Gazing at the Stars and Manaka Sajyou / Demon-Muscled Rin and the Ladylike Crane-Kaynes's Dream!

"Grand Marshal of Magic, Lord Traberio, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

Lorelei and Traberio, the Lord of the Department of General Fundamentals and one of the Three Great Aristocrats, were seated in Waver's office. When Waver opened the door, Traberio paused his conversation with Lorelei and curiously looked past Waver at Rin behind him.

"Oh, so this is Rin Tohsaka?"

Lorelei set down her teacup and said to Waver and Rin.

"Come in, both of you."

Waver first stepped aside to let Rin enter. Then he flipped the sign on the door, forming a magecraft barrier, before slowly closing the office door.

Rin curiously examined the middle-aged man before her. From the way Waver had addressed him, she already knew his identity: Traberio, Lord of the Department of General Fundamentals. Isn't this guy the leader of the democratic faction? Why did he come looking for me today?

Traberio rose to his feet and slowly bowed toward the curious-looking Rin, speaking apologetically.

"Lady Rin Tohsaka, I offer my deepest apologies. Due to an error in our family's work and an incorrect assessment of the intelligence, the Department of Law and Politics issued a detention order against you. I have come specifically to apologize for that."

Rin was stunned by Traberio's explanation. Even now, she still had not figured out what had happened yesterday, nor could she be bothered to. The Clock Tower's situation was simply too complicated—countless families, twelve Lords, thirteen departments, three major factions, and three great aristocratic houses. It would not have been surprising for any sort of underhanded affair to occur among them. Still, this development was far beyond Rin's expectations.

Unlike Rin, Waver had spent more than nine years at the Clock Tower, so Traberio's visit did not surprise him at all. After Rin's battle with Lorelei, he had known this outcome was inevitable. Unlike Lorelei, who had been raised by immense resources and a thousand-year legacy, Rin Tohsaka was a genius who had emerged from the Far East Magecraft Desert and yet possessed the strength to fight Lorelei. That had shattered many people's expectations.

Although the magecraft world had constantly praised Rin Tohsaka's genius and talent before this, most families at the pinnacle of the magecraft world had dismissed such rumors with scorn. Only after Rin fought Lorelei did those families have no choice but to take her seriously. Rin had already displayed potential matching those rumors. If she matured, she might become another new peak of the magecraft world. Moreover, to every family, Rin's value far surpassed Lorelei's.

That was precisely why Traberio had sought Rin out the very next day, hoping to gain her forgiveness. Unlike Lorelei, Rin Tohsaka had been born in the "countryside" and was also a woman. If they could win her over, what immense help she would be to their family. Even if there was only the slightest possibility, no magecraft family would let such an opportunity slip away. Without realizing it, Rin had truly become the prized prize in the eyes of magecraft families throughout the entire magecraft world.

Completely unable to make sense of the situation, Rin froze for a moment. After thinking for a long time and still failing to understand why Traberio was apologizing to her, she decided it was better not to offend another Lord and said.

"Um, I don't understand why you're apologizing, but I forgive you."

Waver helplessly rubbed his forehead. Why was someone so shrewd most of the time always dropping the ball at the crucial moment?

Watching Rin "forgive" Traberio, Lorelei took out a document and handed it to Rin.

"Congratulations, Rin. From now on, you are a Color rank Magus. Your color is red. This is the Association's assessment document."

Traberio suddenly interjected.

"What is wrong with those people at the Association? They actually failed to grant Rin the title of Grand? This is outrageous. Don't worry, Rin, I will certainly demand justice from the Association on your behalf."

Hearing Traberio's words, Rin hurriedly waved her hands. So far, Rin had only met two Grand Magi, but she knew full well that forget Lorelei—even Touko, if they truly fought to the death, would be more than she could defeat. Escaping would probably be nothing more than a fantasy. Furthermore, the facility she had used to cheat had been destroyed in her battle with Lorelei yesterday. It would be absolutely impossible to rebuild it anytime soon, and her other trump cards could not be used lightly either. If she were given a Grand title and some Grand Magus took a dislike to her, she would probably get beaten to death.

"No, no, thank you for the kindness, but I'm already very satisfied with a Color rank."

Lorelei watched Traberio put on a show of indignation for Rin and walked over to his side.

"Enough, you old fox. Put that act away. It's ugly."

Traberio did not mind Lorelei's jab. He took a box from his coat, placed it on the table, and turned toward the door.

"Lorelei, you are still young. You do not understand these matters. Rin, this is compensation from the Traberio family. Please excuse me. If you need help in the future, you may come find me. The Traberio family welcomes your visit."

After Traberio left Waver's office, Lorelei picked up the box from the table and tossed it into Rin's arms.

"Take it, Rin. You deserve it."

Rin nodded and put away the box, then asked Lorelei.

"Lorelei, what did you want to see me about today? You didn't come just to deliver my evaluation document, did you?"

"Of course not. Rin, I am extending you an invitation. Are you interested in joining me to eliminate the Child of Phul?"

"The Child of Phul? Where? When?"

"Traberio provided me with information. We will encounter the Child of Phul during this Mystic Eye Collection Train journey. So, are you interested?"

The Mystic Eye Collection Train? I hadn't planned on getting involved, but it looks like I'll have to make a trip. I can arrange my meeting with Marisbury Animusphere aboard that train. Maybe I can even see the young 'Director.' With that thought, Rin nodded to Lorelei.

"No problem, Lorelei. I accept your invitation. But I'll leave the invitation letter to you..."

After finishing her discussion with Lorelei, Rin followed Waver out of the Clock Tower and into a small shop on an ordinary street beyond its perimeter to eat lunch.

"Waver, I need to trouble you with something. Please notify Marisbury Animusphere that I want to meet him aboard this Mystic Eye Collection Train."

"Alright, Rin. I'll arrange for someone to notify him this afternoon. By the way, Rin, why do you care so much about Gry? Your behavior doesn't seem to be just because of Gry's appearance."

"That's because... Waver, can you lend Gry to me for a while? In exchange, I'll invite you to participate in this Holy Grail War as one of the Three Great Families..."

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Written by a silly loli!

Star Gazing Pie and Sajyou Manaka

"Rin! Allow me to refuse."

The Holy Grail War—what an unforgettable dream!

Waver recalled that towering figure in his mind, recalling everything about that King, yet he still firmly rejected Rin's proposal.

Rin, having been rejected, rested her chin on one hand with a faint smile. Her other hand unconsciously kept stirring the borscht before her with a spoon.

"Waver, don't you want to see that Emperor again? Have you given up your identity as his retainer?"

"I..."

"Waver, Gry is a creation of Morgan le Fay's family, right? Don't worry, I have no interest in reviving King Arthur. I only plan to borrow Gry to participate in the Holy Grail War. With her identity, I can add another trump card without even needing a Holy Relic!"

Waver stared intently at Rin and scrutinized her for a long while.

"Rin, you're lying. You have another objective!"

"Oh my, you saw through me? Yes, I do have another purpose, but it's a secret! Still, don't worry, I absolutely won't hurt Gry. Not even a little."

"Rin, you must promise that you won't harm Gry!"

"Of course, I promise. Then I look forward to working with you in the Holy Grail War!"

After saying that, Rin extended her hand. Waver paused for a moment, then extended his own and firmly shook her hand.

After lunch, Rin declined the invitation to return to the Modern Magecraft Classroom and teach the students. Instead, she wandered alone through the ancient streets of the Clock Tower's academic district.

Looking at the elegant surroundings, Rin casually sat down on a bench by the street and tilted her head up toward the gloomy sky.

"Is it going to rain? Mm, I still need to buy Da Vinci a Star Gazing Pie later. What a hassle."

"Do you want this?"

Hearing the voice, Rin suddenly froze and turned toward its source.

"Oh, did I disturb you? Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sajyou Manaka. I'm a student in the Department of General Fundamentals. It's nice to meet you, Rin~"

After saying that, Aiga placed the Star Gazing Pie in her hand on the bench, then happily skipped out of Rin's sight.

"I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Rin fiercely pinched her thigh. Feeling the pain, she looked at the Star Gazing Pie on the bench and picked it up with slightly trembling hands.

"Sajyou Manaka... Why is the Root Princess here? Damn it, was I really noticed by the Root?"

Uneasy and frightened, Rin casually tossed the Star Gazing Pie into a roadside trash can and hurried away from the Clock Tower.

Not long after Rin left, Sajyou Manaka emerged from behind a nearby tree. With a gloomy expression, she walked to the trash can and retrieved the Star Gazing Pie Rin had thrown inside.

"Rin~chan, you're being naughty. I spent an entire night making this! You need to be punished. But you really do know me. I want to eat you so badly, Rin! La~ la~ la~ la."

With a twisted expression, Aiga smashed the Star Gazing Pie onto the ground. Then her face abruptly changed, and she revealed a brilliant smile as she hummed a tune and vanished from the street.

Rin hurried out of the Clock Tower's academic district and arrived at the commercial street outside. A raindrop suddenly struck her face. Only then did she stop, look up at the sky as rain began to fall, and casually enter a roadside mall to take shelter.

"Rin, why are you here?"

Standing by the mall entrance and watching the rain outside, Rin turned and saw Luvia staring at her with a curious expression.

Rin turned around, first glanced around the mall, then asked Luvia.

"Luvia, is this your family's mall? I came in to take shelter from the rain."

Seeing that Rin had easily recognized her family's mall, Luvia covered her mouth and laughed proudly. While inspecting her family's new mall from upstairs earlier, Luvia had suddenly noticed someone ignoring the magecraft effects within the mall and lingering by the entrance. She had assumed it was some Clock Tower student and had not paid it much attention, but as she drew closer, that figure began to look increasingly familiar.

"Rin still remembers our family's style? I'm so touched."

Rin curled her lip. Aside from your family, I can't think of anyone else in the magecraft world who would use such a nouveau riche style.

"Rin, would you like to tour my family's mall?"

Rin looked at Luvia and shook her head.

"No, Luvia. I'm not interested in shopping. I'll leave once the rain stops."

Luvia looked at the rain outside, then invited Rin.

"Rin, the rain probably won't stop anytime soon. Would you like to come to my office for some afternoon tea?"

"Sure. Sorry to trouble you, Luvia."

Rin followed Luvia to an office on the mall's top floor.

After Luvia elegantly brought out tea and pastries and brewed the black tea, the two began chatting in Luvia's office.

"Rin, did you know that my family's mall defense system had a problem a few days ago?"

"Mm, I know."

"Oh, right. You live with Lainas, so she must have told you."

Naturally, Rin would not tell Luvia that she knew from The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II. She casually nodded in agreement, then asked Luvia.

"Luvia, do you know Sajyou Manaka?"

"Sajyou Manaka?"

Luvia thought carefully for a moment, then spoke.

"Mm!"

"Luvia, can you tell me about her?"

"Rin, why are you asking about her?"

Luvia curiously questioned Rin in return, but when she saw Rin's serious expression, she slowly recounted the information she knew about Sajyou Manaka.

"As far as I know, Sajyou Manaka is somewhat famous at the Clock Tower. At fourteen, quite a few professors already call her a genius. But because of her strange personality, she seems to have no friends. She also appears and disappears unpredictably, and no one knows exactly what she does. Oh, and like you, she seems to come from the Far East."

"Is that all?"

"Mm. She may be somewhat famous at the Clock Tower, but there are too many star students. Compared with them, she's practically invisible, so naturally no one pays much attention to her. But Rin, where did you hear about her?"

With a somewhat disappointed expression, Rin waved a hand at Luvia.

"I ran into her today, so I got curious and asked about her."

Luvia's eyes lit up. Looking at Rin's disappointed expression, she seemed to think of something.

"Rin, your expression is strange! I don't know why you want information about her, but I can investigate for you. In exchange, spar with me a little. How about it?"

Rin knew that the Root Princess, Sajyou Manaka, would never allow these "ordinary people" to obtain any useful information about her. Still, clinging to a slim hope, Rin nodded and agreed to Luvia's proposal.

When Luvia saw Rin agree, she hurriedly raised a fan to cover her face, preventing Rin from seeing her excited expression. Rin, even though my magecraft is inferior to yours, my wrestling skills won't lose to your Baji Quan. Is sweet "revenge" finally coming?

Inside the mall, Rin and Luvia, now changed into their clothes, faced one another in Luvia's usual wrestling practice area, waiting for the other to reveal an opening.

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Demonically Muscular Rin and the Ladylike Crane—Kotomine Kirei's Dream!

Many customers in the mall curiously looked up at the top floor, where continuous noises rang out.

"Are they renovating?"

On the top floor, inside the wrestling practice room.

The distracted Rin and the excited Luvia began an intense fight.

Using nimble footwork, Rin continuously evaded Luvia's grapples.

"Rin, do you only know how to run?"