Lich reborn as a magic school student - 18: The beauty of life

—————————————————[Kashra’s Pov]

After finishing the meal given to me by Kaede, I ponder a bit, ‘You should take care of yourself more. It makes me worried.’ by that she was referring to my lack of eating? While I may not be able to cook, I am a master of the arcane beyond any other.

A human body requires nutrition to be healthy. So to provide that, I should use magic. Specifically, in this case, alchemy is the type of magic that would work best, but alchemy would require a lab. Hmm, wait, as I recall, one of the council members might have one. Cottonmouth, even though his focus is on poisons, I can make do.

Ending that thought, I conjure forth another [Gate] and step through. Arriving in the council room, I find it much more barren than previously. Bluefang is shifting through some paperwork while my magical scrolls still entrance Reuben. Stepping towards Bluefang, he glances up and asks, “What can I help you with, Big Boss?”

“Cottonmouth, where is he?”

“Oh, there was a situation outside and he needed to step out. Do you want me to call him back in?”

“Do so.”

While waiting for Cottonmouth to return, I cast [Creation] to create various ingredients including, but not limited to: the eye of a hydra, a devil’s tongue, the hip bone of a four hundred-year-old goblin, mistletoe, dwarven steel, basilisk sweat and the toe of a chimera. With hurried steps, the man in the snake leather suit arrives in the council room and steps up.

“I’m sorry, big boss, that it took so long.”

“It is fine. I was just finishing up creating the ingredients.”

He looks at the table beside me and is astonished. “What is this? This is a treasure trove beyond anything I’ve seen before. You could create so many great elixirs with this. Ah, big boss, I’m seeing all of your glory now. What are we gonna create?” His words end in excitement, and an obvious smile is plastered on his face.

“Food.”

A silence envelops the room, and I notice that both Bluefang and Reuben are also staring at me. Reuben speaks up, “I’m sorry. Did you say food?”

“Yes.”

The silence continues to my words till I forcefully stop it with a demand, “Now take me to your laboratory so we can make food.”

“Oh yes, follow me.”

“No.” I walk up to Cottonmouth and place my hand on his shoulder.

“Think about your laboratory.”

He thinks for a moment, and then next to him a [Gate] appears. I am first to step through the Gate, and I arrive at a clean laboratory. After me, Cottonmouth, Bluefang, and Reuben also step through, and behind them, slowly floating into the laboratory, are the ingredients which I prepared.

Bluefang steps to the side and says, “While I can’t help with this complicated stuff, I’m too morbidly curious about how this will play out.”

I glance at all of them and state, “I don’t need your help, rather you would only hinder me. I will make the food myself, but you are free to observe.” Then, focusing on the ingredients with practiced [Telekinesis], I split the ingredients and allow them to float to the correct places.

Human hands are flawed and prone to mistakes. Only by the power of thought can I can achieve alchemical perfection. Letting myself be consumed by centuries long instincts, I create a macabre and horrendous thing which cannot be truly described. Before me is a gray ooze, which is continuously flailing about, trying to figure out its surroundings. Within the grey ooze a solitary eye pops out, and forming a mouth, the monster asks, “Are you my creator?”

“Yes. You are food.”

Bluefang, in utter horror, asks, “Is it alive?” Reuben continues, “Isn’t it supposed to be food?” And Cottonmouth concludes, “Is it conscious?”

Answering none of their questions, I state, “Food. I have two commands for you. First, while you are in water with 20% or higher mana concentration, you are to create copies of yourself with the same instructions. Second, when you are in the hands of someone, you are to optimize yourself to be consumed and provide them with the nutrition they require in a day.”

“My purpose is to be consumed?”

“Yes.”

With those last words, I look towards the three who followed me. All of them are horrified. Why? Not understanding them, I ask, “Why do you look scared?”

“You made the divine profane. Played god by creating life, and ordained its purpose to death and suffering.” Reuben answers, shaking his head.

“I know not suffering, but purpose.” The food responds.

“Third, do not speak.”

The food blinks in response. Now that I think about it, food does not require sight. With that thought, I grab its eyeball and destroy it. “Wha… What? Why did you suddenly blind it?” Bluefang asks.

“Food does not require sight, and you thought it was suffering. So if something cannot communicate, how can it suffer?”

“This is so morally fucked. I love it.” Cottonmouth squeals with ecstasy.

“I hate it!” Reuben and Bluefang shout in unison.

“Enough to betray me?”

“We love it!”

I grab the Food, and then look back at the three and state, “I am tired. I will go now.” With the end of my words next to me, a [Gate] appears. “Goodnight.” I say before entering the gate. As my vision adjusts to the scene before me, I find my room the same as I left it. I walk over to the sink and place the plug. I proceed by filling it with water. Submerging my hand into the water, I let out my mana until the mana concentration is around 25%. A little over the minimum to be safe.

Letting the Food multiply in the water, I take heavy steps towards the bed. I’m tired. I’ve used too much magic for the day. My clothes float away with [Telekinesis] and I enter the embrace of my bed. Tomorrow I should show this to Kaede. She should be happy because now I can eat something healthy. Those are my last thoughts before I head to the land of dreams.

—————————————————[Third Person]

In a room that saw the creation of something too profane for even hell are three people sitting down dazed. Each with different thoughts. “I think… Kashra might be the devil.” Bluefang says.

“Do you think demons are this evil? We… We’re working for someone much more vile than anything hell could conjure.” Reuben adds.

“Oh, how lovely it is!” Cottonmouth shouts out. “You two don’t seem to understand it properly, but Kashra is not evil. Practicality to its logical limit, that’s what he is. It’s completely morally wrong, but he does not even think of that. A scientist beyond any other. Oh, how beautiful it is.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.” Reuben sighs.