₊ 𖦹﹕𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗦𝗬𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗦！(🩸)

⩩ ┊❝ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐜 ❞

第三章 . . . 000
@/mxtsuro | AO3 & Wattpad
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﹒  ◠  METEMPSYCHOSIS    ⊹    ﹒
— “ reincarnation ” !
Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.
★ . Iain Duncan Smith » +

೯⠀⁺ ⠀ 𖥻 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐜 ⠀ᰋ

Fuyuki City
6th of September 2004, 16:30 PM

           The late afternoon sun dipped behind the horizon, casting long, golden shadows over Rin's manor. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation and unease. The usually lively study was filled with the low hum of tense whispers. Romani stood by the window, Galateya curled in his arms, the child’s small face nestled against his cloak. The traveler's gaze was distant, lost in thought, as he recalled the gruesome scene from earlier that day.

          "Rider’s body," Romani began, his voice low and serious, "it had traces of Caster’s magic all over it. I do not think there is any doubt---Caster was the one who killed her." He turned to face Rin, his eyes filled with a quiet certainty. "The magical signature was unmistakable."

          Rin, seated at the grand oak desk in the center of the room, furrowed her brow, deep in contemplation. Her fingers drummed rhythmically on the armrest, the faint tapping the only sound breaking the heavy silence. "It makes sense," she said after a moment, her voice sharper than usual, as if speaking the words out loud solidified her thoughts. "But why Rider? There has to be a reason beyond just eliminating another Servant."

           Shirou, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, shifted uneasily. “Maybe it is just that simple. If Caster is trying to take out other Servants, she might be thinning the competition.”

           Rin shook her head, eyes narrowing in thought. “No, there is more to it than that. She is smart---too smart for something so straightforward.”

          Saber, standing by the window where the late afternoon light cast her in a golden glow, turned her gaze towards them. "If Caster is targeting Servants, it means she is gathering power. We need to figure out how she is doing it and why." Her voice was calm, but there was a hard edge to it, the tension of a warrior preparing for battle.

          Rin sighed, crossing her arms as she stood up, pacing slowly. "I have been thinking about Kuzuki-sensei."

          “Kuzuki-sensei?” Shirou echoed, furrowing his brow. “What does he have to do with this?”

          Rin stopped, turning to face them, her eyes sharp. “There have been rumors. Kuzuki-sensei has been staying at Ryuudou Temple with a woman---someone he claims is his fiancée. Given everything we know, I am willing to bet that woman is Caster.”

         Shirou’s eyes widened in surprise. “Kuzuki-sensei? But he is just a regular teacher.”

          Saber, stepping forward, added, “If Kuzuki is Caster’s Master, it would explain why she has been able to remain hidden for so long. A non-magical Master would keep her off the radar, especially if he is experienced in something other than magecraft."

          Romani, standing by the window with Galateya quietly observing, nodded. "He is more than just a teacher. Kuzuki likely has a dangerous past, something beyond mere academics. A killer, perhaps. Someone with a history in combat or assassination."