【Extraction yielded: Trace Flesh + 2 Flora】
Trace Flesh?
Pandora paused.
Oh. Right. The chair had a leather cushion. The System must just lump anything organic under the broad, kinda creepy category of “Flesh.” And “Trace” was its term for a minuscule amount. So, the 2 units of Flora from the chair and the 2 from Elsa’s clothes were probably different, but the System just rounded up. Simple.
She was starting to get the hang of this.
Her eyes fell on the expensive mahogany desk, still covered in her father’s open books and trinkets.
“System,” she thought, a new idea forming, “can I extract just the desk? Not the stuff on it?”
【Host initiates extraction request... Request confirming...】
【Does the Host confirm the extraction of ‘Expensive Mahogany Desk of Douglas Manor’ (excluding items on the surface)?】
It worked!
Pandora’s heart leaped. She could feel the System’s target shift, an invisible boundary drawing around the desk in her mind.
“Cancel!”
The request vanished. She focused again, this time on the desk and everything on it.
“Confirm!”
With a flash of white light, the entire setup—desk, books, papers, all of it—vanished.
Without even checking her new element totals, Pandora’s eyes locked onto the massive bookcase against the wall. She focused, outlining the whole thing in her mind.
【Host initiates extraction request... Request confirming...】
【Does the Host confirm the extraction of ‘Douglas Manor's Mahogany Bookcase and all its contents’?】
“Confirm!”
This time, the light didn't flash instantly. Pandora felt a faint sense of resistance, a strain. The System was powerful, but this was a big job.
A few seconds later, the white light flared anyway, and the bookcase, with every heavy tome inside, was consumed and gone.
Then, Pandora went on a spree.
Like a woman possessed, she darted around the empty study.
The fireplace. Gone.
The tapestries. Gone.
The globe in the corner. Gone.
The paintings on the walls. Gone.
One after another, items vanished at the touch of her fingertips and the lock of her will. She even tried to extract the entire room at once.
The System didn't respond.
Okay, so there’s a limit, Pandora thought, not the least bit discouraged. This was trial and error, and she was learning the rules.
In a dozen minutes, the once-stately study was gutted.
The thick carpet was gone, revealing bare floorboards. The ornate wallpaper was stripped, showing the rough brick beneath. Even the plaster molding on the ceiling had disappeared. The space suddenly felt vast, hollow, and cold.
Now, Pandora stood in the center of this bare-bones room, panting.
A wave of exhaustion washed over her. The System wasn't free; it was taking a cut. A tiny cut of her own stamina, but it added up.
But when the numbers in her mind finally settled, a strange sense of security began to well up inside her.
【Current Alchemical Element Pool:】
【Flesh: 13 units】
【Flora: 49 units】
【Salt-Gold: 5 units】
【Ether: 0 units】
【Soul: 13 units】
It was enough.
It had to be enough for one Myriad Alchemy.
And if it wasn’t? Well, that was just too bad. It wasn't like she could pop outside for more materials.
Taking a deep breath, she shoved the roiling emotions down.
Pandora’s gaze fell back upon the lonely longsword on the floor.
“System,” Pandora’s voice held a barely perceptible tremble, but it was resolute. “Initiate Myriad Alchemy!”
【Host initiates Myriad Alchemy request... Request confirming...】
【Does the Host confirm the use of ‘Handmaiden Elsa's Longsword’ as the Reference Object for Myriad Alchemy?】
“Confirm.”
Her voice echoed in the empty study, full of grim determination.
【Please confirm the quantity of Alchemical Elements to invest.】
“All of it.”
She didn't hesitate.
【Unpurified Soul detected among Alchemical Elements. Invest directly?】
Unpurified?
The word hit her like a splash of cold water. She immediately questioned the System.
This time, it responded.
【Using an unpurified soul in alchemy increases the probability of the alchemical product's characteristics being influenced by the residual sentience within the soul. The core principle of equivalent exchange will not change, but the specific rules of the exchange may vary based on the nature of the sentience.】
【For example, adding a sentience with malice toward the Host will likely result in the alchemical product demanding an unbearable price from the Host. Conversely, a sentience with goodwill will result in a price that is easier to bear.】
【These prices are “equivalent” in essence, but their meaning to the Host may differ.】
The System’s voice was cold and precise, but Pandora understood instantly.
Malice. Goodwill. Price.
Her gaze fell upon the 13 units of “Soul” in her pool, and she couldn’t help but think of Elsa. The handmaiden who, in her final moments, was terrified of hurting her. The girl who said being her maid was the greatest happiness of her life…
Could the sentience in her soul possibly hold malice?
No. Absolutely not.
Pandora was certain. In that case, keeping the soul “unpurified” would only make the price “easier to bear.” It was an advantage.
【Initiate purification process for the 13 units of unpurified Soul?】
“No!”
Her answer was sharp and clear.
【Attention: The Alchemical Elements and Reference Object invested in Myriad Alchemy are one-time consumables and will not be returned. Please confirm alchemy one final time.】
“Yes.”
Pandora took a deep breath, her gaze locked onto the lonely longsword on the floor…
【Request confirmed... Myriad Alchemy initiating...】
Hummm—
A low hum, not in her ears but in the very fabric of her being, resonated in Pandora’s mind!
The next moment, everything changed!