Brain Awakening

  Outside the chamber.

  Alice leaned in and gently kissed Leon. “Master, I’m nervous,” she whispered.

  He took her soft hand in his and gazed at her fwless face and immacute skin. His eyes, burning with courage and determination, met hers. “We will survive,” he said firmly, squeezing her hand. “I won’t accept failure. You will survive. I will never forgive you if you die.”

  Her inherent skill, Obsession, ignited within her.

  “Yes, Master,” she replied, her voice filled with unwavering devotion. “I won’t die. I’ll be with you. I’ll take care of you. I’ll make you happy. I’ll never leave your side. I will protect you until the very end.”

  Their lips met in another brief kiss, then they separated and entered their respective chambers. A few minutes ter, Dr. Altrocious entered Alice’s chamber, carrying a rge cylinder filled with a brownish-gray fluid. The fluid radiated an intense energy as he held it up to the light, flicking the needle with his finger and muttering to himself, occasionally giggling.

  “I’ll be injecting you now,” the Doctor said, his voice trembling with excitement. “Make sure the needle penetrates your skin. I don’t want to fail. She will never forgive me if I fail. Please… I don’t want to fail now.” His nervous rambling continued for more than two minutes before he finally inserted the needle, emptying the rge syringe of its fluid into Alice’s spinal cord.

  The moment the needle withdrew from her skin, Alice’s energy surged explosively, throwing the Doctor against the transparent gss of the chamber with immense force. Monica and Albert rushed to his aid, quickly retrieving him from inside the containment area. He had suffered minor fractures and bruises, which Monica healed with ease.

  Monica and Albert returned inside to monitor Alice closely, ready to intervene if necessary. Alice’s energy continued to flow outward, unrelenting. It was incredibly potent, but Monica and Albert were able to deflect it with their own power.

  The Doctor, however, was unable to observe due to the intense heat waves distorting the view completely. All he could do was wait anxiously.

  Inside the chamber, Alice’s mana circution reached its peak, commanding every cell in her body to function at its absolute limit, even if it meant risking death. The combined power of the three demon brains was about to take effect—either a transformative blessing or a fatal curse. First, Alice forced her blood-brain barrier to allow the demon nutrients to pass through and be carried to various parts of her brain tissue. Afterward, the demon nutrients entered her teral ventricles, third ventricle, fourth ventricle, central canal, and the subarachnoid space. Once Alice guided the nutrients to every part of her brain, her cells accepted them as their primary source of energy.

  Eventually, Alice’s energy emanation returned to normal. Her eyes remained closed throughout the entire process. Her appearance was serene and peaceful. Slowly, the Doctor’s view of the chamber cleared, the heat distortion subsiding. Driven by curiosity, he rushed into the chamber and approached Alice cautiously.

  “This is it!” he excimed, a manic gleam in his eyes. “The pinnacle of human evolution!” He leaped into the air, then dropped to his knees in front of Alice. “I did it! My love, I did it!” he cried, clenching his fists triumphantly.

  Monica and Albert embraced, relieved and gratified by Alice’s apparent success.

  Inside Leon’s chamber.

  The Doctor was ready. He repeated the exact procedure he had performed on Alice, including the two-minute-plus monologue of nervous pleading.

  Just as he withdrew the needle, energy erupted from Leon—a dangerous surge. However, the Doctor had anticipated this. He had Albert and Monica positioned beside him. Albert provided a protective shield, just enough to deflect the energy bst away from the Doctor, while Monica bolstered his defenses with buffs. He staggered back and fell, but sustained no serious injuries. He then quickly exited the containment chamber.

  The demon brain fluid had been Injected directly into Leon’s spinal cord. He then commanded every cell in his body to obey his will, drawing upon the benefits of his previous training. The pathways to new power were opening. The first to unlock was the Foramen of Monro. This gateway granted enhanced speed of perception. When activated, depending on the level of perception, one could observe events with such crity that others appeared to move in slow motion. (Legends cimed that if someone’s perception could reach the speed of light, time would effectively stop for them, but this remains unproven.) The next gateway was the Cerebral Aqueduct. This provided uncanny reflexes and movement. When activated or in danger, one could react to threats in mere milliseconds, dodging projectiles and evading traps with ease. Movements became smooth and efficient, devoid of wasted motion. With sufficient mana circution, instantaneous changes in direction, explosive acceleration, and smooth deceleration became possible. The next gateway was the Foramina of Luschka and Magendie. This amplified hearing acuity. When activated or in danger, one could perceive sounds beyond the normal range, from the high-pitched squeaks of tiny creatures to the low rumble of distant earthquakes. One could also use echoes to “see” in the dark, even through obstacles, much like a bat. With focused concentration, one could isote specific sounds, even in chaotic environments. The next gateway was known as the Cisterns. This housed an enhanced sense of vibration. When activated, one could feel the vibrations of the earth, allowing the sensing of geological phenomena from great distances, and, more importantly, incoming danger. One could also detect the faintest heartbeat or pulse (depending on mana mastery), even through solid objects or over long distances. This was useful for tracking enemies, detecting hidden life forms, or sensing the emotional state of others. As the fluid integrated with Leon’s brain, it exponentially amplified his natural abilities. The demon brains became the key to unlocking his hidden potential.

  Thirteen hours ter.

  “Well done, Leon,” his father said, pcing a hand on his shoulder.

  Leon opened his eyes. His father’s words were delivered in a cold, detached tone. He missed hearing his father call him “son,” though being addressed by his name felt equally distant. In his heart, he knew his father had truly changed. It was as if he were speaking to a stranger.

  “Thanks, Father,” he replied.

  “Well done!” Monica echoed, gently touching his shoulder. He could feel her heartbeat quicken with relief and joy. The tears welling in her eyes spoke volumes.

  “I know you’re happy for me, Monica,” Leon said, a small smile pying on his lips.

  Alice, beaming, hugged him from behind. “Thank you,” she said. “We survived the final training. I love you so much, Master. I will never leave your side.”

  He could sense the intensity of her emotions. They were incredibly strong, almost overwhelming. But he remained calm, accustomed to her fervent devotion.

  “Master,” she said, still clinging to him, “I can sense your happiness.”

  “Because you kept your promise,” Leon finished.

  “Master,” Alice decred, “if I promise you something, nothing under heaven or below the earth could ever stop me from keeping it.”

  “Thank you, Alice,” Leon said. “I care for you deeply too. I will never abandon you, and I will always protect you.”

  “Master!” Her emotions surged exponentially, causing her to unconsciously emit a pulse of energy that startled the Doctor.

  “Control yourself, Alice,” Leon said gently.

  “Sorry,” she murmured.

  Dr. Altrocious stepped forward. “Please allow me to conduct my final assessment,” he requested.

  “Proceed, Doctor,” Leon said.

  Alice stepped aside, joining Monica and Albert.

  “So, how do you feel, Master Leon?” the Doctor asked, quill and paper at the ready.

  “I feel… incredible,” Leon replied.

  “Please be specific,” the Doctor prompted.

  “My perception of things has become incredibly fast.”

  The Doctor immediately jotted this down, then dipped his quill into the inkwell hanging around his neck.

  “What else, Master Leon?” he asked.

  “My reaction time has also increased significantly.”

  “Really? Then, please stand up.”

  Leon stood. The Doctor moved to his blind spot, quickly drawing a hidden knife from his pocket, intending to make a sudden thrust. But time seemed to slow as Leon effortlessly sidestepped the blow, disarming the Doctor in milliseconds.

  The Doctor’s eyes widened. “Unbelievable! This is perfect!”

  Unbeknownst to him, Alice was also poised to strike, ready to kill him within that same millisecond. But Leon gnced at her, a silent command passing between them—Don’t hurt the Doctor—and she immediately stopped. The Doctor only noticed her presence when she spoke. He was startled to realize she had been right behind him, unseen, when moments before she had been across the room with Monica and Albert.

  She moves so fast, he thought. This is perfect. He scribbled his observations, muttering to himself.

  “What else?” he continued.

  “My hearing has also improved,” Leon said.

  “How can you demonstrate that?” the Doctor asked.

  “I can clearly hear your muttering, murmuring, and even your… less coherent pronouncements, which was impossible before,” Leon replied. “Would you like a proof?”

  “Oh?” The Doctor paled slightly, realizing Leon had likely overheard his private musings about his lover, and a secret he guarded closely, unknown even to his masters. “It’s fine. I believe you,” he said quickly.

  “Anything else?” the Doctor asked, eager to change the subject.

  “I can sense vibrations, even the slightest ones,” Leon said.

  “That’s perfect! The Voidweaver has truly exceeded my expectations!” the Doctor excimed.

  “What else?” he asked.

  “That’s all, Doctor,” Leon replied.

  “Really?” the Doctor asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice. He had been hoping for even more remarkable abilities, like precognition or timelines manipution, which were among the Voidweaver’s powers. It can’t be helped, he thought. These abilities are already extraordinary for a human to possess.

  “Very well then, Master Leon,” he said. “Thank you for providing such exceptional results. My lover will be delighted to hear this good news.”

  Leon pced a hand on the Doctor’s shoulder. “Please convey my gratitude to her as well. And may you both be happy.”

  “I—I will, Master Leon,” the Doctor said. “Yes, I will.” The Doctor’s voice trembled slightly.

  Leon could feel the Doctor’s genuine happiness through the subtle fluctuations in his heartbeat.

  “I’m truly sorry, Doctor,” Alice said, approaching with her head bowed slightly.

  “What for?” the Doctor asked, surprised. “I am grateful to both of you. You have brought me great joy and satisfaction.”

  Leon could sense Alice’s genuine remorse, and Alice, in turn, could perceive the Doctor’s sincere gratitude. It was the first time she truly felt… herself.