Chapter 14. Beneath the Surface.

"Look on the top shelf, there should be writings about this disease," Elder Ah Lung instructed, standing over an oak table cluttered with dozens of ancient scriptures and books containing the accumulated wisdom of previous generations.

The Despair Clan, like the other four families, were now urgently seeking a cure for Energy Imbalance, a problem that had never before been faced with such immediacy.

If someone had suggested just a several month ago that no one had seriously considered seeking a cure for this disease all these years, they would have been met with disbelief and likely punished for such insolence. The urgency of the problem was undeniable, the rarity of the disease leaving a glaring gap in the future of all mankind.

Their search through the ancient texts yielded little. References to the Energy Imbalance were scant and cryptic, akin to a serpent concealed within the robes of an Immortal. Despite the elders' concerted efforts, they could unearth only fragments of information, insufficient for even preliminary treatment.

The revelation that energy stagnation could afflict infants had emerged only half a century ago, and the concept of hereditary transmission in such cases was a relatively recent discovery, occurring just a decade prior. Experimental endeavors had yielded little progress, save for the grim observation that those afflicted often succumbed before reaching the age of forty.

With their already compromised immunity and accelerated aging, such individuals faced tragically shortened lifespans.

At this rate, without the discovery of a treatment method, it would be too late for the heir. Time was of the essence, and the window for his potential Immortality was rapidly closing.

So blind were the gifted before, so vain and narrow-minded, that they had overlooked a rare opportunity due to their rigid beliefs. If only they had taken this ailment more seriously, perhaps a cure or treatment method would have been within easier reach by now.

Some elders labored to decipher the ancient language, hoping to uncover records of medicinal herbs or practices that could alleviate the stagnation of energy.

Meanwhile, in the darkest and most sinister corners of the Home to a Myriad of Creatures, where clandestine experiments were conducted on the nameless, destitute, and sick, a clandestine meeting took place.

A figure cloaked in black robes reviewed a medical record:

"Patient: child. Gender: male. Age: 2 months. Type: gifted. Diagnosis: Energy Imbalance. External abnormalities: extreme weight exceeding peers by more than 50 times. Deterioration of immunity observed alongside energy stagnation. Mana absorption does not alleviate symptoms, and no other abnormalities detected."

"What about dark energy absorption?" inquired a man wearing a medical mask, his interest evident.

"The patient had previous exposure to cursed stones, and there are suggestions that weak immunity to foreign energies may have contributed to the illness," explained another figure.

"Nonsense. If it were that easy to contract this disease, wouldn't all our patients be afflicted?" scoffed a burly man resembling a bear, his thick hands clutching the medical record. "Heredity. It clearly states here that the cause of the disease is heredity."

"It is not necessary to discount the possibility of disease mutation. There is still insufficient data," a woman's voice interjected, breaking the tension in the room. Though she appeared elderly with deep wrinkles etched across her face, she was no more than 40 years old.

"Why is Poison Lily so concerned? Worried about the so-called hero, are you?" the bear-like man persisted. "Shouldn't we be focusing on finding a supposed panacea as soon as possible? What are we waiting for?"

The woman, known as Sharz, remained silent, meticulously examining the medical history. Within the Temple, she was recognized as the Left Hand of the Head of the Clan of Despair. Her colleague, Klaus, struggled to contain his frustration, eager to commence a thorough investigation into the various factors influencing the lives and medical records of similar patients. However, the limited number of patients with comparable diagnoses posed a challenge to hasty "treatment" efforts. Without a well-defined clinical trial plan, they risked squandering time and resources on futile documentation.

"Wait, Klaus, can't you see what we're trying to consider? Show some respect for those who actually possess a brain, unlike some others," interjected a boy with long hair, a white robe splattered with drops of blood hanging from his shoulders. His hands, concealed within white gloves, partially obscured his face, revealing only two amber eyes with vertical pupils.

"JULVER!" the bear bellowed, his voice resonating through the spacious office, causing it to quake.

"That's enough," intervened Helmut, the masked man and leader of the group. His words commanded the attention of everyone present, including the heads of the Great Families. With unrestricted authority, he had established his own center within the heart of the gifted community, admitting patients and ordinary mortals annually for treatment and to identify new strains of immunity, including those resulting from violent genetic mutations. "We are obligated to deliver positive news to our primary investor. And this medical history is quite intriguing. It's a shame the patient won't be able to visit our center. Such a pity."

The last words sent shivers down the spines of everyone present, a sickening feeling settling in the pit of their stomachs. It was an understatement to say that Helmut's experiments were as horrifying as they were purported to be productive.

"Julver, delve into every detail of our young patient's life since birth. Pay close attention to any incidents involving the weak when they brought the cursed stones. I want to know exactly when his weight began to change. And regarding mana absorption, remind the elders to keep the baby as far away from the Oblivion Lake as possible," Helmut instructed.

The boy nodded, lowering his arms. His relaxed demeanor appeared sinister against the backdrop of his sloppily stitched mouth, held together with golden threads. An appendage with a single azure eye protruded from beneath his robe, a long tentacle twitching as he spoke.

"Yes, Mr. Helmut," he replied.

"That's creepy. Keep that thing hidden away," Lian interjected, his voice trembling. Until now, he had remained silent, but he now recoiled from his seated position, his hands outstretched.

"Lian, focus on studying other patients with similar diagnoses. Start with the girls, as they have been brought in large numbers recently. Even among them, there may be gifted individuals. They should be transferred to the floor above. Send the rest to Sharz," Helmut directed.

"Understood. And what about the boys? Should they remain in the distribution chamber?" Lian inquired, swallowing hard. He knew all too well that the only office on the floor above belonged to Helmut, a place where the continuous screams of pain and agony pierced the air. Even the gods would hesitate to gaze upon the site of Helmut's relentless research.

"Yes, minimize their exposure to stress as much as possible and make sure they believe they are actually being treated. It would be beneficial to administer ready-made medications when children are willing to cooperate to observe genuine reactions. We should have as much experience as possible so that in the future we don't cause unnecessary pain to the dear heir," Helmut replied, his eyes gleaming with an ominous scarlet hue.

The room fell into a tense silence as everyone avoided meeting Helmut's gaze. But Klaus, unable to contain himself, clenched his fists and spoke up.

"What about me? I've managed to create a mutated gene from the weak ones, so I should be involved," Klaus insisted.

Helmut considered for a moment before responding, "Hm. For now, you'll assist Sharz. But remember, Klaus, our patients are precious. Use caution and don't cause unnecessary harm. Also, instruct your assistants to collect the cursed stones and water from the Oblivion Lake. We'll begin testing the first batch of drugs next Thursday."

Klaus nodded, though disappointment flickered in his eyes at being assigned to assist rather than take the lead. Nonetheless, he understood the gravity of their work and the importance of proceeding with care.