Tohsaka Rin: "Eh?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Anything at all? Isn't that basically Aladdin's lamp!"
Mio Akiyama: "Mm… pretty much, but… it may come with a price."
Ais read the messages, golden eyes flickering with thought.
Something occurred to her.
Ais: "Then… is there a way here to make someone stronger?"
The group went quiet for a moment—
then everyone started talking at once.
Mikoto Misaka: "Emmm, getting stronger is probably one of the easiest things that guy Rei Ao can do."
Krul: "No doubt about it. Though I'm more curious if anyone will try to trade for 'destroy the world.'"
Mai Sakurajima: "That actually did happen once."
Enju Aihara: "Hmph, that's only because the world's beyond saving."
Fubuki: "Hey, let's not go there right now. @Ais, is getting stronger what you're after?"
Fubuki suddenly took an interest in the newcomer.
Ais's message reminded her of her past self—single-minded about power.
She'd wanted to surpass her sister to earn recognition.
So she was curious: what was Ais's reason?
Ais: "Yes. I need to become stronger—strong enough to defeat the Black Dragon."
At the mention of the Black Dragon, Ais's eyes dimmed; her fists clenched on instinct.
Tohru: "Black Dragon? Sounds like a chaotic-evil type. So how strong are dragons in your world? Planet-busting?"
Ais: "Planet…? I don't really understand…"
Ais: "I only know it's one of the Dungeon's three strongest monsters—Behemoth, Leviathan, and the Black Dragon."
Ais: "The Black Dragon destroyed my home and killed my parents."
Ais: "My purpose for living is to grow strong enough to kill it."
Julis: "A tragic past. But the path of seeking strength for revenge alone often leads into darkness."
Ais: "I don't care. If it can make me stronger, I'll try any method."
Rei Ao: "I understand your desire."
Rei Ao: "In fact, I do have a way to greatly boost your power in a short time. But power comes with a price and responsibility."
Ais: "I'm willing to pay any price."
Tohsaka Rin: "Hold it, hold it!"
Tohsaka Rin: "Did I just read that right? Dragons? Are you talking about dragons?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Aren't dragons fantasy or myth? How could they exist!"
She turned to Sakura, who was eyeing her with puzzled curiosity.
"Sakura, do you think dragons could exist in this world?"
"Um…"
Sakura hesitated, then said, "Probably not? They're from stories."
"Ha, told you. There's no way—"
Rin had just breathed a sigh of relief when she froze, her pupils dilating.
Because… she saw a dragon!
Tohru: "Heh heh, you wanted a dragon? Ta-da, that's me."
Tohru: "[Image]"
Tohsaka Rin: "???"
The dragon in the photo looked incredibly real, but—
Just as she was about to ask if it was fake, another message popped up.
Couronne: "Um, dragons… I've got one here too."
Couronne: "[Image]"
She posted a picture of a white dragon.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "A white dragon—that's Kanna, right?"
Tohru: "Yup, that's Kanna. How'd you get her photo?"
Couronne: "M-Michiru and Kanna came to our world, and Kanna even fought Azril."
Tohru: "Oh? Kanna didn't get hurt, did she?"
Couronne: "No, no—she had a great time."
Tohru: "Good."
Couronne: "And there's one more… not sure if I should post it?"
Rei Ao: "Go ahead. We're all friends here."
Couronne: "'Kay!"
Couronne: "[Image]"
This time it was a colossal red dragon blotting out the sky.
Tohsaka Rin: "Waaah!!!"
It wasn't just Rin—others were stunned too.
Julis: "Hiss—what even is that?!"
Mio Akiyama: "Th-that dragon is huge!"
Touka Kirishima: "Could a planet even support a creature that big?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "M-maybe it's just the camera angle?"
Frieren: "Heh. That's Rei Ao we're talking about."
Julis: "Huh?"
Mio Akiyama: "Eh?"
Touka Kirishima: "Huh?"
…
Akame: "That's the dragon form Rei Ao-kun took, though bigger than when I saw it."
Couronne: "Exactly—saved from when Rei Ao-sama fought the War God Artosh. I was scared too."
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Gulp… in that case, how would he even fit—"
Touka Kirishima: "??? What are you talking about?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Uh…"
Tohsaka Rin: "Wow, someone can really turn into a dragon? Don't try to fool me. I may be young, but I'm the Tohsaka heiress—you won't trick me that easily!"
Rei Ao: " 'Young'?"
Sui: "Oh? I think I've noticed something."
Sui: "@Tohsaka Rin, little one, how old are you this year?"
Tohsaka Rin: "I am not a little one! I—I'm already seven!"
"…Hn?"
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes.
Seven?
That was Rin's age during the Fourth Holy Grail War, wasn't it?
So this must be right around the Fourth War?
Rei Ao: "@Tohsaka Rin, I have a question that may concern your sister's future. Please answer carefully."
Rei Ao: "Where is your sister, Tohsaka Sakura, right now?"
Tohsaka Rin: "Huh?"
Rin blinked at the question.
She looked at her sister in confusion.
Something to do with Sakura's future?
What did that mean?
Rin had never really believed in the chat group from the start—but now they were bringing up Sakura…