Hey everyone, quick note before the chapter.
Sorry for the long gap and the lack of updates. Back around March/April, I injured my wrist and had to stop writing for a bit. Then, right as my wrist healed, life got busy and it turned into a much longer hiatus than I meant for it to be.
Things are starting to settle again, and I am working on getting chapters moving properly. I do not want to make this too long, since I know most of you are here for the story.
Thank you for sticking around, waiting, reading, and supporting the novel even with the hiatus.
Now, back to the chapter.
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Sam was walking through the halls, looking at his evolution options after the interrogation that was breakfast.
Mithril Skeleton, Exoskeleton, and Draconic Escalation. Those could be hu-
"Sam."
Sam blinked, turning toward the sudden voice.
Tiche stood ahead of him, leaning against the wall as if she had been waiting. "You should watch where you're going."
"Tiche… I didn't see you earlier."
With a tilt of her head, she replied. "There was no room for me. Nor did I want to join that pile."
Sam huffed out a laugh. "That's fair, I almost didn't want to be in that pile."
Pushing off the wall, she fell into step with Sam. "Your new summon almost joined, but she changed her mind. Be cautious around her."
"From what I've seen, I'll have to do more than be cautious."
Sam glanced at her, his words coming softer. "Thank you. For catching me."
That was met with the faint curve of her lips. "It was expected of me. Besides, you've outgrown my strength now."
"But not your skill."
That caused the faint smile to grow. "True. Your timing could still use work."
Sam let out a huff of laughter. "Then I'll keep counting on you."
Tiche finally looked down at him, the slight smile more obvious now. "That's the most sensible choice."
Sam led her to the training grounds, looking around to make sure it was clear. "Keep an eye out, you and Esdeath are the only two to know about the system or gacha."
"And I trust you more than Esdeath."
Tiche only nodded, stepping to a point on the field that gave her sightlines of entrances and windows.
The system was pulled up, another window alert.
—
[Due to the existence of the trait [Hero King], the following traits Comforting Presence, Charming Smile, and Perfumer have been consolidated into:
[Heroic Presence]
|Elite Trait|
There's something about you that steadies a room without trying; conversations ease, tension loosens, and distrust rarely hardens unless someone truly means it to. Even small things — the warmth of your smile, the faint familiarity in your scent, the way you carry yourself — seem to fall in line with that effect rather than cause it.
—
Well… less system clutter, but it doesn't really change the effects, just makes it coming from one source instead.
Sam dismissed the notification, focusing on the evolution path.
It sat just as he left it, only asking Yes or No.
Exoskeleton is one of my main abilities. Mithril Skeleton… that's a trait that I haven't really tested or felt.
Then his eyes flicked to the last Ability.
Draconic Escalation. That's a scary one. Both times it was activated, it was dangerous.
Sam hovered over the choice. Getting stronger is needed.
He pushed yes.
The screen glowed bright, causing him to cover his eyes to avoid being blinded.
At a certain point, it took a slight rainbow sheen starting to crack slowly as if cracking open from itself.
—
[Evolution successful. The Abilities Exoskeleton and Draconic Escalation have evolved together into:
[Draconic Frame]
|Epic Ability|
Allows you to grow a very sturdy draconic armour over your body to give you enhanced endurance and powerful protection. The power and durability of the Draconic Frame scales with your physical stats. While Draconic Frame is active, basic pyrokinesis becomes available. As damage occurs the Draconic Frame begins escalating. As escalation increases, the frame begins integrating with your body, pushing you further toward a draconic form.
—
Sam rubbed his eyes as he read. Could you be any more flashy?
His expression didn't change much when he finished reading. So… Is it just Escalation with Armor damage pacing? Though I'm excited to find out how much more useful 'Draconic' armor is.
He was already halfway into testing the ability right there as he dismissed the notification.
A second, more immediate flashy screen blinded him completely. AHH! MY EYES!
—
[Evolution successful. The trait [Mithril Skeleton] due to the presence of the trait [Hero King] and the fusion process has evolved into:
[Draconic Physiology]
|Epic Trait|
Your body has been refined by draconic influence while remaining fundamentally human. Your bones, musculature, and organs operate at heightened efficiency, pushing your physical performance well beyond natural human limits. Your durability and overall resilience approach draconic standards relative to your current species, though you have not become a true dragon.
Absorption: Enhanced Vitality & Enhanced Stamina — These traits have been incorporated into Draconic Physiology. Their effects now reinforce its regenerative efficiency and endurance scaling.
—
Sam had to blink away the dark spots, rubbing his eyes as he read. "Damn…"
Draconic Physiology? Not an actual dragon, just monstrous stats for a human.
"Yeah… I can work with that."
He turned to Tiche. "Heads up!"
He stomped forward, the force of his foot cracking the earth as he pushed off.
Eyes widening as he went much further and much faster than usual.
Tiche dodged, leaning back into a flip.
Sam slowed his momentum with a half turn, feet digging in the ground. "That's… a lot. Haha!"
Tiche just made a noise indicating thought. "That is an improvement you need to get used to. Again."
Sam stretched, arm crossing his chest. "Yeah, I agree."
Tiche just motioned him towards her.
Sam burst forward.
***
Evening…
The same group at breakfast gathered in the forest outside the Gremory estate, the very same forest that Sam trained in with Grayfia. The only difference was Esdeath and Tiche were off to their own side.
Asia gave Tiche a wave, but blushed when Esdeath gave her a knowing look, making Sam sigh. "Just ignore her, Asia. She's the type who likes making people squirm."
But Esdeath wasn't the type to let that slide. "My my Sam, I didn't know you knew me so well."
Sam gave a deeper sigh. "I'll deal with you later. Tiche, you keep her from tormenting my saint, okay?"
Esdeath gave a mock pout, still looking at Sam. "You're going to send the Assassin to watch over me?~"
"...You're much more… vocal than you were before."
Esdeath lost her pout but not her smile. "You're just noticing? Think of it as punishment for getting a lovely little harem pile~"
That caused even Rias to react. "Sam, your friend is a worse Akeno."
Akeno's head snapped to Rias. "Hey! She can't be worse than me."
Sam just stepped through it all. "Sirzechs, are we doing this?"
The older man laughed a little. "No, keep going. This is entertaining."
Sam sighed again. "Please let's just start."
Laughing louder, Sirzechs stepped forward. "If that's what my brother-in-law wants~"
Rias went red in the ears but didn't correct the term. Koneko just stepped back with Asia and Akeno.
Sam slowly fell into his Muay Thai stance. "Ready when you are."
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Quick P*treon note:
The $5 tier has been updated. It will now have access to 10 chapters ahead of public releases across my active novels.
The current active novels are:
DXD: Hero X Gacha
MHA: Bond Resonance
P*treon: https://www.p*treon.com/Alex_DLC000
Thank you all for the support.