MTLNOVEL Chapter 192: [192] Divine Cookie Jar
The door closed behind Ashley with a soft click that echoed like thunder in the sudden silence of the room. Xavier stood frozen, his hand still extended toward where she had been, fingers grasping empty air. His chest tightened with a potent mixture of guilt, confusion, and the lingering warmth of his night with Calypso.
A soft, suppressed snort broke the tension.
Xavier turned to see Calypso sitting on the edge of the bed, a silk sheet pulled up to her chest, her shoulders trembling. She pressed her lips together, but her eyes danced with unrestrained mischief, pink irises sparkling in the morning light. Another snort escaped, and then she dissolved into giggles.
"Well," she managed between laughs, "that was... dramatic."
Xavier's guilt curdled into exasperation. "Dramatic? Are you serious right now?" He lowered his arm and began pacing, his bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor. "Ashley felt everything, Calypso. Everything. She hasn't slept all night because of us."
"I know, I know." Calypso waved a hand, trying to compose herself. "I'm not laughing at her pain. It's just—" She took a breath, her giggles subsiding. "The expression on your face! You looked like someone caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Or rather, some other jar entirely."
A flash of pink-gold light interrupted his response. It burst in his peripheral vision, expanding into a translucent interface that hung in the air before him. The status display he'd grown accustomed to seeing had changed, glowing with an intensity he'd never witnessed before.
===== SYSTEM NOTIFICATION =====
SOUL BOND [CALYPSO] HAS REACHED MAXIMUM RESONANCE.
DIVINE ESSENCE INTEGRATION: COMPLETE.
NEW THRESHOLD ACHIEVED.
BUFFER LEVEL INCREASED: LVL 1 -> LVL 2
NEW TECHNIQUES AND SYSTEM UPGRADES AVAILABLE.
Xavier froze, his mouth hanging open mid-word. The frustration drained from his body, replaced by shock and a surge of primal excitement that ran up his spine.
Calypso sat up straighter, her amusement fading into curiosity. "Valentine? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Xavier didn't answer. His eyes traced the glowing text, scanning the information only he could see. He mentally commanded the screen to expand, revealing more details.
===== ESSENTIA STATUS: XAVIER VALENTINE =====
HP: [■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■] 800/800 IB: [□□□□□□□□□□] 0/250
BUFFER LEVEL: 2
NEW METER BUILDING TECHNIQUES:
Showtime (Taunt) [+25 METER ON SUCCESS]
[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 3]
NEW METER CONSUMING TECHNIQUES:
Violet Finale (Combo Ender) [-50 METER]
Fadeaway (Reversal) [-35 METER]
[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 3]
FEVER MODE: [LOCKED] [AVAILABLE AT FULL METER]
When activated: +15% to all stats for 30 seconds
Consumes entire meter when activated
SOUL BONDS:
[Calypso] [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓] 100%
[Naomi] [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░] 57%
[Ashley] [▓▓░░░░░░░░] 22%
[Luka] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 8%
[Sayuri] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 6%
[Aurora] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%
[Beppo] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%
NOTIFICATIONS:
Execute combat techniques with precision to build meter
Meter can be lost when sufficient damage is done
"Holy shit," Xavier whispered, reaching out to touch the display, his fingers passing through the holographic text. "My system... it leveled up."
Calypso slid off the bed, wrapping the sheet around herself toga-style, and padded over to stand beside him. She squinted at the empty air where his gaze was fixed. "What do you mean? What are you seeing?"
"My buffer system. It's changed." Xavier's voice held wonder. "New techniques, expanded capabilities. I've reached level two."
"And you think this happened because of..." Calypso gestured between them, the sheet slipping slightly off one shoulder.
"The notification specifically mentions our soul bond reaching maximum resonance." Xavier turned to her.
Calypso stepped closer, reaching out to place a palm against his chest. Her eyes unfocused slightly, sensing beyond the physical. "Your soul feels... deeper. More expansive." A small smile played at her lips. "It seems my divinity is excellent fertilizer for your abilities."
Xavier stared at the interface, processing the implications. His night with Calypso wasn't just pleasure; it was a power-up with tangible consequences for his combat capabilities. The system had evolved, grown stronger through their connection.
"I've got new moves," he said, scrolling through the details. "Something called 'Showtime' that builds meter faster, and two new techniques that consume meter for specific effects."
"Showtime?" Calypso raised an eyebrow. "Sounds flashy."
"It's a taunt." Xavier snorted.
Calypso smirked. "Well, it does suit your personality."
Xavier closed the interface with a thought, refocusing on Calypso. "This changes things. My power, my abilities—they're directly tied to the strength of my connections with others."
"Which means what happened between us wasn't just..." Calypso trailed off, her expression growing more serious.
"It wasn't just a night together," Xavier finished for her. "It was an evolution. A strengthening of the bond that fuels my power."
Calypso nodded slowly. "And what about Ashley? That bond is growing too, isn't it?"
Xavier sank onto the edge of the bed, the mattress creaking beneath his weight. "Yeah. And now she's tied to both of us in ways none of us fully understand."
"She didn't seem entirely... displeased," Calypso said, a hint of mischief returning to her voice. "Once the shock wore off."
Xavier shot her a warning look. "Don't. Whatever games you're playing—"
"I'm not playing games, Valentine." Calypso dropped the sheet and began gathering her scattered clothes. "I'm simply observing. Ashley's golden fractures? They respond to both of us now. Her emotions are tied to ours, just as ours are becoming linked to hers."
"That doesn't mean we should take advantage of the situation."
"Who said anything about taking advantage?" Calypso pulled her undergarments on with divine grace, somehow making the mundane act seem ethereal. "I'm merely suggesting that the connections forming between us all might not be entirely unpleasant for any party involved."
Xavier shook his head, watching her dress. "You're impossible."
"I'm a goddess," she corrected, buttoning her blouse. "Impossibility is our stock in trade."
Xavier stood and collected his own scattered clothing. As he dressed, his mind turned to the practical implications of his system upgrade. "I need to test these new abilities. See how they work in combat."
"Planning to pick a fight with the Winter Court so soon after our night of passion?" Calypso teased, smoothing her skirt. "I'm flattered."
"Not the Winter Court. Not yet." Xavier buckled his belt. "But we still need to prepare for what's coming. We have the Flameheart research, we have the location of the Heart of Winter, and now I have new capabilities. We need to use every advantage."
Calypso moved to the window, gazing out at the mountain slopes beyond Hearthome. "And Ashley? What will you say to her?"
Xavier paused, shirt half-buttoned. "I don't know. Thank you for not hating me? Please explain what you meant when you said 'some of it'?"
"Some of what?"
"Before she left, I apologized for causing her pain. She started to say 'some of it' and then stopped herself." Xavier frowned, finishing with his buttons. "It was almost like..."
"Like she didn't entirely hate experiencing what we shared?" Calypso suggested, turning back to face him.
"That's... complicated."
"Again with the 'complicated.'" Calypso rolled her eyes. "Mortals love that word. It's your universal excuse for avoiding difficult emotions."
"Because things are complicated," Xavier retorted. "Ashley and I have a history—"
"The great Xavier Valentine, professional seducer in his past life, suddenly shy about admitting attraction?"
Xavier ran a hand through his hair, unable to formulate a proper rebuttal. "I need to check on her. Make sure she's okay."
"Give her time," Calypso advised, her voice softening. "Ashley needs sleep more than she needs apologies right now. And you need to process this." She gestured to where the interface had been. "Your evolution."
Xavier nodded reluctantly. "You're right. But first, we need to find Margaret and Naomi. We should all discuss what comes next."
"The Heart of Winter," Calypso said, her expression growing distant. "And the girl who's still falling."
"Selene," Xavier confirmed. "We need to help her too."
Calypso crossed the room to stand before him. She reached up, placing her palm against his cheek. "First, you need to understand your new capabilities."
Xavier leaned into her touch. "Will you help me?"
"Of course." She smiled. "That's what bonds are for."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Xavier moved to answer it, finding Margaret standing in the hallway, her blue-streaked hair pulled back in a tight braid.
"Are you two ready to go soon?" Margaret asked, her eyes darting between Xavier and Calypso. She held a rolled parchment in one hand, her fingers fidgeting with the edges. "Naomi's already at the armory taking inventory of supplies, and the guides Torval provided are waiting."
Xavier nodded, quickly finishing the last button on his shirt. "Almost. We just need to—"
"Where's Ashley?" Calypso interrupted, moving to stand beside Xavier in the doorway.
Margaret's expression tightened slightly. "Sleeping. Finally. She looked... exhausted when she returned to her chambers." The healer's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "I don't suppose either of you know anything about that?"
Xavier felt heat rise to his face. "It's complicated."
"Isn't it always?" Margaret sighed, unrolling the parchment to reveal a detailed map. "Torval's cartographers finished the northern route maps. We should review them before departure." She paused, studying Xavier's face. "You look different somehow. Did something happen?"
Xavier exchanged a quick glance with Calypso. "You could say that."