Chapter 95: Cozy Wooden Lodge
Azriel stared at the sun, then back at the shimmering silver dome behind him.
His violet eyes glinted with sharp, sudden realization as the math instantly clicked in his head.
’Six hours inside... but barely an hour has passed out here, Time dilation.’
[LIVE CHAT]
[I_Love_Leaf] (Golden): 6:1 RATIO?! Six hours inside is only one hour outside?! That silver barrier is an actual rare artifact!!
[Sadistic69] (Red): BRO’S BRAIN JUST COMPUTE-ERRORD!! FREAKING TIME DILATION ARTIFACT!!
[Battle_Maiden_Vera] (White): So his one-month training boot camp is actually going to be half a year under Vesperia’s personal whip... oh my god
[Angelic_Sword_Valerius] (Red): He thought he was going out for dinner and a stargazing session. Look at his face!
[Moon_Priestess_99] (Cyan): Six months of intense training with mother and daughter, hehehe, enough time to conquer Vesperia.
Azriel turned on his heel, running straight back through the translucent membrane of the silver dome.
Crossing the threshold, he immediately saw Vesperia standing in the center of the dusty arena, her arms folded beneath her massive chest as a dark, utterly satisfied smirk spread across her face.
Azriel’s jaw twitched. He let out a long, heavy sigh, running a sweaty hand through his dark hair.
"You could have mentioned that you altered the time inside this damn barrier, Senior."
Vesperia chuckled, her golden eyes glinting with playful mischief.
"Where’s the fun in that? Besides, I wanted to let you enjoy your last look at a sunlit sky for a while. You won’t be seeing it again anytime soon."
Azriel stared at her, his violet eyes flat.
"It is what it is, boy," Vesperia said, taking a step toward him with an authoritative edge returning to her voice.
"Did you honestly think you could master high-tier weapon arts, refine your martial form, and outclass opponents who have trained since childhood, even though they have tragically lower talent than you, in just thirty real-world days?"
She shook her head, her single silver braid swaying over her shoulder.
"That’s pure wishful thinking. A single month would be barely enough for you to get a grasp of all the intricacies of Kusarigama, even with that monstrous combat adaptability of yours, leaving you zero time to enter dungeons and grind your level. But under this silver barrier? You have six full months."
Her expression hardened into that of a realm-renowned Overlord, radiating absolute confidence.
"I promise you this, Azriel, once you step out of this dome after six months, with that disgusting talent and terrifying combat adaptability of yours... You will be an absolute monster. You have the word of Vesperia Van Bastet on that."
She gestured around the vast, isolated subterranean space with a sweeping motion of her clawed hand.
"So for the next six months, everything happens inside here. Your weapon training, your theoretical studies... even your fucking sessions with Rosalind."
Azriel sighed once more, rolling his shoulders as he absorbed the reality of his extended boot camp.
"Fine. What are we doing next?"
Vesperia’s wicked smirk returned.
"What, learn right now? Didn’t you just say you were starving, boy? I’ve already ordered your feast. After you eat, your schedule shifts, you’ll be learning basic noble etiquette, political theory, and bloodline mastery straight from Rosalind."
Right on cue, the silver barrier behind them rippled like liquid water.
Rosalind stepped through the translucent curtain, wearing a sleek, form-fitting crimson gown that hugged every curve of her body.
Behind her trailed four elite estate maids carrying massive silver trays laden with exotic meats, steaming stews, and roasted beastman delicacies.
The intoxicating aroma instantly filled the dust-stained arena.
Azriel’s stomach let out a loud, violent rumble, his mouth watering almost instantly.
Rosalind offered him a warm, tender smile, her golden eyes lingering over his sweat-drenched, tightly outlined frame.
"Go take a shower first, handsome. I’ll have the maids set up the dining room so we can eat together."
"Deal," Azriel smiled, turning toward the washroom to scrub off the accumulated sweat of his six-hour grind.
When Azriel stepped out of the washroom twenty minutes later, clean, refreshed, and dressed in a comfortable set of loose black robes, he paused.
Tucked neatly into the far eastern corner of the training grounds stood a newly constructed, two-story wooden lodge.
Built from rich, dark mahogany and sealed with protective aether runes, it looked warm and inviting against the harsh dirt of the combat grounds.
Following the mouth-watering scent of spiced roast meats, Azriel walked up the wooden porch and pushed open the front door.
The interior was cozy and impeccably furnished.
Warm, amber light radiated from a soft aether lamp mounted on the ceiling, while a crackling stone hearth threw a comfortable heat throughout the main room.
The layout was sleek and functional.
A soft, deep brown leather sofa occupied the living space, directly facing a floating staircase on the right that led up to the second floor, where a private study and a massive, plush bed sat waiting for future ’intense exercises’.
Straight ahead lay the open kitchen and dining area.
Spread across a large, round wooden dining table was a feast fit for an empire, roasted wyvern ribs, thick cuts of marinated iron-hide boar, bowls of rich aromatic grains, and vintage fruit nectars.
Sitting at the table, waiting patiently for him, were Rosalind and Vesperia.
Azriel smiled at the sight, pulling out the empty third chair and settling in between the mother and daughter.
"Let’s eat," Rosalind murmured softly, filling his plate high with choice cuts of meat.
Azriel didn’t hesitate.
Fueled by his newly upgraded bloodline, his metabolic engine burned like a raging furnace.
He devoured the feast like a true apex predator, clearing plate after plate with savage, captivating efficiency while Rosalind watched him with soft, fond affection and Vesperia observed with an entertained, predatory glint in her golden eyes.
Once the last platter was wiped clean, Azriel leaned back lazily against his chair.
He casually picked at his teeth with a wooden toothpick, his other hand resting over his satisfied chest as a low, rumbling burp escaped his lips without a single trace of shame.
Rosalind’s lips curved into a smile, a faint glint sparkling in her eyes as she looked across the table at him.
"Alright, handsome," Rosalind purred, rising smoothly from her seat with regal grace.
"Now that you’re full, let’s head up to the study. We’ll start your first lesson, Noble Etiquette."
-x-
A/N:
Weekly PS: 103 / 120
Monthly GT: 30 / 60