The next evening, Shirou went back to his usual curriculums. Even though he was unable to summon Saber, he still intended to keep trying— even if it meant exhausting him or pushing him as far as his very end.
He had forgotten the count of his failure. He even forgot the number of blades he had forged to mark his failure. But the appearance of the grail had given him another reason to continue.
He might not have chosen to be a master yet, but there was a little possibility he might become. So he was more eager to perform the summoning.
He stood, confidently, before the magic circle once he used without any concern to summon her. This time around, however, he knew everything about it.
It wasn't necessarily but sometimes masters needed relics to summon heroic spirits. And to call for Artoria— the specific servant he wished to meet— his own body was the relic itself as he was the embodiment of her love— her affection— her fate.
It was his desire, and the Holy Grail tended to fulfill the desires of whoever would become victorious.
So the question was, would it grant him the wish to see Saber before the conclusion of the war— or would it even choose him as a master for that to happen?
"We don't know until we try," Shirou said, cutting his fingertip once again, and his crimson blood dropped on the magic circle.
It glowed magnificently. Whether a servant would appear or not, was a concern for later.
"I've waited for so long. I've crafted so much. All the struggles, all the desperation— they're meant for only one desire and that is to see you again Saber." He continued his incantation, outstretching his right arm, "O King of the Knights, heed my command. Let our destinies be crossed again— Let me be your master again and come to my aid…."
Shirou was trying to continue more, but a sudden pain on his forehead caused him to fall on the hitoknees. His blood came out of his mouth. His body became exhausted— as though all the mana from his body was being sucked away by the circle.
"Wh—" he struggled to understand, his vision becoming blurred, "What's happening? Did it work? Did I manage to summon her?"
He tried to look.
A tremendous shockwave was created and it nearly pushed him back. But he stood, withstanding the immense pressure unleashed by the magic circle that glowed brightly.
Yes. It happened. The grail had heeded his wishes. It had manifested a servant for him. The dark aura shrouded the servant as it appeared. When everything was clear, the servant materialized to his human form and kneeled before him.
The Command Seals, by the way, appeared on the right side of his forehead—half visible; half covered by his hair— instead of his arm as it usually occurred.
Shirou's eyes wide opened. He was shocked to see it happened. But more than that he was mad— as though infuriated after seeing it happen.
"Trace On!"
He wasted no time before materializing his own two blades. He rushed to attack the very servant he had summoned.
The servant, still kneeling to its master, did nothing. Yet somehow, two swords of his own appeared into the thin air and blocked Shirou's attacks.
"I do not know what inspired you to take such reckless action, but I assure you, attacking me is not a wise choice, master." The servant spoke, a hint of ego and pride lurking in his voice as he looked at Shirou with his determined eyes.
"Why're you here…" Shirou shouted, unable to hold his anger, "Why the hell are you here, Gilgamesh!!!??"
"Eh?" Gilgamesh looked perplexed.