It seems that spells usually have their own titles, as well as categories that define each individual's talent in using them. But I guess that only applies to humans... Being a [Healer], simply calling it “healing magic” sounds too generic. Perhaps... [Abyssal Healing]? Yes, that provisional name will do for now. I've never been very creative, not even the titles of my old reports were good - most of the time, they were pretty vague.

  At least my healing gifts are still functioning normally and, now that they've been enhanced, I don't have to worry about injuries anymore, since I can treat myself if necessary. But it would also be interesting to test the potency of my purification... And, like it or not, I'm in the perfect pce for that.

  I walked over to where Syphus was sleeping, without hesitation. Now that I've become like him, I'm immune to his corrosion. The instant I stepped in there, I felt the difference-as if I were wearing new shoes and stepping into a deep, dense mud puddle.

  I looked back and saw my footprint marked in the putrid soil. With my new feet, I can get a better sense of the terrain. In my old world, I already had retively rge feet for a woman, but using my previous size as a reference, I think I'm at least three or four sizes too big now... Finding shoes in my size in this pce can be a challenge.

  I continued walking towards the center of the area, the ideal spot to test the radius of my healing magic. Last time, I achieved an almost perfect 10-meter radius. As I adapted, my magic became more efficient. Now, with the power granted by Syphus, it's time to see what has changed.

  I knelt down and touched the ground. The sensation was exactly as I had expected - like holding thick mud in my hands. I closed my eyes and concentrated. It shouldn't be difficult to repeat the process.

  - But what...?

  All the corrosion... isn't being purified. It's being absorbed!

  My intention was just to purify the area, but instead the corruption was sucked up by my hands. The putrid sludge simply disappeared in a matter of seconds.

  I think I've got it. I seem to possess some kind of gift for absorbing elements. Something like... [Elemental Absorption]? I don't know if this ability only works with the corrosion prevalent in this cave, but it's definitely something worth noting.

  The moment I absorbed the corruption, I felt a strange relief. It was as if my mana had been replenished - or perhaps it was something even deeper, as if my body was a sponge, sucking in what was around it.

  The whole area was purified in seconds, and the radius was much greater than before. My healing abilities are indeed more powerful. However, I noticed that the less dispersed the energy, the stronger the healing effect.

  What's more, I've confirmed something important: I'm completely immune to corrosion and its possible toxic effects. Before, my own healing magic protected me, but now there's no need for that. My body has become naturally resistant.

  I can absorb my own element... But I still haven't managed to test what I really want. Time for a change of scenery.

  Oh, that's right! Before I found Syphus, I had one main goal: to look for the source of the ke! Now that the way is clear, I can move on. If I find the spring, I might be able to purify it... It would be a great test for my new power.

  I moved on, crossing the cave. Before long, I realized that I was much higher than I had imagined. I'd climbed up an almost vertical path before, which was no problem for Syphus, since he's a dragon... But to me, the height seemed considerable-something around ten meters. I always use round numbers for reference, and this is certainly a high jump.

  Maybe I'm crazy, but...

  Without thinking too much, I jumped.

  CRASH!

  Anyone falling from such a height would probably die on impact. Their lower bones would be reduced to dust. But for me, all I felt was a momentary pressure in my legs.

  The ground around me cracked, marking the area of impact.

  How was I supposed to interpret that...? Did I... get heavier? I mean, it's not like I've put on weight just because I'm taller... Or did my body change and I didn't even notice?

  I'd better ignore that for now. What matters is that my stamina has increased considerably. I don't know if it was my body's adaptation or if I simply lost some of my common sense with this crazy test. Either way, it could have ended badly, even with my powers.

  I continued walking for a few more meters. Even though I had descended, the scenery was still the same - after all, I was still inside a cave filled with corrosion. What else did I expect to find?

  The ground, however, seemed less putrid than up there. It still had the characteristic purple hue of corruption, but the texture was different.

  SQUASH.

  My feet sank a little. The ground was wetter and soggier.

  That means I'm close.

  I quickened my pace.

  And then the source of the stream appeared in front of me.

  Water flowed from a medium-sized hole at the top in front. Even if I were much smaller, I still wouldn't have fit in there. The flow was constant, but due to corrosion, the crystal-clear water quickly became impure when it touched the cave floor.

  That's a problem... But I feel I can solve it.

  I entered the spring in my bare feet. The water was cold and had a strange density, as if I were stepping on a jelly that was still forming.

  To my surprise, it wasn't that deep - or maybe that's because I'm tall. The area wasn't that wide either, and as I got closer to the center, the water rose a little beyond my waist.

  Let's see... What can be done?

  From what I understand, the corrosion is more intense around where Syphus was. It takes time for it to soak into the soil and ores, with the exception of pnts. As long as their roots aren't treated, the corrosion will spread quickly. However, after I purified them, they didn't even return to that color.

  So maybe I can purify this water. Of course, it's just a theory. As I'm in the center of the spring, it might work.

  Vaku