Around the same time when the three other servants were summoned, a separate summoning was taking place in the city's university hall. Although the gym was usually bustling with activity regardless of the time of day, the University of Hillsdale was in the middle of summer vacation, meaning the entire campus was practically empty. Not that the individual currently summoning his servant would attract any unusual attention. After all, he had been invited to speak for the year's graduating class.
None of that mattered to Obe at the moment, however. Looking over his circle, he made one final check that all the inscriptions were properly written. Even in the dimly lit gym, his eyes glowed blue with traces of mana, a sign of his mystic eyes. Despite the ritual he was about to perform, and the war he was soon to enter, he was dressed in a formal outfit, with a dark suit and tie, as though he was about to enter an important board meeting or government panel.
Crouching down, the man carefully removed his catalyst from its container and placed it at the head of the circle. A simple stick with several ancient cobwebs still attached. With all the preparations complete, he began to chant. His voice was clear and confident, cutting through the silent gymnasium with a determination, as though he was both beginning and commanding the world itself to ensure the success of the ritual.
Light gathered around the circle as mana began to form the existence of the servant.
"Seventh heaven clad in the great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding, guardian of the scales!" In a final burst, Obe finished his chant with a declaration to summon a servant.
Three patterns burned themselves into the back of his right hand, but he simply ignored the sensation, his attention wholly fixated on the ritual in front of him.
The light vanished as the mana finished coalescing into the form of a servant. What remained was a dark figure, clad in a colorful patterned vest and plain clothes, reminiscent of African textiles, with a similarly patterned hat. Most notable, however, was his frame. Standing slightly shorter than average, he had a thin frame covered in wiry muscles.
"KehehehehahahaHAHAHAH…oh, I understand now. A holy grail war? Well, I apologize, but you picked the short straw. I'll do my best though, as your assassin." Assassin bowed, half serious, his face stretched in a wide grin.
His summoner, who stood a head taller, merely responded to his laughter with a calm, even tone. "I summoned you because I am confident in your abilities." He spoke with certainty, as though he were sure that this servant that had just denounced his own abilities would guarantee his victory.
"I'm kidding. Just testing you, my master." Assassin retracted his bow, standing straight once more. "Though, in all honesty, I won't last long in direct combat. Pit me against any other servant, hell, even caster, and I can't guarantee I'll win in a fist fight. Kehehe."
"That was never my intention." Obe continued, having anticipated that his servant would display such an attitude. "I'll be counting on you nonetheless." Although his sentences were terse, as though he were fine tuning his tone to fit his servant's, his intention was nonetheless clear.
"Yeah, you got it, master." Assassin nodded, then, after a pause, "Y'know, I'm not sure why, but I think I'm starting to like you."
"Hehe, I suppose we share quite a few traits." Obe's tone had shifted as he adapted to his servant's style of speaking. "Neither of us are stupid enough to charge headfirst at a stronger enemy."
"You got that right, master." Assassin grinned, clearly enjoying his conversations with his master. "By the way, who is that behind you? He seems kinda mad about something."
"This is your servant, Obe?" A shadowy figure stepped out from behind the bleachers.
"Why are you here, V?" Obe's voice suddenly turned hostile.
"Oh, I'm just here to check up on how some of my dear masters are doing." V continued walking forward, but his facial features and stature remained hidden in the dark. "Who is your servant? He's … underwhelming. If you were going to summon an assassin, I would have recommended one of the old men of the mountain. Although, to be fair, a holy grail war has never been won with one of them."
"Kehehe, I'm hurt by your stinging remarks, mystery man. I have to say, though, I am fascinated that you are not at all afraid of criticizing a servant without being a master yourself." Assassin pondered, bemused, before looking closer. "Yes, quite the enigma. What uncontrolled bloodlust."
"Tch. Annoying bug." V's mood suddenly changed, as a furious rage began to pour forth, as thought he were annoyed by this servant's prying nature.
"Well, I would say I'm more of a spider." Assassin replied, ignoring his killing intent.
"Calm down, there is no need to start a conflict here. Our war is with the other masters, not V." Obe's eyes began to glow as mana coalesced in his eyes.
V looked at them for a bit longer, before turning around and walking towards the exit. "You're right. My bad." In an instant, his fury seemed to shrink. "Oh yeah, Obe?" He paused in front of the door. "Don't do that again, or I will kill you."
With that final threat, V left the gym, leaving only Obe and his servant. Obe remained still, despite the rush of adrenaline, and maintained his composure suppressing his genuine fear.
"Geez, what dick." Assassin approached his master. "You okay master? He was pretty murder happy, even for an assassin like me."
"I'll be fine, thank you, Assassin. Next time, though, try not to provoke him too much. He might actually kill us."
"Kehehe, sorry about that, force of habit. Anyways, how about we get this war started?"
Author's Note (I think this is how I do it): Hello. First I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my fan-tribute to the world of Fate. I am extremely happy that some of you have decided that my work is worth reading. Second, I want to put a disclaimer that the next chapter, and the following chapters will be much more graphic than the previous chapters, and I'm thinking it might fall into the M rating. I'm still unsure, so I wanted to put this notice first, so that you don't get caught off guard. I hope this is not too much of a tone shift, and is keeping in line with the Fate theme of suffering mixed with suffering seasoned with suffering. Anyways, thanks again for reading, and take care.