Utopian System

Without wasting time, Zara used the cores Elio had left her through Ren to quickly obtain the elephant and the necessary parts for the system armor.

The chamber began to fade around her, signaling her return to the real world. Zara steeled herself, knowing that she would have to face Selene's disapproval and potentially try to evade, or fight her to carry out her rescue mission.

But for Elio, she was willing to face any challenge, any opposition.

Outside the challenge, Selene watched in amazement as Zara reappeared, wearing the invoker's robe and amplifier belt. Her frog croaked softly in surprise. "Incredible," she murmured, impressed by Zara's feat.

"I'm going to find Elio," Zara announced.

When Selene saw the intensity in Zara's gaze, she seemed to understand something and empathize... She also realized that she couldn't stop her with carbon now that Zara also had the elephant at her disposal.

So she resigned herself to letting her pass, but asked her to first take a max-level armor from her office and obtain her system armor with the mana Elio had left her, as well as other add-ons and provisions.

Due to Elio's unknown situation and the challenge, Zara would have to prepare as much as she could… if she wanted to have a chance of overcoming level 6 and reaching the bottom of the sea of monsters Elio had told them about alive.

♢♢♢♢

Zara went to obtain what was necessary for the challenge, however, on her way she encountered Lila and the other girls. They had all reached level 3 and now yearned to reach 4. Their salamanders perched alertly on their shoulders, sensing the tension in the air.

"Zara, wait," Lila called, her voice laden with urgency. "We know you're going to look for Von Elio. We want to help."

Zara stopped, turning towards them with irritation and a bit of curiosity. Flare's scales flickered, reflecting her mixed emotions. "I don't have time to play with low levels like you," she said, her voice tense. "Every second counts."

Lila stepped forward, her eyes shining with determination. "We know, but we also know that the probability of reaching him is small, the more the better, and we want to help. All of us."

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Zara looked at the girls, noticing the resolution on their faces. Still, she hesitated. "This isn't like the super safe first levels, it's level 4," she warned. "It's dangerous, there's little time, and I can't fully train you or guarantee your safety."

"We're not asking for guarantees," Aria intervened. "We want to help Von Elio, just like you."

Zara frowned, considering her options. On one hand, she needed to act fast. On the other, more help could increase the chances of finding Elio.

"Why?" she finally asked. "Why would you risk your lives for someone you barely know? Wasn't it just a facade to help your families?"

The girls exchanged glances before Mei spoke. "Von Elio gave us a second chance when we had nothing. He showed us trust when we didn't deserve it. We owe him this and more."

Valeria nodded, adding: "Besides, the city needs him. We all need him."

Zara observed them for a long moment, evaluating their sincerity. Finally, she let out a sigh of resignation. "Fine. But I warn you, the training will be brutal and incomplete. We don't have time to make sure, if you don't learn magnetism..."

"We've already learned almost everything," Lila affirmed, the others nodding. "Since Von Elio took so long to show signs of progress, we all entered level 3 and started practicing."

"Very well," said Zara, her tone turning serious. "Listen carefully. You'll need to master the use of your rabbits, the swift's patterns, dodging tactics, and magnetism control in record time. It will be intense, it will be painful, and I won't tolerate complaints. Understand?"

The girls nodded, their expressions a mixture of nervousness and determination. Their salamanders seemed to stand taller, as if ready for the challenge ahead.

What followed was a day of Spartan training. Zara instructed them in the use of their rabbits and in magnetism control, preparing them for the jump that would take them to the sea of monsters.

At the end of the day, they all managed to overcome the swift in their respective challenges. The poor swift had never faced so many emotions in such a short time.

♢♢♢♢

In a single day, the 4 girls had reached level 4, but when they asked Zara when they would prepare for level 5 that they would have to face in their jump...

"We'll start right now," Zara declared. "I'll teach you the basics of the corrosive attack so you can overcome level 5 in a matter of hours, not days... Luckily you've just regenerated, right? Level 5 is safer than 6, so you'll have more chances of helping him than I do."

After another day, the girls were ready.

"The idea is simple," Zara explained as the girls practiced. "We'll jump together. Those who overcome the book's level will be able to join the search for Elio."

The poor elephant, like the swift before it, would find itself facing a series of opponents driven by a force that went beyond simple determination.

Or that would have happened, but...

The girls were in full preparation, arming themselves with the necessary resources for their imminent mission, when a soldier burst onto the scene. He was a messenger sent by Micah, who hadn't rested in days, maintaining a constant vigil in Zara's place.

"Ladies!" exclaimed the soldier. "I have news. The vortex has been active for the past few hours."

Zara turned to him, her eyes shining with hope and anxiety. Flare perked up, sensing the change in mood. "Why weren't we informed earlier?"

The soldier lowered his gaze, uncomfortable. "Selene's orders. We didn't want to interrupt your training."

For a moment, the girls forgot their preparations. Without a word, they all ran towards the wall's parapet, their hearts pounding. Their salamanders clung tightly to their shoulders, matching their urgency.

Upon arrival, they saw that Micah was still there, his gaze fixed on the point where Elio had launched himself. His frog sat beside him, its large eyes scanning the horizon. "It's been a few hours since the activity started," he informed, his voice tired but alert.

Zara leaned over the parapet, her eyes scrutinizing the sea of monsters. Indeed, she could see the huge hole, signs that Elio was alive and moving.

"He's alive," Lila whispered, her voice laden with relief. Her salamander chirped softly, as if in agreement.

♢♢♢♢

The hours passed slowly, with Zara and the others maintaining constant vigilance. The tension was palpable, each passing minute increasing their anxiety.

At one point, Kriz, Brok, and Ren arrived, taking advantage of their break to join the vigil. Their familiars - Kriz's playful rabbit, Brok's muscular rabbit, and Ren's analytical rabbit - added to the already crowded parapet.

Kriz, true to his nature, tried to lighten the mood.

"Come on Zara, don't you think it's a bit obsessive?" he said, giving her a friendly nudge. "You don't need to be so glued to the wall. Elio's a big boy, I'm sure he can climb up on his own."

Zara shot him a look that could have frozen the sea of monsters. "I don't care," she replied, her voice firm. "I want to be alert in case he needs me, no matter how small the possibility."

Lila, hearing the exchange, nodded silently, sharing Zara's sentiment although she didn't express it out loud.

Kriz was about to make another joke about how obsessive Zara was being, but he stopped when he saw the intensity in her eyes. He decided that maybe, just maybe, it was better to keep his mouth shut for once.

It was at that moment, when Zara turned her attention back to the parapet, that she saw it. Elio appeared over the edge of the wall, but something wasn't right. His eyes were unfocused, his expression almost unconscious.

Time seemed to slow down.

Zara saw Elio jump but he seemed to lose height at times. At the end, he tried to grab the edge of the wall, but it looked like he wouldn't make it.

Without thinking twice, Zara lunged forward, her increased perception allowing her to move with superhuman speed.

Her hand closed around Elio's wrist just as he began to fall. "I've got you," Zara said, her voice full of relief and joy.

For a brief instant, Elio's eyes focused, recognizing Zara. A small smile of relief played on his lips before unconsciousness claimed him completely.

Zara pulled Elio up, lifting his unconscious body and putting him safely on the parapet.

Kriz stood open-mouthed, looking alternately at Zara and Elio. "I can't believe it," he muttered. "She was actually right to be obsessive..."

Zara barely heard him, all her attention focused on Elio. Her hands roamed his face, looking for signs of injury. Flare nuzzled Elio gently, as if trying to wake him.

Lila approached, her eyes full of concern. "Will he be alright?"

"He will be," Zara responded firmly, as if her intensity could make her words a reality. "He's just tired."