"Sir, I can continue tracking."

Although the human shape formed by water droplets merged into the lake in front of us,

this phenomenon does not mean that Costate's spell has ended.

The maid's gaze was fixed on the ripples that had just appeared on the water's surface, her tone steady and calm:

"The spell is continuously capturing this person's trail. As we keep tracking, I'm confident we can find his location."

Ronald nodded in understanding and then asked:

"But Costate, is this guy continuing to escape into the lake, or is he moving along the shoreline?"

The maid answered without any delay:

"Within the current tracking range, he is swimming deeper into the lake."

"In the lake, is it..."

Upon hearing the other party's action, Ronald's gaze turned towards the distant lake.

The water source before the three of them came from Waterfall City's grand and vast waterfall, covering a territory broad enough to encompass the whole city. If one were to dive into the waters for exploration... while it's fine for Ronald who possesses adept underwater abilities, what about Costate and Nicole?

Ronald's expression shifted as he pondered the issue.

Nicole, standing beside, noticed this scene.

She immediately understood Ronald's thoughts.

"Ronald, leave the method of tracking over water to me." Nicole willingly took over the task as she walked towards the alleyway, "After all, it's my need, and it's not quite right to rely entirely on you."

As she spoke, Nicole began inscribing runes on a small shrub at the edge of the alleyway, causing a fluctuation of magic power to emerge from her body.

"..."

Witnessing the girl's actions, Ronald raised an eyebrow slightly.

Nicole's spellcasting ability was completely different from when he met her a year ago in Breunwig, and it was in the midst of a rapid transformation.

For example,

Half a month ago on the Arctic continent underground, Nicole's spells still seemed rooted in her original magical system, merely greatly enhanced in power and magic control.

But now...

It already felt like a qualitative change had occurred.

It's as if, in certain fantastical stories, where a regular mage's magic power escalates directly to the level of divine power.

Did the Odin ritual completed unexpectedly have such a potent effect?

Reflecting on this, Ronald was filled with emotions, while Nicole's spell was confirming all he had sensed.

At the alley's edge, the small shrub that had been naturally growing was undergoing unimaginable changes under Nicole's spell.

In just a few seconds, it broke through its limits, sprouting robust wood entirely inconsistent with normal growth, then shaped itself suitably, ultimately transforming into a small boat-like vessel.

Plunk—

With its microscopic strength, the shrub pushed the 'large' boat it had nurtured into the adjacent lake.

And when this process was completely over,

it returned to its original form, growing on the alley's floor as if nothing had happened before Nicole cast her spell.

If not for the still lingering magic fluctuations in the air and witnessing the process firsthand, Ronald might never have guessed that the boat floating in the lake had grown from this shrub in a matter of seconds!

"..."

"The speed at which your spell is improving is truly commendable."

Ronald couldn't help but praise, to which Nicole proudly nodded in acknowledgment.

"Of course, my single eye wasn't lost in vain!"

"Besides, Ronald, this is because I didn't have any pre-treated seeds. If I had more suitable targets for the spell, like mistletoe or oak, I could perform even more interesting operations!"

Amused at her own abilities, Nicole picked up two pebbles from the ground in a show-off manner.

Again, she merely lightly inscribed runes on them with her fingers.

In no time, the pebbles started morphing into two paddles with wide, flat heads and narrow, long tips.

Then, taking the initiative, she leaped onto the boat.

Nicole used the paddles to steer the boat in the right direction before inviting Ronald and Costate to join her.

Thus, the three embarked on the small vessel Nicole had conjured, continuing to track through Waterfall City's lake, guided by Costate's spell.

...

During their pursuit,

as Nicole operated the paddles, her unkempt hair tangled around her arms. Glancing at her hair color, she belatedly turned to Ronald, asking,

"By the way, Ronald. Why is my hair still white?"

"Previously, it turned white due to vitality loss, which was understandable. But recently grown hair still can't revert to its original color!"

While expressing her worry, Nicole leaned her head towards Ronald, nearly resting in his lap.

Using her single rosy eye, she looked at the man before her.

The investigator girl continued:

"And my eye color is unchanged too. Did you forget to address this while modifying my body?"

"..."

With Nicole leaning so closely, Ronald was momentarily speechless.

He spent a few seconds composing an excuse in his mind before speaking:

"Nicole, genetic modification is a very complex process."

"When I modified you, I made adjustments with your original body as the core basis. Back then, to ensure your absolute health, I deliberately chose not to interfere with your appearance!"

"..."

"Oh—is that so?"

Upon hearing Ronald's explanation, Nicole drew out her response, her tone tinged with doubt.

However, the investigator girl soon shrugged it off, shaking her head cheerfully:

"Well, if that's the case, I'm not that concerned about my appearance anyway."

"Just tell me this won't affect my future health or eyesight, right?"

"After all, I only have this one eye left!"

"Only now do you think to feel sorry." Ronald chided Nicole playfully, before reassuring her, "You really don't need to worry about your health. When I modified you, that was my main focus, so there's no way I would have overlooked anything in that area."

With such assurances, Nicole instantly beamed with a cute smile:

"Then I'm relieved!"

"..."

Ronald and Nicole quietly discussed the topic of spell-modifying bodies. Meanwhile, at the front of the boat, Costate tirelessly manipulated her spell to keep track of their target's direction.

At that moment, the maid felt a subtle shift in her mood but couldn't quite pin down the feeling.

So, in line with her usual habit,

Costate refrained from asking questions, and simply voiced earnestly:

"Miss Nicole, adjust the boat to turn right up ahead."

"It seems our target is about to come ashore."