The Gamer's System

"What's the situation?" Zeke immediately said as he transported back to the cabin. Sebastian welcomed him, leading the human to the Goddesses'' bedroom. Yaeger have, of course, began dealing with the current predicament

As soon as Zeke entered the room, he saw Sylvia performing her part. The staff used by Sylvia can regulate the flow of mana and absorb as much as it can. However, as there are now two elves instead of just one.

Thus, Sylvia needed to do things manually as the staff would have great difficulty operating by itself on two sources of mana. Sylvia directed all of the mana and served as the connector between the evolution process and the flow of mana that harasses her sisters.

"I won't even ask if you can keep that up." Zeke remarked, seeing the female elf focusing as much as she can.

With this, Zeke began performing another crafting. He cannot reproduce the same staff of course but, he can still create items that can store a lot t of mana. The process this time is much easier than when he needed to make the staff. And also, unlike last time, Zeke is not under time pressure. After all, Sylvia is already doing much on the part of regulating the flow of mana.

Hence, Zeke did everything as thoughtfully and thoroughly as he can. Making sure that he moves swiftly enough and, creating the best output with the time given to him. This time, Yaeger didn't watch the operation and just waited outside. 

The room got even mor cramped than the last time as there are more people inside. And, Yaeger didn't like having that many people on a small space. Hence, she decided to just go out and have some fresh air while Zeke did his thing.

"Just a bit more." Zeke said, finishing one machine core-looking item. He then repeated the same process which produced there more items which looked similar. At this point, Zeke didn't merge the items anymore and simply placed them inside the liquid – the same act he did with the staff during Sylvia's evolution.

At this, the mana got calmer. This also helped Sylvia loosen up a little bit and, his time, she was able to talk with Zeke.

"Is that how I evolved?" Sylvia asked, seeing her sisters fully immersed in a strange liquid. The cores are with them and, around these cores are spiraling mana.

"Yup. Although your evolution took more effort out of me." Zeke replied, explaining the whole process to Sylvia. He remembered that they haven't gotten the chance to talk right after she finished evolution. Zeke wanted to ask the specifics of the evolution and, if that same operation could be available for him.

Of course, Zeke is aware that the [Gamer's System] may prevent this. However, he also knows that the system would provide an alternate option if the evolution is not possible. With that in mind, Zeke continued asking Sylvia as, the last recorded evolution of any elf was a long time ago. A really really long time ago.

"At first it felt painful. It was like my body continually got burnt by fire from the inside. I kept squirming – trying to fight through the pain but this just made things even more painful. I couldn't even open my eyes anymore and, couldn't even process what you guys were talking about even though I was conscious during the earlier parts of my evolution process." Sylvia said, still concentrating on the task of aiding her sisters who have shared the same fate.

"It felt like mana would burst from my body any moment. It felt like I was continually getting poured with power, so much so that it almost drove me crazy. But then, all of this became a lot more bearable for some reason." Sylvia remarked.

"And the goddess Yaeger have already told me the reason for this. So, although this is already a bit late, I want to thank you Zeke. Thank you for all the support and guidance you have provided. I'm sure that, if you weren't with us, I wouldn't be able to evolve and, even if I did undergo the process, I would've had a higher chance of dying without the same environment you provided.

"It's no big deal." Zeke replied, brushing off the comments as he is not a big fan of flattery. He just did what he wanted, not because these were ordered of him but because, these things benefited him. And If they didn't – these acts would at least entertain him. The same, of course, is true with the evolution of Sylvia.

Zeke felt the challenge of needing to make Sylvia evolve safely. With this is the problem of economizing. This requires the thinking of the possible combination of materials in order to create the desired item. Hence, Zeke enjoyed the process having very little care of the Sylvia's operation in itself. This didn't mean that he is detached from the act however. He just doesn't like the thought of doing things for other people because he cared for them. 

Zeke doesn't want to get attached. As far as he is concerned, this will only bring him trouble and, hinder him from his goals.

"I can have as many acquaintances as possible but, I can't have myself caring about anyone too much." Zeke though to himself, knowing how dangerous things would be if there are actual creatures that he cared about.

After all, in al the games that he played, it is always because of care, concern, and undoubting trust that leads characters into dangerous situations. Zeke also experienced this firsthand when Glade used a skill to make him sleep back in the town. 

Hence, even with all the appreciation which Sylvia shows, Zeke still remained indifferent. He also continued asking more questions – with the evolved female sorceress answering as concretely as she can.

"So you felt the changes as soon as you regained consciousness am I right?" Zeke clarified.

"Yes. As I woke up, there are already a bunch of spells that came into my head. It was as if I've studied them all along and, only forgot to use them. As you saw in that fight, I actually made use of one of the spells." Sylvia answered, referring to the skill [Force].

This skill can both push things away from the caster or, pull things closer. It cannot, however, be used in such a way that the caster can freely move things at any direction. This information is also imprinted into the evolved Sylvia, making use of both functions. The push function was used to pin down the dragon while, the pull function was used in order to create the giant boulder.

Aside from this, Sylvia also explained that force could be used as a sort of protective barrier. Zeke also saw this in action twice. The first one being, when Sylvia dodged the sword slice of Heron while, the second instance is when the lighting dragons got redirected after coming close to her.

With all this information, Zeke finally finished interviewing Sylvia and, continued to other matters which are of importance.

"You can't help out in clearing as things stand am I right?" Zeke asked, thinking how Sylvia needs to stay in order to continue aiding her sisters. Of course, she could just leave the staff but, nobody knows what catastrophe that may bring with two evolutions going under way. 

And even if she could come to the boss fight the next day, the sorceress would basically be weaponless. This meant that she would be of not much use to Zeke who needs to utilize everyone that comes with him for the boss hunt.

"Yes, sadly that is the current state of things an I apologize for not being of much help." Sylvia replied.

"No. It's fine Miss Sylvia. Don't apologize. This isn't your fault and, we all knew that the evolutions would come sooner or later. Though I would've loved it if the evolution waited for us to finish all the four bosses first." Zeke replied. 

"I'm really glad that you've aided us this far Zeke. Without you…things may have turned for the worst." Sylvia replied and to this, Zeke didn't make any remarks or comments.

"It's fine no need to thank me." Was Zeke's only reply as he got up and went for the door

"I'll be sleeping then." He continued, knowing that he already spent a lot of time in making those four orbs. Sylvia simply nodded at the information given by Zeke as the human went out of the room.

As he did, Zeke thought of a, lot of things. First is the fact that, there are two monsters which he needs to face when the sun rises the next day. The second is that, he cannot bring anyone with him. 

As it stands, Harun and Sebastian by themselves will not be any help to Zeke. Thus, even if they are able to help, he will not make them come with him.

Another problem is that, he still doesn't have enough materials in order to craft the other weapons which would be of great use for the upcoming fights. After all, the last fight has taught him that, the monsters can have different things maxed out. And, if his enemies are as tricky as Heron then, he'd be in trouble.

As he thought of all these things, Zeke reached the front of his room. He smiled, thinking how the train of thought got him so immersed that he almost bumped into it.

"I guess I'll just have to find a way out." Was Zeke's remark to the upcoming fight as he entered his room.