Cecil was back in the elemental world, and she panted heavily. There was a deep frown present on her forehead that was glistening with sweat, her eyes focused on two large gates in front of her.
 
“I...I don’t understand, there should only be one…” she mused softly to herself. “How are there two gates? Which one am I supposed to open?” 

[ Congratulations, you have unlocked the next mission! ]

[ Mission #10: Third Form of the Earth Element
Objective: Choose your path for the third form of your element
Reward: 1000 points ]

[ Following according to the rules of the world set by the author, every individual can develop their elemental powers different from one another, even if they are of the same kind. ]

“Yes...that’s right, even for Xue.” 

Cecil nodded to herself. The reason why this book stood out, despite its messy and flawed plotline was because of the “powers” the author implemented into the book. It wasn’t like the mediocre cultivation methods, but rather, elemental powers that can grow in different directions according to how a character utilises their powers. 

Unfortunately, this also led to power imbalance and even more confusing plotholes that once again, the author did not bother to fix. 

Of course, there was a huge difference in the elemental powers between the mortal realm, and the heavenly and demon realm. However, the same rule applied to every realm. 

“If I followed according to the author’s logic, I would be able to catch a glimpse of the powers if I touched the gates and not push them open.” 

[ You guessed correctly~ ]

Cecil inhaled deeply, taking a step forward and approaching the door on the right, raising her palm up and pressing against the door. In an instant, dozens of images invaded her mind and she withdrew a few seconds later.
 
“That seems to be the core part of the earth element. Where one would be able to summon out golems made from the earth itself, and grow even more capable of making huge and complicated structures out of the ground.” 

All of a sudden, a thought occurred to Cecil. 

“Wait a second, isn’t this similar to...Yelena’s powers? The lackey that Veau himself killed by...beheading?” 

[ Yes, once again, you guessed correctly~
Yelena possessed the earth element powers, and she chose this third form. 
However, due to black magic, instead of reanimating rock golems, it ended up reanimating corpses hidden beneath the earth. ] 

Her onyx eyes lit up, intrigued at the newfound information. 

Nevertheless, Cecil moved on to the left gate, doing the same action and once again, dozens of images flashed right by her eyes.
 
“This part of the gate revolves more around plants and nature. There...is not much difference compared to how I am using it right now. Attacking with vines, and accelerating the growth of the plants and herbs I find.”

[ The right gate is the popular choice among most earth elemental users~]

Cecil frowned. 

“How do you know something like that?”
 
[ Who would not want to be able to summon rock golems out from the ground to fight for them? ] 

Cecil could not refute the statement from AI500.
 
It was a fact, the right gate was what most earth users had chosen. Simply because it seemed more potent and effective, compared to the other gate. 

[ Please choose wisely.
You will not be able to turn back once you decide on which gate to pass. ]
[ You will also not be able to utilise the other side of the earth element, since you are trading out one for the other~ ]

Cecil already knew what her choice was. 

Without any hesitation, she went for the left gate, pushing it open. 

The door slammed open, and Cecil felt something rushing past her, making her turn around. She gasped in awe, the tree in her elemental world had grown full and healthy. Moreover, now her surroundings were filled to the brim with flowers.

[ Mission #10: Third Form of the Earth Element
Objective completed!
Reward: 1000 points
Remaining points: 1000 points ]

[ I hope you will not regret your decision~ ] 

Cecil made a face. 

“Why does it sound like you are not supporting my decision?” 

[ I am merely encouraging you~ ]

“...” 

“There is more to fighting than just strength anyway.” 

[ Whatever suits you, Cecil Lan~ ]

Somehow, Cecil felt like she was losing in this conversation and she forced a smile.

“Yes, whatever you say, AI500~” 

 [ … ]

Once again, AI500 did not expect Cecil to respond in such a manner. 
Cecil smiled to herself, collapsing to the ground with exhaustion. A moment later, her spiritual body left the elemental world. 

***

“We are leaving by tonight.” 

Hana’s parents announced to everyone in the living room. However, only Cecil, Xue and K’xug knew what they were actually leaving for. For Hana and Cecil’s parents, it looked like Kezla and Tatsui were leaving for another honeymoon. 

Hana went forward and embraced her parents, and did the same back for their daughter. 

“Take care, the two of you.” 

“Take care.”
 
“Be careful.” Xue took a step closer to them, bowing his head slightly.

K’xug nodded his head at Kezla and Tatsui. 

Of course, the two of them were not helpless angels. If trouble arose along their way, they would be able to fight them off. 

“We will, don’t worry.” 

By the time it reached night, all of them sent Kezlan and Tatsui off at the gates of the mansion. They were loading their luggages into the carriage. Hana chatted with her parents, and her mother unexpectedly gave her a tight hug. 

“See you soon, Hana.” Kezla spoke emotionally, kissing her daughter on the forehead. 

Hana only beamed at her parents, hugging them back. 

Cecil sighed, turning to look at Xue and K’xug. The two of them observed the exchange with inscrutable expressions. 
Cecil knew they could not stay here and not do anything any longer, they needed to move on to collect more soul fragments of Xue. 

“What do the two of you plan to do now?” 

K’xug waved his hand over his face and neck, and the seals made from black magic were shown. He pointed towards them, his hand on Xue’s shoulder. 

“You want to get rid of the damn seals first.” 

K’xug nodded, his hand tightening on Xue’s shoulder. He opened his mouth before closing it, frustration flitting past his eyes. 

“You need to tell me something urgently? Is it...regarding what you heard when you were locked...down there?” 

K’xug nodded again, hiding the seals away before anyone else saw it. 

“The only way for me to get back light magic would be to absorb more of my souls back,” Xue stated, furrowing his eyebrows. “But, I do not sense any soul fragments nearby now, I can sense one or two of them, but they are far from here. It’s faint.” 

Cecil immediately understood Xue’s words.
 
After all, at this part in the novel, it was when Xue would travel to the second continent in this world of Hantulsennem. 

The second continent was simply named, Tul. 

“They are probably not in Han anymore, but somewhere further from here.”

Xue turned to look at Cecil, and Cecil blinked curiously at him. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“You are finally looking me in the eye.”

“What?” 

“You have been avoiding me the past few days, and you won’t even look at me properly in the eyes.” 

“...!”

She stiffened, her eyes widening as she realised what Xue was talking about. Cecil hurriedly turned her head, her eyes wandering.
 
A small smile played on his lips as he noted Cecil’s flustered reaction, his gaze softening. 

Meanwhile, K’xug who stood in between them had a deadpan expression on his face. 

I am still here...standing between the two of you.
 
Right here. In between.

He quietly took a few steps back, reaching his arms out and pushing the two of them closer. Xue and Cecil stumbled, her face almost crashing into Xue’s chest, giving K’xug an alarmed look. 

K’xug simply moved to stand beside Xue, looking at Hana still chatting with her parents. He disregarded the questioning glances from the couple beside him, promising to himself he would never stand in between them again. 

***

The four of them spent the next days packing up for the trip to the next continent. Cecil knew they would be gone for a long time, and thus, they had to pack up more things. Now, Cecil was truly grateful that she spent every point she had on the storage ring. Though it was a hefty price, it was extremely useful in situations like that.
 
Of course, Hana agreed to go with them. Wherever Xue and Cecil went, she wanted to accompany them without fail. 

It was obvious that K’xug would go with them as well. 

Cecil sat on her bed, tapping her fingers on her chin as she contemplated. 
She knew that the next continent would be hard to survive on their own. 
Out of all the continents, the second continent was expensive to survive in.

In the simplest terms, the second continent was where all the wealthy people lived in. If Cecil were to compare her family’s wealth to the wealth of the people living there, she would be considered a pauper.
 
Moreover, the only possible way to reach the continent was via boat. They would be travelling on open seas, and the trip was two weeks long. In order to ensure they had a comfortable trip there, Cecil needed to consider the most important aspect. 

Money--or the currency in this world, aupi. 

“The amount of money we have on hand is not enough,” Cecil sighed to herself. “After the boat trip to the next continent, we will have to find a way to earn money in order to buy a temporary shelter for us to stay in.” 

I...do not want to sleep in the forest, and in the wild. 

There was a way for them to earn money, which was a way that she learned from Xue. 

In this world, there were notice boards around cities and towns that posted requests to get rid of beasts, monsters corrupted by black magic and even people who had gone insane from studying about black magic.

There were also the odd job requests to find a missing pet, or a missing person...or even a missing doll. 

“But earning through money that way doesn’t give us much either,” Cecil sighed again, still tapping on her chin. “We have to find a way to earn a good income once we land in that continent.” 

Unfortunately, though Cecil knew about the second continent, what information she had in mind about the second continent was just the bare minimum. After coming so far in their journey, Cecil knew not to believe the facts of this world she learned from the novel. 

This is a real world, with real people. 

Cecil nodded to herself, planning out a few things she had in mind once they reached the second continent. 

“Cecil! Cecil!” Hana slammed the door open, skipping her way to Cecil as she held two outfits in front of her. “This dress, or this one? Which one is better?” 

“The blue dress, it goes with your eyes and hair.”

Hana beamed. “I chose that too! I’ll bring this one then!” 

Cecil smiled to herself, shaking her head. 

Hana is taking this like a vacation.
 
“I have more outfits, hold on, help me choose too!” 

“Sure.” Cecil laughed softly. “Oh wait, Hana, don’t bring too much dresses! We still have other things to pack!” 

“Okayyyy!” 

In the end, when Cecil saw the number of dresses Hana had picked out, she was flabbergasted. 

“Ta-dahh! What do you think?” 

“...”

“...uhm...too much?” 

“Way too much.”

***

Cecil stared the ring on her hand, rubbing it softly. She was still amazed at how the storage ring works, and how it really held everything. All their luggage was stuffed into the storage ring, except the basic necessities where they would carry on hand. 

“Cecil.”

“Mother, father!” 

Cecil conversed with her parents, chatting with them. After a while, the three of them hugged one another, and Cecil felt herself growing a little teary. 

Though they weren’t actually her parents, Cecil had long seen herself as Cecil Lan, and the parents in front of her were her real parents.
 
In fact, they were exactly like her parents in her original world. 

"Here's the book you and Hana wanted, one about medicine, and the other about cooking."

Cecil smiled, giving her mother another hug.

“I’ll see you soon, and I’ll bring back gifts this time.” 

“Oh sweetie, you don’t need to, remember to take good care of yourself.” 

“And enjoy yourself.” 

“Thank you, mother, father.” 

Eventually, the four of them climbed into the carriage and Cecil turned around, waving at her parents. The carriage set off, and she continued waving and smiling at them until she couldn’t even see an inch of their figure anymore. 

She turned back, unable to lift her head up.

Unlike Hana who could still be positive and happy, despite knowing she would not see her parents for a long time, Cecil could not bring herself to put on such a facade.
 
Cecil felt a head laying on her shoulder, and she glanced down at Hana. 

“Cecil, don’t be sad,” Hana pouted. “Because if you are, I wanna cry too.”
 
“...you are going to miss all of them too?"

"...yes." Hana admitted softly. 

Cecil sighed, laying her head on top of Hana. 

Hana felt herself growing teary, and she sniffled. Whereas, Cecil herself could feel tears pricking at her eyes. 

"Are you crying, Hana?" 

"You are crying too, aren't you?" Hana pouted.

Cecil laughed, her voice hoarse. "I am."

Hana sniffled. "Then let's cry together."

The two ladies lifted their heads up, looking at one another and they giggled again. 

"Cecil, your snot is dripping out!"

"Yours too, Hana."

The two men seated opposite the ladies observed them, both of them smiling softly. One had his legs crossed over, while the other placed his chin on his palm. 

At that moment, the two of them looked at each other, both of them noting the smile on their faces. They instantly dropped their smile, glancing away. 

A few seconds passed, and Xue felt someone's gaze on him. He looked in their direction, realising it was Cecil looking at him. Their eyes met, and Cecil seemed flustered at being caught. She averted her eyes, blinking rapidly.
 
Xue didn't look away, and he continued gazing at Cecil.

After all, he would never get tired of looking at her. 

A minute passed as the carriage rocked lightly, Hana was reading her book with one hand, while the other was changing the small ball of ice in her hand to water, and back to ice again. 

Whereas, K'xug had his eyes closed, though from time to time, he opened them and watched the red-haired woman quietly. 

Just like he always did in the past.
 
Gradually, Cecil found her eyes straying back to look at Xue. When their eyes met again, Cecil hurriedly looked away. 
Xue still continued observing the raven-haired woman, his gaze tender. 

Once again, Cecil found herself subconsciously directing her eyes towards Xue...and once again, their eyes met. 

His gaze grew even more tender. 

Cecil ducked her head down, biting on her lower lip. 

Why...why do I want to keep looking at him? 

...and he keeps...looking at me.

Cecil could feel herself growing warm. 

On the other hand, Hana glanced up from her book and she caught a glimpse of the tree swaying to the wind outside. The memory of K'xug carefully removing the leaves from her hair played in her mind. 

Hana covered half of her face with the book, the ball of ice and water in her other hand switching even faster. 

Thus, in that carriage, all four of them kept to their own thoughts but there was no doubt that something had changed between all of them. 

***

《 start 》

Even though I am not your type. 

Even though you are still avoiding me.

I...still like you.

I really like you, Cecil Lan.

...and I do not think I will ever regret liking someone like you.

《 stop 》