Misaki City.
In a remote corner far from the city center.
A peculiar Western-style house stood on a hillside, with the only path being a winding trail, making it difficult to understand why anyone would build a house here.
It was far from civilization, and the roads were inconvenient; its logic was simply incomprehensible.
Ultimately, one could only sigh at the strange hobbies of the rich.
However, this was not a rich person's hobby.
This was a Magician's workshop, a place specifically chosen to allow for peaceful research into the magical arts.
"Indeed... even with rare talent!"
"Things that require time to accumulate still cannot be easily surpassed!"
In the basement of the Western-style house, Aozaki Touko was conducting a Magic experiment, attempting to create a Homunculus identical to a human.
Of course, it failed as expected.
Even if she was the heir of a Magician, the next head of the Aozaki Family, a well-known prodigy who, at only fourteen years old, had reached a height most Magicians could only dream of.
She still couldn't achieve something so exaggerated.
Creating a body completely compatible with a human was an act that trespassed into God's domain.
Even if she knew the general method used by Aozaki Touko in the original work.
Still, it couldn't be done so easily.
"...I need more accumulated knowledge!"
Aozaki Touko looked at the cultivation tank before her, at the fleshy mass that had died before taking human form, and finally made a decision she had long considered.
She turned and left the Magic workshop... Three days later.
Germany.
Aozaki Touko sat in the back seat of a black car, her slender hand propped against her cheek, her expression indifferent as she watched the snowy landscape pass by outside the window, until the car drove to a small mountain village and stopped.
"Miss, we have arrived at our destination!"
"Mm, thank you for your trouble~"
Aozaki Touko got out of the car, opened the trunk, took out a large black box, and walked into the wind and snow without looking back. As for the driver's fare, she had already paid it on the way.
Soon, after crossing the difficult mountains and enduring the biting wind and snow.
She finally saw a snow-covered castle standing in isolation. This was the location of the Einzbern Family, a Magician family with a history spanning over a thousand years.
A truly prestigious Magician family, possessing the most cutting-edge Homunculus technology.
This was her goal for this trip: to acquire the Einzbern Family's millennium-old accumulated technology, allowing her to bypass the stage of accumulating knowledge and quickly achieve her objective.
"It seems they haven't become slow-witted from living in peace and quiet!"
Aozaki Touko's eyes narrowed slightly, and her thumb unlatched the black box.
In the distance, a group of Homunculi holding various weapons quickly assembled, emotionlessly surrounding Aozaki Touko, firmly blocking all escape routes.
"...Who are you?"
A white-haired, red-eyed woman stepped out from among them and asked, "What is your purpose in intruding upon the Einzbern Family? We will take appropriate measures based on your answer!"
"...My name is Aozaki Touko!"
Aozaki Touko's lips curved into a smile: "I am the next head of the Aozaki Family, and I have a business proposition... or rather, a collaboration I wish to achieve with all of you!"
The wind and snow howled.
At this moment, inside Einzbern Castle, an old man who had been resting with his eyes closed opened them. Although his body was decaying, his eyes were extremely sharp.
"Aozaki Touko... Is that the fortunate Magician family?!"
Saying this, he stood up and left the room.
Since it was the heir of a Magician, he felt it necessary to meet her personally.
Moreover, this heir was a renowned genius.
"The heir of a Magician visiting, this is truly an honor!"
An aged voice rang out as the old man named Jubstacheit von Einzbern walked out. His gaze sharply fixed on Aozaki Touko.
"However, I truly cannot understand what reason you have to come to Einzbern!"
This young girl before him was the heir of a Magician, destined to achieve what Magicians pursued their entire lives. What reason could she possibly have for coming here?
Was it to obtain the Third Magic?
However, it was well known that they had been striving for over a thousand years.
Yet, the goal remained unachieved.
Could it be that this girl wished to abandon the fundamental for the trivial?
"Reason?"
Aozaki Touko tilted her head slightly and chuckled, "I want to obtain the Third Magic, and also your family's Homunculus technology. That is my reason!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Hadon frowned, and the surrounding Homunculus army adopted an attacking stance.
However, Aozaki Touko ignored them, her lips still smiling as she looked at Hadon.
The atmosphere remained tense for a while.
Hadon raised his hand, signaling the Homunculus army to stand by for now.
Then, his gaze heavy, he looked at Aozaki Touko.
"...Since you say you are here to cooperate, what do we stand to gain?"
"It's simple... you will achieve your long-cherished wish."
Aozaki Touko said with a charming smile, "I win the Holy Grail War and bring the Third Magic back here. You provide your Homunculus technology and data on the Third Magic!"
A biting cold wind swept through.
Hadon narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable, and simply asked, "What makes you so confident that you can win the Holy Grail War?!"
"Talent?"
Aozaki Touko chuckled, "To achieve a goal, effort alone isn't enough. That one percent of inspiration is the most crucial thing!"
"And clearly... as Homunculi, you lack talent!"
A mocking voice echoed in the wind and snow.
However, Hadon did not get angry; he merely gazed at this well-known genius girl. After a long moment, he calmly asked:
"I cannot deny your talent in Magic, but the Holy Grail War has little to do with Magic talent!"
Magic talent does not equate to combat talent. To use an analogy, it's like having a scientist fight a soldier; the outcome is self-evident.
"Combat talent? Let's verify it then!"
Aozaki Touko opened her black briefcase, and a silver-haired, blood-eyed girl emerged from inside. She wore Gothic-style clothing and had a pair of black wings on her back.
This was a girl as exquisite as a doll.
No... this girl was, in fact, just a doll.
"...No wonder you want Homunculus technology!"
The moment Hadon saw the girl, he immediately understood why Aozaki Touko desired their Homunculus technology: because this heir of a Magician was herself a Magician who studied the art of dolls.
Their family's Homunculus technology held immense appeal for such Magicians.
"...This child's name is Suigintou!"
Aozaki Touko smiled gently, "She is my most satisfactory work to date. I hope she can give you a little surprise!"
As she spoke, Suigintou, suspended in the air, her eyes gleamed slightly, and the feather robe on her back unfurled, causing her magical energy fluctuations to surge.