"Begin"
Ron's authorative voice rang out in the room. He looked towards his immediate right where Connor was sitting.
He gave a slight nod before closing his eyes and folding his arms.
Connor, understanding the meaning behind the gesture, put on a stern expression and looked ahead towards the other side of the table.
Since this meeting was taking in place of the usual quadrimester meeting, all the procedures will be followed as such and all the Generals will be making their reports about their alloted tasks.
He moved his head and locked eyes with a kind looking, brown eyed and brown haired girl, General Sophie Brown.
Sophie, understanding the gesture, stood up. Her hands were holding onto some papers.
Her gentle demeanor and kind eyes were in stark contrast to the harsh realities of their world. Yet, beneath that kindness lay an unwavering intellect and a deep dedication to their survival. She took a deep breath, ready to deliver her report. Ron gave her a slight nod, signaling her to begin.
"Thank you, Marshall."
Sophie began. Her voice was soft and polite, yet steady and clear. "We of the Anatomis stronghold our tasked with what we excel in, Research and Development, a crucial factor in determining how our lives and humanity's revival will play out going forward."
"We are primarily concerned with three simple, yet extremely important things: Monsters, Humans and Technology."
"I will start with the primary focus of our research at Anatomis: the study of monsters. We have dedicated significant resources to understanding their behavior, physiology, and psychology. Our observations indicate that their aggression patterns vary significantly depending on environmental factors and their immediate needs. For instance, the Ascendants exhibit heightened aggression during the lunar cycles, especially under the crimson moon. This might be linked to their biological rhythms, although we are still investigating the precise mechanisms. There are many more similar unique behavioural patterns and although we are still researching them, not many are of significant importance."
She paused briefly, scanning the faces of her fellow generals before continuing.
"Anatomically, monsters differ greatly from humans. Their muscle density is significantly higher, allowing for greater strength and endurance. After the Second change, their bodies have continued to become harder and stronger, with their teeths and claws becoming sharper and more lethal. A 3-metre class monster could gravely injure a Commander Rank individual if caught off-guard, but the same is not true vice-versa."
She took a brief pause and turned the pages in her hand. "Their nervous systems are also more complex, particularly in higher level Ascendants, suggesting a higher level of cognitive function."
"Despite their monstrous appearance, they possess an intricate social structure and communication methods that we are only beginning to understand. Our autopsies reveal that, although nowhere near the levels of humans, their brains have evolved to process mana more efficiently over time, which might explain their rapid mutations and adaptations. But still, their bodies ability to process mana can't be compared to humans, hence their loss of sanity."
Sophie took a deep breath before moving on to the next point. "Furthermore, we have been studying how monsters interact with mana."
"The way they manipulate mana is completely different from humans. We, humans, store a fixed amount of mana in our Mana heart's, and course it through our veins. Then, as we keep it tamed within our heart, we will it to move and bend using our consciousness, harnessing it as a deadly force. Monsters, although, can be said to be completely different. It's hard to find the right word since our research is still in it's preliminary stages, but it's more....automatic....if that's the right word."
Ron's eyes, which were closed up until now, opened up very slightly as Sophie mentioned that part but he soon closed them back.
"In hindsight, understanding this interaction is crucial, as it might provide insights into how we can better defend against them or potentially use similar methods for human advancement."
Her expression grew somber as she continued. "Regarding humans and mana, we've made some intriguing discoveries."
"Higher-ranked individuals who can control mana more effectively and has a high mana sensitivity, exhibit slower aging processes. This has led to, not only age defying youthful looks, but also a shocking increase in life expectancy among our most powerful members."
She paused and looked around the room.
"Us Generals our the primary examples of this phenomenon."
She especially looked towards her left as she spoke those words. The figure of General Orville was sitting over there. The man, who's nearly 65 years old, doesn't look any older than someone in his late forties. It had to be remembered that, Orville, when the Second change happened, was already nearly 50 years of age, and yet, over the years after becoming an Ascendant, not only has he not seemed to have aged but in fact, turned more youthful!
This decovery was shocking!
It had various implications, but the most important of them was related humanity's revival.
If individuals like Ron, who had already ascended to the highest rank known, have their natural lifespan increase significantly, then perhaps....
No one uttered a single word, but the atmosphere in the room seemed to have relaxed down a bit after that part of the report.
Sophie continued after the brief pass. "However, this phenomenon is not without its risks. The constant exposure to mana puts immense strain on their bodies, leading to increased instances of mana-induced illnesses and psychological stress."
"That's why, as originally attested by Sir Frank, a strong foundation is necessary to dwell deep on the path of an Ascendant... "
"And the Foundations being, as you all know it, having a strong body and mind... "
Sophie stopped at that point and didn't explain any further. She knew their understanding on 'Ascending' and the related concepts, is still, even after years, insufficient to draw flawless and accurate conclusions.
She took another moment before addressing the next critical point. "We've also observed mana-induced mutations in humans. Prolonged exposure to mana is causing genetic and biological changes in some individuals. These mutations can result in unique abilities or resistances, which we are still trying to understand."
Suddenly, as Sophie spoke those words, her words, unknown to her, started turning heavy. She spoke once more....
"I believe everyone is aware of what I am talking about."
She spoke with a pained voice, her hands trembling.
'Sophie'
Ryuto, although he wanted to console her, he knew he shouldn't. Sophie was a kind soul, but she was also a General. She had to have a stronger resolve going further.... Not to mention, it was necessary..... The 'Grand plan'....
Sophie, sensing Ryuto's gaze, calmed herself down. She had come this far and couldn't afford to back down now. She had to face whatever is thrown at her head on. For not only her, but everyone's sake.
All other Generals were silent and didn't say anything. They didn't even looked at Sophie, knowing that doing so will only create more problems.
At this point, Sophie spoke again, completing that part of the report.
"These mutations, while some mutations are beneficial, others can be detrimental, leading to severe physical or mental impairments."
She took a pause again. Her demeanor had now returned to normal. "Moving on to the next main issue - Technology."
Her voice took on a more reflective tone. "Unfortunately, despite our research and advancements, recreating modern technology still remains a distant dream. The infrastructure and resources required are simply beyond our current capabilities. Moreover, the integration of magic into technology, what we call magi-tech, is still in its infancy. Our experiments have shown that while mana can power certain devices, the results are highly unstable and often dangerous. We have lost several researchers in these trials, and progress is painfully slow."
"For such reasons, Anatomis has currently put a hold on their research that concerns technology and decided focus more on the present, rather than the future. We plan on resuming and continuing our research on tech at a future date, at a more suitable time."
She flipped to the last page of the report as she raised her voice a little. "In terms of other research and development, we are constantly working on improving our survival strategies. We have developed new methods of food preservation and are experimenting with alternative energy sources derived from mana. Our team is also working on enhancing our defensive capabilities, including fortifications imbued with mana to repel monster attacks. However, each step forward comes with its own set of challenges, and we are often met with more questions than answers."
She concluded with a heavy heart, "In summary, while we have made significant strides in understanding our enemies and our own capabilities, the road ahead is fraught with difficulties. Our knowledge of monsters and mana has grown, but the application of this knowledge to recreate the world we once knew remains out of reach for now. Our efforts are focused on survival and adaptation, and we must continue to push the boundaries of our understanding if we are to prevail in this cruel and dangerous world."
Sophie sat down again, her report now complete. Silence prevailed over the room, each General letting the information sink in and process it at the same time.
After a moment, Connor started speaking again.
He looked at the seat next to Sophie.
"Ryuto"
He called out.
"It's your turn now."
He spoke slowly, letting the words reach every ear.
"Give us Setsugen Seikan's report on the Northern Mountains."