Next, Shen Er, what's your business?

Chapter 132 Tokiomi's Decision
It was afternoon, and the darkness of night was almost covering the surrounding twilight.

Tohsaka Tokiomi came to his wife's natal family, the Zenjo family.But he only stood outside the door and did not intend to step into the door.

Now Tokiomi's position is that one of the masters competing for the Holy Grail is in the Shura battlefield.In order to protect the safety of his wife and daughter, he sent them to Chancheng's home, and he did not allow himself to go in with a smell of blood.

Tokiomi originally thought that he would not see his family until the end of the war, but the accidental death of Father Kotomine Risho last night shook his determination.

The old priest was not only Tokiomi's father's friend, but also Tokiomi's guardian.To Tokiomi, signing a secret pact with the priest and receiving his support was an important factor for Tokiomi to believe that he would surely win.

Of course, Tokiomi would not shrink back because of the loss of support, but he did begin to feel that his path to victory, which was so confident that it was almost arrogant, was shrouded in an ominous shadow of "what if".

Just like the old and strong priest who suddenly fell down, would it be possible for him to die before his ambition was fulfilled?

Until yesterday, for Tokiomi in the Holy Grail War, victory was almost equal to a bag.

But now that his reliable companion was dead, Tokiomi realized again that he was throwing himself into a battle between life and death as a competitor.

Maybe—this will be the last time he sees his family.

Taking a deep breath, expelling distracting thoughts, and regaining his usual calmness and elegance, Tokiomi stretched out his hand to the doorbell next to the gate.

At this moment, Tokiomi saw a scene that surprised him.

In the yard, his two daughters—yes, two daughters, the eldest daughter Tosaka Rin and the second daughter who has been adopted by the Matou family and renamed Matou Sakura are competing in magic.

It is impossible for a seven-year-old and a six-year-old girl to master real combat magic, and the competition between them is not a magic confrontation in the true sense, but is similar to the "origami competition" between ordinary children. Looks good, who folds faster.Here "origami" is replaced with "magic props".

Rin used the jewel magic handed down by the Tohsaka family, and made a jewel that stores magic power that has been training recently.

What Sakura used was not the water attribute magic handed down by the Matou family, but some kind of ancient rune magic.Although Tokiomi didn't know much about rune magic, and didn't know what kind of rune Sakura used, but he could tell that Sakura's basic skills were solid, and the magic base also had a unique sense of beauty, which was enough to prove what she had learned. The rune magic has a complete inheritance and a sound system.

"It seems that Matou Zouken is quite attentive." Tokiomi nodded secretly.He didn't know that Jiantong Zouyan, whom he had given high hopes for, had died a year ago, because the Jiantong family didn't make a public funeral, which maintained the illusion that Jiantong Zouyan was alive.And the magic base of the Matou family also quietly changed with Zouken's death.

The two little girls made very basic magic products, and they didn't spend much magic power and time. After about 10 minutes, the two sisters completed their own works respectively.

Holding in the palm of Rin is a pure and flawless crystal, a standard regular octagon, both in terms of gloss and shape, have reached the level of a jewelry pendant, and the purity of the magic power contained in the crystal is also very good, the only disadvantage is that Insufficient fill rate of mana.This is not because Rin's magic power is insufficient, on the contrary, Rin's magic power is too strong, and often destroys gems due to excessive magic power during practice.In order to win the game, Rin chose a relatively conservative approach, preferring to leave a little bit of leeway, not too much, this calmness made Tokiomi feel relieved.

In contrast, Sakura's works are very simple.It was gray, like a small stone that could be seen everywhere, engraved with an ancient rune with only a few strokes.However, the quality of a magic product cannot be judged by its appearance. With Tokiomi's eyesight, it is natural to see that Sakura's work is no worse than that of his sister.

This is a standard rune stone, which has the same function as the gem made by Rin, and is used to store magic power.The magic power injected into the rune stone is equivalent to that of the gemstone, and the purity is basically the same. From the comparison of the works alone, there is no winner between the two.However, Sakura only started to get in touch with magic formally after entering Matou's house, only a year ago, and Rin has been carefully trained by Tokiomi for a year and seven months, from this point of view, Sakura is undoubtedly better.

Of course, Tokiomi wasn't worried that the sisters would widen the gap.Rin has been precocious and strong since she was a child. She always said "my sister should protect my sister". Now that she suddenly finds that her sister is on par with her and no longer needs her protection, Rin will definitely work harder to maintain her dignity as an older sister.

In fact, Tokiomi knew very well that Aoi and Rin were unwilling to adopt Sakura to the Matou family, but kept it in their hearts because of the trust (worship) of their husband (father).But not saying it doesn't mean he doesn't miss his daughter (sister), Tokiomi still remembers the happy eyes of his wife and daughter when Ying Chen Pao passed by Tohsaka's house.

Therefore, although Tokiomi emphasized several times that Sakura no longer belonged to the Matou family and should not be too close, in fact, he didn't care much about Aoi and Rin's private intimate behavior, including this time when Sakura appeared in the Chancheng family. The minister didn't intend to ask.From the standpoint of the Tohsaka family of magicians, Tokiomi must draw a clear line with Sakura, but he is Sakura's biological father after all, how can a father not love his daughter?It's just that the way he expresses is too deep and restrained, the children can't see it, only his wife Aoi understands it.

When the match ended in a tie and the two works were given to Aoi as gifts, Tokiomi rang the doorbell.

Seeing his father whom he hadn't seen for several days, Rin first smiled happily, then hurriedly hid Sakura behind his mother Aoi.

Tokiomi was amused by this scene, and found that his father didn't mean to be angry, Sakura poked her head out and showed a timid smile at Tokiomi, Tokiomi also responded with a long-lost warm smile.Then, Tokiomi waved at Rin, the most important purpose of his coming to Chancheng's house today was to explain some important things to Rin.

Looking at his daughter's jewel-like eyes, Tokiomi felt once again that this girl is the ultimate treasure that the Tohsaka family spent five generations finally obtaining, a miraculously precious shining gem.

Tohsaka Rin.

Although her face is still young and immature, it is already foreseeable that she will be a very outstanding beauty in the future.Rather than saying that she looks like her mother, it is better to say that she is the shadow of Toshimi's mother when she was young.

At this moment, she was looking nervously at her silent father, waiting for him to speak.

Tokiomi knew the respect and longing his daughter had for him as a father.

Here and now, what he said to Rin will definitely affect her future.

No, there is no need to be confused about the future. The future has already been decided.Apart from becoming the sixth generation patriarch to inherit the Tohsaka family, Rin has no other choice.

Thinking about it carefully, perhaps this is the most fundamental reason why Tokiomi feels a little guilty towards his daughter.

Tokiomi knelt down on one knee, bent down, and put his hand on Rin's head.

Rin opened his eyes wide with a surprised expression.

Seeing his daughter's reaction, Tokiomi remembered that he had never stroked his daughter's head like this before.

It's no wonder that Rin was so surprised, even Tokiomi himself, after touching his daughter's head, realized that he didn't know how much strength he should use to express his tender feelings.

"... Rin, let the association owe you a favor before you grow up. The next judgment is left to you to decide. If it is you, even if you are alone, you can handle it well."

I was still hesitating about what to say, but once I opened my mouth, the words came out one after another.

If you consider "what if", there are too many things that should be said.

How to deal with the heirloom gems, things inherited from the master, the management of the underground workshop——Tokiomi picked up the main points of these things and explained them one by one to Rin who listened attentively.

Although he has not given up the magic seal on his body to Rin, in essence, these admonitions are equivalent to designating Rin as the next master of the Tohsaka family.

Tohsaka Tokiomi is definitely not a genius.

Among the magicians of the Tohsaka family in the past, he can even be said to have mediocre qualifications.

The reason why today's Tokiomi can become a seasoned and respected magician is because he has been faithfully practicing the Tosaka family's family training.

Always be unhurried, always be graceful.

If a ten-point result is required, it is necessary to accumulate twenty points of exercise before proceeding.In order to be able to pass various tests on himself gracefully and calmly, Tokiomi has always demanded this from himself.If you want to find out what Tokiomi is superior to others, it can only be said that Tokiomi's strongest point is his complete self-discipline and self-denial firm will.

As a master and also as Tokiomi's father, the former Patriarch Tohsaka had foreseen that if his son aimed at demons, it would be a rather dangerous path.So just the night before the previous Patriarch handed over the magic seal to Tokiomi, he solemnly asked his son again—"Do you want to inherit the Patriarch?"

It's just a matter of a ritual, with nothing but form.As the legitimate son of the family, the education Tokiomi received was to teach him to be the future head of the family, and the dignity cultivated in Tokiomi's heart since childhood did not allow him to dream of a different life.

Even so, since "there is such a question" in the form, it means that Tokiomi still has a little "room for choice".

Thinking back now, for Tokiomi, it could be said to be the greatest gift given to him by his father, who was the head of the previous generation.

Tohsaka Tokiomi followed his own will to embark on the path of magic, and was definitely not influenced by fate.

It was this self-awareness that gave Tokiomi the steel-like willpower.

"This is the way of life I have chosen" - it is this kind of lofty pride that supports him from the bottom of his heart to survive the time full of rigorous practice in the future.

Tokiomi deeply hoped that he could also hand over the treasures that his father had given him in the past to his two daughters.

However, this wish could not be fulfilled.

Rin and Sakura had no choice from the beginning.

A person is a full element, fivefold compound attribute.The other person is an overhead element and an imaginary number attribute.Both sisters were born with rare qualities that border on miracles.This is beyond the scope of talent, it can almost be called a curse.

Magic will call forth magic.People whose abilities are too beyond common sense will inevitably "attract" things outside of daily life, which has nothing to do with their own wishes.There is only one way to fight against this fate - and that is to go outside the common sense.

Tokiomi's daughters can only deal with the demon nature in their blood by actively experiencing and learning the way of magic.But the Tohsaka family can only give shelter to one of the sisters, and this conflict has tormented Tokiomi for no one knows how long.All kinds of strange things that are induced by the blood are bound to bring merciless disaster to the party that does not become the heir.

If the Magic Association discovers the existence of such an "ordinary person", they will happily make her a specimen in the name of "protection", and do something like soaking it in formalin potion.For thousands of years, the Magic Association has used the name of "protection" to detain and capture magicians who have rare talents or violate taboos, and imprison them for life. The Magic Association has named this "selfless" act "Seal Designation ".

Therefore, the Matou family's wish to adopt their adopted daughter is really like a gift from heaven.The two beloved daughters can both inherit the first-class magic way, and each get the means to develop their own lives, without having to succumb to the cause and effect of blood.At that time Tokiomi was almost relieved of the heavy responsibility of being a father.

But is that really the case? ——The more Tokiomi asked himself, the more depressed he felt.

Rin's talent will definitely allow her to learn the mysteries of magic more easily than Tokiomi.

But compared to choosing this path by oneself, what a painful thing it is to have to choose this established path because of an inescapable fate.

Rin will have to face many trials in the future, if Tokiomi doesn't give her any guidance and just walks away from her... Is Tohsaka Tokiomi still a perfect father?
Tokiomi once again conveyed the thoughts in his heart to the palm of his stroking Rin, as if he wanted to clear up the doubts in his heart.

Although Rin let the palm rub against his head, his clear eyes still looked at his father motionlessly.There was no trace of anxiety or confusion in her eyes.

"—Ah, that's how it is."

This kind of unconditional respect and trust finally found the answer to Tokiomi's heart.

The child didn't need any words of apology, nor did anyone worry about her future.As the former head of the family who was about to leave, he had only one sentence left to say to the noble son of the Tohsaka family.

"Rin, the Holy Grail will appear one day. Obtaining the Holy Grail is the obligation of the Tohsaka family. More importantly, if you are a magician, it is an inevitable path."

The girl nodded without hesitation, her eyes filled Tokiomi with pride.

Even when he inherited the position of Patriarch before, he never felt such a fulfilling sense of honor.

"Then I'm going. You know what to do next."

"Yes—please be careful on the road, father."

Rin's tone was firm and clear.

Tokiomi nodded and straightened his body.

His eyes were sent to the mansion inside the gate, meeting with Aoi who was watching here in the courtyard.

His wife has been by his side for a long time, and the two don't need any words to understand each other.

Aoi sent her eyes full of trust and encouragement.

The eyes he looked back at were filled with gratitude and assurance.

Beside his wife was Sakura who no longer had the characteristics of the Tohsaka family, and she mustered up the courage to wave goodbye to Tokiomi.

Driven by complex emotions such as the sense of crisis before stepping into the battlefield, and the guilt stemming from family affection, Tokiomi raised his hand and waved lightly at Sakura, just like he did many times before.

After finishing all this, he left Chancheng's house without looking back.

Bewilderment is a shadow born of lack of equanimity, without grace.

Tokiomi has always kept the family motto deeply in his heart, and Rin's eyes made him realize this sentence again.

If there is anything that I have to say sorry to my child...it is my own defeat, and in the end, I ended up not being able to complete the Holy Grail prayer.

Tohsaka Tokiomi must be a flawless magician if he wants to be a worthy father in front of Rin.

Then——I will definitely complete the Tohsaka family's magic way with my own hands.

Become a truly perfect father who is qualified to guide his beloved daughter.

With a new determination in his heart, Tokiomi embarked on his way home at dusk.

He will return to Fuyuki City again, heading for the dark night that will fall soon.

PS: Come on, comrades, I still have a lot of manuscripts.

PS2: Ask for a monthly pass.

(End of this chapter)