Ed glanced at the prisoner. "Follow me." He ordered as he stood up. He walked out the door and headed downstairs, the prisoner obediently following behind him.

The nine other prisoners, the guards, and Tai's ten loyal men were all waiting, some more patient than others. Ed pointed to one of the loyal men, indicating for him to come over. "Hold still." He ordered as he activated his chimera transformation, causing blue scales to cover his entire body.

"DEVIL!" One of the kneeling prisoners yelled in shock. The guards and prisoners had varying levels of surprise on their faces, though they remained silent. Tai's loyal men seemed to have expected it, which was interesting.

Ed leaned forward and bit into the man's shoulder, his fangs digging deep inside. A strange liquid secreted from each of his fangs and mixed into the bloodstream. An amazing change took place in real-time as the man's body was filled with mana. It was similar to the process Ed had used in the past to create his mana-infused soldiers, but the efficiency was thousands of times greater. It only took a minute before the man's body was comparable to the complete transformation of a mana-infused soldier. In the past, it would have taken Ed at least a month to collect the blood and gradually introduce the mana in small doses.

'These fangs are just as amazing as I expected.' He grinned.

"Jiangshi?" One of the Chinese prisoners whispered to another.

"Vampire?" Ed chuckled awkwardly while maintaining his bite. "Something similar I suppose." Suddenly, his whip-like tail shot out behind him, its sharp tip penetrating the head of the man he had brought upstairs earlier. The man's eyes widened in shock at the betrayal, but he couldn't seem to speak.

'It's an odd feeling...' Ed thought as he felt the power flowing through his tail. He could feel the ability to siphon the power to himself if he so wished. However, he had no desire to do so after seeing the consequences of Tai getting carried away with the power. Instead, he directed the power towards his fangs, and it easily passed into the young man's body he was biting. The transfer took just over a minute.

"Ptui." Ed spit out some blood as he let go of the man. 'It was a lot faster than Camazotz... Is it a difference in ability? Well, the bat was lazy after all, or maybe he delayed on purpose to fuck with the Japanese government. Still, it's going to take a bit over two minutes per transfer... Time is tight.' He observed the young man with great interest. 'Tai seemed to absorb the paths and laws he was directly compatible with according to what he told me... But it was different for Hina. She got an entire new set of laws. Granted, I had to interfere to rebuild her and Haru's damaged mana-cores.'

A thud rang out as the dead prisoner fell to the floor. A puddle of blood formed around his head. "AHH!" The remaining prisoners screamed and hollered in fear while everyone else remained calm.

Suddenly, flames lit up on the young man's body. They seemed to be the most ordinary type of flames one could have.

"Eh, a bit disappointing." Ed rubbed his chin. 'Well, all of these prisoners are going to have fire abilities in one form or another. We'll probably see a lot of repeats.'

Suddenly, the new esper curiously looked at his hands. A ball of flame started to form in each hand as he attempted to figure out how to use his newfound powers. An instant later, the balls of flame shot towards the man's own head!

Ed's powers quickly snaked out, snuffing out the balls of flames. 'Heh, like I wouldn't be ready for that after the last time one of my new creations blew his own head up.' He grabbed the man's arm and yanked him back behind him. "You're in the way of the next round. Don't go aiming your own weapons at yourself again. I won't save you next time."

The young man's eyes shook as he gulped down his saliva. He nodded and stumbled towards the stairs to return to his room.

Suddenly, the guard captain stepped forward. "Excuse me, sir. I didn't get the chance earlier, but Sect Leader Long informed me to give you this." He held a book out towards Ed.

"Oh?" He grabbed ahold of the book and glanced at it. 'Information on all the prisoners?' He grinned. 'Just what I needed. Let's see....' He flipped through the book, locating the prisoner he just killed. 'An ordinary two-elemental mana-core. Only mastered two paths of flame.' He rubbed his chin. 'The transfer works similar to a stress awakening. The newly awakened esper had mastered the default path of fire and nothing else, meaning he'll need to work backwards and cultivate his meridians. Interesting...'

"Next." Ed grinned as he bit into the next man, his tail shooting into the head of another prisoner. At the same time, he started jotting down notes in his journal about the process.

'Subjects 1 through 10. Each prisoner had two-elemental mana-cores. All ten seemed to be in control of only one or two paths of fire. All ten newly awakened espers only mastered the default path of fire. Disappointing.'

The newly awakened espers all returned to their room. Half of the guards cleaned up the dead prisoners while the other half fetched the next batch. The next group of young loyalists also came down to the first floor. Then the process repeated.

'Subjects 11 through 100. All prisoners had two-elemental mana-cores and only controlled one or two paths of fire. All newly awakened espers mastered the default path of fire except for one, which interestingly mastered the default path of water.'

'Subjects 101 through 299. These prisoners must have been higher priority. While all prisoners had two-elemental mana-cores, they had also mastered between three and five paths of fire each. The difference in quality seems to have a significant impact. Half of the newly awakened espers mastered the default path of fire. Forty percent mastered two paths of fire. The remaining ten percent mastered three paths of fire.'

'Subjects 300-500. Both a decrease and an increase in quality. These cultivators had three-elemental mana-cores and mastered only one or two paths of fire each. Ninety percent of newly awakened espers mastered the default path of fire. The remaining espers mastered a random default path from the other elements. One exception was an esper that awakened a law of some type. It seems to be related to governing temperature. It may have potential once properly trained.'

'Subjects 501-900. These prisoners all had three-elemental mana-cores. They mastered between thee paths and seven paths of fire, while some had also mastered various paths of other elements. The quality jump has made a huge difference. Only a quarter of the newly awakened espers mastered the default path of fire. Another quarter mastered the default paths of other elements. Of the remaining half, forty percent mastered multiple paths of fire or other elements, and ten percent obtained a law.'

'Subjects 901-999. These must be the cream of the crop. All of these prisoners have four-elemental mana-cores and have mastered at least seven paths in a single element. Additionally, nearly half have stepped onto the stage of purple mana. I didn't realize that the sects were hiding so many powerhouses. No wonder America tries to stress awaken so many espers. It's the only way to really compete... Every single power transfer resulted in the newly awakened espers having obtained a law except for one that only gained purple origin fire. A pity that the one with purple origin fire is practically useless due to his current lack of mana.'

'Subject 1,000. This one is an elder that Tai spared? He has no elements related to fire, which is unusual for a Fire Dragon Sect elder. He also has no dark element, so it makes sense why Tai didn't bother using him. A five-elemental mana-core, seven paths of wind mastered, seven paths of lightning mastered, purple origin wind and lightning mastered, and he's even mastered laws related to thunder and sound? Hell, this guy probably isn't that far off from the sect leaders, though his laws seem kind of weak... The transfer this time was... unexpected.'

Ed finished writing and looked up from his journal. In front of him was the final newly awakened esper, subject 1,000.

The esper's body was intangible, seeming to both exist and not exist. He was like static electricity, fading in and out while struggling to maintain his form. A humming sound continually emitted from his body. "Help me!" His voice buzzed oddly, making it difficult to understand.

Curious, Ed stretched his finger forward and poked the silver-colored body.

Bang! A flash of light blinded the room and lightning sparks jumped over the ground. When the room returned to normal, the esper was gone. However, he reappeared a brief moment later, still seeming to struggle with maintaining his form.

"Mm." Ed nodded. 'It's similar to Mordy's body. This one will be useful if he can gain control. A pity he probably won't be able to before the war begins.'

The man's face was difficult to make out, as the static obscured his face. But even then, one could tell he was in anguish.

"Calm down." Ed smiled. "You should be happy with your amazing results. Just focus on slowly gaining control. It may take you a few days or even weeks. If you fall apart, then just pull yourself back together.'

The man struggled to nod, showing he understood.

"Good." Ed turned towards the guards. "I'm finished here. I'll be returning now."

The guard captain nodded, allowing him to pass.

Ed yawned and stretched as he mentally calculated the time. 'I sped it up a bit near the end as I got better at it. Should be just enough time for a nap before the war starts in the morning.' He lazily scratched his chest as he left the manullium mine and returned above ground. The night was darker than usual despite it being night. It seemed that there was a curfew order. Additionally, citizens weren't being permitted to have any form of lights on. 'Are they afraid of air raids or something?' He wondered.

Just as Ed reached the mansion, a shadowy figure stepped out from the shadows. A thin pale hand reached towards his shoulder. Halfway towards him, the arm transformed into a tentacle that quickly wrapped itself around his neck.

"Funny." Ed chuckled as silver flames lit up on his body and burned the tentacle.

"AH! FUCK!" A voice screamed in the darkness. A moment later, Dupe hopped in front of him while shaking his burnt arm. "It was just a joke! Did you have to burn my arm?!"

"You're lucky I didn't kill you." Ed sinisterly laughed.

"Tsk." Dupe clicked his tongue. "Not like I can't make another one."

"No need to brag." Ed chuckled as he headed for the mansion. Dupe followed behind him.

The duo entered Ed's room. Recalling what Tai had done the other day, Ed decided he needed to be more cautious as well. Ice shot out from his body, enveloping the room. It wouldn't have as much impact as something that actually affected space, but it should at least reduce any spying others might try. The ice would easily block sound and mana, making it difficult for the vast majority of espers to get through.

"Cold." Dupe shivered as he rubbed his arms.

"Stop exaggerating." Ed snorted. "Give me a status report. What's going on at the Purple Origin Sect and the other sects?"

Dupe nodded, a serious look on his face. "Things are normal at most of the sects. However, the Purple Origin Sect and Earth Dust Sect are making strange movements."

"Oh?" Ed curiously rose an eyebrow.

"The Purple Origin Sect has started to round up those that remained behind from other sects. The remaining sect members, including me, have been taught a strange chant. But they aren't telling us any details on what it's actually for. There are some rumors that it's related to Yuki's wedding though."

"I see." Ed nodded. "It should be related to the ancient formation set up by Yu the Great. The chant is likely part of activating it. Does somebody lead the chant?"

"Mm." Dupe nodded. "Bai Fang is in charge of leading the chant, which is why many think it's related to the wedding."

"Hmm..." Ed rubbed his chin. "So, the adopted son is in charge of the formation despite it being his wedding day? Seems like an odd choice."

"Right." Dupe agreed. "Other than that, I think I know what's happening to the espers being rounded up." He grinned. "I sent one of my clones into the training room. I easily should've been able to leave the room, as I've already mastered the path it called for."

"Oh?" Ed curiously examined Dupe, wondering which path he mastered. Unfortunately, it seemed Dupe had no intention of revealing it.

"Not just me, but the others inside the training room were trapped as well, and I found some of the espers that had been rounded up by the sect. It's being used as an impromptu prison. Not only that, but they're teaching the prisoners a different chant than the one we're learning outside the training room."

"Interesting..." Ed rubbed his chin. "It could be that the formation needs different chants inside and outside to properly activate it... Either that, or the ones inside it are being sacrificed."

"That's what I thought too." Dupe nodded. "As for the Earth Dust Sect..." He frowned. "They've vanished."

"Vanished?" Ed repeated in confusion.

"Right." Dupe nodded. "They're gone. Poof. No sign of them, and they didn't take me with them, so I was obviously found out."

"Ugh." Ed groaned. 'What the hell are they planning?!'