The Ultimate Support Character

"Entrusting my life with you..."

With that question, Fleur fell silent. Based on her current expression, she's currently asking herself the same question.

Thinking about it, that's all it will probably take for someone to be my Companion. To entrust both of our lives with each other. The convergence of destiny which the Spirit Queen mentioned was just a representation of that.

Though she will be deciding on the notion that she can die anytime against the Dark World Transcendents, I will make sure that even if everyone here died from their assault. Sofiel and Fleur will live.

Over time, Fleur's hand that was interlocked with mine tightened its grip. She lifted her face and stared straight at me, that deep shade of red communicating to my very soul.

Before she could decide, I once again reaffirmed my feelings for her.

As she came to a decision, Fleur decisively reached for my face. Sliding her hand from my cheeks to the back of my head, she pulled my head towards her at the same time that her head also went forward to meet mine.

I guess this is how she wanted to answer, eh?

Though I'm aware of what was happening and what she wanted to do, I let her do it. This is the answer she arrived at.

Halfway through, her half-opened lips whispered something.

"I entrust my life to you. It doesn't matter if you entrust yours to me as well. In this lifetime, there will only be you."

Right afterwards, Fleur's icy-bluish lips that were possibly influenced by her Main Element overlapped mine. Though it was a bit cold, recalling the words she just whispered, I decisively returned her kiss along with my response to her answer.

And like what happened with Sofiel a few days ago, the similar sound and the series of notifications appeared.

[Rank 1 Transcendent Fleur has been added as your Companion.]

[Received a Passive Skill from Rank 1 Transcendent Fleur: Enhanced Water Elemental Spells]

[Enhanced Water Elemental Spells: A simple enhancement derived from Transcendent's ability which was shared to those connected to her. 20% additional power and efficiency to the experience gained for Elemental Spell Proficiency.]

In the midst of savoring our overlapped lips and the occasional movements we were doing to feel it better, Fleur's Aura grew in power. Upon receiving the Support Bonus and the Passive Skill that was passed onto her from me, she grew closer to conjuring her 5th ice-like Strings. Furthering her Transcendent Pathway.

And the same as her, just like how I felt it when I added Sofiel as one of my Companions, the new Passive Skill further my understanding with the Elemental Pathway.

As if it's only waiting for this point. Elemental Energy instantly flooded our surroundings not just for her newfound strength but also for my Mortal Pathway that was stagnant for a while now.

As soon as the dense amount of Elemental Energy was absorbed in my body, something was seemingly unlocked. Like a dam that was about to be full, the floodgates opened resulting in the overflowing Flux Energy to flow towards a new place. Due to the two Passive Skills which enhance my Elemental Pathway, it carried me up and to breakthrough from my current stage.

[Ding!]

[Advanced to Transformed Spirit]

[Current Connection: 5 Rivers]

[Advanced to 5th Stage Saint Realm]

When the notification about my Physique Pathway appeared, the next ones paused for a while as if it's waiting for something.

And soon enough, I had to let go of Fleur's lips as another flood of Elemental Energy filled up my surroundings.

Upon seeing that, Fleur nodded at me. Her face has a hint of red which resulted from what had transpired between us. Understanding the situation I was currently in, she stepped back to give the space to me. Just like what I did when her 4th String manifested.

After that, the 5th orb flew out of the Necklace and the last of my Augmented Skills, the Energy Slash, appeared in the form of a Scroll.

The Orb of Improvement shone brightly. The light emitted by it were then directed towards the Scroll, enhancing the Halo that will be made.

As soon as my 5th Halo formed, the series of notifications continued.

[Support Expert System has leveled up to 5]

[Advanced to Gold-rank Tier 1]

[Advanced to 5th Stage Elemental Condensing Realm]

[Added one slot for Supported Individuals]

[Support Bonus has been enhanced]

[Level 3 Psyche Boost: 3.4 Int>3.7 Int]

[Level 3 Physical Boost: 20.4 Str>22.2 Str]

[Level 3 Health Boost: 20.4 End>22.2 End]

[Advanced Energy Control has been enhanced.]

[A Halo Skill has been created.]

[Karmic Slash: Unleash an unassuming Energy Slash. Upon hitting someone or something with it, a certain effect related to the target will take effect. It will harm your perceived enemy and will help your perceived ally. The effect can also depend on the target's luck; it can severely injure someone or it can save someone from the brink of death. This skill has a delayed effect which can be hastened by putting in more energy. Activation Cost: 1000 units of Level 1 Source Energy.]

[The Passive Skill Energy Density(Energy Slash) has been removed and has been replaced by two new passive skills.]

[Cost Reduction (Karmic Slash): -500 units]

[Lucky Strike (Karmic Slash): 5% chance to realize what you intend to happen. To an extent.]

[Gained 15 Strength, 15 Endurance, 0.5 Intelligence]

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[Level 5 Support Expert System (0%)

Ability: Level 2 Adaptability (64%)

Physique Cultivation: 5th Stage Saint Realm (0%)

Spirit Cultivation: 5-River Transformed Spirit Stage (0%)

Spirit Transformation: Energy Incarnate Form

Meta Pathway: Gold-rank Tier 1 (0%)

Elemental Pathway: 5th Stage Elemental Condensing Realm (0%)

Updated Status:

Universal Rank: Rank 1 Transcendent

Strength: 137.8 (214.3)

Endurance: 147.7 (226)

Intelligence: 14 (19)

UPL: 221.72

Supported List: (14/15)

Current Stats Bonus: 70% of the average stats of Supported Individuals.

Updated/New Skills:

- Energy Zone

- Nullification Zone

- Halo Skill (5/5)

Masteries:

- Level 1 Advanced Sword Mastery (8%)

+Sword Skills (3/7)

-Flash Draw

-Counter

-Unnamed Sword Skill

Companions:

- Sugawara Yuko (Earth) : Rank 1 Transcendent

- Minami Yumiko (Earth) : Rank 1 Transcendent

- Zerina (World of Systems) : Rank 5 Mortal*

- Avelin (World of Barbarians) : Rank 5 Mortal

- Erin (World of Barbarians) : Rank 5 Mortal

- Jayna (World of Spirits) : Rank 5 Mortal*

- Nysia Athonae (World of Meta) : Rank 1 Transcendent

- Sofiel (World of Elements) : Rank 2 Transcendent

- Fleur (World of Elements) : Rank 1 Transcendent

Status: +3 Endurance(World Bonus),+5 Strength, +5 Endurance(Hero's Awakening), Automatic Energy Accumulation]

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When the flood of energy settled, my new stage for every Pathway had completely stabilized. Looking at the updated page of my own status, I've finally broken through to more than 200 Power Level which was made possible both by my breakthrough this time and the updated average base stats of the Heroes. Six out of fourteen already reached Transcendence after all. Also, two more will be once Boris and Hikari complete theirs. The other Heroes listed were also on their way to reach the threshold, most of them only needed one more small stage breakthrough and my Support Bonus got enhanced again, some of them might have reached it by now.

So in the following days, I can expect more stat increases from them along with the increase of their average stats. Though small, it's still a gain nonetheless.

As for the fifth Halo Spell, I kind of expected that it would result in that considering the nature of the Orb. However, upon transforming into a Halo, it's not just an offensive skill anymore. It can now be directed to a perceived ally. Like the other Halo Skills, everything has become more or less a Support Skill except the Phantasmic Doppelganger.

But the way I used it to train the elites, it can also be categorized as a Support, right?

The road to becoming the Ultimate Support was already solidified. The question is… What's waiting for me in the end?

"You broke through… And it's not even a normal breakthrough. All of your Pathways broke through at the same time…"

Fleur muttered as she approached my position once again. With the way she said it, there's a slight hint of awe in her voice.

"It's thanks to you, Fleur. Let me meet your parents once more."

I circled my arms to her back and pulled her in an embrace. Her usually expressionless face was now showing her bashfulness. Nevertheless, her arms also moved to embrace me after a bout of deliberation in her mind.

After becoming my companion, she's becoming conscious of our interaction towards each other as it now has more meaning than before.

"… Un. I also planned to bring you to them and ask for their blessings. The Elementals have that tradition."

Tradition, eh? It's almost the same as those on Earth.

Either way, Fleur becoming my companion this time elevated her stats and made her a lot stronger than she was before. The gap between her and Arland increased once more putting her up next to Sofiel in this world.

In terms of my Companions, she's next to Sofiel and Nysia who has the Orb of Protection. Yuko and Yumiko will also be able to contend against them through the use of their Unique Abilities. But yeah, they really needed to spar against each other to determine who's the strongest.

Err… Gathering them together comes first. Also, I don't want them to have a conflict with each other. Though there will be some jealousy to the time I spent with someone, it can't be helped for now. We still have a lot of issues to resolve here.

Namely, the Dark World Transcendents and their Noxian minions. With this increase in our strength just now, the upcoming confrontation with them is something I now look forward to.