"You don't need to do anything special," Ian replied. "But I have to tell you: the whole process is going to be extremely painful."
"Your wording makes the situation sound more alarming," Tohsaka said.
"I'm just reminding you to prepare yourself mentally."
"I can tolerate a little pain."
"A little pain?" Ian shook his head. "If we had more time, I could have prepared painkillers for you. If I could easily open the storage space, I could also get the medicine from there. What a pity."
"Pain relief? Can't we buy something from the hospital or pharmacy?" Tohsaka asked.
"No. This pain comes from your soul, so those things are useless."
Ian walked back to the summoning room. He erased the original summoning array and slowly drew a new one of his own. "Quick question: Do you still have the pendant that summons Saber?"
"Huh? Why do you ask this?"
"Just answer me." "If you must know, I didn't. I gave it to someone who once saved my life."
"You don't need to know."
"It's Emiya Shirou, right?"
"How do you know? Are you using Divination on me? Stop; otherwise I will use Command Spells."
Ian ignored her threat. In the <Fate/Stay Night> series, Tohsaka did not give Emiya Shirou the pendant until he summoned a servant and saved Emiya Shirou from Lancer's attack. With that pendant, Shirou, the protagonist, instinctively accidentally summoned Saber, one of the most powerful servants in the series.
Now, in this strange timeline, Emiya Shirou received the pendant earlier. This was most likely to ensure that he became the seventh Servant and summoned Saber.
'Akasha encompasses the sum total of all events and possibilities. So, it creates a timeline where these subtleties make a difference. Well, that makes total sense because I also have to account for the impact of the Arcane Empire.'
Ian finished drawing the runes on the floor, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
"It's done."
"What should I do?"
"Just stand in the middle and be mentally prepared."
Tohsaka took a deep breath and whispered, "I'm ready." The magic circle lit up instantly, followed by Tohsaka's painful scream.
Usually when she uses magic, Magic Circuits will produce visual projections in her body. But this time, they are no longer the usual green, but dark red. Her body twisted on the floor, and her voice quickly became hoarse.
'Little girl, this is the price of gaining strength quickly,' Ian thought, and then looked out the window. The whole process only lasted thirty minutes, which is not long in hindsight. However, for a person who is suffering from unimaginable pain, every second is as long as an eternity.
When the slight moaning and whining stopped, Ian knew that the process was over. He conjured up a large glass of water and handed it to her, Tohsaka took it and drank it in large gulps.
"Slow down and adjust your rhythm."
"You! I thought I was going to die," she complained.
"I told you it would hurt. You said it was just a little pain."
Tohsaka was too tired to argue with him. She could only rely on drinking water to regain consciousness. After replenishing water for a minute, she finally felt better.
"Feeling better?"
Tohsaka nodded.
Her eyes lit up and she activated the magic. The look of shock on her face was clearly visible.
"108 Magic Circuits!" She really didn't know what to say. Most magicians are born with less than 20 circuits; more than this number can be considered gifted. She initially had 40 circuits and was already an elite among her peers in the magic world. But now, she can't describe her newfound power and talent.
"Not just a simple 108," Ian added. "I added a new set of Magic Circuits to your nervous system; this should provide you with an additional 12 circuits. Unfortunately, this is the limit of your genes, and there is no time or resources to further improve you at the genetic level."
"You mean my body itself can contain magic power?" Tohsaka asked.
"That's right."
She was at a loss for words. Was ancient civilization so much more advanced than modern civilization? Why did this ancient mage seem to know more about science than contemporary people?
"There is no need to belittle yourself. The decline of modern magicians is the result of environmental changes, not a lack of talent," Ian persuaded. He did not want this little girl to lose her confidence.
"Now, are you ready to try your new power?"
"Of course."
Ian raised his staff and created a barrier around the room. "Don't hesitate."
Tohsaka did not hesitate. She used all the attack magic she had mastered, including her family's Jewel Magecraft.
"I can't believe how powerful magic can be," she shouted. "I now believe that I can easily defeat some of the mid-level servants. Given the right circumstances, I am confident of facing any of them."
"If your magic control wasn't so bad, you would be stronger," Ian said. "The performance just now was so bad, it was uncomfortable to watch."
"Haha, that's not a bad tone!" She sneered. "Why don't you show how powerful you are?"
"Is this inflated?"
"I just want to see what the most famous mage in the world is capable of."
The fight lasted for five minutes, and at the end Tohsaka collapsed to the ground, panting. She had never fought such a frustrating battle.
Her opponents were always able to accurately attack the subtle inconsistencies in the flow of her magic power, which ruthlessly exposed her lack of control. Due to constant interruptions, she could not even cast a complete spell in the past five minutes.
"You should learn to listen to the advice of your elders," Ian raised the corners of his mouth.
"I'm not talking to you," Tohsaka yelled.
"Okay, enough fun. Let's learn how to control magic during the war."
Tohsaka sat up with a serious expression, "What are your plans?"
"Our first target should be Lancer or Caster. Personally, I want to deal with Lancer first, but Caster is our biggest enemy."
"Why choose them?" Tohsaka asked.
"Lancer's mind contains 18 Primordial Runes knowledge, and I am very interested in them," Ian replied with Blink eyes, and Tohsaka almost turned over Byakugan.
"You've never learned Primordial Runes?"
"I have only learned a few minor ones," he lied, his face not red and his heart not beating. "If I mastered that knowledge, how could I lose to those damn gods? Obviously, that thing contains the essence of some magic. Besides, if we can find his master through him, we may be able to collect the remaining Rune."
"I probably understand why you are interested," Tohsaka nodded. "By the way, who is Lancer's true identity?"
"Cu Chulainn."
"The Irish hero and Demigod?"
"Exactly."
"So, his teacher is Scathach?"
"That's right," Ian nodded. "I've always wanted to see her?"
"Why? Interested?" Tohsaka showed a weird smile. "Rumors say she is one of the most beautiful women in the world."
"While her beauty is certainly heartwarming, that's not the main reason," he explains. "I just feel like we're similar in many ways: both are rulers, both have the power to kill monsters and gods, and both have a passion for teaching young people."
"It seems you have a lot in common. Wait, how do you plan to meet her? Is she a Servant in this war?"
"No, she never died."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, she has achieved immortality and has lived for more than two thousand years."
"Is immortality really possible?"
"It's not as magical as you think: as long as you prevent your body from decaying and properly nourish your soul, you can live long enough to be considered immortal."
"I'm starting to think talking to you is getting frustrating," Tohsaka complained, and Ian shrugged.
"What about Caster? Why is she such a threat?"