Naturally, VERA's calculations couldn't give Kain the final evolutionary forms of Bea—Kain would need to use the Simulator and spend what little Source Points he had to activate each run.
However, VERA was able to run her own mental calculations to come up with evolutionary formulas that would be the most likely to work—which is what she was showing Kain now.
Unfortunately, she could not accurately predict the final form, otherwise, Kain would have a way to get a downgraded simulation for free in a sense.
There were 55 evolutionary base materials VERA identified as resulting in a positive evolutionary result—one that would get Bea to diamond grade.
'No way… why are there so many? There is no way that I have come into contact with that many high-level evolutionary materials of the mental attribute.'
Kain expressed his confusion to VERA, who paused in thought, seeming to be processing his question.
[My calculations have determined that Master does have access to 2437 evolutionary base materials of attributes suitable for the 'Bea.' Only 55 of which will result in a positive outcome.]
"Where?! If I have such a ridiculous amount of resources, shouldn't I know?!"
[Processing request…Locations of objects will be displayed momentarily.] VERA said as its eyes began flashing frantically while completing the task.
[Locating complete. 3 of the 55 materials are in the Storage Hall, 1 is in the Master's space ring, and the remaining 51 are at these locations:]
Suddenly a 3D map of the planet of Pangea appeared with 51 lit points marking various objects. Some of the lit points appeared to be on land, some underground, others under water, and some were even moving.
Kain instinctively leaned forward, eyes narrowing. There were places on the map he hadn't even explored yet, some tucked into corners of Pangea formed only recently.
It was only at this moment that Kain fully understood the full extent of the treasure trove he was sitting on.
Indeed, now that Pangea had improved greatly, the quality of the materials produced by the planet has bloomed exponentially—to the point now where even his own contracts could use them to evolve.
But looking at the numerous spots of light, while his heart was filled with elation, it was also filled with exhaustion at having to filter through 55 evolutionary forms—maybe even more if he combined materials.
"Is there any way you could cut down the number of materials to the absolute best?" Kain looked at VERA hopefully.
[Processing request…request completed]
The map in front of Kain briefly disappeared before reappearing again…the exact same!
"What's the difference?!"
[A single material was sensed to be damaged and removed. Now only 50 are being displayed.]
Finally, a flash of insight struck Kain. "Also, remove any that have redundant functions or would likely lead to the same evolutionary form! Just show the better or easier to find one."
VERA's eyes once again flashed frantically for several more minutes before a new simpler map appeared before Kain…with still 27 points of light.
"Sigh…It's still quite a lot but still an improvement I guess." With a thought, Kain focused on a point of light and willed his body there.
He appeared in a clearing not far from Aurem's territory where a giant rhinoceros was slumbering—likely one of Aurem's new underlings.
Kain's eyes instantly fixed on its glowing massive horn and sensed that this was likely one of the objects. However, he decided against killing it when he may not need its horn anyways and moved onto the next location.
Kain blinked out of existence near the rhinoceros and reappeared atop a jagged cliffside where a pool of liquid moonlight shimmered between the rocks. The silver fluid strangely hummed with mental energy, its surface rippling with various unfamiliar phantom images—memories from those creatures unfortunate enough to fall into it.
"Interesting." Kain had never heard of anything similar on Earth, and even if Bea didn't use it, he was curious about its abilities. He scooped quite a bit of it into a crystal vial that materialized in his hand.
His next stop was a cavern deep beneath Pangea's eastern ocean, where bioluminescent fungi clung to the walls in pulsating constellations. At the center grew a single black orchid, its petals threaded with veins of gold.
The moment Kain touched it, a wave of drowsy contentment washed over him. He harvested it carefully, making sure its roots remained intact before storing it carefully.
The next destination took Kain to the base of a cliffside crater, where a pulsing violet crystal jutted out from between the fractured rocks.
It looked almost like a cluster of amethyst spears, except each shard seemed to hum softly with a tone that made Kain's temples ache slightly the longer he remained.
He reached out to touch it, but the stone was anchored deep within the cliff and couldn't be extracted without damage.
"Tch. Not getting this one either…" he muttered, stepping back. Still, he kept his eyes on it for several seconds longer, letting the sight burn into his memory. That was all he needed for now to run the simulations.
Unfortunately, despite VERA's ability to sense suitable objects on Pangea and the fusion between the System and Pangea, the limitation of needing to personally see the objects remained. So after travelling to every location and taking what he could, he returned to the Laboratory.
In total, he was able to bring back 16, plus the 4 he already had in possession.
He set the objects down on a rich dark-wood table near the Simulator in neat rows, and then walked toward the Simulator and placed his palm on the central crystal interface. It hummed to life. A warm pulse traveled up his arm and into his core, almost like it was resonating with any remnant Source energy inside of him. A feeling he'd never received when the System used GP.
[Available Source Points: 8]
[Each evolutionary simulation requires 1 SP. Confirm usage?]
Due to the success of his current career, it had been a long time since Kain had felt so poor.