CHAPTER 264: POWERING UP

His gaze turned towards the shelf where the items had been restocked during his absence. The inventory displayed his newest additions:

→ Rose Petal Candy x8

→ Luxury Fruit Smoothie x8

The other items had been fully restocked since they were already somewhat stocked before the auction chaos had begun.

Noah walked to the shelf and selected three portions of the premium items—one rose petal candy and one luxury smoothie for each of his companions, plus a set for himself.

He returned to where Lola and Leo were positioned by the window, both watching his actions with obvious curiosity about his intentions.

"Here you go," Noah said, extending the items toward both his companions.

Leo happily accepted the enhancement items from his father with a small but grateful roar. "Thank you, Papa. These look really delicious."

"You’re welcome, Leo," Noah replied with genuine warmth, reaching out to ruffle the young lion’s golden mane with paternal affection.

Noah then turned to face Lola, who was staring at the offered items with obvious hesitation rather than Leo’s immediate acceptance.

Her ruby eyes flickered between the luxury enhancements and Noah’s face, internal conflict playing across her facial features as she processed the value of what he was offering. This had become a normal thing by now; he would always offer her things, and she would always reject.

"Noah, these items are incredibly valuable," she said with reluctant protest. "The rose petal candy alone is worth thousands of golden coins, and the luxury smoothie... that’s worth too much to be given away like this."

Her voice carried genuine concern about accepting such expensive gifts, despite their close relationship and the care he had shown her previously on multiple occasions. What made her also feel that she didn’t deserve it was that she truly didn’t know Noah’s intentions in regards to her. Was she just an employee? Would a day come when he would dismiss her from the job?

Noah signed before gently insisting. "Just take them, consider it a bonus gift from your boss. After everything we’ve been through today, you both deserve these enhancements. Just like you said earlier, we are weak and we need to be strong."

Lola continued hesitating, her usual confidence wavering in the face of such generosity that went beyond normal employment compensation.

"But—"

"No buts, your safety and strength matter more than the monetary value. Besides, what good are these items if they can’t help the people I care about?" Noah interrupted with firm kindness.

Lola reluctantly accepted the items, her hands trembling slightly as she processed the weight of his continued generosity toward her well-being.

Without warning, she stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on Noah’s cheek, her lips barely brushing his skin before she pulled back.

Noah stood momentarily stunned by the unexpected gesture.

The kiss hadn’t been entirely unexpected, given their growing closeness, but the timing and gentle nature of it caught him completely off guard, leaving him speechless as he processed what had just occurred between them.

Noah recovered from his initial surprise quickly, a small smile crossing his face as he met Lola’s eyes. The gesture had been sweet and unexpected, but he wasn’t about to act over the top for a simple kiss on the cheek. He didn’t want to think too much about their relationship; he understood that this was probably from her succubus nature, and nothing more.

"Well, that was certainly a thank you," Noah said with gentle amusement, his tone carrying warmth rather than awkwardness.

"Now, shall we try these new items? I’m excited," Noah suggested, unwrapping his rose petal candy with anticipation for its effect.

The three companions had decided to consume the Rose Petal Candy first, saving the better item for last.

They consumed their candies simultaneously, and Noah’s eyes widened as the flavour hit his palate. The taste was extraordinary—layers of sweetness that seemed to bloom across his tongue with complexity that exceeded even his other items.

"This is incredible, it has the perfect texture and sweetness," Noah said with genuine appreciation that no aspect was overpowering in the taste, creating a perfect blend that made the experience something from another world, which ironically...it was.

"The sweetness carries notes of jasmine and cherry blossoms," Lola added with obvious delight, her refined palate detecting subtleties that spoke to the candy’s production.

Leo roared softly with contentment. "This is the best thing father has ever fed me, it’s really good!"

Noah nodded his head in agreement. with both of them. Whilst the idea of eating flowers certainly wasn’t pleasing, a human couldn’t understand it unless they tasted it themselves.

As the enhancement effects began manifesting almost immediately after consumption, Noah felt the transformation occurring throughout his body. His muscles tightened and defined themselves more clearly, his hair gained fuller texture and a better natural shine, and his facial features seemed to sharpen into much more appealing proportions.

The fifty-point vitality increase flooded through his body, making him feel more alive and vibrant than ever before. But most notably, a subtle floral scent began emanating from all three of them—a calming fragrance that filled the shop with tranquil ambience.

Noah couldn’t help but stare at Lola as her own transformation completed. She had always been the most beautiful woman he’d ever encountered, but now her enhanced charm made her absolutely breathtaking. Her already perfect features had gained an ethereal quality that made it difficult to look away.

"Well, well," Lola said with that familiar teasing smile, having noticed his obvious admiration at her beauty. "Someone’s looking quite handsome now. I might have to start charging customers just to look at you."

Noah recovered his composure and returned her playful banter. "Says the woman who just became so stunning that she could probably end wars just by asking nicely. I’m starting to think I gave you an unfair advantage. I can’t let others see you."

"Why is that?" She asked, the soft smile on her lips making her even more beautiful.

"Because an innocent soul might die from taking a look at you."

Lola chuckled softly at his response.