Grail World
"Sakura, don't worry. I have a way to stop you from being adopted by the Matou family."
After getting Lucas's confirmation, Rin Tohsaka immediately shared the good news with her sister, Sakura.
Hearing her sister say this, Sakura forced a stiff smile.
She knew her Father's personality well. Once he made a decision, it was almost impossible to change. No matter what her sister did, she couldn't alter Father's will.
But she saw her sister's tireless efforts over this period to help her, and she was deeply moved.
"Sister, I'll be fine."
Sakura lowered her head and whispered.
Rin immediately understood that her sister didn't believe her.
"Sakura, I know it's hard to believe, but just wait and see."
Rin held Sakura's hand, looking confident.
Seeing her sister like this made Sakura curious. Ever since finding out about the adoption, her sister had been arguing with Father, begging him not to send her away.
There hadn't been a smile on Rin's face for a long time. But now, the confidence radiating from her was unmistakable. Could her sister really have a way to make Father change his mind? A secret hope began to bloom in Sakura's heart.
Three days passed in a flash. For Lucas, the last three days had been routine: clocking in at the guild during the day, and "working" in the Campione! world at night.
Once tasted, he couldn't stop. It was depravity, pure depravity.
Fortunately, he had mastered the Dragon God Breathing Technique. With "Total Concentration: Constant," he could circulate the breathing technique twenty-four hours a day.
His strength was subtly but constantly improving.
However, he was getting a bit tired of this decadence. After resolving Rin's issue, he planned to train properly for a few days to make up for the lost time.
Just then, the chat group panel vibrated.
[Rin: Lucas, Lucas-nii, I'm going to call you now!]
[Lucas: Roger.]
Rin Tohsaka began to call Lucas's name: "Lucas! Lucas! Lucas!..."
Because of the chat group, Lucas was mentally prepared.
Sensing someone calling him, he activated the Gale ability.
A strong wind swirled around Lucas. He tapped his toes lightly and vanished instantly within the gale.
Rin kept shouting Lucas's name, afraid he wouldn't hear.
Whoosh—!!
A tornado appeared out of thin air. Lucas's figure materialized within it, his feet landing lightly on the ground.
"Lucas-nii!!"
Seeing Lucas actually appear, Rin ran over in surprise and joy, hugging his waist.
Although Lucas hadn't met Rin in person, Rin had seen Lucas twice via the chat group's live stream. His display of divine might in Erica's world had left an incredibly deep impression on her. He had completely become her idol.
Lucas patted Rin's head. "What's the situation?"
Rin realized this wasn't the time to chat with her idol. "The head of the Matou family is at my house. He's talking to Father right now. They're about to take Sakura away."
"In that case, take me there."
Meanwhile, in the parlor, Tokiomi Tohsaka was conversing with Zouken Matou.
Sakura stood before them.
Since Tokiomi was adopting his daughter out to Zouken, he naturally needed to secure sufficient benefits from the Matou family.
Zouken agreed to every condition Tokiomi proposed without haggling, making the conversation go very smoothly.
Neither noticed Sakura standing before them, her face pale.
Soon, all terms were agreed upon.
Tokiomi said to Sakura, "Sakura, you heard. Once you go over there, the Matou family will train you with all their resources. They will even let you inherit the Matou family's Magic Crest. I know this might seem cruel to a child, but you are my daughter, and you possess extraordinary magical talent."
"If you stay in the Tohsaka family, your future might be mediocre."
"Adopting you to the Matou family isn't just for the family's benefit; I made this decision for your future as well."
"I hope my daughter will become a mage that makes me, your mother, and your sister proud in the future. Do you understand?"
Sakura bit her lip. Deep down, she didn't want to be strong. If possible, she would rather have no magical talent and be an ordinary person.
But she didn't want to disappoint her father.
She could only force a smile and say, "I understand, Father."
Tokiomi smiled with satisfaction, then looked at the hunchbacked, bald, mummified-looking old man with gloomy eyes.
This was the head of the Matou family, Zouken Matou.
"Head of Matou, I hope my daughter won't suffer any grievances after she is adopted."
"Hehehe, rest assured, Head of Tohsaka. I will naturally do what I promised. I will treat her like my own granddaughter. She is the heir of the Matou family, after all."
Hearing this, Tokiomi nodded in satisfaction.
Zouken extended a withered, mummy-like hand toward Sakura. "Let's go. Come home with me."
Sakura fought back the urge to cry and was about to reach out her hand.
Suddenly! A voice rang out.
"Stop!! Sakura is absolutely not leaving with you!!"
Rin ran in quickly, pulled Sakura away, and shielded her behind her back.
"Sister!"
Zouken smirked and looked at Tokiomi. This was Tokiomi's family affair; naturally, Tokiomi had to resolve it.
Tokiomi frowned. "Rin, what are you doing? Acting like this in front of a guest—where are your manners!"
Rin had been quiet for the past three days, not making a fuss. He thought she had given up. He didn't expect her to come out and cause trouble at this moment.
"Father! Sakura cannot be adopted by the Matou family! I don't agree!"
"This is an agreed-upon matter. It's for Sakura's own good."
Zouken cackled strangely. "Hehehe, if you won't let Sakura go, adopting you is fine too."
He knew Rin's aptitude was even better than Sakura's.
Just then, another voice rang out: "She won't go with you either."