The reason why Roy managed to overcome the only defect of the soul shard of absolute was that he hadn't merged with it like the Armored Knight.
He had consumed it, made its power his own!
However, the acquisition of this skill in such a way had come at a steep cost - it had taken up three of his precious skill slots.
[You have gained the Magical & Physical Defense!]
In addition to the Absolute Defense, Roy had also gained a high amount of passive Magical & Physical Defense from consuming the soul shard. It was a passive ability that negated 30% of all physical and magical damage he would face.
He could feel that this ability had taken up the remaining skill slots that were available to him, meaning that he could no longer learn any new skills unless he strengthened his soul.
His feeling wasn't wrong.
[All your soul skill slots have been filled! You can not learn another skill unless you strengthen your soul. But it's advised that you do not do so. Your soul is already too strong and big for your body to handle. If you strengthen it any more, chances are that the imbalance will cause your soul to separate from your mortal body, resulting in your death.]
[Ding! Warning! Warning! The pressure on your soul has increased! You have one month left before you die of soul overload!]
Roy, having consumed the soul shard and gained new abilities, knew he had to tread carefully.
The system's warning had made it clear that his soul was already too strong and too big for his mortal body to handle, and the situation was rapidly deteriorating. With only a month left before his overgrown soul would fall out of his body, Roy felt a sense of urgency to take action and awaken in order to stabilize his soul. He had to maintain a balance between his spiritual and mortal selves or risk death.
Fortunately, the awakening ceremony was only a week away, and he was only one county away from reaching the empire's capital.
Once he had undergone the awakening ceremony and awakened, he would be saved from the immediate threat posed by his overgrown soul.
"Shall we take a moment to explore the contents of the treasury and discern what we can make immediate use of?" Roy proposed teasingly.
"Definitely," Delilah responded with a nod
Roy carefully sifted through the herbs and runic stones, and his keen gaze stopped upon a collection of materials that were essential for crafting the much-coveted ascension pill.
It was these very herbs that would prove to be the key to unlocking the next stage of Delilah's journey toward becoming an aura master, and he already had three of the unique fruit necessary to upgrade her class weapon and help her take the last step to the aura master realm.
Basically, he had secured everything necessary to help Delilah achieve her goal.
His heart swelled with satisfaction, for he knew that he had lived up to his responsibility as a lord and a lover.
"What are you smiling for?" Delilah asked.
Turning to face Delilah, Roy could not contain his excitement any longer.
With a wide smile spreading across his face, Roy uttered, "My dear, I have good news for you. All the ingredients required for you to ascend to the aura master stage have been found. Once we return home, I will help you with it."
Delilah's eyes widened with excitement upon hearing Roy's announcement. Her heart leaped with joy as she realized that the moment she had been working so tirelessly towards was finally within reach.
Overwhelmed by the magnitude of what Roy had just shared with her, Delilah could barely find her voice. But after taking a deep breath to steady herself, she managed to respond.
"Lord, I cannot express how grateful I am to you for all that you have done for me. It is because of your unwavering support and guidance that I have come this far, and now you are even willing to share your treasure with me to push me to greater heights. I am truly blessed to have you by my side."
As Delilah spoke, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. Roy's kindness and generosity were almost too much to bear. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, feeling his strong arms encircle her in return.
She had awakened using a defective awakening stone. It was a mistake that she willingly made as she was in urgent need of strength. But it had also sealed her fate. It became impossible for her to advance to the aura master stage. She thought she would never reach it.
But then Roy swooped into her life. He helped her advance to the peak of the weapon master stage and was planning to fix her defects to make her reach the coveted aura master stage!
No one had been as kind to her as him!
"That is the least I can do for my beloved Hidden Blade," Roy said, his voice filled with tenderness.
Leaning in, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. It was a kiss that lacked devious intent. It was a kiss they both wouldn't forget for life. She savored his warmth, and he savored the sweetness of her presence.
"I am forever indebted to you," she said, looking into his eyes.
"I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything," he replied, placing his hand on hers.
He helped her because he had come to love her. He didn't do it to get something in return.
"But I do," she insisted. "You've given me so much. How can I shamelessly accept it without giving anything in return? I promise to use every second of my life to repay you." she exclaimed, vowing to the heavens.
"I don't need you to repay me," Roy said gently. "Seeing you happy is enough."
"But I want to do something for you," she said, a determined glint flashing in her pretty crimson eyes. "Just let me know what I can do for you."
"Okay, I will let you know." Roy smiled as he said, "For now, how about you just keep being the amazing person that you are and stay by my side?"
"Agreed," Delilah nodded with a sweet and charming smile, conveying her agreement in a pleasant and endearing way.
She wouldn't go away even if he didn't want her!
She was a person who always returned her favor!
Roy had shown her light. Delilah wanted to be his shade, protect him from every threat in secret. He had brought her sunshine. Delilah wanted to gift him a rain of joy. He had been there for her during the darkest times of her life, and she wanted to be his rock and offer him unwavering support and strength in return.
