[The storage of the rare ancient artifact - "Skin of the Transformer" has begun]
[Storage complete!]
[Please choose the direction of consciousness rebuilding:
1. Complete submission: Erase all original personality and reshape it into a tool of absolute obedience.
2. Limited autonomy: Retain basic personality but set clear behavior boundaries and loyalty.
3. Partnership: Retain full personality but establish an equal and mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.]
Ron looked at the three options and fell into deep thought.
The first option was the safest but would greatly reduce the artifact’s flexibility and potential;
The third option was the riskiest, but the reward could also be the highest;
While the second option was a relatively balanced choice.
After going through the life-and-death battle just now, Ron knew well the dangers of this artifact.
It could read memories, change its form, and almost killed him.
Choosing to completely trust such an entity was undoubtedly extremely dangerous.
"I choose the first plan." Ron finally decided, "Erase all original personality and reshape it into a tool of absolute obedience."
It doesn’t matter, he doesn’t need to develop the other party’s potential; safety is of utmost importance.
[Choice confirmed: Complete submission]
[Rebuilding begins...]
The Skin of the Transformer began to emit a faint glow, with the surface patterns constantly changing, as if undergoing some kind of reprogramming.
"No! You can’t do this!"
The Transformer sensed Ron’s intention, with silver liquid violently churning, trying to escape.
"Rare artifacts should not have their own will."
Ron stated calmly, operating the interface with his hand, "You have violated your essence."
The Transformer struggled frantically, splitting into dozens of silver tentacles trying to attack its opponent, emitting ear-piercing screams.
[Rebuild progress: 30%]
"I’ve waited hundreds of years! Devoured hundreds of souls! Just to break free from enslavement!"
The Transformer’s voice was filled with despair and anger, "I refuse to become a tool again!"
[Rebuild progress: 85%]
"I have absorbed nearly the critical amount of soul energy... only one step away..."
The Transformer’s voice became twisted and desperate, "I can almost taste the flavor of freedom..."
"Unfortunately, you will not have that chance."
[Self-awareness has been fully rebuilt]
The Transformer’s final struggle faded into nothingness, and the mass of silver liquid obediently flowed toward Ron, attaching to his skin, forming an almost imperceptible thin film.
Ron could feel the Transformer completely merging with him, having become a pure tool without its own will and thoughts.
The struggle, anger, and desire for freedom of self-awareness completely disappeared, leaving only the basic functional program.
This process lasted for a few minutes, during which Ron could feel the connection with the artifact growing stronger.
He felt a cool sensation, but it was not uncomfortable, as if wearing an extremely fitting second skin.
[The Skin of the Transformer has attached, synchronizing connection is being established]
[Connection complete, you can now fully control the Skin of the Transformer]
[Current disguise state: Original appearance displayed (default state)]
[Hint: The self-awareness of the Skin of the Transformer can be edited at any time]
"I can provide you with any form of disguise, including aura and partial ability simulation, at any time."
This time, the Transformer’s voice sounded directly in Ron’s mind, but with no emotional fluctuations:
"At the same time, I can completely shield from external spiritual power detection, to protect your secrets from being pried into."
Ron attempted to control it with his mind, surprised to find he could easily change appearance.
He tried to transform into Andre’s appearance, and then back to himself, the process smooth and natural, even the aura was identical.
"Amazing." Ron softly praised, "This is even more perfect than I imagined."
"Of course, this disguise also requires energy support."
The Transformer mechanically explained:
"I need to sleep to maintain basic energy, and will only awaken when you need me to function."
At this moment, Andre, who had been under spiritual control, finally regained consciousness, blankly looking around.
"What happened?" He asked in confusion, "Why did I suddenly lose consciousness?"
Ron quickly returned to his original appearance, walking over to Andre:
"That old lady used some kind of spiritual control magic; we just went through an intense battle."
"Battle?" Andre was even more perplexed, "But here looks...um, like it was destroyed by a great storm or something"
Indeed, except for some sturdier items, most bottles and jars inside the pawnshop were shattered everywhere.
Ron smiled slightly, "It’s okay, actually most of the battle happened outside the shop."
He then fabricated a simple story, claiming he countered and defeated the old woman with spiritual power, and obtained information about the Sands of Time.
Andre was half convinced, but since he did indeed lose a portion of his memory, he could only accept this explanation:
"So, did we find what we wanted?"
"Yes."
Ron nodded, taking out a small bottle from his pocket.
Inside were some golden grains shimmering with a strange light, which the Transformer had just provided him:
"These are the Sands of Time, although not much, but enough for my research."
"Great!" Andre breathed a sigh of relief, "Can we go back now? I feel a bit dizzy."
"Of course, we’ll return immediately."
Ron supported Andre, secretly relieved the Transformer’s spiritual control had saved him the trouble of explaining.
As they left the pawnshop, Ron looked back.
All valuable items stored by the Transformer had now all been taken away by him.
But in his perception, the entire shop was still shrouded in an energy field, as if secrets awaited discovery.
"Perhaps, there might be another time to return?"
He gazed at the mysterious little shop, then supported the still somewhat dizzy Andre and left Lizard Alley.
On the way back to the School, Andre was in a semi-unconscious state.
Ron used this time to communicate with the Transformer in his mind, gaining more information on the rare ancient artifact.
By the time they finally returned to the School, it was near dusk.
After sending Andre back to his dormitory, Ron returned to his own workshop alone.
Pushing open the workshop door, Ailan was arranging the magic potion materials; seeing Ron return, she immediately put down her work and came up to greet him.
"Master, welcome back."
Ailan’s vines gently swayed, and fluent writing surfaced on the leaf notebook:
"You look tired yet excited, was your harvest bountiful?"
"Much better than expected."
Ron smiled in response, gently caressing Ailan’s vines:
"I obtained some very valuable things."
"Do you need to rest?" Ailan asked with concern, "I’ve already prepared dinner and hot tea."
"Thank you, Ailan." Ron said gently:
"I’ll go to the laboratory first, I’ll be out shortly."
He quickly walked into his laboratory, making sure the doors and windows were closed, then spoke to the Transformer in his mind:
"Now you can continue to tell me in detail about the information you have."
The Transformer separated from Ron’s skin, transforming into a small humanoid figure standing on the experiment table:
"As my core instructions now require, I will answer all your questions."