"Nice."

Rakna sighed as he came out of the shower, Eion veins glowing under his skin as his body steamed away the water dripping from him. "I needed that," he uttered whilst stretching his neck. "I've just been fighting recently… and losing on top of that, now that I think about it."

"{Haha, indeed. You've lost three fights in a row at this point,}" Fray commented.

"Zasha, Roias, and the old man, huh?" The therian hummed and clenched his hand. It's not like he was ashamed or upset about his losses. In the end, only one fact remained; he had already become markedly stronger than when he fought Zasha, Roias, or even Arimane just a few hours ago.

"Well, I still have some way to go," he muttered to himself and put on Allegro, which he changed into a light set of clothing similar to a pajama. When he stepped out of the bathroom, however, he sighed again and gazed at his bed where Flavia and Higure were playing a card game in nightwear.

"So? Why are you here?" He deadpanned.

"Well, we girls wanted to have a pajama party together, you know?" The lioness smiled. "But then we realized; 'damn, we need someone to warm up Rakna's bed'."

"No, you don't. Why are you trying to make that sound logical?"

Higure ignored the therian's retort and continued, "So then, we had a grand and noble battle royale of rock-paper-scissors. The final was me and the young lady. But we tied five times in a row, so we took it as fate and came here together." 

"…"

"Kaelith and Nyx were not allowed to participate, so expect them to be a bit mad tomorrow," she added and Rakna facepalmed. "Oh, and Kara was quite sad to end up third. She almost won against me. She pouted and said you'd have to brush her tails to make up for it."

"Make up for what? It's not my fault…" The therian mumbled.

"Apparently, you didn't reward her enough for all the work she did for you," Flavia complemented with a small smile. "You should thank her, at least."

"I guess I can't deny that…" Rakna scratched his head tiredly and ultimately joined the girls, letting them lie down on each side.

"Ooh, I like this," Higure purred as she rubbed her cheek against him. "I should do this more often from now on," she said while Flavia quietly blushed, a bit less bold than the lioness.

Rakna snorted in amusement. "Cats sure love to cuddle," he joked. "But before you start violating my innocence, I have a few things to check," he said and opened several System windows.

"What a mean way to put it," the lioness scoffed. "I'm not violating anything. I'm just going to jump you until I'm satisfied," she declared proudly.

Flavia and Rakna gave her equally blank looks.

"What? I didn't say anything wrong."

"Of course, you didn't…" The therian snickered and with a flick of his finger, the System prompts were made visible. "Here. You can go through it with me if you're bored," he said, skipping the notifications of his skills and proficiencies leveling up; except one.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

The Harvester's Soul has leveled up!

The Harvester's Soul has leveled up!

---

Your Divinity and Infernity have started to flourish into a Domain! 

It is yet immature and formless.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

'Now, that's an interesting message,' he thought. 'I'm curious to see what would happen if I used the Awakening of Divinity. Would the Obsidian Star override it? Can my Domain be awakened normally in the first place? With both Divinity and Infernity being just a component of the Stone…'

The idea was interesting but for now, he pushed it to the back burner. He already had a hunch on what his Domain would be, after all. That aside, he proceeded by opening a certain title.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

Imperial Crown of The Harvester

⠀

Previously known as 'True Imperial Designation', this title is the highest form of nobility that can be granted to a 'Leader Type' Host or Local by the System. It is molded by the user's power and is unique to them.

This title grants the beasts summoned by the holder the ability to stay manifested forever and gather mana on their own. The summoner can nonetheless still provide it themselves if necessary. Furthermore, the intelligence of the summons will reach a new level and they will be capable of following complex instructions depending on how high level they are.

Finally, the Crown of the Harvester allows Rakna Xiorra Blade to absorb summoned beasts to not only increase attributes for a short amount of time but also temporarily acquire their physical traits.

The duration depends on the quantity and quality of summons assimilated at once. The boost in attributes will no longer scale by level, but directly with the attribute values of the summoned creatures. The stacking limit remains limited by the user's capability to handle the strain.

⠀

Additional Rewards: 25 Volatile Attribute Points.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

"Wow, every trait?" Higure exclaimed. "And you can summon all kinds of beasts, right? What if you absorbed a dragon and gained its defenses, natural magic conductivity, and breath?"

"Yeah…" Rakna mused. "I felt the effects firsthand when I used it on the Soul Remnants. I recall the sensation of having all kinds of new feedback. My vision and my hearing especially. But I also had some that gave me more control over my bones and muscles."

"At some point, it felt like the number of joints in my skeleton had at least tripled. Not to mention my regeneration was boosted by a lot… if I'm not wrong, among them was a jellyfish. So, I gained the ability to literally rejuvenate my cells," he chuckled.

"I'm jealous," Flavia pouted. "I wish I could rejuvenate too."

"Hah, you're a witch and a sorceress of immense talent," Higure smiled. "With the right spell, you could probably keep your youth for all eternity."

Rakna chuckled. "Well, youth is a bygone concept for me at this point," he jested and opened a new window, one that displayed the direct benefits of the Imperial Crown. "There it is. When I sucked in the traits of my Soul Remnants, Fen and Rex were amongst them," he explained. "Thanks to both of them, I managed to use their abilities better. Especially…"

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

True Royal Luquila's Wings

⠀

You have awakened and learned to use the true powers of a Royal Luquila. Flight speed is no longer calculated with unit measures, but is proportionally scaled to the Speed Attribute instead.

Mana flight no longer has a limit but the cost increases exponentially and most forms of spatial and temporal interference can easily be broken through.

⠀

Techniques Learned: Time Leap, Space Leap, Quantic Plumes.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

"That's what you used to teleport and travel in time…" Flavia said, fascinated. "I wonder if I could do the same with my magic."

"Most likely," Rakna said. "You already can use Space Magic to some extent, right?"

"Yes, but Time Magic is much harder to handle," she admitted. "How to say it… it's like I'm trying to fight the World every time I want to use it. It's rejecting my use of it."

"Well, time is closer to an omnipresent entity than anything else," Higure mused. "You should focus on trying to 'bend' it rather than trying to control it. Or perhaps dissociate yourself from it instead of forcing it to listen to you. In other words, treat the River of Time as a giant. You can't fight it, but you can try to circumvent it."

"I see… thank you for the advice," Flavia smiled.

"Haha, you're welcome. Us 'sisters' naturally need to get along," the lioness smiled.

"I don't even want to know what you mean by 'sisters' here…" Rakna muttered and she laughed in a joyful manner that managed to soothe even him. He held back a fond smile and opened the most important notifications of the day.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

Heart of Lv.??? Eternal Dragon of Evil absorbed.

Absorption Factor = ???%.

Ascent Correction: ???

⠀

+111 STR

+124 END

+98 SPD

+86 DEX

+165 INT

⠀

Note: These numbers do not take into account the corrections for future Ascents.

⠀

---

⠀

Philosopher's Ardent Soul is reacting strongly!

The Harvester's Soul is reacting strongly!

The Kind Demon's Kin is reacting strongly!

Chalice of Wishes is reacting strongly!

A great amount of demonic energy is being combusted at very high rates!

The Obsidian Star's Divinity and Infernity are starting to harmonize!

⠀

---

⠀

Warning! Internal Force Surcharge! The Scavenger has entered an Overloaded State!

The Harvester's Soul is being overwhelmed!

The Host's Soul Power is rapidly expanding!

The Sub-Path, Nephilim, is reacting strongly!

Your Path, Nine-Tailed Werewolf, is reacting strongly!

⠀

---

⠀

Your level has increased!

Your level has increased!

…

Your level has increased!

+ 22.4 STR, SPD, INT!

+1 Skill Point!

⠀

---

⠀

You have reached Level 250! Your Sub-Path has been unsealed!

Your soul is stabilizing! The anomalous force is being absorbed!

Your Sub-Path has mutated into Ten-Tailed Nephilim!

⠀

---

⠀

Your Ultimate Exceled Skills of Sin are being consumed!

⠀

---

⠀

Absolution of Belphegor has been taken out of your status!

Ego of Lucifer has been taken out of your status!

Caress of Asmodeus has been taken out of your status!

Ire of Satan has been taken out of your status!

All Virtues Shall Kneel has been taken out of your status!

⠀

---

⠀

You have gained a new Sub-Path Skill; The World Is My Cradle!

You have gained a new Sub-Path Skill; Tenth Tail of The Sage Nephilim!

You have gained a new Sub-Path Skill; Authority of The Law-Breaker!

⠀

---

⠀

Core Genome Updated: Six Tails Unlocked. Next Tail: Lv. 274/Lv.300

Number of Skills Affected: 1

Number of New Skills Attuned: 1

⠀

- Shape-Shift: Wolf (speed +82% -> +85%), Werewolf (All attributes +62% -> +65%)

- You have gained the Nirvana Skill, Tailed Pearl.

⠀

---

⠀

3rd Factor Genome Updated: Four Layers Unlocked. Next Layer: Lv. 274/Lv.300

Currently Accessible Layers: Antanasia, Onera, Enkata, [+] Anastrofa.

⠀

Number of Skills Affected: 1

Number of New Skills Attuned: 1

⠀

- You have unlocked a new Enthymio Layer; Anastrofa.

- You have gained the Max Excelled Skill; Dusk Mane.

⠀

---

⠀

You have reached Level 250! Your Second Main Path Quest has been issued!

Select your Path on your Status to see the details.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

"That's nice," Rakna blurted out.

"We must have a completely different opinion of what 'nice' means, devourer of mine," Higure said with a blank tone and skimmed over most of the windows until she saw something that made her smile. "Still, it seems you finally reached Anastrofa."

"Is there something special about it?"

"Well, to put it simply, Anastrofa is the first layer of Enthymio that is capable of affecting the world around you instead of only yourself. See for yourself."

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

Anastrofa

⠀

The Falsehood of Inversion is the Fourth Layer of Enthymio. It is the first layer among the seven that can affect the living world. Once Anastrofa is called upon, the user will distort the world with their presence.

As if an ever-widening swamp, it will continuously expand with the user as the epicenter for as long as the latter is capable of maintaining it. Within the area of effect, all laws of physics will begin to be inverted.

Gravity will go upward, the wind will flow in the opposite direction that it enters in, the right will turn into left, the front will turn into back, etcetera. These effects first start weak and then become gradually stronger the longer Anastrofa is given time to impose itself.

⠀

Note: The user will not be affected by the Fourth Layer but the strain put on the body is greater than any of the other Layers.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

"That's… an interesting description," Rakna narrowed his eyes. "But is it me or does it sound a bit ominous? If it inverts truly everything then it could lead to unpredictable results."

"You're right," Higure nodded. "However, for it to become chaotic to that degree, you would need to have Anastrofa encroach the real world for at least half an hour. It's like a festering wound that won't stop becoming worse unless you close it. It's not a favorite of mine, but it has some uses."

"Hm…" The therian mused and decided to test it later. "What about the 'Dusk Mane'?"

"Ah, that's actually the reason why we are called Dusk Lions," the lioness revealed and sat up. "Let me show you," she said and closed her eyes. 

Then, orange-yellow streaks of light undulated from under her eyelids and a translucent mane of the same color began to wrap her neck and shoulders. When she opened her eyes, her golden irises were shimmering even brighter.

"That's pretty…" Flavia whispered and Higure smiled, her tail wagging as if happy.

"Thank you. This is the Dusk Mane. Essentially, it's the 'Inner Dimension'," she said and dispelled it soon after. She flopped down on the bed next to Rakna. "It's kind of unique to our race. An Inner Dimension isn't something like a Soul Realm or a Mindscape, but an actual dimension existing in harmony with our physical body."

"Only Dusk Lions, or other species with a natural ability to break and attract dimensional energy, can have something like this. And as you can see, it has the colors of sunset. What it does is pretty simple on paper; momentum accumulation."

"Let's see…" She tapped her lips in thought. "Let's say you want to throw a kick. With your Dusk Mane, it's possible to absorb the momentum and cancel the movement. In return, the driving force will be hoarded inside the Inner Dimension. Then, if you kick again and decide to release what you accumulated, that kick will be twice as strong and fast."

"That's quite handy," Rakna remarked. He could already see the potential of it.

"I know, right?" The lioness giggled. "It was especially powerful with my Echo Magic. Also, the best way to exploit it in my opinion is to hoard about 10 to 20% of every attack you make. The damage you inflict becomes weaker of course, but in return, once in a while, you can dish out a strike that surpasses your maximum limit."

She lifted her hand and manifested a bit of the orangish mane. "It's very effective for feints and for leading the pace of a battle. Ah, but of course, don't go overboard. Firstly, you should only release momentum that matches the movement. For instance, if you stack up kicks, then release it for the sake of a kick as well. Secondly, too much momentum will also backlash severely. Be careful."

"Mhm, got it," Rakna acknowledged her advice and briefly checked the description of the System and it roughly said the same thing, though less comprehensive than Higure's explanation. "I didn't know you had this ability."

"Heh, and that's not the last of it," she smirked. "If I'm not wrong, in the future, you'll probably get the skill that makes us Dusk Lion Kings closer to the Eighth Layer of Enthymio. Sadly, even I don't have it at the moment."

"I see. I look forward to it then," the therian snorted. "Other than that, it seems I've finally unlocked the Tailed Pearl. It's about time…"

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

Tailed Pearl

⠀

The Nirvana Skill exclusive to the Nine-Tailed lineage. 

When triggered, this skill will channel all accessible energy through the user's tails and connect to their maw, where a concentrated sphere of raw destruction will form, with Mystic Energy as its core.

The essence of the Tailed Pearl is 'unstoppable'. It disregards whatever type of energy it encounters. No matter what, it has no weakness or strength and unleashes destruction that does not discriminate. It is a skill closest to the concept of 'Original Mana'.

It has no fixed cost and requires the entirety of the mana pool to be cast, as well as at least half of every other source, including Stamina and Extra Statistics.

The power scales to how much energy is put inside the attack, as well as the number of tails possessed by the user. For instance, if we consider a total cost measured in mana to be about 1000 MP, then the base damage, with one tail, will be equivalent to 1000 Attack.

Then, the final output will be multiplied by the number of total tails. Thus, if one pours in enough energy to match 1000 MP, the final attack amounts to 9000 if the user has nine tails. Following that logic, if the initial energy is around 10 000, then 90 000 ATT will be produced.

⠀

Current Maximum Attack for the Host: ~200 000

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

Rakna whistled in appreciation. "Now that I see it for myself, this is really a terrifying ability. Even putting the damage aside, the fact that it has no weaknesses means it's hard to defend against. And not only that but from what I've seen, it also has a tremendous range and area of effect."

"It's definitely something you use as a finisher," Flavia commented. "Unless someone can replenish their energy as you do under the full moon, this practically knocks out the user."

"True. This reminds me a lot of my 'self-destruct'," Rakna added. "They even both mention Original Mana. It has similar characteristics and costs, though one's more extreme than the other. And the maximum attack value is surprising… I only have six tails and it's still so high."

He hummed pensively. "It's most likely considering my Soul Power into the calculation. That's the only energy not shown by the System that I can confidently say is my strongest."

"Hmm, what about your Nephilim skills?" Flavia asked curiously. "It swallowed your Sins, right?"

The therian nodded. "Apparently. I didn't expect to receive three of them at once."

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

The World Is My Cradle

⠀

Nephilim receive what can be called to be favoritism bias from Existence. They passively grow stronger by internalizing their power and by inciting powerful emotions in others. They learn things faster than anyone else and possess priority in the world's evolutions.

⠀

Effects:

- It's easier for friendly creatures to harbor positive feelings toward you.

- It's easier for hostile creatures to harbor negative feelings toward you.

- Your power is fully reversed inward, providing complete aura concealment.

- Powerful emotions from yourself and others grant you experience and buffs.

- You have a chance to learn skills, spells, or proficiencies by witnessing them.

- If the Fate of another endangers you, it will favor you instead.

- Experience gained increases by 100%.

- Rate of skill level growth increases by 100%.

- Your level increases every 5 days.

- Your Luck has increased by 1.

⠀

---

⠀

Tenth Tail of The Sage Nephilim

⠀

This Sub-Path Skill is the source of the mutation into a 'Ten-Tailed Nephilim'. It is a direct evolution of a Nine-Tailed Werewolf, incurred by the external manifestation of the Obsidian Star's power. It is a secondary container confining the concentrated essences of Sin, Infernity, Divinity, Star Energy, and Soul Power in a stable form.

It has swallowed the four Ultimate Excelled Skills; Absolution of Belphegor, Ego of Lucifer, Caress of Asmodeus, and Ire of Satan. Through this absorption, the demonic energy has been neutralized and nurtured into the purest of energies by the Philosopher's Stone.

All the effects of the Sin Skills have been retained and the overlapping benefits have been reinforced and stabilized. It is likely that once all the Sins are gathered and refined into the 'Understanding of Humanity', the user will be able to receive the benefits of all Seven Virtues as well.

Note: The aforementioned effects apply even when the Tenth Tail isn't in a summoned state.

⠀

The Tenth Tail can be summoned at will, but since the user is still not strong enough to handle it, it will put a strain on the Soul Stele and eventually disappear when it reaches its limit. Your soul must recover before being able to summon it again.

⠀

When the Tenth Tail is active, similar effects to the skill known as All Virtues Shall Sin in its complete state will be activated:

- Due to a direct link between Soul and Body, the Obsidian Star's properties will be strengthened.

- You will start gaining the ability to read a living being's soul and thoughts.

- All Attributes will increase by 100%, Luck included.

- All magic spells will be strengthened.

- Soul Power will become stronger.

⠀

Cost: None.

Duration: Variable.

Cooldown: Variable.

⠀

---

⠀

Authority of The Law-Breaker

⠀

Nephilim are known as the rebellious children of Existence and disregard all rules. They cannot be sealed or restrained. Their mind is impregnable and fate is theirs to command, whether it be theirs or the one of others.

Additionally, the Original World Laws are significantly weakened when applied to the holder of this skill, and more generally, if they are within an environment defined by rules or under the influence of a restriction, the user is capable of rendering them null depending on how strict and powerful they are.

⠀

If a spell is undefendable, you can block it.

If an object is indestructible, you can break it.

If something is impossible, then you can do it anyway.

⠀

That is what an Authority confers.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

"…"

"…"

Flavia and Higure were speechless.

"…nice," Rakna uttered again and they both flicked his head as if reprimanding him. "Ow…" He let out a completely deadpan voice and they sighed.

"What the heck even is this, honestly?" The lioness huffed. "'The World Is My Cradle'? Is that a new roundabout way to say Mary Sue?"

"I'm surprised you even know what that is…"

"The Tenth Tail thing is broken too," she continued. "And the last one is so imprecise and implicit that it's scary."

"I agree," Flavia added. "On top of that, this must be a limited version, if the System handled it like it usually does. Nyx already told us that our growth is being carefully systematized, after all."

"Well… to me, only three things stand out to me," Rakna said nonchalantly. "The 'fate will favor me instead of another', the 'ability to read souls and thoughts', and 'to nullify rules'. I agree that things such as gaining a level every five days or learning something by just seeing it are impressive, but it's nothing to me."

"First, gaining a level every five days is only useful long term and I have no intention of extending my stay in the System for so long. And what's the point of learning stuff if what I have is already much better?"

Higure snickered. "Self-awareness; you gotta love it."

"On the other hand, those three lines I mentioned are on a completely different level. Especially the second and third ones. To 'read' souls is probably similar to what Hans does, and I probably can see more than just their thoughts as well. And to nullify all rules can be taken very far."

"How so?" Flavia asked.

"Don't look too far," he snorted and pointed at the System window. "The answer is right there."

"Oh," Higure blinked in realization and the Chaos Witch was right after. "That's true… the System imposes rules on its Hosts. If you can break those, you can become a living virus. Probably nothing could stop you."

"You got it," Rakna nodded and replaced the prompts with the first section of his status. "The only problem is that I don't know how to do it. I'll have to test that 'Tenth Tail' too. Though… I can't say the extra Luck point is unwelcome," he chuckled.

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

Name: Rakna Xiorra Blade

Age: 18 | Level: 274

Race: Alkahestic ???-Tailed Werewolf

Path: ???-Tailed Werewolf (*)

Sub-Path: Ten-Tailed Nephilim

Affiliation: Throne of Glory (Member), Obsidian Throne (Leader)

⠀

Titles: Legendary Slayer – Legendary Wolf Emperor – Divinity Slayer – Treasure Hunter – Nemesis of the Abyss – Dungeon Bane – Calamity Hunter – Dimension Breaker – The Kind Demon's Kin – Chalice of Wishes – Limitless Traveler – Sovereign Monarch of Firmament – Emperor of a Solitary Land – Anti-Divinity – Elysian Pariah – Femme Fatale – Martial Grandmaster – Legendary Beast Emperor – Immortality Breaker – Imperial Crown of The Harvester

⠀

Potential: S+ | Host Rank: X | Ascent: I

⠀

Attributes:

STR: 200* + 85.8 | END: 200* + 75.4

SPD: 187.5* [+12.5] + 79.3 | DEX: 200* + 18.4

INT: 200* + 195.4 | LCK: 10

⠀

Available Volatile Points: 25 (Ascent Correction: 12.5)

Available Attribute Points: 229.6 (Ascent Correction: 114.8)

Available Skill Points: 4

⠀

❮ ◈ ❯

⠀

"A round number after it was stuck at 9 for so long," Rakna smiled happily. "I like it."

"A word of advice, devourer of mine, you should be careful with your words when you reveal this to Kaelith," Higure advised him.

The therian snorted. "I'll be sure to do so."

"Why do you have interrogation marks in your Path and Race?" Flavia inquired.

"Well, probably because it clashes with the Sub-Path," Rakna replied. "My full potential involves a tenth tail now, so it essentially means I'm not just a nine-tailed werewolf anymore," he mused and noticed the small mark next to his Path name. "Oh yeah, my Path Quest is back. The previous one ended in the middle of something… maybe I will resume from there…"

"Hm… okay! Enough reading!" Higure groused and leaned over Rakna whilst waving her hands in the air until the System window went away. She placed her hands on his torso to straighten herself and grinned at him. "Now, it's fun time."

"…chances of you accepting a refusal?"

"None."

"That's what I thought…" He sighed in defeat.

"Don't worry, I already erected runes to stop noises from escaping the room."

"When did you even do that?"

Higure's tail waved back and forth as she looked at Flavia. "Ready, girl?" She asked mischievously and much to Rakna's misery, the kindest woman he knew responded with a shiver-inducing smile that made him fear for his safety.

"It's only fair for me to be the devourer at least once, no?" Higure quipped and licked her lips, her eyes glowing menacingly. "I heard you have some interesting spells… bring it on."

⠀

* * *

⠀

Meanwhile, inside Kaelith's room, the girls were quietly playing a game of cards.

"Your turn, Marie," Evelyn said and the lamia quietly hummed as she drew a card.

"They should have started by now, huh?" Kara said to herself as she inspected her hand; they were playing a game that mixed the rules of the 'old maid' and poker.

"Started what?" Lanata asked innocently, her sword pressing on her shoulder.

The older vixen smiled. "Adult things, dear."

"Coitus," Ceresta casually said and they looked at her incredulously. "Am I wrong?"

"Well, not really…" Nyx mumbled.

Kaelith harrumphed. "Really, how debauched. Is he going to take all of us in pairs?"

"Well, who expected those two to tie five times in a row… what are even the chances of that?"

"No higher than 0.0017%," Ceresta answered as if it was an afterthought.

"Yeah… they must have conspired somehow," Kaelith narrowed her eyes.

"Doesn't Flavia know divining?" Marie mentioned. "She may have used that."

"Uh? Wait, then why would she make them tie over and over again?"

"Oh my," Kara seemed to realize. "Maybe it was her plan to have them both win."

"Why though…?" Kaelith couldn't understand.

"Well, think about it, Kae. Who among us is likely to be the most enthusiastic in bed?"

"…you?" The younger vixen instantly accused her own mother.

Kara blinked. "My, thank you for the praise," she smiled widely. "But no. It's most definitely Higure who would be the most fervent. Can you imagine? Seeing Rara flustered under her? I'm sure Flavia was dying to see it," she giggled.

"Wow," Kaelith pursed her lips. "That girl really has a hidden side. But, Mom, that probably won't last long for wolfy," she added with a smirk.

"Oh?"

The younger vixen chuckled and Nyx blushed faintly. "He's the kind to be dominant when you push his buttons too much."

"Oh, oh," Kara cupped her cheek. "Now that's an information I need to remember. Don't you think so too, little phantom?" She said to Evelyn who was a flushed mess.

"Hey, harem infatuation time is over, time to reveal the cards," Marie sighed at them and everyone showed their hand.

"Hehe, I won again," Lanata said cheerily.

"How the hell do you keep winning?" Kaelith groaned.

"Even though I sneaked a card in my sleeve…" Kara whispered with a pout.

"We can hear you!"

⠀

* * *

⠀

At the same time, in the living room, Allan stared at the TV screen with blank eyes. He mashed the buttons of his controller but there was no trace of victory in sight. Tyran, Pronos, and Natsu were also there, silently watching it all.

"…hey," the blond squinted at Hans sitting next to him. "Don't tell me… you still haven't erased the skill you 'rewrote' to beat Higure?"

"I am sorry to tell you that excuses have no place here," the azure-haired boy calmly replied. "You still have much to learn before you can triumph over me."

"…did you just rephrase 'skill issue' to me?"

"There are no rules in war."

"You're so much more petty than you let on, aren't you?"