"Is that all that you want?" s.h.i.+ro asked with a grin. A sliver of killing intent was being emanated from her as the spirit widened her eyes after feeling this intent.

'For a monster to have this kind of killing intent despite them only being less than a year old, what did she go through?' The spirit wondered to herself. What she didn't know was that s.h.i.+ro was holding back a lot of her killing intent since she didn't want to scare her potential companion too much.

{Yes, that's all I want. I wish to torture those that trampled over our race's rights to live.} The spirit nodded.

"Good. Then vow under your soul that you shall a.s.sist and never betray me. If you do, I will help you get your revenge in return." s.h.i.+ro smiled as her hair fluttered slightly.

Looking at the girl in front of her who had such a heavy air of dominance and power, the spirit couldn't help but want to kneel down.

{I vow under my soul as the mana spring spirit to a.s.sist my new master, s.h.i.+ro, to help refine her body and repair her links. I will reside in her mana realm to help her and should I betray or harm my master, my soul shall be sent to eternal torment.} The spirit vowed as a golden light enveloped her body.

A tiny illusionary figure that resembled her could be seen as a golden chain wrapped around her neck.

{Kuh…} Flinching slightly, the spirit could see a row of golden runes appearing around her own neck, signifying the success of the vow.

Smiling in satisfaction, s.h.i.+ro walked up to the spirit and cupped her face.

"Since you've become one of my people and has vowed to never harm me, I shall naturally a.s.sist you. But as I am too weak right now, this will have to wait till later."

{Of course, I understand.} The spirit nodded.

"Un. But first, we shall give you a name. Do you have a name from your old life that you wish to keep?"

{None.}

"Hmm… then I shall give you the name of Nimue."

After she said that, a faint connection was formed between the two of them as Nimue's 'item' description changed along with her name.

[Nimue: Spirit of the Mana Springs - Red]

A spirit that is the core essence of the mana springs. When absorbed into one's own mana realm, the owner will constantly experience refinement to their own body even in their sleep. Mana regen and purity is increased.

Bound: s.h.i.+ro

{Thank you my queen.} The spirit bowed in grat.i.tude.

"Anyways, do you know your current situation? As much as I want to take you with me right now, it'll be suspicious if the thing powering the mana lake was to disappear after I went in, right?" s.h.i.+ro smiled as she looked around her mana realm.

Previously, her mana realm was like a gathering of floating islands in an empty s.p.a.ce. However, unlike before, there was now a body of water under the islands. The water seemed to reflect a myriad of colours while silver runes could be seen spreading through her mana realm, originating from the lake.

s.h.i.+ro could tell that the runes helped her purify the mana in her body, reinforcing both her spells and her physical body.

{Hmm indeed. The Ospar family built their mansion around the lake when they discovered me. I am also one of the main sources of power for their formations and necessities. Once again, I am reduced to a mere battery.} Nimue frowned as her eyes glared at the empty s.p.a.ce in anger.

"Mn, that is a concern. However, unlike the other queens, I'm guessing the Ospar family never knew the fact that the mana springs had a spirit. Of course, if they did, then that's a whole different question." s.h.i.+ro chuckled darkly.

{My queen, since I am powering this entire mansion, I know of the plans so far since I could hear it. What if you retrieved me after the raid is clear? That way, when you leave, they won't be able to catch you.} Nimue suggested.

"Nimue, are you suggesting that I steal you from the family. Am I someone that looks like I'll plunder from people?" s.h.i.+ro frowned.

'Yes, I'm pretty sure you've already stolen me without their consent.' Nimue thought as her smile twitched slightly.

"Hmph, I'm not someone that will steal. But of course, I'll make them owe me a favour. Huehue, perhaps I'll sabotage the raid a little so that they'll feel indebted to me once I help them clear it." s.h.i.+ro grinned as she was thinking of ways to scam them. That way, they'll be more 'inclined' to give her Nimue.

'Oi, isn't that just robbery with extra steps!?' Nimue retorted in her mind.

For some 'strange' reason, she had the urge to throw a table in the air.

"But for now, just stay here and I'll come visit as much as I can. It's unfortunate that it only lasts for 3 hours."

{It only lasts for 3 hours because that's all you're allowed unless I grant you permission. If my queen wanted to, I can make it so that you stay here the whole day.}

"I don't think a whole day is necessary. Plus, won't I basically be in the spring 24/7 once you transfer to my mana realm?"

{You are correct my queen. Also, since I'll be residing in you, should you sit in a body of water, it'll automatically turn into a mana springs due to my presence. Naturally, the effects are only temporarily. Once you leave the water, it'll revert back to its normal state.}

"So you're saying, my bath water will become the mana springs?" s.h.i.+ro raised an eyebrow.

{Indeed. Therefore, it'll become very beneficial for people to bath with you.} Nimue nodded.

". . . I'll keep that in mind. I believe that my allocated time should be over. Just remember, I'll come collect you once I'm finished with everything." s.h.i.+ro smiled.

{I await your next visit my queen.} Nimue nodded as s.h.i.+ro's body faded away.

Now that she was alone, she couldn't help but wonder what she should do in her spare time.

'My queen's already planning on scamming them so I should probably get some benefits from my end. Hmm… I can probably filter all of the ambient mana around the mansion into orbs before I leave. I've stayed here for quite a long time after all. There should be plenty of mana.' Nimue thought to herself as she planned to drain the mansion of all its mana.

Meanwhile, the Ospar family didn't know that the master wanted to take the lake while the lake wanted to take all the mana. An unfortunate event that they couldn't avoid.

Opening her eyes, s.h.i.+ro saw herself back in the mana springs. Standing up, she cracked her bones to relax her body.

"Are you two done?" s.h.i.+ro called out to both Yin and Lisandra.

"Yeah, we've just woken up." Lisandra nodded as she stretched her body.

Unfortunately for her, this action emphasised her b.r.e.a.s.ts a little too much as s.h.i.+ro looked down on her own.

'I can probably use Fae illusions to give myself some b.r.e.a.s.ts. But the MP cost of sustaining them…. Hmm…' Frowning slightly, s.h.i.+ro decided to increase her MP count and proficiency with Fae illusions. Once she does, she'll be able to give herself some b.r.e.a.s.ts despite having none.

Walking out of the spring, she dried herself before changing back into her outfit.

Soon, both Lisandra and Yin were changed as well.

"Are you ladies finished?" Gilbert called out as he didn't want to walk in on them after all.

"Yes we are." s.h.i.+ro replied.

Taking the three back up the elevator, he showed them back to their room.

"The practice will be held at 10am tomorrow. I'll come pick you up so make sure that you're in your room by that time." He smiled and bowed politely.

"Practice?"

"We'll be doing simulated battles against the bosses. Only when we're confident of the formation and teamwork, will we try the raid." Gilbert explained.

With the recordings and the reports that they have received, they've made a virtual raid that will have the members fight the boss inside the simulation. That way, they wouldn't waste any of the return stones. Since their goal was to gain more information, they couldn't just enter the raid without giving it a try. If they did, the risk of failure would be much higher than what it should be.

"Heh~ I'll see you tomorrow then." s.h.i.+ro smiled before closing the door.

However, once she closed it, Gilbert's smile faded away.

'Her aura has become more powerful. The springs seem to be more effective than I expected.' He thought with a frown before walking away. He was going to make sure that he reported this to the young master.