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Oh naiwa!
I leveled up two more times.
There are still four more mini-bosses left—can they help me gain eight more levels? If I add the main boss on top of that, maybe I'll have enough to evolve right then and there!!
Just the thought of it makes me super excited. I feel like rushing out right now to go cause some trouble.
"Don't forget the emblem." Seina reminded me.
I looked down and fumbled around for a bit before spotting a red emblem with a flame symbol on it. I quickly put it away and headed toward the next area.
Which way should I go next?
Adjacent to this lava region are a frigid ice zone and a solid earth one. Logically, I should go for ice first since fire counters ice, and earth counters fire.
Hmm, the choice is clear. Let's go.
I dashed into the ice region, and my first impression upon stepping foot there was—It's freezing!
Ugh, I'm gonna freeze to death!
I hurriedly used the Fire Magic I just learned to conjure a flame and warm myself up.
"This is natural cold, so use a skill to reinforce your outer layer to resist it." Seina reminded me again.
She was right. I quickly activated [Diamond Body], and it helped a little… but it was still freezing. I didn't want to stay here long—best to finish the fights quickly.
I started heading toward the central area, scanning for the elemental boss's silhouette. But even with Heaven Eye activated and a full search, I couldn't locate it anywhere.
Playing hide and seek again?
"If I remember correctly, the Ice Elemental Spirit is born from those massive ice blocks. Shiraori, try destroying them—maybe that'll trigger its appearance."
Got it.
I took a bit of a running start, then launched myself toward one of the blocks, shattering it into pieces.
Still no sign…
Keep going!
I kept smashing through one ice block after another. Eventually, persistence paid off. Strange squirming sounds began to echo, and shards of shattered ice began rising and converging.
Wow, what a dramatic entrance.
Soon enough, a creature radiating intense cold emerged in front of me. Its ice-made eyes stared at me gloomily.
Alright, just like before… Let's fight!
I stood still, waiting for it to strike. But even after a while, nothing happened.
What's going on?
Why isn't it doing anything?
"It's assessing its opponent. The Ice Elemental Spirit is a little different in that it evaluates enemies before attacking, even if Shiraori already wrecked its territory."
Smart, I'll give it that—but that's not what I need.
I used Scan on it and saw its level, stats, and skills were on par with the Fire Elemental Spirit, so it posed no real threat to me.
To bait it into attacking first, I pretended to be weak. I attacked it without causing any damage. The spirit responded with a strike, which I dodged slowly on purpose.
That should be enough now…?
But then, it stopped again.
What now?
I really didn't understand what was going on. I had ruined its territory and was clearly playing weak, but it still refused to take the initiative.
Not knowing what else to do, I decided to learn how to control magic infused with the ice element first. The process was the same as before, so I got it done fast.
In just one day, I completed my objective.
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Throughout the whole process, the Ice Spirit just stood there watching me. But even if it didn't attack me, I still had to kill it for the experience.
Sorry, Ice buddy.
I got into a combat stance. The Ice Spirit seemed to realize something and quickly backed away. I lunged forward with a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. Just as my blade leg was about to pierce it—
"Please don't kill me!"
Wait… Did I just hear that?
Who's talking?
"It's me."
The voice came again. I looked around and even used Heaven Eye, but found no other presence. Which meant—it had to be the thing right in front of me.
[Was that you talking?] I replied telepathically.
[Yes.]
[How is that possible?!]
Even Meradis was visibly shocked.
Hey, Meradis—what's going on here?
"An Elemental Spirit developing a sense of self… It's not unheard of, but incredibly rare. I didn't expect to witness it today…" Meradis said with awe.
Hearing her say that, I realized I had just stumbled upon something truly rare.
I quickly pulled back my blade.
[Thank you.] Said the Ice Spirit.
[You have a consciousness?] Meradis joined in the conversation.
That's good. Let her handle it—I'm still a bit awkward talking to other creatures.
[Yes!] The Spirit replied.
[Since when?] Meradis asked.
[I don't remember clearly. Among the Elemental Spirits here, I've simply lived the longest. I suppose that's why I developed a sense of self.]
Hmm, that sounded plausible. But how had it survived longer than the others? If someone attempted to summon the final boss of this floor, wouldn't it be wiped out too?
Meradis quickly voiced the question for me.
[Actually, each time that happens, I do die. But when I reform, I retain the memories from before.]
Oh, so that's how.
Meradis looked thoughtful for a moment, then turned to me. "A self-aware Elemental Spirit is extremely rare. Shiraori, you should keep it by your side."
Really? But I still need EXP...
Having something rare is great and all, but...
I started feeling conflicted again.
[I can help.] The Ice Spirit said suddenly.
Help? How?
[If it's about experience, I can assist.]
How?
The Ice Spirit didn't answer me directly. Instead, it began doing something, as if concentrating all its energy. After a while, I saw another small creature emerge from its body.
[This...]
Huh?
[I separated my consciousness. This large body holds about 95% of my power. I hope this satisfies you.]
Naiwa!
You can even do that?!
The small ice mass in front of me looked so fragile—it could be destroyed at any moment.
[Will you… be okay?]
[I'll be fine. As long as I rest in this environment, I'll recover. This is still faster than being completely destroyed and then waiting to regenerate. Plus, I may not retain my consciousness upon rebirth.]
Naiwa.
Why do I suddenly feel like the bad guy?
[Here is my emblem.] Said the Ice Spirit, handing over the emblem used to summon this floor's final boss.
Seems like I have no reason to refuse now. I am still a kindhearted soul, after all.
I quickly destroyed its large body.
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Gained one level... Well, better than nothing.
Time to move to the next area.
For now, I'll let the Ice Spirit rest here and think about whether to bring her along after I defeat the floor boss.