Chapter 417: Archmage

Edward watched the war for a few minutes before giving up: it was pointless and not his current primary concern.

“How is the research going?” he asked the team.

“We have successfully created a Tier 4 Chakra Method. To be exact, two methods,” said Tsunade before handing him the data for Edward to analyze. And he was surprised since they surpassed his expectations.

The Chakra Method involved undergoing genetic engineering to increase Chakra Quantity; this method relied purely on the advanced technology of the Empire, only adding the factor of Chakra.

However, the group created a second method: using superb Chakra Control and Medical Ninjutsu to rearrange the genes and break free from the limitations; in other words, a Ninja can rely on themselves to break from their genes’ restrictions.

Of course, to achieve such a feat, two things are required: extensive knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu and exceptional Chakra Control.

“The second method is a great idea. It requires fewer resources and time; the only downside is finding people with the talent to reach such a level,” commented Edward. “However, once the citizen of this planet acquires their Gate of Truth, the energy control of many people will drastically increase; there should be more people to reach the requirement.”

Edward was thrilled with this result. This research is why he likes acquiring talents–no matter how much of terrible people they are. As long as he can control them, the sparks of brilliance they can create always exceed his expectations. Adding to his unlimited funding and allowing them to explore some ludicrous ideas, he is always in for surprises.

Of course, in the process, he also wasted a lot of resources when these talents went too far; when their ego got the best of them. In these scenarios, he has to step in and give them a wake-up call.

“Tsuna, was this your idea?”

“Yes. I thought about all of Sakura’s achievements using only her amazing Chakra Control Talent,” explained Tsunade. “I asked myself how far she could go if she had as much Chakra as Naruto. Then, this idea came to me.”

“Well, you did a great job. With this level of ingenuity, you will thrive in the Empire,” commented Edward before looking at the others. “If you have any ideas you want to research, tell me, and I’ll review them.”

“I have an idea,” said Orochimaru before showing him a hologram, and Edward quickly reviewed it.

“It seems great minds think alike,” commented Edward.

“Oh?”

“I have the same idea, and my clone is working on it.”

Orochimaru’s idea involved the idea of the Ultimate Magic Body: modifying the body to have the highest talent possible for magic. To achieve this, he planned to study Kaguya’s body, which can be said to have the ultimate body or talent for Chakra. Then, translate their bloodline into a magical one.

Edward’s idea is the same, except he will start with lower-level bloodlines. For example, convert the Uzumaki Bloodline into its magical version before doing the same for the Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, Yuki, Senju, etc. Then, based on Kaguya and other Otsutsuki members, fused this bloodline into the Ultimate Magic Body.

Edward’s talent for magic has already reached the extreme, but it’s more regarding his ability to understand, wield, and innovate. However, when it comes to his body, he’s not the best.

From Tier 0 to 3, the mana quantity of a person is similar. However, from Tier 4 and up, talent began to play a role. A talented Tier 4 Arcanist could have a mana capacity ten times of another ordinary arcanist. Although this would make it harder to reach Tier 5, it’s still an advantage. And this advantage is the same for the soul and the quantity of spiritual energy.

Edward’s ultimate goal for this project is to have the best body talent for magic. Adding to his already powerful capability to absorb and understand magic, he will have a brighter future.

“In that case, can I work with your clone?” asked Orochimaru.

“No,” replied Edward.

“Why not?”

“I don’t need your help. Plus, this kind of knowledge must stay in the hands of the royal family to ensure our powers.”

“I thought you were all about innovation and progress,” countered the tongue man.

“I am, but I am also a ruler who must control a bunch of powerful and power-hungry Arcanists,” he calmly replied. “Of course, I won’t stop you if you can succeed on this project yourself. By then, I will only warn you not to spread it everywhere.”

“I understand.” Orochimaru could see this man was the perfect combination of all the Hokages. He had the accepting mind and overwhelming strength of the first Hokage, the second’s research capabilities, the Third’s political mindset, and the cruelty and cunningness of someone like Danzo.

Edward nodded before asking the others if they had some projects. However, he could see they were more reserved and would take more time to adapt. Then, he went to do his own research after checking on the clones.

“Morgana, you have two tasks: monitor my vital and help Clone 5 analyze the rules of this world. If everything proceeds smoothly, the power of [Authority] will be at our fingertips.”

“Aye, Captain.”

Edward changed his clothes before entering the machine. Immediately afterward, a large quantity of natural energy entered his body as he entered Sage Mode. He concentrated on gathering his Willpower and directly confronted the strange will inside his body.

Bang!

The left side of his body exploded due to the will counterattack. However, he quickly healed, and his body became stronger in the process and, in turn, his Aura.

Edward felt a tremendous pain deep in his soul as he tried to confront it. Furthermore, he could sense a strange power that was trying to forcefully modify his Life Code and turn him into another creature; to be precise, a a life form similar to the creature that destroyed his Floating City.

Of course, he resisted with all his strength. Although he was of these people prideful of the ‘human bloodline,’ he also did not want to turn into some weird-looking creature.

As he resisted this invasion and fought off this creature, Edward’s Willpower drastically increased. After what felt like an eternity, he broke through a certain threshold.

‘Success,’ thought Edward before concentrating and continuing tempering himself. After a while, his Cosmic Awareness activated, and he sensed the threat of death. Without hesitation, he removed the will from his body.

However, that was not enough. Suddenly, he sensed a gaze from very far away, a gaze that ignored the void and the concept of distance to look at him directly: it was that creature.

From that will, it detected Edward’s presence. However, he was prepared this time. The machine activated and released a strange aura. And the moment that creature felt it, it trembled with fear before quickly disappearing.

“Old Man Merlin, I should thank you.”

Edward once asked the old man to store his aura in something so he could scare some people while traveling in the void. Although Merlin warned him not everyone would give “him face,” he still accepted his plan.

And today, he finally put it to use.

“Let’s try this power,” muttered Edward before asking Morgana to transfer her analysis of the rules to him. Then, Edward closes his eyes as he accesses this universe’s fundamental laws–also called [Authority]– of this universe.

Another will came to resist him, but he overcame it with his Willpower.

‘This universe is weaker than mine. It seems only a 6 Willpower is required.’

After accessing the rules, Edward discovered he could directly control a few: space-time and death. There were a few he needed a little more push to control, which included element rules like fire, thunder, etc. Finally, two were very vague and needed a lot of work before he could access them: karma and knowledge.

As for all the others, he could barely sense them–let alone control them.

Edward prepared to experiment with his new power when he suddenly received a notification from the Akashic Record he had received a new title: Archmage.

[Archmage: Also known as Legendary Arcanist, Great Wizard, Ultimate Sorcerer. A being who wields Conceptual Magic, freely capable of bending certain rules of reality to their whim.

[Reward: Increase of Security Level, Middle-Level Immunity to Instant Death Spell]

(AN: I’m not too fond of the name Great Wizard. Any suggestions? Plus, a title for Warlocks since they are also casters.)