Beast Evolution Forge

Chapter 43 Forest Pt.5

Vell adjusted his collar, still feeling the faint pressure from Jia's earlier grip. He smirked, his usual confidence returning. "Well, looks like it's just us. Cozy, isn't it?"

Jia glared daggers at him, her fists clenched tightly. "You're insufferable," she hissed. "If not for the queen's orders, you'd be nothing but a stain on this floor."

"Glad to see we're starting on the right foot," he said, leaning back in his chair. "But let's put the hostility aside for now. We've got work to do, and wasting energy on each other isn't going to help anyone."

'Though, is this really where we are going to sleep? harsh doesn't even begin to explain this, well whatever, as long we are not disturbed.'

"Yenna, come over, don't be shy. Say hi to our new friend."

She stepped closer, offering a small, timid wave. "H-hello," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jia's eyes flicked to Yenna, her expression unchanging. She crossed her arms, letting out a dismissive huff. "I'm not here to make friends," she said coldly. "Let's get that clear."

'I don't like you either, bitch.....huh? was that me? oh no, what is happening to me.'She clutched her hands together, as if grounding herself, and forced a smile.

"R-right," she said, her voice unsteady. "We're just here to work together."

He noticed that something was wrong so he grabbed her by the hand which flustered her a lot, "sit, don't be so nervous." She stared at him for a few seconds and then sat down next to him, her heart beating like crazy.

He could still tell that something was off so he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a gentler tone. "Babe, you okay? You seem a little... off."

She nodded quickly, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, that's all," she replied, her voice still shaky.

'BABEEEEEEEE!!!!!!?' Yep, her mind was now a mess but at least she calmed down, whatever uneasy feeling she had disappeared just like that.

He smirked, seeing her barely able to contain her self, 'adorable.'

Jia, watching from the side, scoffed. "Touching. If you're done with your little moment, maybe we can get to the actual point of this."

He stared at her, activating his slitted eyes, scanning her, "You are actually super strong huh, way stronger than the monster from before."

"Hmph, of course I am. You dare compare a captain to a mere warrior? your arrogance truly knows no bounds."

He began concentrating, gathering mana at his finger tips and slowly sending that mana into her body. She gasped as the first wave of mana entered. It wasn't just a sensation—it was a jolt, like an electric current surging through her veins. Her body tensed involuntarily, and her breathing grew uneven.

"Easy," he whispered, his voice steady. "Breathe. Let it flow. Don't fight it."

She tried to focus on his words, but the pressure inside her was building. It was as if her entire being was trying to reject the foreign energy. Pain flared in her chest, and her hands clenched into fists.

"I-I can't," she stammered, her voice trembling. "It's too much—"

"Yes, you can," he interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "Listen to me. This is your body learning to adapt. Don't think of the mana as an enemy—welcome it. Are you really going to let your player journey end here?"

She bit her lip, nodding, and forced herself to relax. She focused on the sensation, trying to imagine the mana as water flowing through a cracked dam. Slowly, she willed herself to accept it.

"That's it," he encouraged, his hand steady on her back. "You're doing great."

The pain began to dull, replaced by a strange warmth. It was still uncomfortable, but not unbearable. Her breathing steadied, and she could feel the mana spreading throughout her body, passing through each pathway.

"I...I think it's working," she whispered, a hint of awe in her voice.

"excellent, now i want you to take control of that mana and direct it to your core, I am sure I don't need to help you with this step."

She nodded and began directing the mana as he said, she made sure not to rush or force it, allowing the flow to remain steady and controlled. The mana responded to her will, shifting and converging toward her core. Each movement felt like a delicate balancing act, but with every passing second, she grew more confident.

It didn't take her much long to fill up because of her past experience. She turned towards him, a proud smile on her face which made him nervous, he has never seen her smile like that.

"W-Well done," he said, his voice tinged with pride and a hint of nervousness. "You've taken the first step. How do you feel?"

Yenna's smile widened, her eyes shining with newfound confidence. "I feel... different. Stronger, maybe. It's hard to explain."

Jia, who had been watching silently, raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Oh right, captain, wanna spar?" He asked, a confident look in his eyes.

"what?"

[system evolution 80%]