Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world Chapter 497: By the river’s edge

The river threaded its way through the dense forest, sunlight glinting off its surface in a dazzling display of gold and silver.

A small clearing emerged beside the riverbank, encircled by towering trees.

*CLANK*

A series of sounds reverberated through the clearing as Rheanne swung her wooden sword in a sharp, horizontal cut aimed at Brandon’s midsection.

Brandon deftly parried with his own wooden sword, their blades colliding with a loud CRACK of wood against wood.

The impact sent vibrations up his arm, but he easily absorbed it, using the momentum to pivot and counter with a swift lunge towards her shoulder.

Rheanne deflected the thrust with an elegant flick of her wrist, then closed the distance, stepping inside his guard.

She brought her sword up in a compact, rising arc, targeting his chin.

Brandon leaned back just enough for the blade to narrowly miss his face, then countered with a forceful downward chop.

CRACK- CRACK-

They circled each other on the verdant riverbank.

CRACK!

Their swords met once more in a high bind. Brandon pressed forward, leveraging his greater strength to push her back towards the river's edge.

Rheanne suddenly spun away, her blade a whip of motion in a low sweep aimed at his legs.

Brandon leaped over the sweeping wooden sword, landing lightly and immediately closing the space between them again.

He unleashed a rapid barrage of three strikes, forcing Rheanne into a series of defensive blocks and a slow retreat.

However, she then feinted to the left before striking to the right.

Brandon saw through the deception and blocked the true attack, countering with a shoulder barge that momentarily threw her off balance.

Before she could regain her footing, he pressed his advantage, compelling her into a desperate parry.

CRACK- CRACK- CRACK!

They were nearly chest to chest, their swords locked and clashing repeatedly.

"Your speed has improved since last month," Rheanne grunted between exchanges.

Brandon flashed a grin, parrying a thrust and immediately launching a riposte.

"And you're still holding back your ether. Don't do that."

A spark flashed in Rheanne's eyes. "As you wish."

She suddenly surged forward, her blade transforming into a blur of motion.

Her wooden sword struck with heightened speed and precision, forcing Brandon to concentrate solely on defense.

He planted his feet firmly and exploded forward, attempting to disrupt her flow.

Their swords locked again in a high bind. Brandon pushed forcefully, driving her arms upward, then abruptly dropped low and swept her legs with a powerful kick.

Rheanne vaulted over the sweep at the last possible moment, twisting in mid-air and bringing her sword down in a formidable overhead strike.

Brandon raised his blade just in time.

CRACK!

Rheanne’s strikes bypassed his guard, lightly tapping his shoulder and sides, scoring points according to their unspoken training rules.

Finally, Brandon spotted an opening. He feinted high, then dropped low, sweeping Rheanne’s legs with a strong kick.

She leaped to evade it, but Brandon had anticipated her move.

He surged upward, tapping his sword against her side in a clean, decisive blow.

Rheanne landed gracefully on the grass and lowered her practice sword.

"Point," she declared, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "You got me."

Brandon lowered his own sword. "That was close. You nearly had me at the end there."

Rheanne approached him and reached out, lightly tapping his chest with the flat side of her wooden blade.

"You've certainly improved, Kael. Two years ago, I could have defeated you through pure swordsmanship without breaking a sweat. Now... it's a genuine contest."

Rheanne reached up and moved a strand of dark hair away from Brandon’s face. "Shall we return to camp? Or would you prefer another round?"

Brandon let out a low chuckle. "One more round. I want to see if I can score two points this time."

Rheanne inclined her head. "Try me."

---

Brandon stood immersed in the river's flow, scooping water with his hands and rinsing his bare torso and arms.

The cool water was a welcome refreshment after their rigorous sparring earlier.

He exhaled slowly, a long breath escaping him. 'Haa... only two years have elapsed.'

Yet, the distance remaining to his own time felt immeasurably vast.

'I still need to wait 550 more years to reach the present... Awakeners cannot even endure such a lifespan.'

In his original era, ordinary humans usually lived to be around 100 years old, if they were fortunate.

Awakened individuals, possessing enhanced bodies and physiology infused with ether, could typically extend their lives to 200 years before aging inevitably claimed them.

Ether could postpone the end, but it was powerless to halt its arrival indefinitely.

'The sole path to living for 550 years is... to attain divinity.'

A soft sigh escaped him as he cupped more water and splashed it onto his face.

'But only Rheanne has ascended to godhood. So, what fate awaits me after these 200 years pass...'

'Will I perish without ever seeing my wives' faces again?'

His gaze dropped, fixated on the swirling water around his waist as his hands continued their movement across his skin.

'No... I must find a way to live that long. I cannot die before then.'

While continuing his bath and diligently scrubbing away the remnants of dirt and sweat from his arms and chest, his mind began to wander.

'My biological mother, the one who subjected me to experiments... she truly is a genius.'

'What kind of physique did she bestow upon me? My body adapts with incredible speed.'

Initially, this adaptation was confined to his ability to absorb and replicate ether skills through physical closeness.

Subsequently, his body started to adjust to the relentless strain of combat and the minimal expenditure of ether.

Now, even without heavily relying on ether, his physical strength had ascended to monstrous proportions.

'Haa... I departed while she was in a coma; I wonder if she has awakened.'

He shook his head, causing droplets of water to spray from his dark hair.

There was no utility in dwelling on an unchangeable past; his focus had to be on the future he was determined to attain.

Brandon submerged himself entirely for a brief period, allowing the cool river water to cascade over his head and face.

Upon resurfacing, he swept his wet hair back and exhaled another prolonged breath.

At that precise moment, his gaze was drawn to the riverbank a short distance away.

Rheanne was positioned there, subtly concealed by the drooping branches of a willow tree.

She had gathered the lower portion of her dress, holding the fabric high against her hips as she carefully stepped into the shallow water near the edge.

This action revealed the smooth, fair skin of her thighs and the graceful contours of her long legs.

She was diligently washing them, scooping up water in her hands and letting it stream down her skin to cleanse away the grime and perspiration.

The sunlight perfectly illuminated her form... the elegant curve of her thighs, the firm muscle beneath her soft skin, and the way the water shimmered as it flowed down her legs.

Brandon experienced a moment of surprise.

His eyes widened momentarily, and he swiftly averted his gaze.

However, after a few seconds, he slowly turned his head back.

Rheanne continued her task of washing her legs, the water sparkling as it traced paths down her thighs.

The gathered material of her attire clung to her hips, accentuating the lovely dip of her waist and the subtle flare of her figure.

She was undeniably beautiful.

Brandon’s gaze lingered longer than he had intended, following the line of her legs, the subtle play of muscle beneath her skin.

Rheanne concluded washing her legs and let down the hem of her clothes.

She stood upright, flicking away a few stray droplets from her thighs, and tilted her head slightly in his direction.

'Damn it!' Brandon rapidly turned away and resumed washing his body.

Hm? Rheanne's expression sharpened slightly as she registered his sudden reaction.

A subtle, affectionate smile graced her lips, tinged with a hint of amusement.

She advanced another step into the shallow water, and the bottom edge of her clothes became damp once more as she moved closer to the center of the river where he stood.

"You need not turn away," she stated softly.

"After two years of facing battles side by side... there's little left for us to conceal."

Brandon paused and emitted a short, wry chuckle.

"Aye... I understand. Old habits, I suppose. I didn't wish to induce an awkwardness."

Rheanne's smile broadened slightly. She continued her approach until she was merely a few feet from him, the river water lapping at her thighs.

Observing the scar marking his back, she inquired, "You never shared how you acquired that scar on your back."

Huh? Brandon glanced back at her over his shoulder and offered a dry smile, "It’s from a canine bite when I was just a child."

Rheanne's gaze drifted downward, examining the aged mark with quiet contemplation, "Is that so..."

With a soft sigh, he stretched his arms. "Let us head back. I must pen my correspondence to Amelia."

"Hmm."