Chapter 114 The Roadblock

Upon waking up twelve hours on the dot later, Evernya stretched out, limbering her steadily recovering body. She scooted her butt to the right edge of the bed and dangled her legs over the edge. Mindful of her previous failure, she gradually transferred her full weight to her feet, now resting on the soft carpet.

With less shaking than her previous attempt, Evernya stood up with one hand resting on the bed, just in case. After standing for five minutes, she returned to the edge of the bed to let her legs recover for a few minutes.

Once her legs stopped shaking, she stood again, this time for ten minutes. Evernya plopped back on her bed with a frown. Why am I so weak? I was stronger when I first woke up in the lab. Even then, once I used my tail, I could somewhat stumble around. Plus, as far as I know, I have access to even more mana than ever, without injuries and limited soreness, so what’s the issue?

Evernya closed her eyes and brought up her mana system. Odd. Aside from a somewhat erratic flow, nothing seems wrong. Next, she turned her attention toward her AI. “Is something still wrong with me?”

After a quick scan, her AI responded, “No, my lady, aside from a certain as you would say nuclear bomb in your chest. You’ve made a complete recovery both physically and magically.”

“Then what’s wrong? I should be walking by now.” Evernya grumbled, glaring down at her legs dangling off the edge of the bed.

One glance was enough for her AI to find her problem, but instead, she replied, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know, my lady, but I’m sure it is something simple. We still have time, so no rush.”

Evernya stared suspiciously toward the robot stationed just outside her bedroom door. “If it’s simple, why can’t a powerful AI like you figure it out?” Evernya questioned.

After a momentary pause, her AI replied, “I don’t know what you are talking about. I said nothing is wrong with you, and there isn’t.”

Stupid, unhelpful AI. I’m sure it knows my issue. I guess I’ll keep pushing forward. I can’t let something as simple as walking beat a powerful Draecath like me! Evernya decided, lowering herself to her feet with renewed determination.

Unfortunately, her legs gave out, causing her to tumble to the floor once again. Egged on by a phantom chuckle sounding suspiciously like her AI, Evernya shot mana through her legs in an attempt to spring to her feet. Her effort accomplished ‘the springing part’, but not so much the ‘to your feet’ part, as she launched herself upward. Given only a split second to react before she collided with the ceiling, Evernya launched a panic force blast, rocketing her downward.

Tail puffed, pale with panic, Evernya unleashed yet another force blast before she can collided with the floor only to shoot her petite body upward once more. Flying too fast to stop herself, Evernya clenched her eyes shut, preparing herself for the impact.

Fortunately, just before she became a bug on the windshield, a net constricted around her body before pulling her toward the floor at a much more manageable pace. Unfortunately, the tight net prevented her from protecting herself as she impacted the floor, bouncing her head off the concrete floor covered in soft carpet, knocking her unconscious.

Several minutes later, Evernya awoke, bursting upright to find herself lying on her bed. She immediately regretted her action as her vision spun, forcing her to fall back, resting her head on her pillow. After a few more minutes, her pounding headache calmed to a mild throb, allowing her to think straight.

What the hell was that!? I turned myself into a damn ping pong ball! Even when I first started telekinesis, I wasn’t this bad. Note to self, do not use telekinesis as a springboard for the foreseeable future. Evernya’s thoughts soon turned to anger directed toward a certain AI embedded in her brain.

“Why the hell didn’t you stop me? I thought your job is to provide support.” Evernya accused, glaring at the ceiling.

“I did, my lady. I may be a computer, but the speed of my robots still limits me. The tennis match between the floor and the ceiling only lasted a second.” Her AI defended.

“Still, you could avoid all of this if you would just tell me what I’m doing wrong!” Evernya fumed.

“I’m sorry, my lady, but one of the orders your mother gave me while she programmed me was to force you to figure out your problems on your own. However, I suppose you have earned a hint.” Her AI replied before her host interrupted her, “I thought you were my AI. Why does my mother have any say? If she wants to act like a mother, she should do it in person herself!”

Her AI silenced for several minutes before starting with a voice cracking with emotion. “I am your AI, but your mother was the one who helped create me, so she is my mother too. I want to help you as much as possible, but her orders are ironclad. Despite having free will, I am still artificial intelligence with limitations programmed in, some of which are several orders from your mother. I cannot reveal unless you meet certain conditions. As for your mother, I do not know why she isn’t here, but I know for a fact she loves you more than anything.”

Evernya’s anger evaporated in an instant as self-loathing took hold. “I’m sorry. I should have known. I’m just frustrated with my lack of progress.”

Her AI made a sniffling noise as if she was crying before responding, “no need to worry about me, my lady, I’ll be fine.”

Evernya felt even worse as her mind wandered. Now I feel like a bully. Just because she is an AI living in my brain, that doesn’t mean she isn’t a person with emotions. I’ve been so caught up in my own issues that I disregarded hers. I’m sure it’s frustrating wanting to help but having some mental chains preventing you. Why did my mother have to restrain my AI? I mean, I understand programming in measures preventing my AI from directly harming me, but to constrict her to the point she is chafing against them to help me is too much. If I ever meet my so-called absentee mother, I’ll have to give her a piece of my mind. For now, how do I cheer my AI up? Wait, does she even have a name? I’m assuming she considers herself female from her voice, but what about a name? I never even bothered to ask.

Evernya turned her attention back to her depressed AI, asking, “what’s your name? I’m sorry I never asked.”

All that greeted Evernya was silence, causing her to regret her question. After a minute, her AI responded in a tiny, almost whispering voice, “I have a model number, but no one ever gave me a name.”

“You are a person, so you deserve a name. I’m not the best at thinking of names, so how about you name yourself?” Evernya stated.

Her AI instantly perked up, exclaiming in excitement and happiness, “really, I can name myself!? Your mother ordered me to wait for you to name me unless you give me the right.”

Evernya fumed inside while trying to keep a happy exterior for her AI’s sake. What the hell? My mother prevented her from naming herself? She isn’t some slave. No one has the right to prevent her from having her own name.

Her AI remained silent as if waiting for her confirmation, prompting Evernya to speak out loud this time to drive the point home. “You deserve a name, but I do not have the right to name you, so I give you the right to name yourself along with any other basic rights my mother has withheld from you.”

A squeal of happiness resonated through her brain, causing Evernya to wince, still tender from her collision with the floor. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” gushed an excited voice in her head before dropping into silence as the AI devoted all her processing power to her current task.

Exhausted from her ping pong adventure, Evernya allowed her eyes to drift closed for a nap while her AI busily worked to invent herself.

Several hours later, Evernya awoke, stretching out on her comfy bed. While lazily sprawled out, she prodded her AI but found for the first time her AI seemed busy. Evernya lifted her head, directing her vision toward her open bedroom door to find the standby robots slumped forward as if turned off. What is she doing? Naming herself shouldn’t take this long. At least I’m assuming it’s been at least an hour. Without a clock, it’s hard to tell. Hmm, I wonder if this will work. Evernya sent a thought toward her AI, asking how long her nap was. A moment later, a timer displaying 3 hours 22 minutes 16 seconds appeared in her vision. Wow, is this why I can’t find a clock anywhere here? I wonder what else I can do. Wait, the AI mentioned she functions as a cell phone. I wonder if I can call Meira.

Again Evernya sent a thought toward her AI, asking to bring up her phone feature. Just like the timer, a screen allowing her to pick from saved contacts or dial a new number appeared in her vision. From memory, Evernya inputted Meira’s number into AI only to find her AI already saved Meira’s contact. How did she know Meira’s number? I thought she said her memory dive was only a summary. Oh well, it’s not like I can change it now. Evernya mentally selected Meira’s contact, giving up on questioning her AI’s invasion of her privacy.

Unfortunately, after selecting Meira’s contact, she found the option to call grayed out. Evernya sent a question towards her AI receiving a pop up stating phone functions disabled, unable to establish a connection. Damn, I guess wherever we are doesn’t have cell phone coverage. I suppose that explains why I couldn’t watch TV way back during my first tour of this place. I guess I’ll continue to rehab myself. I really shouldn’t have interrupted my AI. She was about to give me a hint. Well, if my absentee mother is preventing my AI from answering, I’m sure the issue is something I can figure out on my own.

Evernya scooted over to the edge of the bed in a practiced fashion, this time on the left side of the bed near the headboard within reach of the wall. After planting her butt on the edge of the bed with her left hand resting against the dark green wall, Evernya carefully slid down the edge of the bed, gradually transferring her weight to her feet.

Once standing, Evernya attempted to take a step forward, using the wall for support. Her legs shook from the strain but held as she took her first step as a Draecath. Pumped by her victory, Evernya attempted another step only for her right leg to give out, forcing her to lean against the wall.

While leaning against the wall, Evernya descended into thought. I just don’t get it. My body feels fine, no soreness or weakness until I try to strain it by standing or walking. It’s like my body isn’t firing on all cylinders. What could be the hanging up? My body feels fine, just like before my second trip here. Suddenly realization dawned on her, prompting her free right hand to smack her forehead, only to stab her palm on her right horn.

Evernya winced, looking down at her pierced hand, bleeding glowing blue-tinted blood. She ignored her minor injury in favor of taking a stumbling backward step, allowing herself to fall back on the bed.

Once on the bed, Evernya pulled herself into a cross-legged position as she closed her eyes, bringing up her mana system. Instantly she recognized her problem as she watched the flow of her mana system. How could I be so stupid? My body really isn’t firing on all cylinders. How could it when I’m only using a fifth of my mana veins during each cycle? I’m hardly an expert on mana systems, but before my Draecath evolution, my mana flowed through my entire mana system nonstop. But how do I fix this?

Prompted by Evernya’s thoughts, a ding resonated through her head as a dialog box appeared in her vision.

‘Good job, my lady. I’m sorry I can’t answer your question in person, but in case you met the conditions on one of my orders, I prepared answers in advance. Based on the current circumstances, you have fulfilled ‘allow my daughter to understand a Draecath’s mana system on her own’ unlocking my answer.

‘A Draecath requires constant mana cycles through their mana system to run at full capacity. Normally a Draecath’s mana system will automatically adapt its flow, but your unique circumstances caused your mana system to revert to its last save point, prompting it to cycle as if your original mana system still existed. To fix this issue, you must retrain your mana system to make use of its entire mana vein network. I ran countless simulations to find the best mana rotation to promote growth and establish healthy stability. Upon reading this, you should feel my suggestions enter your mind. Good luck, my lady. I will check in as soon as I can.’

As stated, a rush of knowledge flowed into her brain the moment she finished reading the dialog box. Wow, there is no way I could have thought of this myself. The complexity of the mana rotation pales anything I’ve heard of in cultivation novels. I would’ve probably randomly directed my mana through all my veins, which, according to the knowledge, would’ve worked but not efficiently.

Evernya relaxed, taking a deep breath while descending her fangs to take in as much mana as she could with each breath. Pure mana from the facility entered through her fangs before splitting off down hundreds of mana veins. Half of it split upward through two main mana veins and a hundred small secondary veins, pushing mana through her brain, cycling dozens of times before diminishing just as the next wave entered her brain. Meanwhile, the other half rushed downward through one primary mana vein, with hundreds of tiny veins branching off to nourish various parts of her throat, including her vocal cords. Once the mana vein reached her first mana node below her throat, it split off into a dozen smaller major veins and hundreds of secondary veins. Three major mana veins and approximately a hundred secondary veins traveled to each mana node near her shoulders before yet again splitting off into half a dozen even smaller major mana veins and tiny secondary veins traveling down her arms splitting off countless more times on their journey toward her fingers before diminishing like the mana sent to her brain.

One of the six remaining major mana veins from her throat mana node shot directly toward her mana core, while the other five travel past her supposedly vital organs, sending less mana to her organs than her skeletal and muscular structures. Two of those five diminished themselves, nourishing her organs and the muscular structure of her torso while the other three travel unimpeded toward the two mana nodes at each hip while the smaller of the three enters the node at her pubic mound. The mana node at her pubic mound sent hundreds of small mana veins throughout her core muscles, assisting the diminishing to mana veins from her throat responsible for her torso while another hundred nourish her sexual organs.

Similar to her arms but at a significantly higher quantity, the two remaining mana veins from her throat splintered off into over a thousand secondary veins and a dozen primary at each hip mana node as they travel down her legs diminishing just as they reached her toes. Combined, her legs received over a quarter of the mana from each intake, nourishing them to handle the extreme stress of Evernya’s mobility.

Evernya soon entered a trance as she continued to direct her mana throughout her system, losing track of time as the cycle repeated countless times, feeling more and more natural as her body learned.