It was afternoon, and the darkness of the night was almost covering the surrounding dusk.
Tosaka Tokiomi came to his wife's family home, the Zenjo family, but he just stood outside the door and did not intend to step inside.
Now Tokiomi was one of the masters fighting for the Holy Grail, and was in the Shura battlefield. In order to protect the safety of his wife and daughter, he sent them to Zenjo's house, and he would not allow himself to go in with a bloody smell.
Tokiomi originally thought that he would not meet his family until the war was over, but the unexpected death of Father Kotomine Risei last night shook his resolve.
The old priest was not only a good friend of Tokiomi's father, but also Tokiomi's guardian. For Tokiomi, the secret agreement with the priest and his support were important factors in Tokiomi's belief that he would win.
Of course, Tokiomi would not back down just because of the loss of support, but he did begin to feel that his previously confident and almost arrogant path to victory was shrouded in an ominous shadow of "what if something happens".
Just like the old but strong priest who suddenly collapsed, would it be possible that I would die before fulfilling my ambitions
Until yesterday, victory in the Holy Grail War was almost a sure thing for Tokiomi.
But now that his reliable companion was dead, Tokiomi finally realized that he was a competitor in a battle between life and death.
Who knows - this might be the last time he sees his family.
Taking a deep breath, banishing distracting thoughts and regaining his usual calmness and elegance, Tokiomi reached out for the doorbell beside the gate.
At this moment, Tokiomi saw a scene that surprised him.
In the yard, his two daughters - yes, two daughters, the eldest daughter Toosaka Rin and the second daughter who had been adopted by the Matou family and renamed Matou Sakura, were competing in magic.
A seven-year-old and a six-year-old girl cannot possibly master real combat magic, and the competition between them is not a real magic showdown, but rather a "paper-folding competition" among ordinary children, to see who can fold the most beautiful and the fastest. The "paper-folding" here is replaced by "magic props".
Rin used the jewel magic passed down by the Tousaka family, and the jewels she made were the ones that store magic power that she has been training with recently.
Sakura did not use the water magic inherited from the Matou family, but some ancient rune magic. Although Tokiomi did not know much about rune magic and did not know which rune Sakura used, he could see that Sakura had a solid foundation and her magic foundation was full of unique beauty, which was enough to prove that the rune magic she learned was inherited completely and had a sound system.
"It seems that Matou Zouken is really dedicated." Tokiomi nodded secretly. He didn't know that Matou Zouken, whom he had high hopes for, had died a year ago. Because the Matou family didn't announce the death to the public, they kept the illusion that Matou Zouken was alive. The magic base of the Matou family also quietly changed with Zouken's death.
The magic products made by the two little girls were very basic, which did not take much magic power or time. After about ten minutes, the two sisters completed their own works.
What Rin held in her palm was a pure and flawless crystal piece, a standard regular octagon, with a luster and shape that reached the level of a jewelry pendant. The purity of the magic contained in the crystal piece was also very good, and the only drawback was the insufficient magic filling rate. This was not because Rin's magic power was insufficient, on the contrary, Rin's magic power was too much, and she often destroyed the gems during practice due to excessive magic power. In order to win the game, Rin chose a relatively conservative approach, preferring to leave a little room rather than too much, and this calmness made Tokiomi feel relieved.
In comparison, Sakura's work looked very plain. It was grey, like a small stone that could be found everywhere, with an ancient rune with only a few strokes engraved on it. However, the quality of magic products could not be judged by appearance. With Tokiomi's eyesight, he could naturally see that Sakura's work was no worse than her sister's.
This is a standard rune stone, and its function is the same as the gemstone made by Rin, both are used to store magic. The magic power injected into the rune stone is equivalent to that of the gemstone, and the purity is basically the same. From the comparison of their works, the two are evenly matched. However, Sakura only started to formally learn magic after entering the Matou family, which is only a year ago, while Rin has been carefully trained by Tokiomi for a year and seven months. From this aspect, Sakura is undoubtedly better.
Of course, Tokiomi is not worried that the sisters will widen the gap. Rin has been precocious and strong-willed since she was a child, always saying "sisters must protect sisters". Now that she suddenly finds that her sister has caught up with her and no longer needs her protection, Rin will definitely work harder to maintain her dignity as a sister.
In fact, Tokiomi knew very well that Aoi and Rin were unwilling to adopt Sakura to the Matou family, but they kept it in their hearts out of trust (admiration) for their husband (father). But not saying it does not mean that he does not miss his daughter (sister). Tokiomi still remembers the happy eyes of his wife and daughter when Sakura passed by the door of the Tohsaka family during her morning run.
Therefore, although Tokiomi emphasized several times that Sakura no longer belonged to the Matou family and should not show too close, he actually did not care about the private intimate behavior of Aoi and Rin, including this time when Sakura appeared at the Zenjo family, Tokiomi did not intend to ask. Standing on the position of the magician family of the Tosaka family, Tokiomi must draw a clear line with Sakura, but he is Sakura's biological father after all, and how can a father not love his daughter? It's just that the way he expresses it is too deep and introverted, and the children can't see it, only his wife Aoi understands.
When the match ended in a tie and the two works were given to Aoi as gifts, Tokiomi rang the doorbell.
Seeing his father whom he hadn't seen for several days, Rin first smiled happily, and then hurriedly hid Sakura behind his mother Aoi.
Tokiomi was amused by this scene, and found that his father was not angry. Sakura leaned out and gave Tokiomi a timid smile, and Tokiomi responded with a long-lost warm smile. Then, Tokiomi waved to Rin. The most important purpose of his visit to the Zenjo family today was to tell Rin some important things.
Gazing at his daughter's gem-like eyes, Tokiomi once again felt firsthand that this girl was the treasure that the Tōsaka family had spent five generations to finally obtain, a shining gem as precious as a miracle.
Toosaka Rin.
Although her face is still young and tender, it is foreseeable that she will be a very outstanding beauty in the future. Rather than saying that she looks like her mother, it is better to say that she sometimes has the shadow of her mother when she was young.
At this moment, she was looking at her silent father nervously, waiting for him to speak.
Tokiomi knew the respect and admiration his daughter had for him as a father.
What he said to Rin here and now would surely affect her future.
No, there is no need to be confused about the future, the future has already been decided. In addition to becoming the sixth generation head of the Tohsaka family, Rin has no other choice.
Thinking about it carefully, perhaps this is the most fundamental reason why Tokiomi feels a little guilty towards his daughter.
Tokiomi knelt on one knee, bent down, and placed his hand on Rin's head.
Rin showed a surprised expression and opened his eyes wide.
Seeing his daughter's reaction, Tokiomi then remembered that he had never stroked his daughter's head like this before.
It was no wonder that Rin was so surprised. Even Tokiomi himself realized that he didn't know how much strength he should use to express his tender feelings after touching his daughter's head.
"... Rin, before you grow up, the association should owe you a favor. The next decision is up to you. If it's you, you can handle it well even if you are alone."
I was still hesitating about what to say, but once I opened my mouth, the words just came out one after another.
If we consider the "what if" scenario, there are so many things that should be said.
How to deal with the heirloom gems, the things passed down from the master, the management of the underground workshop - Tokiomi summarized the key points of these things and explained them one by one to Rin who listened attentively.
Although he has not yet passed his own mage mark to Rin, in essence, these instructions are equivalent to designating Rin as the next master of the Tōsaka family.
Tōsaka Tokiomi is definitely not a genius.
Among all the magicians of the Tohsaka family, his talent could even be said to be mediocre.
The reason why Tokiomi is a sophisticated and respected magus today is because he has always faithfully followed the Tōsaka family motto.
Always stay calm and always stay elegant.
If you want a perfect result, you have to accumulate 20 points of practice before you proceed. In order to be able to pass various tests on himself gracefully and calmly, Tokiomi has always required himself to do so. If you want to find out what Tokiomi is superior to others, I can only say that Tokiomi's strongest point is his thorough self-discipline and his firm will to overcome himself.
As a teacher and also Tokiomi's father, the previous head of the Tosaka family had foreseen that if his son set his goal on the path of magic, it would be a very dangerous road. So the night before the previous head of the family handed over the magic seal to Tokiomi, he solemnly asked his son again - "Do you want to inherit the position of head of the family?"
It was just a matter of ceremony and form. As the eldest son of the family, Tokiomi was taught to become the future head of the family, and the dignity that was cultivated in Tokiomi's heart since childhood did not allow him to dream of a different life.
Even so, since there is such a question in form, it means that Tokiomi still has a little "room for choice".
Looking back now, to Tokiomi, that could be said to be the greatest gift given to him by his father, the previous head of the family.
Tōsaka Tokiomi embarked on the path of magic by following his own will, and was definitely not influenced by fate.
It was this awareness that gave Tokiomi his iron will.
"This is the lifestyle I chose myself" - it was this lofty pride that supported him from the bottom of his heart to get through the rigorous training period in the future.
Tokiomi deeply hoped that he could also pass on the treasures that his father had given to his two daughters.
However, this wish could not be realized.
Rin and Sakura had no choice from the beginning.
One of them possessed all elements and five composite attributes. The other possessed imaginary elements and imaginary attributes. Both sisters were born with rare qualities that were close to miracles. This was beyond the scope of talent and could almost be called a curse.
Demons will call forth demons. People whose abilities are too far beyond common sense will inevitably "attract" things beyond their daily lives, regardless of their own wishes. There is only one way to fight this fate - that is to step beyond common sense yourself.
Tokiomi's daughters can only deal with the devil in their blood by actively experiencing and learning the way of magic. However, the Tohsaka family can only give protection to one of the sisters. This contradiction torments Tokiomi for a long time. Various strange things that appear under the temptation of blood will definitely bring ruthless disasters to the one who does not become the heir.
If the Magic Association discovered the existence of such an "ordinary person", they would be delighted to make her into a specimen in the name of "protection", and do something like soaking her in formalin. Over the past thousand years, the Magic Association has detained and captured magicians with rare talents or who violated taboos in the name of "protection" countless times, and imprisoned them for life. The Magic Association gave this "selfless" action a name: "Seal Designation".
Therefore, the Matou family's wish to adopt a daughter was truly a gift from heaven. Both of his beloved daughters could inherit first-class magic, each of them could obtain the means to develop their own lives, without having to succumb to the cause and effect of bloodline. At that time, Tokiomi was almost relieved of the heavy responsibility of being a father.
But is this really the case? The more Tokiomi asked himself this, the more distressed he felt.
Rin's talent will surely allow her to learn the secrets of magic more easily than Tokiomi.
But compared to choosing your own destiny and taking this path, it is much more painful to have to choose this predetermined path because of an inescapable fate.
Rin will have to face many trials in the future. If Tokiomi doesn't give her any guidance and just leaves her like this... Is Tohsaka Tokiomi still a perfect father
Tokiomi once again conveyed his thoughts to the palm that was caressing Rin, as if to sort out the doubts in his heart.
Although Lin let the hand rub her head, her clear eyes still stared at her father without moving. There was no trace of anxiety or confusion in her eyes.
"—Ah, I see."
This unconditional respect and trust finally found the answer in Tokiomi's heart.
This child doesn't need any apologies, nor does anyone need to worry about her future. As the former head of the family who is about to leave, he only has one sentence left to say to the noble eldest son of the Tousaka family.
"Rin, the Holy Grail will appear one day. It is the duty of the Tōsaka family to obtain the Holy Grail. More importantly, if you are a magus, it is an inevitable path."
The girl nodded without hesitation, and her eyes filled Tokiomi's heart with pride.
Even when I inherited the position of head of the family, I had never felt such a fulfilling sense of honor.
"Then I'm leaving. You know what to do next."
"Yes—please be careful on your way, father."
Rin's tone was firm and clear.
Tokiomi nodded and straightened up.
His eyes looked towards the mansion inside the gate, and met Aoi's eyes who was watching the place from inside the courtyard.
His wife has been by his side for a long time, and the two of them understand each other without any words.
The look Aoi gave her was full of trust and encouragement.
The look he returned was filled with gratitude and assurance.
Next to his wife was Sakura, who no longer bore the characteristics of the Tōsaka family. She mustered up the courage to wave goodbye to Tokiomi.
Driven by complex emotions such as the sense of crisis before entering the battlefield and the guilt stemming from family affection, Tokiomi raised his hand and gently waved at Sakura, just like he had done many times before.
After doing all this, he left Chancheng's house without looking back.
Confusion is a shadow born from a heart that lacks calmness, and it has no elegance at all.
Tokiomi had always kept the family motto deeply engraved in his heart, and Rin's eyes made him appreciate it all over again.
If there is anything I must apologize to my child for... it is my own failure, the fact that I ended up not being able to fulfill the Holy Grail's wish.
If he wants to be a father worthy of Rin, Tōsaka Tokiomi must be a perfect magician.
Then - I will definitely complete the magic of the Tohsaka family with my own hands.
Become a truly perfect father who is qualified to guide his beloved daughter.
With a new resolve in his heart, Tokiomi set out on his journey home at dusk.
He will return to Fuyuki City once again, heading towards the dark night that will soon fall.
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