"Which bastard actually went to Tohsaka's house while I was at school? Archer, can you see what's going on over there?"
Rin Tohsaka asked Archer as she ran back, secretly cursing in her heart. She had just summoned her Servant, and someone had already attacked her house. If it had been a bit earlier, wouldn't they have caught her at home?
Is the Holy Grail War really this dangerous? Can't anyone explain the rules first?
"Don't embarrass yourself, Master. I can't see the situation inside the Tohsaka estate from here," Archer replied in her mind. "I suggest you don't charge in blindly. Let me observe the situation first."
The voice of the red-clad Archer echoed in Tohsaka Rin's heart. Master and Servant could communicate telepathically at any time—unless someone like Kain deliberately sealed the Command Spell, just like how Matou Sakura couldn't use hers except in life-threatening situations.
Rin responded mentally, "Of course I know that. Just find their Servant and hold them off. I'll take care of the enemy Master."
"The enemy's identity is still unknown, Master. It's unwise to act recklessly."
Rin replied, somewhat irritated, "Of course I know that! But someone broke into my house. You know I still have trump cards hidden there."
The Tohsaka family was famous for its gem-based magecraft—wealthy, powerful, and resource-rich. In preparation for the Holy Grail War, Rin had stocked the place with countless gems.
If the enemy discovered that, her advantage might be destroyed. That was something Rin Tohsaka absolutely couldn't allow. Her home also contained secret techniques, magical texts, and critical information about the Holy Grail War.
She hadn't expected a break-in while she was away. If she had, she would've added more enchantments.
Panting slightly, Rin soon reached the vicinity of her estate. From the outside, everything seemed normal—but the barrier had definitely been triggered. Someone had gone inside.
After a few moments of quiet observation, she asked, "Archer, can you detect their Servant?"
"Not yet," came the reply. "I can only confirm that the enemy Servant is nearby, hiding around the villa. I may not find them unless I get closer."
Hearing that, Rin bit her finger in thought. Hiding... Are they waiting for me? Or was it Assassin who attacked?
"Archer, I'm going to sneak in. If their Servant makes a move, I'm counting on you."
"Forgive me, Master, but using yourself as bait is extremely risky."
"I'm not someone who can't defend herself. I'm Rin Tohsaka—the head of the Tohsaka family. I have ways to survive."
She added confidently, "Besides, you're right here. With you nearby and ready to cover me with your arrows, even a sneak attack won't succeed."
Heroic Spirit Emiya Shirou knew there was no persuading her. He had understood Rin's personality from day one—she even used a Command Spell the moment they met. She wasn't the type to back down.
Resolved, Rin gathered mana into her magic circuits, ready to cast defensive spells at a moment's notice. Then, cautiously, she approached the house.
Damn it. It's my home, and now I have to tiptoe back into it.
She cursed silently. It was common sense to avoid involving civilians in the Holy Grail War. Although her home was far from Fuyuki's center, a fight between two Servants could still draw unwanted attention.
Crash!
Suddenly, the sound of chains cut through the silence. Danger was upon her. The attacker was fast—too fast. She had no time to react.
"Protection—!"
Before she could finish casting, a golden arrow—radiant, blinding—shot from the distance like lightning. In an instant, it struck the chains and stakes that had been flying toward her.
Rin Tohsaka was saved.
Two seconds later, the Heroic Spirit Emiya Shirou appeared beside Tohsaka Rin. The weapon in his hand had changed from a bow to a pair of twin swords—clearly preparing for close combat.
However, Rin's face turned slightly red. She felt a little embarrassed being saved by her Servant. After all, she had confidently claimed she could protect herself before taking action—but in the end, she had still relied on Archer. Without him, she would've been in serious danger.
"Archer, go deal with the enemy's Servant—and teach them a lesson!"
But Emiya Shirou responded calmly, "We still don't know the enemy's full situation. It's better to retreat for now."
"Huh? This is the Tohsaka estate! I'm not going anywhere!"
Rin shook her head firmly, refusing to back down. At the same time, she heightened her vigilance, gathering magical energy and preparing to cast protective spells at a moment's notice.
Knowing Rin's stubborn nature, Emiya Shirou sighed and said, "Then be careful, Master. If you're in danger, don't hesitate to use a Command Spell to summon me."
Command Spells could not only instantly summon a Servant to the Master's side, but also amplify their magical power—temporarily boosting their strength in critical moments.
With those words, Emiya Shirou turned and charged toward Rider. Since Rider had revealed themselves earlier, there was no point in hiding any longer.
Boom.
With a burst of movement, the Heroic Spirit leapt forward. In a few swift steps, he was in front of Rider. With a heavy swing of his short sword, he struck Rider, forcing them back two steps.
Rider, face masked and unreadable, slid back but remained composed. Instead of retaliating immediately, they turned their attention back toward Rin, clearly intending to attack her again—provoking Emiya Shirou to continue his assault.
The clash of Noble Phantasms filled the air with sparks as the two Servants exchanged blows. Gradually, the battlefield shifted, drawing the fight away from the Tohsaka estate.
Emiya Shirou could tell Rider was deliberately luring him elsewhere, but he trusted Rin. Despite her age, her magical talent was undeniable—and she could still summon him instantly if necessary.
Once Rin saw her Servant drawn away, she realized she was on her own. Activating her protective magic, she cautiously approached the house.
"Damn bastard... I won't let you get away with this," Rin muttered under her breath.
But the next moment, a voice echoed behind her.
"Who won't you let go?"
"Who—?!"
Just as Rin turned around, a powerful impact struck her from behind. Her body flared with protective magic, but the force of the hit was too strong—she was thrown through the air.
Protect!
Mid-air, Rin quickly reinforced her defensive spells. But she was facing Kain, and he saw right through her plan.
With a wave of his hand, the ground beneath the Tohsaka estate warped instantly. Using a deformation spell, the wooden floor transformed into thick, churning mud that surged upward—engulfing Rin in an instant.
"Four-Element Seal."
Kain tapped the ground with his toe, and a complex web of magical runes and sealing circles appeared. The core of the array was the Four-Element Seal, enhanced with other runes for additional restraint.
The seal targeted both physical and spiritual energy—life force and magic power alike, since the latter stems from the former. And to ensure Rin couldn't break free, Kain added suppressive runes of high potency.
Within seconds, Rin Tohsaka was completely ensnared. The oppressive seal dimmed her magic circuits, rendering her unable to channel any magical power at all.
"What kind of magic is this!? It's so sticky… I can't even control my mana!"
Tohsaka Rin struggled in vain. Her entire body—except from the neck up—was encased in the deformed, mud-like substance. Her magical circuits were sealed, leaving her completely unable to fight back.
"I didn't expect you to be so naïve for a magician. You're still too young. If this were one of the participants from the last Holy Grail War, things wouldn't have gone so easily."
Upon hearing the voice, Rin strained to turn her head—and saw a foreign man with blond hair in casual clothes standing behind her.
Though they were enemies, Rin couldn't help but be momentarily stunned by his noble, almost princely demeanor. But that awe quickly gave way to anger.
"So you're that magician?! The Holy Grail War hasn't even fully started yet, and you're already attacking the Tohsaka family!?" she shouted.
"That's exactly why I say children should stick to school. You came to participate in the Holy Grail War with this attitude? Are you sure you're not treating it like some kind of game?"
Kain walked toward her, snapping his fingers. Immediately, several bolts of lightning crackled to life around her. The energy didn't disperse—instead, it condensed into four sharp lightning blades, hovering menacingly around her head.
Each blade was positioned precisely—at her temples, throat, and crown—leaving her paralyzed with tension. One wrong movement, and she'd be skewered.
So close to death, Rin could almost feel the sting of the electric arcs dancing around her, sending waves of numbness down her spine.
"What… what do you want?"
Rin's voice trembled slightly—without her realizing, it carried a hint of fear. This was her first Holy Grail War, and now, face-to-face with death, she was reminded of a time in childhood when she had faced danger. But this—this was much worse. This could kill her.
"I want you to withdraw from the Holy Grail War. I'm not a villain. There's no need to kill you—so take the initiative. Use your Command Spell and tell your Servant to withdraw."
As Kain spoke, he snapped his fingers again. A sofa floated into place behind him. The mud that bound Rin loosened slightly around her left hand, and the sealing spells and runes around that arm were lifted.
It was just enough for her to use a Command Spell—convenient, since she still had two left.
"I've unsealed your left arm. You can summon your Servant now—and order him to forfeit."
Kain ignored Rin's glaring eyes and continued, voice calm and unhurried:
"Think of this as a learning experience. You won't always encounter someone as merciful as me. Now, be quick. Use the Command Spell—or I'll show you the true brutality of war."
As soon as he finished speaking, the four lightning blades around Rin crackled with renewed power, their edges doubling in length. One wrong move, and they could pierce straight through her.
"You bastard! What kind of Master are you—woohoo!"
Rin's outburst was cut short as one of the arcs lashed out, striking her with a jolt of pain. Kain's expression made it clear—this was no bluff.
If she didn't recall Archer voluntarily, this man would force her to withdraw by killing her. And once a Master dies, the Servant will either vanish or have to find a new Master quickly.
"Archer!"
Rin clenched her teeth and shouted the name, finally surrendering. The Command Spell on the back of her hand glowed, then vanished.
A second later, a powerful gust of wind swept through the Tohsaka estate as Emiya Shirou disengaged from Rider and appeared beside Rin.
"Master!"
He immediately took in the situation. Rin's life was clearly in danger—one wrong move, and she'd be killed instantly.
Emiya Shirou turned his cold gaze toward Kain.
"What do you want?"
…
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