Rin and Sakura's talents would surely lead them to learn the secrets of magecraft more easily than Tokiomi.
However, compared to actively choosing to walk this path of fate, being forced to choose this predetermined road due to inescapable destiny was a painful thing.
Tokiomi deeply understood this as well.
In the future, Rin and Sakura would face many more trials.
If Tokiomi were to give them no guidance and simply walk away—would such a Tokiomi Tohsaka still be considered a perfect father?
Tokiomi fell into a silent contemplation.
Of course, Moran did not pressure him for an imdiate answer.
The hesitation he felt was the brilliance of humanity, and it was precisely this brilliance that Moran admired.
This was a choice, a trial.
It was a test thrown by the Third Magician to inquire whether the Tohsaka family had the weight to bear such a favor.
Moran had a hopeful answer in his heart.
But he would not reveal the answer.
If he did, it would be far too boring; he wanted Tokiomi to make a choice based on his own will.
Without that, it would be aningless.
Before coming to this world, it was difficult to discern Tokiomi's true nature.
Now, as soone living in this world, Moran wanted to explore which was more important to Tokiomi: family or the path of magecraft.
As Tokiomi continued to delay his response, a sudden noise ca from outside the door.
Like waves stirring on a calm surface, Tokiomi's attention was inevitably diverted.
He saw that Rin and Sakura had entered, along with a worried Aoi.
"Aoi... and Rin and Sakura... I am currently discussing important matters with a guest; who allowed you to co in?"
Tokiomi shifted his cold gaze toward the servant.
He didn't want his family to know about the choices he was facing.
"What's wrong with that? Tokiomi, your wife and daughter both look worried. Don't worry, I'm very magnanimous; I won't even mind this family ti. Think carefully about my question."
"I am very grateful; this is my lack of discipline."
Tokiomi still apologized to Moran.
He felt much more at ease about Moran's indifference.
It was obvious that his wife, Aoi Tohsaka, insisted on coming in, likely because she had seen the troubled look on his face.
His wife had been by his side for a long ti, and they could communicate their feelings without words.
Tokiomi sighed at his own lack of cultivation.
"Father, are you thinking about sothing?"
"Rin... Sakura..."
Tokiomi saw his two daughters approaching him.
The bitterness in his heart surged again.
"Yes, I am thinking..."
Tokiomi's expression was very complex.
He thought about his impending choice to enter the Holy Grail War, which was akin to washing away sha with blood.
Then he looked at the concerned expressions on his daughters' faces.
His heart was a whirlwind of emotions.
Rin was not just talking to Tokiomi; she also turned to greet Moran, "Hello, I am Rin Tohsaka, Tokiomi Tohsaka's daughter."
"Yes, hello, I am Moran. As for my identity... just consider a traveler who uninvited."
"I've never seen my father show this expression before, but I believe that no matter how difficult the question you throw at him is, he will definitely answer you with grace and ease!"
Rin's attitude towards Moran was neither servile nor arrogant.
That youthful face bore an assertiveness that was not typical for her age, as if she wanted to shoulder the responsibility of protecting this family with her small fra.
It was clear that she had noticed Tokiomi's distress.
She also keenly sensed that the person causing her father this much trouble was the stranger sitting on the sofa.
"Rin, don't be rude!"
"...Yes... Father..."
Tokiomi imdiately reprimanded Rin.
His heart skipped a beat.
How dare she speak so frankly to the Third Magician? Should he say that children are innocent or that she is too naive?
No, it wasn't entirely that.
The principles that apply to ordinary children did not apply to Rin Tohsaka.
She was more perceptive in this regard than Tokiomi and had sensed Moran's lack of hostility towards the Tohsaka family.
"Hahaha, interesting! Tokiomi, your daughter is quite extraordinary. Now I'm even more curious about what choice you will make... Little girl, don't see as an enemy; I am your father's great benefactor."
Moran was not angry with the child.
He found it amusing.
He never expected that his first eting with his future disciple would be seen as a confrontation.
Thinking that this girl would eventually beco his student...
Moran couldn't help but laugh.
"Well... so it turns out... the one you want to take as a disciple is just a little girl..."
Irisviel murmured as she looked at Rin and Sakura.
She seed to have relaxed about sothing.
Returning to Tokiomi's side.
Tokiomi was still facing a bitter choice.
Rin looked nervously at her silent father, unsure what question troubled him so much.
Sakura, on the other hand, was very introverted and dared not speak.
She felt that the atmosphere was heavy and couldn't intrude on the discussion like her sister Rin.
Tokiomi knew that his two daughters held respect and admiration for him as their father. At this mont, the choice he made would greatly impact their futures.
"..."
Tokiomi knelt on one knee, bent down, and placed his hand on Rin and Sakura's heads—both girls showed expressions of surprise, their eyes widening.
Seeing his daughters' reactions, Tokiomi realized that he had never patted their heads like this before.
No wonder Rin and Sakura were so astonished.
Even Tokiomi himself, after patting his daughters' heads, realized he didn't know how much force to use to express his affection.
Returning to the question of how to make a choice.
It seed he had found an answer in his heart.
Looking at the worry etched on his daughters' innocent faces, he realized he had overlooked the most important thing while contemplating.
For them.
It wasn't just about needing a perfect magus.
At this mont, they needed a perfect father.
The family's sha could not be forgotten, but that was not a reason for him to abandon his family and head towards a dead end.
Tokiomi once again conveyed his feelings through the hand that was stroking his daughters' heads, as if trying to clarify the doubts in his heart.
Rin allowed that hand to caress her head, her dark, bright eyes still fixed on her father without moving.
In Sakura's eyes, there was only trust and pride.
The emotions of his daughters resonated within him.
"—Ah, I see."
Finally, Tokiomi's heart found its answer.
The shadow of confusion stemd from a lack of composure in his spirit, which was utterly lacking in elegance.
Tokiomi had always deeply engraved the family teachings in his mind, and his daughters' gazes made him re-experience the depth of that saying.
At this mont, he made his choice.
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