Almost there, just a bit further, I can almost...

...Nope. Dried up again. The light cascading through the carriages curtains informs me that the sun had finally risen to its zenith. Great, I haven't official slept for these past two days.

This whole training thing can be quite tedious sometimes, but who am I to complain. William and Ramaze are doing the majority of that for themselves these past two days. “Henry! Don't start spacing out once you've finished circulating your Qi, remember you need to start replenishing your Qi without my help from now on.” Hearing Ramaze's magically enhanced shout, projected inside the carriage, I begin to recall how Ramaze has been in a rather bad mood these past two days, though it hasn't decreased either the amount or quality of training he's given me. In some cases, it's actually even worse.

“Huh” Signing sharply to my daily torments, I can't help but turn my attention to the other complainer, William, who's current brooding is; in comparison to Ramaze's, at least building up a sizable meat supply. Though even with the increasing supply of meat, I am beginning to worry about the complete and utter lack of any other types of food. Hopefully, we'll hit some sort of town soon, preferable one from the Flain Theocracy since we've been heading east these past two days.

Which reminds me. I wonder how the old man's doing, it's been a while since I last heard if anyone was trying to oust him from power. Hope's he's doing well, hell, he might even know where my mother and her band of mercenaries are...

... “Henry!” Once again, Ramaze's deafening voice echoes throughout the carriage, causing an unnecessary headache to almost form as well. Seriously, what's wrong with him. Even if being distracted isn't the best thing to do while training. He should of at least realised by now that I'm not even needed to gather my own Qi. William took care of that in our very first meeting; I still shudder at the though at what he did to me. Well no use in pissing him of any further, I might as well use the opportunity to try and increase my ability to sense the Qi around, hell. I might even be able to do some simple manipulation of the Qi that around me. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I swear that kid's going to be the death of me. Maybe I should have him hunt his own dinner after he's finished his second circulation, though that would have to involve William not killing of all creatures we encounter in the plains.

William, who's now what's he's doing. Currently, he's off gallivanting into the wilderness, either electrocuting varmints to death or dragging them into his void things, alive. It wouldn't be so bad if he actually said what he was doing half the time. It's especially daunting when all he's said is go east. Why? Who knows? Maybe it's another one of his eccentric antics? Oh how fun.

Still, even with the utter lack of communication on his part, he could at least do something about all the noise he makes. Would that be too considerate of him? Probably. I should start doing it myself more permanently, otherwise, it could affect Henry's training.

Hell, numerous times I've wanted to shout at him and tell him they're better ways of dealing with your broodiness. But, then I remembered the situation I'm in, and I start to hope that some sort of spirit demon had somehow managed to cross into this realm. At least then William would finally find the perfect test subject.

“Err!” Remembering the situation I'm in, I can't help but groan in dissatisfaction. But I was so close, so fucking close. 'Bang' in my frustration I don't even notice that I've started to beat the carriages seat. But that doesn't matter right now. Because it's all thanks to that lunatic's antics. Because now I'm branded as an enemy of the Grand Elder, at least Bai Lihua is somewhat on my side, if only because of William turning Rising Lotus Sect on its head. What a perfect life I'm living.

“Huh.” Calm down, calm down. Breath in, breath out. Don't let William get to you. Focus on Henry's training, for now, make him strong enough to survive on his own and then we'll go from there. If I'm lucky he'll even be strong enough to help me.

Yes, that's the plan. That is unless William somehow manages to fuck this plan up as well.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................

There, their badger, it's okay, you're going to go on and do great things. Calming and capturing the badger was way to easy, plus it's the only big mammal I've actually managed to capture, thank Sol that I actually bothered to learn this sleep spell during my academic years; it makes the capturing process much more peaceful.

Internal monologuing aside, I and my new assistant appear within my sub-space within mere moments of its eternal slumber. Though for once I didn't get a chance to see if George had done any redecorating while I was gone, since for once he was already waiting for me in the 'lounge'. Something good must of happened. But first things first, “Good news George, you're pining for a larger test subject has been approved. I do hope you like the present I got you.”

At first George didn't answer me, instead, he waltzed over to the badger and begun to inspect it. After what seemed like an eternity of him checking every inch of the badger, he eventually seemed to remember that I'm here and answered in his dronish voice. “Well, I would have preferred something more bipedal, but this should suffice for now.”

Straight to the point as always I suppose. While George begins teleporting the badger to the lab I settle down on the 'lounges' Burgundian sofa; which I'll admit is more comfortable to what I had set out previously. However, just as I sat down I heard the familiar 'fwoosh' sound and knew it was time to get back to business “Tell me George other than wanting actually bipedal subjects, how's the current project going. I do hope well since after only two days I've managed to almost completely eradicate any small grassland critters I've managed to come across. Any more and I'm going to be going further afield. Plus I doubt, being in a bit of a mood will suffice as a good excuse to the talking tin can for much longer.”

Seemingly ignoring my little conundrum concerning the little critters, he begins his report as he walks to where I'm seated. “Well, I've got good news for you then Master. From the surviving specimens I have: four rabbits, twelve foxes and a squirrel. I've managed to completely re-write their genetic genome to be more inclined with or world's standards.”

That was quick, though time does flow slightly different here; especially in some parts of the sub-space. But even with the impressive speed, I need to know the downsides or potential problems. “What happened to the ones that didn't survive. And has there been any visible downside's yet.”

“Well, concerning the dead test subjects, the first lot either popped when I injected too much mana into them, the Dantian couldn't take the excess mana as it being stretched and dematerialized to form the mana pool in the creatures body.” Not too extreme then, most things non-magelike pop when you fill them with too much mana that they can't dissipate from normal means. “Other dead test subjects died via not enough mana being injected into them, though in this case the Dantian managed to absorb the overflowing mana, however, as the Dantian was being stretched out at this point, as soon as the mana entered the Dantian underwent structural collapse, thus the mana instead begun to rest in the subjects bones and organs once they were free due to the existing mana in them. The end result was the compleat and utter disintegration of the animals body.” A tad concerning, I'll have to make sure George studies a bit more about this before I get my body back.

But there's one flaw I can't help but think George is overlooking, however, “Tell me, George, how did you manage to circumnavigate the fact that this world doesn't have anything resembling a mana shard in any of the animals or people I've met?”

“I didn't. Don't give me that look, master, even though I haven't managed to replicate something like the mana shard in the creatures body, they are still are to hold mana in themselves and survive. It's amazing really.”

Seeing George's amazing face is a sight to behold since barely makes him happy. Might as well pry the secrets out of him, otherwise, he might rush back of to his lab before explaining things to me. “And?”

Even though it was only a small question the little gnome seemed both surprised and embarrassed at the same time.“Oh Right, 'ahem' as I was saying, there are able to hold the mana that s needed to revivalist them, due to their meridians. It's so much more sophisticated than our world's mana pool network. Oh, the possibilities.” Here we go. “For example, if say a normal man were to become disable, in our that would be it for the man, unless he was near a healing mage would could repair his body, and that all because the mana pool no longer has access to the man disabled part and thus it cannot use the man's inborn mana to repair him. However, Meridians are completely different, since they act like blood vessel and can still deliver the mana to different parts of the body; as long as there aren't damaged as well. Allowing the man to use his own mana supply to repair himself. It's revolutionary.”

I better calm him down before he gets too excited about potential future prospects. “George, you do know that a non-magicians inborn mana supply also indicates how long they have left to live, rich people would rather pay for a healer than risk shortening their lives for an easier recovery time.” Georges' face stiffens at this point, but I gave to erase any ideas George has, or it could be detrimental to my long-term goals. “Now I'm not saying it's revolutionary, since it is, people in military or labour professions will love the chance not to permanently lose limbs. But if a man's leg is crushed, or a soldier loses an arm in a war, then I highly doubt that they would be able to utilise the new Meridians that they have.”

“B-but.”

His attempts to reason with fall on deft ears since I need him focusing on this world and not our old world. “Don't fret George. Your tests have not only been eye opening but they've also given me quite a lot of ideas as well. But first, I want you to try and figure out a way to remove the meridians and implant a mana shard inside their body. After you've managed to successful modify and bred the animals of this world, I'll begin thinking about human experimentation or human-like experimentation.”

He looks dejected, but it should be fine, he can worry about all the profits he can make later, but in the meantime, there's much more important such to research first. “As you will Master this one shall obey.”

However, just as I was beginning to settle down and wondering what wine I should have, George moves closer towards the sofa and suddenly asked me a question, “Master, since my experiments will need time to grow themselves, why don't you allow me to go outside and find all the test subjects in your stead.” For a while I was stumped I never though George would bring this line of thought up, but while I was organising my thoughts George continued onwards. “While you are trapped inside young Henry, wouldn't it make much more sense for me to travel the world and collect things instead, that way you can regain your mana that much quicker.”

After his speech, Georges manoeuvres behind me. I wouldn't have noticed if his footsteps weren't so loud. But even there eventually died out and for what seemed like forever, I eventually answered the ageing Gnome. “Your correct George that would be easier. But I'm going to have to reject your suggestion.” I can feel his body freeze at my rejects. But I have to reject since, “Your the only person I have left George and until I regain my body I won't permit you to leave.”

“But Master.” He tries to object, but I raise my hand to stop him before he can carry on.

Honestly, compared to most servants he's much more forceful and full of himself. His greed now's no bound and the number of times we've gotten each other in trouble is outstanding. However, “I want no more objections from you George. Unlike the previous world, we don't know if Gnomes exist here if they don't then you may get capture I won't be able to help you since the soul anchor attaching me and Henry barely lets me travel a mile before it feels like I've hit some sort of invisible wall. So wait a little longer, George. Wait until I've cast off the shackles that bind me to Henry.” Turning towards the little Gnome, who seems so much smaller compared to the years when we first partnered together. I can't help but comfort him. “Then and only then will I let you out. Since even if you want top help me out now, isn't your end goal the same as mine, to your master, Euphemia.”

Even as the words died out and the lounge descended into silence, neither of us spoke for a long time. Both of us immersed in memory long gone. But now instead of being hunted down we were so close to finishing. This time I'll succeed no matter the cost.