Chapter 106: Partial Transformation
Seeing them off were Edward, Jenna, Theodore, Rodrick, and Tharuk. Although none of them spoke, the expressions on their faces clearly reflected their reluctance to see them leave.
Behind them stood a modest-looking carriage. Although its exterior was simple, the inside had been furnished comfortably for long journeys.
Two healthy horses were harnessed to it, and Theodore had personally arranged everything to ensure their trip to the Capital would be as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Bai Chen happily climbed onto the driver’s seat, volunteering to be the coachman for the journey. Nova had no objections. In fact, it suited him perfectly, as it allowed him to spend the journey inside the carriage with Asia and Rieka.
Edward stepped forward and gently patted Nova’s shoulder. "Be careful. The Capital is a long way from here. Even at a normal pace, it’ll take at least two days to reach Vaunis."
"I know, Dad," Nova replied with a reassuring smile.
Beside him, Jenna was doing her best to hold back her emotions. She stepped forward and hugged Nova tightly one last time before reluctantly letting him go.
Then she turned toward Asia and Rieka with a loving smile. "Come here, my daughters. Give your mother-in-law a hug."
Over the past three years, Jenna had grown incredibly close to both of them. They had spent countless days together, and she loved them as if they were her own daughters. Likewise, Asia and Rieka had become deeply fond of their kind and affectionate mother-in-law.
The two women smiled before stepping forward and embracing her warmly.
Tharuk then looked at Nova. "Take good care of my granddaughter."
Nova nodded confidently. "You don’t have to remind me. I always keep my promises."
Finally, Asia walked over and gave Theodore one last hug. "Take care of yourself, Father."
"You too, my daughter."
After parting, Nova exchanged a silent nod with Theodore before he, Asia, and Rieka climbed into the carriage and settled comfortably inside.
Bai Chen tightened the reins and looked back. "Junior Brother Nova, shall this old one get us moving?"
Nova smiled. "Yes, Brother Bai Chen. We’re ready."
With a flick of the reins, the horses began pulling the carriage forward.
Slowly, it rolled away from the gates of Forstholme before disappearing into the distant horizon.
Theodore, Edward, Jenna, Rodrick, and Tharuk silently watched until the carriage was no longer in sight.
Only then did they finally turn around and make their way back into the city.
Inside the carriage, Nova reached into his inventory and took out two elegant veils before handing one to each of his wives.
"Keep these with you," he said. "If we ever find ourselves in a situation beyond my ability to control, wear them. They’ll conceal your identities."
Asia accepted hers with a gentle smile.
"You don’t have to worry, Husband. I’ll wear this veil whenever we’re outside. I don’t want anyone but you to see my face."
Rieka chuckled softly.
"Yes, darling. You don’t have to feel awkward about it. We both know we still have a long way to go. Even though you’re incredibly powerful for your age, there are still countless monsters in this world far beyond our comprehension."
Nova couldn’t help but smile.
His wives were always so thoughtful and understanding. A moment later, he spoke inwardly.
"Liya, is there any treasure capable of completely awakening Rieka’s dormant bloodline?"
{There certainly is. In fact, I had already searched for one before you even asked.}
Nova’s eyes lit up."Then why haven’t you told me?"
{Because you can’t afford it.}
Nova let out a helpless sigh.
"...How much?"
He already had a rough idea of what the answer would be.
{Two billion Evolution Points.}
{My advice is to wait. Continue using the Gacha whenever you can. If you’re fortunate enough to obtain another Free Purchase Coupon—or even a large Discount Coupon—you’ll save yourself an unimaginable amount of Evolution Points.}
Nova wasn’t surprised.
After all, he wasn’t asking for an ordinary treasure. Completely awakening a Divine-ranked bloodline naturally required a priceless item.
At least now he knew what his next long-term goal was. He looked toward Rieka.
"Honey, you have an illusion-type skill, don’t you?" Rieka nodded.
"Yes, darling. Although it’s only B-Rank."
"Is it connected to your bloodline?"
She thought for a moment before replying.
"I believe so. I got it shortly after i got my other one which i think is also related . The one....you remember the skill I use to find out a person’s ture character? The one I call True Nature? I think that one is connected to my bloodline . "
Nova nodded thoughtfully.
"Even in its dormant state, your bloodline has already granted you abilities like illusion and True Nature. That alone shows how extraordinary it is."
"No wonder it’s Divine Rank." Rieka smiled faintly before turning toward Asia with curiosity.
"By the way, what skills did you awaken after your bloodline fully awakened?"
"Yes, I awakened quite a few skills and techniques," Asia replied.
"The techniques are mostly sword arts and movement techniques. I think I received them because Father has been teaching me the sword since I was very young.
The most amazing part is that after awakening my bloodline, I was able to comprehend them almost instantly."
She smiled sheepishly.
"Although... I haven’t had the chance to use them in actual combat yet."
"Well, we’ll get plenty of opportunities to test them once we reach the Capital," Nova said with a smile. "What about your skills?"
Asia nodded. "They’re even more impressive."
"One of them allows me to transform the entire battlefield into an icy domain upto 50 meters, greatly strengthening my abilities while suppressing my enemies."
"Another lets me create and launch countless Ice Spears." She continued explaining several other ice-related abilities, each one more formidable than the last.
"Most of them are A-Rank skills," she concluded.
"I didn’t awaken anything above A-Rank..."
She paused for a moment before adding,
"...except for one SS-Rank skill."
Silence instantly filled the carriage. Even Nova was caught off guard. An SS-Rank skill...That was something even many legendary experts would never possess except for the lucky ones.
His expression immediately turned serious.
"What does it do?" he asked eagerly.
Asia took a deep breath before answering.
"It allows me to partially transform into a Divine Ice Phoenix."
"What?!"
Nova and Rieka exclaimed at the same time, their eyes widening in disbelief.
"Can you really do that?" Rieka asked in pure disbelief.
How could she not?
Except for dragons and phoenixes, who could transform into their true forms but spent most of their time in human form, and high level beastfolk, who could freely shift into their beast forms, nearly every race possessed some form of transformation ability. In a way, humans were the only exception.
Elves could form contracts with sprites, borrowing their power to undergo partial elemental transformations.
Some high-ranking demons could also transform according to their innate nature, but this ability was reserved exclusively for Demon Lords. Not even Demon Generals were capable of achieving it.
In that regard, humans were at the greatest disadvantage. They had to make up for it through overwhelming power, exceptional skills, and relentless training.
That was why, for Asia—a human—to possess a partial transformation skill was nothing short of a miracle.
Asia shook her head.
"Not yet."
"Although I awakened the SS-Rank skill, I can’t use it right now. It’s simply too powerful for my current level . Even after reaching a realm beyond Grandmaster, I’d probably struggle to activate it."
"You could say... it’s sealed for the time being."
Nova gradually calmed down and nodded in understanding.
"So, for now, you’ve only awakened A-Rank skills that you can actually use. As for the abilities beyond A-Rank, they’re still locked, with the exception of the partial Divine Ice Phoenix Transformation, which you can at least see."
Asia nodded. "Yes... that’s more or less how it is."
{Maybe her bloodline awakening is allowing her to gradually adapt to its power. For now, she has only awakened A-Rank skills, but as she grows stronger, she may unlock the rest. Even her Partial Transformation could eventually evolve into a Complete Transformation}
liya speculated.
Wow... one of my wives is the daughter of a Divine Nine-Tailed Fox, so I’m certain she’ll be able to transform into her true form once her bloodline fully awakens.
And the other can transform into a Divine Ice Phoenix... Nova thought, realizing just how fortunate he was to have them by his side.
**
Thanks for reading...