"Let's go ahead and see how your abilities affect the energy reserve now," Jade suggested, intrigued by the potential insights this new line of inquiry might offer.
Rosa, acknowledging the proposition with a nod, pushed herself back to her feet, her movements fluid despite the rigors of their previous sparring session. She took a moment to hydrate, consuming tea water from another bottle before discarding it, a small ritual to prepare herself for the demonstration.
With a deliberate action, Rosa clapped her hands together, closing her eyes in concentration. Jade observed intently as the air around them began to shift, giving way to shimmering lines of light that materialized around Jade from all directions. The sight was mesmerizing, a display of Rosa's control and the tangible manifestation of her power.
"This is my most basic application," Rosa explained, her eyes now open, revealing a depth of focus and understanding. "In a way, it's a lot similar to spider webs and takes very little effort to start. But clapping my hands together makes it easier to summon them faster because I believe the heat in my hands combining speeds up the process."
Jade nodded, absorbing the explanation as she watched the lights slowly fade away. She then assessed Rosa's energy levels, or 'points,' as she decided to refer to them. "330 now, so that basic attack dropped you by 20 points."
"Points?" Rosa echoed, a hint of confusion in her voice. The term was unfamiliar in this context, prompting a need for clarification.
Jade, rubbing the top of her head in a gesture that seemed to blend thoughtfulness with a touch of humor, elaborated, "Yeah, a bit easier than saying energy levels over and over again. I think just calling them points for short is better for conversations."
"But moving on a bit further," Jade transitioned, her curiosity now leading her towards one of the weapon racks in the training area. Her movements were deliberate, each step carrying the weight of her recent discoveries and the burgeoning understanding of her own abilities. "I think I have a decent idea of how my power works and why I was able to blow the chest open on that creature."
Her voice carried a mix of awe and introspection as she continued, "In reality, I shouldn't have been able to do that to a creature that had me outclassed in power and years of fighting." There was a pause, a moment of reflection on the seeming impossibility of her feat.
As Jade was about to propose their next course of action, a sudden interruption cast their plans aside—a red light flared above them, painting the training area in an ominous glow.
"Another creature spawning already?" Rosa questioned, her tone a mix of surprise and readiness. The possibility of facing yet another challenge so soon seemed to prime her for action.
Jade, her attention fixated on the red light illuminating the ceiling, watched as it pulsed for an agonizing five minutes before finally ceasing its alarm. The silence that followed was almost as startling as the light itself, a momentary pause in the routine of their day.
Shortly after the light extinguished, an announcement broke the silence: "Yui Sandere & Xui Bai, please report to the dispatch area." The directive, clear and impersonal, left a trace of curiosity in its wake.
"Huh, who are they?" Jade inquired, her knowledge of their fellow inhabitants not yet comprehensive. With so many individuals coming and going, each with their unique abilities and backgrounds, it was challenging to keep track.
Rosa, taking a moment to gather her thoughts, provided some context. "Believe Yui is some noble's daughter, and she can use some sort of water manipulation. Xui Bai uses a sword, but I'm not exactly sure what he does. But he's very good at slicing." Her explanation painted a picture of two capable individuals, each with their distinct style and contribution to their collective efforts.
Jade, her curiosity piqued, tapped a finger under her chin in contemplation. "I see, I really got to get to know all these people."
After dedicating another two hours to their rigorous training regimen, Jade collapsed onto the mat, a tangible manifestation of her exhaustion. Glancing upwards, she took stock of her dwindling energy reserves, now teetering at a precarious 5 out of 50. Turning her gaze towards Rosa, she noted her friend had fared slightly better, with her energy levels standing at 20.
In a moment of quiet reflection, Rosa, with her gaze fixed on the ceiling, shared a poignant admission. "It's nice to have a friend again, to be honest," she murmured, the soft glow of the lights above casting a serene halo around her. A single tear traced its way down her cheek, a silent testament to the depth of her feelings.