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A few minutes later, Seraphine finally managed to steady her frayed nerves.
Ashen still sat beside her, quiet and patient, his presence comforting in the storm of her thoughts.
She cast him a quick glance, forcing a cheerful tone into her voice.
"I'm gonna check my status now… come here." She patted the space beside her invitingly.
He didn't refuse. Of course, he didn't. With the easy grace of a man used to her whims, Ashen slid closer.
Seraphine leaned naturally against his shoulder with a thoughtless but practiced motion, then sent the mental command for her status window to appear. She made sure to project it outward, allowing him to see as well.
A soft chime echoed in her mind.
The status window unfolded like a curtain of light.
==============================
[1. General information]
Name/Arrival date: Seraphine Kingsley – 2025/02/11
Sex/Age: Female/26
Height/Weight: 172 cm / 61 kg
Current condition: Healthy
Pathway: 6th Step Acolyte of Ecstasy.
Thema: Anima
Affiliation: The Chapel of the Everlasting Covenant (Temp)
Title: None
[2. Traits]
—Optimistic
—Easygoing Nature
—Scatterbrained genius
—Guarded devotion
[3. Physical Level]:
Strength: F+ | Endurance: F+ | Agility: E-
Perception: F+ | Stamina: F+ | Mana: E
[4. Abilities]
4.1 Innate Powers:
—None.
4.2 Path Skills:
—Soulweaver's Whisper (Basic+)
—Desire's Renewal (Basic-)
—Ecstatic Bond (Entry-)
—Blissful Aura (Entry-)
4.3 Other Abilities:
—Whip crack (Entry+)
—whip coiling (Entry+)
—Figure eight (Entry+)
—soothing touch (Skilled-)
—Crude Mana Control (Basic)
—Manawind Sigh (Basic+)
—Mana circulation (Basic-)
—Mana compression (Entry-)
—Cleanse (Entry+)
—Minor rejuvenation (Entry-)
Cognitive Depth (Thoughts, Mindset, Disposition):
—Anticipating/ Resilient / Generous
==============================
Ashen let out a soft whistle as he scanned through the list.
"Oh, so this new Step just jumped straight from 'whispers' to full-blown ecstasy, no foreplay, huh?" His voice held equal parts amusement and dry commentary.
Seraphine hummed vaguely, though her reply came tighter than she expected.
"...Yeah."
The word sat oddly in her throat.
Bring ecstasy to people... was that really her next step? Was that what was expected of her now?
Her eyes flicked to Ashen. Would he... be willing to walk that path with her?
No matter how much they joked, teased, or flirted, they'd never crossed that line. Not yet.
And then there was Alice. Sweet, earnest Alice. Her dear friend.
The idea of sharing that level of intimacy with Ashen sparked both pleasure and guilt in equal measure. A bittersweet ache curled low in her stomach.
Ashen's voice broke her reverie.
"Looks like you got two new Path Skills. Wanna check what they do?"
His tone was casual, curious, as always.
Seraphine latched onto the distraction like a lifeline.
"Sure."
With a thought, she selected Ecstatic Bond.
==============================
Ecstatic Bond
form a deep, pleasure-based connection with a chosen ally, allowing you to share sensations, strength, and even pain. The bond is not affected by distance, place, or time.
==============================
Silence stretched between them.
Ashen gave a low whistle, scanning through her details with half-lidded eyes.
"Sharing strength? That looks like a totally busted skill. I guess you lucked out on this one."
Seraphine side-eyed him.
That's what he noticed?
Her attention snagged firmly on the word pleasure-based.
Sharing pleasure… across any distance, any moment… fulfilling her Embodiment from anywhere?
The implications made her head spin.
"...Should we try it right now?" she asked, heart pounding despite her casual tone.
Ashen blinked at her, then grinned. "Sure, but let's check the other skill first."
"Right."
She flicked her finger, and the second description slid into view.
==============================
Blissful Aura
With your every move, you radiate an aura of pure pleasure and contentment, calming those around you and enhancing their focus. Enemies within the aura find their aggression dulled, as they are momentarily overwhelmed by a sense of peace.
==============================
Ashen arched a slow brow.
"'Blissful Aura,'" he read aloud, tone bone-dry. "So you just... radiate happiness now? Like some walking, talking campfire sing-along?"
Seraphine beamed at him, bright enough to rival the status window.
"Isn't it perfect?! I'm basically a human mood-booster!" She threw her arms wide in dramatic flair. "Feel the serenity, baby!"
He stared.
"So in the middle of a fight, while some frenzied beast is chewing on me, you'll just... vibe at it until it forgets to be angry?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Oh my gods… that could totally work!"
He groaned, rubbing his temples.
"That's not how—"
He paused, then gave her a long, resigned look.
"You realize this essentially makes you the party's emotional support now, right?"
"Aww, you say that like it's a bad thing!" She winked, and for a moment, Ashen swore that he saw the air around her shimmer faintly, golden and warm.
He sighed, but there was a smile ghosting at the edge of his lips.
"Fine. But if I catch you trying to hug a hyena mid-battle to 'pacify' it, I'm leaving you behind."
She giggled, "No promises~"
Ashen shook his head and smiled wryly.
"Anyway... wanna try out the first skill?"
"Yep!" Seraphine perked up instantly, planting a hand on his shoulder with suspicious enthusiasm.
'Bind him~ hehe…'
One really had to wonder what kind of gremlin lived rent-free inside her head.
Thin threads of mana coiled from her fingertips, slithering all around Ashen's body. They shimmered faintly before vanishing, leaving no trace of their existence.
[Detected a semi-permanent bond. Accept binding?]
The system's prompt flickered before Ashen's eyes. This prompt clued him in that this wasn't some forceful restraint. This was more of an invitation.
He sighed inwardly. 'Accept.'
The moment he did, a faint connection bloomed between them, like a silver string pulled taut across a quiet void.
"So?" Ashen tilted his head. "Feel anything? I don't sense much from my end."
"Hmmm…" Seraphine clenched and unclenched her hand experimentally.
"I feel a little lighter... but not by much."
She hopped off the bed, giving a few bounces across the room like some curious rabbit testing new legs, before settling back beside him.
Ashen just chuckled under his breath.
"Well, the skill's still at its lowest level," he reminded her. "And honestly... our physical stats aren't that far apart anymore."
He gave her a calm, reassuring smile. "I have a feeling that this skill is more of a late bloomer. It'll probably shine later, when it counts. "
Seraphine puffed out her cheeks, an exaggerated pout that might've been cute if it wasn't attached to such obvious mischief.
"Mou... so I can't just yoink your muscles and become a goddess overnight?"
Ashen snorted. "What, disappointed you can't skip the coach's drills forever?"
Her grin turned slow and dangerous.
"Skip the coach's drills? Maybe. But skip you? Never. I'd crawl back to you if I had to." She stretched languidly, like a cat, letting the line hang in the air just long enough to be illegal.
He made a face. "...See, when you say it like that, it sounds vaguely threatening."
She gave him a saintly smile. "Good."
Gods above... this woman is a menace.
❖⛧❖