The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 141: Preparing For–

Chapter 141: Preparing For–

(“ The idea is that you are linking it to your domain ”)

Easier said than done.

I was in the middle of trying to link up the artefact, this crimson-red life-eating diamond jewel with myself, but that was a lot trickier than expected.

Apparently, it could be a lot worse; stronger artefacts made this process a lot harder, and despite the amazing use this item had for humans, it wasn’t considered anything spiritual to Spiritual Beings. Which made sense in retrospect. 

It was an item that only took in a small amount of mana from the environment, and Spiritual Beings could generate an amount that dwarfed that insignificant value, and since I had a few unused souls within my star core, it wouldn’t be surprising that Spiritual Beings could absorb energy from those whom they had killed. 

(“ I know this is something you are not going to do, but if you brought the item into your domain, that would make the process easier ”)

Ergh…

Yep, that wasn’t going to happen, so I continued to try and fiddle with it. Originally, I was simply pouring my energy into it and trying to manipulate my soul energy into it, but neither option worked. I took Espr’s words to heart, and I needed to link them to my domain itself. 

My domain was where my source was… which in a way was still a little weird for me to think about. I could comprehend it, my power source was away from my body, because how was a star supposed to fit within my still very tall human body? But that space was mine on a physical level. Every single bit of it was my tiny version of existence. 

I know I can do this….

(“ I wish you the best, it would be a great learning opportunity. It also should be easier than what you did before you returned to Metous ”)

That experiment…? That wasn’t even perfect.

(“ Not every learning opportunity doesn’t needs to be successful ”)

Not when one is trying to create life…

(“ You were mostly successful, so maybe next time you will be fully successful ”)

I would hope so. 

I tried many different things during my time in my domain, and I had to learn and Espr was willing to teach me about my new abilities, which I would be even more extremely confused about if I didn’t have any assistance. Usually, people who weren’t Spiritual Beings that become Spiritual Beings at least knew what they were turning into before it actually happened. 

“Maybe let's do a resetter.” I got up from the backyard where I was doing my experiment. I just liked doing stuff outside like usual. I got permission to take the item home, but Nina did want me to keep it within her facility before the big day. But I conceived her it would be best if I got a feel for it first. 

“Hey, Mum.” I walked back inside the house, where my mother was cooking up more food. “Making another mountain load of food again?”

“Well, people keep managing to eat it all, so it is rewarding to keep at it.” She took the lasagna out of the oven. 

I replied, “I eat it all because I don’t want to waste your freshly cooked food, plus, save some money on the grocery bill and save up for a holiday.”

“One day, but I have enough money at the moment anyway.” 

Tyell was gone; finally, he was allowed to be free, and he used the opportunity to go to the gym to work. Mella had school, which I was thinking of surprising her when she left one day soon. 

So it was just me and Tella, and a mountain of dishes which I decided I wasn’t going them all. Honestly, it was really easy to just eat everything in sight, as while I kept my sense of taste, I didn’t really get full anymore. I didn’t feel empty either, but if it was enjoyable food, I just kept eating it.

The two of us got to begin eating lunch together, but first I set aside everything I was going to eat first and helped place everything else in containers for leftovers. 

Dammit, this shit smells good.

As I packed the warm food into containers, the smell from the heat was dreamy. 

Tella taunted, “You can leave a bit more out.”

“No, no, I am good!” I declared.

Then we enjoyed all the food. I loved eating food with the family, but these one-on-one meal times were also great. Quiet or not, they were a simple joy to experience. I guess I was more like my dad in that way. 

“I haven’t asked you much about what happened… with well, everything.” Mother said, and simply listened as she felt she had more to say. I knew I worried her; she loved me, and I went from being declared dead, fighting various people, disappearing again, getting tangled in another conflict, coming back home, and then to only leave again, purposely this time. “...Sigh… sorry… I know I should just be glad you are back here and safe… but I still worry that next time you won’t be coming back.”

“That worry is justifiable, I can’t say I have been in the safest of places, but I have my insurance set to safeguard me from any actual trouble.” I didn’t know exactly how to reassure her. 

Do I just explain what I am now?

I figured I would have to explain about my current race eventually, but I was going to wait a bit before doing that.

If it would help Tella’s worry…

Before I had the chance to say anything, “I have heard what has been happening…”

“Pardon?” I asked, confused. 

“I heard there might be a war soon.” Mother said worried.

“What makes you say that?”

“I have been listening in on the conversations had around Nina’s garden with her employees.”

(“ Mother like daughter ”)

…Yeah, I guess we both did our spying. 

“Well, war?” I nearly wanted to chuckle. “It is not going to be a war.” 

I stated, “It’s going to be a one-sided beatdown.”

“Ceella…”

My Starlight horns emerged, and Tella stumbled back, and her hands covered her mouth as she stared at me, shocked. “Everything will be fine.” My hair sparkled as I felt excess Starlight flow into my body. 

First time using this ability on Metous… I definitely feel better like this.

My body practically felt light, as if a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. 

“I will be fine.” I declared, “I am much stronger than you think I am, plus, I have you, Tyell, Mella, and Lila, I need to return to.”

My horns retracted.

Mother stood forward and held my hand, “I… will trust you, so come back home once it is all done. As you always have.”

“That sounds perfect to me.”

I gave my mum a nice long hug. I felt bad for worrying her, but sometimes it was just a mother’s duty to worry for their kid, and it was my job to make sure those worries never became a reality.

My interaction with Tella gave me some inspiration, so after we spent the rest of the day cleaning, chatting, and welcoming everyone home. I returned to the backyard to experiment overnight.  

Perfect…

The next day arrived.

“Morning, Tyell,” I waved. 

Tyell yawned, “Morning, Sis, what’s got you walking around early?”

I said, “I don’t need to sleep, why wouldn’t I be walking around early?”

He squirted at me as if I were up to something, which I was. “...True, but that doesn't change the fact you liked to lie down for hours watching the sky even when the stars aren’t visible.”

I scoffed, “They are still visible; you just need better eyes.”

“Right…” He was looking at me very suspiciously. 

I said bluntly, “Do you want a gift or not?”

“Sure.” He shrugged, “I wouldn’t say no.”

“Good, catch.” I tossed him the diamond.

It bounced in his hand as it took a moment for him to catch it.

His eyes dilated. “Wait… Is this…” 

“Yep, the diamond you got, just dyed in some better colours and different abilities,” I told him. The diamond was no longer crimson red, but a purplish pink with a hint of white in the centre. I created a permanent Starlight chain so it could be worn as a necklace, bracelet, or somewhere else. 

“Take your time with it.” I took a step back towards the outside, as I left him stunned. “It’s my big gift to you, and don’t tell Mella, she might get jealous.” 

The necklace had lost its life-absorption ability. I didn’t know if that was a failing on more part, or changing the connection to me broke whatever granted it that ability. The mana recovery function was still there, but improved, with a toggle. At base, it regenerates mana as slowly as it did before, but by activating the ability, it could also take some mana up to a limit from my domain. The secondary ability was a boost to light-based energies, which Tyell had a tiny amount of. I would just have to wait and see how that manifested. There was also the third ability, but that use case would be much rarer. 

(“ He sure will enjoy that gift, not as good as the one I gave him before ”)

Espr, your back. 

(“ Do I ever actually leave? ”)

In the past, I would say no, but our arrangement is different this time, and the fact that you didn’t say anything after I completed linking the artefact was surprising.

(“ Fair enough, I was busy and required more of my focus, was chasing down a lead on Varias ”)

Who is?

(“ The one who stabbed you the second time ”)

A deep rage began bubbling within me.

Oh, you have my attention.