"What was that?" Vlad asked via neuro-link.
"I'm not sure," Adam replied.
"Let me check, Adam," Lyra offered. Lyra scanned, confirming it was connected to one of Adam's dimensions. "It's sealed, but the voice emanates from one of your dimensions."
"So it's one of the creatures that was inside my dimension," Adam mused. "It's unfortunate, but it's not possible to send them out."
"It's not impossible if the creature tries to form a contract with you themselves," Lyra informed him. "Since they are inside your dimensions, they could form a contract with you."
"How can I do that with it?" Adam asked.
"You can't, but that creature needs to do it themselves. So it depends on them to start," Lyra explained.
"Can I connect to them? To tell it to form the contract?" Adam pressed.
"No, unfortunately, it's not possible. For it to be able to connect to you is already a feat for the creature itself. Normally, they wouldn't be able to connect to you," Lyra informed him.
"What creature is it? How was it able to send its voice out?" Adam wondered aloud.
"I'm unable to get through your dimension because it's sealed. Whatever that creature is, it's strong enough to do it," Lyra stated.
The false alarm of a new ally was instantly shut down due to the sealed nature of Adam's power. Everyone went back to rest, preparing for training the next day. Azrael squeezed between both Adam and Lyra as Vlad sent his blood wolves to guard the camps.
Evolving Warriors and Strategic Training
The next day, everyone gathered. Fifteen of the evolved humans were taught by Lyra, while the remaining 30 formed a new group for outfield training. Lyra scanned each of the evolved individuals, assessing their affinities and new abilities.
Each one had an affinity to a specific element, similar to a variant, along with one unique ability. Each of those with an elemental affinity learned to use its power as Lyra instructed them on the basics and how it could be further developed. Some learned healing magic, others wind element casting, fire enhancement on their bodies, divine light casting, and many more. Each volunteer focused solely on honing their new elemental abilities, setting aside their weapons and armor for now.
"The weapons don't perfectly fit their newly evolved elements. However, they can still be used for combat," Lyra informed Adam.
"Train their abilities," Adam replied. "It doesn't matter if it's compatible. They could use it regardless and have an extra ability to increase their chance of survival."
"We're going deeper into the forest today, as most zombies and variants from yesterday have been cleared out," Vlad announced.
Adam continued his own training, learning new ways to conjure using the projectile system, combining it with his Codex ability and the elemental properties stored within his universal tool.
As three days passed, all the volunteers had become evolved humans with elemental affinities. All of them trained rigorously, going outfield with their newfound abilities. Their confidence grew as each day passes knowing they could defeat the variants easier by their outfield experience.