The air in the Jade Palace was heavy like a fog that clung to my skin. It smelled of sandalwood and old dust with a metallic taste that made my head spin. Lu Ran's brain was racing, trying to make sense of it all. He was a man who liked to figure out why things worked the way they did. Now he was face to face with a six-foot-four Emperor who seemed to be made of gold and fire.
Lu Ran sat on the edge of a red bed trying to look calm.. Inside he was a mess. He used to be a scientist looking at things under a microscope. Now he was staring at the Emperor trying to understand what made him tick. The Emperor's eyes were like two coins and Lu Ran felt a shiver run down his spine.
"You do not bow, " the Emperor said, his voice low and rumbling. Lu Ran looked up, meeting the Emperor's gaze. "In my culture we show respect by being good at what we do not by bending our knees. Are you the Emperor or just a man with a bloodline?"
The servant boy in the corner made a strange noise and fell to the floor. The Emperor, Kaelen von Draken paused, his hand twitching towards the sword at his side.. Then he seemed to think better of it.
Lu Ran's system started beeping, giving him all sorts of information about the Emperor. He was 74% Ancient Dragon, with a vitality score that was off the charts.. His fertility score was very low which explained why the kingdom was in trouble.
"I am the ruler of Perez, " Kaelen said, taking a step closer. Lu Ran stood up trying to look confident. ". You are the Gifted Consort, sent by the High Priest. They said you were a scholar from the Southern Isles.. You don't seem very quiet to me."
"I am a scientist, " Lu Ran said, tucking his hair behind his ear. ". If we're going to do this ritual tonight we should get started.. First we need to talk about your reproductive problems. Your body is like a furnace burning up all your energy. We need to cool you down. You'll never have any children."
The room fell silent like an empty space. Kaelen's face was hot with anger. Lu Ran just kept talking. "Your mana density is too high, it's like a poison to your body. We need to find a way to balance it out. You'll never be able to have kids."
Kaelen didn't move. Lu Ran could see the wheels turning in his head. He was a man who wanted an heir no matter what it took. "What do you need to make this work?" he asked, his voice low and rough.
Lu Ran thought for a moment then started listing off all the things he needed. "I need some equipment, like glass beakers and a way to measure your mana. I need some herbs to cool you down and a steady supply of food and water.. I need you to promise not to touch me until we're ready."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed. He seemed to be considering Lu Ran's words. "What about the ritual?" he asked.
"Forget the ritual, " Lu Ran said, waving his hand. "We're going to do it this way. We're going to take some blood samples and run some tests. We're going to figure out what's going on with your body and find a way to fix it."
The servant boy on the floor let out a moan but Lu Ran just ignored him. He was too busy thinking about the problem at hand. He needed to find a way to make the Emperor's body work or the whole kingdom would be in trouble.
The rest of the night was a blur of activity as Lu Ran worked to set up his equipment and run his tests. He took a blood sample from Kaelen. Analyzed it under a microscope. What he found was fascinating. The Emperor's blood was like a mess of energy particles burning up everything in its path.
"We need to find a way to stabilize this, " Lu Ran said, staring at the sample in wonder. "We need to create a serum that will protect the embryo from your mana or it will never survive."
Kaelen watched him, his eyes burning with intensity. He was a man who wanted an heir no matter what it took.. Lu Ran was the only one who could help him.
"In three days " Lu Ran said, looking up at the Emperor. "We'll be ready to try.. We need to be careful or we'll end up wasting our time."
Kaelen nodded, his face set in an expression. "I'll do whatever it takes, " he said. "I'll give you whatever you need. Just make sure it works."
Lu Ran smiled, a calm smile. "I'll do my best, " he said. ". We need to be realistic. This is a problem and it won't be easy to solve."
The Emperor's eyes flashed with anger. Lu Ran just stood his ground. He was a scientist. He knew what he was talking about.. He was determined to find a solution no matter what it took.
Kaelen stepped closer to Lu Ran and his presence was really overwhelming. He leaned down. Lu Ran could smell the smoke and cedar on his breath. Kaelen whispered into Lu Rans ear "You have three days Lu Ran. But let me make one thing clear: the Cold Palace is not a place where we put people in prison. It is a place where we put people who fail and I do not like being made to look like a fool."
Lu Ran looked Kaelen in the eye and said, "I do not play games, Kaelen. I do research. Now please leave me alone. I have a lot of reading to do on the plants of Aethelgard."
The Emperor stared at Lu Ran for a time and then he smiled a little. "You are a strange person Lu Ran.. Very well you have three days."
As Kaelen left the pavilion his big boots made a lot of noise on the marble floor. Lu Ran sat back on the bed. His heart was beating really fast.
Lu Ran said to himself "System I need to find a way to make a medicine that will help me with my magic. I need to use the technology from the century and a little bit of magic."
Then Lu Ran heard a voice that said, "You have unlocked the 'Basic Alchemy' skill tree."
Lu Ran also heard, "You have 150 life points. Do you want to buy the 'Pharma-Botanical Encyclopedia of Aethelgard'?"
Lu Ran said, "Yes I want to buy the book.. Can I also have a cup of tea? I am going to be up all night."
Over the two days Lu Ran changed the Gifted Pavilion from a luxurious room into a laboratory.
He did not care about the clothes or the jewelry.
He told the servants to bring him tools and all the plants they had in the Royal Apothecary.
Lu Ran worked hard and the palace staff was confused.
They were used to seeing consorts who spent their time taking baths and playing music to please the Emperor.
Lu Ran was covered in green stains and soot and he was yelling about "molecules" and "balances".
One of the servants, a boy named Pip, was shaking as he brought Lu Ran some roots.
Pip said, "My Lord, the High Priest is outside. He wants to know why the Bloodline Ritual was postponed."
Lu Ran did not look up from his work.
He said, "Tell the High Priest that the moon is not in the position with the Emperor's body. He will believe anything you tell him that sounds like magic."
Pip said, "I do not think I can say that My Lord."
Lu Ran. Said, "Fine tell him I am 'purifying' my body. It is true. I am trying to make sure I do not get hurt when the Emperor and I do the ritual."
As Lu Ran worked he realized something
In his life he was just a small part of a big machine.
Here even though he was just a consort he had the power to change the future.
The System was not a burden; it was a tool that helped him.
Every time he successfully made a medicine or identified a plant his life points went up.
He could feel his body changing. His mind was getting stronger.
Lu Ran was not just getting ready to have a child; he was rebuilding himself.
He said to himself "If I can make a child I will not just be a consort. I will be the one who creates the generation. Kaelen provides the materials but I provide the plan."
Lu Ran picked up a bottle of liquid that he had just made.
It was shiny and smelled like rain.
The System said, "You have made a 'Primordial Buffer'. It will help you have a child and protect you from getting hurt by the Emperor's magic."
Lu Ran. Said, "I have two days left. Let's see if the Emperor is ready for a ritual."
At night the atmosphere in the palace changed.
The guards were standing straight. The crystals were making a lot of noise.
Lu Ran had taken a bath. Not to look good for the Emperor.
He had taken a bath to make sure he was clean for the ritual.
He wore a white robe that was easy to move around in.
He needed the Emperor to be able to touch him without any problems.
When Kaelen came in he was not wearing his armor.
He was wearing a black robe that showed his chest and his dragon tattoos were glowing.
He looked around the room. Saw all the tools and plants.
He said, "You have been working hard, Lu Ran."
Lu Ran said, "I have been doing my job. Now please drink this."
Kaelen took the cup. Drank it all.
Then he said, "What was that?"
Lu Ran said, "It was a medicine that will help you relax and make it easier for us to do the ritual."
Kaelen's tattoos started to glow and he looked peaceful.
He said, "I feel calm. I have not felt this way in years."
Lu Ran said, "That is because your body is not inflamed anymore. Now we have an hour to do the ritual. Your body is ready. Mine is protected."
Kaelen looked at Lu Ran. Said, "You approach this like a battle or a chore."
Lu Ran said, "I approach this with respect for biology. It is complicated. We need to be careful."
Kaelen. Picked Lu Ran up in his arms.
He said, " let us start the experiment."
As they moved to the bed the System said, "Warning: we are about to do something. Let's make it work."
Lu Ran closed his eyes.
He was not a victim; he was a scientist.
He was about to create something.