"My... my power... is back?!" Kyo stared at the flames dancing in his palm, his face awash with disbelieving joy.
"Calm down, don't get cocky." Cloud's voice drifted over lazily. "You've just recovered some health—you're nowhere near full capacity yet. That hollowed-out body of yours won't fully heal for at least a year or two."
"I'm warning you: before 2001, you stay home and recuperate. If I catch you wandering around outside, I'll break your legs." Cloud lectured his nominal "older brother" with the tone of a stern parent. "Next year, we'll go settle accounts with those NESTS bastards—principal and interest, all at once!"
Kyo looked at Cloud. Though he said nothing, his eyes conveyed genuine gratitude and respect.
Meanwhile, Kusanagi Aoi—who had just witnessed this "medical miracle" firsthand—gazed at Cloud with completely transformed eyes.
They were filled with worship, adoration, and something approaching religious fervor.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! S-Rank Hidden Quest complete: The Cousin's Hope!]
[Quest rewards distributed! Source Points +200,000! Chaos Divine Bloodline evolution +2%! Kusanagi Aoi's affection has reached maximum: Hopelessly Devoted!]
[System's Ultimate Hot Take: Host! She's maxed out! She's MAXED OUT! What are you waiting for?! Go! Push her down! Claim her! Show her that while you may be the "little brother" on the family register, in the genealogy of life's great harmony, YOU are the true patriarch!]
Cloud felt the power surging through his body once more, then glanced at the lovely young woman who was looking at him like he was a deity descended from heaven.
A meaningful smile spread across his face.
He knew another illustrious name could be added to his "harem roster."
He walked up to Aoi and, as her eyes widened with surprise and shy anticipation, gently pulled her into his embrace.
"Aoi, thank you for giving me the chance to help your brother."
The maiden's heart surrendered completely.
The moment Cloud pulled Aoi into his arms, every last bit of her restraint and defenses crumbled to dust.
She had always harbored worship and adoration for this "nominal younger brother"—a man as powerful as a god, yet carrying a hint of roguish charm.
Now, having witnessed him perform the "miracle" of healing her brother, that affection had transcended into something approaching zealous devotion.
Half-hearted resistance?
No—this was "willing" and "eager"!
...
That evening, beneath the cherry blossom trees of Kusanagi Castle, moonlight flowed like water.
Cloud brought Aoi to his room under the pretense of "reinforcing the treatment effects through additional bloodline channeling to prevent future complications."
The excuse was so "scientific," so "reasonable," so clearly "for her own good" that the girl couldn't find any grounds to refuse. Face flushed crimson, half-anticipating and half-nervous, she silently accepted what was about to happen.
Inside the room, candlelight flickered, casting an intimate warmth across the elegant traditional chamber.
Cloud didn't rush things. Like an experienced "traditional healer," he first had Aoi sit cross-legged, then positioned himself behind her, pressing both palms gently against her smooth, silky back.
"Relax, Aoi." His voice was like aged wine—rich, with a mesmerizing magnetism. "I'm going to use my power to guide the dormant bloodline within you. This process might feel a bit... warm."
Aoi was so nervous she forgot to breathe. She could clearly feel a warm, domineering power flowing continuously from those broad palms behind her into her body.
The sensation was like parched seedlings meeting spring rain—every cell in her body was celebrating.
As Cloud's energy penetrated deeper, the temperature in the room began to rise unconsciously.
The girl's cheeks grew redder and redder. Her body felt like it was about to burst into flames.
"C-Cloud... I... I feel so hot..." Her voice trembled, carrying a soft, breathy whimper.
"Don't be afraid. This is a normal bloodline awakening response." Cloud's voice sounded right beside her ear. "Now, we need to proceed to the final step... to fully convert this power into your own."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he gently turned her soft, pliant body around to face him. Their eyes met, and the air between them seemed to crackle with electric sparks.
What followed was only natural.
Cloud, like an experienced "veteran driver," patiently and tenderly guided Aoi—this brand-new, high-performance "sports car" fresh off the assembly line—as she explored the mysterious, passionate "new world racetrack" she had never ventured into before.
From initial nervousness and inexperience, to gradually letting go, to finally surrendering completely... Aoi, in this ultimate experience of body and soul merging as one, fully unleashed the wild, fiery nature hidden beneath her "refined lady" exterior.
And Cloud, through his diligent "cultivation," reaped unexpected and tremendous rewards.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"