Processing…
Iris woke up and saw the notification hanging in the air. Her heart thumped in anticipation.
Achievement: Error—> Processing Complete
The Error has been rectified…
The coalescing process has been completed successfully, Individual Iris can see her achievements again…
The Skill has been processed, Individual Iris can now use the Skill Equivalent exchange.
The Skill Equivalent exchange has been observed by the Eyeless Eyes….
The Skill Equivalent exchange is no longer available to individual Iris.
Eyeless Eyes blinked…
A new unique skill has been created— Transient Exchange.
The Achievement Cleaver of the World selected as permanent achievement…
Individual Iris’s statue now has only one Achievement— Cleaver of the World.
Error…
Processing…
System Rebooted...
Individual Iris, from hereon, has been classified as an Entity that broke the system…
No achievement was granted for the deed of breaking the System.
Entity Iris has been put under closer Watch by the system…
Achievement— Cleaver of the World does not exist in the system database, Entity Iris will not receive any reward for this achievement.
Unique Skill— Transient Exchange…
Processing…
Error...
Processing...
Entity Iris can freely use Transient Exchange.
Skill Transient exchange violates the existence of the System...
A penalty has been Imposed…
Transient Exchange exchange ratio had been changed from 1:1 to 1: 10…
Entity Iris has been declared as the Enigma to the system…
Transient Exchange cannot be barred by the system…
Locking protocol Failed…
Entity Iris has rightfully earned the Transient exchange…
Processing…
Processing…
Processing... Complete.
Congratulations Your system has been updated.
Iris laughed as she saw the system go through phases like it always does. It was fun to see her system try and comprehend her and fail.
“I wonder if you will ever realise— I am too cool for a broken little thing like you to understand,”
Iris grabbed her sleepy cat and opened her stat screen.
[Name: Iris
Level: 6
Age:18
Rank: Lord
Class: Caster
Subclass 1- Weaver
Subclass 2- Manipulator
Title: Lightning Lord
Element: Rend Lightning.
Darkness: Material form
Achievement: Cleaver of the World.
Skill: Transient Exchange
Soul: 456,367
Arch Souls: 5
Lords Slain: 5]
[Caster Class attributes:
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Calmness: 120 (Mastery 98%)
Focus: 120 (Mastery 98%)
Intelligence: 120 (Mastery 98%)
Mana: 344 (Mastery 98%)]
Calmness: Affects the cast time and effectiveness of the spell. Calmness also increases the success rate of casting complex spells under highly dangerous environments.
Focus: The ability to cast higher-tier magic is affected by focus. The more complex a spell higher the Focus attribute is required to successfully perform it. It also contributes to the cast time, although very little. And solely affect the capacity to hold a magic circle’s duration and efficiency.
Intelligence: It governs the elemental damage of a caster, the ceiling of Spell tiers, and the ability to conjure the Magic circle. It also contributes to the efficiency of Spellcasting.
Mastery is how much of an attribute a caster is capable of using. Mastery is purely based on the usage of training and experience.
Attribute can be increased by consuming monster souls, or by training that specific attribute. Monster soul pertaining to that specific attribute must be acquired to increase each specific attribute. For example- Gigyaki’s soul pertains to strength attributes.
The efficiency of spell casting: For every spell, there is a range in which mana is consumed, i.e., let’s say– 10-15, and then there is a small wastage in channelling, let’s say 2. Higher intelligence lower the cost on the range scale, and minimal wastage.
The range of mana consumption is based on mana consumed per second, thus if a spell’s range is 10-15 and cast time is 10 sec then the total mana consumed would be in the field of 100-150—this range’s efficiency changes by focus.
In short, Intelligence governs efficiency and Focus governs that efficiency’s duration.
Iris smiled as she gazed at her attributes— they were perfect. Her chest swelled in pride. She remembered six years ago seeing the attributes first time and they were all at one.
Iris slid off the best, super excited about Hecate’s battle tonight. Hecate would be battling a Level 5, no less. Iris wanted to see the genius that Ilona was impressed with.
…
The day went by relatively uneventfully, other than Diantha locking herself up in her room, and, of course, Hecate trying to investigate what Iris was secretly eating that was not available in the mansion.
Rather late, Hecate had an ominous premonition as she remembered — Winny did not eat because there was nothing to eat in the Labyrinth. What if Iris was in the same situation? Of course, Hecate had that premonition before, but she could not imagine Iris, a Level 6, could be in such a situation. However, seeing her for three days without any food was starting to change that image.
She buried that question in her mind. After her battle, she would ask Iris. Now was not the time to be distracted. There was a fight to win. Against a Level 5, Hecate could not help but jump inside the carriage and was immediately tied to her seat next to Iris.
“Calmness is Caster's most important attribute.”
“The only thing I need to win this battle is a super hot punch that would melt that bastard’s sword!”
“He’s a lancer, not a swordsman.” Only Hecate and Iris were in the carriage; Ilona was already in the Colosseum, and Diantha was going to be late.
“As long as there is metal to melt and wood to burn, I couldn’t care about his class or level,”
Iris sighed but said nothing. This was the right time to ask her question, and Hecate was incapable of something called patience and tact. She goes for the head every time.
“Iris,” Hecate called, shifting in her seat. Somehow she felt nervous asking her. Hecate shook her head; she was not Felix—a creep. She would ask directly.
“Yes,”
“Are you also like Winny? Like you cannot eat and everything?” Hecate remembered Nash mentioning something called an episode, and that was a dreadful thing to hear.
“I am. If I speak frankly, I am in far worse shape than Winny.” Hecate did not like the way Iris spoke that statement. She could tell right away that Iris did not care about it.
“Then… what are you going to do?” Hecate asked, her voice tense. She clenched her fist to not show the panic that she felt.
“Nothing. There is nothing I can do, and there is nothing I want to do… Just saving Winny is enough.” Hecate had not felt this distant feeling in Iris’s voice. The person in front of her was someone else entirely. That person did not talk to her with the fondness Iris had.
“Why? We just need two seeds of Eve to save both of you… I don’t understand.”
“I…” Iris sighed, “Hecate, I’ll leave next week; we'll never meet again. You don't have to worry about my well-being. I am just a passerby, let me enjoy my stay here. Please, don't complicate my situation anymore.” Iris said, her voice was weak and tired. Hecate wanted to hug her, but she felt so distant and guilty.
“Right,” Hecate did not say anything; she would not complicate this situation. Iris was just a passerby, just a passerby. Nothing more. She will leave. Never return. They will not see each other again, ever. She did not need to worry about Iris. Hecate whispered to herself those words for the rest of the ride.
“And please don't tell Lady Ilona about this conversation.”
…
“Yun He, Level 5 Lancer vs. Hecate, Level 4 Caster.”
The crowd cheered as she entered the stage; the noise fell deaf to her ears. She was sad and calm. Calmness was not her trait, yet she was. Calm was not the right word—she was numb. She did not even register her opponent entering from the other end. In her mind, the words spoken by Iris echoed. Hecate did not want her to leave. She could tell from her voice that Iris wanted to die. Hecate did not want that, but she was just one of many faces in Iris’s journey. It was not her place to force her, and she could not. Not when Iris almost begged her to let her stay peaceful.
Tears slid down her cheek; she did not want her to leave. The tears vaporized before they could reach the floor. Slowly, ever so slowly, the temperature of the stage rose. Her opponent sweated— that sweat would vaporize soon. The floor beneath her was deep red, as if a beast of magma slumbering. Slowly the floor began to melt, and her shoe sunk in.
“Hecate, Level 4 Caster,” Hecate muttered, she wanted the battle to begin. This welling-up emotion swelling beneath her skin, she wanted to let it all out and burn away everything. This was the final match of the group battle anyway. After this, there would be a two-day break— if she were to exhaust all mana, even then, she would have time to recover it all.
She wanted to exhaust herself and sleep. She did not want to think about Iris anymore. Iris would leave in four days— she needed to battle, exhaust, and sleep. That way, she wouldn't need to see her or feel this sadness again.
“Yun He, Level 5— Lancer,” Hecate did not pay attention to what he looked like or how he sounded.
“Begin!”
Hecate slammed her feet into the magma beneath her feet. The floor rippled beneath her like jelly and then flooded over; the floor turned to magma and slowly flowed outwards with Hecate at the epicentre. The heat rose drastically, even the audience felt like they were being burned.
She created a fireball and watched the lancer hurl hundreds of javelin-like projectiles at her. Hecate tapped the floor again, and a wall of magma rose from the ground, consuming every javelin and bursting like a ball of fire.
Hecate did not move. She did not want to move. She had already exhausted half her mana by creating a magma floor and wall. It was a foolish choice to do something absurd like that. Hecate noted the hesitation in her opponent’s movement. He was worried that this was some sort of elaborate plan to catch him off guard. He was a Level 5, of course, he could easily see the absurd discharge of mana by a Level 4.
Hecate’s heart thumped, yet she could only hear what Iris had said. Hecate made no move to take advantage of her opponent’s hesitation. She waited for him to attack her.
“Are you mocking me?” her opponent asked, his voice did not give off any anger or arrogance. He was calm.
“No, I have yet to notice you… I was just lost in my own thoughts,”
“Heh, you speak like a heartbroken maiden, and here I was expecting to see the apprentice of the 3rd seat of Roundtable Rivals,” He spoke in mirth, and turned his attention to the Lancaster’s waiting room, “Is that Level 6 left you feeling like this?”
“No.”
“I give up.”
“What!” Hecate exclaimed, the shock finally rocking her out of the sombre state.
“I was here to fight the apprentice of Elder Lord Ilona, not whatever, you, stand in front of me. I have no interest in a battle with you. Farewell, Miss Hecate.” The blonde princely man gave her a courteous bow and left, flicking his red lance.
“Wait!” Hecate screamed, her voice falling deaf to the man’s ears. He turned and gave her a grin before vanishing into the darkness of the exit.
“What just happened?” That was the question everyone had, and Hecate just voiced it out.
…
Inspector Huang sat on his luxurious seat, his mouth gaping in panic. Both! Both of Lancaster’s participants made it to the final! Now what? He could not lose; he would die. He wiped the sweat off his face and gulped the drink on his table. Everything was taking a turn for the worse.
Lambert had pulled his hands back; he showed no sign or interest in taking out Lancaster anymore. The inspector was not naive; he knew Lambert wanted him to be gone. His existence was a leash on his plans.
He needed to contact Laurent. They must become the aggressor. Not just an aggressor, but violent. They needed to attack every Lancaster they could lay their eyes on. No exceptions! They needed to spill some blood—Lancaster would break then. He needed to corner her and make her lash out. If she does, if she lashes out, he wins. That’s it!
The door opened with a loud screech, making the inspector cringe. He had ordered it to be fixed; someone was responsible for this, and punishment was due. All his servants were torpid. He would deal with them soon. But the visitor, who was it? The inspector shifted to get a glance at them, but his body did not allow much movement in this chair.
“Greetings, Inspector Huang,” It was Laurent’s subordinate. Oh, how much he wanted to take her as a concubine; he might just do that. But! She was already in her thirties. That beauty would fade in a decade or so. Lancaster was a better choice. She was very young and intelligent. He wanted to hear her moans and make her squeal under him. He could bet she might be sinless, a maiden, or have no more than a few partners. Unlike this Laurent subordinate, who… The inspector felt ashamed to even think. A disgusting person she was. His mood was ruined. Now, he needed to find a virgin. It was hard in this state, especially. All thanks to that Lancaster. He was prohibited from having slaves— the Inspector could not fathom what Lancaster did to have this law implemented. The only state in the Empire to not have slaves. Even he, of royal blood, could not have one.
Talk about insolence! One of these days, he might speak out against the Emperor—Inspector paused his musing. The Emperor's eyes and ears very well may read his thoughts, and he would never see the next sunrise.
“Greetings, Miss Hestia,” Inspector Huang said, his voice graceful and pleasing. One could never discern his inner thoughts from his words alone. Not a surprise, he was, after all, a diplomat who had risen through the court of Laks solely on his power of words. Flattery and bootlicking could lead you to the highest peak— like Emperor’s mother— Huang cursed himself. His thoughts would be the end of him, one of these days.
“You realize your neck hangs on a blade, whose command may very well be in Lancaster’s hand,” Of course, that was true, and all of it was due to this Bitch. He understood Laurent wanted either him or Lancaster gone. The only person in this situation with nothing to lose and everything to win. Bitch!
The inspector smiled and nodded. His eyes trailed her cleavage as she bent and placed a canister in front of him. The inspector could see the red tablet inside, and even sealed, the pure scent of Hert was enticing. It’s Poison! He chided himself.
“You know what must be done, Dear Inspector,” Laurent gave him a coy smile.
The inspector nodded. He did. Oh, he very much did, and he had hoped with every inch of his being to not be in this situation. Now, he was in a situation where it would not be the Emperor who might execute him but the Roundtable. And they would do so far more cruelly. If not for this situation where he would die regardless, he would not have even heard of this plan.
His eyes widened in realization; he looked at Hestia Laurent and the sweet smile she gave him. She too knew he understood—this situation was specifically tailored to drive him into this corner. He had been played. This Fucking Whore!
“It is your call, dear inspector,” Laurent turned and left, without even giving him a courteous bow.
…