Chapter 34

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...

In the dimly lit underground laboratory beneath Leylin's grand manor, the air was thick with the scent of herbs, potions, and metal alloys. Flickering runes etched onto the walls emitted a faint glow, illuminating the grotesque yet mesmerizing scene before him.

On the cold, black marble table lay Grand Knight Saeed, unconscious and breathing steadily, his severed arm now stitched back and undergoing an unprecedented alchemical transformation. Saeed's body had been stabilized with powerful anesthetic potions, his consciousness drowned in a dreamless sleep while Leylin worked tirelessly on perfecting his most ambitious experiment yet.

Leylin's eyes gleamed with calculations as he carefully cross-referenced the data from ancient alchemy journals. On the table beside him lay several worn-out tomes. (Image)

"The Codex of Bone Crafting and Nerve Fusion" by Grand Alchemist Sairon."

"Runic Engravings on Living Flesh" by Magus Kalvas."

"The Anatomy of War Beasts and Human Hybridization" by Professor Enoch Bloodhand."

Each text contained forbidden knowledge, long banned by the orthodox light Magus due to its inhumane nature. Yet, it was a subject of intensive study for Abyssal Bone Forest. A specialty for Leylin's professor Dorotte, for whom such restrictions were laughable.

Flipping through the yellowed pages of Sairon's Codex, Leylin muttered, "The fusion of reinforced alloys with living bone requires not only surgical precision but the correct runic amplification to avoid rejection by the body."

He scribbled new equations onto the parchment before him, occasionally glancing at the experimental data collected from Saeed's body over the past few weeks. Saeed's physique, strengthened through Grand Knight-level vitality, made him the perfect subject to withstand the stress of the procedure.

Leylin had meticulously prepared Saeed's new arm over the course of weeks. After severing the ruined portion of the arm, he stripped away the skin, fascia, and muscle tissue from the forearm down to the metacarpals and phalanges. What remained was pure bone, which Leylin then removed and replaced with a reinforced magical alloy — Black Steel fused with Abyssal Silver, an extremely durable material that could conduct faint traces of magical energy enough to conduct a circuit.

With a steady hand, Leylin used a fine-tipped engraving tool to inscribe ancient runes directly onto the alloy bones. These runes, derived from Kalvas' forbidden text, were designed to act as conduits for mana flow and could store destructive magical energy.

Rune of Blood Binding (Sareth-15): To fuse the metal with Saeed's life force.

Rune of Nerve Conduction (Elvar-9): To allow nerve signals to pass through the alloy.

Rune of Explosive Discharge (Crion-22): A hidden, one-time attack that would unleash the stored magical energy, disintegrating the arm and obliterating any opponent within range.

As Leylin finished carving the last rune, faint golden light shimmered along the metallic surface, confirming the successful activation of the magical circuit.

The next phase of the experiment required Leylin's mastery of biological alchemy. He had harvested Thunder-type Beast tendons, known for their unparalleled conductivity and strength, and grafted them into Saeed's arm, replacing the original tendons with these enhanced sinews.

To mimic muscle contraction, Leylin embedded thin serpent steel wiring, which responded to Saeed's nerve signals. Over the mechanical structure, he carefully layered Red Python skin, an alchemically treated beast hide that could regenerate and adapt to external mana fluctuations.

As the final step, Leylin injected a potent regenerative serum, enhanced with Moon Lotus Extract, to accelerate the body's acceptance of the foreign materials and prevent infection.

Leylin stood back, admiring his creation. Saeed's arm was no longer that of a mere mortal knight but a fusion of flesh and metal, bone and magic. (Image)

He lightly traced his finger over the engraved runes, activating them in sequence to stabilize the mana flow.

"With this... even a Level 3 Acolyte would hesitate to face you in battle," Leylin murmured.

The true horror of this creation lay in its hidden potential. By activating the Crion-22 Rune, Saeed could release a devastating explosion of magical energy, enough to vaporize an opponent on the spot. However, doing so would destroy the arm entirely, rendering Saeed crippled once more.

Leylin ordered his loyal cowering butler to keep Saeed sedated for another day to allow the runes to fully integrate with his body.

"Preserve the arm's structure and monitor his vitality levels," Leylin instructed coldly. "If any signs of rejection occur, administer the Potion I gave you."

The butler bowed respectfully and silently retreated.

Leylin chuckled to himself as he cleaned the bloodied surgical tools.

A mere Grand Knight, now infused with the destructive power of a magical artifact. Saeed was nothing more than a walking weapon, a disposable pawn in Leylin's grand experiments. Should the need arise, Leylin could detonate Saeed's arm remotely and erase any threat in his path.

"I wonder," Leylin thought, "how an acolyte will react when they witness a Grand Knight tearing through them like paper."

With that, he turned back to his desk and began drafting his next experiment—an alchemical enhancement of Saeed's spinal column to further boost his combat reflexes.

As the dim light of the laboratory flickered and the sound of bubbling potions echoed in the background, Leylin's pursuit of ultimate power marched forward.

Saeed's arm was merely the beginning—a prototype of future monstrous creations that Leylin would forge.

In this world of Magi, where strength reigned supreme, Leylin knew that only through relentless experimentation and the sacrifice of others could he ascend to the pinnacle of power.

And for that goal, the lives of Grand Knights, Acolytes, and even Magi themselves were nothing more than tools for his ascent.

....

"Young Master, it's time for dinner," the butler, Dicus, announced through the heavy wooden door after a polite knock.

Leylin, immersed in his alchemical research, let out a soft grunt of acknowledgment. He meticulously tidied up the experiment table, storing delicate vials and rare materials before extinguishing the dim, flickering candles that illuminated the underground laboratory.

Though Leylin often ignored meals and rest in pursuit of his relentless experiments, occasionally, he allowed himself brief moments of relaxation—especially after prolonged and mentally draining sessions.

As he ascended the spiral stone staircase leading to the upper floors of the manor, he asked, "And what's for dinner?"

Dicus, an elderly and composed man dressed in a pristine black suit, led Leylin toward a small dining chamber. "Tonight's menu includes roasted venison with honey glaze, steamed golden crab from the southern coast, and wild mushroom soup brewed with moonlit herbs. For dessert, we have a delicate slice of black forest cake infused with crimson spirit berries."

The aroma of the dishes, now unveiled from the polished silver cloche, filled the air, rich and tantalizing.

Leylin, seated at the modest, white-clothed round table, picked up the silver knife and fork, slicing through the tender venison with practiced elegance. The meat was succulent and perfectly seasoned, the honey glaze adding a subtle sweetness that balanced the savory juices. The golden crab's flesh was soft and buttery, melting on his tongue with hints of the sea. (Image)

Leylin picked up the knife and dinner fork and began to eat.

"Anything new?" Leylin asked between bites. Although many masters practiced eating some meals together with their subordinates, this did not fit the customs of the Magi. And Leylin also preferred to eat alone most of the time.

Dicus, standing attentively at his side, replied, "Fayern, the leader of the Roran Hawks mercenary group, visited earlier. He brought word that the mission you commissioned regarding the Dark Night Woods has shown progress."

Leylin's eyes narrowed slightly in interest.

Although Leylin placed little importance on the academy's standard missions, he had strategically issued a reward mission to local mercenaries, offering 1000 gold pieces to gather intelligence on the strange phenomena within the depths of the Dark Night Woods.

It was a simple facade, designed to divert attention from his own clandestine activities. However, if the Roran Hawks truly uncovered something noteworthy, it could prove beneficial.

"Very well," Leylin said calmly, finishing the last bite of the black forest cake. The subtle tartness of the crimson spirit berries lingered on his tongue. "Prepare the study. I will meet Fayern shortly."

Dicus bowed respectfully. "As you wish, Young Master."

As Leylin stood and walked toward the dimly lit corridor, the flickering shadows from the candlelight seemed to dance with the darkness that lurked within his cold, calculating heart.