It wasn't only the elf couple that was surprised by Max's claim, but Belen, Leticia, and Rima were the same. Although they had experienced his 'ability' to raise their cultivation, they still felt that his claim of him helping Rima break through to the three-star realm in less than a year was too 'bold.'
However, they weren't wrong to think like that. After all, to break through to the three-star realm, one needed to condense and purify their Mana and reform their Mana core. Even if one were a peak two-star mage, they would take more than a year, even if their talent was extraordinary.
Faced with everyone's incredulous gazes, Max didn't even bat his eyelashes and continued looking at the elf woman, awaiting her answer.
Seeing him being so confident, The old man spoke, "Although I don't know why you are so sure that you could help her break through to the three-star realm in less than a year, I can confidently say that if she goes with us, it should take her almost the same time if not less. Of course, it is only if her talent is up to the mark and her master helps her."
"Hm?" Max was taken aback by his answer. Apart from the ability provided by the system, were there other methods to expedite the cultivation speed?
As if seeing through his thoughts, the system's voice sounded in his ears, [Yes, host. Many other things can increase the cultivation speed. The most common examples are the Mana increasing pills, foundation strengthening pills, and other similar medicine.
Apart from these, high-grade medicine can increase the cultivation speed several times. However, a person with low strength can't endure their medicinal efficacy and would die if one forcibly consumes it.
Other than this, there are some safe methods too—for example, the spirit fruits. Spirit fruits are different from regular fruits and are nurtured by the pure natural Mana. Unlike high-graded medicine, if an ordinary person eats it, there won't be any danger to their lives, and their cultivation will progress rapidly.
Some spirit fruits can help shorten the process of condensation, purification, and reformation of the Mana core in just a few months or even weeks. Moreover, some spirit fruits can even help comprehend an element to a high degree. In other words, different types of spirit fruits can bring different kinds of benefits to mages that ordinarily aren't possible.
Since they are so precious, they are equally rare and only grow under some special conditions. Among all the existing races, only the elf race is capable of producing them in low quantities, and most of these fruits come from them.
This was also one of the most important reasons why the human race spent thousands of years after the elf race prohibited all contact with humans due to that incident.
Moreover, a mage above the mortal boundary can use his energy to hasten the breakthrough of mages below the mortal boundary. So, if that six-star mage helps the host's woman when she is about to break through, the time she would take to break through might be around six months, if not less.]
'Huh?' Max was surprised to hear this. Then he asked in a voice that was so faint that no one could hear, "How can it be so quick? Even I would need more than six months to break through even though I can enhance my Mana with your help."
[It's because a mage above the mortal boundary can not only help hasten the process of Mana purification and condensation using his energy but also help reform the Mana core to the three-star level, which the system is incapable of doing.] The system replied indifferently.
"Heh, aren't you useless compared to a mage above the mortal boundary then?" Max scoffed.
[Host should know that the system isn't a living entity and doesn't have its own energy. So, don't make such brainless remarks again.] The system replied in an indifferent voice. However, Max could hear that it was irritated.
"So, what does the young hero think? Would you allow her to follow us back?" The old man asked with a smile when he saw that Max wasn't responding.
Hearing this, Max stopped conversing with the system and sighed audibly. When he asked whether Rima's cultivation speed would be up to his standards or not, he had hoped that they would deny that.
If that happened, he would have a reason for not allowing Rima to leave with them. After Lilly, he didn't part with Rima too. However, it seemed that his little plan didn't work out.
However, suddenly his eyes turned sharp, and he asked, "Can you guarantee that she would be safe in your Elvin city? From what I heard, elves don't like humans. What if she is bullied there?"
Sigh!
The old woman sighed and said, "Indeed, we elves don't like humans. However, it's mostly true in the case of human males. As for females, we don't hate them that much since they aren't as abominable as human males. I apologize it hurt your pride as a male, but it's true."
After a pause, she continued, "This is also one of the reasons why we offered her this opportunity. Moreover, we, as the parents of the current city lord, guarantee that she will be safe as long as she is there."
Hearing this, Max was relieved yet felt bitter at the same time. He forced a smile and looked at Rima, "Rima, you should know the benefits of following them and take an elf six-star sonic-type mage as master. If you want to go, I won't stop you."
He left the decision to Rima as it concerned her future. After all, he couldn't just refuse her such a good opportunity for some selfish reasons, right?
Seeing that Max wasn't against her going with them, the old elf couple nodded and thought, 'Hm. He is a sensible kid.' They then turned to Rima, awaiting her decision.
"I... understand." Rima took a deep breath and nodded. She understood that he wanted her to make this decision since it concerned her life.
Then, her expression turned solemn as she asked, "Granny, Can you give me some time to think about it?"
"Of course." The older woman smilingly nodded. After talking for a while, they returned to their room, leaving Max and the others alone.
Belen and Leticia looked at Rima enviously before they also left. They knew that Rima wanted to talk to Max alone.
After everyone left, Rima and Max lay on the bed, embracing each other. Rima had her head on his sturdy chest. Max could see that she was deep in her thoughts.
After laying quietly for half an hour, Max opened his mouth and asked as he gently caressed his back, "Can't come to a decision yet?"
"Un." Rima nodded.
"Why? Don't you know that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?" Max smiled.
"I know. I also know that if I went with them and trained under that six-star sonic-type mage, I'll be able to progress quite a lot b-but..." By the end of her sentence, she stuttered while her eyes became moist.
"But what?" Max asked.
"But I don't want to leave you. I don't know how long it will take for me to return. I-I'm afraid that you'll f-forget about me." Tears started falling when she said this.
Seeing how much she loved him, he was overcome with emotions. He hugged her tightly and said, "You silly girl. Don't forget you are my woman, and there is no way I would forget you. Moreover, you can always come back if you miss me."
He was sure about this because the old elf couple had told him that her future master, a female elf, was closely related to their family and had a good character.
If it were a normal case, she wouldn't have taken a human as her disciple, even if it was a female. However, because Max and others had saved the old couple, Arya, and her brother, who happened to her nephew, coupled with the fact that Belen had the same element as her, she won't refuse and would treat her nicely.
"Un. I know." Rima nodded. Then her face blushed as she said, "But I don't know if I can live without you for more than a few days." As she finished her sentence, she dug her face in his chest, not daring to look at him.
Seeing this, Max felt warmth in his heart and hugged her even more tightly, and smiled, "Silly girl. Once we are strong enough, won't we always be together? So what if we need to be apart for some time?"
After thinking for a while, she nodded. "Okay. I'll go."
She knew that if she didn't grab this opportunity, given Max's growth, she would be left behind and would always be a burden on him. So, if she needed to accompany him in the future, she needed to become strong enough.
She then added, "However, before I go, I want you to fulfill a small wish of mine."
