March 7th and Stelle bid Giovanni farewell as well, then set off on their trial journey with Bubbles in their arms.
They began solving the furnace puzzles Serval and Pela had mentioned. After opening every passage and defeating the Etherium Spirits they encountered along the way, turning them into data chips, they used those chips to strengthen their own Etherium Spirits.
By now, their Etherium Spirits had reached level twenty, and the Outer Void Flame Etherium Spirit had also been equipped with more powerful skill chips.
The same went for March 7th's Outer Void Ice. With her and Stelle working together, plus Bubbles providing support and healing the Etherium Spirits, their Etherium Spirits were surprisingly still in good condition after so many battles, their HP close to full.
Ding.
Pela: We noticed that you lit every furnace in the Iron Guard Restricted Zone. Well done. I assume you also fought the wild Etherium Spirits that appeared along the way? We're looking forward to facing you.
Serval: That's right! Don't let Pela's calm expression fool you—she's actually really excited~
Pela: ...
"Serval and Pela sent us a message. They noticed we solved all the furnace puzzles, and they even knew we defeated the wild Etherium Spirits?"
"Then there's no time to waste. Let's go, Stelle. Let's challenge the championship contenders of this Victory Paradise!"
So Stelle and March 7th hurried back the way they came. With no Etherium Spirits or mechanisms blocking their path anymore, they returned to the platform where Serval and Pela were waiting at three times the speed.
"Hey, hey, you got here fast! Looks like you're enjoying this game too."
Serval looked at Stelle and March 7th with a cheerful smile.
"Hehe, of course! Hand over the champion badge already~"
Stelle planted her hands on her hips