"What do you mean? Do you want me to follow you somewhere? Also, weren't you about to explain my Talents to me?"
Puzzled, the girl stared at him, trying to figure out what was going on without success.
'... I somewhat expected that she wouldn't know, but at the same time, it was worth a try.'
Readjusting his position into a more comfortable one, as he would be here for a non-negligible while, he tackled her questions one by one.
"Let's start by telling you about what a Follower is. It falls under the 'Subordinates' category of the Status Panel, which you haven't unlocked yet. The Heavenly Dao refers to some of those kinds of Subordinates as 'Servants', and the Follower is one of them. Someone can only become another person's Follower if they, from the bottom of their heart, agree to it. So unless underhanded or manipulative methods are used, one cannot force another to become anyone's Follower. It is impossible for a Follower to have any thoughts of betraying their Leader or harm them, but other than that, they are quite unrestrained. While one is still subservient to another–literally following their lead–the true purpose of all of that is to protect the Leader from those who would wish them harm."
Relieved that Xie Mei was seemingly still paying close attention and understanding what he said, he gave her a little bit of time to catch up properly, before continuing.
"Of course, being a Follower also comes with plenty of advantages. There are some Talents that can strengthen one's Followers in numerous ways. Additionally, in the competition for the next Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress that we currently find ourselves in–the Heavenly Succession–a contestant like me will move on to other worlds in the future. Followers and Servants in general will be able to be brought along."
Perking up when she heard this, the girl inched closer, subconsciously acting flirtatious again.
"Does that mean I'll be able to come with you no matter where you'll go in the future?!"
Nodding without hesitation, Theodore saw that she was about to speak up again, so he interrupted her before she could do so, as there was still an important detail that she had to know prior to making her decision. Well, there were multiple, but this one was the most pressing issue to mention.
"By the way, the Heaven's Chosen Level Special Status signifies that you technically also have the qualifications to compete. So by becoming my Follower, you will be renouncing your claim to the spot of a participant. At the same time, you will be giving me your own Heaven's Chosen Level in the process, which will increase my score during the contest. But don't misunderstand, that is not the reason for my invitation."
At this point, he gave Xie Mei a general rundown of her Talents and his understanding about what had likely occurred in the past. By the end of it, although his cute bedfellow had already understood some parts of it all by herself, her eyes were still as wide as saucers, her breathing rapid and irregular due to the mounting excitement.
"S-So, I'm actually really impressive, huh? How far do you think I'd make it in this Heavenly Succession?"
Seeing her relatively easily shrug off the news that technically speaking, her own self was reborn from the ashes of a deceased clone of the 'Moon', he felt relieved. Her question, however, made him audibly chuckle.
"Not all too far, I'm afraid. It shouldn't be difficult for you to make it through a few rounds. Your Talents, after all, put you on par with a regular descendant of a Named Family. Still, compared to the truly terrifying ones who are taking part in this, you're eight levels lower. Even I would be treading on very thin ice if I were to run into them now."
Her newly found confidence deflating like a balloon losing air, Xie Mei couldn't help but furrow her brows, the look in her eyes a mixture of annoyance and shock.
"In other words, I'm pretty much trash?"
Rolling his eyes, he shook his head and poked her nose playfully, deliberately teasing her.
"Nope, you're actually really amazing. To put things into perspective, there is likely not a single other person as outstanding as you are in your entire world, and even a few ones surrounding it. It's not you who is lacking, but those at the very top who are too monstrous. Don't let the excellence of others delude yourself into feeling as if you're nothing."
With tears shimmering in her eyes, about to fall at any moment, she blushed, evidently moved by his encouraging words.
"Y-Yes! I understand!"
After nodding repeatedly, she gathered up her courage and inquired about what she had been perplexed by since he had first made his offer.
"But if I am so much less impressive than many others, why invite me to begin with?"
"There are actually a lot of reasons. Firstly, an additional pair of hands to deal with some chores will help me free up more time to focus on important matters. Secondly, there are a few Talent-related theories which I'd like to verify, and Followers can be considered trustworthy. Thirdly, according to the standards that I have set for myself when it comes to accepting Followers, you do make the cut. Fourthly, although we've only spent a few weeks of time together, it cannot be denied that we are somewhat close. Then, lastly, you're extremely attractive, and even I would feel it would be a tiny bit of a shame to leave and let you slip through my fingers."
At first, she thought that she hadn't heard correctly, but when her mind finally properly registered Theodore's words, her entire face flushed a crimson red, whilst her body began to heat up. With faintly watery eyes, she bit her lower lip, extremely tempted to simply throw caution to the wind already. Yet before she could really come to a decision about what to do, the target of her affection continued to speak.
"But keep in mind that anyone who has the potential to make it far in this competition is absolutely not a good person. All of us–including me–will do anything and everything necessary to succeed. You may think highly of me, but be aware: Should it benefit me, I will eradicate millions of lives without hesitation. That said, I do treat my own people well."
Freezing up, only just now realizing that her rose-tinted glasses had likely idealized him a little too much, she recalled the time when he had saved her. Before she knew it, completely unceremoniously, he had taken a life, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. While he had undoubtedly secured her safety like this, upon looking back at that moment properly, it was still quite terrifying...
'No, that's nonsense! I shouldn't think like that. The world isn't a nice place to begin with. If I don't harden my heart, I'll simply be taken advantage of and eventually die in disgrace. Theo has been nothing but kind and supportive to me. Other than that vile woman, he didn't hurt anybody!'
Shaking her head and gathering her thoughts, she took a deep breath, then looked up directly into his ever-so-composed eyes which were observing her patiently.
"I know that I'll be facing terrifying dangers and... 'disturbing' events after becoming your Follower. But I can't hide from the bad things in life forever, right? Also..."
At that point in her speech, her confidence faltered. She yet again broke eye contact, shivering in fear, anticipation and embarrassment. When she continued, her voice was trembling and as quiet as a mosquito.
"I... I really want to b-be yours, and be with you! Forever... if possible..."
Although Theodore had known that she had fallen for him–and that her Connate Mistress Talent only further increased the intensity of her feelings–he was also aware that due to the loss of her parents, she was now even more desperate than she otherwise would be. But to him, this wasn't a bad thing. After all, his goal was to make her his Follower, plain and simple. If that couldn't be achieved, then he would reluctantly accept her Reincarnation Talent. Fortunately, everything seemed to be progressing exactly as expected.
"In other words, you agree? Then let's get the formalities out of the way and make you mine, shall we?"
Although his words caused her to turn crimson all the way to the ears, he was merely referring to the matter of becoming his Follower. Of course, he was messing with her on purpose, as her strong reactions to even the slightest mental stimuli were fun to observe.
With a silent command, he caused a notification to pop up in Xie Mei's vision, leaving her both startled and overjoyed, as well as a bit disappointed.
'So he didn't mean... t-that...'
[ Theodore Winter has offered to become your Leader.
Will you accept this offer and become his Follower?
Warning: Your Heaven's Chosen Level will be transferred to Theodore Winter as a result, causing you to lose the qualifications to be a contestant in the Heavenly Succession. ]
The choice was as simple and straightforward as it could be, so she didn't hesitate.
'Yes!'
[ You have become a Follower of Theodore Winter.
You have been enhanced by the Mythical-grade Talent 'Coattail Ascension'. ]
[ Enhancement gained from Coattail Ascension (Mythical):
• Every Standard Attribute will be increased by 10% of one's Superior's respective Attribute. Current effects:
- Strength +11.2
- Dexterity +11.1
- Vitality +11.3
- Endurance +11.3
- Agility +11.2
• If one's Superior's cultivation realm is higher than one's own, Breakthrough difficulty: -80%
• Proficiencies improvement efficiency: +900% ]
As Xie Mei read through the information which she had just got in detail, Theodore couldn't help but inwardly lament the fact that he only had this one Subordinate-related Talent. During the past four years, although he had come across others of its kind, the people who held them had been too well protected to make a move.
Nonetheless, even with this one alone, it would still ensure that in some regards, all of his Subordinates would be at least a tenth as strong as he was. It would also become ridiculously challenging to break through at the higher realms, so this would make it easier for them to follow his lead. As for the Proficiencies-related bonus, it was more of an icing on the cake. Still, mastering any- and everything ten times faster could never hurt.
"Thank you so much! This will really help out a ton!"
Smiling brightly as she was clenching her fists and feeling the drastic difference in her body, Xie Mei became giddy and outright thirsting for action.
Perhaps emboldened by her physical improvement, she suddenly snuggled up even closer to him, before raising her head and planting an inexperienced, quick kiss on his lips. Immediately after, she hid her face is his chest, her body temperature increasing by nearly a degree.
'How adorable. I've teased her almost non-stop for weeks already, I suppose it's starting to become excessive. She still has a lot to learn, so it's time to teach her step by step...'
Although all of Theodore's know-how in this regard came from illusory lives which he hadn't truly experienced, to him, those countless years had felt not a lot different from reality. Therefore, he was very much qualified to be her 'instructor'.
"Mei'er, look over here. This is how you do it properly."
Not sure what exactly he was talking about, she did as she was asked, before suddenly widening her eyes in shock, her heart almost beating out of her chest. His arms had wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a sensual, inappropriate embrace, while his face had already approached her own. Inwardly panicking, yet yearning for what was to come, she nervously puckered her lips in anticipation.
Moments later, her life's first deep kiss broadened her horizons and the following hour-long intense make-out session utterly exhausted her of all of the surplus energy which she had only just obtained.
Having melted like putty in his arms, she lay atop him without an ounce of strength in her body, her eyes glazed over, yet with a lovable smile on her soft, reddened lips.
One hand resting atop her clothed buttocks, moving playfully, and the other one stroking her back, Theodore's thoughts drifted from this stimulating experience back to his plans for the future.
'I wonder if I've overlooked anything. Let me double-check to make sure.'
With no pressing issues at hand–other than Xie Mei's body, which was quite literally pressing down on him–he opened his Status Panel.