The infinite library section 313 of the Akashic Records

When Mary opened her eyes, she was once again greeted by the vast, endless expanse of a starry sky. The familiar scent of aged books and fresh earth filled the air, a contrast that both calmed and unsettled her. She sighed internally, already questioning how she had died again. Her body tensed instinctively, and her guard went up as she glanced around, trying to piece together her fragmented memories

The room she was in looked a little different this time around. It was more spacious. The bookshelfs arched higher, and the floor stretched wide enough to fit an entire football field within. The towering shelves were filled with countless books, their spines old and weathered, filled with untold secrets. Still, she couldn't admire the sight for long. Footsteps echoed from beyond the large door at the room's end, steady and deliberate. The librarian was coming

Mary's senses sharpened. She pushed herself off the ground and looked around quickly, hoping to find a weapon—something to defend herself. But the room was empty of anything that could be useful. No swords, no staves. Nothing

With no time left, she gritted her teeth, mana flowing instinctively into her limbs. Her legs felt charged with vitality as she prepared to dash towards the door. Her arms gleamed faintly with mana, ready to strike at a moment's notice

The door creaked open

Then without hesitation, she shot forward like a bolt of lightning, her hand outstretched to grab the figure entering the room. But just before her fingers could close around the target, her arm was deflected. The librarian, who she was aiming for, was yanked backward by the person behind him. This new figure moved with a fluidity that unsettled her, redirecting her attack with precise control

Faced with an unexpected variable her instincts instantly took over, and she immediately followed up her offense with a punch, her other hand arcing through the air toward his face. He caught her wrist with a firm grip, halting her attack mid-motion. Mary didn't pause. Channeling her mana, she twisted her arm free and forced it back into position, this time delivering a vicious blow directly to his chest

Bang!

'It feels like hitting an iron wall' Mary thought as the sound of her strike echoed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the room. For a moment, silence fell. Mary raised her head, her breathing heavy, only to find Ethan standing there, watching with a small glint in his golden eyes. Seeing him watching her with interest a reckless smile tugged at her lips as she rasped "Is that enough to let me rest now?"

Observing her face closely Ethan's gaze held hers, his expression shifting into a crazed grin that perfectly mirrored her own. "Do as you wish. I won't stop you"

Hearing him give permission relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. As her body, now deprived of adrenaline, felt like it was about to collapse. Every muscle screamed in protest, but she forced herself to stand tall, unwilling to show any weakness in front of him. A weary sigh escaped her lips as she staggered over to the center of the room, looking for a spot to sit

As if anticipating her needs, two chairs appeared before her, conjured from thin air. She collapsed into one, her body heavy with exhaustion. Across from her, Ethan sat down casually, watching her with the same curiosity as before

"Now" she said, her voice steady despite the fatigue "Can you explain to me what the hell is going on with me? What's wrong with my memory? And what happened after I passed out?"

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The other you and I have reached a deal. And we decided on a training program after consulting with you. And to ensure efficiency, your memories were sealed by me"

"For what purpose?" she shot back. "I don't think the part about erasing my memories was necessary"

"To train you" Ethan replied coolly. "Sealing your memory allowed me to test your instincts, your raw reactions to various situations, without any prior knowledge or bias clouding your decisions. It accelerated your growth"

Mary snorted in disbelief. "So I had to die over and over for your twisted experiment? This wasn't training. It was just torture disguised as one"

"From your perspective. Yes" Ethan admitted "But you participated to this willingly, and the results speak for themselves. You've developed your survival instincts and reaction speed—skills that you have lacked or failed to utilize effectively before"

A harsh laugh bubbled up from her chest. "Survival instinct? You call this an improvement? You subjected me to death for what exactly? Better reaction that doesn't even make a difference?"

"Yes" Ethan said firmly. "I do call this an improvement. Pain was only part of the process to refining that instinct of yours"

"So am I free now?" Mary asked, her tone bitter. "Or are you still not satisfied?"

Ethan's gaze remained steady. "You already know the deal. There's no point in making a fuss now. So take a deep breath and listen to me"

She crossed her arms, her glare sharp. "Go on then, do tell me Mister Know-It-All"

"You remembering your memories now wasn't part of the plan" Ethan explained. "It was unexpected. But it's a fortunate development. It means we can end this training early"

"Fortunate? Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"It should. The sooner you finish, the sooner the pain will end"

"And I'm just supposed to somehow forget all of this suffering afterwards?"

"Yes" he said simply. "Once the training is complete, the pain will be gone. Pain is only temporary for you after all"

"What does that even mean?"

Taking a deep breath to calm herself down Mary sat in silence for a moment, processing his words. And before she could respond, Ethan leaned forward, his voice as calm as ever. "Now, let's move on to the next part of your training. We'll be refining your foundation and understanding. But more importantly we will be focuing on that instinct or i guess body of yours which is almost like a talent by itself. So i want you to swing your sword following that instinct and… dodge"

Before her mind could fully process the warning her instincts kicked in as a sword came hurtling towards her face, tilting her head to the side and catching the blade with ease, she jumped up from her seat. And with a flick of her wrist, she swung the sword towards Ethan while her eyes were tracking Ethan's hand as he summoned his own sword from thin air

Clang!

Their blades met with a sharp metallic ring, the impact sending vibrations through her arm. Mary used the momentum from their clash to create distance, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet, her body moving with the fluid grace of someone who had done this countless times before as she followed her instinct just like he had instructed

Ethan's golden eyes glowed faintly as he observed her, unblinking and focused. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved, both sizing each other up. Then, without warning, they both sprang forward in perfect unison as if they had made a promise to do so

Ethan's blade cut toward her with lethal precision, but Mary intercepted it, her sword swinging up to block the attack

KAANG!

The force of their collision rippled through the air, but neither faltered. Ethan twisted his body, following up with a swift thrust aimed at her side. Mary parried the strike with ease, using the force of the block to push him back. She shifted her stance, every motion smooth, efficient, and instinctive

For a brief period of time, they paused, opening a small gap of space between them. Then Mary's eyes narrowed, and with a burst of speed, she charged forward. Her sword arced downward, gleaming with mana

Seeing that Ethan's brow furrowed as he barely had time to brace for impact as their blades met once more

Coung!

The dull shock reverberated through his arms. But before he could fully recover, Mary shifted her stance, discarding her blade and delivering a mana–infused kick to his side

Caught off guard by the sudden change in tactics, Ethan twisted his sword to block. The impact was deafening, with the sound echoing through the room. Books rattled on their shelves, some tumbling to the floor as the force of their battle sent tremors through the air

Both combatants froze for a moment, neither willing to back down

As the silence continued Ethan was the first to break the silence between them with a light compliment "You've done well" Ethan spoke, his voice even, though with a hint of approval. His sword remained raised, his gaze locked on her

Mary stood her ground, her breathing steady. The air between them buzzed with unspoken tension, a silent standoff

While Ethan contemplated the implications of her movements, Mary glanced down at her legs coated in a bright red hue that was blocked by the sword as she clicked her tongue and pulled back her leg to adjust her posture while grumbling to herself

"It didn't work" she muttered to herself

"...You thought it would?" Ethan's response came quietly, which only brought further disatisfaction to Mary as his voice was laced with genuine curiosity and interest rather than sarcasm which she found unpleasant

"..."

As Mary groaned at his words with her mood becaming even worse, she widened the distance between them

Meanwhile Ethan just silently observed the grumpy figure of Mary who was walking over to pick up the sword she just previously discarded as his eyes narrowed in thought 'Was it a coincidence?' he wondered. If she had done it unconsciously, he would have praised her talent, and if she had done it on purpose, he would have praised her insight

Ethan thought as his gaze drifted down to the sword in his hand causing the veil of trickery that was masking it's true appearance to fade away only to reveal a sword that now clearly had a deep, jagged crack running along it's surface ready to crumble at any given moment

'She used mana, circulating it through her body before releasing it in one focused strike' Ethan thought as he completed his analysis of their light spar, and his mind quickly reorganized the day's training schedule

The sword in his hand disintegrated into tiny particals of light, vanishing completely as he took a step forward, moving closer to Mary who was still preoccupied with picking up her blade 

Her awkward attempt to maintain her modesty as she reached for the sword created an unintentionally cute scene that Ethan barely acknowledged as he interrupted her internal struggle with a calm voice, his following words broke the moment causing Mary to freeze on the spot as she realized what she has been doing until now and how it would look like from the sidelines

"Have you ever learned how to control your mana?"

"..."

As Mary remained as stiff as a rock, Ethan furrowed his brows wondering what was bothering her before noticing the faint redness of her earlobes as a quiet sigh naturally escaped his mouth

'Looking at the absurdity of it all, the figure before him was somehow embarrased by something so minor and childish' he thought as a another sigh threathened to escape his mouth almost involuntary as he closed his eyes before briefly stepping closer while extending his hand towards her to lend her a hand

After a few moments, Mary finally composed herself, her cheeks still tinged with pink. Ethan waited patiently, his gaze steady, calm and distant. Once she steadied her breath, he spoke again intending to continue as planned

"Let's start with the basics of mana and aura circulation" Ethan said, his tone calm but firm "As for the theory behind mana and magic, I'll cover that next time if we have the chance"

Mary raised an eyebrow. "Why the basics?"

Ethan's golden eyes met hers, unflinching. "Do you know how to control mana?"

"Yeah, of course" she answered, a bit too confidently

"And what about aura circulation?" he asked, a deadpan look settling on his face

"..."

Her silence said everything

"You've never learned how to properly circulate mana, let alone aura" he continued, his voice taking on an almost lecturing tone. "You were only given instructions and was shown what proper usage looked like. Now, what I require from you is simple. Look at how i use mana, try to understand it. Gain your own insights before applying them in practice. If you don't understand just follow what your body thinks is right. Got it?"

"Yes... I think" Mary answered in a low voice clearly not motivated which was ignored by Ethan

"Good. Now, get up. Rest time is over"

"But it's barely been five minutes!" she protested, pouting slightly

But Ethan's expression didn't change. "Did I ever say you could rest?"

"...No?"

"Exactly" he said, deadpan. "Now, dodge"

Following that Mary barely had time to react before Ethan's fist, coated in a golden aura, smashed into the floor where she had been seated just moments ago. The force of the impact shattered the wooden floorboards, causing splinters to fly in all directions. As she rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the strike, her heart kept pounding in her chest as her instincts kept warning her to escape

As she scrambled to her feet, still breathless from the sudden movement, her mind raced to make sense of what was happening as she screamed

"Are you trying to kill me?!" she gasped her voice somewhere between panic and disbelief as she glared at Ethan's indifferent face

"Yes" Ethan replied without hesitation, his tone flat and disturbingly casual

"Don't just admit it!" Mary snapped as she glared at him with clear resentment, her frustration evident as she tried to adapt to his constantly changing demeanor and behavour

Ethan, however, remained as composed as ever, his gaze calm and focused as if nothing unusual had just occurred. His body moved with an effortless fluidity, his fist retracting from the crater in the floor, and without hesitation, he lunged toward her again

Mary cursed under her breath as she rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the next strike. The force of his punch left a visible gust of wind in its wake, knocking over more shelves and scattering books across the room like leaves in a storm. The floorboards trembled under each step he took, his golden aura burning brightly, casting sharp shadows on the walls

Her pulse quickened, and her muscles screamed for relief, but there was no reprieve. Ethan's assault was relentless, every movement calculated, every strike lethal. It was as if he wasn't holding back at all, pushing her to the brink with each attack. Mary dodged again, barely managing to evade a kick aimed at her side, her heart pounding harder with every near miss

"I don't suppose you could take it easy for a change?" she called out, her voice tinged with frustration

Ethan's response was to hurl another punch towards her, the air cracking as his fist tore through it. Mary dodged, her movements fluid but frantic, her body twisting to avoid the barrage of blows. She barely had a second to catch her breath before he was on her again. There was no pause, no reprieve. His attacks were precise, aimed at her vital points with cold efficiency

"You need to focus" Ethan instructed, his voice calm despite his continued assault. "Your talent isn't just for dodging so just follow your instincts and look for a way to adapt and anticipate your opponents attacks"

"I am focusing!" Mary shot back, panting heavily as she twisted out of the way of yet another strike. "On not dying!"

As Ethan's relentless assault forced her to stay on the defensive. Every dodge felt like a desperate scramble for survival as the floor beneath them became a minefield of broken wood and scattered debris from the earlier impacts. His movements were sharp, every strike carrying murderous intent, and she could feel the pressure mounting with every second

Mary's legs were burning, her muscles protesting as she rolled and dodged, her body growing more fatigued by the second. Yet despite this she could sense the difference between them—Ethan's control was flawless, and each strike, whether it hit or missed, was deliberate. There was no wasted movement, no hesitation

Despite the growing ache in her limbs, Mary found herself responding faster, her movements becoming sharper, more deliberate. She wasn't just dodging blindly anymore. With every near miss, she started to anticipate his movements, predicting the angle of his next strike. Her body, though exhausted, was adapting to his rhythm

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly as he had noticed the shift in her movements. "Better" he commented, his voice laced with approval, though his expression remained neutral. "But you're still holding back"

Mary's brow furrowed. Holding back? How could she possibly be holding back when she was fighting for her life?

"I'm not—" she started, but Ethan interrupted her with a sudden attack, his fist arcing toward her face before pulling back at the last second. She stumbled backward, her breath catching in her throat, but she quickly got up and regained her footing to resume as his assault continued

"You are" Ethan said, his voice calm but firm. "It's good that you are relying on your body and instinct but sometimes it's not enough. So i want you to rely on mana as well"

"So i want you to try and awaken your aura" Ethan said evenly, as if he wasn't actively trying to kill her

"Circulate it throughout your body"

"How do you expect me to awaken it while trying to stay alive?!" she shouted, desperation creeping into her voice

"Observe my aura and confront it"

"Confront it?!" she exclaimed, ducking under another blow. "I'll die if I confront that thing!"

"Do you have a choice?" Ethan asked calmly, his voice cutting through the chaos with chilling simplicity

Mary gritted her teeth, glancing at his aura that pulsed like a golden storm around him. "I don't even know how to use aura!" She yelled as she turned around to escape while he was talking

"Then use mana" Ethan said, not slowing his assault in the slightest as his golden aura eventually transformed into a storm of green mana as an example which Mary didn't see

Meanwhile as Ethan's calm words reached her ears, Mary's eyes widened as she realized—she was trapped. The walls, which hadn't been there moments ago, now appeared infront of her, cutting off any escape route. In desperation her hands pressed against the unyielding wooden surface trying to push it out of the way as her breathing quickened following the slow sound of deliberate footsteps that echoed behind her, drawing closer with every passing second

'No way out'

Swallowing hard, Mary turned around, her gaze locking onto Ethan's approaching figure. Then her attention was immediately drawn to the ominous green mana swirling around his arm, coating it in a twisting, concentrated vortex of energy. It spun violently, like a tornado ready to tear apart anything in its path

Mary's heart pounded as her mind tried to process what she was seeing. What is he doing? When did his aura change into mana? She didn't fully understand the mechanics of it, but instinctively, she knew—if she touched that raw, spinning force without a plan, it would rip her limb from limb

Then panic set in as her thoughts raced, her perception of time stretching as if her brain had pushed itself to its limits in sheer desperation. Think… I have to think. She needed a way to survive, a way to counter that green whirlwind of mana

Mana to the limbs—focus it there. Her body instinctively prepared for the confrontation, but she knew it wasn't enough. Confronting that tornado head-on with just pure mana without a plan would just be plain suicide. She needed something more, something to stop it or cancel it out

Lightning? She considered it. If she could coat her arm with lightning, she might be able to forcefully cut through, but she doubted she had the strength or precision to break through the spinning energy with such a chaotic and wild element while keeping her arm intact. Then what about fire? No, fire won't work either—wind would just fuel it and make it backfire. Following that logic ice was immediately discarded as well; introducing ice against wind could just enhance Ethan's element rather than stopping it just like fire

Wind, her mind settled. It was the only option. She couldn't overpower it, but perhaps she could match it. To cancel it out, she would need to spin her own mana in the exact opposite direction. But how? How could she match the precision and intensity of a whirlwind?

Her mind snapped back to reality as Ethan's looming presence now stood directly in front of her. The glow of the green mana swirling around his arm intensified, its violent spinning threatening to consume her. Her heartbeat thudded loudly in her ears

'No choice'

In that instant, Mary made her decision. Gathering the last of her remaining courage, she forced her own mana to respond. Raising her arm, she summoned the wind element to coat her hand, feeling the invisible energy swirl around her fingertips. It was crude and unrefined, but it had to be enough

With a deep breath, she stretched out her hand, matching Ethan's outstretched arm, her fingers trembling slightly as she brought her mana closer to his vortex. She focused hard, willing her wind to spin in the opposite direction, trying desperately to replicate the precision of his mana flow

Ethan's expression remained impassive, though his golden eyes seemed to watch her every movement with an eerie calm

The gap between their swirling energies narrowed, and for a heartbeat, Mary thought she felt a flicker of connection—a moment where her wind almost synchronized with his. But the intensity of Ethan's mana was overwhelming, threatening to crush her own in an instant

Her arm shook violently as she tried to maintain the opposite spin, her body pushed to its limit. Sweat trickled down her temple as her mana wavered under the immense pressure. She could feel Ethan's presence bearing down on her, his mana suffocating, leaving her no room for error

The winds collided

For an instant, the world seemed to stand still for her as her mana and his locked in a volatile, spinning dance of opposing forces before she was pushed back. The wall behind her has now disappeared but she couldn't focus on that now

Mary stared at her hands in a daze which was now bleeding but was still intact, her breath still ragged from the effort. Before she could fully process what had just happened, a familiar green light bloomed from Ethan's hands again. The fierce wind surrounding him surged to life, and instinctively, Mary leaped back, widening the distance between them, her mind racing. She knew too well that if she stayed too close, she would be torn apart by the violent vortex

As she gathered herself, she focused on her surroundings, watching how Ethan manipulated the wind. Following his example, she called forth the wind to her hands, trying to match the energy. But this time, something was different—the wind around Ethan had shifted, now spinning in the opposite direction. Mary quickly reversed her own mana flow, struggling to adapt to this sudden change

Then following that the spar became more chaotic. As Ethan's fists, coated in swirling wind, swung with relentless precision. Mary, though constantly on the defensive, was slowly finding her own rhythm. Every time he shifted, she countered, her body learning to respond instinctively to the rapid changes in the wind's flow

With each passing moment, she became more fluid, more confident. The once overwhelming chaos of Ethan's attacks was now a challenge she could face. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mary began to push back, adding her own subtle changes to the wind currents, just as Ethan had done. Her movements became more aggressive, her punches cutting through the air with newfound precision, swirling with wind that mirrored Ethan's mana

Ethan, calm and observant, simply watched her every move. His golden eyes studied the way she manipulated the wind, noting the steady improvement in her control. As her fist, now coated in a concentrated whirlwind, swung toward him, Ethan felt no sense of danger. Instead, he welcomed her approach, allowing her to close the distance

Step by step, he advanced toward her, his expression was the same as always until they were just a hair's breadth apart. Mary breathed heavily but was focused, looked at him, her wind-infused fists still raised. For a moment, the world around them seemed to become quiet, the tension between them palpable

Ethan scrutinized her closely. She had adapted well, but he needed to be sure. He simply couldn't afford to leave anything to chance

With that thought, he took a sudden step back, creating distance once more. Stretching his hand toward her, Ethan made sure she could see every detail of what he was about to do. The green mana that coated his arm began swirling faster, more violently, and yet—there was something more controlled about it now

"Watch carefully," he said, his voice calm yet commanding

He was testing her again—this time, on a different but similar subject

Focusing his senses, Ethan carefully channeled mana into his hands, his eyes narrowing with concentration. The energy shimmered faintly as it flowed, pulsing gently in his control. With patience, he stripped away the inherent properties of the wind from the mana, rendering it raw and formless—pure energy, untethered from any elemental alignment. The air around his hands seemed to hum with anticipation, the mana vibrating in its most primal state

Then he isolated a single strand of mana from the swirling mass, meticulously separating it. His fingers moved with deliberate care, as though weaving an intricate tapestry. Slowly, with smooth, practiced gestures, he wove the thin thread of mana into a delicate string, his concentration unbroken. As the thread formed, Ethan compressed it, folding the mana in on itself again and again, each compression condensing the energy into a denser, more potent form

Gradually, the ethereal thread began to shift, transforming from a mere strand of mana into something heavier—more substantial. It became aura. The transformation was slow, and as the aura pulsed in his hand, it finally became dense enough to be physically felt as it vibrated with latent power

Satisfied with the transformation, Ethan glanced towards Mary, ensuring that she was observing every step of the process. Her eyes, though weary, were fixed on him, her focus unwavering. After a moment, Ethan turned his attention back to the aura still gathered in his hand as he transformed it back into mana to move on to the next stage of the demonstration

This time, he allowed the mana to flow freely, releasing it from the elemental essence he had so carefully stripped away. With subtle movements, he guided the now pure mana to resemble nature's mana—wild, untamed, yet still under his control. His will alone kept the mana balanced, and with a command, he set it into motion

The mana around his hand began to spin. Not just in one direction, but two opposing directions simultaneously, creating a perfect harmony of force. The air around him stirred gently, forming miniature vortices that circled his palm. Each particle of mana rotated in its own perfect orbit, none colliding with another, all existing in flawless synchronization

Then Ethan extended his hand towards Mary, motioning for her to come closer

"Mass is just a more concentrated form of energy. I want you to feel it. And observe it" he instructed, his voice calm but commanding

For a brief moment, Mary hesitated. Her mind flashed back to the earlier moments when Ethan had attacked her without warning, pushing her to the edge of survival. The intensity of his attacks was relentless, and the thought of trusting him after that was difficult to reconcile. Yet she knew, deep down, that refusing him now would only prolong this hellish ordeal

She sighed quietly and stepped forward, her reluctance clear in her body language, but her determination slowly winning over her wariness. If I learn this… maybe it'll be over sooner

With cautious movements, she approached Ethan, her eyes locked on the swirling mana in his hand

The closer she got, the more she could feel the faint pressure of the spinning energy, like the push and pull of invisible winds tugging at her skin

"Pay attention" 

Ethan said, his tone softening just slightly as she came near

"You need to understand the balance and order within this lump of mana. And control that balance to create harmony"

"Harmony can be achieved only when the two forces are equal and dependent on each other. And Order can only be achieved if there are constant changes meaning the two forces should be in constant struggle for dominance with neither being able to truly overpower the other creating chaos"

Listening to him Mary extended her hand tentatively toward his, her fingers trembling slightly as they neared the vortex of mana. She hesitated just before making contact, but Ethan's steady gaze gave her the push she needed. Her fingers brushed the swirling mana, and immediately she felt the distinct difference. The two opposing forces of wind were violent and chaotic yet perfectly balanced, neither truly overpowering the other, each maintained its own intensity as they flunctuated and maintained balance as they relied on each other

She breath caught as she marveled at the intricacy. It was like holding a miniature storm in the palm of her hand, but one that was entirely under the control of the user

Ethan watched her intently, seeing the wonder in her eyes. "Now… try it yourself" he said, stepping back and withdrawing the mana from his hand

"Form the flow, control it, and spin it just as I did"

Mary blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. She glanced down at her own hands, unsure if she was ready. But Ethan's distant and observant gaze left no room for doubt or hesitation

With a deep breath, she focused, gathering her mana just as he had shown her earlier. The energy responded sluggishly at first, resisting her control, but slowly, it began to form in her palm. She stripped the elemental properties from it, leaving only the raw mana, shimmering and unstable

It took everything in her just to keep the mana from dissipating. Now… spin it, she told herself, recalling the intricate process she had just witnessed. She pushed the mana, willing it to move in opposite directions. For a moment, the forces clashed awkwardly, but she fought to stabilize them

"Breathe" Ethan said, his voice cutting through her concentration. "Don't force it. Let the mana flow naturally"

Mary exhaled slowly, allowing her body to relax. The mana in her hand began to stabilize, spinning slowly at first, then gaining momentum. She could feel the delicate balance forming, though it was nowhere near as refined as Ethan's

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he watched her progress, his gaze cold and analytical, but with a hint of approval in his tone. "Good. Now… maintain that control, and build on it" He took a step closer, his voice lowering slightly. "This will be the foundation for your body"

For a moment, Mary hesitated his words sinking in. The foundation for my body? Confusion flickered across her face, but as she looked down at the spinning mana in her hand, it clicked. She understood what he meant. If she could control the flow of mana in her hand, she could apply the same principles to the rest of her body—to the core inside her heart, where her mana was being generated. It wasn't just about manipulating external mana anymore; it was about internalizing it

This time it will be a lot harder to apply since it's on a much larger scale but in the end since she has already succeeded once it will be easier than the first time. So with a new found stability Mary inhaled deeply, then exhaled with slow, deliberate control. She allowed the tension in her muscles to ease, her grip on the mana loosening slightly. To her surprise, the energy began to move more freely, spinning with greater fluidity. It was subtle at first, but she could feel the difference—the way the mana was responding to her, flowing without resistance

The momentary stability gave her confidence, but it wasn't easy. Every time the mana spun too quickly, she had to adjust, her mind racing to keep pace with the changes. Yet, despite the challenges, she found herself adapting, slowly but surely

So as time passed the task ahead felt daunting—the scale of circulating mana throughout her entire body was far more complex than what she had done with her hand—but she had succeeded once. She could do it again

Inhaling slowly and feeling the mana respond to her will. It surged from her heart, radiating outward through her veins like a flowing river. At first, the flow was uneven, erratic, the energy bucking against her control as if resisting the shift in direction. She gritted her teeth, realizing the flaws in her body as the path the mana took was so inefficient that it was causing her to struggle just to maintain the balance she had cultivated in her hand

Her limbs tensed as the mana surged, threatening to spiral out of control. But she forced herself to stay calm. With every breath, she adjusted, correcting the flow, smoothing out the jagged edges of the power coursing through her and fixing her flawed body. Bit by bit, she expanded the control she had over the mana in her body, guiding it with precision. It was like learning to walk for the first time—awkward and unstable—but she was making progress

Sweat rolled down her brow as she worked, her entire body humming with energy. She could feel the mana harmonizing with her system, syncing with her natural rhythm. But she wasn't satisfied, she was greedy and this wasn't just about maintaining the flow. She needed more than just control—she needed to fuse her own mana with the atmosphere around her. She needed to draw in the ambient mana, to not only circulate what was within her but to connect with the storm outside

With a deep breath, Mary opened her senses to the world around her while scattering her mana. The air was thick with energy, dense with the latent mana that filled the atmosphere. She could almost taste it—the raw mana lingering in the space between her and Ethan. Once she realized that she reached out with her mind, visualizing herself as part of the atmosphere as her mana dissolved into the atmosphere before being pulled back into her body. She wasn't just drawing mana into her body; she was the atmosphere

With her new found understanding Mary began greedily pulling in mana from her surroundings. She could feel it now—the way the mana moved in perfect synchrony, circulating throughout her system and out into the environment in one seamless flow to repeat the cycle of breathing in and out

The change was subtle at first, but as she imagined herself merging with the mana around her, something shifted. The energy around her responded, drawn to her like a magnet. With each breath the mana in the air around her began to flow toward her, filtering into her body and merging with her own. It was wild and untamed, yet somehow, she was able to guide it, to make it her own

Her breaths became quicker as she struggled to keep up with the influx of mana. The pressure was immense, the sheer volume of mana threatening to overwhelm her, but she focused on controlling the flow—on harmonizing it with her own rhythm. Her body hummed with power as the external mana melded with her own, circulating throughout her entire system

The sensation was overwhelming, like standing in the eye of a hurricane, yet there was a strange sense of calm within the chaos

For the first time, Mary truly felt connected to the world itself. Her body became a conduit for the mana, a bridge between the world outside and the mana within. She wasn't just channeling it; she was becoming it

Her eyes snapped open, glowing faintly as the mana circulating throughout her entire body emanated from her soul. So with confidence she looked towards Ethan who stood silently, only to realize the mana around her which she fed off of greedily was eminating from him as he watched her progress with a calm but somewhat of a warm expression

"Good" he said, his voice softer than before, though still distant. "You're beginning to understand"

Mary exhaled, her breath steady, though her body still tingled from the aftershocks of the experience. She had done it. She had achieved the harmony Ethan had been pushing towards her. But she knew this was only the beginning but even then she still couldn't help but feel a brief flicker of accomplishment stir within her

But her sense of triumph was fleeting. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan moving closer, his figure now bathed in the faint glow of a swirling silver sphere of mana in his hand that he seems to have condensed. The orb crackled with energy, distorting the air around it as it pulsed with a quiet, dangerous power. His golden, star-like eyes glowed eerily, making her stomach tighten with unease

Her instincts screamed at her, and she quickly dissipated the mana she had so carefully controlled, her focus breaking as her gaze turned toward Ethan. Wary, she watched him draw nearer, his expression unreadable, yet his presence radiated an aura of intensity. The silence between them grew thick, charged with tension, until finally, his cold, detached voice cut through the air

"Close your eyes and brace for impact. After you absorb this you can rest"

"What?" Mary blinked in disbelief, her voice trembling with confusion. There was no explanation—just a quiet command from Ethan, his face betraying no emotion as he tightened his grip on the mana sphere

Before she could even question him, Ethan crushed the sphere in his hand. And in an instant, the raw mana contained within the sphere exploded outward, sending a shockwave through the room. The force of the blast hit Mary like a sledgehammer, knocking the wind out of her lungs and throwing her balance into chaos. She staggered, disoriented by the explosion, but that was only the beginning

The unleashed mana, which Ethan controlled with frightening ease, swirled around him like a brewing storm. The pressure in the room spiked as he funneled the raging energy towards Mary, enveloping her in a vortex of mana that tore at her senses. The air howled as the storm closed in, battering her from all sides and making her the center of it all

Inside the eye of the storm Mary barely had time to recover from the initial impact when the foreign mana, violent and aggressive, began to force its way into her body. She gasped, feeling the intrusion immediately—it was like a swarm of invisible claws clawing their way into her very essence. The invading mana wreaked havoc inside her, throwing her body into disarray. Pain shot through her like fire as the foreign energy rampaged through her mana channels, pushing them far beyond their limits

Her skin flushed red as the overload began, the excess mana threatening to tear her apart from the inside out. Her breaths came in ragged, shallow gasps as the storm of energy continued to intensify around her. Every muscle in her body screamed in agony as she coughed out blood, her mana core struggling to cope with the sudden influx of power. It felt like her body was being stretched too thin, on the verge of bursting apart at the seams. She tried to channel the mana out, to regulate the flow, but her control was slipping

Meanwhile Ethan watched from a distance, his expression calm, even indifferent, as Mary writhed within the vortex. His sharp eyes observed every twitch, every spasm, carefully monitoring the flow of mana within her. Inside her chest, he could see it—the cracks forming on her mana core, threatening to shatter at any moment. It was fragile, barely holding itself together under the immense pressure. One wrong move, one more surge of energy, and it would break

Yet, Ethan did nothing to intervene. He stood still, a silent observer, as Mary struggled to stay on her feet. He wanted to push her to the absolute brink. If her core shattered, he could just try again until she succeeded. But if she could endure—if she could survive the storm and find control within the chaos—then she would emerge stronger than before

************************

Mary's vision blurred as the pain surged and her mind raced, her body straining under the relentless pressure of the mana storm that coiled around her like a giant snake. It tightened with every second, burning her from the inside out, choking her as her muscles spasmed uncontrollably. Her skin was drenched in sweat, and with each agonizing breath she felt like coughing out blood, her legs gave way beneath her, dropping her to her knees as her nose bled. She gasped, her chest heaving in desperation struggling to breathe as the blood rising from her throat blocked her windpipe

'I… can't… breathe…'

The thought came fleetingly as her mind started to disipate, her thoughts scattering in the face of overwhelming pain. The suffocating pressure inside her was unbearable, and she could feel her core cracking further with each passing moment. It felt like she was about to be crushed from within. But through the haze of pain, something clicked—a primal survival instinct that has been dormant until recently

'No. I can't let this… destroy me'

Through the haze of pain, Mary's survival instinct flared, igniting a fierce resolve. She refused to give in, refused to let the storm ravaging her body win

With the last remnants of her strength, she clung to her fading consciousness, dragging herself back from the darkness. Every fiber of her being screamed in protest, her mind a cacophony of fractured thoughts, but she latched onto the only thing she could do try to do in this situation, control it

'Focus. It's my body. My mana. I can take it back'

Her mind, fragmented and on the verge of breaking, reached out to the chaos within her. She fought to impose her will on the wild torrent of energy that had invaded her. She had to take back her control. The thought of surrendering was unbearable—she hated being helpless. She hated being in pain. And more than anything, she hated not being in control of her own body

While having such hateful thoughts Mary gritted her teeth and began to forcibly expel the excess mana while channeling the newly invading mana through her core, regulating it the way her body had learned. It was slow at first, the flow uneven, but the more she pushed, the more the pieces began to fall into place. The swirling mana storm became less violent, and her breathing steadied as she imposed her will over the energy coursing through her

It wasn't perfect—far from it—but it was enough to stop the relentless breakdown of her body. Her mana core, still cracked, had ceased its shattering. She had forced the storm to a standstill

Ethan, watching from the sidelines, finally moved. He stepped forward, his expression as cold and distant as ever, though a faint, almost imperceptible glint of approval flickered in his eyes. The subtle twist of his lips suggested satisfaction, but he remained silent, his gaze never leaving her trembling form

"Good" he said at last, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "You survived–for now atleast"

The comment, though dry, held a quiet note of praise. He took another step closer, the aura of authority radiating from him almost suffocating in its weight. "Now take that control" he continued, his tone sharper, more demanding "And stabilize it. Or it will all have been for naught"

Mary, still on her knees, glared at Ethan with seething hatred through labored breaths despite the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket. But she didn't have the energy to argue, not now. Her body ached, her mana core cracked and fragile, teetering on the edge of collapse. But amidst the chaos, amidst the storm still faintly swirling inside her, a spark of determination flared

She wasn't going to let this break her

Her fingers trembled as she felt the lingering threads of mana in her grasp. It wasn't as smooth or controlled as she wanted, but she could feel the connection, the tenuous grasp she had on the storm within her. Slowly, she began to build on that fragile balance, drawing on the sensations she had felt earlier, mimicking the calm control she had seen in Ethan's demonstrations

With a deep breath, Mary gathering what remained of her strength. She knew what she had to do. She wasn't just going to stabilize the core; she was going to rebuild it—stronger, bigger, more resilient than it had ever been before. She needed to make it something that could withstand not only this storm but also the trials that will come in the future. To reach that strength, she knew she had to start from the ground up

The first step was destruction. To achieve the strength that she desired, she needed a fresh start with a stronger foundation. The fractured remnants of her core weren't something that could simply be mended; they had to be dismantled to allow for something new to take its place. With renewed focus, she began compressing her core, forcing every fragment into a single, dense point. She felt it straining under her will, cracking as it was pushed to the limit. Then, in a controlled release, she let it shatter entirely

In that moment, she felt utterly weightless, and hollow—an empty vessel. The void left by her shattered core echoed through her, a strange, unsettling stillness. But it was short-lived. The dam broke, and the mana surged forth, filling the emptiness with a torrential wave of raw, uncontained energy. The power overwhelmed her senses destroying her mana vein and the mana path that she had laid down before as she pushed past the emptiness, guiding the unleashed mana with every ounce of focus she could muster

The second step was control. She had to tame the remnants of the storm still swirling within her along with the new surge of mana. Gritting her teeth, Mary summoned her will, extending it over to the surging tempest within her. It was like taming a hurricane. The mana was unruly, a force that had torn at her very being moments before, yet she sensed its potential—a potency she had never felt before. She needed to claim it, to make it hers

Her focus sharpened, and slowly, her presence wrapped around the storm, bringing it to a stop. She could feel the wild currents subside, their jagged edges softening as her will molded them, guiding the unruly energies into something resembling order. Breath by breath, heartbeat by heartbeat, she expelled the storm inside her before retrieving it again and merging the incoming mana into her own mana vein, feeling it settle and synchronize with her, until it pulsed in rhythm with her very own life force inside her heart

Now the third step was forming a core to use as the base. So now with her control regained, Mary took the next step with decisiveness. She began to gather the remnants of the storm and her mana into a new core. She didn't want a simple replacement; she needed a foundation that was vastly stronger. This time, she compressed the core even further than she had before, packing every fragment and spark of mana into a dense, compact nucleus. Yet, as she gazed inward at the small, brilliantly intense point, she knew it still wasn't enough

Drawing on the memories that the other version of herself had drilled into her, she layered the core, over and over again, compressing it further each time. The process demanded unwavering concentration. Even the slightest mistake could shatter her work, but Mary's determination was relentless

She visualized each layer, imagined it fortified and solid, pushing the energy to take the shape she demanded. The storm's remnants and her mana now pulsed in harmony, each layer reinforcing the last, each one a testament to her own willpower

'Good. Now… reinforce it. Make it stronger'

The thought resonated from somewhere deep within, a voice that felt both familiar and foreign—primal, urging her forward, pushing her past her limits. This was a foundation meant to last, meant to withstand not just this storm, but whatever trials lay ahead. She couldn't afford to stop here

Fourth step was expansion and reinforcement. With her core forming, Mary expanded her senses to expell mana once again to draw in mana from the atmosphere around her or more specifically from Ethan as he kept refilling the atmosphere. So Mary pulling the mana eminating from him into her body, started weaving it carefully with the mana already within her. She realized mana was like a weird fluid following it's own rules and that it was lazy and liked to take the most efficient and easier path just like water, so following how the mana flowed she created a new path for it. It was a meticulous, grueling process; every motion had to be precise, every breath steady. She could feel each new strand of mana being absorbed through the new mana path and into the mana veins before being woven into the core inside the mana heart, the structure within her was expanding, stretching beyond its previous boundaries

But she wasn't content with mere expansion. She envisioned the core growing denser, more compact with each layer that she added. The pressure was intense, with each new layer building upon the last. Her muscles ached, her mind reeled, and yet she pushed forward, forcing herself to feed more mana into the core. The pain was overwhelming, every fiber of her being screaming for release, but Mary's will held firm

She compressed the core until it was almost impossible to compress further, but even then did she continued to condense it further, layer by layer, each one merging seamlessly with the last. Every layer was a fortress in itself, resilient, unyielding, crafted with a meticulous precision that allowed no flaws

At last, the core solidified. It pulsed within her like a second heart. It wasn't just larger or more powerful; it was fundamentally changed, something she had forged through sheer will and resolve. The mana within her no longer felt wild or chaotic. Every ounce of it belonged to her, bound to her command, entirely under her control. She could feel it—a deep, resonant connection, a wellspring of energy that she could draw upon

Her mana core was reborn, a structure of pure resilience and strength. It was no longer the fragile, fractured thing it once was. Now, it was something unbreakable, a foundation as enduring as the iron resolve that had guided its creation. As Mary stood, feeling the power thrumming within her, she knew that this core could withstand any storm, any challenge that dared to test her. It was hers—strong, stable, and ready to face whatever lay ahead

Opening her eyes, she slowly rose to her feet, her legs still trembling but her resolve stronger than ever. She could feel the difference immediately—her body felt lighter, more attuned to the mana around her. She wasn't just surviving anymore. She was growing, and evolving

Ethan stood in front of her withdrawing his mana, his expression calm as he watched her rise. But there was something in his eyes—something almost like approval

"This is only the beginning" he said, his tone measured, though there was a flicker of something beneath the surface. "You managed to overcome the first hurdle. Now, prove to me that you can overcome the rest"

Mary looked up at him, the weight of his words sinking in. Exhaustion tugged at her, but there was something else now—a flicker of hope. She wasn't there yet. But for the first time, she believed that maybe, just maybe, she could survive in this chaotic world

As Ethan's golden eyes softened, catching the faint flicker of hope in Mary's exhausted gaze, a rare smile—gentle and disarming—graced his lips. His usual cold demeanor seemed to melt away, replaced by an uncharacteristic warmth

"Rest" he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically soft, yet still carrying the weight of authority. "Tomorrow... we'll continue"

But even before his words fully reached her, Mary's legs gave out, her strength utterly spent. She staggered forward, her body collapsing from sheer exhaustion. Without a moment's hesitation, Ethan was there, moving with his usual inhuman speed. He caught her falling figure effortlessly, cradling her against his chest in a gentle, princess-like carry

Her breathing had already evened out by the time Ethan lifted her, her body going limp in his arms. She had fallen into a deep, much-needed sleep, her face peaceful, as if the storm she had just survived was nothing more than a distant dream

For a moment, Ethan simply stood there, gazing down at her with an odd expression, something between nostalgia and... something else, something he didn't often allow himself to feel. It was a strange sense of déjà vu that washed over him as he remembered doing this before—long ago, under vastly different circumstances in a different time. His mind flickered with resurfacing memories, but he quickly brushed them aside burrying them at the back of his mind

With fluid motion, he began walking, his steps almost soundless as he carried her out of the room. The night sky above them was calm, the air crisp. Ethan moved with a kind of reverence, his focus entirely on the sleeping figure in his arms. The dim light of the starry night sky cast long shadows, but his form seemed to glide effortlessly through them, eventually disappearing into the night as though he had never been there

***********************

World Continent. The Mansion of the Roselyn Household

As Ethan stood beside the bed, watching Mary's now healed serene, sleeping face, a soft sigh escaped his lips calming down his beating heart. He naturally thought of the earlier events as he recalled the results of his recent research and experimentation

Mary was far more unstable than expected. Her emotions were out of control especially the feelings of hatred and animosity, after some testing it has been determined that her body could be stabilized with mana infusion but for her soul to regain stability and function normally again he would have to reconstruct her body and create a new version from scratch. But even then the question of whether or not that body would last long was ambiguous

But more importantly

It's odd. Her body's mana system was unlike anything he had seen before. On the surface, it appeared to follow conventional mana techniques, but closer inspection revealed a chaotic, haphazard network. Her core, mana heart, and veins were all fundamentally flawed—a hastily constructed patchwork of imperfections. By all logic, it should have been impossible for any human to absorb, let alone contain, the sheer amount of mana she had just absorbed especially with such a broken vessel, she should have collapsed under the strain

And yet, she had not only survived but thrived. Mary had somehow turned that chaotic mess into something solid, something resilient. Against all odds, she had strengthened it to the point where he could use it as the basis for reconstructing her new body. Although it was a bit puzzling how she had succeeded on her first attempt

But what was even stranger, though, was where all that mana disappeared to. A soul absorbing mana was, theoretically, impossible. Souls lacked the structural integrity to store or manipulate such energy directly. And yet Mary's soul had absorbed it, making sure to store just enough to stabilize her broken body which was collapsing due from mana overload. The amount of mana she had taken in was enough to turn a normal human into a bloody smear more than ten times over. So even after her soul had taken the burden it should've flooded her broken body. But Mary had endured, even managing to make a breakthrough making her a great specimen for further research and study on souls

He devised a series of tests to measure the interaction Mary's soul had with the mana she absorbed. He recorded how her body responded to varying mana infusions and how her soul managed to stabilize itself in response. Every detail was documented—her heart rate, mana circulation patterns, soul fluctuations, and the strange bursts of power that occurred during moments of heightened emotion

Her soul seemed to function as both a stabilizer and a storage unit, actively reconfiguring itself to accommodate and direct mana. This adaptive quality was unheard of, presenting tantalizing possibilities for further research on soul-mana dynamics

However it should be noted that the soul did appear to be heavily burdened. It wasn't a limitless well of energy; each strain left subtle cracks, imperceptible to most but glaringly obvious to him. So he shouldn't push it too far or else the soul of his partner that made the deal with him will never wake up or perhaps it will just simply dissapear and get erased from existance, now he wouldn't want something so horrific for his spouse would he?

As he thought of this, worry seemed to suddenly appear on his face as he looked at the giant shelf before him. "The records of her existance seem to get corrupted by the miasma emitted by her as well. If no counter measure is taken it could potentially lead to the very being called Mary to be corrupted not allowing further access to her records and it may potentially contaminate other records"

Then suddenly his thoughts were cut off as Ethan's eyes glowed having located the anomaly. Reaching out inside his head Ethan pulled out a silver string and examined it closely as it floated in the air having lost it's light. Examining the string Ethan noted how it was made up of words

Observing the anomaly that has been affecting his mind a little more Ethan could only think of 2 possible culprits. It was either that battle maniac or it was himself. Since that woman had no reason to do this the only remaining person who could do such things was himself and since he clearly didn't remember doing this it could either be from the future or it could be another Ethan

Unable to determine the actual cause of the anomaly Ethan tried tracing it back to it's creator only for it to be cut off leaving him with no clue whatsoever. Left alone with nothing to work with Ethan sighed as he called upon the primordial flame to ignite the string of words. Watching it burn Ethan tried to narrow the suspects as he thought about who could interfere with him

As he thought of this he felt a presence behind him as the shadows stirred and a subtle flicker disturbed the air. From the dark veil a dark shadowy blob with many teeth and eyes rose up before quickly taking shape as a figure emerged, silent and graceful as the night itself. Ethan didn't turn, his gaze still locked on Mary's peaceful form, but his voice broke the stillness of the night

"Has something urgent happened?" Ethan asked in a calm, measured voice

"No, my lord" the shadowed figure replied, his tone filled with deference. "I've come to report the people's concerns about the future"

At this, Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind shifting focus as he could already guess the issue that they were worried about. "Give me a brief report"

"The continuous arrival of the Fallen humans has caused a sharp surge in the population" the figure began, careful to choose his words. "The human races numbers have nearly doubled overnight, and testimonies estimate that at least another two billion people will arrive before the gates fully open, bringing the final remnants of their world"

Ethan turned slightly now, his attention piqued. "What's the primary concern?"

"The sheer number of them" the man said, his head still bowed. "More than five billion souls suddenly fell from the sky, although it is slowing down considerably the common folk can't help but grow anxious with each passing day. There's talk about jobs, housing, and the strain on the empire's resources. Capital is a major concern, my lord, with inflation threatening to spiral out of control"

Ethan's brow furrowed as he processed the report. "Tell the people not to worry" he said firmly. "Our resources are not the issue. Keep inflation under control, no matter the cost. We can afford temporary losses if it ensures stability. As for the newly arrived Fallen, encourage them to take up work—hunting, crafting, anything productive. We must harness this influx of manpower. The sooner they contribute, the smoother this transition will be"

The figure nodded. "It will be done, My lord"

Ethan turned fully now, his voice hardening. "Before you leave, I have another task. Monitor the Fallen closely. I want shadows on every dungeon, labyrinth, and monster nests. Begin funneling the Fallen into the uncleared territories. They'll serve a dual purpose—both to prove themselves and to ease the burden on our forces and create more jobs for the people. If they succeed they will emerge stronger, if not they will thin themselves out"

Then saying that he reached into the air before pulling out a piece of parchment. With swift strokes, Ethan scrawled down a description before handing it to the kneeling figure. "Pay special attention to any cases resembling these descriptions. If you find anything, report to me immediately"

The shadowed figure took the note with silent reverence, his hand steady as he accepted the task. Ethan's gaze, sharp and piercing, lingered on him for a moment longer before he spoke again

"Once that's done, bring the Radiant Star with you. I have a task for the two of you" Ethan continued, his voice quiet but firm. "I'll explain the details when you're done. After you hear the task, whether to accept it or not is yours to decide"

"My lord" the figure whispered, "I will do as you wish, like always"

"Good. You are dismissed, Silent Star"

With a final low bow, the figure melted back into the shadows, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts. The flicker of mana faded, and the room returned to its quiet stillness, save for the gentle rise and fall of Mary's breathing. Ethan glanced down at her peaceful face once more before turning around and dissapearing into the shadows as well

***********************

The infinite library of the Akashic Records

Returing to the library Ethan looked around the boundless, eternal corridors of the Akashic Records—a place where time and space faded into the raw essence of knowledge. Towering shelves of scrolls, tomes, and tablets extended infinitely in every direction, and the air felt alive, pulsing with the resonance of eons-old secrets. A soft, otherworldly glow illuminated the space, casting shadows that seemed to whisper

As Ethan strode forward, he allowed his human form to fully unravel. Causing his projection to fade away in wisps of ethereal smoke, leaving behind only the spectral remains of his attire, suspended in the air. Then, suddenly, flame erupted from where his head should have been, igniting in a bright, ethereal white blaze that flickered with a cold intensity that seemed to devour all the light around it. This ghostly white fire seemed to contain no real heat as it quickly spread, washing over his form completely, until his body was nothing but a shimmering, spectral outline, as if woven from the threads of the flame

With his physical form now dissolved, his essence shifted within the cloak of flames. Where his head had once been, the flames condensed into an orb that were glowing like a miniature sun yet faintly hued in otherworldly shades. As it stabilized, two horn-like protrusions began to take shape on either side, lending an almost demonic aspect to this disembodied form of his

The flames that had engulfed his body was then divided and settled into the shapes of his limbs, flowing like molten metal into the outlines of his gloves and shoes, giving form to his hands and feet. Each movement caused tendrils of flame to ripple from his "limbs" adding an eerie fluidity to his gestures. The white robe that remained of his attire flowed around him, woven from light, creating the impression of a celestial entity cloaked in an ethereal radiance

Unfolding his wings, Ethan stretched them wide. Black as obsidian, his wings appeared like vast chasms against the ethereal glow of the library, each feather dusted with embers that danced in rhythm with his steps just like stars flickering before sun rise. They held a paradoxical beauty, resonating with an energy that was at once calm and unyielding, as though they alone had witnessed every dawn since the first and would continue until the last

Finally, as his transformation reached its end, two golden orbs flared to life within the swirling flames where his eye sockets should have been. They ignited like twin stars, their brilliant light piercing through the shadows. With each subtle movement of his "eyes" ripples of starlight coursed through the flames of his head

Satisfied with this form, Ethan extended his consciousness outward, using the Veil of Trickery over himself. In an instant, the infernal vision was concealed, replaced by his familiar human appearance—a guise as calm and controlled as ever. Beneath this facade, however, the fires of his original form still flickered, hidden from sight but always present. Continuing his walk down the endless corridor, his steps were soundless like usual as he left behind a trail of stardust in his every step before eventually coming to stop after turning a random corner

Stopping to look around Ethan gazed thoughtfully at the shelf before him, his fingers trailing over the spines of numerous leather-bound volumes. He paused, selecting one book that seemed random among the rest, its worn spine blending seamlessly with the others. But as he pulled it, there was a faint click, and the entire section of the shelf slid aside, revealing a concealed passageway. A tall mirror stood at the entrance, its silvered surface gleaming faintly in the dim light

Stepping through, Ethan strode towards the mirror until his own reflection faced him with a steely gaze. Without hesitation, he walked forward and vanished into the mirror's depths. As soon as he disappeared, the mirror cracked before shattering into countless shards, which dissolved as the passage closed seamlessly behind him. The entire library seemed to tremble, shelves shifting and reordering themselves, as if in response to his disappearance, until all appeared unchanged from the outside

*****************

Emerging from the other side, Ethan found himself in a dimly lit corridor that stretched out ahead of him. His footsteps echoed down the cold stone floor as he moved purposefully toward a heavy door at the end. With a slight creak, the door swung open, revealing a laboratory that was as much of an archive as it was a place of research, experimentation and study

The large room was filled with towering glass tubes containing an array of strange and dangerous creatures and monsters, their forms suspended in a viscous liquid that glowed faintly, casting ghostly reflections across the walls. Each tube displayed a projection of detailed information, recording everything from genetic data to behavior analysis. Some of the creatures shifted slightly, their floating forms eerily animated by the faint currents within their glass prisons

Ethan moved through the room with practiced indifference, his gaze sweeping over the various specimens until he stopped before a large, cylindrical tube. Inside, suspended in the liquid, was a slender figure with silver hair flowing like silk around her as she floated in a fetal position. Her delicate form appeared almost fragile in the cold light, her hair framing a face at peace, even in stillness. Despite the scene's haunting beauty, Ethan was relieved as the specimen didn't seem to have been contaminated yet but even then his heart could only ache as he couldn't shake off the strange feeling of déjà vu whenever he looked at her. But then he stopped himself realizing that the anomaly was still there and yet despite this he decided to leave it alone as it showed no signs of harming him and there was no point in getting rid of it

Drawing his attention away, he glanced at the holographic display next to the tube, taking in the precise details of her measurements, physical attributes, and body structure. With a calculating gaze, he began assessing which weapon styles and types might best complement her frame and would still suit her new and improved body

With a quick gesture, Ethan summoned the shadows to his side, and they materialized into an array of weapons at his feet. Swords, daggers, polearms, and an array of uniquely crafted blades lay before him, each weapon had many identical copies with different sizes brought forth from his shadow realm. Looking down at them, he inspected each one closely and thoughtfully, as he turned each weapon before casting his gaze back to Mary's sleeping form

To further ensure the weapons' suitability, he transformed the veil of dreams, allowing it's form to shift until his form matched Mary's proportions exactly—down to every nuance of muscle, weight, and flexibility. Once the transformation was completed, his golden eyes were the only feature that distinguished him from her aside from the clothes

Taking each weapon in turn, he began testing their weight and balance, moving gracefully across the lab with sweeping strikes, spins, and thrusts that pushed the body to its limits. He danced through the space, silent as a shadow, careful not to disturb the delicate research materials lining the lab especially the new specimen who might awaken and spread miasma. Eventually his movements became a harmonious blend of dexterity, agility and power, demonstrating a silent and graceful dance that perfectly mimicked and modified Mary's own weapon style for each weapon's craftsmanship

Finally, after testing and rejecting several, he selected a handful of weapons from each weapon type that felt like extensions of Mary's body, each one fluid and natural in his—or rather, her—hands as it complimented her weapon style

With the chosen weapons set aside, Ethan turned his attention to another important matter: attire. His eyes fell on the assortment of clothing and armor designs he had gathered from earth, examining each one with a critical eye. He mused over how the clothes from Earth, though functional and comfortable, often failed in terms of durability and quality, and yet he couldn't ignore how some of the simplest designs seemed to be the most versatile. And as for armor he didn't even want to look at something so disgraceful and dysfunctional again

Forcing himself to forget that horrible memory of dysfunctional, disgraceful and degenrate female armors he moved on as if nothing had happened

"Practicality without resilience" he muttered to himself, sighing at the inconsistency. Earth's clothing often relied on cheap materials so he thought most of the price was used to improve the quality, yet somehow, even among the high-cost options, he'd found the quality lacking. However, he couldn't deny the designs' comfort and decided to keep their general look, though he'd need to enhance their functionality

With newfound determination, he began sorting through the fabrics he would need to recreate these clothes with higher quality materials. First, he decided on a sturdy, fine cotton for the essentials: the T-shirts, hoodies, and pants. The softness and breathability of the cotton would serve well, but he intended to find a plant fiber that would offer enhanced durability without compromising comfort

Next, he considered silk—luxurious yet incredibly strong and resilient. A perfect choice for reinforcing inner linings and adding elegance to certain pieces of clothes, especially with spider silk, which he could easily procure from Lorraine and her children and he can use it to strengthen all of the clothing

Wool came third on his list for its natural insulation and comfort, ideal for socks and heavier garments. He could easily find rare, high-quality wools from the market by offering a high enough price

Finally, he selected fine leather for gloves and boots, envisioning a material with both durability and flexibility, suited to withstand various environments and enchantments. The quality of the leather would matter greatly, but thankfully he already has too many dragon and sky whale hides at hand from all the sky creatures Lucas has been hunting these recent months

But despite this he knew that there would still be a few material gaps he needed to fill, especially for items that required specific structural integrity or resilience. Alchemy and magic, along with certain runes engraved with magical enhancements and materials, could compensate for these shortcomings, allowing him to forge truly unique fabrics that would balance comfort, flexibility, and protection. But he believed it to be quite lacking since he was sure that she most likely wouldn't wear armor since it will hinder her movements. So he needed it to be able withstand anything since he couldn't leave anything to chance

With that thought he could only think of the stone that defies the sky as material for an indestructable clothes that could withstand anything but processesing the stone into fabric and using it to make clothes was a difficult task that even he needed help with. But he was sure that in the right hands he could get exactly the result that he wanted since he used it to make his own attire back then

Reaching his conclusion and taking a final look at the designs, materials and measurements he decided to ask Lorraine for a favor in making these clothes since he would need to ask for her help either way and she has far more experience when it comes to making and designing clothes