With a snap of his fingers, Morgan summoned a servant into the chamber.
Moments later, a healthy man was wheeled inside, securely restrained on a metal bed. Though unconscious, thick leather straps bound his wrists, ankles, and chest tightly enough that even an involuntary twitch would accomplish nothing.
The servant carefully lifted him onto the circular platform at the center of the room. Once he was satisfied everything was in place, he bowed to the two men and quietly withdrew, leaving the chamber in silence.
Boulder studied the platform for a moment before taking a few steps back.
"You may begin," he said. "This time, I'll only observe."
Morgan gave a slight nod.
This was the first experiment he had conducted since studying the metal block Boulder had entrusted to him. For a while, he had replayed the Grandmaster's words in his mind, examining every detail from every possible angle. Whether he had truly understood them would soon become clear.
He drew a slow breath and raised a hand.
A deep hum spread through the chamber as the platform awakened. One rune after another lit up across its surface until the entire formation glowed with a soft radiance. Thin metallic tendrils emerged from hidden seams, twisting through the air with deliberate precision before slipping beneath the subject's skin.
The man's body shuddered instinctively.
Almost at once, a gentle green light spread from the platform, calming the violent spasms before they could worsen. Morgan watched closely as every reaction unfolded.
The first stage proceeded without incident.
His shoulders eased slightly.
The artifact Boulder had brought was proving even more valuable than he had expected. Without it, most subjects would already have awakened in unbearable agony.
The metallic tendrils continued moving through the man's body. His heartbeat gradually settled into the rhythm of the platform while his muscles contracted and relaxed in steady succession. At the same time, the green radiance continuously repaired the minor damage created during the process, preventing it from accumulating.
While Morgan focused on the formation, Boulder paid little attention to the machinery itself.
His eyes never left the subject.
Every breath, every pulse, every subtle twitch of muscle was carefully observed. Nothing escaped him.
Several minutes passed before he finally spoke.
"Proceed."
Morgan lifted his right hand. A bluish glow gathered around his palm before he gently rested it against the man's forehead.
This had always been the point where his experiments fell apart.
Instead of forcing his energy forward as he once had, he guided it patiently through the subject's meridians. Every strand moved with restraint, searching for imperfections rather than overwhelming the pathways.
Nearby, Boulder flicked a finger.
The metallic tendrils responded immediately. Several thin tubes extended from the platform, drawing blood from one arm before passing it through Morgan's circulating energy and returning it through another vein. Within moments, a complete cycle had formed.
Neither of them spoke.
Boulder's gaze remained fixed on the transparent tubes while Morgan concentrated on maintaining perfect control over his energy.
Nearly a minute passed without incident.
A trace of hope stirred within Morgan.
He had already gone farther than in several of his previous attempts.
Then a faint crimson glow slowly appeared beneath the man's skin.
"There."
Boulder's quiet voice immediately broke Morgan's concentration.
Rather than increasing the flow of energy, Morgan slowed it.
The man's muscles began to swell. Not violently, but with a slow, unnatural pressure, as though something hidden deep within his body was steadily pushing outward.
The green light beneath the platform brightened, struggling to suppress the change.
For a short while, it succeeded.
Then the swelling spread across the man's chest.
Morgan immediately withdrew his hand.
The hum faded as the runes dimmed. One after another, the metallic tendrils slipped free before disappearing beneath the platform once more.
Silence settled over the chamber again.
Boulder stepped forward and placed two fingers against the subject's forehead. Closing his eyes, he remained motionless for several breaths before quietly letting out a sigh.
"The experiment failed."
Morgan said nothing.
"But..." Boulder continued, opening his eyes, "it failed far better than the previous ones."
Morgan looked at him.
"The rejection began much later. The meridians remained intact, and the organs never ruptured. The vessel simply couldn't endure the final transformation."
A faint smile appeared on the Grandmaster's face.
"You've reduced the instability considerably."
Morgan lowered his eyes to the unconscious man.
Compared to the subjects that had come before him, this one still looked almost untouched.
There were no twisted horns protruding from his skull. No shattered bones pushing through flesh. No grotesque mutations that left the body barely recognizable.
For the first time since beginning these experiments, Morgan could clearly see progress.
"It seems we're closer than I expected," he murmured.
"We are," Boulder agreed. "But not close enough."
He withdrew his hand and stepped back.
"The body remains the greatest obstacle."
Morgan folded his arms.
"So there truly is no way around it?"
"There is," Boulder replied without hesitation. "But it creates a different problem."
Morgan waited for him to continue.
"We need someone who understands the human body better than either of us."
His eyes settled on Morgan.
"A member of the Veyne Family would be ideal."
Morgan answered almost immediately.
"Impossible. The Veyne Family would sooner cut me into pieces than share their knowledge."
A quiet laugh escaped Boulder.
"You've certainly collected your share of enemies."
Morgan smiled, though there was little amusement in it.
"I had little choice."
Boulder gave a slow nod.
"In that case, we'll continue with our current approach."
He glanced once more at the unconscious subject.
"I already have a few ideas for strengthening the vessel before the transformation begins. They won't solve everything, but they should allow the subjects to survive considerably longer."
Morgan's eyes brightened.
Every additional second brought them closer to success.
"I'll prepare another subject."
"No."
Boulder raised a hand.
"This one is mine."
Morgan looked at him in surprise.
"You've understood today's lesson well enough," the Grandmaster said with a faint smile. "Now watch how a forger approaches the same problem."
Morgan quietly stepped away from the platform and took his seat without taking his eyes off Boulder.
Just before the servant wheeled in the next subject, he spoke again.
"After this experiment, I have someone I'd like you to meet."
Boulder glanced sideways.
"The main subject?"
Morgan looked toward the heavy iron doors leading deeper into the manor. After a brief silence, a small smile touched his lips.
"I hope you won't be disappointed."