Vincent continued onward.
Eventually, he stumbled upon a sight that held both fascination and an underlying sense of foreboding.
There, right before him, was a cocoon-like structure formed from a crimson, plant-like substance. The air carried a distinct scent of blood, which seemed to emanate from this peculiar formation.
Strangely, the form appeared to pulsate, resembling a beating heart, synchronized in an enigmatic rhythm.
However, rather than triggering a sense of danger, an unusual feeling of security enshrouded him.
Approaching the cocoon with slow steps, he found his curiosity melding with the mysterious sense of reassurance that had taken hold of him. It was as though an unspoken understanding had formed between him and this mysterious structure.
This connection offered him a weird sense of comfort, despite it looking dangerous.
"What is this thing? he reached out, his fingers gently making contact with the cocoon's surface. The texture felt reminiscent of soft muscle tissues.
"Is this cocoon emitting some form of charm magic?" he questioned aloud. If this were truly a charm, then its power was too strong to have an effect on him.
It's worth noting that he had confronted numerous challenges that had forged his willpower to an exceptional degree.
A charm capable of influencing his mind would need to exceed the rigorous standard of Rank SSS, a level that represented the pinnacle of power on Earth.
Even Yuki, who possessed a power beyond that of Rank SSS, was unable to breach the defenses of his mind. This further highlighted the sheer depth of his mental fortitude.
Regardless, he was confident that Elizabeth wouldn't create something that will jeopardize his well-being.
Reaffirming his trust in her, he began infusing his energy into the cocoon.
The cocoon responded with a subtle vibration, and then, astonishingly, it began to dissolve, its crimson tissue merging with the earth beneath.
However, what he witnessed next nearly shocked him to the core.
"Elizabeth!" he exclaimed, taken aback by her sudden appearance. Swiftly, he caught her body as it descended, preventing her from crashing to the ground.
He stood perplexed, his words momentarily escaping him as he stared at the scene before him. There was no denying the identity of the person in his grasp – it was unmistakably Elizabeth.
Her countenance was truly perfect, every facet of her appearance taking his breath away. Her cascading white hair formed elegant waves that framed her features with a delicate halo-like effect. The gentle flutter of her long lashes graced her eyelids, a soft contrast to the luminous, flawless skin that seemed to emit an almost porcelain-like glow.
The aura of her beauty defied the constraints of reality, akin to a manifestation from the most enchanting of dreams. In every sense, she embodied an exquisite allure that transcended the boundaries of imagination itself.
No! She embodied perfection itself.
But something was amiss. As he gazed upon her, a realization slowly crept over him.
There was something missing inside her, a void that he couldn't ignore.
Elizabeth might be a vampire, but even vampires radiated a distinct energy.
However, upon closer inspection, he couldn't sense any trace of life within her. It was as though all signs of vitality had been extinguished, leaving behind just an empty body.
"Perhaps absorbing the fragment will awaken her," he mused, his thoughts racing.
Bending down, he pressed a tender kiss upon her sleeping face and initiated the absorption process.
The energy from the fragment flowed into him, a potent stream of pure vitality. But this time, there was a notable difference – the intensity of the energy felt boundless, as if it held the power of infinity.
"Energy Rapid Regeneration," he whispered to himself in realization.
It dawned on him that Elizabeth didn't possess an infinite reserve of energy; rather, her unique ability lay in the extraordinary speed at which she could regenerate and replenish her energy reserves.
According to the laws of nature, energy required a source or a fuel to regenerate. Even Vincent, with his substantial energy reserves, found himself facing exhaustion in long battles due to the fact that his consumption outpaced his energy regeneration.
This concept was explained in physics, where energy couldn't be spontaneously created out of nothing. This means that energy cannot be created from nothing or disappear completely; it can only be transformed from one form to another.
For instance, when he unleashed his power, the energy doesn't simply disappear. Instead, it remains in the environment, and his body subsequently reabsorbs the energy he had initially exerted.
"I can feel something forming within me, " He muttered to himself.
As the fragment's energy merged with his being, a new energy core formed inside his body. Unlike his previous core, this one was more compact but incredibly efficient. It charged with energy at a staggering pace, a sensation he could feel coursing through his veins. .
But this transformation wasn't the sole change he underwent.
"My Domain is also expanding!" he exclaimed, a rush of astonishment and realization sweeping through him.
With his direct connection to his domain, he was acutely aware of the changes unfolding.
His domain was expanding right before his mind, as though it had tapped into a newfound source of power, like a living entity revitalized by a fresh energy source.
Then another idea blossomed in his mind amidst this phenomenon.
"The moment the new core formed; my domain expanded. Could it be that my domain is actually directly situated within my body?" he deduced, his thoughts racing to make sense of this new revelation. It was the only explanation that seemed to align with the changes he was experiencing.
Up until this point, he held the belief that his domain was distinct from others primarily because of its realistic and tangible nature. This led him to assume that his domain shared similarities with those hidden realms situated in fixed spaces.
However, this turn of events challenged that assumption. Perhaps his domain had been with him all along, residing within him as an inherent extension of his being. It was a radical shift in perspective, yet it appeared to be the most fitting explanation.
But for now, he had to set aside these ponderings. More immediate and crucial matters demanded his attention—the first among them, Elizabeth's current state.
"Elizabeth, wake up," he called out her name repeatedly, his urgency and concern evident in his tone. He made every effort to rouse her from her slumber, but no matter how many times he tried, she remained unresponsive.
"She's devoid of a soul? Completing the medallion might be the key," he mumbled to himself, his mind racing as he searched for a solution.
He sensed that there was no consciousness within her body, no trace of a soul.
It had become clear to him that Elizabeth had likely divided her essence and consciousness to create the medallion. In light of this, it was reasonable to assume that her consciousness might only reappear once all the fragments were assembled, and the medallion made whole.
With the notion firmly planted in his mind, he swiftly lifted Elizabeth's lifeless form.
"Domain," he called out, activating the unique characteristic of his domain. Utilizing its abilities, he started absorbing every living organism within the vicinity.
These unique creatures would serve as the ideal test subjects to gauge the habitability of his domain on normal animals.
---
Inside his domain
A remarkable changed had already taken place. The surroundings had shifted, resembling Earth more closely than ever before. An expansive blue sky stretched overhead, adorned by a radiant sun that bathed the landscape in warm light.
Having already received four of the fragment parts from Yuki, his mastery over the elements had grown significantly, allowing him to recreate a fully functioning ecosystem.
Now he only needed the last one to complete the medallion.
=====
(New Elements)
Water Element
Wind Element
Lightning Element
Darkness Element
=====
The once-open valley had become more impressive, now encircled by dense, sprawling jungle forests. The creatures he had obtained from the cave found themselves in an entirely unfamiliar environment. Naturally, he had situated these animals beyond the confines of the valley.
Within the valley itself, a different scene unfolded.
It was now home to the formidable beasts Yuki had captured. Instead of immediately tapping into their powers, Vincent had chosen a different path. He aimed to ascertain whether he could cultivate more creatures akin to these powerful beings before making any decisions about extracting their abilities.
He changed his mind after realizing that his domain had not only accommodated these creatures but also enhanced their strength.
It was a discovery that left him intrigued and motivated. With this knowledge, he decided to cultivate each of these remarkable beings, nurturing their growth within the sanctuary of his domain.
He recognized the immense potential these creatures held, envisioning them as a formidable addition to his forces if he could master their control.
Their might, combined with his elemental prowess, could forge an unparalleled alliance that would undoubtedly reshape the dynamics of any future challenges he might face.
SWOOOSH!
He hurriedly ran toward the two-story cottage he had constructed in the center of the valley. This charming dwelling was nestled beside a serene lake that he had carefully shaped to harmonize with the lush surroundings.
The only access point to this cottage was via a wooden bridge he had constructed.
Opening the door, he stepped inside and carefully laid Elizabeth on the sofa, ensuring she was positioned comfortably.
"Rest here for a while. I'll complete the medallion and wake you up," he kissed her forehead.
With a decisive nod, he made the choice to conceal her body within the cottage for the meantime.
"I promise to come back as soon as possible,"
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶