"So I just... drink it?" she asked, glancing up at Rachel.
Rachel gave a thumbs up. "Go for it. Worst case? You get sparkly eyes for a minute."
With a sigh, Luna dipped her fingers into the water and brought a palmful to her lips. She hesitated, sniffed it once, and then drank.
Immediately, a soft chime rang in her ears.
[Effect Granted: "Air Step." Passive skill acquired.]
[User may create a solid block of air beneath their feet to be used as a foothold to change or accelerate their trajectory.]
Luna blinked as a faint ripple of blue light shimmered beneath her boots, then vanished just as quickly. She stared at the pond, then at her hands, flexing her fingers like she was waiting to feel something.
"...That’s it?" she muttered.
Rachel shrugged. "Don’t look at me. Mine came with sparkles."
Luna stepped back cautiously, then took a short hop forward. Nothing unusual happened....until she pushed off the ground a little harder. Her foot caught on something invisible midair, and she landed a few feet away with a light thud, like she’d kicked off solid ground that wasn’t there.
Adam stared. "Did you just jump off the air?"
Luna raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Looks like it."
Rachel grinned. "Okay, yeah. That’s pretty cool."
Adam turned his head and blinked in surprise. He had no idea how Lily had gotten from where she was sitting to right beside him without noticing.
Not waiting for anyone to tell her anything, Lily dunked her face into the pond to drink while Moku lapped up some water like a dog drinking from a bowl.
After a few moments, Lily came up for air and a new chime rang out.
Luna crouched beside her, peering at the glowing orb. "So what kind of pet are we talking about?"
Lily smiled softly, cradling the egg. "I don’t know yet. But I have a good feeling about this."
Moku barked happily and wagged his tail, circling her legs as if sensing the new companion already.
Adam leaned forward, squinting at the egg. "You think it’ll hatch soon?"
"Only one way to find out," Lily said, her voice calm but excited.
Rachel nodded, standing up and brushing dirt off her legs. "Well, let’s hope your pet doesn’t steal all the attention."
"Or eat all the food," Adam added with a wary glance.
Lily turned to face him with an offended look on her face.
"Excuse me? That’s my job, no child of mine is going to take that away from me!"
Adam rolled his eyes as he sank to his knees, getting ready to take a drink himself.
"Of course you would say that." He replied with an exaggerated roll of his eyes.
Seeing Adam somewhat unguarded, Luna and Rachel exchanged quick glances. Without a word being spoken, they came to a mutual understanding.
Adam had thrown rocks at their heads and they would not be satisfied if they didn’t have their revenge.
Just as Adam was about to take a sip, a strong push came from his back and he ended up falling into the pond with a loud splash.
His body sank beneath the surface as he flailed at the unexpected situation. His mouth opened and water surged in.
Despite that, he didn’t feel like he was drowning as a strange heat began to course through his body.
Adam sputtered and coughed as he surfaced, water dripping from his hair and clothes. He wiped his eyes, glaring at Luna and Rachel with a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"That wasn’t funny!" he exclaimed, shaking water from his sleeves.
Rachel smirked. "You were asking for it after throwing rocks at us."
Luna crossed her arms, trying to hide a grin. "Payback’s fair."
Adam muttered under his breath but knelt by the edge and cupped some water in his hands. Taking a deep breath, he drank.
Immediately, a soft chime sounded in his ears.
[Effect Granted: "Puppet Physique." Passive skill acquired.]
[User’s body gains enhanced flexibility and control, allowing for fluid, precise movements akin to a marionette. Increased resistance to physical impact and rapid limb repositioning. When paired with the Puppeteering Class, can reattach Severed appendages automatically.]
Adam blinked as the warmth spread through his body and the new sensation settled in. Then, a soft, cool voice echoed clearly inside his mind.
This pool has granted you exactly what you sought, Adam. Your body now moves with the precision and control of a marionette. Use it wisely.
Adam’s eyes widened in surprise at Arachne’s sudden confirmation. That was an unexpected gain.
He turned to Luna with a small, confident smile. "Hey, Luna... want to test this out? You could try cutting off my hand."
Luna frowned, brows knitting together in confusion and concern. "Cut off your hand? Why would you want me to do that?"
Adam shrugged. "I want to see if I can really dodge or even reattach it like I’m supposed to."
Luna’s expression softened. "I only swung like that because I was sure you could dodge. But actually cutting off your hand... that’s serious."
Adam held out his hand steadily. "I’m ready if you are."
Luna glanced at him carefully, weighing the risk, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But be careful."
Adam shrugged in a nonchalant manner.
"I can always just reattach it the normal way if this doesnt work out."
Lily shuddered as she immediately retorted "Yeah but your ’normal’ way is anything but!"
Luna tightened her grip on the axe, her gaze fixed on Adam’s outstretched hand. Her movements were slow and deliberate, the weight of the situation clear in her eyes. Everyone around the pond fell quiet, even Rachel losing her usual smirk.
"You sure?" Luna asked one last time.
Adam nodded, calm and collected. "Let’s see what this body can really do."
With a swift motion, Luna raised the axe and brought it down.
There was a clean, wet sound as the blade sliced through flesh and bone. Adam’s hand hit the forest floor with a soft thud, fingers twitching slightly on their own. He didn’t scream, he merely winced and gritted his teeth.
Lily looked like she was about to be sick. "Oh my god..."
Rachel leaned in, both horrified and fascinated. "That’s... weirdly impressive."
Luna stepped back, stunned. "You really weren’t kidding."
Adam flexed his fingers experimentally, watching them move as if nothing had happened. "Feels fine. I don’t feel any different"
Rachel folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that’s definitely one way to prove it works."
Adam grinned. "Told you. Puppet body."
Lily glared at him angrily as if she was about to lose the contents of her breakfast.
"More like Gross Body!"