My legs felt heavy, and my mind was slow and drowsy. There were barely any dragon-girls around, and absolutely no one was accessing the main Archive node.

  After prolonged usage of mind acceleration, I had a headache and I desperately needed sleep, but who could resist giving the near infinite source of knowledge just a nibble?

  With careful steps, I approached the spiraling monument and took a deep breath. It was going to be dangerous, extremely dangerous. There were high risks of overloading my mind or reaching into some forbidden category or even getting brain damage… It wasn’t a good idea.

  I gulped a healing pill, and the headache went away. I just couldn’t resist; despite myself, a crazed smile found its way on my face, and the anticipation was unbearable. I couldn’t sleep in this state, not without witnessing the core of the Archive myself.

  Like a man possessed, I extended my hand towards the surface. It was smooth, yet it spiraled around, something between a rock and a metal. My hand heated up, and electricity gently tickled my skin. I sent starpower through my arm.

  Access blocked

  High levels of mental fatigue detected

  Starpower met a thin barrier, one broken by my intentions. “Override.” The starpower reached within, touching a cord of infinite power. Just like the time I intersected my starpower with Kory’s, the Archive wrapped itself around my energy. Cold and patient – that’s how it felt.

  Thank you for using the Archive.

  May your knowledge be immortal.

  Initiating neural connection

  My consciousness got pulled in. It wasn’t the forceful transition of the local Archive, but a gentle lull to sleep. Then there was nothing. Pure darkness. I wasn’t afraid; I knew exactly what I needed to do.

  Thinking in its language, I started formulating a request. Very simple one. I pulled on my curiosity and my need for power. Recalling the specific words from the third volume, I spoke with my soul, “Request: recommendation.” The surface level represented a request, but beneath it were my desires, my past, and my yearning.

  From the sky sprouted a tree of light, then a second one, then a third, then a fourth, growing until there was a forest. All different in shapes and colors, some twisting, some straight, some metallic, some forgotten.

  And these threads of knowledge whispered to me, they whispered what they were. Techniques, traits, histories, biographies, fictions, sciences – it was a disorderly stream of everything, and all was tempting.

  Just this was enough for me to know there was hope. I could happily leave, knowing that the manuals didn’t lie. The Archive had everything, and I could access it tomorrow.

  Something breathed at my ear. A datum so in line with my desires, so completely matching my intentions, I couldn’t ignore it. Like witnessing a dame of untold beauty, I simply couldn't make myself look away.

  “God’s Flesh; My way to overcoming the power of transformations.”

  Within this strand of information, I felt familiarity. Someone from Earth wrote it, someone who wanted to overcome the draconic strength, someone who yearned to create a world without suffering, someone who radiated nobility and knowledge.

  If I left now, would I be able to find it again? This perfect match? This message from an earthling? I merged with the strand, and I spoke.

  A voice not my own narrated something in thoughts that were alien. The voice was gruff and tired. “Mark me and hark. Bereft of intervention, the Dragons will rise above their homeworld and consume the Galaxy. Humanity are lacking, and demons are complacent. The Draconic power is beyond imagination, and I will not let such a threat spread.”

  Vision connected to my awareness. I looked at a massive green planet, with trees that could be seen from orbit and giant dragons flying across the surface, being bombarded with artillery. The Cradle.

  “I have ruled faithfully, and God knows, I will not leave my subjects without a contingency. I did what my predecessors couldn’t. I have harnessed the plague’s mutability within a trait.”

  A spiral mess made of a black crystal appeared, it spun around and in on itself in ways that made my head hurt. Like an optical illusion put into life. It was nearly as big as my starship.

  “I called it God’s Flesh, for those who can wield it will become akin to the Almighty. Behold, kindred spirits and tremble in awe.”

  God’s Flesh

  Type: Growing Trait

  Rank: Lord

  Affinity: Onyx

  Description:

  An artificial trait gem, created with the purpose of absorbing other traits within itself and replicating their effects with greater strength.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Endless Potential. The user can absorb traits into God’s Flesh.

  - Integration. All absorbed traits will become 10% stronger and will not use up a trait slot.

  - Adaptability. Changes incompatible traits during absorption, allowing for contradictory abilities.

  Biological Unity. The trait becomes integral to the biology of the wielder.

  - Boundless Flesh. Biological functions become unified, changing the body into a uniform mass.

  - Soul over Matter. Changes the physical appearance to that identical to the soul.

  I couldn’t help but gasp. This thing broke the rules. Of course, it would be enough to rival the dragons; if you eat ten strength traits, you’d become a living monster.

  “I leave the method of its creation to everyone who knows of my true origin, those loyal to my cause and those willing to protect humanity across the galaxy. Heed my warning, evil will only bring suffering. Now I will show you.”

  The massive trait gem floated towards me, and then everything became white. Knowledge surged into my skull. Seventeen forms all conjoined into one technique to the point where I couldn’t distinguish any individual ones. I needed a plaguemorph’s neutralized flesh and a powerful core.

  Then, the process of creation, as if I were going through thousands of repetitions all at once, I experienced the technique in action. It grabbed a copy of your existence and melded it with the flesh. I watched it rip the property from the plaguemorph, twist it a million times, and then merge with the core. And then again and again and again, until no thoughts were left for me. It was a perfect idea.

  God’s Flesh Ritual learned at Baron rank!

  I was suffocating, everything spun around, and my soul shook like a leaf in the wind. Constant screaming rang in my ears as I convulsed in agony.

  “Hold him tighter!” I couldn’t distinguish the words.

  The technique just kept repeating in my mind, all the tiniest twists and turns of the starpower, all the intentions, the places in the dimension of mind.

  “Supplying oxygen!” I kept shivering, the ringing in my ears becoming stronger.

  Like an eternal fever dream, the pain burned through my body, and the suffocation never stopped. I wasn’t aware of any time passing, but when the clock started ticking again, my eyes slowly opened.

  I stared at the white ceiling. I was back to Earth, again. Surely this has to be Earth.

  “Magnus! You woke up! He woke up!” My eyes snapped towards a familiar voice. It was Kory, she was holding my hand…

  “Eh... Hello?” The words came out like shredded glass.

  “Thank Source, you recovered.” She breathed a sigh of relief. Her VITA changed; it was far more white now.

  “How long has it been?” The room was uncomfortably claustrophobic. It was like an empty box, with just this tiny bed and blinding lights.

  The door slammed open, and Avennture walked in. “Five hours. It’s been five hours.” He sighed. “What the Source is wrong with you, kid?”

  I scratched my head. “I just learned a technique. Do you have any water?” After the food in the cafeteria, I never felt thirsty.

  “I’ll grab some recovery fluid! W-wait for me.” Kory sprang up and ran out of the room.

  Avennture put a hand on his forehead. “You messed up.” He clenched his hands. “Your soul has been overloaded to the limits. If not for Varaxis, you would’ve been dead.”

  I smirked. “But I’m not dead.”

  He frowned, staring at me like I was the root of all evil. “Your starpower is sealed. Until you completely heal, you will not be able to use it.”

  The dread hiding in the corner of my consciousness finally revealed its presence. “How long does it usually take?”

  Kory returned to the room, holding a bottle of crimson liquid. It was a healing potion. “I have estimated the timing – it will take at least three days. Your soul is incredibly sturdy!”

  “Don’t listen to her! I predict at least a month of healing. Back in my academy days, I needed to take a three-month leave because of the Archive.”

  Kory looked away, ashamed, and Avennture grabbed the bottle out of her hands. Before I could respond, he shoved it in my mouth.

  Recovery Fluid

  Type: Potion

  Affinity: Ruby

  Rank: Knight

  Description: It is an even denser source of nutrients than the Dragon’s Meal.

  This thing had no flavor. Or maybe the flavor was so nothing that I couldn’t really describe it.

  “W-well, I think you’ll recover quickly.”

  “Shouldn’t you be working on healing? Get to it, Kory.” Avennture mumbled. I couldn’t push away the bottle.

  “My assignment is to watch over Magnus!” She clenched her hands.

  The liquid entered the wrong hole, and I coughed.

  “See what you did? Now he’s coughing.”

  As the fluid left my lungs, I held onto my throat. The starpower simply didn’t flare, no matter what I did. “It was… you!” I coughed a few more times. “You did that! I can drink it myself.” I grabbed the bottle, gathering my breath.

  “Alright, listen here, kid. No physical training, no mental training, no accessing the Archive. Do you understand?”

  Maybe I deserved some rest. Everything hurt as if I were a wrung-out lemon. “Yeah…”

  “Do you understand? I don’t want to get demoted because you decided to be stupid and die!” There was serious anger in his voice.

  “I said – yes! Stop pestering me.”

  Avennture rolled his eyes and lazily waved at me. “Now you can speak with the girl. Don’t test me or I’ll turn you into a meat cube.” He walked away.

  Kory’s eyes opened wide as she stared at me with worry. “Ehm… You should listen to Avennture.” She nervously rubbed her hands.

  My thoughts were occupied by the technique. If I could get at least a Baron rank core, I would become invincible.

  “Magnus. Are you listening? Do you have an episode?”

  God’s Flesh – what a beautiful name. Reminds me of a certain mushroom.

  “M-magnus. I-I’m here.” She looked down at the ground. Then a spark of courage flashed in her eyes. Quickly, she grabbed my hand. “Magnus!”

  “What? I’m thinking.” The Archive might have had a strong effect on me.

  “Are you still going to try to win the tournament? I heard how you lost against Ivaldie.” She lowered her eyes.

  The reality came crushing down on me. I must beat that overpowered girl. “Of course I will! And don’t worry about Ivaldie, I have plans to defeat her.” A smirk stretched on my face.

  “She’s the closest to the true dragon the school had in a decade…” She gulped, looking down, the corners of her mouth were tensely lifted. “I understand if you want to give up. I heard she partially transformed already.” She sniffled. “I don’t want you to die because of me.” Her eyes were becoming red.

  A chuckle escaped my lips, turning into full laughter.

  “S-stop laughing. I-it’s not funny!”

  “I didn’t think you’d be stupid! Me – a future supreme wizard dying? Don’t even think about that, you’re barely a consideration!” I smiled widely. “Defeating Ivaldie is personal.”

  She clenched her fists. Her hands shook. “I-I see…” She frowned. “I’m sorry, I spoke like that.” A pathetic sniffle left her mouth. “It’s fine… It’s okay to not care about anyone else. T-that’s the dragon’s nature. Ha-ha.” A crooked smile stretched on her lips.

  “Kory…” My eyes opened wide in fear. “I didn’t mean that.”

  “It’s fine. I understand.” She looked at the door. “I’ll go… T-thank you for trying your best.”

  Before I could utter a word, she ran away. “My damn fucking mouth… Of course, I had to ruin everything again.” I sighed. Just another day.