Transcendent Gene
Chapter 161: Anastasia [1]

Chapter 161: Anastasia [1]

Gio was surrounded by a haze of starry blue light for several minutes after Kyrian stepped away from the bed.

He carefully watched the light, making sure that it remained stable. He expected some sort of reaction.

After all, Gio’s body wasn’t yet used to taking in foreign substances. Many people had adverse reactions to their first Bloodline and their first Sequence, leading to many hospitalizations and even deaths over the years.

’Gio’s body, unlike theirs, seems to willingly swallow the Sequence. To absorb it this smoothly on the first try...’

Kyrian furrowed his brows.

’He wasn’t born to be a genius, but he ended up with the qualities of one anyway, huh...’

His eyes shined with a light of understanding that even Gio wouldn’t have been able to follow before shaking his head.

The light he observed died down, retreating into Gio’s body. His form had been levitating just a few inches off the bed, but it was gently placed down with time.

’I can only watch over him from now. The best way to protect him...is to improve the clan’s overall standing so he has a good backer.’

Gio’s dedication to entering the battlefield became even clearer when he so firmly decided on a Sequence that Kyrian believed had many practical uses in a warzone.

’I can’t imagine the feelings he holds towards monsters and beasts as someone who was raised in a land ruled by them.’

However, it was evident enough that it was a strong enough feeling to drive Gio as much as it did.

’Haa...I wish I could understand it just a bit better, but it’s only been a day. He may be my son, but I have known him for less time than I’ve known my most recent business partners. How can I expect him to open up so soon?’

The main reason why Kyrian never pushed the boundaries with Gio was because of his rationale.

He couldn’t fathom himself in Gio’s position acting even half as friendly as he was.

’Therefore, I can only reciprocate.’

Kyrian stood up, quietly leaving the room before Gio could notice his presence disappearing.

He left the boy alone for the night, but from the next morning onward, it would be time for training...

And an entire year would pass before that training came to an end.

***

That year would pass quite fast, but only a little while later.

The first week was quite slow as Kyrian and Gio learned together how his new Sequence should be used from the start.

[Virtual Manifestation] was a great Sequence in many ways.

Its versatility was amazing. It was hard to find Sequences that could be so all-encompassing in terms of usefulness.

Gio went over the information that flashed past his mind when he absorbed the Sequence. If he had to make a comparison, it was equally if not more versatile than Natalia’s [Darkness] Sequence.

However, similarly to how Natalia’s darkness had a primary ability to "control darkness" and "use it as a weapon," [Virtual Manifestation] had a primary ability to "control virtual space" and "manifest it into reality."

As for how that was used...?

Kyrian and Gio were on the outskirts of the mansion. They stood several meters apart with Kyrian watching as sparks of blue energy leaked from Gio’s palms.

After a week, he was certain that he was wrong about [Virtual Manifestation] in the best way possible. It wasn’t a Technomancer-like ability, but something far more useful.

He watched as his son concentrated on his energy and tried to manifest into the world.

Gio was only half-faking his exertion. He didn’t need a week to learn how to use his Sequence, but actually getting its energy to obey his commands did take around that much time.

Once the ability properly settled in his body, he had to let his body adapt to its presence before it could be used.

’But that’s over now.’

Gio focused on his mind.

’I need to imagine something within the bounds of my current energy. Technically, I just hit Origin Level 1-1, but if I enhance myself with Aether...’

He constructed an image in his mind while controlling the energy in his body. The blue sparks leaking from his palms became more solid. A new space was interfering with the dimension and shifting, turning into a physical object in the real world.

The sparks lengthened and sharpened, forming a blade. Within a few seconds, Gio was holding a holographic katana in his grasp.

Its blade was sharp enough to cut the grass at his feet if he just lightly brushed it over the surface, and even though it was tangible to him, he didn’t think anyone else would be able to grab hold of it.

’I can do better.’

But his energy wasn’t spent.

A sword was nice, but at this level, it was no better than Hekat’s current abilities.

He summoned more energy and envisioned a more complete picture. More blue sparks leaked from his hands and dripped down onto the sword.

Its form morphed, becoming larger and more robust. The handle disappeared and the blade shortened into something like a bayonet.

Naturally, a bayonet could only be attached to one thing.

In another few seconds, the katana transformed into a gunblade. Gio held it and placed his finger on the trigger, aiming into the distance.

’Now, I should be able to do anything as long as I can form a defined enough image. What if...’

He pressed his finger on the trigger.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Massive holographic bullets shot into the distance, flying faster than any ordinary bullet.

More importantly, when they reached a certain distance, the world was painted blue.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

They exploded one by one, sending dirt and debris everywhere. Seeing some of it flying towards himself, Gio raised his palm, forming a holographic barrier just in time to stop the dirt from staining his clothes.

’Perfect.’

He grinned to himself. Now that he could control the energy properly, it was just a matter of his imagination.

’Right now, small constructs are the only things possible, but what about when I’m stronger?’

What about when he was at Natalia’s level?

’With my memory, perfect replication is possible. And if I get to a level where I have enough energy to replicate some of the beings I faced in the tower, or even some of the Calamities...was [Memory Book] originally supposed to be a Combat Sequence?’

If he could manifest and control a Calamity to fight against a Calamity, what did he have to be afraid of?

’Good.’

Gio nodded to himself and glanced at his father before freezing.

The look on Kyrian’s face was quite interesting, to say the least.

’Right, I should probably explain this as being a genius or something...’

He cooked up an escape plan in his head.

’...and after I get out of this, I should pay Klyde a visit.’

With the power he had now, he at least didn’t have to be afraid of walking the streets.

To him, that was more than enough reason to start chasing the Monster Race.

They were active right in front of his eyes, hiding right under his nose. They were in his vicinity, so it was absolutely impossible for him to leave them alone.

’I need to find out what Anastasia’s true purpose in blending into society was,’ he thought to himself.

’More specifically, I need to know which faction she’s working under.’

Originally, he thought about gathering enough strength and then confronting the enemy only when it was necessary, biding his time until he was strong enough to wipe them out.

But that wasn’t enough. The other side was too strong, too numerous, and too cunning.

Any time he had the opportunity to strike, he had to strike.

Including this time, regardless of whether he’d only just become a Sequencer or not.