As I savored the fruit's succulent taste, a familiar rush of flavors enveloped my senses, transporting me back to the land of the Gods. Its delectable sweetness danced upon my tongue, a tantalizing symphony of flavors that elicited a blissful sigh. The fruit's essence flowed effortlessly down my throat, a velvety cascade of juice that left an indelible impression.
As the luscious taste of the fruit faded from my palate, I became acutely aware of a stark difference between this particular fruit and the one I had consumed in the land of the Gods. While the flavors remained delightfully similar, the immediate impact on my being took an unexpected turn. A surge of mana, untethered to any discernible element, surged into my soul space with an intensity I had not experienced before.
At first, the mana coursed through me in a formless state, its ethereal essence defying classification. But as it permeated the depths of my soul space, a subtle transformation unfolded. The shapeless mana swiftly morphed into vibrant water elements, invoking a deep connection to the boundless expanse of the ocean.
Within the confines of my soul space, the tranquil waters expanded, their gentle waves rippling outward with newfound vigor. Miraculously, this expansion occurred without the slightest hint of discomfort, a testament to the harmonious integration of mana and soul. Grateful for the painless process, I marveled at the seamless fusion of mana and water, as if they were always meant to intertwine within the depths of my being.
This unforeseen development stirred a sense of wonder and curiosity within me. As I savored the lingering taste of the fruit, a perplexing question tugged at the corners of my mind. Why did the mana transform into water elements? Why not earth, darkness, or even cosmic elements?
Tharla seemed to sense my curiosity as she spoke, "The mana you gain is dependent on your most abundant element," she had said. This revelation sparked a renewed sense of wonder. Wasn't my cosmic element one of my most abundant ones as well?
Although it was true that its presence remained elusive inside my soul space, which made it seem like the water elements were the most abundant ones. But I was sure that the cosmic mana was the same if not more. Could it be that the fruit had no capabilities of helping when it came to pillars of existence? That would explain why Sidus seemed to have had no obvious effect since he only had his darkness element.
Along with the growth of my soul space, my body began to change as well. As the transformation continued, the pain intensified, causing me to clench my claws and grit my teeth in an attempt to endure it. The shedding of scales and the shifting of bones felt like a tumultuous storm raging within my body, testing my resilience. I couldn't help but wonder how Ynos had managed to handle this.
With each passing moment, my body seemed to undergo a metamorphosis, adapting to the influx of mana and the expansion of my soul space. The pain gradually subsided, replaced by a strange sensation of empowerment and a heightened connection to the water element. My chest felt heavy, and I couldn't help but raise my head to the sky and release a roar that shook the entire forest.
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"How unsightly," Breta mumbled to herself.
Her mumbled remark didn't dampen my spirits. On the contrary, it only added to the amusement I felt from the transformation. The newfound physical strength and increased size brought a sense of confidence, making me unable to contain my grin.
"Aren't you just jealous?"As I playfully retorted to Breta's comment, a sense of camaraderie and lightheartedness filled the air.
"Hmph, jealous of who? An overgrown lizard?"
Sidus, though momentarily irritated, seemed to understand the banter and decided not to escalate the situation.
"Sure, you're definitely not jealous," I chuckled.
"Well then, with that out of the way shall we begin?"Tharla's interruption brought our banter to a halt, redirecting our focus back to the task at hand. I acknowledged her question with a nod, indicating my readiness to proceed. Sidus and Ynos stood beside me. Ynos's transformed appearance in particular reflected his growing strength. Breta, on the other hand, remained composed, her spear held gently as she awaited further instruction.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but inquire about Breta's fruit. "Aren't you going to eat yours?" I asked, glancing at the untouched fruit in her hand.
Breta looked at me with a determined expression. "Not the idle time for that. I'll save it for later," she quickly replied, emphasizing her focus on the task at hand.
"Please follow me," Tharla beckoned, her figure momentarily flashing as she gracefully traversed through the air, leading the way out of the forest.
Observing her swift movements, I narrowed my eyes, recognizing her impressive speed. Although I was confident in my ability to keep up with her current pace, I was well aware that she was likely withholding her full strength. If she were to unleash it, I doubted any of us would be able to match her.
Nevertheless, I steeled my resolve and prepared to push myself to the limits. I signaled my siblings and Breta to follow suit.
Our swift pace carried us beyond the boundaries of the forest, revealing a breathtaking vista of countless celestial palaces. Each structure bore its own unique grandeur, captivating my wandering gaze with their intricate designs. As I marveled at the celestial architecture, I couldn't help but notice the palpable battle intent emanating from Ynos. His excitement was palpable, and I knew he was eager to test his strength against the divine beings present in this realm.
"There are a lot of strong people here, brother," Ynos remarked, flying closer to me, his voice tinged with anticipation.
I nodded in agreement, understanding his sentiment. "Indeed, but let us not forget our purpose. We are not here to engage in unnecessary conflicts. Remember, this mission was entrusted to us by Grandfather," I reminded him, emphasizing the importance of our task. We had a duty to fulfill, we weren't here to fool around.
"I know, brother. You don't have to worry," he replied.
"I trust your judgment, Ynos," I replied, reassured by his response. It was clear that he understood the gravity of the situation and would act accordingly.
Sidus, who had been silent up until now, broke his silence with a perceptive question, "Some of them seem to hold ill intentions. How do you want to proceed with those?"
His observation didn't go unnoticed, and I narrowed my eyes, acknowledging the unsettling presence emanating from certain palaces. However, I chose to maintain a composed demeanor in the face of potential hostility.
"For now, we will ignore them but remain vigilant," I answered, my tone laced with caution. "While our purpose is to assist, we must remember that we are in a foreign land. We cannot afford to be complacent." Sidus silently nodded, understanding the importance of staying on guard amidst an unfamiliar environment.
Breta chimed in with her insight, her voice filled with a hint of disappointment. "Their reaction is to be expected. Many deities, particularly the younger ones, tend to be quite arrogant. However, I doubt they'll take any reckless actions."
"I hope not," I muttered in reply.