To become a king and a magician

"Is it because you have a bad reputation?"

"Are there any magicians with a good reputation? Oh no, I should say sorcerers. Let's not even talk about old folks like me who live a secluded life. Isn't the fifth one, who's been particularly active outside lately, also infamous?"

"Aoko... is it the same here?"

"I would say she's the same no matter where she is. To be honest, I really hope someone can keep an eye on her. She's causing trouble for us all over the world."

If someone could really control her, would she still be single until 2015?

Natsukawa Torara chuckled: "Let's get down to business, about this Holy Grail War—"

Yes, the reason why Natsukawa Torato appeared at the Clock Tower was because of the Holy Grail War.

Seven against seven, a total of fourteen Servants, the Holy Grail War, which the Mage's Association and the Church originally thought would last a long time, unexpectedly ended in less than a week, as fast as a dream.

“You’ve really stirred things up this time. That child’s power isn’t for you to use like that.” The Gem Elder looked at the crimson moon mark on Xia Chuanhu’s hand. “Be kinder to this world, kid.”

"As long as Arcueid has no objections."

It would be a miracle if she had any complaints. Jewel King was certain that Arcueid was overjoyed because Natsukawa Tora liked her power so much. She was like a pitiful girl who had been deceived by a scumbag but still foolishly thought that he had feelings for her.

(This kid is going to be here for another five years... I should find a chance to dump him in the South American rainforest.)

"Old man Gemstone, what are you thinking about?" Natsukawa Tiger immediately became alert upon noticing that Gemstone Elder's expression was off.

"It's nothing, just a small matter. Where were we?"

"The Holy Grail War. Because of the wish made by the final victor, some minor changes have occurred in Romania."

Two weeks ago, influenced by Atalanta's wish, the power of the Holy Grail finally spread across much of Romania. Several Romanian cities, including Tulipas, were affected.

"Those cities affected by the light of the Holy Grail, well... everyone probably became more loving and kind, especially towards children."

This is the conclusion that Natsukawa Tiger reached after spending a week visiting each of the affected cities.

He had initially thought the Holy Grail would forcefully change people's minds, but in the end, those who were affected did not change much; they simply became more gentle—though even the gentlest of all men—a fierce-looking, scarred, burly man would surely scare away a child.

"The Holy Grail's influence is surprisingly small."

"The wishes of the person making the wish must have influenced the outcome of the Holy Grail ritual. In any case, it's good that it didn't have too much of an impact."

Upon hearing Natsukawa Tora's words, Gemstone Glory glared at him irritably: "If you hadn't handed over the Greater Grail, none of this would have happened."

"So after that I retrieved the Greater Grail, didn't I?"

Although the Greater Grail's magic was completely depleted after the wish was granted, essentially becoming an empty shell, Natsukawa Torato still retrieved and hid it for safety reasons, to prevent some magicians from using it for dangerous purposes.

With a helpless sigh, Gemstone leaned back in his chair: "I shouldn't have agreed to let you help. Your involvement has only made things more complicated—get out of here. This is none of your business. The rest will be handled by the association and the church. Go back to Japan and live in anonymity."

"Then give me the money first."

"Ok?"

"The cost of saving the world from Amakusa Shiro, the round-trip airfare, the food and lodging costs for the two extra mouths in my family, oh right, and the management fee for guarding the Greater Grail."

Have you no shame?

"You have the nerve to talk to me about money when you only give me a million dollars for a class card?" Xia Chuan gave a forced smile and made an international friendship gesture. "Don't think I'm easy to fool just because I only finished the basic courses. I can estimate the approximate value of a Mystic Code. Don't treat me like an outsider who doesn't know the market. Give me back the rest of the money, you son of a bitch! You've swallowed the money of the entire Minerals Department!"

“You’re not from the minerals department here.”

"*Type-Moon profanity*!"

————————————————————————————————————

"So, in the end, all you did was report back and ask for payment?"

In a London hospital, Atalanta sat on the bed, looking helplessly at Natsukawa Tora, who had a smug look on his face—it seemed he had gotten the money.

Behind Natsukawa Tora, Gray blushed slightly with embarrassment: "Brother's argument with Mr. Gemstone Weng ended up being known throughout most of the Clock Tower, attracting a lot of onlookers... Brother, please maintain your composure in public next time."

"Anyway, my reputation at the Clock Tower is already terrible, so it doesn't matter if it gets worse here. Besides, I don't plan on having a proper conversation with the people at the Clock Tower anyway." Natsukawa Tiger casually said something that showed he was willing to be an enemy of the Clock Tower. "By the way, Atalanta, how are your and Mordred's medical checkups going?"

Physical examination.

That's why Atalanta is here.

Logically, Servants should leave the mortal world after the Holy Grail War, but Atalanta, having come into contact with the Holy Grail, gained a body that allows her to continue functioning, just like Amakusa Shirou. Although she didn't think there would be anything wrong with such a body, just to be on the safe side, Natsukawa Torara still had Atalanta and Mordred come to the hospital for a checkup.

Of course, the entire process is a hint at magic, leaving absolutely no information or trace.

"The test results are all fine... To be honest, I'm a little overwhelmed by this real second life. Saber seems to have already decided how she wants to live from now on, but I... am still a little lost."

Atalanta thought she would disappear and return to the Throne of Heroes, and didn't think about what would happen after she made her wish.

But she is still alive and can live on forever. The body given to her by the Holy Grail will not age naturally or die. Unless she is killed, Atalanta is immortal.

“I don’t know what to do in the future… Well then, I have a suggestion.” Natsukawa Tora smiled. “I believe that should be a place that you will be very satisfied with, and it will also meet your wishes.”

"Tell me about it."

87. Natsukawa-sensei, the new teacher in the Suihara group

In a fifth-grade classroom at the private Homurahara Gakuen Elementary School.

These elementary school students, who are only eleven years old, are chattering about all sorts of things, such as what they ate this morning, how good the cartoon they watched last night was, what happened at home... Even being barked at by someone's dog on the street as if it were a stranger can become a topic of conversation for these children.

Among these children, two stood out as being somewhat unconventional.

Good morning, Miyu.

"Good morning, Ilya."

In the corner of the classroom, near the window, Ilya and Miyu greeted each other as usual.

"You're late today, Ilya."

"Ugh... I overslept a bit, the blankets were so warm."

It's already autumn, and the mornings are a bit chilly, which is the perfect time for people to stay in bed. Children usually can't get up unless someone wakes them up, except for highly self-disciplined exceptions like Miyu and Grey.

After putting her backpack away and taking out the books she would need for class, Ilya turned around and said, "Speaking of which, when I came here just now, I think I heard that a new teacher had arrived, and he was a foreigner."

"Yes, I know, he was introduced by Mr. Xia Chuan."

"Eh? Is it someone Mr. Natsukawa knows?" Ilya asked, somewhat surprised. "Mr. Natsukawa and Sister Gray both went on a trip abroad before. Could it be someone you met during that time?"

Meiyou nodded: "It was a Greek woman I met in Romania. She ran out of money while traveling and asked Mr. Xia Chuan for help. Now she's been introduced here to work as a teacher to pay off her debts."

"Ugh... Why does Mr. Natsukawa's image suddenly seem so evil?"

"Really? Mr. Natsukawa is a very nice person."

Miyu didn't quite understand Illya's thoughts. He was a great person who saved her and her brother, allowing them to live a peaceful life like they did now. What was it about him that made Illya think he was a bad person?

"I'm not saying Mr. Natsukawa is a bad person. He used to bring my family gifts often, and he also brought Romanian and British specialties when he came back before... It's just that his behavior gives people the impression of a bad person."

"I don't quite understand Ilya's thoughts."

"Haha... That's true, Miyu's way of thinking is definitely not like an elementary school student's—by the way, since you know who the new teacher is, you should know her name too, right?"

Miyu nodded: "Yes, her name is—"

"Alright, alright! Class, quiet down!"

Fuyuki Tora's loud voice accompanied her as she suddenly burst in through the door, abruptly stopping at the front of the classroom and slamming her hand on the desk: "It's a bit sudden! But today, our class will be welcoming a new teacher—Natsukawa Toneko-sensei, please come in!"

"Yes...yes!"

Outside the door, Atalanta, wearing an ill-fitting teacher's uniform and having concealed her cat tail and ears with magic, walked into the classroom rather shyly, then turned to look at the adorable children inside.

"Children, nice to meet you. I am your future history teacher, Natsukawa Toneko."

——————————————————————————————————————

"By now, Atalanta should have already started her life as a teacher smoothly."

Inside the Xia Chuan family villa, Xia Chuan Hu glanced at the clock on the wall and thought to himself.

"Go to Suihara Elementary School and become a teacher"—that was Natsukawa Torama's suggestion to Atalanta. After all, she liked children, so becoming an elementary school teacher would definitely be suitable. Although there was also the option of having her become an international volunteer, Natsukawa Torama was really afraid that she would lose control after seeing those war children and unleash a Noble Phantasm on the battlefield.

She shouldn't be seeing those things right now. It's not too late for her to accept them little by little after she's lived in this world for a while.

And opposite Natsukawa Tiger—

"You actually made me arrange identification for a Servant who has acquired a body? You owe me another favor, Natsukawa Torato," Luvia said with a hint of helplessness.

The reason Atalanta was able to become a teacher at Hohara-gun Elementary School was entirely due to Luvia's arrangements. Putting aside everything else, anything that could be solved with money was not a problem for her.

By the way, the name "Natsukawa Tora" was given by Natsukawa Tora. Saying Atalanta directly might cause some trouble, so having a pseudonym is better.

"So, what is the purpose of calling us here this time?"

“Well, there are some things I need your help with—or rather, I need Rin Tohsaka’s help.” Natsukawa Torara looked at Rin Tohsaka, who was standing behind Luvia in a maid outfit. “Rin Tohsaka, I want to borrow the spiritual vein of Fuyuki City for a while.”

Rin Tohsaka frowned upon hearing this: "Spirit veins? What are you going to do?"

"Set up a magic-extracting spell on it. Don't worry, it won't be much, about the same as taking a cup of water from the Pacific Ocean every day."

"Hmm... this level is fine, but what do you need the magic power of the spiritual veins for?"

"In order to complete my doll, the preliminary work is basically completed, and only the last two or three steps are left. For this, high-quality magic is necessary. I can supply the magic myself, but maintaining it 24 hours a day is too tiring. A spiritual vein would save a lot of trouble."

What Natsukawa Tora was referring to was the replay device—or rather, the Greater Grail hidden within it.

The Reenactment Device is a Mystic Code that can even seal the Holy Lance, so it's no problem to contain the Greater Grail. Besides hiding the Greater Grail, Natsukawa Torama actually had another purpose in doing this.

That is to use the Greater Grail as the magic source for the puppet.

Therefore, Natsukawa Torato needs magic power to activate the Greater Grail. He doesn't need much, just enough to get the Greater Grail working. Once it's working, the Greater Grail can automatically absorb magic power from the surrounding atmosphere to maintain the puppet's continuous operation.

After thinking in silence for a while, Rin Tohsaka nodded: "Alright, I'll go with you to the Great Hollow this weekend and watch you set up the spell."

"Is it really necessary to be so wary? We're old friends."

"A magician's verbal promises are not to be trusted at all."

It is true.

Xia Chuanhu shrugged: "The technique will probably last for a long time, and I will give you some fees every month during this period."

"money!?"

Upon hearing this, Rin Tohsaka's eyes lit up immediately: "How much?"

"That depends on your standards. After all, you've borrowed something from the manager of the Fuyuki City spiritual vein. I don't like owing favors, so let's just use the money you need right now to solve it. We'll just squeeze a hefty sum out of that old man from the gemstone."