[Notice: Dark Magic is being used for preparation of evolution.]
WHAT!? Now!? Are you kidding me, Cheru!?
[Answer: Once started, the process cannot be stopped.]
Oh, hell naw. You picked the middle of Doomsday: Raiden Edition™ for this?!
A deafening whoosh cut through the air as Raiden zipped into the sky like an over-caffeinated meteor, well beyond my reach. What followed? Oh, nothing major. Just a torrential downpour of murder—ice spikes, boulders, elemental carnage falling like she ordered the Apocalypse Combo Meal with extra devastation.
I threw up a dark magic dome five meters wide and just let it eat everything like a cosmic Roomba. Until this Evolution nonsense finishes, my only goal: don't die.
Small shield, less strain. Thanks for the tip, Raiden—my brain's not doing backflips this time.
As the darkness faded, I spotted her up there. Floating. Watching. Judging. Probably sipping metaphorical tea while waiting for me to combust or something.
Time to go on offense.
I summoned multiple fireballs—yeah, multiple—which used to be hard when I was stuck with just two hands like a pleb. But now? I'm channeling them like a one-man fireworks show. Launched them. Then added some boulders and ice shards for flavor.
She smirked. Dark magic nuked everything.
...Okay, rude.
Then came the thunder. Not just lightning, but the soundtrack of your nightmares level thunder. I barely managed to intercept it with rocks before—BAM!—a forest spontaneously combusted into existence around me again.
But it wasn't just a forest. Oh no.
It was a lightning-infused, botanical deathtrap.
Vines shot up and grabbed my leg. The moment they touched me? ZAP. Instant plant-based electrocution. Thanks, nature.
I sliced through the electric weeds with Wind Magic, preparing for the next round—Hailstorm 2: Spiky Elemental Boogaloo. Boulders, ice, chaos. You name it, it was coming for me.
Fed it all to Dark Magic.
Then, just for spice, I devoured the entire electroforest and blanketed the arena in shadows. That's when the headache kicked in. You know that feeling when you try to read after pulling an all-nighter and five energy drinks? Yeah, times ten. That.
And THEN, the thunderbolt. The thunderbolt. The sky went Super Saiyan, and I saw my life flash before my eyes—including that one embarrassing dance I did when I was five. I summoned every ounce of darkness to block it—
—and it sliced right through like hot butter on sad toast.
[Notice: Elemental magic activity is now suspended.]
Wait—what!?
[Notice: Dark Magic will now operate manually to support the body during Elemental Skill Evolution.]
[Warning: Evolution + combat = possible death. Calculating solutions...]
Typical Cherubim, dropping death warnings like it's a casual weather update.
[Calculation complete.]
[Dark Magic switching from "Mana Devour" to "Life & Health Steal Mode."]
[Life-steal activated.]
[Automatic healing engaged.]
[Evolution: Initiated.]
I threw a thumbs up at the sky. "I'm counting on you, Cheru-san."
Then—bam. Tiny bluish-white orbs started flying into me like I just cracked open a loot chest from the heavens.
What the heck are these?!
[Elemental mana exhaustion confirmed. Fire Magic evolution process: Engaged.]
[Fire Mana: 100% ready. Evolution: SUCCESS.]
[Fire Magic → Pyro Magic unlocked!]
[Pyro Magic: Shape fire freely and obliterate with style.]
[Level up request for Hephaestus Fire: Approved.]
[Hephaestus Fire → Hephaestus Pyro unlocked.]
Now that's what I'm talking about! My new flame could forge weapons out of thin air. No more needing actual swords—just fire and bad intentions.
I tunneled deep beneath the arena and sealed myself in a rocky bubble just before Raiden's Ultra Omega Thunder Death Beam™ could roast me alive. Even down there, I heard the roaring boom like Zeus himself was doing target practice.
I glanced at Cherubim's report and gulped.
Wait—Hephaestus drains mana like crazy… and it's still evolving!?
[Answer: Hephaestus evolves with use. The more you fight, the hotter it burns.]
That's so metal.
"Hey, uh, Cheru… Raiden's still flexing up there. Can we maybe do something before I become deep-fried protagonist?"
[Understood.]
[Notice: Wind Magic evolution → Anemo Magic: Commencing.]
Finally! Maybe now I can FLY UP THERE AND KICK HER FLOATING GOTHIC FACE.
Because seriously, what is this aerial monopoly she has going on? I'm stuck ground-bound like some glorified earthworm.
[Notice: Wind Magic evolution successful → Anemo Magic unlocked.]
[New Skills Acquired:]
Boreas:Wind blades sharp enough to slice through guilt.
Kaikias:Summons tornadoes because subtlety is overrated.
Notus:Creates prisons made of swirling air. Fancy and effective.
Anemomancy: Ninlil:Total control over the wind. Blow away your problems—literally.
OH YEAH! Now we're talking. I never liked Wind Magic before, but Anemo Magic is chef's kiss.
[Water Magic: Evolution in process...]
"Wait, how long does this evolution spree last!?"
[Answer: You have eight elements. It will take a while. Stop complaining.]
Wha—you sass me, Cheru!?
[...]
Oh, don't you give me the silent ellipses treatment.
[Water → Hydro Magic. Skill: Poseidon acquired.]
Hydromancy?
Summon a Trident that morphs?
Basically become Aquaman?
[Ice → Cryo Magic. Skill: Khione acquired.]
Cryokinesis engaged. Freeze first, ask questions never.
[Electric → Electro Magic. Skill: Zeus acquired.]
Now I can summon lightning! Eat your heart out, Raiden!
[Earth → Evolution process begun...]
Wait… Why hasn't Raiden attacked yet?
Everything around me… is moving in slo-mo. I could see every crackle of her lightning forming… her wind magic dancing…
[Answer: Defensive skill activated.]
…What kind of defensive skill slows down time!?
[Answer: Time Manipulation.]
Your what now!?