22 Aftermath: 3

Three days passed by fairly quickly as I and Livia moved into our new place. The good thing about living off campus was the fact that on top of not having my shit destroyed every other day, I had more room.

It was annoying having to walk farther to school every day but I was getting used to it.

Thankfully for me, end-of-term exams had begun and I was off my schedule. This meant, aside from the times I'd have to go in for a test, I could strictly devote myself to training.

This desire was enhanced after a certain incident.

…

It was after all the helpers had been sent to their respective assignments that I had Luxion begin a new project.

As much as I drooled over the thought of my own high-powered laser magic, I'd finally come to my senses and understood that it would probably be a waste, especially when Luxion could probably build it.

Everything was going smoothly and within two days and a bunch of helpers contributing to the cause, a prototype was launched.

Within 15 seconds of entering orbit, the prototype imploded.

Luxion using the original prototype as a basis launched another one, and yet again, it imploded as soon as it reached orbit.

It was the first time I had seen the AI so frustrated and I'd have gotten a laugh out of it, if I wasn't concerned about what the hell was happening.

The third prototype was instead sent just below where orbit began. We waited for minutes but in the end, nothing happened.

So the question remained, what was happening?

To test, we sent all sorts of material up there. Paper, copper, zinc, and even some stuff made of carbon.

The result?

Everything one way or another was destroyed completely.

There was something causing this to happen, yet nothing Luxion had data on pointed to any answer.

This completely rid a lot of my plans. Forget sending myself to space, I couldn't even get anything in orbit.

Mankind as a whole was trapped.

And worst of all, this meant I still wasn't free.

In my old life, I wouldn't have felt so chained as I now did. I had accepted my place among normality, scraping by as an ordinary man.

But now, in this world, with these powers, it horrified me that something out there so close still had so much more power over me.

I didn't want to go back to that helpless. To feel content knowing I had no control over my fate if nature willed it.

I wanted freedom, true freedom. To see the stars if I wanted, to go to another planet if I wanted.

That desire hit me hard and threw me head-first into nonstop training. The list of things I wanted to buy just out of straight coolness factor was thrown out the window.

LP: 322,870

These last few days with Livia had boosted my LP tremendously, more than anything had ever before.

Too bad it would soon all be spent.

I had long since learned that it would be better to invest in LP regeneration skills. If I kept doing so, eventually my LP regeneration would surpass my Mana regeneration and ultimately I'd not even have to buy a 'permanent' mana-based skill. I could just fire off LP-draining skills and have that LP restored faster than my Mana would be restored if I had used the skill with magic.

With that knowledge, I had deliberated over what form of LP regeneration I should buy.

A walking based, sleeping-based, I looked for something I do constantly, something more subconscious.

That was when it hit me, and just like that 250,000 LP points when down the drain.

…

LP: 87,013

I while positioned in a pushup position checked my LP before going back down.

According to Luxion's data, the average human breathed in and out 22,000 times a day.

Considering that I got about 1 LP every 5 breaths, I'd make back my 250,000 LP with just my [Breathing LP Conversion] in around 57 days.

To me, it was worthwhile, especially considering I had other LP regeneration methods.

[Exurtion] was doing wonders to make my breaths come more quickly, and it was satisfying watching my LP go up so quickly.

Initially, I planned to buy a [Heartbeat LP regeneration] but the price for that was way outside my price range, though I'd definitely get it eventually.

The heart beat around 50 times a minute which translated to around 72,000 beats a day. I could definitely make something of that.

…

It was as I was in the middle of a plank that I heard a knock on my door.

Livia usually came by around this time, the girl practically lived with me these past few days.

I couldn't help the smile that came to my face as I got up and prepared to greet my not-girlfriend.

I should have probably checked before I opened the door because if I did I would have noticed that she wasn't alone.

"Angelica?" I asked confused as the red-eyed blonde in front of me looked up in shock at my attire.

Thinking it was just Livia I had neglected putting on a shirt.

"Uhm, sorry Noir. I met her on my way back, she said she needed to speak to you." Livia said, distracted by something around my chest area.

"It's fine, come on in, don't mind the stuff on the floor please I was working out a bit." I opened the door fully to let the two in before closing it and grabbing a towel to dry myself off.

I led them to a different room to sit at a proper table before going off to put a shirt on.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked as I sat across from the new arrival. "I would serve you tea but we're all out."

"No thank you, no need for refreshments, I'd like to get right into why I'm here."

"Umm, this must be important, I bought groceries so I'll go get dinner started." Livia bowed before she with plastic bags in her hands left the room.

"Thanks, Livia." I waved her off.

It wasn't until the door to the room closed that Angelica spoke.

"I've come as a messenger of my family." She started.

I wasn't surprised, she did tell me she would try to help with the whole fiasco.

"I will not lie, your actions have caused a lot of movement amongst the Nobles. Some are wishing for you to be outright executed." She continued noticing that I didn't have any change in expression.

"Are you not concerned." She asked with a small frown.

"Well, I expected as much, I'm sure the ones in the Royal Court are fuming." Luxion had already told me of the talks.

"This is not to be taken lightly." Angelica's tone grew in intensity. "What you did was reckless. And what you're currently doing is only adding onto that."

She was probably referring to the second duel against Greg.

"Getting worked up won't do anything. It's best to remain calm." I responded with a shrug.

"I can't help but think your 'calmness' is only because you don't know of anything." She sighed before she continued.

"Thankfully you're not on your own. My family isn't interested in leaving you to those old men's wicked claws."

"Hmm, I'm surprised. I can't say I expected them to take my side, no offense." I was honestly shocked, I guess some Nobles were different.

"None taken, from what you've seen of Noble society I'm sure you're well acquainted with how most families are." Angelica nodded and a small trace of a smile graced her lips.

She held a high level of pride in her family.

"Back on topic… you'll be surprised to learn that my family is not your only backer." She stopped after she said that, a sort of mischievousness in her tone.

"Oh, let me guess… Her Majesty, The Queen?" I said and watched as her face dropped into utter surprise.

"What?! How?"

"Deductive reasoning."

Luxion told me.

"I assumed she'd be happy knowing her son is free from that manipulative girl."

Speaking of Marie, what did happen to that girl? I haven't heard of her since that day.

Angelica's face formed a pout as she crossed her arms.

Is it cheating that I kind of found that cute? I'm sorry Livia, please forgive me.

"Yes, you're right." She said looking annoyed at the fact that her surprise was spoiled.

"She wants to have a few words with you, do not get the wrong idea, she is still incredibly disappointed in what you did."

Disappointed? What was she, my mother?

"Okay…? And when exactly is this meeting happening?" I questioned, Luxion had said nothing about this, and I was sure the dumbass did that on purpose.

"Well, that is undecided, what is up and coming though is a meeting between you and my father. He said he'd like to meet the man who helped his irresponsible daughter." Her face at that moment reminded me of Livia, that face she made whenever she looked down on herself.

Before I knew it I was standing in front of her and pinching her cheeks.

This action had become synonymous with punishing self-deprecation.

"What are you doing?" She groaned as I molded her face.

"What's over is over. In the end, you won it's time you put it behind you." I said as I stopped pinching her.

"That hurt…" She rubbed her cheeks before glaring at me. "Unlike you, I can't just do that, what I did caused permanent strain between me and His Highness. Not to mention it's very irresponsible for someone who would be the future Queen."

Taking a seat closer to her this time, I just shrugged. "In my opinion, I think it's better it happened. The way he is, you'd only be hurt more if it continued as it did."

"…Your words have merit, but it still doesn't change the facts of the matter. It put not only myself, but my family at risk."

"I'm not saying it was smart, just that some good things came from it because it happened. I guess I can't really say though huh? I've never actually been in your shoes." I rest my elbow on the table.

It was bad manners but this meeting had already been basically concluded, we were now just two friends talking.

Angelica stayed silent about that.

"Well enough with the depressing stuff, when exactly am I expected to arrive at your estate?" I stood up and patted her on the back.

"In two days, I will escort you there, though the choice of transport is up to you." She finished before she too stood up.

"That is all I wished to discuss." She said pushing her chair in.

"Great, Livia should be done soon, you should stay, her cooking is the best." I offered as I could already smell the fragrance.

"I couldn't possibly, after all the trouble I caused you?" She refused.

"Don't make me pinch your cheek again, Plus, we're all friends here, and at this point, I'm sure we're the only ones we've all got."

Angelica reluctantly nodded to that. Her friends had abandoned her when she needed them. There was no coming back from that.

"Then, I will accept your hospitality."

…

"This truly is amazing." Angelica brightened up upon the first bite.

"I'm glad, please eat your fill." Livia smiled brightly as she watched the two of us devour her food.

Afterward, I busted out a brand new deck of Uno cards. Of course, such a thing didn't exist in this world, but with the power of Luxion, I made it happen.

Normally, this game was known to drive friends apart, but somehow all their plus twos and fours always landed on me.

I quit midway through and opted for just watching the two play. It was nice having Angelica around.

With just Livia it was nice but in more of a romantic way. The girl needed an actual female friend to cherish and Angelica seemed to fill that role very nicely.

…

Soon enough, Angelica departed the apartment, deciding to get back to campus before it got too dark.

I and Livia lay on the floor side by side as she recounted to me everything she had done today.

"Angelica is fun, I like her." It was after she was done with her re-cap that she turned to the most current events.

"She is, isn't she? I like her too." It wasn't until after I spoke that I realized that could've been taken the wrong way.

"Mhm, she should come back soon."

I clearly underestimated her, she really is getting better.

"What so you two can team up on me again?" I scoffed much to her amusement.

"You're just unlucky." She giggled as she rolled her way onto me.

Seeing her face suddenly come into view was a nice surprise.

I said nothing to that and just ran my fingers through her hair.

That silence lasted for a while until Livia stood up.

"I have another test early tomorrow, I should probably get ready for bed."

It was surreal in all honesty, how fast our dynamic had changed over the course of less than a week.

My eyes were drawn to Livia as I watched her begin dropping her clothes without any hesitation.

First her dress shirt, then her skirt.

She stood in front of me with nothing but her pink matching lingerie before even that was removed.

Her bra was unbuckled and her breast bounced free. A sigh escaped her lips as it happened, she always seemed so relieved when she did that.

Three days ago it would have stopped there, but not anymore.

Her fingers slid into both ends of her underwear and with quick movement, she slide them down her leg and they fell to the floor as well.

Light blonde fuzz covered her pubic mound and just below it a beautiful pink slit.

Livia stood completely naked in front of me, not even attempting to cover herself.

She had said herself that she was most comfortable when naked. Maybe that's why she didn't hold as much inhibition against showing me her body.

"Noir, bathe with me." After the girl gave me a nice view of her folds when she bent down to pick up the clothes she dropped she called out to me.

This was another thing she apparently liked doing. The bath here was pretty big and she liked spending that time with me.

I was a bit thrown off the first time she asked. I'm sure I'd be sporting a boner the entire time.

I eventually gave in and as I thought was hard the entire time. It didn't help that the girl was apparently curious and poked around it.

Too bad that was as far as it went. As innocent a girl as she was, she was not oblivious to what sex was.

And if not made clear by the fluid she had left behind on my lap the day she saw it, she was interested in it.

"Sure, I did sweat a lot." I nodded before standing up.

The girl watched as I undressed in front of her like she did before. Her eyes paid extra attention to my cock when it sprang free from my boxers.

…

'This was the life.'

I couldn't help think as I sat in the warm water. After I made sure to wash her every corner and her the same, we let the water run and sat in the bath.

Livia sat between my legs even though there was plenty of space in other places. Believe me, I wasn't complaining.

I wasn't even that bothered by my painfully erect dick.

"Noir," Livia called for me as I was zoning out.

"Hmm." Seeing she had my attention she turned herself around until she was straddling my lap.

With her lips extended she told me everything I need to know as I went in and took her lips.

Our kisses never went passed just lips but it still felt amazing nonetheless.

We stayed like that until we were done with the bath and got out.

It wasn't long after that, that we cuddled up on the bed, still naked, and went off to dreamland.

…

AN: POWERSTONENSSASSS