Ragna, while putting on his new clothes, muttered under his breath, "Ah, it feels so good to wear these clothes again." His gaze fell on the magical book he had taken from Ryuunosuke. Running his fingers over its old and mysterious cover, he thought to himself:
"Will this summoning work? I don't have magic circuits, and my body will probably reject magic… But I'll give it my all." Determination lit up in his eyes as he took a deep breath.
Ragna carefully began drawing the magic circle. Every detail was drawn with precision, ensuring perfection in its design. When he was done, he stood back up and examined the circle one more time.
He started reciting the summoning chant in a firm voice. The magic circle began to react, emitting a blue light. The light grew brighter with each passing second, but Ragna, unfazed by the glow, kept his eyes fixed on the circle and continued the incantation:
"Words of power etched upon the seventh heaven…
Bound by the seal of the Keeper of Balance…
If you hear my call, answer me!"
Suddenly, the room was bathed in blinding light. A command seal materialized on Ragna's hand, taking the shape of a shining sword. Yet, something unexpected happened. His body began to change; the incomplete dragon blood in his veins surged, and his heart started to regenerate.
Any ordinary human would have screamed in agony, but Ragna, with unmatched endurance, took only a deep breath. Golden and silver runes appeared around his heart as it transformed into the form of a dragon's heart—albeit incomplete.
An immense and unprecedented magical energy radiated from his heart; energy far surpassing any other Master in the Holy Grail War. Ragna thought in amazement, "How is this possible? Silverine should repel magic…"
His thoughts, however, were interrupted by the dazzling light of the summoning circle.
The bluish light filled the room, gradually forming into the shape of a woman cloaked in blue-violet robes and a hood that obscured her face. Ragna recognized her immediately: Medea, the Witch of Betrayal, a woman whose life was riddled with tragedy and suffering.
Medea smirked faintly and said, "Servant Caster has answered your call. Are you my Master?"
Ragna raised his hand and firmly replied, "Yes, I am your Master."
Medea's eyes grew cautious as she observed him. She had full confidence when dealing with modern magi, but the overwhelming power emanating from Ragna unsettled her. It felt akin to the divine beings she had always despised.
Ragna noticed Medea's wary look and thought to himself, "I need to make her trust me."
He raised his command seal, and with a resolute voice, he said, "Caster, I command you: If I ever betray you, betray me in return!"
Medea froze in shock, staring at him in disbelief. She hesitated before asking, "Why did you do that, Master?"
Ragna smiled and replied, "I can see it in your eyes—you don't trust me. For us to win the Holy Grail War, trust between a Master and Servant is essential."
Medea let out a small smile and said, "You're quite interesting… Fine, as long as you don't betray me, I won't betray you."
Ragna smirked and said, "That's a relief. I don't want my Servant stabbing me in the back. By the way, what's your true name?"
Medea smiled faintly and said, "My name is Medea, Princess of Colchis and the Sorceress of Betrayal."
Ragna grinned and replied, "And I am Ragna."
Medea froze again upon hearing his name. With wide eyes, she asked, "Are you Ragna Reaper?"
Ragna sighed and thought to himself, "Damn you, Crimson, for giving me that title…"
In another world, Crimson scratched his head and muttered, "Who's talking behind my back?"
Ragna snapped back to reality and looked at Medea. "Yes, that's me," he said.
Medea's eyes widened further as she muttered, "I can't believe I'm standing before the legendary Ragna Reaper…"
Her mind wandered to the tales she had heard of him: the one who rose during the reign of dragons, when they ruled the skies, seas, and land, and humans were mere cattle for them. Countless heroes rose to challenge the dragons but fell under their immense power—until one man appeared. The dragons trembled at his name: Ragna, the one who ended their reign.
Ragna extended his hand toward Medea and said, "Medea, let's win this Holy Grail War together."
Medea hesitated for a moment, then smirked and replied, "Master, you want the Witch of Betrayal to fight by your side? You're quite bold… But I like you. Fine, let's win this war together."