"Alright, the contract is ready, Head of the Tohsaka family. Please take a look."
"If there are no issues, we can sign it."
Having prepared in advance, Alex worked swiftly. Within ten minutes of Tokiomi fetching the parchment, he had drafted the magical contract. He then slid the parchment, covered in dense Latin script written in mercury ink across the table to Tokiomi.
"Very well." He picked up the parchment and meticulously examined the rows of Latin text that formed the magical contract.
Among magi, contracts were typically written in French or Latin for precision. English or any other language often left room for ambiguity and loopholes, making them less reliable. Latin, with its strict grammar, was favored especially by noble magi who saw it as a symbol of status and refinement.
To ensure Tokiomi's trust and avoid future disputes, Alex had an old family butler fluent in Latin prepare a template before his journey. As for whether Tokiomi could understand it? There was no question. A proud magus noble like him, obsessed with his aristocratic image, would undoubtedly be proficient in Latin.
As Alex expected, Tokiomi reviewed the contract multiple times, searching for flaws. Finding none, his stern expression softened. Just as Alex had promised, the terms were clear and impeccable.
The contract's contents were as follows:
[Alex Crowley, representing the Crowley family, will adopt Sakura Tohsaka and raise her as his heir, passing down the Crowley family's magic crest and guiding her in magecraft. The Tohsaka family relinquishes all rights over Sakura and may not contact or influence her in ways that harm the Crowley family. ]
Satisfied, Tokiomi didn't hesitate. He pricked his finger, pressed his bloody fingerprint onto the parchment's designated spot, and signed his name. He then returned the scroll to Alex.
"There are no issues, Head of the Crowley family. Let us sign."
"I understand."
Alex nodded, drew a small knife from his pocket, and made a cut on his finger. He left his bloody fingerprint beside Tokiomi's and added his signature. The moment both signatures were complete, an invisible, mystical force enveloped them—a clear sign the contract was now binding.
Feeling the contract take effect, Tokiomi's face broke into a genuine smile. It was settled. His youngest daughter would now thrive in a suitable environment, free to pursue magecraft.
'What could bring a father greater joy than this?'
With Sakura's future secured, Tokiomi's gaze toward Alex warmed. The man's sincerity shone through, even in the contract's generous terms.
Alex, however, remained unmoved. 'Heh. Nothing comes free. Every gift from the heavens carries a hidden cost. Sometimes, the feast you enjoy is just bait to lure you in'
'Tokiomi Tohsaka, fool of this world, I've taken your daughter for now. As for you… you'd better start planning how to survive the war in a few months.'
With their thoughts miles apart, the two men shook hands, both smiling for entirely different reasons.
"Now, would you mind accompanying me to see Sakura?" Alex asked, feigning concern. "A stranger suddenly adopting her might make her uneasy."
"That's only natural. Compared to the pursuit of truth, a child's fleeting emotions are trivial. She'll understand in time," Tokiomi said dismissively.
'Magi… truly monsters in human guise,' Alex thought, a flicker of disgust crossing his mind.
.........…
Not long after, at the front gate of the Tohsaka estate, Aoi gazed at Sakura with tearful eyes, her heart heavy with reluctance. She stepped forward, gently stroking her daughter's cheek with a mother's love and sorrow.
In stark contrast, Tokiomi stood beside Alex, smiling and speaking fervently about the pursuit of magecraft and the ultimate goals of magi. To him, Aoi's grief was irrelevant. He was convinced he was doing what was best for Sakura.
'Though it pains me as a father, it's for her happiness and future,' he told himself.
"Dad, are you really giving my sister away?!" Rin, barefoot and frantic, dashed out into the snow, staring at her father in disbelief.
"…"
Tokiomi didn't respond or reprimand her. He simply raised a hand, signaling Aoi to take Rin back inside.
Meanwhile, Sakura, now aware of her fate, tilted her head in confusion. "Am I being adopted by big brother? Does that mean… Mom and Dad don't want me anymore?"
"Sakura!!"
Aoi froze, and even Tokiomi's calm facade cracked.
"Sakura, don't say that. Your father hasn't abandoned you. He's sending you to a better place," Aoi said hastily, comforting her daughter before Tokiomi could snap.
Though heartbroken, Aoi understood the reality. She knew Tokiomi would have sent Sakura to another magecraft family eventually, perhaps the Matou or the Edelfelt. This parting was inevitable.
Taking advantage of her mother's distraction, Rin broke free and rushed to Sakura's side. She grabbed her sister's wrist, pulling her behind her small frame as if to shield her from Alex.
Even knowing it was too late, Rin couldn't bear to let a stranger take her sister. She glared at Alex with raw resentment.
Alex sighed and shook his head. Rin's reaction was natural. She didn't know Sakura's original fate or that his actions were, in a way, a rescue. To her, he was just the villain stealing her sister.
"Rin! Stop this nonsense and step back!" Tokiomi ordered, stepping forward to scold her.
But Alex raised a hand to stop him. "It's fine, Head of the Tohsaka family. They're close sisters being separated by a stranger, it's only natural she'd resist."
He paused, then smiled. "But there's no need for such despair. I'm not heartless. Since I'll be staying in Japan for a while on other business, I'll settle in Fuyuki City for now. During that time, if Rin or Mrs. Tohsaka wishes to see Sakura, they're welcome to visit anytime."
Aoi's dull eyes sparked with hope. "Really?"
"Of course," Alex replied, turning to the sisters. "What do you think?"
Rin blinked, her hostility easing slightly. 'Maybe he's not so bad…'
"Can I still play with my sister?" Sakura asked timidly, her voice laced with longing.
"Absolutely," Alex assured her.
"Thank you, big brother," Sakura whispered.
With Alex's promise, the sisters' tearful farewell softened. They hugged tightly, their bond holding strong despite the separation.
Alex watched with a faint smile, then turned to Tokiomi. "I'll be staying in Fuyuki for a while, so I'll be relying on your hospitality."
"Of course," Tokiomi nodded. But curiosity crept in. "May I ask what business keeps you in Japan?"
"It's a long story. Besides adopting Sakura, I also plan to visit some friends, so I'll be lingering a bit longer."
'Visiting friends, huh?' Tokiomi thought, discreetly glancing at Alex's hand. Seeing no red Command Seals, he relaxed. 'Good.'
"I see. Well, I wish you success, Head of the Crowley family. If you need anything while in Fuyuki, feel free to come to me."
"Thank you for your generosity, but it's getting late. I won't impose any longer," Alex said, bowing slightly. "I'll take Sakura and head back now."
"Very well."