Leonardo da Vinci leaned forward, arms crossed as she studied the half-drawn summoning circle on the floor. "Summoning a Heroic Spirit isn't as simple as just calling out to them," she explained, her voice steady and instructive. "It's a delicate process that requires a strong magical foundation, a proper summoning circle, and—most importantly—a catalyst."
Dr. Dew listened intently, nodding along. "A catalyst... something connected to the spirit you want to summon?"
"Exactly." Leonardo twirled a piece of chalk in her fingers before kneeling down to complete the circle. "Without one, the summoning relies more on chance. We might call upon someone completely different than intended."
Dr. Dew sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "A catalyst... We don't have anything directly tied to the people I was hoping to summon, but… what if we create something related to them? Would that work?"
Leonardo's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Now that's an interesting theory. If a catalyst is an object tied to a person's legend, then perhaps a well-crafted replica could influence the summoning."
Dr. Dew cracked his knuckles. "We have the vending machine of the Sierra Madre. It should be able to help us produce what we need."
They quickly got to work, creating a Tesla Coil for Nikola Tesla, an old-style chalkboard with Einstein's equations for Albert Einstein, and a replica of the Monticello clock for Thomas Jefferson. Each item was carefully placed around the summoning circle, their presence hopefully nudging fate toward their desired outcome.
Leonardo dusted off her hands. "Alright, catalysts—maybe—are set. Now, let's talk about your mana supply."
Dr. Dew hesitated. "I don't even know if I have mana."
Leonardo raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "You have magic circuits, but they've never been used?"
"I didn't even know I had them."
Leonardo then paused, remembering something critical. She turned to Dr. Dew.
"You know, it's honestly insane that you're standing here summoning spirits when you come from a world where magic was nothing more than legend. Where it was thought to be completely fake." She let out a laugh, shaking her head. "You grew up in a world of science, and now you're using magic like it's just another tool."
Dr. Dew scratched his head. "Yeah… It's been a lot to take in." He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if feeling for something new. "But at the end of the day, if it works, it works."
Leonardo placed two fingers against his wrist and closed her eyes. After a moment, she smirked. "You have more mana than I expected. Likely a result of your enhanced physiology. But you've never drawn on it before, which means…"
Dr. Dew sighed. "It's going to hurt, isn't it?"
Leonardo chuckled. "A lot."
She placed a hand on his chest and sent a pulse of energy through him. Fire surged through his veins like molten iron, his entire body seizing in protest. His muscles clenched, his nerves burned, and for a few agonizing seconds, it felt like his entire being was rejecting itself.
Then—relief.
Dr. Dew gasped, bracing himself against the table. "That sucked."
Leonardo grinned. "Welcome to magic."
Dr. Dew straightened, still feeling the strange sensation of energy coursing through him. "Alright. Let's summon a Heroic Spirit."
Leonardo returned to the summoning circle and began the incantation. The moment she started, the air thickened, vibrating with unseen power. The circle glowed a brilliant blue, pulsing rhythmically as the magic wove itself into the world.
And then—they felt it.
A sudden, chilling sensation. The hair on the back of Dr. Dew's neck stood up as an overwhelming feeling of being watched settled over them.
His eyes flickered toward the small window. The night sky stretched endlessly beyond, stars twinkling above. But one star—it didn't twinkle. It remained still, unnervingly so.
Leonardo hesitated for just a moment but didn't stop chanting.
The summoning circle flared, a vortex of energy surging upwards in a swirling mass of light. The force distorted the air, making the entire room feel like it was shifting, bending.
Then, as suddenly as it started, the energy burst outward. A figure now stood at the center of the circle.
Tall, robed in elegant attire, with piercing blue eyes and an aura of wisdom, the man studied them before offering a slight bow.
"I am Paracelsus von Hohenheim," he introduced himself, voice composed and precise. "An alchemist, philosopher, and scientist of my time. You have called upon me, and so I have come."
Leonardo blinked. "Paracelsus? But we were trying to summon Tesla."
Paracelsus chuckled softly. "Summonings are not always precise. Fate has guided my arrival instead."
Leonardo and Dr. Dew exchanged a look before Dr. Dew decided to get to the point. "Paracelsus, can you help us with something?"
Paracelsus folded his hands together. "What is it that you seek?"
Leonardo wasted no time. "We're trying to recreate a powerful artifact known as the Koh-I-Noor. A crystal that can fuse things together. Despite all of our advancements, we've barely made progress."
Paracelsus's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "A crystal capable of fusion? A fascinating endeavor. While my primary expertise lies in alchemy and homunculi creation, there are principles of transmutation that may apply."
Dr. Dew and Leonardo exchanged another glance.
Dr. Dew tapped his chin. "Wait a minute… your specialty is creating homunculi, right?"
Paracelsus nodded. "Indeed. The art of crafting artificial life is one of my greatest achievements."
Leonardo's eyes widened slightly. "That… actually makes sense. Gen 3 synths and homunculi have a lot in common. Both are artificial beings that mimic humanity, created by those who seek to push the boundaries of life itself."
Dr. Dew snapped his fingers. "Then maybe that's why you appeared instead of Tesla or Einstein. The summoning must have prioritized something closer to my own existence."
Paracelsus nodded. "That is a reasonable hypothesis."
Leonardo crossed her arms. "Regardless of the reason, you're here now. And that means you might be able to help us."
Dr. Dew exhaled. "Maybe, with your knowledge, we can finally crack the secret behind the Koh-I-Noor."
As they discussed theories of transmutation, fusion, and metaphysical properties, the strange sensation of being watched returned—stronger this time.
Dr. Dew turned back toward the sky. That same unmoving "star" loomed above.
Leonardo followed his gaze, her expression darkening. "That feeling again..."
Paracelsus observed them quietly before offering a cryptic smile.
Somewhere, beyond the vast darkness of space, something was indeed watching.
End of Chapter Nineteen