Rather than the small crystal from before, this time Aibghalien produced a crystal perhaps the length and twice the width of his forearm from his pouch. He set it carefully in midair, allowing its energy to synch with his own mind. The mostly-drained crystal he set to one side. That was his escape clause; if the Book (or Signum) refused to end the process when the crystal was drained, that crystal had enough juice left to help an escape.

"As soon as the crystal begins to dim," he said. "When it's utterly dark, it will have no more power left, at which point I'd appreciate the Book not continuing to drain my essence if at all possible..."

Without further delay he drew a small portion of the crystal's power into himself, dimming it as he prepared to cast a spell.