Night fell over the solitary manor near Windrise Plaza.
After dinner, at Lory's signal, Eula followed him almost without hesitation.
Seeing Raiden Makoto remain calm, Mona's curiosity exploded.
"What are they going to do?"
Noelle explained that Eula would be attempting to absorb the power of the Imperial Arm tonight.
Mona clicked her tongue in amazement, but she didn't follow—none of them intended to interrupt.
With Lory gone, Fischl immediately seized the chance to recount her recent "adventures," drawing gasps and exclamations from Noelle and Paimon.
The Side Chamber
Eula followed Lory to a side room behind the manor.
Originally a storage room, it had been converted into a training and experiment chamber—its distance from the main building ensured safety even if accidents occurred.
The lighting was dim.
A man and a woman alone in such a room at night…
Even Lory found the atmosphere suspiciously suggestive.
Especially with Eula obediently following him like a well-behaved dove, his mind momentarily flashed through several very inappropriate mental images.
He shook those thoughts away and drew out the Imperial Arm: Essence of the Demon.
The black, wicked jar carved with the visage of the Yaksha Demon pulsed in his hand.
The blood inside rippled coldly, sending wisps of white frost into the air—its energy was evil, frenzied, and overwhelmingly powerful.
Lory's expression became solemn.
He flicked his fingers, and a portion of the blood rose from the jar, forming a floating sphere of dark-red liquid before Eula.
Based on his calculations, one-tenth was the most she should take.
"Keep your mind clear," he warned.
"Don't let the madness inside it devour you."
Eula nodded seriously.
She could feel the terrifying power within the blood—her heart trembled with excited anticipation.
"Let's begin."
The moment Lory spoke, Eula
started undressing.
She unclasped the black band supporting her chest, slid off her short, tight battle dress, removed her boots and thigh straps
And within seconds stood before him in nothing but a white chest wrap and minimal cloth.
Lory:
"…?!"
She moved fast.
Very fast.
Internally, he sighed.
At least the chest wrap still covered the essentials… though functionally, it was no different from swimwear.
Eula took a deep breath, her movements elegant even now.
"Here I go."
She stepped forward and inhaled—the blood sphere dissolved into a stream, slipping past her lips like a living thing.
Within seconds, her face turned ghostly pale.
Mad whispers, murderous impulses, violent hunger
All of it surged into her mind without mercy.
Her golden eyes stained with flecks of crimson.
Her body trembled violently.
Eula collapsed to her knees, gripping her head, emitting pained gasps and choked screams.
A wave of frost exploded from her body, spreading across the room.
Thick ice formed over every surface—everywhere except where Lory stood.
He did not intervene.
Power always came with a price.
Experiencing this pain would help her truly master what she gained.
The anguish lasted a full quarter-hour.
During that time, Eula fought desperately—clinging to her rationality, battling the beastlike instincts clawing at her mind.
Eventually, the cold aura weakened…
Then dissipated entirely.
Eula lay curled on the frozen floor, trembling faintly.
Sweat that had burst from her brow had frozen into glittering shards stuck to her bangs like small gemstones.
Her eyes still held traces of scarlet.
Her lips—bitten until they bled—gave her a fragile, sickly beauty.
Only now did Lory approach.
He crouched beside her, his voice softer than he had ever used before.
"You did it. You were incredible."
Eula forced her eyes open.
Through the lingering pain, she smiled with quiet pride.
"I… I will never disappoint you."
"I know."
He gently lifted her into a princess carry.
As he did, he noticed a faint black sigil—formed by the demon's blood—shimmering over her heart.
Weak and exhausted, the once proud and sharp-tongued knight now nestled against him, arms wrapped around his neck, savoring the embrace she secretly longed for.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Mm… it still hurts. But it's bearable."
She lifted her hand.
Without using her Cryo Vision,
a spear of pure ice materialized above her palm.
Her eyes widened.
"I can really use Cryo… without my Vision?!"
The raw power flowing inside her was immense.
And this—this was only after drinking one-tenth.
If she absorbed all of it…
She could scarcely imagine how strong she might become.
A thrill ran through her—followed immediately by another pang of pain, making her shiver violently.
Powerful, yes.
Painful… far too painful.
Though, if enduring it meant being carried in his arms afterward…
Maybe it wasn't so bad?
Her mind wandered off in hopelessly romantic directions.
"When you master it," Lory said casually, "you'll be able to freeze mountains, split oceans. You could even conjure giant ice meteors to smash down from the sky."
One technique in particular—the ability to freeze time itself—remained uncertain.
But with enough talent, Eula might awaken it someday.
He spoke to inspire her training.
But Eula heard something else entirely:
If I become stronger, missions will end faster.
If missions end faster… I'll have more time with him.
Just like that, the once-proud heir of the Lawrence clan—the genius knight who shouldered the burden of her family—
…had turned into a completely lovestruck girl.
Anyone who knew Eula would drop their jaw in disbelief.