Six months later, the fourth experiment began. This time, almost a hundred scientists observed the experiment. The protective glass is also noticeably thickened.

The Lich was watching the homunculus closely this time, afraid that something might happen to his precious body.

- Did he also only learn the basics? -Ellie asked. The experiments were carried out without strictly observing from Above. However, this time the Great Hero Sainbas came on behalf of the crown.

Ellie looked at Sainbas, also known as the Spatial Dragonoid, with mixed feelings. The purple scales shone with a bright purple light, and the amber-colored eyes with purple eyeballs seemed to see through others. Everyone respected him, but at the same time they had heard about the war 50 years ago, when he became a rising star of the Erdengard Empire

- As it was written in the report, the fourth's first spell is not a magic projectile, but a spirit. Surprisingly, no matter how hard he studied, he was never able to conjure this magic projectile, but he was able to create a spirit without any help. Yes, we didn't provide him with any tools to facilitate the process.

Many agreed with this. Spirit magic, also known as split soul magic, is considered the most difficult among magic *Natural* groups. The magician shares a part of his soul and develops it to help himself in battle. With each level, a person creates a new spirit. In case of death of the spirit, the remainder enters the body and after some time is restored.

- Well, we all have high expectations from the experiment. Let's get started. Experiment number 4. Release the puppets -Said Sainbas.

The horde of puppets still thoughtlessly went ahead towards the homunculus. He didn't attack them, instead, he raised his hand and a clot of light came out from under it. It changed the color to blue and fired a magic projectile. The fourth only kept his distance, not casting any spells himself.

The situation changed only in the fifth minute. The number of spirits increased to 3, and he himself began to cast a spell of the amplification type. His physique improved and he moved noticeably faster.

At 15 minutes, he was moving at a fairly fast speed, and the number of spirits increased to 6. Many could not help but frown

-Only two spells? His development is too slow. -Gondo said.

As if hearing his words, the spirits around the Fourth began to take the form of blue swords. With a whoosh, they cut the puppets into small pieces and then disintegrated into particles of light, which quickly combined into new swords.

- I take my words back...

Then nothing surprising happened until the 30th minute. The number of spirits was 12. They recovered practically instantly. And if someone came too close, then the homunculus conjured a spell of slowing down on them. The slowing spell is one of those types that can be applied instantly, and mana costs are considered minimal.

Suddenly, instead of slowing down, a ghostly clock appeared on the back of the fourth. After 10 seconds, the clock stopped. The arrow was shaking, but it didn't move forward.

At the same time, all the opponents within a radius of 10 meters stopped. In less than 2 seconds, the arrow began to move forward again, and a noticeable crack appeared on the clock. It stopped every 2 minutes.

-Time magic? How interesting. - The Lich laughed loudly and then loudly announced - If someone wants to get it, then only over my dead body. Do you understand everything?

Everyone agreed with this in fear. They saw or at least heard what happened six months ago. It is because of his orders that 20 magicians proficient in protection spells are sitting ready in this experiment.

- And why are you so excited? It's still natural magic. -Sainbas asked, not understanding why he reacted like that.

-If this magic evolves again by the end of the experiment, I will immediately stop the experiment. Time spells are too rare to allow the owner of such magic to perish

- I guess you're right. I still remember how you survived my trump card.

- Fufufu. Everything brilliant is simple.

- Understood, Jodah, let's continue observing the experiment.

At 38 minutes, his body began to change, scales began to appear on his body. The color was silver. They shone brightly with light, it seemed that it was shining.

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In turn, the clock behind him was in terrible condition. It seemed that a light breeze would break it to pieces.

- Hmm… I can't determine what the silver color is for.

- I guess it's just an increase in defensive abilities.

The clock stopped again, but almost immediately the arrow broke, at the same time the clock turned into dust. The homunculus clutched his head.

- It looks like he has exhausted the maximum number of uses. 8 times a day? Per hour?

-Time magic is still unpredictable. 2 seconds are quite capable of allowing him to destroy an equal opponent.

- That's not what we need. The goal is to create the perfect soldier. I would like him to learn mass spells.

- Alas, they learn no faster than an ordinary person. The best way is to implant the Signs of the Country in them, and many more different amplifiers so that it absorbs the mana of the killed and thereby develops. However, there are still many disadvantages that need to be solved. For example, the short life of homunculi, as well as…

While scientists were discussing different ways to solve the shortcomings of homunculi, the fourth did the unexpected. He was already surrounded from all sides, and it seemed that he had no hope of survival. The red puppets were already approaching him, but suddenly he jumped towards the largest of the red puppets. At the same moment, his scales, as if under high temperature, became a liquid that rushed into his hand, forming a large shield. The kamikaze exploded, scattering black debris everywhere. The fourth, in turn, used the explosion to leave the dangerous area. He fell right inside an ordinary puppet with a large stature, the black ball was quickly cut into dozens of pieces by his swords.

The shield became liquid and quickly returned to the host's body, taking the form of shining scales. They changed according to the will of the owner, and he used them to defend himself from desperate attacks.

This tactic gave him some more time. What happened next shocked everyone.

His scales began to change. At first, everyone thought that this was the second evolution, or at least a class upgrade. However, a clock appeared behind him and it began to darken, as did the scales. As a result, his scales began to fall to the ground. And others grew up in their place.

- Stop the puppets. -Sainbas ordered. Special workers sent a special signal, and as soon as the puppets heard it, they stopped as if time was frozen.

- What's the matter?

-Scales appear when he kills someone, - Sainbas said, frowning. -It's not mutation or evolution. It's a spell fusion! A time spell and a body change spell that the owner can use freely. The result of the merger is unpredictable. Continue the experiment, but do not send kamikaze, send the lower golems.

The puppets were recalled, although their number has already noticeably thinned thanks to the fourth. There were already countless scales on his body, most of them seemed smaller than a finger.

The golems were small, only two meters tall. These are the very first models of golems, which have long lagged behind modern models. Though they're just a rough copy of The Machine Father's golems, they had some battle potential. They were unwrapped because of Jodah's fear of getting a bloody lump again. 20 golems were released. Their damage was not high, which cannot be said about their protection.

The blue sword instantly cut the golem but left only a shallow wound. The homunculus frowned and attacked it several times, but despite all the scratches all over its body, the golem moved as if it wasn't something special.

The homunculus began to act smarter, he began to attack the neck of the golem, aiming at the place he hit. After 20 seconds, the golem was already headless. Scales appeared on the homunculus' body that was larger than all the others. Another golem had already caught up with him and swung his arm to strike. The fourth just raised his hand, and the small scales on his body lit up, in the blink of an eye the golem's arm was destroyed, and a hole appeared in his chest. It fell to the ground

Quite a lot of scales were missing in the body of the fourth. Experimenting, he raised his hand and the new scales on his body lit up, blocking the blow of another golem. This time he hit in the head.

-What are his powers? No matter how I look at it, I can't understand how he does that.

-That's a very strange ability, after he kills others, he gets scales. It's...

-Space power. -Sainbas said.

-Is he also able to use time magic? If he was, then it's a very good spell. -Jodah said

- Maybe we should let him live? Spell fusion is a poorly studied field, he could help us advance in spell fusion research. - One of the scientists cautiously suggested, for which he received an angry look from Jodah

- I certainly agree that this could advance research. But, we have already agreed to give what remains of him to Jodah. However -Sainbas turned to Jodah-you can take him alive. He won't live long anyway.

- Hmm... good. Can I pick him up now?

- Yes. Should I take you to the arena?

- No need - Jodah broke through the glass with a spell, and then slowly descended to the fourth. -You're mine now. If you follow me voluntarily, it won't hurt. If you have any objections, say them directly, I will listen carefully, and then I will break your arm.

The swords moved, trying to cut through the lich's body. However, it didn't leave a scratch on his body. With a light wave of his hand, the lich released a black ball, which, touching the swords, began to devour them. Pretty soon, all the swords were destroyed.

Their destruction caused the anger of the fourth, and all the scales on his body lit up, their concentrated power was frightening, and the lich did not foolishly take the blow. He raised his hand and abruptly waved his hand from top to bottom.

The space was torn apart and the spell entered the portal.

- Well, I understand your objections, but I do not refuse my words. - Abruptly approaching the homunculus, Jodah grabbed his arm and clenched it. Everyone heard a crack sound and painful screaming in agony, he opened another portal and dragged him inside by force.

- Gondo, ask him for the new homunculi later. The experiments more than satisfied me. I will talk to His Majesty so that in six months the homunculi will participate in the war. Tell him to prepare as much as possible. Is everything clear? - Seeing that everyone nodded, Sainbas also opened the portal and entered it. Most likely, he went to the capital to report everything to the emperor, the scientists thought