Chapter 1002: Conjunction Spell Master (3)
Mikal Zelih, the Immortal, Third Seat of the Ability Awakening Warband.
A superhuman with a death-defying ability based on super-regeneration, and one who was captured and dissected alive by the Conjunction Spell Master.
Zelih, whom even Bernard hadn’t expected to survive, was still alive.
His entire body had been dissected, with only half his brain remaining, preserved in a tank.
[Ah, so you’ve come at Bernard’s request~]
The left hemisphere, suspended in the tank, swayed, slowly emitting mental waves.
[What a thoughtful fellow. Indeed, he was always respectful to me even when he was the youngest among the Pioneers.]
“……”
[I once gave him some pocket money when I had some to spare, and it seems he hasn’t forgotten the favor. I feel a certain sense of accomplishment.]
“I don’t think this is the time for such sentiments.”
Lennok stared at the chattering brain in the tank with a bewildered expression and asked,
“No matter how immortal you are, shouldn’t you have died from that? Why are you still alive, dissected down to just half a brain?”
[What, were you hoping I was dead? Well, I suppose that’s fair. Who’d want to bother with a defeated toy of the Conjunction Spell Master?]
Zelih chuckled, bobbing his left hemisphere.
[I’m sorry, but I’ve been through much worse things in my life. This doesn’t bother me at all.]
“……”
[I’ve been numb to pain and death for quite some time now. In fact, I’m almost hoping for it, you could say… Haha, just kidding!]
After cracking a self-referential, silly joke, Zelih continued.
[I don’t want to die, but living like this isn’t entirely my will either. It’s what you might call unauthorized seizure and misappropriation of an abandoned body, by force of another.]
[There’s no such crime in Continental Law.]
[Hmm? What did you say?]
“Nothing.”
Lennok gently stroked Davi, who couldn’t hold back her retort, and glanced towards the inside of his coat.
“If the Conjunction Spell Master dissected your body, where are your other body parts?”
Lennok then immediately rephrased his question.
“No, how can you communicate with me so perfectly with only half of your left hemisphere remaining?”
Even if one could accept Zelih’s death-defying ability allowing him to sustain life with only a brain, it was clearly strange that he could converse with Lennok with only half of his left hemisphere.
While the cerebral cortex is crucial for psychic abilities, it was unusual for him to be so perfectly functional.
[That’s because the left hemisphere plays a much greater role than the right in understanding and expressing language.]
But Zelih’s answer was far more detailed than expected.
[There’s no difference in receiving and understanding information, but the outputting of it is the role of the left hemisphere.]
“……”
[I don’t know why the Conjunction Spell Master only cut out and preserved my left hemisphere, but it’s not strange for me to communicate with you like this.]
The left hemisphere seemed to stare intently at Lennok.
[Rather, from my perspective, your existence is more surprising. To be so sensitive to a superhuman’s mental waves, even though you’re not part of the Warband… If I hadn’t heard your explanation, I would have thought you were a very powerful innate ability user captured by the Conjunction Spell Master.]
“Captured by the Conjunction Spell Master?”
[The Conjunction Spell Master has a habit of collecting and dissecting those with potential or rare talents.]
Zelih replied with a bitter tone.
[That’s why I ended up like this after being defeated by the Conjunction Spell Master. My ability is quite unusual even among trait-types, so I’ve been tormented quite a lot here and there.]
“Tormented, you mean like you cooperated with the Cult’s Immortal Body Experiment?”
[…Hmm, it seems Bernard explained that part to you.]
At that moment, the left hemisphere’s reaction noticeably slowed.
Did this mean the Immortal Body Experiment was a more unsettling experience for Zelih than his current situation?
Looking at the devastation left in this operating room, Lennok found that hard to believe.
“I know that the Immortal Body Experiment was a project to create a body for the Pontiff.”
Lennok’s eyes, gripping the tank, shone intensely.
“What happened there? Did you meet the Pontiff directly as a reward for cooperating with the Immortal Body Experiment?”
The Immortal Body Experiment was the Cult’s human experimentation to create a body for the Pontiff, who couldn’t exist in reality.
Wasn’t Dylan O’Casey of the Antares Mercenary Group a victim of that experiment?
Considering Dylan’s incredible regenerative ability, one could guess how powerful the concept of immortality the Cult pursued through the Immortal Body Experiment was.
And it was clear that Zelih served as a specimen in that process.
If he could uncover the inner workings of that experiment, he might be able to adjust Dylan’s regenerative ability to restore him.
Or, conversely, it might even be possible to copy the regenerative ability itself and bestow it upon Lennok.
[You know a great deal about the Immortal Body Experiment. That’s classified information that even those involved in the experiment wouldn’t easily mention…]
However, Zelih merely hesitated at Lennok’s demand, unable to answer easily.
[I apologize. I don’t know the specific details of the experiment well. I merely provided my body information for that experiment.]
“……”
[At that time, there were many specimens, including myself, who were close to immortality. There were True Ancestor Vampires, Seven Tribulations Long-lived Beings, and even Phantom Beast species who had mastered the Life-Linking Art.]
“There were other specimens besides you in the experiment?”
[The Immortal Body Experiment sought to consolidate the biological information of such specimens, elucidate the governing principles, and apply them to the human body. I feel responsible for the victims who arose during that process, but…]
Zelih rotated his left hemisphere with an uncomfortable expression.
[How should I put it? At that time, I couldn’t defy the Cult. To be precise, I believed in the Pontiff that much.]
“……”
[There aren’t many beings in this world who can falsely claim to be gods. Even if it failed, if he had tried to save the world… I just thought he might be able to offer me salvation too.]
Zelih’s mental waves, which had been lighthearted throughout, now felt infinitely heavy, sinking down.
Did this mean the salvation Zelih sought through the Immortal Body Experiment was that desperate for him?
He claimed he didn’t want to die, but the mental waves Zelih emitted seemed to harbor a wish contrary to that.
As Lennok was lost in thought, Zelih added as if something had come to mind.
[Oh, if you want to know about the Immortal Body Experiment, go to Larabelli. I heard that the World Tree specimen located there determined the success or failure of the experiment.]
“The World Tree of Larabelli?”
Was he referring to the plant city said to be located at the edge of the continent?
It was the name of another city-state Lennok had only heard about through druids or Raphael.
[It is a Divine Tree containing the most powerful life force on this continent. The navel of the star that even Ascendants coveted but could not grasp.]
Zelih spoke as if recalling a memory.
[I think I heard something more about the experiment… but perhaps because only half my brain remains, I can’t quite remember. Puhaha!!]
“……”
Indeed, with only half a brain, he seemed a bit out of his mind.
As Lennok shook his head at Zelih’s grotesque joke, the left hemisphere cleared its throat and floated, rotating leisurely.
[I have nothing more to tell you. If you want regenerative ability, you can take my body. I’ll permit that as the owner.]
“That’s absurd. Do you think you’re in a position to claim ownership of your body right now?”
[Hmm? But weren’t you here to defeat the Conjunction Spell Master in this operating room?]
Lennok fell silent for a moment at Zelih’s words, which struck directly at the core.
[If the Conjunction Spell Master dies and I find my right hemisphere, I can regenerate on my own. To live this tiresome life once more.]
“……”
[Well, I don’t want to die either, so I’ll cooperate with you. Until you defeat the Conjunction Spell Master, I’ll stick by your side and guide you through the interior of this dreadful Life Domain.]
The left hemisphere said that, shaking its body excitedly.
[Believe it or not, I possess a tough spirit that never lost consciousness even when my entire body was dismantled by the Conjunction Spell Master. I can tell you everything I’ve seen and heard. What do you say?]
“That’s a miracle that can’t be explained by mere mental fortitude, no matter how I think about it…”
Lennok muttered with a dubious look, but he changed his mind and channeled mana towards the tank.
“Alright. I’ll accompany you until I find what I’m looking for in the operating room.”
[What are you looking for? Is defeating the Conjunction Spell Master not your goal?]
Whoosh!!
As Lennok gestured towards the tank, the tank containing Zelih’s left hemisphere floated into the air.
As Lennok took a step, carrying the floating tank, it followed him naturally.
[Oh, this aura… You’re a wizard, then.]
The left hemisphere in the tank gasped in admiration.
[To have such a sensitive reaction to mental waves, yet choose magic over psychic abilities. It seems the reinforcements Bernard brought are quite blessed spellcasters.]
“Enough with the useless talk. More importantly, I have some further questions about your condition.”
As Lennok exited the squirming specimen room, the corridor gradually receded from him and shifted.
The operating room’s appearance, where even the direction and width of the分支 paths changed constantly.
Lennok had suspected something immediately after contacting Zelih, but it seemed the Conjunction Spell Master hadn’t noticed the anomaly yet.
“Why do you think the Conjunction Spell Master cut your brain in half and preserved it?”
Lennok asked as he walked down the corridor.
“If he wanted to research your death-defying ability, there’s no reason to cut and preserve your left and right hemispheres separately. Scanning the cerebral cortex in its intact state would be the best way to study the ability.”
[Well, perhaps he was worried I might regenerate on my own in that cold storage?]
“That’s why he split my brain; my psychic abilities don’t function properly that way. He might have wanted to incapacitate me before serious research.]
The left hemisphere wobbled as it replied.
“……No. I don’t think so.”
Lennok muttered, lost in thought as he walked down the corridor.
“A spellcaster of the Conjunction Spell Master’s caliber would have plenty of ways to suppress psychic abilities. There’s no need to split the brain and preserve only one half separately.”
[Hmm?]
“The Conjunction Spell Master wasn’t trying to research your death-defying ability. Rather, I suspect he intended to use your right hemisphere in a completely different way.”
The way Zelih’s brain was preserved was quite different from how a research specimen would be kept.
The fact that only the left hemisphere was separately preserved in cold storage, conversely, meant that the right hemisphere was useful right now.
Lennok’s gaze shot up, and he immediately began retracing his steps.
“Could it be, the surgery the Conjunction Spell Master is performing on the patient right now is…”
The moment Lennok realized this and hastily returned to Anesthetic Room 2, where he had woken up.
A mechanical announcement echoed from the speaker on the anesthetic room ceiling.
[Two minutes until incision site closure. Mana circuits to be connected sequentially with a 25-second margin.]
[First patient surgery completed today.]
“……!!”
The Conjunction Spell Master’s first patient’s surgery was over.
By time, it was roughly 15 minutes. Had he really just finished the incision site closure and concluded the surgery?
If the Conjunction Spell Master found out Lennok had left his spot at this point, he would definitely try to capture Lennok within his Domain.
There was no time.
Without having found the Veil Fragment, Lennok had to decide how to act against the Conjunction Spell Master immediately.
“……Alright.”
[Evan Martinez?]
Leaving Zelih floating above the tank, Lennok headed for the operating table where he had been bound.
He sat on the anesthetic room’s operating table and snapped his fingers, and the loosened belts tightened securely around Lennok’s body once more.
At the same time, he deactivated the Targeted Resistance he had activated.
Lennok, returning to his state when he was first captured by the Conjunction Spell Master, turned his gaze to Zelih.
“Mikal Zelih. If you’re an Immortal, you won’t die by entering a sub-dimension, will you?”
[…What do you mean by that?]
“The Conjunction Spell Master will return to the anesthetic room soon. If he finds you, he’ll immediately realize something is amiss.”
Lennok said with an impassive face.
“I’ll open a sub-dimension for you to hide. Any less than that, and you won’t be able to conceal your mental waves from the Conjunction Spell Master.”
[Hide, you mean, I was originally-]
Ignoring Zelih’s reply, Lennok gestured, and a small spatial rift opened below the tank, instantly engulfing Zelih.
It was a basic sub-dimension Lennok had created while practicing Manipulation Spellcraft.
Although he had been inspired by Agneta to create the sub-dimension, his achievement wasn’t particularly high yet.
It was barely big enough for one person, but it would be sufficient for temporary use like this.
Considering the Conjunction Spell Master’s transcendental perception, this method was the best immediate option.
Clang!!
At that moment, the anesthetic room wall slid open, and the Conjunction Spell Master walked in.
He rubbed his gloved hands with a dry towel, as if he had just washed them, and surveyed the anesthetic room.
“Hmm…”
The Conjunction Spell Master’s eyes, gleaming impassively between his surgical cap and mask.
He silently looked around the anesthetic room, then walked slowly with his hands raised.
Passing the silent Lennok, he stood before the unconscious Magic Tower Lord, whose head was bowed.
“……”
“Although I believe we’ve reached the same level…”
The Conjunction Spell Master opened his mouth, tilting back the unconscious Tower Lord’s chin and pulling back his eyelid.
“I cannot comprehend the thoughts of a Grand Wizard. Should even that be recorded as part of his individuality?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you deliberately make the Magic Tower Lord unconscious again?”
The Conjunction Spell Master’s eyes spun around, turning towards the silent Lennok.
“The amount of anesthetic I administered to the Magic Tower Lord should have worn off 12 minutes ago. Even allowing for a 2-minute margin of error, he should have regained consciousness immediately after I finished the first surgery.”
“……”
“You forcibly kept the Tower Lord unconscious using the anesthetic room’s facilities. I can guess what you were trying to do…”
The Conjunction Spell Master laid the Tower Lord on the operating table, checked the pulse in his neck, and tilted his head.
“Considering the temperature fluctuation, which remained at 75 degrees immediately after anesthesia, the change in heart rate, and the tolerance to the newly administered anesthetic-”
Slowly, the Conjunction Spell Master turned to Lennok and asked,
“Were you trying to take the [Spark] from the Magic Tower Lord while I was gone?”
“……”
He had figured all that out just by briefly examining the unconscious Tower Lord’s body?
However, Lennok remained unfazed by the Conjunction Spell Master’s words, which immediately struck at the core.
‘He still doesn’t know I recovered Zelih’s left hemisphere.’
The Conjunction Spell Master was aware that Lennok had touched the Tower Lord, but he didn’t know that Lennok had found Zelih.
This was likely because, regardless of Lennok deactivating Targeted Resistance, probing or scrying wasn’t permitted against Lennok.
If the Conjunction Spell Master hadn’t noticed the disappearance of Zelih’s left hemisphere, there was an opportunity to exploit.
Having made his judgment, Lennok slowly opened his mouth.
“You knew about the Spark, even though you’re not a pyrokinetic wizard.”
“I’m also interested in the maximization of firepower that reaches its ultimate state through preheating.”
The Conjunction Spell Master replied impassively, slowly approaching Lennok.
“I also know that Grand Pyrokinetic Wizards who have reached that level are looking for a new Spark to burn in place of their self-aura.”
Unlike a trait-type spellcaster, his understanding of pyrokinesis magic was abnormally high.
Should Lennok conclude that the Conjunction Spell Master possessed such profound insight as the Grand Spell Master of the Alliance?
“You spent time trying to take the Tower Lord’s Spark after being captured within my Domain…”
The Conjunction Spell Master’s eyes, looking down at Lennok, narrowed.
“That’s not the action of a spellcaster who has given up on life. It’s preparation to live and make plans for the future.”
“……”
“Not going to answer? Fine, that’s not what’s important.”
The Conjunction Spell Master snapped his fingers, and the operating table Lennok was bound to began to slide.
Crackling…!!
The writhing inner walls split, and Lennok’s and the Conjunction Spell Master’s figures moved within the Domain as if flipping their positions.
It was a spatial displacement that completely swapped the location coordinates within the operating room.
As Lennok frowned at the surreal location shift, which gave no sensation of speed, a voice announced:
“Case 29541. Main Operating Room 1 opening.”
Flash!!
Lennok was now lying in a pristine white room illuminated by dazzling lights.
It was a space far larger and more expansive than any room he had seen in the operating room so far.
Complex machines positioned all around the operating room aimed at Lennok on the operating table as if targeting him.
Click!
The Conjunction Spell Master pulled a lever on the wall, and the powered-on machines all turned their heads towards Lennok simultaneously.
“Pressure adjustment. Mana synchronization. Mana resistance nullification. Sensory resonance to maximum. Auxiliary power chamber 3 ready for operation.”
As red marks appeared on Lennok’s body, graduations sprang out between the crosshairs, assigning values.
At the same time, dozens of graphs and data began to be displayed on a screen next to the operating table.
“Database open. Sequentially enter the following special notes in the remarks column.”
The Conjunction Spell Master, wearing transparent gloves on both hands, looked down at Lennok with an impassive gaze and spoke.
“Watcher of the Eyes of Blue. Last Master of the Hanghasa Labyrinth. Successor to the Barrier Spellcraft of the Ascendant Jindun. An 8th-level Grand Pyrokinetic Wizard.”
“……”
“Current time, 2:42:14. Commencing diagnosis of Cheonbeon Evan Martinez.”
Click!
The Conjunction Spell Master’s eyes, cleaning the needle of an ampoule in his hand with disinfectant, gleamed sharply.
“Now, shall we see what dwells within that body?”