Philip's Experiment

A massive mudslide struck Hot Spring Mountain, the very heartland of Battle God Isle—an unprecedented catastrophe in decades. The Academy's higher-ups were predictably furious; they refused to believe it was a natural disaster and were convinced the mudslide must have been man-made.

Oh, these were not matters Du Chen concerned himself with. All he cared about, like the other students, was rubbing his brow in delight that the accursed Intensive Training was interrupted for a few days.

Once the dust settled and calm returned, Du Chen, along with the other students, resumed their Intensive Training, all the while cursing the Black-faced Devil.

It was January 1st, 1278 of the Fallen Gods Era. After Zigurd, despite his ailing health, presided over the opening ceremony, sixteen-year-old Du Chen officially began his student life, truly stepping into the Battle God World.

Early that morning, Du Chen groggily climbed out of bed. The Shieb, Harry, had already prepared his toiletries and breakfast. However, Du Chen didn't use the mouthwash prepared by the Shieb. As he dressed, he opened his mouth and exclaimed, "Water Orb!"

With a soft 'poof!', a translucent blue sphere of water materialized in his mouth. This was the combined effort of Mina and Philip; leveraging the convenience of his Heaven-Bestowed Hydro-Body, Du Chen had, in the shortest time, become a Water-element One-Star Red-Robed Fiend Warrior.

"Oh, Master, you are truly extraordinary!" Harry, ever the sycophant, fawned. Holding up a small satchel, he approached Du Chen. "This morning's lesson is Battle God Language, everything is ready for you!"

"Mhm!" Du Chen spat out the water, grabbed his satchel, and, munching on a piece of bread, walked out the door.

Speaking of Battle God Language, Du Chen was utterly vexed. It wasn't a language for daily communication, but rather a component of a Battle Mage's strength, akin to magic spells. It was also intrinsically linked to Battle Gods summoning Divine Pets and invoking Elemental Primal Force. Thus, Battle God Language was also a symbol of a Battle God's power.

However, one academy regulation made Du Chen utterly despise Battle God Language classes: the language was tiered, and if you didn't pass Battle God Language Level Six, you wouldn't get your graduation certificate!

Whispers and rumors claimed that every year, female students would unceremoniously dump their boyfriends for failing their Battle God Language level exams. The popular saying at the time was: "You didn't pass Battle God Language Level Four? Break up!"

Secretly begrudging the course, Du Chen arrived at the Water Pavilion's teaching district. In front of a crystalline building, Vice-Dean Philip stood, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"Francis, you're here! I've been waiting for you!"

Du Chen hastily stepped forward to pay his respects. "Mentor, a mere messenger would have sufficed. Why would you personally wait for me?"

"Heh heh, I simply have some free time!" Philip led Du Chen into the building, though not towards the classrooms. "I have something I wish to discuss with you. Let's go to my chambers first!"

"But I have classes this morning!"

"It's fine, Francis. I've witnessed your memory firsthand. There's no need for you to attend such rudimentary cultural courses; I can grant you full marks directly!" Philip's words made Du Chen's heart pound. While the Vice-Dean wasn't as rigid as Zigurd, he wouldn't openly give a student full marks without reason. He surely had an agenda.

Arriving at the Vice-Dean's chambers, Philip chuckled once they were seated. "Francis, are you interested in alchemy?"

"Well, truthfully, I don't really understand alchemy!"

Philip smiled, retrieving a small vial from beneath his massive mahogany desk and offering it to Du Chen. "Your mother was quite interested in alchemy back then. Here, this is one of her creations." He then gazed towards a standing cabinet on one side of the wall, sighing. "Phil's alchemy was already at the pinnacle on the continent. Alas, she couldn't create a medicine to save her own life."

Several portraits adorned the cabinet, among them one of Francis's mother, Phil.

Du Chen looked at the small vial before him, reaching out to open it. "No, don't open it! That thing is highly dangerous!" Philip waved his hand, chuckling. "Phil called this 'Aqua Solidum'. It was created by utilizing the principles of Elemental Primal Force conversion. Just one drop can turn anything into water!"

Damn it! Was Philip implying something again!?

Du Chen suddenly remembered the assassins who had captured him and Arthur during Intensive Training – they had been turned into water.

Philip continued, "Phil's original intention in creating Aqua Solidum was to help Water-element Battle Mages quickly gather Water Elements. Who knew, however, that many people would later use it for destroying evidence and disposing of bodies."

Du Chen chuckled, "Great inventions are always double-edged swords, possessing both good and bad aspects. It merely depends on how the wielder employs them." *Could those assassins have been destroyed and their bodies disposed of by Aqua Solidum?*

"You are absolutely right. Great inventions are always double-edged swords, and right now, I am conducting just such an experiment." Philip rested his hands on the desk, staring at Du Chen. "I want to invite you to participate. If this experiment succeeds, many will benefit from it, and you will have performed a great deed, fulfilling your Battle God Oath!"

Upon hearing 'great deed,' Du Chen's spirits lifted. However, he replied cautiously, "Mentor, please speak. If I can, I will certainly assist you."

Philip did not immediately reveal the nature of the experiment but spoke slowly, "Actually, I have been conducting this experiment for many years. Your mother was once an assistant in this very project."

He paused for a long time before continuing, "My experiment is... heh heh, it's quite complex, composed of many smaller projects. One of these minor projects is to alter human talent!"

'Alter talent? And a 'minor' project?'

Du Chen was secretly astonished. It seemed Philip wasn't willing to disclose more to a student he hadn't known for long, but even this 'minor' project was astounding enough.

"You have personally experienced the alteration of talent, which can provide me with immense help. What do you say, Francis? Are you willing? Rest assured, there will be absolutely no danger."

*Damn it, this old mad scientist wants to use me as a guinea pig!* But... his mother was also his assistant, and she participated in this experiment...

This was an opportunity to understand Phil, and by extension, the Flaying Battle God.

"Very well, it would be my honor to serve you, Mentor!"

Philip smiled, deeply satisfied. "You are exactly like your mother was back then! Wait here, I have something for you!" He rose and approached the cabinet, retrieving a small box from within. "These are your mother's experimental tools, now passed on to you. Inside, there are also some of her notes. Study them diligently when you have the time!"

After receiving the box, Du Chen conversed with Philip about a few more minor details. By the time their discussion concluded, and he checked the sky, it was already noon.

Du Chen walked out of the Water Pavilion's teaching building, clutching his mother's relics. All the way, his mind ceaselessly churned.

His mother was still the continent's top alchemist—this was incredibly surprising. Moreover, she had participated in what was quite possibly the Battle God World's greatest experiment. Yet, none of her three sons had ever been told of these things, and there were no records of alchemy left within Saint Sigurd Cain Estate!

Du Chen's mind was a tangled mess.

Leaving the teaching district, Du Chen hurried towards the urban area near the docks, hoping to find an inn for lunch. But just as he entered the city, his backside suddenly began to itch!