Becoming Aozaki Touko

Though the pale blue veins beneath her fair skin, the lively eyes, and the warm breath all seemed indistinguishable from a normal human...

A fake was still a fake, however, to the Einzbern Family, who had researched android technology for a millennium.

The moment they laid eyes on this girl, they judged her a puppet.

"If I'd come in person... my score would probably drop quite a bit!"

Aozaki Touko smiled and said, "After all, barging into a magus's territory... wouldn't that be called losing one's mind?"

No empty words—a magus's strength within their own Magic Workshop was on an entirely different level compared to the outside world.

To put it metaphorically, it was like a scientist installing countless advanced weapons inside their own lab; if someone entered without permission, they'd learn what cruelty meant.

"...Heh, well said!"

Hadon nodded in confirmation, then chuckled, "Well then, Miss Touko, please come inside for a talk—this isn't the place for negotiations!"

As his words fell, the androids parted to make way.

Hadon and Aozaki Touko strolled into the Einzbern castle.

Meanwhile.

Japan.

Misaki City, Kuzuki Western Mansion.

Kuonji Alice poured black tea with a cool expression, while Aozaki Aoko sat across from her. An awkward, strange atmosphere filled the living room.

"...Alice, where did Touko go?"

After a long silence, Aozaki Aoko finally spoke.

"That's not for you to ask!"

Kuonji Alice set down the tea, her tone icy and merciless.

Where Aozaki Touko had gone was a matter of magus information, unsuitable for an ordinary person like Aozaki Aoko to know.

"...Is that so?"

Without taking offense, Aozaki Aoko asked again, "Then, can you tell me when Touko will be back? You should be able to say that much, right?"

"..."

Kuonji Alice frowned slightly, then, as if giving up, said flatly, "When Touko will return—even Touko herself doesn't know that!"

It was the truth. Aozaki Touko had gone to Germany to acquire the Einzbern Family's android technology. If she succeeded, the learning period would be far from short.

And even if she failed, Aozaki Touko didn't seem to plan on coming back immediately.

"..."

Aozaki Aoko picked up her teacup and took a small sip, then said, "Is it something like advanced study? Since she needs to be away from home this long, it must be at some magic academy, right?"

"..."

No answer. Kuonji Alice tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes flickering, then said calmly, "Touko... she'll probably be back in two or three years."

"So Touko really did go to a magic academy for training."

Aozaki Aoko held up her teacup and smiled. "But then, won't you be all alone now, Alice? Won't you feel lonely?"

"...A magus is a solitary creature."

Kuonji Alice said flatly. "But compared to me, you, who has no sister, will probably feel much lonelier. I hope you won't pester me to find a way to contact Touko."

"...Ah~"

Aozaki Aoko's eyes widened slightly.

Chapter 3: Milady, I Like You

Early morning.

Sunlight spilled through the window, and the firewood crackled faintly in the hearth.

"...Mmm~"

Aozaki Touko propped herself up in bed, her waist-length hair splayed out. She yawned lazily, then gazed at the snowflakes falling outside the window.

After a moment's thought, she lay back down and pulled the covers over her head.

For now, let's sleep another two hours...

"Miss Touko, you should get up and have a nutritious breakfast now."

A soft female voice sounded. A white-haired, red-eyed Maid stood by the bed, reaching out to nudge Aozaki Touko, who was hiding under the covers.

"...Mmm~"

"Miss Touko, it's time to get up now."

"...Mmm~"

"Your washing is ready as well."

"...Mm-hmm~"

To this scene, the Maid showed no hint of impatience, still calling out softly with a voice like a mountain spring:

"If this keeps up, you might end up staying up late again today."

"...I know!"

Under the covers, Aozaki Touko's delicate frame stiffened slightly, then she rose with some difficulty.

She had been at the Einzbern Family for three months now, and her study of android techniques had gone from initial enthusiasm to tedious boredom.

Of course, that might partly be because she had poured too much passion into it at the start.

Walking down the hallway, Aozaki Touko headed to the dining room with the Maid, passing maids who all bowed to her—a demeanor that went beyond mere guest courtesy.

If anything, it was the attitude toward... a family heir.

Of course, Aozaki Touko's relationship with the Einzbern Family wasn't that deep.

In fact, the contract they had signed was a purely cooperative one: Aozaki Touko would win the Holy Grail War, and the Einzbern Family would fulfill their long-cherished wish.

On the surface, it was that simple and clear.

But.

Reality had defied expectations.

In the three months of study at Einzbern, the androids had had enough time to form a judgment about Aozaki Touko, and so they believed she could win the Holy Grail War.

With that premise in place.

It could be said that Aozaki Touko was almost equivalent to the thousand-year-long wish the androids had awaited.

That was the reason for the Einzbern androids' peculiar attitude.

Arriving at the dining room.

Hadon was already seated at the head of the table, his attire and hair impeccably neat, giving off a stiff, aristocratic air.

Though, calling him stiff and rigid wasn't wrong either.

Because Hadon's very essence was an automaton that could operate perpetually at the cost of being unable to improve.

In essence, no different from the dolls Aozaki Touko crafted.

"...How rare, you actually came to breakfast?!"

Aozaki Touko said in surprise as she sat down.

In fact, aside from her first day at the Einzbern Family when Hadon had been present, he was usually elusive, rarely seen.

"There's something I need to discuss with you."

Hadon's tone was very calm.

Over this period, the girl had fully demonstrated her talent, mastering android techniques with such speed that it almost created an illusion.

Give this girl enough time, and she might create Sefirot on her own.

"Discuss?"

Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow slightly, showing curiosity.

"Before that, I have some questions to ask you!"

Hadon shook his head, then said seriously, "What do you pursue, what do you want, what do you yearn for?"

"...I didn't expect you to ask me that!"

Aozaki Touko was a bit surprised, then smiled and said, "You know, in the ordinary world, it's actually hard to gain freedom. Life is manipulated by all sorts of things—a boss's words, a teacher's words, a parent's words, even a spouse's words—all are shackles that bind."

"So, I pursue power, want power, yearn for power!"

Listening to the girl's words, Hadon remained silent, watching the light flicker in her eyes—a resolute will, the kind of look that only comes with having an 'ideal.'

"Is that so... That's truly the ideal of a genius!"

No empty words—for ordinary people, living their entire lives unable to control their fate, grasping their own destiny is nearly impossible.

But for a genius, it's different. Compared to the meager choices of the average person.

A genius possesses a broader future, a wider range of choices, and only then can such a self-centered ideal be born.

"..."

Aozaki Touko downed her milk in one gulp, then said, "So... can you tell me now what you wanted to discuss with me?"

"About the disposal plan for the Lesser Grail!"

Hadon said calmly, "Since you're the one participating in the Holy Grail War, I thought I should consult your opinion on what form the Grail should take."

Aozaki Touko blinked and asked softly, "Have you already created the Grail?"

Chapter 4: Illyasviel von Einzbern

"The Holy Grail has long been completed!"

Hadon's voice was calm, without a single ripple. "However, this Grail is somewhat special. It is borne by an Android's heart. Once enough Heroic Spirits have been collected, she will die, and her heart will become the Lesser Grail."

"She?"

Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow slightly.

"That's right. She."

Hadon gave a slight nod. "The vessel of the Holy Grail is a woman. Originally, there was also a plan to use her to recruit a son-in-law, but since you've taken her place, that plan is now void."

"May I ask her name?"

Aozaki Touko wore an expression of interest, as if she knew nothing at all—or perhaps she simply wanted to confirm it once more.

"Illyasviel von Einzbern."

Hearing the name spoken by Hadon, Aozaki Touko gave a slight nod, then stood up and said with a smile, "Take me to see her. I've lost my appetite now."

"Very well. Follow me."

Without refusal, Hadon nodded slightly and led Aozaki Touko away.

They walked through a somewhat lengthy corridor.

Aozaki Touko followed Hadon into a lavishly decorated room. Then, her gaze was instantly drawn to a stunningly beautiful young woman.

She was a girl dressed in a pure white gown, seated on a sofa in an elegant posture. Her silky, silver hair cascaded behind her, and she exuded a noble aura like that of a Princess.

A truly picturesque scene.