Author: Krizzeir
"System? Sorry! …"
Kiel this time also didn't expect a response. But as if hearing his heart's genuine worry, the cold familiar voice echoed in his mind contrary to his expectations.
[Beep! Fine Host! Don't be sad! I will talk to you again.]
The voice still sounded as cold and mechanical as always, but this time, Kiel could feel an underlying warmth comforting him.
"Really? You… you are not mad right?" If Kiel had ears like a wolf, they would be straight up in the air.
[Although the host is unkempt, I am still bound to you.]
Although the words were harsh and he didn't get a direct answer, Kiel still got what the system wanted to convey to him. So he didn't pursue it any further. There were more important things to consider.
"Ok when this is done, I will give you a name! Definitely!"
[Really??]
This time, however, her voice echoed a little feverish inside his head.
'Looks like a name is a great deal for her!'
"Yup!"
Kiel replied cheerfully. Now that he placated his system, he could get back to fishing… ahem, I mean spectating.
"System any idea how to be a fisherman here?" Kiel still did not give up the idea to be the fisherman.
[Host must be dreaming! With the tiny strength that you have now, there is only one way to become the bait]
The reply he got, however, only made even cold sweat appear on him.
"Fine then what should I do?"
[Host should remember that I can just your affiliate. According to the legal system code of conducts, my system type only allows me to act as an aid only. Host can only pick his own path. I cannot influence the Host in any way that may have an effect in changing the Host's path! Apologising for the inconvenience caused!]
"But you never told me about it!" Although he heard an apology in his mind, he never got any sincerity from it.
[Host knows now!]
"Great! But… but at least you can at least advise me a little right? Pretty please!"
[ I cannot. But for instance, Host can check the missing log notifications! Maybe they can help!]
Although he didn't want to do anything like that now. He could do nothing. Not even enjoy the show with popcorn. So at least he could view the notifications log. Maybe if he didn't, the system would get angry again. 'Can't let that happen now can we?'
'Ok for the first thing, System show me the notifications that I missed then!'
[Beep! Initiating missed logs…
Displaying missed notifications:
Achieved a rudimentary understanding of the ?? curve +100KP
Host is able to manipulate the ?? force by the slightly bending the ?? curvature.
Achieved a slight understanding of Magnetic Lines of force +1000KP
Reached basic understanding of the Biological Magnetic Field +500KP
HOST is now able to sense the surrounding Magnetic Field +Magnetic sense
Host is able to manipulate the surrounding Magnetic Field
Host can now ask the system for something required for aid. Whatever the host decides on directly depends on the Kp required. Note: System cannot advise Host what to choose. Host has to make his own decision.
Total KP: 1700
Congratulations to Host on achieving 1000KP. Conditions for upgrading system unlock achieved.
1st level System Upgrade Requirement: 2000KP]
"So this KP is like the currency of the system. Ah, 2000KP to upgrade the system! Looks like it is still achievable! But I better focus on the fight now!"
Kiel was amazed by the sheer number of notifications. Now that he saw that he really had an understanding of the Magnetic force, Kiel wondered about the various forces he could actually master. He even had an inexplicable urge to stand up and shout out his lungs due to the excitement. Luckily, he had great self-control.
However, seeing the ?? force, Kiel had a feeling that he knew about it. But still, he felt that something was stopping him. It was at the tip of his tongue. But still, he could not figure it out. Looks like he had to spend some time on it.
Kiel also had a few questions in his mind. But he knew that it was not the right time to chat with his dear system. So whatever, the things he could do now should be his main priority. Looking back, the battle also had reached its peak.
Kiel was strolling the notifications when suddenly he remembered a novel situation. He could not build up his mental energy just like his mana or life energy. So he could only ask the system for help.
"SYSTEM can you help me overcome the mental exhaustion?"
Kiel had great expectations behind the question. He had previously seen that knowledge points had a variety of uses. And in this notifications log also, Kiel noticed the aiding statement. But still, he needs the system's approval to actually be able to do it.
[Yes Host! But calculating Host's mental capacity requires 500 Knowledge points for the desired effect to be applied! Would Host like to proceed?]
"Huh? System are you joking? How could it cost almost half of my knowledge points? Wait… are you taking your sweet revenge now?" Kiel was sure that the system was seeking her revenge.
Although he seemed to be bargaining over small benefits with the system. This notification seemed to hold major unexpected advantages! It just remained for him to explore them out.
Well, it was a big enough gain for him on the trip. He need not be greedy now. There would be many more chances in the future. So it was not worth putting his life at risk. Not that he would do it
[Host is delusional. I am only a system with no emotion. Would Hist like to proceed?]
"Can't you lower it a little?"
[...]
"Pretty please!!"
[Host please don't waste time on the useless stuff! Time is valuable.]
"Tch. Who told you to preach! I just asked for a little help. Stingy system!"
Kiel could not see the system, but judging from her tone, he was sure that she had a contemptuous expression on her face now. So he just turned his head.
[Ok! But be short. If it takes too much time, then forget it.]
So Kiel could only grit his teeth and agree with her. Looks like he couldn't come up on this one. Kiel didn't know how to make for Kp. But he could guess from the previous stage that he needed something to understand something new to achieve them. Well, something like that. It was too little info to deduce further. He should talk about this to the system later about this.
[Host's authorization sanctioned! Deducting Necessary KP. Initiating Mental Recovery of Host!]
…
Kiel, as usual, was thinking bullish*t. However, this time he didn't even get to complete his sentence when abruptly he felt a delicate warmth spreading all over his head. He could also feel the dizziness fading away like it was never there before.
But if you had thought that it was it, then you could not be more wrong. The delicate warmth was then followed by a refreshing sensation rejuvenating his mind all the way.
It felt so gentle and magical. Well, you may say that the Kp spent was worth it. But for Kiel, it was too damn expensive. But it was really worth it.
It felt go gentle that Kiel even wanted to let out a small moan. Luckily, he had not lost his rationale and covered his lips quickly.
'Looks like I need to do something about this mental capacity of mine. It is required for various uses. I better find something. I can't always rely on this expensive service, although it felt really good! Maybe I should try it sometimes?
Wait what am I thinking? I am falling into the system's trap! Kiel don't fall now!' Kiel was sure that he heard a 'tsk' clicking sound somewhere, the moment he had such a thought. Maybe it was a delusion.
But getting back his mental strength back was the backbone to implement the next stage of his plans.
Kiel closed his eyes to relish in the gentle warmth and refreshing sensation. But when he opened his eyes again there was no gentleness in his eyes like before. His eyes instead had a sharp glint in them.
He could now feel the strangeness around him again. As Kiel concentrated a little more he could again see the lines again. But this time there was no more the scarlet painted world. The blue magnetic lines of force we're instead scarlet in colour.
The world didn't appear to be scarlet anymore. The world seemed to be in the same monotone as always. But Kiel concentrated on the magnetic fields around him, he noticed the scarlet lines this time.
Kiel looked around him and noticed that the biological field around him was rather a deep crimson in shade, while the planet's magnetic field lines around were rather bright but faint.
He looked around for the trees to become more familiar with the force fields. He noticed that he could still see the field lines inside and outside the plants and trees around him. But there was no sense of the hollowness within them.
"Maybe that was another force at work here. Yes, that may be the ?? Curve force that the system notification specified. Who knows? Maybe after this is over, he should study and practice his powers to gain a better understanding of about them."
Although now everything seems so new, Kiel was sure he could overturn the planet itself. It was the passion burning deep inside him that would let him do anything just to satiate his own curiosity!
"Hmm, it seems that was a one time experience. Maybe when I experience another new force again, the scarlet world will show itself again. Luckily I can see the magnetic lines of force around me again. So let's move on to the next phase now."
Kiel clenched his little hands tightly due to nervousness. This was going to be his first experience. A wrong move may get him killed. So Kiel was wanted extreme caution.
In the short span of about a quarter of an hour, the Black Leopard initiated several attacks on them but was fended off by that the combination of the wind and fire mage maids of the Iron maidens. It looked somewhat bloody from the scars all over it and its eyes showed a little wireless in them. However, it kept howling out fiercely as it kept circling about them.
"Hang in there. The beast eyes are showing it's tiredness. Although it is intelligent at the end of the day, it is still a beast. With the beast trapping array zapping at its strength, it should be at the end of its life. We just need to hang on a little.
Its mana reserve should be at its lowest. And without its mana as cover, it would only be a wild cat nothing more. Then we can easily kill it. So just a little more!"
Although the little lady seemed a little fierce and had a bossy attitude, from the bitterness of her tone, looks like everyone had their own stories.
He just couldn't judge others based on what they were doing.
"Yes, Milady! You don't need to worry about us. Our life is for you! Milady you just using the precious treasure to power up us is enough! Leave everything else to us."
"You guys!"
Although Kiel could not see their faces, he could discern that they were determined to lay their life for the little girl.
Kiel turned his head around to the side again. This time to witness the heated climax that was about to begin!
He was wondering how much more the battle would go on for! It was entertaining to watch a good show. But if it is lengthened too much, it would become boring. Yawning was a natural response. But he had to be patient and wait for an opportune moment.
"Guess I am not made to be a hunter. If I did, I would have great patience!"
As he had already was focusing on the magnetic field around the battle, Kiel witnessed that whether the girls or the beast, everyone had brighter scarlet lines all around them extending from their insides like wavy tentacles floating around them, except for being very thin.
But looking at himself he noticed that he had a darker shade of crimson. Kiel wondered that maybe it was due to the difference in their practising levels. Giving up thirty per cent of his knowledge points was worth it to witness this spectacle. At least there was nothing to regret about.
However, he didn't get any time to ponder about his choice, cause he witnessed something very interesting.
He caught the sight of a tiny black orb, inside the forehead of each of the participants of the battle where the field lines were at most concentration. More like they originated from this orb to the outside. And the surprising thing was that it was black in colour instead of the usual scarlet colour.
It was his first time seeing this black colour. Usually, they are scarlet or blue-green. But this time they were black.
"Maybe this is the so-called cores they talk about which Inceptor mages have to form to enter the Medius Stage!" Kiel had many times about core forming. So it was the only thing he could associate them with.
The field lines around the girls seemed to be of a brighter scarlet shade than the beast, but they numbered far fewer than the beast.
Also although the orbs inside them were black in colour, however, the orbs inside the three maids, seemed to be more inclining towards the grey shade, while the orb inside the beast still was darker.
"Shit looks like they are in trouble! The beast seemed to not as injured as the little girl described! But should I help them?"