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R.I.P Akira Toriyama
Today, I join the world in mourning the loss of a legendary figure, Akira Toriyama, a visionary who painted the universe of our childhoods with the strokes of his imagination. His work, especially the iconic 'Dragon Ball' series, was more than just entertainment; it was a source of inspiration, courage, and endless wonder for many of us. Toriyama-sensei taught us the power of perseverance, the importance of friendship, and that there's always a higher level to strive for, both in life and in ourselves.
His storytelling transcended language and culture, uniting fans around the globe in shared excitement and emotion. Though he may have left our world, his legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those he inspired and in the pages of his creations that we will continue to cherish and share with generations to come.
Thank you, Akira Toriyama, for bringing light, laughter, and the spirit of adventure into our lives. Your art and stories will continue to live on, a testament to your incredible talent and imagination. Rest in peace, and know that your spirit will always be with us, every time we open the pages of your manga or watch the adventures of Goku and friends unfold. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten
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"Murloc?" Lance repeated, a trace of recognition sparking within him. His predecessor's memories on such creatures were scant at best. He knew that murlocs were not an uncommon sight along the west coast of the Hussar Kingdom, yet the specifics eluded him. It was widely acknowledged that the murky waters and rugged coastlines were home to an array of murloc species, with conservative estimates suggesting there were over twenty different types. The group now detained by the soldiers represented merely a sliver of the broader murloc population.
The thought struck Lance that these creatures, being the first non-human intelligent beings he had encountered, warranted closer examination. "There's a wealth of knowledge to be gained here," he mused internally, considering the potential insights into biology, sociology, and even magic these murlocs might offer.
With this in mind, Lance made a decision. He instructed one of the soldiers, "Take two of these murlocs to the Moonlight Tower temporarily. I'll examine them further there." Having issued his command, he then turned and made his way back to the castle, his mind abuzz with the scientific and exploratory possibilities that awaited him.
Post-lunch, Lance didn't take time to rest; instead, he hastened towards the Moonlight Tower. Despite the manageable distance between the tower and Shoufeng Castle, traversing it required some time. Determined to strengthen his physique, Lance opted to walk, declining the castle steward's offer for a more comfortable carriage ride.
Shadowing Lance, as had become her custom, was Bonnie. Silent and unobtrusive, she tagged along. Lance offered no objections — he knew well enough that the confines of the Moonlight Tower were off-limits to her. "She won't be coming inside anyway," he thought, leaving her outside as he entered the tower's vast hall.
Upon his arrival, he found that the soldiers had already executed his orders, securing two murlocs to a stone column in the spacious hall, as per his earlier request.
"Lance, are these the murlocs you had brought here?" Amman's voice echoed down from the upper levels of the tower.
Lance didn't hesitate in his response. "Yes, teacher. While murlocs are commonplace along our coast, I've realized I know very little about them firsthand," he explained, his tone reflecting a genuine interest in the creatures bound before him.
Amman nodded in approval. "Very well, I've previously covered the basics of anatomy with you. Be aware, these blue-scaled murlocs might not be robust, but they are known for their aggressive nature. It's best to ensure they are no longer a threat before you proceed with your studies. Also, come up to the fourth floor; I recall having a text on murlocs that might be of use to you."
Heeding Amman's advice, Lance directed the soldiers to transport the vociferously protesting murlocs to the designated experimental area on the fifth floor for further study. Subsequently, he ascended to the fourth floor, locating the book titled "The West Coast Murlocs" within the extensive library as per Amman's guidance.
The tome provided a broad overview of murloc biology and touched upon the rudimentary aspects of their maritime culture. Penned in the common tongue of the mainland, the text served as an introductory primer to marine biology, making it accessible for Lance's quick comprehension, aided significantly by his natural intellect.
Additionally, with the advanced capabilities of [Fox]—his exceptional informational repository—Lance rapidly absorbed the contents of the book. Furnished with newfound knowledge, he proceeded towards the fifth floor, prepared to delve deeper into the practical aspects of his murloc study.
To his surprise, the usually diligent Amman absent from his customary experiments. "What could the teacher be doing on the sixth floor during daylight? Star-gazing is unlikely..." he mused, puzzled by the unusual situation. However, with his mind currently set on other matters, he shelved his curiosity about Amman's whereabouts for the time being.
Turning his attention to the task at hand, he surveyed the two squirming murlocs before him. After a brief contemplation, he made a decisive command, "End their lives."
The soldiers complied without hesitation, executing Lance's directive with efficiency.
The subjects of their focus, the blue-scaled murlocs, were quite distinctive in appearance. Their dark blue scales blended seamlessly with the ocean's hues, a natural camouflage. Their limbs were disproportionate, featuring spindly legs and elongated toes linked by webbing, making their movements on land clumsy and ineffectual. Despite their fierce reputation, an average blue-scaled murloc stood at barely half a human's height, posing little threat to a well-prepared soldier in a direct confrontation. Their true peril lay in their numbers and their propensity for ambush, a fact that made them a concern when encountered in the wild.
Aware of his own physical limitations, Lance wisely decided against a direct confrontation with the blue-scaled murloc; today was not the day for combat trials but for scientific inquiry. He observed, detached yet attentive, as the soldier skillfully dispatched the creatures with swift precision.
Once the grim task was completed and the soldier had departed, Lance proceeded with his examination. He positioned one of the murloc corpses on an isolated examination table, ready to apply the theoretical knowledge imparted by Amman into practical dissection.
"[Fox], initiate analysis on the specimen's biological traits," Lance instructed, focusing on his task with an academic rigor.
Carefully, he incised a small cut into the delicate blood vessel located behind the murloc's cranial region, meticulously collecting the oozing liquid into a prepared vessel. His actions were guided by the dissection techniques detailed in "The West Coast Murlocs," highlighting the unique vulnerability of this area in the otherwise armor-like scales of the creature.
Remarkably, within minutes of bleeding out, the murloc's blood began to emit a faint luminescence, inducing a softening effect on its once rigid scales. This peculiar physiological reaction confirmed the textbook's claims, much to Lance's scientific delight.
"Indeed, the right methodology facilitates efficiency," Lance noted with satisfaction. In less than a quarter of an hour, he had methodically dissected the murloc, turning theory into practice with commendable precision.
The blue-scaled murlocs, as Lance discovered, were of little interest to humans for practical purposes. Their scales lacked the resilience sought after for crafting or armor, and their flesh, tart and unpalatable, was far from a desired delicacy. In times of plenty, they were hardly considered a food source, and their internal organs held no known medicinal or otherwise valuable properties—rendering them, in essence, worthless to human society.
However, amidst the mundane, there lingered a glimmer of intrigue. Lance had read of a rare phenomenon among these sea creatures: the occasional presence of a [mutated gill]. This elusive organ, found in a minuscule fraction of the murloc population, was highly coveted. It served as a critical ingredient in concocting potions for underwater respiration, fetching a handsome sum on the alchemical market.
With this knowledge, Lance's investigation took on a new direction. He delved into the anatomy of the murloc with a more specific goal, probing the area around its jawline with an expectant hand. Yet, his search yielded nothing but the mundane reality of standard murloc biology.
Disappointment didn't weigh heavily on Lance; the odds had been slim from the start. Acknowledging the rarity of the [mutated gill], he wasn't surprised by the absence of such a find. Nevertheless, the process was invaluable.
Taking a brief moment to gather his thoughts and energies, Lance proceeded to dissect the second murloc. Despite his meticulous examination, he found no significant deviations from the first specimen. The consistency in their anatomical structures allowed him to systematically catalogue various data and insights, all swiftly documented by [Fox]. Alongside the sections dedicated to swordsmanship techniques and the lesser meditation rune, a new segment titled [Bluescale Murloc Basic Information] was added to the chip's expanding repository of knowledge.
Regrettably, like the first, this second murloc displayed no signs of the coveted [mutated gill]. Lance couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as he methodically cleared away the remains of his dissection subjects. Amidst his cleanup efforts, a careless swipe of his hand brought the pungent taste of murloc blood to his lips. The overwhelming fishiness nearly caused him to gag; the intense and unwelcome flavor starkly emphasized why murlocs were not a staple in human diets.
Disgusted, Lance was about to rinse away the vile residue when a sudden alert from [Fox] halted his movements:
{Alert! Unidentified component detected.}
{Commencing automatic analysis of the anomalous substance…}
Lance paused, curiosity piqued. The unexpected message from the [Fox] diverted his immediate revulsion to a state of alert interest.
"Is the anomaly related to the murloc blood I accidentally tasted?" Lance asked, seeking clarification from [Fox].
The [Fox] promptly responded: {Yes, the anomaly detected corresponds to the murloc blood ingested. However, current data is insufficient for a comprehensive analysis and conclusion.}
Lance pondered the information provided by [Fox], intrigued by the revelation. "So, the blood of these creatures might actually be useful," he mused, considering the peculiarities of this new world compared to Earth.
After a brief pause, the response from [Fox] confirmed his speculation: {Preliminary analysis suggests that murloc blood could enhance your physical attributes. However, further samples are required for a comprehensive assessment and to develop an effective utilization strategy.}
The idea sparked a mix of revulsion and intrigue within Lance. Despite the blood's foul taste, the potential for physical improvement was an alluring prospect, particularly for a fledgling wizard and swordsman such as himself.
Lance grimaced, the unpleasant notion of consuming more murloc blood causing him discomfort. "So, you're suggesting I should ingest more of that murloc blood?" he questioned, trying to mask his reluctance.
[Fox] replied matter-of-factly, {Indeed, but only two drops are necessary for the initial analysis.}
He sighed heavily, understanding the sacrifices necessary for the sake of progress and self-improvement. With a sense of grim determination, Lance pinched his nose and reluctantly allowed two drops of the pungent murloc blood to fall onto his tongue. The overwhelming fishy odor nearly overwhelmed his senses, leaving him momentarily regretting his decision.
Lance couldn't help but express his hope for an alternative method. "There's got to be another way than directly consuming it, right? Just thinking about drinking more of that stuff makes my stomach churn," he complained, his face pale at the mere thought.
[Fox] responded, {A detailed plan is currently being formulated. Expected time for completion: two hours.}
Needing a moment to recover and clear his mind, Lance decided to step away from his current dilemma. He washed his hands thoroughly, trying to rid himself of the lingering murloc scent, then found a quiet room to sit and collect his thoughts. He needed a brief respite from the chaos, a moment of peace to refocus.
Once settled, Lance attempted once again to delve into his mental space, seeking to refine his control and understanding of his own mind, setting aside the murloc ordeal for the time being.
Surprisingly, this attempt to enter his brain felt easier than before; Lance needed only a moment of focus to project his thoughts inward. Inside, he observed the two hundred golden dots floating about, each one a representation of his spiritual power.
A sense of accomplishment washed over him. The ease with which he had entered his mental space seemed to indicate a robust mental strength, an essential attribute for any aspiring wizard. In wizardry, mental power was the primary gateway; mastering it meant a significant step towards understanding and manipulating magical forces.
Lance, however, didn't immediately proceed to form the meditation rune. Instead, he experimented, guiding each golden light through his mind, familiarizing himself with the sensation and control of his mental power. "This manipulation of mental power is more straightforward than anticipated," he reflected internally. The golden lights obeyed his every command with surprising agility, akin to extensions of his own body.
Engaging in what might seem a mundane task to an outsider, Lance dedicated himself to the exercise, treating each speck of light not just as a tool, but as a part of his own being, orchestrating their movements with precision and care.
As Lance's consciousness gradually receded from the depths of his mind, he was startled to realize that a considerable amount of time had elapsed – a full two hours had passed in what felt like moments. At that moment, the awaited plan from [Fox] emerged, resonating within his thoughts:
{Proposed regimen: Combine hot water with murloc blood in a 50 to 1 ratio. Submerge in this blend for thirty minutes daily, completing one cycle over seven days.}
{Predicted outcome: Upon concluding the initial cycle, anticipate increments of +0.1 in physical fitness, strength, and agility.}
Lance pondered the outlined strategy, the peculiar yet potentially beneficial routine presenting a novel approach to enhancing his physical capabilities. The notion of bathing in a solution diluted with murloc blood was unusual, but the promise of improved physical attributes was enticing. He weighed the discomfort against the potential gains, considering the methodical approach required to integrate this new regimen into his daily practices.