I reattempt the process, this time phasing them out of my Repository into the Subspace where my Blink tunnel exists. And it is a mere repeat of the previous process; the only difference being how the attuned mana feels to my Mana Sense. A different flavor of chips, so to say; like if True Space is original flavor, Inventory's Subspace is barbecue, and Blink's Subspace is cheese. Due to Metamorphosible Mana, shifting the flavor of the 25,000 mana I have within True Space came naturally to me—while to save time, I simply release the 100 points of mana in Blink Space, and refilled the mass of mana with what I have regenerated—then, it was inserting attuned mana into the machine.

I punch the burst button, metaphorically. Then relax and let the machine do its thing… meanwhile turning to Agus, as I suddenly recalled a question I had, "Agus. It occured to me when I was shaping this Core with the Fashion Core Spell. It was also possible for me to slightly compress the core and expel any unnecessary substances. So what exactly does cutting it do?"

He squints at me, "you never told me you had that spell. Of course it renders the cutting process moot, that was most definitely made to simplify the process after all. But the distribution of that spell is restricted by a massive Multiversal Conglomerate that calls themselves cops."

"Really? The multiverse has cops? Does learning the Spell make me a criminal?" I stare at him skeptically.

"Nah, probably. Written in all capital letters. First the C then a superscript 2, followed by the rest. An abbreviation for Consortium of Core Products and Services." He shrugs. "From the name, Henry and I assume they sell all manner of Cores and offer services for people to alter them or something; maybe things like Monster Cores, Mana Cores, and they can probably process them to make something. Not much is known as we are still stuck here under protection!"

"Fine~, guess monopoly is still a thing out there…" So, I look at the machine and proceed to pull out the refined Core. 'Inspect please!'

** DING **

Buster Blade Replica of Greater Returning (12,300)

At the cost of 14 times the Core's mana; that's—about a 77 or 78 percent increase. Increasingly diminishing returns alright, 9 extra multipliers and the boost only amounted to an extra 27-ish percent! But the mana I spent is not much compared to what I have available to me now, not to mention the fact that mana regenerates, and is therefore infinite. Yes, I am satisfied.

"78.27 percent increase, not bad!" Agus said to my left. "Did the spatial mana influence it somehow?"

"Good question! Maybe make it into a wand and we'll find the answer?" I answer. With a nod, Agus offers me the hilt I had ordered… Thank god for Bend Metal! The item produced was ill-fitting and inadequately compressed, so about five extra steel cubes were harmed in the making of this wand! While I was at it, my mana recovered and I pulled what mana is left off the Cores within the Vault and fabricated the first Mana Core fabricated since yesterday morning; resulting in a Core-6100. "By the way, if those cops people expect to monopolize products and services that are related to Cores. How did you buy this machine?"

"They're the seller actually." He said matter of factly, "and while the service they offer to refine Mana Core are expensive, the results are assumed to be much better than this outdated machine."

"I see." I know for one that their full services are currently unavailable due to our protection, which allows us to buy stuff from The System Store, while somehow limiting our interaction with the outside, the multiverse. "Well, time to check out this beauty!"

'Inspect!' X2.

Buster Sword Replica Wand of Greater Returning (12,300)

A spatially attuned Wand infused with a Mark of Returning Spell; made to be the replica of an unspecified person's famous sword, believed to be a form of tribute from an enthusiast. 20% boost to the Spell's base range.

"No decrease in mana cost but having a percentage bonus for the tunnel's range is kinda the same thing right? If only the description actually mentions that the base range is 5,636 meters." I say to Agus.

"Sure. I would say that's a pretty good boost." He answers, "and as the crafter you can partly influence the description of the item within a limited timeframe. Give it a try now before the bond settles."

"I see," focusing on the item's description I mentally added extra details to the entry. Specifically I left the mysterious person alone and added a few extra words on its end.

… 20% boost to the Spell's base range of 5,636 meters. With a base cost of 150 mana, every additional 100 mana extends the range by another fold, non-compoundingly.

Awesome! That satisfies my laziness, now I do not need to memorize those numbers just to answer anyone who asks, because with a Spell that functions within a specific distance like such, everyone will definitely ask! One more self initiated quest completed. Next, I conjured a greater Weal-life and had it infuse itself into the metallic hilt; this will allow me to more easily find the item in case of theft. Then I place the newly crafted wand on a sword wall mount on my Tower's 1st floor along with a list of simple instructions; can never have too much of that!

—

Vica: Greetings Zane of Rumah. I, Ludovica of Parthenon Avantgard hereby challenge you to a duel with leadership and ownership rights of both our Territories at stake. I sincerely await your correspondence.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Geez, that came outta nowhere. What does this person expect to gain from this anyways?

Zen: Why?

Vica: Because, the way you and your people manage Rumah and its allies—while decent for amateurs—are bound to fail in achieving humanities survival!

Zen: Okay, so you manage your area your way and we'll do ours. Why do we need to duel in such an all or nothing way?

Vica: It is only right for the mighty Parthenon to govern over all who is weaker than itself. For only then may we protect them to the best of our abilities.

Zen: Sorry, but I'm busy.

Zen: Maybe next time.

Vica: There is no next time, either we duel and determine a victor or we war!

Speaking from experience; there is no arguing with people like this. They speak about wanting to help humanity survive, but they have no qualms about starting a war. Even if their speed of growth rival ours; it would be a war I could probably win as a one man army, I chuckle at the thought of seeing the looks on their faces when that happens. Not a war should.

Vica: You have the rest of today to consider before we march.

Zen: Oi! Just to be clear. If I win, you'll all surrender to our command?

Vica: That is correct!

Zen: And this is a one time thing? You wont keep challenging us every day?

Vica: We have our pride and the strength to match it! We always keep our words, not to mention there is no chance you can best me!

Zen: Ohh, so its you versus me? Where? When?

Vica: Yes! Unless there is one more powerful than you. We expect this to occur as soon as possible, and you may decide upon the location.

Zen: Alrighty! Tell me where you are and I'll try to arrive before the end of the day. Lets just get this over with.

Vica: For once we agree. I await for your arrival at Paris; almost in a straight line south from Beijing

It's currently about two hours before noon. I inform Henry of my temporary leave and took the LeyLine Gate to the Tower I had left hidden in Russia, all before ten minutes even comes to pass. From there, it was another mere few minutes of Haste assisted Micro Flight to Paris. Also, it had just occurred to me that if she knows where Beijing is in relation to Paris, they must have sent scouts—or like me, have mapped most of the continent somehow… Eventually, hovering above the newly build city of Paris—Gon have long been unbonded and handed down to Mini—I was soon joined by 3 other individuals; 2 women and a man.

"Welcome to our humble abode," the leading woman welcomed me coldly, her face clearly expressing great discipline and confidence, with sharp jawlines and short militaristic haircut. With chocolate colored hair, she is maybe in her late 40s, approximately at the age where she walks the fine line between being both groomed and beautiful, as well as experienced and charismatic. Wearing what seems to be skin tight yoga outfits that are clearly visible through the gaps of her armor: a metal reinforced leather gambeson pair of chest and waist armor, a set of arm length metallic gauntlet and above the knees metallic greaves. Very attractive, if in an intimidating way. "I am Ludovica. State your identity and purpose for visiting Parthenon Avantgard unannounced!?"

"Unannounced? I had mentioned I'll be visiting today, not even 30 minutes ago!" I reply. Feeling confused, did someone pretend to be her to create discord between us?

Her strict expression changed into one of confusion, then into a sudden look of realization all within the frame of a few seconds, before it is once more hidden beneath a strict mask. But before she had the chance to say anything, the man said, "only one person had declared their intent to visit today and he must still be on h—"

"Quiet Leandro!" Ludovica interrupts her interrupter. "I hope being fast is not all you're capable of. Welcome Zane of Rumah to my Territory."

"Thank you Ludovica of Parthenon Avantgard." I suppose that's a rather polite welcome from someone who abruptly challenged me to a waged duel. Passive aggressively polite that is. So I reply with indifference, "well, what now?"

"You may address me as Vica… and now, we feast then duel! Or we can duel then feast! Both are very much to my liking." She replies with a confident smile. "Does not matter much to me if we celebrate my victory earlier or later. Zane of Rumah!"

"I would prefer we get the fight over with. Thanks Vica. and please simply call me Zane." I tell Vica. It'll be too awkward if she loses the battle after an early victory feast, I'll spare her the misery.

"Of course, follow me." She flies down, obviously in the direction of a very large building that is built in the shape of a very stout half C-shape. Weird as that sounds. Though by the time I got a closer look, I would dare to bet that it's not a mere C-shaped building; instead, they're constructing a Coliseum! Pretty cool… Vica led me in through a back door, where one of her two escorts—the man—following the wave of Vica's hand entered into a separate corridor, and I was led into an unoccupied comfortably furnished room. "Please wait while we prepare. I will have Brianna keep you company, do feel free to inform her should you need anything."

"So, would you prefer water? coffee? tea? Maybe some cookies?" Brianna asks The moment Vica left the room. I let gravity take charge as I fall onto the sofa. Then, the younger woman smiles suggestively and approached me with a seductive gait. "Or perhaps I can offer you something spicier?"

She has a slight resemblance to Ludovica; sharp jawbones, chocolate hairs—if maybe a slight bit lighter in color. Just without the charisma, instead she excludes refreshingly immature vigor. "Not for now, just coffee please!"

She drops her act like a clumsy baby drops a heavy toys. "One cup of coffee, comin' right up!"

Leaving the room, Brianna returns a few minutes later with two cups and a plate stacked to the brim with cookies. "Here you go dear guest! Please help yourself."

"Thank you." I smile and watch her help herself to the cookies and other cup of coffee. Tentatively… I reach out for a piece of the delicious looking and smelling cookie. Secretly feeling glad that all she did was squint at me. "These are good!"

"I know! And I suggest you savor it slowly." She says as she moves to claim the whole plate into her bosom…

"Hey!" That thing is really good, I even believe that it is the work of some kinda Skill.

"Mine!" She claims. Invaseviction. I had the jaw swallow a few pieces of cookies from the bottom pile into my open palms under the table.

"You're still not done with your one?" Brianna asks me in awe. Yet before I got the chance to answer, the door opens and the other escort; Leandro, looked into the room.

"Everything is ready, please follow me!"