"Ehhhh?!" Arina covered her mouth with her hand, unable to contain her surprise. "You don't have an avatar?"
Ellia was staring at him with a solemn expression for a few seconds. "I've heard a rumor that a certain high school has a student who actually failed to awaken any avatar. Was that person you?"
"Miss, that's rude!" Arina hurriedly stopped her.
But Auric simply brushed it off with a hollow laugh. "Yes. It's me. It looks like you've heard about me."
Arina didn't know what to say. On the one hand, she invited Ellia here because she wanted to meet her. On the other hand, it felt like she had invited trouble instead.
Ellia thought for a moment. "Have you ever thought about going to college?"
"Miss?" Arina started to get confused. Ellia had been unpredictable the whole time they had been here.
"I do—a normal college, though." Auric answered as if he wasn't bothered by the reality.
For him, it didn't matter whether he attended a college or not. He would end up running this business, which wouldn't require a college degree.
Still, he wished to respect his mother's wishes, so he would attend college and handle the shop at the same time.
To his surprise, Ellia raised a condition. "How about this? You said you plan to get an Evolution Master Certificate tomorrow, right?"
"Indeed. Is there a problem with me taking it?"
"No. I'm contemplating offering you an opportunity. If you are able to get that certificate, I will give you a letter of recommendation to the Grand Magica University. With this arrangement, you can become a student there, regardless of your situation."
"What?" Arina's jaw dropped, not expecting such a generous offer.
"I don't see any reason for you to do all that for me. Besides, can you even do it?"
"Wait. Didn't I tell you her name?" Arina was flabbergasted.
"Yes, why?" Auric tilted his head in confusion.
"You don't know her?" Arina noticed his clueless expression and quickly provided a more detailed introduction. "She is Ellia Stroph Astler—the only daughter of the president of the Astler Group, President Christian Astler. She possesses an S-grade Space Element and can be considered one of the top of her generation. You don't know her?"
"Space element?" The one who reacted was Lindwurm.
They couldn't see him, but Lindwurm's attitude changed the moment he heard about her element. "Hurry up. Scam her. I mean, guide her and find her battle technique. The space element is very valuable. If you can get it, it will make your life so convenient."
Auric wanted to say, "Did I hear you say 'scam'?" but he could only reply to Ellia with, "Oh. I read books and news, but business and politics are not my cup of tea."
"So, you're a nerd?" Arina blinked her eyes in disbelief.
"Now, you're the one being rude, Arina." Ellia shook her head helplessly. She turned to Auric. "Please consider it an apology if I came off rude earlier, as well as a thank-you for helping Arina. She has taken care of me a lot, so she means a lot to me."
Auric pondered. It was a small bet, and he wouldn't lose anything if he failed. At the same time, this might be a perfect opportunity to sca—help her.
He smiled as if he were feeling challenged. "I think it's too much, especially the fact that you're planning to give me a letter of recommendation for the best academy."
"You don't need to worry about it." Ellia shook her head humbly.
"How about this? Since you're planning to give me a big gift, how about I give you a big gift? Let's see…" Auric acted as if he was calculating something in his mind. "What do you think is the hardest part for you to evolve?"
Ellia didn't know what he was planning to do, but she answered honestly. "Obviously, increasing my element. Unlike others, my element is in a unique category. It is even rarer than mutated elements like magma or ice."
Auric snapped his fingers. "In that case, how about I give you a chance to increase your element without needing to eat those materials?"
"!!!" Ellia's calm expression finally changed. Even Arina wondered if she had heard it correctly.
"Did you say there is a way to increase magical energy without eating beasts?" Arina gasped. Her hands were shaking.
Lindwurm couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure about this? Revealing your card so early?"
'If I'm going to open a store like this, it's better to do it this way. However, my main store will remain a normal evolution store. But I will set up an online store to sell those books.'
"But you are revealing to her that you are the one behind the online store."
'Yes. There are various reactions I can think of after learning about Arina's case, such as reporting me to the authorities, forcing me to spill the method, or even monitoring me. But this woman believes my method and hasn't pulled any tricks yet.'
"Still, you have revealed your identity this way."
'Your concern is understandable, but no one can vouch for the method right now. However, if we have this lady buy it and make it look a bit more credible, it will change everything. Besides, she is a perfect umbrella for a while.'
Lindwurm finally understood where he was coming from. "In the end, she will be greedy enough to keep your identity hidden so that she can get more benefits out of you. In simple terms, both of you are exploiting each other."
'Yes. Besides, the college opportunity piques my interest. I wonder if we can get more money if we go there. College students are rushing to get stronger, right?'
"Oh. We can 'help' them. And with the college resources, we can legitimately study their battle techniques."
'That's kind of the idea.'
"What if she does all that to you?"
'At that time, I should have gained more connections. So, I will just cut contact and use the new connection. If necessary, I will eliminate her by using that new connection. After all, my credibility as an evolution master should have reached a fairly high level by that time.'
Lindwurm knew the plan was a bit risky, but the techniques he planned to sell would definitely make people go crazy.
This kind of risky plan was worth a shot, so he ultimately agreed.
On the other hand, this opportunity was a perfect chance for Ellia to test whether Auric's unique ability was genuine or not.
Ellia observed Auric's expression. Despite knowing her identity, Auric remained calm. It was as if he were alright even if she rejected him.
Although a bit hesitant, Ellia actually accepted the challenge.
Her avatar gradually formed behind her. This avatar turned out to be another dragon, different from Lindwurm.
Lindwurm had two legs and two arms, while her dragon had a long body like a serpent and four legs.
Lindwurm's color was jet black, while this dragon was pale white. The dragon circled around her as if it were protecting her.
From her body, a gray aura started to leak out. Unlike Lindwurm's pure pale gray color, her aura had a subtle pink color mixed into it.
He didn't notice any flaws in the particles surrounding her body. In other words, her battle technique was already perfect.
It looked as if she had heard everything from Arina. Before Auric could demand it, Ellia had already raised her right hand.
The magical particles started to concentrate above her palm. Then, a small blackish vortex expanded and turned into a portal.
She put her hand inside and took out a thin book. "Here is my battle technique. Why don't you show me what you can do? I am asking for this 'suggestion'."
Auric was more interested in the first technique than in the one she gave. As Lindwurm said, the space element would make his life more convenient.
Meanwhile, Ellia wasn't worried that Auric would mess around with her battle technique. She had enough power to take care of Auric and his little family. Besides, the space element avatar was extremely rare, so not many would buy the technique.
"What do you think?"
Auric looked at the book titled 'Void Step' without any change of expression.
"You don't have any problems in your body. So, changing your battle technique won't do anything." Auric skimmed the book for a minute before continuing, "However, what I said earlier might be possible."
"Possible? Are you sure?" Arina was also concerned about Ellia's problem. If Auric could help her evolve, it would be a life-changing opportunity for Ellia.
'Lind.' Auric smiled.
'No worries. You are not experienced yet, but if we combine our abilities, we can create something spontaneously.' Lindwurm was also excited about the possibility. 'Now, repeat after me.'
Auric raised one finger. "If you want to do it, you have to do it in an open space. First, you need to circulate the energy around your head, then gradually move it down to your heart and continue circulating it there. Repeat the whole process over and over."
Auric started pointing at his body in succession while guiding her. "Then, you disperse it throughout your entire body before concentrating it again in your heart. I want you to do it at twice the speed of this battle technique. Can you do it?"
It wasn't a challenge for her. She just wondered if all those simple things could really increase her element.
Ellia crossed her arms. "No problem."
"Do note that it might take some time for you to feel the effect. Since you are grade S, I guess two or three days should be enough."
"Hoh? That fast? I expected you to say it would take a few months."
"I'm merely telling the truth. Do you think I would try to scam you?" Auric gave a playful smile while adding inwardly, 'Lindwurm definitely did plan it.'
"Oi!" Lindwurm shouted in protest, but Auric ignored his reaction.
"Interesting. In that case, we might meet again after you become an evolution master." Ellia finally felt challenged. "If this method really works, I will personally bring you the letter of recommendation."
"For my store to be graced by your presence, it is definitely my honor."
"…" Arina, who had subconsciously fallen silent after these two had started talking, realized, 'Ah. These two… They are the same type of people.'
"However, I have to remind you that you need to check your element daily. Looking at your condition, you should already be 92%. If it surpasses 100%, you might have to bear another cost to help you evolve." Auric didn't forget to give a reminder befitting an evolution master.
"If I truly can evolve with your technique, then I will definitely bring you an even better gift."
If what Auric said was true, it would definitely be revolutionary.
Normally, they had to eat the beasts' organs, where their elements were concentrated.
The limit would be the amount of concentrated energy within the material, but what a person could take had to be adjusted depending on the grade of their affinity as well as their personal skill.
The excess would have to be dispelled with the help of an evolution master.
But if Auric's method worked, she could control her own progress at the last moment and evolve without the need for an evolution master.
Giving him a 'big gift' was probably not enough.
"In that case, I'm looking forward to that gift. After all, this is a friendly suggestion." Auric mentioned it again so that she wouldn't use it against him later, stating that he had broken the rule.
"I will be back soon then." Ellia nodded.
"Alright. I will turn it into proper written form for you if you wish to review it later."
"Sounds good." Ellia turned around. "We shall meet again…"
"Auric. Auric Elfe."
"We shall meet again, Mr. Auric." Ellia walked out. "Let's go, Arina."
"Y-Yes!" Arina was overwhelmed by their conversation. Auric's claim completely blew her mind.
She first bowed to Auric politely before following Ellia out.
Meanwhile, Lindwurm was already celebrating while popping confetti that was only visible to him and Auric.
"Congratulations. We scam… we help a lady and get the space element!"