Type-Moon, but the Servant is Tom

In a European-style mansion's basement within Fuyuki City, an elegantly dressed man in a red suit was organizing documents. This man was Artoria's master, a Magus named Tohsaka Tokiomi.

"Hmm? Why is there an extra gem here?" While tidying up the papers on the desk, Tokiomi suddenly noticed an additional gem on the table. Picking it up, he curiously remarked, "Strange, this gem is brimming with magical energy. Normally, I carefully store fully charged gems."

As a highly refined and meticulous practitioner of magic, Tokiomi would never casually handle precious magical materials like gems. Moreover, this gem was of considerable size and value.

"Except for this morning when I gave one to assassin... wait a minute, why does this gem look so similar to the one I prepared to give to assassin?"

Playing with the gem in his hand, Tokiomi became increasingly familiar with its appearance.

"No, this gem is the one I intended to give to assassin!"

Realizing this, Tokiomi's visible nervousness escalated rapidly, and his throat emitted a faint gurgle.

If he remembered correctly, he had taken out two gems of this size today. One was used to restore the barrier that had been damaged due to a meteorite impact, depleting its magical energy. The other was the one before him, intended to be used as fuel for Artoria's cosmic war chariot.

Since the fully charged gem was still present, what had he given away?

Suddenly, a possibility dawned on Tokiomi. His hands, trembling slightly, reached for his pocket.

However, upon touching his pocket, he found it empty.

At that moment, he remembered that when assassin arrived, he was in the midst of setting up the barrier. When he was almost finished, he had absentmindedly placed the used-up gem in his pocket.

And then, because he was preoccupied, he had not even spared a glance for assassin and had directly handed over the gem from his pocket without checking it.

As this realization hit him, Tokiomi covered his face with both hands.

"Oh no... I absentmindedly gave away the gem without magical energy!"

——————

"So, according to the rules, you're the vehicle for them, not the other way around."

"Huh? What kind of ridiculous rule is that?" Upon hearing this, Soji couldn't help but feel incredulous. What did they mean she was the vehicle for these two rocket boosters?!

The staff member bowed slightly as he spoke, "I apologize. Anything below your buttocks is considered the vehicle, while anything above is considered it riding on you."

"I don't care about this absurd rule! Move aside, or I'll use force!" Soji declared, ready to move forward.

With a casual motion, the staff member summoned an exaggeratedly large sword in his hand, enveloped in a deep blue magical aura. "You can try if you'd like."

Feeling the immense magical power emanating from the sword, Soji instinctively took a half step back. She was sure of one thing—this was the aura of a top-tier Servant.

However, challenging this would likely result in an untimely demise.

"Hehe, just kidding earlier."

"I'm sorry. We have race bikes available for participants without proper vehicles." With a wave of his hand, the staff member transformed the sword into a wisp of prana and pointed toward a nearby collection of bicycles.

Following his gesture, Soji's gaze fell on a few child-sized bicycles equipped with training wheels.

Seeing this, her lips twitched.

"What kind of joke is this?" She exclaimed loudly, only to realize that the staff member on the opposite side was already preparing to unsheathe his weapon.

Quickly adjusting her tone, Soji spoke in a quieter voice, "Ahem, I admit my voice was a bit too loud just now. I was just wondering, can the training wheels be removed?"

The staff member didn't respond verbally. Instead, he pointed to a sign above the area where the bicycles were parked. It read:

‘Scraping or scratches: 100 penalty points. Detachment or damage of training wheels: 10,000 penalty points...’

Okay, Soji didn't need to read any further after the second item.

"Damn it! What kind of joke is this!" She muttered under her breath, then picked a bicycle and headed toward the starting line.

Soon enough, it was time for the race to begin.

The large screen in the sky lit up right on time, and the familiar golden-haired, red-eyed man appeared once again.

"Welcome, everyone, to the live broadcast of 'EUO Super Deluxe Seaside Paradise.' Now, it's time for the race to begin. Let's take a look at the participants of this race!" The floating spherical unmanned cameras in the sky focused their lenses on each of the participants.

One by one, the contestants were displayed on the screen. Gill began his commentary.

"Participant number one is Waver, driving a horse piloted by his Servant. Alright, that's his introduction."

"Participant number two is Artoria, who prefers not to reveal her full name. She's driving the Lion-go!"

'Ugh, don't look at me like that!' Facing the camera, Artoria couldn't help but feel embarrassed, 'Ugh... I'd rather be killed than endure this humiliation!'

"Participant number three is Saber of Onions, driving a 'vehicle' provided by the Friendship Park!"

"Participant number four is Schrödinger, driving the 'Cat-Mouse-Dog' vehicle, piloted by three drivers. What kind of spectacular performance will they bring us? Let's wait and see."

"Participant number five... Huh? Running out of time for commentary? Is it starting?"

As he was in the middle of commentating, Gill suddenly looked to the right and asked one of the staff members who hadn't appeared on camera, "Alright, that's the introduction of the participants."

Gudako, at the starting line, couldn't believe it was over just like that and asked in disbelief, "Huh? What about mine? My horse hasn't been introduced yet!"

"Senpai, your horse is missing."

"?" Upon hearing this, Gudako immediately turned around and stared at Mashu as if in disbelief.

"Oh, I meant your horse's introduction is missing."

Unlike the arguing Gudako, the other participants anxiously awaited the countdown on the screen above their heads.

At the starting line, the roar of engines filled the air... well, almost all of it was Bai Song's car's sound, since apart from Iris, the other 'vehicles' seemed to lack engines.

Soon enough, the countdown reached zero.

"I declare the race officially begun!!!"