"Let me tell you about the Artificial Heart Method." Auric smiled excitedly. This was the first time he had found the solution, so he was quite excited to see the effect.

Of course, this method wouldn’t work right away, considering the creation process needed time.

"First, I want you to circulate your energy according to my instructions. This is to create a new system."

"A new system?"

"Yes." Auric raised his hand, forming a sphere with his ’Imagine.’

The sphere had many holes in it, so Auric continued simulating the energy flowing into the sphere. "This is your affinity. As you can see, the higher your affinity is, the bigger the sphere will be. It’s not the hole that is different."

The particles flowed into the sphere and gradually filled it up. "As you can see, when you absorb energy from materials, this is what’s going to happen."

The sphere soon became full, which caused the energy to spill out. At the same time, the energy inside the sphere was being converted at high speed, but it wasn’t enough to handle the amount of energy flowing into it.

Ultimately, there were losses. "As you can see here, this is the normal cycle of absorbing energy. When you absorb energy from an artifact, it is done gradually, which is why the artifact can boost more, even for people with lower affinity."

Ellia crossed her arms. "I understand the theory. They’ve taught us about it, but not to this extent. They use water as an analogy, while you’re using particles."

"It doesn’t matter." Auric nodded. He was the only one who saw the particles, so it was understandable.

"So, about the Artificial Heart Method..."

"Yes. I’m going to create a new system within your heart that will help your affinity to convert the energy into your energy."

Auric this time formed a circle within the sphere. This circle was made of particles that flowed continuously.

It was actually similar to the line that created the ruins’ barriers.

Auric just didn’t form one circle. He created four.

When the particles entered the sphere, they were carried away by the system, which sped up the conversion even more.

This meant more energy could be stuffed inside the sphere.

"As you can see, by using this system, the energy conversion will increase drastically, which means more energy can be absorbed. As a result, your affinity increases. However, this is a pseudo increase because I’m not creating a method to make the sphere bigger."

"Will people care about it? You can absorb more energy, so who cares?" Ellia shook her head. "An increase is an increase. If it works, affinity will increase, and no one will actually complain."

"Thanks for saying that." Auric nodded. "Well, this is the concept of the Artificial Heart Method. Do you have any questions up to this point?"

"Yes. I understand about the sphere, but what about the circles? How can we make them? This change has to be permanent, right? If it’s a technique, it will only increase when you use the technique."

"Of course, this change is permanent because the system I’m going to create is similar to an artifact."

"!!!" Ellia trembled. "Artifact? You can create an artifact?"

"No. I don’t know how to create an artifact. I’m just saying this is similar. I’m planning to use a lesser version of an artifact, which I realize is possible after helping people with juvenile-form avatars evolve. When strengthening your senses, I realized that this system was actually possible in your body."

Ellia thought for a moment before asking, "I see..."

Auric continued, "I would like you to focus on creating this system. This system will be linked directly to your affinity. And because it’s similar to an artifact, it can become permanent. If necessary, I will treat you personally if you want me to remove it."

"If there are no side effects and the effect of that technique is like you said, there’s no reason for me to remove it." Ellia shook her head. "Still, what if I have to evolve?"

Auric smiled. He was stuck on this problem previously, but he found the answer because of Maya.

"I have created a system that can be upgraded."

"Upgraded?" Ellia was dumbfounded.

"Yes. You can upgrade the system yourself because it’s made from your own energy. So, if you want to upgrade it, you just have to reinforce it with your energy. It’s that simple."

Even Lindwurm agreed that it was possible.

"However, because I have to make it upgradeable, that gives it one flaw, though not for you, of course."

"A flaw?" Ellia was trying to be careful, but she didn’t know why this flaw wouldn’t affect her.

"Yes. The flaw is that this system has to perfectly match your rating. Unique elements don’t have ratings. However, all other elements from the fire element to the dark element have their own ratings. If you have a rating of 3.4, you won’t be able to use the technique for an element with a rating of 3.5."

"Why?"

"A difference in rating means a difference in flow. Meanwhile, if you evolve, the flow remains the same, but it becomes robust and vigorous. The flow itself won’t change."

"But if that’s the case, the gathering technique can be used for higher-form avatars, right?"

"The current gathering techniques? No." Auric shook his head. "The gathering technique is much more lenient to the flow pattern. If your energy is stronger, you need a stronger pull."

Ellia nodded in understanding. "That’s why the battle techniques are more vigorous. It matches both conditions, so they might have to alter the flow slightly."

"Indeed, but the flow of energy in your heart will remain the same. It’s not like you can change the flow of energy within your affinity, right?"

"That’s true." Ellia took a deep breath. "I see. It’s upgradeable. What should I do now? How do I create this ring?"

"This ring is made in a similar way to the barriers of the ruins, but with the help of the ’Integration’ process, it will turn into an artifact. To create the system, I need you to follow my instructions completely. It has to be perfect, and it will take time."

"How long?" Ellia asked.

"I don’t know yet. The ’Integration’ process itself doesn’t take much time, but since we’re going to make it to the level of an artifact, it will take some time. Maybe a week, maybe a month. But since the change is permanent, I believe people will buy this technique, right?"

"How much can you raise it, though? Is it like only 5%?"

"10-20%. I’m not entirely sure about the efficiency yet, but that’s the theory for now. I need to gather information from you. I need you to do a few more experiments with me to test the results, but I think for most people, it will be an upgrade of affinity by one level."

"Got it. Do you want to do it now?"

"If you have time. If not, I can wait until you have time. Just come to my store."

"No. Let’s do it now. Give me a second." Ellia walked to the exit and opened the door. "Arina..."

Ellia paused for a moment before asking, "How long do we need?"

"I don’t know." Auric shook his head.

"In that case, clear my entire schedule for today. Thank you." Ellia waved before closing the door again.

"..." Arina was speechless outside, wondering what they were planning to do for the entire day. She blinked her eyes in disbelief before muttering, "Are they going to f—"

...

Inside, Ellia walked back while asking, "All right? What should I do?"

"Try to sit comfortably and follow my instructions."

Ellia closed her eyes to focus. Auric walked behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Take a few deep breaths. We’re going to begin." Auric smiled.

Lindwurm grinned. "So, it’s finally begun."

He was looking at Ellia carefully. He could help with a lot of things or even create a gathering technique, but the Artificial Heart Method was something that Auric invented himself.

All Lindwurm did was support him with a bit of detail and give him the confirmation.

He was proud that Auric managed to create one so quickly. He couldn’t imagine what kind of monster Auric would become in the future.

Auric began giving the instructions.

He had combined everything he had experienced all this time. The rings were made through the concept of ’Integration’ and the ruins’ barriers, which ultimately resembled an artifact.

Auric also took the concept of the gathering technique. Instead of pulling, he created a system that would allow the energy to be converted.

Of course, all this would never be possible without the most important key—Auric’s eyes. If he didn’t get the eyes to be able to see the energy within one’s body directly, Auric wouldn’t be able to complete this technique.

Still, Auric managed to get all the missing pieces, and the Artificial Heart Method had been invented.

Auric didn’t expect to succeed on his first try. That was why his first aim was to create a strand of energy that would form a circle. It didn’t matter how weak it was.

This strand would gradually create a track for the energy to flow. Once this track formed, the energy would then flow and turn it into a functioning circle that would continue to spin.

They couldn’t change how the energy from other sources flowed through the heart, but they surely could move their own energy in their heart.

It took Ellia a long while, but Auric could see the track gradually forming. As one would expect from a genius, Ellia was really fast.

At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before he succeeded completely.

Of course, this circle would be thicker compared to the circle that a baby-form avatar would form. Auric had taken this factor into consideration.

"Huuu..." Ellia exhaled deeply before opening her eyes. She managed to form a thin strand.

Auric wanted it to be much thicker by forming at least a hundred strands. So, it would take some time to do it, but with the first one completed, the rest should take less time.

"I’ve succeeded." Auric couldn’t help but grin.

Ellia fell silent before noticing something. It was only a single strand, but she could already notice a very small change. "Hmm?"

"What’s wrong?" Auric frowned. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"Uncomfortable, yes, but I’m not in danger. It’s just... my rhythm is slightly off. This strand... maybe because it’s reinforcing the heart, there’s actually another benefit that you have missed."

"Another benefit?" Auric raised his eyebrows. "What’s that?"

Ellia paused for a moment. "How do I say this? I think my sensitivity to energy has increased. It’s not exactly the same way as what you, evolution masters, need. I can sense my own energy better, but not others’. That’s probably the best description."

"That’s..." Auric contemplated. "That’s indeed a benefit. But is it really uncomfortable?"

"Ah, what I mean by uncomfortable is simply because of the change. Once I get used to it, it’ll feel normal again. If your senses suddenly become sharper, you will also feel uncomfortable, right?"

"That’s true."

"That’s how it is for me. I take care of my nails every day because if they grow longer by just 0.1 cm, gripping my blade feels a bit off. Maybe I’m just too sensitive to that."

"I see. For now, I will note it. Tell me if you feel any other changes. If there’s a pain, I will remove it immediately."

"Don’t worry. I don’t think there’s anything bad. But once the Artificial Heart Method is completely formed, I think I will be able to use my own energy better."

"That will be great, right?"

"Of course." Ellia smiled. "This is really surprising. I guess I will be in your care from now on, my master."

Auric felt goosebumps as he took a step back. "Phrasing. I’m not your teacher or your owner."

People often called evolution masters just ’masters’ because the first word was redundant. But the way Ellia said it made it sound like a different kind of master.

Ellia just chuckled as if she were teasing him. "Well, I should keep this act up for a while, right? It’s already this late, and you haven’t had dinner yet. Do you want to come to my apartment? I will cook something you like."