Elysia looked at her hands as she was lost in thought. She came here for the experience of going through several trials, and she felt that currently was the time to guide her friends to advance.
They were so lovely and obedient, so there was no problem. Her previous objective on Elena and Rhea's advice to go alone has been achieved, and now she would lead the group where she would serve as the leader.
Everyone agreed despite knowing that the difficulty in each trial would significantly increase.
After washing up and eating, the girls had some pleasant conversations. Elysia then asked everyone to nap before continuing to the next floor. That decision was made because Elysia knew that the girls barely had enough sleep in the last few tens of days.
"Mou, I told you we're not ordinary people. Seven hours of sleep a week is enough. If we sleep seven to eight hours a day, when can we reach the three hundredth floor?" Sylvia pouted.
"Excitement and ambition to get stronger is good, but there's no need to rush. Sleep is not only for rest, but also for cultivating and recovering. I will show you a peace state of mind where you can reach the higher height, Sylvi. Come here." Elysia pointed her palm onto a futon for Sylvia.
"Be good. You sometimes fail to understand our master's purpose, Sylvi." Yuuki opened her eyes slightly. She would sleep while cultivating the formation of energy cores to expand her energy pool and inner strength.
"Well, I guess I'm too excited to collect points. Ely, why don't you want to spend your points at the item shop? You just bought a few little things." Sylvia rubbed her head and went to her futon. Since Elysia had an arrangement for her, she could only comply.
"I bought some useful items for us to clear the next floors, hehe..." Elysia waved her hand in front of her face. She couldn't tell that barely anything caught her attention because Rhea and Lifa had already bestowed a 'fortune' before she entered here.
Elysia then set up a formation for Sylvia and gave some instructions. She then asked the devil girl to lie down to sleep. "Alright, sleep now and cultivate well, my naughty devil."
"You are no longer wearing the veil, Lyla. How do you feel?" Elysia went to the next girl and set up a formation that matched Lyla's power level.
"I feel more confident than before. My race's standards are not the same as the others. Thus, I cannot consider myself inferior forever. But, master, what do you think of me?" Lyla observed the rune formation around her futon, then looked into her Goddess' face.
The divine beings treated Elysia as a superior entity even though Elysia had not yet reached godhood, but it was close. So, how strong would Elysia be after ascending to divinity for real?
Lyla felt lucky to be part of Elysia's group, but she also felt the need to train hard to stay here because the current her was still not fit to be a good servant.
"Hum, you are right. We are all anomalies, the outcast of the norm. You look like a stern, pretty big sister if I catch a closer look at you, Lyla. I was told that you possess the physical strength above your rank, and may rival a Spirit-level warrior. What a well-refined body." Elysia poked Lyla's hand. She remembered the dwarves were burly, no matter their gender.
"En, I keep training my physique every day, but my passive skill refined my body and didn't grow some strong-looking muscles. They looked down on me and ostracized me because I looked weak and unattractive." Lyla sighed.
"Worry not, you are beautiful. It doesn't matter about other people's opinions. We haven't known each other for long, but we will build our new story from now onwards. I will be in your care, Lyla." Elysia smiled brightly and rubbed Lyla's head.
"Thank you, but that's what I should say, my master, Goddess Ely." Lyla smiled and blushed slightly, feeling happy and relieved at the opinion of someone she would serve for life.
"..." Morfina stared at Elysia from under her covers, waiting for her turn. Yet, she suddenly closed her eyes when Elysia glanced at her.
"What is it, Fina? You often steal glances at me, but you never say anything. How will I know what you are thinking if you don't tell me anything?" Elysia put on a meditation formation for Morfina, then tickled the elf pretending to sleep.
"Ahaha, that tickles, master." Morfina squirmed like a caterpillar and quickly sat up. She put her fingers together and admitted the problem somewhat embarrassedly. "As expected... I can't hide anything from you, master. But, I'm just shy and don't know how to approach you. And, Fina? Is that my petname?"
"Yep, your nickname. It's good to hear, right? Also, I won't eat you, so don't be afraid to talk to me. I will be happy to accompany you, my cute elf." Elysia finished setting up the formation for Morfina and rubbed the bashful elf's head.
"C-cute? Nobody said that to me before." Morfina blushed. It was completely different to get compliments from her Goddess master than from someone else. The satisfaction and joy came straight from her soul.
"You are beautiful even by elves standards. They just can't appreciate the beauty. Anyway, what do you think about that clan?" Elysia tilted her head slightly.
"Mm, some bad elves want to make me their plaything, but my mother always protects me despite all the abuses we receive. I once threatened to damage my face and body if they dare to touch me. My mother is my only family. I have no sentiments against that clan, not even that man." Morfina gripped her blanket tightly.
"That is in the past. You will be fine with us. Your mother is a good mother, and she is already in the care of the Elven Empress. She will live a prosperous life as Empress people in the palace. By the time you return, you can proudly say that you are the elf hero of the light, her proud daughter." Elysia trailed down her hand from Morfina's head to the elven pointy ear. She stroked it gently.
"Y-yes!?" Morfina trembled slightly. Her ear was sensitive to touch, but her master was so gentle. "Master... I am still a virgin. I have never been their plaything."
"Hm? Alright, be good and sleep. We'll be through several floors in no time after that." Elysia had no idea why Morfina would suddenly explain that to her, but she didn't comment. She only asked the pitiful elf to sleep in meditation.
"You are good at playing with words and the young maiden's heartstring, master." Yae lay on her stomach and rested her head in her hands.
"I'm flattered, but I'm not playing around. I'm saying what I think. Is that bad?" Elysia pointed her finger around the pink fairy's sleeping bag, drawing a particular rune formation.
"Hmm, that's good, to be honest. I might just a bit unusual for me since I'm a solitary fairy." Yee shrugged.
"Yeah, the all shut-in fairy known as the pink hermit of the lonely tree. We abducted you from your safe haven. Do you have any grievance about us or against your situation, Yae? You can't be alone from now on." Elysia was curious about what a loner thought after being appointed as a representative and a hero.
"Let's say it's fate. I can't be alone forever, but I would appreciate it if I could get my personal space soon. It's fine if I have to serve you for life, but please treat me well. My request is simple, right?" Yae grinned, feeling it was a great deal that benefited both parties.
"Yes, I will always take good care of my people. I once thought you were someone who was a bit indifferent and cold, but you are fairly simple and honest." Elysia chuckled lightly.
"Hum, I am indeed someone who is indifferent to some particular matters. Ah, I heard that you will explore the vast universe after saving the world, but is that true?" Yae asked without being able to hide her enthusiasm.
"That's true, but why are you suddenly asking this?" Elysia nodded in confirmation.
"Could you take me too? I can be of use to you too. Don't say you'll throw me away after the world is saved." Yae looked Elysia straight in the eye.
She asked it to represent several individuals, and they currently listened because they also wanted to know Elysia's answer.
"You crave for peace and serenity. Our journey will be filled with hardships, twists and turns. Don't you want to live in Vrelenia anymore?" Elysia scratched her head. Among all people, she felt the one who wouldn't go with her later would be Yae, but she seemed to be wrong.
"I will serve you for life. Don't try to leave me even if you want to. I am a sage too, hungry for new knowledge. The great mysteries of the vast universe... I want to see it. I may be blunt, frank, and a bit rude, but I'm honest and true to myself. I can bring fairy miracle and boost your luck. You must bring me along on your future long journey, master." Yae put her hand to her chest, stating her request with honesty.
"All right. Don't talk about it now. Please sleep, cultivate, and get yourself stronger. We will bring it up when the time comes." Elysia patted Yae's head with her finger.
Hearing that answer, several girls breathed a sigh of relief and went to sleep in meditation.