"Let thy body rest under my command, and thy fate be tied to my sword."
Having made all preparations, Kiritsugu began the Servant Summoning within the room.
According to the information he obtained, the most crucial element for a Servant's appearance was the catalyst.
In contrast, the ritual and required tools were less important.
As long as the magus's own magical energy was sufficient, it wasn't a problem.
Having come to Snowfield City to prepare for the Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu continued solemnly, "Answer the call of the Holy Grail. Those who follow this will and reason, answer me!"
His Magic Circuits intensified their operation, which is a good sign, as it indicated the summoned Servant would be powerful.
Remembering the cruelty among magi, Kiritsugu felt this level of pain was insignificant.
Seriously continuing the incantation, finally, as the last words fell, the magic circle flashed brightly, signifying the King of Britain's manifestation in the present world.
"I am Saber. I ask of you... are you my Master?"
Golden hair was neatly tied up. The armor she wore was heavy but also imposing.
Her short stature differed from Kiritsugu's subconscious image of a king, but the kingly aura was unmistakable.
Her exquisite face held a hint of sanctity.
Simply staring quietly at Kiritsugu, the girl named Artoria, the alternate world counterpart, the 'Saber' version, posed her question.
…
Three days ago, Clock Tower.
Waver Velvet.
As the only child in the Velvet Family of this generation with magical potential, Waver firmly believed since childhood that he could change his family's decline through hard work.
Through relentless effort, effort, and more effort, he finally entered the Clock Tower, the top institution for magi, at the appropriate age.
Arriving with high hopes, but with limited innate talent, he finally witnessed what genius meant at the Clock Tower.
Grand, Brand, Pride, Fes, Cause, Count, Frame.
With strength roughly at the Count level, he couldn't compare to his classmates.
As for his teacher, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, he was even more outmatched… a top-tier magus who reached the Brand rank in his twenties, one of the twelve Lords, absolutely formidable.
Gradually, his confidence was shattered.
The cheerful, curious Waver slowly became disheartened.
Helplessly looking at everything around him, he buried himself in academic research.
Since he couldn't surpass others in magical rank, he would exceed them in scholarship.
Overtaking on a curve, the early bird gets the worm… this was his firm belief.
Not long ago, encountering a pen pal online who called himself 'Ryu', Waver discovered the other party's astonishing knowledge, and his research on magecraft was no less than any instructor's.
After careful discussion with this 'Ryu', Waver finally, expending immense effort, prepared a thesis… one sufficient to cause a sensation, capable of advancing the entire Clock Tower... no, the entire world.
Believing he had finally realized his value, Waver submitted this thesis to his teacher, Kayneth, eagerly awaiting his response.
However...
"Strange, it's been so long. What has Professor Kayneth been busy with lately?"
Waiting left and right with no reply from Kayneth, Waver finally couldn't bear it and sought out Kayneth to inquire about his thesis.
But then...
"Mr. Velvet, I think you may have some misunderstandings about the nature of magecraft."
He clearly remembered the mockery and coldness on Kayneth's face… a pain Waver would never forget.
It was his painstakingly created academic thesis, but because it criticized and questioned the nobility, Kayneth mercilessly threw it into the trash right in front of Waver.
"Mr. Velvet, I hope you remember your station and do not entertain impossible fantasies."
Kayneth's warning echoed in his ears. Having always faced the world with his greatest goodwill, enduring the taunts of his noble classmates, Waver never imagined his prolonged efforts would yield such a result.
Without saying much, he returned alone to his dormitory. By chance, he overheard other students discussing what Kayneth was busy with recently… something about going to a place called Snowfield City for a major event.
Driven by curiosity, he inquired and learned about the Holy Grail War.
"The Holy Grail War, a historical event that grants the victor any wish. Is this what true magi are like?"
Realizing what Kayneth intended to do in Snowfield City, Waver immediately began his own preparations.
He would also prepare and go to Snowfield City. But before that...
"A delivery package? Professor Kayneth's?"
Often ordered around by noble students, Waver was accustomed to such tasks.
Holding the item other students lazily handed to him, and considering Kayneth's imminent departure, a word suddenly surfaced in his mind.
'Catalyst!'
'This is my chance! A chance bestowed by heaven!'
Excitedly taking the package back to his dorm, he opened it to find a tattered piece of cloth, like a fragment of a cloak.
Sensing the heavy historical aura emanating from the cloth, Waver took his luggage and made his way to Snowfield City.
Fortunately, he had generally played the role of a passive, enduring punching bag, so he faced no harassment along the way.
Perhaps the Clock Tower's people assumed Waver wouldn't dare to steal a catalyst.
Thrilled to arrive in Snowfield City, he hypnotized an elderly farm couple.
Using cheap materials like chicken blood, Waver set up a magic circle and began the summoning ritual.
As the dust settled, a burly giant grabbed his shoulder, his face full of unrestrained laughter, "Yo, you're this king's Master? You look like a little runt, hahahaha..."
With the Conqueror's uniquely hearty and bold laughter echoing across the farm, the second Servant, Iskandar, Alexander the Great, descended upon the world.