Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 456: SSS+ Rank Mana Manipulation, New Transcendent Rank Skills

Isaac arched an eyebrow.

He'd gotten a random gift box too when Alice's affection hit 150. The alert looked almost the same, making him halt briefly.

The system's rules differed from his assumptions, yet he had no gripes. Rather, it promised consistent rewards over rare big leaps, which fit his style perfectly.

His eyes then dropped to Emily.

She clung to him still.

Her arms encircled him firmly, face pressed into his chest. The act seemed normal enough. Emily showed her warmth openly, without restraint. Yet something in her vibe shifted subtly now.

He struggled to pinpoint it.

"Isaac," she murmured abruptly.

"Yeah?"

"I belong to you, don't I?"

"You do. Why bring it up?" he replied, puzzled.

Emily raised her face. Her gaze held unusual depth for an instant, harboring complex emotions he couldn't decipher. Moments later, she released him and flashed a grin.

"Nothing much," she replied breezily. "Just wondering."

She slipped back to normalcy in a flash.

Isaac furrowed his brow faintly. That odd sensation hung around, though he let it drop. Emily appeared calm once more, satisfying him.

Before deeper thoughts could form, the Crimson Sky Wyrm swooped down.

The colossal Catastrophe touched down beside Emily, wings quivering a bit. The clash with Alice had worn it down badly. Though superior in raw might, it got repelled over and over, with Alice’s Dragon Flames scorching it deeply.

Emily strode right up to it.

"It's fine... you fought bravely," she whispered tenderly, resting a palm on its muzzle.

The giant beast dipped its head, accepting her caress. Its breaths slowed to steady. The fierce glare in its eyes vanished, swapped for gentle submission.

Isaac observed, stunned.

Had the Crimson Sky Wyrm already warmed to Emily?

Impressively swift.

Taming a Catastrophe was one thing, but earning its loyalty so quickly? Unheard of. Yet trust shone clear now. After a few more calming strokes, Emily tucked it back into her Soul Space.

The immense aura blinked out.

Right then, Alice soared earthward.

Mana swirled around her in descent. Vast energies poured forth, sending ripples across the mirror dimension. Her dragon shape contracted, the huge black form folding into human contours.

She stood human upon landing.

Every stitch of clothing had vanished.

Alice showed no shame. With just the trio here, she shrugged off propriety before Isaac and Emily.

Even so, she folded her arms loosely. "Clothes?"

"Forgot your spatial ring at home once more?" Isaac queried.

"Removed it pre-transformation. Didn't want it wrecked," she answered.

Isaac gave a nod, pulling outfits from his Soulbind Pendant. He passed them over; she dressed promptly.

While she did, he examined her look.

"No wings or tail now," he noted. "From your latest skill?"

Alice confirmed with a nod.

"Right. I decide what shows up, like Professor Catherine. Horns stay cool, but tail and wings bug me. Can't even ride in the car properly."

She arched her back as garb settled.

"They mess with everyday stuff. Way handier like this," she tacked on.

She radiated true delight.

Her upgrade boosted power, plus selective draconic features. Ideal mix of strength and ease.

They chatted lightly about the bout. Emily praised Alice's growth; Alice brushed it off humbly.

Minutes later, the pair readied departure.

"Heading home," Alice announced.

Isaac agreed. "I'll linger. Got tasks."

Emily neared, pecking his cheek.

Alice paused briefly, then mimicked her. She played it cool, but a blush tinged her cheeks.

They exited the mirror dimension.

Quiet descended.

Isaac shrugged his shoulders.

A grin spread across his features. Time to claim those skills.

"Share the potion made of Crimson Sky Wyrm’s Mana Heart that Alice consumed! And share Alice’s Physique and skills!"

Solar Dragon Physique Level 0 → Solar Dragon Physique Level 1

Dragonification Level 4 (SSS rank) → Dragonification Level 5 (SSS+ rank)

Dragon Flames (SSS+ rank) gained

Dragon Roar (SSS+ rank) gained

Mana Manipulation (SSS+ rank) gained

Mana surged inside Isaac.

His form twisted through endless transformations.

His mana began to surge wildly out of control. In that instant, he understood the reason behind Alice's shift into dragon form. Enormous pressure mounted within him, akin to something desperate to break free.

Thanks to his mastery over mana, suppression was within his grasp.

Yet, it seemed utterly incorrect.

The transformation craved to be unleashed.

Mana drained from his Mana Core and flooded into his soul. His body, soul, and mana attributes all underwent a profound shift. Flesh, scales, and wings started to form from the mana.

Before he knew it, the change had completed.

He had become a black dragon.

[...Huh. I’ve turned into a black dragon as well?]

His gaze fell upon his new form. Through spatial awareness—acquired from Celia’s abilities—he perceived his entire body without needing to twist his neck.

A slight freeze gripped him.

[I sense I’m at least three times larger than Alice...]

The truth dawned swiftly.

The Dragonification skill drew upon his mana as its base. Greater mana reserves meant a bigger, mightier dragon shape. Isaac’s mana pool was outrageously vast.

[Hmm... this shape enhances my stats by twenty percent.]

He flexed experimentally.

[And these senses... they extend incredibly far.]

Twenty percent might not seem impressive. Yet, given Isaac’s foundational stats, the boost proved massive.

Wings beat powerfully, lifting him skyward.

Senses unfurled right away.

The whole city within the mirror dimension lay bare to him. Every building. Every nook. Every ripple of mana.

[Damn... this sensation is incredible.]

[Alright, time to test additional skills.]

He drew in a deep breath.

Dragon Flames.

Flames churned fiercely in his throat. Pressure mounted in a flash, and he unleashed it.

A torrent of draconic fire blasted ahead.

One-tenth of the city evaporated.

[...Bloody hell. This power is utterly insane.]

After experimenting with more skills, Isaac descended. He reverted to human shape, clothes shredded away. Unlike the spatial ring removed prior to shifting, the Soulbind Pendant clung steadfastly to his neck.

Fresh attire was retrieved and donned.

"I should check the gift box..."

Then, he halted abruptly.

An odd idea emerged.

He had inherited Alice’s Physique and skills due to its upgrade. Might he also claim the new skills she obtained?

No harm in attempting it.

"System, share the new skills Alice gained."

The system replied promptly.

Dragonification Level 4 (SSS+ rank) gained

Dragon Flames (SSS+ rank) gained

Dragon Roar (SSS+ rank) gained

Mana Manipulation (SSS+ rank) gained

User has multiple same skills. Would you like to combine them?

Isaac’s grin widened.

"Yes!"

Dragonification (SSS+ rank) → Dragonification (Transcendent rank)

Dragon Flames (SSS+ rank) → Dragon Flames (Transcendent rank)

Dragon Roar (SSS+ rank) → Dragon Roar (Transcendent rank)

Mana Manipulation (SSS+ rank) → Mana Manipulation (Transcendent rank)

"Holy shit... I gained four Transcendent rank skills."

The enhancement registered at once.

Previously, only two Transcendent rank skills existed for him: Seed of Providence and Domain of War.

Now, four additional ones joined them.

Dragonification activated once more.

Transformation struck immediately.

Nearly twice the prior size, with stat amplification leaping from twenty to fifty percent.

Wings propelled Isaac aloft as he invoked Dragon Flames anew.

Mana drain halved, courtesy of elevated Mana Manipulation to Transcendent rank. The blaze erupted ferociously.

Half the city obliterated in an instant.

[This is phenomenal.]

His grin stretched ear to ear.

Evidently, elevating his wives’ physiques offered the swiftest path to power. Physiques could be shared, skills acquired, then reshared for merging.

It was absurdly overpowered.

Calm returned after mere seconds. Back to human form he went. Only then did awareness hit: his second outfit lay in ruins from the thrilled transformation.

A wry smile crossed his face as he fetched yet another set.

"Now, let’s check the random gift box."

His eyes turned to the system interface.

"System... open the random gift box!"