In the tranquil room, the scent of tea curled softly through the air.
As Irisviel listened to Rei Ao describe the breadth and wonder of the outside world, the light of longing in those ruby eyes grew ever brighter—yet, deep inside, the mission programmed into her and her fear of the unknown still coiled around her like invisible chains.
Rei Ao saw her struggle. He knew words alone wouldn't suffice; the shackles had to be removed at the root.
"Irisviel," he called gently, drawing her back to him. "I can give you a chance to break free completely from the fate of the Lesser Grail and live on as a truly independent person. Do you want it?"
"?"
Irisviel froze. Break free completely? Was that even possible?
She reflexively touched her chest, where the sigils that made her a vessel were engraved—one of the central meanings of her existence (at least, the meaning imposed on her).
"C-can I?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"As long as you're willing," Rei Ao said, his words carrying quiet conviction. "The process may feel unusual, but trust me—it won't hurt you."
Looking into those calm, sincere blue-green eyes, Irisviel's hesitation gradually lifted. An instinctive trust moved her to nod.
"I…I'm willing to trust you, Rei Ao-san."
"Good." Rei Ao smiled faintly.
He extended a finger; light bloomed at the tip—clear radiance suffused with the power of law. This time the glow was gentler, flowing like moonlight. He touched that fingertip lightly to the center of Irisviel's brow.
A warm, immense power embraced her in an instant, like a mother's arms. She felt as if she were immersed in a spring of life, every cell leaping for joy.
At the same time, she could clearly sense the intricate, icy circuits and sigils in her body tied to the Lesser Grail function being gently and precisely peeled away by that warmth—then dissolved into the purest energy and returned to her limbs and bones, in turn nourishing and correcting subtle defects and limitations that might have existed in her homunculus form.
This was not destruction. It was a higher-order remolding and completion.
There was no pain—only a lightness like being reborn. Irisviel could feel something heavy that had always bound her slipping away. Her body moved more harmoniously; her senses grew sharper; even the hollowness that had lingered in her heart seemed fuller, more real.
After a while, Rei Ao withdrew his hand. "How do you feel?" he asked.
Irisviel opened her eyes slowly. She looked down at her hands, then felt through her body once more.
The heaviness was gone—completely. In its place was an unprecedented freedom and vitality, a total sense of command over her own body.
"I…I feel…so light…" Her words trembled with incredulous delight, and her face blossomed into a bright, childlike smile—joy that came from the heart, something she had never known.
"Thank you, Rei Ao-san! Truly…thank you!"
"This is the freedom that's yours by right," Rei Ao said gently.
Then he extended his hand again. As he had done for the Tohsaka sisters, he inscribed three Command Seals on the smooth back of Irisviel's hand—patterns of vines and strange flowers, a soft azure light pulsing at their center.
"What is…this?" Irisviel felt the warmth linking to the back of her hand and stared, surprised, at the beautiful markings.
"Your qualification as a Master," Rei Ao explained. "Since you're no longer the Lesser Grail, then join the Holy Grail War yourself—as a Master."
"Eh?" Irisviel blinked, startled, and then began to seriously consider the new proposition.
(Rei Ao, for his part, wasn't counting on her to win or claim the Grail—he simply wanted her to summon a Servant.)
"To summon a Servant, you'll need a catalyst." His gaze shifted to Irisviel. "And as it happens, you already carry a very suitable holy relic within you."
Under her puzzled look, Rei Ao raised his hand and hovered his palm over her lower abdomen. A gentle power permeated inward, searching for something. A moment later, he drew lightly—
"Ah!"
With Irisviel's soft gasp, a gentle, sacred golden light surfaced from within her, finally condensing in Rei Ao's palm into a tangible object: a splendid scabbard exuding a tranquil aura, its body a deep blue adorned with gold tracery, radiating a tender power of protection and healing.
"This is…Avalon?" Irisviel recognized the Noble Phantasm that had been implanted in her to protect her body's functions—said to be closely tied to a legendary king.
"Correct—the lost 'Everdistant Utopia.'" Rei Ao weighed the scabbard in his hand, feeling the powerful causal link it shared with a certain Heroic Spirit. "With this as the catalyst, it's more than enough to summon the most renowned King of Knights."
He led Irisviel to a clear space in the garden and casually set a simple ward to keep disturbances out. Then he placed Avalon on the ground and guided Irisviel to stand within the summoning circle.
"Focus. Link to the Command Seals on your hand, and call for an answer from the Throne of Heroes," he instructed from the side.
Irisviel drew a deep breath. Following the formula Rei Ao had taught—the same one the Tohsaka sisters had used—she began to chant. Her voice was airy and devout, her silver hair stirring softly in the night breeze.
"Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill…
…Proclaim!
Let thy body heed my command; my fate shall be with thy blade…
…From the Wheel of Restraint—O Guardian of the Scales—!"
Light roared skyward from the circle—brighter, more solemn and majestic than when the Tohsaka sisters had summoned. A fierce vortex of mana swept the garden, billowing Irisviel's dress and long hair.
Within the radiance, a petite yet resolute silhouette gathered and took form: a girl clad in blue over silver armor, golden hair gleaming as if it captured the sun, green eyes clear as a tranquil lake, a porcelain-fine face bearing an undeniable dignity and steel.
She stood at the center of the circle. Her gaze swept the scene and settled at last on Irisviel—whose hand bore fresh Command Seals, whose face was alight with wonder and hope.
"I ask of you," she said, voice clear and unwavering, carrying the poise of an ancient knight across time.
"Are you my Master?"
~~~
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