After falling asleep, Hera barely had any dreams. There were a couple of moments when some images flashed in her mind. The guides, the Naga, her reflection in a mirror, her court. But they never lingered. It felt very much like the type of sleep one would have when sick and under the effects of medicine. The difference is that she never woke up or moved around.

Outside, Tara was staring at a large red crystal. There wasn't anything she could do right now since the system was taking care of Hera's transformation. The ancestor had done everything she could, including trying to add the runes and spell circles to the new body, but now it was out of her metaphorical hands. She was just staring at several screens that showed Hera's vitals and the current state of her body.

The crystal slowly started to melt, and Tara knew this signaled that the transformation was over and everything was going well. Not that things going wrong was ever something she was worried about. The system took charge of the entire process. All she had to do was input the information. After around 10 minutes, all the crystal was gone, and Hera, in her new body, was lying still in the now-empty pool. Tara let her rest. The process would've taken a toll on the Empress's body, and now she needed rest.

Now that the transformation was over, the ancestor received some new information from the system. She was learning the new capabilities of Hera's body and what part she would have to play in all of this. A number of hours later, she heard a groan and looked over to the Empress.

Opening her eyes, Hera needed a moment to understand what she was looking at. The ceiling was more colorful than she expected. The lights seemed to flicker a golden orange while the ceiling was a cold blue. These weren't the right colors, not the ones she remembered, at least. Unless she had changed locations. But aside from the colors, everything else looked the same. Blinking a few times, the Empress saw her vision change, returning all the shades to what they were. With a groan, she tried to push herself up and felt an odd pressure boosting her waist. The unexpected assistance made her fall forward, hitting her head on the empty pool.

"Ouch," Hera groaned while getting up, this time using only her arms and legs.

"Hera!" Tara rushed over, no longer in her Naga form, "Take it easy. It will feel very weird for a while."

"Thanks," the Empress opened her mouth a few times, "My tongue feels weird."

"Yeah, it has more muscles in it. While it's in your mouth, it will feel like that of a human, but you can make it longer and tinner to grab some smells in the area."

Hera nodded, "Yeah. I can smell with my mouth now, too. This will make food weird," she frowned before looking up, "Why did the colors change? Was it my eyes?"

"Yeah. One of the things you can do with it," Tara smiled, "Take a moment to gather yourself. I imagine your mind is a bit scrambled."

Hera leaned back to sit on the floor, but her tail coiled around her waist, creating a small seat for her, "Oh? This is surprisingly comfortable."

"Just don't stay like that for too long. I don't want your first experience with your tail being the pins and needles. That feels awful."

The Empress tapped her new tail, focusing on the feelings coming from it. Having an extra limb was extremely weird but, in a way, familiar. It was reminiscent of how she could sense what her court felt but more intense.

"According to the system, it already gave you all the knowledge on how to move the tail and your new body. As well as how things should feel. So even new things won't feel wrong unless they actually are," Tara explained.

"Got it," Hera nodded but looked around. She was still naked, and even if Tara's place wasn't particularly cold, she wasn't feeling as chilly as she expected, "Am I coldblooded now?"

"Not really, but also yes. Instead of the usual 36 to 37 Celsius that your body had, you are now around 11 to 12 Cº. People might think you are a bit cold to touch, but you are able to take in the external heat more easily while still being able to withstand the cold without actually lowering your temperature all that much."

"Yeah, yeah. I remember that. You also said I would be uncomfortable if I stayed too long in the sun, right?"

"Yep, that's it."

"Ok, ok. I'm remembering. My head is getting better. Like, my body feels great, but my head is… I don't even know."

"To be fair, you just came back from being goo, so yeah, that checks out," Tara chuckled.

"Right, the caterpillar thing," Hera shivered, "The idea still freaks me out."

"Don't worry, you won't have to go through that again. I don't think you even can," Tara looked around, "Yeah, only one transformation per person. A permanent transformation like this one, I mean. Not other temporary skills."

"Right. What about the skills? Did I get any?"

"Yeah, ready to see them, or do you want a mirror first?"

Hera rubbed her eyes, "Give me the skills. I still don't trust I can stand up properly."

"Ok, There are a few of them and a title. I also have to talk about a semi-permanent buff you have. Also, you are not a Naga. The system has named you an Ophidianite. Any Naga skill you had was also renamed."

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Ophidianite Scales (Rank 3)

Your skin has become as sturdy as the scales of an Ophidianite. Any attacks that hit you will deal reduced damage.

When your scales fully develop, they will receive special properties based on your experiences.

Reduced damage: - 15%

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Ophidianite Poison (Rank 6)

You are able to create poison effects as if they are natural extensions of your body. Your poisons can become more varied, and you can imbue different types of mana to the poison itself. The poison permeates your body, changing its temperature to maintain the optimal conditions for its production.

When attacking, you can coat the weapons you are wielding with poison at no cost to your mana.

When the poison is delivered through non-magical means, it becomes considerably stronger.

Poison mana efficiency + 150%

Poison effectiveness + 60%

Poison resistance + 90%

Non-magic Poison Strength + 400%

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Ophidianite Vigor (Rank 1)

The body of an Ophidianite is better able to grant you increased physical resilience and vitality, and it's better equipped to utilize one's attributes. The effects of your attributes are 10% stronger.

Current attributes: 106

Attribute base bonus: 96%

Attribute bonus with this skill: 105.5%

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Ophidianite Sight (Rank 1)

The eyes of an Ophidianite have a vision range that extends beyond the ordinary spectrum, allowing you to perceive infrared light. This enhanced sight grants you the ability to see heat signatures and detect hidden creatures or objects that emit heat.

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Ophidianite Mana Sense (Rank 1)

Ophidianites are able to perceive and utilize mana naturally, thanks to the formations in their bodies. Ophidianites have accelerated mana growth.

Maximum mana growth rate: +5%

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Ophidianite Resistance (Rank 1)

As an Ophidianite, you have increased resistance to poisons and toxins. Your natural immunity to many common poisons is enhanced, and you can endure harmful substances with reduced ill effects.

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Ophidianite Regeneration (Rank 1)

The Ophidianite physiology allows for quick regeneration of small wounds and injuries.

Regeneration +10%

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Ophidianite Adaptation (Rank 1)

The Ophidianite nature endows you with adaptability. Ophidianites are able to adjust rapidly to new environments and conditions.

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Title Acquired: Ophidianite Progenitor

Being the first Ophidianite in the MAZE, you are recognized by the system as the blueprint of this new species. Any changes made to the species will affect you retroactively.

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Buff activated: Growing Species.

Any biological children you have will be full-blooded Ophidianites, no matter what is the species of the other parent.

This buff will remain active until there are at least 50 000 Ophidianites in the MAZE.

Current number of Ophidianites: 1/50 000

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"Wow… this is... A lot," Hera said after reading all the notifications. She never expected to get this many skills.

"Yeah, Mana Sense, Regeneration, and Vigor are the ones that came from the mana circle and runes you tried to make. Everyone who joins the species should receive them. But babies might not because of mutations," Tara explained.

"Got it, but Vigor… does it affect everything?"

"No. That skill only affects other skills and the passive effects of attributes. Weapon scaling and anything that uses the attribute value specifically won't be affected."

Hera nodded, "Ok. I wasn't expecting the whole title and buff thing… Basically, the system is asking me when will I have kids?"

"Sort of. But you, specifically, have another option. Do you remember how one of the requirements for this was a legendary item from the Naga?"

"Oh yeah. We never used it, did we?"

"We did. When you were transforming," Tara gestured to the side, and Viper Pit, the bracelet made out of snakes, floated closer to Hera. It was now smaller, being enough to just cover her wrist, and it looked like it was made out of silver.

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Serpent's Grove- Bracelet

Rarity: Legendary

A bracelet was created together with the first Ophidianite. It links the Ophidianites with their heritage and proves that the owner of this item is who should guide the species to the future.

100% increased effectiveness when using Ophidianite skills.

80% increase in mana growth.

80% increase in mana regeneration.

60% reduction in damage taken.

60% increased Ophidianite skill growth rate.

Skills:

Rattle

By shaking the bracelet, you can trigger a sound like a snake rattle. This sound can affect allies or enemies depending on the effect chosen.

- Warning Rattle: Can only be heard by those the user considers allies.

Cost: 2 000 mana for each 2 km

- Battle Rattle: All allies who hear this sound will have their strongest attribute increased by 60% for 30 minutes. Cost: 50 000 mana for each 300 m

- Threatening Rattle: All enemies who hear this sound will have their weakest attribute reduced by 50% for the next 21 minutes

Cost: 50 000 mana for each 150 m

- Death Rattle: All those who hear this sound, aside from the user, will receive 200% extra damage from all sources for 2 minutes.

Cost: 300 000 mana for each 100 m Cooldown: 24h

Only a single Rattle may be active at a time.

Pit of Snakes:

You can store mana inside this bracelet to create a number of snakes that will emerge from it when called. The number of snakes is proportional to the amount of mana in the bracelet, and their strength is proportional to the wearer. The bracelet cannot have more mana than its current wearer.

The snakes can perform simple tasks and listen to basic commands. They can also be used to create a makeshift altar or ritual circle as long as the wearer presents the image to them.

The wearer can also ask one of the snakes to share their senses with them. That can be done with a single snake at a time and said snake will become unable to share their senses again unless they are resummoned.

Maximum number of snakes summoned: 30

Current Mana: 3 935 219/3 935 219

Ophidianite Essence

Every 24 hours, you can make a small amount of Ophidianite Essence to drip from the bracelet. You can make two 50 ml vials with this skill. By drinking a single of these vials, it is possible to increase the rank of an Ophidianite skill or learn a new Ophidianite skill if there is one available. Drinking the essence daily can increase the chances of getting these effects.

A person can only receive the benefits of a single vial each day.

Any essence that is not consumed will vanish after 240 hours.

Current Available Vials of Essence 10/10

Ophidianite Ascension

If a person who has not undergone another ascension drinks the Ophidianite Essence while having at least one Ophidianite skill at rank 5 or higher, they will be offered a chance to transform into an Ophidianite.

As per the will of its creator, the bracelet cannot be destroyed by acid.

Only an Ophidianite can wear this bracelet.

Bound to Hera

Only Hera can transfer ownership of this item.

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"Wow… This is a lot. And why is it glitching? There is a space after my name."

"So, the system gave the option of changing your name. And I don't mean just in a legal way, but like have a change confirmed by the system. I wasn't sure if you wanted to."

"Oh... Yeah, it might be a good idea. Hera Kingsley is supposed to be dead, and if I have the same name and last name, even as a Na… as an Ophidianite, it might raise some suspicion. Can I take some time to think?"

"You can't leave here before changing, but you can take your time. Ready to see how you look?"

Hera nodded as Tara created a mirror on the side. Getting up, the Empress walked over to see her reflection. She still had her now long golden hair, but it was attached to a purple scalp due to her scales that would slowly turn into that soft pink of her skin. Her eyes were still brown, but when she tried seeing things in infrared, it changed. Instead of the round pupils, she now had slit pupils surrounding a yellow-ish green iris. Looking at it, she still could see her face, just a bit more… sharp. Her nose continued to be small but now had a slight point to it, and the same could be said for her chin. The scales all over her body had a mix of lavender with a deep purple shade, going all the way to her tail. It was on the biggest end of the spectrum, a good 30 centimeters of it dragging behind her, and the appendage was thick. Even thicker than her own legs. She was still naked, and her breasts were bare, without any scales to cover it. The same could be said for her genitals.

Touching her own body, she tried to get used to this new feeling. Her hands could still be soft, but they were also covered in scales, so it was a new sensation. At the same time, her skin felt a bit rougher and stronger. Hera reached out to her clothes and pulled the necklace where Daskka was, calling the Herald right away.

The snake came out and took one look at the Empress before gasping, "Wow, mum. You look amazing! There wasn't that much change from what you looked like before. Aside from the hands, feet, tail, and scales."

"Thank you. And yeah. I'm glad I didn't change as much. Becoming a new species is already change enough," Hera smiled and waved her tail to Daskka, "And now we have one more thing in common."

"And don't worry, mum. I'll teach you the ways of the tail," Daskka waved her tail back, "Yeah… by the way," Daskka looked around for Hera's clothes, "How are you going to use your pants?"

Hera blinked a few times and turned to Tara, "Please, don't tell me I have to get out of here without pants."

"Don't worry. I'll fix your pants and underwear to fit your new body. But that's a one-time deal. It won't happen again," Tara smiled and started changing Hera's clothes as she tried to get used to her new body.