After eating and resting for several hours and restocking their supplies, the group set out of the Midden.
"Good luck, your highness. See you later." Finn shook Deon's hand.
But unlike before with Sir Conor, Finn's grip on the young prince was way stronger. His blue eyes sparkled like a maiden's who saw a raw diamond for the first time.
"Ah… yeah… see you, Sir Finn." Deon awkwardly replied as he struggled to get his hand out of Finn's tight grasp.
With their farewells, the two groups dispersed unto their respective chambers.
But now, the second group had a different member.
Out of the member's newfound respect for the prince, they all bowed to him as he passed through the tunnel to lead the group.
Although awkward at first, Deon quite enjoyed the new treatment.
As he passed each member, his gait became more dignified and his posture more regal—like a king to his subjects.
But to Mikael who floated beside his partner, the scene looked more like a mafia lord's and his gangsters.
When they arrived at the new cavern, Deon immediately got down to business.
"Sir Mikael, I'm ready." He whispered.
Since he did not know what to instruct the members, he needed Mikael to tell him what to say—like a ghostwriter-- which was exactly what Mikael was.
"First, tell the Ground specialist to set up the same structure as the last." Mikael instructed.
"The last? What was the last?" Deon nervously asked.
Being a spokesperson was way harder than he initially thought.
'Haah…'
Mikael sighed.
"Let's partially integrate. I'll take over your mouth."
"I-Is that possible?"
"Well, there's only one way to find out."
After all, Cerberus, who was the origin of the integration skill, controlled different heads and tails.
Truthfully, if he was given time, Mikael wanted to explore more of their skills. To learn their extent for better utilization in actual battles.
But now was not the time for experiments.
Unlike Finn who does what he wants regardless of time, at least Mikael has enough common sense not to play around during fights.
"Ah… I see. Then, please do so, Sir Mikael."
Ping!
< System Notification: Due to perfect Assimilation, Players are in 'One mind; One body' special status condition.>
"Wha-what's happening, Sir Mikael? I thought you're only taking over my mouth?" Deon panicked at the sight of a notification that he had never seen before.
"I don't know, either!" Mikael replied, "Well, let's just ask the System. I'm sure it'll provide answers like it always does."
True to its reputation as a speedy responder, the Ascension system quickly brought up another translucent panel.
Ping!
Description: The Universe is made up of countless dualities. Yin and Yang. Life and Death. The cycle of mana flows freely between these polar opposites in a perpetual motion. This energy of the Universe, also known as the life particles, can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only change as the wielder wills it. To absorb in one form and to release in another. Due to achieving a perfect emotional and physical assimilation, the system switched off the mana pool limiter of the two entities. The host can now absorb mana from the atmosphere without limit for the duration of the condition. Restriction: 'Internal conflict' immediately cancels this special status.> Mikael and Deon's heterochromic eyes could only widen in surprise after reading the status description. "D-Does this mean we can use skills without mana cost?" Deon asked as if to make sure that he understood the panel's contents. "I think so," Mikael replied, he still could not believe that such an overpowered status condition could be achieved if only he got along perfectly with his partner. "System. Show us the current available MP." Mikael asked. Ping! "I-it's true!" As they were rejoicing their newly acquired status, Dame Nora tapped Kaede's shoulder. "Your highness, we are waiting." Kaede looked around him and found all the members staring at him funny. "Ehem… Ground Specialists, please proceed with the excavation." Kaede cleared his throat in embarrassment. The members did exactly as they did the first time. The ring of ground type mana circles, the pool filling by water type circles… One good thing about this particular tunnel was that it had a slight downward slope which meant that the exit tunnel has a lower elevation compared to the entrance tunnel. Because of this, the water level would never flood the island as it is immediately drained before it rose above a certain level. When they were done, Kaede walked to the lone island's center and addressed the group. "Melee fighters, be sure to guard the Almagi well as they draw their mana circles. We will adapt the unit method previously practiced." After confirming with everyone, Kaede turned in the direction of the entrance tunnel. Because the previous runner was injured, he could no longer perform his duty. Hence, Deon, who was the runner of the first group, assumed this role in his place. "I'm going in." Kaede vanished and reappeared on the edge of the tunnel, not bothering to walk atop the bridge which surprised the people who did not know he had such an ability. 'Ahh… this feeling of not having to worry about MP consumption is the best!' Kaede confidently trudged in the tunnel, relishing the fact that he could use his skills as if they were free. --Chapter end— ------------------------------------------------------ A/N I think I'm getting good at the puns. Lol. Anyway, since this is a work of fantasy (fiction). I hope you'll forgive me for using the terms Universal "Energy" and life "particles" interchangeably. If you're bothered by it, then just think of mana as light. Because light has a particle-wave duality (meaning it has properties of both waves and particles) then you can think of mana as having particle-energy duality—if that makes you feel better.