The first month within the realm of ashes passed quickly as everyone explored the second sector. Alm and Bruno were not in a hurry since they theoretically had an entire year for their stay there. However, it was evident that they would need to leave before that, or they would be caught off guard by the changes in the abyss’s laws. Two years was the limit in that place.
The whale led the group, making strategic detours and collecting as much as possible from the six different types of treasures found so far. However, according to the records, there were still two types that had not been sighted. It was implied that they would only be found when they reached the third sector.
At the end of the first month, there were only a few seriously injured among the half-wyrms and half-demons, and only Cerberi died. During the early days of the second month, there were almost no deaths. Everyone could react instinctively, almost without awareness of death, responding without hesitation.
When they faced a real battle, where they could not maintain the almost meditative mental state. They would quickly see the explosive results of this training. Their bodies would react almost synchronized with their instincts and wills, making their movements unpredictable for the enemy.
As the second month unfolded, Ruri walked alone a little ahead of the whale, keeping her eyes on the laws. Alm and Bruno noticed that she could now subtly discern the changes in the fluctuations of the laws, advancing significantly in this knowledge. Although she still couldn’t use space solely with this, her ability to perceive the laws would be useful when they left the realm. She would continue studying it outside the realm, and in a few centuries, she would certainly master this skill.
’Speaking of which, we never used or studied the laws of space,’ Bruno commented casually. ’Our life-refining technique naturally created a powerful Yin to the point of competing with the laws of space. But now that we don’t use it anymore, it’s something to think about.’
Alm shared the same thought, but they quickly arrived at a somewhat uncertain conclusion. Space was fascinating and powerful, but there had always been cultivators who used it. However, a cultivator who used both pure Yin and Yang simultaneously? They had never heard of such a thing. Using Yin and Yang in a fused manner was inconceivable and should be impossible. It seemed more sensible to focus only on those abilities; studying something they had never done would consume too much time.
’The laws of space are extremely powerful and useful for purposes other than just fighting...’ Alm began to say but interrupted himself when he saw Ruri make a subtle movement with her katana, cutting through the air. Nothing was perceptible to the others, but both clearly felt the spatial laws moving as if synchronizing with that cut.
Then, Bruno sighed and spoke, ’It seems that she will be able to master it soon. Mental power... laws of space... they are all useful skills we never studied. Ruri seems to complement exactly what we lack. We are becoming a perfect union...’
Alm abruptly cut off the words, ’Don’t be an idiot. Even though she’s 14 and looks older, we are still ancient. You can still be considered a lolicon if you keep making those comments.’
’I DIDN’T MEAN IT THAT WAY!’ exclaimed Bruno. ’Well, whatever. Since everything seems to have been manipulated, let’s teach her other things in the future to confirm.’
’To confirm what exactly? We’re terrible at formations, speaking seriously with people, observing feelings... darn... she’s already really good at all of that.’ Alm began to speak but quickly fell silent.
Bruno then continued without hesitation, ’Formations are a good idea! If we come across any techniques, we’ll teach her. In the Divinestone Clan, she easily learned about that internal formation, even though she had never studied one.’
Alm didn’t respond, but he felt that Ruri could instinctively do that. Soon, the two fell silent, thinking the same thing simultaneously. They had never relied on anyone for anything before, and now it seemed like they were surrounded by people who had everything they lacked.
It was a mix of strange and conflicting feelings. Ruri was already undeniably a clear weakness for them, and with each passing day, it became harder to imagine their lives without her around.
Upon seeing that young girl in front of them, an idea started to blossom in their minds, an idea that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have her by their side. Soon, a light and warm feeling enveloped them, leaving them surprised... were they happy? Both of them were shocked by this new feeling emerging within them.
Suddenly, the young girl ahead seemed to notice something, turning around and locking eyes with the whale. A gentle smile lit up her face. "Master seems radiant."
An awkward silence fell upon them as they tried to quickly suppress these strange feelings. At that very moment, Ruri lazily yawned, covering her mouth.
"Master said to sleep every two days. I guess it’s time for a break." With these words, she took two steps toward the whale and, without hesitation, jumped into its arms.
Feeling Ruri’s soft body in its arms, Alm and Bruno took a step back, instinctively awkward. But suddenly, the feelings they were trying to hide began to overflow uncontrollably. In a denial impulse, Alm quickly spoke:
"Silly girl, you are no longer a child. You must learn to protect yourself not only from mortal dangers, but also from the desires of other men."
The whale quickly moved his arms to try and untangle her. Alm felt that if she kept this habit once she became an adult woman, it would be problematic. It was better to teach her to keep some distance now, or he would regret it bitterly in the future.
Nevertheless, Ruri only let out a soft moan and nestled even closer into his arms, crossing her arms around his neck and wrapping her legs around that imposing belly.
"This is my safe place," she murmured, pressing herself against him as if she wanted to merge. "I’ll never leave because no place in this world feels safer than in your arms."
At that moment, Alm felt really strange. Ruri, who was clinging to him, noticed that subtle change and brightened up. It lasted only a second before Alm scoffed indifferently. It was just because he wasn’t used to being cared for by someone... or so he thought.
Ruri noticed that but found it a bit cute. So, she buried her face in their chest to hide her embarrassment and spoke in a whisper.
"Master is getting shy because I’m growing up... but now, I can do many things you taught me in the past."
Alm mentally jumped. What the heck did that bastard Denil teach her?
Watching Alm’s overly exaggerated internal reaction, Bruno smirked to himself. His plan to make Ruri soften him up was working perfectly. Alm refused to accept what he was feeling, but she had already become someone he didn’t want to be away from.
’Maybe... this is definitely going to be a problem in the future. But whatever, changing this stubborn idiot will be for the best.’ Bruno thought to himself, then an idea struck him.
In the next moment, Alm mentally huffed to calm himself and spoke seriously, "You’re still just a brat. You should keep your innocence..."
In the middle of his explanation, the whale’s left hand moved without Alm noticing, touching something unexpectedly soft and warm, very close to him.
"Hmm~"
Alm was still speaking when a soft, almost muffled moan escaped from Ruri.
He froze. Something was wrong.
He felt a shift in the atmosphere, and when he turned his eyes, he saw Ruri’s face absurdly red, looking at him with a mix of surprise and... happiness?
Ruri hesitated for a moment before murmuring in a nearly trembling voice, "Master... finally got excited... so..."
’WHAT?!’
A thunderclap exploded inside Alm’s mind. His brain shut down. He tried to reconstruct everything that had happened in the last few seconds, but his mind was like a boiling cauldron of absolute panic.
’No, wait—I was talking, then she made a weird sound, and now she’s looking at me like that... and WHY does she look so happy?! WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!’
His gaze frantically scanned the surroundings inside his mind. Something had gone terribly wrong. In his panic, he didn’t realize he had lost control of the whale’s left hand.
Bruno watched everything in silence... seeing Alm completely frozen and uncomfortable, he held back his laughter. But when he saw Ruri reacting like that, an internal alarm went off. ’Hmm... maybe I went a little too far...’
Subtly, he moved the hand back to its place, as if nothing had happened.
While Alm was still trying to figure out whether he had committed a crime, Ruri quickly shrank back. But in the next moment, she was caught off guard by her own panicked reaction.
She looked back at the whale and saw his cold expression. To her, it seemed like frustration at her childish reaction.
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"... sorry..."
Burying her face against the whale’s chest, she whispered softly, "This won’t happen again..."
Alm was still paralyzed, trying to comprehend the crime he didn’t commit.
Then, Bruno’s voice echoed in his mind, brimming with mischievous glee and overflowing malice:
’Who would’ve thought... didn’t expect that from you...’
Alm blinked, still not understanding.
Then, Bruno added with a melodramatic tone:
’She felt your inner desires...’
That was the last straw.
’YOU SON OF A—!!’