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After she departed, Ariel and he exchanged looks.
"Does she know?" Ariel whispered.
"My mother knows everything," he sighed. "The question is what she'll do about it."
That night, Ariel came to his chambers an hour after the household had settled into silence. She wore a simple nightdress beneath a dark robe, her hair loose around her shoulders.
"Are you certain about this?" she asked, standing awkwardly by the door.
"No," he admitted. "But theoretical knowledge only goes so far."
He patted the space beside him on the bed. She sat, keeping a careful distance.
"The texts say skin contact is necessary," he explained. "And the more... intimate the contact, the more efficient the transfer."
Her blush deepened. "How intimate?"
"Let's start basic." He extended his hand. "Palm to palm."
She placed her hand against his. Her skin felt unnaturally warm—her fire affinity manifesting physically.
"Now what?"
"Now I focus." He closed his eyes, searching for the sensation he felt his first day. A pulling feeling, a connection forming between energies.
Nothing happened.
He frowned, concentrating harder. Still nothing.
"Maybe try activating your Void Sight?" Ariel suggested.
He nodded, opening his eyes and channeling power to them. The three concentric circles manifested, his vision shifting to perceive magical energies.
Ariel gasped. "Your eyes..."
He could see her now—not just her physical form, but the swirling energy within her. Bright red and orange patterns flowed through her body, concentrated especially around her heart and hands. Her fire affinity, visible as actual flame-like currents.
"Beautiful," he murmured.
He focused on the connection between their hands, imagining a channel forming. Still nothing transferred.
"This isn't working." He released her hand, frustrated.
"The texts mentioned emotional states affecting efficiency," Ariel said quietly. "Perhaps we need..."
"More intensity," he finished.
Their eyes met.
"Try again," she whispered, leaning closer.
This time, he placed his hand against her cheek. Her skin flushed beneath his touch, warmth radiating outward.
He activated Void Sight again, focusing on the connection. A thin thread of energy stretched between them, but it was barely visible, hardly transferring anything.
"Better, but still inefficient," he muttered.
Ariel took a deep breath. "The texts said... maximum efficiency comes from..."
"I know what they said." He dropped his hand. "We don't have to—"
"I want to." Her voice was barely audible. "For your training. For House Valac."
For you, her eyes seemed to say.
He hesitated only a moment before leaning forward. Their lips met tentatively, a gentle pressure that quickly deepened as Ariel responded with unexpected eagerness.
The effect was immediate. His Void Sight showed energy flowing between them—a steady stream of her fire-tinged power transferring into his body. It felt warm, invigorating, like drinking sunlight.
Ariel made a small sound against his mouth—half surprise, half pleasure. Her hands found his shoulders, gripping tightly.
He pulled back slightly. "Are you okay?"
"Yes." Her eyes were dazed, pupils dilated. "It feels... strange. Good-strange."
"I can stop if—"
"Don't." She pressed forward again, kissing him with newfound confidence.
The energy flow intensified. He could taste her power—cinnamon and smoke and summer heat. His body absorbed it eagerly, converting it to his own shadowy essence.
Ariel shifted closer, eliminating the space between them. Her nightdress slipped from one shoulder as she moved to straddle his lap, never breaking the kiss.
"Ariel," he gasped, pulling away again. "This is—"
"Necessary," she finished, her breathing uneven. "For your training."
Her hips rolled against his, drawing a groan from deep in his chest. The energy transfer spiked, flowing faster, hotter.
"Wait." He gripped her waist, stilling her movements. "You're giving too much."
Her eyes were unfocused, cheeks flushed. "It feels good."
"You'll be drained." He touched her face gently. "We need to pace this."
She nodded reluctantly, then rested her forehead against his. "It feels so good."
They stayed that way for several minutes, connected physically and magically, until he felt her energy reserves dropping to concerning levels. He broke the connection, watching through Void Sight as the transfer ceased.
Ariel swayed slightly, her usual grace temporarily abandoned.
"Dizzy," she murmured.
He helped her lie down on his bed. "Rest. Your body needs to recover."
She didn't protest, her eyes already drifting closed. Within moments, her breathing deepened into sleep.
He watched her for a time, marveling at what had just happened. The power he'd absorbed felt different from his own—brighter, more volatile. It settled within him like a banked flame, ready to be called upon.
"This changes everything," he whispered to the sleeping form beside him.
The next four days established their routine. Mornings for elemental practice. Afternoons for shadow manipulation and combat training. Evenings for theoretical study and meditation.
And nights... nights were for Essence Drain.
Each session grew longer, more intense. Ariel's initial hesitance transformed into enthusiastic participation. Her soft moans and whispered encouragements became a nightly soundtrack as they explored the boundaries of the ability.
"More," she gasped on the fifth night, her body arched beneath his as he kissed a trail down her neck. "Take more."
"You're already light-headed," he murmured against her skin, feeling her pulse racing.
"I don't care." Her nails dug into his back through his shirt. "It feels too good to stop."
The energy flowed between them like liquid fire, filling his reserves to capacity and beyond. He could store more each time, process it faster, integrate it more efficiently.
By the sixth day, he could maintain Umbra—his shadow enhancement technique—for nearly three hours without fatigue. His elemental casting without circles had doubled in power. Even his physical strength and speed had improved.
The household staff noticed. Whispers followed him through the corridors.
"...never seen such progress..."
"...training day and night..."
"...Lady Selene is pleased..."
"...even Lord Alexius commented..."
He paid them no mind. Their approval meant nothing compared to the rush of growing stronger, of feeling his potential expand daily.
On the seventh morning, he sat cross-legged in the eastern courtyard, completely enveloped in Umbra. The living shadows wrapped around him like a second skin, responding to his will with perfect synchronization.
Through the darkness, he sensed a familiar presence approaching.
"Impressive," his mother's voice cut through his meditation. "You've stabilized the technique remarkably."
He allowed Umbra to recede gradually, revealing himself. "It's getting easier."
"I can see that." She studied him with those knowing eyes. "Your father would be pleased with your progress."
"Is he back?"
"He returns this evening." She adjusted her silver circlet. "Just in time for your dinner engagement."
He blinked. "Dinner engagement?"
"With House Astaroth." Her expression revealed mild surprise at his confusion. "I mentioned it a week ago."
Fuck, I forgot.
"Right. Latia." He stood, stretching his shadows back into normal proportions. "No chess matches this time?"
"I believe your position on such arrangements is well documented throughout the Underworld."
He grinned. "Just making sure."
"Clean yourself up," she instructed. "We depart in two hours. The Astaroth estate is some distance from here."
As she turned to leave, she paused. "Dante?"
"Yes, Mother?"
"Your progress this week has been extraordinary." Her eyes held something like pride mixed with caution. "But remember that true mastery comes from balance, not just intensity."
He nodded, though he had no intention of slowing down. "I'll keep that in mind."
After she departed, he summoned Umbra once more, letting the shadows embrace him completely. Within their dark cocoon, he smiled.
One week down. Power growing. Techniques refining. And this was just the beginning.
Latia Astaroth, huh? The magical prodigy niece of Ajuka Beelzebub himself. This dinner might be more interesting than expected.