Supreme Magus novel Chapter 2931

Chapter 2931 The Path Ahead (Part 3)

Those conditions were meant to test the Doppelgangers' morals and self-control. To determine if their mentality would better fit with human, plant, or beast society, Leegaain needed to know how the Doppelgangers reacted under stress.

"Last, but not least, you are forbidden to reach a mass superior to that of the form that I'll assign to you. There is no point in sending you out there to learn about yourselves if you overcome every hardship simply by brute force."

In their natural form, Doppelgangers looked like a gelatinous puddle the size of an inflatable pool. They could eat as much as they wanted and either retain the mass or split into two different beings, producing an offspring.

Yet to keep the extra mass, they needed to feed regularly. Otherwise, as it had happened to Protheus, they would just not feel hungry while their bodies metabolized the accumulated nourishment until they reverted to their original size.

"Are you telling me that I can't turn into a Divine Beast?" Protheus was flabbergasted. "That none of my children can access their Chimeric Form? How are we supposed to defend ourselves, then?"

"You are not." Leegaain replied curtly. "Again, this is a learning experience. There is no war and no reason to fight unless you instigate it. You have known conflict your whole life and now you must get accustomed to peace. Am I clear?"

"Yes." The Doppelgangers replied in unison while lowering their gaze.

They had yet to take their first step in the outside world yet they had already learned something new: fear and helplessness.

"Don't worry, I'm forbidding you from using violence but I won't let you be punching bags either. Her, take this." A snap of Leegaain's fingers made what Lith recognized as a Guilty Ballot appear in the hands of each Doppelganger.

"Hide it inside your bodies and use it only if you feel that you can't deal with the situation at hand. You just need to press the button and I'll answer the call."

"Wait, didn't you just say that as long as we are close to your lair you can follow us all at the same time?" Protheus asked in confusion.

"Correct." Leegaain nodded.

"Then what point does this thing have? Why don't you just intervene when we need it?"

"Why indeed." Leegaain said with a smirk, refusing to reply further.

'That's really smart of him.' Solus pondered. 'It added another layer to the morality test. Thanks to the Ballot, a Doppelganger can escape if they are overwhelmed by social interactions or if they panic in a situation they are not uncomfortable with.

'Were Leegaain to intervene without a call, they would never exercise freedom of choice and develop their ability to judge a situation. This way, a Doppelganger has a "get out of jail free" card whenever they feel like they ended up in a pinch beyond their control.

'He just added the "ask for help" option to the classic fight or flight response.'

'Indeed.' Lith telepathically nodded, taking mental notes for Valeron's and Elysia's future education. 'Depending on how the Doppelgangers use the Ballot, he can evaluate who's immature, who has a weak character, and even who has compassion.

'After all, he did say that they can fight to defend others and the Ballot also allows the Doppelgangers to call for reinforcements in case their strength isn't enough.'

'Nailed it in one.' Leegaain intruded in their mind link, upsetting both Lith and Solus.

"So, do we have a deal?" The Guardian offered his hand to Protheus who instead of shaking it turned around and discussed the matter with his children, passing Leegaain's first test.