Reborn as an Extra Chapter 517: Lipium Deficiency side-effects.

No one except Rio, Raji, and Ashtel had participated in the counter-strike against the plot.

Gradba had intended to maim or slay Raji before reinforcements could arrive, likely planning to infiltrate the vulnerable Rex Mansion afterward using some hidden scheme.

Unfortunately for the villain, an "anomaly" like Rio appeared, causing his entire strategy to collapse.

Ironically, this "conspiracy" served as the ultimate catalyst for "progress" that had remained stagnant for far too long.

Beyond Ashtel regaining consciousness, both Riya and Link successfully pushed past their final boundaries.

By the time Rio and Ashtel had made it back to the capital and finished coordinating the transport of the people, Link and Riya were already in the process of ascending to S-rank!

Link’s breakthrough occurred as his grasp of his "Dao Rhythm" intensified, fueled by a solemn vow never to endure such impotence and disgrace again.

Meanwhile, Riya had been standing at the threshold of advancement ever since she performed a miracle that no other could replicate.

She had simply been suppressing her breakthrough because she was occupied with a high-stakes medical procedure.

After stabilizing Jin and Ashtel, both Riya and Link retreated to their private training chambers, spending the entire night refining their states to reach the next realm.

Rio, conversely, saw a massive spike in his proficiency levels after exercising his abilities on two SS-rankers!

His soul and mind manipulation skills leveled up multiple times, surging ten times in power in a single instant!

The experience gained from targeting a standard S-ranker cannot be compared to that of an SS-ranker!

His power had managed to reach the very core of the soul of "Ashtel Rex"—the planet's mightiest warrior! A true peak SS-ranker perched at the very top of the world’s power hierarchy!

Even if the target was unconscious and defenseless, it was a testament to the fact that Rio will be terrifyingly broken once he attains the realm of demi-gods!

‘I wonder what Lia is up to these days...’

Clutching a cup of tea while standing on a spacious balcony, Rio observed the two colossal mana vortices swirling above the Rex Mansion’s training grounds.

Having accompanied Ashtel to the mansion, he was now a witness to Link and Riya’s ascension.

‘Even Link and Riya have stepped into the S-rank realm... I can't help but wonder about Lia’s growth; it’s been a month since our last conversation...’

‘Sigh... I really miss my wife; even this tea feels tasteless... I’m suffering from a severe "Lipium" deficiency right now...’

Lia was clearly pushing herself to the limit; she had departed for a peak S-rank dungeon with her father a month ago, and there was a high probability she might have hit S-rank while inside.

Communication often fails within S-rank dungeons or those of higher tiers.

Furthermore, given the current climate, S-rank dungeons have grown increasingly perilous, meaning her conquest might take a significant amount of time.

‘Ah, I want to hold her so much... this lack of Lipium is going to be the death of me!!!’

There were moments when Rio felt a twinge of envy toward Link.

The girl who loves Link is a healer; she isn't forced to separate from him for her training or face solitary dangers, allowing Link to keep her by his side and protect her constantly.

However, Rio’s situation was different.

While Lia is his girlfriend and their love is mutual, they both have individual paths to walk.

Like Rio, Lia is a frontline combatant—a gifted and formidable sword user. If Rio were to hover over her constantly, her growth might stall, as she needs life-and-death combat to truly evolve.

This reality will likely become more frequent as they grow stronger; they may be forced to endure longer periods of separation for the sake of their Cultivation and development.

The "path" to true power is a solitary one; one often loses friends, partners, and family along the way. Eventually, you are the only one left, walking forward while everything else fades into the past.

The existence of an awakener is brutal; death is always a shadow away, making life a relentless battle for survival.

Moreover, human nature is fragile; when people are apart for extended durations, their bonds and intimacy often wither.

Even a couple deeply in love can find themselves becoming strangers after a long time apart.

Emotions are volatile, yet this instability is what makes one "human," and it is unavoidable.

This is the primary reason why many elite awakeners at A-rank or above choose to marry ordinary people or those with weaker Cultivation.

By doing so, they eliminate the risk of separation.

Lia’s mother was a low-level awakener, Link’s mother was a commoner, and Rio’s mother lacked any awakening at all.

These are merely a few examples of a pattern that repeats throughout history.

Rio felt as though his own emotions were thinning; he feared staying away from Lia for too long, worried that his remaining feelings might vanish until he was no longer capable of "loving" her.

That would be a tragedy for both himself and Lia.

She would look to him for affection, only to find a cold, robotic shell incapable of providing happiness.

‘Sigh... I’m starting to understand the meaning of "No Waifu, No Laifu" quite well...’

As Rio let out a heavy sigh, someone approached the balcony and stood beside him.

"Oho, why the long face? You look quite miserable despite the major victory we secured today..."

Rio turned his head to see Ashtel, who was gripping a massive mug of beer in his large hand while watching Link and Riya’s ascension.

"Kuuaaah~ Nothing beats a cold beer after a grueling day... Oh, I almost forgot, you’re an adult now; you could have a drink too, you know..."

Rio rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his tea before responding.

"I'll pass, I prefer my tea... You seem unusually cheerful today; I don't think I've ever seen you this relaxed."

At Rio’s remark, an awkward grin touched Ashtel’s lips.

"Ahem... well, after such a forced hiatus, I naturally feel refreshed. I’ve been holding the line for decades without a single break, you see..."

"This is actually the first real rest I've had since I became an awakener... Honestly, I can’t even remember my last vacation..."

Ashtel shook his head, his expression becoming complicated.

"Such is the life of those burdened with maintaining the world's order... it is a thankless job with zero perks... I endured it because I was raised in an era of war, where even a scrap of bread was a luxury..."

"I wonder if a child raised in an era of peace will truly be able to shoulder that weight..."

As he spoke, Ashtel’s gaze drifted toward the mana storm Link was manifesting.

No SS-ranker is truly obligated to toil like a slave for the human race; most do so by choice. They are "heroes" who have surrendered much for their nation.

Ashtel was uncertain if the next generation possessed that same resolve.

"You fret too much, old man; it won't be long before you're in a retirement home. We’ll be surpassing you soon enough..."

Hearing Rio’s challenge, Ashtel let out a smirk.

"Hehe, keep dreaming, brat! You youngsters are still a few centuries too green to challenge me! Hahaha!"