It was disheartening to hear from Muna that even though she was sure of the existence of mana plants, she couldn't outright tell their names.
According to her, we can only know the names of these plants if we are able to locate their guardians. And you know what, these guardians happen to be the Leaders of low-level demons existing in whichever area we might find ourselves.
For this reason, Muna suggested that we stay close to each other during the Mana plant hunt, so that we can protect ourselves.
'I won't let any harm come to you, little Lord.' Linda promised with a calm tone. I imagined her watery eyes staring with concern at me as she said that.
Call it a proposed teamwork, or an assured one, knowing we were with each other during the hunt caused determination to replace the fear that could have set in.
I need these mana plants.
Having power was a very cool thing for a mage, but the inability to nurture your strength as well was the issue. This is why Muna advised to learn swordmanship.
If that was not the case, how would a person with healing power survive in a combat battle? The ability of a sword to choose its master would be useless as well.
Muna continued with her speech as the urge to finally check her status got the better of me.
'System, show me Muna's status.'
Ding!
The chime sounded, and in less than a second, a screen followed.
«↓ Name: Muna Seafrost ↑»
«↓ Age: 15 ↑»
«↓ Title: The Lioness ↑»
«↓ Affiliation: 1 | Seafrost ↑»
«↓ Rank: Adept [Lv. II] ↑»
«↓ Power: Water Echo ↑»
« ... »
«↓ Do you also want to view her stats? ↑»
'Calm down. I will let you know when I'm ready.'
At first, I misunderstood Muna's warning against Linda when we were in the grave hall. But now that I've seen the relationship between her title and power, I'm able to understand better.
Water echo is a power that grants a mage, or its bearer, the ability to manipulate the memory of an opponent or even a puppet.
Seeing that Sandra had called Muna a Lioness, does it mean they can also read one's title?
No. If they can, she would have suspected mine.
Oh, yes. In as much as one with the power of Water Echo can manipulate memories, depending on your level, you can use it to create an elusive form of your victim.
This meant that while I was still unconscious, something had prompted Muna to use this power.
Our father used to have a lion as the Seafrost pet. But this very pet was killed by Muna when she was twelve years old, two years after awakening and going through rigorous training with our father.
She must have turned the lion into her elusive puppet for her to have gained that title.
The thirst to share her title became evident in my being. But I couldn't since her HSA was yet to hit 80%.
Well, is there a need to have the title "The Lion"?
I don't like lions.
Since her HSA has reached 50%, I will just share her power.
Since she can't be my wife, she can remain a Yandere sister.
'System, show me Muna's stats.'
«↓ ✓ ↑»
«↓ ...Stats... ↑»
« Vitality: 92 »
« Stamina: 171 »
« Mana: 162 »
« Strength: 180 »
« Agility: 180 »
« Intelligence: 105 »
« Willpower: 175 »
« Water Mastery: 160 »
« Water Resistance: 120 »
«↓ Harem Sharing Ability [H.S.A] for Muna: 60% ↑»
Seeing that some of her stats were greater than 150, it explains why she was a Level Two Adept-ranked mage. Unlike Linda, whose points had diminished as a result of dormancy.
But was her HSA not meant to be 50%? Did I do anything to make it increase without the system informing me?
«↓ Do you wish to share stats? ↑»
'Yes.'
«↓ Sharing stats ↑»
«↓ Congrats! 60% of all stats have been shared successfully to your HSP ↑»
«↓ HSP: 807 ↑»
«↓ How do you wish to distribute the points? ↑»
'Hmm. Time for a breakthrough to another level.'
'System, share 450 points from my HSP equally.'
« Congrats! »
«↓ ...Stats... ↑»
« VIT: 30.5 → 80.5 »
« STA: 17.6 → 67.6 »
« Mana: 28.3 → 78.3 »
« STR: 15 → 65 »
« AGI: 17.4 → 67.4 »
« INT: 36 → 86 »
« WIL: 14.5 → 64.5 »
« W-Mas: 20.7 → 70.7 »
« W-Res: 15 → 65 »
«↓ TSP: 15 → 660 ↑»
'15? Maybe that was my remaining TSP after breaking through to two levels the previous time.'
Then, the familiar Ding!
«↓ Congrats! You have leveled up ↑»
'That sounds yummy.' I thought, putting on a smile on my face.
«↓ You have unlocked a Skill | Identifier ↑»
>> Seeing the news to be able to tell, it has been thought wise that this skill will go a long way to assist you in this conquest of rising to power.
'In that case, does that mean I can defeat a potential Harem member?'
« Yes »
'Also, that makes me able to tell the names of those Mana Plants once we find them?'
« Yes »
'Also...'
The system interrupted me.
« Congrats! Title updated »
« You have gained Attunement points »
« You are now an Adept-ranked mage »
« You have gained a new power | Water Echo »
« ... »
A new screen displaced the former.
«↓ Title: The New Being, Shadow Master ↑»
«↓ Attunement: 17/150 ↑»
«↓ Rank: Adept [Lv. I] ↑»
«↓ Power: Temperature Manipulation, Water Echo ↑»
«↓ HSP: 357 ↑»
«↓ TSP: 210 ↑»
«↓ System going to sleep! ↑»
'Ouch.'
I wanted to ask the system when I can be able to apply my initial skill, Spirit Pouch.
Being unable to make use of it renders it useless in my being.
Well, now that I have leveled up to an Adept-ranked mage, I hope my power will be of use without combat.
I raised my hand to test if I could summon water somehow, but all my attempts failed.
Does that make me unable to use my power without the presence of any wet fluid?
A new surge of power had actualized in my body after the level up, but that still doesn't make me fit to be strong. So, how then am I supposed to make use of my power?
The unique power of Sea Sword.
The idea suddenly surfaced. Maybe the unique power can help me.
And...
"Well, little Lord Muna... Don't you think we should invite a high-level psychiatrist to heal him?" Linda's words cut through my consciousness.
Then, I realized she was no longer in my shadow, and that I was sitting on the foggy floor, cross-legged.
"A psychiatric what? For who? Seriously, I'm very fine," I emphasized, shock written all over my face as to why Linda would suggest such a thing.
"I guess every man who mutters unknown words to themselves also thinks they are very fine," Muna included sarcastically.
"Little Lord, are you sure you don't need us to intervene?" Linda asked and hovered close to me, clutching onto my hand as if to help me rise. "We can be of help, you know."
"Think whatever you wish to think," I muttered, clapping off some fogs from my fabric.
"I'm waiting for no one!" Muna shouted from afar, about to step into the Spatial tear.
I ran off to her, alongside Linda. And when I caught up to her, we began to argue about why she would want to leave without me, and why I was delaying time.