Returning to the Great Cosmic Workshop, the sound of clanging and clattering echoed continuously within.
While Tenjo Hikari was off to the Forgotten World, something was progressing methodically in the Great Cosmic Workshop.
In front of the alchemy cauldron, the polymerization alchemist and Witchcrafter Haine were carefully instructing the workshop spirits to stack some materials.
Usually only focused on its own work and never mingling with the tasks of other spirits, Crystal watched the alchemy cauldron nervously—a rare sight—while Tierra yawned disinterestedly beside it.
"Why are you nervous? Are you doubting my calculations?"
"I... wouldn't dare, Lady Tierra... it's just..." Crystal didn't know how to respond; it was just anxious.
Tierra snorted twice, sensing the return of Tenjo Hikari, and didn't pay further attention to the alchemy cauldron, engaging in conversation with Crystal merely because it seemed unduly apprehensive.
Accompanying the delivery of metals and gemstone trimmings by several mechanical Spirits, precisely placed into the alchemy cauldron, a voice exclaimed "Perfect!" from the polymerization Alchemist.
It excitedly cheered.
Though not "Gold," it had yet again progressed on its path—today, it transformed metal into gemstones, hey!
Boom—
The alchemy cauldron ceased operation, with steam and residues extracting from within, accompanied by illuminating flames, Witchcrafter Haine gently wiped the sweat from its forehead.
Success!
It thought excitedly in its heart.
It succeeded in achieving "polymerization" outside of Witchcrafter Bystreet using "craft magic."
With the two spirits responsible for coordination and cooperation ending their tasks, the alchemy cauldron gradually opened, and a graceful figure slowly emerged.
Draped in a cloak similar to Crystal, but with a much more slender and alluring physique, gold-threaded ornaments adorned it top to bottom—it was the Gem-Knight Lapis undergoing a transformation experiment.
However, at this moment, not only was its figure larger than before, but its appearance seemed completely matured.
It had transformed into a Fusion Monster—Gem-Knight Seraphinite!
Upon emerging, it excitedly cheered, no longer appearing as solitary as before, becoming much more lively and active.
"Succeeded—" Tenjo Hikari breathed a sigh of relief.
"Of course, I personally oversaw it." Tierra lifted its head proudly.
Earlier, it was unclear why Lapis couldn't evolve into a Fusion Monster; in reality, Tierra couldn't perceive everything.
Just like how Flame Sword and Black Flame were unable to evolve for some time, Tierra couldn't comprehend the reason, assuming their strength already met the criteria.
Though Tierra is indeed a "God," it is not the conceptually omniscient and omnipotent kind but rather one who creates ecosystems and oversees life's cycles.
However, if someone points out an issue, like Tenjo Hikari did, researching and suddenly encountering the situation where a Hex-Sealed is fusioned into Chaos Phantasm, thinking of extracting the Hex-Sealed and beginning related research, ultimately identifying the issue—that's when Tierra knows how to help Tenjo Hikari resolve it.
Earlier, it assumed Lapis didn't want to adventure with Tenjo Hikari's team, thinking it desired to return to the Gem-Knight Order; hence, Tierra was indifferent until Witchcrafter Haine asserted that Lapis's issue wasn't its inability to evolve or energy deficiency, but being forcefully locked in an evolution direction, unable to proceed.
How could it encounter such a situation?
In its world, whether Gem-Knights or random life forms, whatever they desired to fuse or transform into, they became such a life form.
Because since "design inception," it has been this way.
Using its technology, it resurrected Winda, naming her Midrash and appointing her as its messenger, who later successfully helped with the resurrection, after which it paid no special attention to Midrash.
Resulting in—Midrash not being under its control, completely resurrected, then rejoined life with old friends and kin.
Within its conception, there's no such thing as "unable to transform!"
The environment modulation machines it made by hand are the best testament—as long as any species resonates with those machines, they can create various evolutionary directions; there's no restriction...
Simply put, spirits indeed possess many ecologies it still can't fully understand.
But regardless.
Knowing it now makes it simple for it.
With its current power, altering its "life state" has become effortless; previously, it demonstrated this to Serena, not merely mechanical life—it can manifest carbon-based life.
With Witchcrafter Haine explaining professionally, it soon comprehended how to convert Lapis into "Gem-Knight State" and even "All-Purpose Spirit State."
Additionally, it contemplated reproducing potential memories, ensuring Lapis doesn't appear too "non-conforming" among Tenjo Hikari's spirits.
After all, it is among the few spirits whose fusion form is not a Fusion Monster from its faction.
Originally, this matter should have been overseen by Tenjo Hikari, but since visiting Forgotten World requires specific timing, Tierra had Tenjo Hikari go alone, assuring all is handled by it.