The laboratory was filled with the unique atmosphere of Leyline Energy intertwined with magic. Ian stood in front of the carefully drawn Transmutation Circle. The pattern was several times more complex than the conventional pattern, incorporating his latest understanding of the human body Life Encoding. This was the moment when he was ready to touch Alchemy's ultimate taboo - Human Transmutation.
After weeks of systematically sorting out and verifying the looted alchemical knowledge, Ian has surpassed the cognitive scope of most Alchemy masters in the world. He did not follow Edward·Elric or Izumi·Kadis's Transmutation Circle design, but based on the understanding of the genetic sequence and soul structure, a brand new matrix was constructed by oneself.
"On a chemical level, the constituent elements of the human body are indeed cheap." Ian placed a finger bone belonging to the late Ishvalans at the center of the array, "But the value of the soul is far beyond what can be measured by material equivalents."
He waved his hand and placed the two prisoners at specific nodes of Transmutation Circle. Electric light began to flow in the array, and chemicals were reorganized in the energy field, gradually forming a perfect outline of the human body. Muscle fibers grew like weaving, and bones were shaped in the light. Every detail was in line with the ideal state calculated by Ian.
When the body construction was completed, Ian began the most critical step - soul recall. He mobilized his magic power and tried to capture the dissipated consciousness fragments from the Cosmic Energy flow. However, at the moment when Soul Energy was about to be injected into the new body, a strong energy rebound almost tore the entire Transmutation Circle apart.
"Calculation error? No, Life Encoding is completely correct..." Ian quickly backed away and looked at the huge eyes appearing in the center of Transmutation Circle.
The two prisoners decomposed in the screams, and their Soul Energy was swallowed up by their eyes as a price. The next moment, Ian was pulled into a pure white space, with a majestic door standing in front of them.
The pattern on the door made his pupils shrink - it was the mark he imprinted on Death Eaters: Ouroboros surrounded the pyramid, with a one-eye inlaid in the center of the lotus. The door slowly opened, and countless alchemical knowledge poured into his consciousness like a torrent. Because he paid a complete soul price, the information he obtained far exceeded the cognitive scope of ordinary Alchemy masters.
"So that's it." Ian muttered to himself when he returned to the laboratory, "In this world, the soul does not go to the other side after death, but returns to the Cosmic Energy flow. Even if the body is perfectly copied, the dissipated consciousness cannot be recalled. Human Transmutation, it is indeed impossible under this law."
"You finally understand, foreign wizard." A vague shadow gathered in the corner of the laboratory.
Ian turned around without surprise. "Truth, should I call you the manager of the world?"
The shadow let out a deep laugh, "It's up to you. Then, why do you go to all the trouble to see me?"
Ian looked directly at the shadow. "First of all, am I allowed to interfere in the affairs of this world?"
Truth's mouth curved in a playful way. "What if I forbid it?"
"Then I will respect the wishes of the owner of this place." Ian replied calmly.
"Interesting. I thought you would be as arrogant as other beings who claim to be gods, but you know how to assess the situation."
"Keep your head down when your strength is insufficient. This is the wisdom of survival." Ian bowed slightly, "Second question, what is your relationship with Akashic Records ("Truth" in <Fullmetal Alchemist> and the knowledge system behind it, which can be regarded as a highly artistic, dramatic and logically consistent version of "Akashic Records")?"
Truth's smile froze instantly.
"In my world, it is said that Akashic Records records the knowledge and emotions of all living beings in the past, present and future." Ian continued, "At first I thought Gate of Truth was connected to your knowledge base. But after entering it personally, I realized another possibility - maybe you yourself also borrowed the authority of a higher-level knowledge base?"
The space fell into dead silence. After a long time, Truth slowly spoke, "Being too smart is not a good thing for a weak person like you."
The next second, Ian was forcibly sent back to the laboratory. He stood there and suddenly laughed loudly, his laughter filled with the ecstasy of discovering Truth.
"Akashic Records does exist! Since Truth can access it, I can too." Ian's mind raced rapidly, and a crazy plan took shape in his mind. "The key lies in National Transmutation Circle, which my father used to become a god..."
His eyes turned to the still twitching body on the ground. Due to the injection of a trace amount of Soul Energy, this refined body gained basic life activities, but had no intelligence, just like an undead soldier secretly created by the military.
Ian calmly ended this existence that was neither alive nor dead, and disposed of the body properly. A new journey had begun, and he had already seen the path to the highest knowledge.