Chapter 379: A New Way to Grow

[Lysette Harker]

[Quality: Legendary One-Star | Level: 1]

[Affinity: 70]

[Physique: 58 (+100) | Aether: 14 (+100) | Spirit: 18 (+100) | Load: 24 (+100)]

[Equipment: Stillmind]

[Foundation Art: Genetic Unlocking — Grade A, Beginner]

[Skills: Strength Will — Grade A, Accomplished; Scientific Will — Grade A, Greater Mastery; Spirit-Sealing Array — Grade B, Greater Mastery; Lifeburn — Grade B, Lesser Perfection; Basic Combat — Grade E, Greater Perfection; Mech Engineering — Ungraded, Lesser Perfection; Genetic Engineering — Ungraded, Lesser Perfection]

[Associated Building: Research Sphere — Epic]

[Hero Command: Technology Troops — Grade B; Scientists — Grade A; Pioneers — Grade A]

[Combat Rating: 130 stars]

"An Extreme physical build!"

Cassian’s eyes brightened. On a comparable starting foundation, her Physique was higher even than Veyra’s or Celia’s.

Liora and Sylvara both had Extreme caster builds. Veyra, Aurelia, and Celia were more balanced. Aurelia was a Warbound Hero, of course; her total attributes far exceeded those of an ordinary Hero at the same stage, and her skills were formidable.

Lysette was his first Hero built around Extreme Physique.

Her skills suited that strength very well.

[Strength Will — Accomplished]

[Physical attacks and physical skills deal 2.4 times their ordinary damage.]

[Scientific Will — Greater Mastery]

[Technology skills deal 3.2 times their ordinary damage.]

[Research speed and technology-skill proficiency growth are multiplied by 3.2.]

She lacked a powerful attack skill, but with Strength Will, that physical foundation, and Lifeburn for bursts of power, she had the makings of the hardest-hitting fighter in his entire Domain when it came to ordinary blows.

She was also a scientist.

Mech Engineering included the design for a Rare mech, the Riftstrider. Genetic Engineering contained a formula for Miracle Serum—a Legendary potion that gave its user a chance to unlock a genetic limit.

Then there was her Building. Like Veyra, she had brought access to one of her own. This time, it was a laboratory.

But the entry Cassian liked most was Technology Troop Command.

His Kinetic Mechs qualified. Their powerful control skills would become even more useful with a Hero supporting them.

"Lys, you’re going to do very well here."

He meant every word. The next time he faced a powerful Mythic, keeping it under control should be easier.

Veyra stepped forward to welcome the newcomer.

"I’m Veyra. Think of me as your older sister. This is your home now, so don’t stand on ceremony. If you need anything, come to me."

She glanced at the fur coat.

"Aren’t you hot in that? Here, take it off. I’ll hold it for you."

Lysette was clearly unused to such an enthusiastic welcome. She managed to keep hold of her coat, then gave an awkward smile.

"I’m eighty this year. May I ask how old my new older sister is?"

Veyra’s smile froze.

While she was still searching for an answer, Lysette turned back to Cassian.

"My lord, there’s something you should know. I only recently unlocked my genetic limits, and the technique still has flaws. If I use Lifeburn, it may permanently reduce my Physique. It could shorten my life as well."

"I see."

Cassian considered that, then placed several small bottles in her arms.

"Have a look at these."

She caught them automatically. Then she sensed the power inside the green bottles, and her composure disappeared.

"Life Essence? Existing on its own?"

Her eyes widened.

"How? It shouldn’t be able to exist apart from a living body. What kind of technology can do this?"

She lifted one bottle closer, staring at it.

"The quality in each of these is higher than the Essence of a Sovereign-class Lifereaver. With something this pure, I might open the next genetic limit very soon..."

Cassian had been enjoying her surprise. Those last words made him straighten.

"Life Essence can speed up Genetic Unlocking?"

"Yes, my lord." Lysette drew a deep breath and steadied herself. "If I combine Essence of this quality with a catalyst I can prepare, it should accelerate the process greatly."

"How greatly?"

"I haven’t tested it yet. With enough of the necessary materials, though, I would expect at least several dozen times the normal rate."

Hope entered her expression.

"Do you produce much of this?"

"Not very much yet." Cassian brought his hands together, his eyes shining. "But that can change."

Dozens of times faster.

Aptitude improved the foundation on which a person’s attributes grew. Training arts added strength on top of that foundation. The two gains were separate.

Life Essence had already helped him develop his Aptitude and supported his Warbody training. The first benefit was fading, but Lysette had offered a new way to put it to work: a Grade-A art whose progress could be driven directly through Essence and a prepared catalyst.

It could give his personal strength another tremendous push. If it worked, the Eclipse Hall and the rest of his strongest fighters might benefit too.

One question remained. Would a technique built around genetics conflict with arts such as Warbody or Mistveil March?

That would need an answer before he spread it further.

"For now, use the Life Essence to work on your own Genetic Unlocking," he told her. "Don’t hold back to save supplies. I want to see the result."

Lysette raised a thumb.

"Generous of you, Boss. I’m usually the one people call that. Looks like the title is yours now."

"Call me whatever you like." He smiled. "What else do you need?"

"A laboratory. The Research Sphere that came with me would do."

"You’ll have it."

"And if you could improve my strength a little, that would help. A stronger Spirit makes research and precise control of the body much easier."

"Done."

Before she could say more, Cassian brought out eight Legendary Hero Souls and confirmed the Battle Essence cost for her growth.

"Advance. Level up."

The eight Souls entered her body. Waves of light followed one another so quickly that she lost count. By the time they faded, she stood at Level 95, Legendary Nine-Star.

Lysette stared down at her hands. The power in them felt capable of tearing her old world apart.

"I... I could smash the Spire with one punch."

Cassian had not finished.

He brewed a fresh leaf of Enlightenment Tea and handed her its first infusion.

"Basic Combat is already at Greater Perfection. Take it to Transcendence."

She drank. Understanding unfolded through her mind, movements she had practiced for years suddenly revealing possibilities she had never seen.

For a while, she could only stand there, dazed.

Her new Lord was rather more formidable than she had imagined. Whatever surprises she had brought him, they were nothing beside what he had just given her.

Veyra saw her chance. She slipped an arm around Lysette’s shoulders.

"Our ages aren’t so far apart. Let’s go by who arrived first. You call me older sister, and I’ll call you younger sister. How does that sound?"

Lysette said nothing.

"Settled, then. Come along. I’ll show you where you’re staying."

Celia followed them, looking pleased.

"In that case, I’m an older sister too."

Cassian watched the three women go and laughed softly.

"First, the laboratory."

He opened the Research Sphere’s construction requirements. Two Epic alloys were still missing.

Inside the Enclosure, with its accelerated time funded, he placed the necessary Exchange orders and finished assembling the materials. The two alloys joined the rest of the required stock.

"Build the Research Sphere. Complete it immediately."

He paid the construction and completion costs. In a newly allocated Research Section of the Deep Layer, a metal sphere several dozen meters across took shape and rose into the air. Its smooth shell gleamed with the clean lines of advanced machinery.

Cassian opened the Research Sphere’s attributes.