"I was inside the space within the Suniaster."
"Time flows differently there; in truth, I spent quite a long time."
"That long? Are you okay?"
Michiru looked at him, worried.
"Of course I am."
Rei Ao smiled.
"On the contrary, I gained more than ever before."
He had not only fully mastered the Suniaster's power, but also reached a deeper understanding of his own abilities.
He raised his hand, palm up.
A tiny sphere of light gathered in his hand.
Within it seemed to swirl the secrets of the universe itself; countless stars were born and died in endless cycles.
"This is"
Azril stared at the sphere, stunned.
She could feel the terrifying force contained withinone that surpassed even Artosh at his peak.
"A physicalization of a tiny sliver of the Suniaster's power,"
Rei Ao said, closing his hand. The light vanished.
"As I am now, I'm effectively equivalent to the universe itself."
Everyone fell silent for a moment, digesting that staggering statement.
In the end, it was Couronne who broke the silence.
"Um, Rei Ao-sama, since you're back, would you like to see how the city's changed?"
"Imanity is what it is today entirely thanks to your gift. Everyone is very grateful to you."
Rei Ao considered, then nodded.
"Alright. Show methis world I reshaped."
They strolled through the human city as a group.
Acting as guide, Clonie enthusiastically pointed out the changes.
"This is the Magic Academy," she said, indicating a grand building. "Any human with talent can learn magic here."
"Thanks to Rei Ao-san changing the world's rules, we humans can use magic like the forest spirits now."
Rei Ao watched the students going in and out.
Their faces shone with the hunger to learn and hope for the future, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Over there is the Artisans' Quarter,"
Couronne went on.
"The dwarf race has sent master craftsmen to teach us how to make magitech devices."
"In exchange, our human chefs teach them cuisine."
"Didn't the other races resist?" Michiru asked, curious. "Changing rules that have stood for thousands of years, all at once."
Azril answered for her. "Of course there was resistance."
"But before Rei Ao-sama's absolute power, any resistance is futile."
She looked at Rei Ao, her eyes complicated.
"A few Old Deus even tried to band together against him, and Rei Ao-sama subdued them all with a mere lift of his hand."
"Since then, no one has dared to question the new rules."
Truly, one person subduing an entire era!
Chapter 947: Fuyuki City
Fuyuki City.
A coastal city in Japan's Kansai region.
On the surface, it's no different from other small and mid-sized Japanese cities.
Cherry trees line the streets.
Come in spring and you'll see pale petals drifting like snow.
Shops crowd the commercial districteverything from old-school wagashi confectioners to modern electronics stores.
Far off, the Mion River flows quietly, splitting the city into its old and new quarters.
The Fuyuki Bridge over the river is like a span linking past and future.
Yet beneath that calm faade, Fuyuki hides secrets few know.
It sits at a nexus of leylines.
A node where the Mystic and the mundane intertwine.
Deep underground runs a rich wellspring of manawhich has drawn magi here to settle, research, and vie with one another.
Most important of all, every sixty years the leylines amass enough power to support a miracle said to grant any wishthe Holy Grail War.
The Tohsaka residence stands on a hillside in Fuyukia grand estate blending Japanese and Western styles.
Behind tall walls, a meticulously kept dry-landscape garden showcases traditional aesthetics.
Inside, the Western magus's touch is everywheretowering bookcases crammed with grimoires, and workshops stocked with all manner of occult instruments and devices.
As one of Fuyuki's leyline custodians, the Tohsaka family has lived here for generations, guarding the city's occult balance.
The Tohsaka family creed is "Always remain elegant."
It's not just about outward poise,
but about meeting any situation with composure and grace.
Just then, two figures were peeking into the parlor through the crack of a door.
One was Tohsaka Rin, the elder daughter of the house.
Even at a young age she already showed remarkable aptitude for magecraft and a fierce sense of duty.
Her signature twin-tails framed crimson eyes bright with curiosity and a hint of mischief.
A petite nose and firmly pressed lips revealed the Tohsaka brand of stubborn pride.
The other was Tohsaka Sakura,
Rin's younger sister.
Softer by nature, with short, silky black hair and violet eyes.
More reserved and gentle than her sister, she curled her fingers into the hem of Rin's sleeve, uneasy yet curious.
"Sis, if we get caught, this isn't going to look good, right?"
Sakura whispered, voice soft and milky.
Hands on her hips, Rin put on a mock-grown-up air.
"It's fine. Worst case, Dad scolds us."
Then she pulled a face, troubled.
"But we can't hear anythingjust that Dad looks really worked up. Did something happen?"
What the sisters didn't know was that they were eavesdropping on a discussion between their father, Tohsaka Tokiomi, and his disciple Kirei Kotomineabout the Holy Grail War that was about to begin.
As head of one of Fuyuki's three great magus families, Tohsaka Tokiomi naturally intended to win the Grail War.
Not to realize some personal wish, but out of devotion to magecraftto reach the Root through the Grail, the ultimate goal of all magi.
The Grail War began as a decisive ritual known as the "Heroic Spirit Summoning," originally meant to save the primate world.
Seven Heroic Spirits standing at the apex of seven attributesthe Grand-class Servantswould appear to annihilate disasters that hinder humanity's advance.
For their own convenience, humans downgraded that ritual into a summoning systemthe Holy Grail War.
About every sixty years, the spiritual power in Fuyuki's leylines accumulates to the point that the Grail can descend.
Then, in Fuyuki, the Holy Grail appearsthe power to grant any wish, no matter what it may be.
And now another sixty-year cycle had come around.
Through the door crack, Tohsaka Tokiomi did look unusually animated.
He gestured repeatedly as he spoke with Kotominesomething rare for the ever-proper head of House Tohsaka.
But the distance, and the adults' deliberately lowered voices, left the two sisters unable to make out a word.
Suddenly, Rin froze.
She stood stock-still, eyes wide.
Sakura noticed and asked, worried, "Sis, what's wrong?"
Rin's finger trembled as she pointed ahead, her voice full of disbelief. "Sakura, did you see anything?"
Sakura followed her line of sight.
There was nothing but the door and, beyond it, the parlor.
She shook her head honestly.
"No, just Dad talking."
Rin sucked in a sharp breath and muttered, "Sakura I think I just ran into something paranormal."
A translucent screen had appeared before her eyes, and a mechanical chime echoed in her ears:
[Ding! You've joined the Trading Chat Group!]
Right then,
the door on Rin's side swung open. Tohsaka Tokiomi's stern face filled the doorway.
"Rin, Sakura. What are you doing here?"
There was displeasure in his voice.
He certainly hadn't taught his daughters to eavesdrop.
Startled, Rin saw the screen vanish in an instant.
She straightened in a fluster. "F-Father! We were just just passing by"
Tohsaka Tokiomi narrowed his eyes, plainly unconvinced.
But he had no time to scold them now; the matter of the Grail War was more pressing.
"Go back to your rooms. Don't come out without my permission."
"Y-yes"
Rin lowered her head, tugged Sakura along, and beat a quick retreat.
Back in their room, Rin shut the door in a hurry, heart pounding.
Silently, she tried thinking the words "Chat Group"and sure enough, the screen bloomed into view again!
~~~
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Chapter 948: Orario
Orario.
This miracle of a city, famed as the "Labyrinth City," sits atop a vast Dungeon.
It is a gathering place for gods, and a stage where the dreams and nightmares of countless adventurers intertwine.
Massive, sturdy walls encircle the city.
Buildings are taller on the outskirts and grow lower toward the center, where the white spire of Babel pierces the cloudsthe city's most iconic landmark.
At Babel's base lies the entrance to the Dungeon.
Every day, tens of thousands of adventurers descend from here, seeking wealth, glory, or simply the meaning of their own survival.
The city is divided into eight sectors by main avenues radiating from the center, with the Guild as the hub.
Blessed by many deities, races live side by sidejoining different familias, finding companions, and throwing themselves into adventuring, trade, entertainment, and the occasional brawl.
Orario began as a fortress city founded by the God Ouranos.
The Guild he established holds full authority over the Dungeon and all related affairs.
Beyond managing familias and the Dungeon and supporting those who delve within, the Guild also buys back magic stones and pays adventurers for them.
Because of the Dungeon, Orario monopolizes most of the world's magic stones, giving rise to an entire industry of magic-stone products.
It employs far more laborers than there are dungeon delvers, and these workers live in the city as wellone reason Orario has become truly prosperous and diverse.
In Orario, a tavern called the Hostess of Fertility is a favorite haunt of Dungeon adventurers.
Tonight it's especially livelythe Loki Familia has arrived.
The Loki Familia is one of the city's largest and strongest factions, led by the Goddess Loki herself.
Together with the Freya Familia, they are considered Orario's mightiest.
Present today are Loki's core members:
Ais WallensteinLevel 5, the "Sword Princess," a humanspirit hybrid with a cool, absent-minded air. The golden-haired girl sits quietly in a corner, a glass of juice in hand, eyes a little vacant as if her thoughts have drifted far away.
Finn Deimnethe captain, a Pallum. Small in stature but commanding in presence, he's the party's chief strategist. He's chatting with Mama Mia, the tavern owner, wearing his trademark gentle smile.
Riveria Ljos Alfthe vice-captain, a royal elf known as the "Nine Hells," a Level 7 mage. Calm and decisive (Loki loves to call her "Old Woman"), Riveria sips tea with poise, her gaze sweeping the room now and then, ever vigilant.
Gareth Landrocka dwarven Level 7 adventurer, titled "Elgarm," an older, dependable mentor who looks after the juniors. He's discussing their next expedition with Bete Loga, a Level 5 werewolf, whose eyes keep straying toward the spaced-out Ais.
Tiona Hiryute and Tione Hiryutethe Amazonian twin sisters, both Level 5; Tiona the younger, Tione the elder. They're in a heated, laughing conversation about something or other.
Lefiya Viridisan elf, Level 5 mage known as the "Thousand Elf," cheerful and kind, regarded as Riveria's heir apparent. Sitting beside Ais, she tries to chat with her idol, but Ais only answers briefly.
Raul Norda supporter who joined in the same cohort as Anakitty, handles coordination on the front line. He's currently discussing gear maintenance with Anakitty Autumna Cat Person, Level 5, titled "Alchat."
Other adventurers in the tavern look on with awe or envy.
After all, this is one of Orario's strongest familias; every expedition they make becomes the talk of the city.
The Hostess of Fertility hums with warm, rowdy energy.
Members of the Loki Familia crowd around the tables, celebrating another successful Dungeon foray.
The clink of cups, bursts of laughter, and lively chatter weave together into a vibrant scene.
In one corner, the goddess Loki shows none of a deity's supposed decorummore like a boisterous drunkdowning ale by the mouthful and shouting between swigs, "Another round! Nobody goes home sober tonight!"
Her familia is long used to this.
Finn can only smile and shake his head.
Gareth watches their patron's antics with indulgent tolerance.
Bete wears a scowl but doesn't interfere.
The Amazon twins even join the revelry, matching Loki drink for drink.
Only two people seem out of step with the mood:
Riveria, the royal elf, who sits with elegant restraint, sipping tea and keeping her habitual watch on the roomand Ais, the Sword Princess, quiet in her corner, long golden hair cascading like a waterfall, a glass of juice in her hands, gaze drifting somewhere far away.
Suddenly, Riveria notices Ais's pupils contract sharply, the muscles across her body tightening.
As vice-captain, she's keenly sensitive to anything amiss among her own. She steps over at once. "Ais, what's wrong?"
""
Ais is silent for a moment, a flicker of confusion in her golden eyes.
Then she looks up at Riveria and asks softly, "Riveria, did you see anything strange?"
"Hm?"
Riveria's wariness spikes. Her senses unfurl and sweep the entire tavern.
After a moment, she glances back at Ais, puzzled.
"SorryI didn't detect anything. Did you notice some kind of anomaly?"
Ais tilts her head, searching for the right words.
In the end, she shakes her head.
"No. Maybe I imagined it."
She rises to her feet.
"I might just be tired. I'll turn in first."
Under everyone's curious looks, Ais slowly leaves the tavern.
Riveria watches her back recede, worry in her eyes.
Having watched Ais grow up, she can tell something really did happen just nowAis simply chose not to say what.
Chapter 949: Ais Wallenstein and Tohsaka Rin
Stepping out of the tavern, Ais didn't return to the familia's headquarters.
Instead, she slipped into a quiet spot nearby.
After confirming no one was around, her gaze fixed on the floating screen in midairone only she could see.
[Ding! You've joined the Trading Chat Group!]
[Welcome to the Trading Chat Group!]
[This group exists to promote exchange and trade across the multiverse!]
Ais stared at the words, baffled by what was happening.
Just then, a stream of messages began to scroll:
Busujima Saeko: "Another newcomer. Welcome to the chat."
Mikoto Misaka: "Who is it this time? From the magic side or the science side?"
Tohru: "Newbie, report your name!"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Don't scare the new members. @Tohsaka Rin, @Ais, feel free to speak if you don't mind."
