"By the way, you refer to what you've learned and use as magic. Does that mean it's a different system from the magecraft we know?" Da Vinci asked.
"What I've learned comes from the Golden Dawn system, incorporating nearly all occult knowledge from ancient times to the present, forming the foundation of a modern magical system," Morpheus explained.
Seeing their blank expressions, Morpheus sighed. "Think of it as a system where you continuously elevate your existence, climbing the Tree of Life, ultimately transcending human boundaries."
The Tree of Life was familiar to both, but climbing it astonished them.
"According to myth, after God created the world, angels, holy spirits, and creatures all have fixed positions on the Tree of Life, unchangeable… Are you saying your magic allows you to climb it, aiming for the Crown?" Da Vinci pressed.
"I don't know," Morpheus shook his head. "Maybe the Crown, or perhaps beyond it?"
Romani frowned. "Beyond the Crown?!"
Morpheus spoke slowly. "Nothingness, Infinity, the Light of Infinity... isn't that beyond the Crown?"
In legend, the Creator of all things. Morpheus's words suggested that this magic could potentially make one akin to the primordial cause in religious texts.
In the past, they'd have dismissed this as a joke, a fantastical notion from someone ignorant of magecraft.
But now it was different.
Though it still sounded like a jest, it came from a magician... a powerful one who could collaborate with gods.
Even if it was a joke, they had to consider its plausibility.
Suddenly, Romani recalled something and asked directly, "Back in France, when facing Jeanne Alter, you used magic, and a cross appeared behind you. You deliberately let nails pierce your hands, mimicking Jesus. What was your goal?"
Morpheus smiled. "You already said it."
Romani blinked, but Da Vinci understood instantly. "Your goal was to cosplay Jesus?"
"Exactly. The suffering Jesus, bearing humanity's sins. I was reenacting that scene."
Though Da Vinci guessed he was imitating, she didn't grasp the deeper reason. "Your purpose was…?"
"To enhance my magic's effect, deepen my understanding, and gain experience. Jesus, the greatest saint and Son, is central to my practice. Experiencing his trials is crucial for my growth," Morpheus said with a smile. "If you want to learn, I can teach you. But my magic requires substantial theoretical knowledge, and I'm a strict teacher!"
"You'd teach us? You know the more mystery is known, the weaker it becomes!" Da Vinci exclaimed.
"Wrong. My magic grows stronger the more people learn it, the more it's known, the more feedback it generates!" Morpheus grinned. "You might not believe me, but trying it won't hurt."
Spreading the Golden Dawn's magic, replacing magecraft, creating more true magicians, and forging a brighter future for the world.
Teaching his knowledge was a vital step.
Just as he'd shared his knowledge with Shirou Emiya and others in another world, this one needed change too.
If he could get Romani, the former Solomon, to study it, the world's magic might advance rapidly.
Morpheus felt a thrill, excited for the future.
"Oh, right, Dr. Romani, your blood, please!"
Seeing Morpheus's eager grin, Romani sighed, grabbing a disposable syringe. He drew blood from his wrist and handed it over.
"Thanks! I'm off to prepare. You guys chat!" Morpheus dashed off.
Romani and Da Vinci spoke with Ritsuka, giving her future precautions, then let her and Mash leave.
Now alone, Da Vinci asked Romani, "What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Are you going to learn Morpheus's magic?"
Romani hesitated, then nodded slightly. "I'll take a look. Maybe he's right, and it does grow stronger with more practitioners."
Da Vinci added, "He claims it's a path to godhood. I wonder how powerful his 'god' is."
Romani was silent, then said, "Maybe on par with gods, or even main gods, like a pantheon's king." He sighed. "Anything stronger is hard to imagine."
"Do you think it could reach the level of the one you believe in?"
Romani paused, then shook his head. "No, that's a completely different existence!"
"Maybe. But don't forget, he had four angels behind him. Remember that phrase?"
"Angels stand before him…" Romani murmured. "I saw clearly... those were the four archangels from scripture: Michael, Uriel, Gabriel, and Raphael. He summoned them with a spell, and their power…"
"I checked the data. Each angel could shatter a planet, and he summoned all four at once," Da Vinci said, shaking her head. "But his method was unique... he used them to control mana for attacks."
"You mean he didn't fully unleash their power?"
"Exactly. Even so, in future Singularities, he's unlikely to face any opponent he can't handle."
"Good. That lets us focus on researching that halo," Romani said.
"You haven't figured it out yet?"
Romani shook his head. "I have, but not completely. It seems like an extension of the Fifth True Magic. We need more verification."
***
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