As Adams waited for Akira to give him her answer, he casually opened his system interface, his gaze distant as if he were peering into another world entirely. Within moments, he began sifting through an array of options—specific bloodlines, physiques, cultivation techniques, and manuals—all perfectly suited for Inara.
Jarvis, his ever-efficient assistant, quickly filtered out anything unnecessary, presenting Adams with the best choices.
Inara and Akira exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why Adams seemed to be staring into empty space, his expression focused yet oddly detached.
After a few moments, Adams looked up at them, a warm smile crossing his face. "Alright, Inara," he began, his voice calm but carrying an air of authority. "I intended to wait until we returned to the Sect before doing this, but seeing as Akira is still uncertain, I've decided to act now—to show you both that I'm serious."
Before Inara could even process what he meant, Adams gave Jarvis the go-ahead. The decision was made, and the wheels were already in motion.
A sudden flash of light enveloped Inara, causing Akira to instinctively shift into a defensive stance. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Adams, her voice sharp with suspicion. "What did you do to the little elf?" she demanded, her tone protective despite herself.
She might not have cared much for Inara before, but in this strange and dangerous situation, they were in the same boat—and she wasn't about to let anything happen to the girl without knowing what was going on.
"Relax," Adams said with a calm smile, "she's just going through some changes." His voice was reassuring, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And I should warn you," he continued, his tone light but teasing, "she might decide to take her revenge once she's done—especially if you don't accept my proposal right about now."
He knew fully well that once Inara completed her transformation, she'd likely have a score to settle with Akira, and the thought clearly entertained him.
"Whoa, how did you—what is happening here? How is this even possible? What kind of trick is this? No, wait, this can't be an illusion—it's real!" Akira's voice was filled with confusion and disbelief as she struggled to comprehend the scene unfolding before her. "Just who are you?" she demanded, her usual composure shattered by the overwhelming display of power and transformation.
"That's not the question you should be asking," Inara said, drawing Akira's attention as she took a step forward. The dead landscape, marred by Akira's previous battle with the slave traders, began to transform before their eyes. New shoots of vibrant greenery pushed through the once barren ground, flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, and the air seemed to hum with renewed life.
The oppressive silence of the forest was replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
"What you should be asking is what I'm going to do to you," Inara continued, her voice carrying a newfound authority and confidence.
Akira, shaken by the overwhelming transformation she had just witnessed, took a hesitant step back. Her eyes darted between Adams and Inara, uncertainty and fear clouding her thoughts. The forest's sudden revival, the sheer power radiating from Inara, and Adams' ominous warning had all but shattered her usual confidence.
"W-What are you up to, Inara?" Akira stammered, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to maintain some semblance of composure. The question hung in the air, laden with fear and uncertainty, as Akira struggled to reconcile the reality before her with her understanding of the world.
Inara smiled—a calm, serene expression that only added to Akira's unease. The light around Inara seemed to intensify, casting her in a halo of golden radiance. The grass beneath her feet grew lusher, and flowers bloomed in vibrant colors with each step she took, as if nature itself was responding to her presence.
"What am I up to?" Inara echoed, her voice soft yet carrying the weight of her newfound power. "I'm simply trying to settle the score by having fun with you." She said with a smile that sent chills down the spine of Akira.
Adams just simply stood by and watched the scene unfold with a smile, "while I'm at it I should check her stats."