Inner Workings

That night Noel and Cara both asked for James to repeat the kiss he gave them again... and again... and again. Well, they asked him for it more times than he could count not that he was complaining. It felt like every time he was able to show his affection toward them that he felt more fulfilled inside.

He continued to show his love for them until they finally both fell asleep in their bed. It was even more surprising that the two of them had decided not to argue with each other that night and just enjoy the time they had with James since he would be leaving for a while the next day.

Once they had both fallen asleep and James was laying in between the two of them he finally had a chance to reflect on his own thoughts. During the past few days of training, he had felt that he was getting a lot closer with Noel and Cara allowing him to feel a resemblance of happiness again which was great except for one thing.

He had no idea if it was his true feelings or not.

For the past few nights, James had become worried that the feelings he was having toward Noel and Cara weren't really his own. The black Qi that had manifested in his body had been proven to increase the affection of those that have it and James was worried that everything he had experienced so far was all a lie.

'Does it really matter though?' James thought to himself with a new thought. In reality, even if the feelings he had were all a lie it didn't mean he wanted to go back to the way he was before. Since he had been sleeping with Noel and Cara he hadn't had a single bad dream.

The nightmares that had plagued him when he first arrived were nowhere to be seen much less any type of loneliness within him.

Now that he had mentally just accepted whatever kind of strange situation he was in he changed his goal to keep his new life going. No matter what happened he was going to protect these two girls with his life.

Even if they decided they wanted to go somewhere else one day without him he wouldn't let them since they were his forever~

'Oh, that was an extreme thought.' James thought before he fell asleep.

*****

The day had finally come for the Inner Disciple test. This day would mark the beginning of James' adventure toward the top of the sect. While it may not be his final destination in the end it was still a big deal and a step in his advancement.

During the morning Cara and Noel had gone over with him the skills he had been taught once more and a few different things, "No matter what someone might say to you be on your guard. There is no one out there you can fully trust your back to and especially since what happened with that Silvio guy. Just make sure to be careful." Noel said with a worried face.

James smiled at her worry before kissing her once more, "Don't worry I won't put myself in a situation where I won't return home faster to you." James said confidently which made Noel have a crazy smile try and creep on her face.

James then turned to Cara who quickly spoke up, "Just remember all the things I have taught you so far. The skills that you have picked up should make anyone in that exam easy to deal with. However, this world is an ever changing place so just like what Noel said be careful." Cara said as she received a kiss as well.

"Of course! With everything you have shown me, I won't let anyone stop me!" James said with a small flex of his arm.

With their goodbyes out of the way, James made his way to the gate of the Inner Disciple area where the overseer of his test was. Surprisingly James recognized this person as Fourth Elder who was the one that went to James' house on his second day in the sect to find his dead disciple.

Ever since that time James had heard nothing about what happened to the Disciple except for they found his body mutilated in an alleyway in the sect. Besides that, they had found nothing on the person that did it or even any kind of evidence to go off of.

The elders and other people had written off Cara as a suspect since she was with James the whole time and was also known as a very good person ever since her first day in the sect.

"Oh, you are taking the exam already? Are you sure you are ready yet?" Fourth Elder said in shock as he saw James walking into the crowd of Disciples in front of him. It had only been a while since the two of them had seen each other and back then James had almost no power to his name.

"I believe I'm more than ready Fourth Elder. I haven't just been sitting in my room these past few weeks." James said with pure confidence that even shocked those around him. Many of the Disciples thought he was just blowing hot air but Fourth Elder was momentarily shocked as he checked James' cultivation.

'How did he become a peak Elementary Realm cultivator so quickly?! It has only been a few weeks!' Fourth Elder thought in shock. He had never seen such a fast pace in his life and was wondering if his power was deceiving him.

Before Fourth Elder could think on it too long a group of Disciples arrived and bowed in front of the Fourth Elder, "Disciples greet Fourth Elder. We were the group sent by Second Elder and young master to assist you." The group of about 15 said making Fourth Elder grin maliciously.

"Good good~ All of the First Elder and Third Elders people are mixed in the crowd right now. However, I'm sure you will be able to weed them out based on their robes." Fourth Elder instructed before the group nodded and made their way to the crowd in front of the gate.