Chương 47: Kraft, Serpentwood, and the genus *Mrax*.
It was an arduous process… Hah… But I have accomplished it!
These words came to me after a year and a half of relentless spiritual forging and work with the hardest metal in the universe. The crux of the matter is this: adamant is a metal only until the moment of its initial processing and use in the creation of something. It cannot be subjected to any secondary processing whatsoever. It is difficult to melt it and alter its shape, but in principle, it is possible for the first time.
However, once the metal has been used to create an object — whether it be a weapon or anything else — it remains frozen in that form forever, unchanged. How was I to know that the more the metal is processed, the greater the energy required for its transformation becomes, increasing exponentially, not linearly?. And I, in the most unadulterated tradition of an overconfident imbecile, without hesitation or experimentation, having only previously worked with this material once, when I fashioned the tip of a staff's heel, embarked on the task with a full commitment, intent on clad my team in adamantium from head to toe.
In the midst of forging the staff, a memory surfaced of my encounter with the offspring of Loss, where I had pushed myself to the limit and attempted to transcend my own capabilities, unleashing an energy beyond my control. Even then, and now in the midst of my labor, I found myself reflecting on my own limitations.
The challenge lay in ensuring that, without catastrophe, I could complete the task. It was imperative that I maintain my grip on the transformation process, while simultaneously providing the requisite amount of energy to shape the metal into its desired form. The semi-sentient artifact with which I shared a spiritual bond akin to that of a master-familiar was an integral part of this process.
I could not afford to pause the process, for at that point, the metal had already absorbed an extraordinary amount of energy. Only when the adamantium had reached the critical threshold would it manifest into the form I envisioned.. Nonetheless, should the process be disrupted, it would result in destabilization of the structure, leading to a catastrophic explosion that would scatter adamantium in every direction. I have no desire to witness such a pyrotechnic display firsthand. I am certain that the egregore of the Unified One would not find it agreeable either. Thus, I, with teeth gritted and spirit and even posterior muscles tensed, endeavored to bring this matter to a close and express my gratitude. I succeeded in doing so! Now I understand why all descriptions of weapons crafted from this metal were of diminutive size — arrowheads, javelins, the mere cutting edge of axes or swords. None of these descriptions mentioned fully formed weapons made entirely of adamantium.
The process of coating my staff with adamantium not only enhanced my combat capabilities, rendering it virtually indestructible and bypassing any form of defence, transforming it into a lethal weapon. Moreover, the mere presence of metal within the staff significantly improved the quality of my soul. Through the established connection with my staff, my soul acquired greater resilience, resulting in a notable enhancement of my spiritual shells.
The investment in enhancing my team ultimately proved worthwhile. I opted to delay the incorporation of adamantium into my armour for a later stage. Following the strain imposed on my soul during the crafting of the staff, and subsequent alterations resulting from my spiritual union with divine metal, I elected to postpone the addition of adamantium to my armour. It was crucial to allow sufficient time for my spiritual shells to stabilise and fully integrate with the changes I had undergone through the process of enhancing my spiritual foundations, a journey that spanned over a year and a half.. Nonetheless, I ought to have paid greater attention to my armour and done something about it. I succeeded in merging my initial armour, crafted from my own hide, with that which I acquired in the subterranean city of Stlloshh. My exhaustion prevented me from doing much more at the time. However, I never managed to lay my hands on any of the girls.
As soon as my spirit becomes accustomed to my newly acquired strength, I shall immediately commence creating armour and weapons for my beloved wives. Something significant is about to transpire, and the world is on the verge of a profound upheaval in the next decade or so. By that time, I must safeguard my dear ones, and my wife and daughter-in-law are my primary concerns.
With these thoughts in mind, I force myself to rise and depart from the egregore, exhausted after forging my staff and risking my life.
Upon arriving at Hogwarts, I promptly turned to the infosphere to ascertain the current time. Having immersed myself in the egregore of the One, I endeavored to decelerate time within it to the greatest extent possible relative to the external world, and it was now necessary to determine how effectively I had accomplished this task.
My primary focus was on the process of melting adamantium to cover the staff, overcoming its resistance to alteration and rocking my spiritual foundations to ensure the release of the required amount of energy. The results were remarkable!
Upon my return to reality, I discovered that it was 29th October, the sixty-second year. It was six o'clock in the evening, and I was astounded by the fact that I had been able to decelerate the passage of time so significantly. According to my subjective perception of time, I had spent a year and a half within the egregor, working with the staff and armor, but only a month had elapsed in the external world. This was truly extraordinary!
Now, I needed to refresh my memories from the clones actively engaged in various activities and gather all the latest updates.
On September 23rd, at dinner in the Greengrass manor, the question of what to do in the current situation was actively discussed by the two most prominent families in magical Britain and Europe. Following the purges perpetrated by Green-de-Wald and the subsequent Russian crusade, which was later continued by the Vatican, the number of pure-blood clans has significantly diminished.
The Black family, with its two millennia-long history, now occupies one of the top positions in the hierarchy of European clans, surpassed only by the patrician families of Rome and a few clans from the Scandinavian Peninsula. For the first time, they encountered someone who claims to be superior to them in the social hierarchy.
However, neither Cygnus Black nor Henry Greengrass have been able to gather any information about the new tutor beyond a single line of information they had already received from their daughters.. Ormarr Drake is a renowned master of the arcane arts in the fields of numerology, ritualism, and runology. However, most significantly, he is a devoted student of Alfonso Brance, the enigmatic recluse of Vienna, who has been the permanent leader of the numerology guild for over five centuries.
Even the mere mention of the life of this venerable figure, Alfonso, a teacher who holds great interest for Ormarr, sends shivers down the spines of two families, for they are deeply concerned about the fate of their lineage. It appears that Alfonso is not merely a master of numerology but also a formidable demonologist!
Henry, a debtor of the church, provided this information, which cannot be doubted. Alfonso Bruns, the one and only, is not only recognized as a master of demonology but also, most alarmingly, someone who enjoys the support of the church and would never consider destroying it.
This revelation has caused quite a stir among the two families, and if the information regarding Ormarr's apprenticeship holds true, there is no room for doubt.. Cygnus discovered that Albus had received confirmation from Alfonso regarding Ormarr's status as his former personal protégé. If this is indeed the case, it would add demonology to the existing information regarding the young Drake's mastery of numerology, rituals, runic arts, charms, and dark magic.
This information did not sit well with the concerned parents, as it presented the possibility of Professor Drake being reincarnated Merlin or one of the founders. Acquiring a single mastery within a magical guild before the age of thirty is already an accomplishment; two masteries make one a prodigy! Three masteries, and one is a recognized genius!
Let us not rush to judgment! Druella interrupted the silence.
"Hasty, sister? It may be too late for anything to be done about it," Rosalie's response appeared to be directed at her sibling. However, the way in which she averted her gaze, the wine gently swirling in the glass clutched in her hand, and the tone of her voice made it evident that Lady Greengrass' mind was elsewhere, far from the table where her family gathered.
"My dear," Henry queried, casting a glance towards Cygnus, "what are you speaking of?"
After a moment of reflection, Rosalie Rosier responded, "Let us be objective. Following the revelation that the promising young teacher is a personal disciple of the infamous Green-de-Wald, who turned grey after conversing with him, his position on the political landscape of England becomes questionable. He has become untouchable in an instant! And while Walburga may boast of her lineage of pure-blood ancestors, Blackie appears to be a mere novice in comparison to the old stalwart of Vienna. This wizard is at least eight centuries old, possibly even older than the founders! What concerns me most is the fact that his protégé has shown an undeniable interest in our daughters!
However, we have our own allies. Uncle Pollux is a revered master of dark magic and blood spells, while Grandpa Arcturus is an expert in both charms and dark arts.
Need I remind you of our grandfather, the mightiest of the living Blacks, who declared himself no match for the strength and skill of Green-de-Wald? Let us not be foolish, believing in imaginary things, but rather approach the situation with an objective perspective.
For the first time in our history, we have come across a formidable opponent against whom we stand no chance in a confrontation, and attempting to resolve the conflict through force would be futile. We would be swept aside without even being noticed! I am considering only Ormarr's support in the form of his mentor Alfonso Brance, disregarding his own abilities and prowess.
Imagine a master of the six fundamental branches of magic, and how many of us can claim to rival his talents? And yet, our daughters melt before him like butterflies!
Dear Henry and Rosalia,
Where is your renowned propensity for mental science and profound analysis? Our little Bella is a natural sensor of magical radiations, capable of unmasking any magician who attempts to conceal his true power by employing magic in her presence. Thus, Bella was unable to fully appreciate the magnitude of the «young man» we are investigating.
Attempting to articulate her impressions from the encounter with his aura, Bella compared it to an iceberg — she could only sense the visible portion above the surface, while he allowed her to glimpse the depths beneath, inaccessible to her. Consider: what level of mastery over one's magic is required to deliberately conceal a portion of one's power, allowing only the necessary amount for magical purposes to be visible and accessible?
In Rosalia's case, the answer may be clearer. What did she say?? The presence of Professor Drake evokes in me a sense of being in the hallowed halls of Greengrass Manor. With her unparalleled capacity for empathy, she feels as if she is in the most sacred place on earth, the very heart of her creative power, even in the company of a stranger.
For about a minute, everyone at the table pondered the identity of Mr. Drake.
I had hired detectives to investigate this man, but they could not find any information about him either. I was immediately concerned and contacted an intermediary with access to the Delphi oracles. Today, I received a response from them. They returned my payment and advised me not to pursue this matter further.
The intermediary, whom I had previously consulted regarding the oracles, reported that they were terrified when attempting to delve into Drake's past, present, and future. Not only were they unsuccessful, but they also incurred significant consequences, leading to fear and embarrassment.
What concerns me the most is the fear of the oracles themselves, which seems to be a formidable force. Their reluctance to engage with Drake raises questions about the limits of their power and the consequences of attempting to manipulate time and fate.
Walburga is aware of Ormarmar's apparent interest in their daughters, and I shudder to imagine what she may do when she expresses her curiosity about Drake. You know how she demonstrates her disdain and other negative emotions towards those she deems inferior.
And your brother, Orion Cygnus, remains under his wife's control as before, making it futile to attempt to influence Walburga through him. She does not trust him. What are we to do? The thought of having displeased Drake causes my hair to stand on end. And that fool will display all her worst qualities when she seeks to meet the professor for the sake of introducing him to her ladyship. Attempting to reason with her or explain the peril of this Ormarmarr would only ignite her and wound her inflated pride as a Black.
Henry felt a pang of friendly sympathy for his cousin, who had been unfortunate enough to be the youngest child in a large family, and therefore did not inherit the leadership of a household that was now dominated by a flighty and bloodthirsty fool, torn between her admiration for Marvolo Gaunt and her duty to her family. She had allowed the evil wizard access to the sanctum sanctorum of their family library, sharing with him all the knowledge and wisdom that their lineage had accumulated over the centuries.
How to convey to Mr. Drake that our branch of the Black family held him in the highest esteem was a question that needed to be addressed. And it had to be done discreetly. We did not know who he truly was, but we were no match for him. All we could do was attempt to avoid his ire.
This sentiment was echoed by all present, with Druella seconding the motion.
********
What fascinating dialogues were taking place across various regions of England? My agents had long since infiltrated the residences and estates of all those English wizards who held my interest and exerted influence on the nation's political landscape. Thus, the communication between Lord Malfoy and Voldemort, as well as the interaction between the Gaunt family and the Greengrass clan, along with the discussions within the Black family line, were not hidden from my sight.
Well, the latter, of course, had nothing to fear. I was pleased with the way the younger branches of the Black and Greengrass families were conducting themselves, so I did not personally pose a threat to them. Cygnus and Druella would not have to answer for Valburga's potential foolishness, the matriarch of their clan.
However, Tom's supposed plans and actions were what concerned me most. His followers were too skilled at planning and executing a terrorist attack, and given that none of them were particularly knowledgeable in the realm of mundane affairs, this could not help but raise suspicions. They were clearly being guided down this path, assisted in navigating the tricky situations and avoiding trouble.
In this scenario, Tom appeared to be merely a pawn on the chessboard, except that the player behind the game was clearly not Albus, as I had previously believed. Dumbledore was also a piece on the board, but the sole player I could envision was the demon I had been seeking. There was no one else.! Incidentally, in Slughorn's mind, there was a trace of an influence exerted by an unknown entity, which I presume to be a demon. I have been unable to discern precisely what had been altered in his personality, and I can only detect a gap in his memory that is completely devoid of content. This void spans three full days of his life, which he cannot recall, and it occurred recently, approximately a decade ago in the year 1951.
This demon has demonstrated a remarkable level of prudence, maintaining a series of contingency plans in the event of failure. This strategic approach has allowed him to elude detection and capture, rendering my efforts to tighten the noose around his associates futile.
I refrain from intensifying surveillance measures, fearing that such actions might spook the creature. Instead, I choose to observe developments and wait for the moment when the plan to target major American cities becomes imminent. Only then will I take decisive action, openly revealing myself.
This high-profile act of terrorism, akin to a cataclysmic event in America, serves as a strategic move in my ongoing conflict with the sole ideological adversary of my empire, spanning across Eurasia.
It is important to comprehend the rationale behind the demon's insatiable appetite for victims and the anticipation it harbors. Tom, in fact, stands poised to perpetrate a catastrophic act of terrorism at any given moment, as all the necessary preparations have been meticulously executed. My curiosity is piqued by the question of how the demon exerts its influence over Tom's psyche. I am certain that it does indeed exert such influence.
If the demon did not possess this capacity, Gont would undoubtedly have orchestrated a grandiose ritual of sacrifice on the very day when his sigils were activated, aiming to harness prana, the energy of death and negativity, across the realms. However, instead of acting, it seems that the demon is biding its time. If Tom's minions are too fearful to pose this question to themselves, there is no reason why I should not ponder it. Clearly, there is an influence at play, one that managed to quell Tom's ambition to ascend to the role of Dark Lord the moment Riddle presented the opportunity.
Indeed, the state of affairs in the world is intricate, yet only a select few are cognizant of its complexity. With everything on this planet being so intricate and potentially susceptible to collapse at any moment, I must ensure my preparedness for unforeseen events that could jeopardize both the magical realm and the Earth.
I was not deceived by my immense power, which has made me one of the most powerful entities in this universe. Thus, I have decided it is time for me to sow the seeds of a new beginning. Not literally, of course, but metaphorically speaking, to cultivate my own version of Yggdrasil. Ideally, this tree should be planted in a place of immense strength and power in the world, allowing it to establish a symbiotic relationship with the concept of spatial control.
Such a place was once the source of my domain's power, which was located in the heart of the city square in Stllosh. Now, it resides in a specially designed chamber in my palace in Snake, ensuring its continued existence.. Naturally, I had no intention of planting a tree in my courtyard, as there would be insufficient space. However, I also required assistance in transferring my domain's source of power from my palace.
This issue had been a challenge, but I resolved it in a matter of seconds! With my multitude of parallel consciousnesses, how could I possibly spend much time on such trivial tasks?
The solution was simple. I created an expansive chamber within the solid rock, precisely perpendicular to both my palace in the city and the location of the power source beneath it. Through a relatively straightforward manipulation of space, which was effortless for me as the domain's owner, I aligned the point where the tree would be planted with the point representing the world's most potent source of energy. It was akin to bringing together and unifying two distinct coordinates in three-dimensional space.
In addition to the actions I had already taken, the process of nurturing my tree required a further sacrifice on my part, involving the sharing of my ba-hyon with the sapling as it grew. Once the apple had taken root and a bud emerged from the soil, it could absorb any form of energy, but ba-hyon was the optimal source for its growth and development.
Upon discovering this, I summoned a hundred of my own clones and assigned them the task of working non-stop, drawing upon the power points emanating from the egregore of The One. They will now draw ba-hyon from the divine realm of The One 24/7, year-round, and continuously feed it to my tree.
With my assistance, the tree has already attained a height equivalent to that of a five-story building in less than a day. It is already attempting to harness the chaotic energy, having established its roots deep within it.
As soon as the Serpent Tree took root in my realm, my housekeeper, Zakhar, appeared before me. "A magnificent tree you have planted, Master. Truly glorious! I sense an increase in my strength, and I shall soon be able to rival the magical realm for the Hogwarts fissure!"
But who speaks of what, save the boaster of the bath? My housekeeper finds solace only when all of my possessions are within his domain. "What else do you perceive?" I inquire.
"It assists me in stabilizing the space and maintaining the domains that rightfully belong to our household!"
As soon as the sapling took root and began to grow, I felt an even closer connection to the entire universe, with its domains revolving like satellites in space. I also realized that the mysteries of the cosmos had become more accessible and comprehensible to me.
I was already well-versed in these matters, and even after achieving godhood, I became a master of space magic, surpassing even the most powerful space mages. However, even against this backdrop, the appearance of the serpent tree in my possession brought me to new heights, making me a true virtuoso not only in spatial manipulation but also in working with matter in general.
And yet, this tree has yet to achieve anything, with all its energies devoted solely to its growth. It will take approximately fifteen years for it to mature and begin to yield tangible benefits. I obtained this information directly from the tree, and now it is my responsibility to ensure that my clones continue to provide it with the necessary nourishment for its development. Fortunately, I have ample resources at my disposal, so this should not be a problem.
Hmm. I have also become aware that my field of vision has significantly expanded. This is not some form of enlightenment or a spiritual gift, but rather a newly acquired ability of my eyes. Now, they can perceive objects at a distance of tens of kilometers. My vision has taken on a spherical shape, and no obstacle can obstruct my ability to see what is hidden.
In the area of approximately thirty kilometers around me, my sight extends like a sphere, revealing everything within its reach. In essence, my eyes have become more powerful than a Byakugan. How is this possible? The answer lies in my spherical vision that allows me to perceive everything without blind spots. I can see not only the tenketsu, but also the spiritual essence of souls. When activated, my face no longer displays the ugly veins around my eyes and temples, which is quite remarkable. Such an unexpected development!
Departing from Zakhar, who had been pleased with the most advantageous acquisition in the form of Yggdrasil in the feudal domain, I proceeded to my footwear, which now resembled two nagas, albeit diminutive, that had emerged after a successful and sustaining hunt in one of the caverns not far from Serpent City. Mmm... They certainly appeared comical. While ordinary nagas typically measure no more than ten meters from the tip of their tail to their head, my offspring stood at twenty-five meters, and their humanoid torso bore more resemblance to a giant's physique than to that of a human. However, there the similarities ended. They possessed two pairs of limbs.
"Father!" exclaimed Vasilisa with delight. Little did I know when I named my basilisks that one of the serpent goddesses of the Slavic pantheon also bears that name, and in the future I would not have a particularly pleasant encounter with her.
Vasily, upon seeing me, restrained his sister, who was eager to rush towards me in a fountain of joy. Only after she had regained control over her emotions did he permit her to approach me at a leisurely pace. He continued to lay on the rocks, for as I could tell, they were going through a molting season and he had the good fortune to be in a position where nothing was itching, so he sought to maintain his position in space. No magic could help them.. Within this realm, they find solace in their own abilities, seeking relief through intricate control over their physical and ethereal bodies. This mastery allows them to attempt the shedding of their old skins, alleviating the discomfort caused by the fading of their previous spiritual coverings, which are intricately linked to their magical bonds and astral projections.
What caught my attention was their ability to molt in the form of Nagas.
Having subjected them to the scrutiny of the ritual, my suspicions were confirmed. My laces no longer resembled chimeras in the guise of basilisks endowed with the ability to transform; they had now fully assumed the identity of nagas, with all the accompanying attributes.
It is noteworthy that their transformation and metamorphosis were not unexpected; they were the logical consequence of their efforts to assume a humanoid form. It is only a matter of time until they can achieve a fully humanoid state, indistinguishable from human beings.
Heh… As I gaze upon the satisfaction of scratching on the serpent's torso, seasoned with my own Ba-Hyon and the healing energy of The One, I assisted Vasilisa in overcoming her spiritual itch, recalling how I had suffered through a similar predicament, unaccompanied by any support. Now, having ascended to the divine realm and acquired my own Ba-Hyon imbued with the essence of the serpent, my molting process is swift, akin to mere seconds. However, in the past, I endured a multitude of discomforts due to my serpentine nature and annual molting. Even in human form, I was not spared from the sensations associated with molting.
- "Well, children, congratulations! Soon you will be capable of transforming into an indiscernible human form."
- "Hooray! Can we go to school then, Father?"
- A sudden shift in the conversation: "Why did Vasilissa bring up the topic of school?"
- "Do you desire to attend school? Who has informed you of its existence and purpose?"
Why, indeed? When children reach a certain age, they all attend school, where they refine their social abilities, acquire the essential skills for daily life, and delve into the sciences that prove beneficial in everyday existence! Maria was the first to inform us of the school, and more recently, Feza mentioned that you, dear father, have resumed teaching at the school. It would be wonderful to pursue our studies at your school, where we could see each other more frequently.
Following such a revelation, integrating them into the educational system would be both advantageous and exhilarating.
The most straightforward approach, undoubtedly, would be to enroll them in Rocky Haven, where they could study alongside the younger generation of witches. The presence of two ancient nagas capable of transforming into basilisks, measuring a hundred meters in length, would not cause any surprise or fear among the students there. However, precisely for this reason, it might be more advantageous for Laces to attend a school populated by ordinary, gifted individuals, rather than faeries. In such a setting, they would need to adhere to the lore and learn to conceal their true nature, maintaining constant vigilance over it.
My concern regarding their exposure and potential exposure was minimal. If I provided them with clear instructions, they would faithfully follow them without any deviation. Nevertheless, they could seamlessly integrate into a human environment, albeit one populated by gifted individuals.. Nonetheless, individuals continue to exert a profound influence on the rapid evolution of their humanoid essence, thereby fostering the development of their inherent abilities. It is intriguing to ponder whether this is a manifestation of the Creator's design or intention.
When an animal evolves beyond mere sentience and assumes a humanoid form, it gains a substantial boost in its power. The intricate interplay between cause and effect becomes elusive, leaving us pondering whether the dragon's transformation into a humanoid state was a consequence of its enhanced capabilities or whether it was the discovery of this new form that unlocked extraordinary powers.
While I am at school, I have the opportunity to keep an eye on things. Aha! An intriguing thought has just occurred to me! When I assumed control of the Slytherin lineage, I also inherited the regency over the Mrax line, which also descends from Salazar's illegitimate son. The progenitor of the family, the unacknowledged great-grandson of Salazar, had stipulated in the family charter that if the line should become extinct, the regency should pass to the head of the Slytherin house, should one exist at the time. This provision was made as a mark of respect and acknowledgment of the primacy of the founding family.
When the Mrax lineage became extinct at the dawn of the sixteenth century, it seemed inevitable that it would soon fade into obscurity, for the lineage was still young, having only a few hundred years under its belt, which is not enough time to establish a solid foundation. However, fate intervened, and thanks to a mention in the family chronicles, the magical essence of the Mrax bloodline continued to flow through the family line, even after it had been absent for quite some time.
Naturally, when, sometime in the mid-16th century, a hitherto unknown clan decided to lay claim to my Slytherin ancestry's magical essence, I was taken aback. Who were these individuals, and what gave them the audacity to believe they could touch my family's legacy? I promptly began to investigate their identity and ascertain their right to claim such a connection.. However, when it became evident that there were no malicious schemes at play and no living individuals were involved, I merely marked that one day, a member of my lineage would assume the role of leader of the Mrax clan. In the interim, with no active members or head, and without an heir, the birthstone of the Mraxs drew upon a fraction of the structured magic of the older generation to maintain its existence, lest the magic associated with Salazar's descendants fade and dissipate.
And now, contemplating the two basilisks, verging on assuming a humanoid form, a brilliant solution presented itself to me, an elegant resolution to the conundrum of the Mrax lineage. I propose to induct them into the Slytherin basilisk clan as junior members, and subsequently integrate them into the Mrax clan, severing their ties with Slytherin.
With their unwavering loyalty to me as their Creator, their imprint will remain intact, allowing me to forge an alliance with another clan within the English House of Lords. Yes, this is the course of action I must pursue!
A sly smile played on my lips as I envisioned the commotion that would ensue when the announcement of these natural heirs to the founder's lineage was made at the school. Hehehehe, and I must ensure that my spy remains vigilant when Tom becomes aware of this development. I yearn to witness his reaction.
All that remains is to provide a modicum of assistance to the younglings, and once they are capable of assuming human form, commence their preparation for their admission to the educational institution and their role as successors to such a reprehensible lineage!
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