The Mechanical Era

3rd of Sunt, 5018.

Walking down the cold marble hall, were Kant's black leather shoes, across the halls of the palace, en route to the room where he, and a bunch of researchers, with the help of a DEF agent, researched Kant's mysterious powers.

Last time, the experiment had to be cut short as they had run out of void crystals to continue testing. Kant had got Alan to order more void crystals than before. This time, Kant had secured 50 grams of Void crystals. Although he only has 10 grams of void crystal to work with now, he will receive the other 40 grams later.

Due to this shortage, they were not going to be doing a reserved test, again. This was a problem for everyone involved, as a reserved test might be one of the most important things anyone can do. The reason why is to see whether Kant's Void Abilities work somewhat like how mana works on a normal person.

At birth, it is said that one has an assigned mana reserve, which they would inherit from their parents. A larger mana reserve grants the user the ability to summon more powerful magic or use magic for far longer. This is what separates a king, who had the highest mana reserves, from a low-ranking knight, who most likely has a much lower mana reserve.

However, there are a few caveats to the situation. A person who may have been born with a high mana reserve might lose a lot if they do not expose themselves to a source of it. This could mean that Kant's Void Reserves could have been destroyed thanks to the lack of exposure to Void Energy.

There is still hope. For mana reserves, with dedication and training, one could slowly increase their tolerance, and allow them to become stronger. It will take some time. Whether this logic applies to void energy, remains to be seen.

In the end, it was decided that they would 'do the reserve test on the way'. As they increase the dosage while they conduct more tests, Kant was granted to hit his limit someday.  Kant soon arrived at the front door of the room. After he brushes off any dust from his shirt, he enters the room, occupied by researchers and the DEF agent. They all stand up and bow down to greet Kant.

"Good morning your majesty," they all greeted in unison. Kant smiled and greeted back.

"Good morning everyone. I hope that you all prepared everything?"

The group of researchers all moved away their bodies to the walls of the room, allowing Kant to look at the desk more clearly. Everything was neatly in order, with the wooden case holding the crystals present.

Other than the wooden case, there were also a handful of other items placed on the desk, waiting to be used in the experiment. First, there was 1 of each mana crystal, from white to green, then blue. After blue came yellow, and finally, violet.

Just below these small void crystals, was a normal-looking dagger, with its blade and handle made out of manacite, both connected together. Upon seeing the setup, Kant was pleased with the researchers.

"Everything has been prepared, I see. Well then, I guess the only thing remaining to do is to start our research."

Kant walked up to the wooden box and picked up a crystal. He then turned to the researchers, holding it with his thumb and index finger.

"Before we conduct the tests, I would like to reiterate what we will be doing. Considering that void energy crystal, fused with manacite, is able to create a void blade, we will test to see if this holds true for when I, a void user, do the same.

Do I make myself clear?" The researchers nod in agreement.

"Alright then. We shall start now." Kant took a deep breath.

"Test 1. 0.5 grams of crystal. Start" Kant took out the void crystal and crushed it in his hand. He absorbs the energy of the void crystal, turning his eyes to Vantablack. Kant then picks up the manacite sword and sees if anything happens.

"Are you focusing Void energy through the dagger, sir?" one of them asked.

"No. I do not. I am currently focusing on my other hand. Tick the box," Kant instructed. He then places the dagger down.

"Have you finished?"

"Yes sir. You can pick up the dagger again."

"Alright then. Test 2. Concentrate Void Energy on Dagger. Start" Kant picks up the dagger again. This time, the blade turns slightly black. It was not the result they were expecting, as they expected a much darker color. However, it still fascinated everyone regardless.

In Kant's mind, he wondered if he could use this to make a special gun, wherewith his void energy, he can charge up manacite bullets with void energy to deal extra damage to a mana user.

"Hm... it appears that I may not be placing enough Void energy on the blade for it to turn completely Vantablack just yet."

"It appears so, sir. Should we take in another, or shall we move on to the crystals?" the researcher asks. Kant thinks about it for a minute, before responding.

"I would like to take in another crystal before continuing."

"As you wish, sir. Although, can you please test to see if you can drain the void energy off?" asked one of the researchers.  Kant, upon hearing his request, silently accepted. He focused his energy on his other hand, leading the blade to turn back to normal.

"Done," Kant replied, before placing the dagger on the table. He took another crystal in, before continuing. Each time, the blade got darker and darker, at an exponential rate. Kant's skin also changed. It grew slightly paler and paler each time he took 2.5 grams of crystal.

"Test 10. 5 grams of void crystal. Start." He moved his hand to pick up the dagger, only for it to turn jet-black, almost instantaneously.

pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ "Sir, are you currently concentrating on the dagger?" asked one of the researchers. He was supposed to be concentrating his void energy on his other hand so that it won't immediately light up with void energy.

"No. I am not." Kant replied. His answer sparked a new question among the researchers; why? Why was this happening? What had changed?