Watching everyone in the distance still discussing the transport of Marduk's Axe, Amber simply slipped into the Feather of Ascension and relayed Fu Hua's concerns to the Guide.
[Please rest assured, Host]
The Guide's voice was flat, but Amber could sense a soothing undertone.
[No matter which world the Host arrives in, the system will handle energy conversion to meet the Host's requirements for energy usage. In worlds without special energy, Approval Rating can be used as fuel for energy conversion instead.]
[Unless Approval Rating is used, most energy conversions cannot achieve a perfect 1:1 ratio.]
Amber finally understood.
'So the mana I'm using now, and the True Qi... no, Honkai energy—what's the conversion rate between them?'
[1 unit of Mana is equivalent to 0.7 units of Honkai energy.]
'In other words, I'm actually about thirty percent weaker than the original version?'
[That is not the case.]
'Hm?' Amber scratched her head inwardly, then had a sudden realization. 'Energy is just energy; it's only one part of combat strength. Physical constitution also plays a role, so I'm not actually that much weaker.'
[Negative. Based on the Host's current performance, you are over fifty percent weaker than the original version.]
'...'
Amber didn't want to hear any more of that and quickly changed the subject.
'If I manage to draw the core of the Herrscher of Sentience and connect to the Imaginary Space, can I directly use Imaginary energy? If so, what's the conversion rate between this world's Imaginary energy and Honkai energy?'
[1:1.1]
'Honkai energy is that strong? Isn't it just a variant of Imaginary energy?'
[The Host's body has a higher utilization rate for Honkai energy. It is not that Imaginary energy is inferior to Honkai energy.]
So that's how it is.
Amber nodded, then remembered the question Fu Hua had asked her to pose. 'So, the cards I draw in this world—can I use them in the next world?'
She had a bit of a habit of relying on others—whoever was available.
First, it was the Master Control Consciousness, then the Guide, and now Fu Hua.
Even if Fu Hua was gone, she could still rely on the Guide, but Fu Hua was like an unofficial master to her. The thought of Fu Hua not being there in another world made her feel a little lonely.
[Traveling between worlds will not affect the Host's inventory, unless the Host voluntarily leaves items behind in a world.]
That's a relief!
Knowing that Fu Hua wouldn't leave her, Amber's mood instantly brightened. With the Guide's reassurance, it seemed she could safely try her luck in Fu Hua's summoning pool.
Still, being cautious by nature, she asked one more question: 'My next world—it won't be extremely difficult, will it? Are there any crises I can't handle right now? And, come to think of it, why did the Master Control Consciousness send me to this world in the first place?'
[The Host's first three worlds, as well as the summoning pools for those worlds, were predetermined by the Master Control Consciousness.]
[Both the worlds and the summoning pools were selected by the Master Control Consciousness with 'ease' as the core principle. Even if the Host only uses the free ten-pull summons in the first three worlds and takes no other actions, she will safely pass through. However, without obtaining Approval Rating, the Host will be unable to travel to the next world.]
[Moreover, the worlds chosen by the Master Control Consciousness make it very easy to obtain Approval Rating.]
'Oh, really?'
Amber scratched her head, surprised that the Master Control Consciousness had made such arrangements... but it suited her just fine.
Being able to make it to the end without lifting a finger? How awesome was that?
The thought of everything being so well arranged put her completely at ease, and her desire to pull the Herrscher of Sentience's core grew even stronger.
The Guide had somehow learned the art of awkward roasting.
Once she drew the Herrscher of Sentience's core and unlocked the Imaginary Space, she'd have to make the system understand that it wasn't her inability to wield the Celestial's full power—it was the mana holding her back.
Guide: ...Fine.
Feeling immensely indignant, Amber asked, 'Is there a pity system for this summoning? I still haven't completed my Stigmata set, and... the Herrscher of Sentience's core feels like it'll be hard to get...'
Then, another thought occurred to her: 'Oh, and does the Herrscher of Sentience's core come with Little Senti inside? I want the version of Little Senti from after the battle on the moon.'
Quite the demanding one, aren't we?
The Guide maintained its emotionless electronic tone: [There is no pity system for summoning. The items drawn by the Host are determined by the Master Control Consciousness. The Guide is merely an AI designed to help the Host understand the system and cannot influence the timing of drawn items.]
So, she couldn't decide which version of Little Senti she'd get?
Amber felt a little disappointed. She already gave Fu Hua enough to worry about. What if she ended up with a freshly born Little Senti? Would Fu Hua be overwhelmed?
But after thinking it over, she decided it probably didn't matter. Fu Hua had lived so long—she'd surely find a way to handle it.
Besides, the fight with Quetzalcoatl had left both Fu Hua and Amber feeling a bit tense. Some of the rules in this world were far more baffling than those on the Honkai side.
If they continued relying on mana, they might run into another opponent like Quetzalcoatl, whom they'd have no way to counter.
So, they needed more tricks up their sleeves.
Having justified her actions to herself, Amber mentally waved a grand hand. 'Mr. Guide! Summon!'
[Summoning confirmed.]
[Please draw your cards.]
Her previous summoning had given her quite a bit of confidence. Looking at her Approval Rating, Amber decided to stick with the strategy of quality over quantity. Rather than pulling a bunch of decent and useful items, it was better to aim for one or two truly powerful ones.
'All in!'
Watching all her Approval Rating madly decrease until it finally hit zero, Amber stared at the summoning interface with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The very first item made her breath catch—
'The Herrscher of Sentience's core!?' she exclaimed in disbelief. 'I got it in one go!? Is this my destiny!?'
Her last investment of four or five thousand had netted her the Fenghuang Down and the incredibly useful severe damage Curio 'Most Raucous.' This time, she was off to another unbeatable start.
Amber's heart swelled with joy and anticipation. She had a feeling this haul was going to be even more astonishing.
Guide: [The Host is celebrating too soon.]
[Asterite x 2,987,891]
...?
Amber froze. This much Asterite? Could she even use it all?
Well, it's still good—she could give some to Ishtar later. As expected from an investment of over seven thousand Approval Rating, this was several times more than the total Asterite she'd gotten from her previous two summons combined!
Her excitement growing, Amber waited for the next item to appear, but the screen remained still for a long time.
?
'Mr. Guide? Is it stuck?'
[Identical items have been automatically grouped. Host, your summoning has already concluded.]
???
'Huh?'
The excitement and joy on Amber's face stiffened. She scrutinized the Guide's meaning again and again, unwilling to admit the truth she was deceiving herself about.
After a long while, she finally snapped out of it. '...Mr. Guide... is there a way to spend Asterite?... Now that I think about it, I still have some Weapon Resonance too...'
[The Master Control Consciousness is currently dormant. The shop and additional functions are temporarily unavailable.]
The Guide's words made Amber's vision darken, but she quickly adjusted her mindset.
The Herrscher of Sentience's core was already a massive win...
Wasn't that why she'd dived into this summoning pool in the first place?
Think about it—even if she'd gotten other great items, like a Divine Key, or even a five-star Curio or Blessing, would any of them truly make her happier than obtaining the Herrscher of Sentience's core?
After comforting her disappointed expectations, Amber directly equipped the Herrscher of Sentience's core.
"Little Senti! Come out and put on a show for Fu Hua!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.