Seraphina, however, could only exhale tiredly. She disapproved of this arrangement, given that they only had two Vylkr vials to power the Vylkr Fusion Armlet.
It wasn't that they couldn't use their own Vylkr containers, but the purpose of this procedure was to ensure they possessed their own Devourer's heart to grow stronger like the gods' chosens, not to turn into a power battery. But, despite her reservations, she gave in to pressure from the Key leaders.
What she disliked most was having to refill the Vylkr energy into the compressed vials after they were done.
'After this, I'll have to talk to Isadora to ask the gods' chosens to guide them on using the Vylkr Fusion Armlet properly," Seraphina thought, shooting a brief, fierce look in Orion's direction. 'But if anything goes wrong, it's on your head.'
Sensing Seraphina's fierce gaze, Orion feigned ignorance and turned to Isadora, who had been trying to get his attention.
"What's on your mind?" Orion asked.
"Chief, I'm sorry for prying, but what's happening here? The aura between them feels unusual, and that... thing on their wrists, is it what I think it is?" Isadora struggled to articulate her thoughts, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before her.
She had been curious about the two Devourer's bracelets Orion had obtained from them, and a sense of unease crept over her as she observed the bracelets on their right arms.
Orion nodded. "You're correct. Thanks to our brilliant minds," he gestured towards Seraphina and the rest of the Healers' Association leaders, "we've been able to study how the Devourer's bracelet works and understand its dynamics. Using that knowledge, we created our Devourer's bracelet, the 'Vylkr Fusion Armlet.' Warrior Fifi and Stronghold Leader Zogar are the first ones to possess this armlet, and we're all here to witness the extent of their newfound strength after the procedure," he explained.
Isadora felt like a resounding drum had struck her ears at Orion's words.
Vylkr Fusion Armlet!! Candidates!! Newfound strength!! It took a moment for her to process Orion's words before she turned her gaze towards Fifi and Stronghold Leader Zogar.
The first time she set foot in this territory, Stronghold Leader Zogar single-handedly decimated Captain Seig's fleet and effortlessly captured both him and his lieutenant.
Meanwhile, Fifi displayed her immense strength during Flintor's rampage and easily subdued him, even after he had overclocked his Devourer's bracelet. Now, learning that they both possessed a similar yet different version of the Devourer's bracelet crafted explicitly for them, Isadora couldn't help but gulp, wondering about the extent of power they now wielded.
Were they even mere mortals anymore?
Isadora's heart raced as she fixed her eyes on the unfolding scene, deciding not to miss a single detail.
"Are you sure about this?" Stronghold Leader Zogar's gaze remained fixed on Fifi as he spoke.
"Yes. I can feel my gift breaking through its limits, reaching levels I never imagined possible. I'm sure you can feel it, too. It's best you prepare yourself and not underestimate me," Fifi responded, her expression solemn.
Stronghold Leader Zogar nodded, "Let us begin then," he responded, smiling.
Fifi nodded. She activated her Vylkr Fusion Armlet, channelling Vylkr energy from her Vylkr container toward it. The gears whirred to life with complex, intricate, intertwining movements as the Vylkr energy flowed towards the Devourer's heart, immediately igniting it.
Suddenly, her body transformed into a watery form, showing Fifi had genuinely ascended into the realm of a Four-star warrior.
Then she stepped forward, abruptly vanishing from her position and reappeared before Stronghold Leader Zogar, tightly grasping his neck within her watery grip.
But that wasn't the end of it; Fifi's watery hand suddenly began to solidify.
Witnessing this scene, Isadora, Orion, the other key leaders, and all the Healers' Association Leaders couldn't help but widen their eyes in astonishment.
"Ice! She can control ice now!" Seraphina exclaimed, amazed by the unexpected turn of events.
Orion's expression turned pensive as he realized that since Fifi's gift was centred around water, it was normal for her to control ice as well, especially considering Stronghold Leader Seth could cool down or intensify his molten lava.
A smile crept onto his lips as he realized the territory's strength had grown again. His anticipation now focused on witnessing Stronghold Leader Zogar's own strength.
Meanwhile, Stronghold Leader Seth observed the scene with folded arms, teeth gritted in annoyance. He quickly regained composure, knowing they still had the chance to acquire another Devourer's bracelet. If necessary—
Looking at a stunned Isadora in the distance, Stronghold Leader Seth remembered they had more gods' chosens who could volunteer for such a role.
Sensing a sudden fierce dread and bloodlust, Isadora snapped out of her daze. She briefly locked eyes with Stronghold Leader Seth before averting her gaze, a shiver running down her spine.
Fifi's entire body had transformed into a being of glowing blue ice. At the same time, Stronghold Leader Zogar found himself entirely frozen, encased in a massive block of ice that covered the rest of the stage.
"I'm sure you can escape, so go ahead and show us the newly uncovered abilities you have unlocked with your gift," Fifi stated, her breath forming a frosty mist in the air. She gazed at his frozen form with her ice-blue eyes, curious to see how he could break free.
She knew facing a five-star warrior like Stronghold Leader Zogar in actual combat would end in her defeat. However, in this controlled battle to test their new powers, she had more tricks up her sleeve than he realized.
Suddenly, Fifi's eyes widened in shock as another frozen figure of Stronghold Leader Zogar emerged from the ice to stand beside her. He swiftly grasped her hand, cracking her frozen arm with his icy grip.
"Are you ready to let go, Fifi? I sense your eagerness to test your new abilities and the urge to prove yourself, but my strength is not to be trifled with," Stronghold Leader Zogar said, his breath forming a frosty mist in the air.
Seeing Fifi's shocked expression as he demonstrated his ability to split his body, he tightened his grip, shattering her arm. It was clear he had made his point.