Several days later
Slowly, his body moved into a single punch. Isaac could feel every inch of his being screaming; his body radiated with intense purple mist as it finally reached its end!
Crackle!
SNAP!
BOOM!
Isaac's body was blown away by three steps. He could feel the skin on his knuckle's been cut and bleeding, but the smile on his face could not be any brighter.
"You're bleeding again?" A towel landed on his face. Yulia shook her head in disappointment, "So, did you confirm what you wanted to confirm?"
Isaac laughed at her displeasure, "Yes, somehow, I could now discharge some lightning. It's not enough to kill but enough to stagger and paralyze someone momentarily."
Isaac could now generate and discharge lightning even without mana, 'The Singularity Maneuver stops the flow of mana, so physical attributes are left. That means that punch signified that the lightning was not some mana discharge.'
The [Singularity Maneuver] was the technique he stole from Dragil. The maneuver pushes every muscle group in the body in a single movement hence its name. He hadn't been able to discover a new organ, but Isaac could already generate lightning at will.
"It's not a curse, nor is it some disease. When I use it, it does not hurt my internal organs, but my skin and muscles suffer a little drawback. It's not perfect, but the more I use it, the less the lightning's effects become." Isaac explained.
Isaac could feel it; he was changing drastically. But, he was neither afraid nor worried. He was only excited at their prospects, 'If I could have lightning resistance even by just a few notches, I might be able to use the [Avatar of the Storm] more effectively.'
One of the glaring issues stopping Isaac from using Avatar of the Storm more frequently was that it destroys him inside and out. But, if Lightning Resistance was built, he would be able to play around using Avatar of the Storm more frequently.
'The matter of stamina and mana drain can be worked around with potions. It's also good for grinding my Spirit Connection.'
[Conqueror of Lightning Lv. 7 -> 13]
[Warrior of Lightning Lv 6 -> 11]
'...though I haven't checked if this sudden change had anything to do with these two.'
In the end, Isaac was still confused about a lot of things.
"So you've gained a new power, congratulations."
Yulia clapped her hands monotonously and a face that couldn't resemble a smile. If he wasn't used to her actions, Isaac would've thought she was acting sarcastically, but what she was showing was her genuine emotions.
"Thank you." Isaac turned to walk away but stopped and shot Yulia a cold glare.
"What?" Yulia asked.
"...nothing, I thought you would follow me into the bath again."
"I know when I am unneeded. You are no longer hurt, so, please, carry on. But, if you wish, I could assist you in washing your back. After all, this life would not breathe today if not for yo-"
"I'll pass." Isaac waved his hand as he walked away.
Walking into the hallways of the manor, Isaac was greeted by those he came across. The maids made sure to take a bow when he met them. Though they were already respectful to him when he arrived after saving Yulia from the Wolves, they were even more so after the whole thing with the Death Knight.
The truth about being the Death Knight was kept silent, and they only knew how Isaac risked his life to give their Lady enough time to deal the final blow to the Death Knight.
The story goes:
[Yulia was about to inflict Yulia a severe injury after cursing her when he arrived at blinding speeds. Isaac then held on long enough for Yulia to catch her breath and deal the final blow to the Death Knight.]
Being the Town Lord that revitalized a dying town from the brink of destruction, Yulia was a beloved figure. Saving her was their light. Adding to the fact that the Death Knight was seen as their greatest enemy, the townspeople celebrated Isaac's name.
"There are even rumors that I lost my right arm saving Yulia and those came from the maids." Isaac sighed as he submerged himself in the bathtub.
[The Crying Silver Moon has not risen: 27:20:09 before the next Crying Silver Moon]
Dinner was served all the same. Isaac ate with all the servants, but he was asked more questions than before this time. Other than questions, he didn't have to deal with Yulia trying to feed him, so it was quite a quiet night.
That night, Isaac climbed up the roof to get some fresh air. He wanted to be alone, but Yulia was already there holding a bottle of wine.
'She beat me to it.' Isaac said to himself as he was just about to jump back down.
Yulia was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and tight-fitting pants. Her hair was tied to a ponytail, and her sharp and dangerous eyes reflected melancholy.
"You don't have to leave, Isaac." Yulia stopped him. Though she never turned around to check who it was, she was already aware that it was Isaac, "Why not join me?"
Without any reason to refuse, Isaac took her up on her offer.
Yulia offered him a bag, and inside was dozens of high-end wines, "Want some?" she offered.
"Thanks." They both sat on the roof, observing the Town under the moonlight and dim magic lamps spread across Town. Isaac drank the wine as he took in the sight.
There were still people awake, those enjoying the pubs, those spending time in the red light district. A group of young men going around Town sneaking out of Town, and the guards waiting for them at their destination, about to bring them back home.
It was peaceful, almost nostalgic.
To Isaac, conflict was more frequent than not. To see such a peaceful town, knowing there were no schemes at night, was something he thought he'd never see again, 'It's a rare sight nowadays.'
"Do you know what an Angel City is, Isaac?" Yulia suddenly spoke.
"Enlighten me."
"It's a city that welcomes the Otherworlders. Avalon's way of welcoming those who became the Champions of their respective worlds. We would also become the only place that could send the Otherworlders back home without using a Travel Stone." Yulia explained, "We would become something like a Port City in-between worlds. We would become a bigger market than we are now. There's only one other Port City in this region, and it's tens of thousands of kilometers away, so we won't have any competition."
'A Port City, huh? Well, that would certainly be useful. This place is away from the Sea. It's surrounded by mountains and a forest full of monsters but not any Dungeon. They don't have anything special to export; maybe their crops are especially well-tended, but they have high-end potions, and from the looks of the blacksmiths, the restaurants, and the service of this place, they are talented. If they could open a portal to different worlds, then materials would come flooding, and it would introduce varieties for them, and if that's the case, they wouldn't have to set a foot out of their territory. Instead, the merchants and other powers would come to them.'
The Town was located in a very rural place but being a World Port City, that would change, "Expanding is good and all, but do you think the citizens would be okay with this? They have been living in such a rural place. To change that suddenly will only result in pandemonium, and it will only explode on your face."
Yulia flashed him a glance, "You're also well-versed in the economy?"
"I've been known to dabble." Isaac shrugged as he downed the wine bottle, "But, only bare-bones, I'm nowhere near the level of being well-adept. Not to brag, but I've helped develop a town or two."
He also helped rebuild an empire, but he kept his mouth shut.
"I see; you made this easier for me to ask." Yulia held Isaac's hand and looked him in the eyes, "Isaac, stay in the town with me, and together, let's create the greatest City together."