Sorry, everyone, I haven't been posting for a while. I had some things going on that kept me from doing so. But as an apology, there will be a big release soon. Enjoy the story, and let me know how it's going so far your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Chapter 58
After showing his true strength, the White Tiger enormous and powerful as it was suddenly seemed small and helpless in front of Lucas.
It lowered its head and obeyed like a tame kitten.
Lucas watched, a calm smile on his face the whole time, as the beast agreed to the pact.
But this was no ordinary agreement.
It was a special contract, linked to a Soul Spell Lucas himself had designed.
This bond tied the beast to him forever as his summoned companion, creating a connection far deeper than Lucas even realized at that moment.
Once the pact was made, Lucas gave Ezra scrolls.
And told them the list of materials and tools needed to build the laboratory he had planned which was inside the scrolls.
He carefully explained what needed to be done and how to begin.
After some time, Ezra realized something and questioned, "You're speaking like you won't be there."
Lucas smiled and replied, "Yes, I won't be there. I just have something I need to do. Don't worry, I'll be back in a short while."
Ezra, not wanting to question further, shrugged and said, "Then where are we creating the lab?"
Lucas looked at the tiger, which was sitting down, and it quickly replied, "I know just the right location."
Aris looked at Lucas with worry. Lucas noticed this and moved closer to him. "I'll be okay. Just focus on what I told you."
He sent a telepathic message to Aris, so quick that no one noticed.
"Alright then, I'll be off," Lucas said before using his full speed, moving at 85 meters per second, dashing through the forest like a blur. His speed was increased by staying inside the cyan-blue liquid.
For five minutes straight, he moved rapidly, trying to leave the forest before it started.
Even so, he was too late. In the middle of jumping to another tree, Lucas's body suddenly shook, and he coughed out blood.
He almost blacked out as he pulled his katana from its sheath and dug it deep into the tree beside him.
Blood began pouring from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, spraying in all directions.
With what little strength he had left, Lucas managed to land safely and used a spell he never thought he would cast without facing a powerful enemy.
[Mana Spell: Physical Regeneration]
A technique that stimulated cell division using mana, rapidly healing wounds.
However, Lucas knew its grim cost.
Accelerating cell division meant shortening his lifespan.
It was a double-edged sword, best reserved for desperate moments like this.
With a shaking hand, he took out a scroll and barely opened it.
The moment he placed his bloody hand on it, a bottle filled with cyan fluid appeared.
He drank it immediately without wasting time.
After seeing that his mana core, which had shattered to an almost impossible degree, had partially healed, Lucas used one last spell to ensure his chances of survival rose to at least 60%.
Before that, he took out another scroll.
This time, a massive rock appeared as Lucas began chanting:
"Eyes of the Infinite, hear this call.
Power born of kinship's blood, ancient and tall.
Awaken the vision that was meant to last.
I summon the Eye that sees beyond sight.
Break from the darkness, return to the light.
By sacrifice given and lineage true,
Let mana flow boundless, and sight be renewed.
Awaken, Giant Mana Eye.
Bring back the sight the world denies."
The Mana Eye glowed with powerful light.
Its stony shell faded away, revealing a brilliant, shining core.
It looked holy, like something from another world.
At the same moment, the mana in the air grew thick and heavy, turning into a shimmering liquid.
As his connection to the eye returned, Lucas felt its gentle energy wrap around him.
It was soft and comforting, holding him safely.
With a sense of peace, he closed his eyes.
What really happened to Lucas? What happened, huh…
When Lucas entered his Astral Mode, everything was fine.
Nothing was wrong.
But when he began creating that sphere, the formation of all elements combined with nature energy, which came from the information he received from the Giant Mana Eye that day, that was where the problem began.
Creating the sphere consumed a massive amount of mana, but at first it didn't seem critical, as he still had around 20% mana left.
If Lucas had used the Purple Sphere, this would never have happened.
The Golden Sphere would have caused some strain, but nothing serious.
The White Sphere, however, was already beyond what he could handle, though he didn't realize it at the time.
Only after striking those beasts did he understand how dangerous it truly was.
He used more mana than he possessed.
As a result, the mana was drawn directly from his mana core, causing it to shatter.
When that still wasn't enough, it devoured his life force as compensation for the missing energy.
Lucas lost around ten years of his lifespan, plus another five years at that moment just to stay alive.
Normally, this wouldn't be a major issue, as a Silver Stage cultivator could live around 250 years.
Still, losing fifteen years was no small matter.
He could even die before reaching 100 if things went wrong, so thinking lightly about it was foolish.
He delayed the backlash so he could leave the rest to Ezra and Aris.
Aris noticed something was wrong, as his senses could perceive far more than others.
After that, you already know the rest.
Lucas used the Physical Regeneration spell to save his life at the cost of his lifespan.
He drank the cyan liquid to increase adaptability, temper his body, and massively boost his healing factor.
The Giant Mana Eye was there as his final lifeline, meant to save him if everything else failed.
The risk was that the Giant Mana Eye would become dormant for a very long time if Lucas lacked the required pure mana to heal and restore its power.
And Lucas didn't have that mana.
That was why the Mana Beast Project was needed so desperately.