The morning light seeped through the curtains, soft and warm.
Isaac stretched his arms, feeling the stiffness fade from his shoulders.
The living room was already full of movement.
Papers scattered across the table, faint murmurs filled the air, and the smell of coffee hung heavy.
Dante and Lucian had gone to watch over the nagas earlier.
A few hours ago, Freya and Paul had also left.
Isaac had given them the signal to start releasing the news about the governor.
The news that Isaac would be taking over after governor was also to be released.
The reports were written carefully. According to the press releases, the top three universities and the top four guilds had come together to make a "joint decision."
They were said to be impressed by Isaac’s accomplishments and leadership during the multiple crisis their city faced in the past.
The public would soon believe that this was a natural transition, not a quiet coup.
Across the room, the principal of the Sanctum of Masters had fallen asleep.
His old age made it hard for him to stay awake for long discussions.
The man’s breathing was slow and steady. His chin was tucked into his chest.
Isaac had quietly used a shawl to cover him when he fell asleep.
He wanted to pick him up and put him to bed, but he the former Overlord rank awakener would wake up if Isaac moved him too much.
The headmaster of Aeternum University—now renamed to Pioneer University—stretched his back and exhaled deeply.
"I’ll be heading back," he said, voice rough with fatigue. "I have to oversee the renaming and coordinate with the university’s. They’re still arguing about the logo."
Isaac nodded. "Understood. Thank you for your time."
The headmaster gave a tired smile, gathered his papers, and left with Peter.
Chairman Lucius stood up a little later, dusting off his coat. "That should be enough for today. The groundwork for the Superguild is ready. You can announce it during the meeting tonight."
"I’ll handle it," Isaac said, glancing at his notes.
Chairman Lucius gave him a brief pat on the shoulder. "Don’t overdo it. You’ve been fighting and staying awake for multiple days now."
"I’ll manage."
Chairman Lucius nodded and walked out.
Selene remained seated.
Her gaze followed her father until he was gone, then she looked back at Isaac. "Can I stay?"
"If you want to, go ahead," Isaac said, rubbing his neck. "But the rest can leave. We’ll meet in the City’s Central Node in a few hours. That’s when I’ll officially take over."
The others packed up and left in groups.
Soon, the room grew quiet again.
Selene stood. "I’ll come with you when you leave."
"Alright," Isaac replied. "In that case, use Alice’s room to freshen up. It should have everything you need."
He guided her to Alice’s room.
Selene had her clothes and essentials in her spatial ring.
Isaac wondered if she had been planning to stay over for multiple days already, but she said was naturally to bring things like this in spatial rings.
He nodded, and his morning continued as usual.
After tending to his farm, he headed to the gym, going through his regular training routine.
It was a habit he didn’t skip, no matter what was happening around him.
Sweat poured down his back, but the familiar rhythm calmed his thoughts.
After a while, he went to his own room to wash up.
He froze the moment he stepped in.
The lifepod was still there, softly glowing.
Inside, Professor Catherine lay curled up, completely naked.
Her knees were drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around them, and five bushy tails covered her body like a cocoon, hiding just enough to keep modesty intact.
Isaac’s lips twitched.
"You’ve got to be kidding me."
Even though her tails covered her, there was no mistaking that she was naked underneath.
She left just enough visible that one would want to see more.
He groaned quietly, dragging a hand over his face.
She had probably arranged her tails like that on purpose.
But then, something caught his attention.
The color of her tails was changing.
They had been brown before, but now they shimmered with a dark purple hue, soft and ethereal, like starlight trapped in fur.
For a moment, Isaac found himself staring.
He shook his head quickly and turned away.
"Get it together."
He turned the life pod’s face into the opposite direction.
After a quick shower, he dressed and returned to his bed, where the Soulbind Pendant lay.
He picked it up, feeling the faint warmth, it gave off.
A connection pulsed through it.
He focused on it, his mind linking to the pendant. He could see the Cradle.
Alice was meditating in the training room in the mansion.
Emily and Celia were still asleep in their shared room.
Isaac had asked Celia to sleep with Emily the night before.
Emily sometimes had nightmares, and he didn’t want her waking up alone.
He held the pendant and spoke softly, his voice echoing inside the Cradle. "Alice, come out and have breakfast. We’re leaving soon for the City’s Central Node."
Inside the pendant, Alice’s eyes opened.
She looked up at the ceiling, where Isaac’s voice had seemed to come from, and nodded. "Okay."
She stood and went to her room to freshen up.
Isaac exhaled and decided not to peek, no matter how tempting the thought was.
He switched to another connection within the pendant.
"Priscilla," he said.
The head maid froze mid-motion, startled.
She was cleaning a glass when she heard his voice.
"...Master?"
"Yes. I can speak to you from outside."
"I see. Forgive me for showing such an unsightly reaction just now."
"It’s fine," Isaac said with a chuckle. "Wake Emily and Celia. Help them freshen up and tell them to come out. You should come too."
"Will you be having breakfast here, Master?" she asked hesitantly, her tone almost hopeful.
"No. We’ll eat outside today."
Priscilla’s voice softened. "Understood."
She turned to wake Emily and Celia.
Emily blinked sleepily when the maids entered her room.
Celia was already half-awake.
Priscilla and Celeste led them to the main bathroom.
It was a wide, circular pool surrounded by soft light, filled with scented water from the Cradle’s herbs.
Emily jumped at the idea of being bathed by others, her face turning red.
"Wait, you’re helping us bathe?"
"Yes, my lady," Celeste said calmly. "It’s customary here."
Celia snickered, crossing her arms. "You’re too shy."
"Am not!"
It took some persuasion, but Emily eventually agreed.
The maids worked gently, using herbal soaps and soft cloths.
The water smelled faintly of lavender and something sweet. The whole event played as if they were royalty being looked after by their servants.
By the time they were done, Emily and Celia’s skin had a faint glow, smooth and warm.
Celeste clapped her hands softly. "There, perfect. Now time for a bit of makeup. Just a touch will make you shine even more."
Emily and Celia were already extremely beautiful, but Celeste believed a light make up that made their natural features stand out would help them look even better.
Celia raised an eyebrow. "You know how to do makeup?"
Celeste smiled lightly, her pride showing. "Yes, even in our times, it was something everyone did. My skills were often asked for because of how good I am."
When she finished, she stood back with satisfaction.
"Beautiful. Both of you."
Emily stared at her reflection, cheeks pink.
Her short platinum hair brushed just above her neck, soft and slightly messy, but in a way that suited her.
Her blue eyes stood out more now, bright and clear against her pale skin.
The simple white dress she wore was sleeveless, tied at the waist with a blue ribbon.
It gave her a gentle, innocent charm that made her look younger and softer than usual.
Celia, on the other hand, looked like the opposite of innocence.
Her light pink hair flowed down to her shoulders, framing her sharp yet mesmerizing eyes.
Small black wings rested against her behind, and her slim black tail curved behind her with a faint flick.
She wore a dark red dress with slit sides and thin straps, elegant yet bold. It emphasized her curves without being excessive.
Celia smirked at her reflection. "Not bad."
Celeste smiled faintly. "You look stunning, my lady."
Meanwhile, Isaac was already in the kitchen, eating breakfast with Leora and Selene.
The pendant on his neck glowed faintly.
A moment later, the air shimmered.
Alice, Emily, Celia, and Priscilla appeared beside the table, stepping out from the light of the Soulbind Pendant.
Isaac was mid-bite when he froze.
He didn’t even finish chewing as he stared at the three of them.
Emily looked shy but radiant in her white dress.
Celia’s confident smirk made her seem like a beautiful star shining brightly even in the dark, night sky.
Alice’s long blonde hair flowed down her back, shining faintly like spun gold.
Two black dragon horns curved elegantly from her head, and her wings—sleek and black with dark golden inner membranes—folded neatly behind her.
A matching dragon tail swayed behind her.
Her outfit was simple yet regal: a dark dress with golden embroidery that hugged her waist and curves.
The sleeves were long and covered her up to the wrist, but even with most of her skin hidden, it only made her look even more arousing to Isaac.
She looked both powerful and graceful, like a weapon that had learned to walk in human form.
Isaac just stared at the three of them.
His fork stayed halfway to his mouth, and his expression was the same as someone who had momentarily forgotten how to function.
Leora coughed softly into her hand.
That finally brought Isaac back to his senses.
He blinked, set his cutlery down, and exhaled through his nose.
He stood up, walking toward the three girls.
Their eyes followed him, curious and expectant.