Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 141 - 136 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
"What’s your basis for this, Giant Dragon?" Mr. Scholar’s fingers were against his own chin, his gaze filled with contemplation as he looked at Lyle.
"Forbidden transformations require materials, knowledge, and imagination. As for the materials, this piece of flesh should be considered acceptable."
"Knowledge, I’m very sorry to say, my expertise in flesh might not even match up to those beginners in Spirit Summoning Studies. My research on bones has been enough to solve many issues for me. However, I think Arnold would probably not accept a bone aberration created to mock him. But the Plague Doctor is still in an unshaped stage; he hasn’t formed a fixed mindset about the three forbidden transformations. And luckily, he acquired knowledge of marine life from the Merfolk, including those chaotic flesh creatures. In terms of knowledge storage, he is more suitable than me."
"Imagination. I must admit, this is the Plague Doctor’s weak point. Especially after he failed my course on the creation and remodeling, I’m not certain he can meet our expectations this time. If this were a forbidden transformation of bones, then I would not suggest this somewhat risky decision. But for flesh, he possesses a unique talent." The Giant Dragon pointed to Nia behind Lyle, and Nia also extended two tentacles, following the direction of the Giant Dragon’s pointing, poking at herself.
"Nia?"
"She was regarded by Arnold as an excellent Flesh Aberration, which also makes her the best template for the Plague Doctor. Since she and the Plague Doctor were originally one entity, wouldn’t it be good to just replicate another in the shape of Nia?"
Mr. Scholar immediately raised his objection, "This is too dangerous, Nia is not a simple creation; she contains dangers within her."
"But she and the Plague Doctor were originally one entity, weren’t they? Even if it’s dangerous, that is something that will have to be faced sooner or later. If we confront it earlier under our protection, then we escape the danger sooner."
Mr. Scholar finally accepted this point, but the danger inside Nia is not as simple as you think, Giant Dragon.
"I accept, it may well be the only option."
The Giant Dragon nodded, looking at his apprentice. "Plague Doctor, getting a preview of forbidden transformations is a very dangerous thing for you. Even if we prepare you well in advance, when the time comes to actually perform it, you will find these things to be barely sufficient. Forbidden transformations mean the gate of Spirit Summoning Studies is wide open to you, your will and thoughts will be deeply affected by this spell in the future. You’re not just transforming a creation, you are also transforming yourself. Are you ready to step through this door of art?"
Lyle stretched out his palm, Nia’s tentacles entwined around his fingers, tightly coiled together.
"Yes, Sir, we are ready, to pursue higher knowledge and to save our friend."
The Giant Dragon smiled contentedly.
"Good. When the time comes in your distant future to learn about forbidden transformations, I’ll ask you again."
"But for now, start by mastering Advanced Remodeling to make a counterfeited aberration."
"??? Isn’t it the Flesh Aberration from the forbidden transformations??"
"Mmm, no. The three essential elements of forbidden transformations I outlined have an important premise. That is for someone about to become a master of Spirit Summoning Studies. Plague Doctor, the Magic Power and technique you lack cannot be made up for in a short time."
"So, what you really need to master is the slightly inferior Advanced Remodeling. This is my latest research outcome, a scaled-down version of the forbidden transformations, resulting in the creation of a counterfeit aberration. Don’t worry, a counterfeit aberration is enough to deceive Arnold’s senses, because it originated from the same source as the Flesh Aberration; it’s a high-grade... replica."
"Don’t think of Advanced Remodeling as simple; for a beginner like you, it remains an insurmountable gap, that is, unless you have a teacher to give you special guidance."
Mr. Giant Dragon looked at Mr. Scholar, "Old friend, that paper you published recently—there’s something in it that interests me."
Mr. Scholar nodded, he pulled out a white cloth bag and began to search inside it.
"Which one?" Mr. Scholar asked calmly.
"The one published in May," said the Giant Dragon casually.
"Which one?" Mr. Scholar asked calmly.
"The one published in the second week of May," the Giant Dragon pondered a moment, then said.
"Which one?" the scholar replied calmly.
"The one you published on May 12," said Mr. Giant Dragon, tapping his own head as he thought.
"Which one?" the scholar replied calmly.
"Bring out all the papers from that day," the Giant Dragon nearly roared.
The scholar took out five scrolls from his pocket.
"Stability tests of spatial folding through portals, judgment of ice and fire elements on metal surface lacerations, the commonalities between magic and the soul, simplified construction of magic network models, erosion of personal talent. These are all the papers I published on the twelfth, not including the one published at zero point six minutes and two seconds past midnight."
"Simplified construction of magic network models, can you teach the Plague Doctor to simplify magic network models in a short period of time?"
"That should be possible, but what does this have to do with Advanced Remodeling?"
"Let me show you my research findings. These are the papers I’ve published recently, although I can’t compare with your quantity," the Giant Dragon said, taking out a chain of bone fragments fashioned into a book from his leather bag. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
The scholar looked at the name.
"Factors Affecting the Influence of Soul Segmentation on a Bone Skeleton?"
The Giant Dragon switched the bone fragments back, taking out a new set, "Wrong one."
"Comparative Study of the Destructive Capacity of Bow-shaped Bone Hands and Mace Bone Hands on the Human Structure?"
"Wrong one."
"On How to Excavate Buried Prehistoric Animal Bones?"
"Wrong one."
"Feasibility Study on Resurrecting the Dead from Fossils?"
"Wrong one. It’s that one, the research report on the construction of biological bone skeletons using the structure of the magic network."
"We will teach these two pieces of knowledge to the Plague Doctor, and after synthesizing them, he should be able to master Advanced Remodeling."
"Let’s get started."
......
Under the careful guidance of two distinguished researchers, Lyle and Nia successfully completed their additional courses.
Lyle and Nia had to maintain absolute mental synchronization, one to keep the simplified magic network model, and the other to construct the basic framework of the construct based on the model. Yet, it differed from a true skeleton. It was akin to the guide lines one might draw before sketching; its purpose was to break down the originally lengthy and complex task into separate little tasks, significantly easing the difficulty of the work.
After no less than five tests under their teachers’ supervision, they received approval.
Lyle and Nia reached out their hands toward the Flesh of Deception.
