Abandoned in the mountains, I was adopted by a lizard ~I mastered magic and surpassed my parents, but I didn't know they were legendary ancient dragons~ - Chapter 46 & 47

Chapter 46   Seitan Virus mRNA Vaccine

The side effect observed in the Gold Horn was an increase in its total magic power. Analytical spells can determine how much magical energy a creature has when fully charged, and the results showed a significant change.

Not just by 10% or 20%, but by an astounding threefold increase.

This dramatic change could revolutionize the world of adventurers and knights if applicable to humans.

I decided to test this potential immediately. I used magic to isolate a single cell from the back of my hand, reset it, and then used rapid growth magic. In ten minutes, I had a clone approximately five years old. I injected the clone with the copied antibodies from Francois.

However, the experiment failed. The clone immediately went into anaphylactic shock upon injection.

I quickly removed the antibodies with magic and cast Absolute Heal to recover from the shock. I repeated the process, varying the amount and method of injection to prevent immune overreaction, but each time, anaphylaxis occurred.

“Aniki, I don’t quite understand what you’re doing, but do you think it’ll work…?”

“It’s looking tough…”

After numerous failures, even Francois seemed concerned. I decided to change my approach.

Perhaps injecting pre-made antibodies was the wrong approach, especially since I was trying to introduce dragon-derived antibodies into a human system. The Gold Horn might have been a lucky case, but dragon antibodies might not be compatible with the human body.

So, I considered using the human immune system to generate the desired response. With this realization, I began modifying the Seitan Virus to create the necessary reaction in the human body.

The process was simple: copy and replicate specific RNA sequences from the virus responsible for constructing antigens. Essentially, I was creating an mRNA vaccine.

Using an mRNA vaccine allows human immune cells to recognize the viral nucleotide sequences and produce antibodies. The mechanism of binding to and inactivating the Seitan Virus would be the same, but the antibodies formed would have different structures from those derived from dragons. This difference means the antibodies could potentially have the desired effect without causing anaphylaxis.

I decided to take a chance on this approach.

I injected the freshly made mRNA vaccine into the clone and observed to see if anaphylactic shock would occur. After 30 minutes, the clone showed no signs of distress. To ensure there were no other adverse reactions, I used time manipulation magic to advance the clone’s internal time by three days.

The result: the clone experienced a temporary fever of around 37 degrees Celsius, but no other health issues, and successfully acquired the antibodies.

Simultaneously, the clone’s total magic power increased threefold.

“Yes! I did it!”

After numerous failures, the success made me pump my fist in triumph.

“What did you do?”

“I made an mRNA vaccine for the Seitan Virus. By the way, the antibodies for the Seitan Virus also have the effect of tripling an organism’s magic power.”

“Wow… What kind of dangerous drug is that!”

That’s a bit rude. And considering that Francois naturally has this substance in his body without artificial creation…

“Just watch.”

After saying that, I injected the Seitan Virus mRNA vaccine into myself. Then, using time manipulation magic, I advanced my internal time by three days. I felt a slight fever for a moment, but then I experienced my magic power increasing threefold.

“How about now?”

“Your magic power… it’s gone beyond the limits again…”

Seeing my increased magic power, Francois stared at me with her mouth agape.

“This could be a very practical product,” I said, trying to contain my excitement. I then created a large batch of the Seitan Virus mRNA for commercial use and stored it with magic.

Once I return, I’ll sell it to Tri-dia. But before that… since it’s a therapeutic product, it will need approval from the church. Asking Mordena should ensure it gets the nod without issue.

“It’s been a bit of a delay. Shall we get started now?”

Having done what I wanted, it was time to move on to the main event: the mock battle. The tripling of my magic power slightly affected my magic output, but through the mock battle, I was able to get accustomed to my new abilities.

◇◇◇

Chapter 47   Went to the church to get approval

After sparring with Francois until she was satisfied, I flew back to the royal capital in my dragon form. I timed the flight, and it took only 30 minutes from the Inferno Continent to the capital.

Although the increase in magical power didn’t directly translate to a tripling of speed, it was still a significant improvement. Satisfied, I went to sleep, hoping that the vaccine would be approved.

◇

The next day, I headed to the church immediately.

“Excuse me,” I called out.

“Yes, how can I help… Oh, aren’t you the one who passed the national healer exam in one night?” the clerk at the reception desk recognized me.

“Yes, that’s right. Thank you for your help back then,” I replied.

“Actually, it felt like you were helping us more. So, what brings you here today?” he asked.

“I’ve developed a new medicine and need approval for it,” I explained.

“A new medicine, huh? Normally, I’d be skeptical of someone your age, but given your track record, I believe you,” he said.

Grateful for his understanding, I got straight to the point without any suspicion.

“What kind of medicine is it?” he asked.

“It’s a vaccine for a particular virus. The primary benefit isn’t just the antibody production but also the secondary effect of increasing magic power,” I said.

“Vac…cine? What’s that?” he asked, confused.

“It’s something that introduces a harmless form of an antigen or part of its genetic material to grant immunity to a specific pathogen,” I explained.

Judging by his reaction, it seemed that vaccines might be lost technology here. I was worried this might delay the approval process, but his next words reassured me completely.

“I see. I don’t fully understand your explanation, but Mordena-sama has instructed us to inform her immediately if Hadar-san reports a discovery that could enhance her abilities. I’ll report this to her right away,” the clerk said.

To my surprise, I didn’t even need to ask; he was going to connect me with Mordena-sama directly.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“Sure thing. I’ll check her schedule. Please wait in the lounge for a moment,” he said.

It seemed he would arrange an appointment for me immediately. The clerk began heading outside.

Was he planning to run there? I had no idea where Mordena-sama usually was, but from his implication that he would update me shortly, she likely wasn’t far away. Even if she lived near the royal palace, running there would take some time.

“Um, would you like to use this? It’s a fast means of transport,” I suggested, just as the clerk was about to open the door, offering him the use of the Great Seitan’s cloud.

However…

“Hmm… This ‘fast means of transport’ you mention… I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I could control it,” he responded with a concerned look.

“Well, Mordena-sama’s mansion is just a five-minute run from here. I’ll head over normally today,” he added.

If he didn’t want to use it, that was fine. Waiting a few minutes wasn’t a problem for me.

“Alright, please go ahead,” I said, watching the clerk leave.

◇

About thirty minutes later, the clerk returned with Mordena-san.

“Huh, you brought her here? I thought you were just setting up an appointment. Well, this is convenient,” I said, puzzled by the difference between his earlier statement and reality.

Mordena-san answered my question, “I heard that Hadar-san developed something incredible. So, I postponed all my appointments for today to tomorrow.”

“Oh…”

Is that really okay? I felt a bit guilty about it.

“Sorry for the trouble,” I said.

“No need to apologize. After all, you’ve developed a drug that triples one’s magic capacity, haven’t you?” she replied.

I wasn’t sure what exactly she meant by “after all.” The exact effects of the vaccine seemed to have been communicated somewhat loosely.

“Well, yes, but what does that have to do with postponing your appointments?” I asked.

“Well, the appointment I had today was for treating a patient who can only be healed with Absolute Heal. Increasing my magic power would improve the success rate of the treatment,” she explained.

“Ah, I see.”

With that explanation, everything made sense.

I recalled that Mordena-san’s Absolute Heal spell had a notoriously unstable activation due to the excessive time required to charge the magic circle. The success rate was roughly one in three, even after an hour of preparation.

Indeed, tripling her magic capacity (and doubling her magic output) would increase the success rate of Absolute Heal. This would, in turn, improve the chances of successfully treating today’s patient, which justified postponing the treatment.

That made sense. Feeling relieved that I wasn’t causing any unnecessary trouble, I felt reassured.

–However, in the next moment, I realized the magnitude of what was happening.

“…Wait, Mordena-san, are you planning to be the test subject yourself!?”

Indeed, we had established the first stage of safe methods, and I had already received the vaccine myself. During actual human trials, we could use advanced analysis magic to closely monitor the subject for any abnormalities, and if any strange signs appeared, we could safely halt the trial with Absolute Heal and other spells. The risk was virtually zero.

But still, having the only saintess representing the country as the test subject was a bold move…

“Yes. If it’s a medicine that Hadar-san has prepared, I can trust it completely,” Mordena-san said with a firm look in her eyes, in stark contrast to my surprise.

…Well, if she’s that determined. Speedy approval would certainly be advantageous for me as well, so we might as well get started.