Chapter 18 - Evolution
Waking up with four women sleeping beside and on top of him in bed. Caelum smiled softly from their defenseless figures still bare naked under the sheet. He used a Spatial shift to remove himself from them and did a few stretches feeling the stiffness of his body after everything that happened. Caelum felt proud of himself for defeating them in the bed.
Upon exiting the room, Secre immediately sat on top of his bed sensing her feeling and chuckled since they had a wild restless night. Secre was envious of the girls but was torn by her duties which is why she hadn't revealed herself despite Caelum knowing who she really is.
Confronting her wouldn't do any good and let her decide when she's ready to speak. He first needed to speak with Charlotte to discuss her emotions about him but for now he needed to concentrate on his time with Lily. He went ahead to their kitchen within their facilities that quickly smelled the aroma of someone cooking and went inside to find Lily busily cooking and hadn't noticed him arriving.
Caelum saw this as an opportunity and used [ Shundō] to appear behind her before rightly embracing Lily. She squeals in surprise but realizes who it was that made her pout when Caelum gave her morning kiss on the lips making her blush.
"Why do you have to scare me like that?"
"Hehehe sorry, I thought it would be fun. Anyway, good morning."
"Good morning, hey why do you take a seat while I prepare our breakfast?"
"Just a little longer."
Lily blushes letting him take his time in feeling her warmth before letting go making Lily frown in disappointment but shook her head to continue cooking. It was fortunate that the place had some stored ingredients letting Lily prepare a simple soup and bread along with baked potato.
They place the cutlery while waiting for the others to come and soon the five women arrive with two women still shaky legs. Lily and Secre saw this blush since they knew exactly what had happened and saw how the two had a blissful smile.
The girls gave him a kiss on the lips as morning greeting as they sat down and joined the breakfast. For a while, they've taken a break from all the excitement, deciding to spend the entire day on a date with his harem. It would allow them to get to know each other and place their differences aside to better handle their situation.
Caelum chuckled seeing them having a great them around town spending the money given by Julius. He could always spend his time training but decided to cut the ratio of 80% of his girls, 10% training and 10% Studying to help keep himself balanced.
The next 5 days, Caelum had gained free time with his girlfriends who had either gone on a mission or had their own errand. Lily went to the monastery and renounced her nunhood since she already had a lover now.
At the current times he was concentrating in purifying his Mana core into a [ White core ] and established his foundation as he had reached [ Peaked Body Refining ] which meant his control over his mortal body had reached its utmost limits and required change. Though, it was yet a full metamorphosis when he reached a certain level based on his calculation and knowledge about cultivation.
He took deep concentration trying to remove the impurities of his Mana core that started to cause the mana around him to churned and absorbed everything dry like a void. Caelum could feel his body being torn apart yet gritted his teeth knowing that this is a vital part of the integration of having his 3 body composition to reach new heights.
His blood boils to the extreme pumping them throughout his vein that was overwhelmed by the sudden fluctuation of his blood while his tendons seem to twist and break down while energy pouring into his body like a balloon where it is uncertain when it would pop.
Caelum grunted in pain since this is the first time he had felt this kind of pain after reincarnating into this world. He had been far too used to smooth sailing that struggle had been naught into his consciousness. The primal reason for why every living creature continues to live and change.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A strong gust of wind pushes back everything while Caelum hair seems to change, acquiring a reddish gradient from upward the tips. He could feel something was changing within his body where his mind suddenly reached a state of Serenity and understanding. A cracking sound could be heard when a beacon of energy was released causing everyone to feel the fluctuating energy yet unable to locate the place.
Fortunately, Sapphire was there to help protect her and hide him from the enemy letting Caelum focus on getting stronger than before. Caelum transformation was noticeable when his skin became smoother than before and charm that could make anyone eager to see his face. He emenated a profound aura than before where it was less in disarray and was more settling water who had reached the top of a cup.
It was then Caelum opened his eyes and changed into pure gold with a reptilian slit before gradually wings grew from his back and scales appeared within his arms before growing in size while shredding his clothes. He grew into an enormous creature that had sharp claws and ferocious rows of teeth while spreading one pair of wings that produce a gust of wind.
His scale seem tougher than steel shimmering in metallic shin while Caelum roared fiercely announcing his arrival before his body started to shift once more slowly turning into an elongated serpentine body hovering in the air without any wings having more calming and serene air than the ferocious beast from before.
[ You have reached "Transcendent Human" ]
[ You unlocked "Dragon" Bloodline ]
[ You have reached "Foundation Establishment" Rank ]
Caelum laughed in delight, feeling the overwhelmed power of being a dragon having the same sensation when school ends and finally releases into the wild. He felt liberated from things and saw the world in a different view. He was unaware that the bloodline would make him more lustful and prone to greed yet lowered by being a [ Transcendent Human ].
He converted back into his human form observing containing more magical energy than before and rather than store Caelum was somewhat able to influence the energy itself. Caelum use his [ Magia Erebia ] and instantly transformed without any delay due to his body recognizing the motion.
It was now akin to breathing and can switch it on and off than before. His body itself seems to turn into Mana basking by its endless power. He had transcended the normal limits of mortals becoming a being surpassing them. His primal urges seem to contrast the primal ambition of the dragon bloodline.
"Hmph. Cereza, is there anything I should know that you are able to tell me?"
[ Well, your race has changed where it is able to affect lower life forms that are prone to be influenced by your charisma. Though, strong individuals or those who have been corrupted would resist. For example, Julius and some of the magic knight captains. Regardless, they still would be affected but not as much as normal people. It is recommended that you suppressed your Aura to avoid unnecessary attention. ]
To put it simply, Caelum had become akin to an adult to a child where his words could influence how they act. He tried using his skills to shift space much easier and manipulate time without spending much energy than before. Unlike Julius who had a grimoire that allowed him to use Time Magic effortlessly, Caelum had to spend a large quantity to force the world to be manipulated.
The reason why time and space is difficult to use is because the ability encompasses higher dimensional understanding. The time magic that Julius uses just uses a shortcut unlike Caelum who not only has time magic but manipulates it to some degree now.
Caelum tried creating a skill in order to help him for the long run and before finally conjuring claymores and bastard swords emanating different elements.
"Cereza, can you reorganize My status to show basic racial skill and extra skill? Place the most important to be shown while you're at it, use my newly created [ synthesis ] skill to fuse similar skills."
[ I can, give me a moment. ]
Caelum could feel his skills that were in disarray were slowly reorganized but Cereza placed everything that was always used and added a new status panel.
Status Rewrite
•「 Status 」
•「 Name: Caelum Mercer 」
•「Title:『 One of The Holders 』||『 Fianceé of The Supreme Goddess 』 ||『 Son in law of Omni Emperor 』 || [Blank] || [Blank] 」
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•「Race:『 Transcendent Human 』||『 Source(sealed) 』」
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•「 Gender: Male 」
•「Rank: Foundation Establishment 」
•「 Bloodline:『 Dragon 』」
•「Mana Core Rank: White 」
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•「Unique Skills:『 Creator 』||『 Magia Erebia 』|| 『Gluttony 』|| 『Shapeshift 』||『Cook 』||『Predator 』|| 『Unlimited prison 』|| 『Absolute Severance 』||『Usuper 』||『 Merciless 』|| 」
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•「Racial Skills:『 Dragon Haki 』||『 Higher Comprehension 』||『Mind palace 』 ||『 Split mind 』||『 Enticement 』|| 『 Dragon Transformation 』|| 『 Higher Mind Protection 』|| 」
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•「 Basic Skills:『Shundō 』||『 Koku Shundō 』||『Ki sense 』||『 Mana Sense 』|| 『 20+ others 』」
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•「Magic Skills: 『 Element Magic 』||『Space and Time Magic 』 || 『Concept Magic 』|| 『Anti-Magic 』|| 『Star Magic 』||『World Tree Magic 』|| 『Light and Dark Magic 』||『Nature Magic 』|| 『Dream and Illusion Magic 』|| 『Paint Magic 』」
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•「 Energy:『 Mana 』||『 Dream 』」
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•「 Inventory: Tempest Blade 」
Caelum understood his basic skill is related to knowledge regarding cooking, cleaning, etc. They act like a skill that is able to be learned by certain types of people which is why Shundō could be placed into basic skill considering for martial artists it is the most primary basic of foot work.
He pleased with his skills and power creating focus on trying to gain control over his newly acquired power. His thought had reached a level where his understanding was near instant. The fundamentals of creating a skill had become much easier than before.
Few hours of spending time on grasping his overwhelming senses and letting himself get used to the sensation before heading to their home base.
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The sound of fireworks could be heard and the people of the clover kingdom were having a festive day as it was the time when the magic knights were given the opportunity to show their skill and join their ranks. Every magic knight was there except for one and was shocked when Caelum arrived along with Sapphire who was emanating a different air than before.
He wore a white mantle with a jacket wrap around his waist while having the signia of his squad [ White tempest ] and remained to wear his mask. The magic knight captain reevaluated the strange air around him. They couldn't fully understand what they were feeling but understand that Caelum had changed.
Soon Caelum sat beside Charlotte who was blushing at how close they were and tried her best to distract herself by focusing on the new applicant.
Caelum didn't mind deciding to talk to her after the event while Sapphire giggled at her adorable reaction. It was strange for him to be there when he didn't plan on having pawns but unfortunately it was required. He rests his face into his cheek while Secre remains on his head watching along with them.
The people saw them with great interest with few recognizing Caelum because of his mask and quickly his story spread learning about what he had done to them. Caelum notices those who are arrogant looking down at him and causes his dragon trait to feel annoyed before using a bit of his [ Dragon Haki ] to scare them. An invisible golden flash was released with only those directed able to see it.
'Pathetic…Hmmm maybe I'll turn some of them into a loyal troop.'