Chapter 9: Alice New strength
Alice floated back to the floor, her feet barely making a sound. She looked towards Leon, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. His expression was one of stunned awe. He blinked, as if trying to reconcile the woman before him with the one he knew. 'She was beautiful before', he thought, his breath catching in his throat. 'But now… she's breathtaking.' He felt a surge of pride and love for her.
A sweet, melodic voice broke through his reverie. "I did it, love!"
Leon's lips curved into a gentle smile. He stepped forward, his gaze lingering on her radiant form. "Yes, you did," he replied softly, his voice filled with warmth. "Congratulations. You're even more beautiful now," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. He reached out and gently pulled her into a hug, careful not to touch her newly evolved wings (if she has them).
Alice blushed at his teasing, but leaned into the embrace, burying her face in his chest. She could feel the steady beat of his heart, a comforting rhythm that calmed her nerves.
Leon gently released her and checked her status. "Sel, show her status."
"Her stats have grown significantly," Leon murmured, his eyes scanning the information. "And she has slots for bloodline and physique now… but they're empty. Her skills are mostly the same, except her Basic Sword skill has evolved into Intermediate Sword. And her level has reset… but she's undeniably stronger." He looked at Alice, who was beaming with happiness, and heard the familiar chime of the sel in his mind.
[Host, you can purchase bloodlines and physiques for her from the shop, but it's crucial to help her adjust to her new body first.]
Leon nodded, understanding the wisdom of the system's advice. He knew this was paramount. "We should get some rest," he said to Alice, his voice gentle. "I know the evolution process must have been tiring."
Alice, still feeling a little shaky on her feet, nodded in agreement. The transformation had taken a toll on her, even though she felt invigorated. They went to bed, both exhausted but content.
The next morning, they woke up feeling refreshed. Alice was practically buzzing with excitement, eager to test her new strength. Leon was equally enthusiastic about helping her. Before heading down to breakfast, Leon used his magic to subtly alter Alice's appearance, making her look more like her previous human form. He explained that it was best not to draw too much attention yet, and Alice, understanding his concern, readily agreed.
After breakfast, they went to the guild and picked out some suitable quests. They then ventured into the forest. Leon began searching for the horned rabbits. These creatures, while not particularly strong, were quick and agile, making them ideal for Alice's training. It would force her to hone her control over her enhanced speed and strength. If she moved too fast, she'd overshoot her target. Too slow, and the rabbit would escape. Too much force, and the rabbit would be… unusable. Too little, and it might retaliate.
Leon watched as Alice began her training. At first, she struggled. She'd lunge, only to find the rabbit had darted away. Or she'd strike with too much force, and the rabbit would be reduced to a furry pulp. Sometimes, she wouldn't use enough force, and the rabbit would escape, wounded but alive. Leon was always nearby, ready to intervene if a rabbit threatened Alice, but he mostly let her learn through trial and error.
Over the next few days, Alice persevered. She practiced her footwork, her swings, her control. She learned to anticipate the rabbits' movements, to judge the precise amount of force needed. Slowly but surely, she improved. She became more fluid, more precise. She was no longer just swinging a sword; she was dancing with it.
On the third day, as Alice gracefully felled a horned rabbit with a single, controlled strike, Leon smiled. "You did it," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You've mastered your new body. You can control your magic, your speed, your strength. Congratulations, my love."
Alice, her face flushed with exertion and triumph, jumped for joy. "Thank you," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you for helping me, for not giving up on me."
Leon stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I would never give up on you," he whispered, his voice filled with love. He felt her warmth, her strength, and the unwavering love in her eyes. He knew, deep in his heart, that their journey together had just begun.