As the days go by, Liz and I has warmed up to each other. We don't have any awkward moments now unlike weeks ago, though that was primarily with her being giddy for some reason despite her face remaining emotionless.
I asked her about her current state and it seems the cause of her emotionless face was because of centuries of remaining that way. Her facial muscles adapted to naturally have that state and it's gonna take some time before she can show her emotions through facial expressions.
However, it's not as if she can't feel emotions, rather just can't show it. So I left it at that and didn't dwell on the subject further. It's just that I can't tell what's she's thinking, it's kinda unnerving to be honest.
Like there was this one time that she just stared at me while I was cooking dinner while remaining expressionless.
"Anyway, can you show me how you use magic?"
I've already seen it actually, it's just that I couldn't see it up close since her spells primarily only have wide range of destruction and I don't want to get anywhere near those. I don't have regeneration like her so I'll be heavily injured.
If I had Raphael then I probably could get the skill but unluckily, I don't have it. Also, I waited to this day before asking her to show me how she uses magic so we can become closer as friends.
"Sure~!"
She nodded simply with her usual expression. She then started and I immediately used thought acceleration, analytic appraisal, and predictive calculation at full power.
My perception slowed down and I managed to slowly observed how she manipulated her mana and how the mana changed properties into becoming a different element.
The one she used first was a fire spell, a small one of course. It's just a small flame, like a torch. The process was fascinating, it's like one moment, the mana suddenly changed it properties to become fire.
I turned off my skills and took a breath, it's actually still quite taxing to my mental strength to activate all three skills at full power.
"Thank you, Liz."
"No problem, Cain." The corners of her mouth raised slightly, forming a noticeable smile.
"Ohh~ You can finally make a small smile." I smile as well, it was a happy occasion. At least we can see progress.
"Mm~!"
She seems happy as well.
Anyway, lets not get distracted further. I turned my attention to my idea at hand. I've already somewhat understand how Liz uses her magic. However, I don't have the elemental affinity like she has so I need to go around it.
I think it can work for me as well. My main idea is using transmutation to basically transmute mana into another element. I'm pretty sure it can work since the conversion process is similar.
Besides I don't believe transmutation is just transmuting physical things into different forms. I've seen those series where alchemy isn't limited to physical things. While rules may differ here, it's worth a try.
So with that, I started. First, use predictive calculation and thought acceleration to speed the process. While I try my idea, predictive calculation gives the best route by calculating it.
My crimson mana flared up as I held out my hand and arcs of crimson lightning started appearing in my hand. Then the lightning started coalescing into a ball then into a spear, and more.
Lastly, I changed the lightning into a small tornado in my hand before mixing lightning and the tornado.
"Wow~"
I heard a small gasp beside me and when I turned, I saw Liz with a gaping mouth.
I chuckled and dispersed the lightning tornado.
"Is it that amazing? I just tried copying how you do magic."
"No, it's different from my magic. I can't just change their element while casting my spell. I need individual element per spell."
Oh? Maybe she hasn't discovered how to do it like me. I think she can do it as well.
"I observed how you cast your magic and the principle is similar to how I did it. The only difference is that I use transmutation to change the elemental aspect of the spell so it might be easier for me. But I think you can do it too."
"Really?" I can see her eyes shining in excitement.
"Yeah, I'll explain it to you."
I nodded and started my lesson. It's surprising that me, a magic noobie would teach the most powerful vampire caster. That's life I guess.
So with that, we took a break for about a week before moving on. During that time, I taught her step by step. When she has questions, I try to explain it in simpler terms.
However, she's really talented, in just a week, she managed to do it. Not as fast as me but she just need more practice. There was another reason why I decided to take a break, it was because the floors we are traveling now is very dangerous even for us.
Also that thing in the last floor, I want to take it when we are more powerful so we won't struggle with it. I'm quite confident in taking it on later since I've already deviated from Hajime's path.
I didn't take his route of becoming a craftsman. I went the route of a proper combat alchemist developing transmutation not as a support to create tools but weaponizing it properly.
This skill really has a wide variety of application and Hajime didn't fully utilize it in my opinion. Maybe it was because he was a weapon maniac so he didn't see other applications other than making tools.
Well, I'll just show the world how op an alchemist can get with just transmutation.
"Hehe~ Lets go, Liz!"
"Nn~ Cain."
...
"Ohhh!"
I marveled at the sight before me. It was one thing to see on screen but to see it personally really takes into perspective this scene. Dinosaurs roaming around in the forest. Though not some known species of dinosaurs in my home but it's dinosaurs you know!
"I've hit the jackpot!"
"Is it really that amazing? Aren't they just beasts?"
What? I turned to Liz, flabbergasted. How could she say that, even if it's you, I can't let this slide.
"Huhu~ Don't take it lightly, Liz. It's my childhood dream to see dinosaurs! I've always dreamed of it, even when I grew up, that dream never faded!"
"O-oh–"
"Let me explain the magnificence of these creatures called dinosaurs–"
I started explaining my views to Liz. I didn't give her time to interrupt or respond and continue rambling. I only stopped when I think it to was enough.
"Do you understand now, Liz?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Hehe~ Great!"
Hmm? I turned around and a group of these dinosaurs staring at us. I smile and snapped my fingers before spikes impaled them.
"Just because I like you doesn't mean I'll let you attack me."
I'm fully aware dinosaurs are dangerous if they still existed. I'm not so stupid enough that I'd touch one if they weren't extinct back in my home. I'd admire them from afar, yes, but just that.
"Anyway, lets get a move on, Liz."
"Okay!"
We amped up our body reinforcement and travelled the forest easily. Along the way, I saw several more dinosaurs, some resembling triceratops, tyrannosauruses, even something like a pterodactyl, and more.
It was literally my childhood dream come true, I'm gonna go back here later and grab this place.
After a few seconds, we finally got to our destination. It was a cliifside with a small opening. It was inside where I felt that unpleasant mana, that's our target.
"No need to hold back, Liz. Blow this whole cliffside apart!" I grinned widely. Just how strong has she become by now?
"Yes~!"
What I saw next was better left unsaid, the poor Alraune inside went through literal hell. And the cliifside... completely gone, not even ashes were left.
With that said, we finally reached the last floor. I'm finally able to test my trump card, if this works as I imagined it, then I'm gonna be so overpowered even without the use of ancient magic, just transmutation.