Returning to his room, Lance indulged in the soothing warmth of a hot shower and absentmindedly consumed a modest meal before embarking on his reading for the afternoon. Today's absence from the Moonlight Tower, due to his teacher's predicaments, afforded him a welcome opportunity to delve into the foundational wizarding knowledge from the comfort of his own home. While he held remnants of this knowledge from the original owner's memories, Lance was keen on relearning everything to ensure no vital information was overlooked. The main chip proved to be an invaluable tool during this process, allowing him to quickly scan and store large amounts of information with ease.
With [Fox] assisting, Lance's learning progressed at an exceptional pace. He also dedicated time to refine his technique of delving into his own mind, a skill in which he had already achieved considerable proficiency. The luminous dots symbolizing his mental energy, now totaling two hundred and twenty-three, were entirely at his command, moving and rearranging at his will within the vast expanse of his consciousness.
"Tomorrow, I should ask the teacher how to use mental power to outline runes in my brain," Lance mused quietly, contemplating the next steps in his magical education. If he could master the art of rune outlining, he would need only to solidify it continuously until it became a part of him. Then, wielding his mental powers, he could easily summon the lesser meditation technique for his meditations.
The thought alone thrilled him. "Through meditation, I can gather magical elements, transform them into magical energy, and store them within me, becoming a real wizard!" Lance whispered to himself, a wave of excitement washing over him as he envisioned his future, a step closer to the arcane and mystical.
…
When night enveloped the castle, Lance chose to avoid the communal dining hall. His reasons were twofold: he had no desire to confront the dour expressions of Nancy, and more crucially, he was a guardian of his own time. Granted access to the extensive collection within the Moonlight Tower's grand library, Lance was aware of the vast expanse of knowledge that awaited him. With the wizard's world requiring a deep understanding of numerous subjects, he knew he was in a race against time. Hence, when Hogg delivered a meticulously prepared meal to his chamber, Lance consumed it swiftly, urging his attendants to clear it away posthaste.
"Despite Gulun's prevalence, a multitude of languages still beckons me," Lance pondered aloud, his resolve unwavering.
The tome currently in his grasp was titled "Introduction to Abyssal Language," the entry-level manual in a comprehensive educational series. Within the vast reserves of Amman's library rested its advanced counterparts: "Abyss Language Advanced," "Abyss Language Elaboration," and "Abyss Language Master." The "Introduction" was clearly just the beginning of a long journey. Lance recognized that without the invaluable assistance of [Fox], mastering these complex dialects would be an insurmountable challenge.
"Wizards, it seems, belong to a realm that demands not just talent, but an intellect of exceptional depth," Lance mused, a note of respect tinged with incredulity in his voice. "To master the Abyssal language is merely to scratch the surface, one of the nineteen languages a wizard must conquer. The very thought boggles the mind, how these spell-weaving savants manage to weave the intricate tapestries of language without a single thread out of place."
He glanced down at the "Introduction" lying before him, its pages dense with arcane symbols and phrases. While the main chip had efficiently stored its contents within his memory, Lance understood that rote memorization was just the beginning. Comprehension and application were the keys to unlocking its true power.
"The whispers of the Abyssal language," Lance continued, contemplating the intricate linguistics, "are said to align more closely with the very essence of magic itself compared to our common tongue, offering a conduit to more potent spells." Yet, such grandiose theories seemed distant, almost mythical to him at this juncture. For now, he wrestled with the labyrinthine syntax and semantics of the language, where a single syllable could signify concepts as disparate as 'wife,' 'red lava,' 'flagpole,' or 'transgender demon.'
"How do these elements intertwine? The logic defies ordinary understanding," Lance sighed inwardly, grappling with the abstract complexities laid bare on the pages before him.
The flickering light from the four candles cast shifting shadows across Lance's chamber, creating an atmosphere both serene and studious. There, beside his desk, stood Bonnie, the personal maid assigned to him. Her skin was as pale as the moonlight that occasionally peeped through the clouds outside, and her beauty was of the kind that whispered rather than shouted.
After what seemed an eternity, consumed in the cryptic depths of his book, Lance finally emerged from his scholarly reverie. He laid the heavy tome aside and directed his gaze towards Bonnie, breaking the silence that had settled like a thick blanket. "Go to the barracks in the outer city," he instructed in a tone that brooked no argument, "and fetch the murloc blood I've requested."
For Bonnie, this represented a change in their dynamic, a deviation from the silent sentinel she had been relegated to until now. Her nod was swift, a mix of obedience and a sliver of relief painting her features. Without a word, she retreated from the room, her departure leaving a tangible void. Lance watched her leave, his eyes trailing the gentle sway of her exit, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts, emotions tangling with the cold calculus of his needs.
Certainly, let's keep the sequence and style as you've set:
Bonnie's role as the lady's spy in Lance's quarters was crystal clear. Previously, when Lance was seen as nothing more than a nonentity, the lady barely cared to conceal her disregard. But Lance's sudden ascendancy towards wizardry turned the tides, filling her with unease.
Could she initiate a plot?
Lance pondered, uncertain. Yet, considering Lady Nancy's shrewdness and knowing well the Viscount's affection for him, she would likely refrain from overt actions.
"An open confrontation is easy to evade, but the threat of a concealed plot is more difficult to parry," Lance mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. When would be her prime moment to strike? Naturally, during the Viscount's absence from the castle.
"But whether I'm the predator or the prey in this game remains unseen. Even if tensions escalate into open hostility, I'll take refuge in the Moonlight Tower and await her move," Lance considered, his eyes shimmering with resolve. In silence, he withdrew a dagger from beneath the table—a discreet gift from the viscount before his departure. Lance had tested its edge; it sliced with ease, as lethal as it was silent.
Footsteps, soft and tentative, neared his door. Someone was creeping up, their presence almost ghostly.
Lance swiftly rose, moving quietly to the door with the dagger cautiously held aloft. The unexpected *knock knock knock* punctured the silence, startling him. After a brief moment of hesitation, he retracted slightly, then briskly opened the door.
Outside stood a young girl, her attire modest and simple, looking at Lance with innocent curiosity. "Brother Lance, what are you doing?" she inquired, her voice tinged with youthful concern.
It was Irene, adorned in her delicate nightwear, seemed somewhat out of place at this late hour. Lance breathed a sigh of relief, realizing there was no real danger. Internally scolding himself for his initial panic, he discreetly concealed the dagger and nonchalantly replied, "Just some reading, nothing more," attempting to mask the adrenaline rush that had recently gripped him.
"Brother Lance, our shared bathroom is out of order. May I use yours instead?" Irene asked, a hint of embarrassment coloring her tone.
Initially misunderstanding, Lance queried, "Sorry, what was that?"
Growing visibly frustrated, Irene repeated more firmly, "I need to use your shower!"
Nodding awkwardly, Lance responded, "Ah, I see. Sure, that's fine."
As Irene retreated to her room to gather her belongings, Lance couldn't shake off the unexpected warmth he felt upon seeing her in her nightwear.
"Damn, what's happening to me? She's practically like a sister to me, blood-related or not!" Lance scolded himself internally, wondering if the stress of his intense study and training regimen was affecting him more than he realized.
"This is unscientific! Fox, scan my body immediately to see if there's any problem!" Lance commanded inwardly.
The sensation of heat grew stronger, his breath quickening. "Damn, what's happening!" Lance attempted to calm himself, but the desire surged relentlessly like an unforgiving tide.
His body grew warm, and his reaction below became even more intense…
"I'll use the bath then, Brother Lance," Irene announced suddenly, catching Lance off guard. He could only nod in response.
Irene eyed him curiously before disappearing into the bathroom, still clad in her pajamas. Shortly after, the gentle sound of water splashing filled the room, signaling the start of her bath.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Lance exclaimed, "Fox! What the hell is going on!"
{Master! An unknown substance has appeared in your blood, originating from Murloc blood!}
{It's a side effect of using Murloc blood to enhance your physical fitness! There's a component that improves physical fitness, but something else mixed in. Precipitating in your blood, it suddenly broke out.}
{Now, there's a fairly high concentration of this substance in your blood…}
"Just tell me what this is! And what do I do!?" Lance demanded, annoyance evident in his voice.
[Fox] responded promptly: {According to analysis, it's similar to a potent aphrodisiac on earth!}
"Damn!" Lance exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed.
It's challenging to eliminate through normal metabolism. Only intercourse can expel it effectively.}
{So, the solution is to find a woman, master!}
Frustrated, Lance ran his hand through his hair. "Isn't there another way? You're a high-end chip!"
Fox] acknowledged its limitations, leaving Lance exasperated. "A woman? Where am I supposed to find one?" Lance muttered, his thoughts scattered
{Given your position in the castle, it shouldn't be difficult to find a woman.} [Fox] suggested.
"Brother Lance, I forgot my towel on the table. Can you help me get it?"