Within a small, abandoned house on the border of the city.
Inside a room, where the soft clink of glass sounded intrusive, three figures stood around a table, their attention fixed on a vial containing a single drop of blue liquid.
“So, Olivia asked me to examine this drug?” Keleanos asked, lifting the vial closer to his face.
Through the glass, he caught Martha’s subtle nod.
“Then I’ll try. Though you shouldn’t expect much. I’m not Varellia.” His brows furrowed as he spoke.
“I’m sure Master’s trust is well placed. Knowing you, you should be able to break down the components making this drug.” Eden adjusted her glasses and tilted her head, a faint smile etched across her face.
“It’s fine and all, but I am the Remnant that nurtures agricultural progress. There’s no reason a product of pure science should be understood by me.”
Looking at the blue drop, he felt a strong unease.
“At least, if Varellia’s daughter were here, it would be easier.”
Keleanos paused, words failing him. A dry smile replaced the doubt lingering on his face. “We can’t do anything about that. Time to put my gloves on.”
The vial trembled slightly as he turned toward Eden, the liquid inside glistening against the glass.
Eden smiled, then shifted her gaze to Martha.
“Could you wait until the process is done? I’d rather you bring the results to Master instead of having to wait until your patrol is over.” Her lenses caught the glow of the streetlamp outside.
“Understood.”
Martha closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall. She made no sound as her presence thinned, her aura fading until it was almost nonexistent.
“…” Eden grimaced.
“The void magic you’ve obtained from Master Orion is truly terrifying. If I didn’t know better, I’d be fooled just like everyone else.” She glanced toward Martha, whose form now seemed faint—almost blurred.
“Liar. I know you’re not affected by it.” Martha scoffed, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Removing her glasses to clean them, Eden simply tilted her head to the side, offering no further comment.
“Alright. I’d like to begin the analysis. Eden, please assist me.”
Keleanos placed his fingers on the cap and, with a soft pop, opened the vial.
“Of course, Keleanos.” With a swift flick of her wrist, she slipped her glasses on—an effortless motion that spoke of long habit.
She stepped closer to the table and leaned forward, her right hand bracing against its surface as Keleanos poured the vial’s contents into the palm of his hand.
“Is that safe?” she asked, peering through her lenses. “Won’t skin contact have some effect on you?”
“That’s precisely what I want to observe.”
Keleanos watched as the bead rolled neatly along the creases of his skin, leaving no trail behind.
“Interesting.” His brow lifted slightly as he followed its movement. “The texture is similar to slime. No residue, no seepage. There’s no indication it’s permeating the skin.”
His curiosity sharpened. He set the now-empty vial aside and reached for a tool.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Here.” Ever diligent, Eden extended her gloved hand. Resting against the fabric lay a thin metal needle.
Keleanos accepted it with a nod. Eden straightened, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as her gaze returned to the blue drop.
Slowly, he brought the needle closer, careful not to nick his own skin.
“…”
Focused, he lowered the tip into the sphere.
They both expected it to rupture—to spread—but instead the drop bent inward, swelling to one side as the needle failed to pierce it.
“What...?” Eden tilted her head, eyes widening.
“That is strange.” Keleanos remained composed. He withdrew the needle, rolled the drop across his palm, then trapped it gently between the thumb and forefinger of his other hand.
He frowned—not in confusion, but recognition.
“This behaves like it expects resistance,” he said quietly.
“It’s far more flexible than it should be. How could this function inside the body after injection?” he murmured. “More importantly—this isn’t a liquid at all. Whatever this is, it’s far too dense.”
“If it’s injected,” Eden said slowly, “then fluidity would be necessary. But this isn’t altering… it’s maintaining form.”
As he shifted the drop between his fingers, there was no sensation of temperature at all—neither warmth nor chill. It felt unreal, like touching something that refused to be perceived.
“What is the meaning behind those properties?” He pondered.
He lifted the drop to eye level, holding it toward the window.
“Light doesn’t pass through it either.”
The substance bounced faintly between his fingers, utterly outside the bounds of his expertise.
Eden snapped her fingers, a brief flash of light blooming within the dimly lit room. She brought her finger close to the drop, confirming Keleanos’ observation.
Not even her light magic could make the drug transparent.
“Well, that’s all I can determine from the exterior.” Keleanos lifted the vial and carefully returned the sample inside, sealing it as the blue drop settled once more against the glass.
“What else can we possibly learn?” Eden frowned, her fingers trembling slightly. “There’s no way Martha can return to Master with just this.”
“Don’t worry.” Keleanos’ voice was calm, steady enough to draw her attention back to him. “I still haven’t used my power. There may be something important hidden deeper.”
He paused, then added quietly, “It isn’t a very practical ability, but perhaps I can determine its composition. I’ll have to try.”
He placed both hands flat against the table, the vial standing between them.
“…”
Keleanos inhaled deeply, then closed his eyes.
For a full minute, to Eden’s growing unease, he didn’t move at all. Even his breathing seemed to stop.
Then the air around him shifted—subtle, but unmistakable—washing away her concern.
He slowly opened his eyes. A golden sigil bloomed over his pupils.
Locking his focus onto the vial, he exhaled through parted lips.
Composition of analyzed matter: ****
A rapid stream of words echoed through his mind, tumbling out at an absurd pace.
“Damn it…” His teeth ground together, the sound sharp in the quiet room. “This is nothing like materials from Triazils.”
He focused again.
Composition of analyzed matter: ****
Again.
Composition of analyzed matter: ****
Again.
Again.
Again—
Each attempt yielded the same result.
His left hand rose to his temple. He pressed his fingers there and exhaled sharply.
“This is going nowhere…”
Yet the light in his eyes refused to fade.
“…But after coming this far, I have to know.”
The sigils flared brighter, every shred of his power pouring into the analysis.
Composition of analyzed matter: ****
Composition of analyz—
Analyzed—
Lized—
His eyes snapped open as the voice inside his mind began to fracture. His pulse grew faster as words slowly revealed the truth.
Composition of analyzed matter:
— Water / 82%
A flawlessly stabilized aqueous carrier, inert on its own.
— Cognitive Fracture Compound / 12%
A synthetic neuro-disruptor designed to shatter cognitive coherence without inducing organ failure. Derived from synthesized medicinal plant extracts.
— D-Devourer’s Blood (Refined Extract) / 4-4-4-4-4-4-4.5%
*********
— Binding & Suppression Matrix / 1.5%
A containment lattice designed to suppress suspicion and stabilize energy transfer through the carrier to the feeder via internal **********
The voice tapered off, dissolving into silence.
“Ack—!”
Blood spilled from the corner of Keleanos’ mouth as he clutched his chest, staggering.
“Keleanos!” Martha and Eden rushed to his side, catching him before he collapsed.
“W-What the hell is this?” He shouted hoarsely, glaring at the vial as fear crept into his eyes. “I don’t even understand half of that scientific jargon—but medicinal plant extracts? That shouldn’t be possible!”
Eden shook him gently. “Keleanos, focus! What did you find?”
He grit his teeth, blood splattering onto the table as he forced the words out.
“Olivia’s hunch was right…”
Both maids froze, eyes widening. Keleanos recovered from his stupor, letting a brief silence float in the room.
“There’s a Devourer in this city.”
