episode_0232

Arriving at the mansion and seeing Aspi, Nix’s eyes widened. A sharp smile, as if she’d found treasure.

‘Kkhuhu… Subject acquired.’

She immediately tossed a wooden box into Nari’s room and returned to the courtyard. Her clothes and bangs were wildly disheveled; she’d rushed so much. Her face was even slightly flushed, even though, as a spirit, she couldn’t possibly be short of breath, no matter how strenuous the exercise.

Ssiik-

Nix’s lips curled wickedly. If Nari had seen it, she would have noticed the sinister plot hidden within, but Aspi hadn’t realized it yet.

“Khuhukh… Are you hungry? I know a delicious restaurant.”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

As it happened, Aspi was also planning to go to lunch. The two went out to the royal capital together and had a simple meal. They also had a cup of tea to aid digestion, and leisurely strolled back to the Philbrogue mansion.

“Training again from now on, right?”

“Well, yes. I’ll be careful not to be a hindrance.”

“No, no! If it’s alright, could I join you?”

“Nix-nim is going to train?”

Aspi tilted her head. Her training mainly involved physical conditioning; she sometimes used her ki and mana to wield sword energy, but the basic purpose was to build a physical foundation.

On the other hand, Nix was a spirit. Her physical foundation was composed of her spirit body. In other words, her athletic abilities stemmed from her mana manipulation. Using magic once was more conducive to growth than swinging a sword a hundred times.

While she pondered this natural question, Nix approached, scattering black mist.

“How about you try magic or spirit training instead of physical conditioning sometimes? It’s good to get better at what you’re good at, but it’s also good to improve what you’re not good at. There’s no guarantee that the enemy will only use physical attacks.”

“Hmm… That’s true. How exactly should I do that?”

Ssiik-

‘She’s taken the bait!’

A devilish smile momentarily graced Nix’s face, but she quickly returned it to normal. Aspi wouldn’t have missed it, but she still hadn’t figured out the intention. All her attention was on the new training.

“Hhuum… Let’s start with the basics. I hear from Nari that you have an amazing physique?”

“Utt… Not really…”

Aspi’s face flushed slightly. She seemed to have misunderstood the intention. The conversation stalled slightly, but it was not a bad reaction. This plan required Aspi’s libido to support it.

“Khuhukh… That’s not what I meant. I meant your physical abilities. Top-tier martial artists can even control their metabolism, right? You can also draw up a lot of ki and feel mana with your body alone.”

“Khum… Yes, that’s right.”

“Then let’s start there. HUh… Appear, training ground!”

Shuwaak—

As Nix spread her arms, black mist completely enveloped the courtyard. To avoid damaging the surroundings, she controlled it to spread only within a certain range. A black hemispherical barrier formed, centering on Aspi.

Aspi, inside, was enveloped in complete darkness. Instinctively, she raised her sword and guarded her surroundings. But she felt nothing. Sight, hearing, touch, smell—all her senses for detecting enemies were paralyzed.

‘I wonder, is this the training?’

Her physical senses were sealed. An ordinary person would panic and flounder in this situation. But Aspi didn’t panic. She closed her eyes, regulated her breathing, and slowly heated her body.

“Huu…”

Her heartbeat quickened. Blood circulated throughout her body, demanding more oxygen. Aspi inhaled deeply, based on her solid breathing technique. Fresh air spread to her fingertips and toes, and a sixth sense awakened.

Dugeun- Dugeun-

It began to slowly appear. Her eyes were closed. To be precise, she began to *feel* it. Inside the black mist, several lumps of mana slowly approaching Aspi. She soon realized that they were Nix’s spirit clones.

Sabak- Sabak-

That wasn’t a sound heard by her ears. It was a sound Aspi’s sixth sense interpreted, based on her past experiences. Soon, several clones pounced on Aspi.

Shuwaak—

Raising her sharp claws, she swung quickly. Aspi took a step back to evade the attack, then immediately swung her sword, slashing the clone.

But it was a normal sword strike, carrying nothing. A physical attack couldn’t harm a spirit’s ethereal body. The split black form recombined, returning to its original state.

‘Then how about this-!’

Aspi closed her eyes and concentrated. She unleashed the mana writhing within her body. Soon, the mana spread throughout her body.

Huu-

She took a deep breath again. This time, she circulated the mana within her body along with the air. The mana, which had been scattered, gathered in Aspi’s dantian with a steady flow.

She opened a path for the accumulated mana. Like opening the gates of a dam, the accumulated mana exploded out, beginning to fill Aspi’s wind spirit sword. Soon, the sword emitted a pale, yellowish-green light, revealing its power.

Tat-

With a light step, she charged forward. The target was the black form. Moves ingrained in her body through constant training. With simple basic movements, she swung her sword and slashed the black form.

Chwaak-!

“Kutt-”

This time, it hit. One of Nix’s spirit bodies was torn in half and completely dispersed. Aspi gripped her sword again and continued to scan her surroundings.

“You’ve adapted quite quickly… Khuh- I’ll make it gradually stronger!”

“Please!”

Aspi quite liked this training.

When she was first enveloped in the black mist, the first thing that came to mind was the memory of the [Shadow World]. Aspi’s only trauma, a bitter experience of complete defeat. Powerlessly, unable to do anything, pierced by the enemy’s blade. The physical senses she had always trusted turned their backs on her. Her mind became hazy, and it became difficult to maintain consciousness.

In that sense, the [Shadow World] and Nix’s magic were similar. Even if she didn’t know Nix’s intentions, Aspi considered it an opportunity. A turning point to overcome her trauma. To return to the battlefield where she had once been defeated and make amends for her mistakes.

She braced herself and dedicated herself to her training. Using her sixth sense, she perceived what had seemed like mere darkness at the time her senses were sealed off. Darkness was no longer darkness. It was exactly the same as the bright and warm outside world.

‘I will absolutely not repeat my failure…!’

She moved her body and swung her sword with all her might.

The black mist continued to thicken.

After some time, Aspi gradually grew tired, and Nix watched for her chance. She waited until Aspi’s consciousness and senses dulled. The gap between perception and reality narrowed.

And finally, Aspi’s pupils blurred.

‘Kkhuhu- Now’s the time, illusionary dream!’

The surrounding black mist all rushed toward Aspi. It continued to seep into Aspi’s body. Because her body was so strong, her capacity to receive mana was quite high, and only after absorbing all the black mist surrounding her, did she drop her sword.

Sabak-

Nix materialized and walked across the courtyard towards Aspi.

“Did I get her properly?”

She tapped her shoulder or pinched her cheek. She was still staring straight ahead, dazed. Nix’s touch grew bolder, beginning to fondle Aspi’s private parts.

“…Got it. Khihiih-”

Aspi had dedicated herself to training until now. To awaken her sixth sense, she had heated her entire body, bringing it to the extreme limit of sensitivity. With her consciousness lost and only instincts remaining, Aspi’s heated body naturally boiled with lust.

Carefully controlling that desire, Nix made Aspi dream. Aspi’s stiff expression softened and became gentle.

Nix took her to Nari’s room.

. . .

Dalgrak-

At the familiar sound of teacups, Aspi opened her eyes. She was standing straight, clad in armor. It seemed she had dozed off for a while.

‘What was I doing…?’

Slowly looking around, the Princess was sitting at a table in the garden. Finally, her memory returned. Aspi was currently guarding the Princess so she could safely enjoy her tea time.

The Princess looked up at her.

“…Why are you suddenly like that, Aspi?”

“Ah… It’s nothing.”

Jeolgruk-

Aspi, whose posture had been momentarily slack, immediately straightened her back. The armor clinked. Aspi broke into a slight sweat, concentrating on her guard duty.

“Hmm… You’re strange today, Aspi. Come here.”

“Ye- No, that’s…”

The Princess got up from her seat and pulled Aspi towards her. Placing her hand on her cheek, she carefully examined Aspi’s face. Aspi’s face flushed at the sudden scent of the Princess.

“Look. Your face is red and very hot. Aren’t you feeling unwell?”

“I… I am perfectly fine, Your Highness…”

“Are you saying I’m lying?”

“Th- That’s not it…”

The Princess’ touch became bolder. She brushed Aspi’s sweat-soaked hair behind her ear, slowly wiping her face. She undid and removed the stuffy armor, then unbuttoned the front of the shirt underneath.

‘Ah… No…’

Aspi’s heart pounded wildly. The Princess’ smooth skin was right in front of her. Every time the soft scent stimulated her nose, her mind grew dizzy. Her lower abdomen grew hot, and it became increasingly difficult to restrain herself.

Taak-

Aspi grabbed the Princess’ hand.

“…Aspi?”

“No more… I can’t take any more, Your Highness…”