Chapter 257: Rich as counts
As Cassian thought about the massage techniques he'd learned from books and the method he was trying to develop on his own, he recalled the detailed knowledge he had acquired about the human body. To perfect his craft, he had to understand every muscle in the upper body—shoulders, chest, and back—whether it belonged to a man or a woman. Of course, he had no personal interest in studying male anatomy, but his experiences dissecting clones had provided valuable insights. These clones were near-perfect replicas of humans, complete with every vein, muscle fiber, bone, and organ, functioning just like real human bodies, though their tissues were slightly tougher.
Through this hands-on experience, he'd gained a significant amount of knowledge, though not as comprehensive as the information found in specialized massage books. Those texts even covered the basic physiology of other species—not in great detail, but enough to represent how different bodies worked compared to humans. Luckily, Cassian wasn't concerned with mastering techniques for other species. His focus was solely on perfecting full-body massage techniques for humans, a goal that was challenging enough on its own.
It wasn't just about stroking the muscles or applying pressure—it was about understanding how they functioned. Cassian had learned to read the tension in each muscle group, identifying where to release tightness or even increase tension when necessary to improve circulation or support. Though he hadn't perfected his technique completely, he'd refined it enough to relax muscles so effectively that no one would question his skills, even if he only worked on their shoulders.
Surprisingly, he hadn't even fully started on Commandant Sher's shoulders yet. His fingers had merely glided along her back, tracing down to her waist and gently pressing the center of her spine. Despite the minimal contact, Sher let out a soft, relaxed sigh, her eyes fluttering shut as she murmured in a serious tone, "You shouldn't be giving this kind of massage for free, Cassian."
Cassian glanced at her face, expecting a playful remark, but her expression was calm and contemplative. Though relaxed, there was a subtle shift in her demeanor, as if she was processing something deeper. And she was. Her body didn't just feel lighter in the sense of relaxation—it was as if the flow of mana within her had become smoother, more natural, traveling effortlessly without the usual need to channel it through her domain's control.
She was an eighth-circle warrior, possessing unparalleled control over her body, which served as the secondary core of her domain. However, even a core wasn't immune to damage. Years of relentless battles and the pursuit of godhood had left subtle cracks within hers—tiny fractures born from centuries of strain.
Yet now, something unexpected was happening. Cassian's massage, though seemingly simple, was doing what countless remedies and techniques had failed to achieve. It was as if those minute fractures were slowly being mended, not completely, but enough to be noticeable. The process was incredibly slow, almost imperceptible, but it was there—a faint, unfamiliar sensation of restoration she hadn't felt despite all her efforts over the years.
This unexpected sensation surprised her, stirring a mix of curiosity and suspicion about Cassian's background. She had assumed, like Cassian believed, that she knew little about him, only allowing him to work in her department because the orders had come from higher authorities. But now, her intrigue had deepened. For someone to possess a technique capable of subtly healing wounds that even the most miraculous medicines couldn't touch—it was no ordinary skill.
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Cassian, however, remained oblivious to the significance of what he was doing. Had he known, he might've taken Katherine's warnings more seriously, especially about offering such a precious massage so casually just to have sex with other women. But his intentions with Commandant Sher weren't driven by desire. Despite her striking presence—her age marked by silver strands in her hair and faint wrinkles that did little to diminish her beauty—he wasn't interested in her that way. He'd simply noticed her tension and thought she could use some relief.
With a playful smile, he said, "I don't charge for this, which is why I asked you to treat me to dinner. And judging by how much you're enjoying it, make it a lavish one, okay?"
As his fingers finally moved to her shoulders, applying firm pressure and squeezing the tense muscles, Sher let out an involuntary, soft moan, her shoulders instinctively rising in response. Cassian chuckled lightly and added, "Besides, I haven't eaten anything since last evening, so I'll be counting on you."
Sher couldn't quite tell if Cassian was genuinely unaware of the effects of his massage or if he was subtly hinting for her to keep quiet and simply enjoy it. She chose to believe the latter, leaning forward slightly to give him better access as his hands moved skillfully down her waist.
With a faint, relaxed sigh, she remarked, "Well, the reward from those noble parents alone is enough for you to afford three meals a day at the top restaurants in the city… for a good hundred years or so."
Cassian's hands paused for a brief second, surprise flickering across his face. He hadn't expected the reward to be that substantial, leaving him both impressed and confused. After all, he had no idea how much a meal at a top-tier restaurant even cost.
Tilting his head slightly, he asked with genuine curiosity, "How much is that, Commandant?"
"Well, if you want numbers, I think it's around forty thousand gold coins, a few kilograms of mana stones, and some other things like healing potions and miscellaneous items," Sher said with a casual smile, her tone light as if she were talking about the weather.
Cassian's hands instinctively paused for a fraction of a second, his face frozen in shock, though he quickly resumed the massage to avoid drawing attention. His mind, however, was racing, trying to process the sheer amount of wealth she'd just casually listed.
Completely unaware of his internal struggle, Sher continued, "Truth be told, it makes me a little jealous too. That reward alone puts you on par with some viscounts or counts in terms of wealth. Of course, there are plenty of them, so it's not like you're anything that special," she added with a teasing smirk. "But still, that's quite rich for a kid your age—enough that you won't need to work here for a long time, depending on how fast you burn through it. Though I'd advise you not to spend it all too quickly. Think it over while you keep working here. This way, you can keep earning rewards like this in the future."