Calm Wanderer
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(AKJ) Chapter 93 - A romantic air-treading walk
🕑 Added 2024-12-14 08:44:41 +0000 UTCMolvograd, Molkovia, Earth.
Demian's P.O.V.
After enduring massive injuries from the Nine Lightning Tribulation, Roman’s body looked horrifying. Most of his skin had vanished from the high temperature, his flesh having become similar to a melted candle. Only his bones below seemed relatively untouched, although, from the fluctuation coming from the man, Demian was sure that his organs should have also been relatively intact. After all, the man’s current body cultivation did not grant him the ‘luxury’ of surviving the loss of any critical organ. Not everyone had something as broken as his Perk, which made it ‘easy’ to regenerate one of his Lungs out of nothing. He was temporarily incapacitated for a short while afterward, though compared to instant death, it was a cheap price to pay.
In any case, Roman had neither his Perk nor a ‘broken’ constitution, which meant that healing from that kind of injury would take days with the right Healing Pills, and the risk of leaving hidden injuries due to incorrect healing would be high. After all, whether it be Healing Pills or Cultivation Pills, none of them were perfect as they heavily depended on the characteristics of the Cultivators using them. It was a bit similar to ‘modern’ medicine although, with far fewer side-effects, the latter being most of the time impurities accumulating in the body. There were some extreme cases of death by explosion from using higher-tiered pills than one could handle, but, from what he read, it happened rarely since most Cultivators were aware of their own limits. At least, that was his understanding so far. However, the scene happening in front of his eyes, made him realize that the Cultivation World was truly full of mysterious and interesting phenomena that he had no clue about.
Indeed, those Dark Clouds had merged swiftly before turning into a massive Golden Cloud. Then, that same cloud floated downward in Roman’s direction enveloping his body completely until the man disappeared from both Demian’s physical senses and Soul Sense. He only reappeared a minute later as the golden color faded progressively, turning progressively transparent until it vanished completely. At that moment, the man’s figure became visible to everyone along with the massive changes he experienced. From his dreadful injuries to his present unblemished skin and full head of shiny brown hair. The contrast was so colossal that neither the Mikhailovs nor the Estate Cultivators was able to say a single word for a while.
It was only until Sergei said a few words of congratulation that the rest seemed to wake up from their dazed state. Ignoring what he considered to be shallow pleasantries, Demian observed the changes his biological father went through. ‘From the fluctuations coming from him, he should’ve broken through to Tier 2 in both the Energy System and Body System. I guess it makes sense since he was at the Peak of Tier 1 for both...’ He analyzed while perceiving the immense vitality erupting subconsciously from the man. ‘If I’m not wrong, his lifespan should’ve increased to around 500 years...’ He paused that thought for a second as the image of a woman’s picture surfaced in his mind. ‘If my current life’s mother was still alive, I wonder how she’d feel about Roman and my choices...’ He pondered while feeling a mix of complicated emotions.
Despite his mother having passed away from childbirth’s complications, and thus having never really met her, the young man could not help but feel a slight longing in his heart. Did it come from the part of him missing his previous life’s mother? Or maybe from the part of himself who lived eighteen years old as an orphan raised by his Aunt? Or was it the fact that his Aunt was now a target of his affection, leaving him with no maternal figure anymore? It may be one of those reasons or all of them. Whatever the case, seeing his biological father rejoicing with his subordinates, a feeling of melancholy washed over his heart. ‘Maybe if you were still alive, Mom...’ He wondered absentmindedly before Sera whispered to him, her tone displaying her worries. “Babe? You’re okay?” Turning his gaze toward the purple-haired beauty, he immediately noticed how worried she seemed for him. They were Soul Bonded after all, making it impossible to hide any of their emotional fluctuations if the other paid enough attention. Some might have found it intrusive, but Demian instead felt a welcome warmth. “I’m okay, Love. Just some old memories. Nothing to worry about.” He reassured her in his smooth voice, while a loving smile graced his lips.
While she looked relieved from his answer, a random thought appeared in his mind. ‘Speaking of mother and children... I wonder what race ours will be? Will they be humans like me or Void Shadow Elves like her?’ The image of a few cute dark elven and human children playing a game of tag together made him chuckle briefly, arousing Seraphine’s curiosity. “What’s so funny?” As he was about to answer, a voice suddenly interrupted. “Demian. Now that Roman has broken through, you should talk to him. Once you’re finished we’ll leave.” Moving his gaze toward Sergei, he noticed the man looking at him with his usual calm smile. Nodding his head, Demian replied. “Sure. It shouldn’t take too long.” He then felt a slight tug on his right arm as Sera’s voice reached his ears. “I’ll go with you.” Her tone brooked no refusal, an expected reaction from her. After all, she had always been protective of him, her mother, and her sister. However, that particular personality trait had grown stronger after they Soul Bonded and also after she awakened her Void Shadow Elven Bloodline.
‘With how protective of those three I’ve become, I guess I shouldn’t be the one to talk.’ He contemplated briefly before nodding while saying softly. “Sure.” No words were needed as his gratitude was radiating through their Bond. “Why don’t Bryn and I come with the two of you?” Adeliya asked with some hesitation. Despite how genuine her offer sounded, he could tell that she already had a lot on her mind, questions about what decisions to make, and he thus did not want her to face any upsetting revelation. Unfortunately, his intuition told him that the following conversation with Roman would most likely include that kind of information. As for Brynhild, their relationship was a bit ambivalent, making it a bit awkward for him, especially since he could see some occasional traces of jealousy in her eyes when she looked at her younger sister. That was also something he would have to face at one point, but that would have to wait for now. Thus, he decided to only take Seraphine with him, something he diplomatically shared with the other two while recognizing their good intentions.
Once he placated the two women, he walked toward the group of congratulating Cultivators while noting the tattered state of Roman Yanov’s clothes. Indeed, besides his Low Tier 2 Upper Armor being essentially unscathed, his Peak Tier 1 Lower Armor was in tatters, barely hiding what needed to be hidden. It did not deter from the man’s naturally imposing presence, though, the latter even having received a boost with his latest breakthrough. ‘He almost ended up naked... I guess he’s more lucky than us.’ He randomly contemplated before using the Voice Spiritual Transmission Technique on his biological father through the use of his Elemental Energy. [“I need to talk to you right now. We’ll leave once we’re done.”] The man seemed startled by the sudden voice in his ears, his gaze moving from his subordinates to search for Demian’s location. Naturally, with him standing a few meters away from Roman, the latter found him easily, nodding his head while transmitting back. [”You can wait for me in my office. I’ll take a quick shower and get a change of clothes first.”]
Nodding back, Demian then turned back toward Sergei and the others, informing them of the arrangements before his legs started leading him toward the Fallen Fire Mansion with Sera’s hand in his own, the two walking leisurely while appreciating each other’s presence. After a few seconds, an idea came to his mind, prompting him to turn toward the silent woman and ask playfully. “Love?” His sudden question seemed to pull her from her inner reflection, prompting her to gaze at him curiously. “Mmh?” With a teasing smile adorning his face, he asked. “Instead of walking there, why don’t I show you a new trick I learned a few days ago?” His words seemed to confuse her, however, the young man did not plan on explaining further. Instead, he swiftly lifted her body in a princess carry, an action that had become almost instinctive to him by that point. He then jumped in the air, gracefully propelling the both of them higher than the mansion’s roof in an instant.
Feeling satisfied with their current height, Demian then materialized a small Elemental platform under his feet which left the two standing immobile in the air. His grin not having left his lips, he questioned. “It’s not true flight yet, but it’s pretty cool, right?” The question brought an amused smile to the woman’s face who nodded and teased. “Pretty cool, I admit. If I wasn’t already in love with you, I think you’d have taken my heart right now.” With his silky shoulder-length hair floating with the wind, his perfectly symmetrical facial features, his roguish smile, and lastly his exceptional muscular frame, the young man had to admit he had become a true heartthrob. ‘With the beauties around me, I’d feel bad if I wasn’t at least that handsome.’ He thought while chuckling slightly. He then teased her back with a mock-serious expression. “Do you really think you can seduce like this? I’ll have you know, I’m not an easy man.” After a few pleasant giggles, she responded with confidence. “I don’t think so, Mister. I know so! I’ll conquer both your body and your heart. You’ll never be able to leave me in this life.” Shaking his head, Demian replied in a gentle tone this time. “I’m afraid it’s too late, Love. My heart is already filled with my love for you while my body... Well, let’s just say that holding your soft body has already become an essential thing for me. There’s no way I can live without you anymore.” Seeing the purple blush his words brought to her chocolate-colored cheeks before she hid her face in his chest, he could not help himself from whispering playfully. “My sweet fiancée, my cultivation may not be the highest but when it comes to flirting with you, I’ve already reached the apex. You can never win against me in that category.”
A few giggles escaped the shy woman’s lips before she moved her head back enough to gaze at his face and exclaimed in a reproachful tone mixed with tenderness. “Why are you always teasing me like this?” Tilting his head while admiring the beauty he held in his arms, he then responded. “Simple. Your flustered look is so adorable. I just can’t get enough looking at you.” Snorting cutely at his words, she exclaimed. “So disrespectful.” Before she turned her head away, a charming pout on her face. Sensing the great happiness radiating from the woman, Demian chuckled slightly while thinking. ‘What a tsundere.’ He then exclaimed out loud. “We should go, or Roman will get impatient.” Not waiting for her answer, he confirmed that his Elemental Field was covering Seraphine’s body, complementing it with a thin Water Elemental Shield to completely stop the wind from his high-speed movement from bothering her. He then, with a simple thought, tilted the platform located under his feet toward the massive building and pushed against it with his right foot.
Instantly, the two were propelled tens of meters forward instantly, bringing them very close to the back courtyard. However, their destination was in the front building, prompting him to take a few more steps in the air before letting himself fall to the ground, materializing a few platforms to break his fall. Normally, with both of them having a Body Cultivation at least as strong as a Low Tier 2 average Body Cultivator, they would barely feel the shock of falling tens of meters from the air. However, as a hopeless romantic, the young man still decided against jolting the woman in his arms and thus did his best to be as gentle as he could, greatly helped by his superhuman body coordination.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, he lowered his head toward the woman and with a proud smirk asked. “Did you enjoy the ride, my dear?” Nodding her head with an amused grin she replied. “Very much so, my loving boyfriend.” Cocking his brow, he questioned in an exaggeratedly disappointed tone. “I thought we were fiancées... I guess I thought too much. Why am...” His words were suddenly cut off by the soft hand covering his mouth. “Okay okay, I get it! I’m just a bit shy about it, alright? I’d rather we wait before saying it in front of others...” Seeing the deep purple blush on her dark cheeks, he could not help himself from chuckling while letting her down delicately. As soon as the woman left his arms, she let go of his mouth and exclaimed. “Let’s go see your father, alright? We’ve already wasted too much time.” With those words leaving her lips, she started walking quickly toward the building without even waiting for him. “Never thought you knew what being shy meant.” He mumbled teasingly while shaking his head and walking behind her. The teasing words prompted her to turn her head briefly toward him, her charming face a picture of annoyance mixed with embarrassment.
The sight of the playful grin painted on his face seemed to annoy her even more as a cute snort escaped her lips before she turned her head back to the front building. While moving swiftly toward Roman’s office, Demian, who had caught up to Seraphine, grabbed her hand firmly without encountering any protest from the latter. ‘Flirting with her always puts me into a good mood.’ He contemplated happily while the tension in his body and mind seemed to have magically vanished. Less than a minute later, the two were standing in front of the office door about to knock on it. However, they were suddenly interrupted by a voice coming from beside them. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right there with you.” Turning their head toward the source of the voice, they found Roman walking in their direction, still wearing his tattered clothes.
Seeing him still wearing the Tier 2 Upper Armor, Demian asked. “Didn’t you give the armor back to my teacher?” Shaking his head, the older man replied. “Lord Anrepov decided to gift it to me. His words were ‘Those are just useless rubbish wasting space in my Void Ring, so you might as well keep them’. So I kept the three pieces of gear.” Nodding his head, the young man remarked wistfully. “Teacher is really generous.” Shaking his head, he then added. “Anyway, we’ll wait for you inside then. We need you to open the door though. Unless you want us to break it.” With a quick sweep of the older man’s Soul, the door opened smoothly, while the Protective Formation was deactivated.
Seraphine and Demian then moved to the sofa in Roman’s office to wait for the latter in silence. Fortunately, it only took around five minutes for Roman to come back from his shower. Fully cleaned and wearing a light blue formal shirt, a beige pair of long pants, and a light brown pair of leather shoes, the man exuded charm and strong power. However, both Demian and Seraphine were completely immune to the older man’s imposing presence for obvious reasons. Instead, the former’s mind was busy trying to find a way to start the conversation. “I apologize for the wait.” Roman said calmly while sitting on the sofa placed in front of them. His gaze briefly fell on Demian’s hand gripping Sera’s own, but no comment left his mouth. His gaze then moved to the young man’s face. “You said you wanted to talk?”
As his eyes met the other man’s own, Demian felt a surge of anxiety washing over his heart before his strong will pushed it down to regain his calm. Taking a deep breath, he said, his eyes narrowing subconsciously. “I do need to talk to you. It’s about what Danilov said before the battle. He said ‘Your mother died in childbirth because of you and your father’. What did he mean by that?”
