Mushoku Impact

Exhaling the breath he had been holding, Paul's expression morphed into an ostensibly cold glower as he observed the woman a few meters away from him. The moment their eyes met, her figure appeared to blur for the briefest of moments, prompting Paul to draw his broadsword across the front of his body, the flat of the blade facing outward.
As if drawn to Paul's blade like a powerful magnet, the rapier-like blade of his opponent bent noticeably as the tip connected with the flat of Paul's blade. Instead of breaking or bending further, however, a pale white light briefly flashed along the length of the blade, instantly straightening it and causing Paul's feet to crack the earth beneath him as he firmly stood his ground.
Hurting Paul's pride a bit, his opponent smiled and said, "Not bad." as she brandished her blade in a flurry of elegant arcs that left visible, pale-white trails of light. None of her attacks managed to breach Paul's defense, but her tempo and spacing prevented him from countering.
Though the Water God Style was considered the counter to the Sword God Style, that logic only applied if both practitioners were purists with the temperament expected of their respective schools. If a user of the Sword God Style had a foundation in the Water God Style, they would be able to circumvent the latter's counters by simply remaining patient and never overcommitting to an attack.&nbsp;
Having spent five years practicing the Water God Style and learning 'true' swordsmanship from Ei, Barbara was a nightmare for practitioners of both the Sword and Water God Styles. Her attacks lacked power, but there was a reason neither school focused on strength. So long as you were fast and accurate with your strikes, your sword would take care of the rest.
As he grew increasingly frustrated the longer the fight lasted, gaps began to appear in Paul's defense. His sword was a lot heavier than the rapier-like blade in Barbara's hand, so, even if he wasn't moving around all that much, it placed a much greater strain on his muscles.
Correctly assuming that most of the gaps in Paul's defense were created to draw her in, Barbara maintained a faint smile as she kept her distance and practically danced around him like a wasp tormenting a beetle. She didn't actually enjoy deconstructing Paul's fighting style, but she knew he would feel even worse if she went 'easy' on him.
Clicking his tongue, Paul was prepared to go on the offensive, but Barbara immediately created some space between them, her right hand extending to unleash a lance-like torrent of water. He managed to cut through the attack and disperse much of it with a shockwave generated by Touki, but he still ended up being soaked by the frigid waters.
Exhaling another sigh, Paul shook his head and planted his sword into the ground, stating, "Let's call it here. If I get any more riled up, I may end up doing something stupid..."
Nodding her head in affirmation, Barbara sheathed her sword and said, "I understand." before making her way over to Paul and asking, "Now, what should I ask for~?" in a playful tone. As per Paul's suggestion, the winner of their spars could make virtually any request of the loser. Had he known he would lose every single one of their spars, he might have come up with something different.
Smiling wryly in response to Barbara's words, Paul attempted to wrap his arms around her but was prevented as she said, "You're wet." in a matter-of-factly tone. Then, before Paul could say anything in his defense, she adopted a squinty-eyed smile and suggested, "We should get you out of these clothes..."
Adopting a markedly more wolfish grin, Paul ignored Barbara's previous protest, shamelessly wrapping his arms around to squeeze her butt as he remarked, "So that's why you kept peppering me with Water Magic. Trying to get me out of my pants and into yours...?"
Giggling in response to Paul's words, Barbara tiptoed to plant a kiss on his lips before revealing, "I asked Esme to draw a bath..."
Though it was primarily theatrical, Paul winced in response to Barbara's words. He knew his chances of defeating her in a spar were slim, but it still kind of stung to hear her suggest she knew the outcome before they even fought.
Caressing Paul's face, Barbara said, "Don't worry. You're plenty strong. I just have more motivation to win..."
Punctuating her words, Barbara planted another kiss on Paul's lips. This time, however, she didn't immediately separate. Instead, she linked her arms around his neck and took the initiative to breach his lips with her tongue.
Though he couldn't help feeling that the dynamic in their relationship was reversing, Paul dutifully reciprocated Barbara's affections. He knew he was living a pretty blessed life surrounded by so many beautiful women, so he did his best not to complain just because things weren't going his way.&nbsp;
Just as Paul was thinking he needed to try harder, Ghislaine, who had been observing their spar a few meters away, immediately perked up, shouting, "Something's coming...!" as she unsheathed her fang-like sword.
Directly following Ghislaine's outburst, Paul also detected that something was fast approaching them. So fast, in fact, that by the time he released Barbara and prepared to grab his sword, it had already reached his side.
As Ghislaine prepared to leap to Paul's aid, the latter raised his hand and shouted, "Stop!" in a commanding tone. Because of this, Ghislaine nearly ended up face-planting into the snow as her feet stopped before her brain had fully processed what he said.
Though he was tempted to tease Ghislaine for her clumsiness, Paul was more focused on the fluffy, bluish-white creature that had appeared at his side. It was an inordinately beautiful creature with mesmeric, purple-pink eyes, a coat that resembled painted clouds, and, most notably, a pair of dark-purple horns that hummed with incredible power.
Recognizing the creature's identity almost immediately, Paul placed his forehead against its snout, affectionately caressing the underside of its head as he whispered, "Ganyu...it's good to see you..."
Taking advantage of the fact she was in her Qilin form, Ganyu responded to Paul's words with an affectionate lick before nuzzling against him with enough force to send his feet skidding backward. He did his best to stay upright but eventually fell over, a dilemma that was promptly followed by Ganyu plopping down and rolling onto her back as she shrunk down to a size capable of fitting in his lap.
Not expecting such an emotional response, Paul couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt as he caressed Ganyu's indescribably soft underbelly and whispered, "I missed you too..."
Curious about the creature's identity, Ghislaine cautiously approached the slightly annoyed-looking Barbara and questioned, "Is that Paul's pet? I've never seen or heard of a monster that could alter its size..."
Suppressing a sigh, Barbara shook her head and revealed, "That's Ganyu, one of our allies and another of Paul's lovers. She's able to transform and alter her size at will."
Though she was more than a little surprised at first, Ghislaine felt relieved when Barbara clarified that Ganyu could transform. If Paul was the kind of man that would even sleep with animals, she might have to reconsider her decision to follow him.
There was such a thing as being too 'open-minded' when it came to love...
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After making their way back to the city, Paul received permission from Barbara to let Ganyu join them in the bath. He ordinarily wouldn't ask for such a thing, but it was a bath she had prepared specifically for the two of them. If he coopted it without her approval, he would have felt even more like an ass.
Though she was a bit reluctant at first, Ganyu eventually transformed into her human form once they had reached the changing room. As ridiculous as the notion was, she was a little afraid that Paul would be put off by her more mature appearance, as, back in Liyue, many people had avoided her.
To Ganyu's considerable relief, Paul's reaction to her mature form could best be described as captivated befuddlement rather than disgust. There was also a fair amount of lust exuding from his aura, so Ganyu could feel the underside of her horns burning as she placed her hand over her heart and asked, "How do I look...?"
Since Barbara was also present, Paul did his best to control himself as he smiled and whispered, "As beautiful as always..."
Seeing through Paul's thoughts, Ganyu shifted her attention to Barbara, an apologetic expression marring her face as she said, "I feel I owe you an apology, Lady Barbara. I have clearly intruded upon you and Master Paul. For that, I sincerely apologize."
Discarding her mild annoyance, Barbara dismissively waved her hand, insisting, "You've done nothing warranting an apology. Rather, you must be exhausted after trekking all the way here from the Strife Zone. Letting you join us in the bath is the least I could do."
Though she could tell that Barbara wasn't being completely honest with herself, Ganyu returned a smile and said, "You're a very kind person." in a sincere tone. Not all humans could set aside their wants and needs out of respect and concern for others.
Feeling a little sheepish, Barbara briefly considered excusing herself so that Paul and Ganyu could have some alone time together. Instead, she took the initiative to begin undressing, saying, "I'm actually a very selfish person..." under her breath.&nbsp;
Hearing Barbara's utterance, a more prominent smile developed across Ganyu's face. Barbara's behavior reminded her a lot of Paul, as no matter how often he helped others, he would perpetually insist he wasn't a good person.&nbsp;
Returning her gaze to Paul, Ganyu's eyes briefly lost focus as she silently observed him removing his damp clothing. She hadn't noticed it before, as she was primarily focused on the radiance of his aura, but he had matured considerably since their last encounter...
Noticing Ganyu staring at him with a dreamy expression on her face, Paul could feel a strangely fluttery sensation spreading through his body as he forced a cocky smile and asked, "Like what you see...?"
Without losing her unfocused look, Ganyu nodded her head and muttered, "Yes..." in a delicate yet naturally penetrating tone. Her voice could barely be called a whisper, but Paul felt as though they had been carved directly upon his heart.
"..."
Noticing the changes in Paul's aura, Ganyu promptly regained her senses, a light glaze spreading across the surface of her eyes as she stared up at him and said, "It's okay..." in a permissive tone.
("This woman...")
Swallowing the knot that had formed in his throat, Paul shook his head and half-heartedly replied, "Maybe later..." before quickly stripping out of his pants. He noticed Ganyu's gaze immediately descending to his lower body but pretended not to as he grabbed a towel and hurriedly slipped past both her and Barbara.
Seeing Paul practically run away, Barbara briefly fell into a daze before shifting her attention to the culprit responsible. She was tempted to ask Ganyu for advice but found herself awestruck as she observed the blue-haired Adeptus staring longingly in the direction Paul had departed. The backdrop of the changing room wasn't even remotely scenic, but Ganyu's presence made the scene resemble a masterful painting...
"..."
Sensing the changes in Barbara's aura, Ganyu blinked back to her senses before turning to the stone-faced blonde and saying, "You shouldn't be so concerned with how you compare to others. Master cares deeply for you. Is that not enough?"
Surprised by Ganyu's words, Barbara opened her mouth but found herself momentarily unable to speak. Her first instinct was to apologize, but she quickly suppressed it and answered, "It is." in the most sincere tone she could manage. Ganyu could tell she wasn't being entirely truthful, but that didn't stop her from adopting a smile and saying, "I see why Master chose you. The two of you are very alike..."
And like that, Ganyu suddenly became one of Barbara's favorite people...
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&nbsp;

"Master...shall I wash your back...?"
Having already made himself comfortable in the square-shaped bath, big enough for five people, Paul shook his head and said, "Maybe in a bit. For now, why don't the two of you take the seats next to me...?"
Since Barbara had entered alongside Ganyu, Paul made sure to address both girls to avoid any future problems. Barbara's mentality had improved during her stay at the Sword Sanctum, but there were still moments when her jealousy flared.
"Excuse/Pardon me..."
With Barbara sitting on his right and Ganyu sitting on his left, Paul wasn't entirely sure where to direct his gaze. As a result, he kept his eyes closed, head reclined against the thick padding that surrounded the tub.
Shattering Paul's false meditative state, Ganyu leaned her head against his shoulder and whispered, "It's been a long time since I've bathed with Master. I've missed it..."
"Mmm..."
Wrapping his arms around the shoulders of both girls, Paul pulled them a little closer, silence lingering between them for several seconds before he asked, "So what brings you to Sharia? Not that I mind, mind you..."
Though she didn't respond immediately, her eyes focused on the profile of Paul's face, Ganyu eventually replied, "Beidou has been killed. Most of her fleet has been destroyed, and the remaining ships seized..."
Snapping open his eyes, Paul immediately became more alert as he sat up straight and exclaimed, "What the fuck?" followed by, "Who killed her?" in a much more severe tone.
Nodding her head, Ganyu went on to reveal, "We don't know the specific details as of yet, but we do know she was attacked and defeated by the Sword God, Gal Farion. When we received notice of what had happened, Lady Ningguang immediately ordered me to come to you."
Understanding why Ningguang would send Ganyu rather than waiting for an investigation to be conducted, Paul's expression remained serious as he said, "I'll open the Intersection of Fate tonight. We'll find out the truth from Beidou directly."
Satisfied that Paul had understood Ningguang's intentions, Ganyu's faint smile became more prominent as she nuzzled her head against him and whispered, "Until then, please let me remain at your side..."
"..."x2
Feeling guiltier every time Ganyu spoke, Paul eventually forced a smile as he said, "You know...you could always stay with me. I'd have to be an idiot not to want you around..."
Understanding that Paul was expressing his sincerity, Ganyu's expression melted into a dreamy smile as she uttered, "I'd like that..." before adopting a marginally sadder look and asking, "But what about Lady Ningguang...?"
Answering in Paul's stead, Barbara pointedly remarked, "I don't see the issue here. Paul was the one chosen as our Master, not Ningguang. If he wants you at his side, you should stay."
Though she appreciated Barbara's support, Ganyu kept her focus on Paul, clarity gradually returning to her painting-like irises as she whispered, "If only things were that simple...isn't that right, Master...?"
Exhaling a weary sigh, Paul wanted to refute Ganyu's words but couldn't. As much as a part of him wanted to hide away and indulge himself in a life of lust and sensuality, he just couldn't. The past him might have been able to, but the moment he transcended death and reincarnated into a fantasy world, an ever-expanding list of things he wanted to do had formed in his mind.&nbsp;
Paul had already wasted one life...he couldn't waste another...
Shaking his head, Paul's expression and tone softened as he said, "Forget about that. For now, the only thing that matters is that we're together like this..."
Though his words were a response to Ganyu, Paul made sure to squeeze both her and Barbara before trading kisses with both of them. It had been years since the last time he saw the mesmerizing blunette. He didn't want to waste even a moment fretting over the few negative aspects of his life.
With a beautiful woman in both arms, even reasonable complaints would come across as whining to those envious of his position...
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After lingering in the bath for so long that the water had become cold, Paul led Ganyu and Barbara upstairs to find Jean, Ei, Eula, Razor, Fischl, Roxy, Xiangling, and Ghislaine waiting for them to arrive. Paul had asked Ghislaine to retrieve everyone before getting into the bath, so he gave her a pat on the head while Roxy remarked, "She's beautiful..." in response to seeing Ganyu for the first time.
Feeling a little more confident now that everyone had gathered, Paul playfully retorted, "You all are." before punctuating his statement with a wink. His words and actions managed to elicit a faint blush from the petite Migurdian, but she quickly recovered to ask, "Is it true she can transform into a white beast?" while scrutinizing Ganyu from horn to toe.
Though Ganyu would have readily demonstrated her ability to transform, Paul answered, "Questions like that can wait for later. For now, we need to discuss the reason for Ganyu's visit and our plans for the future. As much as I've enjoyed our stay in Sharia, there is a much larger world waiting for us."
With everyone's attention focused on him, Paul took a moment to make himself comfortable next to Ghislaine before directing Ganyu to sit next to him. Barbara had already taken the initiative to sit next to her sister, so he didn't have to worry about choosing between them.
Once he had made himself comfortable, Paul briefly exchanged glances with everyone around the table as he revealed, "The Sword God has killed Beidou and assisted in the destruction of her fleet. We'll know the specific details once I resurrect her, but-"
Hearing Paul mention resurrecting people, Roxy couldn't help exclaiming, "One moment. What do you mean, 'once I resurrect her.' Resurrection is a God-Ranked Healing Magic."
Though she had been given some insight into the Intersection of Fate and the nature of Visions, this was Roxy's first time hearing about Paul's ability to resurrect the spirits he had summoned. If he were telling the truth, that would put him in a similar category as Perugius, one of the most powerful and influential people in the world.
Before Paul could provide some clarification to counter Roxy's outburst, Ghislaine suddenly squeezed his hand and asked, "Do you intend to fight against the Sword God?" in an audibly nervous tone. She had started to believe that Ei was even more frightening, but Ghislaine still had a deeply rooted fear and respect for Gal's strength. He was, after all, Rank 6 of the Seven Great Powers.
Putting Ghislaine's heart and mind at ease, Paul didn't hesitate to answer, "There's no way in hell I'm fighting Gal at my current level. I might be able to pull it off in five to ten years, but even that's up for debate..."
Though he briefly shifted his gaze to Ei, Paul didn't point out that she was his countermeasure against people on Gal's level. Instead, he went on to add, "Besides, I'm not entirely sure Gal is our enemy, at least not in the truest sense. He's the type of person that only truly cares about fighting against strong opponents. Unless he was ordered to by the King of Asura, I can't see him going out of his way to track us down..."
As much as Paul was lauded as a 'prodigy' by the masses, Gal was one of the few people who knew the truth. Paul could imagine the man hunting him down, but, similar to Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter, the battle-crazed swordsman would wait until he had fully matured before seeking him out.
Shaking such thoughts from his mind, Paul straightened his back a little before hypothesizing, "If I had to guess, Gal was ordered to investigate the Shirone Kingdom where he ultimately encountered Beidou. She isn't the type of woman to back down from a fight, so it isn't unreasonable to think that she was the one to provoke him. After that, well, there's no way in hell the Shirone Kingdom wouldn't take advantage of the situation..."
Having suffered several bruisings due to Beidou's bodacious nature, Paul could easily imagine her picking a fight after Gal called her weak. It would also explain why Ningguang had dispatched Ganyu to ascertain the truth. There was no way she would have been ignorant of Gal's movements, so she was probably the most surprised by Beidou's sudden death.
Imagining the vexed expression on Ningguang's face, Paul couldn't help adopting a faint smile as he went on to explain, "Regardless of the truth, it doesn't change the fact that we need to depart Sharia. If we stay here for much longer, it's only a matter of time before the Nobility begins trying to pressure or tie us to them."
As both Count Schmidt and the Principal of the Ranoa Magic Academy had extended him invitations to attend various galas and other forms of social gatherings, Paul knew he was treading on thin ice. The longer he stayed in Sharia, the more vulnerable his position would become. He was already regarded as the 'Big Boss' of the Western District, so it was only a matter of time before someone risked leveraging their well-being against him.
Nobles would never allow a power beyond their control to prosper in their territory. Not without some extreme benefits.
Directing his gaze to Roxy, Paul's expression and tone became serious as he asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Pardon...?"
Though she wasn't as confused as she was letting on, Roxy wanted to hear what Paul had to say before giving her response. In truth, she had already decided to remain in Sharia and apprentice under Lisa, but she could always change her mind if Paul insisted she come with him.
Deciding to be honest, Paul explained, "You're a competent woman, Roxy, but the Nobility is filled with opportunistic fiends and complete bastards. I don't plan to stay for too long, but there is a good chance you would be jeopardized and harassed if you followed me to the Capital. Depending on how things develop, you may even end up being labeled an international criminal."
Suppressing the part of her that wanted to insist she could take care of herself, Roxy exhaled a muted sigh before answering, "I have also come to realize how weak I am compared to the other members of your Party. Even your cook is at least Saint-Ranked in Fire Magic while I'm struggling to reach the Advanced Rank..."
Before Paul could attempt to console her, Roxy shook her head and said, "Don't. Even if you were being sincere, I wouldn't be able to interpret your words as anything more than pretense. I understand that it's my fault for being weak, so just be prepared. If you don't write frequently, I'll...I'll hunt you to the ends of the world once I become stronger..."
Though she did her best to appear resolute, Roxy began to falter near the end of her statement. The eyes of nearly everyone present were focused on her, so she could feel her face and body heating up as a sudden urge to pull her cap over her face swelled from the back of her mind.
Making things significantly worse for the petite blunette, Ganyu couldn't help remarking, "You don't have to worry. He tries to behave casually, but Master is a very possessive man at heart. Even if you didn't come for him, he would eventually come to you."
With everyone around the table offering some form of acknowledgment to Ganyu's statement, Roxy wasn't the only one feeling embarrassed. He did his best to appear relaxed, but everyone could see that Paul's smile was a little forced as an awkward chuckle emanated from his throat...
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&nbsp;

As much as she enjoyed Paul's passionate ministrations, it was what came after that cemented Roxy's affection for him.&nbsp;
Since Roxy didn't have the remarkable convenience of an Elemental Seal, Paul couldn't help feeling a little guilty when he saw the petite blunette sprawled out across the bed, her body covered in more than just sweat.
With his stamina far outclassing Roxy's, Paul insisted that she focus on recovering while he used a warm wet towel to wipe her down. When he did, the vigor she had exhibited during their love-making was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she became increasingly embarrassed, her face turning a faint shade of crimson as she observed Paul's actions with the intensity of a hawk.
Waiting until he was just about finished up, Paul asked, "What's with the death stare? I told you I would care for you, didn't I?"
Feeling even more embarrassed, Roxy averted her head and eyes to the side, her response barely audible as she whispered, "I've never heard of a Noble like you..."
Exhibiting his practiced shamelessness, Paul adopted a cocky smile as he mused, "I mean, yeah, that's kind of the point. If I were any other Noble, I wouldn't have been exiled due to the First Prince's paranoia. We've never even met, and the man regards me like a snake in his chamberpot."
Turning to meet Paul's gaze, Roxy asked, "Was he right to be concerned? Even though I've agreed to follow you, you've never actually told me what your objective was. I'm still not entirely convinced you're not the leader of a cult..."
Maintaining his cocky look, Paul playfully retorted, "Yet you still gave me your virginity? I'm honored..."
Taking advantage of the fact he was cleaning Roxy's calves, Paul bent down to plant a kiss on her thigh. Roxy's face immediately turned a more vibrant shade of red, but she didn't look away as she replied, "I might not have if it wasn't for that girl. What was her name again? Barbara...?"
Seeing Paul nod his head, Roxy continued, "The greatest regret of my life was not being truthful and confronting my Master before she departed on her journey. Because of that, I spent years tracking her down, always one, maybe two steps behind. I endured numerous hardships, yet by the time I managed to catch up to her, she didn't even remember who I was..."
As she had already revealed much of her story to Paul, Roxy shook away her negative thoughts before adding, "When Barbara implied that I might regret missing out on the opportunity to be with you, my memories from that period promptly resurfaced. I'm honestly not sure if I made the right choice, but I'm positive I would never be able to stop thinking about it if I just allowed you to leave..."
"..."
Awed by the sincerity of Roxy's words, Paul found himself at a loss for his own. Fortunately, he had always been more of a man of action, so he only hesitated for a brief moment before squeezing her left hand and leaning forward to plant a kiss on her lips. Roxy was a little startled by his actions but offered no resistance as his tongue slipped into her mouth, slowly and deliberately tracing the line of her gums as she did her best to reciprocate his affections...
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Thanks to an ample application of Healing Magic, Roxy managed to avoid the awkward ordeal of being seen floundering around bowlegged when she and Paul finally emerged from the bedroom. Unfortunately, she had failed to consider that Amalie's residence wasn't just a business but one operating in the middle of a Beast Race community.
Seeing a crowd of people staring at her with smiles the moment she and Paul emerged from the upstairs corridor, Roxy's complexation alternated between being white as a sheet and red as a cherry. At the same time, her mind immediately reminded her of the reason she had wandered upstairs the previous night.
Just as Roxy was starting to regret leaving her oversized witch's cap back in her room, Paul placed his hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it as he said, "No regrets, right?"
Though she had a sudden urge to stomp on Paul's foot, Roxy ultimately nodded her head before leaning closer to him and repeating, "No regrets."
Having been informed of Paul's actual objectives, including the reason for his looming return to the Asura Kingdom, Roxy felt a lot less apprehensive than she had a few hours prior. She was a little miffed to learn that he had inadvertently knocked someone up but was strangely relieved to discover it was none other than the Water God, Reida Reia. It was like her decision to sleep with Paul had been validated by the fact that even Gods were not immune to his charms...
While Roxy was momentarily lost in her thoughts, Paul guided her through the dining room by hand, casually greeting everyone they passed. He had memorized the names of nearly every permanent resident of the Western District, not because he had to, but because people were a lot less prone to violence when you could single them out.
Lesson thirty-three of being a proper Lord: Familiarity breeds compliance.
After making their way to the kitchen for some much-needed sustenance, even Roxy was pleasantly surprised to find just about everyone, sans Lisa, Rosaria, and Lynette, waiting for them. Even Fischl was present, smiling as she met eyes with the petite blunette and said, "Congratulations, Roxy." in an ostensibly sincere tone.
Before Roxy could respond, Barbara left her at a loss for words by openly inquiring, "How was it? I've never really experienced doing it with anyone else, but I've heard from a reliable source that Paul is very talented when it comes to pleasing women."
Smiling broadly at Barbara's 'unintentional' praise, Paul stood noticeably straighter as he replied, "It would be weirder if I weren't. I sure as hell get a lot of practice."
As if Paul's words were a perfect segue, Barbara adopted a playful smile of her own as she inquired, "Speaking of which, have you explained your 'unique' constitution to Roxy? Does she know you get stronger the more you have sex~?"
"..."
Unused to Barbara's brazenness, Paul found himself unable to respond. Instead, it was Roxy who inquisitively inquired, "Is that true? I've heard speculation regarding the existence of Mana within semen, but it isn't a subject that is openly discussed within the academic community, much less polite society."
Recovering a bit during Roxy's dialogue, Paul scratched the back of his head as he explained, "The truth has been lost to time, but it's believed that the predecessor of the Greyrat Houses was a remarkably powerful Succubus, potentially even Lilith herself. During the First Great Human-Demon War, she was rumored to be the companion of one of the Seven Heroes who defeated the Demon Empress. All I know for certain is that there is a growing faction backed by the Milis Church that blames her for the current state of the Asuran Nobility."
Noticing the contempt in Paul's expression and tone, Roxy decided not to suggest there might be some truth to such claims. Instead, she got back to the original subject, asking, "So you grow more powerful the more you have sex? That seems...exploitable...'
Answering in place of Paul, Barbara appeared somewhat giddy as she clarified, "It isn't just Paul. Though the effect is most prominent for those who possess Visions, his-"
Interrupting before her sister could finish, Jean shouted, "Barbara...!" in a stern, disproving tone. She knew that Barbara was just trying to get Roxy a bit more excited about being a part of their group, but there was a time and a place for everything. Talking about the benefits of having sex when 'outsiders' were present wasn't a good idea.
Following her sister's gaze, Barbara noticed that the group of women currently learning how to cook from Xiangling was paying more attention to them than their lessons. Xiangling also had an understandably helpless smile on her face, so Barbara immediately lost some of her vigor, lowering her head and pressing the tips of her fingers together as she said, "Sorry. I may have gotten a little too excited..."
Lightening the mood a little, Paul interrupted whatever Jean was about to say by insisting, "It's not that big a deal. Let's just keep bedroom topics in the bedroom from now on, okay? Right now, I'm fucking starving."
Furrowing her brows, Eula muttered, "Language." but Paul just adopted one of his usual smiles before grabbing a piece of lamb from Ghislaine's plate. She gave him a look that screamed betrayal, but he paid it no mind as he sat between her and Razor and subsequently invited Roxy to do the same.
With the trio from the Sword Sanctum returned and now Roxy, Paul knew he would need more than just his Dendro Vision to preserve his stamina...
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"Do you maybe think this is a bit much...?"
Hearing Paul's remark, Roxy furrowed her brows and said, "Quiet. It's hard enough to focus as is..."
After learning that Paul could effectively replenish her Mana, Roxy couldn't help wondering just how effective the process was. Thus, even though she was blushing up to her ears, she continued to slowly rock her hips back and forth, supported by Paul's hands as she channeled Healing Magic into a bottle of purified water. This was technically the process of creating Holy Water, but the Milis Church would probably lose their minds if they saw the method Roxy was using to maintain the supply of magical energy.
Though he felt a growing urge to push the focused blunette forward and pound her until she couldn't think straight, Paul compromised by reducing the strength in his hands ever so slightly. As a result, Roxy slipped further down his shaft, an action that sent a faint tremor up her spine and caused her entire body to tense.
Understanding what Paul was doing, Roxy said, "Please be patient..." in a shaky tone. She knew she wasn't exactly being fair to Paul right now, but she 'had' to know the limits of his ability to replenish Mana. Thus, for the past two and a half weeks, they had been performing this particular ritual at least three times a day.
Rolling his eyes, Paul dutifully supported Roxy's small yet incredibly soft butt without further teasing. She barely weighed 32kgs even when fully clothed, so it required minimal effort on his part. His only complaint was that Roxy's sensitivity meant she had to move painfully slow in order to maintain her focus. Paul was used to far more intense types of sex so, even though Roxy was inarguably the tightest among his current lovers, the slow grinding actually caused his penis to feel numb.
Fortunately, even with Paul's 'assistance,' Roxy's Mana reserves weren't exceptionally high. She was around the level of an average Saint-Ranked Magician, so she could only continue channeling Healing Magic for a few minutes before completely exhausting her reserves.
With the pale green light fading from her palms, Roxy exhaled a tired sigh before falling face-forward between Paul's legs and mumbling, "Do what you want..." in a weary tone. Mana deficiency caused similar symptoms as physical exhaustion, so she couldn't even maintain her posture when her tank was empty.&nbsp;
That's where Paul came in.
Rising to a seated position, Paul made sure that Roxy's hips wouldn't fall before reaching forward to hook his hands beneath her knees. He could feel her insides tense up like a vice, but that didn't stop him from forcing her to sit back up, her back against his chest and tongue protruding as he raised and lowered her body entire body along his shaft...
Though all of Paul's women were on the lighter side, excluding the 70kg Ghislaine, Roxy's size and weight made her particularly easy to handle. It had bothered her quite a bit near the beginning, but, as she couldn't move of her own accord while fatigued, Roxy had secretly come to enjoy being held up by Paul. There was something about being suspended and feeling helpless that made her heart race...
...
..
.

Chapter 92: MI92: Suppression