Chapter 209: Lessons Of Today Kyone hugged the nine-tailed fox back, holding her close as though they had not seen each other in centuries. The goddess smiled, tilting her head as she stroked the fox’s ears. "So, you’re Esteemed Husband’s familiar?" Kyone asked with curiosity. She patted Ahrya’s head gently. In her heart she was already planning. Azel needed more training, and now he had gained a familiar with immense potential. That was perfect. She could push him harder than before, and she as well as the other one could serve as his sparring partners. "I must admit," she continued, "it has been quite a long time since we last met. How have you been?" Ahrya bowed her head with respect. Her nine tails wagged behind her with unrestrained joy, each one moving like a banner of living silver. The sight was hypnotic. "Yes, my goddess," she said, her voice carrying a mixture of reverence and delight. "It has been a long while, but I am happy we can meet again." The wagging of her tails was so vigorous it caught the attention of Plaides, who was standing quietly nearby. His brow rose slightly, curiosity flashing across his usually calm features. Azel, however, frowned. He took a step closer, staring at both Kyone and the fox. "Is there something we’re missing here?" he asked. Kyone and the fox exchanged a brief glance, but almost in perfect harmony, they both shook their heads. "Later, Esteemed Husband," Kyone said with a playful smile, her tone making it clear he would get no more answers now. She then turned to Plaides, her expression becoming serious. "Are we allowed to leave now?" Plaides let out a quiet sigh, as if the weight of his role pressed heavily upon him. A long staff appeared in his hand, carved of ancient wood and glowing faintly with violet energy. He gripped it firmly, then nodded. "Of course you are," he said. His lips curved into a small smile, rare and fleeting. "I hope to see you all fine and well... five hundred years from now." And then he slammed the staff against the ground. The world shook. A pillar of purple lightning erupted upward, bursting into the sky with enough force to make the air vibrate. The ground trembled, and sparks danced around them in waves. Azel squinted against the brightness, his breath caught in his chest. He could barely see as the god’s form was wrapped by the raging lightning. Then, like a storm compressed into a single strike, Plaides was carried upward, his figure swallowed by the violent light. The pillar shot across the sky and vanished, leaving behind silence and then similar things happened to each of them. Azel took a deep breath right before he was taken by one. ’Every time I think I’m strong, the world shows me someone stronger,’ he thought. If Plaides hadn’t arrived, if he had been just a little too late, Azel might not be standing here now. ... In the blinding pillars of light, they appeared in the plane they had departed from, standing right where they had been before Nyala opened the portal last time. Nyala stretched and gave a smile of relief. "Thanks, Plaides," she whispered softly, as if the departing god could still hear. Then her eyes turned to Azel, bright with playful amusement. "Congratulations on getting such a fine summon, hubby." Azel sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was sweaty... The whole experience had been stressful — far more than he wanted to admit aloud. But still, he had gained something. Not only was he able to grasp the power levels of divine beings but he had also gained two familiars. ’No matter how far you think you’ve come, there’s always someone waiting to put you in your place,’ he thought. At least everything had worked out in the end. Now all he needed to was to sleep properly and have dinner. He glanced around. Ahrya was practically glowing as she clung to Kyone’s arm. Nyala was completely distracted, kneeling down and playing with her puppy like it was a treasure. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖 Everyone seemed happy. Kyone’s voice broke into his thoughts. "Esteemed Husband," she said evenly, turning her sharp eyes toward him. "I was told that you met a group of powerful people." Azel blinked. "Ah... yes," he said slowly, unsure of how much she already knew. His gaze shifted to Erblim. The boy nodded and stepped forward. "We were attacked by two diviners and one divine apprentice. Master killed one of them, but... if the watcher had not intervened, it might have been the end of Master." Kyone did not frown. She did not lash out as Azel expected. Instead, she nodded once and smiled. "And what lesson did you learn from all this?" she asked softly. Azel rubbed the back of his neck. His throat felt dry. "Not to endanger myself stupidly?" he offered. It sounded like the right answer, didn’t it? Kyone’s gave a small smile. She lifted her hand and placed it against his cheek, stroking him with a tenderness that contrasted the cold glint in her eyes. "Well, that too," she said warmly. "But the real lesson is this — you need to get stronger." The temperature dropped. Without warning, chains of frost erupted into existence, coiling around Azel’s body like living serpents of ice. He knew that feeling all too well. A ticket to Kyone’s training. "H-hey! What’s this?" Erblim cried out as he too was bound, the icy chains clamping down around his arms and chest. He struggled in vain, his breath coming out in white puffs. Ahrya squealed in delight as the chains bound her as well. "Yes, goddess!" she shouted with the excitement of a fangirl chosen by her idol. Her eyes sparkled, her body practically vibrating with eagerness. Azel simply sighed, lowering his shoulders. He had already accepted his fate. Resistance was pointless. Kyone’s smile grew more menacing. "Those three were lucky I did not get my hands on them. Had I done so, they would be living a fate far worse than death." Then she turned to the three who were bound. "I usually train my husband to the bone whenever he comes to me. But now..." Her eyes glowed dangerously. "...since you arel his familiars, it is only fair that I do the same to you." Erblim groaned loudly. "Wait, what? We didn’t even do anything wrong!" He shot a desperate look at Nyala, silently begging her to intervene. But Nyala was far too busy cuddling the puppy. She didn’t even look up at him. Erblim’s face fell in despair. The chains dragged them forward and into training... The most hellish training that Erblim had ever done in his life...