Chapter 254

Chapter 254: Next

"Would you like to touch them, Mom?"

"They might feel a bit cumbersome when flying, but they’re actually quite pleasant to the touch."

Having noticed Lin Yu’s lingering gaze, both girls simultaneously placed their hands on their chests…

The white-haired girl flushed crimson at their audacious gesture.

Though part of her longed to join them, she ultimately lacked the courage.

"You… you should dress yourselves first."

This dangerous viewing threatened to awaken improper physical responses.

Ah! W-what responses? I-I’d never react that way toward my own daughters!

"Besides, the weather’s turning cold lately. You’ll catch chills without proper clothing," she added, maternal concern overriding her fluster.

Hmm? Ants don’t catch colds?

"Not necessarily! Your human forms are more sensitive to temperature changes than your ant forms, making you susceptible!"

During this mental diversion, Purple Cloud and Purple Mist had already donned the garments Lin Yu threw them.

"Mm… these feel restrictive."

"And they’ll surely hinder flight."

Their complaints echoed Little Tear’s notorious aversion to clothing.

"Clothing is non-negotiable!"

Lin Yu reiterated the same warning she’d given other daughters about human race propriety.

For these winged ant-girls, she’d chosen practical tops and trousers – skirts would be disastrous during aerial maneuvers.

But…

"What about our wings? They’ll shred through fabric!"

"Wait – can you even manifest wings in human form?"

The experiment commenced immediately.

"N-no good… My wings… won’t come out!"

"Same here… Hnnng… Aaaah!"

Panic set in as their efforts proved futile. Flight held paramount importance to them, equivalent to Little Tear’s obsession with food – deprive the gluttonous girl of meals, and torrential tears would follow.

Suddenly – soft pressure against her chest.

So plush… and undeniably more ample than her own.

"Mother!"

"What do we do, Mother?!"

"Er…"

Even if you look at me with those pitiful eyes…

The "Transformation" skill is rather unique. After taking human form, it requires a period of adjustment before the skill can be activated again to revert to ant form.

So during this transitional phase, you can’t make morphological changes to your humanoid appearance, correct?

Like our previous discovery of sprouting third and fourth arms from the shoulders, or replacing your head with an ant’s head – those bizarre modifications.

Presumably, growing wings would be similarly impossible.

Therefore…

"You’ll remain in the castle for the time being."

"Oh…"

Though visibly disappointed, the two girls had no choice but to comply.

Over the following days, deprived of their aerial mobility, they became unusually timid, constantly fearing the sudden return of that green-haired girl.

This looming "crisis" drove them to master the "Transformation" skill within mere days.

Not only could they switch between human and ant forms, but even in human guise, they could manifest two pairs of translucent wings through mental focus.

Possessing both "Flight Talent" and "Master Aviator" skills, after brief practice, they achieved winged flight in human form.

However, the drawback of human-form flight became apparent – each wing deployment shredded their garments’ backs.

Thus every aerial sortie in human form claimed another upper garment.

Though truthfully… is there genuine need for human-form flight? Moreover, airborne humans might attract dangerous attention if spotted.

The human race lacks innate flight capability.

While a "Flight" skill exists permitting wingless aviation, no records show humans mastering this technique.

When Army Lady inquired at the Adventurer’s Guild, Elena could only shake her head.

Human flight requires assistance from aerial monsters – like Aowenduo Town’s Flying Beast Army.

Ah! Speaking of which, I should check on Lvzi’s progress. He should have made contact with that Flying Beast Army by now.

But first—

The white-haired girl shifted her gaze to Purple Cloud, now reverted to ant form and hunting alongside Red Pupil in the deep woods.

"Purple Cloud, retrieve Magic Rainbow."

"Understood, Mother."

Magic Rainbow conducted "hunting operations" some distance behind them – though "magic experiments" better described her activities.

Having perfected "Fireball" and "Waterball" skills, she’d developed new Wind Ball and Wind Blade spells.

The former condensed ethereal air into transparent spheres that burst upon impact, scattering razor-edged gusts. The latter shaped atmospheric currents into lethal blades – more potent than Wind Balls but less expansive.

Both spells remained experimental, not yet formalized in Magic Rainbow’s skill panel, their power still developing.

Though deceptively simple in nomenclature, these magics could manifest tremendous power through high-level users.

While promising, these wind spells couldn’t eclipse my anticipation for the transformation ritual!

Indeed! My Magic Value has fully replenished!

Three days and over a dozen Medium Magic Recovery Potions restored it to maximum.

Among remaining A Qualification daughters, only Magic Rainbow and Darkling Stalker remain.

Though capable of transforming both, I intend to bestow Magic Rainbow with "Proficient in all Languages" alongside "Transformation" – she yearns to visit town!

The settlement boasts numerous bookstores and even a central library where Magic Rainbow seeks arcane texts.

Thus no surplus Magic Value remains for Darkling Stalker’s transformation – certainly not due to any avoidance issues…

While awaiting Purple Cloud’s return with Magic Rainbow,

Lin Yu turned her attention to Lvzi.

Dusk found the green-haired girl back at the inn.

Army Lady and Stealth One were absent, likely on mission.

"Mom!!"

The connection startled then exhilarated Lvzi – such direct contact from Lin Yu proved exceptionally rare.