Ai’er did not know how to describe the current situation.
If she had to put it into words, it was a…
Very mystical experience.
Ai’er felt as if her consciousness was floating in this darkness.
Clearly, she could still feel the pain brought by that biting cold before she closed her eyes, but after her consciousness entered this darkness, she could no longer feel anything at all.
Speaking of which, what was the last thing she saw before closing her eyes?
Ai’er remembered that a faint light had once again lit up Elena’s originally dim eyes. In other words, she should have rescued Elena from the crisis of being consumed by mana —
Right?
‘No, this won’t do. I have to confirm with the System!’
“System? Are you there? Oi — are you still there?”
There was no echo, nor was there a response. She could not feel the ground or the sky; she could not feel gravity and could not discern any direction. It was as if she were floating in a void of nothingness.
Ai’er remembered that the moment she closed her eyes, she heard a notification from the System —
**[Host’s current remaining lifespan: 0.5 years.]**
Back when she only had five years of lifespan left, Ai’er had also experienced the sensation of falling into darkness.
But this current darkness… was clearly different from that time.
If she had to describe the difference, the first time felt more like entering a dream, but now, it felt like her soul had left her body.
“Sys — tem — ! At least tell me if the mission was completed or not!”
Finally, there was a response this time:
**[Elena White, the Witch of Time, has been removed from the risk of mana consumption.]**
**[Current mission completed.]**
Hearing this, Ai’er breathed a sigh of relief.
If she had failed to save Elena and ended up unconscious herself, she really would have lost out on both counts.
Even without considering those factors, from the bottom of her heart, Ai’er did not want Elena’s life to end like this.
But why? Why did she have such thoughts about Elena…
Ai’er did not know.
Perhaps in a place Ai’er herself had not noticed, some change had quietly occurred.
“Speaking of which, System, besides missions and stuff, can’t we chat about something else?”
But it was highly likely that it wouldn’t work.
Although it seemed like they could converse, this System probably only cared about “signing contracts,” while she was just a beast of burden working for it!
If there were a mirror, Ai’er would have seen herself rolling her eyes.
**[We can.]**
“Hiss, as I thought, it’s a no? You really are — eh? We… we can O.o?”
If there were a mirror, Ai’er would have seen herself blinking with a dazed expression.
**[The Host has already activated the System’s Custom Time Flow Function. Before the Host’s consciousness returns to the target space-time, we indeed have time to talk.]**
Was this for real? Then there was far too much she wanted to ask!
But the most important one was —
“Then I’ll ask you this, System. Why is it that every time your rewards and transmigration timings are so ‘timely’? System, be honest with me — do you have a script, or are you hiding something from me?”
**[The Host only needs to know that our goals do not conflict — I need you to sign contracts with the Witches. Afterward, the Host can use the Witches’ power to return home.]**
**[As for other things the Host wishes to know, to put it in words the Host can understand — the Host only needs to continue ‘conquering’ the Witches to find the answers.]**
“…Heh ^_^. Listening to you talk is like hearing a whole lot of nothing.”
And what did it mean by “words the Host can understand”?! She wasn’t stupid!
**[Does the Host have any other questions?]**
She did, but Ai’er no longer felt like asking.
Anyway, even if she asked, this crappy System would only give her some line like **[Our goals do not conflict]** ~ or **[Just continue conquering the Witches to find the answers]** ~
**[Yes.]**
“You, you, you! You even admitted it! Wait — no! Stop peeking at my inner thoughts! Give back a young girl’s privacy!”
**[If the Host does not wish to expose her inner thoughts, she can choose to return to Elena’s space-time, or return to the space-time where she was attacked by the Apostle of the Evil God.]**
After the voice faded, Ai’er was stunned.
What did that mean? A choice? Was she not in any space-time right now?
**[After activating the Custom Time Flow Function, the System gained the ability to create an Independent Space-Time.]**
**[The space-time where the Host is currently located is an existence independent of all other space-times — it is for this reason that the Host can indirectly adjust the time flow of other space-times by regulating the time flow of the current space-time…]**
“Stop, stop, stop! Don’t say any more, Professor System, I’m dizzy @_@… Is there a simplified version?”
**[Currently, the Host can choose the target space-time — the Host can choose to return to Elena’s side, or go to resolve the attack from the Apostle of the Evil God.]**
**[If you choose to return to Elena’s side, your body there will likely need to lie in bed for one year due to mana erosion; however, if you choose to resolve — ]**
“No need to say more, System.”
Ai’er interrupted the System and gently shook her height.
“I’ll go resolve the issue with the Apostle of the Evil God.”
There really wasn’t a choice…
Setting aside whether she had enough System Points or not — go to Elena’s side and lie there for one year? Her remaining lifespan was only half a year; how could she go back and lie down for one year?!
**[There is no need to worry about that.]**
**[Due to the special nature of Elena’s mana — the Host’s body will not lose lifespan during the period of unconsciousness.]**
“Based on what you’re saying, if I go back to Elena’s side, wouldn’t I spend a whole year in a dream first?”
**[The Host can choose to spend that one year within this Independent Space-Time.]**
“…No need to say more; my mind is made up. I must resolve the issue of the Apostle of the Evil God first to eliminate the great trouble in my heart.”
**[Why did the Host suddenly start speaking in such a tone?]**
“It’s the undying spirit of *chuunibyou* in a boy’s heart, please don’t mind it.”
**[You are a young girl. Host, you don’t exactly have the equipment right now.]**
“You, you, you!”
If there were a mirror, Ai’er would have seen her face turn bright red.
“Sigh… fine, fine. It’s not like you’ve been this way for only one or two days, System. But for what I want to ask next… please answer me seriously. When I return to the space-time where I was attacked by the Apostle of the Evil God… it’s going to hurt a lot, right?”
In that instant, the crimson flower of blood that had bloomed in mid-air seemed to appear before Ai’er’s eyes once again.
A severed arm.
When those words surfaced, Ai’er still felt a wave of cold dread.
**[Pain Blocking belongs to high-level magic. The Host’s current System Points are insufficient to exchange for it.]**
“But you directly let me use it before, and you didn’t ask me for System Points then…”
**[Every party must have a trump card, and this System is no exception.]**
**[As compensation, if the Host is willing, this System can collect 3 System Points to release a Pain Blocking effect for the Host lasting 20 seconds — but only this once.]**
But it wouldn’t be enough just to not feel pain; wouldn’t the arm still be severed?
Thinking about her young girl’s body being damaged, Ai’er suddenly felt a pang of heartache — she didn’t want to be a broken-armed Venus at all…
Several strange scenarios flashed through her mind, and Ai’er suddenly shuddered, shaking her head violently to force those thoughts out of her brain.
She would absolutely pass on that kind of twisted lifestyle!
**[A reminder: Regeneration Spell also belongs to high-level magic. The Host’s current System Points are insufficient to exchange for it.]**
**[However, Intermediate Healing Spell is possible.]**
**[The Host can connect the severed arm to the incision site while releasing the 20 seconds of Pain Blocking, then immediately cast the Intermediate Healing Spell.]**
**[In this way, the severed arm can be restored.]**
“…How many System Points?”
**[A one-time Pain Blocking plus the Intermediate Healing Spell costs a total of 3+9=12 System Points.]**
“Shady merchant QAQ!!”
Even though Ai’er felt the sting of losing her points, she truly had no other choice now.
Sighing, the girl gently closed her eyes.
Next, it was time to settle the score with that guy who launched a sneak attack.
“…Fine. Then open the passage, System. Let’s go and — “
“Kill! That! Sneaky! Bastard! Meow!”