Tohsaka Residence, Reception Room.
Dressed in a tailored red suit, Tohsaka Tokiomi sat on a luxurious sofa, skillfully lifting the porcelain lid of a steaming teacup. He scraped it gently across the rim, then used a pre-prepared silver spoon to add two sugar cubes, stirring evenly with a tea whisk. As time passed, a few wisps of gray-white powder floated atop the tea, creating an aesthetically pleasing effect.
Though his movements were elegant, complementing his refined appearance and attire with undeniable style, Roy couldn't help but wonder if such meticulous steps were necessary, especially for show in front of others. To him, this elaborate tea ritual was nothing but a hassle.
Even in Europe, few nobles were as fastidious as Tokiomi. In Roy's memory, most nobles gave a cursory stir for appearances before drinking. Why was a magus, who should be focused on magecraft, fussing over this?
As a magus noble, the priority should be magecraft, not noble facades. Progress in the mystic arts should matter more than superficial displays.
"Head of the Crowley family, please."
Unaware of Roy's rich inner thoughts or his discomfort, Tokiomi, still upholding elegance to showcase the Tohsaka family's refinement, warmly extended an invitation.
"Thank you, Head of the Tohsaka family."
Roy lifted his teacup, mimicking his professor's tea-drinking posture from memory. He gently stirred with the lid, mixed a few times, and took a sip, offering polite small talk.
"Excellent tea," Roy said with a smile. "And your tea-making skills are exquisite, not at all inferior to the teas at London noble gatherings. I never expected you to have such remarkable tea artistry."
"Is that so? It's nothing special, just glad you enjoy it, Head of the Crowley family," Tokiomi replied with a cultured smile. "Seems my skills haven't gotten rusty."
In truth, Roy couldn't tell Tokiomi's tea from instant tea outside—he wasn't one for noble pretenses.
"Mr. Tohsaka, Happy New Year again. Apologies for the intrusion, and I hope you don't mind."
Roy set down his teacup, smiling at Tokiomi.
"Not at all. It's an honor to have the Head of the Crowley family visit during New Year."
"After all, London customs differ from ours, so a clash in timing is only natural."
Tokiomi waved it off, unbothered.
"But as the Head of the Crowley family, your personal visit surely isn't just a casual call. Is there something important?"
Tokiomi's expression grew curious.
He was puzzled by Roy's visit. Though he had wide connections in the magecraft world, due to regional differences, his ties with Clock Tower families were mostly superficial. Seeing Roy come in person stirred some confusion.
"Indeed, I have some important matters to discuss with you. I didn't notify you in advance because I couldn't find your contact information, and I was still in Europe, unable to send a message across continents. Hence the sudden visit—I hope I haven't disturbed you."
Roy thought it over, deciding not to beat around the bush and to address the matter directly with Tokiomi.
...Important matters?
Tokiomi's expression grew slightly serious, nodding gently at Roy.
"Then, Head of the Crowley family, what brings you here today?"
"Well, it's a long story, but it mainly concerns your daughters," Roy continued.
"You mean... my daughters?"
The moment Roy spoke, the room's atmosphere turned heavy, the earlier harmony vanishing instantly.
Tokiomi's brow furrowed, suppressing his now-unsettled heart, his expression cold as he looked at the young man and asked again.
"Regarding my daughters, Mr. Crowley, could you elaborate?"
Suppressing his emotions, Tokiomi showed little outward change, asking calmly. But his hand, previously holding the teacup, had quietly tightened around the gem-encrusted cane hidden beside him, a dangerous aura slowly permeating the air.
If Roy uttered anything harmful to him or his daughters, Tokiomi would strike, using his workshop to detain him.
Roy, of course, had anticipated this and prepared accordingly.
He waved a hand, as if oblivious to the tense atmosphere, still smiling as he spoke. "Rest assured, Head of the Tohsaka family. I swear on the Crowley family's name that my purpose here will not harm your daughters or threaten the Tohsaka family's interests. No need to be so tense."
Hearing the oath, Tokiomi's emotions calmed slightly, though his doubts lingered.
"Then what do you mean by...?"
"I'm not like some of the Clock Tower's old fossils, nor am I a Sealing Designation Enforcer. I'd never harm your daughters. I come with sincerity, as a magus pursuing the Root."
After a moment's thought, Tokiomi nodded, his furrowed brow easing somewhat.
Though not fully convinced, the atmosphere was less rigid than before.
Seizing the moment, Roy pressed on, speaking earnestly to Tokiomi.
"As magi both pursuing the Root, walking the path of truth, I'm sure you understand, Head of the Tohsaka family. The true purpose of our existence as magi, and the ultimate goal we pursue—reaching the Root!"
"Of course I understand!"
Hearing that familiar term, Tokiomi nodded solemnly, replying with fervor.
"Reaching the Root is the grand goal we magi dedicate our lives to, the ideal we pursue. It's undoubtedly the lifelong aspiration of the Tohsaka family."
"But everyone knows that on the path to the Root, one person's efforts alone are never enough. That's why we magi value bloodline inheritance, passing down our life's work—the Magic Crest—to our heirs, hoping they'll one day reach the Root in our stead."
Listening to Tokiomi's passionate, slightly wistful narrative, Roy's excitement was nearly uncontainable.
He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. For Tokiomi, who truly saw reaching the Root as his ultimate life goal, just mentioning it was enough for him to fill in the blanks with his vivid imagination.
All Roy had to do now was align himself with Tokiomi, gradually lowering his guard, making him see Roy as a kindred spirit—essentially, hoodwinking him first.
"You truly are a man devoted to the path of truth, Head of the Tohsaka family!!" Roy said, feigning delight as he looked at Tokiomi.
"Of course, reaching the Root will always be my goal, and the Tohsaka family's."
At this moment, Roy's words had dispelled much of Tokiomi's lingering doubts, though not entirely. He asked again, "But how does this relate to my daughters?"
"It's deeply related, and critically so."
Roy nodded, his expression serious. "I'd heard before that your daughters possess rare talents. Seeing them in person today confirmed the rumors. Both have physiques bordering on miraculous, beloved by the mystic arts."
"Your eldest daughter bears the miraculous attribute of combining all five elements—her talent goes without saying; she's destined to shine as a new star in the magecraft world. Your younger daughter is even more extraordinary, possessing the even rarer [Imaginary Numbers] attribute. Without exaggeration, each is an immeasurable treasure of the mystic arts!!"
He knows that much?
Tokiomi's heart jolted at Roy's words, an uneasy feeling rising as if the man had seen through him entirely.
Every word Roy said was accurate: Rin combined all five elements, Sakura had Imaginary Numbers. To keep this secret, Tokiomi had been meticulous, even disguising his daughters' attributes. Yet, despite his efforts, the Clock Tower's eyes weren't fooled.
This unnerved him, and he grew curious about Roy's sources.
After all, he'd closely guarded his daughters. Someone had investigated the Tohsaka family's secrets right under his nose, and he, the father, had been completely unaware.
How terrifying was that?
How was it even possible?
The more he thought, the less he understood, a chill running through him. He resolved to thoroughly inspect the Tohsaka household to uncover the truth and ease his mind.
A magus couldn't tolerate an undetected spy in his domain.
Roy, meanwhile, knew such efforts were futile—his source was none other than Nasu Kinoko.
"So, you mean to... adopt?"
Tokiomi's expression was odd. As a sharp man, he'd roughly guessed Roy's purpose and probed cautiously.
"Exactly as you suspect. My visit's purpose is to adopt one of your daughters, to have her inherit the Crowley family's Magic Crest in the future, to continue walking the path of truth in my stead, until she opens the door containing that truth. I hope you'll grant this."
Roy nodded, his tone sincere and resolute.
After all this buildup, it was time to lay his cards on the table.
He was telling Tokiomi outright: I've set my sights on your daughter.
Not to steal or snatch, but to adopt her openly.
Your daughter, I shall raise!!