New research

Just as everything was moving forward in the right direction, something strange had happened.

In between her research time, there was a hurried knock at the door which disturbed her from her concentration.

In between practice, she still continued with making medicines, pills and poisons along with various other concoctions.

Usually she would be left during this time and not disturbed so this time it must be urgent.

Right as she opened the door with a frown on her face, Isaac appeared before her with a look of expectation on his face. "Young heir, you must come right away."

Seeing that she was already interrupted from her work but there was no need to watch over anything or for her presence during this time, she replied. "Very well.. I hope this is very important for you to have interrupted me."

'Her presence has become even stronger.. so much so that I can hardly recognise that young small girl anymore.' Isaac paused feeling a slight chill down his spine but responded. "Of course! This is very important. In fact, this could change everything we have ever known about the world itself!"

Ki tilted her head to the side while in thought. 'Did we have something like that? Well, whatever.. better to just follow him.'

She cleared her throat and then said calmly. "Give me a little time to get changed into some cleaner clothes. Then I will meet you in the usual meeting room."

Isaac smiled in response to this. "Of course. I will get everything prepared for when you arrive."

A little while later she arrived in the room where an old man and Isaac were.

Many pieces of paper, books and scrolls were laid out on the table before her and the old man and Isaac were talking to each other while they seemed to be heavily caught up in their discussion.

Ki coughed as they clearly had not noticed her presence. "Ahem…"

Looking closely at the old man, she faintly recognised him so she suddenly had some idea on what it might be that they were discussing.

Isaac turned her way and then spoke. "Ah so you have arrived. Let me introduce you to what we have found."

The old man bowed and spoke. "It has been a long time since I last saw you. Back then you were so much smaller… anyways let's get to the point and not waste anymore time. What we have found after much research and looking for old documents is something that has lead to a breakthrough. You last left me in charge of the tribal or mystic tattooing but it was far too interesting not to investigate further."

Ki's eyes lit up and then asked. "So what is it that you have found?"

The old man looked very excited as he spoke. "I previously had a conjecture that the patterns that are tattooed onto the body are from a specific language and are arranged so that they can work a specific way. With the main word as the core suggesting the element, contract or other form of power… in your case the words blood and contract are tattooed on your body. Some contracts that have a contract are a life bound one that is formed to share a bond and power between a human and beast but in your case, you do not share power but have a master servant relationship and it lives in your body while feeding on your blood. You do not experience any power boosts of your own from it so you have room to use another type of word. It is a much simpler version of a contract form so does not put a burden on your body when used but the other more complicated ones are different. Your blood one for example, it is believed to be the word blood as the main part then they are connected to many other words which represent your abilities. I believe the words are storage, manipulation, strengthening and maybe other ones. To get these to work natural materials are used, ancient words are wrote and a specific chant is used to complete this process."

Ki pondered for a while but couldn't help but ask. "If this is correct then what is your findings?"

Isaac cleared his throat and began to talk. "After looking through many old documents we have found many traces of similar symbols used in ancient texts. We have deciphered many of the words and have a rough understanding of the arrangements they would be tattooed onto a persons body from what drawings and information that you have provided in the past. I think that back in ancient times we were a lot closer to nature and more in tune with the world around us. This lead to us forming words inspired by them at first, later when mystical art users began to appear they must of suffered terribly and retreated to the east and took with them their own research but over the years all they had left was their markings, chants and recipes but they had a lack of understanding of their powers. First.. if we can find someone to test this theory on then we can possibly create another new version of the mystical arts or possibly revive an old and lost art. Second… if it is a success then the first ones will be much simpler with one basic ability. Third… if we can gain more understanding and success with the experiment we can move onto adding other abilities that work with the main element."

Isaac paused and then continued. "If the main word would be water then if it is combined with manipulation, the mystical arts user should be able to manipulate the nearby water in a certain range of themselves. If combined with storage, it can also store a certain amount within the storage space which works well with the manipulation ability. If we can get this to work then we can move onto other ones like ice, fire, wind, wood, metal, earth and perhaps even lightening, light and darkness if it is possible. If blood can be used then they should too if my understanding is correct. But this is not the most important part, back then the original use may not have been to be used on the human body but with engraving on a weapon or some form of tool like a tribal item or totem. If this can be put into practice then even engraved weapons can be made to be tested."

Ki's eyes flickered upon hearing this. "So you mean that many ranged fighters can be produced but also special types of weapons. If we can push this project forward then even a sword or puppet for example could be strengthened?"

Isaac nodded. "In theory yes but it still requires your approval."

Ki sighed and then said. "First test it on those that are willing to participate in the experiment and are close to death and wish to leave behind some money for their family before their death. This way we do not have any issues from their deaths if you fail but also if you are successful we do not need to kill them if they suddenly revolt after being given power."

She continued while looking at the documents again. "If possible research something that can strengthen the toughness of an object and nurture it with something. Blood for example since we already have the main symbols for it."

Evil was incomplete and she had found some people to reforge it but it would take some time before they would have researched enough to be able to do so.

Her puppet was also becoming very tough under the boosted body strengthening recipes effects but after many years it was reaching its limits.

Although Ki had yet to know it's full potential, she was unsure if it would be able to hold up against a martial artist who has the power above the unrestrained realm.

There would come a time when it would become useless to her as a tool to be used and that time would be when her strength surpasses it.

If what Isaac said was true then maybe there was still some hope to strengthen her puppet but also make sure that her sword would surpass the grade that it would reach upon reaching completion.