In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

The so-called "sealing designation" refers to the imprisonment of magicians with rare talents or who have broken taboos under the guise of "protection," and their life imprisonment.

Those who possess magic that cannot be learned through study due to their bloodline or physical constitution (such as Reality Marble) are treated as "precious items" and "contained and protected" by the Mage's Association. The Mage's Association arrests magicians designated for sealing, ensuring that their magic characteristics remain unchanged and are passed down as valuable samples to future generations.

To put it simply, the so-called sealing designation is no different from a sliced ​​specimen preserved in formalin. For the association, the sealing designation is based on goodwill, but for the chosen magician, it's tantamount to a death sentence.

Aozaki Touko's exceptional talent led to her being placed on the sealed list by her own teacher, thus beginning her years-long escape.

At this moment, she was wearing a white shirt, a coffee-colored sweater, and a light brown trench coat. She carried a suitcase in her right hand, her wine-red hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore ordinary oval glasses on her high nose. She looked more intellectual than when she was at the Clock Tower, but Luo Wei could vaguely detect the traces of fatigue hidden in her eyes.

"Senior Aozaki, life on the run must have been tough, right?"

"...Ugh, let's not expose how tough life is."

"When you're being harassed by the hunting dogs of the Legal Affairs Department, how can you possibly have time to rest?"

Speechless after being rendered speechless by the young man's words, Aozaki Touko sighed helplessly. Then, without standing on ceremony with Luo Wei, she grabbed a few fries from the table and put them in her mouth.

In her opinion, Luo Wei's question was superfluous. As a top-tier wanted criminal in the magic world, who was wanted by the Clock Tower and was hiding all over the world, trying to escape his pursuit, Aozaki Touko's current life was far from peaceful.

Not only does she have to be on guard against the seal enforcers who could appear at any time, but she also has to find time to earn money to pay off her previous debts.

Even with her abilities, there are very few beings in the entire world who could truly kill her.

But even though she couldn't be killed, this endless life of being hunted down was a major headache for Aozaki Touko.

After all, she was alone, facing the entire Legal Affairs Department's designated seal enforcers and those audacious bounty hunters. No matter how capable she was, she would inevitably appear somewhat weak and outnumbered in the face of such a powerful force.

Moreover, the hunting dogs trained by the Department of Law and Politics are far more skilled in actual combat than the bunch of useless magicians at the Clock Tower who only know how to study magic and engage in political struggles. Each of them is a formidable fighter and magician, and the intelligence they possess is extremely accurate. Faced with the pursuit of these people, even Aozaki Touko, a Grand Magician, had to start running away.

But this kind of life, constantly busy on the run and dealing with pursuers, is definitely not what Aozaki Touko wants.

For magicians, having a stable place to study magic in the hope of one day reaching the source is the right path. This kind of life of escaping and risking one's life is more suitable for madmen.

Moreover, unlike the clock tower across the street, which has a large and powerful presence, she has limited materials and funds. It can be said that every item consumed is one less available. If this continues, she may even run out of money to make spare dolls.

This is also why Aozaki Touko abandoned the Western European circle and took the initiative to flee back to the Far East, to avoid the limelight in this small island nation that was mysterious and barren and had been despised by Western European nobles for many years.

Moreover, she has not only failed to make up for the financial shortfall she once incurred, but has also ruined her credit by owing too much money and failing to repay it. In addition, no one is willing to offend the all-powerful Department of Law and Politics, so it is difficult for her to even secretly contact some demonic families to attract investment.

She's really short of money right now.

Who would believe that a dignified Grand Doll Maker has fallen so low that he can't even afford the materials to make dolls?

That's why when she suddenly received a call from a certain big spender—no, I should say a dear junior—she rushed out of her base, just to get some more investment and improve her situation.

As for the debts she owed to Luo Wei in the past, Aozaki Touko didn't mention a word about them.

Anyway, she owes too much, so she'll pay it back slowly. In any case, she's not worried about her lifespan right now.

If the debt is too large to repay, I might as well mortgage the research results of the runes to him, since the things are not as useful to me as they used to be.

"Speaking of which, it's only been two years, but you've changed a lot." After calming down a bit, Aozaki Touko took another look at Luo Wei in front of her, a hint of curiosity flashing in her crimson eyes.

"Have I changed a lot?"

'The change is so drastic, it's like they're completely different people.'

Aozaki Touko thought to herself, while also feeling somewhat puzzled by the changes that had occurred in Luo Wei.

"Is that so? I think so too."

Luo Wei nodded slightly in agreement.

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……

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P.S.: Update complete. Please add to your favorites and vote. A few more chapters are ready, and we'll be heading straight into the Fourth Holy Grail War, which is completely different from the previous ones. Please look forward to it.

Book Recommendation:

Honkai Impact 3rd, this is how the story should unfold!

Chapter 8 Investigation Request (1/2, please add to your favorites!)

"Have I changed a lot?"

'The change is so drastic, it's like they're completely different people.'

After calming down a bit, Aozaki Touko took another look at Luo Wei in front of her, a hint of curiosity flashing in her crimson eyes.

Two years ago, she would have found it impossible to reconcile the image of the taciturn, aloof research fanatic with the young man now stealing her fries.

If I had to describe it, this guy is practically a completely different person compared to before...

Such a big change, has this guy really gone through something?

Although she knew about the unfortunate passing of Rowe's parents, the previous heads of the Crowley family, and also knew more inside information unknown to others.

That was when Luo Wei's parents died; she happened to be in that area, and she too had her eye on that powerful fantasy creature. However, she was acting alone at the time, so she wasn't accompanied by a mercenary group or a magician team.

Later, the clock tower's magician, using special tracking methods, located the legendary fantasy creature first and attempted to forcibly subdue it. As for the outcome…

It is now clear that trying to capture a top-tier fantasy species with at least several thousand mysteries using modern magic that has long since weakened and whose power has been reduced many times over is undoubtedly wishful thinking.

So the hunt ended with the hunter and the prey calling out to each other, and the entire Clock Tower team being wiped out. Even the remains of those two were dug up from the primeval forest and brought back to the Clock Tower by her own hands.

That's why she got involved with the Crowley family and Rowe.

"...I see. Change may not be a bad thing. Just think of it as the growth I've experienced."

"After all, without the protection of my elders, I, who was entrusted with this task in a time of crisis, have to try to be independent."

Luo Wei said calmly that although he also had memories of what happened in the past, he never took the initiative to mention it.

"Your growth is truly outrageous; it's as if you've completely changed your personality."

Aozaki Touko casually made a sarcastic remark, her words sharp and to the point, but she also noticed that Luo Wei was deliberately avoiding the topic, so she did not intend to delve into it.

She felt that Luo Wei might have made some adjustments to his personality, just like herself, which was why he was in this state, but these things had nothing to do with her.

After all, they are magicians. Isn't it normal for magicians to have secrets? In the eyes of magicians, inquiring about each other's secrets without permission is tantamount to declaring war, no matter how good their relationship is.

Aozaki Touko already has enough trouble of her own, and turning this friend who was willing to lend a helping hand even when she was sealed away into an enemy is not something she wants.

However, she was still curious about Lowe's arrival in the Far East.

"Why would a Clock Tower noble like you, instead of staying in your own mansion and burying yourself in scientific research, come to this mysterious and barren place in the Far East?"

Aozaki Touko's eyes flickered slightly, and then she extended her palm directly towards Luo Wei, teasingly saying, "Could it be that you know I'm a little short on cash lately, so you've come to help me out?"

"Heh, if you can pay back the money you owe me for the materials you took on credit, I might be able to help you out a little more."

When he saw Aozaki Touko reach out to ask him for money, Luo Wei was speechless and slapped her restless little hand.

"You stingy person..."

Aozaki Touko withdrew her hand, muttered unhappily, and subconsciously reached for a cigarette, but seeing Luo Wei point to the no-smoking area sign hanging next to her, she reluctantly put down the cigarette and then picked up a French fry.

"Alright, enough joking. Since you contacted me first, it couldn't just be to ask me out here for fries, right?"

"nature."

"Then get to the point. What important matter has brought you all the way to the Far East to see me? Do you need a custom-made doll for a special purpose, or have you encountered some troublesome situation? Tell me quickly so that I can have some good news."

This woman…

'Even after being on the run for so long, his personality hasn't changed at all; he's still just as awful. Can't those guys in the forensic department step up their game?'

Seeing Aozaki Touko standing in front of him with a half-smile and an incredibly irritating tone, Luo Wei couldn't help but feel annoyed.

However, the woman was right; he had indeed come to her this time to ask for her help with something.

Then, without hiding anything, Luo Wei reached into his pocket and took out a debit card, handing it to Aozaki Touko. "There are five million in this card, the password is 777777. That should be enough to hire you to do something."

"..."

Upon seeing the bank card, Aozaki Touko's expression faltered slightly. After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Heh, aren't you underestimating me? You think you can just fob me off with a mere five million? Who do you think I am? I am..."

Although she said that, Aozaki Touko's body language betrayed her, and she stuffed the debit card into her pocket.

"GBP."

"..."

"I don't know much about the exchange rates in the Far East, so I'll stick with pounds."

"Hiss... I knew it! How could my dear junior bear to let his senior work for free? That's more like it!"

As she pocketed the savings card handed to her by Luo Wei, Aozaki Touko's smile was as bright as a chrysanthemum, and she even changed how she addressed him.

Senior, how desperate for money are you?!

Upon seeing the other party's utterly shameless behavior, Luo Wei was speechless.

"Tell me, what do you need my help with? For the sake of the pounds, I'll do it for you."

After receiving the money, Aozaki Touko even straightened her expression.

Seeing that Aozaki Touko agreed, Luo Wei nodded, looked around to make sure there were no suspicious people nearby, then casually cast a magic spell to disperse the onlookers. He then lowered his voice and used the magic to ask her in a low voice at a volume that only the two of them could hear.

"Senior Aozaki, have you ever heard of the Holy Grail War?"

'The Holy Grail War...'

“I’ve heard some things.” Aozaki Touko stroked her chin, a thoughtful look on her face. After a brief recollection, she finally gathered the information she could think of.

"It seems to be some kind of magical ritual that the Tohsaka, Matou, and Einzbern families worked together on, and it seems to be related to the summoning of Heroic Spirits."

"However, because the idea of ​​that magic ritual was too outrageous, the scholars of the Conjuration Department thought it was just a wild fantasy. I remember that this magic ritual was also recorded in the Clock Tower, in the hands of Euryphus."

"Very good, that's enough. Senior Aozaki is indeed very knowledgeable, no wonder she is the only [Gand] puppeteer at present."

"Stop flattering me and get to the point. What do you want by asking about the Holy Grail War?" Aozaki Touko rolled her eyes at him.

"My request is simple. I would like you to go to the Einzbern family and investigate the identity of the Heroic Spirit they summoned in the Third Holy Grail War. You don't even need to find out their real name; just tell me their class."

Loewy has now decided to participate in this Holy Grail War.

Therefore, it is undoubtedly very important to investigate everything thoroughly and obtain accurate intelligence before the war begins.

What he now doubts is whether the world line he is in is the Holy Grail War he remembers.

It's important to know that there are countless worldlines within the Type-Moon universe, with numerous parallel worlds that have drastically different developments.