Becoming Aozaki Touko

Aozaki Touko spoke in a gentle, soothing voice.

Listening to Touko's words, Irisviel fell silent for a moment, then said with some disappointment, "Then how is this qualification determined? When will we be able to have a child?"

"...I don't know either~"

Aozaki Touko smiled warmly. "But we have a plan. I'll take you to orphanages, to various places, and slowly help you find your answer!"

"So... we're leaving Einzbern?"

Irisviel's crimson eyes sparkled with anticipation. She was still full of longing for the outside world, curious about everything in it, like a sheltered noble lady who had never left her chambers.

"...I'll take you away from here!"

Without denying it, Aozaki Touko said firmly, "This place will limit your growth. I'll take you to see the truth of this world!"

"Then I'll be able to have a child?"

Irisviel tilted her head, her focus a bit peculiar.

"...Mm!"

Aozaki Touko smiled faintly, then said softly, "I have a feeling... on the day you give birth to our child, my dear wife, you will completely break free from the shackles of being an Android and understand what 'love' truly is!"

"Touko... did you already plan all this?"

Irisviel blinked, her focus still a bit off. These words didn't sound like a spur-of-the-moment thought from Aozaki Touko, which meant she had been considering this for a while.

"...Mm."

Aozaki Touko nodded slightly. "In fact, I've even thought of a name for the child. How about 'Illyasviel von Einzbern'?"

"Illya, Illya, Illya, Illya..."

Irisviel repeated the name a few times, then broke into a smile. "I really like this name. I'm looking forward to Illya's birth more and more!"

Inside a sealed room, a candle burned with a yellow flame. Hadon listened expressionlessly to the Maid's report. Even when he heard that Aozaki Touko wanted to take Irisviel away from the castle, his stern face showed no reaction.

In truth, even if Irisviel died, it would simply mean redesigning a new Lesser Grail.

As long as Aozaki Touko participated in the Holy Grail War, they could guarantee the greatest chance of victory. In just four months, Aozaki Touko's strength had made leaps and bounds—whether it was her astonishing understanding of magecraft or her incredible innovative ability, it was all remarkable.

She was a true convergence of talent, a genius among geniuses. Now, all that remained was to wait for time to accumulate.

"...Let her go."

"Mm... assist her as much as possible if needed!"

With that, he closed his eyes and fell silent. The Maid gave a slight bow, turned, and left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

Meanwhile.

Inside the vast library of the castle, Aozaki Touko's slender fingers brushed along the bookshelves as she walked deeper into the rows.

Every bookshelf surface was covered in strange blue patterns, with faint magical energy flowing through them. If someone without permission tried to enter, they would be torn apart instantly by the defensive magecraft.

But for Aozaki Touko, there was no obstacle.

Soon, she stopped at a shelf, pulled out a book, and quickly flipped through it. The book recorded methods for rapidly unleashing the human body's potential—specifically, how to disable the body's protective mechanisms.

Yes, her current research direction was how to release the body's protective limits.

While ensuring the body could still function normally.

Chapter 7: Potential Unleashed?!

Snow kept falling.

The earth was covered in a blanket of white snow, and a cold, harsh wind swirled endlessly.

At that moment, Aozaki Touko stood on the snow, staring at a boulder about half a meter high in front of her. Patterns like integrated circuits spread across her skin, and the flowing magical energy hinted at her physical strength.

"Touko... are you really going to split that rock with your bare hands?!"

Beside her, Irisviel's crimson eyes showed concern, her hands clasped nervously over her chest. Her husband had said this morning that she wanted to test the results of her magecraft.

The content? Splitting a hard boulder with bare hands!

"...Of course!"

Aozaki Touko answered decisively. "The human body possesses immense strength. But if used recklessly, the fragile body would break its own bones and tear its own tendons under the recoil..."

"However, if I use magecraft to reinforce my body, then in theory, I can punch through steel plates and kick through walls without taking any damage myself!"

With that, she raised her arm high. Then, with the sound of air tearing, a powerful gust of wind blew away the snow, and the ground seemed to tremble.

The blown snow fell, clearing the line of sight.

Irisviel's ruby-like eyes lit up with joy. The half-meter boulder had been split in two, and Aozaki Touko showed her uninjured hand.

"I did it!"

Aozaki Touko smiled brightly. The success of this experiment meant that she, a Doll Master who was weak in close combat, had finally filled her biggest gap. If anyone tried to take her down in melee...

Then she, Aozaki Touko, would show them what cruelty meant!

"As expected of the Egg of the Magus, Touko!"

"With power like this, the Holy Grail War will surely be much safer."

Irisviel praised gently, taking Touko's slender hand and carefully inspecting it for damage. Such a terrifying attack made it hard to believe she had come through unscathed.

"...Winning the Holy Grail War isn't necessarily the only goal, you know."

Seeing this, Aozaki Touko gave a helpless smile, then turned her hand to hold Irisviel's, leading her toward the castle.

Shortly after they left.

Hadon walked alone to the split stone, his gaze contemplative as he studied the viewing rock. He had watched the entire scene of the stone being cleaved.

In truth, he wasn't particularly surprised by Aozaki Touko's feat. He himself had no fewer than a hundred ways to split such a stone.

But what if this was merely a simple prelude?

As the head of the Einzbern Family, his own knowledge was the deepest. Naturally, Aozaki Touko wouldn't let such a resource go to waste.

And to fulfill the Einzbern's long-cherished wish, he was doing everything he could to assist.

Some time ago, the girl named Aozaki Touko had suddenly proposed an idea—no, more precisely, a plan.

To obtain power sufficient to battle Heroic Spirits.

An ordinary person would have laughed at that, sighing at her ignorance.

Yet Aozaki Touko had produced a concrete execution plan.

And that scene of splitting the stone was the symbol of the plan's initial success.

The magecraft was called—Gene Lock Release!

Now, the first stage had succeeded.

"...Aozaki Touko... perhaps she's even more talented than I imagined."

The aged voice carried a note of surprise.

Hadon turned contentedly and walked toward the castle. There was still plenty of time for this girl to grow. By the time the Holy Grail War began, he was sure to get a satisfying answer.

Inside Einzbern Castle.

Back in her room, Aozaki Touko sank into the soft sofa. Under the warmth of the fireplace, she went limp like a lazy orange cat.

"I'm exhausted..."

"Then rest a little, Touko. You're human, not a machine. If you keep working at this intensity, your body will break down sooner or later."

Pouring a cup of black tea, Irisviel sat beside her and spoke gently.

During this time, she had never seen Aozaki Touko take a break. Aside from spending some time with her, every other moment was devoted to research.

To be honest, if she were an ordinary wife, she'd probably be complaining about her new husband's lack of attention and starting a little marital spat by now.

"If I relax, it'll be even harder to push myself again."

Aozaki Touko muttered, "Right now... every piece of research is critical. This isn't the time to let up. I have to push through in one go."

That said, finishing every single technology in a short period was impossible.

Her current projects included Cell Enhancement Technique, Human Potential Release Technique, Rose Maiden Series Doll Development, and crafting dolls identical to humans. These were studies that would consume an ordinary magus's entire life—or even several generations if talent fell short.

"Is that so~"

Irisviel sighed helplessly, then gently pulled Aozaki Touko down to rest on her lap. Her soft, boneless hand stroked Touko's forehead with tender affection.

"I'm not good at research... but as your wife, I think this is what you need."

"Mm... I'm a little sleepy~"

Feeling the incredibly soft sensation behind her head, Aozaki Touko closed her eyes. Soon, she fell into a deep, peaceful sleep...

Chapter 8: Shinku

Snowflakes fell.

Atop Einzbern Castle.

A stunning silver-haired girl stood there, black feathered wings sprouting from her back, dressed in an ornate Lolita-style gown.

She danced gracefully amid the falling snow, her skirt swirling with each movement, silver hair swaying—like a princess from a fairy tale.

"...Is this a Rose Maiden?"

Watching from the side, Irisviel's ruby-like eyes shimmered with longing. What a beautiful sight—in this castle far from the world, a girl so exquisite she seemed beyond human danced in the snow.

In that moment, reality seemed to intertwine with dreams. The impossible fairy tale had stepped from fantasy into the real world.

"Mm... Suigintou is the first doll of the Rose Maidens."

Aozaki Touko nodded with a hint of pride—the pride of having created such an outstanding doll, like a parent praised for their child.

"From now on... the highest Dollcraft in the entire magical world will be represented by my Rose Maidens."

Very confident words, brimming with anticipation for the future.

Though the Suigintou she had created was not yet complete, it was undeniably an extremely powerful Magecraft Mystic Code. With the backing of the Einzbern fortune, this doll had been further refined, drawing very close to full completion.

"If it's you, Touko, I believe they will surely become the greatest masterpieces in the future. Of this, I have no doubt whatsoever!"

Irisviel smiled gently—a wife's unreserved trust in her husband, without a shred of doubt that the Rose Maidens could become the pinnacle of dollcraft.

"...At least argue back a little~"

Hearing this, Aozaki Touko gave a light laugh, then tossed her long hair, revealing a radiant smile like the warm morning sun.

"The next Rose Maiden's name is Shinku. Would you like to come witness her birth with me?"

"I absolutely must see it!"

Irisviel nodded quickly.

Seeing this, Aozaki Touko smiled softly, then waved a hand toward the dancing Suigintou. The doll halted her steps, rose, and flew behind Touko like a guardian spirit, her jet-black wings spreading like a shield.

Japan

Misaki City

A fine drizzle pattered down, dark clouds pressing low over the sky.

"..."

Aozaki Aoko held a red umbrella, climbing step by step toward the hill. She was going to meet a witch—the kind from fairy tales, who brewed strange potions and cast bizarre curses.

Though one point needed correction.