The next stage of training was more beneficial to them for survival purposes, but it placed a larger burden on their stamina. In the end, just after two rounds of battles, the girls were already too tired to even get up.
Having no other choice, I was forced to move them all one after another to their rooms, where they were allowed to rest for the day. It was still mid-afternoon then, so it was too early for dinner. And I don't want to spar with Zeshion again, honestly.
Just as I was about to go and make coffee for the two of us, the space in the middle of the lobby started bending, and a crack appeared in the space. Goddess Zeta stepped out, her face in a deep frown.
"Blue, this is bad."
As soon as she appeared, she went to Zeshion's side and reported.
"The spies have already scoured the entire kingdom. It looks like they found out about Will and his connection to the Seimei and Luo clans."
"Really? It's only been a day... They work fast."
Zeshion sighed as he leaned deeper into his chair, balancing it on its two hind legs as he rocked himself back and forth with his legs over the table.
"Wait, does that mean those guys are in danger?"
Although I find that hard to believe, a possibility is still a possibility. I couldn't help but ask for confirmation. Goddess Zeta shook her head slowly in reply.
"No, they should be safe. The scouts would probably not dare touch them. After all, it may lead to a war between kingdoms if done badly."
"But assassinating me isn't?"
"You're just a single person. They must be thinking you can be replaced even if they kill you."
"But I'm definitely not replaceable."
I am unique; I am the one and only! Nobody can replace me~! No, just kidding. Anyway, it means that if I wasn't the System's Crowned Successor, then King Leonard wouldn't even bother sending someone to protect me, I guess.
"Hmmm... What to do…?"
Although Zeshion is guarding us for now, it's not like they can stay with us the entire time. At most, they could only accompany us until the usage limit of the training room ended.
As I was deep in thought, Zeshion turned to me and asked offhandedly.
"By the way, Will, why is it that your companions' attacks are so powerful?"
"What?"
Powerful? Really? They can't even scratch you, you know? Is that sarcasm?
"Yes. Didn't you notice it too? Especially Igni, that girl. Her attacks are definitely around 9th-stage power level already."
"Igni?"
I recall her having unlocked a new skill that lets her borrow power from her future self. But She told me she can't use it at will yet, not to mention mastering it. Zeshion, with his extensive experience, shouldn't be wrong with his evaluation.
"Wait, does everyone perform about two steps stronger than their levels suggest?"
Realizing something, I can't help but ask. Zeshion opened his mouth, closed it, and thought for a while before nodding his head with a serious expression.
"Now that you mention it, I guess other than that Fina girl and those two little cuties, everyone was performing at two levels above their power."
Hearing his words, I nodded my head deeply. As expected.
"Then I might have an idea what the cause is. Do you know what the Flame of Evolution is?"
Zeshion tilted his head, completely out of ideas. He even turned to Goddess Zeta to ask for her opinion, but she too shook her head.
"No, I haven't heard of it before. What's that?"
As he asked, I opened my palms and lit the Flame of Evolution. A pure, reddish-orange flame spread on top of my palms, creating a wild flame that exuded powerful heat.
"This is the Flame of Evolution. It's also called the Devil's Flames since it consumes the good karma of the user as fuel."
As Primo explained to me before, he seemed to have found this skill written in a random cave he found somewhere in the middle of Demon territories. He guessed that it was a remnant, or legacy skill, of ancient civilizations that was made as a last resort to fight against the invading Demons.
After all, in exchange for getting an endless supply of energy, it basically leads the user to their quick demise. If Primo hadn't learned the reverse method, which burns the bad karma instead, he would definitely have left this skill alone and never used it again.
"Woah... I can feel an endless amount of energy hidden behind this flame..."
Zeshion stared at the fire, curious. He tried passing his hand through the flames but was surprised.
"It's not hot...?"
"Ah, it's better if you don't touch it."
Although a little late, I still gave this warning. After all, once lit, the Flame of Evolution would eat away at the Good Karma of everything that it touched, whether it be the user himself or the enemy. Also, the heat it exudes is illusory since it was burning something intangible after all.
"Why can't I-, woah!"
Just as he was about to ask why, his step made the floorboard crack, plunging his leg halfway down the hole. I looked at him, surprised at the quick effect it had.
"That's why."
"... I see."
He probably has too little Good Karma already, making him face misfortune almost immediately. Although I was curious and wanted to see how much he had, I couldn't teach him the karma-checking skill that easily. The forehead bump? No, I'd rather not, unless it's really required.
Before I forgot, I turned off the Flame of Evolution and explained.
"This flame, as the name suggests, helps with powering up your Tamed Beasts and Monsters. As far as I've heard, it could give a power boost of about twenty to fifty percent with each successive evolution."
Although I had no recollection of using it before, the fact that Primo had it seemed enough to give the girls a great boost. It was a surprise, really, but a beneficial one.
Zeshion looked at me, his eyes squinting.
"That... Can you teach it to others?"
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