The girl's voice echoed loudly throughout the hall. Daniel's excuse might've sounded somewhat plausible—it was indeed pouring rain outside—but she knew her home well. No matter how bad the storm, no one should have ended up inside her house just to avoid the rain.
"Mister Thief, looks like you're having a really bad day."
She said it with a slightly mischievous smirk, her hands tightening into fists as she took up a combative stance, clearly ready to strike.
"Bājíquán, huh?" Daniel studied her posture thoughtfully. While not exactly the same as the Bājíquán he knew, the resemblance was unmistakable.
"I'm not a thief. And it doesn't look like there's anything here worth stealing anyway."
True, the mansion was large—just judging by the size of the hall—but there wasn't much furniture. It was quite sparsely decorated.
"You…"
His words made her face turn bright red—this time clearly out of anger. Without another word, she lunged at him. In a flash, she closed the distance and drove a punch toward his abdomen using her Bājíquán technique.
"Not bad speed. You're pretty kind though."
Daniel casually raised his left hand and blocked the blow. Her speed alone told him she was no ordinary person, but the power behind the punch was intentionally held back. She wasn't trying to hurt him.
"That's a Command Seal… How is this possible? The Holy Grail War hasn't even started yet!"
The girl suddenly froze, staring at the markings on Daniel's left hand. They were the Command Seals from his pact with Jeanne Alter.
"Ah, right. Forgot about this thing." Daniel glanced at the seals, then turned his gaze curiously to the girl who looked oddly familiar. "You recognize these… So you're a magus. And not just any magus—one connected to the Holy Grail War."
"Who are you?" she demanded, stepping back and raising her hand with her index and middle fingers extended—magic visibly gathering at her fingertips.
"Yin Energy Bullet, huh?"
"You're asking who I am? Shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
"Hmph. Don't play dumb. You're standing right here in my house and acting like you don't know me? Rin Tohsaka, heir of the Tohsaka family."
"So it is her. No wonder she looked so familiar." Realization dawned on Daniel's face. He hadn't expected that this time, in a parallel world of the Nasuverse, he'd end up at the Tohsaka residence. It was absurdly coincidental.
"And from what she said… the Fifth Holy Grail War hasn't started yet. Talk about perfect timing."
If Rin was involved, it was definitely the Fifth War. In different timelines, the count of Grail Wars varied. For example, the Singularity in Fuyuki Daniel had visited earlier was technically the Fifth by timeline, since Kirei was still around—but functionally it was the Fourth.
"Spit it out. Who are you, and what do you want?"
Seeing Daniel seemingly lost in thought, Rin pressed him impatiently.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I'm Daniel Davis, a Master from the Organization for the Preservation of Human Order: Chaldea."
"…Huh?" Rin blinked in confusion. As a scion of one of the Three Founding Families, she was familiar with the major organizations of the magical world—but she had never heard of anything called Chaldea.
"Simply put, I'm from a parallel world. I've come here to purchase supplies to help save humanity." Daniel offered a simplified version of Chaldea's purpose. He wasn't lying—he was now technically one of Chaldea's Masters.
"Parallel world? Saving humanity? And you think I'd believe that?"
"I figured you wouldn't. So, want to see Chaldea for yourself?"
He opened a golden Gate of Arcane Law. It felt abrupt to return right after arriving, but it was the fastest way to convince someone. After all, it's hard to believe the world had ended based solely on someone's words.
It was like in his past life—if someone told you they were a time traveler or had superpowers, you'd just think they were a chuuni. You wouldn't believe them.
"That was fast. And who's this?" Da Vinci and Mash both looked surprised that Daniel had returned so quickly, and curiously eyed the girl beside him.
"This… this is Chaldea? A parallel world… how can travel be this easy?"
Rin looked around in disbelief. As the head of the Tohsaka family, she knew more about parallel worlds than most magi. After all, the Tohsaka were associated with the legendary Zelretch—the one who designed the Jewel Sword, which her family still had blueprints of.
"This is Rin Tohsaka. Her family helped create the Holy Grail War."
The Grail War was originally constructed by the Three Founding Families. And interestingly enough, Chaldea was established after Marisbilly investigated the Grail system in-depth.
"This is Leonardo da Vinci. Yes, that da Vinci. And yes, she's a Servant."
"Da Vinci?! You can't be serious…"
Rin gawked. She had never imagined da Vinci would look like this.
"Don't be so surprised. I simply manifested in a perfect body," Da Vinci replied nonchalantly.
"Different worlds mean different rules. I've even seen Einstein and Tesla as women. And they're still alive."
"In other worlds? Oh, now I'm really curious."
"You'll get a chance to meet them."
"Mash, Ritsuka—show her around for a bit."
"Got something to do?"
As Mash and Ritsuka led Rin away, Da Vinci turned back to Daniel with a knowing look.
"The Fifth Holy Grail War is about to start. Interested?"
"If it won't interfere with our work here, I'd love to see it up close."
Da Vinci wasn't interested in the Grail itself, but the ritual. She had originally planned to leave when she was summoned—but Marisbilly's offer to help build Chaldea had convinced her to stay.
"I'll come get you when it begins."
Back at the Tohsaka residence in Fuyuki, Daniel returned with Rin after a brief Chaldea tour and introductions to Da Vinci and Olga Marie. He had originally thought of bringing Mash and Ritsuka as well—Mash had never seen the outside world, after all—but decided against it for now.
There were two very dangerous individuals currently in Fuyuki, and it wasn't worth the risk. There would be time later, especially once they visited the Clock Tower.
After all, there was someone there he wanted to meet—Waver Velvet, now Lord El-Melloi II. The best teacher in the Nasuverse.
Though Daniel had learned a fair bit of magecraft from Da Vinci and Olga Marie, the most qualified instructor was undoubtedly Waver. His own talent might not have been great, but his ability to teach was unparalleled.
If possible, Daniel hoped to bring him to Chaldea to help teach Mash and Ritsuka. Waver's strength lay in personalized instruction. It's no wonder El-Melloi's classroom became one of the Clock Tower's four "sinister forces."
Mash and Ritsuka could handle the Singularities, but the Final Singularity? Against Goetia, not even Daniel was confident. Without Roman's sacrifice, humanity never would have survived.
Which meant, if Daniel wanted to change that fate, he had to prepare now.
"Do you believe me now?"
"…It's hard to believe. But I can't deny it. You're a Magician."
"Something like that."
Daniel wasn't sure just how powerful the Magicians of this world were—but he was fairly confident that even someone like Zelretch wouldn't be unbeatable.
"This house isn't bad. I guess she must've sold off all the valuables. No wonder she got mad earlier when I said there wasn't anything to steal… Her cooking must've been learned out of necessity."
Because of the heavy rain, Daniel didn't bother leaving. He and Rin sat on the second-floor balcony, sipping tea and watching the downpour.
The Tohsaka family specialized in Jewel Magecraft, something only the rich could afford. Each gem tossed in battle was worth a small fortune. Compared to a ninja using disposable tools, the cost was ridiculous.
At least a shuriken could be picked up afterward—jewels couldn't.
Rin had lived frugally to keep up with her craft. That was clear just from how sparsely the house was furnished. If her father Tokiomi could see it now, he might choke on his own words about "elegance."
"Ugh. That priest definitely embezzled the Tohsaka inheritance."
Considering the Tohsaka's wealth and assets in Fuyuki, Rin shouldn't have had to live this frugally. Kirei must've skimmed off the top.
"Don't worry. There won't be any Incineration of Humanity in this world."
Rin had asked if something similar might happen here. Daniel shook his head. The core of the Incineration was tied to the Grail War. But with how the Fifth War was shaping up, Marisbilly wouldn't be able to establish Chaldea here. Without Chaldea, there'd be no Mash—and without her, Lev would have no reason to kill himself. No Incineration would ever occur.
The next day, Rin went to school—with Daniel in tow. As they approached the gates, countless students greeted her. But their eyes were glued to the man walking beside her.
Many looked on in jealous confusion. Some even glared with enough intensity to ignite flames—both boys and girls alike.
"Why the hell did you follow me here?" Rin kept her outward smile pleasant but muttered behind her teeth.
"Just confirming something."
He had followed her to school for one reason—to settle a certain matter. When you come to the Nasuverse, what's the first thing you should do? Punch the Worm Grandpa.
He hadn't gotten the chance before. Now he would.
"Rin-senpai!"
Near the school gates, a petite girl with short lavender hair ran up to Rin and greeted her with a smile—then curiously looked at Daniel. It was the first time she'd seen Rin walking with a guy.
"Sakura."
Rin smiled warmly, but her tone was careful. Since Sakura had been adopted by the Matou family, Rin couldn't be too familiar with her in public.
In magical families, unlike normal ones, once someone is adopted out, open interaction becomes taboo. The fear of espionage or bloodline theft looms large. Daniel himself was interested in celestial magecraft—but he'd never dare ask Olga Marie for her family's secrets.
Even if Rin cared about Sakura deeply, she could only do so from the shadows.
"Rin! Rin! Who the hell is this guy?!"
Before Sakura could speak, a blue-haired boy charged over and shouted angrily at Rin. The way he glared at Daniel was enough to confirm his identity.
"Onii-chan—"
"Shut up!"
Sakura had barely spoken before the boy roared at her. Rin's eyes narrowed—but she suppressed her anger.
"Who is this guy?" Matou Shinji jabbed his finger toward Daniel.
"I'm her boyfriend. And you? You're blocking my girlfriend."
Daniel casually grabbed Shinji's pointing hand—and lightly squeezed.
"Aghhh!"
Shinji screamed in pain. Based on how Sakura had addressed him, Daniel had already guessed who he was—and this was the man he'd come here to deal with.
But with Rin and Sakura here, and so many students watching, he held back. He didn't even break the boy's finger.
"Do you know who I am?! I'm—"
"A guy your age… who still wets the bed."
Shinji opened his mouth to yell—only to let out another high-pitched shriek as Daniel whispered coldly in his ear.
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