Game World: I Can Share Talents

Westheid had been so focused on his "developer’s conference" the other day that quality control got a little lax. With more and more participants, it was only natural that word would get out. So much so that a curious Shamuel followed the sounds to see what was happening.

And so, she ended up wandering into the Silver Party Hall.

The innocent young girl was instantly shaken to her core, rooted to the spot as if her feet were filled with lead.

A few charming maids, already lost in a daze from the revelry, grabbed her without a second glance, intending to drag her over to join the fun.

Shamuel immediately began to struggle violently, kicking and punching.

"I came for the banquet! What do you think you’re doing?!"

With a loud cry, she lunged for the door and fled in utter panic.

Ever since then, Shamuel had been avoiding Westheid. She would bolt the moment she saw him, much to Westheid’s great annoyance.

"Pfft—hahaha! That sounds just like you. No wonder the little one was scared out of her wits. The Shadow Flame Clan is notoriously conservative; you can tell just by looking at the Shadow Flame Duke."

Westheid said helplessly, "I told you, it was an accident."

’My tastes are perfectly normal. I’m doing my part to reject the whole loli aesthetic, so I have absolutely no interest in Shamuel, even if she might possess a Tier T1 Talent.’

’Of course, it’s mainly because I’m not interested in a Forging Technician’s Talent. If it were a Tier T0 Combat Talent, well, then my principles might be a bit more flexible.’

Luyetan hugged Westheid’s arm tightly and blew softly into his ear, a sweet fragrance wafting into his nose.

"What a pity. If only I had come a few days earlier, perhaps I could have participated. I’ve heard the stories many times, but I’ve never witnessed your magnificent might for myself. It makes one start to wonder... Say, Duke Qinghui, you couldn’t just be all talk, could you? A worthless little fish?"

The charming and delicate master of the Yuanshi Territory traced Westheid’s cheek and chin with a silk-gloved finger, her tone growing even more contemptuous.

"Worthless, worthless. Just a worthless little fish who’s all talk."

’I’ll take everything!! I want to absolutely wreck you!’

Westheid couldn’t help but clench his jaw.

’I’m hard. And not just my fists. Hard in every sense of the word.’

’The most infuriating part was that he knew Luyetan was just teasing. She would never take it a step further. If he actually made a move, she would undoubtedly reject and mock him.’

’I’ll remember this. The day is long, and I’ll get my revenge.’

Westheid stared straight ahead, letting Luyetan’s words go in one ear and out the other.

As they continued walking, he noticed there were far fewer people in the estate’s courtyard than a few days ago. The attrition from the "developer’s conference" had been too great.

’High-tier Transcendent were already known for their extraordinary stamina, to say nothing of one with a Tier T0 Talent. It created a terrifying Monster. Even by the standards of the most extreme adult games, his specs were over the top.’

Duke Qinghui’s court was already a place where women far outnumbered men; now, hardly anyone was left standing.

’That’s why Westheid wouldn’t waste time bickering with Luyetan. He let his actions do the talking!’

But in this somewhat deserted courtyard, Westheid witnessed an unexpected scene:

On a bench near a cluster of flowers, two young women were sitting side by side.

The Wolf-eared Maiden with purplish-black hair sat on the right, her posture perfectly straight. Her hair veiled half her face, her beautiful golden eyes closed in serene loveliness.

Mivana wore a crisp black shirt and held a cello, gracefully drawing the bow across its strings.

Her Imperial Highness Princess, with her long, silver-white hair, sat on the left side of the bench. A magnificent light shone from beneath her slightly lowered eyelids.

Her pure white, off-the-shoulder royal gown was form-fitting and elegant. A corner of her harp rested on her knee, and she held the instrument steady with her fair, smooth chin, plucking classical music with her slender, pale fingers.

Melodious music drifted from where the two sat. Although they weren’t intentionally playing a duet, each performing her own piece, the sounds didn’t clash.

"That sounds amazing! It’s simply heavenly!"

Although Westheid had no idea how these two had ended up playing music together, that didn’t stop him from offering his praise.

After showering them with praise, Duke Qinghui finally voiced his question.

"Mivana, you know how to play music?"

’Westheid wasn’t surprised that Reiya could play music. During those difficult years in the Holy Tree Palace, the ostracized Dragon-blooded Hybrid would have had no social life. With only a few skills she could learn, wouldn’t she have naturally strived for perfection?’

But Mivana... Westheid had never seen her play an instrument before.

"Music cultivates the spirit and soothes restlessness. Teacher Viona taught me."

The music stopped. Mivana set her cello aside and replied.

Westheid nodded, then asked, "Oh, but you two are..."

"Just passing the time."

Reiya stood up as well. "West, are you free right now? I’d like to have this dance with you."

A nostalgic light swirled in the White-haired Dragon Lady’s magnificent Cang Tong, her thoughts seeming to drift back to when she first met Westheid.

"A proper dance."

"Oh my, shouldn’t Duke Qinghui first dance with me, his guest?"

Seeing this, Luyetan subconsciously tried to stir the pot, but Reiya’s reaction this time was unusual. The Silver-haired Princess stepped forward and fixed her with an icy glare that made Luyetan’s heart pound.

"You frivolous woman, do you have any idea the weight of this invitation? This is the first cry of a new life, the proof of our pact. It is the beginning and end of my existence—a dance I would never tire of, even if I were to live through endless cycles of rebirth."

"I can ignore your other games, but this miracle, which belongs to me and me alone, is something I will never concede."

’So intense!’

Luyetan instinctively took half a step back. Reiya had never been this serious with her before. Just this small release of pressure was enough to make Luyetan feel that something was terribly wrong.

"Of course."

Westheid also felt the weight of Reiya’s aura and quickly agreed.

Their hands clasped.

The warm, soft touch sent a jolt through Westheid’s mind.

Reiya’s breathtakingly beautiful, dignified face drew close. She gazed quietly and deeply at her lover’s handsome, dreamlike features.

Silence spoke volumes. Though not a word was said, her expressive eyes seemed to say everything.

Unlike the first time, when Westheid had pulled her into a one-sided embrace, this time Reiya danced with him, fully present and whole. She had clearly put a great deal of effort into practicing, and combined with the chemistry they already shared, their dance was flawless.

Time flowed on, the melody seeming to have no end, stretching on for more than half the night.

After the long dance with Reiya ended, the Silver-haired Princess sat down contentedly on the courtyard bench. She rested her arms on the back of the bench, then pillowed her cheek upon them.

The slight curve of her lips and her closed eyes showed she had already drifted off into a sweet dream.

Westheid went to get a cold drink. But just as Duke Qinghui was enjoying it, Mivana—who had been providing the mood music with her cello—pulled him into the garden.

"Ah, do you want to dance too?"

"I don’t dance."

Mivana pinned Westheid beneath her. Her beautiful eyes gradually took on a golden-red hue that would make any man’s heart tremble in fear. An unknowing observer might have thought he was embracing a curse.

"There’s no need to learn the etiquette of nobles. I don’t understand it anyway."

"But, Teacher West, I haven’t been... relieved in many days."

’HISS—looks like tonight isn’t going to end peacefully.’

Seeing this, Westheid gave a wry smile.

’I just hope the confidence I built up during the "developer’s conference" isn’t shattered too quickly.’