Chapter 140: Chain Reaction
William sat on the floor of his laboratory, his back against the black stone wall, surrounded by parchments and empty flasks. He had prepared everything to ascend, having already taken the mental stabilizer to avoid repercussions.
"What are you doing?" he sent a message through his collar, and the reply was swift.
"I’m in the alchemy lab with Nere. We’re studying the healing potion... all good for now."
William smiled softly. For the past six months, Lia and Nere had grown closer, especially when he wasn’t available. Still, every time William appeared, Nere usually ran off with poorly constructed excuses, as if trying to avoid him at all costs. At first, he didn’t pay attention, but then he couldn’t help but ask Lia if he had done something to offend her. Lia replied that her family strictly forbade her from getting close to him, so she couldn’t allow rumors. This answer left William feeling bittersweet, as he knew the reputation he had but could do nothing to avoid it.
"Alright. I’m going to run an experiment. I won’t contact you for a while. See you at the announcement in the main square."
He sent the message. He put away the communicator. Then, he sighed... and sat in a meditation posture.
Around him, the magical lights dimmed. He closed his eyes and began to recite, in a low but firm voice, the three spells he had so precisely etched into his mind: Abyss Spear, Void Wall, Shadow Echo Step.
He had studied how magical integration worked. His theoretical and practical classes had taught him the exact steps to engrave spells into the magical cortex of the brain. The process flowed with surprising naturalness, as if his body had been waiting for this moment all along.
Then it happened: from his heart, a wave of gray energy shot out, enveloping each spell. At the same time, his brain mana reacted to defend itself from the "intruder." But instead of blocking it... they began to fuse.
The synergy was brutal, but an indescribable pain pierced him as soon as that new energy touched the symbols etched in his brain. It was as if burning needles were driven into his skull, as if his brain were burning from within, marked by an invisible iron.
William didn’t scream. He didn’t writhe. He just clenched his teeth. He was stronger than that.