Within the Hidden Management Zone.
Inside a white hall.
La Folia sat primly at a beige round table, holding a cup of tea she had just brewed herself.
Opposite her, Nia Honjo was engrossed in watching a new anime on Raziel, snickering rather mischievously.
As for Luo Shu and Eriri—who should have been present—there was no sign of them.
"Honjo-san, is it really all right for us to just sit here doing nothing?"
"Hmm?"
Nia Honjo shifted her gaze from the comedy anime displayed on Raziel, raising her head to glance curiously at La Folia before asking:
"Are you thinking of joining in?"
"Personally, I don't mind, but aren't you still a proper young lady, Princess?"
"Playing this wild for the first time is honestly quite shocking."
"No, that's not what I meant."
La Folia sighed, then glanced at Raziel in Nia's hands and inquired:
"What I meant was, doesn't Miss Honjo have alternative methods to obtain materials without resorting to that approach?"
"Moreover, Luo Shu should also possess such capabilities."
"After all, the place we're currently in is a divine realm."
"That's true, but Luo Shu isn't yet the complete sovereign here."
Nia flipped through Raziel's pages calmly as she spoke:
"So even for Luo Shu, acquiring advancement materials requires spending points."
"The Spirit Sorcerer Class may not be particularly powerful, but Common Rank materials still cost 100 Points each—three would be 300 Points."
"For Class advancements in the initial stages—Common and Excellent Ranks—the materials for any Class are priced at the highest tier for that level."
"Meaning Common Rank Class materials cost 100 Points per unit, and Excellent Rank costs 1,000 Points per unit."
"Since Eriri already has some foundational ability, the safest way to ensure smooth power conversion during her initial advancement is to start with the Excellent Rank Faceless Spirit."
At this point, Nia smiled playfully at La Folia:
"Your situation is more unique—you can directly begin with the Elite Rank Mimic."
"So purely using points, Eriri would need Common Rank plus Excellent Rank advancement, totalling 3,300 Points."
"As for you, La Folia, your stronger capabilities require higher-tier Class conversion, so we must also factor in three Elite Rank Faceless Spirit materials."
La Folia's strength, within the SDS ranking system, already reaches Hero Rank. However, lacking a Class-based power system and being a summoner-type ability user, her direct combat prowess is relatively weak, relying heavily on equipment support developed by the Aldegia Kingdom.
"Each Elite Rank material costs roughly 6,000 Points, so three would total 18,000 Points."
"Luo Shu would undoubtedly be willing to cover this for you, but if we can save costs, he'd certainly prefer that."
Hearing this, La Folia frowned slightly and asked curiously:
"Is there something special about the materials extracted from Eriri?"
"Eriri carries Nature Spirit Blood within her—essentially equivalent to the blood of a Demigod."
"Under these circumstances, forcibly extracted materials would be of exceptionally high quality, usable as primary materials for Hero Rank while also substituting for two Elite Rank Class materials or all materials at Excellent Rank and below."
"Therefore, for both your advancements, sourcing materials from Eriri would only require spending 6,000 Points on your portion, La Folia."
"Otherwise, Luo Shu would have to pay over 20,000 Points."
Nia Honjo said this with a smile, holding Raziel in her hands:
"Luo Shu's points should have recently hit the million mark, so he definitely wouldn't want to spend too much. In this situation, as long as I say a few words, he'd be happy to make a move on Eriri if it's something that can be compensated for."
"After all... he's a carnivore disguised as a herbivore~"
Hearing this, La Folia glanced at Nia Honjo with slight surprise:
"Honjo-san, do you actually enjoy seeing Luo Shu with other girls?"
"How could that be..."
Nia Honjo waved her left hand while keeping her right firmly on Raziel:
"I'm just curious about what Eriri's reaction will be when she sees Sayuri and Enigma after this, because... giggles~"
Listening to Nia Honjo's strange laughter as if she'd thought of something amusing, La Folia sounded somewhat disappointed:
"I thought Honjo-san was a harem enthusiast like me~ So you just want to watch the show?"
Hearing this, Nia Honjo paused, her expression turning rather subtle: "For someone from Aldegia's Valkyrie families to produce a heretic like you is... quite impressive in its own way."
La Folia smiled and retorted:
"Likewise. For someone born into a normal family, Honjo-san has turned out quite remarkable, too, hasn't she?"
Nia Honjo narrowed her eyes, meeting La Folia's amused gaze, then revealed a pleased smile:
"It seems we'll make excellent partners in the future~"
"By the way, I recall you wanted to push little Kanon towards Luo Shu? Need my help?"
"So Honjo-san has already made her move? Understood, I'll cooperate."
La Folia tilted her head with a smile, her expression brimming with delight.
Just as the two exchanged knowing smiles, a portal suddenly opened beside them.
Luo Shu emerged from the room, his muscular frame evident as he exhaled a turbid breath. While slipping on his jacket, he shook three test tubes in his hand.
Inside each tube, a single drop of iridescent blood shimmered brilliantly.
Seeing Luo Shu, La Folia asked in surprise:
"That was quick?"
At this, Luo Shu's expression turned rather peculiar.
Meanwhile, Nia Honjo held Raziel with a look of disappointment:
"What? Eriri already fainted after just a short while? I knew her stamina was poor, but this is just pathetic~"
Hearing Nia's explanation, Luo Shu kindly defended Eriri:
"It's probably because we extracted too much Nature Spirit Blood at once."
"Still pathetic - she didn't even last a quarter as long as I did," Nia muttered before addressing Luo Shu:
"In that case, let's proceed directly with the ascension. Even while I'm holding Raziel to prevent it from being drawn away by that presence in the depths of the Divine Kingdom, accidents could still happen. I really shouldn't stay in this place too often."
Understanding the risks of Nia remaining here, Luo Shu nodded:
"If time is pressing, let's begin immediately!"