[Locator Card]: A card capable of pinpointing another world.
It was something Izumi had obtained by trading a fragment of the Primordial Soul and Dimitriye's corpse.
A strange item—but if it did what its description implied… wasn't this exactly what Rin needed?
Izumi blinked once, then reached into his pocket and casually pulled out a card glowing faintly with ethereal light.
"…Actually, I might really have something that can locate another world."
All eyes snapped toward him.
Le Fay practically leapt from her seat.
"Izumi-sama—seriously?! You actually have something like that?!"
Even Ophis tilted her head in rare surprise.
Rin's reaction was the most dramatic—hope burst across her face like a fire reignited.
"R-Really?! You can locate my world?!"
Her voice trembled.
A minute ago she had been drowning in despair.
Now, suddenly, a lifeline dangled right in front of her.
If this was real—she could go home.
Izumi nodded and raised the card between two fingers.
"I only have one. It's called a Locator Card—supposed to pinpoint other worlds."
He shrugged.
"But I've never used it. No idea how effective it is."
"And even if it works… how would you cross the dimensional rift?"
He tapped the table lightly.
"In our world, the rift is guarded. Besides foreign invaders, we have local SSS-class powerhouses stationed there."
"And, oh yeah—there's a ridiculously strong dragon roaming inside it."
He looked her over from head to toe.
"With your scrawny stats? Getting through would be a bit difficult."
He really wanted to sigh.
To him, Rin was a full-fledged weakling.
In Izumi's house, the only person Rin might be able to beat was Asia.
And even that wasn't what Izumi thought—Asia had Ophis's protection.
If he knew that, he'd say Rin couldn't beat anyone here.
Yes, Rin had her Bajiquan and reinforcement magecraft.
Yes, she could turn into "Muscle-Devil Rin" if she pushed it.
But Le Fay could fly and bombard her from afar.
Izumi didn't even need commentary.
Avrora could destroy her with a single familiar if she felt like it.
Rin Tohsaka… was truly pitiful in this household.
Hearing Izumi's blunt analysis, Rin's renewed hope shattered instantly.
Her emotional rollercoaster had climbed a peak, only to plunge off a cliff.
She almost wanted to punch something—preferably Izumi.
Why give me hope only to smash it again?!
The chance to return was RIGHT THERE—yet her hands couldn't reach it.
She felt tears threatening to spill.
Izumi, seeing her misery, smiled with obvious satisfaction.
Honestly, her expressions were worth it.
"Well, don't be too depressed."
"There's still a chance."
He grinned mischievously.
"When I'm strong enough to beat Great Red, I'll send you home myself."
"So—how about marrying me and settling down in this world until then?"
The conversation derailed instantly.
Le Fay and Asia both pressed their hands to their faces in exasperation.
"Izumi-sama… please don't joke at times like this," Le Fay sighed.
"Don't bully her—she's about to cry~"
Rin shot Izumi a deadpan glare full of exhaustion and disgust.
She really didn't have the energy to argue anymore.
Disgustedjpg.
Izumi chuckled upon seeing her expression.
"Anyway, it's not the end of the world. Our world isn't that bad either. At least you won't have to participate in that cup war."
Rin froze.
"…Wait."
Her eyes narrowed.
"How do you know so much about my world?"
"And—how do you know my name?"
"I never introduced myself!"
Izumi wasn't the only one she startled—Le Fay and Asia also stiffened.
Right.
How did he know?
Izumi simply smirked.
"I thought it would take you longer to notice. Not bad—you're pretty sharp, Leg Queen."
Rin's eyebrow twitched violently.
She tugged her skirt instinctively.
That nickname was absolutely awful.
"Don't change the subject," she snapped.
"Explain. Why do you know so much?"
"How do you know about the Holy Grail War? Or magecraft? Or me?"
Her heart pounded.
If he knew this much… maybe he really could help her return.
Everyone watched Izumi closely.
He lifted his chin with a confident smile.
"Isn't it obvious? I can divine things."
"I know a lot about your world. Something like Clairvoyance, you could say."
"And some of the powers I use come from your world as well."
To prove it, he raised a finger.
A familiar sphere of energy formed at the tip.
A cursed bullet—a spell that only magi of Rin's world should be able to cast.
Rin's eyes widened.
"That's… a curse bullet?!"
Izumi flicked his wrist and dispersed it, then activated a spell.
Space distorted—
He and Rin instantly swapped positions.
Rin gasped.
"T-Transposition magic…?!"
Izumi's grin widened at her reaction.
"Exactly. These techniques all originate from your world."
"Even my Red Rose earlier."
"And—I am also a practitioner of the Third Magic."
His voice dropped proudly.
"Materialization of the soul."
Rin's jaw dropped.
The Third Magic…
A legend among legends.
The pinnacle of the Magus Association—only five beings in history had achieved the title of Magic User.
And the boy standing before her, wearing a school uniform, looking barely older than her—
—was one of them?
Rin stared at him in utter disbelief.
She had stepped into another world…
And met a monster disguised as a teenager.