Final Regression of The Legendary Swordmaster Chapter 84

With a soft, wet sound, Edward withdrew his mouth from Thaleia’s right breast and lifted his head, his eyes settling on her flushed and uneven expression. Her breathing was shallow, her chest rising and falling in quick rhythm as she struggled to steady herself. A faint tremor ran through her shoulders, not entirely from the cool air against her bare skin, but from the weight of the moment itself.

Edward rose to his feet, still fully dressed in his black blazer and neatly pressed trousers. His composure stood in sharp contrast to Thaleia’s vulnerable state. His gaze moved over her naked form with careful attention, not in admiration, but in assessment. He had seen her like this before, in other lifetimes, in other regressions. Her beauty had always been undeniable. She possessed a refined figure, long legs shaped by disciplined training, and a body neither fragile nor overly soft, but balanced with the strength of a cultivator.

Still, Edward did not linger on her appearance. Physical attraction was not the purpose of this moment.

To prepare for Atlantis, Thaleia needed to reach the True Mage stage. That was the core of it.

Going into Atlantis alone had proven ineffective in his more recent regressions. His strength alone was not enough for the objective he wished to achieve. Independent entry was allowed by the White Tower, but only under structured terms. If multiple combatants wished to enter together without registering under an existing kingdom banner, they needed to form a recognized expedition guild. And to form such a guild, there had to be at least two individuals above the Adept stage, meaning one True Mage and one High Mage at minimum.

Edward already stood at the early level of the High Mage realm. That requirement was fulfilled. The second was not.

In one regression, he had considered Valerius as the suitable candidate. Valerius possessed strong foundations and talent, but time and again, across multiple lifetimes, he failed to break through the bottleneck into the True Mage stage. Whether it was mental instability or flawed synchronization within his mana core, the result remained the same. Failure.

Thaleia was different. Her foundation was stable. Her one hundred circles were perfectly inscribed. The problem was synchronization. With dual cultivation, Edward could directly vibrate her mana core. He could cross the hurdle for her.

He slowly returned to the bed and sat beside her. The mattress dipped slightly under his weight.

"You must not do this if you do not truly want to," Edward said quietly.

The words caught Thaleia off guard. She blinked, her fingers tightening slightly against the sheets.

"You were the one who implied that my duty as your secretary is to assist you," she replied, her voice steady but laced with confusion. "How will I assist you in Atlantis if I remain at the Adept stage?"

Edward turned his head toward her. His expression did not change.

"Then I am now telling you that you may put on your clothes and leave this room immediately," he said calmly.

Her eyes widened. She stared at him as if she had misheard.

He had asked for a favor. He needed a True Mage for guild formation. He had clearly stated that dual cultivation would allow her to ascend. Everything had pointed toward this. Yet now, he offered her an exit without resistance.

"My Lord," she began carefully, her pride flickering beneath uncertainty, "please forgive my earlier tone, but is it that you do not find me attractive?"

The question escaped before she could restrain it. It sounded foolish even to her own ears, but it had formed naturally. Throughout the entire interaction, Edward’s expression had remained controlled. He had not shown eagerness. He had not shown hunger. He had not shown embarrassment. To her inexperienced mind, the absence of visible reaction translated into doubt. Of course, she wouldn’t know how a man would react to the nakedness of a woman, but still, Edward didn’t even show any sign at all.

She swallowed and forced herself to continue.

"My Lord, I am a virgin," she said honestly. "This experience may be... unpleasant for you. I do not know how to please a man. I would not know where to begin."

Edward stood up abruptly. The shift in motion startled her. He did not shout, but the intensity in his eyes sharpened to something fierce enough to make her heart skip.

"You misunderstand," he said firmly.

"In situations like this, especially involving intimacy, I despise the feeling of coercion. I despise the idea that a woman engages with me because she feels obligated or cornered. And I despise it even more when I know I will not harbor romantic feelings afterward."

Thaleia’s thoughts scrambled.

Where is he going with this?

"Thaleia," Edward called.

"Yes, my Lord," she answered instantly, her back straightening instinctively despite her nakedness.

"You behave as though I forced you into this," he continued. "But I know that is not the truth."

He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering.

"You are not here because I need help in Atlantis. You are not here because you believe it is your duty. And you are certainly not here because I see you as some disposable companion."

He paused deliberately.

"You are here because I presented you with a path. A path to revive the Puresteed name. A path to step into the True Mage realm and finally break the ceiling that has suffocated you for years."

The silence that followed felt heavier than any physical touch.

"So it is that obvious," Thaleia said quietly.

She then lowered her eyes, not in shame, but in acceptance. The majority of her life had revolved around cultivation. Every decision, every sacrifice, every lonely evening spent meditating instead of attending gatherings had been for one purpose: advancement. For her family. For the legacy that hung fragile and fading behind her name.

Edward did not mock that ambition. He did not belittle it. He acknowledged it plainly.

"That ambition is not wrong," he continued. "But ambition born from desperation can turn into resentment. I will not allow you to one day believe that I took advantage of that desperation."

Thaleia’s chest tightened.

He was not rejecting her. He was protecting himself from regret.

"You think I will regret this," she said softly, but Edward gave no reply.

Thaleia then lifted her head and met his gaze fully for the first time since undressing.

"You are wrong about one thing," she said.

Edward waited.

"I am not desperate," she continued. "I am determined. There is a difference."

She inhaled slowly, steadying herself.

"Yes, I wish to revive the Puresteed family. Yes, I wish to ascend. Yes, I recognize the opportunity before me. But I am not being dragged here. I walked here."

Her voice did not waver.

"If I step forward now, it is because I choose to. Not because you forced me. Not because I feel obligated. And not because I misunderstand your intentions."

Edward studied her carefully.

There was no trembling in her tone now. No confusion.

Only resolve.

"Very well," he said at last.

He stepped closer, stopping directly before her.

"This will not be about pleasure," he continued calmly. "Remember it’s a form of cultivation. You will focus on your mana core. Don’t allow embarrassment to disrupt your breathing. If your concentration falters, synchronization will fail."

Thaleia nodded.

"I understand."