Supreme Magus

Chapter 4531: Internal Error (Part 1)

"I didn’t show you my Indech and Talos forms the last time because I had yet to discover them.

"We are still keeping my evolution a secret to hide my bond with the tower and not draw attention to me. I’m now our secret weapon, and I plan to remain in the shadows until Meln makes his next move, so please make no mention of what you’re about to see."

Solus pressed her hands against the crystal case of the Infirmary, and the lights in the tower flashed red as alarms blared and warnings appeared in giant letters on the holographic display.

"Mana core: Awakened and compromised. Life force: uncategorized and compromised. Life force composition: 25% rank 3 human (?), 25% Error! @#! Anomaly! *ç§ You%Me! Artifact alive. Can’t be alive. [#ç..."

A string of unreadable characters and static followed until Menadion forcefully stopped the scan and turned off the Infirmary.

"It seems we have a problem." She said. "The tower can’t compute the existence of Solus’ tower side. It’s a part of her, but at the same time, it’s just an artifact. The Infirmary classifies itself as a cursed object bonded to her and tries to find a cure.

"Too bad that the ’cure’ would require severing Solus’ bond with the tower and kill her in the process. It goes against everything I programmed the tower for and makes the Infirmary’s computational system collapse.

"The tower can’t defend Solus and kill her at the same time, so it gets stuck in an impossible conundrum."

"Maybe there is a simple solution." Lith scratched his chin. "The tower had no data about Tista or Val, yet after we inputted it, the tower now recognizes what a Bahamut or a Hekate is. Let’s see if we can do the same for Solus."

He updated the Infirmary’s mainframe with his knowledge and understanding of Solus’ life force, adding conclusions and information the tower couldn’t reach on its own.

"Try again." Lith said, and Solus complied.

"Mana core: Awakened and compromised. Life force: 100% Vritra and compromised. Life force composition: 25% rank 3 human (?), 25% unknown Talos, 25% Dragon (?), 25% Phoenix (?).

"Warning: Several cracks in the life force and mana core detected. No wound detected. Perfect health. Further diagnostics are required before a viable treatment can be identified.

"The subject’s condition shows signs of progressive, natural improvements. Any external alteration to her life force is likely to compromise the process, and it’s strongly discouraged."

The lights of the tower now flashed yellow, and the displays showed clear information, yet many questions remained.

"What’s with all the question marks?" Bytra asked. "Why does the Infirmary sound uncertain about your origin?"

"Probably because of the internal conflict." Menadion replied. "As you’ve seen, every form Solus takes carries the signs of her tower form."

She pointed to the Indech gold and silver tattoos, Solus’ gemstone eyes as a Vritra, and all the bio crystals she bore in all her forms. The First Ruler of the Flames also highlighted how the tower core and its runes were deeply embedded in the different aspects of Solus’ life forces.

"The question mark must refer to the tower side that the Infirmary fails to categorize. If you think about it, it’s a fair observation. If Solus keeps those traits even after fully recovering, then she will be an Indech and Dragon new species.

"If she doesn’t, instead, it means that the Infirmary is right and that the extra parts don’t really belong to the aspects of her life forces. They are just a temporary crutch she borrows from the tower."

"It makes sense, Mom, but it was also scary." Solus swallowed hard.

"For what it’s worth, I found all of your forms beautiful, Solus." Bytra shifted her weight from one foot to another. "They suit you and look powerful. What can you do in your Dragon and Talos form?"

"I wish I knew." Solus groaned. "If Dhiral makes me a set of Rune Stores, maybe I’ll find out soon."

"Since we are already sharing, let me show you something." Lith Warped everyone to the Greenhouse and showed the Camellia to the hybrids.

"Good gods, it’s beautiful!" Zoreth said, and Bytra nodded in approval. "Never in my travels have I seen something like this. Where did you find it?"

"Mind link, please." Lith shared with them the events of his last visit to Mogar’s Garden and Valeron the Second’s gift to Kamila.

"He’s such a kind boy." Bytra said with starry eyes. "Kami is a lucky woman. I envy her a lot."

"You and the rest of the family." Solus grunted. "I want my flower too!"

"Did you ask Val for one?" Zoreth chuckled, seeing a grown woman pouting like that.

"No, it would be childish. His love for his family is no competition, and a gift this beautiful should come from his heart, not from my whining." Solus sighed.

"Now that you’ve seen the Camellia, you can understand this." Another mind link shared with the two hybrids how Lith had cured Althika and Erkin, and how Valeron had healed them.

"Val’s Flames can harmonize and connect life forces?" The Shadow Dragon was so shocked that she fell butt-first to the floor. "Could he do the same for us? Cure Byt and me?"

"I don’t know, Big Sis, but I shared this with you for a reason." Lith touched her shoulder and then Bytra’s, but he didn’t hear any voices in his head screaming that something was wrong with them. "First, to return the trust you’ve shown us.

"Second, because I need your help to discover the scope of Val’s potential and abilities. He’s still young and weak, but maybe he can help people like you, me, and Solus in the future. I need you to promise me it will stay between us, though."

"I’ll treat it like the secret of Solus’ tower." Bytra nodded. "No one will ever know. You have my word."

"And mine, Lil Bro." Zoreth said.

"Well, then." Lith had Valeron appear in his arms and brought him to the Infirmary. "Put your hands on the crystal, son. It’s time for your medical examination."

"Yes, Dad." The young boy replied.

"Mana core: Awakened and intact. Life force: 100% Bahamut. Life force composition: 25% rank 0+ human, 25% Griffon, 50% Dragon. No life force defect detected. No wound detected. Perfect health. No further action is recommended." Solus read for him.

"Rank 0+?" Valeron blinked several times in utter confusion.

"It means your human side is developing, son." Lith ruffled the boy’s hair. "One day you might get seven eyes like your dad and siblings!"

"Yay!" Valeron cheered, not for the power the elemental eyes would bring him, but because they made him feel closer to his adoptive family. "Can I get to rank 3 too?"

"We’ll see, son." Lith hugged him tight. "Don’t worry too much. You’re perfect as you are. Okay?"

"Okay." Valeron didn’t sound convinced.

"Can you please take a look at Auntie Zor?" Lith asked. "I’m not telling you to cure her, just to tell me what you think of her condition."

"Auntie is ill?" Valeron’s shock and surprise made him look even more adorable, but they also hit the Shadow Dragon like a punch to the gut.