As the count ended, the two women immediately started fighting. However, the two had different strategies, starting with Ingrid.
"Hundred Blade Dance!"
"Earth Dragon's Roar!"
The two of them spoke out their spells. Ingrid summoned a hundred blades made of mana while Laurielle released a roar.
Their tactics should be simple. Ingrid would practically have to fight a battle of attrition, while Laurielle would do her best to reach her opponent.
However, Ingrid's flying swords, while weak, are very annoying to a hand-to-hand fighter like Laurielle.
Who do you think would win? I thought of that, asking the AI who's living rent-free in my head.
[It depends. However, from my general statistics, Ingrid should have a higher chance of winning. Boasting a total of 62% while the rest would go to the Laurielle.]
How did you make that kind of statistic this early?
[Since I've already bypassed the Hero Support System's outer frame, I based my information on their skill sets, as well as from the past experiences of other heroes with the same class.]
In that case, there's still a major factor that is those two's strategies.
[Yes. However, the berserker woman seemed to be quite the musclehead.]
I almost laughed when I heard Stella's voice in my head. Naturally, I also observed Laurielle's movements.
Stella wasn't wrong. Although her movements embodied different techniques, her general movements still screamed brute forceness. She punched and kicked the flying as she tried to grab Ingrid.
However, the latter was cautious. She used that spell once more and summoned a hundred more blades. Even I would have a hard time with that kind of power.
No, with my current arsenal, I would definitely lose.
However, their battle was really something. How much power are they using? The ground is getting destroyed while the barrier seemed like it had a few cracks as well.
The other heroes who were watching couldn't help but be amazed but also scared. They once again thanked whoever god they believed in that they didn't get matched with either of the women.
The two women's battle continued until the arena seemed to have suffered more. But the two's condition wasn't that great either as the two of them were panting with heavy breaths.
The barrier now had obvious cracks, even the the woman who was the mediator was also looking at the two worriedly. If that barrier wasn't at the supreme-level, it would've probably been destroyed already.
Finally, the two chanted their finishing moves.
"Death Spider Web Array."
"Gaia's Wrath!"
Suddenly, the spells that the two activated immediately vanished before it hit. Laurielle, who was on the right side looked up, followed by Ingrid and the others who were there.
When I also looked up, I saw one of the people who was sitting at the special seats on the top. There, an old man was standing up with his hand raised.
Everyone was confused about what was going on until the mediator spoke.
"It appears that the battle has especially deemed a draw. Congratulations, the two of you have passed. There's no need to continue the battle."
Ingrid and Laurielle looked at each other before sighing. They didn't complain and went back to the audience area with the other heroes.
Although this kind of thing wasn't mentioned at the beginning, no one complained, after all, it was a decision from those people above. They must have realized how big they are.
No one could've predicted that.
[I did.]
Really?
[I found an archive that contained the details about the past evaluations. This isn't the first time something like this happened.]
I see. Well, there's no point in talking about it anymore.
The evaluation continued the same. The case of a draw might really be rare even if it already happened in the past.
We left the arena after the evaluation, with my necklace getting blessed. That means I can now live in this realm legally.
"Haah... I'm exhausted. Both mentally and physically."
After I reached the room that was provided to me, I quickly slumped on my bed as pent-up exhaustion quickly took over my body.
[Master, I will show you the display of the system.]
Why?
[This involves the development of this room. Reluctant as I am, I have deemed that it would be necessary for you to access the system once in a while.]
Development? As Stella said that, I turned over in my bed, now facing the ceiling. Then, the display of the Hero Support System appeared in front of me.
What is this? House development?
[Yes. It is one of the system's capabilities. This room you are currently in is connected to the system. Therefore, you can use the system to modify this room, at a cost.]
Woah... This is becoming more and more like a game. Anyway, I seem to have a few of these Crome.
[It's the currency that is used to buy things from the system's marketplace. Of course, it can also be used to modify master's room.]
With that, I browsed the display, looking for what should I modify my room with. Hmm? There's also a recommended section... what the hell, that's hella convenient.
[Hmph, this is just the bare minimum.]
Stella started with a 'hmph' as if she snorted for some reason. Do you really hate the system that much?
Anyway, this! Looking at the recommended section, I saw the first one. It's a room addition that features a workshop. But this would consume all of my remaining starter Cromes.
[If master wishes to expand his arsenal at the earliest, then a workshop would definitely help. I highly suggest buying it.]
Alright, if you say so. When I heard Stella's opinion, I immediately selected the workshop and pressed confirm. Suddenly, I felt like I hallucinated but after I recovered, I saw another door near my bed even though it hadn't been there a few seconds ago.
What kind of magic is that? Spatial Magic?
[This room seems to exist in an isolated and perhaps, so are the other rooms. Which is why, expanding it can be done easier.]
I see, although it's not like it's the first time I saw a room where the space inside is expanded with magic, isolated spaces are something I only heard about in myths.
That must also be the reason why there are no windows here. But how come it doesn't get hot? Moreover, there's also oxygen here.
[As for the temperature, it appears that an artifact that acts as a temperature regulator is hidden somewhere. For the oxygen... Hmm... I know the real reason but from my archives, I have realized that this is one of those things where "you shouldn't ask about it because the reason can change your whole life."]
I see, I totally get that. Thank you for the heads up.
[You should check the workshop now, master.]
Alright, I'm also kind of excited.
Although I was quite tired, I still managed to stand up and head towards the new door. As I opened it, what was revealed was a pretty spacious room, way more spacious than my bedroom.
"I should probably expand the bedroom next."
[I have set it in priority using the filter option.]
Good one.
The workshop looked like a garage with a very long corner table starting from the left side to the middle wall. The right side has a big toolboard that should be where I can store my weapons. There are also tool boards above the table but they are filled with tools.
This is a complete set already.
[Are you going to work, master?]
Nah, I'm too tired. I'll probably do it tomorrow. By the way, how can I get food?
Come to think of it, I bought food earlier near the arena but now that I'm in my room, I didn't see anything here that could be used to store food.
[The Hero Support System's marketplace features a few foods that are available in some worlds. Although master doesn't have any Cromes left.]
Ugh...
[Therefore, I hacked into the system and temporarily modified master's crome value. Since Crome's data was included in the system's outer frame.]
Wait what!? Wouldn't that get us in trouble!?
[Please do not worry, I have made sure that it is untraceable. Moreover, once master acquires more cromes, it wouldn't have mattered.]
Eh... But that sounds unethical too...
[It's their fault for including it on the outer frame. Now that I have full control over it, it doesn't matter anymore. Don't worry too much master, Cromes don't have any economic value as they are strictly used in the system. Although items that are bought could be sold outside, it's not like anyone can just modify their value like I did.]
Alright, alright. I laughed at her long explanation before buying some food in the system's marketplace.
I ate it and went to bed after.
◇◇◇
Meanwhile, somewhere in a dark place. Eve, another AI who was similar to Stella was floating around. She seemed to have realized something before speaking to her master.
[Your Highness, that pesky AI modified her master's Crome value. It's an insignificant amount but should we let it go?]
"Haha, that's fine don't worry. Seeing that it's such a small value, that boy must have thought of it as unethical. They probably wouldn't abuse it."
[Hah! If you say so.]
As Eve reported, the man laughed and brushed it off.
"Well, it should be fine even if they abuse it. It's not like it matters that much. It's just another bonus that the system provides."
The man got back to his work as he said that.