The Third Master

The sun hung in the sky, and night was about to fall.

The Tohsaka Residence was a rather classical Western-style mansion. It was also the home of the Tohsaka Family, a family with considerable renown in the magecraft world.

Although these days, Rin Tohsaka was the only member of the Tohsaka Family.

"Yeah, Kaoru's with me."

"We'll be back soon."

"Please don't worry. I'll keep an eye on her."

In the first-floor living room, Sasuke was talking to the old man on the phone. Kaoru Sakura still hadn't woken up, but with Rin Tohsaka's treatment, she should be fine.

So Sasuke didn't want to make the old man, who was getting on in years, worry too much.

Just then, the guest room on the second floor opened, and Rin Tohsaka came out. Seeing that Sasuke had just hung up, she told him how Kaoru Sakura was doing:

"I used Suggestion Magecraft. She won't remember being attacked today."

"Don't worry. It won't affect her at all."

"Kaoru Sakura's doing fine physically. If she rests at home for three or four days, she'll make a full recovery."

After reaching the living room, Rin first poured herself a cup of freshly brewed black tea, then poured another for each of the two sitting there.

Rin sat down in an armchair. Looking at Sasuke sitting beside Shirou on the long sofa, she couldn't help feeling a headache coming on.

"You suddenly asked me to explain everything, and I honestly don't know where to start."

"Anyway, let me give you a quick rundown on magi and the Holy Grail War."

Rin Tohsaka certainly lived up to her status as the current head of the Tohsaka Family. She gave Sasuke a concise, quick explanation of magi and the Holy Grail War.

She also provided Sasuke with plenty of information about Masters and Servants.

The biggest difference between magi and ordinary people was whether they had Magic Circuits.

Magic Circuits were the innate source of a magus's magical energy.

They were simulated nerves within a magus's body, the mark of their aptitude for magecraft. Their function was to convert life force into magical energy.

Still, even among ordinary people, a small number were born with Magic Circuits.

Shirou Emiya was one of them.

As for the glowing object Sasuke had seen on Rin Tohsaka's left arm earlier, that was a Magic Crest.

It was a crystallization of magecraft passed down through the Tohsaka generations, an auxiliary engine distinct from a magus's own Magic Circuits.

It was embedded in Rin's left arm. Without any complicated incantations, the magecraft engraved inside it could be activated simply by running magical energy through it.

That was why it only appeared when she used it.

Why had it been glowing then?

Because Rin Tohsaka had been pursuing Shirou Emiya.

As for why, that was far too complicated to explain in a short time.

This was how Rin Tohsaka explained the Holy Grail War to Sasuke.

About once every sixty years, the spiritual energy in the ley lines of Fuyuki City accumulated to the point where it could support the descent of the Holy Grail. The Holy Grail, which possessed the power to instantly grant any wish, would then appear in Fuyuki City.

However, that power could only be claimed by one Master and Servant.

So an unwritten pact was made: seven magi would each lead a Heroic Spirit they had summoned into a battle for ownership of the Holy Grail. The victors who survived would claim it.

"So the one who attacked Kaoru Sakura at school earlier was one of the seven Servants."

"Of course, not mine or Shirou's."

"I was going to let you meet my Servant, but he didn't seem too keen on being put on display."

Rin finished speaking and gave a meaningful laugh.

Sasuke wasn't particularly bothered. After all, he'd already seen one today.

"Never mind. I think I understand what you've told me."

At that moment, Rin watched Sasuke's eyes, wanting to ask him something, but then thought better of it.

After all, prying into another magus's abilities was a major taboo, even if she was curious about Sasuke's magecraft and Mystic Eyes.

She wasn't entirely sure, but Rin Tohsaka thought Sasuke probably had Mystic Eyes.

Mystic Eyes were a form of engineered magecraft.

They turned one's eyeballs into Magic Circuits, much like a Magic Crest, transforming the passive function of receiving information from the outside world into the ability to actively influence it.

In other words, every target within their field of vision would be affected by the magecraft. If a target looked directly into the Mystic Eyes, the effect would increase dramatically.

Since Mystic Eyes couldn't be looked at directly, and anyone seen by them would fall under their magecraft's influence, they were almost impossible to guard against. On top of that, it was hard to tell by appearance whether someone had Mystic Eyes.

So most people with Mystic Eyes were first-rate magi.

But apart from Mystic Eyes, Rin Tohsaka couldn't think of anything else that could explain the changes in Sasuke's eyes earlier.

Now that Sasuke knew everything he needed to, he got to his feet and said:

"Thanks for today."

"If you ever need my help, just ask."

"If you find the person who hurt Kaoru, let me know. I can take care of him for you."

Rin Tohsaka didn't refuse. Having another ally in this war would be a great advantage.

Rin gave a slight nod. Just as she was about to say something, the guest-room door on the second floor opened.

Kaoru Sakura came out with her black hair hanging loose and her eyes still a little unfocused. She had completely forgotten what happened that day.

After Rin Tohsaka used Suggestion Magecraft on her, Kaoru thought she had been invited to her senpai's house and had simply been too tired to stay awake, so she'd taken a nap.

Seeing that Kaoru Sakura was awake, Rin Tohsaka slipped into character and spoke to her gently:

"Did you sleep well, Kaoru?"

"I called your brother to come pick you up."

Kaoru Sakura shook her groggy head and hurried downstairs. Looking embarrassed, she bowed deeply to Rin Tohsaka.

"I'm so sorry, Rin-senpai. I didn't expect to fall asleep..."

Rin Tohsaka smiled, putting her superb acting skills on display.

"It's fine. If we get the chance, I'll invite you over again sometime."

Kaoru Sakura was flattered. Even though she'd been affected by Suggestion Magecraft, Rin Tohsaka was the school's top student and a perfect young lady in every way!

Rin Tohsaka was popular with the boys, got along well with the girls, and even had an unofficial fan club.

"Yes, Rin-senpai..."

"It would be my honor! I'd be delighted!"

Watching Kaoru Sakura nervously pile on the formalities, Sasuke let out a soft sigh.

"Come on, let's go home, Kaoru."

"If we're any later, the old man might get angry with you."

In the end, Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya saw them to the gate of the residence.

After Rin and Shirou had left, Sasuke, his expression as stern as ever, looked at Kaoru and asked:

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Kaoru rubbed her head, looking confused.

"I feel a little weak. I think I've forgotten something, too."

Watching Kaoru stumble along, barely able to walk, Sasuke stepped in front of her and crouched down, speaking calmly.

"I'll carry you."

Kaoru Sakura looked around at the empty surroundings, gave him a faintly disgusted look, then couldn't help laughing as she teased him:

"Uh..."

"Bro... Aren't you embarrassed?"

Though Kaoru Sakura said that, she lazily climbed onto Sasuke's back, grinning as she did.

"I can't believe I got to visit Rin-senpai's house!"

"Bro, you have no idea how many people at school like her!"

"But what surprised me most was Shirou-senpai. Do you think those two are already dating?"

"Yikes... That's huge news!"

"But if I told anyone, I'd probably be dead, wouldn't I?"

Sasuke listened to Kaoru's rambling and quietly headed home.

As they walked, though, his phone received a message from Rin Tohsaka.

Rin Tohsaka wasn't very good with modern electronics, but with Shirou's help, she could at least send a text.

[After school tomorrow, Shirou and I are going to investigate the third Master hiding at school.]

[Want to come?]

For Sasuke, this wasn't a question.