"I didn’t rank up. My Titles became stronger because of my ability," Isaac said honestly.
Alice and Emily immediately understood what ability he was talking about. Neither of them needed further explanation after everything they had witnessed over the months.
Alice’s brows furrowed as she thought through everything she knew. She remained silent for a few moments, carefully connecting clues that had never quite fit together before. The more she thought about it, the clearer the answer became.
"With Selene, there are... five. And you couldn’t strengthen Titles before. If you could, you would’ve done that already. So your ability gets stronger the more partners you have?" she asked.
Isaac simply smiled and said nothing. He didn’t confirm it, but he didn’t deny it either. For Alice, that silence was answer enough.
Alice snorted before turning around.
"I will help the maids with the mansion," she said.
Without waiting for a response, she walked away. Despite her rough words, she did not seem particularly upset. Compared to how she would have reacted in the past, her response was surprisingly calm.
After all, she was the one who had encouraged Isaac to accept Selene’s feelings. Once that happened, it had become harder to reject the possibility that his family might grow again someday. Even if she wasn’t thrilled about the idea, she had already accepted certain realities.
That did not mean she liked it.
Alice was still extremely possessive when it came to Isaac. The only reason she remained silent about the conditions behind his ability was because she trusted him. Isaac was honest to a fault. He was not the type of man who chased women simply because he could.
If he ever became that kind of man, however...
Well.
Alice would be more than happy to keep him in a very dark basement.
"You really are okay, right?" Emily asked after Alice left.
She was still looking at him with obvious concern. Even after hearing his explanation, she did not seem completely convinced.
"Yes," Isaac replied with a nod.
Emily examined him again, almost as if she expected to find some hidden injury. Her eyes moved over him several times before she finally relaxed.
"Since you’re okay, I will go back to my summons. Is that alright? Or do you want me to stay with you a little longer?"
"I’m fine. You can go."
"Alright. Just don’t push yourself too much," Emily said softly.
"I won’t." Isaac smiled.
Emily leaned forward and kissed his cheek before standing up. A moment later, she headed back toward the forest, leaving him alone.
Isaac remained seated on the ground while quietly observing his body. The changes were difficult to describe, but they were impossible to ignore.
His exhaustion had already disappeared. Even after everything that had happened, his body felt refreshed and full of energy. It was as though he had spent the entire day resting instead of fighting.
More importantly, there was a strange sensation deep within him. His lifespan probably had not changed, yet something about his existence felt sturdier than before.
His lifeforce felt stronger.
Not larger exactly, but more robust. It was similar to comparing a thin rope with a thick steel cable. Both could have the same length, but one was far more durable.
The benefits were obvious. If he suffered severe injuries in the future, the danger to his life would be reduced significantly.
Alice was a perfect example.
During the competition, part of her head had been blown apart, yet she had remained alive for several seconds because of her overwhelming stats and Titles. Someone weaker would have died instantly under the same circumstances.
Isaac could already survive injuries that would kill ordinary people without question. Now, he felt confident he could endure even worse injuries before reaching a truly dangerous state.
Still, despite all those practical benefits, another thought occupied his mind far more than it probably should have. His expression became slightly brighter as he considered it.
’My lifeforce became more robust.’
’Doesn’t that mean I can do ’it’ for longer now?’
Isaac smiled.
Ever since Alice and Celia’s Physiques had advanced, his lust had increased by a lot. Unfortunately, the Celestial Kitsune bloodline he had didn’t mesh well with increased lust.
Its inherent ability consumed lifeforce whenever he engaged in intimate activities with his wives. As a result, Isaac had found himself trapped in a rather embarrassing situation.
By the end, he would still want more. His body would still want more, and his mind would still want more. Meanwhile, his lifeforce would be sitting at rock bottom.
Trying to continue beyond that point was less a matter of stamina and more a matter of potentially dying. It was not exactly a dignified problem to have, but it was still a problem.
Thankfully, his wives understood.
That was why they often gave him a "helping hand". Of course, their needs were completely satisfied by Isaac. But for Isaac, his multiple bloodlines made his lust difficult to satiate. That’s why his wives gave him a hand. The bloodline ability did not activate during those situations, allowing him to avoid draining his lifeforce further. It was a practical solution that everyone had quietly accepted.
Still, having a larger reserve was always welcome.
Isaac was still thinking about it when footsteps approached again. He looked up and saw Selene walking back toward him.
Alice was nowhere in sight.
The dragon girl stopped a few steps away from him. She hesitated briefly before finally speaking.
"You will have more partners?"
Isaac blinked. The sudden question caught him completely off guard. For a moment, he honestly didn’t know how to answer.
Before he could respond, Selene continued. "I don’t mind."
This time Isaac was genuinely surprised. The answer was so unexpected that he simply stared at her.
Selene lowered her gaze.
"I’m already intruding, so even if you— Kyaa!"
A startled yelp escaped her lips.
Telekinesis wrapped around her body and pulled her forward before she could finish speaking. The next moment, she landed directly in Isaac’s lap.
"What do you mean by intruding?" Isaac asked.
Selene looked away.
"Well... I did."
"No, you didn’t."
"I did."
Isaac sighed and gently held her waist. He waited until she finally looked at him before continuing.
"Selene, I love you. You’re part of my family. Everyone likes you."
Her lips parted slightly. She seemed caught off guard by the firmness in his voice.
"Don’t say things like you intruded into our family. Let me ask you something. Would you say Alice intruded into the family you had with Chairman Lucius?"
"What? No. Alice is part of our family." Selene immediately shook her head.
"Exactly. You’re part of our family too." Isaac gently poked her forehead.
Selene stared at him quietly. Her eyes seemed to soften little by little as she listened.
Isaac continued, "As for having more partners. I’ll be honest. I don’t have any plans for that. I originally thought I would stop with Emily. Then things developed differently. I... know it might not sound convincing from a man who tells five women he loves them, but I love you. I love you so much that I would do anything to make you happy, and I want to stay with you for the rest of my life."
Warmth appeared in Selene’s eyes.
Then Isaac added with a grin, "Even if you decide to leave me someday, I won’t allow it."
Selene immediately recognized the joke. A small smile appeared on her face as she leaned slightly against him.
"I know."
Her voice was calm and certain.
"I know you will take care of me. You don’t have to explain yourself."
Selene truly meant those words. She understood exactly what kind of person Isaac was.
Her Trial was dangerous. There was almost no information about what waited inside it, and there was a very real possibility that she could die before ever reaching the end. Yet Isaac had immediately declared that he would enter with her.