"Fascinating, my perception of the magus was limited to that of a mere researcher. In comparison, magicians possess the ability to wield spells derived from various races, while true mages and sorcerers possess the skill and knowledge to manipulate the very laws of our world." As the girl finishes her water, Shirou ceases channeling prana into the cup, allowing its existence to fade, however insignificant it may be.

"Most magus align with that description, but my education took a more specialized path," Shirou remarks, locking eyes with the girl. "And who might you be?"

"Oh, my sincerest apologies for my lack of introduction." The girl gracefully performs a courtesy. "I am Rias Gremory, a devil."

"Gremory? From the Ars Goetia?"

The name Gremory strikes a chord with Shirou, as his mother possessed a book that extensively detailed those who bore that name and their striking resemblances.

"...You've never encountered a devil before, have you?" Rias' voice brims with amusement.

"Ehh... no. But isn't that name quite significant?" She bursts into laughter, while he responds with a stern gaze.

"...Haha, I apologize. You truly sound like someone encountering a devil for the first time," she regains composure and smiles even more. "You place a great deal of trust in people easily. After all, I could very well be lying about being a devil."

"I am not privy to that information," she replied, her tone tinged with uncertainty. With a graceful motion, she unfurled a pair of bat wings upon her back, solidifying her demonic nature. "However, let us establish this without a shred of doubt. I, a devil, stand before you, a magus. Is that accurate?" He nodded in affirmation, prompting her to continue. "Can you truly claim that you are not the one who summoned me?"

"I confess my ignorance in the art," he responded, opting for honesty.

"It appears to be connected to these pamphlets," she revealed, presenting a paper adorned with a mystical circle. "By expressing a wish, be it mine or any member of my... let us refer to them as my household, one of us arrives to fulfill it, if within our means."

"In that case, why are you unaware of the summoner's identity?" He asked. Rias sighed in exasperation at the inquiry.

"Because the summoner left behind a familiar in the location of my arrival..." Rias turned her gaze towards Shirou and questioned, "Do all magus harbor such profound paranoia?"

"I cannot speak for many, as within my family... or rather, my sister and I, we are the only practitioners of magic, and I am no exceptional magus."

"Your statement presents numerous contradictions, but... to each their own, I suppose." Rias smiled once more and inquired, "Speaking of kin, pray tell, what is your name?"

"Emiya Shirou," he introduced himself, extending his hand, and Rias reciprocated the gesture without hesitation.

"Emiya... I believe I've heard that name before, but it's inconsequential at the moment," the girl expressed her lingering frustration.

"The whereabouts of the stray, assuming there even is one, remain unknown to me."

"Allow me to clarify. What do you mean by 'stray'?" Shirou inquired calmly.

"In essence, every esteemed devil possesses a household known as a peerage," she explained, raising one finger followed by another. "Once you join a peerage, departure can only occur with the king's blessing—the leader and creator of said peerage." Her third finger extended upwards. "Those who depart prematurely are labeled as strays and typically escape by slaying their former masters, seeking refuge in the human world whenever possible."

"Typically?" Rias shrugged nonchalantly.

"Some merely flee, unprepared for the life of a devil."

"Are they a threat?" Shirou's question elicited another shrug from Rias.

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"It varies; most pose a danger since becoming a devil necessitates mastering the accompanying energy," she clarified, raising her hand to reveal a magic circle that delivered an item into Rias' grasp. She presented Shirou with a chess piece—an evil knight. "This is an evil piece. If I were to employ it on you, you would transform into a devil. Once you become a devil, the mana fueling your body undergoes a shift, granting you the power of shadows. However, should I, the mistress of this piece, perish or lose my abilities for any reason, the manipulation of energy spirals out of control, potentially mutating you if you lack the means to regulate it."

Shirou recoils, "Why does such a practice exhibit such cruelty?", feeling unease stirred by the small artifact, yet Rias dismisses his concerns.

"The process of transforming individuals from other races into devils is arduous. The rewards are substantial, and as long as the person gains mastery over their newfound power without complications, the drawbacks are minimal."

"Except for becoming a devil, that is." Rias chuckles lightly. "Indeed, 'aside from becoming a devil'." With a wave of her hand, she causes the artifact to vanish. "However, those who betray and flee from their masters become the most heinous criminals. They succumb to the immense power of the artifact and unleash destruction upon our world if left unchecked." Arching an eyebrow, she asked, "Any inquiries?"

"No." Shirou's expression turns pensive. "But what about a rogue individual? Are you certain there are none lurking nearby?"

"My contact provided irrefutable evidence... As a devil, when I am summoned and entrusted with a request, my sense of pride compels me to see it through." Shirou now harbored some inquiries.

"Isn't that risky? You could easily fall into a trap or something of the sort." Amusement flickers across Rias' face at his concern.

"There are safety measures in place; summoning a devil requires a sincere wish." Her response only deepens his confusion.

"How?"

"Magic." Shirou concedes that he walked right into that one. "By the way, do you happen to know any other sorcerer in this school?"

"Honestly, I believed I was the sole individual aware of the moonlit realm within this institution." Shirou couldn't resist scratching the back of his head. "I wasn't even aware there were others 'in the know' here."

"It seems, you possess scant knowledge of their true nature," Rias remarked, her smile suggesting an understanding withheld from him. "This town conceals profound depths beyond your grasp. Nevertheless, allow me to present this to you."

She extended the pamphlet to Shirou, who accepted it in silence. "What purpose does this serve?" he inquired.

"In the event of a wish, you may call upon me," she casually shrugged. "Consider it an apology for causing you distress."

"I wasn't frightened though."

"Very cute, yet your grip upon that sword," she gestured toward it, prompting his belated realization, "suggests otherwise."

"Very well." He admitted his apprehension and stowed away the pamphlet. "But what of the stray? Will you simply abandon it?"

"I am powerless in this matter," Rias pondered. "No evidence of a stray exists, and to my knowledge, no one in this vicinity is missing. It would have been easier had something peculiar occurred." Her final remark caught Shirou's attention.

"Peculiar? Like an unexplained gas leakage?"

"Regrettably, gas leaks are far from extraordinary."

"In the midst of a forest." Now Shirou had piqued her interest.

"Present it before me," came the demand, which Shirou readily obeyed without hesitation.

The woodland behind the academy, while not expansive, stretched sufficiently to reach the institution's walls. At first glance, it bore the appearance of a genuine forest, yet beneath its exterior lay a deficiency of vibrant flora and fauna that truly defined such a habitat, housing primarily a multitude of insects.

Upon nearing the forest, Rias crafted yet another intricate magic circle, summoning forth a creature resembling a bat, though possessing an undeniable charm.

"X, venture forth and explore. Return should you discover anything of note." X acknowledged the instruction with a nod and salute before gracefully soaring into the depths of the woods. Shirou observed this peculiar sight, filled with curiosity, until Rias herself moved to join the expedition.

"Hey! What are you attempting?" His inquiry prompted her to face him.

"Pardon? It seems rather improbable for X to undertake this entire scouting endeavor single-handedly, while I, on the other hand, possess a heightened sensitivity to the presence of any malevolent forces."

"But shouldn't you summon reinforcements or seek assistance? There may be dangers lurking in the depths," he questioned, alarmed by her audacity to venture alone.

"Your concern is appreciated," she acknowledged, as the scent wafted forth once more, stronger than ever. "However, Emiya-kun, I possess strength. Kindly return home and allow me to handle this intruder."

With her declaration made, Rias marched confidently into the woods, leaving Shirou to ponder whether her display aimed to reassure him or simply stemmed from her own pride. Nonetheless, it mattered not, for Shirou had no intention of permitting anyone to tread the forest alone.

The duo traversed for a while, with Rias assuming the lead. Without a word, she glanced back to find Shirou faithfully trailing behind her. In silence, they continued their journey, vigilantly scanning their surroundings for any signs of peculiarity.

Shirou encountered no difficulty in his stride, thanks to the moon's radiant glow that illuminated their path. However, as they progressed further, the terrain grew increasingly challenging, prompting him to express his concern. "This is rather peculiar."

Curious, Rias halted their progression, lending an ear to his explanation. "What troubles you?"

"The gardeners maintain this area, and it shouldn't be in such a state," Shirou remarked, recognizing the importance of upkeeping the premises to avert accidents, despite the school's financial predicament. "I distinctly recall seeing them enter here on a few occasions prior to the 'break.'"

Both individuals stood still, contemplating the implications. It was then that Rias lifted her gaze skyward, followed by a raised hand to summon her familiar. "Deliver your report."

"A barrier lies further to the north," the familiar conveyed.

Shirou's astonishment was evident. "The bat can speaks?"

Although the voice emanating from the familiar possessed a certain charm, Shirou refrained from commenting. "I couldn't identify a means to breach the barrier, but it appears relatively weak."

"Is it a devil's barrier?" Rias inquired, to which the small bat nodded. "Lead the way." Once again, the familiar took flight, and the duo followed in its diminutive wake.

They soon arrived at the barrier, an invisible obstruction that evaded ordinary perception. However, Shirou, employing a refined form of magecraft known as reinforcement, enhanced his vision. "It is a diminutive one," he remarked.

"Can you discern it?" inquired Rias.

"Yes, it is truly minute. Its scope does not extend beyond the tree line."

"Hmm~" Rias extended her hand until it grazed the barrier. Upon contact, a surge of energy emanated from her, enveloping the barrier in a crimson aura, ultimately obliterating it. The entire process transpired within a fleeting span of seconds.

As the barrier collapsed, Shirou stood there bewildered. Before him lay a cavernous opening, of such vast proportions that it could accommodate an entire truck. "How on earth did no one notice this?" He found himself thoroughly confounded.

"A pertinent query indeed," Rias began advancing towards the cave. "Either the cave is of recent origin, and the barrier had concealed it from ordinary individuals, or it was excavated quite recently." Shirou commenced following her, but Rias abruptly turned to halt his progress.

"I apologize, but this is where our paths diverge."