And so, morning came.
"No matter how I look at her, she seems less like an Evil of Humanity and more like an All-Mother Goddess..."
Medea was muttering to herself.
"Medea?"
"Oh, it seems my voice woke you up."
"...Anyway, can we do something about that gloomy outfit first?"
"If you're not a magus, then be quiet."
"I may not be a magus, but you could at least change your atmosphere or your image, couldn't you?"
"That's true, but as a magus, this outfit is optimal."
"Exactly. That's why people call you a witch. Didn't you get that nickname because of your dark and gloomy aura?"
"You... you dare call me a witch?"
It seemed I had flipped a switch I wasn't supposed to.
"Aaaaa? What is this situation?"
At Tiamat's voice, Medea's expression faltered.
"Let's just change the mood. Medea."
"...Shall we?"
She glanced at Tiamat, hesitated for a moment, and then agreed.
"Should I get you some clothes?"
"Hmm... That would be for the best. The Holy Grail War hasn't even started yet."
And so, we went out to buy clothes for Medea.
In any case, Medea took off her cloak and came with us.
It seemed her outfit and appearance were quite striking.
The reactions of the passing men were...
"I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him!"
"The world is too discriminatory."
Naturally, an even stronger killing intent was directed at me.
It was so intense, anyone watching would think I'd just stolen their girlfriend.
"Master... no, perhaps it's better if I call you Akira? Are you perhaps thinking of learning magecraft?"
"Ah, yes, I was planning to."
"Well, for now... I should probably cast a perception-blocking spell first..."
A short while later, the killing intent from the men began to disappear.
"I've blocked their perception and erased their memories of our appearance. I'm not sure if it's because our looks are too conspicuous, but this is quite burdensome."
"I feel like my stomach is melting..."
"Akira, your stomach is melting!? You need treatment right now!?"
"No, it's a metaphor, a metaphor..."
I couldn't help but be flustered by Tiamat's sudden worry.
It was just a figure of speech...
"Hmm... that aside, I'm curious, Akira. How did you end up meeting Tiamat?"
"I just... opened my eyes, and she was there."
"Aaaaa. When Mama opened her eyes, Akira was there too."
"...So you don't know the reason either... That's a bit absurd."
"Absurd or not, what can you do? It's the truth."
"Hmm... your magical pathways are normal. But you hold far too much magical energy for an ordinary person."
"Is that so?"
As we were talking, we arrived at a clothing store.
"Don't buy anything too expensive. I'm not rich, so it'll be tough."
"Hmph, you're so poor you don't even have a house to set up a proper workshop. Isn't securing a base our first priority? Do you even intend to win this Holy Grail War?"
"I have no interest in the Holy Grail War."
"I see, so... what?"
At my words, Medea stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.
"For what purpose did you summon a Servant, then?"
"Hmm, to commemorate learning magecraft? Or maybe... for your Noble Phantasm?"
"If you know my legend, you must have an idea about my Noble Phantasm. I never thought you'd be so direct about it, but now that I think about it, that's a bit foolish, isn't it?"
Medea's expression was hard to describe.
If I had to try, it was as if a myriad of emotions were flashing across her face.
"Still, I'll teach you basic magecraft. It seems we'll need to create Magic Circuits for you, and I'll at least make it so you can use Gandr. For now, let's start by having you drink an elixir to create the circuits."
However, I had a feeling it wouldn't be free.
"And how will you make this elixir?"
"I can use anything, from the plants around us to elixirs sold by other magi, but the preparation process will take quite some time... However, I should be able to complete it before the Holy Grail War begins."
"Aaaaa... Then is Mama's help not needed?"
At Tiamat's words, Medea's eyes seemed to narrow.
"Hmm... could you give me a little blood, please?"
Medea's gaze suddenly turned predatory.
Even Tiamat flinched, unsettled by that look. Medea's face twisted into the expression of a fervent researcher as she muttered, "Fufufu, to think I'd obtain the blood of a chief god from a Mythological System."
"Seeing that child's smile... Mama feels somewhat anxious..."
"..."
I couldn't argue with Tiamat.
How should I put it?
It was like a child seeing an adult approach with a wicked smile, saying, "this shot won't hurt a bit~," but since Tiamat was in an adult form, it was just a metaphor.
"You can do it?"
"Eek..."
Tears welled up in Tiamat's eyes.
And as Medea collected them in a glass vial, Tiamat seemed to grow even more terrified.
Honestly, even I'm getting goosebumps from this...
No matter how strong she was, Tiamat wasn't a being who enjoyed slaughter; considering she was a pure mother figure, it was understandable that she would be scared like this.
Besides, if you were called the Mother of All, and your child suddenly asked to take your blood and tears for research... that would be terrifyingly creepy. This isn't some kind of horror game...
"Could I perhaps extract some of your magical energy later? This is for Akira's elixir, you see."
Hearing my name, Tiamat flinched...
"Mama will do her best.........."
How should I put this... it was like watching someone fall for the sweet temptation of candy and willingly walk into a laboratory. I could only remain silent.
"Anyway, we've arrived at the clothing store, so let's pick out some clothes first."
I clapped my hands to change the mood. At the sound, Medea seemed to regain her senses. She put away the vial and syringe and walked forward.
"Hmm... Master, how much money do you have?"
"I don't know. Around 900,000 yen?"
"Hmm... I see."
"Yeah, that's what it is. The currency system is a bit strange, but I'm paying with money I don't remember earning."
"Hmm... is that a phone?"
"Yeah... I didn't need a catalyst for Caster, I just picked and summoned you with this smartphone..."
"What is that!? That object that shatters all common sense!?"
"And it has no battery limit."
"..."
While Medea was silent, we started picking out clothes for her.
Outfits that were too conspicuous wouldn't be good.
Especially something like a dress, which would attract too much attention because of her looks.
"Something normal and modest would be best..."
I thought a simple shirt with a jacket would be good.
Medea looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties, but she was also incredibly beautiful.
Medea had already chosen her own underwear, and for clothes, she picked out a shirt, a skirt, and a single coat.
"That looks quite good on you."
The clothes Medea wore suited her perfectly.
Strangely, the outfit seemed to enhance her charisma.
"It suits you."
At my words, the corners of Medea's mouth turned up slightly.
"Hmph, thank you for saying so~"
Underwear: 3,880 JPY
Shirt: 1,000 JPY
Skirt: 880 JPY
Coat: 8,980 JPY
The total was 14,740 JPY, but the shopkeeper seemed to like Medea's new look.
"The total is 14,740 yen, but with a 20% discount, that will be 11,792 yen."
"Here's my card."
Clothing Store: -11,792 JPY
Remaining Balance: 935,641 JPY.
The text message arrived on my smartphone as usual, confirming I still had over 930,000 yen left.
'...Where am I going to get more money from?'
That was my next worry.
"Hey, Medea?"
"What is it?"
"After the Holy Grail War is over, shall we try to earn some money?"
"..."
She began to look at me as if she was about to be exploited for labor, so I spoke carefully.
"I'm not asking for a huge amount. But with your skills, Medea, I think you could earn enough to live for 100 years in one go, right? Most magi are on the wealthy side, after all."
"Hmm... It's true that with my skills, anything is possible. But a Master who thinks like that is quite corrupt, aren't you?"
"Hahaha..."
Honestly, I was lazy.
Rather than earning money through physical labor, selling elixirs or magical items was far more profitable. That made Medea an indispensable asset who absolutely could not die in the Holy Grail War.
If she dies, I can't exploit her, can I?
And so, my heart turned black as I became a corrupt adult.
I can't help being lazy.
If I become rich, I just want to buy a house and live peacefully.
What are the chances an Enforcer would show up and wreck the place?
I looked at Tiamat and thought for a moment... There was a possibility an Enforcer might come, or that the Tsukihime cast might show up one day.
And so we returned to the motel to spend our time peacefully. Medea collected blood, tissue, saliva, and tears from Tiamat, and in the end, Tiamat was said to have stared at Medea, trembling uncontrollably.