I've clawed off a huge section of The Purified Heavens. I'd say about half their total territory.
Rehm. Hundreds of formerly Empire cities. Aside from destroying the enemy front lines and rallying my troops personally, I had to split off three small copies of myself to take care of major problems in my new holdings.
"Reeeeh."
There's immense levels of corruption; it's quite bad everywhere within the empire's borders. Yet, as I've helped my army rip and shred its way toward the capital, that corruption has somehow gotten steadily worse.
I recently learned that the top sex trafficking ring is headquartered within the capital itself.
Well, of course it is! Was there ever any doubt?
The other issue, though, is actually kind of funny— if it weren't so tragic. I can't remove the bulb's seeds remotely. I also can't turn them off. I can't even sense them.
I only realized they were still connected to me when I lazily casted that spell from my sword moments ago. I meant to kill a few dozen soldiers and instead nearly wiped out the enemy army. I thought, what gives? I'm strong— but not THAT strong.
Nope, turns out I am indeed that strong.
There's over a half billion empire citizens pouring their stats into my body right now. It's only 1 or 2 points per person, only a few times per day. But with over a half billion people feeding me? I ain't going hungry. I've since decided to bring all my copies back so I can focus solely on removing the seeds.
Status, Stats.
Stats:
Str: 3.9t (3,911,772,878,881,619,565,661)[354b]
Sta: 4t (4,017,713,080,361,838,681,618)[367b]
Int: 21.7t (21,788,019,552,917,922,127,519)[1.77t]
Wis: 3t (3,019,662,253,817,667,004,561)[271b]
It might seem awesome to multiply my already crazy stats by over 1,000 in less than a day, but it's not good at all. I'm afraid the Seeding skill has become far more efficient under my ownership. I need to shut it down.
I would anyway— but this much? Top priority.
Not all of that is directly from people: the math wouldn't add up. I've determined those mystery numbers next to the basic stats are multipliers. If I gain 1 Int, it'll be multiplied by 1.77 trillion. Which means the bulb wasn't even close to as powerful as I was when I finished absorbing its stats. Never mind right now.
Rh, I know. I'm overpowered!
I shake my dragon head.
No, I'mma dragon.
"Rawr!"
At least, that's what I hope. I look inward at the clear gooey mess that snakes out from my Origin. I silently watch a stream of reddish light particles float along a few of the countless goo branches.
image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/072.png]
Those are all stats.
Turns out, that stat inflation is coming from somewhere after all.
This is what Aitos was referring to when he mentioned 'Conservation of Mana.' Magic isn't free.
I know that all quanta are a form of energy, so does that mean Mana is also a form of energy? Does Mana fit within the rules of quantum physics?
Rehm. I don't think we had stat points in my previous life. Then again, as usual, how would I know? How are stat points related to Mana? Can stat points be split into fractions? It doesn't make sense that a unit based on an average kaizen newborn would be a basic physical unit. This all needs more study.
Regardless, conservation of energy: there it is in all its glory. Every stat point is pulling along hundreds of billions more.
In the worst case, I'm adding 1.77 trillion extra Int per basic point of Int gained. These stats are coming from the entire planet— not solely living creatures. Which is exasperatingly absurd. How do I get Int from a rock?
What's worse is that compared to when I looked a few moments ago? I think the spot I looked... Reah, it's carrying more light. The absorption is getting faster. Crud.
image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/072b.png]
Despite my Int stat having a sky-high multiplier of 1.77 trillion, I think I've received these at an average of approximately 900 billion Int every time I get an Int point the normal way. It's a linearly-rising multiplier, rah? That means the average will always be roughly half. Since I have 21.7 trilliard basic points of Int, this means I've gained close to 24 billion points of Int solely from Seeding. The number is constantly rising so slight overestimation is prudent.
Hra, meaning I've gained around 48 Int per infected person.
...
Reghrr? That can't be right. Most sapients get one lifestyle-assigned stat point per year for the first 15-25 years. They also get one free stat point per level, but leveling up isn't particularly easy. Some lose a few stat points in their elderly years, but this depends heavily upon the species. Elves are an interesting case: they have a lifespan similar to humans, but they don't lose stats as they age. This has led to the common myth that they live longer lives. How amusing that these elves have biology similar to, but also markedly different from, elven lore in my previous world.
As for the seeds themselves, I haven't tried to directly count the total number for fear of inciting further growth of that goo. The stuff is currently acting as a conduit between myself and the seeds. I know Harani didn't suffer any obvious ill effects from it, but experimenting on more than 500 million people is not a risk I want to take.
Ragh, 24 billion points of Int from Seeding is plain nasty any way you look at it. There surely aren't that many people on the planet. Talk about a brain drain, reah? I've gotta figure out how to give all that Int back, otherwise a lot of people are going to end up mentally crippled.
Which means I've decided to take a brief break from glorious battle. Dragons don't retreat! I simply have more important things to do and cannot be bothered right now.
Hrhm, this is an intellectual battle, isn't it?
I feel my draconic instincts well up again. They urge me to win the most important kind of battle: a battle of the mind.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
I lick my draconic maw as my hunger for knowledge becomes more ravenous by the second. I start drooling while wondering what knowledge I shall soon discover and consume whole. Indeed, I am ABSOLUTELY the most brilliant dragon! In many ways— of course! As I gain power, my intellect must always shine the brightest of all my hoards. All shall be unveiled in due time. It must, for I am a Demigod of Chronometry!
However, I'll not allow myself to steal Int in pursuit of my goals. No matter how convenient that may seem.
I cast transference magic and transfer myself over to Aitos' old lab. I'd earlier used transference to move the entire Haitos city hall to the new city that's currently under construction. After all, I intended to blow up nearly all of Shridenia. That naturally included Haitos.
Transferring the whole city hall was not easy with my relatively low Int at that time, but I somehow managed. I refuse to carelessly destroy Aitos' lab. It's all I have left of him— aside from his memories.
I've also once again installed Yvilos as mayor. He did a good job during his very short term as Haitos mayor. He told me he can do the work easily because his daughter Charlisa has taken over his merchant business. I was dubious about that, but he said she refused his 'hovering;' wanted him to 'let her be productive.' When he showed me her profit margins, I could only stare in awe. Ever since she got, rah, hurt by the mayor, she's really thrown herself into her work.
Her trick is a little odd. If anyone so much as touches her hand, she accuses them of impropriety and the price goes up. I wanted to roll my eyes, but at the same time, it's a brilliant negotiation tactic. No stranger should be touching a child without their permission regardless. She's entirely within her rights to accuse them of wrongdoing.
I told her not to abuse her age for financial gain, but she said she wouldn't dare. She claimed it really is how she feels. Her profit margin going up is how she's made herself feel better. I've decided to let it go for now, though I will keep tabs on her. I have zero desire to intervene so long as she keeps her own behavior in line.
I turn my attention back to my lab. Rah, familiarity. I remember this place clearly as though it were always mine.
Because I have Aitos' memories.
Regh.
I lick my scaly maw and yawn, thus showing off my big and sharp dragon teeth. I feel a bit of satisfaction in doing so even though I'm not showing them to anyone. I'm proud that I'mma dragon.
"RAWR!"
I grin toothily.
Rorah, I'm all ready!
My mind smoothly transitions to the task at hand.
Hrem. It may be the fastest way, but I shouldn't use Devour to remove the seeds. I must prevent the seeds' automated spells from causing brain damage or death. Those spells don't jump normally when the seed is destroyed; they let off a small Mana wave. That's nothing to a dragon like myself, but it'd surely kill a mortal.
I'm glad my experiences in Haitos, Tengerii Satellite #331, and Tengerii are bearing fruit. I learned the value of self-control at the cost of a few thousand lives. Today, those experiences will guide me through this trial.
My mistakes don't define me; they advise my future. It's nothing glorious. It's responsible.
"Reeeehhhh."
Let's see. Instead of fanning out my copies and potentially causing yet another stupid mishap, I'll distribute inscription slabs to the common citizenry. However, I imagine there'll be resistance in countries which I don't control. In those cases? I'll visit their leaders myself and have a little chat.
Rhm, no? No. That's too 'dragon;' I'm dealing mainly with humans.
Rah, conditional spells! A long-range conditional search and disarm routine for the automated spell, then cast Devour on the seed. This method can destroy all nearby seeds without involving those potentially hostile leaders.
I'm the one who needs to solve this, after all. Others may not understand or may take my explanations as threats. I find that highly amusing; I have little need to threaten. My existence should be threat enough.
Still, I can't use this as an excuse to argue with ornery leaders. Enjoyable though I find such, rah, 'discussions,' my personal desires must take a backseat until the present crisis is resolved.
I'd best not make anyone suffer for my personal indulgences.
Hra. To transfer the conditional spell, though, I should still use an inscription slab. This will allow the spell to trigger after I transfer the slab to a given location.
I glance down at the inscription slab below me. Then, I lean over slightly, placing my claw directly onto the slab.
Before I begin; a knock on my lab's door.
*tok-tok*
Who dares to disturb the Chronometric Dragon God? Yvilos knows this place is off-limits except during an emergency.
I'm dismayed to hear Yvilos himself.
"I apologize, lord Chronomet. The mages detected your transference. This is an emergency, no doubt."
"Rhaaah. Alright."
Based on my math, I have a few more days before the seed situation becomes critical. I'll surely have this resolved by the end of today; a problem of this magnitude is nothing difficult for my peerless intellectual prowess. Next, I'll begin work on returning that which I involuntarily stole. I should be able to determine who lost stats by reverse-engineering recent changes in each person's metabolism and mental faculties. This second phase should be done by tomorrow. In the third phase I'll use Causal Conduit to transfer my improperly-acquired power back to each victim.
The tough part in phase three is transferring my stats in moderation. I'm simply too strong! It's okay if I give away a few extra points: magnanimity is nothing much for an affluent dragon.
I pleasedly nod my dragon head with immense self-satisfaction.
I then walk over to the human-sized door and lightly pull it open. The door and its frame's many inscriptions blaze brightly as they struggle against my 'light' pull, barely keeping the solid kodetium door intact.
*brrrrrkkk-k-k*
It's clearly bent, though.
I roll my eyes. I invented the kodetium atom to create a high tensile strength metal. I guess after my recent power-up, it isn't enough. I'll need to learn to control my strength a lot better unless I want to morph my body into doors and leave those bits of myself lying around.
...
I don't want to use myself as a door.
That's plain weird.
As I walk up the stairs behind Yvilos, I formulate a brilliant idea— as is expected of a brilliant dragon.
A door inscription! Form a shield, then use conditional inscriptions to let the shield pivot. Perhaps only when touched by the correct Mana signature? Rah, excellent. I came up with this branch of inscription based on Ainthia's conditional spells. They can remove the seeds, and they'll also make a perfect door array.
I grin widely. I truly admire my own razor-sharp mind. Indeed, I managed to bridge the final gap between inscription and magic— I deserve that much praise and much, much more. So much more praise. Rhmm.
I reach the top of the stairs.
Hrr.
I glance back at the bent door as it vanishes behind the stairwell. Hra, I suppose I could walk through an immovable shield and shatter it.
Same difference; it's my lab. Nobody else needs to be in there.
I look forward again.
...
No, no, no. That's wasteful of Mana sources and incredibly inelegant. Dragons can't waste their wealth and act crassly. How silly! Needlessly complex inscription door is the correct way after all.
Others might be baffled that I'd use convoluted magic for a mere door, but, as a dragon? I deserve the best. A high-class door is exactly what I should make for my grand and impeccable self.
I reach the meeting room and seeeee. Nobody.
"Reeeeh?"
I stop walking and look down at Yvilos. I'm only a bit taller than a human right now, but he's a dwarf.
"Sorry, my lord. They refused to come inside. Said they were unworthy of stainin' the Chronometric Dragon God's holdin's with their inferior presence. It's rainin', but they don't seem to care much."
Hoh. They recognize my greatness.
Exceptional; astounding.
"Rah, reh."
I like them already.
"Alright, let's go out there."
Some might think this is an insult. That they're forcing me to go to them.
Rahahaha. I can almost instantly transfer myself anywhere upon this planet. It's only right that someone of my stature accomodates those who are far less mobile.
It's not my duty; it's my privilege. A privilege I adore showing off. Like so.
I cast a spell which instantly blasts the rain out of the sky: Evaporation.
*psss-UNT*
That spell doesn't destroy or remove moisture. It raises and normalizes air pressure and temperature, thus ameliorating the root cause of wind and precipitation. All moisture is then redistributed as stratified water vapor via spread-spectrum transference. Each atmospheric stratum gets a predefined percentage of the moisture, while spatial spectrum-spreading distributes it evenly across the entire stratum. Lastly, to avoid causing a heat wave or drought, the spell gradually re-cools the air and creates conditions that will reduce air pressure.
It'll rain again soon enough.
Yvilos opens the wooden door to my front.
*chrrrk*
"Rewh, thank you."
I'm sure I'd have annihilated that one.
"It's merely what I should do, my lord."
I raise my scaly eyeshields in surprise. He's made a perfect bow toward my magnificent figure. Hreh, this guy knows how to run more than a merchant business. I made an exemplary pick for Haitos' leader. Aitos would've been proud.
Reh, until I ate the entirety of Haitos. He wouldn't have appreciated that.
I walk out the door.
Rrh, I take back what I said about liking them.
Why are THEY here?