"C-could you… please not take Elum's magic book…?"
Elum's eyes—bright as starlight—flickered as tears welled up, her gaze locked tightly onto Kurose Akira.It was as if that so-called scripture were as precious to her as life itself.
As a succubus girl who had spent her entire life since birth in a dim, desolate cave, she had almost nothing that truly belonged to her.And this book, gifted to her by Ivsha, carried extraordinary meaning.
"..."
Faced with Elum's heartbreakingly pitiful expression, Kurose Akira froze for a moment.
If he really took away her treasured, special-edition "scripture," it would definitely hurt her deeply, wouldn't it?
That would be downright inhuman.No—he absolutely couldn't do something that cruel.
Clearing his throat, Kurose Akira said to her,"Then… make sure you keep that book safe. And don't show it to others so casually."
"Mm-hm! Thank you, Master~!"
Elum broke into a radiant smile, blooming like a freshly opened flower.
Yet Kurose Akira's heart was filled with complicated emotions.
Letting Elum appreciate those intimate scenes involving him and Ivsha…No matter how he thought about it, it felt extremely awkward.
What's more—
Whenever Elum admired the illustrations depicting his semi-dragon transformation, her eyes would glow pink, little hearts visibly bouncing within her pupils.
Ah—this was bad.
Kurose Akira couldn't help but imagine Elum standing face-to-face with holy light.This little thing's height might only barely surpass the glow itself…
"Master, Master~~"
Just as he was sinking into thought, Elum's voice pulled him back.
He turned around to see her standing atop the sofa, her height barely reaching his chin.
Pointing at an illustration in the book, she asked sincerely,
"Master, are these pictures all real? Can you really turn into a half-dragon?"
"..."
Kurose Akira found himself momentarily at a loss for words.He didn't know how to answer her.
Was this little succubus really that obsessed with dragons?
After a brief silence, he chose honesty.
"Yes. They're all real."
The moment she heard his answer, Elum's watery eyes lit up with pure admiration.
"Wow~ Master is amazing~~!"
As she gazed at him with open worship, an unfamiliar sensation surged in Kurose Akira's chest, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
There was something about this little succubus—an indescribable charm that could ensnare souls and steal hearts…
Then Elum's excited voice rang out again:
"Then—then! Could you please show me your half-dragon form? Elum really wants to see it!"
"…All right."
Kurose Akira didn't refuse.
Almost the moment the words left his mouth, he activated his semi-dragon transformation.
In an instant, his body surged in size, towering over four meters tall.
Even Kurose Akira himself was startled.
He clearly remembered that before, his transformed height was only around three and a half meters.So why had it suddenly leapt to over four meters?
Was it the influence of the Lustful God of Love's Blood?
Or the power of the Vampire Progenitor's Blood?
He couldn't figure it out—but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Because Elum had already rushed over in excitement.
Her small hands gently brushed the scales on his legs, her pink eyes fixed on the holy radiance, hearts flashing within her pupils, overflowing with awe and devotion.
"Wow~ so cool~"
"..."
Kurose Akira frowned slightly, then gently lifted Elum up by the back of her collar.
"All right. I'm taking you to bed."
"To bed?" Elum asked innocently, eyes shining with anticipation."Like the kind in Sister Ivsha's magic book?"
"..."
"No!"
Without hesitation, Kurose Akira tossed Elum straight into Loserine's room.
After all, Loserine barely slept—the bed there was little more than decoration.
He then returned to his own room, collapsed onto the bed, and promptly fell asleep.
When he opened his eyes again, the surroundings had completely changed.
He was no longer inside the Elf Mother Tree.
Instead, he had returned to that familiar wooden cabin.
The White Elf Queen sat gracefully across from him, smiling warmly.
"Finally, we meet again, little one~" she greeted him gently.
Seeing her, Kurose Akira couldn't help but smile.
Only in front of this queen did he truly feel relaxed and at ease.
Compared to her, both the true Elf Queen and the Dark Elf Queen carried a sense of distance that was hard to put into words.
"It's really you—thank goodness~ Let's go quickly."
Kurose Akira stood up, intending to head straight back inside the Elf Mother Tree to continue the baptism.
But just then, the White Elf Queen spoke softly:
"The first stage of the Elf Mother Tree's baptism has already been completed. You no longer need to go there."
"The first stage is already over?"Kurose Akira was surprised.
According to Fri and Flora, the baptism was supposed to last a full week.
Yet only four days had passed.
"Yes."
The White Elf Queen nodded.
"The baptism is divided into two stages. In the first, you completed the cleansing of your body and magic circuits through immersion in the divine fluid of the Elf Mother Tree. As for the second stage…"
As she spoke, she raised a slender finger.A point of snow-white light shimmered at its tip.
Her fingertip gently touched Kurose Akira's forehead.
In an instant, seven-colored radiance gathered within his mind, forming dazzling magical energy that slowly flowed into his body.
[You have obtained Magic Weaving from the Elf Queen: Your elemental magic is evolving! Magic Attribute +200! Learned Super-Tier Magic — Elemental Burst!]
"Super-tier magic…?"
Kurose Akira stared at the notification, astonishment flashing through his eyes.
In just a single moment, he had acquired a super-tier spell—and his magic attribute had increased by a full 200 points!
The effects of the second stage were downright terrifying!
And the earlier immersion in the Elf Mother Tree's divine fluid had been just as overwhelming—
[Elemental magic power increased by 200%!][All elemental affinities increased by 50%!][All elemental resistances increased by 30%!]
This baptism had yielded staggering gains.
"This spell is extremely powerful," the White Elf Queen cautioned,"but it consumes immense amounts of mana and requires a very long chant. You must practice diligently to master it. Understood?"
"Yes. I understand."
Kurose Akira nodded, a smile curling at his lips.
The elves' fundamental elements were water, fire, earth, wood, and wind.Elemental Burst amplified power through the resonance of all five elements.
And just so happened—
The Thunderfire Staff in his possession amplified fire-element power.
Which meant the Elemental Burst he could unleash would be nothing short of devastating.
When in doubt—Just blast the enemy with it.
Let them experience the might of a true archmage!
"Oh, right—have Fri and Flora's baptism ceremonies finished as well?"
He suddenly remembered the elf sisters and asked.
The White Elf Queen smiled softly.
"Let's go check on them."
As her words fell, she flicked her finger lightly.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery transformed completely.
Moments later, they appeared in an open clearing near the Elf Mother Tree.
There, Beyarela was leading her two children, practicing the super-tier magic they had just obtained.
Kurose Akira looked up—
To see a colossal fireball slowly forming in midair, its blazing light seeming capable of igniting the heavens.
Nearby, a water dragon formed from pure, crystalline liquid coiled and soared across the blue sky—
—an awe-inspiring sight.