Acceptance

"Fuuu~"

Taking a moment to calm his breath, Asher regained back focus. Through this entire time, he never once let go of Elsa's petite waist. And neither did Elsa let go of Asher's tight waist.

Subconsciously they both felt the most secure in each other's arms.

Elsa held a patient, gentle smile as she could plainly see a contemplating expression on Asher's face.

"Melton Family…."

Asher quietly muttered under his breath. His mind started to quickly analyze his memories since the name Melton struck a familiar chord with him.

But he just needed a little bit more of a push, so Asher asked Elsa, "Samuel Melton….just who is this guy? Considering your talent, this guy must have a decently high talent, right?"

"Haaah…."

Elsa leaked a small sigh of emotion of her own. There was a slight unwillingness swirling in her chest thinking about this topic. She didn't want to admit this, but the facts couldn't be denied.

"Yes….Samuel Melton has an exceptionally high talent. His talent was shown to go up to the Late Stage Earth Tier level. Asher, while that may not be as high as your talent, the frustrating thing is….Samuel Melton is already at the Early Stage of the Earth Tier realm."

"Wh-what?! You're actually serious??" Asher nearly couldn't believe what he just had heard.

The Earth Tier realm! That was as or even more powerful than most professors around the whole of Balreth Academy!

At that level, one could live a lavish high-class life for the rest of their lives in Pearlcrest City. No matter where they would go, eyes would be filled with respect, awe, and fear in front of an Earth Tier powerhouse.

And this kind of person was a genius that supposedly getting into a relationship with Elsa?!

Asher took another deep breath, spewing hot air from his nose as he had then asked, "That strength….it completely trumps any of us in Balreth Academy! This guy….he's also in a Sect, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Not only does he has his Family eternally backing him, but he's also the number one Holy Genius of the Winter Astral Sect." Elsa unloaded more bombshell news with bitterness lacing her voice.

The Melton Family and the Winter Astral Sect….it suddenly clicked in Asher's mind then.

The Melton Family, Asher recalled reading about the High-Class level Families within Pearlcrest City, and the Melton Family was one of them.

Just a High-Class level family has enough power, wealth, and influence alone to crush any Middle-Class or Low-Class Family. Essentially, a High-Class family could be called pseudo nobility.

Unless one is from another equally powerful High-Class family, it would be impossible to go against them.

Not that this alone wasn't terrifying enough, Samuel Melton is also backed by the Winter Astral Sect!

And Asher had read that this Sect is the strongest in the entire General District area of Pearlcrest City. Even for the upper-level Districts, not too many are daring enough to go against that Sect.

Upon processing all of this heavy load of news, Asher didn't lose control of his emotions this time. His mind started to analyze everything, causing his pupils to dilate.

Because it was at this moment, Asher realized he's actually been taking his relationship with Elsa for granted.

Because he scored such high talent and prowess during the Potential Assembly, Asher truly believed he could spend a reasonably long time with Elsa before any problem arose.

But Asher understood now that those thoughts were simply naive and foolish.

Asher will never let go of Elsa or have her be taken away. And to achieve stability, he needs to let go of everything.

Just recently, Asher contemplated his new thought cycle on losing his humanity and what it means to be a Ghost. But finally, now, against the indomitable pressure of two behemoth powerhouses, Asher realized such thoughts are useless to him.

Even as this sounds extremely possessive to Asher himself but, Elsa is his and only his. No other man, no matter where they come from, what status they have, or what power they wield, can change this.

It was time to stop considering the rules and morals of humanity and truly embrace what it means to be a Ghost. Asher knows there was much more of his Ghostly side that he probably sitting under and could tremendously help him and Elsa out now.

And he was going to explore every avenue to expand his power and status no matter the risk!

"Asher….?"

Elsa was entirely unaware of the massive mind changes happening in Asher's mind. She believed he was feeling enormous pressure because of the seemingly grave expression he was putting on.

Right then, Elsa was about to reach out to caress his face again. As she did, she stopped when a bright glittering glow sparked from Asher's eyes!

'Chi!'

A blinding blue light blasted from Asher's eyes like rays of sunlight, drowning everything in an azure radiance for hundreds of feet!

'This….'

Elsa curiously raised her brows as she was forced to shut her eyes. Asher's prowess wasn't increasing at all, yet, there was something so comforting about the blue light shimmering from his eyes.

Since it wasn't like he was making a breakthrough, Elsa was inquisitive about what was exactly happening. However, she patiently waited until the blinding blue glow died down.

Though she didn't have to wait long as within a second, the blue flash vanished without a trace.

At the same time, Elsa felt that comforting warmth go away, prompting her to open her eyes back up.

"Asher-Ah! You're eyes….they're-they changed!" Elsa felt hypnotic awe staring into Asher's new set of eyes now.

As of now and forever, Asher's eyes were a permanent dazzling blue color! The blue glow swirling within his eyes shined an even brighter radiance than Elsa's own beautiful eyes!

For a moment, Elsa recalled seeing this color before. During the time she first passionately made out with Asher, she spotted his eyes changing color.

But during that time, there was only a faint trace of a blue glow. Now it was full of a luminous glow of blue.

"Hmmm? Oh? They changed, huh?"

When speaking, Asher didn't sound any different at all. In fact, his mannerism and calm stride remained within him. The only change visibly really was just his eyes.

Even inside his entire body, Asher didn't feel stronger at all. But, Asher knew a profound change occurred within his mental state.

He had finally cut off any confusion about humanity in his mind before it could fester and mess with him down the line.

Asher was still the same self he always was and will be, but now, he fully embraced his Ghostly side.

Although Asher wasn't sure why his eyes suddenly permanently changed on their own, he could tell it was related to the shift within his mental state.

"You said that so casually as if you knew this would happen. Just what's going on, Asher?" Elsa further inquired while being unable to take her eyes from his mesmerizing blue eyes.

Feeling calmer than he ever did, Asher decided it was time. Elsa would need to know this in the future anyway. And there weren't any lasting doubts in his mind now.

"Well, Elsa. It's actually pretty simple. Upon my System's Soul Awakening, I had discovered my race entirely changed. I'm no longer a human….but a Ghost."

"....? Really? A Ghost hm?"

Contrary to any reaction Asher expected, Elsa only showed a curious expression. She leaned up a bit, letting her breath tickle Asher's cheek.

Asher didn't know what Elsa was doing, but after seemingly examining him, her eyes flashed in realization.

"Mnh. Ah….that would make sense. With the number of crazy achievements you constantly perform over and over again, I wouldn't be surprised if you were some special demon."

Elsa spoke in such a casual tone as if there wasn't anything wrong.

Asher felt legitimately confused. He curled his brows and asked Elsa, "Say….aren't you taking this a bit too well, lightly. I mean, I was keeping this a secret. Plus, I'm not a human like you anymore."

"Fufu~."

Instead of any heavy or complicated thoughts and emotions. Elsa never felt clearer in her life, letting loose a beautiful chuckle that sounded like an angelic harmony.

"To think my perverted, idiot boyfriend can also be quite silly. Do you think the numerous years we spent tiptoeing around each other meant nothing? And, didn't I tell you that you will be taking responsibility for making me feel so good? Hmph. I'm not accepting anything less."

Asher couldn't help but blink his eyes a few times. He just dropped bombshell news, yet Elsa so casually accepted it.

Moreover, she did it with such a beautiful smile and a clear face that held no hints of embarrassment.

Just from the heavy feelings swirling in her eyes, Asher saw everything he needed to see. They didn't need to exchange flowery words; they both could see and feel their deep feelings.

His smile was about to broaden, but right then, it seemed Elsa realized that she was so caught up in the moment.

"Ah-Ah! U-uhm….Mnh!"

Elsa's face gained a bright blush as the words she so proudly spoke rebounded in her head. Being totally honest like that was far too embarrassing for someone like her.

"Don't go getting a big head now. I-I was just caught up in the heat of the moment."

It was all too cute seeing Elsa so desperately want to cover her tracks and maintain her prideful air.

Even though it was enticing to see Elsa speak so confidently without any embarrassment, there was also something far more enticing seeing this reserved, indifferent girl blush with shame.

Asher slightly shook his head at that thought and, feeling entirely invigorated, told Elsa, "Right. Right. One day, your cuteness might be the death of me."

Feeling and seeing Elsa's squirm in his arm only brought that much more amusement to Asher. But in the next second, Asher turned gravely serious.

"So now that we have my race change topic out of the way. Let's focus back on your problems." "

Ah, right." In the snap of a second as well, Elsa immediately turned serious.

With everything out in the open, a stronger sense of trust subtly formed between Asher and Elsa, allowing them to think calmer for the inevitable challenging future ahead.