You must fight mystery with mystery.
The cold reports drove home a new truth: this was no longer just a civil war of humankind, but a hybrid conflict that spanned both the front world and the secret world.
His enemies were no longer only the Earth Federation's armies, but the "monsters" lurking in the shadows of history—beings no ordinary person could comprehend.
In that case... there must be "monsters" on his side as well.
Steve gathered one of his most secret units: the Combat Division of the Mysterious Phenomena, known as MythosOps. Its magi were those who, for various reasons over the last thirty years, had left the Clock Tower and Mage's Association to join the new order Steve built in space.
They might not be the most ostentatious lords, but each carried deep knowledge and pride from the world of mystery.
In Avalon's strategic conference chamber, he projected Sion's report—a clear image of a mech torn apart by Black Keys, images of the 'drained' village.
He addressed the group, Sion by his side, his tone nothing less than absolute: "You've seen how useless conventional weapons are against these foes. We need a unit that can face them head-on—an irregular, nonstandard combat force under the Federation's command.
"I have decided to attempt a [Heroic Spirit Summoning]."
The words alone caused an uproar.
Klaus von Eschenbach, chief of the mythological studies division and scion of a fallen Clock Tower House, rose in agitation. Known for his severity, he could barely contain his voice. "Supreme Commander, please forgive me, but this is… impossible!
"Summoning a Heroic Spirit is not just a magical ritual, but requires a system of unimaginable size to sustain! We lack everything—a leyline, a summoning system that demands enormous mana payments!
"And in the brittle reality of the modern age, I fear it's simply impossible for such a ritual to even function!"
His protest spoke for every magus present. All respected Steve's genius, but the grandeur of a proper Heroic Spirit summoning belonged to an era of "true magic"—to recreate it was a miracle.
When debate stalled, Sion, silent till then, spoke up.
"Klaus's view is correct, if you follow traditional magecraft theory. You can't just conjure a summoning system out of thin air."
She paused. "But—what if all we need is simply to 'invoke' a phenomenon?"
She tapped the schematic of Avalon's structure. "Magi fail because they're limited by personal magic and ancient methods. But what do we have? The industrial might of the whole Federation, and energy sources surpassing any magus's house."
She pointed to the deepest level—the ship's ether fusion reactor.
"This is our Heroic Spirit Summoning System," she declared. "By overloading this reactor, we can unleash a torrent of pure energy—enough to violently, irrationally force open a 'hole' between reality and Throne of Heroes.
"As for resonance—we can wire the summoned spiritual core directly into the flagship's power network."
She displayed the environmental system diagram. "This way, the ship's energy supports the Spirit's existence—not some ancient line."
Her reasoning stunned the magi. The crude, 'heretical' fusion of magic ritual and a warship's power reactor was at once mad and brilliant.
"On theory, then… it's possible," Klaus acknowledged at last. "But there's one more issue—relics. There's no catalyst, so no way to specify who we call. It could be a chef who only cooks."
All eyes turned to Steve. Of course—that was the final, most vital issue.
Steve stood silent for a moment, then gave a determined smile. "Who says we have no catalyst?"
He walked to the window, gazing out into the galaxy of glowing colonies.
"The ones we desire are those who would protect the New Human race, and forge the new era.
"Tell me: what better catalyst than myself—Steve Weis, leader of the New Human, founder of this revolution and ideal?"
He turned, eyes shining. "I will use my own body as the catalyst. My existence, ideals, and blood—to call out to the Heroic Spirit that resonates with this revelation.
"It is a gamble—but it is also a declaration to the Throne of Heroes of our new era."
...
Three days later.
Avalon's lowest section had been converted into a massive, empty summoning chamber. On the cold alloy floor, Klaus and the magi carved a huge summoning circle, over fifty meters across—a fusion of intricate circuit diagrams and ancient runes.
At the far end, behind thick lead-glass, the throbbing reactor core hummed. Sion manned the controls, nervously fine-tuning the final parameters.
Steve, in only a simple black vest, stepped to the circle's center. He drew a ritual dagger and slashed his left palm cleanly.
"Reactor—initiate overload!"
"Energy output rising... 30%... 50%... 70%!" Sion's voice crackled over the radio.
Buzz— The entire chamber began to shudder. The reactor's roar became a piercing scream. The circle's runes lit up one by one, blinding blue arcs flaring as power flooded the room.
Steve pressed his bloodied palm to the heart of the glyph.
With his greatest, most resolute voice, Steve sang his summoning.
"I declare—!
"You are under me! Fate gifts you a sword!
"But this is no invitation to the Grail—it is a cry for the will of humanity!
"I am no one who prays for a miracle—I am a creator of the future!
"Coming from the sea of stars, freed from gravity's chains, I carry the wishes of billions!
"Our ideals are our banner. I swear to survive! My body is the catalyst!
"Answer me, nameless hero! If you have ever gazed upon the stars—if you have ever fought for the future of your comrades—
"—O protector of scales, cross the tides of time and space and come forth!"
As he finished, Sion pressed the final button. "Energy at 120%! Open the hole—!"
A thunderous, indescribable surge of pure light and information erupted from the circle's center—piercing Avalon clear through, linking the ship to the cosmos itself.
Most present magi collapsed under the pressure. Steve alone stood amid the torrent of light, will unbroken.
Uncountable stories, legends, and heroic epics rushed into his consciousness like a dam breaking.
Eventually, the searing light faded, silence falling once more—save the faint humming of the reactor, and the fresh tang of magic in the air.
One figure stood quietly before Steve. Their face was obscured, features masked behind a silvery mask smoother than flesh.
Swathed in a midnight cloak that seemed woven of starlight, they exuded no aura of pressure—but instead, mere silence and emptiness, as though a shadow from time immemorial.
The figure bowed slightly. The voice from behind the mask was haunting, synthesized; it sounded at once neither male nor female, but composed of countless overlapping tones.
"—Servant, Watcher. I have answered your call.
"I possess neither past nor true name.
"I am the first 'phenomenon' of New Human Order, systematized.
"My mandate is to witness.
"To observe your decisions, see the end of this era, and record it as fact.
"The contract is made.
"Master, your command."
[...]
Servant Information: Watcher
True Name: ???
Gender: Unknown
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Alignment: Neutral, Balanced
Master: Steve Weis
Parameter Sheet:
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Agility: E
Mana: A+
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: EX
Class Skills:
Observer: A — Possesses supreme skills in gathering and analyzing information. Detects most hidden magecraft and Noble Phantasms with ease.
Mana Rejection: B — Negates magecraft at B rank or below.
[Other Skill]: ??? -- Effect unknown.
Noble Phantasm:
??? (Unnamed)
Rank: EX
Type: Conceptual
Effect: Unknown
…