Chapter 41
"A.I. Analysis Assistant! Present my current statistics and simulate the optimal approach for assimilating the Darkness Crystals," Ron contemplated.
[Task initiated. Gathering host's data, initializing model simulation.]
Upon receiving its directive, the A.I. Analysis Assistant swiftly initiated computations, and a series of data streams flowed across Ron's display.
The following day, Ron found leisure in the company of Anna. He wasn't concerned about Jayden's progress as it would take him some time to break through the bottleneck.
The basement of Ron's residence had been retrofitted with a massive spell formation etched into the floor.
Ron positioned the newly acquired Darkness Crystals at the formation's center.
"Based on the A.I. Analysis Assistant's calculations, placing the crystals in this formation will yield an absorption efficiency of 94.7%," Ron mused as he stepped into the formation's epicenter.
"Activate," he commanded, employing the ancient Byron incantation.
* Buzz buzz! *
The spell formation resonated, radiating a brilliant luminescence.
Within the formation's core, the Darkness Crystals began to liquefy, transforming from a semi-solid to a liquid state, filling a cryptic rune. Subsequently, a crimson flare surged, evaporating the liquid into black smoke that swirled through the basement.
The amalgamated black smoke materialized into seven obscure serpentine entities with crimson eyes, coiling around Ron.
Cold and slick, these ethereal serpents mimicked the appearance of actual snakes, eliciting an uncanny sensation.
Ron inhaled deeply.
*Sssii!*
Two of the miniature serpents were promptly drawn into his nostrils.
He felt an expansion within his body and an inebriated sensation.
The remaining five miniature serpents squirmed, emitting terrified cries, their attempts to escape futile. In an abrupt motion, Ron opened his mouth and inhaled, ingesting all five serpents.
Simultaneously, the ground-based spell formations radiated black light, enveloping the entire basement. Enshrouded in darkness, Ron experienced a sensation akin to returning to the womb, tranquil and comforting, punctuated only by continuous notifications from the A.I. Analysis Assistant.
"Large quantities of vital substances are entering the host's body, identified as Dark energy particles. Absorption in progress..." "Host's absorption rate greatly enhanced due to the Darkness rites, crystal utilization elevated!" "Absorption complete! Host's elemental essence conversion significantly increased, currently at 35%." *Di!*
A crisp tone emanated from the formation's center. The converging black light assumed the form of a figure.
"Huff..."
Ron slowly opened his eyes as a streak of black light swept across them.
"This sensation..."
Reaching a 35% elemental essence conversion felt peculiar. Ron discerned the presence of minuscule black Darkness elemental particles in the surrounding air, akin to fireflies. Although he possessed a Darkness elemental affinity, this heightened sensitivity to energy particles was unprecedented. Furthermore, it required less spiritual force to manipulate these particles than before.
"Latent Fireball!"
Ron rapidly intoned the incantation, and an array of black fireballs emanated from the basement's obscurity. Flames coalesced in his grasp, multiplying in size fivefold.
Corrosive flames continued to accumulate, their intensity causing the basement's ceiling to glow red, as if on the brink of liquefying.
"A.I. Analysis Assistant, provide the current stats," Ron ruminated internally.
[Rank 1 Magic: Latent Fireball. Attack potency: 40.5. Additional damage due to elemental essence conversion: 10.5!]
"As anticipated! The latent fireball's might has significantly increased, with reduced spiritual energy and magical power requirements," Ron mused, a faint smile gracing his lips.
At 35% elemental essence conversion, Ron noticed a distinct improvement in his Darkness spellcasting. Additionally, the energy particles, matching his elemental affinity, further reduced his spiritual force and magical power consumption.
"Seeing these results, I'm eager to attain a 100% elemental essence conversion," Ron admitted, his eyes revealing a fervent determination.
Presently, at 35% elemental essence conversion, he had already derived substantial benefits. A fully converted elemental Magus could rival ancient elemental beasts. While some Magi aimed for 80% conversion to advance to rank 2, those exceeding 90% were groomed as prodigies by powerful guilds.
"Reaching 100% is an ambitious objective for most, but if I fail to achieve it, my abilities will be in vain," Ron asserted. He had long grasped the principle that establishing solid foundations would yield more significant rewards post-advancement, a lesson he internalized during his days as an acolyte.
His eyes blazed with determination.
"A.I. Analysis Assistant, verify my current statistics and ascertain any lingering effects on my body. Calculate the timeframe for reusing energy particles," Ron requested.
A blue light flickered in front of him.
[Beep! Ron, Rank 1 Warlock. Bloodline: Giant Kemoyin Serpent. Saint Knight Strength: 11.6, Agility: 10.9, Vitality: 13.4, Spiritual force: 38.3, Magic power: 38.]
Following the A.I. Analysis Assistant's computations, Ron's elemental essence conversion had promptly surged to 35%, accompanied by an increase in his spiritual force.
"Residual substances have appeared in the host's body, identified as elemental impurities. Currently expelling these impurities; estimated duration: 2 months, 19 days!" the A.I. Analysis Assistant reported.
The results left Ron feeling invigorated. He recognized that relying on external resources to advance could lead to complications, a lesson learned long ago. The likely cause of his current circumstances stemmed from his body rather than external potions.
"A.I. Analysis Assistant, scan my bloodline," Ron requested.
[Mission initiated. Acquiring authorization. Commencing microscopic analysis. Scanning in progress.]
The A.I. Analysis Assistant projected a light blue diagram, a representation of human DNA's helical structure. Distinctive to Ron's diagram were numerous barbs on the helixes, forming an intricate rune-like pattern.
This rune bore a resemblance to the one observed during his bloodline transplantation. Moreover, it seemed to continuously expand, as if striving to encompass his entire DNA model.
"Aberrant genetic information identified in the host's body. Disparate endocrine secretions compared to normal humans. Elevated cell activity enhancing poison elimination!" the A.I. Analysis Assistant deduced at the diagram's bottom.
Based on the A.I. Analysis Assistant's findings, the Giant Kemoyin Serpent's bloodline was gaining strength, indicating an impending transition. Ron's excitement soared.
When a Warlock's bloodline reached an exceptionally high concentration, surpassing the Warlock's level significantly, it would become dormant within the Warlock, accumulating until undergoing a transition. Each transition brought about substantial changes to the Warlock's body.
Ron had transplanted the purified bloodline of the ancient creature, the Giant Kemoyin Serpent. If quantified, it would be at least a rank 4 Morning Star Magus, while Ron was only a rank 1 Magus. The bloodline's concentration necessitated dormancy until Ron's elemental essence conversion and spiritual force reached a particular threshold.
Ron
's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "A.I. Analysis Assistant, locate the most efficient method for utilizing Bloodline Crystals."
[Task initiated. Searching within the database.]
Ron recognized that the only plausible methods to expedite the process were to employ Bloodline Crystals or acquire a long-extinct spell formation capable of enhancing the bloodline. Fortunately, Great Magus Serholm had stockpiled some Bloodline Crystals, which would prove invaluable to Ron.