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OPI Chapter 285: A Link Severed
🕑 Added 2025-01-31 04:34:48 +0000 UTC"Wow!"
"How did you do that? It's amazing!"
Inside Punk Hazard's Institute of Science, Vegapunk stared in amazement at a small fragment of gold in the palm of Dean Isaac's hand.
Just a few seconds earlier, that piece was nothing more than a simple rock taken out of an aquarium.
"It's extremely, extremely, extremely... elegant!"
Dr. Stylish also stared in disbelief at the stone transformed into gold.
"I once saw Dorothea draw a transmutation circle on the ground and turn a rock into a diamond, but in that case, both materials had the same base composition. Although it looked like magic, it probably just altered its internal structure somehow."
"But turning carbon into gold... that's another story. I distinctly remember Dorothea used to say that even with alchemy, the raw material and the resulting substance must have the same mass and elemental composition. However, this..."
Dr. Stylish frowned, visibly puzzled. Instinctively, he pushed his glasses up with his hand.
He had always believed that he had a solid understanding of alchemy, but the scene before his eyes was challenging everything he took for granted.
Meanwhile, around him, several renowned scientists gathered to witness the amazing phenomenon.
Among the crowd, there were also two young men who had approached out of pure curiosity: Buggy and Ikoma, both members of the Weapons Development Institute.
"Dorothea... oh, yes, I remember her. A gutsy alchemist," Isaac commented with a smile, evoking the image of that woman who once stole a Philosopher's Stone from the royal palace.
"And she was not wrong. Conventional alchemy is limited to the reconstruction and modification of matter."
"But what I just used is Stigma Alchemy, a form of material transmutation. This belongs to the domain of the gods."
"Gods?"
The scientists exchanged doubtful glances.
Throughout their careers, they had witnessed countless wonders and seemingly inexplicable phenomena, but they always attributed them to natural processes or human creations.
However, for Isaac, who had personally come into contact with the Truth and entered through the stone gate, God did exist.
Seeing the skeptical expressions of his audience, Isaac was unfazed. With a calm smile, he continued his explanation, "The reconstruction and modification of matter are fairly straightforward concepts, so I won't go into details. The important thing here is to understand what material transmutation is."
"Alchemy is based on the principle of equivalent exchange: in order to obtain something, it is necessary to give something of equal value in return."
"But there is another principle that is just as fundamental: the principle of conservation of energy. Energy is neither created nor destroyed; it is only transformed from one form to another."
"In simple terms, the key is in the transformation relationship between matter and energy."
"We all know that in nature, matter is constantly converted into energy, but cases where energy is converted into matter are extremely rare."
Isaac paused before continuing. "My Stigmata Alchemy, with the help of the Gate of Truth, manipulates the energy of tectonic movements to manipulate molecular vibration."
"I then use molecular recombination to form the necessary basic elements, and finally, through the construction diagrams I have in my mind and the energy circle formed by joining my palms, the material is transmuted."
Isaac explained the principles of the Alchemy of Stigmata in the clearest and simplest way possible.
“I see… so you first transformed the rock into energy, then converted it into a state of subatomic particles, which in turn generated the basic elements. Then, you arranged those elements to form the atomic structure of gold, and finally, you materialized it.”
Dr. Stylish was as amazed by the process of converting energy into matter as he was by the speed with which Isaac had executed it.
“However, alchemists are forbidden from transmuting gold without permission. So now I must return it to its original state.”
But at that moment, Isaac's face turned pale.
He realized that he had lost connection with the entity that was beyond his understanding: the ‘God’ to whom he owed his alchemy.
'What's going on? Why can't I feel it? Just a moment ago everything was normal!'
Isaac began to panic.
...
The decision to isolate the link between Truth and the alchemists of the Starfish World was not taken lightly.
Imu did consider the possibility that this would prevent alchemists from using their abilities in the Starfish World.
However, he thought that if worst came to worst, they could always send them to other worlds or return them to Teigu World.
Although this would create some complications, it did not mean that alchemy would become useless.
Compared to that, what he was really worried about was allowing an entity of the level of Truth to have free rein to act within his base camp.
Fortunately, most alchemists did not seem to have been significantly affected, as their power depended on the energy of the tectonic movements and the knowledge within their own Gates of Truth.
As for the only one seriously affected, Dean Isaac, it seemed that the only viable option was to return him to Teigu World. If they needed his help in the future, they would simply send someone to find him.
“Lord Imu, the Energy Research Institute has determined the construction plan for the Thunder Island Power Generation Base.”
In Noah's Ark, Stussy presented the documents sent by the Five Elders to Imu in the study.
The Energy Institute proposed a plan to transform the island into a large electricity generating plant to supply the entire Starfish World.
If the project was successful, it would go some way to fulfilling Vegapunk's dream of providing free energy for everyone.
"Not bad." Imu was very satisfied.
Stussy took out another document.
“The report from the Mechanical Research Institute found that the Kabane World’s special McRucky high-pressure steam engine can compress granular Pyrobloin from the Starfish World’s seawater when its pressure reaches the maximum limit.”
"They believe that if it is optimized and improved to a certain extent, and then expanded in scale, it is entirely possible to produce a large amount of seastone."
"This is an unexpected surprise~" Imu raised his eyebrows, and then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Next, is the report from the Biochemical Research Institute." Stussy continued. "Doctor Soue Arata, has managed to make the lineage factor of the Demons of the Demon Slayer World adapt to the hot-blooded environment of the Kabane."
"Although their regenerative capacity has been significantly reduced, these Kabane can now recover their hardened heart membrane within three hours, provided they have access to enough fresh blood. In addition, the longevity of their cells has increased considerably."
Basically, there was no longer a need to create more Kabane. They had now become a renewable resource.
Although Imu had accepted Kabane's artificial manufacturing project at the time, he did so because he had no other alternative.
"Approves the award for Dr. Soue Arata for his outstanding contribution to scientific development."
"The latest report comes from the head of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Kureha," Stussy continued after recording Imu's orders. "She has confirmed that alchemy can transform the Amber Lead within the human body into a mineral that is easily absorbed by the human body."
"I see..." Imu muttered. "It seems that the time has come to solve that problem."
'By the way, how old is Law now?' Imu suddenly thought. 'That kid is talented. Whether as a doctor or an agent, he can be a great investment.'
Maybe because Imu obtained the Ope-Ope no Mi, he thought of compensating Law in some way.
"Oh, and this is for you," Imu added, stopping Stussy just as she prepared to leave.
With a wave of his hand, he teleported a small, crimson red case, then floated in front of her.
"Huh...?" Stussy looked at him, surprised. "Is this a gift for me?"
Her mind immediately flew to the possibility that Imu had some interest in her.
Imu heard her thoughts and was speechless. "Ahem... open it and see." he said calmly.
"Yes, sir!" Excited, Stussy lifted the lid of the case. But instead of a jewel, she found a pair of strange teeth. This made her expression strange.
"That's the Absordex, a tooth-shaped Teigu," Imu explained. "Once installed in the mouth, they allow the absorption of blood to accelerate regeneration, restore energy, strengthen the body and maintain youth."
Ignoring Stussy's thoughts, Imu continued matter-of-factly, "I think it will be very suitable for you. Try it out and see if you can gain the Teigu's approval and seize its power."
