Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 423: Moonline Trial, Heaven-Reversal Moon Elixir

"Sword Empress! You still haven’t explained why you stayed in the Purple Bridge Dimension for such a long time!" Isaac blurted out hastily, aiming to shift everyone's focus.

Leora's gaze moved from Professor Catherine over to him.

"Let's head to the living room," she stated after a brief pause. "There's crucial matters we need to discuss. It concerns the Purple Bridge Dimension."

She released Catherine's collar and approached Avery, murmuring something quietly to the Water Elemental Spirit before proceeding into the living room.

As the pair departed, Isaac let out a sigh of relief.

He slid nearer to Catherine with a grin. "I had no idea you could display such a look. You seemed utterly terrified."

Catherine shot him a look, her previous embarrassment vanished. A peculiar sympathy lingered in her expression.

"You'll soon discover the reason for my deep fear of her," she replied evenly.

Isaac furrowed his brow. "What do you mean by—"

Yet she was already moving off.

He trailed after her.

The group assembled in the living room.

Isaac. Emily. Alice. Celia. Vale. Avery. Selene. Sword Empress. Catherine.

Silence hung for a moment. The atmosphere grew unusually tense.

Rather than taking a seat, Sword Empress remained standing. She scanned each face once before starting to speak.

"The Purple Bridge Dimension concealed a trial. It offered massive benefits, yet demanded great challenges. That's the reason I entered it alongside Catherine," she explained.

Her eyes fixed on Isaac.

"Trials aren't always centered on raw power. Certain ones demand collaboration or creative strategies. Having practiced with Catherine, and knowing she syncs perfectly with me in joint battles and strategic setups, I chose her over you or anyone else here."

Isaac met her stare briefly, then gave a nod. "I get it."

And he truly did. For the most part.

Nevertheless, a sharp twinge persisted. A secret trial implied secret prizes, and such prizes frequently provided game-breaking edges. Being excluded from that didn't sit well.

However, Catherine had participated. So any gains she acquired might possibly transfer via his System. That realization soothed his mind considerably.

Sword Empress went on. She drew from her spatial storage two pieces of a silver medallion.

"This represents the key prize we secured."

The medallion fragments bore an archaic style, etched with subtle crescent motifs and minute dragon etchings. They throbbed softly.

"It's—"

Before finishing her words, the fragments abruptly escaped her grasp.

They flew ahead.

Directly at Selene.

"What the—" Isaac advanced on reflex.

"Stay composed," Sword Empress commanded firmly, even as her forehead wrinkled.

The pieces started orbiting Selene.

Quicker.

And even quicker.

Selene stood rigid, her eyes expanded in shock. The medallion bits whirled around her akin to paired satellites in a celestial dance. The atmosphere vibrated.

In mere moments, they transformed into silver blurs. The crescents synced during rotation, and with a gentle, melodic tone, they merged into a full medallion.

Then it plunged straight into Selene’s chest.

Quiet enveloped them.

Selene stumbled back a bit but remained upright.

Her pupils widened sharply.

Before her vision, a see-through panel materialized.

Isaac instantly knew what that signified.

She gazed upon the system display.

"This..." Selene murmured softly.

"It's a challenge reserved solely for Moon Dragon kin or their lineage. Evidently, you qualify," Sword Empress declared.

The chamber fell utterly still.

Selene's breaths turned ragged while her eyes darted over the details shown.

"The medallion came from the secret trial within the Purple Bridge Dimension. Typically, just one medallion gets awarded. Yet due to Isaac’s 200% drop rate ability, we received two," Sword Empress elaborated.

Every gaze shifted to Isaac.

He widened his eyes. "Wait, for real?"

Catherine affirmed with a single nod. "We verified it. The system alert referenced unusual drop enhancement."

Sword Empress pressed forward, "Because of this, we avoided hunting for the alternate trial site for the second piece. Our mission involved handing the medallion to a Moon Dragon or their heir, allowing them to undertake the trial via it."

She halted briefly.

"The mission was projected to span years. Maybe even decades."

Her focus stayed on Selene.

"We got lucky finishing it so swiftly. The benefits are impressive."

Selene gulped. "It indicates... I may begin the Moonline Trial whenever ready. It will briefly supplant my existing progression route."

Isaac creased his forehead. "Supplant?"

"Indeed," she confirmed, eyes fixed on the panel. "It warns that my heritage will be forcefully roused. Should I fail, all Moon attributes vanish forever."

Emily drew in a sharp breath. "That's intense."

Sword Empress agreed with a nod. "Moon Dragon ordeals have always been harsh."

Her look passed between Alice and Selene, contemplative.

Isaac caught the glance.

She pondered deeply.

Vale coughed lightly.

"I possess a query."

"Ask it," Sword Empress instructed.

"This seems quite intimate. Why did you insist I stay too? Is it proper for me to learn of these things?"

Isaac arched an eyebrow.

Vale's words to him usually carried a biting, superior edge. Yet now, he addressed her with polite deference.

Sword Empress showed no notice of the shift.

"Today, I'm set to instruct Alice, Catherine, and Isaac. If it appeals to you, join in. I planned to inform you of that. Hence, I requested your presence," she stated.

Vale's eyes opened wide. "Instruction?"

"Correct. You seek greater power, right? Though you're a Cursemancer, I can impart basic fighting principles, spatial perception, and tactical choices in conflict."

She regarded him firmly.

"Shall I guide you?"

"When do we commence?" he responded without delay.

"In two hours. Free up your day entirely."

Vale dipped his head and rose. "Got it."

He exited right away.

The door shut.

Sword Empress breathed out gently and eyed Catherine. Catherine responded with a subtle nod.

"With Vale departed, let's discuss the next vital prize from the secret trial," Sword Empress announced.

Isaac sat up straighter.

Next vital.

Meaning it matched the caliber of a lineage-rousing medallion.

"May I linger if Vale was asked to go?" Selene questioned abruptly.

Sword Empress examined her momentarily.

"It's acceptable. Stay. You'll probably require this knowledge later on."

Selene inclined her head, appearing a touch dazed.

Avery lifted a hand, seeming to enjoy the unfolding events. "And me?"

"Feel free to depart if you prefer," Sword Empress answered.

Avery reclined, crossing his arms. "In that case, I'll remain."

No protests arose.

At that instant, Catherine advanced. She withdrew a compact black container from her spatial ring and set it down delicately on the surface. The container appeared plain, lacking any decoration. She unveiled it.

A handful of silvery-white tablets rested within.

They emitted a subtle luminescence.

Catherine spoke in a composed manner.

"The Moon Dragon lineage once inhabited the Moon, viewed as a heavenly orb dominating the nocturnal heavens. Ancient texts dubbed the Moon as the Heavens, and the Moon Dragons dwelling there as sovereigns of existence."

Her tone remained firm, as if drawing from thorough study.

"Unsurprisingly, the Moon Dragon folk held numerous distinctive artifacts and heirlooms. This qualifies as one."

She lifted a single tablet with her fingertips.

"Known as the Heaven-Reversal Moon Elixir.

"Should anyone ingest it, then upon union with a Celestial Kitsune, the Physique Refinement trait of the Celestial Kitsune reverses. Rather than boosting the Celestial Kitsune’s physique stage, it elevates the physique stage of the counterpart.

"Moreover, under specific harmony criteria, the counterpart may replicate as many as two abilities or affinities from the Celestial Kitsune."

This occasion, the hush intensified.

Selene glanced about in bewilderment. She evidently grasped only part of the ramifications, ignorant of Isaac possessing Celestial Kitsune heritage and physique.

Sword Empress offered no clarification.

Isaac's attention locked onto Alice without delay.

Previously, Sword Empress had suggested Selene might journey beside him ahead.

He anticipated Alice's ire.

Or at minimum, evident irritation.

Yet Alice stayed silent.

Excessively silent.

She remained motionless, palms on her lap. Her forehead creased faintly, and her sight moved now and then from Isaac to Selene. No visible sign emerged, yet it was obvious she mulled over matters intensely.

Avery's mouth twisted in mild revulsion.

"These elixirs..." she uttered deliberately. "I never witnessed them firsthand. When I entered the realm, the Moon Dragon kin had already faded. But tales reached my ears."

She eyed the tablet in Catherine’s grip.

"They employed these on their Celestial Kitsune captives post the Celestial Kitsunes' defeat in war against them. It's a relic that offended countless souls. How does an object like this emerge as a trial prize?"

Her voice held no fury, yet a keen edge pierced it.

Isaac parted his lips. "That's—"

"They have a pleasant flavor," Celia remarked offhandedly.

Crunch.

The group stiffened.

All stares directed her way.

She munched away.

"...Did you swallow the elixir without consulting anyone?" Isaac inquired, gaping at her.

Celia batted her eyelids. "Yeah? What's the issue? If danger lurked, Sword Empress wouldn't have revealed them."

Color bloomed on her cheeks.

"No adverse reactions exist. However...," Sword Empress noted, releasing a measured breath.

Celia beamed victoriously. "Told you? Sword Empress confirms it's harmless."

Isaac rubbed his nose. "You might've held off until we talked it over."

"Curiosity struck me," Celia explained plainly.

Her respiration altered subtly.

It started minor.

Then grew evident.

She fidgeted in her spot.

"Why does the room feel so warm suddenly?"

No replies came.

Her complexion deepened in flush. A soft warmth rippled near her form.

Sword Empress shut her eyes for a second, seemingly tallying mentally.

The chamber's warmth appeared to climb.

Celia swallowed hard. Her eyes gradually fastened on Isaac.

A novel glint filled her gaze.

Craving.

Isaac sensed a shiver trace his back.

"Isaac, you've got plenty of duties ahead," Catherine grinned mischievously.

Sword Empress rubbed her temples. "Transport these pair to a Mirror Dimension."

Catherine assented with a nod.

Next, Sword Empress faced Isaac.

"Finish it inside two hours. Training follows."

Isaac stared blankly. "Huh? What's going on—"

Prior to completing his thought, reality warped.

Isaac touched down on firm terrain.

He swiftly noted the subtle mirroring glow underfoot.

Mirror Dimension.

He surveyed rapidly.

"Sis?" he summoned, examining the area. As the creator, she ought to be present.

Silence greeted him.

Rather, a sound arrived.

"Isaac..."

He pivoted.

Celia positioned herself several paces distant.

Crimson tinged her features, breaths irregular. Unbeknownst to her, she'd loosened shirt fastenings.

"It's sweltering," she whispered, wafting air toward herself. "Why such heat?"

Mistiness clouded her sight.

Isaac comprehended at last.

The elixir lacked toxic repercussions. But it evidently sparked an effect.

Doubtless resonance with Celestial Kitsune lineage.

Which resided in him.

He retreated a touch, palms upraised.

"Celia, steady yourself. The elixir likely sparks a lineage response. Stabilize your mana flow."

She advanced toward him gradually.

"Isaac..."

Her tone softened further, yet pressed on.

He backed away once more.

Instinct drove the motion upon seeing the desire in her eyes.

"Let's control your breaths initially," he suggested, striving for calm delivery. "Direct your mana circulation to your core, not extremities."

She negated with a gentle shake, seemingly deaf to his words.

"Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac. Isaac."