Chapter 4583: Precious Gifts (Part 1)
Chapter 4583: Precious Gifts (Part 1)
"The physical nature of my sapphire energy allows me to retain my mana organs, including the auxiliary cores, and feed on world energy even while I’m intangible." Ajatar said.
"When we put these two clues together, the answer is quite simple." Solus said. "To become a white core, one needs thousands of energy sources and must use them to break the boundary between energy and matter."
"For simple it’s simple, but it doesn’t tell us whence the extra energy sources come from and how to break the boundary without just turning into energy and dying." Lith snorted. "We are missing something, and I’m pretty sure it’s a big leap that can’t be crossed without reaching enlightenment."
"True, but with these clues, we need a minor enlightenment." Faluel pointed out. "We only have to figure out the last step, just like Silverwing... Gods, I can’t believe I get to talk to the First Magus every day now. Anyway, It’s like Silverwing and her apex form. We already have everything we need and have one small step to take."
"Yeah, right." Ajatar grunted. "Too bad she needed a thousand years, Lith’s birth, and my success to take that ’small’ step. There’s no telling how long it might take us."
"I’m in no rush." Lith shrugged. "I’ve learned from experience that banging my head against a wall is the worst way to solve a problem. Especially when I have other problems just as important that I can solve more easily."
Meanwhile, inside the Mansion, Silverwing was getting used to the chaos and mayhem that superpowered toddlers caused and to her new condition.
"I was wondering, that’s not your Odi form, correct?" The First Magus pointed at the Mother as she herded the children to read them a story.
"Of course not. I would look weird to humans and draw pointless attention." Baba Yaga replied.
"Can you please tell me how you control your powers and strength so well?" Silverwing asked. "I have to stay in my human form because my Valkyrie form is a walking disaster. One mistake and I break everything and everyone."
"Start by assuming your Balor form at all times." The Mother replied. "Once you get used to that, switch to Fomor. Rinse and repeat. It’s only a matter of practice and patience. I got it easier thanks to my little Asura cheat."
"What cheat?" Silverwing shapeshifted into a Balor, and the kids clapped at her performance.
"Seriously? You never noticed this?" The Maiden and the Crone Warped to the Mother’s side, earning more cheers and then bowing to their cute audience before leaving. "I can split into three bodies, Lochra. I am of three minds as well.
"Even when I’m with you, part of me is inside Bloodhaven taking care of the hybrid children I adopted, and another is conducting magical research. Each one of my bodies has only one third of my magical prowess, but with my tower’s help, it’s more than enough for my experiments."
"And with three minds, your focus isn’t affected by your crazy multi-tasking." Silverwing furrowed her brow in envy. "If you’re always busy, then how come sometimes you keep swapping from one body to another?"
"When I encounter a particularly difficult problem, I give my all to solve it, and if it’s not enough, I pass it on to another body." The Mother replied. "This way I have all the knowledge and also a fresh set of eyes that can look at the issue from a different perspective.
"Swapping bodies is a great way to alternate focus and relaxation. Believe it or not, the body doing the laundry or playing with the children finds the solution more often than the one locked in the lab.
"Creativity needs peace. Sometimes we already have the solution at hand, but we can’t see it because we’re too focused on the small details. You should give it a try sometimes."
"Yeah, too bad I only have one mind and one body." Silverwing snorted. "You are a cheat, Yaga. You have a seventy-two-hour day while everyone else only has twenty-four!"
"It’s not my fault if you lesser races have such silly limits even in your apex form." The Mother tried to sound like an evil overlord, but giggled at her own impression.
***
Lith and the others were still discussing the secret of the white core when Kamila entered the Infirmary.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Ryssa just called. She thanked us for our thoughtfulness and invited us to the White Griffon. She’s ready to have guests!" She squealed with joy.
"Ryssa is a good friend, but we’re not that close." Lith replied. "Why are you squealing like that?"
"We can get more Rune Stores! Lots of them!" Kamila jumped with joy.
"By my Mom, Kami, there are too many Dragons in this house. Our greed is rubbing off on you. Big time!" Solus said.
"I’m not an opportunistic friend; I’m just that desperate. The Rune Stores are the only way I have to overcome my limited talent." Kamila blushed. "I love Ryssa, but I also want my own Rune Store set. Sharing them is so damn bothersome."
"Don’t let the children hear that." Lith chuckled. "Still, you’re right. Ryssa needs our help, and we hers. Do you want to come, Solus?"
"I’d love to, but I’m not part of the Archmages’ Wives club." She sighed. "Give Ryssa my best and tell her that I missed her and contributed to her gifts."
"Will do. See you later." Lith and Kamila Warped to the Gate at the Mansion’s entrance and, from there, reached the White Griffon Academy in one step.
"Don’t be sad, Solus. We love to have you here." Faluel combed Solus’ long hair with her fingers.
"Thanks, Faluel, but be honest with me. Do you love having me here, or is working inside the tower that you really appreciate?" She asked.
"Why must the two things be mutually exclusive?" The Hydra said. "I love you, the tower, the Yggdrasil wood it contains, the Library, the Ears, the Mouth-"
"Farming Dragons." Solus grunted, cutting the Hydra short.
"Lith, Kami! It’s so good to have you here." Meanwhile, at the White Griffon, Ryssa the Dryad welcomed her guests. "I’m sorry for being such an absent friend for so long, but I was really busy."
"Busy? Not sad or shaken?" Kamila asked.
"Just busy." Ryssa cleared her throat. "After the attempted murder on Dhiral and me, I decided to study magic properly. I spent these past few days reading the books Zogar brought for Dhiral and putting their teachings into practice with the Rune Stores.
"My only affinities are water and earth, but I can use chore magic, I mean, first magic for all other elements. With the help of my son’s inventions and his guidance, I learned to perform small wonders.
"Dhiral was so happy to ’play’ with me and teach me his favorite ’games’ that when Zogar asked him for another Rune Stores set for Zinya, Dhiral sent him two sets. That man is a treasure. Zinya is a lucky woman."
’This is not good.’ Kamila inwardly grumbled. ’Zin getting to practice with the Rune Stores as much as she wants will bring our sisterly rivalry to the next level. With how competitive she’s gotten after Awakening, she’s going to kick my ass if I don’t give it my all.’