Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1633: What Happened to the Phantom?

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Every time he tried, the energy surge pushed Adam away forcefully. Although shattering the glass cube with one punch would have been effortless for him, the training guidelines restricted him to using solely his energy—and up to now, his efforts had yielded little fruit.

Tron employed just a tiny portion of his power, yet because he operated on a superior tier, it posed a genuine challenge for Adam.

At the same time, Tron, Silvana, and Riska lounged around a table, sipping juice and munching on cookies. They had packed these treats from home, anticipating that Adam would need considerable time to conquer this training segment.

"Riska, I have a question." Silvana cast a glance her way, aware of Riska’s background.

"Hmm?" Riska propped her head on her hand. "Go ahead, I’m all ears."

"You started out as a Phantom, didn’t you? So... I wouldn’t have realized this earlier, but what occurred with your abilities when Tron advanced to K2, K3, and particularly K4 Level?"

These represented the stages where an Operator evolved beyond mere emotional and informational aid for a Phantom, integrating fully into the core strength.

However... Riska had never served as an Operator. Actually, she stood out as a rare exception. As a Phantom, she chose to abandon that existence, yearning solely for a dependable companion.

"Oh, got it," Riska offered a faint smile. "It may appear intricate, but truly, it’s straightforward. My Evolution Tree, my Nexus, and every skill I possessed—they’ve all vanished."

"Agh?"

Riska affirmed with a nod.

"Tron’s Evolution Tree integrated all that I offered. No alternative was feasible, since eventually, those in our circumstances must transform into genuine Operators."

"True Operator?" Silvana appeared puzzled. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Riska smiled warmly, her gaze softening on Silvana.

"Didn’t you ever ponder it?" She shifted her eyes to Adam, immersed in his training. "Prior to his Evolution Tree bestowing you with energy, before you merged into his inner realm. How do you differ from the myriad of other female Operators?"

Silvana found herself taken aback.

"Hmm? What are you getting at?"

Riska grinned slyly. "Precisely as I stated. What prevented Adam from swapping you out for another? Provided that the woman matched his temperament and performed her Operator duties adequately, she could have stepped right in."

Beads of cold sweat formed on Silvana’s brow. She longed to refute it, yet before she could speak, she stiffened.

The truth of Riska’s words dawned on her.

Similar to the majority of Operators, she had undergone academy training amid countless girls identical to herself. Unfazed by self-assessment, Silvana acknowledged that several were more attractive, sharper, and diligent than her.

"Purely by numbers... One among them would have complemented Adam equally well, or perhaps superiorly."

Then it struck Silvana that, at their journey’s outset, while Adam possessed unique traits, she remained an ordinary person. Devoid of energy, abilities, or anything special. Any comparable candidate could have seamlessly taken her role.

"You see it now, don’t you?" Riska remarked, sipping her juice.

Her eyes turned to Tron as she softly clasped his hand.

"Until your Phantom’s Evolution Tree granted you energy, you weren’t a legitimate Operator. You functioned merely as a mission department staffer assigned to this Phantom. Beyond duties and private bonds, no deeper tie existed.

"For typical folks, that suffices amply, but not for our kind. Bluntly stated, you became his true Operator only upon receiving Adam’s energy. Prior to that, you were simply a person aiding a Phantom brimming with energy and might—nothing beyond."

Silvana swallowed hard. This revelation from Riska surprised her, yet denial proved impossible, for it mirrored reality.

Riska beamed.

"Yet, he selected you, correct?"

"Y-Yes."

Riska nodded, her fingers tracing Tron’s chest lightly.

"I experienced the same. Honestly? It marked the pinnacle of my days. The moment I embraced being a proper Operator, not a discarded Phantom, fulfilling the role I desired. That’s when I knew my decision wasn’t fleeting—it was always a viable path."

Silvana inched closer, nibbling her nails thoughtfully.

"Thus, contrary to our initial convictions, anyone could potentially emerge as a Phantom or Operator? For some through fortune, others via decision, yet universally attainable."

Tron now entered the discussion.

"Correct. In essence, a Phantom and Operator unite within the same inner space, sourcing strength from the Evolution Tree. Before that union, Operators essentially don’t exist."

Riska nestled her head against Tron’s shoulder.

"To directly address your query, I’m unequivocally his Operator now, and solely that. Whether I might revert to Phantom status or reclaim my abilities remains unknown, but it’s irrelevant. That’s not my aspiration."

Silvana nodded, her gaze returning to Adam persisting with his training. Success eluded him thus far, but she trusted he’d eventually banish Tron’s energy from the glass cube.

’How peculiar it unfolds... Prior to the Dead Lands, I and many believed it hinged on mere chance and aptitude. Yet truly, it’s far more intricate, isn’t it?’

She buried her face in her palms, peeking out with just her eyes fixed on Adam.

’Wonderful, I refuse the notion that luck alone brought us here. We arrived by traversing this path united, and someday... We’ll claim the First and Last Star side by side.’