Upon arriving at the place, I took a moment to look around and observe my surroundings carefully. The place appeared remarkably clean and well-maintained, and it wasn't very crowded at all. This was probably because it was still quite early in the morning, before the usual rush of customers would arrive.
As I stood there, I sensed a weird and unusual energy emanating from somewhere nearby. It was a presence that felt strangely familiar to what I had sensed and experienced before in the past. As I began walking deliberately towards the location where this energy seemed to be originating from, the summons that had accompanied me followed closely behind me, maintaining their position.
Upon reaching the place and stepping inside, I entered through the doorway. Almost instantly, everyone in the establishment noticed my presence and the room quieted down significantly, falling into an uncomfortable silence. I took a moment to look around the interior and gradually realized that this particular establishment was actually a restaurant.
I walked with purpose towards an empty table and sat myself down on one of the chairs positioned there. Then, to my surprise, a woman approached me and walked right up to where I was sitting, her eyes appearing dreamy and unfocused as she gazed at me.
"My name is Charlotte la bouff, what's your name, are you perhaps a prince?" She asked the questions quickly and eagerly, barely pausing between them.
My eyes furrowed deeply in dissatisfaction as I regarded her. What exactly was this woman's problem, and why was she behaving this way? She then proceeded to wave her hand back and forth in front of my face, trying to get my attention.
"Hey, can you hear me? Are you listening?" She asked, still maintaining her energetic and enthusiastic demeanor.
I lifted my hand up slightly and made a subtle gesture, causing her to levitate off the ground. I then controlled the magic to make her levitate through the air towards me, bringing her closer. Everyone in the restaurant was completely in shock at what they were witnessing. They had clearly never seen magic being performed before in their lives.
"You, you talk far too much," I said in a cold and detached voice.
But as I continued to watch her floating in the air, I became genuinely surprised by her reaction. Unlike all the others around us who were scared, frightened, or at least wary of what was happening, she appeared to be excited and thrilled. She flapped her hands enthusiastically in the air like a child experiencing something wonderful.
"Woah, this is so incredibly cool and amazing," she exclaimed with a bright, genuine smile spreading across her face.
A woman and a man suddenly came forward quickly from the crowd, approaching us with concern.
"Great sir, please I beg you to forgive her," the man said nervously and respectfully.
He looked visibly scared and worried for the girl's safety and well-being. I then shifted my attention and looked over to the woman standing beside him. She appeared to be dressed like a waitress who worked at this establishment. She also looked genuinely scared and concerned for the girl's welfare. Then I turned my gaze back to focus on the girl named Charlotte.
"Charlotte was it? You've piqued my interest and curiosity," I said with a slight smirk forming on my face, and I gently set her back down on the ground.
"Really, you mean it? Then you should come to my birthday celebration," she said enthusiastically with a warm and inviting smile.
"We'll see about that. Perhaps I will," I said simply and curtly, then turned and left the restaurant without another word.
That waitress who had served us earlier - she possessed the same distinctive aura and energy signature as the princess I had encountered previously. However, despite sharing this similar presence, she clearly did not appear to be a princess herself based on her attire and current occupation.
Erik's POV
"No, you need to adjust your form and punch like this," I said clearly and deliberately, demonstrating by performing a perfect, jab directed at the empty air in front of me.
I watched carefully and attentively as he attempted to replicate and copy my movements, but unfortunately he failed in his initial attempt. However, as he continued practicing and kept trying repeatedly, I noticed that he was improving and developing his technique at an alarmingly fast and impressive rate.
I smiled to myself with satisfaction and pride. Ever since Hercules had arrived here, I had taken it upon myself to train him personally, dedicating my time and expertise to his development.
By this point in time, the magical potion's effect had completely worn off and dissipated, and now he was operating at his full power and capability. At this moment, he had achieved and maintained the rank of 7. I estimated that within a year or two of continued dedicated training, he would likely be able to reach and attain the 8th rank.
I then shifted and turned my eyes toward Moon, who was observing and watching the training session from a distance, standing afar. For some inexplicable and mysterious reason, she had become deeply infatuated and enamored with him. I genuinely don't know or understand how someone like her, with her personality, managed to fall in love first and so completely.
It would be perfectly fine and acceptable if that was the extent of it, but recently and as of late, she had grown increasingly brazen and bold in her actions. She had somehow managed to acquire and obtain a book specifically about seduction and romantic techniques, and had been consistently attempting to use and practice these methods on Hercules.
Since Hercules possessed a naturally shy and reserved personality and temperament, he found himself weak and vulnerable against her persistent advances and romantic overtures. Eventually, it was her mother who discovered and found out about these activities. She was extremely mad and furious about the situation, and subsequently punished Moon for her inappropriate behavior.
I sighed heavily to myself, feeling somewhat conflicted about the entire situation. Both of them are fundamentally innocent and pure-hearted individuals, but one of them had decided to pursue and do something that was not so innocent or appropriate given their circumstances.
But despite everything, I can clearly see and recognize his gaze and the way he looks at her as well. Every now and then, at various moments throughout our training sessions, he would glance over and look at her with genuine love and affection in his eyes. There was no lust or ulterior motives behind his feelings, just pure emotion. I have already given my approval and blessing to this developing relationship, but I sincerely hope that Moon can manage to remain patient and wait until he fully realizes and acknowledges his own love for her.
"Alright, you should continue with your training exercises for now. I have something important that I need to attend to and take care of," I said to him before turning and leaving the training area.
I made my way down the corridor, heading directly to the room where I had previously placed Te Fiti to rest and recover. As I walked, I let out a deep sigh of concern. It had been several days since that particular incident occurred, including today, and she was still in a deep sleep, remaining unconscious. The situation weighed heavily on my conscience because it was entirely my fault and responsibility since I had accidentally and unintentionally devoured a significant piece of her core during our encounter.
Upon arriving at the doorway of the room, I carefully entered through the entrance. However, the moment I stepped inside, I completely froze in place, standing motionless on the spot. My eyes widened in absolute shock and surprise as I took in the extraordinary scene before me - there were vibrant plants and beautiful flowers blooming and growing absolutely everywhere throughout the space, covering the walls, spreading across the floor, and even hanging from the ceiling in an elaborate display of natural growth.
I then slowly and deliberately turned my attention toward the individual who was responsible for all of this remarkable matter and phenomenon. It was Te Fiti herself, and she had finally awoken from her extended slumber. She was now conscious and alert, and she stared directly at me with an intense and unreadable expression on her face.
"What will you do of me? What are your intentions?" She asked in a measured tone, her voice carrying a sense of uncertainty.
I reached up and scratched the back of my head in obvious embarrassment and discomfort, feeling guilty about the entire situation.
"I'll just restore your core to its original state and send you back to where you came from," I said, trying to sound reassuring and sincere.
Her eyes suddenly widened significantly, as if she had just realized something profound and deep, some understanding dawning upon her.
"You wish to breed me? Is that your true intention?" She asked directly and without hesitation.
My eyes widened dramatically in shock and complete surprise at her unexpected question.
"Woah, wait a moment - I never said anything like that at all," I said quickly and defensively, trying to clarify the misunderstanding.
She tilted her head slightly to one side, regarding me with curiosity and confusion.
"I am a god of life and creation, a deity of fertility and growth. I need much more than just raw energy alone to properly restore my core to its full power and capacity," She said, explaining her situation calmly.
"Cough, well, I think my energy is more than powerful and potent enough to accomplish that task," I said, attempting to maintain a calm and confident demeanor despite my discomfort.
She remained perfectly calm and composed, her expression unchanging.
"If you wish to breed me and create offspring, I don't mind at all. I would not be opposed to such an arrangement," she said softly and gently, her voice carrying no judgment.
My eyes widened once again in absolute disbelief at her forward statement.
"What the hell are you talking about, no way-" I started to protest.
"Do you find me unattractive or undesirable in some way?" She asked, interrupting my protest with a direct question.
I shook my head firmly from side to side in denial.
"Then what exactly is the problem with this arrangement? I can birth you powerful and extraordinary children, and in exchange for this, you would protect me and keep me safe," she said, presenting her logical reasoning. "And besides, you have already taken and consumed a piece of my core, establishing a connection between us," She added as an important additional point.
I stood completely frozen in place, unable to move or respond immediately. I had to admit and acknowledge that she wasn't wrong in her assessment of the situation.
"How powerful and strong will the children become? What kind of abilities might they possess?" I asked with genuine curiosity and interest, wanting to understand the full implications.
"I don't know for certain, as I've never birthed a child before in all my existence," she said with a small, almost innocent smile crossing her features.
My mouth twitched slightly in response to her admission.
"With both of your considerable strength and my divine nature combined, the child would be absolutely guaranteed to have at least one divine skill or ability, if not more," Diastasi's voice suddenly added to the conversation, offering her insight and knowledge.
I looked straight and directly into Te Fiti's eyes with intensity and focus, and then I nodded my head slowly in acceptance and agreement.
"From now on, you're mine and under my protection. There will be a proper wedding ceremony held in a while, and I'll have some of the maids come to dress you up appropriately and prepare you for it," I said with determination and finality, and then I turned and headed off toward the exit.
As I left the room and walked away down the corridor, I rubbed my hands together with satisfaction and a hint of excitement. After all, why would anyone opt for just a single diamond when you have the opportunity to acquire and claim the entire cave full of treasures?
Now that I have an upcoming wedding ceremony that I need to prepare for and attend to, I should take the time to properly finish and resolve some of the problems and unresolved issues that I had previously left behind and not yet dealt with completely.
Note: after this I will write a little more slice of life to increase chapters before Vor then the last arc.