Vita Magicis (HP SI-WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 28: A Day in the City

“Hah?”

Rin blinked at me, her face still flushed from our kiss, caught between the heat of the moment and the sheer absurdity of what I’d just offered.

“Powers. Goddess. You. Interested?” I teased, leaning in just enough for her to feel my breath. “Or should I offer them to Sakura instead?”

Her hands immediately tightened around my shirt.

“You absolute bastard,” she muttered, voice low and conflicted—halfway between punching me and kissing me again. “You’re offering divinity like it’s a damn party favor.”

I smirked. “It’s not. But you’re not exactly normal either, Rin.”

She bit her bottom lip at that, clearly fighting a smile. “Why Mesopotamian?”

“Because,” I said, voice settling into something more thoughtful, “you have an unusually high compatibility with two specific goddesses from that pantheon.”

She raised a brow, arms still looped loosely around my neck. “Which ones?”

“Ishtar and Ereshkigal,” I answered simply, thinking of the goddess of love and war… and her sister, the goddess of the underworld.

Rin blinked at the names, processing that for a moment before tilting her head slightly. “Is there a downside?”

I hesitated, then nodded slowly. “There is. But it’s only temporary.”

She slightly narrowed her eyes, fixing me with a skeptical look and a faint pout forming on her lips. “What is it?”

I rubbed the back of my neck, smiling a bit awkwardly. “Well, first… you’ll have to use Ruby briefly before I can perform the transfer.”

The moment the word left my mouth, she visibly tensed. Her eye twitched.

“Tsk. Of course you know about that thing,” she said, clicking her tongue. Her expression twisted with familiar annoyance. “Do I really have to use it?”

I could only chuckle at her pouting expression, fully aware of just how much she loathed Ruby. She found the thing unbearably annoying—understandably so. As for me, my thoughts drifted toward the process of turning Rin into a goddess.

There were three ways to go about it.

The first option was straightforward: purchase a Template of the desired goddess and apply it to her. Quick, efficient, but her power would be reduced to Tier4 or 5.

The second was to buy her a Waifu Perk—specifically Mistress of Heaven for Ishtar or Blessing of Kur for Ereshkigal. That would directly grant her the full divinity and abilities of the respective goddess.

But there was one massive problem with that route.

If I used either perk, it wouldn’t just give Rin the goddess’s powers—it would also merge her memories and personality with theirs. In other words, it wouldn’t be Rin anymore. It would be some hybrid entity, a fusion of her and the goddess she’d been bonded to.

And I was vehemently against that.

Why the hell would I destroy Rin—my Rin—just to turn her into someone else? Memories are what define a person. If I changed that, then whoever emerged on the other side wouldn’t be her. She might look like Rin, sound like Rin… but she wouldn’t be.

My whole being rejected that possibility.

Which was why I’d chosen the third and safest option: Power Swap.

With it, I could grant Rin the full capabilities of the chosen goddess—her strength, authority, even divine domains—while preserving Rin’s soul, mind, and identity completely. No personality overwrite. No memory tampering.

It was the perfect middle ground.

The only downside, as I’d already mentioned, was that Rin would be powerless for a full week while her body adapted to the new power. A short price to pay to remain wholly herself.

There was a second downside, one I hadn’t told her yet.

She would lose any and all abilities she had learned as Rin Tohsaka—her magecraft, her years of study, all of it wiped clean to make room for the divine power.

But thankfully, there was a simple workaround.

All I had to do was buy her a Rin Tohsaka Template afterward, and the problem would resolve itself. She’d regain her skills, knowledge, even her quirks—everything that made her her.

And in my eyes, it wasn’t even a choice. There was no reality where I let her become someone else.

“Yes,” I finally answered, pulling myself out of thought and returning to the present. “While I could do it without Ruby, it would cost us credits. If we use her, it’ll be free.”

Rin raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Think of it like this,” I began, pausing to explain further. “The cost depends on the difference in power between the two sets of abilities. Right now, you’re strong, sure—but Ishtar and Ereshkigal operate on a whole different tier. So the gap has to be paid in credits.”

I held up a finger. “But if you’re using Ruby—who, believe it or not, has a powerset similar in strength to theirs—then there’s no difference. No gap. No cost.”

Rin blinked at that, digesting the logic behind my answer. After a moment, she nodded slowly, though her reluctance was obvious.

“Alright,” she said, sighing. “I guess I have no reason to say no.”

I smiled at her, heart warming at her quiet trust. Leaning in, I captured her sweet lips in a deep, passionate kiss—one she returned almost instantly, rising on her toes and melting into me.

When I finally pulled away, Rin stood there dazed, flustered, and flushed.

“That’s my Rin~” I whispered with a grin.

“I guess I really am at this point, huh?” Rin muttered, her voice softer now, almost shy. She looked away, her cheeks tinged a rosy pink. “Yours… that is.”

“That’s right,” I murmured into her ear, pulling her close until our bodies touched. “And I don’t plan on ever letting you go, Rin.”

A visible shiver ran through her at my words. She turned back to me, flushed and breathless, and kissed me again—deeper, needier. With a little hop, she wrapped her legs around my waist, locking herself to me as she whispered against my lips.

“You’re not leaving this room until you finish what you started earlier. After that… we can go from there.”

I grinned into the kiss, my hands sliding to support her perfectly shaped rear as I set a ward over the room with a flick of my fingers.

“Mhm~ Of course, Rin. I never intended to stop~” I teased, voice low and full of promise.

And like that, we lost ourselves.

Limbs tangled, breaths hitched, and soft gasps filled the room as we gave in to the tension that had been simmering between us for the past day. We didn’t rush—it wasn’t about claiming each other in desperation, but about exploring each other, committing everything to memory. Every moan, every whisper, every kiss—it was all ours.

By the time we came back to our senses, flushed and glowing with shared satisfaction, the sun had crept a little further across the sky.

And then, once our hearts calmed and our breaths returned to normal, we got to work.

It was time.

Time to turn Rin into a goddess.

=====

Tokyo—Several Hours Later

The air buzzed with the sounds of cars, chatter, and distant pop music playing from nearby storefronts. The city felt alive—utterly different from the magical communities we were used to. The clean streets, organized chaos, and rows upon rows of shops and glowing signs made even me pause for a moment in appreciation.

Ilulu clung to my arm like a curious kitten, her bright green eyes darting everywhere. “M-Master, look!” she whispered excitedly, tugging on my sleeve and pointing to a wall-mounted television playing a rerun of Cardcaptor Sakura.

“That girl has magic too! But she uses cards instead of spells?” she asked, tilting her head adorably.

“That’s anime, Ilulu,” I said with a chuckle. “It’s fiction. Though not that far off, all things considered.”

Bella scoffed from beside me, arms crossed. “I still don’t understand how humans rely so heavily on things they don’t even control. Electricity this, circuits that. At least mana listens when you command it.”

“And yet,” I said with a smirk, “you still tried to poke the vending machine when it didn’t give you your drink.”

Bella flushed ever so slightly. “It stole my yen.”

Rin walked a few paces ahead, hands on her hips as she took in the scene around her. Despite her attempt to play it cool, her eyes betrayed her curiosity. She paused in front of a small electronics shop, staring at a shelf of flip phones.

“These are the latest models?” she asked, squinting.

“Yup,” I said. “Top of the line. Polyphonic ringtones and everything.”

She made a face. “Technology in this world is so… strange. But somehow also advanced in the strangest ways.”

“Try using one later. I’d pay to see you figure out texting.”

Rin shot me a glare, but her lips twitched in amusement.

Sakura stayed close to my other side, her fingers loosely wrapped around mine. She hadn’t said much, but her quiet awe said enough. Her eyes lit up at every passing arcade, food stall, and traffic light. When we passed by a toy shop with a mechanical cat dancing in the window, she gasped and tugged my hand.

“Senpai, can we go in? Just for a little while?”

“Of course,” I replied softly, watching her smile bloom like spring after a long winter.

We spent the next hour exploring.

Ilulu got distracted by a department store’s fashion section, and somehow dragged Sakura with her. The two emerged fifteen minutes later with bags and matching fluffy scarves—Ilulu’s a soft purple, Sakura’s a delicate pink.

“They had a sale,” Ilulu said innocently.

Bella looked like she wanted to say something sarcastic, but one look at Sakura’s bright smile made her sigh and stay quiet.

Rin wandered off and returned with a small notebook and a pen, muttering something about future investments and the similarity between worlds.

And me? I just took it all in. This—these moments—were rare. Precious. Every time Ilulu twirled in excitement, or Sakura pointed something out, or Rin sneaked a small smile when no one was looking… it made everything worth it.

Eventually, we ended up at a cozy café tucked into a quiet alleyway, the kind that locals frequent but tourists usually miss. A radio played softly from behind the counter, and the scent of fresh coffee and warm pastries filled the air.

Ilulu leaned against me, happily sipping on a melon soda. Sakura had chosen a strawberry milkshake and was now quietly feeding me bits of her sponge cake.

Rin took small sips of hot tea, legs crossed, one hand absently flipping through her new notebook. Her lips twitched as she caught me staring.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said with a grin. “Just wondering how I got so lucky.”

She looked away quickly, but I didn’t miss the faint pink coloring her cheeks.

Bella sat to my right, coffee in hand. She didn’t smile much, but her shoulders were relaxed, and her gaze occasionally softened as she watched the others. Her guard was still there—but it was lower than usual.

“This,” she muttered quietly, just loud enough for me to hear. “This is nice.”

I nodded, smiling softly. “Yeah. It really is.”

For a little while, we forgot about battles, missions, curses, or bloodlines. We were just a strange little group of people—out for a day in the city.

“By the way, Rin,” I said casually, sipping from my drink, “how are you handling being without magic so far?”

She blinked at the question, caught off guard, while the others turned toward her with curiosity.

“I knew there was something off about her,” Ilulu muttered, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly in realization. She gave a thoughtful nod. “But I just assumed it was something you’d done, Master. Since Rin-san didn’t seem bothered, I didn’t think much of it.”

“Same,” Bella added, crossing her arms as her sharp gaze flicked toward Rin. “It was subtle, but something felt... off.”

Sakura, seated beside me, tilted her head with visible concern. “Nee-san, you gave up your magic?”

Her voice carried a quiet disbelief. For someone raised in a strict magus household, the idea of giving up one’s magecraft—one’s legacy—was practically unthinkable.

“It’s only temporary,” Rin replied calmly, offering her younger sister a reassuring smile. “I won’t lie—it’s a little disorienting not having something that’s been part of me since birth. But it’s not unbearable. And the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.”

She shifted her gaze to me, and her smile softened. “Besides, I trust him.”

That one sentence made my chest feel a little warmer.

“I see. That’s good,” I said with a nod, genuinely relieved.

Ilulu leaned forward on her elbows, her curiosity on full display. “Did you do something for Rin-san, Master?”

Sakura and Bella also looked to me expectantly now, their expressions somewhere between intrigued and mildly suspicious.

I smirked, unable to resist.

“Nothing much,” I said casually. “Just gave her the powers of the Mesopotamian goddess of love and war.”

There was a beat of stunned silence.

Ilulu blinked slowly. Bella’s brow arched. Rin sipped her tea like it was no big deal.

But Sakura… Sakura’s lips parted ever so slightly as her violet eyes flicked from me to Rin. I could practically feel the spark of jealousy in her aura.

“Don’t worry,” I said quickly, wrapping an arm around Sakura and pulling her closer. She practically melted into me at the touch. “I plan to empower all of you. We’re just a little tight on credits right now. Rin’s transformation was free thanks to… specific loopholes.”

Sakura’s tension eased slightly, and she leaned her head against my shoulder, clearly placated.

“That’s right,” Ilulu chimed in with a soft smile. “Asako-san and I have already been through this too. Master doesn’t see any of us as more important than the others. He treasures us all.”

I gave Ilulu a grateful glance. Her gentle, soothing energy always worked wonders when things got tense.

Speaking of Asako, she was nowhere to be seen at the moment—but I knew exactly where she was. Lurking in the shadows nearby, watching over us as always. She’d insisted on staying hidden, ever the sentinel.

Still, we hadn’t forgotten her.

While the girls shopped earlier, we’d each picked out a few gifts for her—a sleek new set of throwing knives, a high-end digital camera (that she’d pretend not to care about), and even a midnight-blue scarf Ilulu swore would bring out her eyes. I knew she’d appreciate them in her own quiet way.

=====

As the sun dipped below the Tokyo skyline, painting the buildings in hues of gold and orange, we made our way back through the city’s bustling streets—this time with bags in hand and stomachs full.

Ilulu swung her arms happily, humming some offbeat tune she’d picked up from a store’s radio. She was practically glowing, having spent the day discovering fluffy scarves, oversized sweaters, and an entire store dedicated to plushies.

Sakura walked beside her, serene and content, a gentle smile resting on her lips. She clutched a small charm bracelet and a pocket-sized photo album we planned to fill together later. More than anything, she looked at peace.

Bella remained as cool and aloof as ever, but there was a noticeable softness to her edges now. Her dark violet eyes no longer scanned every corner with suspicion—at least, not constantly.

Rin brought up the rear, flipping through a small Tokyo guidebook she’d picked up along the way. She muttered things under her breath like “inefficient transportation network” and “pointless fashion priorities,” but I caught her more than once staring wistfully at couples holding hands across the street.

Eventually, we arrived at the penthouse I’d arranged for the night—secured through discreet compulsion charms cast by Bella and backed by my nearly bottomless wealth.

Moments after we stepped inside, Asako silently materialized from the shadows, already making herself comfortable in the living room like she’d been there the whole time.

The suite itself was perched high above Tokyo—walls of glass offered a sweeping view of the endless lights below. Polished dark wood floors, plush leather couches, and a wide balcony framed the skyline. There were three bedrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, and enough space for everyone to breathe.

“Whoa… this is amazing,” Ilulu whispered, pressing her hands against the window, eyes wide with wonder. “It’s like we’re in a movie…”

Sakura nodded, clutching her shopping bag close. “Senpai… are you sure this is okay?”

I chuckled. “Trust me, Sakura. We could live here for a year and barely scratch the vault.”

Rin walked the perimeter with arms crossed, inspecting the furniture with her usual critical eye. “Still too modern,” she muttered. But even she couldn’t quite hide the faint glint of approval in her eyes.

Bella claimed the chair by the corner window and kicked her feet up like she owned the place.

“Everyone, take a moment to settle in,” I said. “We’ll meet in the living room in ten.”

There were a few murmured grumbles—mostly from Rin—but within minutes they’d all gathered again, forming a loose circle around the large coffee table in the center of the room. I stood by the window, arms crossed, the last rays of sunlight casting long shadows behind me.

Sakura curled up on one end of the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest as she looked at me with quiet attentiveness. Ilulu sat beside her, legs tucked under her like a cat, her soft smile never wavering. Rin dropped into a nearby armchair with a huff, arms folded and eyes half-lidded in feigned disinterest—though her ears gave her away.

Only Asako didn’t need to move. She was already there, her presence quiet and attentive as she looked at me ready for any order I might give.

I let the silence hang for a moment, letting the comfort of the evening settle around us. The city lights twinkled beyond the glass, casting faint reflections of everyone seated in the room.

I turned to face them fully, my voice calm but resolute.

“Everyone,” I said softly, meeting each of their eyes, “we’ll be heading to Germany next. There’s a girl I want to save.”