My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

Asia tilted her head cutely, making a thoughtful expression on her beautiful face. ”Hmm... I don’t know. Maybe around Level 40 or 50?” Nova’s smile widened. ”I’m stronger than even your dear father, honey.”

”....”

Asia was left speechless once again. She couldn’t tell if Nova was joking or being completely serious, but he didn’t elaborate further, making it clear he wouldn’t reveal more for now.

After that, they spent some more time chatting peacefully while cuddling in each other’s arms. Eventually, Nova gave her a deep, loving kiss and said his goodbyes.

He left her room the same way he came through the window — and returned to his own room.

Before entering, he quickly checked on Daniel. The fat young master had already returned to his room. Nova couldn’t wait to see what kind of ”new version” of him would appear tomorrow, along with everyone else’s reactions.

With that satisfying thought, Nova went to sleep with a peaceful smile on his face. He had successfully made Asia realize her feelings and claimed her as his.

Even though they hadn’t gone all the way, love wasn’t always about sex. When the emotional bond was this strong, intimacy only amplified it. For now, Asia didn’t need more than what they had shared.

....

Morning arrived quickly. Nova woke up, freshened up, and got ready. He walked out of his room toward the main hall of the mansion, where he found his parents and Duke Theodore already talking. Asia was standing nearby as well.

Edward noticed Nova approaching and said, ”Son, your mother and I will be leaving for Coldrock soon with a few knights to pack up our belongings and move them to our new house, which is already prepared thanks to Lord Frost.”

Nova glanced at Theodore, who gave him a warm smile. ”I can come with you if you want. I can help,” Nova offered.

”It’s alright, honey,” Jenna replied with a gentle smile. ”Your father is taking some of his trusted knights with him. We already have more than enough help.”

”Yes, Nova. You should stay here,”

Theodore added. Then, with a spark in his eyes, he continued, ”Oh, and I didn’t get the chance before, but would you like to have a spar with me? I invited you that day so we could exchange blades. Don’t you think now is the perfect time?”

His words dumbfounded everyone present — even Asia looked shocked.

She clearly remembered Nova’s words from last night. If what he said was just a joke, then why would her father want to spar with someone so young?

Honestly, Theodore had sensed that Nova was hiding something. That was what had caught his interest on the battlefield.

When he noticed the expressions on Edward and Jenna’s faces, he understood they knew Nova’s secret and were wondering how he had found out — though he hadn’t.

Just like Ragnar and Enzo, who were many times more powerful than Theodore, they too had felt that Nova was far more than he appeared.

That was why they had invited him to join them. Not everyone received an invitation from the kingdom’s Royal Guards or the Twilight Order.

Nova smiled calmly. ”Sure.”

But before they could discuss it further, a new, familiar figure entered the hall. When everyone saw him, their jaws dropped — everyone except Nova.

It was Daniel, but he looked completely different from the day before. He was now dressed in simple, full white robes. His expression was eerily calm. The most shocking change was that he had shaved his head completely bald.

He looked like a fat monk or priest — round belly still prominent, now clad in pristine white robes. He walked toward the group with slow, measured steps while everyone stared at him in stunned silence.

Daniel went straight to Theodore, dropped to his knees, and spoke in a strangely calm, almost detached voice:

”Please forgive this unworthy man for his crimes, oh Duke Frost...” Daniel spoke calmly, still kneeling. ”Me and my family made a terrible mistake by forcing the engagement on you and Lady Asia like that.”

Theodore was utterly baffled. Why is this bastard son of Duke Claremont acting like this? Why did he shave his head and suddenly pretend to be remorseful? Is he being sincere?

Asia was equally stunned. She instantly looked at Nova, who gave her a knowing smile and a subtle wink. Edward noticed the exchange and was left speechless.

Did his son really do this to the son of Duke Claremont? He panicked internally for a moment but quickly calmed down. There was no evidence linking Nova to this.

He also understood why Nova had done it after seeing the silent exchange between him and Asia. He had suspected something was going on between them, and now it was confirmed. Although he didn’t oppose it, he knew it would bring complications.

”This unworthy man has decided to cancel the engagement,” Daniel continued in the same serene tone. ”I know it won’t make up for my mistakes, so I have chosen to live the life of a monk. I will travel the world, help the needy, and spread goodness.”

Theodore couldn’t take it anymore. ”What are you saying, Lord Daniel? What happened to you? Why are you behaving like this?”

”I realized there is nothing left for me in this martial world. I have decided to live the life of a monk.”

Theodore didn’t know what to say. Whether this was genuine or some kind of psychotic break, it was the perfect opportunity to break the engagement.

He ordered Rodrick to bring the documents — a mana-sealed agreement he had prepared in case a miracle occurred.

Theodore placed the agreement on the table and told Daniel to sign it. Daniel stood up without hesitation, channeled his mana, and the reasons for canceling the engagement appeared on the document. He then signed it with his own mana signature.

The moment the document was sealed, a heavy weight that had been pressing on Theodore’s heart finally lifted. He felt genuinely relieved.

Even Asia, who rarely smiled in front of others, had a small, genuine smile on her face. Now his wife wouldn’t blame him for ruining their daughter’s life. Everyone knew how cruel the Claremont family was in the kingdom.

”Now that I have made up for my mistake, even if only a little...” Daniel looked at Theodore. ”Please allow me to apologize once more and bid you farewell.”

”I will return to my father and personally deliver the news of this engagement cancellation, so he will not disturb your family anymore.” With those words, Daniel turned and left the room.

Theodore ordered one of his trusted men to follow Daniel and ensure he returned home safely. After all, he was still a Duke’s son, and he had come without any servants or protectors.

{What exactly did you do to him in the illusion for him to have such a complete personality change?}

Liya asked curiously. Even though she could read his mind, she couldn’t quite see the details of the illusion.

Nova smiled as he watched Daniel leave the room and replied in his mind ”Oh, nothing too significant. After I showed him the nightmare of me and Asia being intimate, he completely broke down in rage and despair.

Then I changed the illusion — he was chased by countless demonic beasts for days. Just when he was about to be devoured, he was saved by a godlike being who granted him divine enlightenment.

It completely detached him from the life he used to live and the kind of person he was before. The being told him to live the rest of his life as a kind soul. I made sure not to make him completely detached though, so the idea of becoming a monk was his own.

He still has a little bit of will left. If he ever finds true love in his life, he might live normally again.”

{Well... it’s not like you were completely evil to him. He’ll still be able to live a decent life and might even find his own happiness.}

Nova wasn’t evil to his core , ofcourse expect people who truly deserved it. He knew he couldn’t completely ruin Daniel’s life. Deep down, he understood that Daniel wasn’t entirely at fault — it was mostly his father, Damon, who had forced the deal.

”Congratulations, my lord,” Edward said, clearly understanding the situation.

”Hahahaha... Ah yes, this is such a joyful moment. I couldn’t be any happier!” Theodore laughed loudly.

Asia looked at her father and felt genuine happiness seeing him like this. She knew how heavily he had blamed himself every single day for his mistakes.

”Come, Nova. Let’s have our spar,” Theodore said, gesturing toward the training grounds.

Edward nodded. ”My lord, we will take our leave now.” With that, Edward and Jenna left the hall.

Now only Theodore, Asia, Nova, and Rodrick remained.

Theodore started walking toward the training grounds. ”Let’s go.”

Thanks for reading...