"Y-You…"
Rune pointed her trembling hand at Nux and widened her eyes in fright.
"Y-Your Cultivation…
How are you a Great Sage?"
She questioned.
Rune was usually a calm woman with exceptional control over her emotions, even the news of her husband whom she trusted and lived with for more than 2000 years fooling her the entire time didn't receive much reaction from her.
This was the first time Nux and the others had seen her react like that.
And why would she not?
A man, who was an Emperor just 3 days ago, had come out and had become a Great Sage!
A Great Sage!!
He skipped an entire stage!!
A Stage where even the prodigies need at least 100 years,
This man in front of her entirely skipped it!
How could she not be shocked!?
"Lady Rune, it has been a while, hasn't it?" Nux, however, just replied with a small smile on his face.
His calm reply, however,
"How did you become a Great Sage!?"
Triggered a loud response from Rune.
"I worked hard." Nux smiled playfully as he glanced at Melia.
Melia's face turned red as she looked away.
Rune, however,
"What do you mean you worked hard!? You think others are just slacking around!?"
She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
And Nux's calm attitude edged her even further.
The other women in the room nodded their heads.
This was exactly a response any sane person should have.
Why have they haven't reacted like this?
They were used to it of course.
Only newbies get shocked by such trivial things, they were all grown up.
"You should calm down, Lady Rune."
Nux smiled, then, he secretly moved his *Essence* around Rune. Even a Saint Stage Cultivator like Rune couldn't sense the *Essence* or react to it.
And since her defense was down, Nux used this chance,
[Absolute Kinesis.]
Just to be sure that his move would work, he even used 90% of his *Essence*, however,
"Calm down!? You think I can calm do-"
It didn't work.
Not only that,
"What were you trying to do?" Rune questioned as she narrowed her eyes.
Yes, Rune was alerted.
She wasn't sure what happened, however, she knew Nux had done something, or at least he tried to.
Nux narrowed his eyes.
'There is a reason why Semi Saint and Saints are considered a different Cultivation Phase than Emperors, Sages, and Great Sages.
There is a big difference between a Great Sage and a Semi Saint.
When you become an Emperor, you gain the ability to directly control the Mana, however, once you enter the Third Phase of Cultivation, that is the Semi Saint Stage, the Mana itself starts protecting you.
For Mana Cultivators, it forms a thin layer of Mana as defense, a layer that never disappears and always protects the cultivator even when they are sleeping or unconscious, as for Body Cultivators, it reconstructs their entire body, making it a lot stronger and sensitive than before.
For a Saint, these effects are amplified even further.
On someone like Rune, who is a top-class Saint Stage Body Cultivator, there is no way your ability would work, no matter how unprepared she is.'
Melia explained.
'I understand.'
Nux nodded in understanding.
He was just testing it out.
He didn't actually think it would work out.
"That was just a little trick to calm you down, Lady Rune.
You were a little too agitated before."
Nux replied with a small smile on his face. Shamelessly putting all the blame on Rune.
"Huh?" Rune was taken aback by his words, however, when she finally recalled how she was acting, her expression changed.
She closed her eyes for a while, then, with her usual calm look on her face, she replied,
"I apologize, I was too surprised and acted in an unsightly manner."
"Please do not worry, Lady Rune. You had all the reason to be surprised." Nux nodded.
Rune observed Nux for a while, then,
"I should have been more careful, everyone has his own secrets, I believe you have your own. I will not ask you as I know it will be rude of me to do that.
Congratulations on becoming a Great Sage.
I am sure you will be one of the strongest cultivators in the future."
Rune commented.
'Well, that's not a normal reaction at all.'
Ember commented.
'Her control over her emotions is a little too strong, it is almost scary.' Felberta spoke.
'I agree. An Emperor became a Great Sage right in front of her eyes and other than the initial reaction, she simply congratulated him.' Evane spoke.
'She will be a fine addition since she wouldn't be as shocked whenever Nux does something.'
Allura spoke as she calculated in her head.
The other women knew perfectly well what this succubus was thinking,
'It wouldn't be easy.'
Suddenly, Ember commented as she glanced at Rune.
'Indeed, she has no openings at all.' Felberta nodded.
'With her control over her emotions, it would be hard indeed.' Thyra nodded as well.
'Well, we are talking about Nux here.' Allura replied.
'…'
'…'
The women turned silent.
'Actually, even Nux is a little careful around her.'
Suddenly, Amaya spoke up.
'Hmm?' Allura tilted her head in confusion.
'He is not as 'flirty' with her.' Amaya spoke.
'Wasn't he the same with Melia?' Allura questioned back.
Another thing to note, Melia was not currently part of this 'Harem's Meet' since she still hasn't 'introduced' herself properly to the Council of Harem.
That would be done later when Nux gets busy and all the girls finally surround Melia.
'This is different, Nux just wanted time before he opens up to Melia, Lady Rune on the other hand…'
'She won't open up that easily…' Thyra continued.
'That is correct.' Amaya nodded.
'I do not know how to explain it, but because of her exceptional control over her emotions, Lady Rune seems to have this 'wall' around her that does now allow anyone to get close to her more than a certain limit.' She explained.
'I felt that as well. We have been practicing together for 3 days now, however, other than being sparring partners, I do not feel any 'closer' to her.' Thyra nodded as well.
"Well if it was a normal situation, I would have said there is a way for you to know how I became a Great Sage,"
Nux spoke up as he glanced at Rune.
Rune narrowed her eyes, no matter how much she tries to hide it, in the end, she was interested in Nux's secret, however,
"But I think if I do tell you the 'way', you would simply attack me," Nux replied. Hoping to get a promise of not being hit and continuing with his 'plan', however,
"If you feel that is the case, then you do not have to tell me."
Rune replied.
"…"
Nux turned silent.
'This was what I was talking about.'
Amaya commented as she glanced at the catkin in front of her.
Rune Feline,
She was not an easy target at all.
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