After that brief episode, Okita quickly returned to her usual cheerful self. The effects of [Weak Constitution] had already worn off. She once again attempted to use her anti-personnel demonic sword. This time, her luck held. The curse didn't activate. And so, with her carefully guiding him step by step, Su Mo began learning the technique.
His swordsmanship level was already exceptionally high. Under the personal instruction of the technique's original creator, it didn't take him long to grasp the essence of the Lightless Three Stage Thrust.
Though he couldn't yet execute the technique perfectly, it was clearly only a matter of time before he could. Aside from the demonic sword technique itself, Okita's movement skill [Shukuchi] was also an invaluable close-combat ability.
[Shukuchi] allowed one to instantaneously close the gap between themselves and an opponent, as if compressing space. It represented the pinnacle of martial footwork. Okita possessed the skill at B-rank, making it highly practical in close-range combat and essential for ensuring that her Lightless Three Stage Thrust could land.
Just like how Chidori required the Sharingan to be most effective, the Lightless Three Stage Thrust needed to be paired with [Shukuchi] to guarantee a hit. Moreover, should [Shukuchi] reach A-rank, it could even transcend into dimensional movement—bordering on mystic arts. The Martial King Luo Hao of the Campione! world likely operated at that level.
Since Su Mo aimed to master the demonic sword technique, he naturally wouldn't ignore the complementary movement skill. With Okita's patient guidance, he practiced coordinating [Shukuchi] with the Lightless Three Stage Thrust.
And indeed—
After inheriting the power of his alternate selves, Su Mo's talent and comprehension had skyrocketed. His ability to grasp both swordplay and movement techniques was extraordinary.
Within just over an hour, he had already internalized the basic mechanics. It was now simply a matter of time before his proficiency caught up to—or even surpassed—Okita's. The two of them trained in the courtyard until around nine at night.
By then, Sakura, who had been quietly sitting nearby the entire time, was visibly drowsy. Children required more sleep than adults to begin with. Noticing this, the two exchanged smiles.
Okita walked over and gently lifted the little girl into her arms. Even though her movements were as light as possible, the extremely sensitive Sakura still stirred. But upon seeing that it was just Okita and Su Mo, she relaxed again.
"Su Mo-oniichan, are you and Okita-oneechan done training?" She rubbed her eyes as she asked sleepily. "Mhm!" Okita nodded. "It's bedtime now. Sakura, let's get you back to your room."
Carrying her toward the bedroom, Okita was surprised when Sakura tilted her head and asked: "Aren't Su Mo-oniichan and Okita-oneechan sleeping with me tonight?" She was still just a child. Having only recently been rescued from a nightmare, she naturally felt insecure. She could only fall asleep peacefully if either Su Mo or Okita was nearby.
That was also why, no matter how tired she got, she insisted on watching them train from the edge of the courtyard. Seeing them was the only thing that gave her a sense of safety.
Hearing this, Okita glanced over at Su Mo. He gently stroked Sakura's head. "We still have some things to take care of before sleeping."
"But if you're scared, you can nap with us in the study for now." He wasn't going to let her down. At the same time, he didn't want to change his own rhythm either. Since the child still harboured fear, letting her stay close was the best way to help. Even if it meant her sleep would be a little restless, the emotional security it gave her was more important. Su Mo had no intention of leaving psychological scars on Sakura.
Hearing that, Sakura lit up happily. "Okay! Thank you, Su Mo-oniichan! I'll be good and won't disturb you!" And so, the three of them made their way into the study. Su Mo lit a lamp and began reading through the Matou family's magical archives. Okita helped by sorting through the shelves and handing him relevant books.
True to her word, Sakura remained quiet and obedient. Curled up on the sofa, she occasionally opened her eyes, glanced at Su Mo's silhouette, and then fell back into peaceful slumber.
Watching the little girl breathe softly like a sleeping kitten, Okita couldn't help but shake her head. "Sakura's really been through a lot. She's such a sweet child… yet she suffered so much."
To have abandoned such a precious daughter—Okita simply couldn't comprehend it. "She's just lacking a sense of security right now. As long as we keep her company, she shouldn't end up with lasting trauma."
Su Mo understood her state well. And he already had a plan for what to do after the war.
"Once the Holy Grail War is over, I'll bring Sakura back to my home."
"With Hisui, Kohaku, and Akiha around, she'll recover a lot faster."
The Tohno estate was large anyway taking in one more girl wouldn't be a problem. Hearing that, Okita was visibly relieved.
"As expected of Master. Always so dependable." With Su Mo around, she no longer worried about Sakura's future. After a moment's admiration, she glanced curiously at the materials Su Mo was studying.
"But Master, why the sudden interest in magical theory?" She remembered that Su Mo hadn't shown much interest in this area before. "I've awakened abilities related to magic as well," Su Mo replied casually. "Besides, the Matou family's archives are actually pretty useful."
The Matou lineage specialized in the creation and manipulation of familiars. In fact, the command spell system used in the Holy Grail War had been developed by Zouken Matou in his youth. Their magical focus leaned heavily toward compulsion and restraint-based systems.
Aside from that, the Matou family's expertise in water-based magecraft had an inherent absorption property. For Su Mo, these were extremely practical abilities. And more importantly, as one of the three founding families responsible for the current Holy Grail War system, the Matou family also possessed comprehensive documentation on the summoning of Heroic Spirits. These materials would be immensely useful to his counterpart in the Campione! world—he certainly wouldn't let such knowledge go to waste.
He planned to go through and study everything thoroughly. Thanks to his Godslayer constitution, his speed in learning magecraft was no less impressive than his swordsmanship. However, the magical archives compiled by the Matou family over several centuries were hardly a small volume. It would take him several days to completely digest and understand them.
That was why he continued burning the midnight oil.
After finishing the documents related to the summoning system, Su Mo suddenly recalled an important matter.
"There are supposed to be seven Servants in the Holy Grail War. Even though I've taken an extra slot, Ryunosuke Uryuu has already been dealt with, and Kariya Matou is no longer going to summon Berserker... which means there's still one Master whose identity is unknown."
Even though he had summoned Saber ahead of schedule, that only accounted for one Servant. But due to his intervention, now two other slots were left vacant. So, aside from the known factions—Tohsaka, Einzbern, the Church, Kayneth, Waver, and himself—there would still be one more Master to appear, someone completely unaccounted for.
He had no idea who it would be. If things unfolded as they had in the original timeline, the seventh Master might end up being a random, ordinary person—someone like Ryunosuke, who wasn't even a mage. He had been chosen simply because the Holy Grail couldn't find enough willing participants and randomly selected a stand-in.
"Tomorrow is the final day. If a suitable Master isn't found by then, the Grail will likely make a random choice."
Su Mo's expression remained rather relaxed as he spoke.
He was well aware that ever since he summoned Saber, the entire Holy Grail system had begun undergoing chain reactions. The other summoned Servants were bound to be different from the original timeline.
However, with his current strength, he didn't feel the need to worry about their power.
Unless someone summoned a god or demi-god level Heroic Spirit, it wouldn't even be enough to surprise him.
"Heroic Spirits from other eras, huh?"
Hearing Su Mo's musings, Okita Souji also revealed a look of curiosity and longing.
"The Holy Grail War really is incredible... but no matter how powerful the opponents are, I'll give it everything I have to secure victory for Master!"
She clenched her small fists in determination, psyching herself up.
Though given her earlier embarrassing defeat, she didn't dare to promise victory outright anymore—only that she would try her best.
It seemed Okita had matured a little.
Su Mo continued reading under the lamplight until around 10:30 PM before finally putting away the magecraft materials. With his enhanced physique, he didn't need much sleep, but out of habit, he still decided to rest.
Meanwhile, Okita gently carried the now-sleeping Sakura back to the room next to Su Mo's.
As the last light in the manor was extinguished, the Matou estate fell into peaceful silence.
About half an hour later—
Even Okita, who normally didn't need sleep as a Servant, had dozed off lightly.
Lying beside her, Sakura silently opened her eyes.
"Su Mo-oniichan, Okita-oneechan... they're both preparing for the Holy Grail War."
Having overheard their conversations earlier, Sakura had finally come to understand what the two of them were so busy with.
Being a sensible child, she couldn't help but think to herself:
"I really want to help Su Mo-oniichan... If I could do something to help him and Okita-oneechan…"
Previously, she'd been filled with uncertainty and fear. That was why she insisted on staying close, always keeping the two of them in sight—afraid that one day she'd open her eyes and be alone again.
But in that half-conscious state earlier, she had heard Su Mo's words.
According to what he'd said, once the Holy Grail War was over, he would take her back home with him—to stay by his side forever. Just hearing that had dispelled most of her fear and anxiety. In their place was a deep, unexplainable warmth.
Su Mo had saved her, and unlike her parents, he had no intention of abandoning her. He wanted to take her home. To let her stay. Then she, too, had to do something to help him!
A strong desire stirred in the heart of the little girl. Yet she also knew, with her small body, she couldn't do anything. She might even become a burden. That thought brought some discouragement.
Still, despite her disappointment, the flame of longing remained within her. As she drifted off to sleep once more, Sakura didn't notice the faint, crimson glyph that had appeared on her left wrist.