Chapter 226: The First Step Towards Inhumanity

A simple conversation gave everyone a basic understanding of each other. The most important ones were Loki and Selene, as both had just arrived here, making this conversation quite necessary.

After that, the following days passed uneventfully.

Selene spent some time each day teaching Laura basic knowledge alongside Diana. Fortunately, Laura had received some foundational education at the research facility, so the teaching process started off smoothly.

Although Laura didn't enjoy it, Logan still carried a great deal of authority in her eyes. After being threatened with, "No games if you don't study," Laura had no choice but to start learning with a sour expression.

However, her learning ability was only average, just that of a typical child. Only when learning combat skills did she show exceptional talent.

Thus, in addition to academic subjects, a formal combat training course was added. This made Diana very happy, while Selene could only look on speechlessly.

Aside from teaching Laura, Selene was also learning herself. Unlike Loki, who possessed strong physical and mental capabilities and could instantly absorb the language and knowledge of the world, Selene had to rely on daily pre-sleep study. Using a learning tool, it would take her a while to completely "download" the material, and even longer to fully master it.

During these days, Selene often attempted to speak the local language to communicate with everyone. This helped her become fluent more quickly and avoid standing out.

Selene lived a fulfilling daily life, though she wasn't used to being in the sun constantly. Her skin couldn't handle it, so she usually hid in the cabin to spend time with Laura.

During this time, the most carefree person was Logan. Other than controlling the Goddess of Dawn to follow the two ships ahead, he had nothing to worry about. His strong physique and unique healing factor allowed him to remain at his peak without needing regular training.

So for the most part, Logan was the only one frequently appearing on the deck. Ethan remained hidden in his workshop, only emerging for meals or to stretch his legs.

Logan didn't mind. He knew what Ethan was doing, since Ethan hadn't kept it a secret from him.

This research wasn't just about Ethan's future. It concerned the fate of everyone aboard. Only by successfully developing that potion and surpassing the limits of human physiology to reach the extraordinary realm could this improvised crew have any hope of a future.

Otherwise, if Ethan's body began to fail—or even started to deteriorate and his magic failed to reach the desired level, then this small group would fall apart completely.

Logan still remembered he had another mission. If Ethan couldn't hold on, would he stay? Maybe he should consider finding a suitable world to settle down in with Laura.

At the same time, if his strength didn't increase fast enough, could they really keep Asgard's God of Mischief in line? That guy would probably be the first to cause trouble.

Though Logan hadn't spent much time with Loki, he had already gotten a good grasp of the kind of person he was thanks to Ethan.

Speaking of Loki, although the second prince of Asgard was currently acting obedient, it was only because he had his own goals. Once he fully mastered the power of frost, and if Ethan hadn't significantly grown stronger by then, and couldn't offer him more "help," Loki wouldn't hesitate to turn his scepter against their current "ally."

So Ethan buried himself in his research, aiming to solve his own issues as quickly as possible, something that aligned with everyone's interests. Even Diana, who didn't mind Ethan's power level, hoped that he could take that step.

The reason was simple—she wanted Ethan to live longer.

Only Selene wasn't thinking that far ahead. She was just enjoying her new life and occasionally wondering whether she should stay permanently, or move on to another world to start anew.

Time passed slowly. Life at sea was monotonous, but when everyone had something to occupy themselves with, time seemed to fly.

They had already left the "suicide route" and were adjusting course toward the central island.

At their current pace, they would arrive in a few days.

During this time, Ethan's Goddess of Dawn followed quietly. Occasionally, the two ships would dock side by side before sunset to exchange updates, ensuring everything remained in order.

These interactions also served as a reminder for both sides to stay cooperative and avoid sudden schemes. As long as everyone remained united, they could all profit upon returning to the central island.

So far, there had been no conflict between the two groups, and the cooperation seemed to be going smoothly.

Just before reaching the central island, Ethan finally made a breakthrough in his research. After countless failures and even taking time out to help Loki build a new scepter core capable of holding frost energy, he succeeded. Stabilizing Loki was part of the reason, but the pause also gave Ethan time to reorganize his thoughts.

This decision turned out to be correct. After a brief break and restarting the potion configuration process from scratch, he finally succeeded.

Using the blood of Alexander Corvinus and Michael as the foundation, he created a fortified serum that incorporated the Blood Orchid and divine blood. In the final stage, he used up a large portion of his stored materials as supplementary components. For this single small vial, he had practically emptied his inventory.

"Just this little bottle?"

The test tube was about ten centimeters long and the thickness of a finger. It was filled with golden liquid that glowed faintly in the dark.

Ethan specially crafted a containment device to hold the potion, afraid of wasting even a drop.

"Yes."

To Diana, it didn't seem special—just an ordinary glowing liquid.

"Why haven't you used it? Is there still a problem?"

"Problem?" Ethan paused, then understood what Diana meant. "No, there's no issue. I haven't used it yet because that's not how it's meant to be administered."

"You don't drink it?" Diana looked at the injection gun tossed to the side. "Not even injected?"

"No." Ethan had wanted to drink it in one gulp, it would've been the simplest method, but the serum's potency was far too intense. If he drank it outright, the immense energy would blow him apart without leaving a trace of soul residue. "It's for soaking."

"Soaking?"

One of the biggest obstacles in his previous attempts was that the energy was too overwhelming. He had to find a way to stabilize it so his body could absorb it gradually instead of being overwhelmed.

But no matter what he tried, he couldn't resolve that issue. Eventually, he changed his approach. He stopped aiming for single-use absorption and abandoned the idea of injecting the energy directly into his body. This eliminated most of the complications, and finally, the potion was completed.

"Add one drop to a bath and soak for five hours."

Based on his calculations, it would take at least five hours to absorb the energy in a single drop. This slow external-to-internal method also avoided the danger of overdosing and exploding.

"It takes a long time, but it's much safer."

More importantly, none of the energy would be wasted. He could fully absorb it. As time went on, the required soak time would decrease, and the dosage could increase. That meant this "transformation" process would speed up, and the total time needed would be less than expected.

"I see." Diana nodded, then motioned for Ethan to follow her. She headed toward Ethan's room.

Ethan was confused by her actions but followed anyway. When he saw Diana heading straight into his bathroom, it finally clicked.

"Wait, what are you doing?"

"You're soaking, aren't you?" Diana crossed her arms. "You can't be disturbed during this, right? I'll guard you. If anything goes wrong, I can pull you out in time."

Of course Ethan knew that, but Diana was being way too casual about this. And she didn't even close the bathroom door?

"At least close the door?"

"If it's closed, I might not notice something's wrong in time." Diana clearly didn't think too much about it. She knew what Ethan was struggling with. "Don't worry. I'm very familiar with your body, so there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

"..."

Ethan wanted to say he was the one feeling awkward, okay? And wasn't that statement too easy to misinterpret? But he decided not to argue and prepared to start his first strengthening session—fully clothed from the waist down.

After preparing the warm water and adding a drop of the enhancement serum, Ethan immersed himself in the softly glowing pool, submerging even his head.

Although completely underwater, Ethan didn't feel the need to breathe and experienced no suffocation. He could clearly sense the immense energy slowly seeping into his body and transforming him.

Everything went smoothly, just as he had expected, except for the constant banging sound caused by his inability to move...

(To be continued.)

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