It took less than a month for Lucia to reach her own level 100, and take the Clever trait as well.

Those 20 Mind points were worth 10 levels of grinding with 2 free attributes, so still 10 percent, of 100 levels.

There were other gains, like Body aura for the two women, bought for 20 millions and making them pretty much immune to guns or other mundane threats, once the skill leveled up in constant melee vs the wabbits or the winter rabbits.

Other accessories and the expensive armor also helped.

The elixirs had to be sold for cash, and the Major potions paid or traded to the Association for more books.

Climbing the Abyss was a very expensive business, and Pef didn't have a kingdom or clan behind him, to provide riches.

He was the provider for his new family.

But he didn't mind so much. Life was good right now, and he was getting close to 200 Mind and 100k HP.

Even Lise benefited somewhat, gaining one level and a few more free points from combat in armor or daily plowing.

She too prioritized Mind just now, since her Magic attribute was over 1000.

Pef got even better at Crafting, reaching level 9.

And at level 10 he should be able to promote again in Alchemy rank, from Adept to Proctor.

That would come in handy, and get him rid off the annoying guy teasing Lucia.

"Young Pef. I said fox hair, not fox fur. Just the parts from the head. Can't be that hard, for a genius like you." The proctor chided him, yet again.

Pef smiled politely. 'Prick'. Then he began mixing a new potion, using only hair from the head. Silly rules!

"Miss Lucia, you are indeed a wonder! Your potion is perfect. So talented for a woman. Are you sure you won't join the Association?" the proctor proclaimed towards the witch.

"I serve the Goddess, Master Proctor. Even outside the Golden Branch, I can hear her voice." Lucia replied with a flat voice. And rather truthful, for a change.

"Hmph. Superstition and legend. Mana comes from the sun, and filters through plants, then animals. Every theory and experiment proves this!" the proctor replied in contempt, and retreated to his desk.

Pef blinked at the curious news and continued mixing his potion.

After a few minutes, the liquid congealed and hardened.

"Is it hard now? Good, you can learn. Now cover the cauldron in fire and light for minute."

Pef obeyed, using his less potent spells, held packed by telekinesis.

Then the gloup became liquid again, smelling of pine and burned hair.

He grabbed the liquid and poured it in a jar. Jar lid on, and wax over it next.

*Ding. Telekinesis reaches level 13.

*Fox hair potion learned. Helps heal bone fractures 75 percent faster. Adds Mild Pain and Strong Fever to the user.

"Decent work Adept. You know the drill now. 99 more potions and you may go." the proctor said with a grimace.

Lucia smiled at him from across the table and the day got brighter a bit.

Pef grit his teeth and proceeded to fleece the dead fox.

Hours later, he escaped the prolonged torture and ran for the dorms.

"Lise and Lucia! My most precious women..." He exclaimed, finding them naked and wet, for some strange reason.

"Need us to relieve some stress, our king?" Lise asked teasingly, holding arm under her peaks and looking innocent, while fanning herself with a lock of blonde hair. Her white teeth were biting down on her lower lip, like she had seen a delicious food.

Lucia blushed virginally and peeked from under her long black hair, with curious brown eyes. Her breath was ragged and hard, due to hot shower water perhaps.

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In a second, Pef got naked and began farming those fertile lands. He had a lot of stress to relieve.

For a few hours, the happy triplet got to forget about the cruel world outside.

"Inside!" Lise yelled in confirmation.

"Of course, beloved mistress. Anywhere you want." Pef whispered in her ear as the field irrigation began.

A minute later, Lucia began cleaning the plow, and Pef relaxed in his queen leather armchair.

"We should go to the dungeon, my ladies. I'm close to the next Ascension."

Slurp!

Lucia was busy, but her tongue agreed.

"We will, my love. Just let us rest a bit." Lise whispered in his ear.

Pef drifted to sleep.

++++++++++++++++++++

Thunderbolts fell from the sky, the hill exploded in fire and shards of rock.

A leathery wing flew by his head, and his soul hurt so bad...

Screams, tears. Someone laughing in the distance.

++++++++++++++++++++

Pef woke with a start, finding everything the same, except a happily dreaming Lucia on his belly.

*You have experienced a prophetic dream. +1 Karma.

"Ugh. Damn dream. Probably nothing, just like the last one." Pef mumbled as his mind returned to full speed.

"Dreams now? Dreaming of new girls perhaps?" Lise asked with a tinge of irony.

"There is Miya Chen Sung, the girl I saved from the Templars. Could you go get her here? She is Egypt right now..." Pef asked in a pleading voice.

"Sending your queen to recruit women for your harem. How shameless." Lise muttered and bit his ear.

Pef smiled wryly. "You didn't say no. And I am very grateful for this, my mistress."

Lise bit harder on his ear. "You will be extremely grateful tonight. I am clear?"

"As you wish, my royal mistress. Your king will satisfy your every whim." Pef said while patting Lucia's hair.

"To battle?" the witch asked groggily.

"Of course, Lucia. To many battles, and better skills and spells. Just two of us though. Lise will bring Chen back to me."

Pef said as explanation.

"How would she know to trust me? Some unknown mage asking her to follow?" Lise asked quite wisely.

Pef hummed as he considered that. "You speak Chinese, right?"

"More or less, yes. I mostly read not speak it."

"Then you tell her, Pef sent you. Hospital, Red Bull, Fus Ro Dah. Or just knock Chen out and kidnap her." he said in a pragmatic way.

Lise poked his head with a finger and a snort. "Where in Egypt?"

Pef smiled a bit. "Farming a mummy dungeon. There won't be many Chinese girls there."

"Up! If I leave now I'll be back by morning." Lise demanded royally, and pushed Pef aside to reach the bath first.

Lucia caressed his muscled abdomen with a hungry hand.

"Quick farming before the battle?" she asked throatily.

"Sure!" the hero agreed at once.

Lucia climbed over the plow and held tight, as the bull buckled and thrust deeply.

Pef powered up his Farmer's Strength, and began planting at high speed.

*Relationship with Lucia has reached 30. (Honored)

*You gain +1 Charisma.

By the time Lise had finished showering, Lucia was painted white and muttering prayers of thanks.

"Hurry up, you two. Less playing and more work." Lise ordered as she threw a longing eye at the scene, then teleported away.

Pef nodded in agreement. He would need all his strength tomorrow.

"Come Lucia, quick shower first, and we bathe in rabbit blood after." he explained poetically while carrying the hot witch in his arms, towards the warm and hot shower.

"Such bliss...my goddess..." she muttered in reply.

Pef grinned to himself.

He was blessed by the goddess, after all.