20 Chapter 20: Unprecedented situation

The book seemed old and tattered. Just after Elder grimoire's image had disappeared the pages which were blank moments ago were now magically filled with texts. Letters after letter started appearing one after another. Derrick casually flipped through the pages skimming the contents written on the pages.

The book appeared to be an encyclopedia that consisted of information and the records of various races including the primordials.

As he was flipping through them he encountered the section which had the title "Unique race" which picked his interest.

One of them was "Lego race" which caught Derricks attention.

Lego Race: Unlike the name, the lego race isn't a toy any longer. Although this race is similar to abominations regarding the process of its formation. Both the races were the consequence of mutation but unlike abomination, it's origin mostly inclined towards the inorganic substance or insentient existence. After their formation, their original state was no longer visible and gained consciousness similar to living beings. And with the official establishment of their race, they chose to ally with the humans and vice verse humans had gained one of the strongest race as their allies. It is perceived that their high affinity with humans is due to its origin. Technically, their evolution was only possible because humans had created them although their aversion toward children and infants are still severe.

Innate ability: Transformation

Lego race through time learnt to use external ability besides their innate ability. Due to their unique disposition, they are mistaken as a race which is infertile or incapable of giving birth and yes Infertile define their lack of reproductive organs but their method of reproduction is unique and differs from the other races. Their reproduction rate is even greater than humans since they grow extra lego pieces each month capable of constructing their offspring. Usually, the adult is humongous but they prefer human form for convenience.

'And here I thought it was only a myth.'

Derrick wanted to meet one after reading the description but his mind was soon swept away by the new races. Below the lego race was the elf race, every race was well aware of this magical existence and Derrick too heard his fair share of rumours although he hadn't met a single one. He had acquired knowledge of their existence through movies, comics etc and what interested him the most was that the females of these race who possessed angelic beauty.

Elves: This sacred race is said to be blessed by beauty , both males and females without any exceptions. They are an existence categorised as primordials and became the only race loved by nature enough to bestow them the power of nature enabling them to use every element earning the name elementals. But through time the elves were divided into two sects, the pure and the Dark elves. The dark elves were discovered to have given up their belief and worship for the Nature God, consequently depriving them of both their elemental abilities and beauty. Pure elves still govern the entire race but the book race had discovered the corruption was gradually spreading throughout the entirety of the race and the majority had fallen to the ploys of dark elves. Furthermore, the dark elves had managed to gain abilities through constant association with the abomination eventually allying with them. This race beside the lego race is one of the strongest allies of humans but the book race has recently discovered it as a temporary facade and the pure elves association with the abomination wasn't any less then the dark elves.

Innate ability: Elementals

Weapon Proficiency: Bow

Derrick's brow furrowed, reading the records and the deep secrets of the elves had his heart feel uneasy. Ever since he discovered the lab and the experiments his mind was constantly filled with absurd questions, he wanted to question the supremacy of the Lifeguards. If even the majority of a sacred race like Elves were corrupted why would other races be immune to these corruptions? Derrick felt his admiration for lifeguards and the other races had started to dwindle.

Although there was an endless amount of records available in the book, Derrick wasn't someone persistent enough to finish the book in a single sitting and only one of the races had intrigued him before closing the book.

Book race: The race of papers, their growth is attributed to the time and the amount of data they could record. As an infant, they have the appearance of papers and as an adult, they transform into a book filled with information. The book race is considered mysterious and unique. Very few things have been recorded about them. They were known to have the ability to create strange cards with bizzare abilities. But many of the races have declared this race a myth due to the lack of evidence of their existence.

Innate ability: Delphic cards

'Delphic cards. Then why did the demon lady have a deck with her If only the book race was capable of creating it and why did she give me one of them to me?'

Derrick instantly concluded that his two cards he had received were Delphic cards. In his mind, Derricks suspicion of the demon lady and the possibility of being a Book race was running wild. His curiosity of the obscure grew after remembering the demon lady and before he knew this information, his memory of the demon lady only reminded him of the intense humiliations. And just as he had this thought, shivers ran down his spine before he completely discarded any thought of the demon lady.

His attention now was on the watch. The watch exuded a metallic feel its straps were covered with mysterious runes making the watch look magically ancient. Derrick didn't know what changes the elders had made to the watch but the original appearance of 'Athena' which was in the form of eyes was now transformed into a watch. Derrick didn't know how the elders had managed to do it but the runes were beautiful enough to make him want to wear it.

As soon as Derrick placed the watch on his wrist, the end of strap automatically connected tightening to an appropriate size at the same time concealing any odd seams. The inscriptions started to glow the instant it tightened before gradually dimming and after which, Derrick felt as if numerous insects were penetrating his flesh entering his skins and then into his veins.

Every part of his body was squirming as if an infinite amount of worms were underneath his skin. His face was peach red, the pain was suffocating him as all of the veins appeared to be swelling which revealed the absurd pace at which the blood flowed. His blood pressure was increasing at an alarming rate and it appeared as though Derrick would burst any moment seeing his expression.

His body withstood excruciating amount of pain and his body was soaking wet with his sweat. The feeling of worms eating away his insides was no longer foreign to him as his orifices started to leak blood. Derrick's mind couldn't exercise any thoughts as stabing sensation assaulted his mind. It was as if his whole body was experiencing a complete change. His body began to weaken as his flesh lost its colour every cell in his body was dying.

And before his last breath left him his new cells began to form at a rate far greater than the dying cells. His skin gradually started to regain its rosy lustre. He had strangely completed a metamorphosis. His mind was clear as day and his body was at its prime or even sturdier. And most of all the change in his pupils was significant. His pupils now were golden instead of his original brown and in the middle dividing the pupils were black vertical slits. His eyes now had the genuine appearance of a dragon. All this process was completed in about 30 mins.

All his energy was consumed in the process of regeneration.Derrick was exhausted from the phase he just experienced moreover, he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. Quickly interrupting his scrutiny over his own body Derrick suddenly heard a voice in his mind.

[Integration with Derric Burningstorm complete.]

[Synchronisation with Derrick Burningstorm(host)complete.]

[Initial Awakening of Dragon Bloodline complete.]

[Results of scanning the host after awakening]

[Host is in a state of severe exhaustion. ]

[Hello, Athena greets Derrick Burningstorm]

"hel....hel...hello"

Derrick was stuttering from the shock of hearing a female voice in his head. And from the voice, he could conclude that he was integrated with an A. I and along with the integration came a bonus bloodline awakening. Derrick didn't know if he should be happy from the awakening or be sad from another person invading his privacy.

Within seconds of hearing the voice, various details appeared before his eyes and description of anything he looked at instantly popped up. He tried touching the text that appeared before him but it was intangible and strangely the image seemed to be from inside his head. Derrick soon realised the details were not projections at all since it was data sent by the A.I directly to his mind converting them into images.

While he was examining his newfound abilities, Lucia was glaring at him while panting heavily. Lucia was eyeing his wrist for some reason.

Derrick's gaze travelled across the room finally landing on Lucia while noticing the strange behaviour she had. Derrick felt it was normal as Lucia was completely unpredictable.

"Analyse Lucia."

For the first time, Derrick instructed Athena hoping to find the origins of her problem.

[Initiating scan]

[Scan Complete]

[Status:]

Name:Lucia Doll

Race: Human(clone-unstable)

Ability: None

Analysis: Extreme hostility towards host detected.]

"Why is she a Clone?"

Derrick stood there for a while, processing the information Athen gave about Lucia before his expression turned Grimm. Derrick had suddenly realized something, the wild behaviour Lucia was not normal at all.

[ Warning: Training process is beginning in 30 secs.]

[Training mission: Survive for 24 hours. Hostile targets are approaching at great speed.]

"Fuck"

Derrick had realised he was in a bad situation but he wasn't aware the enemy was already approaching.