The Compatibility‑Meter 3.1 emitted soft, rhythmic beeps as Eli's spirit held it floating in her hand. The chamber was littered with scattered vials, crystals, and scrolls — as if a magical orc had rampaged through it.
Andras glanced around at the chaos.
"You wouldn't be you if you didn't leave a mess behind. That habit of yours hasn't changed in a thousand years."
Eli's spirit straightened proudly.
"That's what maids are for. While they clean, I can build a magical device."
Andras gave her a sideways smirk.
"Yeah, and when you rush the construction, you blow up half a city."
Eli huffed indignantly.
"Hey! I always did the final testing in uninhabited areas. I only blew up a few forests, and once a mountain. But no one died… well, no humans. A few boars might have gotten roasted."
Andras laughed.
"So, how's the meter?"
Eli glanced at the beeping device.
"It says… our current compatibility level is 51 percent. That's already a new record for me. You can use half of my power."
Andras nodded.
"Not bad, but with that I could only defeat half a Demon General. Which is, let's be honest, still not great."
Eli waved dismissively.
"But if you have a good partner, that covers the other half."
"I have four good partners," Andras replied. "One of them was literally a Demon General in the Evil Future."
Eli's spirit let out an impressed whistle.
"Then what are you complaining about? You're in good shape. And you're strong on your own too. You have two magical elements. Isn't it possible you could defeat a Demon General without me?"
Andras raised an eyebrow.
"The real you told me that if I ever see a Demon General, I shouldn't act heroic — I should run."
Eli's spirit nodded thoughtfully.
"Hm… I probably said that because you're the key to helping the Hero defeat the Demon King. I wouldn't risk you against a General."
Then she suddenly perked up.
"Right — what kind of staff do you have? Show me."
Andras took out his two staffs.
"I've got two. The water‑element staff is pretty weak, so I'll probably use your crappy staff instead. As long as I only activate the water element on it, it won't explode in my hand."
Eli's spirit glanced at the water staff and grimaced.
"A Giant Waterslime crystal? That's really weak, especially against demons."
Andras smiled.
"But the other one is a pretty good rarity. Look."
Eli's spirit floated closer, and when she saw the crystal, she gasped.
"Is that…? No way… a Lightning Ogre crystal?! Where did you get this? Even I never found one, and I traveled across the entire continent!"
"It was living in Silverwood. Practically next door."
Eli's spirit nodded slowly.
"So where you live — Wolfwood — was built in the eastern part of the Wolf Forest?"
Andras smiled.
"That's right… Wolfwood didn't exist in your time."
The spirit fell silent for a moment, as if trying to imagine a world born a thousand years after her death.
The trial… was nearing its end.
And Eli's spirit was beginning to understand that time had changed more than just the world — it had changed the people in it as well.
The crystal‑lit chamber slowly quieted as the Compatibility‑Meter 3.1 finally stopped beeping. Eli's spirit hovered with her arms crossed, watching Andras — and in her eyes burned that unmistakable thousand‑year curiosity that even death hadn't managed to extinguish.
"So where's that famous staff of yours?" she asked suddenly.
Andras raised an eyebrow.
"What famous staff?"
Eli waved impatiently.
"The one that beast‑girl wolf mentioned. The staff that summons wolves and has two eggs attached to it. And the one every woman supposedly wants to claim for herself."
Andras smiled.
"Oh, that staff."
"Yes, that staff. Show it to me. I want to examine it."
Andras gave her a sideways grin.
"I bet you do. Back on the Celestial Island, when we bathed together, you couldn't take your eyes off it. I mean the real you."
Eli's spirit snapped.
"Stop teasing me and just show it!"
"Well, if you want to see it that badly…"
Andras began lowering his pants.
Eli's spirit recoiled.
"Why are you taking off your pants?! Wait — what are you—?!"
Then she froze.
"Hold on! Staff, two eggs… That idiot wolf‑girl completely tricked me! Now that I think about it, she never said you could summon wolves — she said you could make little wolves! That's what she meant! And I'm even dumber for misunderstanding it! I can't believe this."
A moment of silence passed before Eli tilted her head.
"Hm… yours is bigger than Robin's was."
Andras stood patiently.
"If you're done inspecting it, can I pull my pants back up?"
"Yes, yes, of course," Eli muttered, slightly flustered.
Andras pulled his pants up and pointed at the staff.
"So your artificial spirit is stored inside this staff. If I take it with me, you come along."
Eli's spirit nodded proudly.
"Yes. Always keep me with you. Especially when you bathe. That way, while you're washing, I can watch the surroundings to make sure no one attacks you while you're vulnerable."
Andras gave her a sideways smile.
"Right. I'm sure you'll be watching the surroundings."
"Obviously," Eli replied with complete seriousness. "See how useful I am?"
Andras sighed.
"Speaking of useful things — is there anything else you want to bring with you?"
Eli thought for a moment.
"Do you have a magical cauldron?"
"In Wolfwood? Yes, I do. Why?"
"Good. Mine is unusable."
"Why, did it crack?"
"Worse. The bottom is completely ruined."
Andras raised an eyebrow.
"What did you put in it?"
Eli grimaced.
"Not me. That stupid Wood Elf."
"Floralys used your magical cauldron?"
"Yes. She used it. Just not for what it was meant for."
"What did she put in it?"
Eli turned away.
"Ask her if you really want to know."
Andras sighed.
"Alright, Eli's spirit — can you teleport us back to the entrance?"
Eli's spirit snapped her head up.
"Don't call me Eli's spirit. Call me Magical Staff Eli. The real Eli still exists. And yes, I can teleport you."
Andras smiled.
"What's interesting, MS Eli, is that you don't question for a moment that you are the copy, and not the original Eli."
MS Eli straightened proudly.
"I'm a genius. Even my copy is a genius. Hahaha!"
The teleportation light slowly wrapped around Andras.
The trial had ended —
and MS Eli had joined him.