Kazuto sighed and watched his breath float up in the cold air. He didn't know why he was sighing, it just felt appropriate. He probably should've been at home. Or at the Paranormal Investigation Club. Somehow they just weren't the same, though. The teachers kept talking about how being in a club was important, but it just felt hollow to him.
He sighed again and opened the book he was carrying. Magic. That was what he wanted. Not the wild goose chases of the Paranormal Investigation Club, but something real, tangible. He had told the club president, Kasumi Adashino as much when she last asked about his frequent absences from the club's meetings.
"This is your only warning," the message echoed through his mind.
Flipping through the book, something caught his eye. A summoning of some sort. He heard that a serial killer ten years ago had been killed after attempting to summon a demon or something like that.
Kazuto sighed again. Might as well go out in style. With a grim smirk, he headed into the woods surrounding Fuyuki City. He drew the circle and started the incantation.
"Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill).
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled.
――――I announce.
Your self is under me, my fate(doom) is in your sword.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.
Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance ―――!"
He felt a burning on his hand and looked down to see a strange red marking there. The circle started to glow and in a flash of light, a girl about his age appeared. Kazuto stumbled backwards in surprise and fell over.
Standing at roughly one hundred fifty-five centimeters, the girl was clothed in a short black dress, a black cape, and a black witch's hat. She had long blue hair and red eyes. She looked around briefly, then turned to Kazuto.
Then she smiled. "Hi, hi! Servant Caster accepting your summons! Are you my Master?"
"I, um, summoned you," Kazuto said, holding up his hand to show the markings.
"The contract is complete, then. You seem a little confused. Are you okay?"
"Aren't you going to eat me, or something?"
The girl scowled and put her hands on her hips."No! Why do people always think I'm going to do that?"
"It's just, I thought I summoned a demon."
"Oh, we should get to the nearest Catholic church, the priest should be able to get you up to speed."
"Right…"
Kazuto didn't actually know where the nearest Catholic church was off the top of his head, so after some googling, the two set off for the Kotomine Church. Caster elected to stand guard outside, while Kazuto went inside. It was surprisingly dark, almost ominous, inside.
"Um, excuse me," he said into the darkness, "This girl names Caster appeared in my room and this marking appeared on my hand."
"I can explain everything," said the priest, seemingly appearing from nowhere. "Come, child."
Kazuto followed the priest into an office-looking room, where the priest launched into a lengthy speech.
"You have been entered into a sort of game known as the Holy Grail War," he said. "In this War, seven humans known as Masters will command seven legendary heroes brought to life. We call these heroes Servants. They go by the name of their classes to protect their identity."
"Because if you know their identity, you know their strengths and weaknesses?"
"Exactly so. The seven classes are Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Berserker, and Assassin. I trust the names are self-explanatory. These Servants are capable of feats far beyond an ordinary human, or even an ordinary magus. As such, Master's usually fight each other, while setting their Servants against one another. Your Servant, Caster, is generally considered weak in direct combat so you may wish to avoid conflict. If your Servant is defeated try to get here. The Church will protect you."
"What exactly am I fighting for?"
"The Holy Grail is an artifact that can grant wishes. Any wish your heart desires."
Kazuto sighed. "Guess I can't just let anyone get it, then. Thanks for the info."
The priest held retrieved a book from a shelf and handed it to Kazuto. "Here, take this book. It will update with information on the Servants you encounter."
"Thanks, I'll be going now."
Kazuto turned and left the church. Honestly, the atmosphere and the priest were both a little creepy. As he walked out of the church, Caster shouted to him.
"Master, look out!"
Kazuto noticed something rushing at him out of the corner of his eye and stumbled backwards. Something knocked him over and suddenly he couldn't see.
