NOVPUBThe next day.
A gentle breeze blew under the clear, endless blue sky of Ichrite.
The sun was dazzling, the clouds were white, and there was a delightful taste of high summer.
The path through the woods from the Sage Academy to the Magic Engineering College area was especially quiet this weekend.
Today is Sunday, and compared to weekdays, not as many students were out walking around the campus early in the morning.
Except for Lanci and Hyperion.
They often took this path to the old literature building’s student union room at the Magic Engineering College when they had nothing else to do.
"Lanci, don’t you dare bring that thing out!"
Hyperion diligently whispered a cautious warning.
She was wearing her usual pure white summer dress, and perhaps it was a bit stuffy, as sweat could be seen forming around her neck.
"I know, I hid it in the dormitory, it’s impossible for her to find it."
Lanci confidently nodded in reply.
Life teemed in the Alchemical Institute Botanic Garden beside the path; birds hopped from branch to branch and chirped now and then, seemingly welcoming the two humans who often passed through.
This is what happened.
Hyperion went downstairs for breakfast this morning and, reaching the stairwell, discovered Lanci standing at the entrance of the Boss Cat Restaurant holding a box marked with the flammable material sign, chatting with Pranay.
Pranay almost polished through the glass.
Hyperion immediately guessed what was inside the box and turned around to push Tata back upstairs before running down to intercept Lanci in the nick of time, saving his life.
"Really, who buys eight hundred candles for a girl to celebrate her birthday?"
Hyperion still looked at Lanci with a face full of confusion.
"But lighting eight hundred candles really would be super cool."
Lanci could not come up with a reply.
Birthday candles are a matter of fact; could one really haggle over the number?
"...Lanci, while it indeed seems cool, Tata’s hands might move faster than her thought process. She might realign your bones before you can even light the match. Sometimes, I might not be able to save you," Hyperion sighed and shook her head, gesturing with her hands the motion of a chiropractor snapping a neck.
"!"
Lanci felt a chill down his spine and hastily made a sound,
"No, no, no, no, I won’t dare next time."
The big box of high-quality candles bought from the Church of the Goddess of Destiny, Lanci had put them back in the storage room of the dormitory workshop.
Those candles could last him through dozens of birthdays, and it would be a waste to throw them away.
"On your trip to Poseen Kingdom with Tata next week, don’t play too many tricks on her, or you’ll be screaming for help with nobody there to save you," Hyperion advised, still a bit worried.
"Rest assured, I’ve never been any sort of comedian," Lanci confidently assured her.
"..."
Hyperion thought it over and decided that the fact that Lanci was still alive was quite impressive.
With that in mind, she chose to trust him.
Their steps were leisurely and relaxed, and when they passed a bustling beverage shop, they stopped for a moment to buy two drinks.
This was a cold-pressed juice store they frequented, located conveniently on their route to the student union room.
Both of them had tried all thirty-plus varieties of pure fruit juice, mixed fruit juice, and vegetable juice.
Yet, in the height of summer, the cool sweetness continued to appeal, never becoming tiresome. If they could live their lives in Ichrite carefree and without pressures, it would indeed be a great happiness.
Question Tata, understand Tata, become Tata.
This is the three indispensable steps in the life of an Ichrite.
"By the way, did you give your gift to Tata?"
Lanci, holding a juice cup, turned to Hyperion and asked.
He remembered that Hyperion had long decided on the gift for Tata.
The two continued walking towards the Old Literature Building, the serene forest path like brilliant green emeralds—columns of light crisscrossed under the trees, painting a dazzling, patterned tapestry on the cobblestone.
"Hmm."
Hyperion nodded, sipping the juice.
In Talia’s opinion, there was nothing special about celebrating a birthday, or rather, the Demon Race had grown accustomed to them.
If every birthday had to be celebrated, it would become more of a burden than a joy.
"But that piece of equipment, although Tata can use it, doesn’t seem very useful to her."
She added.
This morning, Talia received the gift from Hyperion, and although she was quite touched, after trying it out a bit, it wasn’t as useful as she’d imagined.
This Epic-level piece of equipment named "Demon Fusion", if the other half of the earring is given to a demon of the same gender, allows the user to merge with the other person, taking on all of their magic for thirty days.
If given to the other party without wearing it, the compatibility, or fusion degree, can be tested in advance before merging.
The magic affinity and lineage compatibility of both parties will affect the degree of fusion.
The merged basic attribute will be the sum of both parties’ attributes, multiplied by the fusion degree.
"If she fuses with me, because of our low lineage compatibility, she would drop to below Seventh-order."
Hyperion shook her head.
Since she is a Half-Demon, her compatibility with Talia is only around ten percent. Using "Demon Fusion", Talia’s original Eighth-order Attributes, plus Hyperion’s relatively insignificant Sixth-order attributes, after multiplied by ten percent, would cause Talia to plummet by more than an entire realm.
Besides, she had also had Antanas and Sinola run some tests.
Talia’s compatibility with Sinola was average, hovering around fifty percent. After merging, her Attributes could still maintain Eighth-order level, but would become more biased towards Magic Power and Strength. Coupled with Sinola’s magic that breaks through defenses and cuts, Talia’s attack power would become very strong.
Currently, the highest compatibility is with Antanas, close to seventy percent. If they merged, Attributes might even improve considerably, especially Spirit and Physical Stamina. However, since Antanas’ talents and magic are defensive, it would result in a Talia proficient at defense.
"So, what you’re saying is that Talia now has three forms, an attack form, a defense form, and an escape form?"
After listening to Hyperion’s explanation, Lanci, with his chin resting on his hand, analyzed.
"Yes... wait, what the hell is an escape form?"
Hyperion had just nodded when she suddenly realized a strange form had been mixed in.
"Haha."
Lanci looked down to sip his juice, quickening his pace.
"Lanci, wait for me. You explain to me what this escape form means."
Hyperion, like a little bird with her delicate steps, followed beside him, persistently questioning with a look of aggrievement and frowning eyebrows.
"Your Innate Magic is the most useful. You’re truly unbeatable at your level, alright?"
Finally unable to hold back a laugh, Lanci told her.
Back then, during their time on the Northern Continent, Hyperion stayed nearly two months in the Church of the Goddess of Destiny’s temple in the Aestheland Kingdom. Under the Bingxue Witch’s intensive training, Fifth-order Hyperion could hide her presence even in front of an Eighth-order. As long as Hyperion wanted to hide, even Talia couldn’t detect her approach.
Later, Fallen Lord Calila even provided Hyperion with a set of enhanced training.
Once Hyperion reached Eighth-order, truly no one would be a threat to her.
"Lanci, you’ve turned mischievous, you never used to joke with me like this!"
Hyperion put on an angry front but carried no real intimidation.
The two laughed and teased their way to the base of the Old Literature Building.
