Skyler checked his status quickly, feeling satisfied but also slightly exasperated. He understood he hadn't learned any new skills or spells, so the number was the same. But he still sighed, seeing that no new element had been added after metal in his status.
"Are there only nine elements? No new element was opened after the ninth one."
505 responded immediately.
("Host, please don't belittle the power of these nine elements. There are countless elements in existence, but these are the fundamental ones from which all others originate. Mastering them is equivalent to controlling every element. This is the first time 505 has witnessed such a case; even my database contains no record of anyone with affinity for all of these elements. The metal element, for example, doesn't exist on your planet or in any lower realm, which is why you are unable to progress with it.")
Skyler read the message as he stretched. He removed his shirt, and a pair of wings slowly emerged from the cracks along his back. The golden and azure wings flickered and unfurled as if moving in rhythm with his body. After the first pair, another followed, until six pairs of majestic wings unfolded behind him, vast enough to cast his entire body in shadow. Slowly, cerulean and gold scales spread across his chest and arms, followed by a pair of dark horns sprouting from his slightly overgrown ash-brown hair.
505 was amazed by the transformation.
No matter how many times it had seen Skyler stretch his wings, it could never get used to his true form—so pure and divine, yet tinged with a subtle hint of darkness.
505 was silently watching Skyler read its message when it saw the mermaid gazing at Skyler's wings, squealing in excitement and trying her best not to touch them—yet still secretly inching closer little by little.
At that moment, Skyler nodded.
"I see. There are only nine elements. Once I reach the peak of Mythic tier in all of them, I can condense them into a core and directly break into the Divine Rank. I could ascend the moment even one reaches its peak, but I want every element to reach its limit first."
He had just finished speaking when he flinched as a soft body collapsed into his wings, rubbing against them without any restraint and giggling contentedly. Skyler's ears flushed—his wings were sensitive. He waited for a few minutes, but the mermaid didn't stop, so he looked back helplessly.
"Ah, Ru… how about you get up now?"
She blinked, hugging one of his wings.
"No."
Then she added, negotiating.
"You touched my tail… We're not even yet. So you aren't allowed to retract the wings."
Skyler raised a brow, amused, letting her touch to her heart's content, enduring the ticklish sensation. He went still when even the pretty ghost slipped out from the gem hanging around his wrist, reaching for his wings. Unlike the innocent mermaid, the crimson-eyed ghost was far more unruly—she straddled his lap without reservation, her fingers brushing over his muscles.
She locked eyes with him when he stiffened, questioning in a dark tone.
"What? She can, but I can't?"
Skyler's smile strained.
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
The crimson eyes staring down at him curved into crescents, extremely pleased with his reaction. She lowered her head.
"We can go further."
Skyler's eyes darkened. She knew exactly how to ignite the fire, but who would take responsibility? He could touch her, but she was a soul fragment—maintaining a solid form for a minute or so was the most she could manage with her current power. His voice was hoarse as he grabbed her waist.
"Really… not cute like Riruru at all."
The crimson eyes narrowed.
"You do know we're the same, don't you? Yet… are you implying you like her more?"
A faint, dangerous tension flickered in the air as she tugged at Skyler's hair, getting even more annoyed when he smirked. The charged atmosphere shattered when an aggrieved voice came from behind them.
"What are you both doing?"
The ghost let go of Skyler's hair.
She locked eyes with the mermaid.
"Something kids shouldn't see. Go play around, or if you are bored go to sleep."
The mermaid was furious. Why did she always treat her like she was immature?
She was ready to fight her, but the ghost scattered into particles and vanished back into the gem, leaving her nowhere to vent her anger. So, she grabbed Skyler's arm.
"Good, she exhausted her power. So she won't come out for a while. Let's go find something to eat. You promised to cook."
Skyler's eyes filled with laughter. Both of them were fragments of the same soul.
Yet still so different.
Was it because each soul fragment had developed its own persona after the main soul scattered? As he thought about this, Skyler smile faded. He swore to make the one responsible suffer worse than death.
He stood up. With a thought, the wings behind him retracted into the cracks along his back as he rubbed the mermaid's hair.
"Alright. Let's go."
He picked up his fallen shirt and slipped it on, hiding the glowing scales covering his exposed skin, before they left the perilous area and headed to a nearby place to hunt.
They continued exploring the vast realm, growing stronger with each passing day.
They trained relentlessly, fought whatever stood in their path, and searched tirelessly for treasures within the land. Skyler did his best to guide the mermaid; he wanted her to grow alongside him. Although she was old and knew many things, her mind was like that of someone who had yet to truly see the world—curious and unguarded. To him, those moments felt the most joyful, bringing an unexpected sense of peace.
As if he wanted to live just like this.
Days after Skyler left, a faint ripple spread across the boundary of the realm. Instantly, the chaotic cracks trembled. Suddenly, one of the many spatial rifts in the void shook to reveal a fragment of light trapped within it, followed by a low, raspy, exhausted voice.
"Smells… familiar… so familiar…"
The voice tried to speak again.
"Want to… follow…"
"Don't go… it's so quiet again…"
Ultimately, it faded into the cracks. By the time it gathered the strength to wake again, the familiar scent that had given it the will to endure a little longer—just long enough to meet its owner—had already vanished. That person had long since left the realm.