravenous, she clearly seemed on the verge of devouring someone.
"Sorry, I came back late. How about we eat out today?"
"Yay!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka had the temperament of a child. Though her older brother's cooking was not bad, after eating it for so many days, she had long wanted a change of pace.
"Let's have mapo tofu."
"You really do love mapo tofu."
Perhaps because of Fujimaru Kyoya's influence, Fujimaru Ritsuka had also been quite interested in spicy food since childhood. Judging by the current signs, after Fujimaru Kyoya left Fuyuki City, this girl might become the next big eater.
My sister Ritsuka has the makings of a big eater.
Hongzhou Feast Year Pavilion Taishan was a restaurant Fujimaru Kyoya often visited. As a "big eater," he received a discount when dining there, making it exceptionally economical.
Yet today alone, Fujimaru Kyoya wanted to turn around and go straight home.
"What a coincidence."
It was the red-haired woman. If possible, Fujimaru Kyoya did not want to get involved with a Magus right now. More importantly, someone who looked similar to Aozaki Aoko was seated across from her.
The greatest difference between them was their hair color—a shade of red that was not pure.
That was her sister?
"Ritsuka, how about we go somewhere else today?"
"No, I want to eat this restaurant's mapo tofu."
Fujimaru Ritsuka naturally did not know how dangerous these two women were. To her, they were merely two beautiful older sisters.
There was no helping it now.
If they were merely eating at the same restaurant, it would not be a big deal. After all, Tohsaka Rin had said that these two were not evil magecraft users who slaughtered innocents indiscriminately, but...
"Sorry, there are no seats left in the restaurant. How about sharing a table with those two ladies?"
The bun-headed waitress naturally knew Fujimaru Kyoya, but it was currently the dinner rush. There truly were no seats left, aside from the two beside the Aozaki Sisters.
"We do not mind."
Aozaki Aoko did not care. The matters they were about to discuss were things every magecraft user knew, so there was no need to hide them.
"Two bowls of Mapo Tofu Ramen."
Fujimaru Kyoya calmed down at last. At this point, he could only take things one step at a time.
"Certainly, two bowls of Mapo Tofu Ramen."
The waitress led Fujimaru Kyoya to the table, but the anticipated tense confrontation did not occur.
Before you continue