The Cultivation Room is a large, completely isolated Void Realm, utterly cut off from the outside world. Many first-time visitors find it hard to adjust to the lifestyle within the Cultivation Room, with some even developing psychological disorders due to the oppressively enclosed environment.
Aimou, however, is quite used to life in the Cultivation Room. It feels like being on a wandering crossroad, devoid of dawn or night, as if existing in the gap between day and night.
The only way to judge the passage of time is by the clock on the wall. Aimou sits quietly on the bed, and based on the clock, it’s already morning.
Even though Aimou said a room wasn’t needed, Belli still prepared one for her. As an Alchemy Puppet, she requires no sleep. She spent the entire night lying flat, imitating the act of sleeping, waiting for the next day to arrive.
But after only resting for a few minutes, Belli knocked on Aimou’s door.
Aimou opened the door, filled with apprehension, expecting another ordeal, but this time Belli was serious.
"This is a temporary pass. You can use it to freely enter and exit the Sublimation Furnace Core."
Belli hung a pass around Aimou’s neck, with Aimou’s photo attached to it, evident it was rushed and hastily made.
"Here are the uniforms. I brought several pieces, and you can change into them as needed."
Several garments were piled onto the table, ranging from summer to winter attire.
"And then there’s this..."
Belli, like an overconcerned elder, rambled on about the items she brought, filling Aimou’s table and placing some on the floor.
Aimou wanted to say that, as an Alchemy Puppet, she hardly needed most of the items, but Belli gave her no chance to interject.
"Oh, and the most important things are these."
Belli took off a bracelet from her wrist. At first glance, it looked like any ordinary bracelet, but Aimou could keenly sense the flow of Ether within it; this was an Alchemy Armament.
"Although I’m the head of the Sublimation Furnace Core, my own Tier is still somewhat lacking. If any accident happens, I have almost no capability to protect myself, so I’ve crafted many small life-saving gadgets for myself."
Belli placed the bracelet onto Aimou’s wrist and explained, "These are little gadgets I made in my spare time, so they remain unnamed. This Armament can generate a powerful Ethereal Shock, utilizing its repulsive nature, it can knock back quite a lot of First-Stage Condensers."
"And then there’s this ring. Its effect is quite simple; it can create an Ethereal Barrier to protect you, capable of withstanding the full force attack of a Third-Stage Negative Power User."
A bright, shiny ring was slipped onto Aimou’s finger.
"The most precious one is this Alchemy Armament."
While speaking, Belli took out her earrings and gently clipped them to Aimou’s earlobes.
"Unlike the previously crafted gadgets, this Alchemy Armament is at the Corruption Black Level; its effect allows you to teleport short distances."
Belli’s words left Aimou dumbfounded; Alchemy Armaments capable of spatial displacement are extremely precious, yet she just handed it to her.
"Oh, also, the previous Alchemy Armaments can be reused after a cooling period, but this one is different. It’s one-time use only and can support you for a single teleport before breaking. Unless you’re really facing death, you shouldn’t use it."
After Belli’s diligent preparation, Aimou was now fully equipped.
Completing Aimou’s outfitting, Belli stood aside, looked her over, and muttered to herself, "Even if the instructor comes, he’ll probably be caught off guard by this."
That’s the way of the Alchemist—combat strength isn’t strong, but given enough time to prepare, Belli has the confidence to smother the opponent with Alchemy Armaments.
"Is it... really okay this way?"
Aimou asked cautiously; she was an Alchemist herself and knew just how costly these items were. Belli had practically given her all her equipment.
Belli reassured her, "Don’t worry, these things were bought with public funds and didn’t cost me anything."
Then Belli lowered her voice and whispered to Aimou, "I hired a very skilled accountant; he does excellent counterfeit accounting. Every month I manage to spare quite a bit of funds to do other things."
The absurd words reached Aimou’s ears, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
"Well... that should be about it."
After organizing everything, Belli flopped onto Aimou’s bed, her serious expression replaced with a familiar smile, then Belli patted the mattress beside her.
Aimou understood and sat beside her. She was prepared to resist, but the anticipated ordeal did not materialize.
Belli merely extended her arms, gently hugging Aimou, resting her head next to her, shedding her previously arrogant demeanor for a touch of vulnerability.
After quite a while, Belli murmured, "When I first saw you, I truly thought Alice had come back to life."
"Do you also wish Alice was the one who awoke?" Aimou’s gaze grew somewhat dim.
Belli didn’t answer the question directly, instead bringing up another topic, "Did you know? In my entire life up to now, I’ve only faced death once..."
"In the secret war?" Aimou knew of that past.
"During that calamity, I almost died too, but thankfully Balder saved me."
Speaking of Balder, Belli added, "Balder is the guy who always wears Protective Clothing; he is considered your senior, the instructor’s top disciple."