"No, your body is the core of the barrier spell. This has had a large effect on your physical body. Your entire body is flooded with mana at all times, you are far above what a normal elf would be."

Core says "Oh, I didn't know that! So, I should be able to have a core, right?"

"In theory, yes. However, I have no idea if it would work since you are already a core. Until the spiders are gone and the barrier is no longer needed, it isn't worth the risk."

Core says "Okay, I understand."

Yui says "Don't worry, Ash will experiment on you at some point!"

"Yui, did you have to make it sound so dirty?"

Yui says "I blame Myria's influence on me!"

Core says "I'm confused?"

"Yui will explain it to you later! Now, let's bring in the next beastman."

In the end I am able to give cores to five of the beastmen before Yui informs me it is time for dinner. Each of them ended up with different levels of strength for their new cores, but none as strong as Myria. It would seem that what I did with Myria, while dangerous, was much more powerful.

Myria will probably be happy when she learns about it, even though it was risky. I am pretty sure that even if she had been given the choice she would have chosen the dangerous method. So I am not too worried about her being mad when she finds out, she might even be happy about it.

When I arrive in the dining room I am not surprised that Myria is not present. She should still be sleeping, her body has a lot of changes that it needs to adapt to. However, I am surprised to see Sarah, I thought she already went back to the inn.

"Sarah, didn't you head back to the inn?"

Sarah says "Yes, but I came back to fill you in on what I learned."

"Thank you. So how are things in the city?"

Sarah says "Before I get into that, there was a message from Grud, the meeting you wanted is in two days. Here, the location is marked on this map."

"Thank you. I should be able to make it in time."

Sarah says "The city has been thoroughly swept, they didn't find more assassins, but they did find some guards. Ones who took bribes but decided to hide instead of run. Under interrogation they admitted to having taken bribes from Pine for years."

"I'm guessing Borrik didn't take that well?"

Sarah says "He tried to resign as guildmaster, twice, but the others refused to let him."

"That's good, I like Borrik. He just needs to pay more attention."

Sarah says "They did find more assassins, but it was as they approached the city. There was a battle, a number of guards died, but none of your beastmen."

"All the assassins are dead, I take it?"

Sarah says "Every single one! Illium should be safe now."

"I still don't want you to go anywhere without guards."

Sarah says "Alright. Oh, a guardsman had a message for you, the bartender was hanged according to the new law."

"Oh, right. That's good. Anything else?"

Sarah says "Pol told me to tell you that there was an issue about someone named Rychen. He also told me to tell you that he was handling it."

"Alright, I will let him handle it. Anything else?"

Sarah says "No, that's it."

"Thanks for the update. Will you be staying or heading back?"

Sarah says "I will be heading back after dinner. The work is just going to pile up if I stay here."

"Alright, just be careful."

Sarah says "I will."

"Yui, have the remaining beastmen meet me for the procedure after dinner."

Yui says "Alright. I will tell them."

Sarah says "Why the change in plans?"

"Because I have somewhere to be in two days, I want to finish the procedure tonight. That way I can observe everyone tomorrow to make sure there are no problems before I leave."

Sarah says "Oh, that makes sense."

Once that is settled we all enjoy our dinner, then I head back to the experiment room. As soon as I enter the room one of the beastmen joins me and I start the procedure. The procedure goes smoothly and I immediately move on to the next beastman.

By the time the last beastman has a core it is after midnight and everyone else is asleep. Instead of disturbing them I just meditate until Yui calls me for breakfast. When I enter the dining room not only is Myria there but she is already stuffing her face.

"Myria, how are you feeling?"

Myria says "Other than being really hungry, I feel great!"

"That's a good sign. After breakfast I want you to do some exercise."

Myria says "Okay, but why?"

"The first thing you should notice is an increase in muscle mass. You should be faster and stronger than you were before the procedure."

Myria says "Okay! When can I start learning to use mana?"

"Take it easy for today, if no problems come up then you and the guards can start mage knight training tomorrow."

Myria says "Not mage training?"

"No, I'm sorry. Your core is not going to be strong enough for most spells."

Myria says "It's alright, Ash. I know you did everything you could. Are mage knights strong?"

"They can be, yes. What I went through of their training was very useful!"

Myria says "Can't I start the training today?"

"No, don't push yourself or it might take longer before you can train."

Myria says "Alright, I will do as you say. Can I eat as much as I want?"

"Of course!"

Myria takes me at my word and I am fairly sure that she ends up eating more than I do. Before she leaves I remind her to take it easy, she is only testing out her body, not pushing it. She is excited and I know if I don't remind her she will push herself too far.

"Yui, would it be possible to make a portable version of the ritual?"

Yui says "It might be possible, why?"

"Well, if everything works out with the test group I want to start converting more beastmen. I doubt you want the entire population of beastmen trooping through the tower."

Yui says "That is true."

Core says "It should be possible, but it will require someone with mana to trigger the ritual."

"Will it require a lot of mana?"

Core says "No, just a small amount. It should be within the capabilities of those who have been through the procedure."

Yui says "If it wasn't for the part with the life force we could probably automate the entire procedure. How did you learn to manipulate life force?"

"The procedure with Myria was the first time I have ever done it."

Yui says "Then how did you know you could?"

"I didn't. I just tried it and it happened to work."