In a forest on the outskirts of Fuyuki City.
A dazzling blue light flashed, and a girl with orange hair in a single ponytail and a man with purple seaweed-like hair appeared in this empty forest.
The light dissipated, and the girl lively examined the surrounding environment. Suddenly, the girl discovered something, ran quickly to the cliff of the forest, pointed at the city in the distance, and asked the man behind her, "Wow! Uncle Shinji, is that the legendary Fuyuki City?"
This mature version of Shinji Matou slowly walked to the girl's side, looking at the city in the distance with nostalgia.
"En! Gudako, this is the Fuyuki City where I and your Master were born."
"So this is the place where Master, ah! No, I should call her Director now, was born!"
Mature Shinji looked at Gudako's profile, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Then, he took out a diamond from his bosom that looked to be seven to eight hundred carats.
"Gudako, keep this mountain of light safe!"
Gudako looked at the huge diamond in Shinji's hand and swallowed hard. Although Gudako had already known about this trial plan, she couldn't believe no matter what that her money-grubbing Master would actually take out jewelry of this level.
After trembling and taking the mountain of light, the ponytail that had been slightly perked up on Gudako's head also wilted as she took the diamond.
"Gudako, rest assured. Although that Rin is money-grubbing, since she took it out, she won't blame you for using it up. It's a pity that among us, only you have inherited Rin's magecraft; otherwise, we wouldn't have had to let you come take this risk."
Hearing Mature Shinji's words, Gudako felt slightly relieved, but when she thought of Rin's 'obsessed with jewelry' personality, she was still very worried. In Gudako's memory, her Master, Tohsaka Rin, had once fought against the entire Clock Tower for this mountain of light.
Mature Shinji looked helplessly at Gudako, who was cowering like a quail, rubbed her head, and instructed, "Gudako, remember, you must not come into contact with Rin during this trial. We can only act in secret!"
"Yes! Uncle Shinji."
At this time, Rin, who had finished seeing off her parents, returned to the Tohsaka Annex. Looking at Sakura and Fujino, who were waiting for her in front of the annex gate, Rin felt her head begin to ache again.
"Sakura, Fujino... sigh! I really don't know what to do with you two."
Hearing Rin's words, Fujino giggled and walked to Rin's side, hugging her arm and acting spoiled.
"I knew Master wouldn't have the heart to punish us!"
Sakura, not to be outdone, came to Rin's other side and hugged her arm, while also shooting a fierce glare at Fujino.
With her arms held by Fujino and Sakura respectively, Rin pushed the two away somewhat uncomfortably. She glanced at the command spells on Sakura's hand and spoke.
"Alright, stop fooling around. Summon your Servant!"
Sakura nodded, and soon Archer appeared behind her.
Rin looked at the Archer before her, her eyes twitching. 'How could it be this guy? Fortunately, Gil isn't here. If Gil saw this knock-off Master, they'd probably start fighting on the spot.'
After Archer manifested, he first sized Rin up. 'Is this the Rin of this world?' Then, with a hint of doubt, he asked Sakura.
"Master, why have you called for me?"
"Archer, my sister wants to see you. From now on, you must treat my sister's orders as my own!"
Archer was taken aback. He turned his head to look at Rin and asked in a flippant tone.
"So, what are this young lady's instructions?"
"Archer, your Independent Action ability as an Archer is quite high, isn't it? Then you shall act independently from now on! Go scout information on the other Masters and Servants in this Holy Grail War for us."
Archer was stunned; Rin's approach played right into his hands. Archer also wanted to know exactly how this world differed from his original one.
"By your command!"
Archer answered loudly. Then, after bowing to Rin, he leaped lightly and dissipated into photons in the air.
Fujino, seeing Archer completely disappear, walked to Rin's side and spoke.
"Master, there's something wrong with that Servant. Sakura and I only intended to complete a temporary contract to use the Holy Grail to strengthen my Servant transformation, but that guy was actually summoned from such an incomplete ritual and refuses to reveal his identity. I feel this Servant must have some kind of motive!"
"Fujino, it's fine. Even though Archer won't say it, I know his true identity. His goals don't conflict with ours, so let him be! Alright, Fujino, Sakura, you two go back to your rooms in the Tohsaka Annex to rest. I need to find Da Vinci to take care of some business!"
"Yes!" x2
After parting with Sakura and Fujino, Rin walked into the basement. Seeing Da Vinci busy with some work while wearing glasses, Rin greeted her and then walked to her side to ask.
"Da Vinci, how is the extraction of the dragon factor going?"
Da Vinci led Rin to a device and opened it. A mist of magical energy drifted out as the machine activated.
In the center of the device was the dragon factor extracted by Da Vinci, currently preserved in a test tube. The dragon factor looked like a mass of golden liquid, emitting speckles of starlight. Though it looked unremarkable—even like some kind of beverage—the constant liquefaction and evaporation of magical mist around the test tube revealed the extraordinary nature of this dragon factor.
Da Vinci took out the test tube, turned around, and explained to Rin, who had a puzzled expression.
"Rin, the dragon factor extracted from Gray's blood was originally red with a fire attribute. But after I used the Tiamat crystal you provided to sublimate it, this dragon factor was upgraded into one carrying divinity, which is why it turned golden. Because of this, the current dragon factor is far more powerful than that of the Red Dragon, which is why the liquefaction of magical energy is occurring!"
"And the side effects? There can't be an upgrade without a price, right?"
Da Vinci gave Rin a dissatisfied look.
"Rin, I am Da Vinci. How could there be side effects? If you must count something, it's that the Tiamat crystal needs to be transplanted into your body along with the dragon factor to keep it from falling back into the Red Dragon form."
"Ah, sorry! I shouldn't have questioned your research."
Da Vinci hadn't expected Rin to actually apologize and thought wonderingly, 'What's wrong with Rin?' Of course, Da Vinci didn't know that after being treated that way by Manaka, Rin had become much more focused on her pursuit of power.
"Then let's begin. Rin, follow me."
Da Vinci led Rin to a corner of the basement. Then, with a flash of magical light, a door appeared on the wall as magical energy surged.
Stepping through the door, a laboratory with more advanced equipment and a wider space appeared. The equipment Rin had damaged while using her Reality Marble last time was also in a corner of this lab. This was the true laboratory hidden by Rin, Da Vinci, and Touko.
Da Vinci led Rin to a device that looked much like a CT scanner and gestured for Rin to lie down on it.
Rin looked at the device and lay down. As the magical furnace in the lab began to supply power, Rin soon felt exhausted and fell into a deep sleep unconsciously.
Da Vinci looked at the sleeping Rin, walked to the side, and began changing into surgical scrubs...
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