At the darkest hour of the day, I finally left.
It didn't take that long for the kids go to sleep, but Masaru spent a bit longer cleaning the house than I would have liked, and for some reason, she always stops me from helping her.
At least she doesn't go all 'no one helps in this house', because I would be extremely annoyed if that were the case.
I thought for a while about making a bounded field in the house, but decided against it. I don't know any field that would help protect the kids during this war, and I would most likely bring attention to this place, it's basically a safe haven, as I never use magecraft there.
Arriving at the abandoned building, I take a small look at the current bounded field.
Extremely basic, it will warn magus that this is someone else's territory and will tell me if an intruder appears.
Really, it can barely be called a bounded field, even the one Kiritsugu left in the Emiya Residence in Stay Night was better than this crap.
My understanding of runes is not enough; I can't create bounded fields better than the ones I already did, so it's time to learn a new type of magecraft.
Grabbing The Tantra of Tachiwaka-Ryū, I immediately begin reading it. It's not that long of a book, having fewer than two hundred pages, which for me is too few. I only hope I can learn enough to at least survive long enough to summon my servant.
I also use the Batna Sik runic sequence to help myself in my studies. Being a rune that specializes in the idea of improving the self makes it perfect for any kind of training, including studies.
I really abuse this combination, don't I? Well, not my fault, they're so versatile, being able reinforce myself and better my training using a single runic sequence is simply great.
After around two hours, I finished reading the book.
From what I could gather, the most interesting part was about the application of curses and the creation of talismans.
Curses are the hardest to do; I actually need to 'curse myself', or to be more specific, I need to shape mystery inside my body in order to conceptualise the curses into the world. That makes curses a rather effective form of magecraft, as the spell is done in the Microverse(Body), which reduces the rejection from the Macroverse(World).
It's a reliable path for me in the future, but sadly, not something I can apply currently; it needs practice and a safe environment, two things I can't afford for now.
So I will focus all my effort on talismans.
Compared to curses, they're 'harder' as they need material and time to be made, but they can be made in large amounts.
Basically, I will write certain 'commands' onto papers and through prayers, I can connect to the Mystery surrounding the god I pray to. Of course, some basic spells, such as creating fire or wind, don't need prayer to be used, but it can increase the conceptual value of the spell, consequently, making it stronger.
With that in mind, I decided to use a 'memory' spell. I have two purposes in mind: the first is to recall Tamamo-no-mae's talismans and use them as a basis for my own, which will help intensify the effectiveness of my spells. And the second is to recall the summoning circle to summon my servant.
First, I use the rune Othala(ᛟ), which represents experience and fundamental values.
Then Mannaz(ᛗ), the rune of intelligence and awareness.
Ansuz(ᚨ), which is used to reveal messages, I actually need to use this one twice for it to be effective. The rune by itself won't gather enough conceptual power to recall a memory, so I need two to increase its power. That's a rather common action from what I could gather, but I never do higher-level magecraft, so a single one is usually enough.
Well, let's begin. "Oma(ᛟᛗᚨ)."
Then, fragments of my memories start becoming clearer.
I can remember the information I need. Sadly, not all of them are that great.
Tamamo's talismans are all the same; it seems that they use her connection to Amaterasu to produce a spell, so sadly, copying it won't be effective for me. The ones from the book will have to suffice for now.
Thankfully, I was able to remember the summon circle perfectly, and the chant as well. I will try to make some changes, as I don't think using Zelretch's name in the chant will suit me. Maybe something about the servant I want to summon? Well, I want a compatibility summon, so trying to reference a certain hero is not a good idea. I think Caster or at least a magecraft practitioner will be the best, so I shall emphasise their magic skills in the chant.
Next, I decide to finally enforce my base. Using some runes around the entrances to increase their durability, alongside making people ignore this place, it's better that normal people don't find this place.
I have a few runic sequences that can 'impose' the idea of path. By writing them on the walls and linking them to this place's leyline, I hope to create an effect similar to the Ryuudou Temple. Of course, it won't be as strong but will at least delay people for a few instants, and luckily, not only spiritual beings will be affected, but Magi and normal people as well. Any low to mid-tier spell will break this protection, but it will have done its purpose.
With that done, I think I have enough protection for now. Some touches here and there will be needed, but I think this works.
Now, time to do the summoning.
Slowly, I begin writing the necessary symbols, alongside the circle. I mess it up a few times, so it took a bit longer than I would like, and I forget a symbol or two from time to time, so I had to reuse the runic sequence to recall them.
And while my knowledge is rather poor, I believe I have a way to aid my servant. Writing another circle around it in runes, I think I can 'enhance' the summoning, maybe making their vessels more stable? It will either work or not even activate at all. My hope is that by gathering enough telluric energy, I would be able to make my servant 'ascend', similarly to what is done in FGO. It's foolish to risk it on a higher level of summoning, but I have no idea who my enemies are and have low to zero meta knowledge, so I will have to cheat in whatever way I can!
Well, the summoning circle is done; it's time to initiate the summoning.
Entering a similar position to that of Rin when she did her summoning in UBW, I begin a chant.
"Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let black be the color I pay tribute to.
Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall.
Let the four cardinal gates close.
Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate.
Let it be declared now;
Your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be with your sword.
Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail.
Answer, if you would submit to this will and this truth.
An oath shall be sworn here.
I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven;
I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell.
From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,
Come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!"
The summoning circle begins to emit a powerful light, but quickly it fades.
'Huh? It didn't work? Did I mess somehow?' Soon, another light hits my eyes.
'Huh, light? At this time?' I then look at the windows. 'Wait, the sun is rising?! Fuck!'
'No wonder! I, the new configurations to the ritual made it possible to summon only during the night, as the supernatural is more prominent at that time.' A thought then comes to mind.
'Masumi wakes up ridiculously early! If she notices I am not at home, that could bring me problems! Back home, quickly! I will prepare for the summoning when night returns.'
I quickly reinforce myself and run back as fast as possible.