Letran City, Auburn Residences.
By the time the two of them returned, night had already fallen.
Stepping outside the plane, Zold and Maria looked at each other quietly.
As the two waited for each other to speak first, a brief silence passed by.
Seeing Maria's direct gaze, Zold turned around as he spoke slowly.
"I'll go first. Goodnight."
Maria smiled, her cheeks reddening slightly. She stared at his back and murmured. "I had fun on this trip."
She paused, then continued in a lower tone.
"... If you don't mind, do you want to do this again sometime?"
Hearing that, Zold suddenly stopped on his steps. He turned around and glanced at her, seeing her cheeks redden slightly as her eyes turned evasive.
"If I'm not busy."
He replied, walking away calmly.
"Why not?"
It was just a few handful words.
But to Maria, that was enough.
Her lips formed a radiant smile.
Walking away from the Auburn Residences, Zold moved through the streets with unusually unfocused eyes.
This trip with Maria confirmed something strange.
He behaved differently when he was with her.
It wasn't just his actions. Even his emotions often fluctuated.
'I didn't expect Regression to be this troublesome…'
The change unnerved him, more than he was willing to admit.
He thought he could detach himself quite easily. But ever since he returned, he couldn't even remain rational when facing other people.
Accepting the twins was one thing. But Maria…
Zold rubbed his fingers together, forcing his thoughts back into order.
At that moment, a burst of neon light suddenly flashed over him, forcing him to stop.
'Huh…'
Zold raised his head and suddenly, he was unable to take his gaze away.
Step… step…
Colorful neon lights adorned each building, a poster of a famous movie star was displayed in a mall, people passed by each other in the streets, entering and leaving one establishment after another—
Magically, it was as if the world slowed down in his eyes.
'This is…'
It was strange.
Evidently, the world had been turned upside down by the recent Spiritual Awakening, but after a few days… things were back in order.
Maybe that was normal to others—
But to him, it wasn't that simple.
The world wasn't just turned upside down.
It was destroyed.
Yet, now…
Everything was back like how it used to be, as if nothing had ever happened.
"Normal, huh."
Zold muttered under his breath, a melancholic feeling creeping up in his heart.
Then, at that moment he saw a couple enter inside a mall, holding each other's hands.
He shouldn't have paid attention to them. By all means, there was nothing worth noting of such irrelevant people, but…
A name suddenly flashed through his mind, causing his expression to change.
Zold immediately shook his head.
"... How stupid. Childish."
He spat out, clenching his hand.
"I must be so free to be able to think of such useless things."
He was clenching his hand so tight that it was turning white.
After going through hell and beyond, how could he go back to being human as if nothing ever happened?!
How could he think of such things while the Apostles were still out there?!
How could he forget that this wasn't his world anymore?!
Even if his human side did return, he couldn't accept it.
He didn't dare accept it.
Zold Starks should be an unfeeling, single-minded machine—
With the sole goal of eliminating the Apostles.
Nothing else, nothing more.
The wind passed by, making his clothes flutter as he snapped back to reality.
"The kids are waiting at home. I have to hurry."
Zold let out a sigh. He brushed the strange feelings aside, and quickly walked towards his home.
As long as the Apostles still existed, and the disasters remain, he wouldn't indulge himself in such pointless thoughts.
When he returned to his villa, he exhaled lightly before opening the door.
Click!
Inside, Leo and Lia were in the living hall, watching the TV as they ate.
Hearing the door open, Leo shifted his gaze, his eyes widening.
"Teacher! You're back!"
"Teacher!"
Lia was also surprised, smiling cutely.
Seeing their eager expressions, Zold's heart couldn't help but soften. But remembering what happened earlier, he couldn't help but frown.
"... I'm back. How were you two while I was gone?"
Leo hesitated, seeing Zold's solemn expression. He answered with a low tone. "We were okay, teacher. Have you had dinner yet? I cooked fried rice and roasted pork…"
Zold nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll get it ready then, teacher!"
Leo's expression brightened momentarily. He quickly went to the kitchen and brought back a plate and a pair of spoon and fork.
"Here, teacher."
"Did anyone come by this day?"
Zold asked as he sat down with them at the living room table.
"No," Leo shook his head, doubtful. He asked. "Was someone supposed to come?"
Zold shook his head. "No. I was just asking."
He changed the topic. "How are you two's progress in the basics?"
"I'm doing okay," Leo smiled, then he added. "I should be able to form the cube using spiritual energy soon. Tomorrow at latest."
"Good." Zold wasn't surprised. He shifted his gaze. "And you, Lia?"
"Oh, teacher," Lia showed some hesitation. "I already finished the exercises you gave me…"
Zold paused, his hands freezing in the air briefly. But after a moment, he simply nodded his head.
"That's great."
Hearing that, Lia sighed in relief, her smile returning. "Really? Yay! Will you give me another set of exercises, teacher?"
"We'll talk about it tomorrow." Zold said calmly.
To be honest, he was a bit shocked.
If Lia's words were true, then she was undoubtedly an extremely talented Martial Artist.
When the Übermensch released his Expression Path System, it wasn't merely an idea. He supported it with documented research and experimental evidence, even including foundational exercises for each path.
Only after mastering these exercises could one truly be considered a practitioner of that Expression Path.
Zold had originally estimated that it would take them a couple of days, if not weeks to master, since he also modified the exercises slightly.
But the quiet and unassuming Lia threw a curve ball at his expectations.
Leo widened his eyes.
"Are you serious Lia!? You're amazing…!"
He also tried those exercises, but he found them extremely difficult.
Even doing a single proper set was impossible for him.
"It's nothing!"
Lia smiled smugly, but remembering that her teacher was here, she immediately turned shy.
"I-I mean… it's okay…"
Zold didn't show a reaction at all, seemingly distracted.
'Talented…'
He glanced at the two kids. In his mind, he was thinking maybe it was better if they weren't associated with him.
With their talents, they could guarantee themselves a better life.
The tasteful and flavorful food suddenly turned dry in his palette.
After having dinner with the twins, Zold returned to his room.
First, he absorbed the Spirit Orbs he obtained from his trip.
After a while, he obtained a total of eight skills.
From the White Armament Butterfly, he got:
[White Armament — Coats the user's body or weapon in hardened white energy, greatly improving defense and striking force. Minimal energy consumption.]
Then, from the Golden Horned Lightning Sheep, he got:
[Frenzied Lightning — Unleashes a rapid flurry of lightning-charged strikes, allowing the user to move and attack with unnerving speed.]
[Yellow Voltage — Empowers the user's body with crackling lightning energy, drastically increasing movement speed and all senses. Every step and strike feels instantaneous, like riding a surge of raw electricity. State lasts for 5 minutes.]
[Lightning Horned Thrust — Concentrates lightning-energy to the head. The farther the distance travelled, the stronger the impact and destructive potential.]
From the three White Dusted Wolves, he got:
[Intimidating Howl — Releases a chilling roar that unsettles and demoralizes weaker foes.]
[Cold Thick Skin — Encases the user's body in dense, frost-hardened skin, reducing damage from physical and elemental attacks.]
[Cold Breath — Exhales a frigid gust of air that can slow, freeze, or stagger targets.]
[Ice Bite — Imbues the user's teeth with extreme cold, dealing additional frost damage and temporarily freezing what is struck.]
[Freezing Control — Grants the ability to manipulate nearby ice or frost, shaping it to immobilize opponents, create barriers, or enhance attacks.]
His gains during this trip were plentiful.
Not only did he obtain [White Armament] and the skills of the Golden Lightning Horned Sheep, he also gained lightning-type spiritual energy and ice-type spiritual energy.
His spiritual energy quantity and quality also gained a substantial boost, elevating his attributes slightly.
With two Tier III Beasts taken down, he only needed to kill four more before ascending to the Vital Spark stage.
Alternatively, he could comprehend skills instead of killing more beasts.
He opened up his attributes.
—
STRENGTH: 33
SPEED: 33
DEFENSE: 33
SPIRIT: 33
LUCK: 25
EVOLUTION POINTS: 0
—
Unfortunately, since he didn't solo kill the three Tier III Beasts this trip, he didn't get any evolution points.
Absorbing Tier I and Tier II beasts barely gave him any attribute points.
After checking his attributes, Zold let out a deep breath and pushed all his worries aside.