However, just as Maki was feeling a sense of relief as a huge weight was finally off her shoulders, Lorien was currently feeling completely confused.

'Ummmm...I...Really didn't think through!' He thought.

'I just wanted to tease her a bit and then maybe get a free laborer afterward.'

'Not to mention that I am curious about what kind of ability she'll awaken and what kind of reaction the Zen'in clan will have.'

'Just imagining their faces makes me want to laugh!'

'However....'

Scratching his chin, Lorien's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Maki who was very close to him.

'This isn't that bad actually!'

'Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, I've been quite lucky recently!'

Shaking his head, a smile finally appeared on Lorien's face as he leaned even more forward causing Maki's body to suddenly stiffen in response as a small blush appeared on her face.

'Too close!' She thought, resisting the urge to move back

Seeing this, Lorien couldn't help but want to continue teasing her even more, however, luckily for Maki and to her relief, he was able to withstand this temptation as he finally spoke in response.

"Well, I'll give you another chance to change your mind, don't say I didn't warn you later!"

However, even after hearing this, Maki still shook her head and replied.

"I've made my choice! I won't regret it."

Hearing this, Lorien paused for a moment, leaving her a bit of time to think about it and change her words, however, after waiting for a while and seeing that this wasn't useful, he immediately gave up and said as he moved his body back.

"Alright then, the deal has been sealed!"

Saying this, Lorien then used his forearm to wipe the fake sweat off his forehead as he then continued his speech.

"Ughh, I really hate negotiations, they are really exhausting!"

However, all he got as a response was an indifferent reply from the already impatient Maki.

"Yes, it is, so, when are we going to start!"

"Hmmm, you really aren't that fun are you? I am starting to regret it a bit now."

Giving off a long sigh, Lorien shook his head in defeat and said.

"If you are worrying about time, you don't have to, the time in this realm is different from the outside world."

"Time, Different?"

"Yes! As long as I control it, no matter how long you stay here it will only be a moment or so outside!"

*Hisss*

Taking a deep breath, Maki looked at the man in front of her with wide eyes that were filled with shock.

Right now, she felt a bit relieved, reassured that she had made the right bet and that he wasn't lying to her.

Of course, the proof of the matter is still left for later!

However, she still wanted to ask a couple of questions.

"So, it doesn't matter how long we stay here, it'll only be a moment outside?"

"Ummm, that's what I just said..."

"Right..."

"However, don't be so happy, as even though I said that I could do it, I didn't say that I will!"

"Huh?"

Looking confused, Maki gazed intently at Lorien, waiting for his explanation which he immediately delivered.

"There is a very interesting event that's going to happen soon, however, I don't want to waste any more time outside, so, instead of a moment passing outside, it'll be a couple of months or so!"

"HAAAH??!!"

"Calm down, Calm down."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"But..."

"If you are worried about your friends outside, then don't, I'll notify them!"

"..."

"So, wanna start or what?"

"Sigh..."

Giving off a long sigh, Maki knew that she couldn't contend with his decision, after all, beggars can't be choosers, moreover, with her friends notified, there wasn't anything that she needed to be worried about.

'Interesting event? Considering this guy's wicked personality, I don't think that it'll be a good thing...'

Thinking of this, and remembering the future events that she had just experienced, Maki couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

'Does that future have anything to do with this event?'

'Ughh, why does this guy keep speaking in riddles, can't he just explain things clearly for once?!'

A bitter look appearing on her face, Maki soon got over it as she tried looking at the positive side of things.

'Well, at least I know that until then no one will be in danger, so I don't have to worry much.'

'All I need to do now is just improve my strength!'

Thinking of this, the bitter look on her face was soon replaced by a gentle smile that startled Lorien.

'I'll see you soon, Mai!'

It's just that while Maki was smiling to herself, engrossed in her own illusory thoughts, Lorien who was just startled was still waiting for her response.

However, after waiting for a while and still getting nothing, he quickly got impatient as he clapped his hands in front of her face which alarmed Maki causing her to immediately wake her up from her daze.

"Sooooooo, want to start now or what?"

"Ah! Yes, Yes, sorry!" Responded Maki who had realized her gaffe, a small blush appearing on her face.

Seeing this, Lorien shook his head in speechlessness, deciding not to get into it.

"Alright then, let's start with your heavenly restriction!"

Saying this, Lorien didn't waste any time as he pointed his finger toward Maki, mobilizing his power as he spoke continuously.

"Cursed Energy, Nullify"

"Cursed Energy, Connection Cut off!"

"Heavenly Restriction, Conceptual Strengthening!"

"Conceptual Identity."

*Buzzz*

With each phrase being uttered, a wave of energy washed over Maki, sublimating her.

What Lorien was doing right now is removing the last trace of cursed energy in Maki's body and completing her heavenly restriction.

After all, even though Lorien is planning on letting her walk the 'Dream Path', not taking advantage of the heavenly restriction to strengthen her physique is a huge waste.

Moreover, he was also cutting off her connection with her younger sister, enabling the two to finally be free.

'Hmmm, I wonder if doing this will affect Mai, I am quite curious...'

However, while Lorien was musing to himself, he still didn't stop using his powers to make minor changes.

This lasted for a couple more moments until Lorien finally lower his hand as he looked at Maki who was standing in front of him, his face full of satisfaction.

"How are you feeling?"

Hearing this question, Maki couldn't help but clench and relax her hands a couple of times, feeling the changes in her body.

"Free..." She said, a happy smile appearing on her face as she looked at Lorien gratefully.

'My bet...I won!'

'I have never felt this strong!'

However, just as Maki was continuing to feel the changes in her body, Lorien suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts.

"Do you want some time to get used to it, or do you want to continue and then practice slowly?"

Hearing this, Maki immediately responded without hesitation.

"Continue!"

"...Alright then!"

Shrugging his shoulders in response, Lorien then raised his hand causing a small golden ball to appear on top of it.

"This is the 'Seed of the Dream Path', after it takes root in you, you'll officially be the 3rd 'walker' of this path!"

"3rd?"

"Yes, I created it, so I am the first, and the second is Yuki!" Said Lorien before suddenly remembering something, causing him to continue his explanation with a laugh.

"Well, the third should have been Gojo, however, he wants to test the upper limits of the cursed energy power system before jumping ships, so you kinda stole his position ahhahaah!"

Hearing these names, Maki's eyes suddenly widened as she finally realized how huge the opportunity she was receiving is.

'Special-Grade Yuki, and Gojo-Sensei, moreover, there is the guy in front of me..."

'Speaking of which I have never asked what his name was; Did he say it previously? I can't remember..'

Shaking her head, Maki threw these messy thoughts aside as she then looked at the golden ball in front of her, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Seeing this, Lorien smiled and waved his hand toward her causing the golden ball to shoot into her body.

The moment this happened, Maki immediately lost consciousness as a major transformation was transpiring.

If the completion of the heavenly restriction was akin to adding a couple of walls to an already-built house, then this Dream Path is like completely taking down the house and replacing it with a castle.

'Don't let me down...' Though Lorien as he patiently waited for Maki to awaken her ability.

*Buzz*

*Buzz*

For a couple of minutes, Lorien watched as the 'Dream Path Seed' kept modifying Maki's body which continued until the beginning of the awakening of her ability.

And the moment it began, Lorien instantly raised his head just to see a 'blackish' ball get created near the crown of the Eternal Tree.

However, this ball only stayed for a moment before rushing into the tree next to it, just to get immediately absorbed by it.

'Hmm??!!'

Absorbing the new information that appeared in his mind, Lorien's eyes widened in shock as he then looked back at the still-unconscious Maki.

'Well... This was...Unexpected...'

'Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, this ability...'

As a wide grin appeared on his face, Lorien then started laughing joyfully as he spoke.

"Hahahaha, to think her ability would be 'Negation'!"

"I didn't think that she would be so incompatible with energy!"

However, narrowing his eyes, Lorien then continued on a more serious note.

"However, while this ability might not be as comprehensive as others, it is very compatible with her style of combat, not to mention that such an ability can be useful in all situations!"

Thinking of this, Lorien finally made a decision.

'Alright then, I've decided! I'll help you get stronger, It would be better if she reaches the [Law] Level, after all, the feedback that I get isn't a one-time thing! It is continuous!'

And so, with this choice being made, Lorien immediately started making a more comprehensive training plan in his mind.

'Hahahaha, This is going to be really interesting! I could even train her to beat Gojo!'

'Imagine, getting stabbed by Toji and then Maki, Hahahahaha!'

However, just as Lorien was smiling happily imagining different scenarios, Maki was finally restoring consciousness, a groan escaping her mouth as she tried to stand up again.

Realizing this, Lorien immediately threw the messy thoughts aside and turned his attention toward her.

'Well, it seems that our snow while is finally awake.'

'Time to begin!'