Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

The [Minimal Mana Consumption] skill helps the user to limit the mana consumption and help cast the magic more efficiently. In other words, a person with the skill [Minimal Mana consumption] can cast the same magic as the person without the aforementioned skill with less amount of mana.

Though the mana required for the magic has gone down, it doesn't mean that the power of the magic would also be reduced. Far from it, instead of going down, the power may even increase by a fewfold.

Simon remembered that he had seen an upgraded version of this skill in Irene's status. It seemed that he had acquired a skill that would help him bridge the gap in their power in the future.

About skills, Simon also became aware of another fact. Skills have the possibility of evolving into higher tier skills when used repeatedly or when one gains sufficient mastery over them. The higher the tier of the skill, the more powerful the effect of the skill.

For example, the rate at which his evolved skill [High-Speed Regeneration] heals his wounds, is many times faster than the [Regeneration] skill. At the same time, it is not easy to increase the tier or evolve the skill. One must know the kind of torment that Simon had to endure under the pressuring aura of the Ancient titan Treant. He had to repeatedly push his body to its limits and beyond.

He accumulated so many self-inflicted injuries that it was impossible for his [Regeneration] skill to keep up. It was under this situation that could make him crumble at any moment, that he was able to evolve his skills.

Due to his upgraded skills, he could distinctively feel that the threshold that was holding him back, was not there anymore. The trial set by Aldebaran had unexpectedly given him a pleasant surprise.

As he was lost in his thoughts, he unknowingly appeared in front of his palace and was unable to notice the presence of Irene in front.

"Hmm'¦ it seems that I will need to evolve my other skills in some wa-- gagh" Simon crashed into something soft and fragrant.

BAM'¦ He fell to the ground and felt something soft under him. Hmm~ if he had to describe it, the sensation he felt was as soft and cottony as the marshmallow yet as tangible and substantial as a water balloon.

Unwittingly, Simon grabbed onto it ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ.

"Ah~~" he heard a soft moaning sound coming from under and his dazed mind finally returned back to reality. He looked down and was dumbfounded to find Irene under him.

Her pearly white face that could dawn even the brilliance of the moon, had a tinge of red onto her cheeks. Her crystal blue eyes appeared to be the most precious gem, were staring directly onto his own.

"Ehhh?!" Simon soon realised that they were in an awkward position. Right now, Irene's willowy and beguiling to the extreme body was pressed under him. Her breath which was as fragrant as a flower that had bloomed in the coldest of weather trickled his face. And her two full mounds that were pressed under his chest, changed their shape whenever Simon moved a little.

"Gulp" Simon audibly gulped and tried to contain his berserk desire that threatened to take over his mind.

However, he did not need to expend any effort to repress this emotion as a bone-chilling cold came assaulting him from Irene.

BANG'¦ His body was pushed back and rotated in the air before falling face-first into the ground. Forst had accumulated onto his body and his teeth were chattering. Fortunately, the bone-chilling cold did not last long and swiftly dissipated.

Sighing in relief, Simon propped himself up and turned towards Irene who was avoiding his gaze. Simon gave an awkward laugh when he thought about what just happened a few moments ago. At that time, he was completely engrossed in his thoughts to pay any attention to his surroundings.

Simon's eyes involuntarily went towards his hands, he could still distinctively remember the sensation he felt earlier.

From her perspective, it must look like Simon had deliberately bumped into her and taken advantage at that moment. Simon did not know what Irene was thinking at his moment as his own thoughts were muddled.

"Ah'¦ that was I did not push you down'¦ I mean I was on top of you but I did not deliberately touch you there'¦ No, what I mean to say is'¦ " His eyes twitched as he himself did not know what his mouth was blabbering on.

"I'm sorry," Simon thought that it was better to not make any more excuses and simply apologise.

Irene's cheeks were still burning red but her eyes were ice cold. When she saw that Simon had earnestly apologised for his actions, the chilliness in her eyes swiftly disappeared. Earlier it was also her fault that she appeared in front of him without letting her presence known. And she could see that Simon was lost in his thoughts and did not deliberately bump into her.

"It's alright," Irene said softly, her voice did not appear to be particularly angry. However, she was still avoiding his gaze.

No matter how she wanted to write it off, Simon had still involuntarily grabbed her chest. Even if she tried to pretend, it was still embarrassing for her. She could still feel the sensation earlier when Simon gave a fierce grab(¬'¿¬) and every time she remembered his actions, her emotions would become turbulent and her thoughts muddled.

~~~~~

There was an awkward silence between them before Simon hurriedly tried to dissolve it. "You were looking for me?" He asked as he thought that Irene must have been looking for him to appear in front of him so suddenly.

Irene's face was back to her aloof self as she nodded her head and inquired "I heard from Cecilia that to bring the Forest Spring Spirits with you, you had gone through a trial set by the Ancient Titan Treant and had even accepted multiple of his conditions".

Although she masked it perfectly, Simon still felt the slight concern in her voice.

Nodding his head, he replied, "Yeah, it was the only choice I had to bring the forest Spring Spirits inside my dungeon".

Simon remembered the seven years agreement between him and Aldebaran. The task might sound impossible and outright lunatic to most, but Simon did not doubt himself and his abilities. No matter what he would raise his rank to Demon Duke and subdue the Seven Kings of the Ghastly Winding Forest within these seven years.

Irene deeply stared at Simon's eyes that was burning with an intense determination and excitement. Her crescent brows made a frown as she asked "Cecilia told me that you nearly destroyed your body in the first trial and now you have even accepted something as ridiculous as raising your rank three times in the span of just seven years?".

Her voice sounded exasperated as she added "Honestly I don't know what to think anymore. Seeing how readily you agreed to those conditions, you must have something planned out. I'm not saying it's bad to be positive but aren't you underestimating the ranks a little too much?".

Simon was surprised as he looked at Irene. He never thought that she would be so concerned for him. He understood the vast gap in strength that the rank represent and frankly he was not underestimating it. Far from it, since he knew the level of strength that each rank up represents, he wanted to attain that realm of strength.

Although Seven years might be too short, Simon knew himself better than anyone. As long as there is a goal in front of him to achieve, he would not stop until he realises it.

If somebody heard the details of the agreement, they would mock him and see it as nothing but a ludicrous dream. Nevertheless, Simon was not concerned with what others thought about him.

Since he had already promised Aldebaran that he would raise his rank to Demon Duke, he would achieve it within these seven years and subdue the Seven Kings to become the true ruler of this Ghastly Winding forest.

Meeting Irene's gaze, Simon asked "Do you also think that it is impossible for me to achieve it?".

He wanted to know what she thought about him who had accepted these conditions.

Irene stayed silent for a while and observed Simon, it was only after she felt the determination and resoluteness in his eyes, that she sighed.

"It is not about whether I believe in you or not. But seeing how determined you are to achieve your goals, it seems that whatever I say cannot change your mind. Hmph, as long as you still hold onto that willpower, it is not exactly impossible a task". Saying that she separated her gaze from Simon and looked away.

Simon couldn't help but smile at her reply "So you were simply worried about me?!".

Right after he said that, Irene's brows twitched and her beautiful eyes widened a little "Worried? Hmph, you seemed to be thinking too highly of yourself".

Her reaction was as if somebody had seen through her inner thoughts. Simon was honestly surprised, he never expected his casual words would elicit such a reaction from her. He suddenly had a desire to tease her more but before he could do so, Irene spoke first.

She crossed her hands in front of her ample chest and those ample mounds of her whose softness was just like a quagmire one could endlessly sink in and whose fullness he had experienced firsthand, changed shape magnificently as they were pressed underneath her hands.

Even her simple azure clothes was unable to cover that devastating sight.

Failing to notice where his gaze was, Irene said "How confident are you to increase your rank by a total of three times within the span of seven years?".