"When will her ridiculous power-up come to an end?"
Eren asked as he observed Sara practicing her ranking technique from a distance. Through reverse demonic ritual, he could sense that she had robbed Reva Rain of her elemental attainments.
Sara had entered epiphany multiple times during these days and digested Reva's gains for herself. Of course, she had a lot of metaphorical blank spaces to fill so to speak. But the synergetic effect of the reverse demonic ritual allowed her not to be shackled by her inexperience as a ranker.
Alephee pondered for a moment before answering Eren's question.
"It would only take her a few months or a year to break into the Expert rank, the same as Reva Rain. After that, her progress would start to stagnate. She'd have to progress traditionally after this stagnation hit her."
Eren nodded silently. He posed another question in a concerned voice while scratching his stubble.
"I hope Sara does not become dependent on this type of progress after stagnation. Plus, all her progress is based on Reva's experiences and attainments. We want to help Sara become a legitimate ranker and not create a second Reva Rain."
Alephee didn't discard Eren's concerns. But she wasn't that worried about Sara. Alephee responded by tucking her black hair behind her ears.
"That is indeed something we need to watch, Eren. But I wouldn't be too worried.
A lot of Sara's progress is based on Reva Rain's experiences and attainments. But she had added comprehensions of her own that she received from the state of epiphany.
Sara's soul is very attuned to Anfang's world consciousness. She could be regarded as the child of the world whose existence is in complete harmony with the nature she is part of. As such, elemental attainments come naturally to her.
Consider Reva Rain's attainments as basic building blocks. Sara used them to create her own structure. The differences between her and Reva would surface when she progresses normally as a ranker.
There is a lot of influence and accommodation in Sara's ranking path right now. And so far, she hasn't disappointed me by keeping her ranking path as inclusive and grand as it could be."
Eren expressed bitterness when he learned Sara was "gifted" as well. Of course, the bitterness in his heart wasn't directed at Sara but Anfang's world will.
Alephee found Eren's blatant display of envy comical. She sighed before adding further.
"Of course, your stash of Reva's organs was put to effective use as well. They were essential to the reverse demonic ritual. I used those organs periodically to steal Reva's achievements from her.
I'm sure the Paladin of Pain has regressed on her ranking path. I just wonder how her current situation is."
It seemed that Sara's way to speed up her ranking journey was different from how Eren did things. Sara deprived Reva of her elemental attainments and ranking progress using the demonic ritual and her organs as facilitators. Plus, unlike Eren, Sara could only use Reva's attainments and experiences because of the connection she shared with the Paladin of Pain.
Despite Alephee's concerned voice, her face had a gentle smile. In a way, Alephee was a cruel existence, just as Eren was. But it seemed that Eren influenced her not to show her fangs when there was no need to.
Eren could have never thought that the organs he harvested from Reva's live body would be used this way on Sara. He had planned to "digest" them on his own. But Alephee's use was much more creative and useful.
Eren and Alephee watched in silence as Sara concluded her ranking practice. When the blind girl got up on her feet, she spread her mana sense and found out she had visitors.
Zoom!
Blitz. Swoosh. Grab.
Sara intended to use her movement spell to get close to Eren and Alephee. But she made ill use of her mana circuits while executing the spell, passing them like an uncontrollable vehicle missing its breaks. She could be regarded as the most amateur Adept in the known history of Anfang.
Thankfully, Eren was prepared for events like these. He effortlessly grabbed her and embraced her in his arms, using his chest as a cushion for the blind girl to lay her head on.
"Aaaaah! I'm sorry…"
Sara was about to apologize for colliding with Eren because of her misuse of the spell. But she immediately figured out that Eren used her mistake to embrace her. She had a bit of red on her cheeks as she pushed the guy away with both her hands.
"Thanks, Eren."
Sara smiled at Eren before thanking him for his "kind" gesture. The latter laughed before responding.
"Keke. It's fine, Sara. I can be your guide whenever I find the time to do so. But that's not why I'm here today. I actually came here to ask you for something."
Sara raised her eyebrows. "And what would that be?" she asked curiously.
Eren smiled before answering, "My graduation ball. You know you are coming, right? When should I pick you up?"
Sara was taken aback by Eren's request to come with him to the event. It didn't leave her much room for denying him. Not that she wanted to deny it. But she would have preferred it if he asked her nicely.
'This guy has already considered me his property. And I smelled another woman on him when he hugged me.'
Sara thought to herself and looked at Eren with a frown on her face. But there was a part of her that liked Eren for who he was anyway. Plus, she was grateful to Eren and Alephee for all they did for her.
"Will you come to, lady Alephee?" Sara asked turning her head towards the homunculus who was stuck not too far apart from Eren. Alephee smiled bitterly before answering.
"Hehe. Yes. I and many others."
Sara looked at Eren with confusion on her face. Alephee explained Eren's plan to take an entourage of ladies to his Grad Ball.
Eren waited for Alephee to finish her talk. He then stared back at Sara waiting for her to answer his question. Sighing, she finally relented.
"I... I will be ready by 8 PM."
