Are You Capable

Time had passed quickly as Torch and Kan'na worked together. Slowly Torch had started a production line of engraving preprogrammed runes into the molded mana crystals. A large stockpile of these S grade rated modules had been forming. Much to the satisfaction of Torch.

Additionally Kan'na worked with Torch to improve the bulky design of the device into something befitting her requirements. The once large cylinder now turned into a simple claw device that could easily be held within one's palm. A larger and more clear lens laid at the center. At its back a small condensed version of the S grade module was visible to see.

The disc was also designed by Kan'na. It fixed the issue regarding the starting location of the engraving point. Now it was capable of creating anywhere down the line. This completely removed the issue of the entry point with the engraving tests. With an overall upgrade in all categories Kan'na was now no longer needed for the commission. Instead Torch was creating the actual station Kan'na needed with a devout fervor. Meanwhile Kan'na was adjusting the formula of runes she planned to engrave onto her body.

This was a dangerous thing to try. There was undoubtedly a lot of risks she needed to understand. First, similar to Orothus' plight the runes could mess up and entirely cripple her ability to use mana. This was why she commissioned someone like Torch. Mechanical machined precision was essentially second to none in reducing the risk of error. Another risk was that A World's Legacy wouldn't be capable of understanding what exactly she was doing. If by some third party reason her attempts were blocked, she could only relent.

There was also the non zero chance that upon death her progress would be wiped on respawn. This also brought forth an issue of natural HP regeneration removing the runes. In theory this shouldn't be an issue since Orothus didn't heal his runes. Repairing bones had non-mana related methods that could have fixed this issue. Thus Kan'na theorized that it was not that simple to create a new slate.

She kept all of this in mind as she created the perfect set of runes to cover every available space. It made use of her knowledge of how mana lines operated and mana's natural operation. It engraved runes not only on her skin, but on muscle fibers and veins. Even going as far as to directly carve them onto her organs and skeleton. With how fine tuned this created formula needed to be, she carried an extreme amount of caution while creating it. There was backups that could be relied on in the case of injury. Additionally there was loopholes which allowed real time temporary adjustments to be made. This should prevent any issue like Orothus' from occurring. 

Finally there were precautions in place to once again carve the runes in the event that they were healed or removed by other means. This was something that could be triggered on and off with the previously mentioned loopholes to prevent any errors from becoming permanent. 

This alone took her longer than she could imagine. Even with her Key to All the calculations needed to ensure there was no clashing errors with the runes took days to complete. Yet at long last. . . it looked complete. If it was successful an issue such as 'Truth' interfering with her magic should never occur again.

This in itself could be considered a 'Truth' perhaps.

A notification knocked her train of thought off track. Pulling up the group chat she read the following messages.

Akiol: @everyone

Akiol: I've decided to stay over where I had traveled for a while longer. Some issues arose that I have to handle, but it's nothing too serious. I don't know when I'll return back home.

Yielya: I call access to your pod then!

Akiol: Sure haha.

Tilia: Take your time, we're here if you need help.

Jarvis: Everything alright?

Akiol: I'm fine don't worry.

Akiol: @Kan'na, where are you by the way? My headset finally arrived and I wanted to ask you about something.

-End-

Kan'na read this for a moment and didn't immediately respond to the question. Instead she pondered on what possible issues Akiol was dealing with to stay at such a far distance away. Considering the real world issues they've already had to deal with. . .

Raising a hand she typed in a simple response.

Kan'na: I'm at Torch's. Come by and visit.

Storing away her formula Kan'na made her way towards the training area. Mira had been dedicating himself to this area for far too long. She was starting to get worried. Now that Akiol was returning to A World's Legacy he was undoubtedly going to pick Mira up. . .

The door slid open and a mechanical voice echoed, "Simulation ending."

Several parts powered down and Mira looked about. Spotting Kan'na he waved, "Big sis Kan'na! What's the matter?"

Kan'na looked about and saw the destruction. Several robots crawled out of various ports and moved to start repairs. Once again Kan'na found herself praising Torch's efficiency regarding automation. Turning her focus to Mira she answered, "I came to check up on you! Akiol should be arriving sometime soon so I figured I'd stop by before you two left."

"Oh! I didn't know he was arriving here so soon!", Mira retracted his axe back to the mark on his palm.

"I don't actually know when he's arriving specifically.", Kan'na clarified, "So how are you?"

Understanding what the broad question was actually targeting Mira easily answered, "The Hydra seems to have calmed. None of the Spirit is acting. Although if I use any of the Acupuncture it might forcefully activate the other acupuncture points as well. I feel the more I use a point the more the Hydra is aware of it. . ."

Raising a finger Kan'na formed a magic circle and did a scan of Mira. Immediately she could tell that no Spirit was leaking out, however she wasn't an expert regarding Spirit. The idea of Spirit moving on its own, or the Hydra Heart controlling Spirit as if it had a mind of its own, was outside of her specialty. For that Mira would have to talk to Wrock.

Yet it was clear that the Spirit wasn't currently acting up. So Kan'na stowed away a few of her worries. Continuing this sort of psychological evaluation she asked, "How do you feel emotionally?"

To this Mira tilted his head and pondered the question. It took a full minute of silence before he scratched his head and said somewhat unsure, "Disappointed?"

"About?"

Mira gestured with his hands before shrugging, "I don't know?"

Kan'na crossed her arms and thought for a moment. There might be a mix of disappointment from his performance in the raid, or him nearly losing control. Yet to find the exact and specific reason would be a pointless task. There was simply too much to consider. 

Waving away her magic circle she continued, "Your heart okay as well?"

Mira placed a palm to his chest, "It still beats."

"Okay. I want you to take a break from fighting for now. Rest is important as well, even if your stamina is basically endless."

Mira nodded enthusiastically, "Okay big sis!"

Kan'na inwardly sighed. If it wasn't for Wrock being in seclusion right now she'd ask him to take a look. Or even better if he'd take him under his tutelage for a while so Mira could learn more about Spirit. Yet the current circumstances didn't allow such things.

Not that she was in charge of Mira's growth to begin with. 

Suddenly Mira looked up and said, "He's here!"

"He is?"

"I just felt his presence through the link."

Kan'na understood this as Akiol had finally logged on. It had been a while since he had. She wondered for a moment if the Guilds were hunting him down now. . .

Well he'd be fine! Kan'na snapped and teleported both herself and Mira to the entrance. It took about ten minutes before Akiol's figure appeared at the entrance. Mira sprinted and ran up to him, "Akiol-sensei!"

Catching the jumping Mira Akiol spun about before setting him down, "It's just Akiol remember?"

"Right!"

"How have you been doing Mira?"

"I've done better!", Mira was honest.

A flash of guilt passed through Akiol's eyes as he ruffled Mira's hair, "Right, and where's Givale?"

Kan'na approached and answered, "Tilia's watching her. They're both at The Gated Arena right now."

"Is that so? That's fine, I'll stop by over there later.", Akiol spoke absentmindedly.

Kan'na crossed her arms, "So? What's been new with you lately?"

"Nothing right now. Just ran into some trouble is all."

"Don't need any help?"

"It's nothing too crazy. Just gotta lay low for a bit."

"Mhm, and what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Just something I wanted your opinion on. How's Torch faring?"

"I'm commissioning him with a machine I want made. In return I'm fixing his robots in the mana category. He had some creative ideas but he needs to study on mana a bit more. I plan on recommending him the Arcane Academy after he's done.", Kan'na let Akiol avoid the question for now.

"That's good. Any of the Guilds give you guys trouble?"

"Surprisingly no. I guess they don't want to fight with Third Stages just yet."

Akiol's focus was clearly elsewhere as he asked these questions. Kan'na was growing increasingly curious on just what he was dealing with. However her curiosity was curbed with Akiol's question.

His gaze sharpening he asked her with his full attention, "Kan'na. Are you capable of sending me to the Western Continent?"