540 Fat Bird
Vaan had to admit he had slightly underestimated the potency of the Divine-rank Stalactite Milk. But if he hadn't, he might not have discovered a special method for tempering his channels.
The biggest difference was brought by the increased 30% effectiveness from his Earth Spirit Body, which he did not anticipate.
After all, the system already allowed him to absorb 100% efficacy of any consumable product with medicinal properties. It was normal to assume there was nothing left to absorb beyond that.
However, the reality of the situation was quite different. He ended up absorbing 130% of the Divine-rank Stalactite Milk's potency. That was why it felt so overpowering.
Nevertheless, that just proved Vaan still knew very little about the divine rank.
Despite all that, Vaan was fortunate to make the mistake. He had gained a lot of it. Even so, he still hoped he wouldn't make another mistake. The next time might not be as unforgiving.
After all, they tend to be disasters rather than blessings.
"Kyuu, kyuu~!" Topaz suddenly tugged Vaan's clothes in a swinging motion, feeling bored.
However, Vaan was preoccupied with calculating the right dilution level of the Divine-rank Stalactite Milk to give to his women.
"I'm a bit busy right now, Tia," Vaan stated before suggesting, "Why don't you go and play with your sisters instead?"
"Kyuu!" Topaz readily agreed with bright eyes, thinking it was an excellent idea.
"Just don't bully them too much," Vaan calmly instructed.
"Kyu, kyu, kyuu..." Topaz expressed an exaggerated look of astonishment,asking how he could think she would do such an unthinkable thing to her dear sisters.
She would never...
Topaz had hands linked behind her back and her feet facing each other as she posed innocently and explained she would never do such a thing.
"Kyu, kyuu," Topaz patted her chest as she promised she would be a good girl to Ruby and Emerald.
"Alright, alright. I get it, Tia. I'll let them out now," Vaan acknowledged her promise even though he didn't believe her. He was amused by her shameless dishonesty and found it cute.
Who did she take after? - Vaan wondered.
Nevertheless, shortly after the fire and wood spirits were released outside, they each reacted differently.
Emerald glanced up at Vaan and tilted her head in confusion while rubbing her sleepy eyes. She wondered why he called her out.
"Myuu?"
Seeing Vaan didn't have a good reason besides asking her to play with Topaz, she immediately tugged on his clothes and requested to go back inside.
On the other hand, Ruby did a loop around the room in the air, expressing her curiosity towards the new environment, unaware she was shedding flames behind her.
Fortunately, Vaan easily collected all the falling flames before they could destroy important documents and turn the room into a sea of flames.
At the same time, Topaz, who had been waiting for the two spirits to appear, immediately revealed her haughty nature.
"Kyu, kyu, kyuu, kyu!" Topaz tooted her horn, boasting about her new quality home. She told Topaz and Ruby to come over and pay their respects to their elder sister.
Bow to me, peasants-!
Ruby, while in flight, noticed Topaz's calling and flew over. She perched herself on Vaan's hand, right next to Topaz.
"..."
Topaz immediately went silent when she glanced up at Ruby's enlarged flaming figure, which had tripled in size since the last time she saw her.
While Ruby still had the form of a mountain bluebird, she had become fat and round, easily beating Topaz in size.
"Fyuu?"
Ruby lowered her head to get a better look at Topaz, wondering what the big sis wanted from her. She didn't quite hear what she said earlier.
However, Topaz felt suppressed by Ruby's blue flames despite being a High-rank Earth Spirit. She was a higher-ranking spirit than Ruby, and yet she was getting intimidated and suppressed.
Even so, Ruby didn't have any malicious intent.
She was purely curious.
Nevertheless, that was enough for Topaz to admit her defeat readily as she backed away from Ruby. She waved her hands at Ruby, telling her not to come closer.
"Kyuu, kyu, kyuu," Topaz said she would acknowledge Ruby as the big sister from now, so she didn't need to pay respect to her anymore.
Ruby wasn't sure what was going on. But seeing Topaz bowing to her, she thought she should reach out her wing to pat her head.
"Kyuu!" Topaz cried, retreating further.
Then, she repeatedly apologized, saying she would never try to bully them again. She was quite startled by Ruby's flames despite being an earth spirit.
She wasn't supposed to be afraid of fire.
Meanwhile, Vaan observed the interaction between Ruby and Topaz with interest after he let Emerald back inside his body.
Even he was surprised by Ruby's size, but not by much.
Ruby had been constantly nourished by the great environment inside his High-rank Fire Spirit Body and unknowingly became a Peak-Mid-rank Fire Spirit, just a step away from becoming a High-rank spirit like Topaz.
Since Vaan didn't let her out to play frequently, it was the same as constantly feeding her highly nutritious food and not letting her exercise. As such, it was no surprise that Ruby would become a fat bird spirit.
Nevertheless, Vaan was most intrigued by Topaz's fear of Ruby's flames, which seemed even more powerful than ordinary Early-High-rank Fire Spirits.
Perhaps her unknown talent was showing signs of awakening.
…
While Vaan was deep in thought, he was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Ruby and Topaz also glanced toward the entrance with newfound curiosity.
"High Priest Setheiman, from the Sun God Temple, wishes to see you and invite you to visit the main holy temple," a palace servant informed before seeking Vaan's opinion, "Do you wish to see him, Your Divinity?"
Vaan's eyes flickered with a sharp glint, thinking the Sun God Temple acted quicker than he anticipated.
Clearly, the Sun God Temple's authorities were in a hurry.
"Sure, tell him I will see him shortly," Vaan calmly replied.
"Understood, Your Divinity."
Shortly after the palace servant left to deliver the message, Vaan stood up and prepared to leave with the two spirits.
However, he didn't even need to urge them.
"Kyuu, kyuu!"
Topaz was already parked on his head, excitedly and eagerly urging him to take them outside, while Ruby was quietly perched on his shoulders with anticipation.
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