BXBX NOVEL Chapter 78: Chapter No.78 After-Effect (2)
[Congratulations host for completing the mission]
[Reward: 12500 Destiny Points, Title - Royal Guardian, Unique Skill - King's Insight]
[Does the host want to claim the rewards?]
[Y/N]
My vision blurred as I stared at the system panel, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. The adrenaline from the battle had long since faded, leaving a bone-deep weariness in its place. Despite my fatigue, the sight of the mission rewards piqued my interest.
The title "Royal Guardian" and the unique skill "King's Insight" were promising. Titles and unique skills were incredibly valuable, often providing significant boosts to my abilities or unlocking new potential.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself before mentally selecting "Yes" to claim the rewards. The familiar sensation of the system activating washed over me, followed by a surge of energy that momentarily alleviated my fatigue.
[Title "Royal Guardian" acquired]
[Unique Skill "King's Insight" acquired]
The notifications appeared briefly before the information about the new skill flooded my mind.
[King's Insight:
• Effect 1: Grants the ability to discern the true nature and intentions of others within a certain range.
• Effect 2: Enhances strategic thinking and decision-making, providing insights into optimal courses of action.
• Effect 3: Temporarily increases charisma and leadership abilities when activated.]
The implications of this skill were immense. The ability to read people and situations more accurately would be invaluable, especially given the political intricacies of the kingdom and the ongoing conflicts within my family.
The last attack I unleashed on Cedric used more than just my mana. Even with my Dragon Heart, pulling that off was very difficult. I could feel the strain deep in my bones. Yet, the exhilaration of victory and the new rewards somewhat mitigated my fatigue.
I glanced around my room, taking in the familiar surroundings. The soft glow of the lamplight cast a warm hue, contrasting sharply with the cold, harsh reality of the recent battle. I needed to rest, but my mind wouldn't stop racing.
I decided to test my new skill, "King's Insight." Focusing on my thoughts, I activated it, feeling a strange clarity settle over me. My mind sharpened, and a wave of understanding washed over me, allowing me to see the room and its contents with newfound precision.
I could sense the faintest of magical traces, the subtlest of shifts in the atmosphere, and an acute awareness of my own body and its limits.
Satisfied with the initial test, I deactivated the skill, feeling the mental strain ease. The skill was powerful, but it required careful management. Overuse could lead to exhaustion, both mental and physical.
And before I knew it, my heavy eyelids began to droop, and I felt myself sinking into the embrace of sleep. The day's events, the battles, the rewards—they all faded into the background as exhaustion finally claimed me.
I awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. My body ached, but the rest had done me good. I stretched, feeling the familiar stiffness of muscles that had been pushed to their limits. Despite the lingering soreness, I felt quite refreshed, must be the dragon and demonic regeneration.
But as I tried to pull myself off the bed, I felt a heavy feeling on my chest and on my right arm... and left arm.
Looking down, I saw Sionna and Liliana clinging to me, their faces peaceful in slumber. Sionna's indigo hair was spread out across my chest, while Liliana's silver locks were draped over my right arm. On my left arm, Lily, who must have come in during the night, was sleeping soundly, her grip firm as if seeking reassurance.
A soft smile tugged at my lips. They must have been worried and sought comfort by staying close. Gently, I tried to shift without waking them, but Sionna stirred, blinking sleepily at me.
"Good morning, Sionna," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Morning, Samael," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "Are you feeling better?"
"I am," I assured her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "But when did you all wake up in here?"
Sionna stretched and yawned, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "I... I don't really remember. I just felt like I needed to be close to you. The battles, everything that happened—it's been a lot."
Liliana stirred next to Sionna, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked at me, then smiled softly. "We wanted to make sure you were okay. It's been a rough few days."
Lily, still holding my arm, stirred slightly at the sound of our voices. She opened her eyes and looked at me with a mix of surprise and relief. "Samael, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"I'm better now, thanks to all of you," I said, gently kissing her and Liliana's forehead too.
"Here..." Lily muttered something under her breath while pointing at her mouth? lips?
I tilted my head slightly, trying to understand Lily's gesture. It seemed she was trying to say something but was too tired to articulate clearly. I leaned in closer, offering her a soft, reassuring smile.
"Is everything alright, Lily?" I asked softly.
Lily's eyes met mine with a mixture of sleepiness and affection. She reached up and kissed me on my lips with passion and gentleness, her lips lingering for a moment before she pulled back with a shy smile.
"I needed to remind you how much you mean to me," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with sincerity.
A warm flush spread through me at her touch and words. I gently cupped her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek. "Thank you, Lily. Your support means the world to me."
Liliana, now fully awake, watched us with vacant eyes, "Where's mine?"
I looked at Liliana, momentarily taken aback by her playful yet tired query. A small smile crept onto my face as I realized she was asking for a similar gesture of affection.
"How could I forget you, Liliana?" I said softly, leaning over and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Mou~ I too want it on lips," She pouted like a playful child, her eyes sparkling with mischief despite her tiredness.
I chuckled softly, touched by her light-heartedness amidst the exhaustion. "Alright, Liliana," I said with a warm smile, leaning closer. I placed a tender kiss on her lips, savoring the sweet connection between us.
Liliana's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and when she pulled back, she beamed at me with satisfaction. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft but filled with genuine affection.
Sionna, having watched the exchange with innocent eyes finally said, "Hey, what are you doing attaching your mouth with hers?"
I chuckled softly at Sionna's innocent question, feeling a slight blush rise to my cheeks. "Just sharing a moment of affection," I explained, trying to keep my tone light and reassuring. "It helps us stay connected and supports each other through tough times."
Sionna tilted her head slightly, her expression a mix of curiosity and understanding. "Okay, then give me mine."
I grinned at Sionna's playful request, feeling a mixture of affection and amusement. "Alright, Sionna," I said, shifting slightly to face her. "You deserve some love and reassurance too."
I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, letting the gesture be a reflection of my care and gratitude for her presence. Sionna's cheeks flushed with a light pink hue, and she smiled up at me with a mix of shyness and happiness.
But soon a frown replaced the smile on Sionna's face as she gazed at me with hurt, "I too want it on my mouth, Samael," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of hurt and playful challenge.
I blinked in surprise, my heart aching at her earnest expression. I hadn't expected Sionna to feel left out or to ask for a kiss on her lips. It was clear she was feeling a bit left out amid the affection shared with Liliana and Lily.
"Alright, Sionna," I said softly, trying to hide the smile that tugged at my lips. I gently cupped her face, leaning in closer. "You deserve to feel cherished too."
As I pressed my lips to hers, it was a tender, lingering kiss, meant to convey my love and appreciation. Sionna's initial surprise quickly melted into a contented smile, her eyes closing momentarily as she savored the gesture.
When I pulled back, Sionna's cheeks were still pink, but her eyes were full of warmth. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft and filled with gratitude.
With the morning light growing stronger, we all began to prepare for the day ahead. The atmosphere was lighter, the earlier tension eased by our shared moments of closeness.
"Let's go downstairs, I am super hungry and haven't eaten anything since yesterday an unmistakable rumble.
Lily, Liliana, and Sionna chuckled softly at the sound, and we all began to disentangle ourselves from the bed. The warmth of the morning sun filtering through the curtains seemed to chase away the remnants of fatigue and tension.
As we made our way downstairs, the house felt unusually peaceful. The tension of recent events seemed to have been momentarily set aside, replaced by a simple, shared sense of comfort and normalcy.
In the kitchen, the aroma of breakfast wafted through the air. Mother had already begun preparing the morning meal, and the scent of fresh bread, sizzling bacon, and brewing coffee filled the room.
As I turned to the dining table I saw someone already sitting—
"Raven..."
.
..
...
[To Be Continued]
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