[I shall personally claim that most radiant gem—]
...
From a magus's perspective, Tohsaka Tokiomi's two daughters were undoubtedly treasures of the magecraft world, as valuable as legendary gem-class Mystic Eyes.
The elder, Tohsaka Rin, bore the extraordinarily rare composite attribute of all five elements, coupled with top-tier Magic Circuits and magecraft aptitude, her potential boundless.
Her younger sister, Tohsaka Sakura, was no less remarkable, possessing an even rarer [Imaginary Numbers] attribute. In terms of inherent mystery and rarity, Sakura's talent arguably surpassed her sister's.
These two magecraft aptitudes, in any era or region, would be dazzling, attention-grabbing existences—miracles in their own right.
Tokiomi was well aware of this and deeply pleased.
Having witnessed his daughters' talents firsthand, he could pursue risky endeavors with fewer reservations. Even if he fell midway on the path to truth, his daughters, bearing the Tohsaka blood and surpassing his own abilities, would carry on the quest.
Yet, behind the immense joy of seeing such exceptional heirs, Tokiomi's heart was fraught with inexpressible sorrow and悩.
Had he only one daughter, whether Rin or Sakura, he'd be ecstatic without reservation.
But he had two daughters of unparalleled talent.
Their potent magecraft physiques, brimming with mystery, would inevitably attract other anomalies. Though still young, Tokiomi could already foresee their futures would be anything but tranquil.
Under the influence of such extraordinary gifts, even if he wished for one to live a peaceful life, it was a futile hope.
This dilemma had plagued him since Rin and Sakura's births.
Roy, fully aware of Tokiomi's predicament, chose this moment to approach and lay it bare.
"Head of the Tohsaka family, as a magus seasoned in the mystic arts, you must be well aware of the situation your daughters face," Roy said, lightly tapping the table as he looked at Tokiomi.
"The fundamental rule of the mystic world: mystery attracts mystery, anomaly begets anomaly. Thus, we magi often encounter things unimaginable to ordinary people.
Your daughters, I'm certain, will be no exception."
"If it were mere faint traces of magecraft or mystery, we could suppress them with magecraft equipment or seals to restore calm. But your daughters' cases are far beyond that."
"A composite physique of all five elements and an Imaginary Numbers physique—these are among the most supreme mysteries in today's magecraft world. You'd be hard-pressed to find magi anywhere whose physiques rival theirs. Ordinary seals or equipment simply can't permanently suppress them."
As he spoke, Roy studied Tokiomi's silent face before continuing.
"Thus, your daughters must step into the magecraft world. But the Tohsaka family has only one Magic Crest, one lineage to pass down, addressing only one of them. The other must live as an ordinary person, yet her physique will incessantly draw incomprehensible oddities, inevitably leading to misfortune."
"I'm sure this troubles you greatly. Compared to the theory-driven Clock Tower, perhaps the Wandering Sea or Atlas Institute might have solutions, but those aren't exactly ideal destinations. Those fanatical traditionalist magi and alchemists, upon seeing two miraculous magecraft physiques, would stop at nothing to claim them for study."
Roy avoided mentioning the Clock Tower, knowing Tokiomi, a frequent visitor who published papers and attended lectures in London, was well aware of its nature.
Given the Clock Tower's ruthless old guard, seeing such miraculous physiques, they'd likely invoke "preserving mystery" To seal the sisters in formalin for preservation.
Another possibility was using them as prime breeding stock to produce more exceptional magecraft bloodlines once they matured.
Both scenarios were utterly unacceptable to Tokiomi, which is why he never disclosed his daughters' conditions to anyone at the Clock Tower.
Though he knew little of the Wandering Sea or Atlas Institute, their reputations were no better. Falling into their hands would likely lead to the fate Roy predicted: becoming experimental material for madmen, fully exploited.
In the original timeline, these reasons left Tokiomi with no retreat, no solutions, forcing him to pin his hopes on other magecraft families.
At that time, the Matou family, on the brink of collapse due to an unworthy heir, was the ideal choice—a salvation for Sakura's plight.
Roy could only say Tokiomi's reasoning was sound.
With the Mage's Association untrustworthy, fostering a daughter in another magecraft family to step into the mystic world was a reasonable approach.
But Tokiomi's mistake was his poor judgment, failing to see the true nature of his chosen ally, hastily handing over his daughter.
He thought he'd found a good home for her, unaware it would become a tragic nightmare haunting her life.
Though Tokiomi meant well, in Roy's eyes, he was still an unfit father.
True, the Tohsaka family had only one Magic Crest, and Sakura's physique destined her to never live as an ordinary person.
But had he never considered starting from scratch? Pass the Crest to his elder daughter, guide the younger with hands-on teaching, raising her as a first-generation magus to protect herself.
Had he not thought of it?
Hah, even Roy, an outsider, could think of it—of course Tokiomi had.
But he rejected it, unwilling to accept it.
The reason? He couldn't let go of Sakura's prodigious talent.
Raising a first-generation magus is grueling, fraught with difficulty. Even with Sakura's exceptional gifts, success wasn't guaranteed.
For magi, accumulation and inheritance are paramount, but creation is the hardest. Like scientific breakthroughs, going from 1 to 2 is worlds apart from 0 to 1.
If Sakura pursued the path of a first-generation magus, no matter her brilliance, she might waste her physique and talent, unable to perform great magecraft or achieve much on the path to truth.
To Tokiomi, his daughter's talent, inherited through his blood, outweighed her happiness.
He loved his daughters, no doubt, but he valued magecraft more.
This was why Roy somewhat despised the man. Compared to other magi, he seemed more human, but only barely.
Magi were magi—twisted existences. In terms of character, Roy and his kouhai were the true outliers. Even his sharp-tongued professor seemed nobler by comparison.
But Roy seized on Tokiomi's prioritization of magecraft inheritance, preparing thoroughly to visit and discuss adoption. Had Tokiomi valued family over magecraft, things would've been trickier.
Everything was unfolding as Roy predicted.
"..."
After Roy finished his prepared speech, Tokiomi, who'd been poised for conflict, pondered silently for a few minutes. Slowly, he released his grip on the gem-encrusted cane, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
Meeting his gaze, Roy smiled back.
He knew this meant the deal was nearly sealed.
Deciding to add one final push, Roy spoke to clinch it.
"Head of the Tohsaka family, I'm sure you're aware of the Crowley family's current state?" He asked.
"Of course. The Crowley family is among the upper echelons of Clock Tower's magecraft nobility."
Tokiomi nodded, sharing his knowledge of Roy's family.
"A six-generation magus lineage, renowned in alchemy, one of the few families outside the Atlas Institute with an independent alchemical tradition. They even possess their own leyline in London's southern suburbs and a seminar room in the Clock Tower—a true magecraft noble house."
As a frequent Clock Tower visitor, Tokiomi was well-versed in its noble factions.
This naturally included the somewhat prominent Crowley family.
Though their lineage was relatively short—only six generations by Roy's time, just one more than the Tohsakas—their origins and alchemical achievements were not to be underestimated.
Unlike ancient magecraft families, the Crowleys rose during the Renaissance. Seizing the era's opportunities, they blended mysticism with chemistry during the scientific and chemical enlightenment, bypassing generations of accumulation to develop a prototype alchemical system by their second generation, forming their family's magecraft.
What an unbelievable feat.
Leveraging this alchemical tradition, the family rapidly grew, achieving great success in the magecraft world. Even the notoriously exclusive Clock Tower nobles, who prized ancient lineage, accepted the Crowleys after they offered sufficient knowledge and inheritance, integrating them into Western Europe's elite.
Many alchemical materials used by the Clock Tower today originated from this family, their influence undeniable.
Though the sudden death of the previous head left them somewhat diminished, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse—Tokiomi wouldn't underestimate them.
Not long ago, Matou Zouken, head of the Matou family, had also visited, expressing interest in adopting his daughter.
As one of the Holy Grail War's three founding families alongside the Tohsakas, Tokiomi knew the Matous well. They were famed for their water-based command magecraft, even contributing the Command Seal system to the Holy Grail War.
But they were merely a Japanese magecraft family, paling in comparison to Clock Tower nobility. Moreover, Sakura's Imaginary Numbers physique was far better suited to the Crowley's alchemical magecraft, offering more versatility and brighter prospects.
Adopting Sakura into the Crowley family seemed a fine choice.
Tokiomi vividly recalled meeting two Crowley heads at a Clock Tower academic exchange, their magecraft refinement leaving him impressed.
But soon after, he heard of their untimely deaths, the family passing to the next generation—this young man in his early twenties, Roy Alexander Crowley.
Though Roy had some fame in the Clock Tower and was apprenticed to a Lord, his situation wasn't necessarily secure.
In the magus world, a mere mentor-student bond wasn't the most reliable. Had the Crowley family been intact, it'd be different, but now...
Tokiomi doubted a Clock Tower Lord could ignore the Crowley's alchemical heritage. While protecting Roy, they were likely scheming to encroach on the family. Perhaps to prevent such erosion, Roy urgently sought a talented heir to break the status quo.
And in terms of talent, his daughter was the perfect fit.
"I'm flattered you know so much about my family, Head of the Tohsaka family," Roy said, offering polite pleasantries before sharing his thoughts.
"With the untimely deaths of the previous heads, I, bearing the Crowley blood, had to step up to lead the family."
"To be honest, I'm ashamed to admit, while my talent is passable, I'm clueless about running a family or managing affairs. You far surpass me in that, Head of the Tohsaka family."
Roy played up his plight while subtly flattering Tokiomi.
"Nonsense. Compared to achievements in magecraft, worldly management is trivial," Tokiomi replied.
"Due to these setbacks, my family's decline is evident. That's why I've come to request adopting your daughter."
"I can hold the fort this generation, but whether we can return to our peak is uncertain. Rather than an heir of unknown quality, I hope the Crowley Magic Crest is inherited by a true genius, carrying our name toward the Root. As a magus, I'm sure you understand?"
Roy's tone was earnest, his eyes resolute.
He'd laid out all his prepared lines to Tokiomi; the outcome now rested on his choice.
But Roy was confident. With the conditions and reasons he'd presented, Tokiomi couldn't refuse.
Magi were ruthlessly rational, self-centered, and obsessive.
By openly declaring his pursuit of the Root and showcasing his value and resources, the other party would weigh the pros and cons.
In the original timeline, even the decrepit Matou family secured an adoption. Roy's leverage was far weightier.
Before coming, he was certain of success, trusting in Tokiomi's rationality and obsession.
In a magus's worldview, what were children?
They were heirs of blood, carrying the family's mission to pursue the Root.
What was happiness?
Having children who bore your blood walk the magecraft path, advancing toward truth and the Root.
Even if they one day clashed and killed each other over differing stances, that too was happiness.
Tokiomi craved this happiness for himself and wished his daughters to shine in their magecraft domains, savoring it too.
As a father, his duty wasn't to give them stable lives but platforms to unleash their talents.
Roy couldn't fathom this warped mindset but was used to it—standard for magecraft lineage families, seen too often in the Clock Tower.
Even the original Crowley family was the same.
So he had no intention of playing the righteous hero to correct Tokiomi's mentality. For someone so deeply entrenched, no remedy would work. Better to exploit it for something more valuable.
"What's your decision, Head of the Tohsaka family?"
Roy tapped the table lightly, asking.
At this point, Tokiomi, sensing Roy's sincerity, had no reason to refuse.
"A tempting proposal, Mr. Crowley. As Sakura's father, I'm genuinely pleased for her."
"But for safety, I'll need you to swear a [Self-Imposed Magecraft Oath] in the name of the Crowley family, guaranteeing Sakura as your heir, inheriting the Magic Crest and the Crowley magecraft assets. In return, I'll sign an oath severing all ties between the Tohsaka family and Sakura, promising no future contact or actions harming the Crowley family using our blood connection."
"What do you think?" Tokiomi asked after careful consideration.
On such a critical matter as adoption, he wouldn't be careless.
Magi were self-centered and fickle; their words weren't trustworthy. Unless Tokiomi was foolish, he wouldn't take Roy at his word.
For such matters, only a Self-Imposed Magecraft Oath offered the strongest assurance.
A Magecraft Oath, akin to a contract, bound both parties when written and signed on a magical scroll.
Tokiomi proposed the even stricter Self-Imposed Magecraft Oath, a curse-like contract ensuring absolute adherence, preventing betrayal with the strongest guarantee.
[The contract, written on parchment, includes binding formulas, bound parties, oath details, fulfillment conditions, and signatories.
Using their Magic Crests, both parties impose a "Geas" curse on themselves, unbreakable by any means.
Once signed and conditions met, the oath binds even beyond death. As long as the Magic Crest passes to the next generation, the deceased's soul remains bound.]
If Roy signed this, it proved his seriousness, and Tokiomi would have no objections.
"Of course, that's reasonable."
Roy smiled, readily agreeing to Tokiomi's request.
Seeing this, Tokiomi exhaled in relief. Though still tinged with melancholy, satisfaction soon overtook him, a smile spreading across his face.
"I'm glad you understand."
"Naturally, such matters require care."
Roy nodded.
With Tokiomi reassured, Roy felt at ease.
His first goal in Japan was now successfully achieved.
He hoped the rest would go as smoothly.