Though Mount Kurakura was by no means a vast mountain range, the winding paths were numerous. Illuminated by the moonlight, the petite figure of Rin Tohsaka darted through the undergrowth, relentlessly launching attacks at the shadowy pursuer behind her.

"This thing... is it truly unkillable?" Rin leaned against a tree, sweat beading on her forehead, replaying the events in her mind. She had lured that black-mud creature away from Ryudou Temple; perhaps five minutes had passed. During this time, her attacks had been constant and unerringly accurate, yet the opponent seemed capable of infinite regeneration, instantly restoring itself even when smashed to pieces.

"Damn it. I thought its regenerative ability would weaken now that we're so far from the mud pit, but it hasn't changed at all... Bastard." Rin ground her teeth slightly, tightly gripping the few remaining jewels in her hand. "Blast it, I boasted so much earlier. It would be too shameful if I failed now."

"It's nothing; you've already done remarkably well, Rin." Just then, a voice as cold and emotionless as a machine sounded abruptly behind her. Rin's expression instantly changed, and she instinctively leaped from her spot, assuming a defensive posture.

Almost simultaneously, a splatter of black mud struck the tree trunk she had been leaning against. A wisp of white smoke immediately rose, and in less than three seconds, the large tree was corroded beyond recognition.

"This..." Even Rin, for all her boldness, couldn't suppress a chill of fear at the sight, a wave of nausea rising in her heart. If that mud had hit her, even with the protection of her jewels, the outcome would likely have been dire... Well, setting aside everything else, at least her beautiful face and perfect figure would have been ruined.

"Ah, what am I thinking about at a time like this..." Frustrated again by her own distraction, Rin vigorously shook her head as if trying to cast off all useless thoughts. Then, holding her breath and calming her spirit, she focused all her attention on the approaching shadow emerging from the bushes opposite her.

"In just five minutes, you have shattered my body twelve times, Rin. You truly surprise me—no, I should say you astonish me. At your young age, even with the aid of gems, what kind of innate talent must you possess to continuously cast * Grade Magecraft?"

A figure, entirely black, emerged from the rustling bushes. This was only natural, as the being was originally formed from black mud, merely granted consciousness.

"Who knows about such things," Rin tightly clutched the jewels in her hand, staring at the opponent without blinking, forcing a smile.

"True. I also have no interest in knowing. You are close to death anyway; no amount of genius will matter." The shadow stood directly before Rin, the distance between them less than five meters. Eyes formed entirely of hollow, dark mud stared at Rin, and he spoke with an almost sarcastic tone, "However, there is one thing I don't understand. You were running so diligently before; why do you dare to face me now?"

"I'm no fool. Since I know I can't outrun you, why waste the effort? I'll fight you to the death right here; perhaps I can destroy you after all," Rin said, her words hinting at either newfound confidence or utter despair as she fixed her gaze on him.

"Hmm..." As if in thought, the shadow nodded. "Indeed, this is very much in character for you, Rin."

Rin smiled. "Speaking of which, at this stage, you don't need to keep wearing that disgusting black mud anymore, do you? Since I already know your identity, wouldn't it be better to just show your true face...?"

"Is that so? I don't find it disgusting, but if it is your request..." A strange, writhing sound emanated from the shadow. Immediately, the black mud began to shift shape and color. In mere seconds, the vaguely humanoid mass of mud transformed into an actual human being.

"It really is you..." Rin gazed at the man before her, the corner of her mouth curving slightly, perhaps a smile, perhaps sarcasm. "Kirei."

Yes, the man formed from the black mud was the priest—Kirei Kotomine—who should have already been slain by the Golden Archer.

"Didn't you know from the start?"

"I did, in a manner of speaking, but seeing it in person is always surprising, isn't it?"

"Hmm, that's true. After all, that is human instinct."

"In that case, do you not consider yourself a *human being?"

"The moment I died, I ceased to be human."

"So, are you here seeking revenge now?"

"Revenge? That is far too tedious. I merely wish to know why you plotted to kill me."

"Do you recall what I told you before the Holy Grail Battle began?" Rin said grimly upon hearing the question. "If you dared to neglect your duties during the Holy Grail War, I would certainly not let you off."

Kirei Kotomine nodded, seemingly understanding. "I see. You knew from the beginning that I would betray Master Tokiomi?"

"Well, it's not entirely wrong to understand it that way. However, there's one thing I don't quite grasp: how did you know I ordered the King of Heroes to kill you? And why have you ended up like this?"

"Because I am pure Evil. Upon my death, all my consciousness was received by the Root of All Evil, so I understand all the evils of this world, including your hatred for me."

"Is that so..." Rin instinctively showed a thoughtful expression.

"Precisely. Now that we have said what needs to be said, Rin, can you die now?" It wasn't a question but a statement of fact. Kirei Kotomine flicked his wrist, and countless specks of black mud shot toward Rin like raindrops.

"If you ask me, of course the answer is... N." Rin smiled faintly, instantly crushing the gem in her hand. A massive surge of prana vented outward, transforming into arrows of light that instantly shattered the rain of mud.

Moreover, after breaking through the mud, the arrows of light did not stop, striking Kirei Kotomine's body and instantly riddling him like a beehive.

"Did it work?" Rin sounded slightly uncertain, clutching three more gems in her hand.

"Don't you already know? Attacks like that are useless against me," Kirei Kotomine stated without any sign of pain.

"Damn it, then how about this?" Rin gritted her teeth and crushed the three gems in her hand again. The magical power released simultaneously by three * Grade gems was blinding, like lightning. This was no longer a rain of light, but an enormous curtain of luminescence.

Completely enveloped by this light barrier, Kirei Kotomine could not move, and his body vanished in an instant.

"Surely that finished him this time..." But before Rin could finish speaking, Kirei Kotomine's voice sounded once more. "You are truly remarkable, Rin. You have eliminated me thirteen times."

As his voice faded, he reappeared before Rin.

"Impossible! Not even a speck of dust was left behind," Rin said in disbelief.

"Didn't you achieve a similar result before? Did you think that by showing this form, you could actually destroy me?" Kirei Kotomine said expressionlessly, a hint of weariness in his tone. "This is the shortsightedness of humanity."

Without making any visible move, a lump of black mud rose from the ground beneath his feet and shot toward Rin with the speed of lightning, followed by... BOOM.

Even with the protection of the gems, the attack of black mud breached Rin's defense. She was blasted backward, slamming heavily into the tree trunk behind her.

"Ugh..." A taste of copper filled her throat, and Rin spat out a mouthful of blood, her face turning pale. She struggled to stand up from the ground, managing a wry smile. "Truly... I don't know how many bones I've broken this time. I’m finished..."

"Have you resigned yourself to fate, Rin?"

Yet, in this situation, Rin began to laugh. "Kirei. A magus, provided they have the will for self-destruction, can easily surpass their limits. You know this, don't you?"

"True, but I am connected to the Root of All Evil. Unless you can separate me from this world, no matter how you surpass your limits, you can never truly kill me."

Rin nodded, then looked up and asked, "Hey, Kirei, do you know how one conquers the world?"

"Hm?" Kirei Kotomine was momentarily stunned, apparently unable to grasp the question.

"I went to a certain place some time ago and learned some magic there. However, because the system was completely different, I couldn't learn anything; I couldn't even manage to cast a small fireball. Do you know why?"

Ignoring his surprised expression, Rin explained, "Because they believe in God. But I have no such faith. Whether it’s God or anything else, such things have nothing to do with me. But... if believing in God grants divine power, then what can I, who believes in nothing but myself, obtain?"

Rin smiled and continued, "This is what I believe: the world is a value system centered on oneself. That kind of thing has been mine since birth. If this is what controls the world, then the world is already mine."

"Is that your value system? Remarkable. So, what are you trying to say? I will allow you to finish speaking."

"No, it's fine even if you attack me, because..." Rin suddenly spread her arms and smiled. "For me, this world is mine. But it’s not everything in existence that is mine; rather, the world in which I exist is defined by my values. So, believing in myself, affirming myself, in this world that belongs only to me..."

CRACK. The last two gems shattered in Rin's hands.

"I shall be the God of my own world. Come forth... Glorious Empire."

As the resounding words fell, the surrounding environment instantly changed. It was no longer a dark forest, but a dazzling, colorful, and vibrant world filled with gems. On the ground, in the sky—red, green, yellow... countless jewels.

"This is... an Inner World?" At this moment, Kirei Kotomine could no longer remain composed; his face was filled with shock.

Yes, this was the Inner World.

Surpassing the limits, reaching the pinnacle of Magecraft, at this moment, the girl named Rin Tohsaka stepped onto the path of True Magic, finding the powerful certification that belonged only to her.