Fate/Magus Path

Misaki Town, Old School Building

Near Midnight

Returning to this place that held deep memories from over ten years ago, Touko Aozaki couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental.

Leaning against the railing, she lit a slim cigarette and exhaled slowly. With her was Beo, the golden wolf, who had a burger in its mouth while fiddling with a gaming console Touko had just bought. Shiki, who had also come along, quietly spun the mithril dagger that Roy had gifted her, gazing out at the city's nightscape.

She was eagerly anticipating the spectacle that was about to unfold.

"Finally, I'll get to see what this guy is truly capable of." 

Up on the high platform, Roy blinked briefly before leaping down.

"Is everything settled?" Touko asked as he approached from the platform.

"It's done. The challenge letter has been delivered to her in your name, and I've given them about two hours to prepare their strategy."

"Leaving them two hours to get ready? How generous of you. If it were me, I'd give Aoko hell, making her rush here without a moment's rest." Touko said with a sneer, exhaling another puff of smoke.

"But this works too. Aoko always loses her composure when faced with unexpected situations. You've stirred up quite the storm by now; she's probably panicking." 

"It was necessary. Leaving that big bounded field intact would have made the upcoming battle and the hunt for the Dead Apostles a troublesome affair."

"With a huge bounded field looming over them, those sneaky creatures would never show themselves easily."

"Oh? Then why not use the Aozaki's bounded field to track them down? We've already taken control of half of it. With your skills, you should be able to take over the whole thing with some effort, right?"

"It's not worth it. My opponents aren't just regular Dead Apostles; I'm dealing with their Ancestors and possibly even their Princesses. We don't yet know how many are involved in this."

"At their level, if they're serious about hiding, the Aozaki family's bounded field won't detect them. Breaking through that superficial veil and going straight for their essence is the best option."

Roy explained casually, glancing at Touko. "The structure of this bounded field is complicated, but as long as I don't damage its framework, restoring and taking control of it isn't too difficult. Once this is over, I'll repair the bounded field exactly as it was."

"If this is out of guilt, it's unnecessary. After all, that witch will definitely find a way to handle it afterward. Whether you fix the bounded field or not, it'll still be Aoko and that witch cleaning up the mess in the end."

Touko's tone, like her words, was laced with indifference.

After wandering for so many years, she had long since lost any attachment to this city she once called home.

Roy merely shook his head slightly, choosing not to respond to her remark.

"Are you sure you don't need our help in the upcoming battle? You really plan to fight Aoko one-on-one?"

"Yes, fighting the Magician of the Fifth Magic is a rare opportunity. I'm looking forward to it."

"You're only interested in the Fifth Magic, aren't you?" Touko snorted lightly.

"I didn't expect this side of you."

"But what about the Witch? If you're planning to duel Aoko, Alice Kuonji won't just stand by and do nothing. While dealing with her wouldn't be too hard for someone like you, it would still be troublesome if her witchcraft interfered during the fight."

Roy nodded slightly, acknowledging her point.

"Indeed, if left unchecked, she could become a problem. I fully recognize the power that the pureblooded witch possesses."

"Do you want me to handle her?"

Touko offered, "Although I can't beat that monstrous little sister of mine, I am still one of the highest-ranked magus, granted a Grand rank. Dealing with the Witch wouldn't be an issue."

"Besides, I've got Beo and Shiki on my side. Even that witch's hound couldn't defeat us."

"Are we finally getting a turn, Touko?" Beo eagerly poked its head out, looking excited.

"No need. I've already made arrangements for the witch. When the time comes, you two just need to intercept her."

"You've made arrangements? You found someone else to help you handle the Witch?" Touko asked, surprised.

"Intercept who? What's he talking about?" Beo tilted its head, looking a bit confused, while Touko followed Roy's gaze toward the distant rooftop. After a moment, she understood and broke into a grin.

"I see. You've made quite an unexpected move. I bet that witch going to fall right into your trap."

"Just using a magus's habits to my advantage."

"By the way, now that you've met Aoko, what do you think of her?"

"She's strong. From the first meeting, you can tell there's something extraordinary about her. She's incredibly gifted."

Roy gave his honest assessment without hesitation.

"Is that so? Seems like she's improved quite a bit since the last time."

Hearing Roy's praise for Aoko, Touko felt a pang of frustration.

"Guess that just makes it even more impossible for me to beat her… Damn magic, it's such a cheat."

"Miracle powers, after all. If it didn't reach that level, it wouldn't be called a miracle."

"You're right… It's magic, after all…" Touko mused for a moment before turning to Roy, asking seriously, "Do you think you can win against her now?"

"I will win."

Roy smiled confidently, answering without a trace of doubt.

"After all, I promised to help you regain your dignity."

"And I hope your sister quickly adjusts to her battle mode. I want to fight the fully unleashed Magician of the Fifth Magic."

"You're so full of confidence." Touko chuckled. "Well then, I'll leave it to you, Magician of the Third Magic."

"Don't die out there."

Shiki glazed at Roy and said earnestly.

"Nah, I'd win."

Roy replied with a smile.

...

Compared to Roy and his group calmly preparing at the old school building and waiting for the challengers, over at Alice Kuonji's Western-style mansion, the black-haired witch sitting on the sofa was far from calm.

The unknown enemy was far too powerful. Not only had they shattered the grand bounded field set up by the Aozaki family's forefather, but they had also trampled over her proud defenses. To top it off, while she was contemplating countermeasures, the enemy used magical projection to silently infiltrate the mansion.

This series of actions had dealt a devastating blow to the witch, leaving her feeling completely humiliated. She had never suffered such a loss in her life.

Perhaps out of confidence or maybe the opponent's mercy, the enemy had even revealed their identity to them.

The Magician of the Third Magic. The person was a Magician like Aoko, wielding a miracle of magic. Their power was monstrously overwhelming, as demonstrated by their ability to break and seize control of the grand bounded field.

However, their actions were too swift, and their ability to suppress their magical energy was too perfect.

As a result, the bounded field surrounding Misaki Town had only detected Touko, completely missing this major threat.

This allowed the enemy to approach the mansion unnoticed, quickly shattering a key pillar and exposing a flaw in the grand bounded field.

By the time they realized what was happening, it was already too late to stop the damage.

"There were five key points in the grand bounded field. The one destroyed near the mansion yesterday was just one of them. The eastern pillar has also been taken, and the others have sustained varying degrees of damage. That's how the entire grand bounded field was broken so quickly."

"Otherwise, with the quality of the bounded field set by your grandfather, it wouldn't have been possible for anyone to destroy it so easily, even if they were a magus. This suggests there was an insider involved, and it's been part of a well-planned scheme."

After completing her analysis, Alice Kuonji sighed softly. Her words almost directly implied that the insider was Touko Aozaki.

This explanation made Aoko even more agitated.

"Touko! That woman is capable of anything! Collaborating with an outsider to destroy our grandfather's legacy... unforgivable!"

"I understand your feelings. What Touko has done this time is truly over the line. It's obvious she wants a final, decisive battle with us." Alice Kuonji sighed again.

"But now we're in real trouble. Even though this is our home turf, we've ended up surrounded and at a disadvantage."

Hearing this, Aoko frowned deeply, her expression dark and heavy. The destruction of the Aozaki grand bounded field had dealt her a major blow.

"The time is almost up. How are we supposed to fight them? I only saw him briefly, but I can tell his strength is at least on par with yours, Aoko."

"This fight could be extremely dangerous. Are you prepared for that? You might die…"

"What nonsense are you talking about, Alice? I made that resolution over ten years ago! I haven't been slacking off all this time!" Aoko patted her chest in assurance, her fighting spirit rising.

"No, I just wanted to check on your condition. Seeing you so fired up puts me at ease. Let's get ready, Aoko. It's time for us to strike back."

Alice Kuonji donned her witch's robe and prepared to set out immediately.

As a pureblooded witch, she had been thoroughly toyed with by the enemy, allowing them to even infiltrate her most cherished mansion.

If she didn't reclaim her honor, she wouldn't be able to let it go easily. Now, Alice Kuonji was just as eager for battle.

"Alright, Alice. Let's go fight them together."

At that moment, Aoko clenched her fists, her fighting spirit blazing as well.

"No matter if they're the Grand Puppeteer or the Magician of the Third Magic, I'll defeat them."

"We are the strongest!"

...

Midnight.

Old School Building.

"As I expected, you didn't heed my advice. You still came with Aoko, didn't you? The Witch of Meinster."

From his high vantage point at the old school building, Roy looked down at the two figures slowly approaching. His eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

Although he had predicted this outcome, he had hoped she would retreat and not get involved in this dangerous situation.

"Hey! Didn't you say you wanted to challenge me? Then come down and fight me right now! If you lose, leave Misaki Town immediately!"

"Oh? Feeling quite confident, aren't you, Miss Aoko?"

Seeing Aoko Aozaki brimming with fighting spirit, Roy's lips curled into a smile.

"But to avoid any misunderstandings, Miss Aoko, before we begin, let me clarify something, unlike with Touko, in this fight… you are the challenger."

As he finished speaking, an overwhelming surge of magical energy erupted from him. From his elevated position, he gazed down at the two below, his eyes filled with undisguised battle intent.

"You sure talk big! No matter what you're planning, I'll defeat you! I'll crush you head-on with all my strength!" Aoko shot back without hesitation.

"Since we're both Magicians, let's settle this! Don't drag anyone else into it!"

"Hmm?"

Roy raised an eyebrow, leaning forward to get a better look at Aoko.

"So, you're saying you want to fight me one-on-one, without the witch next to you joining in?"

"That's right! You're here for me anyway, aren't you? Let's have a one-on-one battle right here. Don't involve innocent people."

Hearing Roy's words, Aoko nodded in agreement. She wanted a direct magical duel between herself and Roy, rather than risking Alice getting hurt.

If Touko were here, Aoko would naturally team up with Alice, with her dealing with the Magician of the Third Magic while Alice kept her sister occupied.

But since it seemed Roy was the only one present, Aoko didn't want to put her close friend in danger, especially on enemy territory where the risks were unknown.

"Aoko, don't be reckless! If we fight together, our chances of winning are higher-" Alice Kuonji tried to persuade her, but Roy had already raised his hand without anyone noticing.

"In that case, I respect your choice. Or rather, I was thinking the same thing."

"Even if you hadn't suggested it, I would've ensured that this witch stepped aside."

Although no magical energy had been channeled, the gesture was a signal... a dangerous one.

*Click*

Before Alice could finish her sentence, a shadow in black lying prone on a distant building pulled the trigger.

*Bang!*

With a dull gunshot, a specially-made silver bullet crossed over a kilometer in the blink of an eye, piercing through her chest.

Alice didn't even have time to scream. The powerful impact sent her small body flying, and as the special bullet touched her, it melted instantly.

"Aoko…"

At that moment, Alice Kuonji's vision went white, and a wave of fatigue and drowsiness washed over her mind. In just a few breaths, she lost consciousness.

"Alice!!"

The attack had been too sudden, too fast.

It happened so quickly that they could barely react. Before coming here, Alice had taken every possible precaution against the enemy. She had activated one of her three trump cards, the Rose Hound, to stand guard and prevent an ambush by the Golden Wolf. The gray owl formed by the Song of Sixpence circled overhead to scout for any nearby enemies, and her dress had been fortified with magical defenses. So why… Why did this happen so suddenly?

In an instant, their numbers had been reduced.

The duo of Aoko and Alice had been split, leaving Aoko to face the battle alone.

At the sound of the gunshot, Aoko immediately realized that the opponent wasn't using magecraft or familiars, but modern firearms. A sniper was positioned far away on a rooftop, targeting them.

Ready at any moment to take out the Witch.

A Magus Killer's greatest strength was, of course, dealing with traditional magus.

And Alice Kuonji was undoubtedly the most traditional kind of magus. Although her witch's robe had been laced with numerous anti-magic enchantments, she hadn't anticipated that the enemy would use firearms.

With the situation unfolding like this, the Rose Hound that had been tailing them had no choice but to abandon its planned role in supporting Aoko in battle. It reluctantly rushed to Alice's side to protect her.

"You bastard! What have you done?!"

Aoko turned her head, roaring in fury.

"Apologies, Miss Aoko. To prevent the witch from interfering in the upcoming fight, I had to ask her to step aside."

"Otherwise, she would've been in great danger during the battle."

Step aside?! To hurt someone for such an absurd reason…

Damn it! This man in front of her was far worse than Touko. She could never forgive him!

"You despicable scum!! Not only did you deceive me, but you also dared to hurt Alice. This time, I'll make sure to kill you!!"

If Touko's target was her, Aoko would stop any number of enemies. But she couldn't tolerate anyone repeatedly hurting her friends.

Enraged beyond reason, Aoko went into a full-blown rampage. Her crimson hair danced wildly in the dark night.

"Circuit: Connect."

With just a brief incantation, Aoko underwent a massive transformation.

The flow of magic circuits in her body surged to hundreds, even thousands of times their usual efficiency, easily pushing her to her maximum output.

The most terrifying part was that this frenzied mode of operation caused no discomfort to Aoko's body.

Countless circuits overlapped and amplified each other, and the blue flames rising from her body burned like the rage in her heart. Magic circles, densely packed, appeared at her fingertips, and an immense amount of magical energy began to gather.

"Mode Change: Magic Bullet Projection!!"

With Aoko's fury fueling her, the violent magical energy was now uncontrollable. The terrifyingly destructive blue magic bullets rapidly formed within the magic circles at her fingertips.

"Fire!!"

With those words, a barrage of blue rain came crashing down from the night sky.

And then… the entire bounded field began to tremble.

___

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