Reina looked at the book. "I don't think it's just about dancing, Dear. Title can be misleading."

  Jack nodded. Indeed, title could be misleading. He re-activated his [Eyes of Judgement] and evaluated the tome...

  [Name: Book of Dancing Principles]

  [Grade: Unique]

  [Durability: Normal]

  [Special Ability: None]

  [Description: A comprehensive manual written in the ancient Trentree Language. It contains a fundamental philosophy of combat in Trentree culture. It teaches a specialized martial art rooted in the principles of extreme efficiency of movement, fluid weight distribution, efficient footwork, and graceful evasion. The techniques emphasize flowing movements, allowing the practitioner to gain combat momentum with minimal effort.]

  So, it was indeed a misleading title. This was not a book about dancing. It was a manual for martial art. A specific martial art for Trentree Warriors.

  His mind quickly flashed back to the long-limbed people he saw in the battle training. They were valiant and brutal like frenzied berserker. Yet, he remembered that their movements were actually fluid and graceful.

  Jack flipped through the pages. Due to the recent Trentree language mastery he acquired, he could read the language fluently. And the diagrams were quite clear. They showed figures moving in spirals or ducking under strikes. Showing an elegance that made his own brawling style look like a drunken stumble.

  "This could be useful for us, Love." Jack said. Showing the content to Reina. "You already fight like you're dancing with your fog and illusions. With this additional style, it will make you even more formidable."

  He grinned. "As for me? It is even better. My combat style was all self-taught based on observation and battle instinct. Never systematic. This one might not fit my style, but it definitely helps to make my combat art more... organized."

  Reina smiled. Her eyes scanned the written words and the intricate drawings. "It seems like a martial art focused on efficiency. No wasted breath, no wasted motion. In many situation, this can be the difference between life and death. We should study this carefully, Dear."

  "Yeah. But for now, let's see the rest of the rewards." Jack said.

  Within the chest, resting on a bed of velvet moss, there were still two crystals. They were shaped like oversized teardrops. Perfectly clear. But they were swirling with a liquid light that changed colors from deep green to sky blue.

  Jack's appraisal showed their information...

  [Name: Teardrops of Nature]

  [Grade: Legendary]

  [Type: Consumable]

  [Special Ability: Power Evolution]

  [Description: Crystallized drops of the world-tree's sorrow and hope. These are incredibly rare catalysts of evolution. When consumed or absorbed by a being with supernatural affinities, the Teardrop seeks out the most suitable and resonant power within that individual and forces it to transcend its current limitations. It is a permanent upgrade to the power's foundation.]

  The air around the crystals seemed to vibrate. Jack felt a pull in his chest. A resonance with the energy stored in the gems. Legendary grade. These were the real deal. The game changers.

  "They're [Teardrops of Nature], Dear. A powerful consumable that upgrades superpower. Two of them. So, one for you. One for me." Jack said. Holding back his excitement.

  Reina didn't hesitate. She trusted Jack's judgment completely. And she knew they needed every scrap of power they can get.

  She picked up the first crystal. As her fingers touched the surface, the 'teardrop' crystal somehow... melted. The liquid light raced up her arm. Sinking into her skin.

  Immediately, Reina's body began to glow. A soft, white fog erupted from her skin. Swirling around her in a violent miniature cyclone. Her eyes turned into pits of pure silver light. Her breath hitched as if her very essence was being rewritten.

  After a few seconds, the light faded. The fog settled. Reina stood there. Looking the same. Yet, there was something different in her. There was a sharpness to her presence now. And a look of wonder was obvious on her face.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "What happened?" Jack asked.

  Reina blinked. Her once fully silver eyes had returned to their natural dark depth. She looked at her hands. Then vanished.

  She didn't just move in great speed. She ceased to exist in one spot and appeared five meters away instantly. Teleportation. Then she did it again. And again. She was a flickering ghost.

  "My teleportation..." She said later. Her voice was filled with wonder. "It has changed. It used to feel like pushing through a heavy curtain. Now, the curtain isn't there."

  Jack raised his eyebrows. "It improved?"

  "No. It evolved." Reina said. "I'll call this evolved ability [Absolute Blink]. The distance is still short. Limited to what I can perceive. But the strain on my energy is halved. And more importantly..."

  She paused, then flickered again. As she reappeared. A faint, translucent shimmer remained over her skin for a second. "For one second after I arrive, I am... invincible. Physical attacks, spells, curse, even environmental hazard... they cannot harm me. I am invincible for that single heartbeat."

  "An invincibility window on a low-cost teleport?" Jack grinned. "Even if it was just one second, it was a great improvement. Love, you're going to be a nightmare to fight."

  "It is your turn, Dear." She said. Her cheeks were flushed with the thrill of the new power.

  Jack picked up the second Teardrop. It felt cold in his fingers. Then it turned searing hot. He kept holding it. And the crystal immediately emitted liquid light that surged into his central nervous system.

  Jack's world seemed to turn inside out. He felt his connection to one of his abilities strengthened. The [Mysterious Mirror World].

  The 'other side'... The Mirror Space he had used so often to hide, travel, and store his items seemed to expand violently. It was like a cramped apartment suddenly blew its walls out to become a palace. His mind was flooded with expanding spatial coordinates, shrinking reflective surfaces, and the architecture of a realm that obeyed only him.

  A set of system notifications appeared...

  [TEARDROP OF NATURE ASSIMILATED!]

  It paused for a moment. Then it continued rapidly,

  [DETECTED COMPATIBLE SUPERNATURAL ABILITY: MYSTERIOUS MIRROR WORLD]

  [AVAILABLE EVOLUTION FOR SUPERNATURAL ABILITY]

  [EVOLVING...]

  The world seemed to be paused. The evolving process felt like an eternity. Though in reality, it was only a few seconds.

  Then...

  [EVOLUTION COMPLETED]

  [MYSTERIOUS MIRROR WORLD] EVOLVED INTO [MYTHICAL MIRROR REALM]

  When the system notification ended, Jack felt a profound sense of stronger connection to the dimensions.

  "Well?" Reina asked, coming closer.

  Jack didn't answer with words. He cast a cantrip and waved his hand. [Water Splash]. It was not as effective in his human form, but he could cast cantrips.

  He looked at the resulting small puddle on the ground. Usually, he needed a large enough reflective surface to enter mirror dimension. Now, he simply grabbed Reina, activated his ability and stepped toward the tiny puddle.

  His foot didn't crush the tiny puddle. Instead, they ended up standing in a grand foyer. The floors were polished white tiles. Reflecting the candelabra decorated ceiling.

  Massive hallways branched off into the distance. And large, ornate windows showed views of the outside. Acting like surveillance monitors.

  "My [Mysterious Mirror World] has evolved into the [Mythical Mirror Realm]." Jack explained. "Before, I need large enough reflective surface to get here. Now, I don't. Any small reflective surface is enough. A puddle, a tiny mirror, your eyes... If it reflects, it's a door for me. And look at this place."

  He gestured to the surrounding architecture. "It’s not just a small Mirror Space anymore. It's a great Mirror Mansion."

  He walked to a wall and waved his hand. A section of the obsidian shifted. Revealing a storage vault that already held his previously stored items and equipment.

  "This is our new base of operations, Dear." Jack said. "The house in Lonestone is alright when we are there. But the world is wide. I don't plan to stay there forever. This one? This is where we actually live when we start exploring the wider world."

  Reina's eyes sparkled when she heard that. Living in Lonestone was alright for her. Peaceful and filling as she put her mind on daily matters and charity. But she longed for adventures. Just like what they had just done.

  "And those seeds we got?" Jack continued. "We can create an 'Ancient Garden' in here. We can access exterior backyard of this Mirror Mansion now. We can plant the Ancient Fruit Trees right there."

  Reina walked to one of the windows. Watching a small bird in the Trentree Sanctuary outside. "It’s perfect, Dear. We can also observe the real world through these windows."

  Jack nodded. Feeling the surge of satisfaction settle into his bones. The adventure this time was truly worth taking.

  "Rune!" Jack called out.

  The mechanical fairy manifested into the Mirror Mansion. She didn't need to come through the entrance. She could be in any place Jack could.

  She zipped around the place. Her body flashed a vibrant, excited violet. She seemed to approve of the new location.

  "We're done here." Jack said. Looking at the faraway shimmering portal that would take them back to the undersea trench. And eventually, the surface.

  He summarized. "We get the practical skill improvements by joining the ancient war. We get the seeds to be planted. We get a martial art method to practice. And we have the evolved power to be familiarized. It's time to go back."

  Reina smiled and nodded. "Do you want to use your [Nine-Anchor Portal Ring] to go straight to Lonestone, Dear?"

  Jack shook his head. "Yes and no. We will use the ring. But it won't be to Lonestone yet. I want to check Sapphire City first. Let's stay there for a few days. It's been quite a long time..."