-002- The Astonishing Electric Fiend!

As the mechanical voice of the system faded, three vials resembling oral solutions appeared beside Kirito.

“Are these the Elf Aptitude Enhancement Serums?”

Kirito was somewhat puzzled.

Each bottle was transparent, with not even a single word of instruction on it. The liquid inside was milky white, looking slightly viscous.

It seemed the system had just told him he also gained the ability to scan elves.

Kirito instinctively glanced at the Eevee sleeping soundly nearby.

His gaze grew peculiar.

A virtual data panel appeared before his eyes.

Elf: Eevee
Level: 2
Gender: Female
Trait: Adaptability
Aptitude: Common
Skills: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl
…

Seeing this string of data, Kirito suddenly found things much more interesting.

When he first crossed into this world, he hadn’t felt much of anything. But now, looking at the Eevee before him, Kirito felt an urge to raise her well.

“Common aptitude?”

Fragments of information about elf aptitude classifications in this world surfaced in his mind.

The lowest aptitude was common. Above that: Common, Standard, Superior, Leader, Champion, and Quasi-Legendary—six distinct levels.

The higher an elf’s aptitude, the stronger it was, naturally. When elves were at the same level, those with higher aptitude would win. Aptitude was also linked to the maximum level an elf could reach.

Thanks to the original owner’s considerable knowledge of elves in this world, Kirito quickly pieced things together.

Elves here had level caps. Ordinary elves could reach a maximum of level fifty. Reaching level fifty was like a threshold. For elves with common, standard, or even superior aptitudes, breaking through this threshold was exceedingly difficult; thus, level fifty was the limit for most.

For elves with aptitude at leader or above, breaking through required various nutrient solutions.

Usually, the offspring of great families possessed high-aptitude elves, and their likelihood of surpassing the level cap after consuming nutrient solutions was much higher.

The higher the aptitude, the easier it was to break through the cap.

After level fifty, every ten levels became a new threshold. For low-aptitude elves, breaking through each barrier was nothing short of a miracle.

“System, can this Elf Aptitude Enhancement Serum improve an elf’s aptitude?”

Though the little Eevee before him was of common aptitude, since the system had just granted him the serums, Kirito wanted to give it a try.

[This is the most basic enhancement serum, which can raise a common-aptitude elf to standard aptitude. However, each elf can only use one vial; additional doses have no effect.]

Hearing the system’s reply, Kirito was surprised.

Improving aptitude?

In this world, such a thing was unheard of.

An elf’s aptitude was determined while still in its egg. To improve it would be even more miraculous than breaking the level cap for a common-aptitude elf.

“So, does that mean there are serums for raising aptitude beyond standard?” Kirito mused. If the system could provide these three vials, there must be stronger ones.

[Elf Aptitude Enhancement Serums come in five varieties: white, red, yellow, blue, and purple. The white serum raises common aptitude to standard; red upgrades standard to superior, and so on. The purple serum can elevate an elf’s aptitude to quasi-legendary.]

A faint smile appeared at Kirito’s lips.

In this world, aptitude was believed to be innate and immutable. But with such enhancement serums, even a common-aptitude elf could become quasi-legendary. For Kirito, this was truly fantastic news.

This breeding house had already fallen into decline. But if he had enough of these serums, wouldn’t the breeding house rise again?

Moreover, the ability to enhance aptitude would surely become the most sensational news in the world.

[Now issuing the host’s main quest: Renovate and expand the breeding house to become the world’s most renowned breeding house.]

[Now issuing three side quests:]

[First quest: Renovate the breeding house and reopen for business.]

[Second quest: Enhance an elf’s aptitude once.]

[Third quest: Hatch the first elf egg.]

“It begins already?” Kirito was a bit dazed. The feeling was strange, rather like being pushed along by an invisible hand. But it wasn’t unpleasant.

“Renovate the breeding house, huh?” That afternoon, Kirito had carefully inspected the old home. It was located on the outskirts, surrounded by just a few convenience stores and some ordinary residents.

Each household was spaced far apart—there was ample room to build two more houses in between. The yard was sizable, perfect for planting various crops. Most importantly, there was a small pond. Though it had dried up, with some renovation, it could be used to raise fry. In time, he could keep water-type elves. Off to the side stood a patch of withered grass, ideal for planting flowers and herbs—grass-type elves would surely love it.

Having considered all of this, Kirito decided to head out and buy supplies.

Eevee had fallen asleep again on his bed; as for enhancing her aptitude, he decided to save that for the evening.

He went downstairs quietly.

The Elekid in the yard noticed the sound of his descent and followed him.

“Elekid,” Kirito called softly.

Thanks to the scanning ability, Elekid’s data also appeared on his panel.

Elf: Elekid
Level: 7
Gender: Male
Trait: Static
Aptitude: Superior
Skills: Quick Attack, Thunder Shock, Volt Tackle
…

“Hm?” Three question marks might as well have appeared above Kirito’s head.

He was pleasantly surprised that this Elekid was of superior aptitude. But what was with Volt Tackle? Wasn’t that a signature move of the Pikachu family? Why would this Elekid know Volt Tackle?

“Elekid, how did you learn Volt Tackle?” Kirito tilted his head, gazing at Elekid with a mixture of curiosity and bewilderment.

“Bibi?” Elekid scratched his head with his arm, emitting a crackle of electricity. He didn’t know either—it seemed to be an innate ability.

“Elekid, why don’t you show me your Volt Tackle?”

“Bibi!” Elekid nodded and unleashed Thunder Shock—his primary move.

Next, Kirito watched as Elekid used Quick Attack in the yard. Thunder Shock combined with Quick Attack, forming a massive burst of lightning.

“Volt Tackle?”

Kirito’s eyes widened in astonishment. Compared to the usual Volt Tackle of Pikachu, Elekid’s combination seemed even more powerful.

“Elekid, why are your electric-type moves so strong?” Kirito was puzzled. A typical Thunderbolt was probably only as powerful as the Thunder Shock Elekid had just used. What’s more, Elekid had used two moves simultaneously—Thunder Shock plus Quick Attack—that merged into Volt Tackle!

“Dual wielding? Can you use two moves at once?!”

Kirito crouched down, and this time, as he looked at Elekid, there was a trace of awe in his eyes.

“Bibi!” Elekid nodded, as if answering him.

“My goodness! An elf who can dual wield!”

Kirito felt as though he had struck gold. Two elves at the beginning, and one of them was a prodigy?

After his excitement subsided, Kirito decided to head out for shopping.

“Elekid, I’ll be out for a bit. I’ll count on you to watch the house.”

Kirito tried to sound as natural as possible.

“Bibi!” Elekid pounded his chest with a fist, as if assuring him everything was under control.

… (To be continued)