Chapter 1923: Lilliana’s Tranformation
Rex didn’t know what to expect from Lilliana’s transformation.
He knew what her bloodline was—the Soulspeed Werewolf, but that really didn’t give him anything to work with. Judging from the name, her bloodline should have something to do with being quick and soul-based abilities.
But appearance-wise, he didn’t know what to make of the name alone.
And frankly, he was excited to see how she would look.
Now that her form had finally settled, Rex was quite certain that he wouldn’t be able to guess it even if he was given a longer time to think. None of the pack members is remotely close to her. Other than Kyran, she might have the most unique form.
Lilliana stood in the threshold of transformation, neither fully woman nor wholly beast.
Her body kept its feminine curve, hips and waist sculpted into a predator’s frame. Her ears remained the same, only larger and more pointed, set narrowly on her forehead like a fox’s. Pale green fur fully covered her, very short compared to any werewolf.
At least, except for the fur at her breast and thighs, where it grew fuller, forming what looked like a natural crop bandeau and a skirt that brushed her thighs. One characteristic that instantly caught Rex’s attention was the one over her head.
It was a white hide of a wolf.
Not a cloth; it was the upper head of a great wolf that seemed spectral and strange, clinging to her crown and cascading down her spine like a mantle of light. It swayed as though it breathed. And the sparkling glint in its hollow eyes moved as if something ancient still watched from within.
Rex would believe it if someone told him that this was the trapped soul of a dead wolf.
Other than that, her natural weapons are also lacking.
Like she is a werewolf, but her claws aren’t as long and thick, and even her teeth aren’t as sharp.
<Due to the Predator Mind, the Soulspeed Werewolf bloodline had undergone a mutation, turning into the Heiress of Soulspeed Werewolf bloodline!>
System, tell me about her bloodline again.
<Affirmative>
...
<Soulspeed Werewolf>
Description: A rare and cursed ancient bloodline tracing its origin to the first female werewolves—who fed upon the souls of the fallen. Over time, soul devouring became a preference, and caused a mutation to occur that put her closer to the world that lies between life and death. It grants an unnatural affinity for souls, and due to the robust soul as a side-effect, the energy capacity is enlarged by ten times.
...
Rex read the description attentively.
He chose not to interfere with Lilliana’s evolutionary path when she became a Silverstar with the hope that what emerged would not only be original but also suit her better than anything he could make. But as he read the description of her bloodline, a frown creased his forehead.
When a new Silverstar turned into depends entirely on their constitution. So, this... this is surprising.
Compared to Davina, Rex knew Lilliana even less.
Right now, he was in a playful phase with Lilliana, only focusing on the lust.
And reading the description made him realize that he didn’t quite know much about her.
For her to unlock a cursed bloodline with the tendency to devour souls made it clear that he had some connection with souls. He remembered Duke Lorcan saying that she couldn’t bear children, and since she had a few, Rex assumed Duke Lorcan was talking about a boy.
Now, what if he really meant that she was barren?
Someone who has lived long like her would probably want to experience producing a living being—at least once, and I reckoned she had done something about it. Maybe do a bad ritual to attain it. Either way, that doesn’t matter right now.
"How are you feeling?" Rex asked.
Lilliana looked down at her new body, checking every inch of her.
Out of kindness, Davina even waved her hand—creating a mirror so that Lilliana could inspect her new form properly, which was surprisingly beautiful and elegant. A beast still, but not overly beastly. There’s still a charm to her that makes her different.
Compared to Rex’s transformation, hers wasn’t as fierce.
"I like it," Lilliana nodded her head. "But what about my clothes? Did it rip?"
"No," Rex shook his head. "It’ll come back once you revert."
"Pretty convenient."
"Rather than talk about that, why don’t you try out your new abilities? Can you do it?"
Lilliana paused for a second, sorting through the flood of new sensations rippling across her body. Every single part of her felt different. Unfamiliar yet instinctive, as though her skin now spoke a language her mind hadn’t yet learned.
But exactly as Rex said, the urge was there. She wanted to test it. Test her new abilities out.
One that disturbed her the most was the wolf hide.
It doesn’t feel like an accessory, but more like an extension of her body.
Lilliana stepped aside, putting distance between herself and the others before letting out a long, calming breath. The new sensations still buzzed beneath her skin, unfamiliar and wild, but she pushed the nerves down and closed her eyes.
She turned her focus inward.
Fixating on the energy inside her—she then channeled it upward toward the spectral wolf hide draped across her head and back. The moment her power touched it, the hollow sockets of the dead wolf ignited with pale green light.
An ability was forming, stirring the hide.
It moved like a living thing that was finally awakened from its slumber.
Rex watched as its edges rippled and surged forward, flowing down her arms from below to her hands as though the ghost of the wolf was reaching through her. Manifesting power through her. When the energy settled, claws erupted—long and pale green, far larger than her own.
Heck, they might even be as big as Rex’s.
Surprisingly enough, the great wolf hide had enhanced her claws, turning her into an actual predator.
Lilliana opened her eyes and immediately recoiled when she saw her claws.
"Is this the power of my bloodline?" She murmured, turning the big claws over to inspect them as they seethed with pale green steam. She reached out her other hand and touched one slightly, then instantly yanked it back with a sharp hiss. "Ouch... They are really sharp."
"Go ahead and strike mine," Rex raised his hand—and elongated his fingernails into claws. He infused red force and also kingly energy into them, checking whether Lilliana could match them. "Let’s see if you can deal damage to mine."
Lilliana turned to face him.
She tilted her head slightly and then moved without hesitation.
Considering that Rex had seen her fight before, he should be able to know exactly what to expect.
But her speed had grown even faster.
All Rex saw was the streak of pale green light her eyes left behind—as she moved, closing the distance in an instant. She reached in a blink and swung with all her might—a heavy, devastating arc. An attack that made Rex second-guess whether she had always wanted to hit him.
Her claws crashed against his with a thunderous clang of steel on steel.
And the impact detonated outward in a shockwave that shook the air around them.
Rex closed one eye and clenched his teeth; a sharp hiss slipped through his lips as the collision hadn’t only been purely a physical blow. It had also rattled his very soul; a resonance he hadn’t expected. On the corner of his lips, a thin trail of blood crept.
It was proof of the damage that had slipped past his defenses.
"You..." Lilliana straightened her posture. "Are you really hurt? I didn’t expect I could hurt you."
On her face, he could see genuine concern.
Her brows were raised at the center, giving her a sorry look that was quite cute despite her form.
"I wasn’t ready for that." Rex wiped the blood and smiled a little, assuring her that it’s fine. "I’m okay."
"Sigh... How can you be so careless?" Lilliana placed both hands on her waist. "You’re looking down on me."
"Can you do anything else with it?" Davina asked, also curious about her bloodline powers.
It felt like they were children again, learning from their mentors—discovering things they had never dreamed possible. Still innocent. Still young. But Lilliana’s bloodline abilities were different from hers; where Davina felt her existing powers simply amplified, Lilliana was touching something entirely new.
But then again, her transformation isn’t complete, so she can’t complain.
"I can, but..." Lilliana tried channeling her energy into the spectral great wolf hide again, but this time, she tried focusing on another part. But the moment she did, the glow of its eyes dimmed. "I still need to train using it first."
"Good enough for now," Rex shifted to the steel bracelet again. "Come, let’s finish this."
For the next hour, the three of them hauled the steel bracelets onward again—holding a steady pace so they wouldn’t need to pause for rest. It was clear they would need to arrive together—or else they would never reach the finish line.
Lilliana, now in her werewolf form, kept up with them effortlessly.
It was a welcome sight.
She was happy.
One could see it in her face that she was really in a good mood.
Lilliana, though the oldest, can never be compared to her little sister, Davina.
Back in the Spirit Realm, the gap had only widened. Davina grew stronger and stronger on the frontlines with Duke Lorcan, battle after battle—while Lilliana had been married off to a political ally. Sidelines and left behind.
She had tried once to keep pace with her sister.
But no matter how hard she pushed, she could never quite catch up.
Unlike her, Davina was simply the chosen one with the strongest talent across the entire empire.
Lilliana eventually gives up.
Not giving up on getting stronger, but giving up comparing herself to Davina.
Now, however, she could keep up with Davina’s pace.
It was a dream come true.
And it was all because of Rex. Because she’d chosen to stay close to him—and had been rewarded for it almost instantly. Watching Davina pout was satisfying, yes, but beneath the amusement, Lilliana knew the truth: her sister had always seen her struggle.
Ever since their days in the Spirit Realm, Davina had noticed her desperate attempts to keep up.
Now that she can actually keep up, Davina was naturally happy, too.
Just that she put up a front of annoyance.
Deep down, she was really happy, and Lilliana knew it.
Before the sisters even realized, they had already arrived on the massive sword that was stabbed shallowly into the earth, leaving half of the blade and the hilt visible. Sitting on the handle above was Alexander, looking down at them in amusement.
He looked at his watch and shook his head, "Your time was barely above average."
"Because we’re not in a hurry," Rex answered with a shrug.
Understanding the test’s mechanism was simple with the System—they could have reached the finish line much sooner. But Lilliana’s transformation had distracted them all. Even Alexander seemed to have noticed the change in her form, and from the look on his face, he was quite pleased.
Her aura was way higher now, so it was understandable why he was pleased.
More strong people in his squadron are better for tackling the mission in case things go south.
"Last test," Alexander flicked his fingers, and the ground shook violently. "Since our mission oftentimes involved being surrounded from all sides, the three of you must show the ability to remain calm under pressure."
Rex watched as countless creatures climbed out from the ground.
Numbering in the thousands. And they were encircling Rex and the others perfectly.
"Say, I had an idea," Rex whispered as a smirk curled on his lips. "Our powers are compatible with one another, and I’ve been dying to try this out. Care to listen to me?"
