Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out? Chapter 2043: Which Stat Should I Spiritualize Next?

"That’s quite enough now…" I declared, my voice tight with frustration. "Scarlet! You too!"

"Agh…" Scarlet clicked her tongue, promptly reverting to her sword form. "S-Sorry… it’s said that old habits die hard."

With both my familiars quickly rejoining the others, I turned to Aquarina, offering a look of apology.

"I-I apologize. Please don’t be angry… I always make an effort to stop them, but… well, they are merely a sword and a shield," I sighed.

"No, it’s alright," Aquarina responded. "I understood they were merely showing affection, yet I still felt jealous… I desire you all to myself, so from now on, you will only receive kisses from me. And hurry and wash off all that lipstick! I shall replace it with my own."

"You possess lipstick?" I inquired, surprised.

"I-I’ve been acquiring a substantial amount of beauty products recently…" Aquarina confessed, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "If you appreciated it, you ought to have mentioned something!"

"I never really… Well, this has become somewhat awkward, but allow me to witness those lips adorned with your new lipstick," I said, a smile gracing my lips.

She swiftly averted her gaze, retrieved an item from her Inventory, and applied it while scrutinizing her reflection in a small hand mirror.

"D-Done! How does it appear?" she asked, her blush deepening.

"Ooohhh?!" I gasped.

The transformation was profound. She appeared even more stunning than usual.

Though, when did she not look gorgeous?

"Blue lipstick and… large eyelashes," she elaborated. "My tribe doesn’t typically observe such customs, but I grew curious… Father procured them for me. He stated they were of the highest caliber. I aspire to appear… more feminine. I also enjoy presenting myself prettily."

"Heheh… I am aware, and you look absolutely delightful," I cooed, drawing her into an embrace. "Smooch!" I planted a kiss on her lips. The lipstick possessed a sweet, intoxicating flavor, and I found myself unable to resist kissing her repeatedly.

Ultimately, Aquarina was overcome with affectionate fervor, showering me with kiss marks from my head to my toes…

Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to complain. The sensation was utterly incredible.

"Perhaps I should acquire some red lipstick and do the same to you—to mark you as my own," I chuckled.

"Uoogh?!" she choked out. "I have no doubt you would look magnificent, but you already wear makeup, do you not?"

"Me?" I tilted my head. "I do, most of the time, but today I am not wearing any."

"E-Eh?!" she sputtered. "S-So, you are naturally this cute, Sylphy?!"

"It must be an elven trait," I replied with a shrug, my hair swaying, catching the light with a dazzling sheen.

"It’s unfair!" she cried out, clutching me tightly. "Elves are excessively beautiful!"

"Hahaha, calm yourself… You are beautiful as well," I whispered, placing a kiss on her neck. "In any case, we have created quite a spectacle here… but I can distinctly feel that I have accumulated a significant amount of EXP. Even Strength has leveled up!"

As I surveyed the surrounding area, Alice materialized beside me.

"Sylphy, you have amassed ample EXP now. With Strength achieving Rank D, it has finally synchronized with your System Status, and the connection has now extended," she elucidated.

"Eh?" I questioned. "What does that signify?"

"There is now sufficient capacity within your internal circuits to accommodate another Living Stat Spirit—should you desire one," she stated.

"Ah! That is truly wonderful… Already?!" I exclaimed, gazing at my status window in sheer disbelief. "Wow… what shall I select? There remain so many stats besides Strength. Perhaps Magic? It would further enhance my overall might, given that I engage in combat utilizing a blend of physical prowess and arcane abilities… It could potentially double my current strength."

"Indeed, it would," Alice concurred. "However, you might also consider Agility, which would enable you to move with even greater velocity than before. And do not overlook the sub-stats! Once a stat is designated as a Living Stat, it gains sub-stats that fundamentally redefine and elevate it, bestowing far more potent effects than were previously achievable."

"Right…" I nodded, stroking my chin thoughtfully. "Allow me to examine."

I opened my status screen.

Disregarding the supplementary stat bonuses—which were merely superficial enhancements and not indicative of genuine internal advancement—the numerical values remained as low as I recalled. All that pent-up power within me, unable to ascend until this very moment… hah.

"A total of 202 Strength is my most significant achievement to date, and I can already perceive the difference, yet alas, the number still appears quite modest," I sighed. "I sincerely hope it escalates even more rapidly from this point onward."

"It should. Each new Rank attained will empower the Living Stat to grow at an exponentially faster rate than prior. Do not fret, Sylphy," Alice reassured me.

"Hmmm, very well then," I acknowledged with a nod. "Defense…? That would not be an unfavorable choice… Magic seems like the most apparent path, yet… Resistance? What capabilities might it possess once it awakens?"

"Naturally, it would substantially augment your resilience against all forms of non-physical damage and more," Alice explained.

"Intriguing… Wait, I can even elect to enhance HP or MP?" I mused. "But those selections would feel rather peculiar… Hm… What outcome might arise if I were to further expand my infinite mana? Would I cease to possess it?"

"No. We are merely applying new templates over your stationary status," Alice clarified. "I am enhancing your attributes by incorporating living systems that integrate with your own. By transforming these into spiritual entities bound to each stat and your soul, the process becomes seamless. The more they flourish, the more effective the integration becomes."

"Oh, how truly fascinating..." I affirmed with a nod. "Then, what are your thoughts on Mana?"

"Hmm, I would still reserve it for last," she suggested. "However, it could potentially manifest a multitude of effects—far beyond your current comprehension."

"Huh..." I stroked my chin thoughtfully. "Each main stat is gaining numerous sub-stats, causing them to expand considerably. This implies I am also acquiring these sub-stats, correct? Ah! I understand! By creating sub-stats for every primary stat, I can augment them since they are not fixed, and their collective increase feeds back into the main stat, is that right?"

"Precisely, you have grasped the concept! Excellent work," Alice acknowledged with a pleased smile. "I harbored doubts that you might never unravel its true mechanics, but it appears you are indeed a remarkably astute young woman."

"Naturally, I am," I declared, puffing out my chest with pride. "Now... Uhhh... Oh, there are Luck and Charm? Hold on, what practical use would those even serve?!"

"Charm could significantly improve your interpersonal interactions—assisting you in persuasion, manipulation, deception, or galvanizing others more effectively. It might even bolster the strength of your allies," Alice elucidated. "As for Luck... I believe that particular one warrants your serious consideration."

"Eh? Wait, what? Why focus on that one so suddenly?"

Alice's expression transformed into one of sheer astonishment as she began to analyze the latent potential within the Luck Stat. Her eyes sparkled with an intensity that was entirely unanticipated.

-----