In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

"You're right, senior. These are all materials related to simulated battles."

"I collected these on purpose, just to see if you could use them, senior!"

"..."

Looking at Mashu's innocent and straightforward appearance, Ian couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

He hesitated for a moment, but finally reached out and patted her head.

"Thank you, Matthew."

"Hmm... You're welcome, senpai." Mashu was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Seeing this head pat, Mordred put his hands on his hips, about to say something.

At that moment, Ian reached out his other hand, shook his head, and stopped her.

He then continued:

"Since you've prepared so much, let's go to the simulation battle again."

"I also happen to have an idea to verify this."

"Ok!"

Although she was very puzzled by the girl who had suddenly appeared next to Ian, Mashu didn't ask any questions and instead led the way.

Every now and then, she would turn her head and glance at Ian.

Mordred looked at Mash with increasing suspicion.

Something's not right...

She muttered to herself.

The three of them quickly arrived at the simulated battle passage.

"By the way, Senior Ian."

Mashu, who was walking ahead, asked in a low voice.

"Where is Miss Ophelia? Doesn't she usually come with you?"

“...she’s researching something,”

Ophelia wasn't lying; she was indeed studying something.

It's just that it's relatively special.

"I see." Mashu nodded thoughtfully.

"Miss Ophelia is indeed a very excellent magician. Even at a time like this, she is still working hard on her research."

“Yes.” Ian nodded. “I think so too.”

"Making conversation when you have nothing to say..."

Mordred continued muttering to himself.

Inside the simulated battle.

In a pristine white light, Mash once again activated the system designed to help Master candidates adapt to the role of "Servant" in advance.

"Senior, it's ready to use!"

"it is good."

Ian refocused his gaze on the three pillars of light in front of him.

as predicted.

Just as he had thought, Mordred, who had replaced Artoria Pendragon (Saber), was no more.

Although it may not be entirely caused by its own summoning.

But Ian knew that there was definitely something to it.

After all, he had just summoned Mordred, and the place had returned to normal the moment he did.

And based on Mordred's description, what she experienced was almost like a simulated battle.

but--

Just to be on the safe side, let's confirm further.

Ian summoned Artoria Pendragon (Saber) once again.

Everything was exactly the same as when he first entered the simulation battle, without the slightest change.

"Eh?!"

Mashu realized something was wrong.

"How...did it turn back?"

"This isn't Saber at all!!"

Realizing that the change was far too obvious, Ian thought for a moment and decided not to hide it from Mash.

"Matthew."

"Yes, senior."

"The girl next to me..."

Ian grabbed Mordred's hand.

"His name is Mordred, and he is a 'Servant' that I summoned."

"..."

It took Mashu quite a while to understand.

"senior!"

"You summoned Mordred?!"

Ian wasn't surprised at all.

This is almost the exact same reaction as Ophelia's.

"Yes, I summoned it."

"When was it summoned?!"

"About half an hour, or maybe an hour ago," Ian answered truthfully.

"This……"

Mashu felt like her brain was about to crash.

She instinctively glanced at Mordred beside her.

Although the latter had his own thoughts, he nodded, indicating that Ian was right.

Mashu naturally no longer had any doubts.

However, this kind of news was somewhat beyond her acceptance.

It took her a while to calm down.

"Senior, how did you summon her...? Chaldea's Heroic Spirit Summoning System shouldn't be open yet, right?"

“The simple summoning technique that Ophelia taught me.”

"Huh? Is that even possible?"

Mashu's mouth was slightly open, and it was clear that Ian's words had a significant impact on her.

"What are you doing!"

Mordred placed her hands on her hips and pressed closer to Mash.

"Are you doubting the bond between me and my father... Master?"

"Hey, no way!" Mashu quickly shook her head in denial.

"But that's exactly how you feel, isn't it?" Mordred persisted.

"Mordred!"

Ian stopped her.

"Don't do that, it's so rude."

"..."

Mordred pouted, but still obediently stopped.

Ian then began to comfort Mash:

"I'm sorry, Mashu."

"Mordred didn't mean to be mean to you; she's just sensitive about these things."

"No, it's okay."

Mashu forced a smile.

Then, as if remembering something, she spoke:

"Senior, in that case, you don't have the corresponding 'Command Seals' yet, right?"

"'Command Spell'?"

Ian heard a familiar word, but he couldn't quite remember its meaning.

He was certain he had seen it in Ophelia's obscure books.

"Yes, it is!"

"This is a magical crystal that makes a 'Servant' have to obey its 'Master'. If it's a 'Servant' summoned through the Holy Grail War, you should have been given a 'Command Seal' before that!"

"but--"

Mashu frowned slightly.

“It seems that your situation is different, so you probably don’t have any Command Seals or anything like that.”