Chapter 86 - The Tohsaka Family's Precepts

As a magus family with a history spanning over 200 years and five generations, the Tohsaka family can be considered to have a certain heritage and history.

Generally speaking, such families would have principles derived from bloodlines, culture, and order, known as "family precepts," and the Tohsaka family is no exception.

The family precepts of the Tohsaka family are as follows:

First, never falter in critical moments.

Second, stay away from the Matou family.

Third, there is not a single good person with the surname Emiya.

Fourth, Archer is the most unreliable.

Fifth, no matter how difficult, never resort to magecraft; no matter how poor, never lack gemstones.

Sixth, despise teacher's treasures and Noble Phantasms.

Seventh, do not touch machinery.

Eighth, Shinji is never wrong.

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Well, the above are just summaries of those idle and bored Type-moon fans in Shinji's previous life. No distinguished family would use such things as family precepts.

The true family precept of the Tohsaka family is "Always maintain composure, always stay elegant."

Objectively speaking, the standard and ideology of this family precept are excellent, and the successive heads of the Tohsaka family have all lived up to this.

The current head, Tokiomi, always maintains a dignified appearance and a noble demeanor. In the eyes of many, especially women, he is a perfect man.

The future head, Rin, is only seven years old but already demonstrates maturity and a noble bearing far beyond her peers. She excels in academics and sports, and both teachers and classmates adore her.

Of course, some mischievous boys play pranks on Rin, but everyone understands that it is not a genuine dislike for her. It is merely a way to attract the attention of girls, and their behavior carries no malice.

Being trusted and respected by classmates is a source of pride for Rin and a way for her to practice the family precepts.

Rin has a best friend named Kotone. The two girls are always inseparable at school, doing everything together. They appear like sisters.

The catalyst for their friendship was quite ordinary. Some mischievous boys were bullying Kotone, and Rin, unable to tolerate it, helped Kotone chase away those boys. Since then, they have become friends.

Perhaps it's because Kotone's calm personality is somewhat similar to Sakura's that Rin feels she can't just leave her alone. Whenever Kotone encounters a problem, Rin is there to help her, and their friendship between girls becomes unbreakable.

Today, Kotone didn't come to school.

The homeroom teacher said she was on sick leave at home, but the rumors in class were different. They said Kotone had disappeared.

Rin called Kotone's house several times, but her parents didn't want to say much to Rin. Eventually, they even stopped answering the calls.

This deepened Rin's worries.

If it were an ordinary child, all they could do is worry for their friend in silence. They wouldn't be able to do anything else.

But Rin isn't an ordinary child. She is the heir of the Tohsaka family, a lineage of magi. She can use magecraft, and she knows about the hidden currents in Fuyuki City.

Seven magi, including her father, are currently engaged in a war.

The streets at night are lurking with deadly and bizarre threats.

Because she knows a certain truth, Rin feels an added sense of responsibility.

Now, Kotone must be waiting for Rin to save her, just as Rin has always done.

In reality, she could seek help from her father, who is a magus. However, her father is one of the participants in the "war." Her mother also strictly forbids her from disturbing her father, just like when she says, "Absolutely do not go out at night."

Rin has always obeyed her parents' words, but she can't just sit idly by while her friend is in danger.

Just this once, she won't listen, for the sake of her friend, for the sake of the Tohsaka family's family precepts.

On a sleepless night, driven by a sense of duty or maybe what is called a conscience, Rin quietly leaves her room.

Compared to the well-protected Tohsaka residence, slipping out of her room in the Zenjou's residence is much easier.

Climbing out of the dormitory window, sliding down the terrace pillar, and then slipping out of the fence through a small gate.

It took less than five minutes to escape, but coming back using the same method is troublesome.

Thinking about how she won't be able to hide her unauthorized outing tonight, and how her parents will surely harshly criticize her afterward, Rin tells herself that she didn't sneak out for something shameful. She did it because she was a member of the Tohsaka family. When she returns, she must bring Kotone back with her. No matter how her parents scold her, she will still feel proud in her heart.

Rin has three pieces of equipment with her.

The most reliable one is the magic compass her father gave her on her birthday. It looks like an ordinary compass in terms of appearance and construction, but it doesn't point north. Instead, it points to locations with strong magical energy. Although it is a very simple magical device, Rin has used this compass to learn that even the movement of the wind or the ebb and flow of the tides are subtle changes in magical energy. If she wants to find a place where something strange is happening, this compass will come in handy.

In addition, Rin has two specially crafted crystal pieces that she made during her gemstone magecraft training. She selected the best two from the crystals she made herself. If she were to release the magecraft stored within them all at once - although she has never tried such a dangerous thing - it would likely cause a small-scale explosion. In case of danger, she can use them as self-defense weapons.

Relying on this equipment and her abilities, Rin believes that she can definitely find Kotone and bring her back.

If someone were to ask if she was okay, she would surely nod.

But if someone were to ask her if she can truly guarantee that nothing will go wrong, she might be too scared and unsure of how to answer.

However, such questions are both malicious and meaningless to Rin. If someone wanted to ask, they should first inquire about Kotone's well-being. What if Kotone can no longer come to school? Would Rin still be unaffected? She would be able to answer that question without hesitation.

Summoning courage and self-esteem, Rin tells herself that she is not like those timid ordinary children.

She banishes her fear and takes a step forward towards the nearest train station.

No problem, it's just one stop to Fuyuki City, and she has enough change in her hand for the fare.

At this moment, Rin doesn't know what kind of monsters gather in Fuyuki City at night, nor does she realize the hidden dangers that lurk within. It is a dark undercurrent that can easily consume her young body, a war that even top-class magi must approach with extreme caution.

In her innocence and ignorance, she steps into this land that has already become a battlefield, simply wanting to find her best friend.

Going home together, going to school together, attending classes together, reading together, playing together.

She has already lost her sister and can't afford to lose her friend as well.