"So… this is kind of like that 'Six Paths of Reincarnation' thing you told me about before, meow?"
Catgirl Niv tilted her head, trying to grasp Hel's meaning.
"That's right," Hel nodded. "It's a system that simulates reincarnation through the soul network and the Ascension Brain. Of course, this is only a prototype concept for the future. Building a true reincarnation network that spans the entire continent isn't something that can be done overnight. That's why I need to expand the soul network, and at the same time collect the remaining witch authorities. The two don't conflict."
"I see, meow…"
Niv nodded slowly, seeming to understand Hel's vision a bit more.
Hel then placed the new trait onto the dragon's brain, but for now, it didn't cause any visible change. However, when Niv interfaced with the dragon brain, she found she could already access part of Hel's authority.
"Not bad at all," Hel mused, watching the process. "I hadn't thought about this before, but maybe if I attach different traits to different brains, they might produce varied effects."
A spark flashed in her eyes.
If every brain could be treated as an individual unit…
Could she embed different traits into each one?
Unfortunately, after several rounds of testing, reality was disappointing — each brain could only host one trait of a matching quality. In other words, for the remaining twenty-seven brains, Hel could only implant twenty-seven red-grade traits.
Still, that was enough. She didn't have that many red traits to begin with — and even fewer suitable for the neural matrix.
Eventually, Hel divided the twenty-seven brains into three matrices, nine brains each.
The first matrix was dedicated to research.
She installed all the advanced research traits she'd acquired from the goblins, and even spent five energy points to copy a red-grade [S-Class Goblin Database] from Niv.
Even so, eight of the slots were filled — one remained open.
The second matrix was dedicated to magic.
Hel didn't have that many magic traits, but she managed to find red-grade ones for Death and Elemental magic.
For Life magic, however, she only had a gold-grade trait left.
So, she spent another five energy points to boost it to red.
As for the third matrix, Hel didn't have many appropriate traits left, so she simply left it empty for now.
"After this round of upgrades, calling it the 'Ascension Brain' doesn't really fit anymore," Hel said, admiring her work. "From now on, let's call it the Reincarnation Mainframe."
She nodded with satisfaction.
"With this in place, everyone in our territory who has matching magical affinity will be able to cast high-level magic through the soul network — even if they've never studied it."
"But, Master," Niv interrupted, "what if their personal mana reserves aren't enough to sustain high-level spells? And the Mainframe's processing power is limited — it can't possibly let everyone use the soul network to cast top-tier magic at once."
"You've got a point," Hel admitted with a thoughtful nod. "Still, with the network's assistance, learning magic will be far easier for them."
Maybe in the future, when she'd strengthened the brains to a semi-divine level, the Reincarnation Mainframe could rival the Maginet — but for now, that goal was still far off.
"Since it's mainly a learning platform, Master," Niv continued, "you could also upload martial arts or skill traits into it. Then later, when you acquire better ones, you can replace them."
"That's a good idea."
Hel nodded again and proceeded to fill the third matrix with all the martial skill traits she had — swordsmanship, blade arts, archery, spear techniques, throwing weapons — everything.
She had plenty of those traits, so even without using energy points, she filled all the red-grade slots easily.
As for the miscellaneous ones — disguise, assassination, theft, and other odd skills — she threw those in too. Their quality was low, but maybe later, when she had time, she could replace or upgrade them. Using energy points for that now wasn't worth it.
"There, finally done."
Hel stretched lazily and once again scooped up her catgirl Niv, who had been lying on the floor waiting for her.
But Niv flipped gracefully in midair, landing on her feet and shifting back into humanoid form. Then she grabbed a towel and began gently drying Hel's hair.
"Master, you really should take better care of yourself," she scolded softly. "If you go out with wet hair like this, you'll catch a cold."
"It's fine. My body's already at Tier Four — what's a little cold to me?"
"But even transcendent beings can get sick, you know."
Niv sighed helplessly at Hel's indifference. If Hel didn't care, then she'd just have to care for her.
After drying her hair and helping her change into clean clothes, Niv accompanied Hel back to the workshop above.
"Master, are you planning to make a new body next?"
"Something like that," Hel said, nodding. "For my upcoming plans, I'll need to infiltrate the beastmen's territory. So, having a body with beastman traits will be necessary."
Hel opened the control panel of the Life Editor and loaded in the prepared materials — a mix of biological components from the City of Flesh and a few samples of blood obtained from Nikki.
Finally, she embedded a [Silver Wolf Beastman] bloodline of pink-grade quality.
Soon, the new body took form.
Its proportions and features were modeled after Nikki's, except for the face — Hel intentionally avoided replicating it exactly. Everything else, though, resembled Nikki quite closely.
After all, she didn't know much about beastman aesthetics. If she created a body based purely on human standards, she might accidentally make something too unusual — and that would only attract more attention.
So it was safer to use Nikki as reference.
Hel even invited Nikki over during the creation process to consult her on details.
In the end, standing before Hel was a small wolf-eared girl with gray hair, golden eyes, and a flat chest.
Niv looked at the new body and couldn't help but deadpan:
"Master… you really are a lolicon, aren't you?"