Transformation

Klein ignored the blonde elf, as a system window expanded before his eyes.

[Title Unlocked!] 

[Slayer of Undead: You have slain 5 undead creatures of Corrupted Rank before Advancing to Copper rank. 

+5 to all Attributes. 

+ 10% to Spirit and Will ]

[Essence Assimilated.] 

[Initiate - Level 5 --> Level 6]

[+6 to all attributes, +6 Unused points.]

_____________

Status Window

Klein Frost

Human - [Initiate - Level 6]

Physique: Integrating (57%)

Law: Seed of Force (Middle) | Seed of Space (Early)

Attributes:

[Strength: 45 +15%]

[Speed: 45 +5%]

[Mind: 45 +10%]

[Spirit: 45 +30%]

[Will: 45 + 40%]

[Recovery: 45 + 5%]

Unused Points: 20

Skills:

Essence Manipulation (E-)

Empower (F)

Spatial Sight (E-)

Title: Child of Law, Overachiever, Slayer of Undead

___________

Klein beamed at the notification. One step closer to getting back to his prime. By the way he saw it, he would likely need to reach somewhere around level 35 to achieve a similar degree of magical power.

But, of course, that would come with superior physical power as well—something he didn't have as a Fifth Circle mage.

Leaving those thoughts for later, Klein quickly began collecting his loot. The elf girl shouted something after him, but he ignored her, acting dumb as she knew him to be. He deemed playing the fool was the best approach when interacting with her.

Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the answer this time. As if frustrated by his lack of attention, her mind twisted, and she decided it was right to force him to listen to her.

Maelora locked her arms around his waist and began pulling him away from his work. And she was strong. While she didn't fight with a sword or other close-combat weapon, Klein had thought she might be weaker than him in physical prowess. But that was not the case.

She might not be stronger, but she was definitely close to it.

After a brief tussle, Klein finally understood that she was trying to stop him from collecting the undead cores. When he did, she didn't seem inclined to take them for herself either. He couldn't understand what the problem was.

He decided to let it rest for now, thinking he would collect them later when he was relieved of her. Before he could decide how to make her leave, a few more undead creatures attacked them.

Thankfully, there were only three. Klein would have had no problem dealing with them alone, albeit with some effort, but with Maelora's help, they dispatched them with ease.

I guess there's one benefit to being with her, Klein thought. Maelora was likely close in strength to Siona, even though she hadn't fared better against the princess—even with her group, by the look of it.

The two of them moved into the darkness in relative silence, a couple of steps between them. Klein kept his Spatial Sight on, though he could probably rely on her.

From what he could discern of her character, Klein thought Maelora would usually leave him to his own devices, going after whatever she fancied. Perhaps the injuries she'd taken made her second-guess that, or maybe the betrayal at the hands of that handsome-ass elf.

Abruptly, his Sight picked up some disturbance.

"Watch out!" he shouted, but Maelora only turned towards him with a questioning gaze.

Without another warning, he lunged at her, flinging her to the side with him. Just then, the stone floor exploded beneath them, hurling jagged pieces into the air. A couple of them crashed into his back, causing him to scream. His bones might have cracked or broken, but the warm power coursed through his body, healing his wounds quickly.

Unfortunately, Maelora lacked the same healing capacity. While he managed to shield her to some degree, a stone had slammed into her waist, leaving her unable to stand straight.

The worst part was, the fight wasn't over.

Out of the hole in the stone floor came a twelve-foot-long creature of stone. It looked more like a magical construct than a living being. With only a large orb at the centre of its stone head, the golem's body was smooth stone, with jagged limbs segmented like those of a humanoid.

It didn't have a mouth to screech with, but it did have two humongous stone fists, which it hurled towards them. If even one of them connected, it would turn them into a blood puddle of paste.

Klein cast a Stone Essence Shield to impede its advance, then pulled Maelora into his arms. The stone fist shattered the shield on contact, but thankfully, he managed to dodge in time.

Wasting no time to communicate with her, he made a run for it, the elf woman in his arms. Maelora struggled and groaned, blood dripping from her broken waist.

Klein shot a couple of essence bolts at the stone golem. They struck true, but they were unable to penetrate its stone defences, barely leaving a few scars.

Dodging under its impending stone arms, Klein aimed his next attack at its glowing orb. This time, the creature dodged, instead of taking the hit. The glowing orb probably wasn't its eye, but rather some construct that allowed it to sense its surroundings.

While Klein continued dodging its attacks, using his Spatial Sight to the best of his abilities, Maelora seemed to have finished groaning in pain. Her eyes glowed with golden light as essence power swirled around her.

She was preparing a fearsome casting.