Overpowered Wizard-Chapter B4 Ch15: Consume and Alter

“What’s up, babe?” Zarian started off lightly.

“Don’t ‘what’s up, babe’ me, Zarian Sainte-Darkrun.” Lucy growled, looming over him, her figure towering and statuesque in the murky shadow realm that his dream had become.

Zarian’s form solidified as he examined his monstrous wife. She was dressed like a gothic queen, her entire body covered, her clothing made of petrified dolls and leathery parchment that might’ve come from her corrupted victims.

She wore skulls that dripped an oily substance from their eye sockets. And when she slammed down her foot, the sole of her heavy boot shook the dreamscape.

“We sound like a married couple when you toss my full name around like that,” he said.

“I would like us to stay a married couple and learn to love each other. Yet, I’m finding myself in last place. Behind a mortal human and an old elf!” Lucy shouted, throwing her hands up.

Zarian was surprised by the outburst. He couldn’t recall Lucy showing this much anger, this much ferocity before.

She stomped her big boot down in front of him again as she crouched to get closer to his height, her hands sweeping the hem of her super-gothic dress back.

“I can accept them as concubines if you must have them,” Lucy said. “They would bear strong enough children, I’m sure. But I want your entire heart for myself.”

Zarian sighed. “You can’t just force that…”

“What if I make myself the only option?” Lucy asked.

“I would hate you.”

“Then what choice do I have to stop you from divorcing me? Because if you decide to push the pace, the end of our marriage draws ever closer. And … I’m not ready.”

The change in her tone hit even harder than Zarian expected. He liked Lucy. He was certain she was attractive under all the gothic wardrobes and behind the doll-like avatars.

Maybe things would’ve been different if he hadn’t been forced into an arranged marriage without his say-so.

But Zarian could barely handle two women in his heart. He didn’t like the idea of making his love cheap and so easily accessible.

The harem idea had some merits, but he would be more than fine to spend a lot of time with one. Possibly two. Others could come and go if casual flings were on the table for him.

“I can’t do three,” Zarian muttered.

Lucy let out a dry sob that shook the dreamscape. “Lovewar thinks I should divorce you first. It’ll lessen the sting. But I’m a creature of tragedy. Every inch of the knife plunged into my heart is mine to covet. It’s as if you’re killing me without the release of death.”

“Do you want to get summoned?” Zarian asked gently. “There’s one confirmed Ultra God in the tournament with me. There might be more.”

“Perhaps. I haven’t decided. It could work as long as the avatar is an extension of you.” Lucy made a huff. “If you do summon me, sacrifice that elf oracle to me. Her body would be very suitable. And I can be a dark and tall elf for you.”

“Before I commit to any of that madness, I should say this.” Zarian held up a finger. “Sorry, but it just occurred to me that the longer this goes on the deeper it gets. You don’t have to revolve around me, Lucy. You can live any life you want.” 𝘙𝖆𝐍Ö𝔟Еs

At least with Naomi and Ruvaria, they have some life experience that grounds them. Somewhat. But with Lucy, it felt like a disservice to not push her to be her own person.

“I can live my life with you. That’s what I want,” Lucy insisted stubbornly.

Zarian opened and closed his mouth. He tried not to think too hard. Lucy would probably sense it while they were in his dreams.

After he regained his composure, he reached over and grabbed Lucy by the shoulders. Because of dream logic, she instantly became closer to his height.

In fact, she was a little shorter than that.

“Well, I’m not sacrificing Racella. She’s a smart cookie. And no, before you ask, you’re not riding in Para’s body. That’ll be creepy, and I’m from Florida, not Alabama. I’ll find another godling woman out there and ask Para to spare her for you.”

“Thank you, Zarian. I will work hard to prove to you that our relationship is only starting. There is no need for a divorce. And with enough time, I’ll surely become number one.”

“And if you don’t?” Zarian asked.

“Well … I’ve learned quite a lot from watching you. I suppose I’ll just crash out.”

The dream ended, and Zarian was struck with a nasty hangover.

With his head pounding, he groaned while staying in bed. He couldn’t even think of the right sorcery for clearing hangovers. Mythical wine from a Mega World was some hard-hitting stuff.

“Milord, I’ve sensed your distress. I’ve come to your aid!” Racella shouted from outside his room.

“I’m here too, Dad! Let me help you first!” Para said from outside.

“Surely, the young mistress needs not worry herself,” Racella insisted.

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“He’s in pain. It’s duty to deal with that. You’ve just gotten here,” Para insisted in return.

Zarian groaned some more. Why were they competing for him so much? And why did it feel like it was getting worse? 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“Is this going to escalate the stronger I become?” Zarian mumbled, using aura to unlock the door.

Racella crossed the distance faster than Para, but not by much. Nobody could deny the benefits of having Level 299 and all the stats and buffs and abilities that went with it.

“Relax, relax,” Zarian demanded. “I’ll sit up on my own.”

He did just that as both women waited on their knees to his left and right. Then he just accepted their attention from there, Racella passing him water while Para used sorcery to mend the mythical hangover.

In no time, he was back to himself, but both Para and Racella were looking at him eagerly.

He gave Para a head pat first, and Racella looked dejected. But then she brightened once she’d gotten hers.

Zarian shook his head at the silliness of it all. Maybe the Lion Prince skill was to blame.

The flow of causality was heavy around him with how bound-up it was. That would explain the strangeness of it all.

“Any updates?” he asked.

“I sense there is trouble among the godlings,” Para said. “I bet you that Cal Everclaw guy is on the warpath.”

“This is accurate,” Racella said next. “I’ve divined that several tournament contestants can strike killer blows to the weakest of our Champion Rankers. This will lead to power-leveling and going up into the next rank while on the hunt for you.”

“Yeah, makes sense. I have the biggest lump sum of points in the tournament.” And if anyone could beat Zarian in some form of contest, they would go straight to the Final Round. “They would need to get to me first. I imagine a Mega World is huge.”

“Very much so, milord.” Racella nodded.

“So, can we check the gains now? Can we? Can we? There’s something there you have to see to believe.” Para bounced up and down excitedly against Zarian’s side.

“Cool it, cool it. You’re really taking on the bratty daughter role hardcore, huh?” Zarian accused.

Para became still suddenly, her words monotonous. “There may come a day when I’ll never be a child ever again. I wish to explore this phase so I know it’ll be a part of my existence going forward.”

“Oh, well, carry on. My bad.”

Para became an enthusiastic child again, bouncing up and down beside him. Racella watched this with rapt fascination, as if Para was both a miracle and a nightmare.

“Is there breakfast? I’ll go over the gains while eating. And I won’t get drunk.”

There was indeed breakfast that the Hashmalite villagers had prepared. It was at the same pagoda-style restaurant with the open sides and airy view.

Zarian watched the villagers go about their masterful and mythical day. They had crops to tend, businesses to run, children to caretaker, and a most easy-going life despite the pressure and dangers of being on a Mega World.

After chowing down on some delicious eggs and pancakes, followed by a big glass of pulped juice, Zarian opened up his notifications. He wasn’t prepared for the massive results.

<Your skill, Lion Prince, leveled up from 90 to MAX!>

Both ultra skills were maxed out now. And he could feel them synergizing better that way.

From here on out, he would have to prioritize his personal growth to see how far he could push Lion Prince while improving his control with Overwhelming Darkness.

<Your skill, Parasite Phantom +3, leveled up from 90 to 99!>

Strange. Shouldn’t that have maxed out? What was holding it back?

<Your skill, Super Shade Spider System +3, leveled up from 73 to 83!>

He’d sent some spiders to go scout around. The environment was harsh out there. The skill grew quickly.

<Your skill, Force of Sorcery +2, leveled up from 37 to 77!>

<Your skill has advanced! From Force of Sorcery +2 to Force of Sorcery +3!>

<Your skill, Intense Arcana Hat +3, leveled up from 94 to 100!>

<Your skill has advanced! From Intense Arcana Hat +3 to Bombastic Grand Magus Hat!>

<Your skill, Spell Tower Body, leveled up from 1 to 24!>

<Your skill has advanced! From Spell Tower Body to Spell Tower Body +1!>

<Your skill, Super Speed Force +3, leveled up from 68 to 91!>

Nice!

That was a huge jump in skill growth from one battle. He had multiple new advancements, his favorite the new hat. It sounded fitting. He would get to explore that later after he looked at some of the harder numbers.

<You’ve leveled up from 147 to 172! +150 Willpower, +50 Wonder, +75 Mysticism, +290 Free dispensed!>

Zarian found it interesting that his levels came up before his personal growth. Maybe he didn’t grow much this time around.

<You’ve grown, earning +103 Willpower, +134 Strength, +178 Agility, +202 Wonder, +171 Mysticism! You’ve also forced the trait Dark Affinity (Rare) to advance to Greater Dark Affinity (Epic)! You’ve also advanced Devourer of Secrets and Stories (Legendary) to Storyteller Predator (Mythical)!>

“What?!” Zarian shouted.

Racella jolted in surprise.

Para jiggered up and down in her seat like an oversized kid. “Keep going!”

Zarian’s mouth fell open and closed a few times as he scrolled to the next big surprise.

<Parasite Phantom has consumed and altered a skill: Dark Emperor Madness Smite Beam!>

“Wow,” Zarian said.

Seeing the curious glint in Racella’s eyes, Zarian explained the details and watched the Level 299 Champion Ranker freeze in her seat.

She glanced at Para with renewed fear, and Zarian didn’t blame the poor godling. The naughty Parasite Phantom was smiling from ear to ear, literally, her sharp teeth glistening with acidic drool. Her nuclear core glowed brighter from her throat and shone upon them. Her eyes beamed the brightest.

“Eating that super dungeon core did something to me,” Para said. “And the flesh of a divine creature is the most delicious thing ever. Filled with power. I redirected much of it as stats for you. And I can strip them of a skill, change it, and attach it to your soul as a new power.”

“You also forced some of my traits to advance. Dark Affinity is now Greater Dark Affinity,” Zarian said. “That one has been stuck for a while.”

Racella was breathing like she was going to hyperventilate. “Affinity traits aren’t supposed to change until Level 200. This is the same for certain other traits that have interesting conditions.”

She shrunk in fear as she looked at Para. “You’re … not supposed to just force advancements. If you can do that, you can force combinations. You can break the System more than you already do.”

Racella looked like she was going to cry. “I can see a likely scenario where eating me … will give you oracle abilities. And that may better serve your growth. Would you prefer that?”

“Nope!” Zarian said.

Para’s smile dimmed. She reached around the table with her reptilian tail to rub the tip around the elf godling’s back. “I won’t do that to you. You’re not food anymore. You’re our godling.”

Racella nodded shakily.

Para nodded back. “Can’t other gods do the same. We know there are plenty of evil gods who want to consume and take Zarian’s power.”

“Even if they try, I believe there’s a limitation to it. To consume something as large and powerful as Milord Zarian would either backfire on them or lead to only a fragmented version of the original power coming to the forefront.”

Racella sighed. “In my eyes, when I look into your darkness, milord, it is a creature that won’t yield to no master, especially one other than its host.”

“I wonder if there’s a way to spread Para’s power for divine consumption,” Zarian muttered. “Or … maybe … there isn’t.”

“You’re thinking of our friends.” Para sighed. “I think they will still be our friends even if we must race ahead. The clock against Ariana is still ticking, remember?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Zarian nodded. “Alright, let’s see the achievements before I inspect these new abilities.”

“Then we’ll craft some new spells?” Para asked hopefully.

“Hell yeah.”