"That’s enough for now..." Quinn already explored everything, and the strength testing would come after both Lyra and Alice woke up....

"I don’t know when the next battle will be, but... I surely won’t disappoint both of you," Quinn mumbled as he contemplated when the next battle would arrive.

He was not acting arrogant... not now that he had already seen the real monsters, but because Quinn wanted to test his newly gained prowess. The experience he gained recently changed him. It was not pride that fueled him, but determination. He wanted to confirm his progress with his own bare hands

....

Hours passed.

Quinn did everything he could do. He trained his body, refined his movements, adjusted his breathing, and even tried conquering his weakness.... his lack of cooking skills! It was not easy. The kitchen became his battlefield in a different way. He carefully handled the ingredients, remembering what he had seen before, experimenting step by step! A true battlefield for him!

There were moments when he nearly failed, but he refused to stop. He focused, corrected his mistakes, and continued until he was satisfied and after the grueling hours, he managed to accomplish something!...

The house now filled with a warm aroma...

"Mhnnn... I can smell... umm something good?" Lyra murmured while still muddled, rubbing her eyes as she sniffed the air....

"Hmmn... I agree with that? Who is cooking now?" Alice spoke, also waking up after smelling something pleasant.

The scent was gentle yet rich, spreading through the room and reaching their senses.

Then, like a flash, Quinn emerged from the door.

"Hehe... my sleepy dear future wives, I cooked something!" Quinn said with his dignified look while puffing his chest proudly.

His expression carried confidence, but also anticipation. He wanted to see their reaction more than anything.

"Fufu... surely we got a dependable husband~" Alice got up, stretching her body, making Quinn gulp hard.

Her movement was casual yet graceful. Quinn quickly tried to maintain his composure, clearing his throat.

"Hehe... I hope it’s not burnt!" Lyra also got up, bending her body slightly as she adjusted herself, still half awake after a better sleep while smiling playfully.

Quinn responded instantly.

" Heh... trying to seduce me? I won’t back down, you know~?"

Lyra chuckled softly.

" Fufu... let us taste your dish first... and you still got something to explain, you know~?"

"Well... too bad, then we’re going to grind after eating, I guess?"

"Hmn, but show us your skill first!"

"Well... at your service!"

They moved straight to the dining table where the dishes were presented carefully. Quinn had arranged everything neatly, ensuring the presentation looked acceptable. The table was simple, but the food was placed with attention.

"Whoahh... Is this really something you made?!" Lyra exclaimed, surprised to see the dishes presented before them.

She leaned slightly forward, examining everything with curiosity.

"What is this?" Alice asked, also intrigued by the appearance of the food.

"It looks simple...yet it’s smells so good.." she continued, looking the dishes.

"Uh... I don’t know what kind of meat it is, right in the kitchen... but it’s just a simple braised meat! With some sauce on it."

"Ohh..what about this one? Lyra pointed out a simple bread with some additionals on it..

Quinn scratched his cheek slightly as he explained.

"That... I just dipped it in some egg and toasted it with some spices! Though it looks simple, it tastes like divine!"

He sounded confident, but also slightly nervous. This was his first attempt...and he don’t want to disappoint the two!

The whole thing lasted only a few seconds before they began eating.

The atmosphere was calm. No battles...no tension. Just the three of them sharing a meal.

After eating the dish, Lyra nodded repeatedly.

"It’s good..." she said honestly.

Alice also gave a small approving smile.

The quiet satisfaction in their expressions was enough for Quinn.

....

"Quinn... what have you done to me anyways?" Alice said while wiping her lips carefully.

Her tone was gentle but thoughtful.

"As I said before, it’s bonding, and we got bonded to each other in our soul... making us become one and connected."

Quinn answered without hesitation.

"As for the size of my core and the sudden change of your core... it’s also related to the soul bonding. I don’t know the full details, but all I can say is that it’s beyond the common norm."

Alice could only stare at him, not knowing what to say. Her thoughts were complicated, yet she did not feel fear. Instead, she felt comfortable.... an understanding that their connection between her and Quinn...

"As for the thoughts that came into your head, it’s also because of soul bonding."

"Hmmnn... Quinn is really handful most of the time, Alice... hehe..." Lyra said after finishing her food.

She leaned back slightly, satisfied.

"Hah... I really don’t know what happened, but it’s not bad... fufu."

"Absolutely! I didn’t even think that my talent core just got bigger like that! You already know that my talent core is very small, right?! Quinn did help me break that limitation! Although I’m not stronger compared to others... with enough time, I can slowly compete with them!"

Lyra spoke with confidence, her eyes shining with determination.

"Hah... yeah, but I really didn’t expect that kind of thing, you know... as my talent core just evolved from a 3 meter diameter to a whooping 15 meter radius!"

Quinn remained silent for a moment, processing the information, the growth was really astronomical!

"Hehe... expect that something like that will always happen if we are with Quinn..."

"Fufu... true, I just can’t imagine that my life, our life, will become simple..." Alice said, sounding convinced yet slightly amused.

The connection between Lyra and Alice was now considered a deep connection...they can truly understand and feel each other. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"So everything is okay now? How about we do some deed now... hehe?"

Quinn joined the deep conversation with a playful tone...trying score something!