The seventh month. It was not a time for celebration. The moon of Aethelgard was bleeding. This was a sign. Lu Ran's computer system was warning him about it.
A lunar eclipse was coming. This was a "Blood Moon". It was going to affect all the magic in the world.
For a pregnancy with dragon blood this was a bad time. For Lu Ran's situation it was even worse.
"System, " Lu Ran said, holding onto a table. He was breathing hard. "Check my health."
His health was not good. The baby was using a lot of magic. The wall of the womb was not strong enough.
The baby was trying to get out. He was trying to go through the wall.
"Great, " Lu Ran said, wiping sweat from his face. "He is not even born yet. He is trying to teleport. He gets that from his father."
Lu Ran was alone in the tower. Kaelen was away. The Empress Dowager had taken the Emperor else.
Pip was downstairs. He was trying to make something to help Lu Ran.. Lu Ran knew it would not be enough.
The air in the room was crackling. Things were breaking. The baby's magic was affecting the world.
Then Lu Ran heard a voice. It was the Empress Dowager. She was standing in the doorway.
She was not alone. There were six priests with her. They had chains that could stop magic.
"You look like you are in pain, " she said. "The baby is too big for you. He is going to hurt you."
Lu Ran did not move. He leaned back against his workbench. He put his hand on a kit.
"You should not be here, " Lu Ran said. "I do not have time for you."
"The Blood Moon is coming, " she said. "The baby's magic will be at its strongest. If I have the chains I can control him. If you are alone you will get hurt."
Lu Ran knew she was right. He felt pain. His computer system was warning him.
The baby was coming. He was not in the position.
Lu Ran fell to his knees. The floor cracked. A wave of light went out.
The priests tried to grab Lu Ran.. He was not going to let them.
He thought about his computer system. "Help me. I need to get the baby out."
The system warned him. It would be dangerous.. Lu Ran had to try.
He took a knife. He cut into his skin.
Pip came in. He threw a jar of fire at the priests. It created a barrier.
Lu Ran kept cutting. He could see the baby's hand.
The room was getting colder. The priests were chanting.
The Empress Dowager was screaming. She wanted the baby's soul.
Lu Ran did not look up. He kept cutting.
"Come on baby, " he said. "Help me."
The baby's heart was beating fast. Lu Ran felt a surge of magic.
He counted to three. Then he pulled the baby out.
There was an explosion. It was like a choir singing.
The priests were gone. The Empress Dowager was thrown across the room.
Lu Ran was lying on the floor. He was holding the baby.
The baby was small. He had hair. His eyes were violet.
Lu Ryan's computer system was talking to him. The mission was accomplished.
Lu Ran was hurt. He was dying.
The system was helping him. It was regenerating his body.
The Aftermath
The Emperor came. He saw the destruction.
He found Lu Ran. Lu Ran was holding the baby.
Lu Ran was hurt.. He was smiling.
The baby was healthy. He was 8.4 pounds.
The Emperor was amazed. The baby's eyes were violet.
This was a sign. The baby was special.
The Emperor touched the baby's hand. There was a spark of magic.
The baby grabbed the Emperor's finger.
"Violet eyes, " the Emperor said. "This is the sign of the Eternal King."
Lu Ran said "He is a marvel." He leaned his head back against the stone. Lu Ran is going to need a lot of mana cores for breakfast. Lu Ran hopes the vault is well-stocked.
Kaelen looked at Lu Ran. His face changed from being proud like a father to being very devoted. Kaelen realized the man in front of him is not a consort who survived a ritual. Lu Ran is a force of nature who changed the rules of their world to protect their child.
Kaelen said "Elara did this." He looked at his mother who was unconscious. His voice was very cold.
Lu Ran said "Do not bother." He closed his eyes. Lu Ran used a localized mana-pulse to stop Elara's meridians. Elara is as powerless as a peasant now. Lu Ran said "It was efficient."
Kaelen laughed. It was a laugh. He leaned forward. Kissed Lu Ran's forehead. Kaelen said "You are terrifying Lu Ran."
Lu Ran said "I am an academic." Lu Ran muttered "We are known for being thorough."
Weeks later the Jade Palace was rebuilt.. It was not the same kingdom.
Lu Ran did not go back to being a "Consort." Lu Ran did not live in a pavilion. Lu Ran moved into the Grand Library. Lu Ran changed the West Wing into the "Aethelgard Institute of Bio-Magical Research."
People saw Lu Ran walking the halls with the infant heir, Prince Valerius. Prince Valerius was named by Kaelen. Lu Ran "optimized" it. Prince Valerius was in a carrier that Lu Ran designed. The child was already floating objects. Prince Valerius was "hacking" the palace's lighting crystals at three months old.
The High Priest Malakor was "retired" to a monastery. He was replaced by a board of scholars. The scholars were chosen by Lu Ran. The "Bloodline Ritual" was abolished. It was replaced by a screening and nutritional program for all noble families.
One evening Kaelen found Lu Ran standing on the balcony. Lu Ran was looking out over the city. The lights of Perez were glowing with a blue-white light. Lu Ran used the city's leylines to make a grid system.
Kaelen said "The people think you are a god."
Lu Ran replied, "People like to exaggerate." Lu Ran said "I just made the system better."
Kaelen asked ". The boy?" Kaelen nodded toward the crib. The eyed child was asleep. The child was surrounded by a protective kinetic field.
Lu Ran said "He is perfect." For the time Lu Ran's voice was not detached. Lu Ran said "He is the first of a species, Kaelen. He is a bridge between what we were and what we can be."
[Ding!]
[New Mission Available: 'Expansion of the Lineage.']
[Objective: Establish a Global Academy. Secure the generation.]
[Reward: Unlock 'Universal DNA Manipulation.']
Lu Ran looked at the floating text. Sighed. Lu Ran said "System, be quiet. I am off the clock."
Lu Ran turned in Kaelen's arms. Lu Ran looked up at the man who started as a " donor". The man became Lu Ran's partner in a revolution.
Lu Ran said "But I suppose we could look at the data for a child." Lu Ran said "I think I can make the mana-conductivity of the structure better in the next iteration."
Kaelen grinned. Kaelen pulled Lu Ran closer. Kaelen said "I thought you would never ask, my scholar."
In the distance the bells of the city rang out. It was the sound of a world that was saved not by a sword. By a scientist, with a god-tier system.