The Genius Evolution Store

”What if I tell you I may have a way to increase your affinity further? Are you interested?”

”You have something like that?” Ellia couldn’t contain her shock. It was already hard for her to believe there was a unique-element evolution master, and it was even more shocking to find that Auric could change a battle technique into something that allowed people to gain energy in a never-before-seen way.

And this time, Auric was telling her he could even improve one’s affinity.

The affinity was fixed at birth. People who were less talented would have a harder time gaining energy. After all, they retained a lower portion of energy compared to those with higher affinities.

If Auric could really increase one’s talent, he would have an even higher value. If the people all over the world knew about this, she couldn’t imagine their reactions.

Ellia shook her head helplessly. ”I am... I don’t know what to say.”

”Well...” Auric shrugged. He just wanted her answer.

”Can I ask you two questions first?”

”Sure.”

”Why me? There are people more desperate, especially those with lower grade affinities. Even Arina will be much more suitable.”

”Not really.” Auric waved his finger. ”The reason I chose you is your element. A unique element is different from other elements, and they’re not exactly differentiated by the common rating system.”

”Rating system? You mean the intensity rating?”

”Yes. For other elements, the flow of energy is determined by the rating system. If you have a 1.1 rating, your energy will move differently from that of an element with a 1.0 rating. It will change gradually as your rating goes up, and by the time there is a difference of 0.5, the flow will become so different that it’s better to have a different method.”

Ellia didn’t understand much about the flow of energy, so she asked, ”Sorry, one follow-up question. What is the flow of energy you’re talking about?”

”Each element has its own pattern. The method I give you will be different from the method I provide to someone else. The difference is in the flow. If you use a different method, the energy will just slip away or even mess with your body.”

Ellia looked down, contemplating. People could sense the flow of energy, but it looked like Auric could do more than that.

Ellia asked the second question. ”I understand why you want me, but isn’t it risky for me?”

”Risky? Indeed. However, I don’t think it’s that risky.” Auric looked up, imagining what was going to take shape.

The artificial heart would function like an artifact. However, he based it on the Gathering Technique, which implied that the ’accumulation’ flaw would be used.

In that case, he could get rid of the accumulation if he wanted to. The only problem was how?

If he could get rid of the accumulation too easily, other people could do it too. The method would be temporary instead of permanent.

If he couldn’t get rid of the accumulation, the risk would become much higher. There was no telling what would happen after that.

Surprisingly, Lindwurm said, ”You have to make the artificial heart permanent. It may be hard for you to get rid of it, but I can do it.”

’What? You can do it?’ Auric didn’t expect Lindwurm to make such a claim. But if what he was talking about was true, the risk would decrease significantly.

Auric trusted Lindwurm. He was cooperative even though Auric tried to do everything on his own.

Therefore, Auric replied to Ellia. ”I can get rid of any complications, thus reducing the risk. On the other hand, if the project is successful, you will become the first one. More importantly, your affinity...”

”Beyond Grade S affinity.” Ellia’s expression turned solemn. ”Becoming the first person with a Grade SS affinity.”

It was a temptation that almost no one could ever resist. Besides, becoming the world’s first was something that brought glory to her name.

And if Auric could really reduce the risk, it was worth a try.

”Still, to think that you would start with me, simply because I have a unique element. Normally, the unique element is the hardest or impossible to handle, but this time, the unique element is the easiest and most suitable.” Ellia shook her head helplessly.

Her common sense began to become distorted because of Auric.

”Anyway, what do you say?” Auric asked. ”Of course, you have to keep everything a secret. And since I’m still overwhelmed after seeing your energy, we will postpone the actual experiment until I’m able to check your energy directly.”

”I don’t think it will be that long.” Ellia glanced at Auric.

”I’ll do my best.” Auric nodded. He believed he could actually advance one of his elements in the next two to three months.

Normally, people would need six to nine months to advance to the juvenile-form avatar.

Arina took a year because she was waiting for Ellia.

If Ellia didn’t have problems with her unique element, she would probably be able to evolve in less than six months.

Auric was the same. He believed he could evolve in three to four months after awakening.

It might not be the fastest, but he had multiple elements to take care of, so the speed was actually much more unbelievable.

”What’s in it for me?” Ellia asked. ”I mean, I understand what you’re trying to do and the benefits, but I don’t think it matters that much because this is an experiment. I have to risk everything.”

Ellia wasn’t wrong. For a unique-element user, a single mistake could be fatal to their future progress.

She didn’t want to play around.

”I will become your personal evolution master. If you are injured or if you want to evolve, you just have to come to me.”

”Can’t I do that even right now?” Ellia had enough money to spare to pay him anyway.

”I can choose my patients.”

”So, you’re not going to help me if I reject this offer? Don’t you think that’s kind of weak as a threat? I know a lot of things about you, including the fact that you’re a unique-element evolution master. I can also make trouble for you by simply exposing your status.”

”Don’t you think it’s not necessarily a threat? I can use the connections from being a unique-element evolution master to cause trouble.”

”That’s true, but it doesn’t change the fact that you haven’t given me anything substantial to make it worthwhile for me.”

”Now I know why you’re taking care of the family business.” Auric smiled wryly.

”I take it as a compliment.”

Auric would still consider the fact that she could become the first to possess a Grade SS affinity as a reward.

However, it was true that this was just the potential reward, not the actual compensation for taking that risk.

Auric asked, ”All right. What do you want?”

”Let’s see... I haven’t thought about it yet.” Ellia smiled slyly.

”Just in case, I won’t do anything that is too much for me.”

”Don’t worry. I’m a reasonable person. We’re the same. I believe right now you’re thinking that you can still consider the potential reward as a way to lessen the favor.”

Auric’s eyebrows twitched. ”Well, I believe you are thinking of a way to annul the potential reward from being counted.”

Auric and Ellia exchanged glances, both aware that their assessments of each other were accurate.

”In that case, I will be holding this favor for now.” Ellia was more than pleased. It was difficult to make Auric owe someone.

Auric would usually try his best to get that person to do his bidding without owing anyone any favors.

”It’s a pleasure to work with you.” Ellia smiled while extending her hand.

”Yeah...” Auric shook her hand, feeling a bit defeated. However, he also added inwardly, ’Next time. I’m going to make her owe me a favor to cancel out that favor.’

...

The next day.

Arina couldn’t help but notice her brighter expression.

”Miss? You look happy.”

”Am I?”

”Yep.”

Ellia didn’t say anything else. Auric was just quiet the whole time. Ultimately, the group continued to the lower floor.

Even though the agreement wasn’t entirely in his favor, Auric didn’t change his fighting style. In the end, he would benefit more after the project was successful.

After all, he could develop more techniques and officially open a new store.

Besides, Ellia was indeed the perfect person for this test. Her unique element aside, her talent was noticeably stronger. He might not have to tell her so many things, and she could probably do it quickly.

That was why Auric didn’t say anything.

They cleared the second floor quickly. Without facing any stress during the night, the group was basically dominating the battlefield.

Auric continued gaining experience and testing all kinds of battle techniques.

Of course, Auric continued to find artifacts one after another as they descended toward the lowest level.

In the end, they stopped at the third floor for the night, believing that they should take a much longer rest on the deepest floor.

Ellia predicted that they would have to face the most dangerous beast in the ruins, so they had to be at their peak.

Since there was a lot of free time, Auric took this chance to absorb the energy from the ruins, completely filling every element that could be filled.

Before descending to the lowest floor, Auric took another look at his current progress.

Name: Auric Elfe

Element: (Fire 20%), Water (20%), Lightning (38%), Wind (40%), Earth (40%), Plant (26%), Light (10%), Dark (37%), Unique (74%)

Auric couldn’t help but feel satisfied. He managed to fill up all his unique elements. It was quite disappointing to know that he could only fill up a bit of his other elements, but he was quite satisfied to increase his unique element by 44%.

If he could find just another unique element, he might be able to advance his unique element.

”Auric. Are you done? Let’s get going, shall we?”

”Okay! I’m coming.” Auric stood up and chased after them as they went down the stairs.

Once they reached the deepest floor, they expected to be greeted by more beasts. They had taken down many beasts on the way here, so it was normal for the beasts to figure out their position and intention.

Yet, for some reason, they couldn’t find a single beast.

”This is weird...” Arina narrowed her eyes while looking around. ”Usually, the lowest floor will have the most dangerous beast along with its group. Yet, I can’t see anything.”

”Let’s proceed carefully.” Ellia’s voice was solemn. The fact that things didn’t proceed as usual meant there was something wrong.

Auric was also checking every single place, making sure there was no hidden beast.

To his surprise, Lindwurm actually said, ”There are no beasts in this area.”

’Nothing?’ Auric frowned. ’Do you know what’s going on?’

”I don’t. You have to find the reason yourself.”

Auric took a deep breath before noticing something unusual. ”Hey, guys. Look at this. Is this another artifact?”

Auric looked at the fire hydrant attached to the wall. It was exuding energy, so there might be an artifact hiding inside.

However, the fire hydrant was a bit weird. The entire case that was embedded in the wall was actually the artifact.

”I can destroy the wall and store it.” Ellia raised her sword, ready to cut it if Auric wanted. ”But are my eyes playing me right now? It’s really the fire hydrant, right? Not the item inside it.”

”I think so, but it’s better to check.”

”Okay.” Ellia pulled her sword and stabbed the gap in the door, using her blade to force it open.

It turned out they were in for another surprise. The energy from within the fire hydrant was actually stored inside and gushed out the moment the door was opened.

After that, they heard a few roars coming from the opposite side of the mall, approaching them.

”!!!” Ellia widened her eyes in shock. ”A trap?”

The beasts were actually using the fire hydrant to notify them if there were intruders.

In other words, the ruins had once again fooled them.

”This is bad...” Ellia’s expression turned grim. ”I believe there are at least a hundred beasts coming toward us.”