Oracle returned the next evening.
She didn't arrive with ceremony or hesitation just a soft projection and then a controlled teleport into the same laboratory as before. This time she wore something practical: loose clothing, sleeves rolled to her elbows, hair tied in a neater, intentional knot.
There was no tension in her steps.
Only quiet anticipation.
Zack turned toward her as she approached.
"You're early," she said with a small smile. "I thought I'd have to wait."
> "Preparation was complete sooner than projected."
She nodded, taking comfort in the certainty.
The lab was prepared:
a medical platform surrounded by diagnostic panels,
a suspended array of scanning lenses,
autonomous surgical drones resting in standby mode,
and in a containment field nearby
a sliver of the Philosopher's Stone.
Oracle studied the room slowly.
"Is any of this going to hurt?"
> "No. You will remain conscious. Sensation will be minimal mostly pressure and warmth."
"That's better than most wizarding medicine already."
She climbed onto the platform and sat with her legs crossed, then repositioned herself to lie comfortably. Her hands folded on her stomach.
"I trust you," she said quietly.
Zack watched her for a moment not analyzing, but acknowledging the weight of the sentence.
> "The process will begin when you are ready."
"I'm ready."
Zack nodded once.
PHASE ONE Mapping
A soft hum filled the room as scanners activated. A gentle blue grid of light swept over her body, reading cellular structures, magical resonance patterns, neural signatures, and soul-field cohesion.
Oracle felt warmth not heat, just presence.
She breathed slowly.
"What are you scanning for?"
> "Your biological decay rate, magical dependency patterns, and the stability of your soul-body tether. The results will determine the modification parameters."
She smiled softly.
"And here I thought I was just getting an upgraded birthday present."
Zack didn't respond verbally, but the pause carried something close to amusement.
PHASE TWO Stabilization
Thin silver lines nanite threads extended from the console and gently connected to three points:
base of her spine
solar plexus
back of her neck
Her breath hitched not from pain, but from an unfamiliar sensation.
"Feels like… pins and needles," she murmured.
> "Your body is adjusting to the interface."
The Stone's containment field lowered slightly not touching her, merely linking through the nanites. The artifact wasn't dramatic; it emitted no glow, no sound.
Its effect was subtle.
Gradual.
Precise.
Oracle felt her heartbeat shift not faster, not slower just smoother, more efficient.
Her muscles relaxed.
Her nerves steadied.
Her mind felt clearer, like fog lifting not euphoric, but grounded.
"…This is strange," she whispered.
> "Describe the sensation."
She searched for words.
"Like my body finally remembers how it's supposed to feel."
PHASE THREE Calibration
Zack monitored her vitals as algorithms adjusted the nanite system to match her unique magical frequency. Her lifespan curve adjusted in real-time across the display:
Expected lifespan before procedure: ~85 years
Projected after stabilization: 160+ years
With periodic reinforcement: Indefinite, stable
Oracle stared at the projection, eyes wide.
"That's… a lot of time."
> "Time is a resource. Now you may choose its use instead of being limited by it."
She laughed softly, though her voice trembled with something emotional and real.
"People spend their entire lives trying to outrun time. And you treat it like editing a file."
Zack considered that.
> "It is better to understand a system than fear it."
Her eyes softened.
"I'm glad you're the one doing this."
PHASE FOUR Integration
The final stage was nearly invisible. Nanites dispersed internally, binding the magical field of her soul more tightly to her physical form and repairing microscopic cellular degradation that had accumulated over decades.
Her breathing deepened.
Her heartbeat steadied.
And slowly… the fatigue she had grown used to so familiar she barely recognized it anymore simply lifted.
She opened her eyes.
And for a long moment, she said nothing.
Then, quietly:
"…I feel alive."
Zack deactivated the equipment.
> "The procedure is complete. You will continue to stabilize over the next forty-eight hours. No dietary restrictions. No magical limitations."
Oracle sat up, stretching her hand and flexing her fingers with awe.
"Zack?"
> "Yes."
She smiled not grateful, not overwhelmed.
Something gentler.
"Thank you."
He nodded once.
> "You are welcome."
She hesitated then stepped closer, gently placing her hand on his forearm. Not demanding. Not claiming.
Just connection.
"I meant what I said last time," she murmured. "I'm not going anywhere."
She withdrew her hand, but the intention stayed.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Then she left the platform and teleported away no theatrics, no lingering echo.
Just departure.
SYSTEM RECORD
> Life extension procedure: Successful
Subject: Stable
Follow-up: Optional subject adapts independently