I Own the Evolution Domain

"I did, but you did as well, don't you?" with the semi-transparent, floating screen that only he is capable of seeing appearing on the corner of his eyes, not hindering his vision of the Sword Princess, Novus replies with a smile, making sure to speak the second part louder so that she was reminded of it as well.

Naturally with the resources from his previous hunt on the Evolution Domain being abundant, Novus' growth accelerates as well, with the use of D Tier Evolution Crystals, partnered with the effects of the Slimy Gold Dust, allows him to progress significantly within the span of two days.

[Novus Helion van Argenta]

[Combat Rating: D Tier Mage (Assessment Ongoing)]

[Talent: True Immortal Blood (EX-Rank Growth-type Innate Talent)]

[Current Evolution Domain Location: Verdant Expanse: Verdant Forest (1.5-star danger level)]

[Immortal Energy: 8,510/8,610]

[Strength: 7,110]

[Agility: 7,110]

[Vitality: 7,110]

[Arcane: 7,110]

[Harmony: 7,110]

[True Immortal Blood (EX-Rank Growth-type Innate Talent)]

[Growth Progress: 6.875 % (93.125% before Talent Rank Up)]

[Mastery: Intermediate level (17.91%)]

[Elemental Affinity]

[Fire: Novice (79.25%)]

[Shadow: Novice (82.17%)]

Of course, it wasn't all rainbows and sunshine as with his ascension to the D Tier, it seems like not only Evolution Crystals, but even some resource's effectiveness as well.

[Due to the advancement to D Tier, Slimy Gold Dust absorption speed effect is cut to third.]

Those were the words that first greeted him as he took his first dose of Slimy Gold Dust as a D Tier mage, causing him to feel a bit of a pity as the doubled absorption speed fell into an increase of a bit more than thirty percent compared to his normal absorption speed.

Still, the increase is still significant, allowing him to grow leaps and bounds compared to if he just goes about absorbing Evolution Crystals normally.

'After the Evolution Domain's restriction is lifted, perhaps I should pay more attention to hunting Golden Slimes.' looking at the lady just staring, smiling at him silently as he answered her previous question, Novus thought to himself.

Feeling a bit of a pity as he thought that even the current amount of Slimy Gold Dust would barely be enough for him to make ends meet before the Evolution Domain opens up again, he takes a look at the Storage Space, thinking of giving the small excess amount of the absorption boosting consumable to the Sword Princess.

[Storage Space]

[E Tier Evolution Crystal (76)]

[D Tier Evolution Crystal (1,354)]

[Slime Substrate (Amber Slime) (5,517)]

[Slime Substrate (Shadow Slime) (3,649)]

[Slime Substrate (Toxic Slime) (479)]

[Slime Substrate (Golden Slime) (618)]

[Wolf Fang (1,097)]

[Goblin's Eye (660)]

[Malleable Amber (891)]

[Liquid Shadow (631)]

[Safe Poison (52)]

[Slimy Gold Dust (121)]

[Dark Claw (336)]

[Goblin's Heart (191)]

And after doing so, he also takes a good look at the time before his entry restriction to the Evolution Domain is lifted, doing a quick math on the amount of Slimy Gold Dust he needs to have to continue with his rate of absorption he has right now.

[Bodily regeneration is currently in progress (35.71%). Estimated completion time: 4 days, 12 hours.]

[Access to the Evolution Domain currently denied.]

'There's a little bit of it left…' he realized that he has some in excess, however, only a small amount, not even allowing the one he is planning to give it to the time to double her absorption speed for a whole day.

'I'll save it up for next time…' Novus eventually decided against giving some excess to Medea for now, thinking that it would be better for her to receive an amount that will allow her to use the Slimy Gold Dust all the time.

After taking a mental note of it, the Sword Princess and this infamous freshman continues with their mundane talks as they spent their remaining time in the training room telling stories of their childhood, revealing yet another side of themselves to each other.

"I'll say it again, you absolutely cannot tell anyone about those things, okay??" as the two of them walk basking in the moonlight, still holding each other's hands, Medea warned for the several times in a row, feeling a bit embarrassed with the tales he had told him previously.

"I won't, the image of the Sword Princess bawling to get the dress she wants, I'd like to keep it for myself."

Gentle laughter escapes out of Novus' lips as he walks past the crossroad leading to the male dormitory, accompanying Medea all the way to the entrance of the female dormitory as he replies, his attention to the lady's demeanor rather than anywhere else.

'How adorable…' he thought to himself, thinking nothing much of his acknowledgement as the two of them gradually closes to the time of their parting for the day.

"Come to think of it, the festival starts tomorrow, dear junior~~ What events did you register for?"

"I picked the tournament."

"Just that, right~~?"

"Mn."

There is a short pause to their conversation as if Medea is thinking of something, her voice eventually coming back as she suggested a plan to him.

"Then let's explore the festival together, there's an event where we might find one of the things you asked me to look for."

"An alchemist?"

"Mhm, there's an alchemy competition on the third day."

"Then, let's go together."

"Yay~~"

Recalling the upcoming festival, the two of them talked and planned how to spend their time during this grand event, the freedom of the student to choose whatever they want to do during the period of the festival allowing them time flexible enough to schedule them going around for several times.

"Did you have fun for today~~?"

Eventually, the two of them reached the gate of the female dormitory, prompting Medea to take a look at him as she smiles, patiently waiting for his answer.

"I did, did you?"

The young man nods, his answer, as well as the follow up question making the lady smile as a simple nod is all that it takes to convey all the answer she can ever say.

Without letting go of his hand, she lifts both her arms, seemingly inviting him into closing the distance between the two of them, the warm smile, the anticipation in her eyes, her fair skin glowing under the gentle moonlight, giving her an ethereal charm.

"What?" he asked, albeit already having a clear idea of what she is getting at.

"Hm? Playing dumb now, aren't we? Don't let a lady spell it out loud, junior~." she replied with a smile on her face, a faint trace of annoyance can be seen as her lips pout a bit.

"…" there is not a single word that escaped out of Novus' lips as he inches closer towards her figure, eventually standing just a few centimeters apart from her, allowing her to do what she wants.

"Come on now, Novus, don't tell me you're getting shy~~~"

There's this familiar playful cheekiness to her voice as she waits for him to make his move, yet underneath all that, through the young man's sharp senses, he picked up the faint trembling in her confident voice.

Still, she wrapped her arms around him, hiding her face on his chest as she rubs her cheeks on him for a good while.

Finding nothing better to do, he slowly reaches his hand out, gently caressing her head for a moment before stopping, observing her reaction.

"Why did you stop??" her muffled voice resounded after his pause, allowing her into her thoughts of being treated like that, her response prompting him to continue with it for a while.

"G-good night."

After a while, the lady finally extricated herself away from his warmth, those words, brief and concise, carried by her shaky voice, were the only thing that the young man heard as the gate of the female dormitory was shut on his face, the Sword Princess running back to her room leaving him there, standing, baffled.

The Galilea Magic Academy's Great Talent Festival drew near, starting in a few hours from now on.