"Hmph, little ones, do your best. Father is seriously considering treating you as his disciples, so don't let his intentions go to waste."
Mordred encouraged Rin and Sakura.
She watched the two girls walking on the path filled with magical symbols, vaguely recalling her childhood when Moran taught her.
Back then, it was pretty much like it is now.
Although Moran was usually quite easygoing and gentle, when it came time for training, he was as strict as iron.
When he expressed love, it was like a warm spring breeze.
When he reined in his affection, it was like a cold winter wind.
Because he loved them, he wouldn't indulge them excessively, hoping that those he loved could live strong and brilliantly in the world.
With a heart full of wishes, he retracted his love.
It wasn't because he was cold-hearted that he held back his affection, but rather because he wanted the ones he loved to become better.
"Although, in a way… this could be considered… Spartan education…"
Mordred sighed helplessly.
However, she didn't feel a hint of regret.
On the contrary, she was very grateful to Moran for this.
If it weren't for her father using this educational method, she wouldn't have been able to become such a resilient knight.
The training in magecraft was similar.
Mordred was confident that Rin and Sakura had the potential; they would not disappoint Moran, just like herself.
"Sister…"
"Sakura… Stay close to me…"
Rin tightly held Sakura's small hand.
After Moran and Mordred left one after the other, they gradually began to feel the unusual pressure of this magical realm.
It felt as if they were the foreign objects within it.
Just a moment of distraction could lead to being assimilated and eroded by this breathtaking scenery; one careless move could result in a complete loss of self.
"Ugh…"
Rin's steps forward slightly faltered.
It felt as if her feet were filled with lead.
This was different from any training she had received at the Tohsaka house, and it was also different from the previous lessons on controlling magical power.
It could be said that this was a bit too much for the children.
"Ugh… I don't want to… disappoint the teacher…!"
Sakura showed a strength she hadn't displayed before.
Having always been cared for by Moran.
Every day spent with the teacher was joyful, and both her father and mother looked at her with expectant eyes.
In such a happy and hopeful environment.
Sakura absolutely did not want to return to the past.
Nor did she want to see that gentle teacher show a disappointed expression; she wanted to see him smile with pride and satisfaction.
Only then could she stay by his side.
Become a disciple worthy of him.
"Sakura…"
Rin stared blankly at Sakura, who had walked ahead of her.
When did Sakura become so strong?
In the past, she had always been the one to shield Sakura from difficulties.
This time, however, she was surpassed by Sakura.
A mix of comfort and bitterness rose in her heart.
She was happy that her younger sister had become bright and strong, but she also felt a sense of loss and urgency for lagging behind.
Ever since Sakura had been with Moran.
She had noticed a significant change in Sakura; she had become cuter and prettier than before, and she was working hard.
"I can't…"
Rin gritted her teeth and took a step forward.
The first image that flashed in her mind was Moran's figure, and her heart couldn't help but race.
It was as if she hoped to receive his encouragement and praise.
"I didn't, I didn't think that at all…! Ugh… I wouldn't rely on anyone… not that kind of bad-hearted teacher…!"
"Sister… What's wrong? I think I heard you calling the teacher… Is something the matter?"
"N-no, it's nothing!"
Rin hurriedly replied, as if she had choked.
She immediately rushed ahead of Sakura.
Even though she felt the heavy pressure on her body and the dangerous aura released by the surrounding magical symbols.
She still moved forward without hesitation.
She tried hard not to let Sakura see her flushed cheeks.
"Just like a sister… Wow… So amazing…!"
Sakura saw Rin striding forward with confidence.
Her innocent little eyes sparkled like twinkling stars.
"Ugh… Let's hurry up!"
Rin felt embarrassed by Sakura's admiration.
She was so shy that she wanted to bury her head in the ground.
It was all because the image of the teacher had appeared in her mind, which gave her the motivation to move forward.
If she said that out loud, she would want to hide away.
It was completely unlike the beauty and elegance of the Tohsaka family.
A girl's love could unleash tremendous power, even against the high pressure of this magical realm.
They passed through the woods and climbed the slope.
Rin and Sakura finally reached the finish line, panting heavily.
Not only did they have to endure the pressure brought by this magical realm, but they also had to carefully recall the magical perception taught by Moran in class, avoiding being caught in the dangers of the magical symbols.
"~Sister Iris!"
Rin spotted Iris's figure.
She and Sakura had just emerged from the woods.
Iris was also undergoing training, but since she had entered earlier than the two girls, her pace was much faster.
It was not surprising that she reached the finish line first.
"Sister Iris… Didn't she hear us?"
"Sakura, let's hurry and catch up!"
Sakura also tried to call out.
But she only saw Iris standing still.
It was as if she was attracted by something.
To figure out what was going on, Rin pulled Sakura's hand and rushed out of the woods toward the slope ahead.
Suddenly, their vision opened up.
The two little girls stood frozen in place for a moment.
—It was an extremely unusual sight.
A breathtaking scene that left them speechless.
The landscape was so magnificent that it was beyond words, and the hearts of the two little girls were deeply shaken.
It was the first time in their lives that they had seen such an outstanding and majestic mountain. The only thought in their minds was one.
So big, they had never seen such a peak before.
The girls' shallow words could not describe the overwhelming sensation felt from the mountain peaks.
"Elder sister… what is this…?"
"I know… this is a mountain, but this thing is different from anything we have seen before…"
Rin couldn't help but grip Sakura's hand tightly.
Whether it was due to the tension or unease in her heart, it felt like the primitive human reverence for nature.
Unable to understand, unable to see through, so they offered their awe.
When she saw this spiritual peak, she instinctively felt this way.
"Sakura, are you scared?"
"No, not at all! Although it's very big, surprisingly, it doesn't make me feel scared… it's just… a bit familiar…"
Sakura herself couldn't quite put it into words.
It was as if she had felt this kind of aura somewhere before.
So strange yet so familiar…