Alberto looked at the random hero summoning card in the system's inventory.
A rare item that can summon a random hero with exceptional abilities. The summoned hero's strength and skills are unknown until activated.
"This is a rare item. I've only received a few hero cards from the system so far. If I use it, I might summon a powerful warrior or mage. But who will it be?"
Despite his curiosity, he decided to hold onto the card. The timing wasn't right.
Alberto navigated to his Skills Panel.
- Imperial Command (Passive): Increases the loyalty of subordinates and enhances the efficiency of troops under his command.
- Strategic Insight (Active): Grants a temporary boost in battle awareness, allowing him to predict enemy movents.
- Master of Logistics (Passive): Improves resource managent, ensuring efficient military supply chains.
- Anti-magic defence (Hidden): Grants resistance to magic-based attacks.
- Universal language (active ): This allows Alberto to understand and speak all languages.
- Poison resistant: Makes Alberto immune to all types of poisons.
- Superhuman stamina: Increases Alberto's stamina twentyfold compared to a normal person.
The System had granted him several skills suited for ruling and warfare, but he still lacked direct magical power.
A knock at the door broke his thoughts.
"Co in," he commanded.
Circe, the head mage and leading researcher of the Arcane Research Institute entered and bowed. "You called for , Your Majesty?"
Alberto gestured for her to sit. "Yes. I want an update on your research into magic enhancent for my soldiers."
Circe adjusted her glasses and sat across from him. "Our progress has been significant. We've confird that even non-magical individuals can acquire magical abilities, but the process is incredibly dangerous. The survival rate is abysmally low."
Alberto frowned. "Explain."
Circe raised her hand, and a magical holographic display appeared, revealing complex data charts and anatomical diagrams.
"The Magic Enhancent Process is divided into three stages," she began.
"We inject a controlled amount of arcane energy into a subject's bloodstream. The problem is that the human body is not naturally designed to channel mana. Without an innate mana core, the energy disrupts cellular integrity, often leading to organ failure or catastrophic necrosis. Roughly 99.9% of subjects die at this stage."
Alberto's expression remained unreadable. "And the survivors?"
"They develop so resistance to mana, but most suffer from mana poisoning—a condition where excess energy corrodes the body from within. The pain is unbearable, and many go insane before we can move to the next step."
"If a subject survives the first stage, we attempt to artificially construct a mana core within their body, imitating what natural-born mages possess. This core allows them to regulate and control magic instead of being consud by it.
However, the failure rate remains high. The body often rejects the core, leading to cardiac arrest, neurological damage, or complete cellular collapse. Only a handful endure the process, and even then, their control over magic is unstable."
"Those who reach this stage develop rudintary magical abilities, but their minds are heavily affected. The intense pain, near-death experiences, and unnatural changes to their physiology frequently result in dissociative psychosis—they either beco emotionally dead or violently unstable.
We've tried mind-conditioning techniques and magical stabilizers, but success remains limited. Even the survivors require years of training before they can function as proper combatants."
Alberto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That ans even if we refine the process, the failure rate will remain high."
Circe nodded. "Correct. But with improvents, we estimate we can increase the survival rate from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 300 or 400. It's still costly, but potentially worth it."
"I bought many slaves from Britannia. About a thousand. Use them for your experints. If even a few survive, they could beco valuable spies or assassins for us."
Circe's eyes glead with approval. "An excellent idea. However, we must ensure their loyalty before granting them such power."
Alberto waved a hand dismissively. "They're bound by slave seals. They cannot betray , even if they wanted to."
Circe nodded. "Then I'll begin the trials imdiately."
Alberto leaned back. "Now, tell about the Super Soldier Serum."
Circe smiled and conjured another set of holographic charts.
"The serum is 90% complete. We've successfully tested it on select soldiers, and the results have been beyond expectations."
She pulled up anatomical scans of test subjects.
"The serum is based on genetic samples extracted from the Taku civilization—a race of ten-foot-tall warriors with enhanced musculature, superior bone structure, and rapid healing abilities."
Alberto raised an eyebrow. "How did you obtain their DNA?"
"From Taku visitors to our Empire. We studied their genetics and isolated the key sequences responsible for their imnse strength. By modifying these genes and integrating them into human test subjects, we created an injectable formula that enhances physical capabilities."
Alberto folded his arms. "Summarize the effects."
Circe then gave him a file.
Super Soldier Enhancents report:
Enhanced Strength: Muscle density increased by 200%, allowing soldiers to lift nearly a ton without difficulty.
Superhuman Endurance: Cellular regeneration improved by 500%, leading to faster recovery from injuries.
Tougher Skin & Bones: Bone density reinforced to the point where most small-arms fire is ineffective.
Enhanced Reflexes: Subjects exhibit reaction speeds double that of normal humans.
Side Effects & Failures:
Genetic Rejection: So soldiers' bodies violently rejected the serum, leading to internal haemorrhaging and death.
Neurological Instability: Rapid brain chemistry shifts result in paranoia, schizophrenia, or uncontrollable aggression.
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Rage Syndro: A few test subjects beca hyper-violent, attacking anything in sight. They had to be euthanized.
Alberto smirked. "I assu you've filtered out the failures?"
"Yes. We have identified the most compatible subjects and are preparing them for final integration. However, we discovered that a specific herb from Taku Island is essential for stabilizing the serum. It strengthens genetic adaptability and reduces negative mutations. The herbs will arrive in a few days."
Alberto tapped his fingers. "Once the serum is complete, I want the first batch of super soldiers deployed against Latvia."
Circe stood. "Understood, Your Majesty. If all goes as planned, we will soon have an army of super soldiers and artificial mages."
Alberto smirked. "Then no one will stop us."
Circe nodded. Then she said. " By the way, Your Majesty, the leaders of Taku have formally invited you to visit their lands. They seem eager to et you."
Alberto's gaze hardened. "Not yet. Latvia is my priority. Once the war is over, I will visit Taku myself."
Circe bowed. "Understood. I will continue my research imdiately."
As she left, Alberto picked up the Hero Summoning Card once more.
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. The Bernard Empire would soon reshape the world.
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