Utopian System

While Elio struggled inside his book, trapped in the paralysis of the seventh level, the rest of the team, except for Zara, had already completed their challenges.

Thanks to Elio's intensive training and meticulous strategies, the elephant challenge had proven surprisingly simple for most.

Kriz, having defeated the elephant with a speed that surprised even himself, now found himself alone in an empty chamber. "Well, is that all?" he muttered, his usual mocking tone tinged with disappointment.

In an uncharacteristically serious moment, he looked at his small rabbit. "You know, little buddy," he said, "when all this is over, we'll have to thank Elio. I don't know how, but he always finds a way to make us stronger."

In his own space, Brok examined his new summoner's robe. The magical fabric fit perfectly to his muscular body, stretching and contracting with each movement.

He imagined that when he had his elephant, he could make it grow like his muscles. He just needed to inject his new element, carbon… black muscles.

Micah began to analyze the possible tactical applications of his new ability. He started practicing carbon generation, gradually feeding his already proficient control.

After several attempts, he had achieved precise control. "The key is balance," he muttered to himself. "Too big and we lose agility, too small and we lose strength."

Aria, in her chamber, practiced channeling her mana through carbon. "Impressive," she murmured. Then, energetically, she began jumping around the chamber like a certain leader celebrating his new powers.

Lila took advantage of the solitude to meditate. Sitting cross-legged, she mentally reviewed each lesson, each strategy. As she meditated, Lila reflected on her role in the group and the mission.

Guilt for her participation in the seductresses' plan still weighed on her conscience, but she was determined to redeem herself, to prove her worth in an honest and honorable way.

Mei, always calculating even in solitude, began planning how to use this new ability to advance her personal ambitions, but also to contribute to the mission's success.

The loyalty that Elio had inspired in her competed with her own desires for power, creating an internal conflict reflected in the restlessness of her small swift.

"Power is important," she reflected, "but the loyalty and trust that Elio has shown us... that's invaluable. We have to live up to it."

Valeria pondered her position in the group and the larger plan. Her pragmatism told her she should relax a bit. "Perhaps," she said, stroking her swift, "we've been focusing on the wrong things."

While the group had fun and explored their new abilities, Zara faced her own challenge inside her book. Unlike the others, she found herself at the level of the icy tunnel that Elio had faced before.

Thanks to Elio's detailed teachings, Zara navigated the tunnel with a confidence that strongly contrasted with her mentor's struggle at the higher level. She had already reached the critical point where her armor regeneration was less than the damage received, but she was prepared.

Zara stopped for a while to recover her stamina...

"Well, it's time to put everything Elio taught me into practice," she muttered to herself.

With determination, she launched forward, running at full speed towards the ice barrier. Remembering Elio's instructions, she combined the necessary elements to create the explosion that would bring down the obstacle.

The impact was deafening, and when the dust settled, she saw with satisfaction that the barrier had been destroyed.

Without wasting time, Zara advanced to the chamber where she knew she would find the penguins. The sight of the creatures controlling the cold sphere, though expected, was still amazing.

With a precision that would have made Elio proud, Zara quickly dispatched the penguins, using the strategies she had tirelessly practiced.

A few hours after the others, but long before Elio, the challenge was overcome.

♢♢♢♢

Meanwhile, Elio remained trapped in his own nightmare.

His body, completely paralyzed, refused to respond to his commands. Frustration and fear grew with each passing second. The sensation of utter helplessness was overwhelming, crushing his spirit with each failed attempt to move.

"Come on, move," he growled internally, but his muscles, tensed to the maximum, didn't yield even a millimeter.

The feeling of being trapped in his own body was suffocating, a claustrophobia of the flesh that threatened to drive him mad.

The superhuman strength he had acquired throughout his previous levels proved useless against this mysterious paralysis. Worse still, the inability to move his fingers prevented him from using his magic, leaving him completely defenseless.

The realization of his powerlessness in this situation was a bitter pill to swallow for someone who had always found a way out.

Elio: 59.5 Resistance / 550 Armor Resistance

The numbers kept decreasing.

Desperation began to take over him as he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye.

Ice Ball, his faithful penguin, looked at him with concern.

The small creature seemed to understand that something was wrong with its summoner so… With a determination that rivaled Elio's, Ice Ball decided to take action.

The penguin backed up a few steps, preparing itself. Elio, unable to move, could only watch in confusion, his mind racing with possibilities but his body refusing to cooperate.

Suddenly, Ice Ball launched forward, propelling itself with all the force its small legs allowed. The penguin intended to help, somehow shake Elio out of his paralysis.

The result was less than ideal.

Ice Ball's head collided with Elio's with a dull thud, sending waves of pain through the already tormented body of his summoner.

"Mmph!" was all Elio could emit, his teeth gritted from pain and paralysis.

The impact, though painful, had an unexpected effect. Elio's rigid body, unable to maintain balance, began to fall backward. For a moment, Elio thought things could only get worse. Falling on his back, completely paralyzed, seemed like a recipe for disaster.

However, when his back made contact with the ground, Elio noticed something strange. The pain, which had been constant and overwhelming, decreased considerably.

The tingling sensation and muscle spasms seemed to attenuate.

Confused at first, Elio soon realized what was happening. His superior elemental resistance cloak, part of the equipment he had brought with him, was separating him from the tunnel floor. Somehow, this separation was interfering with the mysterious force that had been tormenting him.

With a monumental effort, Elio managed to slightly move his head, enough to look at Ice Ball. The penguin, apparently proud of its "help," looked at him expectantly.

"Good job, friend."

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