"Hm… like this, right?"
The Matou residence, now Samuel's domain since Matou Zouken's demise.
The rightful heir, Matou Kariya, had quietly left with his son, offering no resistance.
Samuel was now performing one of the Holy Grail War's miracles: summoning a Heroic Spirit.
Calling forth a being from history, transcending time to reach the present, intrigued even Samuel.
"Justeaze, is this good enough?"
Samuel filled the gaps of a magic circle with a vial of "mercury," completing the array.
"Justeaze, does the circle have to look like this?"
"The outer symbols represent earth, fire, wind, and water. The center signifies sun, moon, and stars. The surrounding text is Latin, and those symbols… crown, wisdom, understanding… the ten sephirot!"
Though Samuel was science-sided, he was no stranger to mysticism. He knew magic existed, and the magecraft of Toaruverse and Nasuverse seemed similar, their knowledge rooted in comparable sources.
"The circle isn't the key. It binds the Heroic Spirit to your Command Spells. The true key is the Greater Grail, imbued with the wisdom of a former Magician of the Third Magic on the Third Magic. Its essence connects to the true Third Magic, enabling a Heroic Spirit's summoning."
"I see… Let's begin!"
Samuel raised his right hand, revealing a blood-red, three-part Command Spell—a ticket to the Holy Grail War, courtesy of Justeaze.
The Greater Grail responds to those with magical power and a burning desire for the Grail or a wish, granting them Command Spells.
It's instinctive—magic and desire are enough.
"Fill, Fill, Fill, Fill, Fill.
Cycle upon cycle, fivefold in turn, yet when filled, it is time to discard.
I declare, your body heeds my command, my fate is bound to your sword. Answer my call if you accept this will, this reason.
Here I swear, I shall accomplish all good deeds of the world, I shall vanquish all evils of the world.
You, clad in the three great words of seven heavens, from the Wheel of Restraint, Protector of the Balance!"
With Samuel's incantation, the circle glowed blue. By the end, the light blazed like the sun—strange, but true.
A tall figure emerged in the blue radiance. As it faded, their appearance became clear.
A lean, handsome man with long orange hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a doctor's white coat, his expression dazed.
"…What the hell? I got summoned?"
The man glanced at Samuel, then the circle, visibly shocked.
"Justeaze, I thought Heroic Spirits were summoned because they had wishes for the Grail. What's with this guy?"
Samuel pointed at the bewildered man, questioning Justeaze.
"Well… that's usually the case…"
Justeaze seemed puzzled too.
"Samuel?"
"Wait, the Grail tells Heroic Spirits their Master's name?"
Samuel asked, confused.
"Um… I was the original sacrifice and am part of the Greater Grail now, but the Matou family handled information flow. I don't know much…"
"Oh. Hey, what's your name?"
The man gave a wry smile. "Hey, that's harsh! I'm—"
He stopped abruptly, realization dawning, then sighed. "Master, call me Roman. Bad news… you drew a lousy card!"
"Roman?"
Samuel found no historical figure by that name, at least not a famous one.
In the Holy Grail War, this meant uncertainty—not necessarily strong. Roman's claim of being a "bad card" suggested self-doubt or some other issue.
"Let me see your stats!"
"Sorry, I'd rather not. Also… I have no combat ability. I'm afraid I can't help in this war."
Roman, the Heroic Spirit, said as much.
"…"
Samuel paused, turning to Justeaze. "If I take him out, can I summon another?"
"No."
Justeaze shook her head curtly.
"Hey, that's terrifying! Why kill me? I'm useful, okay?"
Roman protested animatedly.
"How?"
"I'm a doctor. I can heal."
"Oh, useless. Kill him."
"Whoa, stop with the murder talk! Uh… I know a bit about magecraft. I can teach you!"
"Why? Weren't you summoned unwillingly? Why do you want to stay?"
Samuel was skeptical. Roman's initial reaction suggested reluctance, and he seemed to… know Samuel?
"If possible… let me stay. I want to… experience human life again."
Roman's wry smile carried an unspoken melancholy.
"…"
Samuel rubbed his chin. The Heroic Spirit was suspicious, but his expression seemed genuine. Killing him wouldn't allow a new summon, and Samuel was curious about his magecraft knowledge.
"He's a Spirit that matches me… and that appearance… it's him, right? Gotta be! Am I a lucky summoner?"
In the Holy Grail War, without a catalyst, summoned Servants align with the Master's nature.
Samuel had a hunch about Roman's identity.
"Alright!"
Hearing Samuel's approval, Roman danced like an excited child, visibly thrilled.
***
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