"Should I just go ask Yuel again?"
Nix quickly grabbed another beast core from Xarion’s hand.
"I won’t take this for nothing. I’ll definitely help you set up your room properly. Just wait and see."
After pocketing the core, Nix went to call Rory and the others to dinner.
Tonight’s al had been prepared almost entirely by him.
Recently, Yuel and Vincent had been busy. Jasper was pushing himself to break through in Rank. Xarion was half-dead most of the ti and couldn’t even taste food—anything he cooked would be inedible.
Nix, on the other hand, was free at ho.
So for now, the kitchen duty naturally fell to him.
In a few days, once Yuel and Vincent were less occupied, they could take their turns.
Nix didn’t mind at all. He was happy to cook for his Female Master.
And Rory had told him that once he mastered these recipes, he could teach them to his own Clan.
Now his mother could eat delicious als every day.
Nix worked in the kitchen tirelessly, full of enthusiasm.
"Your cooking keeps getting better," Rory said, raising a thumb while savoring the braised prawns he had made.
Among them all, Nix clearly had the most natural talent for cooking.
"I’ll work even harder," Nix promised earnestly. "I’ll learn every dish you like."
Rory nodded. "Then I’ll teach you sothing new tomorrow."
Yuel, Vincent, and Jasper watched the exchange with faint envy.
They wanted to cook for her, too.
***
After dinner, Jasper returned to training.
Rory went back to her room to train as well.
Nix, watching Yuel and Vincent help tidy up, edged closer to Yuel and lowered his voice.
"Yuel... do you still want a tenth-Rank ch? Or even a tenth-Rank beast core."
Yuel glanced at him knowingly. "You want more advice on how to please Rory?"
It was fine to share more. He had plenty of ideas he couldn’t use himself.
Nix nodded—then shook his head.
"Not exactly. I want to redecorate a room. I’ll use the thod you taught last ti. But what you taught was how to dress and how to act in front of Rory. I have no idea how to use that to decorate a room."
"Oh, it’s simple." Yuel glanced at Vincent standing by the doorway and leaned in to whisper a few sentences into Nix’s ear.
Vincent’s ears twitched slightly.
He caught nothing.
Was Yuel deliberately guarding against him? Did he already know about the military uniform incident?
Nix’s eyes lit up instantly after hearing the explanation. "Yuel, you’re brilliant."
He quickly handed over the tenth-Rank beast core.
Yuel waved it away. "Trade it for a newly developed warship instead."
Nix didn’t hesitate. "Deal."
***
The mont he left the kitchen, Nix eagerly began ordering supplies on his light-brain––everything he would need to redecorate Xarion’s room.
He would finish it tomorrow.
***
Upstairs, once Rory stepped out of her training room, her light-brain chid.
It was a ssage from Lola Brandon.
Lola Brandon: [Big Sis, I heard a group of fifth- and sixth-Rank beasts appeared on A3 Star. Want to take the star rail there tomorrow afternoon and hunt them?]
A3 wasn’t far from the Central District. Half a day on the star rail would be enough.
Rory only needed one proper battle to break through to Rank Six.
She replied imdiately.
Rory: [Sounds good. Let’s leave tomorrow afternoon.]
After that, she created a new group chat and added Vincent, Yuel, Jasper, Nix, and Xarion.
Too lazy to think of a na, she simply called it "Happy Loving Family."
Rory: [@Everyone I’m heading to A3 tomorrow afternoon with Lola Brandon to hunt beasts. Who’s free to co with ?]
She could go alone, but these n would never allow that.
Vincent replied almost instantly.
Vincent: [Rory, Yuel and I have an important eting tomorrow. We won’t be able to accompany you. Let Nix, Xarion, and Jasper go with you.]
If Xarion weren’t around, Vincent would insist on going himself.
Yuel: [Can’t we cancel that damn eting?]
He had zero interest in attending; he wanted to hunt beasts with Rory.
Jasper: [I’m available.]
Nix: [ too!]
Xarion: [Sa.]
Rory actually hesitated about Jasper.
She knew he had been under heavy pressure recently.
Everyone in the household hoped he would break through soon.
He himself was anxious.
As a human, Rory didn’t encounter bottlenecks when advancing. As long as she absorbed enough beast core energy and fought a solid battle, she could rank up.
But Jasper was different. Advancing from Rank Nine to Rank Ten required not just energy—but a breakthrough opportunity.
Recently, he had grown quieter.
Rory sent him a private ssage.
Rory: [Co to my room after you’re done.]
After sending it, she went to take a bath.
Jasper arrived quickly.
She hadn’t locked the bedroom door.
Hearing his footsteps, she called out, "Jasper, I’m in the bathroom."
He closed the door and walked toward the steam-filled space.
Rory was soaking in the tub. When she saw him, she extended her hand.
Jasper knelt on one knee beside the bathtub, his dark eyes fixed on her face.
Through the mist, his gaze was intense—tracing her brows, nose, and lips.
"Rory." His voice was low, slightly husky.
Water dripped softly from her hair. The air grew heavy.
With a splash, she leaned forward and kissed him. "Jasper, I missed you."
His heartbeat thundered.
He cupped her head and kissed her back fiercely.
He had missed her, too.
But he had been pushing himself relentlessly to break through, afraid to relax even for a mont.
She tugged at his clothes and pulled him into the water. "Jasper... I want your tail."
His dark violet serpent tail erged, wrapping around her slender waist.
Water sloshed against porcelain.
It spilled over the edge, pooling onto the floor.
***
The next morning, when Rory woke, Jasper was still asleep.
His serpent tail loosely encircled her calf.
She touched her finger to his brow and sent her spiritual power gently into his ntal sea.
After several sessions, the turbulence within him had lessened significantly.
As her energy flowed through him, his tail loosened and swayed faintly across the sheets in contentnt.
Once finished, Rory slipped quietly out of bed.
***
Downstairs, Nix was receiving the packages he had ordered for Xarion’s room.
Seeing her, he grinned. "Rory, you’re up!"
She eyed the pile of boxes at the door. "Nix, what are you doing?"
"These are the things I bought last night. Xarion asked to redecorate his room."
Rory raised a brow.
Xarion had asked for redecorating? That was new.
She had considered helping him change his room herself after soothing him a few days ago, but things had been too busy.
Since Xarion had asked Nix instead, she wouldn’t interfere.
"Make sure he’s comfortable," she said.
Nix nodded confidently. "Don’t worry. He’ll definitely be satisfied."
He had it all planned.
Morning: redecorate Xarion’s room.
Afternoon: accompany Rory to A3 Star.
He had tid everything perfectly.
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