Supreme Magus novel Chapter 377

Lith could notice that his appearance resembled the one he had assumed in the past while trying to save Protector and when he faced the Clackers in the forest. It lacked the horns, the wings, and the tail.

His face was a black slate with no nose or ears. Two yellow eyes were open, while the slits for the other four, albeit being recognizable, were wide shut. Lith tried multiple times to open them but to no avail.

"Damn, I look like a demon." When Lith spoke, he revealed a mouth filled with sharp fangs. It wasn’t visible before because the scales covering his face matched to perfection.

"Remarkable." Kalla said. "You’ve already learned how to shapeshift and you did it on your own at that. Scarlett tried to teach me, but it was too complex. Plus, I deemed it useless. I have no desire to change my physical appearance just to please others."

"I didn’t learn anything." Lith was deeply confused. "Protector explained to me how to do it, but I always failed in the past. After my core has become blue, I seem to have developed a second kind of life force. Do you have one too, Kalla?"

"No, or at least is what I think. Before today I never heard about life force, but I’m pretty sure that not even in Scarlett’s crazy stories was ever mentioned someone capable of natural shapeshifting.

"It’s something that has to be learned. You can’t just take any form you want. Before shapeshifting, you are supposed to be able to visualize every single detail in your mind. To know your imaginary body like the back of your paw.

Let me check one thing." Kalla placed one of her claws on Lith, using Invigoration on him.

"Whatever this form of yours is, is useless. You are not stronger nor faster than before. Even your mana core is unchanged. Sure, the scales may offer you some protection, but I can’t see any value in sticking out like a sore thumb."

After checking his condition with his own Invigoration, Lith agreed with a sigh.

"Unless I want to murder someone in broad daylight and pin it to a monster, this form is as useless as a third nostril." He activated Scanner again, focusing on the original melody and returning to his human form.

Right after the transformation, Lith coughed uncontrollably for a few seconds.

"What’s wrong?" All those present asked in unison. An Awakened one getting sick was something unheard of.

"I don’t know." Lith replied with a hoarse voice. "Seems my new form suffers from acid reflux or something. I had a burning sensation in my throat the whole time."

Lith left Scarlett’s lab after giving everyone a present. A book about Body Sculpting for Kalla, a lot of food for Nok, and a glass of his blood for Nyka. Kalla’s blood was toxic for the undead and she had explained to him how Awakened blood was a powerful delicacy for vampires.

Much to Nyka’s dismay, Kalla stored it for a rainy day. For a vampire, even a small amount from a blue cored Awakened was the equivalent of several liters of blood from normal humans.

Lith returned the teacher ring to Marth before going back to his living quarters in the military camp. He spent the hours left of his day leave sleeping, to recover part of his strength. Between the breakthrough and treating Kalla’s life force, he was exhausted.

The next day, when he went to Berion’s office to announce his final decision, the Commander had a deep frown and his fingers were drumming on a thick folder.

Berion grumpily replied to the salute and left Lith standing on attention for a few minutes before talking.

"Lieutenant Verhen, do you know what Article 16 of the code of military justice states?"

"It is forbidden for any soldier, NCO, and officer to assault in any way a fellow member of the army." Lith quoted from Soluspedia.