Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out?

Chapter 2018: They’re Coming Back Pretty Soon

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"I didn’t know you needed a place like this so badly, Dad, but I’m glad I could help," I said with a nod. "And about the materials, you can extract anything you need. I trust your judgment."

"Thank you!" he replied, nodding. "I will mostly cultivate using the atmosphere of this place, but I may also take some materials here and there to fuse them into my body and further evolve my power through my own methods."

"Speaking of methods, what exactly are those?" I asked. "Could you teach me about them, Dad?"

"You want to learn from your old man? Even after growing so strong? You sure?" he asked, tilting his head. "Do you think you will really learn anything from me?"

"What?! You’re the one who taught me the sword, Dad! Without you, I wouldn’t know a thing!" I said with a chuckle. "Of course I want you to teach me."

"...Okay," he nodded. "I guess once we finish with the dungeon business, we can take it easy and I’ll teach you a thing or two. Alright?"

"But what about now? We have the whole day," I pressed.

"You’re really insistent, but alright," he said with a nod. "I suppose I owe you that much after what you did. And you are my dear daughter, after all. Hey, Zephyrus, don’t you want to learn from your father too?"

"Oh? I didn’t know I could ask..." my brother said. "Big sis is always so bold about these things... But okay! I’m in!"

"Brother and sister together! That’s better. Teaching only one might get boring," my father laughed, patting our heads. "My two kids... you are my everything! I am always happy whenever I see you two. Not just because of what you have accomplished. Just knowing you have grown up healthy is enough to make me smile from ear to ear! Hahaha!"

He pulled us both into a tight hug. We felt a little embarrassed, but also incredibly happy to have him with us.

"Alright then!" my mother said with a nod. "I suppose we have seen everything and talked enough for now. Shall we return to the first floor and enjoy the rest of the day? There is still too much tension in the air, and honestly, this place is way too hot! Sylphy, could you please help us get out of here?"

"A-Ahah, right, right, okay," I nodded. I opened a portal to the first floor, and we finally stepped into the lush, green nature. "Now this is better. The air feels so fresh~!"

"It’s nice!" Aquarina nodded, spreading her arms and stretching. "Oh man, I needed this! I want to go to the beach though! Can’t we?"

"Yeah, there is a huge beach. We saw it when we fell through the skies!" Celica said with a nod.

"I want to go as well," Celeste added. "It has been a while since we enjoyed a proper beach with bright sun and everything. That lake in the dwarf city is not bad, but it feels artificial in the end."

"Yeah! Sounds like so much fun!!!" Lara exclaimed. "Ah, I wish Luck was here! When are he and Zack going to return?"

"I miss Zack!" Mist said, nodding. "I wish he could be here to enjoy the moment with us..."

"I am sure they will return soon," I said with a smile. "Through our system connection, I can tell they are safe, healthy, and growing stronger."

"I’ve already received a message from Arafunn, by the way," my mother said. "He is returning... I think maybe tomorrow or the day after?"

"Wait, what?!" we all reacted at once. Even amidst the loud cacophony of the jungle animals screaming and singing, our voices were loud enough to silence them all.

"Sorry for not telling you earlier. There were so many things to worry about..." my mother sighed. "Plus there is the evil god’s curse, and then this whole mess with Sylphy... Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to call it a mess, dear."

"No, no, it is fine. It is a mess," I laughed. "Anyway, isn’t that amazing news?! They are coming back!"

"Yeah! I miss them!" Lara nodded.

"Me too!" Mist added.

The two happiest about their return were naturally their girlfriends. Lara wanted nothing more than to see Luck again. Maybe they would finally start dating properly. I hoped so.

As for Mist and Zack, they were already in a relationship, and three years apart was a very long time.

I could only imagine what they might do once they finally reunited. If they were both ready to take the next step in their relationship, they would probably...

Yeah, I had better not think about my friends doing that stuff. It was wrong, Sylphy, you damn perverted woman.

"I can’t say I don’t miss Zack and Luck. They were our friends," Aquarina nodded. "Even now it feels strange that the annoying guy with green hair isn’t around, or that shy beast boy who was always groaning beside Lara while acting like he wasn’t soft inside."

"Hahaha! Yeah, those were our boys," Celeste laughed. "I wonder, after all these years, have they grown into something better or different?"

"We have all developed in our own ways," I nodded. "But comparing ourselves to how we looked three years ago would be unfair. We have all grown up."

"Well, aside from a certain someone, you haven’t really changed that much, Sylphy," Lara chuckled. "Hahaha!"

"W-What?! You haven’t changed either!" I lied.

"Nuh-uh, I got much taller and I am a cute young woman now!" Lara laughed cheerfully. "Heheh!"

She was not wrong. Lara was no longer childlike. She had grown into a beautiful young lady, tall, slender, and carrying a more mature charm, though she still kept her bright, childlike wonder.

"Me too!" Mist said. Although she remained petite, she had clearly developed. Her facial features had matured. She was no longer so baby-faced. She looked like a graceful young lady now.

"Yeah, yeah, both of you have grown nicely," I sighed, crossing my arms. "It is not my fault I am the only half-elf here who barely changes!"

"You are pretty the way you are," Aquarina said. "And I believe you have grown up exactly as much as you needed to. I like my girlfriend pocket-sized."

"Pocket-sized?!" I gasped. "Oh no you didn’t! How can you call me that?! I am not pocket-sized!"

"You’re a shortstack," she chuckled, kissing my forehead.

"Shortstack?! W-What does that even mean?!" I cried angrily.

"Shortstack, definition: Shortstack women are defined as petite, usually 5’4" or shorter, with a curvaceous, busty, or stout build. The term combines ’short’ with ’stacked,’ meaning well-endowed. It is often used in internet culture to describe a specific voluptuous and compact physique."

Alice’s voice suddenly echoed behind me, giving me the definition of something I had no idea was even a thing.

"W-What?!" I gasped.

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