The Extra's Rise
Chapter 590 - 590: Bone Symbiote (5)

Paul's reaction to the royal communication was everything I could have hoped for and more. When we arrived at the Ebony Tower to find him practically vibrating with excitement in the main laboratory, it was clear that the prospect of creating a symbiotic Ancient Undead had triggered every research instinct he possessed.

"Arthur! Great news," he said, striding forward to greet us with barely contained enthusiasm. "Their Majesties have authorized access to materials I've only dreamed of working with. We're not just creating a symbiotic construct anymore—we're attempting to birth an entirely new category of Ancient existence."

The laboratory had been transformed since our morning departure. Additional containment fields hummed at multiple levels, creating nested barriers designed to handle materials that operated beyond normal physical laws. Master Valdris supervised teams of researchers who were carefully relocating components from the Tower's most restricted archives.

"The material requirements for Ancient Undead creation are fundamentally different from standard constructs," Dr. Thorne explained as she reviewed updated schematics on the holographic display. "We need components that can sustain true consciousness evolution rather than just programmed responses."

She activated a new section of the display, showing materials that made even the original nine-star components seem mundane by comparison. "For the soul aspect, we're upgrading to enhanced nine-star Void Beast essence—specially treated and concentrated to provide the consciousness anchor necessary for Ancient-level awareness."

The enhanced Void Beast essence was contained within a specialized housing that created visible spatial distortions around its perimeter. The concentrated essence seemed to exist partially outside normal dimensional space, creating ripples in reality that made my enhanced perception struggle to maintain focus.

"For the mind aspect," Paul continued, indicating a lattice of crystals that crackled with controlled electrical energy, "we're using eight-star Storm Titan crystal matrices. These were formed within the neural pathways of a Storm Titan and can process information at speeds that approach prescience."

The Storm Titan matrices were beautiful in a way that was almost overwhelming to observe—crystalline structures that contained networks of controlled lightning, as if entire electrical systems existed within their geometric patterns. Each pulse sent waves of energy through the surrounding air that made my enhanced senses tingle.

"And for the body aspect," Dr. Thorne added with obvious reverence, "nine-star Abyssal Emperor bone fragments—some of the most adaptable biological material ever documented."

The Abyssal Emperor bone fragments were the most unsettling of all—skeletal material that appeared to remember every adaptation the creature had ever made, constantly shifting between subtle configurations as if trying to optimize for different environments. They seemed to exist in a state of perpetual readiness to evolve.

"The power differential is extraordinary," Paul said, studying readouts that showed energy levels requiring constant recalibration. "We're working with materials that could reshape reality if improperly handled."

Jin whistled softly as he observed the elaborate containment systems surrounding each component. "These materials are why most institutions never attempt Ancient Undead creation. The resource investment alone represents more wealth than small kingdoms possess."

"Which is precisely why royal backing was essential," Dr. Thorne replied. "Private practitioners or standard research institutions couldn't access materials of this caliber, much less risk them in experimental applications."

I studied the three components with growing appreciation for what we were attempting. Creating Erebus had required materials that challenged my understanding of necromantic theory. This project would require materials that challenged my understanding of what magical beasts could achieve at their absolute peak.

"The theoretical framework needs complete reconstruction," Paul continued, pulling up new schematics that bore only superficial resemblance to our original symbiotic design. "Ancient consciousness doesn't just follow programmed responses—it develops independent personality, makes evolutionary choices, grows beyond its initial parameters."

"How does that affect the symbiotic functionality?" I asked.

"It makes it more complex but ultimately more effective," Dr. Thorne explained. "Ancient consciousness can adapt to your changing capabilities over time rather than being locked into initial programming. The symbiotic bond will actually strengthen as both you and the construct develop."

The implications were staggering. Instead of creating a sophisticated tool that would eventually become obsolete as my capabilities evolved, I would be creating a genuine partner whose growth would parallel my own advancement.

"Processing requirements are significantly more demanding," Paul noted, indicating new equipment that had been brought up from the Tower's deepest levels. "Ancient consciousness formation requires not just mana programming, but actual consciousness transference from multiple sources."

"Multiple sources?" Jin asked.

"Ancient Undead consciousness isn't created from nothing," Dr. Thorne explained. "It requires consciousness fragments from existing Ancient entities to provide the foundational awareness patterns. We've arranged access to consciousness imprints from three different Ancient Undead, each contributing specific aspects of awareness."

She activated additional displays showing three distinct consciousness patterns—swirling mandalas of thought and memory that represented the distilled experience of beings that had transcended normal undead limitations.

"A Bone Emperor for structural consciousness—understanding of form and adaptation," Paul listed. "A Shadow Sage for tactical consciousness—strategic thinking and battlefield awareness. And a Void Walker for symbiotic consciousness—knowledge of integration and partnership."

The consciousness imprints were mesmerizing to observe, each one containing layers of experience and understanding that represented centuries of accumulated wisdom. Just viewing them gave me glimpses of possibilities I'd never considered.

"Your role in the programming process will be far more complex than we originally planned," Dr. Thorne continued. "Instead of simply channeling your Deepdark essence into a consciousness matrix, you'll need to integrate your patterns with these Ancient awareness fragments while maintaining your individual identity."

"The risk of consciousness merger is significant," Paul added seriously. "Ancient awareness fragments are powerful enough to overwhelm unprepared minds. You'll need to maintain perfect mental discipline while allowing enough integration to establish genuine symbiotic bonding."

I considered the challenges we were describing. The original symbiotic construct had required complete consciousness expansion while maintaining individual identity. Creating an Ancient symbiotic entity would require that same level of mental discipline while integrating with consciousness fragments that represented power I could barely comprehend.

"Luna," I said silently, "your monitoring capabilities will be essential for this process."

'Essential and terrifying,' she replied with unusual gravity. 'Ancient consciousness fragments aren't just memories—they're active awareness patterns that could rewrite your entire mental structure if allowed to integrate too deeply. I'll need to maintain constant vigilance to prevent complete personality submersion.'

"Timeline for material preparation?" I asked aloud.

Valdris consulted his tablet, running calculations that involved materials whose handling requirements defied normal physics. "The enhanced Void Beast essence requires three days of stabilization and concentration before it can interface with other components. Storm Titan matrices need specialized programming to accept non-electrical consciousness patterns. Abyssal Emperor bones must be awakened gradually to prevent uncontrolled adaptation."

"Five days minimum for material preparation," Paul summarized. "Another two days for consciousness integration setup. Then the actual creation process, which could take anywhere from six hours to six days depending on how the Ancient awareness fragments respond to integration."

"Meaning we could have a symbiotic Ancient Undead operational within two weeks," Dr. Thorne concluded with obvious excitement.

The timeline was aggressive but achievable, assuming no major complications arose during the integration of materials that existed at the very limits of what necromantic theory considered possible.

"There's one additional consideration," Paul said, his expression growing more serious. "Success with this project will establish you as someone capable of creating a second Ancient Undead through unprecedented methods. That level of capability will attract attention from powers and institutions that most practitioners never encounter."

"The Royal family mentioned that visibility was inevitable," I replied. "Better to achieve something extraordinary with appropriate backing than to limit ourselves to safe mediocrity."

"Spoken like someone who understands that true advancement requires accepting calculated risks," Dr. Thorne observed approvingly.

Jin's communication device chimed with an incoming priority message. After reading it, his expression shifted to something more formal.

"Father wants progress reports every twelve hours," he announced. "Mother has apparently begun making arrangements for what she calls 'international introductions' following project completion."

"International introductions?" I asked.

"When my mother starts planning diplomatic connections, it means she expects whatever you're creating to have implications that extend far beyond the Western Continent," Jin explained. "You're about to become a figure of considerable strategic interest."

The weight of that responsibility settled around me like a familiar burden. Creating a symbiotic Ancient Undead wouldn't just advance my personal capabilities—it would establish me as someone whose innovations could reshape the balance of power between magical institutions.

"Then we'd better make sure we create something worthy of that level of attention," I said finally.

Paul's grin was brilliant with anticipation. "Oh, Arthur, I believe what we're about to create will exceed everyone's expectations. Including our own."

As the research team began the delicate process of preparing materials that existed at the very pinnacle of magical possibility, I found myself looking forward to the challenges ahead with a mixture of excitement and healthy respect for the risks involved.

We weren't just creating a summon anymore. We were about to birth something that could change the fundamental nature of what necromantic practice could achieve.

The question was whether I was prepared for the responsibilities that would come with wielding such unprecedented capability.