Miriam Resolve

 "That was an interesting night," though calling it interesting is an understatement in Ryker's opinion. His lovers with the exception of Miriam had took it upon themselves to pleasure him in the town.

 While he was a bit- well, maybe very uncomfortable doing it in a ruined settlement, especially when the ruined settlement is the former home of one of his lover, such thought was chased away when his lovers appeared before him nude, while pressing their arms and posing, showcasing their allure and curvaceous form.

 After that, he may have bee- oh, who was he kidding, he was a beast in heat last night, ravaging the three women with wanton pleasure. Their screams of delight and pleasure fueled him even further for the night.

 By the end of it, he had 'slain' all three women, as even the mighty dragon did not stand a chance to his spear. Though, he did feel bad for forgetting Miriam, who was not out last night.

 So, he plan to make sure she did not feel neglected. After all, she had suffer enough under the hands of his family and he did not want to make her feel the same way with the rest of the group.

 As he entered his room, hoping to find her, he saw the blonde sleeping, her arms hugging one of the pillow tightly. Though he could also see some tears streak on the pillow and on her cheeks.

 The silve-eyed man sighed as he slowly wrapped his arms around the busty blonde.

 "I'm sorry for not coming to you, Miriam," he apologize. The blonde did not stir, though Ryker could tell she was wide awake.

 Her hitched breath told him of that, though she clearly though he thinks she was still sleeping. Well, he should remind the blonde beauty of who is the leader of this household.

 "Hhhnn~" a muffled moan escaped her mouth despite her best attempt, earning a light chuckle from Ryker as he implement the next phase of attack; tickling.

 "Hahahahaha!" her sides being her most ticklish spot, the blonde find herself convulsing as Ryker continue to poke her side, leaving her breathless.

 "I give! Hahahaha, I give!" she yelled between laughter. Ryker decide to let her off for now, leaving Miriam gasping for air.

 The blonde turned towards Ryker, a pout on her face. The pout change to a light giggle when he kiss her nose. Ryker quickly wrapped his arms around the blonde, telling her with his action that he will not abandon her.

 Miriam let her face rest on his chest, basking in his warmth.

 "Ryker," she suddenly said.

 "Hhmm," the silver-eyed man grunted.

 "I want to begin cultivating," the sudden declaration caught him by surprise, though he manage to control his shock.

 "Are you sure? The path of cultivation is not an easy one," If it was before, Miriam might not be sure, but now, she is determine to become one.

 "Yes," she said resolutely, her voice filled with determination. "I want to become one,"

 "Why the sudden change of hearts?" Ryker asked again, wanting to know why she suddenly wish to become a cultivator when she refuse his offer before.

 "I don't want to be left behind," she said in a low voice, akin to a whisper, though Ryker manage to hear her clearly.

 He did not speak, the silver-eyed man continue to stroke her back.

 "When there are danger, you always let the other remain, but for me, you send me back to the mansion. I understand it is for my own safety, but it also make me feel like I was useless," the bitterness in her voice can be heard by Ryker clearly.

 "It happen so often that I began to wonder what am I even good at. So, I want to become a cultivator so at least I can help you and the others. I don't want to be a burden. I want to help, even if it's not much," she voiced her thought, hoping he would listen.

 Ryker have a strained smile. His decision to send Miriam into the mansion during any fight had lead to her deciding to become a cultivator. He did not know whether to laugh or cry. He only did it to protect the non-combatant, Miriam.

 "You are never a burden," he told her with all his heart, hoping she believed him.

 "I will always love you, but if you are sure, this afternoon, I will let you pick a Cultivation Art. Is that alright with you," the blonde nodded as she snuggled against Ryker, happy he did not ask any more question.

 The two remain like this until Ryker remember of the other women and brought them back into the mansion to clean them up.

-x-

 "So, this is the Cultivation Art Pagoda. It's as impressive as you said it to be," Mashia exclaimed, her eyes on the multiple Cultivation Art resting in their shelves. She wonder how many of them surpass her clan Cultivation Art. She believe the answer to be many.

 Miriam is standing at the center of the pagoda, ready to get the evaluation. As he had learned before, Ryker let Miriam's talents showed itself before giving her the better Cultivation Art, or at least allow her to pick better one.

 Soon, the pagoda bathed her in golden light as it start her evaluation. After the pagoda was done it said, [ Mortal possess talent of 4. Ple-] Ryker threw a drop of his blood, doing the same thing he did with both Ina and Era.

[ Mortal possess affinity to Yin Energy. Mortal can choose from collection of Cultivation Art. ]

 Miriam looked at the tablets surrounding her before her body seem to resonate with one. She pick it up without hesitation, only to slightly blush as she read the content.

 "This is," she uttered before shaking her head. She want to change it but in the end, decided against it. After all, this is the Cultivation Art resonate with herself, even if it's a perverted one.

 "Let me see," while she wanted Ryker to be the last person to see it, she obeyed regardless, knowing that resisiting would be futile.

 Ryker read the content before letting out a humming sound.

 "Well, looks like you are going to practice this Art tonight," Miriam blushed at the reminder while cursing her instinct. Meanwhile, the others looked at him in confusion.