Chapter 16

A few more rounds dissolved the awkward atmosphere faster than I’d expected. By the seventh time, when she could barely move and her legs had gone limp, satisfaction finally settled over me—and my cock finally demanded rest.

Instead of exhaustion, energy flooded through me. Every minor ache from when I’d first woken had vanished completely. The difference shocked me.

During our marathon, I’d worried someone might walk in and wanted to stop, but Selena insisted we were safe.

Before the fifth round, I’d managed to ask her name—fumbling over the words like an idiot.

Afterward, we talked.

Selena came from a distinguished family called Velan. In their glory days, her household had been legendary healers—they could regenerate severed limbs, and rumors claimed they’d even raised the dead. But their prestige crumbled when summoners began contracting Spirit summons capable of healing anything. Her family’s bloodline ability weakened with each generation.

Still, she’d found a way to strengthen her gifts: expanding her essence pool. It should have been impossible, but she believed—Selena believed—with absolute conviction. Restoring her family’s name was her only hope.

No one had visited this clinic since the academy’s founding, she explained. The Kingdom maintained it purely as a gesture to honor her fallen house. A far more advanced infirmary existed where Spirit summons healed wounds instantly—which explained her surprise when I’d been brought here.

Our meeting, however it came about, was a blessing in disguise. She certainly seemed to think so.

I had my own reasons to agree. My essence pool had grown beyond anything I’d imagined.

SUMMONER STATUS

Name: Cade Marlowe

Rank: F

Spirit Essence: 300/300

Active Spirits: 1/5

MAIN ATTRIBUTES

• Summoner’s Touch (Basic) Lv. 1

• Infinite Vitality (Basic) Lv. 2

• Perfect Fit (Basic) Lv. 2

EXTRA ATTRIBUTES

• Emperor’s Presence (Basic) Lv. 1

• Strategic Apex (Basic) Lv. 1

• Conqueror’s Will (Basic) Lv. 1

• Warlord’s Command (Basic) Lv. 1

’Holy shit... I thought it was a fluke when I jacked off earlier, but I really can increase my essence pool through sex.’

I dropped onto the bed, grinning at my status screen.

’My essence pool is climbing but my rank isn’t budging. Why? Is this another glitch?’

I sighed and leaned back. At that moment, Selena emerged from her office into the ward, properly dressed now. Her black skirt hugged her curves, ending mid-thigh. Her hips swayed with each step, honey-brown skin glowing beneath the white light.

She settled beside me on the bed, resting her chin on one hand. Her gaze drifted upward, distant with thought. Blonde hair framed her face, and despite the subtle lines that marked her as older, she remained striking—a beauty who could easily pass for my age at first glance, though closer inspection revealed she was at least in her early thirties.

"Hey... are you okay?"

She blinked, focus returning. That gentle smile curved her lips—the kind only older women seemed to master.

"I’m fine." The smile deepened. "Just thinking about what you told me. You’ve been through hell."

I chuckled. "It’s alright. I got rewarded for it anyway."

Her expression froze, surprise washing over her features. She pointed at herself, eyes wide.

"By reward, you mean... me?"

A grin spread across my face.

"Nope. I’m getting stronger. This nirvana you mentioned? It works just like dual cultivation."

She clicked her tongue, gaze sliding away.

"What a letdown. It wouldn’t have hurt to give this lady a compliment or two."

I studied her profile. "You didn’t need compliments. You did it for the reward too, didn’t you?"

A breath escaped her lips.

"You’re right... but it’s two people having sex. You’re just going to brush that aside?"

"Of course not. But don’t tell me you’re getting attached after fucking me once."

Her smile stretched tight, muscles fighting something beneath.

"What do you mean... once? You were—nevermind, I see you’re the cocky type."

I leaned back. "Not really. But you said it yourself—you searched everywhere for someone who could take you to nirvana and found no one. I did something no one else ever could. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got attached."

The forced smile grew more brittle.

"Well, y—you’re not wrong. Not that I remember phrasing it like that."

I closed the distance between us, hands finding her hips, pulling her toward me.

"You didn’t need to. Your desperation spoke a thousand times louder than your voice ever could."

Her expression froze. Color flooded her cheeks. Then she smirked.

"You seem to be REALLY getting into character for someone who just lost his virginity."

I pressed a hand to my chest. "I’m surprised myself. But I think you may have unleashed the Demon Emperor in me. You have my gratitude, Selena. If you want, I can make you—"

She yanked free and shot to her feet, hands on her hips.

"I have to go to the public guild now. You don’t need to go back to that place. I can give you the clinic keys—you can stay here. But getting into the academy grounds at night is difficult. You’ll have to be careful and—"

My stomach growled, cutting through her words.

I laughed, pressing a hand to my belly.

"Ah, right..."

She crossed her arms, gaze dropping to me.

"After all that, I’m surprised you haven’t passed out."

I grinned. "Different kind of stamina. You mentioned the guild—is that a Summoner’s Guild?"

She shook her head.

"No. I don’t have business at the Summoner’s Guild. Besides, what happened between us demands secrecy. However effective nirvana proved to be, it’s forbidden. I could be arrested and executed for it."

I straightened. "What? Executed for having sex? People fuck every day."

"You don’t understand." Her voice dropped. "Before and even after a thousand years ago, women across Ealdrim have felt pleasure during sex—but we’ve never been able to climax. That peak where it’s supposed to reach paradise? That glimpse of transcendence? It doesn’t exist for us. There are rumors about Giantkin, but not many are willing to be fucked by a giant."

Her stare intensified.

"Your existence is both blessing and curse. If others who know the truth about nirvana—like me—hear about you, they’ll hunt you for obvious reasons. But if the Church discovers what you can do?"

She leaned closer.

"They’ll eliminate you. They can’t tolerate a human who can accomplish what no being—not even elves or dragonborn—can achieve. You’ll be killed, Cade."