The fashion show continued for another hour. Reina busily darted back and forth, organizing the chosen garments, folding them neatly, and calculating the final bill.

By the time they were finished, the girls had accumulated a massive pile of new clothes. Klaus handled the payment, packing everything into his storage ring so they wouldn’t have to carry the bags.

They exited the Galen Boutique. The afternoon sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting long orange shadows across the cobblestone streets.

Waiting for them directly outside the entrance was a grand, polished black carriage pulled by two armored horses.

The driver, a sturdy man wearing a neat uniform tipped his hat as the Manager from the real estate office had kept his promise and sent transport.

They all piled into the spacious carriage.

The ride through the town was smooth. They moved away from the busy commercial district, passing through quieter residential areas until the paved roads transitioned into a well-kept dirt path leading toward the edge of the scenic forest line.

The carriage rolled outside the Forest-Edge Compound.

Immediately as it stopped, the man riding it got out and opened the door, only for it to be thrown open from the inside.

"You can come out no—"

He was planted at the side of the carriage with his face squished against the wood as Zephyra came out first, holding Klaus by the arm. The other girls came behind her.

Serra passed the dazed driver with a small wave.

"Sorry~"

Zephyra had been excited in the carriage since and soon they stood together on the dirt path and looked at the house.

All of the girls let out surprised gasps.

"This is really big..." Mirela said, her eyes wide as she took in the sight.

They stood at the front gate. The personal assistant that had been at the real estate office bowed at them. She held out a silver key, extending it to Klaus.

"I will be your guide," the assistant told him with a bright smile. "Since this is your place, you can do the honors."

Klaus blinked. "What is the point of doing so if you had already entered?"

Zephyra nudged him hard in the ribs. Klaus sighed, taking the key and opening the iron gate a the metal swung inward with a smooth glide.

The attendant clapped her hands together. "Let me begin the tour."

She led them through the gate and into the front courtyard.

The space was massive as half of the yard was covered in manicured green grass, dotted with small, glowing flowers that provided ambient light as the sun began to set. The other half of the yard was packed dirt, featuring sturdy wooden training dummies and a rack for holding practice weapons.

"The training grounds feature repair wards," the attendant explained, gesturing to the dummies. "Any damage done to the area will mend itself overnight... You can train as hard as you like without worrying about upkeep."

"I am going to spend a lot of time out here," Taula grinned, cracking her knuckles. "I can finally test out my new swings."

They walked up the stone path and stepped onto the large wooden porch. The attendant pushed open the massive oak front doors, leading them inside the foyer.

"Welcome to the main living area," the attendant announced.

The room was a masterpiece. The floors were polished dark wood, covered in soft, expensive rugs.

The walls were lined with large glass windows. A massive stone fireplace dominated the far wall, with a stack of enchanted firewood resting beside it, ready to burn without producing smoke.

Right in front of the fireplace was the legendary couch Klaus had seen in the magical projection. It was an L-shaped leather monstrosity, looking softer than clouds.

"This is the heart of the home," the attendant continued. "Through that archway is the formal dining hall, which features a long mahogany table capable of seating twelve guests comfortably. Perfect for hosting gatherings or enjoying a large family meal. And just past that is the kitchen."

She led them into the kitchen. Long, clean marble countertops wrapped around the room and in the center was a large wooden island, complete with hanging pots and pans made of durable dwarven steel.

"The kitchen features twin enchanted stoves," the attendant pointed out, running her hand over the metal appliances. "They require no firewood and only a small pulse of mana to ignite. Over here, we have the preservation cabinets. They function exactly like a spatial ring, keeping perishables fresh indefinitely. You will never have to worry about spoiled milk or rotting vegetables."

Zephyra practically vibrated with excitement as she ran her hands over the smooth marble counters. "This is amazing! I can learn to cook so many eggs in here! I will make breakfast every single morning!"

"I look forward to it." Klaus said dryly, though he actually meant it. Her cooking was improving.

"Moving on," the attendant said, steering them back through the living room and down a side corridor. "The compound features a fully operational indoor bathhouse located near the rear of the property, utilizing heated water drawn from the natural springs below."

She opened a wooden door, revealing a room lined with pristine white tiles. In the center was a large, sunken pool filled with crystal-clear, steaming water.

Small enchanted stones rested at the bottom, providing a soft blue glow.

"A bathhouse?" Serra asked, her eyes lighting up. "That sounds wonderful. Hot water is a rare luxury on the road."

"Indeed," the attendant nodded. "The wards keep the water pure and at a constant, relaxing temperature. Now, let us proceed to the residential wing... The estate features exactly six distinct bedrooms, ensuring ample space for your entire party and any future guests you might have."

She led them out of the bathhouse and down a wide, warmly lit hallway branching off from the main living area.

"Room number one," the attendant said, opening the first sturdy oak door on the right.

The room was spacious. It had a large, comfortable bed, a wooden wardrobe, a writing desk, and a large window looking directly out toward the training yard.

"I claim this one!" Taula shouted immediately. She ran inside and threw herself onto the mattress. "It’s right next to the training yard. I can jump out the window and start swinging my axe first thing in the morning!"

"Room number two," the attendant continued, moving to the door directly opposite Taula’s. She opened it to reveal a beautiful room painted in soft cream colors. It had a small balcony that faced the east, perfect for catching the morning sun.

"I’ll take this one," Serra smiled, stepping inside to admire the balcony. "It seems very peaceful for meditation. The natural light will be perfect for reading."

The attendant walked further down the hall.

"Room number three is a cozy corner suite. It is slightly smaller than the others but very insulated, offering maximum warmth during the winter months. It also has a built-in bookshelf."

Mirela peeked inside the room. It had a plush rug, a soft bed covered in thick quilts, and a small wooden desk in the corner.

"I like this one," Mirela whispered as she walked inside, running her hand over the quilt. "It feels safe."

"Room number four is a standard guest room, currently unfurnished," the attendant noted, pointing to a closed door across the hall from Mirela.

"We can use that for extra storage," Klaus said pragmatically. "Or an alchemy lab if we ever need one."

"Room number five is a secondary suite, featuring its own private washroom and a large closet," the attendant explained, opening the door on the left side of the hall. The room was grand, with a large four-poster bed, elegant wooden furniture, and deep blue curtains.

Klaus looked at the room. It was spacious, quiet, and far enough away from the living room to block out noise. "I will take this one."

Zephyra immediately grabbed his arm, pulling him back into the hallway. "No you won’t! We haven’t seen the last room yet!"

The attendant smiled politely, ignoring the bickering. She walked to the very end of the hallway, stopping in front of a set of ornate double doors.

"And finally, room number six. The Master Suite."

She produced a smaller silver key, unlocked the latch, and pushed the doors open.

Klaus and Zephyra stepped inside. The room was the size of a small cavern as the floors were lined with incredibly soft white fur rugs.

The entire back wall was made of reinforced, one-way magical glass that offered a stunning, unobstructed view of the private forest line behind the property.

The bed was a monstrous king-sized mattress framed in polished dark mahogany wood. It looked big enough to comfortably sleep five people at once.

The pillows looked plush, and the heavy comforter was a deep rich crimson.

Zephyra took a running start and launched herself through the air. She landed face-first right in the center of the massive mattress, bouncing slightly as the springs absorbed the impact.

She rolled over onto her back, a look of pure bliss on her face. She patted the empty space next to her.

"Hubby," Zephyra called out, her voice dropping an octave. "You have to sleep in here with me."

"I am taking room number five," Klaus repeated, turning around.

"That concludes the tour," the attendant said quickly, bowing deeply from the doorway. "The property is yours. I will leave the spare keys on the kitchen counter. Have a wonderful evening, My Lord, My Lady."

With a respectful nod, the attendant turned and walked back down the hallway, letting herself out the front door. The sound of the lock clicking shut echoed through the quiet house.

Klaus let out a long, exhausted sigh. He rubbed his temples. Shopping, fighting, spending gold, dealing with managers... it was all too much for one day.

He didn’t go to the master bed. Instead, he turned around, walked out of the suite, and headed straight back to the living room.

Klaus sat on the couch with a sigh.

"That was stressful..."

He sank back into the glorious leather, closing his eyes. A moment later, the cushion next to him dipped.

Zephyra had followed him out. She didn’t say a word. She just laid down on the massive couch, stretching her legs out and Zephyra placed her head on his lap as she agreed.

Klaus opened one eye, looking down at the disguised royal resting comfortably on his legs.

He reached out, his fingers absentmindedly brushing through her black hair. It was quiet and it was peaceful.

A moment later, soft footsteps approached as Mirela peeked her head around the archway leading from the hallway, looking at the two of them relaxing on the couch.

"Master, do we really get our own rooms?"

"Yes you do..." Klaus said softly. "This is our place after all, all for us." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

...

Klaus took a deep breath as he sat in the backyard, crossing his legs on the manicured grass and taking on a meditative posture.

’Finally, I’m free...’ He thought, letting the early evening breeze brush past his face.

It took a little while to be able to get to this place alone, especially given that those girls were acting pretty clingy ever since they finished unpacking.

Zephyra wanted to show him the kitchen again, Taula wanted to drag him to the training dummies and even Mirela kept asking if he needed more water. But he was happy that Zephyra and Taula had decided to stay inside and talk to each other in the dining room.

’I just hope that those two don’t attack themselves and destroy the place...’

This was his second property in this world, and he would love to savor it. Once he enrolled in the Academy, he would be living in the student Dormitory.

So for now, he would live in luxury. He wanted to enjoy the quiet, the safety of the runic walls, and the soft grass beneath him without worrying about an immediate ambush or a sudden argument over who got to sit next to him on the couch.

Klaus closed his eyes again, focusing his mind inward.

’Alright, it’s time to test out soul mana.’ He thought.

He willed himself to return to his Soul. The transition was smooth with a familiar sensation of falling backward into dark water.

His physical head slumped forward a bit as his consciousness detached from the material world and dove deep into the core of his being.

Klaus opened his eyes. He appeared in his Soul space taking in the vast expanse of now pristine white marble floors and dark starry skies.

’Valeria wasn’t lying... It really changed.’ Klaus thought and he opened his mouth, preparing to call out to Valeria and begin his training.

However he immediately flinched backward, his hand instinctively reaching for a sword that wasn’t there.

Looming directly in front of him, taking up a massive portion of his inner world, was a giant, petrified snake.

It was the exact same Tier 3 serpent he had killed in the grove. It was a whole statue, frozen mid-strike, every single scale and fang perfectly preserved in dull gray stone.

The sheer size of the monster was intimidating, casting a long shadow over the marble floor.

Valeria stood beside the massive statue in her real body. The sniper ghost looked small next to the monster as she reached out, placing her pale hand flat against the cold stone skin of the petrified snake.

"This happens to all of the Souls that you banish," Valeria said, her voice unusually quiet and somber.

She traced the edge of a stone scale with her fingertip. "They are stripped of their will, frozen in place, and stored within your domain as monuments to your victories. This is what would have happened to me..."

Valeria turned around. The melancholic expression vanished from her face. She dropped to the floor, immediately sliding across the marble tiles on her knees until she collided with Klaus’s legs.

She wrapped her arms tight around his calves, looking up at him with wide shimmering eyes.

"Thank you so much for keeping me alive, My King!" Valeria cried out dramatically, pressing her cheek against his knee. "I promise to be useful! I promise I won’t become a boring rock!"

Klaus pushed her off, stepping back to untangle himself from her grip. "Get up."

He walked over to the giant snake, tilting his head back to take in the full scope of the statue.

It really was massive up close. He knocked his knuckles against the petrified wood-like surface and it was solid.

"Damn..." Klaus muttered, shaking his hand. He looked around the empty space. "Aren’t I supposed to get a skill or something? It said absorbing a soul usually grants some kind of immediate buff or an active ability. Why is it just sitting here taking up space?"

The exact second he finished his sentence, a distinct chiming sound echoed through the silent soul space.

[Ding!]

A glowing blue tab suddenly materialized out of thin air, hovering directly in front of his face.

Valeria flinched from where she was kneeling on the floor, startled by the sudden light.

She scrambled to her feet and walked over, leaning over Klaus’s shoulder to stare at the floating text as her eyes widened in genuine awe.

"The screen is beautiful," Valeria whispered, reaching a hand out as if to touch the glowing borders of the interface. "Is this divine magic, My King?"

Klaus rolled his eyes, swatting her hand away from the System screen. "It’s a normal blue screen. Don’t touch it, you might close it by accident."

He focused his attention on the glowing text.

The system was responding to the harvested soul, breaking down the serpent’s innate magical properties and converting them into usable data.

[Target Soul Harvested: Tier 3 VerrViper]

[Analyzing innate biological and magical traits...]

[Please select ONE of the following Skills to extract. The remaining traits will be dispersed back into the Soul Monument.]

Klaus read the tab carefully.

’So I am essentially taking one skill from the myriad of skills that the statue possesses,’ he thought while tapping his chin. ’That means I will probably be able to use the others in the future, right? Or maybe I have to level up to extract more from the same monument.’

"Are you going to learn how to spit venom, My King?" Valeria commented, peering at the text. "That seems very unsanitary."

Klaus reached out and hit her on the top of her head.

"Quiet... Let me read."

Valeria rubbed the top of her head with a small pout, stepping back to give him room as Klaus reviewed the three options presented on the glowing blue screen.

[Option 1: Corrosive Spit - Allows the user to generate and expel a highly acidic projectile from the mouth.]

[Option 2: Thermal Perception - Enhances visual acuity, allowing the user to perceive the heat signatures of living beings through solid objects and magical darkness.]

[Option 3: Viper’s Dash - A movement skill that compresses ambient mana into the user’s legs, allowing for a sudden, explosive burst of linear speed mimicking a striking snake.]

Klaus immediately discarded the first option.

Spitting acid was gross, impractical for a swordsman and carried a real risk of melting his own teeth if he messed up the mana control.

Viper’s Dash looked tempting at a glance, but his mind quickly shot it down.

He already had Wind Magic to boost his agility and launch himself across the battlefield. Adding a linear stamina-draining dash would just be redundant.

Thermal Perception, however, was a tactical game-changer. Death Cultists loved to set up ambushes.

Monsters hid in the dark and being able to see body heat through solid objects meant he would never be caught off guard again.

He tapped his finger against the second option.

[Skill Selected: Thermal Perception]

[Extracting...]

The blue screen shattered into dozens of tiny light particles.

The particles swirled through the air and rushed directly into Klaus’s face, sinking straight into his eyes.

A sudden sharp burning sensation flared behind his retinas, followed by a rush of new information embedding itself directly into his optic nerves.

He blinked hard, rubbing his eyelids with his knuckles until the stinging faded. He knew exactly how to channel his mana to trigger the new vision.

Klaus looked at the vast empty marble floor.

"Let’s see how this actually looks."

He channeled a small fraction of his newly acquired Soul Mana into his eyes.

’Thermal Perception.’