Ten bowls of first-order strengthening potion sat neatly on the long wooden table. Each bowl glimmered faintly green beneath the light, like melted emeralds. The sight was... unsettling.

Luciel stared at the shimmering liquid, brows furrowing slightly. If it had been sealed inside clay jars, it might not have looked so eerie. But now, lined up like this—ten bowls of strange, steaming medicine—it gave off a feeling as if something ancient and forbidden was about to awaken.

"Do we… drink them now?" Mino's voice trembled with both eagerness and hesitation. Her rabbit-like ears twitched nervously, betraying her excitement.

She'd long wanted to grow stronger. In recent days, she'd practiced tirelessly—learning how to dismantle beasts, how to strike faster, and how to move her body with precision. Her muscles carried a new kind of memory now, one that longed to be tested.

"Drink," Luciel said simply. Without waiting, he picked up one of the bowls. The liquid inside rippled faintly as he raised it to his lips.

He swallowed in a single gulp.

Gulp—

Bitter. So bitter that his tongue tingled, and his throat felt scraped raw by the taste. Luciel closed his eyes, waiting for the rush of strength, for some spark of power—but nothing came. No heat, no surge. Only the lingering taste of regret.

He sighed, lowering the empty bowl. "As I thought… it really has no effect on me." His voice held both resignation and confirmation of his own guess.

Mino didn't wait. She took a bowl and drank bravely.

"Gulp—so bitter!" Her pretty face twisted instantly, eyes squinting tight.

Only three seconds passed before something changed.

Her body trembled. A flush of scarlet crept up her neck, spreading to her face, her arms, her chest. Her entire skin burned with feverish heat. Sweat poured out from every pore, carrying with it faint specks of black dust—impurities forced from the body.

"It's so hot…" Mino gasped, tugging at her collar. "My whole body's burning!"

"Calm down," Luciel said, standing up quickly. "Move your body—circulate your strength and let it absorb!"

Before he could say more, a calm, elegant voice drifted from the doorway.

"Don't panic," Yue Qinlan said as she entered gracefully. "Let her move more. It'll help her body absorb the medicine faster."

Luciel turned his head. Yue Qinlan's sharp eyes had already taken in the scene—the flushed girl, the faint steam rising from her body. She understood immediately.

"She's evolving," Yue Qinlan murmured softly.

"Minuo, thirty push-ups!" Luciel ordered.

"Got it!" Mino obeyed out of reflex, dropping to the floor and starting to push herself up and down, her breath rough but steady.

Yue Qinlan gave a small nod of approval. "First-order strengthening potions aren't dangerous," she said in her usual composed tone. "It's just that she's too weak for her body to handle the reaction gracefully."

"I see…" Luciel exhaled, some tension leaving his shoulders. It was his first time seeing the process firsthand—he'd worried it might go wrong.

Yue Qinlan's gaze fell on the table. Eight bowls remained, the liquids still glowing faintly. "And what do you plan to do with the rest?" she asked.

Luciel raised an eyebrow. "You want one?"

She smiled faintly and shook her head. "No. First-order potions have no effect on me anymore. It would only be a waste."

Luciel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Then maybe Feiyan can drink one?"

Yue Qinlan's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Feiyan's already taken potions from Tier One through Tier Three. As the Moon Lord of the Moon Lake Tribe, she's had access to them long before we met."

Luciel nodded slowly. That made sense. "Then I'll pick a few others. We could use more strength among the residents. Maybe form another hunting team."

Yue Qinlan's gaze shifted to a quiet figure standing by the doorway. "Then give one bowl to Xiaolan," she said. Her voice softened. "I think she has potential. With the right training, she could become a capable assistant."

Luciel followed her gaze. Wei Youlan—the timid maid with rabbit ears—stood silently, holding a tray. He'd noticed her before: always obedient, attentive, but too cautious, too gentle for her own good.

"Luciel," Yue Qinlan said suddenly, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Why not take this chance to form… a battle maid unit?"

Luciel blinked, uncertain he'd heard right. "Battle maids?"

Yue Qinlan smiled wider, her tone both teasing and serious. "They handle housework most of the time—but in times of danger, they defend the highlands. Think of it as… beauty and blade combined."

Luciel hesitated, but the idea stirred something within him. "That…" he began slowly. "That doesn't sound too bad."

Yue Qinlan's eyes sparkled. "Leave it to me. I've been wanting to do this for a long time."

Her voice hardened slightly as she continued, "After what happened with the Moon Lake Tribe's betrayal, I swore I'd never let such a thing happen again. I want our home to be safe—even if it means training every maid into a warrior."

Luciel met her eyes and nodded. "Alright. You can organize it yourself."

He understood her feelings. Having guards who could protect the mansion—and themselves—was never a bad thing.

(Although, perhaps, he was a little curious about the 'maid' part of it…)

Yue Qinlan brushed a strand of hair behind her ear with graceful confidence. "I won't disappoint you," she said softly. Then she raised her voice: "Xiaolan! Come here."

Wei Youlan startled but quickly ran forward, her long ears twitching nervously. "Yes, Lady Moon Lord! What are your orders?"

"Drink this," Yue Qinlan instructed, gesturing toward the potion bowl.

Wei Youlan's small hands trembled as she lifted it. "Y-yes." She took a deep breath, then swallowed.

"Good. Now move—just like Mino did," Yue Qinlan urged.

Obediently, Wei Youlan's cheeks flushed crimson, her breathing quickened, and she dropped down, mimicking Mino's push-ups—awkward, shaky, but determined.

Luciel watched silently. There was something oddly endearing about her effort.

"For now, I'll take two more bowls," Yue Qinlan said, turning back to Luciel.

"Only three people?" he asked, curious.

"For the time being, yes," she replied. "Three is enough. Mino will be their captain. I don't want to overwhelm her yet."

Luciel nodded approvingly. He knew Yue Qinlan was being thoughtful—respecting Mino's position as the first to evolve.

Then, as if remembering something, Yue Qinlan asked lightly, "By the way, we'll reach the Tenth Floor City tomorrow. Have you decided who'll act as the thief?"

Luciel's black eyes lifted toward her, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"…What?" Yue Qinlan blinked, suddenly uneasy. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He didn't answer. He only kept smiling.

Her cheeks colored faintly. "Don't tell me… you mean me?"

Luciel chuckled softly. "Yes. It's you."

"I—what? Me?! I don't know how to play a thief!" Yue Qinlan stammered, taken aback.

"You'll do fine," Luciel said reassuringly. "Trust yourself."

He'd chosen her for a reason. Yue Qinlan wasn't just strong—she was clever, composed, and knew how to deal with people. She could play the part perfectly.

She huffed, trying to mask her nervousness. "You're not afraid I'll mess everything up?"

Luciel's grin deepened. "You won't."

Even if she did mess up, it wouldn't matter much. The traders of Tenth Floor City cared more about profits than pride. Even if they discovered the "thief" was from Black Tortoise City, they'd still trade—because Luciel's prices were far too tempting compared to the old ones.

Yue Qinlan sighed, half in exasperation, half in amusement. "Fine. What do I need to bring tomorrow then?"

"Nothing yet," Luciel said calmly. "I'll go first, test the waters, and see what kind of people we're dealing with."

She nodded. "Alright then. I'll prepare myself."

Just then, Mino let out a relieved sigh and stood, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Phew! I thought I was going to die just now!"

Luciel turned to her. "How do you feel?"

Her rabbit ears perked up. "Great! My body feels light—like I could float!" She hopped experimentally and nearly hit the ceiling.

Luciel reached out, grabbing her by the ears before she could do more damage. "Careful. You haven't adjusted to your new strength yet."

"Hee-hee!" Mino laughed sheepishly, her excitement radiating.

Luciel released her ears and said, "Alright. Go take a bath."

"A bath?" She blinked, glancing down at her arms. Dirt and black grime smeared her skin. Her face turned crimson. "Ah! So dirty!"

Before anyone could say a word, she dashed out of the room in embarrassment.

Luciel and Yue Qinlan exchanged a look.

"She's growing fast," Yue Qinlan said softly.

"She is," Luciel replied with a small smile. "And soon, the others will too."

For a brief moment, the air around them felt calm, filled only with quiet hope.

Tomorrow, they would reach the Tenth Floor City. A new chapter awaited—and with it, new dangers.

But tonight, within the glowing light of the potions and laughter echoing down the corridor, the Black Tortoise Mansion felt… alive.

.....

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