Chapter 43: Needing Crystal Stones
One hundred million Star Coins.
Back on Aethel, Sophie Wexler had been a national superstar, and the total royalties from her songs surely exceeded this figure.
But that income had never come all at once. A sum counted in the hundreds of millions was something she had never even imagined.
’It’s not like the currency in the Galaxy is worthless. It’s comparable to the Valerian currency back on Aethel. So how could he toss out a number like that so casually?’
When Sophie Wexler remained silent long after he had spoken, Felix York assumed the amount he offered wasn’t enough. He pursed his lips, pondering.
’What Sophie Wexler offers is mass-scale soothing. This amount is admittedly a bit low, but it’s all we can offer after accounting for the Seventh Legion’s daily expenses.’
"If Miss Wexler thinks it’s too low, I can add more." Felix York gritted his teeth. If worst came to worst, he would just have to cut spending in other areas.
Sophie Wexler heard this and quickly waved her hands. "No, no, no, it’s not low at all."
’It’s not just not low; it’s more than I could have ever imagined.’
"It doesn’t need to be this much, really." If they actually gave her that much money, she would feel guilty accepting it.
"No, this amount is necessary," Felix York said sternly.
He hadn’t expected Sophie Wexler to think it was too much rather than too little. But the Seventh Legion had its own principles; the payment should be what it was worth.
Seeing his insistence, Sophie Wexler turned to Ethan Cross, hoping he could persuade Felix York.
The moment Ethan Cross saw Sophie Wexler look his way, he felt his Marshal’s gaze land on him, and his back immediately straightened.
’What am I supposed to say?’
Just then, Ethan Cross’s communicator rang. As if thrown a lifeline, he immediately turned to Cillian Forrest and said,
"Cillian Forrest, you handle this issue with Miss Wexler’s fee. Something’s come up, I need to step out."
With that, he answered his communicator and quickly left.
And so, all eyes fell on Cillian Forrest.
Felix York looked at him as well. Sophie Wexler might not have known who was in charge here, but he certainly did.
Ethan Cross had no authority to make the decision, which was why he had found an excuse to slip away.
Felix York couldn’t bring himself to address Cillian Forrest by his full name, so he opted for a safer title. "Adjutant Forrest, what are your thoughts?"
Cillian Forrest glanced at Sophie Wexler, who was looking at him with an expression that clearly said, ’Hurry up and refuse.’
He ignored her, turning to Felix York and saying slowly, "General York, there is indeed no need for payment."
Hearing the Marshal’s words, Felix York frowned and retorted, "How can that be acceptable!"
In the next moment, Cillian Forrest continued, "Actually, we chose to come to the Seventh Legion for another reason, besides soothing the soldiers."
’Another reason?’
"Sophie Wexler is currently in a secondary growth phase. Unlike others, she needs to absorb a large amount of energy."
Normally, a secondary growth phase for spiritual power just means it increases slowly on its own over time.
But Sophie Wexler is different. That kind of growth doesn’t apply to her. He discovered after the last time that her growth requires the absorption of massive amounts of energy.
"Absorb energy?" A flash of confusion crossed Felix York’s eyes.
"She can absorb the energy from Crystal Stones and Beast Cores to promote the growth of her spiritual power," Cillian Forrest explained.
"She can do that?!" Felix York was astonished. ’Just how many incredible things are there about this woman?’
He’d been shocked so many times today that upon hearing this news, he was only stunned for a moment before recovering.
He understood what Cillian Forrest was getting at.
"I understand. I will gather Crystal Stones for Miss Wexler."
Crystal Stones were indeed rare, but that was on the civilian market. For the military, a necessary consumable like a Crystal Stone wasn’t quite so scarce.
However, given Sophie Wexler’s high Level, low-grade Crystal Stones were probably useless to her.
They had S-level ones, but not many.
He immediately sent a message to his adjutant via his communicator. A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
The adjutant entered holding a box. "General."
Felix York took the box from him, opened it, and presented it to Sophie Wexler. "Miss Wexler, please take these for now."
"I’ll make up the rest later."
Sophie Wexler looked at the Crystal Stones before her. They were very similar to the ones Cillian Forrest had given her before.
She blinked slowly, then looked at Cillian Forrest.
Cillian Forrest said, "Take them. Performing a mass soothing for them is different from your usual livestreams. It will consume a great deal of your spiritual power."
Her usual livestreams are just simple singing sessions, where she unconsciously infuses her spiritual power to produce an effect.
The soldiers’ Levels are generally higher than ordinary citizens, not to mention that most of those who need her soothing will likely be A-level.
The amount of spiritual power she’s used before is nothing compared to what this will require.
After listening to Cillian Forrest, Sophie Wexler said, "Alright," and accepted the box.
"Thank you, General York."
"It’s only right." This was a mutually beneficial arrangement. If Sophie Wexler’s spiritual power grew quickly and she recovered well, it would be advantageous for them, too.
"Well then, Miss Wexler, you should go back and rest for now. I’ll have someone notify you once everything is ready."
"Alright," Sophie Wexler agreed.
—
While Sophie Wexler was having her spiritual power tested, word had already spread among the soldiers of the Seventh Legion.
Many of them were discussing just what Level the streamer’s spiritual power had reached.
[It’s been a while. The test should be over by now, right? How come there’s no news?]
[No idea. I definitely saw the Medical Masters come out, but the General and the others haven’t emerged yet.]
[Let’s make some guesses, then. How high do you think the streamer’s spiritual power is?]
[They’ll probably announce the results once the test is finished.]
[She’s a Healer-class and also a streamer, so her Level can’t be exceptionally high. But since she can perform mass soothing, it can’t be low, either. So, taking all that into account, I’d guess she’s around B-level.]
[Could she be an A?] someone wondered.
[How many A-level Healer-class have you ever seen on our planet? I’ve only ever heard of one, and that’s Rosalind Rhodes.]
[Besides, anyone who tests as A-level usually goes to the Capital Planet. Why would they stay here on Karath?]
[Good point.]
Ever since Sophie Wexler’s arrival at the Seventh Legion, the base had been buzzing with non-stop discussion about her.
About her appearance, her Spiritual Power Level, and more...
Sophie Wexler was completely unaware of all this. After returning to her quarters, she pulled Cillian Forrest into her room.
Cillian Forrest lowered his gaze to her. "What is it?"
"Of course there is," Sophie Wexler said, giving him a look that said *you already know*. "I’ve only sung on livestreams before, but this time I have to perform live. How can I make the soothing effect more powerful?"
She had no knowledge of this sort of thing.
"Channel your spiritual power," Cillian Forrest told her. "Infuse it into your singing."
Hearing this, Sophie Wexler did as he said.
Elsewhere, all the preparations were complete. They were just waiting for Sophie Wexler’s arrival.
Everyone present had been handpicked by Felix York. Some of them had heard of Sophie Wexler and some hadn’t, but they all knew this event was to help soothe their Spiritual Seas.
Everyone kept glancing toward the entrance, their faces filled with a mixture of curiosity and eager anticipation.
Finally, a figure appeared in the doorway.