Vita Magicis (HP SI-WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 23: A Trip to Japan

We arrived home that evening to a lively manor, the air filled with the scent of fresh food and the sound of eager footsteps. I barely had time to breathe before I was pulled into a whirlwind of hugs and kisses from the girls waiting inside—Cliffo leading the charge, as always, with the others close behind.

It took some effort, but I eventually managed to extricate myself, offering them a soft smile in return before my eyes drifted toward the quiet presence kneeling near the center of the room.

She knelt on the polished floor, head bowed low, dark hair cascading like a curtain of ink. Silent. Still. Waiting.

I stepped forward, the warmth from moments ago cooling into a more guarded composure.

“…Hello, Bella,” I said, voice calm but firm. “You may raise your head.”

“Thank you, Master.” Her voice was soft, reverent, but steady. As she obeyed, Bellatrix Black lifted her gaze to meet mine—violet eyes filled with quiet intensity.

She looked nothing like the broken woman I remembered from the books or the films. The madness and wear of Azkaban were absent. This Bellatrix, recreated by the Company, bore not even a trace of that suffering. Her face was heart-shaped, almost doll-like, her skin smooth and flawless, and her black hair shimmered under the evening light like strands of silk.

No doubt the Body Tune-Up perk had taken effect—sharpening beauty beyond human norms, transforming an already striking woman into something that wouldn’t be out of place in a fantasy painting or the cover of a high-end fashion magazine.

But beneath that polished surface, her eyes never left mine. Devotion. Obedience. And perhaps something else, too—obsession.

“Are you ready to serve, Bella?” I asked, my voice low as I raised a brow. “I may be needing your talents soon… when we cross over to another world.”

The moment the words left my mouth, something lit behind her eyes—an eager spark that quickly flared into blazing devotion.

Without hesitation, Bella bowed once more, lowering her forehead to the polished floor in a fluid, reverent motion.

“Nothing would please me more, Master,” she murmured, her voice soft and almost breathless, like a vow whispered in the dark. “Command me as you see fit.”

“That’s good to hear.” A faint smile tugged at my lips as I turned my gaze toward Asako, who had stood silently nearby, ever-watchful.

“It seems you’ve trained her well,” I said, nodding with genuine approval. “Good work, Asako.”

A flicker of pride softened her usually unreadable expression. She dipped into a graceful bow, her voice calm and measured. “Thank you, Master. She was... eager to learn.”

I gave one final nod before turning toward the hall, my voice calm but firm as I threw a parting remark over my shoulder.

“Get some rest, everyone. Tomorrow marks the start of something big.”

With thoughts of tomorrow’s journey swirling in my mind, I finally drifted off to sleep—nestled in the arms of Maya and Ilulu.

=====

(Next Day)

The next morning, after a warm breakfast courtesy of Ilulu, we gathered in the manor’s sitting room. The sunlight streamed in through tall windows, casting a gentle glow across the space.

The girls settled in—Ilulu quietly folding her hands in her lap beside the fireplace, her eyes soft but attentive; Asako stood by the wall with arms crossed, sharp-eyed and impassive as ever; Bella knelt gracefully near the front, her gaze locked onto me with fierce devotion; and Maya lazily laid on the couch, not much of a morning person.

The rest of the girls were scattered around on couches and armchairs, all eyes focused on me looking excited to visit a new world.

I stood before them, marker in hand, a whiteboard behind me filled with diagrams and notes. I gave them a brief moment to settle before speaking.

“Alright,” I said, scanning their faces and feeling the weight of what we were about to begin. “Let’s go over the mission—and the world we’ll be traveling to.”

“First of all,” I began, my tone even but firm, “the world we’ll be traveling to is another version of Earth. Like ours, it’s hidden, layered in secrecy, and it has its own brand of magic. But unlike the wand-based, inherited magic of wizardkind here, that world operates on something called magic circuits—networks that run through the body like a second circulatory system.”

Asako’s eyes narrowed slightly, recognition sparking behind her calm expression. She straightened, her attention now razor-sharp. I gave her a subtle nod, silently confirming what she was likely already piecing together.

Ilulu tilted her head curiously, the tip of one pointed ear twitching slightly. “So… their magic is part of their body too?” she asked in her soft, melodic voice.

“Exactly,” I affirmed, pleased by her insight.

Maya, with her hand leaning on the arm of the couch, raised her hand with a thoughtful look. “Do they shoot lasers or something?”

Bella gave Maya a side glance, unimpressed, though she said nothing. Her focus remained solely on me, like a wolf awaiting its pack leader’s command.

I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. “Not quite. But they can do some devastating things.”

I paused, letting the weight of that settle in.

“There’s actually one among us who comes from that world,” I added, scanning their faces for reactions. “To keep things simple, we’ll be referring to that reality as the Nasuverse from now on.”

As one almost everyone turned to Asako who only nodded letting silently but thankfully everyone remained silent allowing me to continue.

“Now, let’s talk about what makes the Nasuverse particularly dangerous.”

I tapped the whiteboard with my wand, and with a flick, a clean, animated diagram appeared: a human body glowing faintly with glowing blue lines running throughout it—magic circuits.

“In this world, magic isn’t something you're born into based on blood. It’s something built into your being. These circuits act like magical nerves. The more you have, and the better their quality, the more power you can channel.”

Maya blinked, wide-eyed. “So it’s like they have magical muscles or something? The more you work ‘em, the better you get?”

“Pretty much,” I nodded. “But there's a ceiling. Some people are born with better circuits—more of them, or purer ones. But training helps too. That’s where things get tricky.”

Ilulu let out a small hum with her arms crossed below her breasts. “Does that mean they’re always hurting themselves? Using too much?”

I gave her a fond smile. “Good catch. Yes—overloading circuits is a thing. Too much mana through weak or unstable circuits can fry them… or worse.”

Asako stepped forward slightly. “This is the world with Heroic Spirits, correct? My world?”

I nodded again. “Yes. Spirits of legends—like King Arthur, Hercules, even ancient assassins—can be summoned to fight on behalf of mages in a ritual called the Holy Grail War.”

“Hmm, those names don’t ring a bell. Must have been some important humans, judging by your reactions.” Celestia’s voice was light, curious as she watched the surprised looks cross Ilulu’s and Bellatrix’s faces.

“They were,” I replied, brushing her question aside for now, “but we’ll get into that later.”

The next few minutes were spent walking them through the basics of the Nasuverse—its factions, foundational magic systems, the concept of True Magic, and the ever-chaotic Holy Grail Wars. Asako stepped in now and then, offering clarification or the occasional dry quip that hinted at her firsthand experience.

Once I felt I had given them enough of a crash course to survive the cultural shock, I exhaled slowly and scanned the room. “Any questions?”

Bellatrix’s hand shot up immediately, her violet eyes glinting with barely-contained eagerness. “Yes, Bella?”

“Master,” she said, voice sweet but with that familiar undercurrent of hunger, “will we be participating in one of these Holy Grail Wars?”

The way she spoke the name made it sound like a promise and a prayer.

A flicker of amusement crossed my face at the clear battlelust leaking from her gaze. “We’re going there to gather information and secure a few key targets, not plunge the world into chaos… but if we do end up in one…”

I met her eyes evenly. “I’ll be counting on you.”

Bella’s smile turned feral.

Coughing into my fist, I wiped the whiteboard clean with a quick swish and began writing something new across the top.

“Operation: A Sister’s Love”

“As for what we’ll actually be doing over there,” I began, making sure all eyes were on me, “this is a contracted mission from the Company. One that… hits a little closer to home.”

A flicker of tension settled over the room.

“A girl named Rin Tohsaka—same age as me, and the current heir of one of the founding families behind the Holy Grail War—reached out to the Company for help.”

I paused for a moment, letting that sink in before continuing, my voice dropping slightly.

“She’s trying to save her little sister, Sakura, from a place no one should ever have to call home. Specifically… from a parasite of a man masquerading as her grandfather. A leech who’s spent years using her as a host for twisted experiments.”

A sneer curled at the edge of my lips as I spoke. I didn’t bother hiding it. “I may not be a good person, being a contractor and all, but there are some things even I’m not willing to cross. Harming an innocent child is one of them.”

A moment later, I shook my head, forcing the heat from my voice as I noticed the shift in the room. Most of the girls were now either frowning or visibly tense from the brief glimpse I had given them into Sakura’s circumstances.

“We’ll meet with Rin once we arrive,” I continued, my tone steadying. “We’ll discuss the finer details of the plan then, and coordinate from there.”

I set the marker down for a second and glanced around the room. “First priority will be securing a safe place for us to operate out of while we’re in the Nasuverse. Depending on how volatile things are, it might be best to stay low-profile until we understand the landscape.”

Ilulu gave a quiet nod, hands clenched slightly. Maya crossed her arms and leaned back, expression unreadable. Bella's fingers twitched, as if itching for her wand—or something sharper.

“Any questions before we move on?” I asked, already knowing at least one of them would speak up.

Seeing the raised hands around the room, I allowed myself a small smile. It was good—they were engaged, focused. Taking a breath, I nodded and began addressing each question in turn, giving every girl the time and attention she deserved.

=====

(A Few Hours Later…)

I stood before them again, hands clasped behind my back. The sitting room had quieted, the earlier buzz of planning and possibility replaced by the heavier tone I was about to set.

“There’s something I need to make clear before we finalize our departure,” I said, my voice steady. “Not all of you will be coming with me—at least, not right away.”

Immediately, Maya’s face dropped. “What?! Why not? I can fight too, you know!”

I raised a hand, gently. “I know. You’re strong, Maya. All of you are. But this mission isn’t just dangerous—it’s complicated. We're going up against someone who’s been twisting a child’s life into a living nightmare for years. Until he’s dealt with, I need things quiet, surgical.”

Maya crossed her arms and pouted but didn’t argue further.

Ilulu looked up from her seat, her eyes wide and shimmering with emotion. “So… I’ll still be coming with you, Master?” she asked softly.

I gave her a warm nod. “Yes. You, Asako, and Bella will accompany me. The three of you are more experienced in… unorthodox scenarios.”

Ilulu smiled—relieved and proud—but her fingers still curled nervously around the hem of her skirt.

Bellatrix, seated with perfect posture, only gave a graceful nod. “Understood, Master. We will make quick work of this filth.”

Asako said nothing, only gave a single approving glance—calm, composed, ever the shadow in motion.

“I promise,” I continued, looking around the room at the girls who would stay behind, “once this is done, I’ll bring the rest of you over. We’ll turn this mess into a memory… and then take a real vacation together.”

Maya sighed and forced a smile. “Fine, but only if we get to go to an amusement park after.”

Keros nodded softly. “And a beach, maybe...?”

I chuckled. “I’ll make it happen.”

The mood lightened slightly, even if the worry still lingered. I knew they trusted me—and that was exactly why I couldn’t afford to fail.

With our preparations complete and the weight of what lay ahead settled on all our shoulders, it was finally time to depart. After being smothered in hugs and kisses, I stood tall at the front entrance, the air around us humming with expectation.

The three girls accompanying me—Ilulu, Asako, and Bellatrix—stood just behind, each a stark contrast to the other, but all united in purpose.

“Ready, girls?” I asked, my voice calm, steady.

“Ready, Master,” they replied in unison, their tones blending into a single, resolute promise.

With a nod, I reached into my coat and retrieved the sleek, obsidian Company Phone. The screen lit up with a soft chime as I tapped the “Accept Mission” button. Instantly, a ripple passed through the space before us, and a swirling, violet-edged portal tore open, wide enough for all of us to walk through side by side.

The wind shifted as energy rolled off the gateway, humming with power.

I turned to them one last time. “Let’s go.”

Then, without hesitation, we stepped through—into another world.

=====

The transition was instantaneous.

One moment we stood in the manor’s entrance hall, the next we were stepping onto the dim, sun-warmed pavement of a quiet alleyway in Fuyuki City. The portal shimmered briefly behind us before vanishing like a whisper in the wind, leaving no trace of its existence.

The air was heavier here—humid, with the scent of the ocean and sakura trees lingering faintly on the breeze. Distantly, I could hear the hum of cicadas, the passing of cars, and the distant chatter of life going on as normal. It was an eerily peaceful place… considering the darkness that stirred beneath the surface.

Ilulu clung to my arm, her green eyes wide with wonder as she took in the foreign scenery. “It smells nice here,” she murmured softly, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

Asako stood still for a moment, her expression unreadable as she scanned the rooftops and corners with the practiced calm of an assassin. “No observers,” she noted quietly. “For now.” As soon as she finished saying that she disappeared going into astral form.

Bella, on the other hand, inhaled deeply and gave a pleased, almost hungry smile. “The magic here feels... different. Richer. I like it.”

I took a slow breath and nodded. “We’ll keep a low profile until we’ve secured our base of operations. Once that’s done, we’ll contact Rin.”

Ilulu looked up at me, voice quiet. “Will we be staying long, Master?”

“That depends on how things go,” I replied. “Our main goal is to deal with Zouken Matou. After that we can relax.”

The weight of what we were about to do hung in the air, unspoken but understood. This wasn’t just a mission—it was a rescue. And I had no intention of failing.

“Come on,” I said at last, adjusting the strap of the small bag slung over my shoulder to appear normal. “Let’s go find a place to stay.”

And with that, we stepped out of the alley and into the heart of Fuyuki, the first threads of our new story beginning to weave themselves into the fabric of this world.

Thanks to a touch of subtle mind magic from Bella, it didn’t take long to secure a luxurious penthouse overlooking the city skyline. The place was modern, discreet, and most importantly—secure.

Once we were settled in, I activated the Bounty Tracker function to pinpoint Rin’s location, ensuring we wouldn’t get lost in the unfamiliar streets.

As we moved through the city, we naturally drew attention—two striking women flanking a foreign boy was bound to turn heads. Ilulu especially caught the eyes of passing locals, her long blonde hair and sparkling green eyes a rare sight in this part of Japan. She stayed close to my side, her hand in mine, sweetly oblivious to the curious stares.

‘She looked adorable in that hat’ I thought, glancing down at Ilulu. She’d tugged it low to hide her elven ears, but somehow it only made her look more like a curious tourist than a disguised otherworldly beauty.

It didn’t take us long to arrive at the Tohsaka residence. The subtle pressure of the bounded field brushed against my senses, but I ignored it, unlocking the gate with ease before making our way up the path to the front door.

Being a Sunday, it wasn’t a surprise Rin was home. She was a loner, after all—most of her time went into practicing magecraft alone in that big house.

I knocked on the door—loud enough to be heard over whatever magical experiment she was probably buried in—then took a step back. Best to keep a bit of distance. Rin wasn’t exactly known for her warm greetings.

A moment later, the door swung open with surprising force, revealing a scowling Rin Tohsaka, one hand still on the knob like she was prepared to hex the next person she saw.

“What kind of lunatic bangs on someone’s door like that on a Sunday?!”

I chuckled, unfazed by her sharp tone. “Hello, Rin. Or do you prefer Tohsaka?”

‘The anime and light novels didn’t do her justice. She’s freaking hot!’