Chapter 176: Magical Transformation
As Carlotta and Amelia stepped out, they happened to hear the news of the riot breaking out on Island No.4, and couldn't help but feel surprised.
"The beastmen actually managed to escape? And in large numbers? Seems like there's something wrong with those arenas after all."
Carlotta muttered.
But this kind of matter clearly had nothing to do with her.
Although Island No.9 wasn't particularly far from Island No.4, they weren't adjacent islands, so the turmoil over there shouldn't affect this place.
Compared to that, the bounty posted by the Mechanical Fortress was far more intriguing.
Carlotta saw the bounty notice, and her eyes gleamed at the sight of the rich rewards. She almost wanted to report herself, just imagine, with that reward, she could probably build a first-class ship immediately.
Still, she knew perfectly well that the bounty wasn't easy to claim. If she tried to report herself and scam the reward, she'd likely end up losing everything. Such things couldn't be done recklessly.
In a good mood, Carlotta held Amelia's hand and wandered around casually, truly going on a date.
Previously, an intelligence report had pointed out several gourmet spots on Island No.9, perfect locations for a date. Carlotta brought Amelia to each of them one by one.
"I'm about to break through."
Suddenly, Amelia said.
"So soon?"
Carlotta turned in surprise.
Amelia originally thought her improvement speed was fast, but hearing Carlotta say this, she felt strangely uneasy inside.
Was she really that fast?
Compared to Carlotta, it seemed rather average, didn't it?
Amelia couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Anyone else can praise my cultivation speed, but not you."
Carlotta looked innocent. "When do you think you'll complete the breakthrough? What's missing?"
Amelia thought for a moment and said, "I need to use my memory to construct something complex. It's a pity that alchemical armor can't be activated, otherwise, observing it carefully and constructing it properly would allow me to succeed."
"Something complex? Well, it doesn't necessarily have to be the alchemical armor. There are other options."
Carlotta said.
"What else could be more complex than the structure of alchemical armor?"
Amelia asked.
"Human beings. Aren't humans complicated enough? You could construct me."
Carlotta pointed at herself.
"Construct a person..."
Amelia's gaze became subtle.
When she was young, many magic-path books and knight-path books from the Fenwick family were laid before her. She had many choices, yet in the end, she chose memory magic.
Because she wanted to reconstruct in her memories her mother, who had already passed away. Although the constructed figure wouldn't be a real person, she still held onto that hope.
And according to rumors, when memory magic reaches its peak, everything constructed in memory can become real, constructed people will become truly flesh-and-blood beings with independent thoughts.
Reconstructing the dead would be equivalent to resurrection.
Although it was merely legendary, and no one had ever heard of achieving it, such tales still held immense appeal for young Amelia. How could she possibly ignore it?
But constructing a human being was extremely difficult. Amelia had never successfully constructed a person before.
"Perhaps... I could give it a try."
Amelia murmured.
"Then let's head back first."
Since this concerned Amelia's breakthrough, Carlotta no longer wanted to wander outside.
The two immediately returned to their hotel.
Back in the room, Carlotta closed the windows, drew the curtains, and lit the space with soft lamplight.
Then she reverted to her original appearance, using a transformation card to switch into an elegant dress, dressing herself up extravagantly, essentially turning herself into a model so Amelia could properly construct her image.
Amelia's body surged with magical energy. Her eyes locked onto Carlotta, rapidly building the image in her mind.
Soon, a stick figure appeared before her. At the position representing the head, a strand of red hair dangled down, symbolizing hair.
"...This is me?"
Carlotta twitched the corner of her mouth.
Amelia felt embarrassed and immediately dispelled the stick figure. "Maybe constructing a complete person directly is too difficult. I'll take it step by step, start with your head first."
Carlotta immediately stood still, becoming the perfect model.
Amelia stared at Carlotta's head, then suddenly frowned. "No, the image of your twin tails in my memory is too strong. Tie your hair into twin tails."
Since leaving the Wendell Empire, Carlotta rarely wore twin tails, because most of the time she used a disguised appearance.
Hearing Amelia's words, Carlotta tied her hair into twin tails for the first time in a long while. She instantly looked sweet and adorable, like a young lady who'd hardly experienced hardships. Who could imagine this was a girl forged in blood and fire?
Looking at the sweet Carlotta, Amelia nodded slightly. The girl before her eyes now closely matched the image in her memory.
Then magical energy surged from her body. In the empty space before her, red hair appeared, quickly forming twin tails, then extending downward into a line-drawn face, followed by a stick-figure body.
Carlotta: "..."
Amelia: "..."
They both fell silent, staring at the twin-tailed stick figure before them.
After a while, Amelia said, "Perhaps for my current level, constructing a human is still impossible."
Carlotta, however, took it in stride. "You don't necessarily need to create a complete person. Your goal is to gain insights during the process and achieve breakthrough, so don't worry about the rest."
Amelia said, "That's true. Then I'll continue."
Using Carlotta as her blueprint, she began constructing repeatedly. One stick figure after another appeared before her.
Each time a stick figure appeared, she didn't dispel it immediately. Instead, she compared it with the ones she'd construct later, checking where she'd missed details, so she could identify the problems.
Soon, the room was filled with stick figures.
Each of these stick figures sported red twin tails, making Carlotta's expression strangely awkward.
She glanced at a nearby stick figure, and to her surprise, it was actually using an Elven Knight Path, mimicking perfectly the First Movement: Elven Butterfly Dance.
Then the other stick figures began moving too, each performing different Elven Movements.
Carlotta watched, feeling strangely familiar. Because the postures of these stick figures were completely inherited from her.
This could probably be called essence, different people performing the same Elven Movement would have different essences, but the essence these stick figures displayed was unmistakably Carlotta's style.
"...It actually looks a bit like me."
Carlotta didn't know what to say.
Stick figures darted across the room in every direction, their movements fluid and graceful. Anyone looking at these stick figures could clearly make out the silhouette of a girl, moreover, one who seemed undeniably adorable.
Carlotta also felt that these stick figures were no ordinary creation. But... could they really never become an exact replica of her?
She glanced at the stick figure's red twin-tails. Why did it specifically end up with twin-tails?
Amelia had already given up trying to completely replicate appearances. Such things couldn't be forced, and weren't achievable at her current stage.
Instead, she focused more on capturing the essence and spirit. This shift proved surprisingly beneficial, her insights multiplied, and as feedback poured in, the ambient elements grew restless. Higher-quality elemental particles naturally flowed into her body, purifying her magical power from within.
She didn't know how long had passed, but eventually, Amelia felt her magic power reach a certain level of purity. Then, her body gently trembled as a surge of magic flooded inside, replenishing her reserves.
She had broken through!
"Constructing human forms is indeed an excellent method for practicing memory magic."
Amelia murmured, somewhat reflective.
She felt her future training methods could undergo significant evolution.
Carlotta, however, felt a bit uneasy. Was she now going to see stick figures resembling her in spirit running around every single day?
That'd be strange.
Around them, the stick figures began to dissolve.
"Congratulations, Amelia."
Carlotta stepped forward and gave Amelia a hug.
"I've finally caught up to your pace."
Amelia whispered softly.
If possible, she naturally didn't want Carlotta pulling ahead.
Yet, recalling Carlotta's terrifying rate of progress, Amelia couldn't help asking, "Carlotta, how far are you from becoming a Resonator? How long until you achieve resonance?"
Resonance was the process of transforming one's body into magic. Once fully magical transformed, magic conduction will become far simpler and faster, significantly enhancing the potency of any technique.
For peak tier Listeners, achieving even 1% magical transformation of the entire body meant becoming a Resonator.
Carlotta replied, "I haven't tried magical transformation yet. I've been accumulating my foundation. But I suppose I'm about ready. I could attempt it now, though I most likely won't succeed."
Amelia's heart skipped a beat. "Then you should at least try. Who knows, you might actually succeed."
Although she didn't want Carlotta to leave her too far behind, if Carlotta could progress, Amelia had no reason to ask her to wait.
Carlotta immediately sat down and circulated her magic power, which surged through her body like a mighty river.
She pondered where to begin magical transformation. Most people start with their arms, after all, arms held weapons.
In essence, you began with what you relied on most.
Carlotta felt she was different from others. Her offensive power was already ferocious; starting with her hands wasn't necessary. For her, the most crucial aspect was self-preservation, survival capability against any unexpected danger.
Although she possessed the Speed card, granting her astonishing speed, she believed she could push it even further.
Amelia watched as Carlotta lifted her foot, removed her shoe, and exposed both feet. Soon, magic fluctuations emanated from them.
"She's starting a magical transformation from her feet?"
Amelia froze. That was an unusual choice.
Carlotta's full attention remains on her feet, as her magic power surged and washed over them, attempting to transform them into magic. This process continued for a very long time.
For peak tier Listeners, the initial stage of magical transformation was the most difficult. Once you became a Resonator, further magical transformation became relatively easier.
Still, bodily magical transformation was extremely dangerous. A single misstep, excessive magic flow, could inflict devastating, irreversible damage upon the body.
For many Transcendents, the Resonator stage became the end of their journey. Their bodies reached their limits, unable to withstand further magical transformation. Attempting it meant certain death.
The Resonator stage was a massive threshold!
Carlotta continued washing her feet with magic, sensing no immediate danger. Although her progress had always been rapid, her foundation wasn't weak, and her physical constitution had remained excellent.
Under the magic's scouring, she began to feel a faint magical transformation in her feet. Her spirit lifted. As long as she reached 1%, she'd officially become an early Resonator.
But after several hours of effort, Carlotta felt disappointed.
Only a tiny fraction of her feet had affected magical transformation, merely 0.5%, not enough to truly qualify as a Resonator.
She quickly identified the reason.
"I advanced too quickly. Each breakthrough brings a comprehensive enhancement to both my physique and magic power. My body hasn't even adapted to the changes from my last breakthrough yet. I need more time to settle… to stabilize."
Carlotta asserted, frowning slightly.
Waiting until her body fully adjusted might take quite some time. Could the Resonator stage really become a barrier for her?
Or… should she force it?
But Carlotta didn't dare recklessly push forward. Forced magical transformation could seriously injure her. Even with ample Life Sources to heal yourself, it wasn't worth the risk.
"I need to settle down more."
Carlotta stated bluntly.
"How much magical transformation did you achieve?"
Amelia asked.
" 0.5%."
Carlotta answered, then explained her situation.
Hearing this, Amelia immediately realized Carlotta was very close to becoming a Resonator. Those for whom the Resonator stage became an impassable barrier couldn't even achieve 0.1% magical transformation. But Carlotta had already succeeded in a small portion, meaning she'd found her starting point. Once the beginning was achieved, the process and outcome were merely a matter of time, and not a long one at that.
"I just caught up to her, and maybe in a few days she'll leave me behind again. I'd better start researching magical transformation as soon as possible."
Amelia sat down immediately and began attempting magical transformation. Although she had just broken through, her foundation was solid, and she wasn't afraid of any damage magic scouring might cause her body.