"Liu Yuan… what… what are these?"
Furina's voice trembled. After all, the sudden appearance of countless blue particles flooding her vision — surrounding her and Liu Yuan — was overwhelming. Fear of the unknown made Furina instinctively tighten her grip on Liu Yuan's hand.
Liu Yuan answered softly:
"These are the existing hydro elemental energy around us."
"Hydro… hydro elemental energy?"
Furina's heterochromatic eyes widened.
Liu Yuan nodded slightly.
"Mhm. Compared to other Fontainians, your body is more compatible with the hydro element. So I allowed you to see these. Try it— see if you can command them."
"C-Command them? You mean… command these hydro-elemental energy?"
Furina felt lightheaded. Everything happening today was simply too surreal.
"Yes. You only need to silently command them."
Upon hearing that, Furina lifted her hand carefully. She concentrated, attempting to draw the particle-like blue energy into her palm — yet they only trembled faintly… then fell still.
"Huh? Why aren't they moving…"
Liu Yuan frowned, puzzled, then silently issued a command in her mind.
The effect was instantaneous.
A torrent of hydro-elemental particles rushed toward Liu Yuan, swirling and compressing together. Within moments, a large sphere of water formed in her palm, glowing and rotating gently.
Furina looked at her own empty hand… then at Liu Yuan's water sphere… and slowly lowered her hand.
Liu Yuan opened her mouth, about to speak — but Furina beat her to it.
"It seems I can't master it after all… But it's fine. As long as you are here, I don't need to master an elemental power."
Her tone held no despair. After all, she had been an ordinary human for 500 years. Though she envied those adept in using elemental power, she never truly expected herself to become one.
And besides… she had Liu Yuan.
Still… disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Liu Yuan went silent.
Then—
"I will definitely help you master elemental power."
The sudden declaration startled Furina.
"No, no, really— there's no need—"
But Liu Yuan didn't respond. Her deep blue eyes glowed faint gold as a complex alchemical matrix flared to life in her hand. Data, symbols, formulas — things completely beyond Furina's comprehension — flashed rapidly, appearing and vanishing.
A strange pressure filled the room.
The hydro-elemental energy around Liu Yuan compressed, twisted, reorganized… the very laws governing them seemed to be rewritten.
Furina froze, heart pounding. She had a feeling… a terrifying one…
As if she had just indirectly caused Liu Yuan to perform something bordering on divine.
After a brief moment, all the strange visions faded, leaving the world seemingly unchanged.
"Liu… Yuan?"
Furina asked cautiously.
"What's wrong?"
"Are… are you okay?"
Liu Yuan shook her head slightly. "I'm fine. I've found a method. But I need to make some preparations."
"Oh— okay… really? You're really okay? …Wait, you found a way?!"
Furina stared at her, stunned.
Liu Yuan nodded.
"Mm. I told you— I'll grant you anything you want."
To her, this was simply her natural instinct: to spoil Furina.
To others… this level of capability defied belief.
Truthfully, in those brief seconds, Liu Yuan's consciousness had spread across Fontaine. She studied the structure of Visions, the Fatuus' Delusions, the internal circulation of energy inside monsters, and even remnants of ancient god-war curses.
And from all of that—
She derived solutions.
Multiple ones.
Furina inhaled deeply, trying to calm the turbulent shock inside her chest.
This wasn't the first time she had been caught off guard by how capable Liu Yuan was.
But now?
Now she felt Liu Yuan's abilities… had surpassed all logic.
~•— ❦ —•~
As expected, their "rest day" ended early. Compared to sightseeing, mastering an elemental power was far more compelling.
Inside Furina's room, she sat obediently on the sofa. In front of her, Liu Yuan held three semi-transparent blue light screens — each displaying a different method she had derived.
Liu Yuan pointed to the first.
"The first option: an artifact medium. Based on the Vision and the Fatuus' Delusion, but completely redesigned."
"As long as you wear this artifact, you'll be able to use elemental power with no side effects."
"The advantages: convenient, safe, and requires no modification to your body."
"The disadvantages: you can only use elemental power while wearing it. If you remove it, you lose access."
Next, she moved to the second screen.
"The second option: Alchemical Matrix Engraving. Derived from the energy circulation of monsters and alchemical structures."
"By engraving a matrix onto your body, you gain an internal cycle of elemental energy."
"Advantages: since it's part of your body, you won't lose it. It also has growth potential— you can train to strengthen it."
"Disadvantages: the engraving process is painful, it leaves visible marks, and you'll need time to adapt before you can actually use elemental energy."
Then, she finally pointed to the third.
"The third option: a contract. A method derived from the connection between ancient demon gods and their followers— and my own unique constitution."
"With a signed contract, you can directly share my power. No medium needed. No engraving. Instant access."
"However… the feasibility is unknown. I cannot predict the final outcome. So I don't recommend choosing it."
Liu Yuan finally lifted her gaze, eyes soft but steady.
"So… which one do you choose?"
~•— ❦ —•~
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