Chapter 29: Second Growth Period
Cillian Forrest grunted in affirmation, confirming her question.
"On top of that, you can also absorb the spiritual power of others."
This time, Sophie Wexler’s eyes truly went wide.
"To put it simply, you’re currently in a secondary growth period for your spiritual power. During this time, you can absorb any substance with an Energy Attribute until this growth period is complete."
Crystal Stones, Star Cores, even spiritual power.
Sophie Wexler: "?!?!"
"Try absorbing a Crystal Stone again."
Following his words, Sophie Wexler mobilized her spiritual power and once again felt the energy from the Crystal Stone surging into her Spiritual Sea.
As the energy flowed in, the luster of the Crystal Stone in her hand grew dimmer and dimmer, until it vanished completely and the stone shattered in her palm.
Sophie Wexler: "!"
’It shattered?!’
A flash of surprise crossed Cillian Forrest’s expression before he picked up another Crystal Stone and placed it in her hand. "Continue."
Cillian Forrest held her hand, not allowing her to pull away. Left with no choice, Sophie Wexler could only do as he said and continue.
Then, the Crystal Stone’s light began to dim once more before it finally shattered.
It wasn’t until the fifth Crystal Stone that her absorption speed slowed. This time, the stone didn’t shatter, but its remaining luster was extremely faint.
"How do you feel?"
Sophie Wexler inspected her Spiritual Sea, then spoke after a long moment. "I feel a little... full." She hesitated before finding a suitable word.
It was a similar feeling to when she had absorbed the Starbug Beast Core, but her Spiritual Sea felt even more saturated now, like being stuffed well past the point of fullness after a meal.
After hearing Sophie Wexler’s words, Cillian Forrest finally released her hand. "It seems your current absorption limit is five Crystal Stones."
"Take all these Crystal Stones. You can absorb them next time your Spiritual Sea feels empty."
"I..."
Sophie Wexler had only managed to get a single word out before Cillian Forrest interrupted her. "Don’t even think about refusing. I’m not giving these to you unconditionally."
Sophie Wexler looked at Cillian Forrest as he continued, "I want you to improve your spiritual power. As your Level increases, so will the range at which you can clear toxins."
This time, Sophie Wexler understood. He wanted her to rapidly increase her spiritual power so she could help him clear the toxins from his Spiritual Sea.
Once she understood his intentions, Sophie Wexler actually relaxed. After some thought, she agreed. "Okay."
She knew that before this, the toxins in his Spiritual Sea were impossible to clear. With every violent episode during his Disorder Periods, the poison seeped deeper into his Spiritual Sea.
Until, finally, it could no longer be suppressed, and he would die.
So, by improving her abilities, she was also helping him.
"Then I’ll accept them." Sophie Wexler took the box of Crystal Stones. "Thank you."
"I will definitely help you clear the toxins from your Spiritual Sea," Sophie Wexler promised him.
Cillian Forrest watched Sophie Wexler leave, then retracted his gaze.
’It’s still unclear to what extent her secondary growth will develop.’
’But no matter what, there’s now a chance to solve the Starbug toxin problem.’
’Just as Ethan Cross said, at least those with a lower Level than her won’t have to suffer from the toxins anymore.’
’The Levels of Healer-class individuals are generally low. If she can reach S-Level, she’ll already be exceptionally rare and capable of solving many problems.’
’As for me...’
’The Empire has never seen an SSS-Level Healer.’
Meanwhile, in her room, Sophie Wexler’s mind began to race as she stared at the box of Crystal Stones on her nightstand.
Lying in bed, Sophie Wexler thought about many things. She realized that Cillian Forrest had become suspicious of the changes in her.
’But he’s too inscrutable; I can’t read him. I don’t understand what his attitude toward me is right now.’
’The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get. Forget it. Whatever his attitude is, I’ll just keep being myself.’
’I’ll do my best to make up for the original owner’s mistakes, be nicer to him, help him clear out the toxins... Surely that will change his opinion of me in the end.’
’I’ll just take it one step at a time.’
「Meanwhile.」
Ethan Cross looked at Shawn Thorne, who was lying motionless on the bed. "Little Prince, it’s time for you to return to the Capital Planet."
Shawn Thorne: "I’m not going back! It was so hard for me to come here with you guys. I don’t want to go back."
"I haven’t even tested if that streamer’s songs can soothe the Spiritual Sea yet."
He had thought the streamer would reply to his private message quickly, but he waited and waited, and still hadn’t heard back from her.
Shawn Thorne grew angry just thinking about it. ’I’m the Little Prince of the Empire, how dare someone ignore my message?’
Ethan Cross knew what he was thinking and gave a helpless smile. "Little Prince, first of all, streamers get a lot of private messages like that; they can’t possibly read them all. Besides, she doesn’t know who you are."
So, trying to pull rank was completely useless here.
"Little Prince, sending you back is the Marshal’s order," Ethan Cross said again.
Shawn Thorne had snuck away from the Capital Planet, and the Royal Family was in an uproar. The members of the Council of Elders were already opposed to the Little Prince having contact with the Marshal. If they found out he had run off to find the Marshal, it would cause a lot of trouble.
Shawn Thorne’s whole face fell. He had gone through so much trouble to run away. If he went back, he would just get another lecture from those old fossils.
But he also knew that an order from Cillian Forrest was never rescinded. They would carry it out without fail.
Shawn Thorne pouted. "But what if the streamer messages me back after I leave?"
Ethan Cross: "Don’t worry. As for whether her songs can alleviate spiritual power rampages, I will have someone instruct her platform to conduct a test."
Shawn Thorne couldn’t argue anymore and reluctantly agreed.
With his consent, Ethan Cross immediately arranged to have the Little Prince sent back.
Before he boarded the starship, Ethan Cross didn’t forget to add a reminder, "Little Prince, please keep the fact that you found the Marshal a secret from the Royal Family for now."
Shawn Thorne: "I know."
After seeing him off, Ethan Cross contacted Cillian Forrest.
Cillian Forrest’s voice came through. "Is he gone?"
Ethan Cross grunted in confirmation. "He’s gone."
Afterward, he seemed to have something else to say but hesitated. Cillian Forrest looked up from a pile of military documents. "If you have something to say, say it."
Ethan Cross hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Marshal, since Miss Wexler can clear toxins, why not have her help the Little Prince...?"
He didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. At his words, Cillian Forrest narrowed his eyes and stared at him. After a long moment, he asked, "What do you think her current Level is?"
Ethan Cross fell silent.
Never mind that Sophie Wexler had only just begun her secondary growth, her Level was still unknown, and the stability of her abilities was equally uncertain.
The Little Prince’s status alone meant that no risks could be taken. They couldn’t act recklessly without absolute certainty. Otherwise, Sophie Wexler would face the full wrath of the entire Royal Family!