Levan nodded.
"Normally, yes. But in Kaivan's case, the integration between his nervous system and his biological body seems to have surpassed normal limits. His cellular renewal process may be influenced by something… unnatural."
"Something like an experiment?" Raphael asked, his voice low.
Levan's gaze sharpened.
"More precisely, something that happened after his interaction with the Tome Omnicent. His brain evolved. According to our data, his biological age remains at sixteen—as if time itself has stopped for him. Like an immortal jellyfish… he doesn't grow old."
The words lingered in the air.
The mention of the Tome Omnicent shifted the atmosphere.
That ancient artifact was more than an object—it was a legend beyond scientific explanation. Everyone knew that Kaivan was among the few who could wield it.
Felicia stared at Levan, her posture straight. Her voice was calm, yet trembling at the edges.
"If it's really because of the Tome… does that mean every time he uses it, his body changes? Or… breaks?"
Levan let out a long breath.
"Not necessarily breaks. But yes—changes. Maybe not physically… but on an existential level. Something we still don't understand."
Zinnia stood up quickly, her steps light yet firm.
She stared at Kaivan's frozen image on the blue screen, her eyes shining.
"Kaivan is still Kaivan to me…" she whispered, her voice shaking. "If we can't stop this change… he could disappear, right? The Kaivan we used to know."
The room froze once more.
No one spoke.
Levan lowered his head slightly.
"We don't know yet. But one thing is certain… the change has already begun. And it didn't start when he came here—
It started the moment he first touched the Tome Omnicent."
The atmosphere inside Fabrizio's laboratory was completely different from anywhere else.
The steady hum of machines filled the air, while the sharp scent of heated metal lingered in every corner. Fabrizio—an Omnicraft Tome user who was only fourteen years old—moved swiftly between piles of scattered equipment. Protective goggles rested on his face, oil stains smeared across his cheeks, yet his wide smile shone with unmistakable pride.
"Kaivan! Look at this!" he shouted, pointing excitedly toward the far end of the room.
Kaivan, who had just stepped inside, glanced around with curiosity. His gaze stopped on a towering robotic frame standing at the center of the lab. It was nearly 190 centimeters tall, its metallic joints gleaming as they reflected the surrounding lights.
He walked closer, brushing his fingers against the cold surface.
"You… finished all the frames we designed?" he asked quietly, disbelief in his voice.
Fabrizio nodded rapidly, his eyes sparkling.
"Yeah! Every joint works perfectly. Watch this!"
With a snap of his fingers, the frame began to move, copying human motions with remarkable smoothness.
Kaivan stared in awe.
"This… it's almost perfect," he murmured.
Fabrizio stood by his worktable, the glow of machines dancing in his eyes.
"Not yet. I'm still unsure about the five senses. I haven't figured out how to create them."
He paused, then looked at Kaivan with renewed excitement.
"By the way, what kind of weapon do you usually use?"
Kaivan thought for a moment before answering in his calm tone.
"A kujang. I attach a chain to the curved tip so I can pull it back. Lately, I've been improving it."
"Interesting!" Fabrizio exclaimed.
He reached for his floating Tome of Omnicraft and opened its softly glowing pages. White light flooded the room, shaping itself into a shining kujang in midair. With pride, he handed it to Kaivan.
Kaivan turned the weapon in his fingers. The metal was cold, but he slowly shook his head.
"Not like this. The one I used before was made from Tungtichriosm."
Fabrizio tilted his head in curiosity.
"Tungtichriosm? I've never heard of it. What's it made of?"
"Titanium, tungsten, chromium, iridium, and osmium," Kaivan replied. "But I've never actually made it. It's only theory."
Fabrizio leaned forward, eyes shining brighter.
"Then draw it for me. I want to try making it."
Kaivan picked up a sheet of paper and began to sketch. His strokes were fast and precise. The shape of the kujang seemed almost alive, its chain twisting like veins of living metal. Along the edges of the page, he carefully wrote the ratios of each material.
Around them, the machines continued their gentle hum, as if listening to two young geniuses shaping the future.
Fabrizio watched every line with fascination. When Kaivan finished, he took the paper carefully, reading it like a scientist who had just discovered a new formula.
"This is incredible," he said in awe. "I'll try it."
He opened the Tome of Omnicraft once more.
In an instant, brilliant white light filled the room. This time, the process was far more complex. The light spiraled into a vortex, pulling fragments of metal from every corner of the lab. Within the swirling glow, the shape of a kujang slowly formed.
The metals melted and merged, fusing into a dark gray blade that shimmered with life.
When the light finally faded, Fabrizio wiped the sweat from his forehead. He weighed the weapon in his hands, then offered it to Kaivan with a confident smile.
"Here it is."
Kaivan accepted it carefully. The corner of his lips lifted slightly—a rare, gentle smile.