Dragon King: Wind & Spirit

I could not believe I was in here again. Of course Samson was a difficult nut to crack especially if you consider how adamant he was about everything he did. Which was why I was once again in that pod surrounded by the strange thick Amniotic fluid.

Apparently Samson felt he needed to do a thorough test of my biology and capabilities; so he could devise a training plan for me and see how he could make a human without the ability to use Mana or any sort of energy source, develop a way to use it.

Samson's voice sounded into the chamber with an excited fervor, he was really excited about this whole mage training. If only he knew that the more excited he portrayed himself the more terrified I couldn't help feeling.

"You don't have to worry about anything Joshua Trinity Enejo boy. The chamber you're currently in is a work of marvel. The walls are formed from the purest essence of the water element with extreme healing properties. It is also infused with what could simply be known as Mana water, the formal name is a little bit of a hassle to pronounce, but it's also made from carbon fibers synthesized from mythril and improved with Dasenite.

The Mana water is a naturally formed magical element, with great alchemical, healing and enchantment properties. In its raw form it could revitalize any sort of energy and give a massive boost to the energy well of any body. Not to mention subsequent uses will always improve the physique of its user.

So just think of this as a medical bath meant to improve the state of your body. But since its actually an incredibly rare resource we can't do this regularly, we need to be frugal with our uses and most of it has already been spent in keeping your son alive. So just relax and let me do my job, yes."

I did not offer a retort of any sort. Though it was mainly because I knew how futile it was to get into any sort of argument with Samson, and he was right, this Mana water was keeping my son alive, and if it was really as rare as Samson says it is, the I really owe him a lot.

The walls of the chamber began to pulse, as the constantly moving and trembling viscous liquid began to move in a more circular manner. The metal part of the chamber began to give off a quiet hum in the background and the wall of amniotic fluid began to glow, giving up a myriad of colors.

Tentacles, well not exactly tentacles but limbs that looked like tentacles extended from the wall. They flashed with multiple colors giving me the impression of a rainbow. There were three tentacles and they all extended and began to wrap around my body in a swift manner.

I was jolted when they made contact with me, unlike the first time when I came in contact with this liquid, which gave off an extremely warm and hot feeling, this time was different.

it was so cold I feel a chill seep into my bones before I could realize it. Disregarding my discomfort, the tentacles continued to stretch until they covered my entire body completely from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet.

The tentacles were still connected to the liquid wall of the chamber, but suddenly more tentacles began to shoot out and attach themselves to my already submerged body.

In no time at all I looked like I had been captured by a spider and was wrapped in it's web, that is if the web was made of colorfully glowing thick water.

The connected tentacles began to send pulses of rainbow light from the wall straight into my covered body. First it was a steady and slow rhythm, then it began to build up before reaching such a state that the entire chamber was vibrating at an intensity that made it seem likely to fall apart in mere moments.

However I was not really aware of what was going on outside of my viscous cocoon. The moment my head was covered I fell into an unconscious state. And so while I was dead to the world Samson ran some tests and made modifications to my original biology, but even through the darkness of unconsciousness, I could hear him work.

"Hmmm, this is a problem. There's not enough power or even enough Mana water to form and create and entire new system of energy pathways in his body. We need more ingredients, shit!"

If Samson had a proper face, I'm sure he would have looked extremely worried right now. But he was completely incapable of making any of his nonexistent facial muscle give even a single twitch much less a frown. Apparently he had hit a snag in his grand goal of creating the next big thing in the history of the core universe.

But apart from hearing him complain, I really had no idea what was going on outside as I was still hovering in my strange conscious yet unconscious state.

However the whole chamber suddenly stopped its humming and the web of liquid tentacles suddenly retracted back into the wall dropping my n.a.k.e.d body down to the floor with a bang that jolted me awake. I stifled a curse as I was buffeted by an overwhelming feeling of nausea and a serious bout of weakness not unlike when I first woke up in this chamber.

I struggled to my feet wondering if we were done with the tests, while secretly checking my body to make sure all the important parts were still intact (especially 'That' important part).

"You can come out now Joshua Trinity Enejo we're done for today."

"Seriously stop calling my name out like that. It sounds too weird." I complained

"Then what would you have me call you, those are your names aren't they?" Samson asked back equally perplexed.

"Yeah they are, but most people call me Joshua or JT. It's short and much better than calling out my entire given name."

Samson looked at me for a while, scrutinizing as his weird purple eyes twitched and rotated on his face. Then he nodded his head and turned back to face the computer in front of him.

I realized that previously, Samson had said done for today rather than done with the tests, which meant I was probably going to be here again. While the entire experience was not that unpleasant especially since it gave me a chance to check on Max, I'm finding it hard to look past being covered in slimy liquid; that gave off the impression of a particular kind of discharge, or the fact that the damn thing was freaking ice cold or sometimes scalding hot.

But I would rather prefer giving Samson less opportunities to mess with my body, because quite honestly I still didn't trust him.

When I had completely extricated myself from the chamber, and had a shower and a change of clothes.

I found myself sitting in the lounge with Samson pacing in front of me, once again muttering to himself. I really didn't care what had Samson unsettled, but his damn pacing was making me nervous either way.

"We have hit a wall in our bid to make you a functional magi of upstanding repute JT boy."

I did not say anything, merely raising an eyebrow while having a little panic attack deep within his mind.

"But I have come up with a solution!" Samson continued.

I couldn't help the small blossom of hope that suddenly sprouted again in my heart. As far as it came to saving Max, I really didn't want to hear anything that signified an obstacle in chasing that goal. I let out a sigh of relief while also giving thanks silently.

"Hmm did you say something JT boy?" Samson asked. My only response was a rapid shake of head.

"Anyway, due to this magi college not being inhabited for thousands of years, though to the outside world it would have been just a few due to the time displacement barrier around the floating island that housed the school. Also and having more than half of its lower floors and the six element towers engulfed by the pet dungeon of the first dean of the college. It has lost a great deal of power and the Mana water is even more less than the energy required to make a complete transformation of your body, what we have now we absolutely can not tamper with since it's keeping your boy alive.

Should we force the transformation with the limited materials we have now, not only would you're son die, you would also most probably die during the procedure. And I'm not quite ready to loose such a special specimen."

I felt a chill from Samson's words. I could not help the deep sense of foreboding I suddenly felt at the sound of Samson's voice.

"In other to help you complete the transformation a couple of very rare materials are needed. Some of them can be found in the storage facility seven floors down, however others can not be found in the tower so you would need to clear all nine floors and three bas.e.m.e.nts, the six element towers, not to mention the almost seven kilometer long and six hundred meter deep caverns that is actually the original dungeon. You need to do that to get access to the teleportation array on the first floor. And the dungeon core is one of the few things in the tower that can power it."

I did not have a single expression on my face, however I was a little confused so I had to ask a question.

"What's a dungeon? Is it not supposed to be a prison of some sort?"

"Yes you're correct about that JT, but this type of dungeon is a little different. You're right about the fact that it's a prison, it houses many strange creatures and monsters who are all born from a manifestation of the very essence of magic and life itself, A dungeon core. This cores are created by…..well that's a question that has not been successfully answered in the thousands of years of history the magi have.

There are differing theories about how they are formed, but one thing that can be gleamed is that they are made of a heavily concentrated and compact amount of magic with varying degrees of sentience, and with the very power of creation. They can create life, if not for their limited intelligence and lack of imagination, dungeon cores have the ability to be Gods. There are even dungeon cores which have entire planets as their dungeons.

This dungeon core is what is responsible for the lack of proper materials and power required to complete your transformation and make you a proper mage. Ever since the fall of the Magi in this part of the planet and the fact that there was no mage around to subdue the dungeon, it began to spread to encompass the college, cutting off precious resources and power from the rest of the tower. There are only three floors left here on the west wing of the castle, but I can't go any higher since I had to reroute power to this particular floor alone. Its what has enabled the tower to survive this long waiting for another mage to come and take charge of it."

I blinked, and then I blinked some more.

" You're a powerful robot, how come you couldn't subdue the dungeon and take charge of the tower yourself. Though I'm not really interested in being a mage I'm sure you would have done a better job right?."

I was feeling quite suspicious. his story had a couple of holes in it, and no offense it sounded dangerous, and I really liked being alive. If not for anything, but for my son. Not to mention it seemed I would have to fight creatures and monsters not unlike the snakes right outside this castle.

I remembered those snakes, the memory of their attacks was still rather fresh, now I had to go face all sort of other creatures that would not be any less dangerous than them if not a whole lot more powerful. It was terrifying, but I don't think I could hold back, not even because of my fear. Because my son was counting on me.

"How dare you!! You disrespectful dimension hopping braggart, I'm a golem of the highest quality, not some sort of android or robot. Such rudeness."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously?" I asked in a sarcastic and exasperated tone. But as usual Samson chose to ignore the tone in my voice to his convenience as he delved into an explanation about the difference of a golem and a robot.

"Listen well JT boy!, golems are superior creatures of magic made from the purest essence of the earth element. And of all the golems that exists, I am the most special. I was made by his esteemed eminence the former master of this tower the late Robonoro Earthbomber with the help of his alchemist partner and wife, her lady Silla Newmetal. They made me from the purest form of orichalum the golden magic metal, and Mythril also known as Dragon silver, not to mention a smidge of Ionite and infused in me an earth core of a sixth circle greater celestial beast. Giving me intelligence equal and even greater than most humans, so show some respect flesh bag."

I would have appreciated the intricacies that went into Samson's creation and admired the great love and devotion he seems to attach to his makers. But seriously what kind of names are Robonoro Earthbomber and Silla Newmetal. It was taking all of my efforts not to burst out laughing.

"But back to the topic at hand, if you don't do what I say I can just send a message to the whole known universe with what ever power I have left in this floor and let them know that a human from earth is currently hiding here, of course that would also kill your son. If you're lucky the first person to find you could either be someone who wants to help you or use you, if you're unlucky it would be either the bounty hunters, slave traders, or the maniacs that want to dissect a human from earth, to find out what makes them tick. And why they can affect this part of the universe the way they do.

Whichever happens, it would bring the castle back to the awareness of the public and all those other aspiring adventurers would want to obtain the ancient legacy of the Magi left here, and In the process get rid or subdue the dungeon core. Either way I know I have fulfilled my duty as the guardian of the college. So what would it be earth boy."

I was livid, white hot anger gushed through me, I felt like smashing this stupid hunk of metal into a million pieces. I was never going to reject doing what he wanted me to do, not with my son's life at stake. But with this threat, even if another alternative presents itself, I have to stick with this golem who I'm a 100% sure can not be trusted.

There was something about myself that I've actually discovered during my time as a pilot. I was not someone who responded well to threats. But at the moment there was nothing much I could do but swallow it.

"You don't have to worry, about your life, or your son's. I can guarantee that after every battle, all you will get is stronger, so much so that when you finally become a mage, you will be the mage with the strongest physical prowess. A true born Battlemage."

I said nothing, instead choosing to glare at Samson and his four eyes. However once again Samson ignored my looks and continued talking.

"During my test I noticed that your body passively absorbs the energy particles in the air. If not for that gene modifier I guarantee you would already be dead. It acts as a seal of sorts and helps your body acclimate to higher doses of energy by using it's already absorbed units to strengthen your body. As such if you stay on this planet, you could in retrospect become infinitely powerful. You will grow stronger just by living here and being alive for everyday that passes, not to mention you passively absorbed the already refined energy in the bodies of any living creature you kill helping you increase your strength rapidly.

But there's only so much a human body can take before it begins to tear itself apart. Without the little piece of modification I just made to your genes during the test, passively living here would have kept you alive for about two maybe three years, your son would not have lived past two months. This planet's or even this universe's constitution is not arable for your kind of human. If you had a rather active life, say you became a hunter or find yourself in a situation where you constantly absorbed energy. You would have been dead in six months. Be thankful that what ever went wrong and dumped you here, happened in the first place.

with my help you can live for another three or five years before you die. However if you do successfully become a mage, the energy pathways that would be created in your body will be a perfect circulatory system for the energy helping you refine it properly. Not to mention it would completely change your body and increase your potential and limits to heights un imagined. But above all you will live, and you would have access to something better than that gene modifier, and that's the system officially Known as the WAY."

I found it hard to believe everything Samson had just said, but I knew the Golem had no reason to lie either. But if I showed any sort of resistance or disagreement, Samson would not hesitate to cut his losses and expose my existence to countless people with powers way beyond my imagination. My son would die for sure.

But there was a chance I could get stronger from this, not to mention the issue of my life span being so short. I was not sure if Samson was lying about that, but what if he wasn't. I did not want to die I had things that I needed to do, at the very least I needed to save Max, no matter what.

"Okay fine, we will do it your way. But let's get something straight, I'm going to make you pay for threatening me."

Any sane person would tell me threatening Samson was a bad idea and might have repercussions, but I did not give a damn. I was extremely unwilling to let anybody, much less a golem that was created from metal walk over him, or even use my son's life to walk all over me.

"Hahahaha, I won't have it any other way JT boy. To truly become someone great you must give no quarter to your enemies and hold strong to your conviction. It's also part of being a man, I welcome your challenge any time. But I must warn you, I'm not a pushover just because I'm a few thousand years old."

I felt annoyed, I at least hoped to unsettle the old tin can, but it seems Samson had a rather thick skin. I gave a huff of annoyance as I shifted my face to the side.

"Well our next order of business is to use the energy you have already, to increase your abilities and then we have to outfit you for dungeon diving. Fortunately there's an emergency weapons cache in every floor or room in the college.

But I recommend you equally find a way to raise you strength and agility, since we don't how long it would take us to clear the dungeon so strength and speed are what's important for now. I have some armor that can cover for your body's weakness. Well then let's see how it goes."

I took a look at the modifier and frowned a little. There was a radiation bar and it seems to have increased a lot from when I checked it last a few hours ago. I opened my mouth to say something but quickly shut it.

Samson had already more than proved that he could not be trusted, if there was anything that could give me an edge over Samson, then I was going to take it. I shifted my eyes back to the numbers flashing on my wrist. I was sure the increase came from the time he spent in that pod/chamber.

RADIATION BAR : 4340/300

COMMENSE GENE MODIFICATION.

ACCEPTED.

STRENGTH MODIFIED

AGILITY MODIFIED

VITALITY MODIFIED

ENERGY CAN NOT BE MODIFIED AT THE MOMENT.

STATUS: STRENGTH 3.7, VITALITY 4.1, AGILITY 3.1, ENERGY 0.5

RADIATION BAR : 340/500.

Previously my strength was at 1.7, and my vitality was at 2.1 and my agility was 1.3. I used 300 units of energy to raise all of my attributes equally until I got to 3, and the points required increased to five hundred. My energy however remained the same, my agility was the lowest of all my attributes, but they were all equally balanced.

Without time to really go into the mechanics of my stat allocation, I felt my body begin to heat up as my head began to pound. I raised my hands to my nose and was shocked to see blood dripping down from it. I let out a startled cry as the lounge turned upside down and everything went black.