Staring at the fading blue sheen flashing across Ulric’s eyes, Tara froze momentarily. Her chest thumped rapidly as countless thoughts swirled at the back of her mind, churning into memories until one grew prominent.

Replaying before her again was the moment she had met Ulric. At first, she had dismissed him as just another spoiled noble brat. The only special thing about him being his exceedingly striking appearance and the smug look that always hovered across his face.

But looking back, she couldn’t help but shake her head, seeing how wrong she had been. Now, even more so. His power had grown beyond any perceivable threshold she could wrap her mind around.

Still, despite all the astounding feats he seemed to perform so easily, that was not what truly piqued her attention.

Beyond the freezing coldness that shrouded his body, the warmth in his eyes as he cast his gaze on her was undeniable. The same warmth that burned deep inside her chest.

The sight caused her face to redden slightly. Even more so when her gaze fell on Lyra’s frame sprawled across the ground in an obscene angle. Streams of white liquid trailing out of her ass and pussy in an entrancing display.

Perhaps other people would have hesitated at the sight. But Tara’s head dropped in guilty shame.

She had seen how he had brutally dominated her mercilessly. Causing her to gulp slightly. She wanted that... and more.

As her head lifted once more to express this, her brows suddenly furrowed. Where Ulric’s form once was, there was nothing but empty space and all that remained from his musings of his new power.

Where’d he go?

She didn’t have to wonder for long as the air behind her suddenly rippled. Ulric’s form appeared as he grabbed her waist tightly, breathing down her neck.

Literal chills spread across her spine, causing her body to stiffen. But as his warm touch trailed across her body, she slowly eased. Her body growing limp in his grasp.

So eager. Ulric smiled. Just like Aelira and the rest. He supposed his month-long seclusion had been a little too unbearable for them than he had imagined.

He mused, watching how easily she submitted to his touch.

And as he continued teasing her, his hands circling across her firm breasts, he couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. Watching her body light up in desire, her curves moving restlessly like a little vixen.

"I have something for you," Ulric breathed, turning her so his crimson gaze pierced into her dark eyes.

"Huh?" Tara mumbled. A look of confusion forming across her eyes. But as his words registered, it all morphed into surprise, his words echoing at the back of her mind. Causing a glint of excitement to flash across her eyes.

Something just for her?

"Really?" She breathed, finally finding her voice as she forced the words out.

Countering her question with another, Ulric asked,

"Say, what do you think of flames?" He coughed. A shameless smile spreading across his face.

Seeing the blank look on her face, Ulric scratched his chin. Trying to narrow it down as he whispered into her ear a little too enticingly.

"The power of destruction brought about by the fire element."

As his words echoed into her ears, Tara blinked rapidly. Power? He wanted to give her the power of flames?

If it was any other person who had even brought it up, she wouldn’t have thought much about it. But after everything she had seen, his words held an absurd amount of weight, especially to her.

As she sank deeper into her thoughts, she inevitably spiraled, remembering the path that led to who she was now.

It all started when she awakened her C-rank talent, Shroud of Darkness—similar to her mother—that specialized in stealth.

It wasn’t overbearing like the clan lords, but it wasn’t bad either. With Amelia’s teachings, she was able to wield it with exceptional expertise. Eventually carving her as one of the most feared assassins.

Deception, timing... illusions. These were her power. Timed right, she had been able to strike much more powerful opponents than her.

Still, a part of her had always yearned for more. Power beyond the shadows. Overwhelming power where she could go against those who went against her without deep plotting and using the element of surprise.

That desire had only grown as she watched some of Ulric’s battles. How he crushed his enemies with skill and raw power. It was just too intoxicating.

Was this the power he spoke of? It was a little far-fetched. But even if it was, any addition to power was always welcome. Besides, the curiosity raging within her couldn’t bring her to refuse.

"Y-yes." Tara muttered, lifting her gaze.

Looking down on the sparkling curiosity and hope flashing across her eyes, Ulric nodded softly.

Bringing a hand to caress her face, despite his reasons, that wasn’t all that drove his decision.

Since the first time he had laid eyes on her, he could see the sparkle of mischief in her eyes, laced with a teasing flair that made her overbearing at times.

All this made his head nod more. Her temperament matched the raging blaze of flames.

And as she nodded her head in agreement, he couldn’t help but mutter repeatedly.

"Good, good, good."

Pulling up his system interface, he opened the System Shop before browsing through the talents tab. Quickly searching through flame-related talents.

Mumbling beneath his breath as he weighed each option, judging which suited her the most.

"Hmm, Ember Dominion? No... too weak. Law of Solar Destruction... that’s a little bit too expensive." Ulric’s lips twitched slightly, watching the endless zeros at the corruption points needed.

Going through the list for a few minutes, his eyes suddenly widened as one drew his attention.

"S-rank talent: Absolute Inferno," Ulric muttered, nodding his head. It matched all criteria.

Almost similar to Lyra’s Imperial Frost, just that it was flames.

Confirming the purchase, his face winced slightly. Watching almost all his accumulated corruption points vanish. But at a good cost.

Instantly after, the air rippled before him. Energy ripped out to form a golden orb reeking with intense fire energy that settled on Ulric’s hand.

Watching the golden orb on Ulric’s hand, Tara’s breath hitched for a second. Just standing close to it, she could feel waves of pure fire energy reeking from it. Far more intense than every treasure she had ever encountered.

What was it? She breathed, restraining herself from touching it.

Lifting her chin, Ulric stared at the greedy glint flashing across her eyes as she was drawn to it like a cat to a shiny object. Before he smiled faintly as he asked,

"Do you trust me?"

Seeing her nod hurriedly without hesitation, the smile on his face widened. As he leaned forward, sealing his lips over hers and stealing her breath while pressing the golden orb into her chest.

Only pulling away when it exploded to form a golden cocoon around her.

Suppressing the urge to let out a fit of maniacal laughter, Ulric dropped into a lotus position and snapped his eyes shut, standing guard over her.

The seed had been planted. All he had to do now was wait for it to bloom before he could reap the rewards.