After three days and nights devoted to "research," in the midst of a large bathtub, Sigrún, with glowing skin and a wide smile on her face, tenderly helped Erik drink a potion. He looked somewhat weak and clearly exhausted. Meanwhile, Seraphina methodically scrubbed her young master's body with towels, while Eleonora took care of washing his head.
"We got a bit too carried away… Forgive us, darling…" Eleonora said in a somewhat guilty and embarrassed tone as she methodically washed Erik's slightly shinier hair. Erik responded after a small sigh.
"It's fine; I enjoyed it a lot too… It's just that I'm really too weak to 'face' three powerhouses at the same time…"
Hearing Erik, the trio of beauties couldn't help but blush deeply and increase their efforts in caring for their beloved. After tasting the flavor of pleasure, they had become somewhat addicted, and though they tried to stop several times, they ultimately gave in to their desires and kept going without pause. Still, they hadn't forgotten their research, which was a serious matter, and of course, the following two days were mainly to confirm the results that appeared on the first day.
[I think we can now confirm that the strongest effect occurs the first time. Subsequent times also have an effect, but several 'sessions' are needed to accumulate comparable results.] Eleonora sent a telepathic message to the others in a more serious tone, trying to hide her embarrassment. Sigrún soon added in a similar tone.
[I estimate that a month of 'dual practice' is equivalent to a year of regular practice, which is still quite impressive, especially considering Erik's condition.]
[In reality, I estimate that although there will be better results when the Young Master's level gets closer to ours, the key point lies elsewhere. The bio-mystical technique that the Myst induces us to practice is quite mysterious and strange, and I don't know if you've noticed, but we can only practice it when we're connected to him.]
[Could it be something similar to the technique he practices?] Eleonora asked almost rhetorically while fixing her gaze on the slightly brighter stars in the hair of the tired Erik. Seraphina nodded subtly and explained.
[It's the most likely explanation. So, while the improvement in our connection with the Myst likely comes from experiencing that strange state of consciousness and connection, the refinement of mana comes from practicing that technique. There's something in the Young Master that allows only him to be guided to practice that strange bio-mystical technique that emulates the four elements. Also, I noticed something else: the techniques we practice are different.]
[Are you suggesting that by connecting with Erik, we somehow gain what's needed for the Myst to guide us to obtain our own special technique?!] Sigrún exclaimed excitedly, to which Seraphina nodded as she began to scrub Erik's chest.
[That's what I think. The technique the Young Master practices, though I don't fully understand it, I can tell it shares nothing with what we practice. Meanwhile, the techniques we practice when connected to him align too well with our natural affinities and specific situations, which are all different. Moreover, they don't conflict with the techniques we already practice.]
[My husband is truly mysterious…] Eleonora couldn't help but comment in a serious tone. Sigrún soon added, full of pride and hope for her beloved's recovery.
[He is my first disciple, after all!]
[He's my Young Master; it's no big deal.] Seraphina commented in a haughty tone but soon added seriously.
[Speaking seriously, it's better if the Young Master focuses entirely on recovery and avoids going out as much as possible. Luckily, that's something he likes. Also, from now on, at least one of us must always be by his side. Something like the ruin incident cannot happen again… If a 'mistake' had occurred in that ruin, we'd be facing a disaster…]
[It's best if we announce our relationship; that will help keep vixens away.] Sigrún commented seriously, which left Eleonora deep in thought. She soon added in a contemplative tone.
[And it will attract the attention of many more. Many will want to find out why we chose him, and you know it—more than one will try to steal our man to humiliate us. Even if Erik tries to avoid it, he's weak and could be 'forced' against his will. It only takes a moment of carelessness for disaster to strike.]
[That's true…] Sigrún said in a serious and reflective tone. At that moment, Seraphina added seriously.
[There's also one more thing to consider. Rarely do blessings come alone, so completely preventing others from accessing the Young Master could lead us to a catastrophe that could be avoided if there are more powerhouses to prevent it…]
[I don't like how that sounds...] Sigrún commented with a sour expression, which caused Erik to turn to look at her and ask, somewhat confused.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yes, Ignis contacted me and said they could come tomorrow." Sigrún quickly replied in a calm voice, something that had happened earlier but she had forgotten to mention amidst their "activities."
"I see… Tell her I'll be waiting for them." Erik replied in a serious and thoughtful tone, to which Sigrún nodded.
"I'll let her know."
[For now, just think about it. We don't have to make a decision right away, but we need to consider it carefully. Also, we have to discuss it with the Young Master once his condition improves a bit. It's too important for him not to know.] At the same time, Seraphina sent a telepathic message to Eleonora and Sigrún, who replied with some bitterness.
[[Understood…]]
After a few minutes of reflective silence, Eleonora caressed Erik's face and asked in a warm and affectionate voice.
"Darling... Why don't we take advantage of the bath to hear your story? We still don't know what you went through in the ruin and why you cut your contract with Ebonique…"
"That's true. Then I'll tell you everything from the beginning… As I passed through the entrance, I found myself in a strange place…" Closing his eyes, Erik began to speak in a calm voice while the trio of women listened attentively.
…
…
…
Several hours later, in the garden of Sigrún's mansion, Erik, dressed in comfortable sportswear, began to stretch while trying to manipulate the surrounding Myst. But as he did, his expression couldn't help but turn serious and focused. For some reason, his senses felt dulled, and it took much more effort to manipulate the Myst, which was pretty bad news.
Though he had felt the Myst a bit strange since waking up, accustomed to the odd Myst in that ruin, he hadn't paid it much attention. But now that he was consciously manipulating it, he immediately noticed the difference. Before, moving the Myst was a matter of a simple thought, but now he even had to use a bit of mana to achieve it.
After stretching, Erik let out a small sigh. His greatest advantage was his connection with the Myst; losing it would be a severe blow. Still, Erik pushed his thoughts aside and began to practice his bio-mystical technique, but to his surprise, the Myst no longer 'danced' with him as it had before, much less gave him instructions.
(Could it be that the changes in the technique were only useful inside the ruin and not here…?)
Formulating a hypothesis in his mind, Erik quickly discarded the recent changes to his bio-mystical technique and returned to the original. But again, the Myst remained still, prompting another sigh from Erik, who soon dismissed all unnecessary thoughts and focused on practicing seriously.
Meanwhile, Eleonora and Sigrún, who were seated at a garden table with Seraphina standing to the side, couldn't help but exchange confused looks. Each of them had felt that magical state of super connection with the Myst, so they struggled to understand why the Myst wasn't responding as usual to Erik's practice. But soon, a hypothesis formed in their minds.
(Could it be that what they felt was Erik's current state of connection with the Myst…? A weaker and more superficial one…)
In the eyes of the others, all the beautiful women could see the same doubt reflected, causing them to draw in a cold breath. If they were right, Erik was more terrifying than they thought. After all, that mental state was already several times superior to what geniuses like them knew, so it was frightening to imagine what Erik's normal level of connection with the Myst was like.
But as their minds raced with possibilities, the three beautiful women soon noticed that the Myst was slowly starting to react to Erik's practice. Though the reaction was quite weak compared to before, it still allowed them all to let out a sigh of relief. As long as Erik didn't lose his greatest asset, things were still manageable.
…
For his part, Erik, upon feeling the Myst begin to react, started to analyze it closely, as it gave him a familiar and almost nostalgic sensation. After some time, Erik finally found in his memories what made him feel nostalgic about this Myst. It felt just like the first time he interacted with it on the island.
(Could it be that my level has something to do with how the Myst interacts with me…? It's very possible, and the technique might be the same.)
Reaching a conclusion, Erik began to gradually change the technique to earlier versions he had practiced. Just as he expected, the closer he got to the original version, the stronger the Myst's reaction became, and soon, before fully returning to the original technique, the Myst began giving him instructions again.
(It really depends on my physical and mental state…)
As he followed the Myst's instructions to modify the technique in a way he hadn't done before, Erik made a mental note and focused completely on the practice. After nearly an hour of uninterrupted practice, Erik suddenly felt his mind go completely blank, and a scene began to unfold in his mind, one where he was in an entirely white place.
Meanwhile, Eleonora, Sigrún, and Seraphina, seeing that the Myst was slowly starting to react in the usual way to Erik's practice, could finally relax. But upon seeing large amounts of Myst beginning to enter Erik's body, to the point that a terrifying vortex formed that nearly consumed them, they quickly suppressed their mana to the minimum while their hearts filled with anticipation.
The Myst vortex lasted 24 hours, during which Sigrún, Eleonora, and Seraphina waited completely still, not even daring to touch their tea. Their eyes shone with hope and anticipation as they watched Erik's hair slowly regain its former brilliance. But when the vortex finally calmed, and Erik stopped moving to start looking around confused, disappointment couldn't help but fill the hearts of the beautiful women.
…
(Who was that woman, really…?)
Recalling the scene he saw in his mind, which seemed almost like a forgotten dream, speaking with what looked like a goddess with the same hair and eyes as him, Erik couldn't help but remain confused. But unable to determine if it was a dream, a hallucination, or a memory, Erik let out a small sigh and quickly mobilized his mana to study his body.
(The results seem pretty good.)
Though the changes in his body and mana weren't staggering, Erik nodded, satisfied with what he found. Now his mana system felt like his own, and though for now he had only advanced a few ranks of the Initiate level, being almost two full levels below his previous state, the improvement was quite good. His progress was several times faster than his time on the island, so returning to his previous level wouldn't be too difficult.
Moreover, even better news: his connection with the Myst seemed to have recovered to its original state. Though it still wasn't at the level it was before entering the ruin, it was much better than what he had on the island, so he was confident that if he regained his previous level, he could manipulate the Myst as before.
In quite a good mood, Erik turned and headed toward his beautiful masters, but upon noticing their slightly bitter expressions while sipping tea, his brow couldn't help but furrow. It worsened when he noticed that even Seraphina, who still wore her typical professional smile, looked a bit dull and bitter. Curious and concerned in equal measure, Erik quickly asked.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, don't worry. Come and have some cookies instead."
Eleonora replied with a smile as she placed a plate of special cookies on the table. Erik sat down, looking suspiciously at the three beautiful women, which caused Sigrún to reflect deeply and, after a few moments, comment in a serious tone.
"Erik… Don't you feel a little disappointed? You'll have to train from scratch; all your years of work are gone… I'd be devastated in your place…"
"Not really." Erik replied calmly as he took a cookie and, after biting into it, added with a smile forming on his face.
"People suffer more in their imagination than in reality. Not only because we overthink things, but because preconceived ideas often make something seem worse than it really is. For example, in my case, it took me about 20 years to reach where I was before. Even if it takes another 20 years to get back, I'd still be an impressive genius. Most of those at my level were 90 years old or more."
"… But you wouldn't be the greatest genius in history anymore. You'd just be a 'common' person…"
Sigrún tried to hold back her words, but in the end, her mouth was quicker than her mind, letting out something she didn't mean to say. But as an expression of regret and panic formed on her face and she was about to apologize, Erik spoke in a relaxed tone after cheerfully biting into his cookie.
"What matters in a race isn't how it starts, but how it ends. You're known as the greatest geniuses in history for reaching Master level before anyone else, something that took you over a thousand years. So, if I achieve it in 900 years, I'd still be the greatest genius, and no one would care if I took 20 years more or less at the start.
"Besides, even if I don't become the greatest genius in history, so what? If I reach Master level at 2k, 5k, or 10k years, as long as I achieve it, I'll still be a powerhouse. But anyway, all of this is just speculation. We don't know for certain if I'll reach Master level or not, let alone how long it'll take. So, what's the point of tormenting myself over it?
"Life is full of too many wonderful things, like these cookies. Instead of worrying about things I can't control, I'd rather focus on what I can while enjoying a good cookie. If I become the greatest genius, great. If not, that's fine too, even if it means you'll be disappointed and distance yourselves from me. I'll accept it. After all, winning and losing are both natural and inevitable, which is why it's best to enjoy every victory and learn from every defeat."
"We would never abandon you!" Eleonora declared in a firm and determined tone, staring directly into Erik's eyes. Sigrún soon added with a guilty expression.
"I didn't mean it like that, Erik. Forgive me… More than your master, I'm now your woman, and you're my man. That won't change no matter what happens. My love for you is real and comes from the bottom of my heart. My words only came from how unfair I think your situation is…"
"Don't worry, there's nothing to forgive. It's better that you tell me things immediately, no matter how unpleasant they may be, than to keep them to yourself until you explode and there's no going back."
Erik replied in a calm voice, which caused Sigrún's eyes to water as she threw herself forward to give Erik a hug. But at that moment, a streak of blue fire and a black lightning bolt appeared near Sigrún, catching the attention of everyone present.
***
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