Chapter 88 - Growth

Bringing his children back home, Erza immediately went to hug her mother who warmly welcomed him while Selene merely smiled when seeing Ajest who gave a nod with her mother. The two have different ways of showing their love since even for how long had passed Selene still had the mentality of a dragon and can't easily be changed, especially being Dragon God. Caelum has been trying to grasp what is it that makes someone truly a dragon but even how much he tried there certain things that blocked him from attaining it. 

He may have undergone a metamorphosis of dragon but there is something that he lacked that is crucial in advancing further evolution of his bloodline. Caelum smiled, staring at his wife wrapping his arms into their shoulders. 

"How was your day, dear? Did you manage to find a way to get stronger?"

"Well, more or less, however I might go on a long trip to further train myself. But that could wait. For now, we can try to go to the beach and relax a bit."

Irene was ecstatic hearing him since she had been taking care of their empire and had been maintaining her appearances as the empresses. Fortunately, Noelle, Mimosa and Charlotte were noble assisting her in managing the empire. They were obviously the prime minister who helped them but it was still difficult to maintain a growing empire. Luckily their empire has its own dimension where it is easily larger than the whole continent with only occupying a small space in the real space. Caelum had studied and improved his runes to help maintain the barrier and space. 

"We'll all be going tomorrow. I still have things to do."

She nodded as the two headed their way towards where everyone was. Caelum spends his time with them where he spar with mereoleona, Relaxing with Mimosa and Noelle's, studying with Secre, visiting the Vatican with Lily who started worshipping him while he went around town with Charlotte and their son. After all that, Caelum went to his workshop where there were some cauldrons and other artifact creations. 

Caelum began to experiment with the [ Divine Alchemy Knowledge ] since he had improved the quality of his flesh after his spar against Gildarts using this opportunity to improve his control over his soul. Though the quantity is meager but the quality was nearly flawless allowing to create some high grade pills using the quality of his soul. At first he had difficulty unifying the three aspects of Essence, Energy and Spirit of one's own. However, the Sacred Scripture gave him an insight in understanding why it is important to refine and temper these three aspects. 

He took a deep breath continuously reciting the profound words of life and death telling his mind, body and spirit into a singular goal. Similar to a Hercule method that he was read that allowed to truly make someone fulfil their fantasy in the perfect physique and capabilities. Caelum started to feel the change of his body as he poured his energy into the cauldron trying to place some materials in hopes of creating high quality pills along with improving himself. 

A strong current began to churn into the surrounding while Caelum concentrated everything into the pill creation. His perception began to separate himself from the world and only had one thought and single goal because his mind, body and spirit did the same. They were moved as one rather than being independent, though it is hardly perfect since their powers are unbalanced making it difficult to unify them. 

Caelum would need to find a way to strengthen either his body or soul since in terms of energy, he was brimming of denses and powerful sources of energy. He would need to seal his energy then find a world to temper his body to further advance his power. This may include a portion of his bloodline. 

Within his Dantian the revolving Golden core whirl violently following the movement of his body and soul released a massive wave of energy while Caelum kept the stillness of his mind knowing one wrong control might cause him everything. The orbiting energy within the core began to spread out expanding and collapse before compressing itself making the quality even stronger than before. On the other hand, deep inside his Sea of Consciousness where the Soul Warming Lotus nourishes his soul removing any impurities within it and making his mortal soul a lot stronger than normal. 

He ended his training when the pill compressed and condensed giving him a high quality pill that he just swallowed without problem but the result was small and barely noticeable. 

"At this rate, I might not have any way of actually getting stronger."

[ Side Mission! ]

[ Description: After using the Eclipse Gate that allowed the creation of a tunnel between the past and present had caused Layla Heartfilia to contract  the Magic Deficiency diseases. Heal Layla.

Rewards: 3 Random Rewards. 

[A/N: Any suggestions ]

Failure: Layla dies

Time Limit: 1 Year ] 

Caelum read the description and was quite surprised that he would be given a mission to save Lucy's mother. Among the few things he didn't forget since he can't completely remember everything regarding fairy tail. He decided to put it aside for now and concentrated his effort for the next day. His training was over for today and went back to his family where he spent the next few hours bonding while training his children to fight and teaching those who are non combatant in literature and other knowledge that he read to improve his intellect as well. 

"Father, wouldn't it be possible to create a mechanical genetics to be used in creating another perfect body for you?"

Caelum was experimenting with Lily's son, Lucian who was so adept in medical and any biological that at times he feels bitten when ideas pop up from his son. He heard his words and gave it much thought before realizing that he was too focused on the cultivation aspect that he forgot to also include other methods to strengthen himself. 

"You want me to create my own bloodline son?"

"Not exactly, but to create cells that could evolve and change that it is just an innate trait for your body."

He listened to his explanation and could see the merit in them deciding to create a highly evolving cell that onces it rewrote his cells would be able to strengthen his physical strength. Caelum still doesn't have the perfect knowledge in all subjects but with the [ Incorporeal Void ] energy and [ Izanagi ] would allow him to create what he desires. Though, he couldn't create everything as he couldn't draw as much energy as his body was too weak to churn a massive amount. If Caelum compares it then the whole [ Incorporeal Void ] energy is as a vast ocean that is as big as the universe while Caelum is only able to draw a bucket everytime he uses it. Not to mention, he at least has the fundamental understanding of what he wants to create and desires. 

Caelum is unable to easily wrap the reality he was in like a written story since there are certain laws and rules that he still has to follow or it might cause the whole reality to collapse on itself.

After a while, it was night time and Caelum decided to walk around the palace to relax only to find Secre alone. He smiled heading his way to her wrapping his arms around her. 

"Something bothering you?"

Caelum softly asked didn't want to make her feel pressure the least. Secre shook her head and quietly looked into the stars. 

"I was just wondering how our life ended up here. It's hard to believe that I'm a mentally few thousands and physically a few hundreds. Me, servant and now an Empress. It's funny how life just twists and turns. We truly never know how things are headed."

He listened intently somehow her words stuck with him feeling the sacred Scripture began to Whisper at the back of his head. Caelum took those words of hers and made sure to store it in hopes to help refine the profound meaning of the Sacred Scriptures. 

"You're right, though, I hope you don't regret being with me."

"No, I would still be ageless and forever alone. I'm glad to be with you and have friends and family that I could spend time with."

Secre lean into his shoulder while the two remain silent to enjoy the night together and chatted a bit about random topics. Caelum feels that time went too fast at times and decided to take it slow for the time being.

After a while, the two headed back to their bed since the next day they went on trip to the beach. Caelum took everyone and looked at how the shore had clear white sands unlike how his world always had chunks of plastic.  

"Woah!! It's the beach!!"

His children went immediately to the water but before they could jump was pulled by Caelum telling them to change first. They used requip magic before jumping to the beach. He let them for now with Lily being the one watching over them while Caelum just set their grill to BBQ. 

No one would expect an emperor would be in such a place but Caelum was not a normal person anyway. 

"Honey, what do you think of our swimsuit?"

Caelum glances to his wives to find Irene wearing a beautiful black swimsuit hugging closely into her breast and a fashionable hat that helps block the sun that just added to the aesthetic while behind him was Selene wearing something similar but white in coloration. Their breasts bounced around when they walked closer, giving a mischievous smile. The two got a long through years having shared the same personality. The two were like the Sun and Moon if he was being honest.

He complimented their swimsuit since he can't stop staring, making Irene move closer to hug his arm between his breasts only to receive a spank making her moan.  

"Behave yourself, the kids are here."

"Hehehe~ you're no fun, honey."

She giggled before the two sat down to relax, having few bottles of alcohol. They didn't worry since it won't affect them anyway even if the two haven't eaten. Caelum only shook his head as he took a marinated piece of meat that was rich in nutrients and began to cook it before his other girls came smelling the aroma.

"Oh it smells amazing! Can't wait to dig in and have some alcohol!!"

"I couldn't agree more, sister!"

Mereoleona and Vanessa arrive wearing their bikini. Vanessa hasn't changed much since she normally wears skimpy outfits anyway but Mereoleona surprisingly wore one while behind them were Cereza, who for those forgetting his personal system assistance, Noelle, Mimosa, Charlotte, Secre and Vanica with each having their own unique bikini. 

Like before, Caelum complimented their beauty since it's been a while since he saw them in a bikini. He was a bit saddened that Sapphire, the goddess that gave him everything, was unable to be with him because she had to return back home.

Caelum hoped eventually the two of them would unite and by that time he already reached a level of strength deserving to be with him. 

"You two, shouldn't we eat first before thinking about alcohol? This is a horrible example for our children."

Charlotte shared his disapproval of the two while Mereoleona just scoffed telling her that it's best to teach to have fun as well and it's not like they lack discipline. 

"Relax, Charlotte was here to have fun anyway. Time to get loose."

"Haaa…. you're right."

She sighed as he smiled, giving her one cooked skewer to relax as Noelle and Mimosa went to join their children playing with them while Secre and Cereza went to help him cook as Vanica stayed to relax with Mereoleona, Vanessa, Irene and Selene.