CHAPTER 802: INTRODUCTION TO A NEW ASSISTANT

Alice decided to rest for a full day without doing anything. Simply allowing the headache to pass while analysing what had gone wrong.

The core issue is that she got drunk off the feeling of control.

A discovery that she made during her rampage.

While she knew that her time in the Zenia prison had changed her, she didn’t think the issue would be so deeply rooted.

So much so that her core desire was to control everything she could get her hands on.

A reversal of what had happened to her.

When she was trapped and even stripped of the choice to end it all.

But now that she had identified the core issue, Alice understood that she had to be careful not to lose herself in that desire.

Although... the fact that she was already bleeding from the nose the moment she activated that technique was a sign of the insane burden on her body.

Just lining everything up and activating it damaged her.

Therefore, keeping it activated for a long time would no doubt break her body beyond what she’s used to.

Scratching her eyebrow, Alice sighed.

The best option here was to break down the array she set up and rebuild it from the ground up.

She has to accept two things. First, this was no longer just ’Vision’. The fact that she could react to energy turned this from Vision to something else entirely.

Second, she still hasn’t accessed Vision.

What she did was a poor imitation through brute force.

So she’ll proceed with the same mindset.

Not mastering Vision was fine. Just like how she accepted the fact that she couldn’t master Martial Arts like Alyss, she’ll adapt in her own way.

Plus, she had always worked better with energy rather than physical powers. The fact that she could master Zone was simply because of Cayla and her natural reaction speed.

’To use the new Vision, I need to set a hard time limit based on what my body can take. And between uses, I need a hard cooldown for my body to recover.’ Alice folded her arms.

She had to design the new technique in a way that minimises her risk while also providing the most benefits.

Automate it so that all she needed to do was to inject her energy into the array and the skill will activate.

Then deactivate once the time limit has been reached.

Easier said than done since she didn’t know the full capacity of her technique. She was too drunk on her power to take notes.

Scratching her hair, Alice was about to let out a sigh when Cayla tapped her shoulder inside her mental scape.

[I recorded everything yesterday.] She handed Alice a stack of reports that she had written before walking away.

Even though she was still upset, she was still giving Alice a helping hand.

Accepting the stack of reports, Alice wanted to say something to Cayla but she had already walked away.

’Still upset.’ Alice smiled helplessly.

She couldn’t blame her.

Who wouldn’t be upset?

But now that she had the reports from Cayla, she’ll be able to turn the triggered casts, arrays and foundations into a skill that she can activate at will.

Similar to Void Flux but more complex.

Dangerous.

Which is why Alice will take extra care into placing hard restrictions. A fail safe that shuts down the skill no matter what.

No exceptions.

Thinking about it carefully, Alice decided to restructure her casting method.

Passive triggered casts and active skills that she can fire.

She’ll keep a mental note to know what can and can’t be used, timers on cooldowns and so on.

Through this regulation, she’ll be able to create a new system that augments on what she already knows.

###

"So, what do you think?" Syrion asked as Griselda folded her arms. A deep frown on her face.

Based on what Syrion had described, the girl involved in the spar should’ve died.

No questions asked.

But she lived? Not only that but recovering?

Something was off.

There was a silent consent between them. Syrion trusted in Griselda and thus she’ll keep this matter private.

He simply wanted clarification and as someone who understood how souls work, she was there to provide it.

"I don’t know where to begin. But I suppose my main question would be how that girl is even alive. However, I believe that’s not what you’re looking for." Griselda sighed, turning her gaze to Syrion.

"I think there’s a lot of potential in that new technique of hers. Something that’s fundamentally different from everything we know about. Reacting to spells before they’re even fired. Countering attacks even though she’s not focused on it." Syrion praised.

Griselda was rather surprised.

While Syrion was someone who didn’t shy away from giving praise, this was probably the first time she’s heard him sound so impressed.

"Well, if what you said is true then yes, I agree. There’s a lot of potential to be had in her skill. But without seeing it for myself, I can’t really judge it well. But let’s set aside the potential of things for now." Griselda shook her head, wanting to pull Syrion back before he got too excited.

"What you described to me was the girl overloading her soul. She put too much burden on her body and it broke. Usually, and I mean usually, the one who suffers this kind of injury would be dead. Soul wise. The body may live but nothing is attached anymore."

Syrion fell silent.

"I’m sure you’re aware of the... implications of such a thing. So my question for you is ’who’ is she. This girl that you’re giving advice to. Though perhaps it’s better to rephrase it as ’what’ is she. Do you understand?" Griselda asked with a helpless sigh.

While she may understand how souls work to some degree, she can’t exactly help if the target is someone who goes against conventional wisdom.

It’s better for her to see the girl for herself, with her own eyes.

At least then, she’ll be able to better understand what she was working with.

"You know, one of them is the daughter of an Apostle from the Sun right? Wouldn’t that be..." Syrion scratched his cheek.

"And? I don’t see how that’s an issue. Plus, it’s not like Lumiria is too bothered by what I get up to. She’s more focused on trying to win over Tristan than anything." Griselda shrugged.

Though... if she could help it, she’d rather not get herself involved with the Order more than she already has. Unfortunately, it’s only from within can she actually try to change things that matter.

So she’s stuck in this role until further notice.

"Hmm... I’ll have to ask the girls what they think about it. After all, you are from conflicting factions." Syrion chuckled while Griselda shrugged.

"Up to you."

###

"You what?" Alice’s smile twitched.

Currently, both Syrion and Gwen were in her room. Well... calling it ’her’ room wasn’t quite accurate as Gwen has been sleeping here rather than her own room.

But that’s not the point.

They were checking up on her physical condition, making sure that everything was okay when Syrion suddenly dropped the news.

"I’m thinking of inviting a friend of mine to take a look at your condition. Granted, my friend is from the Moon Church so this is why I’m asking you two. She’s someone I trust, but I also understand if you two have your reservations." Syrion clarified while Alice folded her arms.

The Moon church was... an interesting subject. She wasn’t exactly adverse to it considering her connection to Tristan.

But not everyone was like him.

What’s to stop whoever Syrion brings over from reporting to Lumiria?

That was Alice’s main issue.

"What do you think?" Alice turned to Gwen.

At the end of the day, she could disguise herself if needed. To hide the source of her energy and so on. But Gwen? She couldn’t do the same.

Gwen deliberated it carefully.

Alice seemed like she didn’t mind so the final decision goes to her.

After a moment of silence, Gwen made her decision.

"If she’s going to be helpful, I don’t see why not."

Scratching her hair, Alice nodded her head.

"Alright, I’ll reapply my disguise then. Just in case ya know?" Alice shrugged.

###

"This is Griselda. She’s an Apostle of the Moon but she’s promised to keep things private and I trust her." Syrion introduced as Griselda gave a small wave.

Gwen was frozen with shock. She didn’t think Syrion would bring an Apostle of all people!

As for Alice, she grabbed Syrion by the arm and dragged him away.

"Oi! Oi! You didn’t tell us it was a f*cking Apostle you’re bringing over here!" Alice whispered over with bloodshot eyes.

She already felt like she was going to have a heart attack after seeing Shiera. But now, it was Griselda of all people!

"Did I forget to mention she’s an Apostle?"

"Yes! Yes you f*cking did! If I knew she was an Apostle, I wouldn’t have said yes! This is very f*cking different from just hiding energy!" Alice wanted to smack Syrion over the head.

Against the other members of the Moon Church, even against Cardinals, Alice was confident she could do something.

But not against an Apostle! Trying to hide against an Apostle, one who specialised in the Soul was asking for death!

Syrion scratched his chin.

"Hmm, I looked for her since I figured it’ll be good for you. Especially what happened before."

Alice groaned.

She looked back at Griselda who was talking to Gwen. She was acting rather casual with Gwen, even mentioning how she saw her when Gwen was younger.

Then she looked at Syrion who didn’t see anything wrong.

Alice groaned.

"Are you SURE she’ll keep things private?"

"I’m sure of it." Syrion reassured.

Hesitating for a moment, Alice returned next to Gwen’s side.

Griselda stopped her conversation and looked at Alice.

Her brows creased for a moment before she looked at Syrion.

"I’m guessing this is the girl you want me to take a look at?" She pointed at Alice.

Alice wanted to retort but how could she? She could only stay silent.

"Yep, she’s the crazy one." Syrion nodded.

"Heh~" Folding her arms, Griselda leaned close to Alice.

She didn’t break eye contact at all. As though she was looking at something beyond Alice...

Something that couldn’t be seen normally.

"Say, are you aware of how many times you have ’died’?"