Damian's eyes opened as he realized Lucian was turning toward him in his arms. The last thing he rembered from the night before was having her in his arms as they both faced right and slowly fell asleep after an intense, no-need-for-lowering-your-voice session.
Now her face was inches from his as she smiled, her naked figure still in his arms.
"You snore, you know that?" she said.
"I do not!" Damian defended his sleeping honor.
"You do. It was so loud, all the fishes ran away."
"I think those ran away last night, when you—"
"Shhh.."
She put a finger on his lips. Then, in her sexy, playful voice, she said,
"You are wrong, Lord Keeper. I will not have it. All lies are revealed fully before this—Frostmother."
"Oh, is that so?" That was his limit.
Even though the sun had already been shining on them for so hours, Damian and Lucian had another session. Then they ca down to the sandy beach and entered the cold water. The fishes had indeed left the area—the mana signature of two Transcendents was sothing no normal monster wanted to face.
Finally, they walked out of the water. Damian used his black flas to evaporate the water in seconds. The flas weren't powerful enough to damage a Transcendent body. With wet hair, they dressed in their spare casual clothes—Damian just put on simple, light-colored breeches and a white shirt. He was done in seconds. Lucian was still dressing up.
"What are your plans?" Damian asked.
"Huh?" She didn't understand his aning.
"Just because I want to spend hours in the Sanctum doesn't an you have to do that too. You should do sothing you like instead of trying to help all the ti," Damian explained.
"I want to help you—and the Sanctuary."
"I know," Damian said, "so do I. But I won't do that all day, every day—most of my ti will be occupied with building new runic devices and alchemical items. Having a hobby or two helps you appreciate life, you know?"
"What do you suggest I do in my free ti, then? My father asked to lead the Goldilocks family—or what's left of it.."
"I will change the system of Sanctuary from the very core. I'm sorry to say, but being noble will have no importance—other than having a title for one's na."
"That.." Her eyes widened a little. "That won't go well with the nobles, you know? Not that they've done much for the Sanctuary. But many have died along with their n."
"They'll have the opportunity to gain power—actually, even to replace the very highest authority of Sanctum. But it will rely on skill and strength—and they'll have to compete against all the people of the Sanctuary, not just nobles."
"Power to the common man?"
Damian smiled. "We're all just people, Lucian. None higher in status or lower. Strength and one's job is the only hierarchy worth considering." Lo@v e th^is st^ory.?@ Sh-ow! s%up%p%ort# at M*V 2&LEMP*Y!R*.
"I'm sure you'll make the best of it," Lucian said, nodding in acknowledgnt. "So the family doesn't need . What do you think I should do?"
"The Highswords are still years away from regaining their past glory—but kids need to be taught things. Proper education is the most important thing for the general public to beco a more skilled resource."
"And..?" Lucian asked, though it was clear she had an idea of what he was suggesting.
"An academy," Damian said. "It's fine if you don't want to—but I want soone powerful and sincerely committed to manage it. You, I personally know, are one of the most ideal people to take up that role."
Lucian didn't say anything. She was thinking about it, though, and that was enough.
"Don't reply just yet. Think about it—there's still ti before I build an academy building and we start teaching."
They returned to the seventh floor of the Sanctum Building. Jacob liked to stay in warm places, so Damian had given the guy access to his runic lab, where a furnace was. The guy loved the place, and there were signs that the chubby golem was quite intelligent and curious about the way Damian created runic items. He was in a hurry, so he didn't think much of it—but having soone who could help him in the lab would indeed be quite helpful, especially one who shared his mana signature.
Toph could teleport all around his office—the guy didn't even need stairs and could teleport up and down the seventh floor with ease. There was no restriction on the guy—he was free to roam around anywhere he wanted, in the Stone Keep, Sanctum Building, and even the whole city. They had notified the public with a general announcent that the little freely roaming and teleporting elephant belonged to their Keeper. Harming him would be considered an offense.
The common people loved the chubby, colorful elephant, though. So much so that Toph spent most of his ti away from Damian, coming back only to eat and sleep. He had gained weight—Damian suspected the townsfolk were giving him a bit too many treats. Toph had enough defensive skills and runic tools on him to face fifty second-rankers single-handedly—or at least stall them enough for Damian to arrive at the scene. The city was relatively safe for the little powerful troublemaker.
Damian felt like Toph was in his early teenage years psychologically since he now loved to play outside without him. He let the guy do his own things.
The Sanctum and the Stone Keep were mostly empty, with only minimal staff on duty. Damian had already given a day off to celebrate their victory to all of his soldiers and officials. The ones necessary for the city's security and needed work in the Sanctum were promised the next day off when the others would be back on duty.
Since most of his attendants were off duty, only the old butler-looking dude had volunteered to stay so the younger ones could celebrate. Damian held Lucian, ignoring Jacob who was sneaking a peek from the doorless lab—and flew down to the ground.
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