"Last night, a meteorite fell over Fuyuki City, landing within Ryudou Temple. Fortunately, all personnel inside the temple had been evacuated, and there were no casualties. According to eyewitnesses, the impact caused tremors felt in nearby houses, accompanied by loud noises, and car alarms in the vicinity of Ryudou Temple went off simultaneously. Another witness reported an explosion, though no such traces were found within the temple."
"The meteorite ultimately landed inside Ryudou Temple atop Mount Enzo. At the scene, the marks of the meteorite's impact on the ground are clearly visible. Let's follow the reporter to..."
"A meteorite? After living here for so many years, this is the first time I've seen news like this."
"Yeah, yeah, but it's really lucky. Everyone at Ryudou Temple happened to be out, so no one was hurt."
At the Mackenzie family's dining table, Glen and Martha chattered away, while Waver sipped his milk in silence.
As a participant in the Holy Grail War, no one understood the truth behind this incident better than he did.
Recalling the valiant figure of the King of Conquerors, Waver felt a pang in his heart, but a warm surge soon followed, soothing the wound.
Waver deeply realized how precious the miracle of his survival was, and from the bottom of his heart, he was grateful for this war. Under the guidance of that King, he had stepped out of the recklessness and ignorance of his youth and into his own era of maturity.
"Waver, Waver—"
Mrs. Martha's call interrupted Waver's thoughts.
"Has Mr. Alex returned safely to his country?"
Alex was Iskandar's alias. The burly man who had been staying with the family for the past few days had left abruptly yesterday due to an emergency, and Waver had taken it upon himself to thank the couple for their hospitality and apologize for the sudden departure.
"He called from Heathrow Airport early this morning. That guy has no manners, completely forgetting about the time difference."
The hastily fabricated lie didn't shake his resolve. Waver was surprised at how thick-skinned he had become.
"A call? I didn't notice. But that's just like him, isn't it?" Mrs. Martha chuckled and nodded, then turned her attention back to the TV screen.
The news about Ryudou Temple had passed, serving only as a bit of after-dinner conversation for the citizens. The war hidden beneath the night was known only to a select few.
And Waver, too, had made a decision as the news shifted.
"...Grandpa, Grandma. There's something I want to talk to you about. Is that okay?"
Hearing the slightly unusual tone in Waver's voice, the elderly couple set down their coffee cups.
"What is it?"
"Well, actually..."
Ding-dong~
The doorbell interrupted Waver's words.
"Who could it be so early in the morning?" Muttering to himself, the old man slowly got up from his seat and opened the door.
In front of him, there was no one.
"Down here, please lower your head."
"???"
Old man Mackenzie lowered his head in confusion, then exclaimed, "Wow, whose child is this? So adorable!"
Behind him, Waver sensed something and stood up, his face changing dramatically.
"Wait, Grandpa, that's a magecr—cough... cough!"
In the midst of violent coughing, Waver could hardly believe his eyes.
White hair, golden eyes—these features belonged to only one person.
But, but...
Looking at the 'Sakatsuki' who was shorter than him, with a mischievous smile on his youthful face, Waver inwardly wailed.
Why has this guy turned into a kid?!
"I'll explain later, Waver. An old friend is here, aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Who's your friend—"
"Ah, so you're Waver's friend! Come in, come in, good child, let Grandpa and Grandma take a good look at you..." The Mackenzies, completely unaware of why a 'child' would be friends with their grandson, welcomed Sakatsuki in as if under a spell.
"Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!" The sweet voice made the elderly couple beam with joy. Before Sakatsuki could cause any more trouble, Waver grabbed his arm and dragged him into his room.
***
"So... what's with this appearance?"
In the bedroom, Waver looked at the boy sitting on the table, swinging his legs, and crossed his arms, his tone annoyed.
"I wished for a body from the Holy Grail, and as you can see—this is the result." Sakatsuki spread his hands, his voice crisp and clear.
"If Miyu hadn't returned to the Throne of Heroes, I, as her brother, would probably have left behind an unforgettable black mark in history."
Yes, sitting before Waver was a boy whose body had shrunk but whose mind remained sharp, an all-knowing detective... ahem, let's start over.
Sitting before Waver was a little brat with white hair, golden eyes like gemstones, and a face that, though youthful, still exuded handsomeness!
Though the white-and-gold woven attire looked incredibly noble, it was definitely because he had no other clothes to wear, right? Absolutely!
Suppressing the urge to mock him, Waver looked around and noticed some clues:
"Because you needed to maintain the concept of 'growth,' you chose the stage with the most potential for growth? At the same time, your appearance has changed, and the reaction speed of the magical particles around you has significantly increased. According to the Department of Lore's book 'On the Division and Connection of Greater Source (Mana) and Lesser Source (Od),' this means the world's—"
Realizing he was treading on forbidden ground, Waver tightly shut his mouth and distanced himself from Sakatsuki.
The wish made through the Holy Grail had triggered the world's rejection and adaptation—Waver knew deep down that this was not a realm he should delve into.
"As expected of you. This talent is precisely why you stand out." Sakatsuki clapped his hands with a smile, stopping Waver from bolting out the door. "I came here for two things. First, to confirm a certain location, and second, to fulfill a promise to the King of Conquerors."
Rider?
Hearing those last words, Waver froze as if under a spell, then sighed in resignation.
"What location are you confirming?"
"This. I can only roughly determine that it's somewhere within the Clock Tower, but I need you to pinpoint the exact spot." Opening an imaginary pocket, Sakatsuki pulled out an old treasure map and handed it to Waver, simultaneously grabbing his other hand.
"Hey, you—"
"Quiet. This is my first time doing something like this too." Sakatsuki spoke, his youthful face serious. "I have things to do too, and I can't follow you around like a babysitter. If I want to appear in time when you're in danger, this is the only way—"
In a sudden flash of crimson light, Waver's pupils contracted sharply.
A moment later, Waver stood at the door, watching the child-like Sakatsuki leave, and quietly tucked his right hand into his pocket.
On the back of his hand, three marks glowed with a blood-like light.
***
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