Chapter 68: 1733, The day he truly changed
Leonard took a look at the space-time magic circle. He took his time to study the complex literature in his hands, his mind was exhausted but at least he still had enough juice to conjure to look at the circle.
It was complex. It had too many detailed instructions on how the mana should execute certain tasks. At one point he understood that this is a simplified version of a single-use teleportation scroll.
Once used the whole thing erases itself, of course, that's only his understanding, he had no way of proving this theory unless he conjured the circle himself.
He was still wary about Zhar'kerut and his actual intentions; there had not been a day where he almost did not collapse. The only respite he had is the bed he was given.
The silk of the Xyn is truly marvellous, it is soft yet strong. It felt like he was being eaten by a comfort monster, something he wouldn't want to let go of. He knew that the bed is laced with enchantments though.
The next day he immediately fixed himself up to a courtesy, he was presentable the moment he sat down at the table of his office. If someone saw him like that above the surface they would call child protective services.
He's just 12 years old.
But he can't complain much, it is what it is mindset is the best for his situation. What was done is already done. He was sent to the dungeon and someone saved him.
The moment a Xyn came in with paperwork Leonard immediately worked on it as soon it hit the table, he built another habit as the Xyn's efficiency infected him.
"Hm?"
He looked at the paper and paid attention to it. It's a request to increase reagents to the mage department. When he took a look at the report part it seems that the mage department is testing a new healing potion.
The potion in particular looks great on paper, however, Leonard knew what actually would happen if the regent was made.
"The hell…"
Leonard instead shook his head and instead drew up papers and started writing, entailing that their request would be permitted but only if they could show some results, even if the effect is bad.
Ringing the bell on his desk, a Xyn arrived in front of him.
"take this one to the mage department and this one to the Logistic centre."
Hours later Leonard took care of the paperwork. Now he placed his focus on the magic circle. But before he could completely place his focus on it somebody barged into his office.
It was Zhar'kerut.
"Leonard." He gestured in courtesy.
"Ah, Ziquir Zhar'kerut. What brings you here?"
"As our liaison and my protege. I need you to come with me."
Leonard tilted his head but he knew he wouldn't get an answer, tilting one's head is not a Xyn mannerism that they knew. So he stood up and followed Zhar'kerut who was already walking away.
Leonard just sighed and walked along the long stride of Zhar'kerut. He couldn't help but adopt the mannerism of the Xyn's since he was placed in the dungeon.
They walked until they reached a small tunnel, Leonard saw that there was a couple of the Champion caste, an upgraded Warrior. They're mostly there to protect Xyn government officials or guards in a very important place.
Since they were guarding the tunnel, Leonard couldn't help but be nervous, where was Zhar'kerut taking him?
After they reached a distance, Leonard realised that they were in the Gene Brooder Caste chambers. He looked at Zhar'kerut for an explanation which he obliged.
"You're about to witness a Transmutation event. Feast your eyes."
Leonard's eyes opened wide, he looked forward as they entered a room, Leonard could tell that the door was heavy due to the much effort it took to be pushed aside.
When they got in Leonard saw multiple Gene Brooder they have white chitin and the most human hands he has seen so far. The hands were still as if surgical tools were ready to be used.
They surround a big circle, a circle unfamiliar to Leonard, he has no idea what it does and the intent is so strong he could not read what instructions it entailed.
A few moments later, a Xyn of the warrior caste moved inside the magic circle. Leonard watched intently with nervousness on his back. He watched as the gene browsers started weaving some threads that were attached to the warrior. The moment the string attached to the Xyn it fell asleep. Unaware of the future dilemma the Gene brooder started weaving the warrior a cocoon.
Leonard watched closely as the Magic circle below the warrior started glowing. The Gene brooder started casting as well, Leonard could sense through the thick ambient mana that the Gene brooder are feeding the ambient mana as well theirs to the circle.
Moments pass and the ritual is complete, the Warrior is within the cocoon and the Gene brooders stop gathering mana in the circle.
"What… is next?"
"The warrior is being elevated to his next form. It will take at least tomorrow till he becomes anew." Zhar'kerut then looked at Leonard. "Do you understand what just transpired?"
No, Leonard did not. The circle was too complex to even understand a singular strand of intent within it. He looked at Zharkerut and shook his head which was reciprocated with a look of disappointment.
"Well, If you don't then it might take a while. Go back to your station."
Leonard nodded with a bitter feeling and walked away, he was just here for under a month and trained for a week. Zhar'kerut's expectation is too much.
***
A month in Leonard's position as the head of logistics. Leonard heard some peculiar noise. He was curious about it but didn't come out, it wasn't time to go out yet.
"Are you having a hard time?"
"No Nahiv, but thank you for asking."
"Oh, so. Are you curious about what's going on outside?"
"I'd be lying if I said no."
The young Xyn that was talking to Leonard is a newly grown adult, he just became an adult a week ago at the age of 2 years old.
"Ah. The event that is going on right now is a new year celebration."
"New year?"
"12 months, 30 days. The standard year in which the Dungeon has a new floor to peruse."
"The dungeon makes a floor every year?"
If it's per year then the dungeon are a few millennia old. 3,000+ floors are no joke.
"Wait, so this isn't the lowest floor anymore?"
Nahiv nodded. "Yes, but we made a contract with the Dungeon core. Our entire floor would be the lowest floor once again."
As they made small talk the door to Leonard's office slammed open. An angry-looking Xyn went towards Leonard's desk and slammed a piece of paper. Leonard hardly reacted.
"What's the meaning of this?! My department's budget has been cut?!"
"I told you that I need results no matter how abysmal it is."
"We've been working hard enough for a result!"
" 'Enough' isn't enough, Xaryn. Your department has been hogging 16 percent of this month's total budget the Support department almost lacked materials from the last ambush of the warriors."
"Still! We've been showing you reports on how the project was going!"
"The reports are full of Poetics instead of results. I even asked for the potions you have made but none of them procured results as promised."
"We've given you a 3% improvement from the last time!"
"And that's why your budget has not changed in the last two weeks. But now?"
Leonard could not back down, Xyn's are very stubborn and they do not like it when they don't get what they want. That's why they're bureaucrats, they need the order to constrain their people in a set of rules.
"That's because the budget has been cut!"
"No, it has not. You had weeks, weeks to make it before I cut your budget."
The Xyn was about to retort, however, Leonard saw it and gave no space to do so.
"Do you know how much Titanium your project costs? Hm? Angel Leaves, Lapiz Isolector, Prismarine Shards and Hazcom wardom. That costs 3,000 titanium. You can support a whole regiment with that amount of budget with food for a month."
The Xyn stood there silently. Then walked away without warning. Leonard was on edge when it first happened, and it was on the weaver caste of the legionary.
He can't fail now, if he did, these people would come after him. The Xyn higher-ups do not tolerate failure.
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