Legacy of Hatred

The Demoness’ technique, now labeled an alchemical spell, had very limited applications, stuck at a widespread release of the condensed black Qi or its forceful redirection into a forward current.

That limit also came from the nature of the condensed black Qi. Liam just couldn’t control it. It was a finished product that did exactly one thing. It was literal alchemy, where Liam’s input stopped at the ingredients but couldn’t change the behavior of the concoction’s results once it was done.

Liam couldn’t even change the recipe because there was only one ingredient to it. He only used his black Qi, forcing it to condense because that could lead to superior power.

The nature of the black Qi itself dictated that. Any other method wouldn’t produce superior power. At most, Liam could get faster and manage to condense more of his energy to unleash more immediate, widespread, and stronger attacks.

However, the alchemical spell was also the only thing Liam could realistically improve before reaching the branching stage and obtaining rank 3 ingredients. Its negligible Qi consumption compared to its power output even prompted him to focus on it, on top of something else.

The alchemical spell came from alchemy, namely the third layer of Qi mastery that it provided, which Liam was still unsatisfied with. He was nowhere close to his great Master’s level there, meaning he had room for improvement that could provide ripple effects throughout his arsenal.

Moreover, Liam had seen the benefits of broadening his mindset. Chances were he couldn’t see other applications of the alchemical spell simply because he wasn’t mature or good enough with alchemy yet.

Controlling enlightenment was impossible, but Liam could work solely on the third layer of Qi mastery in the meantime. Achieving greater skill in the field might grant him a broader perspective, translating into applications he had been unable to consider before.

Of course, that was just simple hope. Two weeks were too short a time to achieve anything meaningful in that field, and the unlikely success still wouldn’t ensure benefits in what Liam desired.

Still, complacency was the sin of the weak. No matter how short the time, Liam would do his best in what he believed was the most beneficial path, so that he could laugh without regrets if things took a turn for the worse.

The training per se didn’t imply much. Liam summoned his greatsword, stabbing it into the floor to lean against it, smoking while concocting and defusing the alchemical spell inside the weapon.

That training drill served the third layer of the Qi mastery, so Liam made it his main focus. Still, he also attempted to create effects similar to what his Master had shown against Elder Basil from time to time, almost taking that as a break.

Night turned into morning, and then the cycle repeated itself. Days went by without Liam caring or bothering to keep track of it. It was dull, repetitive, and mostly unfruitful training, but he still stuck to it because he had no other option.

Eventually, Liam’s mind hit a wall. He leaned his head against the greatsword, planning to deal with the soreness in the back of his brain through smoking, but someone was ready to make the break far more pleasant.

"Dear," Grace called. Liam had just noticed it, but she was sitting beside him, offering a cup of what looked like wine.

"You couldn’t drink during the meeting because you were busy protecting me, right?" Grace said, noticing Liam’s confusion, showing a genuine smile. "Allow me to serve it to you now."

Liam couldn’t refuse that offer, mostly due to the bright face in his vision. He put the pipe aside, giving his core a break and seizing the wine, calmly enjoying it while Grace went on with her usual shenanigans.

Before Liam knew it, Grace had taken Liam’s arm between hers, hugging it tightly, resting her head on his shoulder, even closing her eyes to immerse herself in the moment.

"I’m aware we mustn’t indulge in this home," Grace announced. "But once we can, your prized possession will give you a detailed report of what she experienced watching her handsome Master conduct himself so excellently at the meeting."

Honestly, Liam didn’t need the report. It was almost a curse in certain situations, but he had learned to smell when Grace became horny. A specific part of her body betrayed her. In the meeting, it had happened right after he had called Whispering Wind a liar.

Luckily, Liam had his priorities straight, and Grace did, too. Even in that private house, they didn’t forget that the structure belonged to the Enforcement Guild. Liam believed he would feel whether someone observed him, even through magical methods, but he couldn’t risk it.

Carelessness was a mistake neither Liam nor Grace would make.

Still, as Liam took another sip, the wine almost remained stuck in his throat. Grace’s squeeze had gradually tightened, now getting to the point where it hurt.

Liam forcefully gulped down the wine and glanced at his greedy woman, even opening his mouth, planning to warn her before she could rip off his arm.

Yet, no words came out of Liam’s mouth. The happy face on his shoulder stopped him.

’What’s a little pain when she is so adorable?’ Liam sighed internally.

Liam kept staring, and Grace felt it, but that only pleased her, as shown by her expression while she kept resting on him.

’She used to be so shy,’ Liam recalled. ’She was so clumsy at hiding it, but it was so cute once she finally let go.’

There was a slight disappointment at the thought that Liam wouldn’t see that past version of Grace anymore, but it strangely didn’t feel bad. He only experienced warmth.

’Who am I kidding?’ Liam cursed internally. ’She has only gotten more adorable. Maybe there’s something wrong with my eyes.’

Liam chuckled to himself but kept enjoying the moment, eventually resuming training even with Grace still stealing one of his arms. Like that, two weeks passed in a blink, and the time for the alchemical contest arrived.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!