For Kole to advance to Tier 1-B, it was a simple process. Just consume the two Creation Seeds and resist the "corruption" brought forth by them.
And this is where Kole shined! Kole had the Canvas of Felony that could resist any kind of "corruption" and protect the colorful Canvas that held his memories, habits, behaviors, ideals, desires, etc.
As long as he had the Canvas of Felony, it was impossible for him to get corrupted by consuming Creation Seeds.
For others, they would have to first stable their mental states for months, keep resisting the "corruption" until none is left in their minds, and only then they'd think of advancing.
As such, Kole didn't stop at Tier 1-B. After a week of further training, he consumed four Creation Seeds at once, advancing to Tier 1-C rapidly.
Which was even faster than Caroline, Faneia mentioned once.
After all, the more one intake Creations Seeds and advances, the more terrifying the "corruption" tends to become. At first, if a talented individual took weeks to advance a minor rank, then for the next rank, it would take them months to stabilize their mental state.
The higher the concentration of Creation Seeds in one's body, the higher the "corruptions" tends to become.
This was another reason why Alice didn't intake the Creation Seed she found on her adventure. In fact, she couldn't for some period of time! She had to wait a long time, before her mental state stabilizes from her previous "corruption".
However, Kole was like "Bane" himself. It was like he was already corrupted. Which was as hilarious as it sounds, it was even more terrifying if someone saw Kole's rapid progress!
If it was known to the outside world, even the Tempest Order might be alarmed and would've tested Kole to confirm whether he was harmful to society or not.
Even Caroline was tested several times by Mind Domain experts of Tempest Order, after her rapid progress. Compared to Caroline, Kole was even more of a monster.
Fortunately, his mother was as calm as the ocean near the Floating Cathedral. She just briefly mentioned, to not reveal it to anyone, then it would be fine.
After being cooped up for almost two weeks, Kole's coming-of-age ceremony was rapidly approaching.
It was almost two weeks away and Kole was excited to see his sister who has been lost for Goddess knows how long and also meet other scions of nobles.
Yet, the one scion who he actually cared for has not made her appearance.
As such, Kole was currently standing outside the Turners' Villa with a broad grin on his face.
He has come here before many times, and thus, when guards saw him, they readily opened the doors and let him in.
"Maybe she was too shy after what happened…" Kole wondered briefly with a sly grin.
Women… two weeks ago she was loudly moaning and telling me to go faster… then she ran as fast as I pumped!... Kole chuckled inwardly.
As soon as he arrived at the gates of the villa, a man who appeared to be in his fifties with grey hair and slight wrinkles around the corner of his eyes but was in fit shape walked out and bowed before Kole.
He was the head butler of Viscount Turners' Villa, named Hugh.
"How may I help you, Heir Akerse?" He said deferentially.
"Mhm. I am here to meet my friend!" Kole smiled, "Uncle Hugh, don't worry about me, I'll make myself comfortable. You should go inform her about my arrival as fast as possible."
Kole was about to walk past the butler when he suddenly showed a difficult expression, as he said awkwardly, "Heir Akerse…"
Kole noticed the abnormality as he raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"
"My apologies, but Miss Turner isn't at the mansion. She had gone outside."
Kole frowned as he asked, "Isn't here? Then where did she go? Did she go out to explore again?"
The butler smiled apologetically and shook his head, "Um. No. Miss Turner went out with the second son of Count Moore, Mark for afternoon lunch at a restaurant nearby."
"Second son of Count Moore…" Kole muttered as a sharp glint flashed past his deep orbs.
Isn't he the one supposedly almost engaged to Alice? Kole controlled his feelings and with an immaculate smile, he nodded at the butler.
"I heard he was injured recently. Did he recover by any chance?" Kole displayed a small smile.
"Ah, yes." Hugh nodded, "Not only has he recovered but has returned stronger than ever. They say, he has Ascended to Tier 1-B. That's an impressive feat for someone who was never interested in mysticism."
Truth be told, the butler, Hugh knew the inside knowledge. He knew how frightened Mark was after he Ascended.
In fact, after facing the "corruption" of the first Creation Seed that he consumed, he was scared shitless that he refused to advance further even after his mental state was stable enough to continue further.
As for advancing now? He was forced to advance because of special circumstances created by the "corruption" he was suffering from, but Hugh wasn't privy to details.
The butler was quite knowledgeable. After all, he himself was an Ascendant.
He couldn't help but smile bitterly while talking about the future Lord of the Turners' house, with some hidden disappointment.
Apart from Alice, who was about to be married, Viscount had no other inheritors, as such, Mark would become half lord of Turner's house till Viscount dies.
However, Hugh was just a servant and could only praise his future master.
"Alright, then… I'll be on my way! Take care of yourself, Uncle Hugh..." Kole turned around and walked out, leaving butler Hugh behind.
Hugh smiled ruefully as he muttered to himself:
"Sigh. Heir Akerse is so gentlemanly and humble. Even to us servants, he had never shown any disrespect. If only he had married Miss Turner instead of that bigot then I couldn't be happier for Miss."
He was someone who had seen the little Miss grow up and considered her as his own daughter.
No matter where people lived, they'd slowly grow attached to the people and even objects around them. It was a normal human tendency.
However if the butler had seen the dark eyes of Kole when he turned around, he'd be reeling from shock.
Those eyes… weren't pretty anymore.
…
The Creamy Chef, West Grovebourne.
Inside the lavish restaurant, famous for its creamy fish dishes, two figures were seated across from each other.
One was an extremely gorgeous blonde with emerald eyes. Sitting across from her was a man with a thin physique. If fact, he was so thin that even a pole would blush in shame.
They were Alice Turner and Mark Moore.
After recovering, Mark came to first look at the woman who was about to engage him.
Behind Alice, stood Lucy. She had a neutral look, however, there was a tinge of annoyance as she glanced at Mark.
The reason was simple—He was blatantly ogling Alice. And not just Alice, but even Lucy.
Lucy wouldn't say she was the most beautiful woman in the restaurant. And she also paled in comparison to Alice.
But despite that, she was still in the top-looking charts.
She had incredible womanly curves, soft brown eyes, dark hair, and pale skin. Her face was brimming with the youthful vigor of a young girl.
With each glance Mark Moore took at both Lucy and Alice, Lucy felt her mouth twitching.
It was obvious, he was already planning how to make her his mistress.
He was not satisfied with the gorgeous wife; he wanted more. In fact, Lucy briefly wondered whether Mark was looking at two women or just pieces of meat.
Don't worry, you are already a cuck… Lucy smirked inwardly, and couldn't help but glance at her master in concern.
Alice had a strained smile on her face as she made small chats with Mark.
This was their first meeting and Alice couldn't wait to run to Akerses' manor and plead Kole to end this façade.
"Sooo Miss Alice, I wonder what you think about the recent developments made in the field of machinery. I heard they were about to launch steam engine airships that would affectedly change the way wars are fought." Mark asked, thinking of striking a conversation that could engage most noble scions.
However, his brows scrunched together when he heard Alice reply:
"Ahah. That's incredible. Truly magnificent." Alice smiled stiffly.
That's it? If it was someone else they'd keep talking about this with fervor for hours!... Mark felt his eyes twitch.
Though he was unaware, Alice wanted nothing else than to end the conversation and run away!
However, Mark wasn't one to be trifled with in the way of words. Although people called him a coward; that he was, he had learned to use his mouth instead of his muscles; that he didn't have anyway.
He kept talking about various topics and switched them with ease when Alice replied too succinctly.
…
Outside The Creamy Chef, West Grovebourne.
A man in a black trench coat and half-top hat, wearing a black face mask appeared.
Looking at Alice's steam powered car parked outside the restaurant, the man nodded indiscernibly as his dark eyes turned darker.