After their day together, the sun began to set over Durenholde’s peaceful skyline, painting the kingdom in warm colours that signalled the end of their cultural exchange. The group prepared to part ways with the contentment that came from time well spent among friends.
Noah bid farewell to everyone, including Kip and Aliss, who now had their own house—a modest dwelling that represented their freedom from Baron Richard’s cruelty and their growing independence.
"Take care of yourselves," Noah told the cat siblings with genuine affection. "And practice with those gifts."
"We will, Master Noah!" Kip replied with youthful enthusiasm, still clutching the wind orb like a precious treasure.
Alissa nodded with her characteristic seriousness. "Thank you again for everything."
As the others departed to their respective homes, Lola fell into step beside Noah for their return journey. Her cloaked form moved with graceful silence until curiosity prompted conversation.
"You really like those people, huh?" she asked, her voice carrying genuine interest rather than teasing.
Noah nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, they’re cool people. Don’t you think?"
Lola’s smile remained hidden beneath her hood, but warmth colored her response. "Indeed, they are."
The acknowledgment carried weight beyond simple agreement. For a master-level demon to express approval of humans suggested their group had impressed her with qualities that transcended normal boundaries.
Back at the shop, they settled into discussing practical arrangements for Lola’s employment. The human kingdom presented unique challenges for a succubus seeking legitimate work.
"Since you can’t show yourself publicly here, and to align with my schedule, I think night shifts would work best," Noah suggested. "Random customers might visit, but it wouldn’t be crowded."
Lola considered this proposal with a quick assessment.
"Let’s change the part-time clause to full-time. The salary doesn’t have to change; I don’t have much else occupying my time anyway. I’ll take the full night shift every day."
"Are you sure? That’s a significant commitment."
"I’m sure," she replied with a soft nod.
Noah communicated the arrangement to the system, which promptly updated their employment contract to reflect the new terms. Both parties had agreed to the modification, making the change official and binding.
With employment details settled, Noah retrieved his wind orb from storage and settled into his meditation position. He’d taken most of the day off for socialising, but training couldn’t be neglected entirely.
The orbs’ contained essence responded to his touch with familiar warmth, ready to enhance his magical development through concentrated practice. Two skills demanded attention—mana control and wind manipulation, both required advancement to keep pace with his rapidly increasing swordsmanship talent.
Noah closed his eyes and began the breathing exercises that had become second nature. His consciousness expanded to encompass the orb’s swirling energies while his mana channels opened to receive enhanced instruction.
The training session progressed with satisfying intensity. Each technique felt more natural, each application of power more controlled. The orb’s concentrated wisdom flowed through his magical pathways like liquid knowledge, accelerating development beyond what conventional practice could achieve.
Wind manipulation responded to his will with increasing comprehension. What had once required conscious effort now occurred through instinctive understanding. Breezes obeyed his intentions while air currents formed according to his desires.
Mana control evolved alongside elemental mastery. The raw magical energy that powered all his abilities became more responsive, more efficient. Spells that had previously strained his reserves now felt easier to maintain.
Time passed unnoticed as Noah lost himself in the rhythm of advancement. The orb’s essence gradually dimmed as its stored power transferred to his developing abilities, each absorbed fragment bringing him closer to genuine mastery.
Two hours later, Noah opened his eyes with satisfaction radiating through his enhanced consciousness. The training had yielded excellent results—both targeted skills had advanced significantly.
[Your Mana Control skill has levelled up to level 7!]
[Your Wind Manipulation skill has levelled up to level 6!]
Mana Control had reached Level 7, bringing finer control over mana. Wind Manipulation had achieved Level 6, unlocking new techniques and improving existing applications.
Noah’s eyebrows raised in surprise. His mana control skill has levelled up faster than usual.
"Lola, why did my mana control increase rapidly? It usually takes longer."
Lola smiled before explaining his concerns. "This is because you are doing twice the work. You are practising control over your mana normally, but you are also practising your wind manipulation, which is also related to having control over your mana. Essentially, you are working on your control twice as much as before, hence the faster improvement."
The advancement represented substantial progress toward his long-term goals. Each level brought him closer to the kind of power necessary for protecting himself and building his shop.
Noah didn’t want to simply remain powerful inside the shop. He wanted to go out, explore all kinds of places in the different worlds that he would visit. He didn’t want to just make money, whilst that had been his initial aim. After experiencing the culture of both kingdoms, he wanted to have enough power to protect himself.
Lola observed his training completion with obvious approval. "Your development rate continues to impress. Most practitioners would require months to achieve what you accomplished in one evening."
"The orbs make all the difference," Noah replied honestly. "Concentrated elemental essence accelerates everything."
"True, but you still need the talent to absorb and apply that knowledge effectively. Not everyone could progress at your rate, even with legendary artefacts."
Leo roared cutely in agreement. He agreed with Lola’s words.
Noah laughed and stroked the young lion’s fur.
The compliment carried genuine respect rather than mere flattery. Coming from a master-level practitioner, such acknowledgement held its considerable weight.
Noah stored the slightly depleted orb and prepared for evening routines. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and opportunities, but tonight brought the satisfaction of measurable advancement.
His magical capabilities continued expanding at rates that defied conventional wisdom, supported by artefacts most practitioners could only dream of accessing. The combination of talent, resources, and determination was reshaping him into something beyond normal human limitations.
The iced teas had been sold to Valeria and Lola at a price of five golden coins per bottle. He knew that, unlike the demon kingdom, the humans weren’t as rich and taking so many golden coins from them wasn’t a good idea.
His plan for the human kingdom was simple, gather decent profit whilst focusing on getting the most shop points he could.
Naturally that plan only fell for the bread and iced tea.
As for the other items, there would be a price that needs to be paid.