Paracelsus von Hohenheim knew well that, as a Heroic Spirit, he could fight, but his true strength lay in research.
Alaya had countless combat-ready Heroic Spirits, many far stronger than him.
So why had Morpheus chosen him?
Morpheus answered candidly, "What use is fighting prowess? Even the mightiest of Alaya's Heroic Spirits—can they outmatch me?"
"I'm not boasting, but Solomon, Hassan-i Sabbah, Gilgamesh, Merlin, Cú Chulainn, Heracles, Karna—none of them even combined could take me down."
"What I need isn't fighters. I need talents like you."
"Medea, disciple of Hecate, goddess of magic, a magus of the Age of Gods."
"Paracelsus, legendary physician and alchemist, a powerful magus wielding the five elements."
"You're exactly what I need."
Medea's eyes glinted, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Quite the honor, Lord Demon."
Paracelsus nodded, feeling valued by Morpheus's words. Perhaps this new master would be a good one.
Morpheus waved a hand grandly. "Don't call me Lord Demon. Call me Morpheus or Boss—it sounds better."
Medea complied smoothly. "Very well, Boss."
Paracelsus echoed, "Boss."
"Good. That's the spirit."
Morpheus nodded in satisfaction. Just then, Erina and Hisako finished preparing breakfast and offered it up.
With a snap of his fingers, Morpheus summoned their dishes.
"Come, try the food my followers prepared. It's quite the feast."
Medea and Paracelsus didn't hesitate, sitting down with Morpheus to enjoy the lavish breakfast.
Morpheus took a bite of a steamed gyoza—savory, juicy, a burst of flavor that lit up his eyes.
He sent a message to Erina. "The gyozas were great today. Make them again tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord," Erina replied, her voice light with a hint of joy.
It seemed she'd made the gyozas.
As Morpheus ate, he encouraged Medea and Paracelsus to savor the meal, letting them experience the impact of modern cuisine.
The Age of Gods may have been grand, but its food couldn't compare to today's.
As for Paracelsus's 16th century? No contest.
The two ate with relish.
After breakfast, Morpheus formalized a contract with them.
From then on, Medea and Paracelsus were his, sustained by his power.
Fortunately, Morpheus's strength was vast. Supporting two Heroic Spirits was nothing—twenty, two hundred, or even two thousand would be no issue.
Feeling the depth of Morpheus's power, Medea and Paracelsus understood why he could negotiate with Alaya.
This new Boss was truly formidable.
"What's our next step?" Paracelsus asked.
Morpheus replied, "Alaya wants me to locate Umbrella's hidden viruses worldwide and destroy them. Then she'll send powerful Heroic Spirits to crush Umbrella."
"But I think that's too troublesome and passive."
"I have a better, more permanent solution."
Medea smiled. "What's your plan, Boss?"
Morpheus explained, "I chose you two for your abilities, especially you, Paracelsus. I plan to acquire some of Umbrella's viruses for you to study."
"If you can develop an antidote or counteragent, Umbrella will be nothing."
Paracelsus's eyes gleamed. "That's a solid idea, Boss. I'm also curious—what kind of virus makes even Alaya hesitant?"
As an alchemist, without that spark of curiosity, he wouldn't have become a legend.
Morpheus grinned. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."
Ever the man of action, Morpheus first called Yamazaka Sawako to take the day off, then took Paracelsus and Medea to Umbrella's Tokyo branch.
This time, he didn't sneak in.
Instead, he used his immense mental power to hypnotize every employee in the branch.
Then he strode in boldly.
To Umbrella's staff, Morpheus and his group seemed perfectly normal, as if they belonged.
In their eyes, Morpheus was one of them.
And not just anyone.
Morpheus was the branch director.
Paracelsus was designated the chief researcher.
Medea, naturally, was Morpheus's secretary.
As for the original director? Under Morpheus's hypnosis, he became a janitor.
Medea, witnessing this display, clicked her tongue. "Impressive power, Boss."
But it was only the raw power she admired.
Not the technique.
To her, Morpheus's method was crude—relying solely on overwhelming mental force to twist everyone's memories.
Nothing worth praising.
Anyone with his level of mental power could do it.
Morpheus knew this too, chuckling. "That's why I asked Alaya for you. As a magus of the Age of Gods, you wouldn't mind teaching me some magecraft, would you?"
Medea smiled lightly. "Of course. It's just knowledge."
Morpheus knew that, despite her casual tone, Medea's knowledge was invaluable.
If the Mage's Association caught wind of it, they'd beg at her feet to learn it.
The magecraft of the Age of Gods was far more fearsome than today's.
So, Morpheus left Paracelsus at Umbrella's Tokyo branch to begin his work.
He took Medea to the Light Dimension to study magecraft.
Why the Light Dimension? Because it was Morpheus's domain. There, he was an omnipotent deity.
Even accelerating or pausing time was effortless.
It was the perfect place to learn Medea's magecraft.
Eight hours passed in the real world.
In the Light Dimension, half a year went by.
In that time, Morpheus absorbed nearly all of Medea's magecraft knowledge, becoming a magus not only on par with her but, in some ways, even more formidable.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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