"That was tasty!" Damien finished the last bit of food on his plate with an astonished look. He was already feeling hungry, but he knew even without his hunger, the food would still taste quite delicious.
Surprisingly enough, Akira served him vegetables and meat taken from beasts, though she didn't specify which one.
He also saw her cook right in front of him, and it seemed like she truly enjoyed doing it. He considered himself quite an expert when it came to cooking, but he had to admit his aunt was also quite a chef in a different style.
And since the moment he sat down to eat, she had been closely watching him with a subtle smile as if watching him eat was her enjoyment.
At first, he felt it a bit awkward that she was closely watching him eat. But then he got used to it and was glad that he could make her happy by simply eating the food she cooked.
He also told her about how he lived his life in the Rising Sun Continent while eating. At times, he saw her eyes tremble, and she held his hand to express how sad and regretful she was, even without her telling him. She only silently listened on as he told her how he had survived. He mentioned how his wives were one of the main reasons he managed to push through any difficulty fate threw in front of him.
"I am happy you liked it. It feels like a long time since I last cooked, and I was afraid my skills might not be as good as before," Akira said with a smile beautiful enough to stagger Damien's gaze for a second.
He cleared his throat and couldn't believe he still couldn't get used to his aunt's charms, "I am sure there is nothing you are bad at, aunt," Damien chuckled.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"You really know what to say to please your aunt," Akira said in a lighthearted tone, and then her expression became a bit complicated as she added, "I know no matter how much regret I have, I won't be able to change the past..."
"Aunt...you don't have to..."
Akira continued, "But...I am glad your wives were there for you when I couldn't be there for you. They must be really special, and most men never talk about their wives like you do. If only times were better, I would have scoured our entire Tempest Realm for them."
Damien nodded with a complicated smile, but he squinted his eyes and asked, "Tempest Realm? Is that the name of our planet?"
"Planet?" Akira asked with a slightly puzzled look and added, "Yeah, it is what we call the world we live in. From what our ancestors say, it was named Tempest because of how chaotic our world is, just like a violent storm. Ethereal energy is still present in the atmosphere, but our nethereal energy is trying to gradually overwhelm it. This is why we never tried to get rid of all humans since their presence is the only reason ethereal energy is still present in our world. Their existence is like a necessary evil to us, but to them, our existence isn't something they need at all."
"Oh..." Damien nodded in realization and wondered how this planet looked from the outside. It seemed like the people here considered a planet to be a realm itself.
"But you don't have to worry about such things. You are lucky that you were able to be born after surviving the fusion of two bloodlines of different races. It is considered taboo not only because of the war between the two races but also because no child will survive such a fusion. The fact that you did only goes to show that you have always been a special and strong one since the beginning," Akira said with a light of pride in her eyes.
Damien couldn't help but feel flattered, though he could see that his aunt meant every word and was not casually complimenting him.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})But suddenly, he felt something pooling in his chest that sent ripples of energy throughout his entire body. This was the sensation he always felt whenever he was about to have a breakthrough!
"You are feeling something in your ethereal core, right? As expected, it is working for you," Akira said with a certain glow in her eyes.
Damien was confused as he asked, "I don't understand. How can I have a breakthrough now when I did nothing?"
"Of course, you didn't do anything, but you did eat something that would strengthen your ethereal core," Akira said as she pointed to the plate, he ate from.
"The meat? What kind of beast was the meat from?" Damien said as he simultaneously tried to guide his breakthrough.
"It is from an Emerald Wyvern whose meat is usually used to strengthen human slaves by ghouls from powerful clans. Of course, most of them only give it to those human slaves who take part in the Khaland Fight, which is nothing but fights between human slaves. For now, close your eyes and breakthrough to the next level. You will need this for your fight coming within two weeks," Akira said with a narrowed gaze.
Damien didn't expect his aunt gave him food to eat, not only because she wanted to but also to give him something to strengthen him.
He closed his eyes immediately, and within a few moments...
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})*Pop!*
He was now at the fifth level of the Heaven Ethereal Realm, and contrary to his worries, his ethereal foundation was immediately stabilized despite the fact that he had a breakthrough recently only.
"I won't let your efforts to help me go to waste, aunt," Damien said with a determined gaze.
Akira held his hand and said, "Don't push yourself too much. Your well-being is what matters to me the most."
Damien smiled as he nodded.
However, when he saw the moonlight entering through the large windows, he realized that he had been eating and talking for a long time without him realizing it.
"Ah, I didn't know it got too late already. I guess I will see you tomorrow, aunt? I will let you rest now," Damien said and was about to walk away but was surprised when Akira didn't let go of his hand.
"Do you really have to go back? Why don't you sleep with me?" Akira asked as Damien's brows raised.
