Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Expanding the Bond

"...Yeah," he whispered, almost amused. "This is where it gets awkward."

But even with that thought, he didn’t hesitate.

Ten intent points for something like this?

It wasn’t even a debate.

"Worth it," he said quietly.

And then he made his choice.

"Yes."

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

❂ SOVEREIGN INTENT SYSTEM ❂

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

⟦ Confirmation Received ⟧ 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

User Response: YES

⟦ Intent Points Deducted ⟧

✦ -10 IP ✦

⟦ Ally Registration Complete ⟧

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

Arthur felt it.

Not like with Mel. That had been deeper, heavier, more instinctive.

This one was... lighter.

But still a clear connection.

A link that settled quietly in the back of his mind.

He blinked once, adjusting to it, then the next interface appeared.

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

❂ SOVEREIGN INTENT SYSTEM ❂

✦══════════════════════════════════════

⟦ Ally Registration Complete ⟧

New Ally Registered: Nox

Bond Type: Voluntary Resonance

Status: Active Ally

Loyalty State: Developing

⟦ Ally Intent System Updated ⟧

Total Allies: 2

• Mel (Pet/Ally)

• Nox (Squad Ally)

Ally Intent Function:

⟦ 01. Sovereign Investment: Available ⟧

⟦ 02. Intent Reflection: Available ⟧

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

Arthur read through it slowly, making sure he didn’t miss anything.

Then he let out a small breath and dismissed the screen.

"...Two now."

It felt strange saying it in his head.

Not in a bad way.

Just new.

For a moment, he glanced back toward Nox.

She was already back in motion, running through the obstacle course with those heavy rings still dragging her down. Her steps were still rough, but she was pushing harder than before.

"Don’t fall now," Arthur muttered lightly.

As if she heard him, she stumbled slightly, then steadied herself.

"...Close enough."

He shook his head, a faint smile still on his face.

There was something reassuring about this.

Not just the system.

But the idea behind it.

They weren’t just fighting together anymore.

They were growing together.

That thought stayed with him for a second before he shifted his focus.

Next.

His gaze moved across the training hall.

Selene was out.

She was still with the commander, and Lyra’s attention wasn’t something he wanted to interrupt right now.

"...Not trying my luck there."

Torren was still deep in his own training, getting hammered from every direction while trying to hold his ground.

Arthur winced slightly.

"...Yeah, he’s busy surviving."

That left..

His eyes landed on Althea.

She had just stepped out of her training area, her movements slower now. There was a slight heaviness in the way she walked, but she didn’t look frustrated.

Just tired.

She uncapped a mana potion and took a long sip, her shoulders relaxing slightly as the effect kicked in.

Arthur watched her for a second.

"...Perfect timing."

But before he moved, he paused.

Mel.

He reached out through the bond without thinking.

A soft pull.

A familiar presence answered almost immediately.

"I’m fine."

Her voice was clearer now than before, still simple, but more stable.

Arthur nodded slightly.

"Keep going. Don’t stop just because I’m not watching."

A brief pause.

Then..

"I won’t."

There was a hint of pride in it.

Arthur smiled.

"Good."

He could still feel her moving through the course, slower than before because of the weight, but steady.

Struggling.

But pushing.

"...You’re doing well," he added.

He felt the response, not just words this time.

Satisfaction.

Determination.

It made his chest feel a little lighter.

Then he cut the connection slightly, not fully, just enough to focus.

Althea.

Arthur took a breath and started walking toward her.

Step by step, his mind ran ahead of him.

This one wouldn’t be like Nox.

No way.

Althea thought things through.

She paid attention to details.

Even now, as she drank the potion, her eyes were already drifting back toward the training area, like she was reviewing everything she had just done.

"...Yeah," Arthur muttered quietly. "This one needs a proper approach."

He slowed his steps as he got closer, watching Althea from a short distance before saying anything. She had just stepped out of her section, shoulders slightly lowered, one hand holding a small vial.

She uncorked it and drank.

Mana potion.

So she pushed herself that far.

Arthur let out a small breath before speaking.

"You look like you just fought a boss."

Althea turned at the voice, a little surprised.

"Oh... Arthur."

Her tone softened almost immediately.

Then her eyes moved over him once.

"...You’re not training?"

Arthur scratched the back of his head lightly.

"I am. Just... differently."

She raised a brow.

"With Mel?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "I’m in charge of her training today, so I get some freedom."

Althea glanced past him for a second, like she expected to see the cub nearby.

"...And you left her alone?"

Arthur smiled faintly.

"She’s not as helpless as she looks."

That answer made her pause.

Then she gave a small nod.

"...I believe that."

There was a short silence, but it wasn’t awkward.

Arthur leaned slightly against the wall beside her.

"So," he said, "how’s it going?"

Althea exhaled slowly.

"Tiring."

Then she added, more honestly,

"But good."

Arthur nodded.

"Yeah?"

She shifted her grip on the empty vial, thinking through it.

"I’m getting faster."

A pause.

"I can bind moving targets now. Not perfectly, but... it’s better than before."

Arthur listened without interrupting.

She continued,

"The problem is maintaining it."

Her brows pulled slightly.

"If I hold one too long, the next cast gets slower."

Arthur nodded again.

"...Makes sense."

"And binding more than one..." she sighed lightly, "that’s still difficult."

There was no frustration in her tone.

Just awareness.

Arthur understood that feeling well.

He had been there.

He straightened slightly.

"I get it."

Althea looked at him.

"You do?"

Arthur nodded.

"I had something similar with one of my skills."

He paused for a second, thinking of how to explain it simply.

"When I first started, I tried to force everything at once. Control, speed, output... all of it."

Althea listened closely.

"It didn’t work," he continued. "Everything slowed down instead."

She gave a small nod.

"That’s exactly what’s happening."

Arthur smiled a little.

"Yeah. Because you’re trying to do too much in one moment."

She didn’t respond immediately.

She was thinking.

Arthur pushed off the wall slightly.

"Try this instead."

Now she focused fully.