Yomogawa Ayame: "Welcome aboard. Don't be nervousthis is a friendly group."
Tohsaka Rin: "W-what is this thing?"
Rin's big eyes were a little dazed.
She was sure Sakura couldn't see this strange chat only she could see.
And it was claiming to link different worldsthat everyone here wasn't from the same world?
Skeptical, Rin asked:
Tohsaka Rin: "Are we sure this isn't some nasty prank spell by a lousy magus?"
Erica: "Spell? You mean magic, right?"
Tohsaka Rin: "How could 'magic' possibly exist?"
Erica: "???"
Marcille: "Of course magic exists. There's magic and black magic."
Tohsaka Rin: "???"
Shiba Miyuki: "This might just be a difference between worlds. Why don't we hear what their 'magecraft' is?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Magecraft is"
Rin gave a brief explanation based on what she'd learned from her family:
Magecraft is a system of mysteries that artificially reproduces phenomena achievable by science.
Using magic circuits to convert life force into mana, it employs specific formulassuch as incantations or ritualsto recreate phenomena that science can replicate.
It adheres to the principle of equivalent exchange.
It relies on foundational systems of magecraft, like Western leylines or Eastern thought matrices.
"Magic," by contrast, refers to miracles unattainable by both science and magecraft.
According to her father, magic is also what magi ultimately pursue.
Frieren: "Got it. So the essence of 'magecraft' is imitation of nature, bounded by human technological limits."
Frieren: "In general, you might say some 'magic' degraded into magecraft as technology developed."
Frieren: "Whereas 'magic' in essence is direct manipulation of a supreme powerfundamentally different in mechanism, form, and social impact."
Shiba Miyuki: "Looks like our definitions of magic really do vary by world."
Tohsaka Rin: ""
Rin was at a loss for words. These people sounded so convinced.
Could they really be from other worlds?
Ais read the messages in surprise.
After a moment's hesitation, she tried replying by silently forming the words in her mind.
Ais: "What is this?"
Hiiragi Shinoa: "@Rei Ao, we need you here. The newcomers are confused."
Hayasaka Ai: "The group owner is still in Couronne's world, right?"
Couronne: "Um y-yes!"
Couronne replied a little bashfully.
Because at the moment she wasn't in great shapenor were Azril, Jibril, and Schwi.
""
The one feeling truly unwell, though, was Michiru nearby.
Things had been fine earlier, but after dinner Rei Ao and the others had grown progressively intimate.
By the time she realized it, she could barely walk for fear of giving herself away.
Head down, she snuck a peek in Rei Ao's directionand her face went scarlet.
"Has Rei Ao-kun always been this open?"
Rei Ao: "Welcome to the Trading Chat Group, Ais-san and Tohsaka Rin-san."
Though occupied with certain matters, it didn't stop him from splitting his attention to watch the chat.
The addition of these two surprised him.
He recognized Tohsaka Rin by namethough he wasn't sure which era she was from.
As for "Ais"
There were many characters with that name. He'd need to confirm.
Rei Ao: "This is a communication platform connecting multiple universes. Through it, you can exchange knowledge with members from other worlds."
Ais: "Other worlds? Like different floors of the Dungeon?"
Marcille: "Wow, interesting analogythe Dungeon. You have one too? Or are you and I from the same world?"
Ais: "I don't know. I live in Orario."
Marushiel: "Orario never heard of it."
Yotsuya Miko: "Then she's probably not from your world."
Rei Ao: "She isn't."
Now he knew which Ais this was.
Orario, the Dungeon, Aisput together, it could only be the Sword Princess from DanMachi.
Frieren: "Your analogy isn't quite right. We come from entirely different universes, each with its own worldview and physical laws."
""
Ais mulled over what that meant.
As an adventurer who delved the Dungeon often, she was better than most at accepting the unknown.
But cross-universe communication still went far beyond her understanding.
Ais: "Prove it to me."
Bibi Dong: "Straightforward. I like that."
Bibi Dong: "But understand this: the chat group doesn't demand your belief. Whether or how you interact with us is up to you. Believe and it is; don't and it isn'tentirely your call."
Shizue Izawa: "That's about the size of it."
Rei Ao: "They're right."
Ais: "Understood. I apologize for my earlier rudeness."
Stella: "Eh, no big deal. I'm more curious whether you two newcomers have run into any troubleor have something you want to do but can't. If so, you can apply for a trade with Rei Ao-kun."
~~~
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Chapter 950: What a Big Dragon! How can he fit! Also, Fourth Holy Grail War!
Tohsaka Rin: "Eh?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Anything at all? Isn't that basically Aladdin's lamp!"
Mio Akiyama: "Mm pretty much, but it may come with a price."
Ais read the messages, golden eyes flickering with thought.
Something occurred to her.
Ais: "Then is there a way here to make someone stronger?"
The group went quiet for a moment
then everyone started talking at once.
Mikoto Misaka: "Emmm, getting stronger is probably one of the easiest things that guy Rei Ao can do."
Krul: "No doubt about it. Though I'm more curious if anyone will try to trade for 'destroy the world.'"
Mai Sakurajima: "That actually did happen once."
Enju Aihara: "Hmph, that's only because the world's beyond saving."
Fubuki: "Hey, let's not go there right now. @Ais, is getting stronger what you're after?"
Fubuki suddenly took an interest in the newcomer.
Ais's message reminded her of her past selfsingle-minded about power.
She'd wanted to surpass her sister to earn recognition.
So she was curious: what was Ais's reason?
Ais: "Yes. I need to become strongerstrong enough to defeat the Black Dragon."
At the mention of the Black Dragon, Ais's eyes dimmed; her fists clenched on instinct.
Tohru: "Black Dragon? Sounds like a chaotic-evil type. So how strong are dragons in your world? Planet-busting?"
Ais: "Planet? I don't really understand"
Ais: "I only know it's one of the Dungeon's three strongest monstersBehemoth, Leviathan, and the Black Dragon."
Ais: "The Black Dragon destroyed my home and killed my parents."
Ais: "My purpose for living is to grow strong enough to kill it."
Julis: "A tragic past. But the path of seeking strength for revenge alone often leads into darkness."
Ais: "I don't care. If it can make me stronger, I'll try any method."
Rei Ao: "I understand your desire."
Rei Ao: "In fact, I do have a way to greatly boost your power in a short time. But power comes with a price and responsibility."
Ais: "I'm willing to pay any price."
Tohsaka Rin: "Hold it, hold it!"
Tohsaka Rin: "Did I just read that right? Dragons? Are you talking about dragons?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Aren't dragons fantasy or myth? How could they exist!"
She turned to Sakura, who was eyeing her with puzzled curiosity.
"Sakura, do you think dragons could exist in this world?"
"Um"
Sakura hesitated, then said, "Probably not? They're from stories."
"Ha, told you. There's no way"
Rin had just breathed a sigh of relief when she froze, her pupils dilating.
Because she saw a dragon!
Tohru: "Heh heh, you wanted a dragon? Ta-da, that's me."
Tohru: "[Image]"
Tohsaka Rin: "???"
The dragon in the photo looked incredibly real, but
Just as she was about to ask if it was fake, another message popped up.
Couronne: "Um, dragons I've got one here too."
Couronne: "[Image]"
She posted a picture of a white dragon.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "A white dragonthat's Kanna, right?"
Tohru: "Yup, that's Kanna. How'd you get her photo?"
Couronne: "M-Michiru and Kanna came to our world, and Kanna even fought Azril."
Tohru: "Oh? Kanna didn't get hurt, did she?"
Couronne: "No, noshe had a great time."
Tohru: "Good."
Couronne: "And there's one more not sure if I should post it?"
Rei Ao: "Go ahead. We're all friends here."
Couronne: "'Kay!"
Couronne: "[Image]"
This time it was a colossal red dragon blotting out the sky.
Tohsaka Rin: "Waaah!!!"
It wasn't just Rinothers were stunned too.
Julis: "Hisswhat even is that?!"
Mio Akiyama: "Th-that dragon is huge!"
Touka Kirishima: "Could a planet even support a creature that big?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "M-maybe it's just the camera angle?"
Frieren: "Heh. That's Rei Ao we're talking about."
Julis: "Huh?"
Mio Akiyama: "Eh?"
Touka Kirishima: "Huh?"
Akame: "That's the dragon form Rei Ao-kun took, though bigger than when I saw it."
Couronne: "Exactlysaved from when Rei Ao-sama fought the War God Artosh. I was scared too."
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Gulp in that case, how would he even fit"
Touka Kirishima: "??? What are you talking about?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Uh"
Tohsaka Rin: "Wow, someone can really turn into a dragon? Don't try to fool me. I may be young, but I'm the Tohsaka heiressyou won't trick me that easily!"
Rei Ao: " 'Young'?"
Sui: "Oh? I think I've noticed something."
Sui: "@Tohsaka Rin, little one, how old are you this year?"
Tohsaka Rin: "I am not a little one! II'm already seven!"
"Hn?"
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes.
Seven?
That was Rin's age during the Fourth Holy Grail War, wasn't it?
So this must be right around the Fourth War?
Rei Ao: "@Tohsaka Rin, I have a question that may concern your sister's future. Please answer carefully."
Rei Ao: "Where is your sister, Tohsaka Sakura, right now?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Huh?"
Rin blinked at the question.
She looked at her sister in confusion.
Something to do with Sakura's future?
What did that mean?
Rin had never really believed in the chat group from the startbut now they were bringing up Sakura
Chapter 951: Explaining Sakura's Tragic Future
Inside the Tohsaka residence.
Tohsaka Rin sat at the desk in her room, thick tomes of magecraft spread open before her. But she couldn't focus at allthe only thing in her head was what she'd just seen in the group chat.
Her younger sister Sakura sat quietly on the edge of the bed, clutching a stuffed doll. She looked curiously at her distracted sister. "Sis, what's wrong? You've been zoning out since earlier."
Rin snapped back to herself and forced a smile. "N-no, it's nothing. I was just thinking about some magecraft problems."
Looking at her sister's innocent face, a wave of unease rose in Rin's chest. The words of the one who called himself Rei Ao kept echoing in her mind.
Sakura tilted her head, concern in her eyes. "Sis, you look weird. Are you sick?"
Rin shook her head, walked over, and gently hugged her. "It's okay, Sakura. I'll always protect you."
Just then, a semi-transparent chat screen popped up again in front of Rin's eyes. New messages were streaming in:
Tohsaka Rin: "My sister is right next to me. Tell me exactly what's going to happen to herspell it out!"
Rei Ao: "Before long, your father will hand your sister over to someone else."
Tohsaka Rin: "What?! That's nonsense!"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Tohsaka Rin, please don't get too worked up. Try to stay calm."
Busujima Saeko: "Rei Ao-kun doesn't speak without cause. If he said that, he must have his reasons."
Miyamizu Mitsuha: "Yeah, Rei Ao-kun's a good person. He's helped us solve a lot of problemshe has no reason to lie to you."
Sakurajima Mai: "@Rei Ao Rei Ao-kun, you said her father would abandon his own child. Can you elaborate?"
Rin's heartbeat quickened. She gently eased Sakura aside and, keeping her voice steady, said, "Sakura, I just remembered there are a few magecraft experiments I haven't finished. Can you play by yourself for a bit?"
Sakura nodded obediently. "Okay, Sis. Don't work too hard."
Once Sakura left the room, Rin focused fully on the chat.
Tohsaka Rin: "@Rei Ao, when you say Father will send Sakura to someone else, what exactly do you mean? Make it clear!"
Rei Ao: "In the near future, your father may send your sister awayand that place will mark the beginning of your sister, Tohsaka Sakura's, tragic future."
Rei Ao: "Naturally, this has to do with the ties between your Tohsaka family and the Matou family, and those traditional rules of magus lineages."
"This is impossible" Rin muttered. Her hands clenched on their own. "Father would never do that!"
Yet deep down, a voice told her the mysterious group owner might be telling the truth. As the Tohsaka heir, she understood better than anyone how cruel magus families could be. The Magic Crest can only be passed to one childan iron rule that cannot be defied.
Rei Ao began to explain why Tohsaka Tokiomi might send Sakura to the Matou.
As a prestigious magus house, the Tohsakas follow the rule that "the Magic Crest can only be inherited by a single heir." Both Rin and Sakura displayed rare talent in magecraft, but the family crest cannot be split, forcing Tokiomi to find another path for his second daughter.
Within Fuyuki's Three Founding Families, the Matou bloodline had weakened and faced a crisis of succession, urgently needing an heir with magecraft aptitude. Adopting Sakura would allow the Matou line to continue and keep her talents from being wasted under Tohsaka rulesa "winwin."
Tokiomi believed that if Sakura stayed with the Tohsakas and could not inherit the Crest, she might end up an ordinary magus or be coveted by other factions.
Entrusting her to a fellow Founding Housethe Matoufit magus ethics and would ensure she received proper, orthodox training. Sending Sakura to the Matou would also strengthen the alliance between the two houses and secure a better position for the coming Holy Grail War.
As Rei Ao explained, others in the chat chimed in:
Misaka Mikoto: "What?! You'd give your own child away for that? These magus families are way too cold-blooded!"
Shiba Miyuki: "It does sound cruel, but among magus families it's commonfor the sake of lineage and purity"
Tohru: "Humans are strange creatures. Among us dragons, all offspring are raised free-range."
Sui: "Every world has its rules. It sounds inhumane, but from a magus family's perspective, it is the most rational choice."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Rational doesn't mean right. Children shouldn't be sacrifices to family interests."
