Back in his laboratory, Ethan informed Yassmin of his decision, though, of course, without mentioning anything about his deal with Malakai. She was obviously delighted and said she needed to prepare a few things before their departure. Upon hearing her response, Ethan put the matter on the back burner and dove headfirst into his latest project: the development of his autonomous skeletons. With the new information and resources acquired through the Mysticweb, he had made several significant advances in his designs.
He had purchased a set of mana crystals and primordial runes, crucial tools for his next experiment. Mana crystals were known for their ability to store magical energy, while primordial runes offered a way to channel and control this energy efficiently.
With meticulous precision, Ethan began embedding the mana crystals into the chest cavities of the skeletons, where they couldn't be easily damaged. Each crystal was secured in place and connected through a series of magical and technological circuits. The runes, carved with exactitude on the surface of the bones, acted as conduits that allowed for a fluid and controlled energy transfer. Of course, he failed several times, resulting in the destruction of several skeletons and other components he used, but he kept working on them without the slightest discouragement.
As he progressed, Ethan marveled at the complexity and beauty of the combination of magic and technology. The skeletons, powered by the mana crystals and guided by the primordial runes, now had an autonomous energy source that allowed them to operate without constant external assistance.
Finally, after several hours of intense work, Ethan stepped back to admire his creation. The skeletons, with their empty eye sockets now glowing with an ethereal light, stood before him like silent warriors, ready to obey his commands. Their bones, once snow-white, were now covered in runic tattoos that gave them an even more intimidating appearance.
Ethan knew this was just the beginning. With these enhanced skeletons, he would have the strength and autonomy needed to face the challenges ahead. He only needed a bit of time to summon and manually work on each of his skeletons.
Thinking about it, he really felt sad considering that he had no help. It would be ideal for him to leave all that tedious manual work to someone else, but he didn't have that option.
It wasn't until the next day that Ethan received a visit from Yassmin. The laboratory door opened, and Yassmin's elegant figure appeared in the doorway, dressed in a fitted suit that accentuated her slender figure. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Ethan, we need to talk," she said with a smile that didn't completely hide her urgency.
Ethan set aside his tools and approached her, wiping his hands on a rag while looking at her with curiosity.
"What's going on, Yassmin?" he asked, trying to maintain a casual tone.
"I have to go to Egypt. There's an important meeting with the magical leaders there, and we need to be present. It will be a great opportunity to introduce you as my husband and start increasing my political power," Yassmin explained, her tone serious.
Ethan frowned, feeling a mix of displeasure and frustration. He still hadn't finished creating his army of skeletons and didn't feel ready to leave his laboratory.
"I'm not sure, Yassmin. I still have a lot of work to do here. I haven't created enough skeleton soldiers to feel prepared," he admitted, glancing at his workbench filled with tools and magical components.
Yassmin stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on his arm.
"I understand your concern, but it's important that you come with me. Besides, your power is already at the level of an intermediate mage in an A-rank world. Even I have doubts about beating you now that you've fused with the demon. So forget about refusing the trip," she said, looking at him firmly.
Ethan sighed, recognizing the logic in her words. Although he didn't like the idea of leaving his work unfinished, he knew he couldn't talk to her about Malakai's mission, so he had no way to justify his refusal.
"All right, I'll go with you," he finally agreed, feeling a knot of anxiety in his stomach for not feeling entirely ready.
"Perfect. We're leaving tomorrow morning. Prepare for a long journey," Yassmin said, smiling before turning and leaving the laboratory.
That night, Ethan dedicated himself to preparing everything necessary for the trip. Although he didn't have as many skeletons as he would have liked, he managed to finish ten autonomous skeleton soldiers. Additionally, he had thirty unmodified skeleton soldiers and fifteen skeleton mages that he had recently learned to summon. He organized his notes and materials, and informed Sara to take care of the business, ensuring that everything was in order before he left. He knew that the trip to Egypt would be crucial for his future and wanted to be as prepared as possible.
The next day, Ethan, Yassmin, and Yassir met at the airport, ready to embark on a flight to Cairo. During the flight, Yassmin spoke to him about the importance of the meeting they would attend and about the influential people they would meet. Ethan listened attentively, taking note of everything she said and mentally preparing for what was to come.
Upon landing in Egypt, they were met by a caravan of black vehicles that took them directly to a luxury hotel in the heart of Cairo. Thanks to the translation magic Yassmin taught him, Ethan had no trouble. The hot, dry air of the city contrasted with the controlled atmosphere of Ethan's laboratory, and the bustle of the city filled him with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.