Chapter 57 - Variable (2)

The next two months passed uneventfully. I spent the time in isolation, disturbed only once per day by the presence of those underlings bringing me supplies, while I focussed on applying the finishing touches to my body. Although most of the work had been already done, there were some parts which required attention, in particular the completion of the circulatory systems, as some regions lacked capillaries and were not correctly supplied by blood.

My body also needed time to correctly absorb and assimilate ether from the atmosphere. My circulatory system capability of retaining aura was severely impaired by the absence of the necessary degree of etherization. The surgery had been highly traumatic and it had been impressed in my subconscious, even if technically speaking the brain of then and the brain of now was different. It was simply a matter of waiting and letting the autonomic part of myself do its work.

In the meantime, preparations for the yearly edition of the inter-perimetral tournament had been going on. There had been a continuous coming and going of people back and forth across the border, to prepare the stalls and the fighting arenas. This year things seemed to be different, as instead of simple picketed areas, stands were being erected and stone slabs were being deposited on the ground to cover the rings' surfaces.

The fighting arenas with their wooden and metallic stands remotely resembled a sized-down version of a Roman amphitheatre, with the stands completely encircling the internal fighting zone, except for two entrances constituted by the stands interruption placed symmetrically one against the other.

It seemed wasteful to me, as all these materials would be irreparably damaged due to mana exposure. I listened to the talks of the workers and found out that this year was an apparently important occasion, as important people and rising stars would be attending.

The only truly important people in this world were the heads of the principal households and the only people who could fit the description of "rising stars" were the hero and his group. I had already encountered one of them, but now there was the possibility I could meet the rest of them.

Around the end of the second month, people from the outside started reaching the Alpha Perimeter. I avoided them as I didn't wish to make contact with anyone. I remained on the lookout, trying to locate Faye, but I had no luck. I wanted to confirm Tobias' words, but it seemed I would need to wait. Due to her peculiarities, it was most likely Tobias and his collaborator had taken the necessary precautions to assure no one could identify her.

Finally, the festivities began. It was late in the morning and I waited for the usual guard to bring me food and water. In the past two months, I had grown even more. In the wake of the experience I had obtained in bodily remodelling, I refined my aura control to a new level. Similarly to the past, I was unable to project it beyond the surface of my skin, but I could proficiently control it inside my body.

I was now able to shift around my inwards, remodel my bones, rewire my nerves and construct new arteries. It wasn't complete control over my form, but I could change myself a little bit. It was my personal form of spellcasting. I renounced control over my surroundings and obtained control over myself.

The guard finally arrived and left me some simple food and a water pouch, which I readily consumed before walking away. Also, a set of clothes had been left behind. As a matter of fact, I had been naked all this time. I wore the clothes and for the first time it didn't bother me. I smiled as I was finally comfortable in my own skin.

I stood up, stretched my back, inundated my body with aura to destroy any possible ether crystal which had formed inside of me due to my quiescence and walked towards the stands. This time I had no intention of taking part in the event and I was only curious about the "rising stars" I had heard about.

Once I was near enough, people started to turn around to look. Their expressions were stiff and their gazes carried hostility. It was clear I wasn't welcomed, probably due to my strange atmosphere.

I returned their looks, filling my eyes with maniac animosity, signalling them they'd better not bother me. Most of them seemed to get the message and looked away, while others readied themselves for combat.

But every single time a guard interposed themselves between me and the other person, defusing the situation. Almost the entire guard corps knew of me and my relationship with Tobias and so they intervened before things could degenerate.

I eavesdropped on other people's conversations to orient myself and find the correct arena. Although my primary goal was information gathering, I was still curious to see how my creations had turned out. Lily had surprised me with her appearance, which for some reason had become a copy of Faye's, and I wanted to know if it was also the case for the other two, Isaac and Jonah.

Of the three mentioned, the most important in absolute terms was Isaac Grant, the one who will be known as the hero. Although Lily was a master combatant who would surpass even her father Tobias in fighting prowess, Isaac's unique ability was fundamental to making sure the adversary would be disposed of. In the place where he was hiding, archs power was severely suppressed, differently from his. The hero's power of vanquishing all that was "evil" was necessary to level the playing field and make sure the three could dispose of him.

I sat on top of the stands in one of the furthest corners, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. This didn't completely prevent the occasional staring contest, but it kept the occurrence to a minimum, granting me some peace.

After some time the rest of the crowd settled down and took place in the stands of the various fighting arenas. A person of great build but low strength entered the arena, reached its centre and looked towards the onlookers. Performing his role as the announcer, he opened his mouth.

"Newborns, children, youths, adults and seniors! I welcome you all to this year's edition of the inter-perimetral tournament!"