Chapter Text
I am standing in the Ooshima's inn basement, at 2 in the morning. The room is cold, despite today being August 15th.
I am Torahiko Ooshima, a 17 years old tiger living in the small village of Minasato, and I am a novice magus. I am about to enter what is called a Holy Grail War, a ritual where 7 people called Masters summon 7 famous people from history and legends to fight to obtain the Holy Grail, an omnipotent vessel, able to grant any wish of the winner, of the last standing master. I was chosen by the grail, it gave me 3 marks on the back of my left hand, three command spell, representing the connection to the servant I am about to summon, and my participation in the war. As long as I have them, I am a master and will fight to win.
Hiroyuki Nishimura, a childhood friend and the one I secretly love came a few days ago in Minasato, but had to leave because of his family. But as soon as he left, I wanted him to be back, I wanted him to never have left the village years ago. It's at this moment, when the wish was clear to me than the Grail chose me. the overseer of the war, Ten Kodori, came to me, and explained the summoning ritual, and asking me to come meet him tomorrow, so he can explain properly the rules of the war.
I need to now summon my servant. Servants are magical creatures, like a familiar, that can be summoned using a specific ritual. They are seven class of servants, and each class is summoned only once. There is Saber, Archer, Lancer, Caster, Rider, Assassin, and Berserker. I could use a catalyst, to try to summon a specific servant, but since I have none, I have no choice but to hope to be lucky. Ten told me a few masters already summoned their servant, without giving me more information.
But now is time, my magical energy is at its peak between 2am and 3am, the magical circle in written in red chalk on the ground, in front of me. I have in my hand a few jewels, imbued with magic, necessary to activate the circle. I'm focusing on the circle, steadying my breath, and rise my arm, so my hand with the jewels stands above the circle.
"A base of silver and iron, a foundation of stone, and the Archduke of Contracts." I begin to chant, forgetting everything else, concentrating my magical energy in the jewels, as they start to liquefy.
"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill. Repeat five times, but destroy each when filed." As I pronounce those words, the liquid filled with magic falls by drops on the magical circle, making it shines in green.
I tighten my fist, so not another drop fall, which would make the ritual fail. I take a short break, to catch my breath, so I can be sure to say the next lines correctly.
"A wall to block the falling wind. The gates of all four directions close. From the Crown, come forth and follow the forked road to the Kingdom."
I close my eyes, as I feel the energy coming toward the center of the circle. Until now, the ritual is working. But I mustn't think I am done, I must remain serious and focused until the end.
"I hereby propose, my will shall create thy body, and thy sword shall create my fate. Abiding by the summons of the Holy Grail, if thou dost accede to this will and reason, answer me!"
Wind comes from the circle, a servant answered to my call, now the only thing left is to effectively create the contract, and bind them to me.
"I hereby swear, I will be all that is good in the eternal world, I will be the disposer of evil in the eternal world. Thou, who livest within the Throne, come forth and fulfil thy destiny, Guardian of the Heavenly Scales!" I say loudly, with determination, as I feel the room shake as I pronounce the words.
Suddenly, when the chant is done, I feel a huge burst of energy, almost making me fall on the ground. I open my eyes, and see a lot of smokes in the air. Did the ritual succeed? I don't know for sure, as I can't see anything.
A few seconds later, I feel a presence in front of me, I can't tell what it is, but I can feel it's powerful.
"Who's there!?" I can't resist asking, knowing it may very well be my servant, but maybe also somebody else's servant, coming to kill me before I have mine.
The smoke dissipates, I see a slender woman, slightly smaller than me, with very long purple hairs, a black dress that sticks to her body, and wearing an eye cover.
She turns her head towards me, and asks once thing, with her cold voice, making her sound like an Assassin :
"I ask you, are you ready to be my Master?"