Chapter 55: A surprise in the room
After the long discussion about algorithms, the evening gradually drew to a close.
The documents were gathered.
Elaria carefully kept all her notes, while Vespera was already pondering how to divide the Memory Crystal’s runes into independent functions.
Shiora, meanwhile, had filled out several business spreadsheets.
Selene and Elena were still discussing tactical simulations.
Lyriana seemed silent, but Adam knew she was already mentally organizing several decision trees for her agents.
Isadora was the first to get up.
"It’s late. We’ll continue this discussion tomorrow."
Adam looked at her.
"Tomorrow?"
The duchess gave him a perfectly calm smile.
"You didn’t think we were going to forget everything you just explained, did you?"
Elaria replied immediately:
"Certainly not."
Vespera nodded.
"We still have a lot of questions."
Adam sighed.
"Obviously."
Selene gave him a light pat on the shoulder as she passed by.
Even this simple gesture felt heavier than usual because of the Progressive Charge Bracelets.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow, we’re increasing the difficulty."
Adam slowly turned his head toward her.
"Why?"
"Because you’re adapting."
"I’m really starting to hate that word."
Selene burst out laughing before leaving the room with Elena and Lyriana.
Little by little, they all dispersed into the corridors of the mansion.
Adam said goodbye to the last few women, then headed toward his room.
Each step felt heavy.
His legs were tired from training in the gravity chamber.
His arms still felt the strain from the enchantment exercises.
His mind had been exhausted by the mana compression and rune construction under Vespera’s supervision.
And yet, he had the strange feeling that something had changed.
He simply didn’t know what yet.
When he entered his room, he gently closed the door behind him.
Silence returned immediately.
Adam removed his coat, leaned his sword against a piece of furniture, and then sat on the edge of the bed.
The Progressive Charge Bracelets were still fastened around his wrists and ankles.
According to Selene, he was supposed to wear them almost all day.
But he could remove them to sleep or shower.
Before that, Adam decided to check his status.
"Status."
A translucent window appeared before his eyes.
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Progress Recorded
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Several skills have met the requirements for progression.
Improved Skills:
*Eyes of the World Lv. 1 → Lv. 2
*Delimiter Lv. 1 → Lv. 2
*Massage Lv. 1 → Lv. 2
*Fertility Control Lv. 1 → Lv. 2
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Adam remained motionless.
"Four skills in a single day?"
He opened the detailed information.
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Eyes of the World Lv. 2
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Improved Effects:
*Faster visual analysis
*Simple information obtained almost instantly
*Improved perception of energy structures
*More accurate identification of materials, runes, and mana flows
*Enhanced connection to the Library of the World
Limitations:
*Deep information remains restricted
*Protected or sealed subjects may resist analysis
*Contact Physical observation remains necessary for certain vital information.
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Adam immediately thought back to everything he had observed during the day.
Selene’s movements.
The Progressive Charge Bracelets.
Elaria’s enchantments.
Shiora’s business documents.
The runes studied with Vespera.
He had used Eyes of the World almost continuously.
"This improvement makes sense."
He moved on to the next one.
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Delimiter Lv.2
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Improved Effects:
*More precise identification of physical, magical, and structural boundaries
*Detection of stability thresholds
*Better estimation of safety margins
*Improved ability to isolate a weakness in a complex structure
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Adam studied the information for a long time.
"It’s probably thanks to the bracelets, compression, and runic circuits."
All day long, he had been searching for limits.
The limit of his balance.
The limit of his strength.
The limit of his mana compression.
The limit a rune could withstand before collapsing.
The Delimiter had been used in almost all of his exercises.
The last two skills were more specific.
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Massage Level 2
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Improved Effects:
*More precise detection of muscle tension
*Better stimulation of blood and energy circulation
*Accelerated physical recovery
*Enhanced mental relaxation
*Increased effectiveness on bodies strengthened by the Mana
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Adam nodded slowly.
He had already used this skill several times with his companions.
His newfound body control and enhanced perception had likely increased its effectiveness.
Then he consulted the latest evolution.
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Fertility Control Level 2
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Improved Effects:
*Voluntary control of fertility
*More precise regulation of reproductive functions
*Enhanced protection against unintended conception
*Improved biological comfort for partners
*Reproductive characteristics and vitality Improved
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Adam studied the last line for a few seconds.
"This power is becoming more and more complete..."
He closed the detail windows.
But another notification was waiting for him.
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Statistical Progression
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Today’s physical, magical, and mental training has resulted in measurable growth.
Improvements Gained:
*Strength: +3
*Agility: +3
*Spirit: +2
*Stamina: +3
*Intelligence: +3
Main Factors:
*Progressive Charge Bracelets
*Gravitational Training
*Extended Mana Compression
*Enchanting Practice
*Accelerated Learning
*Mana Body
*Adaptation
*Mutual Growth
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Adam immediately opened his full status.
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STATUS
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Name: Adam
Level: 3
Blessings:
*Mana Body Lv. 2
*Eyes of the World Lv. 2
Talent:
*Satisfaction Feedback System
Skills:
*Delimiter Lv. 2
*Adaptation Lv. 1
*Dagger Mastery Level 1
*Sword Mastery Level 2
*Vigorous Body Level 2
*Healing Level 2
*Massage Level 2
*Fertility Control Level 2
Stats:
*Strength: 14
*Agility: 14
*Spirit: 14
*Stamina: 24
*Intelligence: 19
*Luck: 12
Available Stat Points: 7
Happiness Points: 6,600
Current Bonus:
*Mutual Growth: +50%
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Adam remained seated without moving.
His statistics had increased considerably.
Strength, Agility, Endurance and Intelligence had each gained three points.
Even his Spirit had increased by two.
Normally, he should have felt such a difference immediately.
But since morning he had been carrying a load equivalent to a large part of his physical strength.
The bracelets had compensated for his progression as it happened.
The stronger he became...
The more their effective weight increased.
"That’s why I didn’t notice anything. »
Adam placed a hand on the first bracelet.
The runes reacted to his mana.
A slight click sounds.
The metal opened.
At the same time, some of the pressure disappeared from his arm.
Adam’s eyes widened.
He removed the second bracelet.
Then those on his ankles.
When the last metal ring came off...
His entire body suddenly seemed to become as light as a feather.
Adam got up too quickly.
His movement was so quick that he almost took a step too far.
He stabilized immediately.
"What the..."
He slowly raised a hand.
His muscles responded faster.
His balance seemed perfect.
Even his breathing seemed easier.
He made a few simple movements.
A rotation of the arm.
A side step.
A slight push on his legs.
His body reacted with a power he had never felt before.
The Progressive Charging Bracelets didn’t just make it heavier.
They had forced his body to work under constant stress all day long.
And all the while, his stats continued to increase.
Now that he was no longer wearing the bracelets, all this progression became immediately noticeable.
Adam clenched his fist slightly.
The air seemed to almost vibrate around his fingers.
"I understand better why Selene didn’t want me to take them off during the day. »
His body had begun to treat the load as its normal state.
Without her, every movement became faster.
Lighter.
More powerful.
Adam looked at the bracelets on the bed.
"And tomorrow she will surely increase the load. »
His enthusiasm waned slightly.
" Obviously. »
After closing his status, Adam headed towards the bathroom adjoining his room.
He needed to wash.
And above all to relax your muscles after this day.
He opened the door.
Then stopped.
Adam took a step back.
He looked down the hallway.
Then the door.
Then he entered again.
"This is my bathroom..."
But it had almost nothing in common with the room he had left that morning.
The old space was already large and luxurious.
The one in front of him now was immense.
Its size seemed to have increased tenfold.
Maybe more.
The room no longer looked like a simple private bathroom.
It evoked the thermal baths of a royal palace.
The ceiling rose several meters above the ground.
Crystals of light floated in the air, diffusing a soft, calming clarity.
Light stone walls were decorated with fine golden veins and discreet runes.
The original pool had completely disappeared.
In its place was a huge indoor hot spring capable of accommodating several dozen people.
Steam slowly rose from the water.
Part of the pool was deep.
Another had several submerged stone seats.
Shallower areas made it possible to lie down in the water.
On the sides, large spaces had been set up for washing, resting or receiving care.
Comfortable benches lined the walls.
Several coffee tables could accommodate drinks, towels or skincare products.
A small artificial waterfall flowed down from a wall covered in luminous plants.
Adam was speechless.
Then a memory came back to him.
That morning, before he left, Isadora had said to him:
"A surprise will be waiting for you in your room this evening. »
With training, guilds, plans and algorithms, Adam had completely forgotten this sentence.
Now he understood.
"Isadora..."
He entered the room slowly.
The interior space couldn’t physically fit within the exterior dimensions of his room.
Spatial magic had clearly been used.