Chapter 477: Merging With The Embryo

Bertram’s smile froze as his eyes slowly widened in disbelief.

"How many did you say?"

Caelus chuckled. "Twelve. Do you want to see them?"

The fairy’s fingers began trembling as Caelus opened the entrances to his pocket dimensions. Golden light spilled into the cabin from the spheres stored inside.

Bertram leaned closer and counted them. When he reached the last one he went back to the first and started again.

Bertram shivered as he stared into the pocket dimensions.

"You’re really holding twelve..."

"That’s what I said."

Bertram opened his mouth but nothing came out. He sank into the seat across from Caelus and stared at the glowing embryos.

"Most people have about a one percent chance of finding even one High-Grade World Embryo on a trip. You came back with twelve on your first visit!"

"How are you all so lucky? I sent you in this morning!"

Caelus shrugged and closed the spaces.

"We found most of them together. There was a Fog Giant guarding the place."

"It wasn’t that strong, so we made it out safe."

Bertram only became even more speechless hearing this.

Bertram rubbed his face while Sylvia smiled beside Caelus. The fairy had been ready to comfort them over an empty-handed return and now seemed to need the comfort himself.

Caelus thought back over their recent gains. For some reason his luck really did seem better since he had merged with the Axiom Origin.

First the devils had delivered a useful device to him. Then it had led them to enough High-Grade embryos for the whole group and plenty more.

Was the Axiom Origin responsible?

He couldn’t say for sure, but he certainly wasn’t going to complain.

"We’ll use four ourselves," Caelus said. "That leaves eight."

Bertram shook his head and finally recovered enough to sit forward.

"Eight High-Grade embryos to spare... I can help you sell them."

Caelus’s smile widened.

"That’s what I was going to ask you. We don’t know anyone here who could handle something like this."

"I do, but there’s no need to rush the sale. Let me find suitable buyers first."

"Fine by me."

Freya watched Bertram with her arms folded.

"You aren’t selling mine."

"Your Big Brother already put one aside for you," Sylvia told her with a speechless look.

Caelus laughed and took out four embryos. He handed them to his companions before keeping the last one for himself.

"There, now you can stop worrying."

Freya hugged hers while Bertram examined the sphere in Caelus’s hand.

"You should merge with these before doing anything else. I’ll take you somewhere safe so no one interrupts you."

Caelus nodded.

"All right, show us the way."

Bertram returned to the controls and lifted the ship from the platform. They flew back toward Crossroads Plaza as the mountains disappeared behind them.

He brought them to The Silver Orchard and led them through a private passage behind the reception area. At its end he opened a heavy door and revealed a broad chamber.

Four circular platforms stood well apart on the pale floor. Light ran along the walls and formed a barrier over each platform when Bertram touched the panel beside the door.

"I use this place when I need to train," he explained. "You can release your power here."

Caelus examined the room while the door closed behind them. The noise from the hotel vanished and even the pressure from the others felt weaker across the barriers.

Bertram gestured toward the embryos.

"Let the World Embryo merge with your body. It will become the foundation of your Primordial Core and start changing your cells."

Caelus looked down at the golden sphere. The layers of land inside continued moving around its bright center.

"The cells formed through this process are called Primordial World Cells," Bertram continued. "They sustain a Primordial’s body and support its growth."

"And the grade of the embryo determines how much power you gain."

"The better the embryo, the more Power you gain when you level up. A High-Grade one gives you 10 Power Index each time."

He had entered the Primordial rank with only one. With a foundation like this he finally had a clear way to keep increasing his strength.

"Begin by drawing its power into yourself," Bertram said. "Once the fusion starts you should focus on letting it spread through your body."

The others chose their platforms. Sylvia settled across from Caelus and gave him a smile before placing her embryo between her hands.

"See you after we’re done, hubby."

Caelus smiled back and sat down.

He drew the first strand of golden energy into his palm. It traveled through his arm and entered his chest, where the warmth began spreading with each heartbeat.

The embryo rose from his hands.

[Ding! High-Grade World Embryo fusion initiated.]

The golden sphere moved toward his chest and sank through his skin. Caelus drew in a sharp breath as its weight seemed to fill his entire body.

Light ran through his arms and legs. Beneath his skin the cells nearest his chest began taking in the embryo’s power.

One swelled with golden light until Caelus thought it might burst. Then space opened within it and the pressure suddenly eased.

He focused on the changing cell. A small stretch of land took shape inside its expanding space while bright energy flowed around it.

[Ding! Primordial World Cell formed.]

Caelus’s eyes widened.

He could feel the cell producing power. It fed the surrounding flesh while more golden energy entered the cells beside it.

The change spread through his chest and down his arms. Each new World Cell joined the others and strengthened the flow running through his body.

His fingers curled against his knees as a deep warmth reached his bones. The muscles beneath his skin tightened and then relaxed as they adjusted to the new strength.

Across the room Sylvia’s hair lifted in the rising air. Golden light passed beneath her pale skin while dark blue light shone in her eyes.

Freya sat with her eyes tightly shut and both hands pressed against her chest. Her embryo had disappeared too, and a bright glow spread from her heart toward her limbs.

Himmel remained still on the last platform. The barrier around him rippled as his aura grew heavier.

Caelus closed his eyes again and let the fusion continue.

The World Embryo’s bright center settled within him as more of its power spread through his body. Each heartbeat carried it farther until even the cells at his fingertips began changing.

BOOM!

A pulse of power struck the barrier around his platform. The light held firm while his clothes fluttered in the force pouring from him.

Caelus clenched his teeth and guided the spreading energy. The pressure in his chest eased as the new World Cells began sharing its weight.

Then the flow soon settled.

Power passed from the forming core into his cells and returned again without the rough surges from before. His body felt stronger with every completed cycle.

The last golden light sank beneath his skin. Caelus opened his eyes as the Akashic Records displayed a system panel before him.

[Ding! World Embryo fusion complete.]

[Ding! Primordial Core formed.]

[Foundation Grade: High.]

[Power: +10]

Caelus slowly raised his hand. He could sense the new World Cells throughout it and the steady power flowing between them.

There was no need to transform to feel the difference. This strength belonged to his body.

Across from him Sylvia opened her eyes and smiled as the glow around her faded. Freya was already looking at her hands while Himmel lowered his palms from his knees.

All four embryos were gone. Their owners now sat within the barriers with stronger and much more powerful auras.

Caelus closed his hand and felt his core answer.

He finally had the foundation to keep growing.