SSS Class Infinite Regression: Ascension of the Mad Dragon Prince-Chapter 184: Timeskip [2] — Practicing Esper Abilities With Father

Louis had trained relentlessly with the blade, sparring alongside Tisha and her daughter Anastasia. Over the months he had grown closer to them, discovering a completely different Anastasia—one no longer crushed by grief over her mother's death, yet still burning with the same fierce determination.

As for Agustina, Louis had initially considered leaving her to live quietly as a noble lady. Yet repeated visits to check on the farm revealed her growing depression and restlessness in the countryside. She longed to explore the world, protect her home, and make her mother proud.

She had begun learning from her mother how to craft Spirit Artifacts, but that alone left her unsatisfied. After a few motivating words and consistent training sessions, Louis recruited her. Watching his daily, unrelenting effort inspired her; slowly, the same flame that had burned in her previous regression reignited within Agustina.

Louis descended the stairs and entered the VPI, meeting his father once more in the vast white chamber designed specifically for Esper psychic training.

"You're here, son— Oh?" Gustaf's eyes widened the instant he sensed Louis's presence. "That aura…! Don't tell me you finally reached Grand Perfection on everything?"

"I did," Louis confirmed. "The Five Elemental Spiritual Roots have fully merged with me, granting an enormous surge of power."

"That's incredible! You've worked so hard—I'm so proud of you," Gustaf said warmly.

"How is your own training progressing?" Louis asked.

Louis had insisted nearly everyone resume rigorous training—even old Robert, the former war priest and butler, had been pushed to his limits. Using ingredients from Agustina's farm, VPI materials, and game-derived recipes, Louis crafted an elixir that restored Robert's Mana Heart from zero. The elderly man had never felt so revitalized since losing it.

The same applied to Gustaf. Louis had practically forced his father to cultivate; without it, Gustaf's human body would fry his brain if he ever unleashed his full psychic potential. Louis taught him the fundamentals—assimilating Mana (an excruciating process that restructured the body), Mana Breathing, Mana Body Reinforcement, and Mana Consciousness Expansion.

Once Gustaf reached Grand Perfection in the basics, his Esper psychic powers synergized beautifully with magic, accelerating both. He mastered Heaven and Earth Essence Gathering and later attained the Heaven-Earth Harmonization Sutra, awakening the Five Elemental Spiritual Roots to Middle Stage.

These advancements had dramatically strengthened Gustaf. He could now safely exceed 100% output—reaching nearly 150%—without risking his life, becoming far more resilient and powerful.

"It's going well," Gustaf replied with a light smile. "Thank you for worrying, but you don't need to. I'll keep progressing on my own."

"Sometimes that isn't enough. Make sure to consume elixirs regularly to grow stronger quickly. You're the King of this country, Father—there's nothing wrong with using our resources to strengthen yourself, as long as it doesn't harm the kingdom. A ruler must remain as powerful as possible to protect it. Once I'm at the Academy, you'll be the only one defending Frostbane. Please grow as strong as you can."

"I know, son. Relax," Gustaf sighed. "Let's return to the main topic—your powers. We've trained together quite a lot these past few months, haven't we?"

"Yeah," Louis nodded, smiling. "It's honestly been fun. I never imagined we'd bond like this… or that the only way you'd give your son attention was if he awakened your powers."

"Louis!" Gustaf looked genuinely offended. "W-Why say that out of nowhere?"

"I was joking," Louis replied with a perfectly straight face.

"Hah… you're terrible at jokes," Gustaf shook his head. "Tomorrow is the big day. I'll attend the inauguration. I won't be the director, but I'll always be available if you need me. There's a teleportation array, after all."

"I know. I won't need your help, so don't worry," Louis said casually. "I can handle the foreigners on my own."

"Foreigners? Come on, son—treat them as equals," Gustaf sighed.

"Equals?" Louis raised an eyebrow.

His father had no idea what would unfold once the "Academy Arc" concluded. Yamato, Camelot, and Mesopotamia would soon turn on one another in the greatest war of the modern era. Eventually they would target Frostbane, leading to its destruction. Mirai—the protagonist—would be caught in the middle, forced to choose a side based on her relationships with the "Three Lords" representing each nation.

Depending on her choice, every route ended in tragedy—often requiring her to kill former friends and allies in a brutal conflict that slowly broke her heart. Many players had despised the lack of a true "good ending" where all three factions united peacefully against a greater threat.

In the original story, Frostbane had been mere cannon fodder—a kingdom no one truly cared about. There was never a dedicated route for any Lord, though William had read that one was once planned.

Things were different now. Louis was no longer a passive figure or a puppet. He was stronger than ever before. He would not allow his kingdom to fall—no matter the cost. If he had to kill the Three Lords to save Frostbane, conquer their nations, slaughter hundreds, thousands, or even millions… he would do it.

Without hesitation.

For now, though, he smiled and feigned friendliness.

"I was joking. Sorry. I'll make good friends or whatever," he said halfheartedly.

His father sensed the lack of sincerity but could do little about it.

"Hah… I wonder if your mother being awake would change that stubborn mindset of yours," Gustaf sighed.

"If Mother were awake, no one would dare consider destroying or conquering our country," Louis replied. "But she isn't, and we still haven't found a cure. Enough chit-chat, Father. Let's do what I came here for."

"You're right," Gustaf nodded. "Your Psychic Abilities. How far have they progressed? Show me."

Louis nodded. His Psychic Aura emanated from his body, centered in his brain where a small crystallization of Mind Essence had formed, steadily enhancing his powers.

This was the "Mind Core"—the primary organ of Espers and an extremely valuable (and illegal) material when harvested to craft powerful Psionic Weapons.

Though never encouraged and considered taboo, Espers could consume one another's Mind Cores to grow stronger.

"Telepathy," Gustaf instructed.

Louis unleashed a powerful invisible wave that struck his father's mind, attempting to twist and dominate it.

"Strong. You've improved… but it's not enough."

With a casual pulse of psychic force, Gustaf shattered Louis's Telepathy.

"Telekinesis."

Louis focused on the scattered boulders throughout the white room. With a thought, invisible energy lifted every stone into the air—then lifted himself, and finally his father.

"Good. You're getting excellent at it. Release."

Louis complied.

"Mindscape Formation."

"...!"

Louis concentrated intensely. His aura surged; the surroundings twisted and warped as his Mindscape—an Esper's personal domain—expanded in pure white.

Weaker foes entering an Esper's Mindscape would be instantly suppressed, brainwashed, crushed into pulp, or compressed into nothingness.

Gustaf, of course, was no weak Esper.

He countered with his own Mindscape, a pale black tinged with dark blue and hints of purple. The two domains collided violently. Louis's head trembled; he gritted his teeth as blood trickled from his nose.

Ultimately, he lost. His Mindscape shattered, forcing him to stagger back in frustration.

"Don't overwork yourself. That was strong—you've progressed by leaps and bounds."

Louis sighed, thanked his father, and stood once more.

"Psychic Aura Expansion?"

Louis extended his aura across the room, exerting crushing pressure on everything within.

"Good. Excellent."

Gustaf nodded approvingly. Louis withdrew the power.

"Now, Esper Spiritualization."

"Heh."

This was Louis's greatest strength among his Esper abilities—one of the most difficult to master, usually achieved only by veteran Espers.

Yet somehow, it had been the first ability Louis manifested, even before Telepathy or Telekinesis.

FLUOSH!

RUMBLE!

The ground shook as a massive white dragon with glowing golden eyes and golden horns erupted into being. Sharp metallic wings spread wide as it unleashed a ferocious roar.

"ROOOAAAARRRR!"

This was Louis's Esper Spiritualization—his idealized form, the "Great Dragon King."

Gustaf smiled proudly. He was among the few who knew Louis had not yet truly awakened his dragon bloodline.

All of his "draconic" power stemmed from his relentless efforts to recreate it—a fusion of every ability he possessed. The Order of the Fly had believed he had become a divine dragon.

"Let's test its strength."

Gustaf unleashed his own Esper Spiritualization. His psychic aura solidified into a towering giant of blue and purple light radiating gravitational force. Thousands of electromagnetic spheres and lightning crackled around it.

The giant's face was an empty purple void, its dozen arms flexing with power. Over these months, Gustaf had trained relentlessly alongside his son, steadily refining his abilities.

CLAAASH!

The dragon and giant collided. The dragon roared, unleashing a breath of white void energy. The giant countered with compressed gravity spheres that detonated against the dragon's body.

The dragon evaded swiftly, soaring upward and striking with razor-sharp claws. It wove swordsmanship techniques to slice through the gravity spheres, seized the giant, kicked it downward, then smashed it into the floor.

Its jaws opened wide, unleashing another devastating breath directly into the giant's head—blasting it to smithereens.

In seconds, Louis emerged victorious.