Chapter 83 Ingrid
Prosthetic?
Rast was momentarily taken aback.
Based on his experience at Starry University, a severed arm like this was not an incurable lifelong disability in a world filled with Extraordinary Power.
Both the “Abundance” and “Forest” sequences had healing and body restoration abilities available at the mid-tier levels.
Moreover, within Night Blade, there were also professionals adept at helping limbs regenerate.
There were even healing-type alchemical potions.
Previously, Rast had lost his eyeball and had his body burned to a half-skeleton in the Night World, yet he was forcibly pulled back from the God of Death’s grasp by various night blades and alchemical magic from Starry University.
Given Ingrid’s current position in the Empire’s military, it should not be difficult for her to heal her severed limb.
“It’s not what you think.”
Seemingly sensing Rast’s pause, Ingrid smiled slightly.
“My special train from the military department will take a few more minutes to arrive. Since I’m just waiting anyway, do you mind chatting with me for a bit?”
“Just consider it me, as your senior, testing you a little.”
Rast nodded; he certainly had no reason to refuse.
Excluding Mr. Silver, whose specific position was unclear, and who even did not show Night Blade in the Fool’s Library panel for some reason, Ingrid, who had reached the sixth tier and was just a step away from becoming a Legend, was the strongest person Rast had ever seen, even surpassing Hiltina and Akshia.
Of course, the step from the sixth tier to Legend was akin to a mountain’s hurdle; although it seemed like only one tier apart, it had hindered countless individuals throughout their lives.
To this day, there was no definitive conclusion as to whether any Legends still existed on the entire continent.
Nevertheless, reaching the sixth tier and serving as the Director of the Supervisory Bureau… Ingrid had already stepped into the higher echelons of the present world, wielding many secrets that only someone of that caliber could know.
Even casually revealing a few might greatly aid Rast.
For instance, without her assistance this time, even with Hiltina and the entire Starry University’s resources, Rast would not have been able to find clues about “Canaan.”
“Rast, do you know about the connection between the soul and body from the perspective of Mysticism?”
Hearing Ingrid’s question, Rast nodded.
His Tower sequence had always focused on strengthening the soul. During the time he was recuperating in the school hospital, he had taken the opportunity to study this area of theoretical knowledge using his smart terminal.
“According to what I know, the body can be understood simply as a container for the soul.”
“The soul and body of an Ordinary Person are unified, so there typically won’t be any issues… But if there’s a mismatch between the body and soul, it will lead to the phenomenon of the soul interfering with the body, and vice versa.”
This was also one of the reasons why there were so few old monsters in this world shouting, “Kekekeke, such a young body.”
Those decayed souls, long corrupted by the passage of time, might change to a younger body through possession, but at that moment, the fresh body would inevitably begin to decay and rot under the influence of the aging soul.
Likewise, Rast was willing to delete the majority of his unnecessary memories, clinging to the dream of becoming a Guardian as if it were a lifeline, permanently anchoring his mental state at the age of seventeen through hypnotic suggestion for this reason.
If he did not do so, his soul would have withered away over three hundred years.
Even if he were to escape the cycle, he would appear no different from a weary old man.
“That’s right.”
Ingrid nodded.
She twisted her wrist, lowered her eyes, and slowly removed the black silk gloves.
Revealing a prosthetic arm that appeared lifelike yet glimmered with a silvery-gray metallic sheen, with mechanical gears faintly visible at the joints, showing it to Rast.
“My hand was lost for similar reasons.”
“During a mission I executed when I first joined the Supervisory Bureau as an Inspector, the extended time it took to activate the Night Blade caused my soul to suffer permanent damage.”
“Reflected onto the body, it manifested as my right hand… Even when extraordinary means enabled me to grow a new limb, it would rapidly decay in a very short time, ultimately leaving me with no choice but to use a prosthetic.”
“Fortunately, this mechanical prosthetic crafted by skilled artisans is quite functional, so it’s not entirely a bad thing.”
…
“That old man at the academy already told you that your way of using Night Blade is very dangerous. Extracting power from the soul… it can shorten your lifespan or even lead to permanent disabilities.”
“It seems that old man’s kind warning was lost on you.”
Mr. Silver had somehow leaped back onto Rast’s shoulder.
Before this, it hadn’t spoken a word, but now it coldly stared at Ingrid.
This was the first time Rast saw Mr. Silver display such a frosty expression; it had always been either cute or laid-back in front of anyone back in the academy.
“I’m sorry, but I had no choice, Mr. Silver.”
Ingrid put her black gloves back on, hiding the chilling metallic prosthetic.
Her expression was calm: “My Night Blade ‘Shadow Iron’ is only rated as the most mediocre type by the Ruins Institute, unlike those fortunate individuals who rely solely on powerful Night Blades to stand out.”
“And I’m not like Hiltina or other classmates who come from prominent backgrounds; even if they give up becoming Night Travelers, they still have a way out.”
“I have nothing, no background, and I refuse to submit to those in power and rise through their support.”
“The only thing I can rely on is my own hard work.”
“If it weren’t for that achievement I accomplished, I wouldn’t have been able to establish myself in the faction-riddled military, let alone reach my current position.”
Mr. Silver did not respond to her words.
It simply lowered its voice again, “For power, for status…”
“Is it really worth sacrificing all this?”
Ingrid smiled slightly: “I know, Mr. Silver, that you actually expect me to answer like Hiltina—”
“I joined the Supervisory Bureau and became an Inspector, including that time I fought tooth and nail to achieve merit, all to maintain social stability and ensure the people can live happily…”
“But in reality, you also know that’s not the case.”
She subtly turned to look at the distant hillside behind her, where the Stellar Obelisk could be faintly seen.
“The reason I am desperately doing all this—”
“Is simply to climb up by any means necessary.”
The train’s whistle approached from afar.
It was a black train with the Empire’s military-exclusive Black Eagle Livery, easily recognizable from its appearance.
The gust of wind created by the train lifted the dry leaves piled up on the platform, first shooting into the sky and then scattering down.
Only Ingrid’s words faded into the wind.
“There are so many people in this world who have gained happiness through power… Why can’t I?”
“Why can’t I have the power to change my own fate?”
(End of Chapter)
