The codes inside me suddenly flared as I intertwined the blue mana particles, scribbling with them mentally as if they were ink.
If I wanted to prevent something like this from happening again, I had to program an antivirus app with the blue mana, using my core and the existing codes in my system as the backend.
However, this was not a laptop where I could test and retry. That meant I did not have the luxury of making even a single mistake.
It might be difficult, but if I succeeded, then no low-to-mid level poison or status effect could harm me.
With a clenched fist, I commanded all the blue codes in my system to enter my glowing body.
My chest tightened suddenly, but I did not stop.
The blue codes slowly flowed into me.
However, since the purple codes still existed, they naturally entered as well.
But that was the least of my concerns.
I needed to map out and identify the viruses already inside me.
First, which ones were too corrosive.
Which ones could be cleansed.
And which ones could actually be beneficial to me.
The antivirus did not just need to kill everything that entered. I had to give it a detailed set of commands.
So I divided them into three groups.
One batch was in charge of blocking viruses from entering my body.
Another was in charge of neutralizing existing viruses.
And the last was meant to restore corrupted blue codes and patch up defective ones.
Block. Isolate. Convert.
It still hurt, but the pain was becoming manageable.
I was adapting.
As soon as I finished coding the three different groups of antivirus with the blue mana that swirled around me, I plunged them into my glowing body, ensuring they latched onto the blue codes while letting some of them roam freely.
They were not sentient on their own, but at least they knew what to do.
Each time a blue code, now encrypted with antivirus, killed a purple one, a sudden warmth enveloped me.
And with each victory came a sharp sting.
But they could not lose.
They already had a set task to complete, while I could adapt.
Each time they attacked, I adjusted the antivirus subroutine.
It was thrilling.
Insane, even.
This was something I never would have thought possible in my past life.
Slowly, my body began rewriting itself.
Perhaps it was because of Valentina's mana, but the antivirus codes were many times stronger.
"Let's end this."
The blue codes swirled around the purple codes as the residual energy entered my now red form, making it shine brighter.
The patch on my firewall was nearly completed.
As soon as the last group of purple codes was eliminated, a cool sensation filled me.
Even without looking at the mana around me, I could sense them.
My system gradually became tranquil, and the antivirus slowly covered the decay in my core, cleaning it one by one.
Initially, I only wanted to shield the core from affecting me badly, but seeing the effectiveness of the antivirus, I changed my mind.
I was not even sure if I would ever get the chance to enter here so easily again, so it was in my best interest to fix everything now.
I concentrated on the feeling of my mana, making sure to encrypt every new code my awakening body generated with the antivirus. Maybe because of the status effect, most of the functions new awakened gained had not been activated for me, and the more I cleaned up the core, the more functions I unlocked.
When the sensation of new codes approaching finally stopped, I opened my eyes slowly. The world in my vision was nothing like it had been when I first entered.
My entire system was illuminated by the beautiful white light of my core, and the blue codes freely moved around like red and white blood cells, while the free mana particles all drifted toward the core.
I let a smirk slip, my gaze sweeping over my now peaceful system.
"Nice work, Allen."
I had taken a giant step forward.
The question now was simple.
'How do I get back?'
I looked around my system again.
"If I needed to concentrate to enter, then..."
I closed my eyes at what seemed to be the center of the system, letting my consciousness drift.
I needed to clear away unnecessary thoughts.
This was inside my body, which meant I had control over it.
Slowly, I began guiding the mana particles around me, merging them with Valentina's mana still flowing through me.
As soon as I did, the world behind my shut eyes grew brighter.
I did not know what it felt like to awaken to a magical ability, since I came from Earth, but somehow I knew this was it.
I sat cross-legged, as if meditating.
"Concentrate."
Haaah…
In and out.
The mana inside me slowly began to rage, then suddenly calmed.
A cool sensation gradually filled me from head to toe.
I inhaled deeply, unwilling to let go of this feeling. I let all my mana seep into my form and slowly increase its size until it encompassed my entire body.
Haaah…
I drew another breath, letting the form stabilize.
The blue codes circled around me as if trying to protect me.
Slowly, I began to feel warmth again.
From my toes upward, flesh started appearing.
I clenched my jaw and channeled my mana into perfecting the form that was emerging.
There was no way I was settling for Allen's mediocre looks.
The formation of skin paused for a moment, then resumed, this time refined.
My flesh and bones grew along with my muscles, as though I were regenerating.
It was not painful.
In fact, it felt rather pleasant.
The skin that formed was fair and smooth.
Even without seeing the full form, I was already mesmerized.
The flesh continued climbing up my glowing figure, wrapping it in skin.
I had a slender build, but was fit enough to be masculine.
The creation steadily reached my face, formed my organs, and even restored my senses.
I felt hair brush against my shoulders, and the moment I opened my eyes, I was no longer in that world.
Instead, I was in my room.
I could not see much, since it was filled with fog.
But the scent was the same.
I let out a soft exhale as wisps of fog escaped my lips.
My body felt light, my head was clear, I could sense mana now, and most of all, I felt alive.
However, as I glanced at Valentina from the corner of my eye, I froze.
She sat on the floor as if she had fallen.
Her gaze was locked on me, her face flushed a bright red.
Even from where I stood, I could hear her heartbeat.
"What?"