Testing Complete

Krrr-

The machine clicked and whirred as it engraved the runes. Kan'na didn't dare to perform any of her scans during this process. Any form of third party interference could do devastating damage. Thus she left that sort of work to Torch, who was currently eyeing the performance on his interface.

As the final rune engraved the machine powered down. Immediately Kan'na moved forward to perform her personal checks while Torch verified the machine's integrity. Just like last time the runes were perfect, no shown issues. Her main concern was the disc responsible for the fluid.

Crouching down she disconnected the disc and examined it. Even with a close eye the surface was unblemished. The burning issue had not occurred! A striking success! Kan'na slid the disc back in and allowed the figurine to burst into pure mana.

Torch also confirmed there was no issues with the machine. Another step closer to Kan'na completing her goal! However she could not be hasty, there was one additional test that needed to happen.

On one end of the room was a bulky computer. This was handling the information regarding the programming for the engraving. Utilizing the S grade modules it was capable of a lot of calculations Torch normally had to handle with his personal interface. Thick mana wires connected to the computer to the floor. They traveled underneath the floor into the engraving machine. 

Kan'na worked with Torch to create the programming language. As she was fluent in many magic languages she was considered a semi-expert in this manner. Since the computer utilized mana instead of electricity the programming required a specialized language. For this she altered her own runes along with the runes she learned in A World's Legacy. With a touch of the ancient runes she had created a rudimentary programming language. 

She changed the series of runes to be the formula she designed for the end product. Since the machine was capable of scanning the surface space available already she was able to quickly input this data. She simply had to make specific requirements for the engravings on her skeleton, veins, and organs. 

By the time she finished inputting this data Torch reported the lens had cooled and was ready again. After fixing various errors that appeared in the programming Kan'na set the figurine into place. Taking a deep breath she asked, "You ready?"

"A bit nervous. But ready."

"You're not the only one.", Kan'na laughed self deprecatingly.

The latest figurine had mock skeleton, veins, and organs. After her own study on how her A World's Legacy avatar worked, she made a 1:1 copy in the figurine. This was to ensure as much could be tested as possible. 

Everything was in place. It was time to start the final test! Torch activated the machine and it began its scan. This time he provided real time feedback on what was reported, "It recognizes the mock innards as surface area."

Kan'na nodded along and remained quiet. A magic circle formed in front of her eye allowing her a better view of the process. In the case of an issue she could stop the machine and review the programming. Since the language was rudimentary there was a lack of proper debugging tools, she had to rely on her own knowledge. 

Since she created the language Kan'na was confident in its success, but she was only human. 

'Although I might not be human anymore if this goes well.', Kan'na mocked herself silently.

The engraving had started and Torch watched the process on his interface carefully. The amount of runes inputted this time was far larger than the initial tests. He was concerned about the temperature of the lens. His calculations said it wouldn't be an issue, but he was wrong earlier. It was good he designed backup lasers for the case that the lens reaches critical temperatures.

It was far slower this time. Considering how many runes needed to be engraved this much was natural. The speed was almost unbearably slow. About halfway through the process Torch felt a reading was providing trouble. As expected, the lens temperature was proving to be an issue!

The machine stopped as several of the engraving lasers were rotated out. New ones continued the work without error. Kan'na noticed the pause and paid careful attention to the runes that were paused in creation. From her current position there wasn't any issues. . . 

After it engraved the final rune Kan'na immediately moved forward. Magic circles began to scan the entire figurine body. However as she inspected the body her heart swelled with joy. Just by the feeling the figurine was giving. . . this was undoubtedly a success!

Suddenly figurine's finger twitched. Kan'na spotted this and immediately snapped her fingers. Causing the figurine burst apart into pieces, and soon after the parts were incinerated to ash. 

Torch was startled at the sudden flames, "A failure?"

"A success actually. So much so the figurine almost came to life."

"What? Is that supposed to happen?"

"In a sense it's not surprising. I'm essentially rewriting my own body to be the perfect conductor of mana. Mana swarmed the figurine and tried to control it. We almost gave mana itself a body."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It's not something I want to test.", Kan'na felt a shiver form at her spine thinking about it.

She had no idea what would occur if mana was given a form. It was to remain formless, an element in the air. Once given a body who knows what it would do. At most only those with perfect mana control could remain unscathed from its existence. 

In a sense Kan'na might be the only one who would be able to control it since her mana control surpassed perfection. Regardless this was a dangerous experiment and not her main focus. 

Reaching up she pointed to one of the lasers, "Can these be easily disconnected?"

"Just pull and twist. I have it set that way for easy replacement."

Disconnecting a laser Kan'na disassembled it. Pulling out the disc she spotted a section of the mana crystal was burnt. There was a chance this played a factor in the rising temperature of the lens. Kan'na tossed the burnt disc and crushed it with a magic circle. Setting aside the lens and laser part of the machine she dusted off her palms and said, "Everything is good to go. Let's replace with some fresh lasers and let's get this going."

Torch nodded and rapidly swapped out the lasers. Ever since the lens reported higher temps he had some backup lasers created in his assembly line as a precaution. In the scenario where he had to rapidly replace them of course.

These lasers were already stress tested for quality assurance. Torch realized that, while completing this commission, he had learned a lot about maintaining a level of quality. He had already implemented several new steps in his assembly line to assure everything was created to perfection. 

He had to admit, the price of his entire army and the Knights of the Round self destructing was proving to be profitable! This has to be the equivalent of rebirthing in a game right? Starting over from scratch with new bonuses!

If so, Kan'na was proving to be a SSS grade pull! 

The lasers slotted back into place and Torch performed a standard diagnostic check. Once everything reported back as functioning he informed Kan'na, "Everything's green. You ready?"

Kan'na walked towards the operating table and laid upon it. With a deep breath she said, "Torch! You are joining me as a pioneer in a new method of magic. I am pleased to share this with you."

A dry monotone laugh escaped Torch. His lack of a proper voice module showing. Regardless a hint of humor could be heard in his words, "I don't understand half of what we're doing. I look forward to what you can do after if it works."

Kan'na snapped her fingers and a potion manifested. She drank the entire thing in a singular gulp and whisked away the bottle. Torch was preparing the initial stages of activation when he asked, "What was that?"

"A painkiller. There wasn't enough space on the disc to have the fluid also reduce pain. I'll be conscious during the entire process, so I had a painkiller just in case."

"This is gonna suck then."

Kan'na smiled wryly, "A price to pay. Let's get started."

Torch activated the machine and the fluid rose to encompass Kan'na. She hadn't pictured that the feeling of her mana suffocating would be so close to drowning. Her entire body was paralyzed, but it desperately wanted to fight to breathe. If it weren't for the painkiller there was a chance that she'd suffer significantly more.

An oversight, but she already steeled her heart! 

The scan was complete and Torch gave a rundown, "You've perfectly calculated the available space. There's not even an inch of blank space. Starting the engraving."

He paused before he mimicked the system, "It is recommended you do not log out."

Kan'na couldn't react to the joke. The lasers activated and slowly runes started to engrave upon her. Immediately she thanked her foresight in drinking the painkiller, but cursed her oversight in not making it a sedative instead. 

No no, it was important that she witness this! 

Slowly the runes were carved, crawling down her body at a steady yet painstakingly slow pace. Torch watched each reporting statistic like a hawk, ready to act the moment anything went wrong. He too had invested a lot of time into this project, he would ensure its every possible success!

An hour passed and the halfway mark had been reached. The lens reached a dangerous temperature and the machine rotated the available lasers. Kan'na was especially perceptive to this moment, if the machine was off by even a millimeter there would be consequences. Yet when the lasers continued their progress she was unable to tell if a mistake was made. Torch didn't report anything, so she quelled her worries.

There was only one more hour until completion!