You really aren't holding back at all, are you… Nolan thought to himself. Still, the fact that Ruan Mei was willing to trouble him made him happy. After all, it meant another opportunity to gain her affection.
He agreed without much hesitation.
"No problem. As long as it's something I can do, I'll help."
"Mm. Would it be possible for me to collect your life data in greater detail?"
Ruan Mei cultivated Emanators because their life essence was closer to that of the Aeons, and Aeons were the most mysterious and inconceivable lifeforms in the universe.
She believed that by studying Aeons, one could more easily uncover the secrets of life.
Under normal circumstances, however, there was no opportunity to directly research an Aeon. Even the Aeons within the Simulated Universe were ultimately only data simulations.
Analyzing their Authorities and behavioral characteristics posed no issue, but their life data alone remained beyond reach.
When different species ascended to become Aeons, what changes occurred to their genes, cells, and organs? Were there physiological traits shared among all Aeons?
These were only a few of the many questions she longed to answer.
Nolan's growth rate was somewhat extraordinary, and he was not a Pathstrider.
That ruled out the possibility that he had been chosen as an Emanator of some Aeon and granted power that drastically elevated his lifeform.
Which meant he had most likely absorbed energy through some method, driving his body to evolve and naturally grow to this extent.
But in truth, whichever method it was did not matter.
Nolan possessed a power that allowed him to easily defeat the Starcrusher Swarm King. Perhaps his life essence was even closer to that of an Aeon than that of ordinary Emanators.
That alone held considerable appeal for Ruan Mei.
She did know a true Emanator like Herta, but there was no way someone like her would be as agreeable as Nolan, much less cooperate with her research.
"Uh… what exactly do you mean by collecting it?"
Nolan, who had already vaguely guessed her intentions, thought to himself that this was indeed the case.
Being studied felt a little strange, but if it meant gaining affection, it was not entirely unacceptable.
After all, once he maxed out Ruan Mei's affection in the future, she would effectively become one of his own. There would be no need to worry about her research harming him.
Of course, that was assuming it did not involve something like dissection.
"Blood. And if possible, I would also like to conduct a physical examination," Ruan Mei replied, looking at him.
Nolan let out a small breath of relief.
"If that's all, then I suppose it's fine."
He looked at the elegant and composed Ruan Mei and continued,
"However, I don't want you using my blood to cultivate any form of life. If you're going to research it, it must be in a place I provide, and I need to be present."
While he hoped to gain the affection of the refined woman before him, he had no desire to inexplicably gain some biologically related odd descendant or clone.
As a scholar in the field of life sciences, what if she became curious and tried cultivating life using his blood? Especially considering she had already managed to cultivate a dangerous Emanator-level existence.
He needed to keep an eye on things.
"In your eyes, do I seem like some sort of unhinged scientist?" Ruan Mei's pale, calm face carried a trace of confusion. "I do take basic ethical principles into account. Otherwise, Herta would not collaborate with someone notorious for misconduct.
"Still, I understand your caution. Since I'm the one asking for your help, everything will naturally be done on your terms."
"How could that be? I just tend to overthink things," Nolan said quickly, waving his hands and shaking his head to avoid being misunderstood.
"It's clear that you value our friendship greatly. Don't worry, I'm not overthinking it." A faint smile appeared on Ruan Mei's lips as she parted them slightly and continued, "Then I'll come find you after I finish processing the data from this experiment."
[Ruan Mei Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 850 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.8 (100/800).]
As expected, agreeing to her request had earned him more affection. Nolan felt secretly delighted, though on the surface he merely nodded and asked,
"I'll prepare an open space for you when the time comes. How about you bring your own equipment?"
There was no way he could set up a laboratory worthy of a top scholar of the galaxy, so it was best to make that clear in advance.
"Mm. That will suffice," Ruan Mei said without objection.
Afterward, Nolan accompanied Ruan Mei in clearing away the traces of having cultivated the Starcrusher Swarm King in the confinement sector before leaving.
It was already noon on the Herta Space Station. After parting ways with Ruan Mei, Nolan returned to the Wonderland Space. Here, however, it was still the early hours of the morning.
He was just about to head back to catch up on some sleep when he saw the Goddess of Flowers descending the stairs, dressed in a shirt-style nightgown. As her snow-white thighs moved, the hem lifted slightly, faintly revealing the white shorts beneath.
Still drowsy, she rubbed her eyes and yawned, walking toward him in a slightly muddled state.
"Why are you only getting back now?"
As if noticing something, she approached barefoot, her steps silent against the floor. Leaning closer, she brought her nose near him and sniffed.
"It's the scent of an unfamiliar girl. Did you go provoking someone else again?"
Living here for some time, the Goddess of Flowers had long realized just how flirtatious and sentimental the "master" who had summoned her truly was.
"W-What do you mean provoking? She just asked for my help," Nolan defended himself before quickly changing the subject. "By the way, why are you up so early?"
"It's just that a certain someone didn't come back all night, so I came down to see what was going on."
She yawned again.
So she was worried about me… Nolan felt slightly touched.
"I actually have a job at a place called the Herta Space Station," he explained. "There's a bit of a time difference between there and here."
Everyone already knew that he was testing the Simulated Universe at the Herta Space Station. The Goddess of Flowers had not been here long, so she was not entirely familiar with it.
Taking this opportunity, Nolan gave her a brief explanation.
"Alright then, I'm going back to sleep," the Goddess of Flowers said after learning what had happened, turning to head upstairs to her room.
"In that case… shall we sleep together?"
Just as she turned around, Nolan caught her hand.
"Y-You're saying something weird again…" Her pretty face flushed red as she tried to pull her hand free, but failed.
During the time she had been living in the Wonderland Space, Nolan had not neglected nurturing his relationship with her.
Living under the same roof naturally provided plenty of opportunities for her to develop feelings for him.
After several increases in affection, her favor had already risen from Level 4 to Level 8, nearing Level 9.
[Current Affection Level of Nabu Malikata, the Goddess of Flowers Toward You: Lv.8 (560/800)]
With such high affection, and considering that she already understood him quite well, it felt like the right time to deepen their relationship.
Thinking this, Nolan deliberately smiled.
"Don't overthink it. It's still early. You want to keep sleeping, and I need to catch up on rest too. It just happens to work out.
"That way, we won't disturb the other girls who are still asleep. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. I just need a place to sleep."
"As if I'd believe you. If you want to sleep, just go back to your own room!" the Goddess of Flowers retorted mercilessly, exposing his excuse.
"Heh." Nolan tugged her into his arms and embraced her from behind, his chest pressing against her back as he guided her forward. "If we wait any longer, everyone will wake up."
"Mm…"
A blush spread across her pale face as his hand slipped beneath the hem of her shirt-like nightgown, resting against her abdomen.
Before long, she was gently guided back into her room.
Nolan closed the door behind them. His hands, which had been resting on her stomach, separated. One slid upward against softer skin, while the other trailed downward, brushing along her thigh beneath the white fabric she wore.
Her body trembled, her legs weakening as if she could no longer stand steadily.
He supported her, preventing her from losing balance, his hands lingering against her waist and hips as she turned back to glare at him in embarrassment.
In response, he leaned in and kissed her, his lips softly pressing against hers. Gradually, she responded in kind.
Time passed quietly in the stillness of early morning.
After several minutes, a new notification appeared on Nolan's status panel:
[The Goddess of Flowers Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 840 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (600/900)]
Now that they were so close, the Goddess of Flowers could only accept what had happened.
As she felt her body gradually strengthened and warmed by his power, the comfortable sensation softened her resistance, and a faint trace of additional affection emerged.
Time continued to pass.
After a long while, Nolan finally stopped.
The Goddess of Flowers lightly bit his neck before exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted to sleep.
He brushed aside the golden strands on her forehead and kissed it gently in return, then held her close and rested as well.
It was not until ten in the morning that Nolan finally woke, fully rested.
He found the Goddess of Flowers lying atop him, cheeks puffed in dissatisfaction as she turned her face away. It was unclear how long she had been awake, or how long she had been watching him.
Amused, he wrapped an arm around her back and gently asked,
"So… does this mean we're lovers now?"
"Hmph. After doing something like that to me, if we're not, I'll beat you flat!" she replied without turning back, pinching his waist firmly.
"In that case, these are blessings for my lover."
Smiling, Nolan began granting her several affection skills: "Divine Maiden's Purity," "Grace of the Night's Opulent Splendor," "Guardian," and others.
When girls like the Goddess of Flowers and Mikoshi Chiyo, whose affection had not yet reached the maximum, first moved into the Wonderland Space, he had only granted them "Interstellar Travel" for convenience.
The other affection skills he had intended to give gradually, using them as gifts to build affection.
As for Stelle, however, he had granted everything at once. After all, her activities were usually across the galaxy, which was far more dangerous than Teyvat. Naturally, her survival abilities had to be maximized.
Now that the Goddess of Flowers's affection was nearly at its peak, Nolan felt this was the perfect opportunity. Under the pretense of offering blessings to his lover, he granted her the remaining skills.
Each affection skill was immensely powerful. Feeling how much importance he placed on her, the Goddess of Flowers could not help but feel a quiet delight in her heart.
"Hmph… I'll forgive you for now."
She leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek.
At once, another notification appeared:
[The Goddess of Flowers Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 820 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.10 (Max)]
As her affection finally reached its maximum, Nolan unsurprisingly received the notification for a new ability:
[Through sincere devotion and unwavering effort, you have become deeply intertwined with a fate that once had no intersection with your own. From this day forward, the maiden's destiny shall shine alongside yours. Ability acquired: Boundless Fragrant Sea of Flowers.]
Boundless Fragrant Sea of Flowers… From the name alone, it sounded like a domain-type ability. Curious, Nolan examined the details:
[Boundless Fragrant Sea of Flowers:
Passive Effect: You emit a faint, nearly imperceptible floral fragrance. Any opposite sex who smells it will continuously develop affection toward you at a rate of one point per minute.
Active Effect: Unfold a domain of endless blooming flowers, with a range equal to the sum of both parties' levels in kilometers. Within the domain, absorbing the floral fragrance relieves stress, enhances confidence, uplifts mood, increases thinking speed, and improves work and study efficiency. Comprehension increases by a percentage equal to the sum of both parties' levels.
The fragrance also nourishes the body, alleviates fatigue, extends lifespan, and gradually strengthens both physique and soul. Cultivation speed increases by an additional percentage equal to the sum of both parties' levels.
At the same time, the fragrance exerts hypnotic and charming effects on targets you designate. The more they absorb, the higher the success rate. It can also lower mental resistance and induce illusions or other psychological effects.]
(End of Chapter)
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