"Hahaha! So, moving on... Any more questions?"
"...!"
Satou snapped out from being out cold and sat back up
"If we can convert Mana Stones into lower tiers of kinds by separation process, how can we comvert them back up?"
"You can't mechanically or physical compress Mana Stones to obtain the higher tier of kind. Compressing 1000 Mana Stones is too much just to create one higher tier of kind, isn't it? Especially one million Mana Cores into one Mana Star"
"I guess you're right, so how is it done?"
"Through cultivation this time again... Or simply expert manipulation of mana. All mystical ability users have to do is to use their own mana and spread it around the Mana Stones. After that, they consolidate their mana and compress everything to achieve the desired tier of kind"
"I see... In doing so, there are no Laws of Physics or Law of Thermodynamics being defied because no matter nor energy is being destroyed. It is only the process of energy transfer that happens"
"Correct, with the addition of fusion and annihilation, but in a more stable process due to the presence, influence, and nature of mana"
"Oh, I see! So, these Mana Stones are actually not matter, but a condensed form of energy that it can be touched"
"That's right, a film of Dark Matter that's being pushed by Dark Energy from the inside and outside"
"Ah! Because of that, by manipulating mana, which is Dark Energy as you stated in the research papers, the Dark Matter, in a form of magic, will be forced to mix and blend with the other film of Dark Matter, thus creating a new shape for higher tiers of kinds?!"
"Yup! Though, compressing Mana Stones to achieve higher tiers of kinds is sometimes useless or worthless. This is only done to store a massive amount of Mana Stones into one to conserve space. It could also be a symbol of wealth since having one Mana Core could mean that you have one billion Mana Stones, especially that the Mystical Academy has planned to use these Mana Stones as currency in their academy"
"Really?! Well, they do have the largest Mana Hotspot in the world since the academy itself is built on it"
"Yeah... Also, I guess the only worth it achieving higher tiers of kinds of Mana Stones is to reach Mana Stars since they are capable of generating mana itself and producing Mana Dust, rather than just cutting Mana Stones"
"But collecting Mana Stars takes a long time, isn't it? Cutting Mana Stones should be more efficient"
"You have a point, but I believe it's possible to accelerate it. Not by using any time altering abilities, but a function or feature that it's yet to be discovered"
"..."
"..."
"I didn't manage to research about it since I only have Mana Cores... But I believe, someday in the future, someone will be able to figure it out and they will become famous in the world for their discovery..."
Philip looked to the side longingly. It's as if he could see in the future and he could see that achievement that someone he knew has made
"Well, it's a very big and hefty investment since you need to have one quadrillion Mana Stones to get one Mana Star... If they're ballsy, they need one quindecillion Spirit Stones to get one Divine Star. The first Divine Star that didn't originate from a Mana Hotspot"
"..."
"..."
Satou and Rue kept quite because Philip seemed to be talking to himself. They didn't want to interrupt him or his thoughts
"Anyways! I've been talking to myself... Any more questions?"
"No, I don't think so..."
"Alright! Let's continue with phase one... As you may have known, creating a Magic Homunculus that will become a pupper though Puppet Maker will not have muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. It's only a shell, a vessel or body, with a skin that's extremely durable that it's almost indestructible... I'll take care of that property..."
"...!"
"...!"
"With the information that you have learned in this session, I want both of you to create Angela's muscle fibers by using Mana Fibers and nerves by using Mana Strings based on the blueprints"
"!!!"
"...!"
Satou's shock was apparent in his face. Rue also seem to understand the difficulty of this task
"That's quite a task you're giving me... I'm honored to make Angela's structure and blueprint, but I don't think I could do such manual labor?"
"Hm... But I believed that only you can do it?"
"Hm?"
"There's a reason why I gave this task to you rather than others. I don't pick anyone just cause, there's meaning to my actions and you meet that requirement"
"Do I have the right to refuse?"
"Hm..."
Philip thought deeply as he gazed deeply into Satou's eyes, almost his soul, and this made Satou feel scared as Philip's eyes turned black-gold
"I guess that should be fine... But are you sure?"
"Am I sure? What can make me change my mind?"
"I've included in the research papers, but I'm sure you have read about it... The composition of Mana Fibers?"
"Yes, I've read about it... Different composition, ratio, and arrangement of Mana Strings, interwoven to create a fiber leads to different magnitudes, current, power, intensity, hardness, durability, strength, flexibility, conductivity, hear transfer and distribution, electromagnetism, density, resistance, charge, load, and many more properties that could be defined with just these Mana Fibers. I've classified all possible properties..."
"If that's the case, you know how importantly this is, right?"
"..."
"Before I woke up from a six month sleep, I believe my research paper has been spread across the Four Pillars of the world... This led to the hastened development of the branches of Sci-Tech Division, attention of the Religious State, and the emergence of the Secret Organizations... The Mystical Academy will only keep quiet about this because of reason that I can think of... But the most affected by this discovery are the branches of Sci-Tech Division because they will benefit the most in this discovery as modern technology will improve and evolve"
"..."
"Considering I haven't fully explained the possibilities of Mana Fibers, the most elite scientists and researchers are all hands on deck on experimenting on Mana Fibers as militaries provide Spirit Stones for them during expeditions in Mana Hotspots. I won't be surprised if they haven't made any progress until now... I would be surprised though if they managed to create some kind of tool or device to extract Mana Dust to creat Mana Strings... But I doubt it since Mystical Stones are rare from the upper levels of a Mana Hotspot"
"What are you getting at?"
"Since you have all the freedom and resources in the world, you could be the first one to unlock the secrets of the Mana Fibers"
"Hm, I don't necessarily seek fame or honor... I just want to pursue my passion and not do labor work..."
"Your argument is difficult..."
"It is just what I am and I stick to it... Though, that freedom part is pretty enticing... Is it true?"
"What do you mean? I never forced you to do something, did I? I gave you a task and you have the right to deny it. I'll do it myself"
"But being here in the mansion feels like we're already bounded... Bounded by an unchanging fate because you're the Fate Controller"
"..."
Rue turned her head and looked at Satou with questioning eyes. Satou's arguments seemed genuine and tame, but it sounds so annoying and it felt like he's mocking Philip in Rue's ears
Philip felt the same as Rue and he understands Satou's standing, but he couldn't help but feel very irritated because it seems like Satou is accusing him of something that he never did
"I personally asked Rue to go to the mansion and bring the Ornamental Box because I couldn't bring it at that time because a catastrophe was about to happen that day! I even said she could bring you if she wanted and she chose to in the end... I didn't choose you to be in this mansion, but I saw how capable you are even though there's a shroud of mystery around you. You're lucky that I gave you a chance and opportunity since you asked for it because of your curiosity for my project during the World Conference meeting..."
"So, I should be grateful? If not, what are you going to do? Kick me out? Remember, I've learned everything that I need to learn in the mansion, I could use it against you in the future... Or even worse, on the people that you care for in the mansion"
"---"
"Satou, stop!"
Rue shouted and looked at Satou. He abruptly turned towards Rue and he could see her eyes blaring with an intense red light
"Huh, you have even tamed Rue in that short amount of time---"
Satou abruptly opened his eyes after closing it in just a moment. This is because his [Foresight of Certainty] seemed to be gone, or more accurately, he couldn't see anything in the future nor be certain about anything
This is the first time he felt absolute uncertainty because he couldn't know anything as of the moment
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the laboratory. He felt as if he was floating as he could freely move his legs like he was never sitting in the first place. The notepad and pen also disappeared from his hand
All he could see is darkness, no, only blackness since he could still see his hands and legs, as well as one thing else entirely
"You're the first being that has come to this world... Not even Tenshi have visited here..."
"...?!"
「 World of Absolute Nothingness 」
"W-where am I?!"
Satou asked in panic
"Doesn't matter where you are... The only thing that matters is what you said"
*FWOOM FWIT FWIT CRACK THOOM*
*BOOM TING CRACK FWOOOOM*
"..."
"...?"
Philip and Satou heard loud and strange sounds originating from somewhere else. Satou was slightly confused and a little fearful because the sound of the noise is too chaotic and he never heard these kinds of noise. It's too alien for him and he couldn't help but be creeped out
On the other hand, Philip wasn't surprised at all. In fact, he was slightly impressed because such noise could be generated in the ⟨⟨ World of Absolute Nothingness ⟩⟩ where nothing, not even nothingness, could exist, yet there's these noises, plus the ⟨⟨ Garden of Regenerative Ivory ⟩⟩ that is miles below them
Philip slowly turned around and faced the source of the noise
Just behind him, in a several distance away, a singularity is rapidly rotating and emitting light like a pulsar or a disco ball. Cracks of lightning surge outwards and into the nothingness. Wind forcefully blows as shockwaves are being generated violently. This object looked like the most chaotic black hole to ever exist
"What is that?!!"
Satou blurted out in panic
"That's not for you to know..."
The singularity should be the Mobiüs Octingenity that Emily threw in the ⟨⟨ World of Absolute Nothingness ⟩⟩ the moment Philip touched it when he retrieved it from Sheena
The Mobiüs Octingenity stayed in place as Philip ignored it and turned back to Satou
"What did you say that you're going to do again?"
"Look, I was just testing you..."
Satou was shaking
"Test? Test on what?"
Philip's eyes were blaring
"If you will keep me in the end no matter what I do, because it is what you said, you didn't choose me... I just want to know my worth... I'm insecure"
"That's pretty self-centered of you..."
"It is what it is..."
"..."
"..."
Philip narrowed his eyes as he glared at Satou. His negative aura grew behind him and Satou could clearly see it, like it was some kind of avatar, spirit, or ghost looming behind him
"I know what you were trying..."
Philip began to speak calmly, at least he was trying to
"You were genuine with your questions and you just wanted closure... Even though the way you spoke was very annoying"
"Then-"
"But your choice of words were a mistake and you have made the gravest sin of your life!"
"What?"
"You didn't just double down, but you quadruple down!"
"..."
Satou tried to realize what his mistake was
"It was fine if you antagonized me... But the fact that you even had a single thought about harming a single member of my family triggered me, do you understand?!"
"But it's a hypothetical! I'm sure you understand"
"Are you serious?"
"Uh..."
Satou's [Foresight of Certainty] wasn't working anymore and he looked like he became more stupid and unaware. It also shows how reliant Satou was on his ability to reach this far
Now that he doesn't have his ability, he's walking on thin line with death looming above him
"You know I'm the Fate Controller, right?"
"Yes?"
"I'm the owner of the Pureblood from Alucard"
"Huh?"
"I could time travel"
"I figured..."
"I can freely manipulate mana"
"Yes?"
Satou became more nervous the more Philip described his capabilities
"I am also the 7th God of Darkness of this universe"
"What?!!"
"Now that you have learned some of my true identities..."
"S-some?"
"I could do anything to you and won't even know it..."
"W-wait..."
"I've decided..."
"I-I am sorry! I shouldn't have never tried to antagonize you! I will do whatever you want me to!"
Satou screamed for his life
"You still don't understand... I don't care if you tried to antagonize me because you're just an ant to me. I don't care if you didn't want to do what I wanted you to do to prove yourself... You lost that opportunity. Thinking of harming my loved ones, even if it's hypothetical or not, is the same as harming them..."
"Ah--"
Satou wanted to beg for his life more, but he couldn't anymore as his willpower seemed to have left his body. He kneeled down and lowered his head
"I-I accept my punishment..."
Philip's eyes were glowing with golden light. He raised his left hand and showed a snapping gesture
*Snap*
An audible sound reverberated throughout the ⟨⟨ World of Absolute Nothingness ⟩⟩
Satou closed his eyes as he was engulfed by the wave of fate energy
~~~
Satou opened his eyes and he found himself back on his chair with the notepad and pen in his hands
"..."
He stared at Philip with blank eyes and color returned to his pupuls
"...?"
Rue looked at Satou with confusion. She felt that Satou was off, but she didn't dare question him
"..."
Philip was just looking down at him with a slight glow of golden light in his eyes
"Uh... So, how do you want me to create Angela's muscle fibers and nerves specifically??"
Satou asked with genuine curiosity and excitement
"..."
Philip closed his eyes and turned to the whiteboard to write the procedure. His eyes are not glowing anymore
"...?"
Rue was confused at what just transpired. Initially, Satou seemed to be reluctant of doing Angela's muscle fibers and nerves, but now, he seems to be enthusiastic and excited about it
"..."
She then turned towards Philip and narrowed her eyes. Philip felt this, but he ignored it. Rue didn't dare ask him about it now