Chapter 622: The Ancestor's Gift (11)

"Luo Mage, I suggest you perform a delicate and comprehensive examination on the young lady. She is too young; at such an innocent and naive age, it is very easy for her to be lured astray," Leader Zhao said. His pleasant accent had lost much of its affectation, as if he had given up on being a celebrity figure and truly considered them his own people.

Luo Qi hesitated. What Leader Zhao proposed was a very reasonable suggestion and request; in this era, that was exactly what Mind Mages did—maintaining mental health.

But Luo Qi had absolutely no spare energy to devote to learning healing; he was currently skipping school. He did not know how to perform any delicate, comprehensive examination.

"In such ancient halls," Leader Zhao continued, "some ghosts often drift about. Most are fragments of ancient Consciousness, a bit like what humans call viruses. However, from the human perspective, a virus parasitizes a human body and combines with human gene fragments. The biggest trouble here is that these Consciousness Fragments combine with normal consciousness, using the host's living consciousness to supplement the parts they lack."

Luo Qi was pondering other matters when Du Zhengyi suddenly said, "You care so much about humans; do you not think that goes against your teachings?"

"The mainstream Mage society has such deep misunderstandings about us. What the Lotus Burners oppose is Mages turning away from the lifestyle of our ancestors; we do not oppose humans. They have their own social lives. We are not High-Reaction Mages; bloodlust does not make us happy, and watching humans suffer does not make us happy either. Ah, I have explained this several times today, but explaining it a few more times is nothing. Being able to have the opportunity to explain is in itself very precious," Leader Zhao said with ease, his gaze falling back onto the only human present.

Guan Xinyue did not hide the weariness on her face. She treated Leader Zhao's concern for her coldly and directly made the decision for Luo Qi, "I refuse. Since we each have our own way of life, my mind is my complete privacy. No one has the power to invade my mind; this is my own space. Even if it is Luo Qi, I refuse."

"Don't worry, I will not probe your thoughts without your permission," Luo Qi said sincerely.

Guan Xinyue looked at Luo Qi with a complex expression, then abruptly turned her head back.

Leader Zhao still wanted to persuade her further, but Zhou Ruisi abruptly cut in, "Then can I ask a question?"

He received a kind nod of permission from Leader Zhao and immediately asked, "Is there a reason why Consciousness Fragments must seek a host? Is it desire? Is it the instinct of an incomplete consciousness craving wholeness?"

Leader Zhao looked at the expert he relied on most in this regard, Clownfish, who spoke gloomily, "Mostly no, unless it is a malicious fragment whose purpose for existing is to parasitize."

"Then... then what is the situation in most cases? I mean, if it were an active act of malice, it would seem easier to understand," Zhou Ruisi said nervously. The unfathomable Mage made him terrified, yet he could not control his own curiosity.

Clownfish's blurred face turned toward him, as if something from a nightmare were watching him. Yet, he had no eyes; the voyeurism of a gaze that didn't even exist made Zhou Ruisi's skin crawl. He suddenly realized that this blurred mass was a Mind Archmage; his voyeurism didn't need eyes at all. He might be flipping through him page by page just like reading a Lego instruction manual.

Clownfish spoke at that moment, "Don't worry, a small person with a simple mind like yours counts at most as an IKEA manual—only one page."

Zhou Ruisi was terrified, and a vague sound escaped his throat.

Clownfish seemed to let out a malicious laugh, but continued, "Consciousness Fragments without subjective malice, of course, rely on chance and coincidence to randomly combine with other consciousnesses. Just like a virus, randomly infecting an organism and embedding its own gene fragments into the organism's gene sequence."

Luo Qi truly admired Zhou Ruisi. He could feel that Zhou Ruisi was almost scared to the point of fainting, yet he could not suppress his own thirst for knowledge, continuing to ask Clownfish for guidance while trembling. "Then... then will there be a struggle for the self? For example, if A is embedded with a part of B's consciousness, and if B's personality is very distinct—even if there is no self, the self-characteristics are dominant—then is A actually A or B? Or AB leaning toward B? For example, if A's natural personality is the type who is easygoing, doesn't get angry easily, has no ambition, and just lives day by day. And B is a part of someone's consciousness that is irritable, prone to anger, and has strong desires. Although this segment of consciousness has no memory and no self-awareness, once it combines with A's complete consciousness, A gains these characteristics. The impulsive personality and strong desires will change A's judgment of the world. Then, as time goes on, is A actually A, or is it another B?"

Luo Qi was unconsciously drawn into these words. Clownfish did not continue to tease or intimidate Zhou Ruisi, but instead remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Then there will be a struggle."

"A struggle between A and B?" Zhou Ruisi asked.

"Perhaps a struggle between A and AB," Clownfish said. "No complete self will easily disappear, even for the weakest of people."

"Then what if a complete A and a complete B are in one body?" Zhou Ruisi asked again. He had an endless pursuit of academics, which could even help him overcome his fear of demons.

"You mean, one person trying to seize another person's body?" Clownfish said. "I only have my own view here. I believe that given time, A will still re-emerge. This person might not remember who A is and have no memory of the body's past, but their way of thinking and their temperament will become more like A day by day. B, who occupied another's body, will be gradually absorbed. Perhaps they won't even realize they have become AB."

"Hair... hair-raising," Zhou Ruisi said.

Luo Qi tilted his head to look at him, "It is hair-raising. 'Hear the Dao in the morning, die in the evening' is your motto, right?"

Zhou Ruisi trembled and waved his hands repeatedly, it being unclear whether he meant he wasn't worthy or something else. Even Leader Zhao couldn't help but smile. After demonstrating affinity on his side, he timely ended this academic discussion, "Then let us return to our question. I respect the young lady's opinion, but if possible, I still insist on my suggestion. I know a Spell for detecting ancient-era consciousness. Luo Qi is a partner the young lady trusts; if possible, why not let Luo Qi try?"

Luo Qi was indeed taken aback. He grinned and asked, "So I'm definitely a peerless good boy today? Does Zhao Laoda have candy to give me?"

(End of chapter)