Chapter 1

The thunderous sound of artillery and echoing explosions filled the air, stimulating the soldiers' eardrums, while the scent of gunpowder permeated the atmosphere.

With unblinking eyes, the soldiers fixed their gaze upon the center of the central command courtyard, their expressions tense as they tightly gripped their firearms.

Dust hung in the air, and all was calm once again. Every corner of the courtyard bore traces of battle, as if it had undergone a carpet bombing, with no intact bricks or stones to be found.

In reality, only two individuals were engaged in combat here.

One was President Jin Bradlay of Amistadolis, and the other was the alchemist known as the Undying Alchemist, Shur.

The watching soldiers swallowed hard and exchanged glances; none dared to step into the courtyard.

All the soldiers who had previously entered the courtyard with the intent to attack the president were now nothing more than lifeless bodies.

"Is it over? Who won?"

"In a battle like this... are they still human?"

"Don't panic! Get ready to shoot! We can't let the president break through here!"

The soldiers hastily raised their firearms, though the weapons offered them little sense of security. Their opponent was President Jin Bradlay, a fearsome man equivalent to a million-strong army.

Before long, the soldiers finally got a clear view of the courtyard.

President Jin Bradlay's body was pierced by a dozen or so stone spears protruding from the ground. His lower body had been reduced to a pile of rotten flesh. His once sharp and alert demeanor was gone, his hair turned white as if he had aged decades in an instant. It was clear to everyone that he was barely clinging to life.

On the other side, the Undying Alchemist, Shur, had a sword thrust through his heart and was pinned to a raised stone slab, his body covered in sword wounds and his right leg missing.

The excruciating pain radiating through Shur's nerves drew his focus to the sword impaled in his heart, a weapon belonging to President Jin Bradlay, enhanced through alchemical means to be invincible.

"Damn it!"

Shur inhaled sharply, trembling as he raised his hands, attempting to use his expertise in body alchemy to heal his wounds.

Shur's body had been fortified through body alchemy, making him almost superhuman in the eyes of ordinary people. However, against President Jin Bradlay, he was still defenseless.

"Smack!"

With his hands clasped together, a faint blue light flickered as he attempted to use his body alchemy, but it had no effect.

What was going on?

"Heh heh... cough... futile, Shur. I know that you excel in body alchemy, capable of self-healing even the gravest injuries. That's why you're known as the Undying Alchemist. The sword piercing your heart was crafted with the Philosopher's Stone to counter you." President Jin Bradlay, his body pierced by stone spears, chuckled weakly. Despite his frail tone, he showed no fear, as if his grievous injuries were inconsequential.

A weapon made with the Philosopher's Stone...

After several attempts, Shur's body alchemy remained ineffective. Alongside severe blood loss, he sensed his strength rapidly diminishing. Both his physical body and consciousness were gradually consumed by overwhelming fatigue, making it clear that there was no way out.

Shur closed his eyes in resignation and sighed softly, then he smiled, shaking his head in self-mockery. "It's quite an honor, isn't it? To die by a weapon crafted with the Philosopher's Stone. And the opponent is you, President Jin Bradlay."

"Everyone thought you were only skilled in body alchemy." President Jin Bradlay gazed at Shur, his body rapidly aging.

In this battle, both sides had given their all. Shur revealed his trump cards, resorting to other forms of alchemy to arrive at this conclusion.

From his pocket, Shur retrieved a blood-stained cigarette, snapped his fingers to light it, and took a deep drag before saying casually, "It doesn't really matter now. Go ahead, share your final words, President."

"Farewell? I don't need that sort of thing. Facing death so directly is rather nice. Devoting oneself to battle until the end, free from origin, status, experience, race, gender, name—none of it matters. No constraints, no allegiances. It's not for anyone else; it's just about the battle. Truly exhilarating. This battle... satisfies me." President Jin Bradlay closed his eyes contentedly, sighing with satisfaction.

President Jin Bradlay looked at Shur with curiosity. "But you, Shur, what are you yearning for? What do you hope for? Why do you act? In the years I've observed you, I've never found an answer. You're not a pawn, nor are you a player. You seem more like a spectator."

As Shur's pupils rapidly disintegrated, he struggled to draw more smoke from the cigarette, saying with a wry smile, "For what? Perhaps it's the victory in this game."

"A victory in the game... cough... an interesting answer. Do you view your entire life as a game? The values you pursue, the meaning you find, even this battle with me, all part of a game... haha, if not for so many complications, maybe we could have been decent friends. Though we've followed the set paths and completed our lives, thanks in part to you humans, there's still some value left." President Jin Bradlay finished speaking and heard no response. He laboriously lifted his head to find the Undying Alchemist, who had been pierced by his sword, lifeless. Shur's face was tranquil, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"This battle... I've won." President Jin Bradlay closed his eyes peacefully, signaling the end of this battle.

After a moment, the surrounding soldiers finally dared to approach and inspect the bodies of President Jin Bradlay and the Undying Alchemist, Shur.

The soldiers saluted Shur, whose body was impaled on a stone, the senior officer tremblingly declaring, "Your Excellency, National Alchemist Shur Matou, we will never forget the contributions you made to protect our country."

"Salute!"

After a brief silence, soldiers began reporting that the main entrance needed support.

Without hesitating, the soldiers rushed to participate in the war to defend Amistadolis.

...

"A farewell, huh? If I were to say something, it would probably be that I couldn't see the ending. In the end, I was just playing the role of a minor character who couldn't survive to the end."

"The world of 'Fullmetal Alchemist' has finally concluded."

In a pure white space, Shur chuckled to himself, his consciousness quickly receiving strange information.

"World completion score: 71 (Good)."

"Acquired 5 rating points."

"Currently holding 11 rating points."

Though he had anticipated it, Shur couldn't help but mutter, "To achieve this level, spending over a decade researching alchemy day by day, only to receive a 'Good' rating in the end!? Damn it!"

Rating points, Shur didn't know what they were used for. Failing to complete the world or having insufficient points would result in deductions, while successes would add points. Different outcomes occurred at 100 points and 0 points.

Leaving aside 100 points for now, if his rating fell to 0, Shur could more or less guess the result—it was likely he'd be eradicated, much like in infinite loop novels.

"Couldn't these rating points at least be exchanged for some quirky items?" Shur lamented.

"Next world, 'Fate/Zero'."

"Please choose a character."

"Tohsaka Rin, Tohsaka Sakura, Emiya Shirou, Matou Shinji."

Choosing a character to inhabit was crucial for completing the world.

"... ..." After pondering for a moment, Shur furrowed his brows, mumbling to himself slowly, "Matou Shinji."

The Fourth Holy Grail War, four options for crossover. Tohsaka Rin and Tohsaka Sakura were ruled out due to gender considerations. Emiya Shirou, though the protagonist, was still a child during the Fourth Holy Grail War and couldn't access magic.

After much thought, Matou Shinji was the best option. Though he was a harmless villain in the original work, his conditions were relatively superior. He was a descendant of mage, and as long as he didn't act recklessly, he wouldn't die.

"Wait, the Fourth Holy Grail War!? How old was Matou Shinji back then?"

As this question crossed Shur's mind, his vision darkened, and his consciousness quickly plunged into profound darkness.

===

The ancient mansion stood quietly, its lamp posts emitting a dim light that was insufficient to illuminate every corner. The darkness seemed even more profound and murky, as if something was moving, emitting faint rustling sounds.

This classical estate, with a mixture of Western architectural styles, had its outer walls covered in lush vines. The scenery, which should have appeared unique and elegant, instead carried an inexplicably eerie and lifeless atmosphere.

A silent corridor was bathed in radiant moonlight pouring through the French windows onto the dark red carpet. Compared to the dim indoor lighting, the moonlight appeared exceptionally clear.

A slender figure passed through the corridor, the moonlight casting his profile. He was a young boy, quite adorable in appearance. His blue hair, hanging down to his forehead, curled slightly. His eyes were deep and tranquil. In his right hand, he held a thick hardcover book. Despite his youthful appearance, he exuded an air of calm maturity, creating a striking contrast.

This young boy was none other than Matou Shinji, the eldest son of the prestigious Matou family in Fuyuki City.

"Almost a year now."

Matou Shinji gazed upwards, murmuring to himself while looking at the half-moon outside the window. After a moment of contemplation, his gaze shifted to the end of the corridor. His brows furrowed slightly as the elongated shadow accompanying faint footsteps varied irregularly. An old man with a hunched figure emerged, leaning on a cane.

The old man wore traditional Japanese clothing and supported himself with a cane. His hunched body was frail, almost skin and bones, and his wrinkled skin occasionally twitched in a bizarre manner, as if insects were wriggling beneath the flesh.

The old man's appearance was horrifying, comparable to a skeleton if not worse. His eyes were pitch-black, and the pupils had an abnormal gray-white hue.

Matou Shinji knew that the black eyes and white pupils were a result of a particular type of insect. The body of the old man before him was no longer that of a human; it was composed of countless insects.

Matou Shinji lowered his gaze, concealing his calm expression. He walked past with a cautious demeanor, apprehensively greeting, "Good evening, Grandfather."

"Damn immortal old fool!" Matou Shinji swore internally. A chill ran through him, and his childlike form instinctively feared the monstrous creature observing him.

The creature before him was a monster that had lived for centuries. Its physical and spiritual essence had long decayed and putrefied, losing its humanity. Paradoxically, it became more sensitive to anomalies in its surroundings. Matou Shinji had no doubt that it had detected something unusual about him.

Until their identities were thoroughly revealed, Matou Shinji had to maintain his own.

Matou Zouken surveyed his grandson, Matou Shinji, from head to toe. He casually inquired, "Oh, it's Shinji, isn't it? Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Matou Shinji answered modestly, "I was reading in the study and lost track of time. I want to become a qualified magus as soon as possible and uphold the name of the Matou family."

"Is that so?"

Matou Zouken supported himself on his cane, his voice lacking a smile as he approved, "Heh heh, not bad. This is the resolve expected of the heir to the Matou family. The Matou family is a prestigious magus lineage with centuries of history. In terms of magical heritage, we're not inferior to Western nobility. Study diligently, and one day you will become an outstanding magus. Don't learn from your weak and useless uncle, shirking the responsibilities of being a Matou family member."

Speaking of Matou Shinji's uncle, Matou Zouken's facial expression twitched slightly. His tone was mixed with anger and disappointment.

"Yes, Grandfather," Matou Shinji replied hesitantly.

"Shinji, if you have any questions about magic, you can come to me for guidance."

"I understand. I'll go back to my room to rest." Matou Shinji acknowledged weakly, passing by Matou Zouken and leaving. A faint smell of the peculiar odor of insects lingered in the air.

Matou Zouken gazed at the corridor from which Matou Shinji had departed. The eerie insect-like pupils in his eyes flickered strangely. In a hoarse and unpleasant voice, he muttered to himself, "What on earth is going on? Why is there such a significant change in Shinji's body?"

"It's a pity. Although his temperament is better than Kariya's, his aptitude as a magus is far too poor."

Matou Zouken extended his right hand, a fist-sized insect breaking through the skin of his arm. After emerging from the flesh, it flapped its wings and flew in the direction Matou Shinji had gone.

...

Matou Shinji returned to his spacious room, which contained only a bed, a bookshelf, and a writing desk. The sparse furnishings made the room seem overly empty.

Despite being under six years old, Matou Shinji sat at the writing desk and continued to study the books about magic collected by the Matou family. The contents were entirely recorded in English, interwoven with some indecipherable codes and ancient English.

After studying for a long time, Matou Shinji closed the book. He sighed deeply, thinking, "Damn magus. Was it necessary to go to this extent? If you don't want future generations to inherit your knowledge of magic, then don't leave behind this book. Some of the code languages are simply impossible to decipher. Who knows if the magical content recorded in this book is true or false."

Presently, Matou Shinji, having experienced several worlds' transformations, restrained his restless emotions. He determined the accuracy of the book's contents through his understanding of magic and logical deductions.

Matou Shinji glanced at the window, facing a tree. The window overlooked an area not covered by light, and to ordinary people, there seemed to be nothing unusual.

With his keen eyes, Matou Shinji vaguely spotted a fist-sized insect crouching on the tree trunk, motionless as if dead.

"As expected, that old bug hasn't let go of monitoring me." Matou Shinji remained unfazed.

It had been a year since Matou Shinji had crossed over. During this time, he had abandoned his bratty demeanor and demanded to learn magic. He spent nearly every day immersed in reading and learning.

Such a drastic change in Matou Shinji's nature naturally caught the attention of Matou Zouken, the head of the Matou family. As a puppeteer of insects, he occasionally controlled insects to surveil Matou Shinji.

The old bug, Matou Zouken, was a highly complex character. From the perspective of a magus, he was undoubtedly a remarkable presence. His attitude towards family members was also relatively lenient.

"Or more accurately, it should be indifference." Matou Shinji amended his evaluation of Matou Zouken internally.

Matou Zouken could disregard Matou Kariya's evasion of the magus's responsibilities, and he could gleefully watch him suffer torment and die. In his decayed mental consciousness, whether dealing with others or family members, his sole criterion for evaluation was value.

Five hundred years of time had made the hatred towards his decaying soul and body gradually morph into fear of dying without accomplishing anything. Over time, these twisted obsessions formed, and he used this obsession to judge the value of the world to himself.

Matou Shinji was well aware that his abnormal transformation would arouse suspicion, but he couldn't afford to be overly concerned. Matou Shinji was now six years old, with less than a year left until the Fourth Holy Grail War. He had to become a Master during this time.

Magic was the key. Even if his skill was only half-baked, it didn't matter. The standards of the Masters in the Fourth Holy Grail War varied. Even someone like Uryuu Ryuunosuke, who had no understanding of magic, could be chosen. As a member of the Matou family, Matou Shinji also had a great chance.

===

At first, Matou Shinji was in despair. Despite being born into a prestigious mage family, he couldn't believe he could become a mage without external help.

The most crucial aspect of a mage is lineage. Every mage has something called "magic circuits" within them, similar to the human nervous system. These magic circuits are like meridians in martial arts novels and aptitude in fantasy novels.

Magic circuits are innate organs. Although there are transplantation methods, they are rarely used due to their low success rate.

But there are methods to increase magic circuits without modifying oneself. Instead, it involves altering the parents who give birth to the individual. This way, one can hopefully give birth to descendants with excellent magic circuits. Thus, the longer the history of a mage family, the more superior the quantity and quality of their progeny's magic circuits.

Unfortunately, Matou Shinji couldn't enjoy the advantage of being born with such a head start. Hundreds of years ago, the Matou family was indeed a prestigious mage lineage, but as they moved to Japan and generations passed, their lineage weakened. By the time of Matou Shinji's father, they had already lost the qualification to become mage.

The primary reason for the decline of their magical heritage was the inability to adapt to the environment. Originally named "Zolgen," the Matou family was a prestigious mage family in Russia. After moving to Japan, they couldn't integrate into the Japanese magical foundation.

The term "magical foundation" is a bit complicated to explain. It can be seen as the magical network in D&D novels, and casting spells requires tapping into this magical foundation.

Comparing magical foundations to cars, magic power is like gasoline, and the necessary rituals for casting magic are like the keys that start the engine.

The Western world has its magical foundation, and Japan has its own. Worth mentioning is that the Holy Grail is a ritual based on the Western magical foundation, and as a result, Eastern characters, including Japanese Servants, cannot be summoned in the Holy Grail War due to its influence.

Otherwise, summoning well-known Japanese Servants, even if their own abilities are not great, would receive a boost from their recognition within Japan, enhancing their overall capabilities.

Matou Shinji lacked magic circuits and inherited magical crests, so becoming a mage was virtually impossible.

There's a saying that when God closes a door, He opens a window. Feeling utterly despondent, Matou Shinji realized something very surprising – his door was still there.

"The Gate of Truth," containing the lifelong knowledge of an alchemist, the essence of alchemy itself. Without the gate, alchemy can't be practiced, and this is the truth in the world of "Fullmetal Alchemist."

After studying alchemy for over a decade, Matou Shinji understood very well what the gate represented. It could be said to be his only lifeline.

In his room, Matou Shinji thirstily absorbed magical knowledge, simultaneously inferring, "Alchemy exists in this world as well, and it is not inferior, if not surpassing magic. But even though the fundamental concepts and foundations of alchemy in the two worlds are very similar, they cannot coexist due to different rituals."

"Like the distinction between bows and firearms, both are ways to project something outward. Bows use the elasticity of materials, while firearms use the impact generated by the explosion of gunpowder."

"The existence and nature of truth in both worlds are entirely different. In the world of 'Fullmetal Alchemist,' as long as you pay the price, you can touch the truth. In the TYPE-MOON world, truth comes from the Root, the ultimate knowledge all mage dream of, something even mage cannot access."

"The settings of the two worlds are like the difference between the Android and Apple systems." Matou Shinji closed the book and chuckled wryly, saying, "Heavenly restraint is interfering," before investigating and concluding that the sensation was more akin to the world's rejection.

Though the Matou lineage had weakened, their knowledge of magic was still considerable.

Matou Shinji tirelessly studied magical knowledge, while his mind reasoned, "The Japanese magical foundation rejects the Matou family's mage lineage. The foundation of this world's construction stems from the truth of another world."

"This is my only chance, and success or failure will be determined tonight!"

Matou Shinji picked up a pen and easily drew a perfect circle on the blank paper in front of him, flawless and without a hint that it was drawn by hand.

Drawing circles is the foundation of alchemy, related to the success of transmutation. The more perfect the circle, the higher the success rate of performing alchemy. Back when Matou Shinji was still practicing alchemy, he had practiced drawing circles for three years, totaling more than a million.

In this world, most alchemy is ineffective, but some basic transmutation arrays still work. The key lies in simplicity; the simpler it is, the more it omits the rituals needed to perform alchemy.

Drawing the perfect transmutation array, Matou Shinji placed his right hand on it, covering the entire array, and closed his eyes as if entering deep sleep.

Upon opening his eyes again, Matou Shinji's consciousness found itself in a pure white space. He remained seated, and the real-world chair and desk appeared before him.

"Only in this world can one feel at ease." Matou Shinji shook his head, muttering to himself, then turned to look behind him. There stood a massive stone gate, tightly shut, carved with the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. To Matou Shinji, each character, each image seemed alive, and he could directly grasp their meaning.

This is the comprehensive knowledge of alchemy that the immortal alchemist Hohenheim accumulated in his lifetime.

Matou Shinji then turned his gaze back to what was before him. Corresponding to the Gate of Truth was a grand and simple stone gate, its volume over a hundred times that of the Gate of Truth. Similarly sealed, the gate lacked any words or images.

Ancient and solemn, merely standing there induced an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"It's about done now."

Matou Shinji grinned, well aware that behind this massive stone gate lay the world's source of all mage fanatic pursuit.

The Spiral of Origin – the cause of all things, the result of everything. For mage, it's the ultimate knowledge, somewhat similar to the truth pursued by the homunculus Homunculus Hormunculus.

Approaching the grand stone gate, Matou Shinji extended his hand to touch it. The familiar sense of rejection instantly blanketed his consciousness. This sensation was stronger than any physical pain; if an ordinary person experienced this shock of rejection, their consciousness would likely dissipate, rendering them an imbecile.

Of course, Matou Shinji was also affected, but he had grown accustomed to it.

"As expected, the world's rejection of me has lessened significantly compared to a year ago. My assumptions were correct," Matou Shinji's pale face displayed a confident and composed smile.

===

"Trash protagonist? I could do better."

From the moment Matou Shinji uttered these words, he had already traversed eight times. Although he didn't consider himself a keyboard warrior, he couldn't help but feel a hint of insincerity in repeating this phrase.

This phrase had become his reason and purpose for traveling across different worlds. If he couldn't perform better than the characters he inhabited, his rating would suffer.

Apart from this, he remained largely ignorant about what was happening to him.

Through his journeys across different worlds, he had more or less summarized some patterns. The most profound realization was the diversity of rules. Different worlds had distinct cosmic laws. Magic learned in one realm might be nearly impossible to cast in another.

Hence, the existence of the "Gate of Truth" slightly surprised him, yet it wasn't beyond his comprehension.

Movies, novels, animations—different worlds had their differences, but they all stemmed from Earth. They were fantasies created by human thoughts. The variations between worlds were just the tip of the iceberg, with the essence being the same.

"Though that's said, integrating alchemy into this world is still exceedingly difficult," he murmured, gazing up at the grand stone door before him.

In fact, it was quite simple for him to assimilate into this world. He only needed to abandon his "Gate of Truth," and the world would naturally accept him.

However, this also meant he would lose his ability to use alchemy, becoming an insignificant mortal.

In the original story, one of the main reasons Tohsaka Rin referred to him as "harmless" was due to his lack of magecraft power. His nature wasn't any different from that of an average person. In terms of threat, he was less dangerous than a murderer. From the perspective of a magus, he was indeed harmless. Right from the start, he was a pawn. Without him, someone else would inevitably take his place.

He was such a small figure. This fact didn't hinder the assessment of him as a scumbag. Even the present version of him thought the same.

"Snap!"

He clapped his hands, and the blue light shimmering in his palms indicated the successful activation of alchemy. His youthful expression gradually turned serious. After releasing his hands, the center of his palm continued emitting a faint glow.

"A part of the 'Gate of Truth' has been accepted by this world, while another part has been rejected. So, what I need to do is extract the part rejected by this world. The world within the Gate serves as the best filter."

"This project has been ongoing for half a year. All attempts will yield results today."

His expression turned solemn, and his eyes revealed an uncontrollable excitement. If this attempt failed, the "Gate of Truth" would probably collapse, and he himself would be devoured by the Root.

Having traveled through various worlds, he was already numb to death. Rather, in a certain sense, only through a kind of "recklessness" could his nerves be stimulated.

"Success or failure hinges on this moment!" He firmly pressed both hands onto the stone door before him. The alchemical array on his palms expanded, gradually covering the towering, grand stone door.

"Bang!"

A muffled sound reverberated through his consciousness. The stone door remained motionless, yet the "Gate of Truth" behind him slowly creaked open.

Behind the "Gate of Truth" lay a realm of boundless darkness, where something writhed incessantly. Suddenly, it opened wide, revealing a colossal eye formed from countless spirals.

Countless black tentacles emerged from the eye, stretching leisurely and reaching out beyond him, touching the complex alchemical array covering the door.

The tentacles were inscribing the truths contained within the "Gate of Truth" onto the door, using the rejection reaction to assess the inapplicability of alchemical knowledge to this world.

"This is..."

His face turned pale. He sensed a wordless wave assaulting his consciousness, not a rejection reaction, but more profound than any physical sensation in this world. If his consciousness hadn't been toughened through experiences in various worlds, he would have been consumed by this strange wave and lost his sanity.

"This sensation... could it be the Origin?" he pondered with a slightly surprised expression.

The Origin was the essence of everything. When life touched the Origin, it might awaken a characteristic called "Origin."

"Origin," known as the Chaos Impulse to magi, determined what actions and achievements a life sought. For humans, this directionality was an irresistible primal urge. Only those with strong personalities and wisdom could suppress the Origin.

The Origin was the direction set by the Root. As the absolute command at the core of all things, it couldn't be changed even after countless cycles of reincarnation.

He, as a traveler, knew the Origins of many figures in this world.

Emiya Shirou's Origin was the "Sword," allowing him to use the innate bounded field "Unlimited Blade Works" and project sword-like weapons with ease.

Emiya Kiritsugu's Origin was "Sever and Bind," enabling him to create special magecraft equipment, the "Origin Bullets," from his own rib bones.

In addition, in the world of "The Garden of Sinners," Ryougi Shiki's Origins were "Void," leading to the existence of her "Mystic Eyes of Perceiving Death," connected to the Root.

Shiki's "Origin" led to her inclination for the abnormal and her abnormal affection for her brother.

Origins were linked to a magus's attribute. Emiya Shirou's "Sword" and Emiya Kiritsugu's "Sever and Bind" were prime examples.

Origins could possess different attributes and states. Most humans couldn't perceive their Origins throughout their lives, but a few might naturally awaken, which magi referred to as "Origin Awakening."

For decades or even centuries, a person's individuality couldn't counteract the core meaning of existence. Their personality would inevitably be governed by the directionality inherent in the Origin. Those who awakened their Origins would accumulate power over numerous cycles of reincarnation, becoming monsters in alignment with their own Origins.

In the world of "The Garden of Sinners," Ryougi Shiki awakened her Origin. The personality born from the Void was connected to the Root, and her power could even rewrite the laws of the universe.

Emiya Kiritsugu and Emiya Shirou didn't awaken their Origins, hence they were merely influenced by them.

Origin Awakening wasn't a good thing for ordinary people. Even those with strong personalities would eventually be affected, until they were completely devoured.

===

"Interesting."

Feeling the trembling of his soul, Matou Shinji chuckled lightly. He didn't see himself as someone extraordinary, at least not at the moment. After experiencing multiple worlds and facing countless life-threatening situations, he had cultivated an attitude of indifference towards life and death, embodying the spirit of recklessness.

"I'd like to see what this so-called origin, the root that sets the direction for life, is all about."

He closed his eyes, calmly embracing the chaotic impulse deep within his soul. On the grand stone door, characters and drawings formed a massive circle, radiating a dazzling blue light.

"Zi zi zi~"

A thunderous blue energy surged, severing the black tendrils reaching out from the Gate of Truth behind him. The eye behind the Gate of Truth opened abruptly, cracks spreading across its glass-like surface.

This scene symbolized the impending collapse of the Gate of Truth, the repository of his alchemical knowledge, as it was about to be devoured by the magnificent stone gate before him.

His hands remained on the stone door in front of him, maintaining the formation. A faint, calm, and slightly mad smile appeared on his lips.

The origin provides life with direction, or in other words, it can also be understood by tracing back to its roots to connect with the foundation of the world.

The filtering process of the Gate of Truth was complete, but he was not satisfied. He wanted to use the awakening of the origin to glimpse its roots.

This was an incredibly daring and reckless idea; the consequences if he misjudged even slightly would be unimaginable.

"I can do it!"

He affirmed with determination. The alchemical array engraved on the mountain of the stone gate went haywire. Brilliant blue lightning consumed his right leg. There was no fresh blood flowing from the wound, as if it were turning into dust, gradually spreading throughout his body.

He glanced at his right leg, feeling the intense pain of being burnt by high temperature. He had experienced this sensation when conducting human transmutation – every muscle, every cell breaking down.

The Gate of Truth, symbolizing alchemy, collapsed and crumbled, taking its world with it.

"Damn it!"

Standing before the stone gate, his eyes flickered with madness. Half of his face had already been melted away by the lightning, but he roared defiantly, "If this world operates on the principle of equivalent exchange, take it! My hand, my leg, even my soul if you wish!"

"Open up for me!"

However, it was clear that the root of this world was not as accommodating as the Gate of Truth.

The alchemical array on the gate shattered with a boom, and the failed transmutation backlash directly hit his soul. In an instant, his body disintegrated into ashes and smoke.

"Is this not enough!"

"You stubborn fellow!"

Rooted in the depths of his consciousness, the obsession still roared, wanting to push open the stone gate.

His soul was on the verge of extinction, but an immense power erupted from deep within, instantly restoring his body and stabilizing the entire world behind the gate.

He stood before the gate once more, his expressionless face lost in thought.

[Flow]

The awakening of the origin saved the soul on the verge of collapse with the power of unity across countless reincarnations.

Naturally, this was within his control.

"Indeed, one shouldn't be too greedy." He gazed at the grand stone gate with a sigh, his soul's journey was complete. Awakening the origin had yielded an unexpected bonus – a better outcome than he had originally anticipated.

His origin attribute was [Flow], and his magical attribute was water.

"The attributes are acceptable, and they seem to be more compatible with alchemy… or more accurately, with alchemical elixirs." He muttered to himself.

In the world of "Fullmetal Alchemist," alchemical elixirs formed a unique faction in the Eastern countries through Von Hohenheim's influence. The essence of alchemical elixirs was understanding the flowing properties inherent in all things, known as the Dragon's Pulse.

"It's probably time to go back."

Inside the room, the youthful Matou Shinji slowly opened his eyes. A glint of azure flashed in his eyes.

"A completely different sensation from before." He squeezed his right hand and realized that he felt and saw a vastly different world.

The awakening of the origin attribute, [Flow], granted him the power of unity across reincarnations, acting on his soul and influencing his body.

At this moment, he saw a different world, filled with "Dragon's Pulse" – the magical power that shaped this world – in the air, objects, and even the insects outside the window.

"Similar to the ability of a Mystic Eye. Perhaps Mystic Eyes were born from the concept of the awakened origin." He touched his eye, as the awakening had granted him extraordinary powers. However, an intense urge overflowed from his consciousness, a tidal wave of impulses urging him to do something instinctual, yet his awareness remained perplexed, trapped in a spiral of contradiction that left him agitated.

The chaotic impulse – the cost of awakening the origin.

...

In the following weeks, he plunged into even more frenzied magical research.

The awakening of the origin attribute was, on the whole, more advantageous for him. With his soul reincarnating countless times in this world, each cycle added to the awakened power.

He attempted to transform this overflowing soul energy into a pseudo-magic circuit, enhancing his control over magic.

Based on the concept of [Flow], incorporating the water magic attribute, and using alchemy as a foundation, he experimented to create a pseudo-magic circuit. To his surprise, the experiment progressed smoothly.

In the end, a magic circuit was nothing more than a survival mechanism for mages after the Age of Gods, a means of leveraging their own life force to manipulate greater sources of magic. Mages of the Age of Gods like him didn't need such basic tools.

There were many alternatives to magic circuits. For instance, Artoria Pendragon's dragon bloodline could replenish and generate vast amounts of magic power simply by breathing – a level far beyond that of magic circuits.

He sought to create something akin to a [Magic Furnace].

"Tap tap tap~"

Constructing the alchemical array in his room, he heard a knock at the door. The blue light emitted by the array quickly faded. From the frequency of the knocks, he could tell who the visitor was.

Matou Byakuya, his nominal father, the supposed head of the Matou family – an ordinary man in appearance.

Dismissing the array, he opened the door and calmly gazed at Matou Byakuya. "Father, is there something you need?"

Matou Byakuya reached out and patted his head, his tone complex. "Still researching magic?"

"Yes."

Matou Byakuya crouched down, a mix of guilt in his expression. "I'm sorry. It's my fault as your father to burden you with the weight of the Matou family. But today is the day when the second daughter of the Tohsaka family will be adopted into our Matou family. I think it's best if you make an appearance and greet the soon-to-be sister."

"Alright, I'll tidy up my room and then go." He nodded, though internally his calm exterior hid a storm of emotions.

Matou Sakura...

===

If one were to poll viewers who have watched "Fate/stay night" about the most tragic heroine, Matou Sakura would undoubtedly rank at the top.

Matou Sakura was originally the second daughter of the Tohsaka family, one of the three families in charge of the Holy Grail War. Like her older sister, Tohsaka Rin, she possessed exceptional magical aptitude. However, this outstanding magical talent became the source of her tragic fate.

When inheriting magic, the first consideration is magical aptitude, and the second is age. Both Matou Sakura and Tohsaka Rin had top-tier magical aptitude. Considering that Tohsaka Rin was the older sister, it was most suitable for her to inherit the Tohsaka family's magic.

The head of the Tohsaka family, Tohsaka Tokiomi, didn't want to waste Matou Sakura's magical potential. Therefore, he planned to have her adopted by the Matou family, which had a history of close collaboration and a weakened magical lineage.

To Tohsaka Tokiomi, this was the most logical choice. His own magical aptitude wasn't exceptional, and he had lived a difficult life, transforming his bitterness into self-respect. Because of this, he understood better than anyone the sadness of mediocrity.

He didn't want to see Matou Sakura resenting her sister due to her inability to inherit magic in the future. That's why he arranged for her to be adopted into the Matou family, giving her a chance to compete with her sister.

However, he had no idea about the true nature of Matou Zouken. After being adopted into the Matou family, Matou Sakura suffered all kinds of abuse, being thrown into the worm pit to undergo body modification, violated by her own brother, Matou Shinji, and even used as a tool by Matou Zouken to achieve immortality.

"I must save Matou Sakura from that tragic fate." Matou Shinji followed behind his father and entered the hall, lost in thought.

His guiding principle was "I'll do as I please." Everything he did had to align with the audience's most preferred storyline. He imagined himself as part of the audience, considering what actions would lead to the most perfect outcome in the eyes of the "viewers."

There was no doubt that Matou Sakura's experiences would break the hearts of the vast majority of viewers.

An elderly hunchbacked man stood in the center of the hall, leaning on a cane and waiting. His gaze first fell on Matou Shinji, the peculiar insect-like pupils revealing a hint of surprise. He then addressed Matou Byakuya with a reminder, "Byakuya, don't forget your manners in front of the head of the Tohsaka family."

"Father, I'll be mindful of that." Matou Byakuya responded stiffly, bowing in a way that felt unfamiliar and awkward for a conversation with his father.

After giving his instructions, Matou Zouken looked at Matou Shinji meaningfully and turned to walk into the dim corridor.

Old geezer...

Matou Shinji sneered, not expecting that the events transpiring around him could escape his father's keen eyes. Matou Zouken was a mage who had lived for five hundred years and, during his peak, his power could even rival that of a Servant.

However, he didn't believe his father could see through everything about him.

"This works too. The old geezer can sense something abnormal about me. It indirectly adds value to me in his eyes, increasing my say in the decision regarding Matou Sakura's fate." He remained silent, continuing to follow his father to the entrance of the mansion.

After about ten minutes, a black sedan stopped in front of the Matou family's entrance. The driver came out and opened the back door, followed by four individuals.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man dressed in a burgundy suit. His attire and demeanor were meticulous and elegant, leaving a lasting impression. He held a staff with a fist-sized ruby embedded at its top.

This gemstone staff wasn't just for show; the Tohsaka family excelled in gemstone magic, and this particular staff was an exceptional magical artifact.

"I'd love to take it apart and study it." His gaze lingered briefly on the extravagant gemstone staff.

Tohsaka Tokiomi, head of the Tohsaka family, was following him. A woman with long hair, distinguished in appearance and exuding an air of elegance and poise. At a glance, she emanated the aura of an upper-class woman.

Tohsaka Aoi, wife of Tohsaka Tokiomi, his unfortunate uncle's childhood friend.

"It seems that the childhood friends are unbeatable against newcomers."

His gaze shifted to the two young girls in front of him. Around the same age as him, they inherited their parents' excellent genes. Despite their young age, their appearances and demeanors were exceptional.

The one with twin tails, a cute and lovely face, her eyes slightly reddened as if she had been crying recently. Her big round eyes were clear and bright, and when she noticed his gaze, she shot him an indignant look as if saying, "What are you looking at?"

Without much guessing, he knew she was Tohsaka Rin. Standing behind her was another girl with black hair, sharing about sixty to seventy percent similarity in looks with Tohsaka Rin. Unlike her sister's strong attitude, she clung to Tohsaka Rin's clothes, looking both fearful and curious about her surroundings.

Matou Byakuya's face lit up with a cheerful smile as he stepped forward, extending his right hand, "Long time no see, Head of the Tohsaka family! Your elegance and composure still leave a strong impression."

"Your praise flatters me, Head of the Matou family." Tohsaka Tokiomi responded politely. After a moment, he turned his gaze towards him, his expression slightly tense before quickly smoothing out into a smile, "Is this the son of the Matou family head?"

"Indeed, my son. How about we move to the main hall to continue our discussion? It's a bit impolite to have our guests waiting at the door." Matou Byakuya, unaware of the subtleties in Tohsaka Tokiomi's expression, warmly invited.

As the group entered the estate and began discussing the distribution of benefits related to the adoption of Tohsaka Sakura into the Matou family, he heard a command before even stepping inside, a voice that was clear and forceful, much like a master instructing a servant.

He turned to face the twin-tailed young girl in front of him, politely responding, "Miss Tohsaka, is there something you need?"

His courteous demeanor only irritated Tohsaka Rin even more.

Before Tohsaka Rin could say anything, her mother, Tohsaka Aoi, reached out to pat her daughter's head, gently scolding her in a low voice, "Rin, we're guests. You can't use such an impolite tone to speak to our host."

Tohsaka Rin pouted, unwillingly responding, "Yes."

Seemingly attributing the anger from being scolded by her mother to him, her gaze turned even more piercing when she looked at him. She trotted up to him, grabbing his right hand. Her cute face lit up with a bright smile, "You're Matou Shinji, right? Adults are discussing adult matters. Children shouldn't interrupt. How about we go somewhere else to play?"

The more radiant Tohsaka Rin's smile, the more he felt something was amiss. The current Tohsaka Rin was nothing more than a not-so-cute child; there wasn't much he needed to pay attention to.

"Sure." He nodded.

Tohsaka Aoi smiled gracefully, speaking softly, "I apologize for the trouble. Could you please accompany my daughter?"

This woman was even polite to a child.

"No problem."

He shook his head, his demeanor reminiscent of a young adult. Tohsaka Rin found him even more infuriating to look at, and Tohsaka Aoi couldn't help but chuckle.

===

Under the curious gaze of her younger sister, Matou Sakura, Tohsaka Rin half-coerced Matou Shinji into a secluded corner of the courtyard.

Tohsaka Rin cautiously surveyed her surroundings to ensure that no one noticed them. The smile on her face quickly faded, and she crossed her arms, raised her chin, and coldly scrutinized Matou Shinji, saying, "Seaweed Head, do you know why we're here today?"

Seaweed Head? Had this nickname appeared so early?

"I heard from my father." Matou Shinji didn't mind the nickname Tohsaka Rin had given him. Inside his young body resided the soul of an adult, and he wasn't lacking in years either.

"That's good, saves me the trouble of explaining." Tohsaka Rin stepped forward, her tone forceful.

"Listen carefully. Starting today, Sakura is your sister. Let me make this clear from the beginning. She's someone I cherish dearly, even to the point where I've thought that if I could be sent here in her place, I would. If I find out that she's not being treated well here or if you bully her, be prepared to face my wrath!" Tohsaka Rin waved her fist threateningly.

Matou Shinji's intentions were similar to what Tohsaka Rin had in mind.

He smiled faintly. "You don't need to remind me. Starting today, she's my sister. I will treat her well and fulfill my responsibilities as an older brother."

"Really?" Tohsaka Rin seemed surprised by how agreeable he was. She took a small step back, staring at him with suspicion.

He replied calmly, "Really."

Tohsaka Rin hummed with her arms crossed. "Though you have an irritating appearance, you're not too bad, I suppose. I'll tentatively believe what you're saying. Just to be sure, let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

"Extend your right pinky finger."

"Like this?" He extended his right pinky finger.

Tohsaka Rin also extended her right pinky finger and hooked it with his. She said seriously, "Repeat after me: 'A liar must swallow a thousand needles.'"

He followed along, saying, "A liar must swallow a thousand needles."

"Very well, the deal is now established. Haha~ I've already used magic in this deal. If you break your promise, be prepared for bad luck! And I definitely won't forgive you!"

He suppressed a laugh as he looked at Tohsaka Rin, who was seriously trying to intimidate him. He shook his head and didn't say much.

"What's with that expression?" Tohsaka Rin stared at his face, like an angry kitten. His calm and composed demeanor made her feel like every move of hers was within his control.

"Nothing."

"You don't seem very reliable. Just so you know, I'll be coming here to check on Sakura whenever I have the time. If she complains to me at any point, I won't spare you."

Still, a child's threat. Tohsaka Rin was fully aware that her adopted sister, Matou Sakura, couldn't meet her without arousing suspicion.

"I understand. It's necessary. Wait here for a moment. I'll go call her." Tohsaka Rin left in a hurry, returning shortly with her sister in tow.

Matou Sakura still looked the same. If Tohsaka Rin inherited her father's personality, then Matou Sakura was a spitting image of her mother—gentle, delicate, with watery eyes. She gazed at the boy who would become her older brother, hesitating to approach.

Tohsaka Rin introduced, "Sakura, he's going to be your big brother from now on. If he bullies you, let me know right away. I'll teach him a lesson."

He smiled gently. "Nice to meet you. My name is Matou Shinji."

Matou Sakura blushed, twiddling her fingers together. In a soft and timid voice, she said, "I'm Sakura. Please take care of me."

With that, her eyes welled up with tears, which she quickly wiped away. Tohsaka Rin, who was standing by, grew anxious, "What's wrong, Sakura? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It's not... not like that. I just feel relieved, like a weight has been lifted. It's so nice, having new family members who are just as gentle as my sister." Matou Sakura wiped away her tears, forcing a strained smile.

"Sakura..."

Tohsaka Rin fell silent, her sister's smile deepening her sense of guilt. Despite being the older sister, she should have been the one protecting Matou Sakura. But instead, Matou Sakura was forced to leave her own family and be sent into a completely unfamiliar environment.

Tohsaka Rin hugged her sister, burying her face in Matou Sakura's hair and comforting her softly, "It's okay, I'm here. I'll protect you."

"Sister..."

He watched the scene of sisterly affection with a speechless expression. After they separated, he jokingly said, "From now on, I'm Sakura's big brother. How about calling me 'big brother'?"

Matou Sakura hesitated, her face turning even redder. She opened her mouth as if to say something but couldn't find the words.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Seriously! You're really getting on my nerves! Seriously! You're so infuriating!" Beside them, Tohsaka Rin shook her head in frustration, grabbing his collar and scolding him with indignation, "I really want to give you a beating right now!"

Tohsaka Rin was having a taste of what it felt like to be overpowered by someone, especially when Matou Sakura addressed him as her big brother.

Seeing Tohsaka Rin's over-the-top reaction, Matou Sakura couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Then I'll go tattle on you to your mother."

He shrugged, using the child's ultimate weapon of tattling. After Tohsaka Rin released her grip on his collar, he calmly adjusted it.

Tohsaka Rin muttered in frustration, "You sneaky jerk."

===

At dusk, Tohsaka Tokiomi emerged from the main hall after settling the matter of Matou Sakura's adoption. He remained as composed and graceful as ever, displaying his usual modesty and courtesy.

"Master Matou, I entrust Sakura's care to you," Tohsaka Tokiomi said with a slight bow to Matou Byakuya.

Watching this scene in the courtyard, Tohsaka Rin's smile quickly faded. She gave Matou Sakura a forced smile and reassured her, "It's almost time to say goodbye, Sakura."

Confused, Matou Sakura replied, "Yes, goodbye, sister."

Turning towards Matou Shinji, Tohsaka Rin solemnly warned, "Don't forget our agreement. I won't forgive you if you break it."

Matou Shinji shrugged his shoulders.

Tohsaka Rin jogged over to Tohsaka Tokiomi and engaged in a conversation. Their gaze then shifted to Matou Shinji. Tohsaka Tokiomi approached him, crouched down, and patted his shoulder. His deep, magnetic voice was gentle as he said, "Shinji-kun, from now on, Sakura will be your sister. Don't let her feel lonely here."

"I will, Uncle," Matou Shinji said, glancing at Tohsaka Tokiomi before quickly averting his gaze. He appeared like a shy young boy. Tohsaka Tokiomi's mature and dignified demeanor perfectly matched a young girl's ideal image of an older man.

Next to them, Matou Sakura clutched her dress nervously, struggling to find words.

Tohsaka Tokiomi, who usually doted on her, didn't even acknowledge her presence this time. He simply left without a word or a glance.

Tohsaka Aoi paused briefly, looking back at Matou Sakura. She whispered softly, "I'm sorry."

Separated from her by circumstances, Tohsaka Aoi must have felt uncomfortable as a mother. However, she had chosen Tohsaka Tokiomi, showing her resolve as a mage's wife.

Seeing them leave, Matou Shinji heard the faint sobbing of the little girl behind him. The spacious courtyard now only contained the two of them. With Tohsaka Tokiomi and the others gone, Matou Sakura felt abandoned in this unfamiliar environment.

"Mom... Sister..." she murmured softly.

Matou Shinji gently embraced the little girl, comforting her, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"Th-thank you, big brother."

This was winning at the starting line.

Matou Shinji mumbled internally. Holding the girl in his arms, he felt her emotions gradually calming down. He wiped away her tears and smiled, saying, "Let me show you to your room."

"Okay," the little girl replied, her face turning red with a mix of shyness and unease.

...

Inside the carriage, Tohsaka Tokiomi appeared lost in thought.

Noticing his distraction, Tohsaka Aoi asked, "Tokiomi, is there something on your mind?"

He snapped back to reality, taking a while before replying, "Matou's eldest son, Shinji."

"The boy?"

"Yes."

"Oh, that seaweed head," Tohsaka Rin interjected, remembering the conversation.

Tohsaka Aoi scolded in a hushed voice, "Rin! It's impolite to give people such nicknames!"

Tohsaka Rin stuck out her tongue, and Tohsaka Tokiomi continued, "I can sense something unusual from him, but he's not a magus... No, it's nothing. Maybe it's just my imagination."

He had heard that the Matou family's magical lineage was weakening, which was why he considered adopting Sakura into the Matou family. If the Matou family had a potential heir, there would be no reason to adopt Sakura.

Apart from the Matou family, the Edelfelt family in Finland was also a suitable option for adopting Sakura. The relationship between the Edelfelt and Tohsaka families wasn't ordinary either. Tokiomi was a half-blood with Western lineage, and during the Third Holy Grail War, the Edelfelt family's twin sisters participated, with one of them staying in Japan under the guise of dying in battle, becoming Tokiomi's mother.

Even without this connection, the Edelfelt family was eager to improve their magical lineage by accepting a person with excellent mage qualifications. Their specialty was twin magecraft, making them the perfect choice for passing down the magical heritage.

...

Matou Byakuya could be considered a simplified version of Matou Shinji. Their experiences were quite similar. While he appeared to be a talented scion of a prominent family, he only gained the position of head of the Matou family after Matou Kariya left.

The Matou family was a prestigious mage family, yet Matou Byakuya had never received magical education.

He was an ordinary person without magical aptitude. If born into a different family, he might have had a happy life.

"Shinji, it's up to you to introduce Sakura to the family's rules," Matou Byakuya said, squatting down and ruffling Matou Shinji's hair. He glanced at Sakura, his tone complex as he continued, "From now on, you bear the name of Matou. I hope your actions live up to this surname."

Matou Sakura was adopted into the Matou family to inherit magecraft. Even this fact alone made Matou Byakuya unable to show a gentle attitude.

"Yes."

Still naïve, Matou Sakura couldn't understand the full meaning of Matou Byakuya's words. She vaguely sensed something unusual from his tone but couldn't grasp it fully. Seeking safety, she leaned towards Matou Shinji, who had just become her brother.

The faint sound of footsteps approached as Matou Zouken appeared from the shadows of the hallway, supported by his cane. With black eyes and white pupils, he grinned at Matou Sakura, saying, "The Tohsaka family sure has a luxurious problem on their hands—two outstanding inheritors in one generation."

Matou Zouken's presence intensified the atmosphere, making it even more oppressive. Matou Byakuya greeted his father respectfully, "Father, the terms have been settled. The specific contract is in the study."

Considering Matou Sakura's emotions, Matou Byakuya didn't directly mention the distribution of benefits related to the adoption.

"Good job," Matou Zouken nodded.

With a sigh of relief, Matou Byakuya stood up and left without looking back.

Matou Sakura's body trembled slightly. Afraid to meet Matou Zouken's gaze, she kept her head lowered and stayed behind Matou Shinji, clutching his clothing tightly. It seemed Matou Zouken had frightened her.

"Grandfather," Matou Shinji greeted politely.

"Shinji, it's up to you now to educate her about the Matou family's customs."

"I understand."

Matou Shinji led Matou Sakura out of the hall. He felt her right hand trembling slightly.

"He's an excellent magus. As a family member... you can't exactly say he's inadequate. From today, he's also your grandfather." Matou Shinji held the little girl's right hand firmly.

"Okay."

With that, he walked her around the estate, allowing her to become familiar with her surroundings. After they finished dinner together, Matou Shinji escorted Matou Sakura back to her room, while he continued his deep dive into magical research.

Matou Sakura's arrival motivated Matou Shinji to accelerate his magical research. He needed to produce results before Matou Zouken placed her into the insects' nest.

====

In the room, most of the furniture had been cleared or moved to the corners. The emptied floor was marked with a radius of several meters, forming a transmutation array – a circle as its foundation, points as its core, lines as connections, imbued with concepts that corresponded to the world's magical rituals.

The transmutation array lit up with a faint blue glow, and Matou Shinji stood solemnly in its center.

After months of refinement, the Gate of Truth had been integrated into the world's foundation by Matou Shinji, granting him the ability to use certain alchemical arts from the "Fullmetal Alchemist" world.

The alchemical traditions of the two worlds shared many similarities, and Matou Shinji excelled in the art of body transmutation, which he could now perform effortlessly.

Though body transmutation and human transmutation seemed indistinguishable at first glance, the latter was considered taboo among alchemists. Body transmutation, however, was widely employed for war-related purposes, mainly for healing injuries and body modifications.

The immortal alchemist Hohenheim used body transmutation to transform his body, enabling him to battle President Bradley on equal terms.

Body modifications were not new to mages. For instance, Matou Shinji's own grandfather, Matou Zouken, had a body composed of insects. The Einzbern family, one of the three great families, also dabbled in artificial humans.

"Magical circuits exist on the soul level. Self-created pseudo-circuits have the same abilities as magical circuits, but if they don't align with one's body, they can't connect the individual source to the greater one."

"It's necessary to create pseudo-circuits within one's body that resonate with the concept of magical circuits. However, in practice, understanding the concept of magical circuits is still somewhat unclear to me."

Deep in thought, Matou Shinji looked towards the door, hearing faint footsteps. Someone hesitated by the door, finally knocking after a while.

"Knock, knock."

The traces of the transmutation array on the floor quickly faded as Matou Shinji opened the door. As expected, he saw Matou Sakura in a white dress, holding a pillow and standing at the door. Her hair was tied with a red ribbon, and she lowered her head, hiding her expression.

"Is there something you need?"

Matou Sakura nodded hesitantly and asked, "Big brother, can I sleep with you?"

Sleep together?

These innocent words came from the mouth of a young girl. Naturally, Matou Shinji had no evil thoughts. Considering his ongoing magical research, he asked, "Are you not used to this place yet?"

Matou Sakura shook her head and then nodded. "I used to sleep with my sister. I can't sleep alone."

After a moment of hesitation, she gathered her courage and said, "I heard some strange noises, so..."

Her voice grew quieter, her small body trembling.

Strange noises weren't a valid excuse. The mansion itself was a nest of insects, with thousands of them in the basement. At night, they became active and acted as guards by hunting other creatures that entered the estate.

After contemplating for a while, Matou Shinji stepped aside, making way. He smiled and said, "Come in."

"Thank you." Matou Sakura's small face blossomed with a warm smile. She nodded earnestly, entered Matou Shinji's room, and curiously looked around. Her room was even simpler than what the Matou family prepared for her, and the placement of items seemed odd, deliberately leaving a large empty space.

Matou Shinji closed the door and kindly asked, "Sakura, can you help me with something?"

Without any hesitation, Matou Sakura answered, "Sure, if it's your request, I'm willing to do anything."

She was still very innocent, finding joy in being able to help her big brother.

"No need to exaggerate. I just need your assistance as an assistant to complete a magical research task."

Matou Sakura's round eyes widened, and she exclaimed in a hushed voice, "Magic? Has big brother learned magic?"

"Just at a beginner's level."

"That's still impressive. Father rejected my sister's attempts to learn magic a few times before."

Her eyes sparkled with stars. The education she received in the Tohsaka family constantly emphasized the uniqueness of magic. Knowing magic was akin to being as great as her father.

"Sakura, stand here." Matou Shinji pointed to a spot. He instructed with a serious tone, "Sit down, but don't move around. You might feel a tingling sensation, nothing uncomfortable. Endure it for a while."

"Alright, I'll try my best." Matou Sakura obediently sat down where instructed by Matou Shinji.

Matou Shinji crouched down, pressing his palms to the ground. The transmutation array, which had disappeared earlier, once again lit up. The structure within the circular array began changing rapidly.

Pale blue sparks flashed and spread to Matou Sakura's legs. Her small face turned pale from fright, but she stayed still, trusting Matou Shinji's words. Just as he said, she began to feel a tingling sensation, causing her limbs to go weak.

Magical energy converged into a fluid ice-blue form, hovering in midair. How magical energy manifested depended on Matou Shinji's origin attribute and magical nature.

The transmutation array was reverse-engineering Matou Sakura's body structure, exploring the magical circuits deeply rooted within her body, resonating with them.

After about half an hour, the transmutation array disappeared. Matou Shinji sighed in exhaustion. Even though he had awakened his Origin, he was starting to struggle with the magical energy expenditure. Lacking the ability to connect to the greater source, he used only his own life force to transform into magical energy.

Matou Shinji was very satisfied with the unexpected results of this experiment, as he had collected valuable information about magical circuits.

Seeing the array disappear, Matou Sakura hurriedly came to Matou Shinji's side. Worriedly, she asked, "Big brother, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just overexerted myself a bit. I'll rest for a while." Matou Shinji waved his hand.

"Then I'll help you to the bed." Matou Sakura helped Matou Shinji to the bed and handed him a glass of water.

This little girl is quite considerate...

Matou Shinji licked his dry lips and downed the glass of cool water. Tap water in Japan was safe to drink without boiling.

Having expended too much energy, Matou Shinji had no intention to continue his research. After comforting Matou Sakura for a while, he lay down on the bed and drifted into sleep.

Matou Sakura tucked him in and placed the pillow beside him. She slipped into the covers and softly whispered, "Goodnight, big brother."

====

Even as an adult, suddenly being sent to an unfamiliar environment, unable to contact one's own family, and knowing nothing about the surroundings, would undoubtedly lead to a strong sense of unfamiliarity and loneliness.

In the Matou household, Matou Shinji, of the same age, is the only person Matou Sakura can rely on. Therefore, most of the time, she follows behind him, observing the world like a newly born bird.

Matou Sakura has a gentle and quiet personality. Although she's affectionate, she's not bothersome. When Matou Shinji is reading magical books, she consciously avoids disturbing him. She either sits idly by, daydreaming, or reads classical literature to pass the time.

Matou Shinji is naturally happy with this arrangement. He views her as essential research material for his own magical studies. Through the use of a magic circle, he condenses his magical power into tendrils, reaching into Matou Sakura's body to activate magical circuits, further observing and replicating the characteristics of the magical circuits onto the pseudo circuits he creates.

In just a week's time, Matou Shinji made several breakthroughs in his research on magical circuits. He successfully embedded pseudo circuits into his body with a similarity of ninety percent to actual magical circuits.

Today, Matou Shinji continues his research. In the spacious room, Matou Sakura curiously watches as he stands in the center of a ritual circle, performing magical operations.

Matou Shinji's upper body is bare, with his right hand pressed against the ground and connected to the center of the ritual circle. A deep blue magical energy continuously flows from the circle into his arm, forming a unique pattern.

Visible to the naked eye, a straight blue light pathway extends beneath the skin of his right arm. Nearby, two fully constructed pseudo circuits are already in place.

"Ugh...," Matou Shinji grits his teeth, his face pale, sweat beads forming on his forehead. His body is enduring intense pain.

The process of embedding pseudo circuits into the body is akin to creating a new neural network for the body. The pseudo circuits, with their mysterious concepts, tear through muscles, invade cells, and merge with bone marrow. With every centimeter the light pathway extends, Matou Shinji feels as if his arm is being bitten by countless ants.

"Damn, this level of pain is almost comparable to reshaping the body using alchemy."

Ten minutes later, the ritual circle fades away, and Matou Shinji sits on the ground, gasping for breath. The process of constructing pseudo circuits drained his vitality completely. Continuing would pose significant harm to his body.

Mages convert their life force into magical energy through magical circuits and then inject that energy into the magical foundations engraved in the world through magical rituals. When using magic, the caster themselves also experience pain.

Ordinarily, converting life force into magical energy doesn't negatively impact the body, much like intense physical activity consumes energy. A mage's magical energy is accumulated over many years. If the transformation of life force goes beyond a certain limit, it can provide a short-term increase in magical power, but the cost is considerable—ranging from reduced lifespan to instant death.

Matou Shinji relies on the power he awakened from his origins to forcefully use magic, even embedding pseudo circuits into his body.

"Converting life force into magical energy—humans in this world are possible materials, just like in the world of alchemists. Speaking of which, in the Fifth Holy Grail War, Caster's Master used a large number of humans to create high-purity magical energy crystals. However, they can't compare to the magical energy crystals casually created by the Tohsaka magus. I really want to see what this world's so-called Tohsaka magus is like."

Matou Shinji manages to lift his right hand with some effort, enduring the deep-seated pain in his bones. The three activated pseudo circuits gradually fade away due to the stimulation of magical energy. He smirks, feeling extremely satisfied.

Every beginning is difficult, and now Matou Shinji has overcome the toughest challenge.

These three pseudo circuits can't match the quality of regular magical circuits and are fragile, but at least he now possesses the ability to convert his life force into magical energy. There's no longer anything improper about calling himself a magus.

"Big sister," Matou Sakura approaches while holding Matou Shinji's shirt. She quickly helps him up and curiously asks, "How did it go?"

Matou Shinji puts on his clothes, smiles, and pats Matou Sakura's head. His tone is cheerful: "With your help, the magical experiment was successful."

Matou Sakura shyly responds, "I'm just glad I could help big sister!"

Suddenly, Matou Shinji says, "Sakura, I haven't prepared a gift for you yet."

"A gift?" Matou Sakura tilts her head in confusion.

Matou Shinji reaches out and gently pinches her soft cheek, chuckling, "A gift to celebrate you becoming a part of the Matou family and also as a reward for helping me with my magical research these days."

Matou Sakura shakes her head, her expression earnest: "I don't need a gift. Being able to be with big sister is already very fulfilling for me. I've been uneasy these past few days, and for me, having you around is the best gift."

The sincere words from the little girl's heart warm Matou Shinji's heart.

His face takes on a strange expression, and he teases, "You really know how to talk."

Matou Sakura pouts, showing a rare liveliness that befits a little girl. She playfully complains, "That's not fair. I'm being serious, and you're just brushing off my feelings."

Without experiencing the tragic fate of the original storyline, the little girl's personality hasn't been corrupted yet. She seems to share some similarity with the grown-up Matou Sakura.

"Yes, yes, please forgive my slip of the tongue. To show my apology, allow me to offer a gift to the esteemed lady."

"Sure, I'm looking forward to it," Matou Sakura giggles.

Matou Shinji walks to a nearby desk, opens a drawer, and takes out a blue gemstone wrapped in cloth.

In this world, gemstones are excellent magical materials. Most gemstones naturally contain high-quality magical energy. The gemstone he found underground was transformed using alchemy.

He places the gemstone and the cloth on the ground, claps his hands, and activates a ritual circle, crafting the blue gemstone into a beautiful necklace.

Such manipulation of material structure is common among alchemists. Any alchemist can easily perform similar tasks.

"Sakura, this necklace contains a small amount of magical energy. It can protect you in times of need. Don't take it off casually." He instructs as he places the necklace in Matou Sakura's hand.

He can't constantly monitor Matou Sakura's movements, nor does he know when that old worm might decide to make a move against Sakura. While the necklace can't truly protect her, it can serve as a warning in critical situations.

If the magical energy inside the gemstone necklace is activated, the magical energy with the attribute of "flow" contained within it will flow back into his body. This way, he can gain insight into Matou Sakura's situation.

"It's really beautiful. Is this a real gemstone?"

"Yes."

Matou Sakura holds the gemstone necklace in both hands and nods with joy, "Thank you, I'll cherish your gift."