Solaris' Strongest Resonator

"So that's how it is."

Lucian stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Earlier, Changli had mentioned that if both Lucian and Jinhsi were to fight the Sentinel simultaneously, while it would push the limits of Overclocking further, it would also be far more dangerous.

What hadn't been considered before, however, was that the power of Time could be inherited by two people at once, allowing them to share the damage brought by the inheritance.

In short, if Jinhsi were to face it alone, she would not only bear the risks of Overclocking but also shoulder the full force of the Time's power.

If her physical strength wasn't enough to endure the inheritance of the Sentinels power, the outcome would be self-evident.

But if the energy of Time were split between two people, the consequences of insufficient physical endurance could be greatly mitigated.

Add to that the item from the shop, and even the risks of Overclocking could be disregarded.

However...

Originally, the power of Time should have been inherited by Jinhsi alone.

Wouldn't it be shameless of him to share it now?

But then again, Lucian was a shameless person.

As long as it meant ensuring Jinhsi and the people of Jinzhou survived, he would try any method, no matter what.

That said, he wouldn't dictate things unilaterally—he still needed to hear Jinhsi's opinion.

At that moment, Jué and Jinhsi were still locked in their standoff.

"Though I cannot reach the future, I can glimpse countless possibilities yet to come."

"In my deductions, this method is the most effective and the safest."

"If the Magistrate harbors doubts... how, then, do you intend to resolve this?"

Jinhsi spoke plainly: "...You once prophesied that you and I would have a fated battle... didn't you?"

Jué didn't understand why Jinhsi suddenly brought this up but affirmed, "That is correct."

Jinhsi took a deep breath. "...At first, I couldn't grasp the deeper meaning of this prophecy—until I learned of your past actions and those of the Court of Savantae."

"The secondary resonance created by the collision of two mutually resonating energies could allow me to surpass my own limits, wield the power of Time, and succeed you in correcting all errors brought by the temporal flow."

"...Even if it means I must cross blades with you."

By now, Jué understood what Jinhsi intended to do.

She rebuked sharply, "Preposterous!"

After all, the Chronosorter was merely an inanimate object, while Jinhsi was a living person—and the Magistrate she had personally appointed.

Lucian suddenly cut in, "I know you're upset, but hold on a second."

Jué: "?"

Jinhsi: "...?"

Changli smiled faintly. It seemed Lucian had a plan.

Though the Mystic Mirror and the system had confirmed that the power of Time could indeed be inherited by two people, Lucian still asked,

"Can the power of Time be inherited by two people? And would that reduce the risks?"

Jué was displeased by Lucian's interruption and snorted coldly. "Naturally."

"Even twenty or two hundred people could inherit it—so long as they meet the conditions."

"Just like the Chronosorter."

"Jinhsi's power shares the same origin as mine, so she can inherit the power of Time."

"...Did you just say two people?"

Jué had saved Jinhsi back then precisely so she could inherit the power of Time.

But clearly, she didn't believe Jinhsi's current physical strength could withstand such immense power.

That was why Jué was so furious—in her eyes, inheriting the Sentinels power now was no different from suicide.

But Lucian's mention of two people inheriting it...?

In all her centuries, she had never encountered another "child" like Jinhsi.

Changli and the others knew that Lucian had confirmed through the Mystic Mirror that his body could endure the inheritance of the Sentinels power.

Changli suddenly understood. "So that's it. This way, the physical requirements would be greatly reduced."

"And once such extreme endurance is no longer necessary, the risks of Overclocking would also lessen somewhat."

"Though, if both of you were to resonate simultaneously with the Sentinel, that would offset the reduced Overclocking risks."

With three people fighting and resonating at once, the fluctuations in frequency would naturally become far more unstable.

Jué was still struggling to process this. "From the sound of it, aside from Jinhsi, there's someone else who can inherit the power of Time?"

Lucian smirked proudly. "That's right—it's me!"

Jué's cold golden eyes fixed intently on Lucian.

After observing him for a moment, she spoke. "You are... peculiar. I cannot see your frequency, nor can I discern the state of your body."

"Just... what are you?"

It wasn't unreasonable for Jué to be suspicious. In all her centuries, she had rarely encountered such an anomaly.

The Lady Arbiter was one, but even she couldn't heal Jué's injuries—yet this man could.

Of course, the reason Jué couldn't see through him was due to the system's protective mechanisms.

Lucian grinned. "What am I?"

"Why, I'm the man who's going to become the Lady Arbiter's man!"

Jué: "..."

Rover hugged Lucian's arm approvingly. "Well said."

Lucian explained to Jinhsi, "This power was originally meant for you to inherit. The decision of whether to let me share it is yours."

"If we both bear it, then to unleash its full power, we must wield it together."

"If you'd rather shoulder it alone, I'll still do everything to protect you."

"The choice is yours."

Lucian laid out the pros and cons clearly, leaving the final decision to Jinhsi.

He couldn't force her to accept his idea.

After all, none of these options came with penalties for not completing them.

Jinhsi hesitated upon hearing this.

But her hesitation wasn't about the distribution of power.

So long as the temporal flow over Mt. Firmament could be undone, she didn't care who inherited the power.

What gave her pause was that while Lucian's involvement would reduce the risks, it wouldn't eliminate them entirely.

Jinhsi's original plan had been to endure this alone—as the Magistrate of Jinzhou, it was her duty, and she didn't want Lucian to suffer alongside her.

Seeing Jinhsi struggle to decide, Changli understood her thoughts.

With a gentle smile, Changli offered her advice: "Since Lucian has said as much, let him share the burden with you."

"Besides, he is your Intelligence Officer, isn't he?"

"If this is all for Jinzhou's sake, then there's no reason to refuse."

"Moreover, it reduces the risks. As your teacher, seeing Lucian willing to brave danger for your sake fills me with pride."

Rover nodded. "I believe in Lucian!"

Lucian agreed solemnly. "Jinhsi, we must believe in the power of belief!"

"This is the bond between us!"

Jinhsi: "..."

Finally, seeing everyone's support, Jinhsi made her decision. "In that case, let us proceed together, Lucian."

But Jué was still baffled. "How can you be so certain that Lucian can inherit the power of Time?"

Lucian straightened up with a serious expression. "It's a long story—don't worry about it!"

Jué: "..."