Kumo was shocked. “That’s crazy! Only the core talent of great clans can achieve Protogenic Ascension before the age of 200! Without the support of a major clan, there’s no way he can gather cultivation resources that efficiently.”
“As I said, this is why his talent is special.” Katyusha defended her opinion. “Can’t you see that he was able to use the blood of wyverns without proper training nor treatment?”
Kumo faked a cough. “I’m blind.”
Katyusha palmed her forehead, exhausted with her teammates’ antics. “You can’t drink beast blood and then inherit their ability, that’s not how things work. If you want to accomplish that, you need a special magical organ, but even then, it only works on specific beast blood, or you have to be an extremely accomplished transformation-path cultivator, and they have to activate an advanced killer move to take on the beast’ form and bloodline abilities.
On the other hand, mages can use beast blood as an alternative spell catalyst because their spell formation filtered and extracted genetic information from the blood. It’s not really the ‘blood’ that they consumed as the spell catalyst, but their genetic information instead.”
Katyusha then pointed at Mordred, “From our observation, we can see that Satoru’s extreme mana pool possessed an inherent ability to ‘ignite’ the blood of beasts, extracting genetic information in the process which allowed him to incorporate them into his body. Instead of using wyvern blood as a single-use spell catalyst, he can steal genetic information and use them to activate some sort of blood-path self-transforming method that he can use repeatedly within a certain timeframe. However, the second wyvern blood triggered a change that allowed him to take on Wyverian form; he's no longer limited by duration.”
“But instead, his limit is dictated by the rate of bloodline corruption.” Sakuya completed Katyusha’s statement. “I think he’s nearing his limit now. His movement has become too wyvern-like. If we don’t stop him now, his brain will mutate into a wyvern brain and he will think that he is one.”
It is as she had stated, Mordred’s movement is completely different from what a human would make. Instead of using his elongated arm to maximize his assault pattern, Mordred would attack by biting while his hands are making flapping gestures, using them to generate thrust. However, the mutation on his body hasn't reached the point where he developed leathery wings, so it does not grant him the ability to fly.
“Kenji, hold him down.” With a commanding tone from Katyusha, the man immediately tackled Mordred who can no longer speak coherently. Whatever words that came out of his mouth are the growling of a wyvern.
“What's wrong with him?” Kenji asks as he oversees Sakuya holding Mordred’s head down, performing hypnosis to calm him down.
“Bloodline corruption. Due to lack of training, as his transformation becomes even more thorough, his train of thoughts will be overwritten by the bloodline source. If he stays too long in this form, he’ll permanently turn into a defective wyvern beast.” Katyusha briefly elaborated as administrated a potion from her dimensional storage onto Mordred’s wounds. “What do you think about his combat ability?”
“Speed, strength, and ferocity beyond an early-stage rank 0 apprentice, but his techniques are absolutely garbage.” Kenji replied. “I could fight him with my eyes closed.”
“I bet he never saw a wyvern before, being unable to utilize their bloodline abilities is natural. He can’t even breathe fire.” Katyusha’s potion has great effectivity on Mordred’s wound. This was because the wounds are caused by Kenji who has no intention to kill him, all his attacks are purely physical, there is no secondary elemental damage that makes his wounds harder to heal.
As Sakuya’s hypnosis progresses, Mordred’s retaliation subsides. His differently-colored clawed hands began to slowly turn back into human arms, even the pointy ears and heterochromic eyes are reverting back.
“Wh- what happened?” Holding his head due to the severe migraine, Mordred asked when he woke up.
“You almost permanently crippled yourself.” Katyusha replied. “Can you tell me what you think when you use two wyvern bloodlines?”
“I remember… the impulse. As the transformation progresses, it’s as if there’s a whisper from the back of my head that keeps telling me to go further and beyond. It was an exhilarating feeling.”
“That’s correct, during body transformation, especially if you’re using a lower-intellect beast, you’ll experience a feeling similar to orgasmic bliss or simply peace because those creatures have less mental capacity than a human.” Katyusha added, “But you must get used to and resist this sensation if you want to continue using your special talent. Otherwise, you’ll eventually be consumed by the bloodline source and turned into a beast permanently.”
“I… understand.” Mordred tried to answer between his extreme migraines. His brain is being forcefully altered back into human’s, so the backlash is intense.
Katyusha spared a glance at Sakuya, “Do you have body transformation methods? If you can provide reference as a foundation, he might be able to quickly master his talent without too much effort.”
Sakuya shook her head in denial. “If I fully utilize my bloodline ability, there will be manifestation, but it won’t fundamentally change my physique.”
“Then, do you mind if I give him some of mine?” Katyusha asked. “Several of my [Mage Armor] spells alter my physique into an ice-path creature. Although our paths are on the opposite end of the spectrum, at this level, it’ll only benefit him if he gets a reference on how to utilize transformation methods.”
“Alright, I don’t mind.” Sakuya replied as he massaged Mordred’s head, her treatment reduces the extreme migraine he suffered from.
Katyusha touched her temples, extracting a pale blue cloud of telepathic will. “Damn, this is so hard. How did the captain make them so easy?” She complained under her breath before presenting it to Mordred. “This could be considered as a minor inheritance in itself, I’ve put all my experience in transformation into this, so do not resist.”
Mordred nodded and closed his eyes as he let the cloud of telepathic will enter his sea of consciousness through the spot between his eyebrows. Much like the previous time when Sakuya imparted the knowledge on how to read and write, his body twitches from the first stream of information being engraved on his mind. However, after he gets used to the feeling, the inheritance’s content slowly becomes coherent enough that Mordred could ‘browse’ them like a catalog.
< With this input, what do you think is a reasonable rate of advancement that we can reveal? > Mordred asked the bloodline warlock in his soul phylactery.
Astaroth was silent for a few moments as she formulated a plan. < Within a day, I can give you a ‘Bloodline Specialization’ trait. >
< Elaborate. >
< ‘Satoru’ has an affinity with the wyvern bloodline, which means that while he can use any wyvern bloodline, there is one type that is particularly suited and easier for him to adopt.
Wyverns can be classified based on their type instead of environmental or elemental metrics, such as Flying Wyverns for offense and aerial mobility, Armor Wyverns for defense and survival, and Brute Wyverns for their flightless but strong physique, and so on and so forth.
Bloodline Specialization assumes you may have a greater compatibility with a certain type of wyvern, allowing you to unleash more potential from the bloodline source, so your initial selection is critical. If you desire to gain other specialization traits in a different type of wyvern in the future, you would need to gain a deeper understanding of their genetic makeup so it’ll take some time for ‘Satoru’ to gain the justification. Alternatively, you could choose to rely solely on my bloodline abilities and bypass the learning process altogether if you don’t care about justification at all. >
< How many wyvern types are there? >
< Too many too count. > Astaroth replied. < The dragon race designed wyverns to be their slaves in conjunction with Dragonewt, Kobolds and countless other lesser dragon races. Since that is the case, wyverns were made to be adaptable and relatively easier to breed, some were even made as dragon race’s cattle. Depending on their diet, environment, and other factors, wyvern might mutate over the course of several generations.
To give you an example, during your extraplanar expedition to subjugate Her Majesty Asmodeus in Purgatory World, you’ve slaughtered countless numbers of my warrior slaves, which include my wyvern pets. You’ve also terraformed their home into a land of the dead that rejects life. However, I believe my former territory which should be contaminated with your radiation would genesis the birth to a new type of wyvern known as Necrophagous Wyvern. >
< The wyvern race’s adaptability factor is incredible. > Mordred was amazed. During his peak, merely gazing at his ghastly visage is lethal to low-ranked lifeforms. Thus, the fact that the wyvern could use his destructive and corrosive radiation to genesis new specieses is truly an amazing accomplishment.
< Thank you, Your Majesty. > Astaroth nodded in acceptance, a hint of pride concealed within her tone. After all, necrophagous wyverns were her original creations.
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< You need to take note that the dragon that ruled this world does not trust lesser dragon races unless they are from their own lineage. >
< Was that to deter your infiltration? > Astaroth was sure of her initial assumption. True dragon race could enslave lesser dragons, but their bloodline relation has a heavy influence in this. If they are not directly connected through ancestry, then the Magus of Death would be able to assume the identity of a lesser dragon to infiltrate their ranks. He must’ve single handedly created the trend of true dragons not trusting lesser dragon races unless they are their own creation in Morgen world. < This’ll make ‘Satoru’s future path as a Wyverian harder, but I believe you have something in mind, no? >
< That’s right. > Mordred replied with a hint of absolute certainty. < Wyverns are slaves of the dragon race, but weren’t there instances of Epics who had broken their Bloodline Shackle. For example, there’s an archdemon who set herself free from the bloodline shackle of a certain Chromatic Dragon. I trust your ability to replicate the same accomplishment with Satoru. >
< Hah! Your Majesty, is this how you subdue Her Majesty the Berserk Inferno, through flattery? > There was a glint of pride in Astaroth’s telepathic message. Being acknowledged by a Sovereign is truly an achievement that not every Epic can accomplish. < Since you’ve decided to have me adopt Satoru’s identity in the future, then I’m more comfortable if ‘you’ specialized in Tyrant Wyvern. >
Mordred metaphorically raised his eyebrows. < Let me guess, Tyrant Wyvern species can enslave other wyverns? >
< Your Majesty is partially correct. Among the Tyrant Wyverns, there are some species who possess the abilities to breed large numbers of wyvernlings (lesser wyvern) or influence other wyverns to join their pack. Given my true body's bloodline, it would be within reason if ‘Satoru’ managed to break the wyvern's bloodline shackle with Tyrant Wyvern as the foundation. >
< Hmm, those who enslaves are indeed quite resistant to being enslaved. There's also more room for you to maneuver, considering wyverns would literally consider you as their creator if you unleash a hint of your radiation. Very well, Satoru will specialized in Tyrant Wyvern bloodline. > After sending a telepathic message, Mordred opened his eyes as he looked at Katyusha, “I understand now, I will master my special ability so that I might become an excellent Bloodline Warlock.”
“You’ve fully digested her minor inheritance?” Sakuya was a bit surprised. “I guess that’s the power of a grade-S spirit talent.”
“More or less…” Mordred scratched his head, it is reasonable that he has gotten used to receiving minor inheritance so this level of learning rate does not arouse suspicion. “Miss Katyusha’s minor inheritance elaborates that, to use body transformation methods, I need to have a secondary central processing organ.”
“Правильно! It seems that your bloodline transformation abilities are not restricted by duration or frequency, but how well you understand the creature. However, to safeguard your sense of self during the transformation, it is necessary to possess at least two brains. This way, in the event that your primary brain is influenced by the wyvern bloodline corruption, your secondary brain can retain your ego and intellect.” Katyusha elaborated further.
“Miss Katyusha, does that mean you have two brains?” Mordred inquired.
“No… I have four.” Katyusha brushed it off. “In any case, we now know you have Bloodline Affinity with wyvern, but what kind of wyvern types are best suited for you?”
“Ah, you’re right.” Sakuya nodded. “The wyverns are easy to breed and are quite adaptive, but in exchange, they need some training before they can be used. Even then, most big cities in the central continent banned wyvern mounts, but that does not invalidate their uses in our southern continent. Though, there are too many species to count, so let’s consider what type is the best for you. There are Armor, Flying, Piscine, Burrow, Brute, Fang, Claw, Tyrant, Primal, and what else?”
“Beats me, I don’t even know any Claw or Fang wyvern species.” Katyusha shrugged, admitting her ignorance on some matters. “But if he has Primal Wyvern specialization, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“Let’s not indulge in fantasy.” Sakuya shook her head. “Morgen World hasn’t seen any Primal Wyvern species or Primal Wyverian in tens of thousands of years, they exist in ancient scripts only.” She then patted Mordred’s black hair whose roots had begun to turn crimson red. “It seems like we have to carry out more experiments regarding wyvern blood, but I only have a few of them, and they are all fire-path.”
“Um, If I may?” Kumo raised her hand. When everyone’s attention was at her, it was her cue to continue. “My clan reared wyverns in our extraplanar dimensions because the resources they produce are potent materials to refine various types of poison and medicines. I have various types of wyvern blood on me at all times, so I might be able to provide some.”
Katyusha and Sakuya glanced at each other, both can see the excitement in each other’s eyes.
“That’s great! Bring them out, быстро!” Katyusha demanded.
The girl obviously couldn’t deny Katyusha’s demand, especially with her eyes gleaming with fervor. It seems like Satoru’s unique case has ignited her interest in experimentation. With a wave of her hand, Kumo produced twelve vials of colorful wyvern blood, each labeled with different tags. “Some wyvern blood is toxic or extremely acidic on its own, so I wouldn't suggest drinking it without preparations. But then again, I am not an expert in wyvernology.”
Katyusha and Sakuya already immerse themselves with the vials of wyvern blood, reading the description of the label and pondering about their compatibility with Mordred.
“There’s a total of three Armor, two Flying, two Burrow, four Brute, and a single Tyrant wyvern blood.” Sakuya traded glances with Katyusha.
“We shouldn’t rush the experiment, these blood are split into various paths instead of purely fire-path, we aren’t sure of their interaction with his mana pool. He hasn’t developed a second brain either, so he’ll be exposed to higher risk of his ego overwritten by the bloodline source. We might need to start from the ground up.” Katyusha said. “Do you have the resources to perform life-alteration surgery to add a secondary brain?”
Sakuya denied. “No, my clan’s bloodline abilities do not transform our physique, we produce manifestations so we steer away from life-alteration surgeries. You don’t have any spare resources for that?”
“I can personally perform limited life-alteration surgery with the resources on my hand, but they are limited for ice-path lifeforms, and you’ll have to live with defects the rest of your life since I’ve only performed surgeries on my frost golems. Furthermore, my methods are incompatible with Satoru due to our conflict of path.” Katyusha pondered. “Well, let’s put this aside until the captain rendezvous with us.” She swiped her hand, putting the vials of wyvern blood into her dimensional storage for safekeeping.
“Yeah, I think that’s the best for now.” Sakuya then looked at Mordred, “In the meantime, you are not permitted to assume your Wyverian form unless under the watchful eyes of either me, Katyusha, or Sumire. Even during emergencies, you must refrain from utilizing more than 40% of its full power. Do you understand?” She sternly warned him. Only those three can perform hypnosis strong enough to force him revert to his original human form.
“I understand!”
At the exact moment when Mordred agreed to Sakuya’s stern warning, Katyusha received a telepathic message from Sumire. “Just in time. We’re pulling back for now, some fool provoked an Ent group. Our camp is slowly being approached by an assembly of an Ent army. Fortunately, they are rather slow, even in this environment. If we don’t pull back now, the team won't be able to retreat.”
The winter lady turned serious, “Kenji, go to this location and provide support.” She sent a telepathic message towards the man and he immediately left without uttering a single word, leaving a gouged earth with every step. Then, Katyusha glanced at Sakuya and Kumo, “You got your orders from Sumire, I assume?”
“Yeah, just now.” Sakuya nodded. “Let’s leave.”
…
Mordred watched the landscape change, the gigantic forest slowly turning smaller with every passing second. His attention was focused on the moving army of trees with an average height of four meters, the ents. They are significantly slower than the carriage, so even if they chase for a hundred years, there’s no chance for them to catch up.
Especially since some of Twin Helix are delaying their advances.
When the skirmish is no more than a dot in his eyes, Mordred puts his attention towards the book on his lap. Truthfully, he has better things to do than reading this encyclopedic book which was given by Sakuya to widen his horizon about wyvern species, such as meditating to increase his spiritual foundation. After all, his Soul Phylactery contains the split soul of an Epic Bloodline Warlock that could cheat. As long as the creature possessed blood, she would be able to obtain their information.
Her investigation method might not be as powerful as Asmodeus, but it’s still something that is beyond the norm of rank 0s. In fact, even rank 4 Paragons couldn’t accomplish what she can easily.
‘Astaroth has potential to become a Sovereign, but it’ll take her some time to achieve that. I suppose that is what made her infatuated with deciphering the destructive and corrosive nature of my truesoul.’ Throwing such thoughts into the back of his mind, Mordred flipped the pages.
“So the Tyrant Wyvern blood in Kumo’s possession is Broodscale Matriarch Wyvern, an all-female wyvern species. Hmm, I can’t bear the thought of being a shemale...” Mordred whispered in disgust. After sufficiently skimming the content, he already lost interest. < Hey Astaroth, you’ve created Necrophagous Wyvern from observing the destruction that I left in your territory, right? What if I help you invent a new Tyrant Wyvern species that could dominate not only those with wyvern blood, but any lesser dragon species including Kobolds, Dragonewt, or even Dragonman? >
< What did you just said?! > Astaroth was beyond surprised that she blattered out unconsciously. < I apologized for my rudeness. Your Majesty, can you elaborate further? >
‘Lesser Dragons’ encompass races that carry a trace of dragon bloodline. Since wyvern are made by dragons using their own blood as the foundation, they are considered as a lesser dragon. This also includes races such as kobolds, or any others that bear even a hint of a True Dragon bloodline. Given that members of the ‘true dragon’ race are known for their promiscuity and capricious nature, it’s not strange for them to fuck around with all sort of lifeform and expand the definition of lesser dragon races. As a result, there are actually quite a number of them scattered around the Boundless Astral Realm.
Nevertheless, the reason why lesser dragon races are considered as ‘lesser’ is because no matter how strong they are, the moment a true dragon appeared and unleashed their racial trait (bloodline ability), Dragon Might, they turned into slaves. Yes, bloodline ancestry affects how quickly or how easily lesser dragons are influenced by true dragon’s Dragon Might, but generally, no lesser dragon race could resist the pressure of their ancestor.
That being said, Mordred’s offer for a joint effort to create a new species of Tyrant Wyvern that could imitate a true dragon’s Dragon Might is obviously not something that she, an Epic Bloodline Warlock, could resist. The Archdemon would benefit greatly since Mordred’s former identity, the Great Archmage, is someone who revolutionized the refinement-path of Morgen World. Although he does not specialize in ‘refining’ bloodline, his findings on life-alteration surgeries allowed most countries in Morgen World to adopt genetic engineering.
< We might be able to accomplish this when ‘Satoru’ reaches the realm of Legends, but we can start slowly by laying down the foundation. I absolutely hate the true dragon race with every fiber of my being. Every advantage we can get over the true dragons gives me better chances of going home, so helping you is helping myself. > Mordred’s tone expressed a hint of murderous intent, and Astaroth knew when Mordred uttered those words, it meant the Magus of Death is dead serious.