It took a while—and a few well-placed pokes at Katherine's tense thighs—for her to finally let go of her sudden obsession with turning Cassian into a mage. He had no idea what had sparked her newfound determination, but from a mage's perspective, he could see the logic. With the system's learning capabilities, it probably would have been more efficient to mold someone into a mage rather than a warrior.
Still, Cassian had no interest in following that path. It wasn't just about preference—it was about identity. He was born with Ven Dyke blood, and that blood carried a legacy of warriors, not spellcasters. To turn his back on that would feel like betraying everything his family stood for. The Ven Dyke name wasn't just connected to strength; it was strength, forged by generations of powerful fighters.
How could someone like him—a descendant of such a proud and battle-hardened lineage—become a mage? The idea felt like a bad joke. No, he thought firmly, he was a warrior, through and through.
In all his pride about being a warrior, Cassian conveniently forgot that not too long ago, he was a weakling with no real prospects until the system entered his life. His so-called "destiny" as a warrior wasn't in his blood—it was sheer circumstance. A glaring example of this was Katherine herself, who stood on the verge of becoming a Grand Mage, proving that strength could manifest in many forms, not just physical prowess.
Even the lineage Cassian was so proud of hadn't cared for him when he was at his lowest. The Ven Dyke family only took notice after he showed up at their doorstep, bloody and hurt. Well, just bloody, but the memory still stung.
Yet despite all that, Cassian wanted to be a warrior. Not because of bloodlines or legacy, but because of how it made him feel. At first, it was the influence of Master Russell that set him on the path. But as he trained, he started to enjoy the process—the gradual climb, the strength that grew with each day, and the sense of purpose it gave him. That was his true calling, forged not by lineage but by his own determination.
Cassian finished massaging Katherine, noting with some satisfaction that she was now deeply asleep. Her steady breathing and soft snores were proof enough—something he hadn't heard from her before. He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to complete the last part of the massage routine. After all, his research had suggested it wasn't strictly necessary.
But as he looked at her peaceful expression, he decided to let it go. Instead, he gave her butt a couple of gentle squeezes, more playful than anything else, before settling down beside her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close, savoring the warmth of her body against his. Katherine unconsciously shifted, leaning into him, clearly more comfortable in her rest.
He didn't mind the layer of oil covering them both. After all, he was just as slick from the massage, and truth be told, the sheen only made her look more alluring. Cassian chuckled softly to himself as he hugged her tighter, content to enjoy the moment.
As Cassian gazed at Katherine's slightly parted, reddish lips, he couldn't resist the urge to lean in. Gently, he pressed a soft kiss against them, savoring the moment before pulling back. He left her there, still sound asleep, peaceful and unaware.
He knew she carried guilt for what had happened to him, blaming herself for circumstances beyond her control. Yes, she was indirectly tied to it, but she hadn't caused it, nor had she asked anyone to harm him. It was just bad luck, cruel people, and an unfair world. Despite everything, he had survived—scarred for life, but alive.
Now, Cassian was determined to ensure that no one would leave another mark on his soul. He had some power now, and he planned to grow it until he was untouchable. But that would come later. For the moment, he decided to take a well-deserved break.
He'd originally thought about spending the time with Katherine, but seeing her lost in her dreams, he chose otherwise. Instead, a mischievous grin spread across his face as he made his way to find Lucy. Leisure time was calling, and he wasn't one to waste it.
It seemed Cassian's streak of bad luck continued—Lucy was also fast asleep, curled up and completely out of it. He wasn't surprised, though. They'd been running on fumes for the past two days, barely getting any rest.
"Guess it's a sign… I should take a break too," he muttered to himself with a chuckle.
Deciding to follow his own advice, he took a quick bath to wash off the oil and sweat. Feeling refreshed, he slid into bed beside Lucy, carefully tucking himself in without disturbing her peaceful slumber.
But, of course, he couldn't resist one last peek at the system. Smiling to himself, he opened it, curious to see what updates or notifications awaited him
[Name : Senior Trainee Cassian ven dyke
Warrior level : Adept
[System function : Training field (available)
Swords mastery : Apprentice Lv5
Half Body Massage Mastery : Lv2(119/500)
Passive skills : Self healing, Pain Immunity.]
[Mana Rotation and Sealing Techniques: Blood Fire Tempering
Rotations for Second Seal: 1/100
Resources Required: Fire Mana Crystal: 1kg
Heart of 3-Star Monster: (0/5)]
[Accepted task : The Skilled Masseur(0/10)]
[Finished Task : Path of the Gladiator (Completed), Beginner Monster Slayer (Completed)
[Training points : 31]
[Trainee Cassian has advanced to Senior Trainee after achieving the milestone of becoming a Circle Warrior.]
[New information and functions unlocked. Note: New Functions will become available once the trainee consolidates his current gains.]
Cassian skimmed through the notifications, curiosity piqued. When he finally checked his status, his jaw nearly dropped. The massive improvements in his stats made it abundantly clear why Circle Warriors were considered superior, more advanced versions of regular warriors. The difference was staggering.