Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1982: Defense test (2)

Queenie’s expression was incredibly sour, looking as though she’d prefer to be doing literally anything else.

Regardless of her feelings, I was compelling her to train alongside me; I needed her to master her abilities.

My goal was for her to produce a barrier with at least half the durability of the one Insectum had previously deployed.

I was certain Queenie possessed this capability. As Insectum’s messenger, she naturally had access to the gifts they bestowed upon her, meaning she should be able to manifest a barrier of that same caliber.

I wasn't demanding she reach that absolute peak just yet, however.

For the time being, I intended to drive her until she attained a level I deemed acceptable, and no amount of whining would grant her an escape.

The issue was that coercion didn't seem to be yielding the desired results.

While she followed my instructions, her efforts were completely devoid of passion or drive.

To be fair, one can’t typically expect stellar progress when someone is being forced into cultivation and training like this. In most situations, the mere fact that any progress was made at all would be considered a success.

At the very least, it served as proof that she possessed the necessary talent.

But this wasn't a standard situation, and we were severely lacking in time.

Because she had the innate talent, I knew she was capable of handling the rigorous curriculum I had mapped out.

Ultimately, I decided that a more aggressive approach was required.

“Fine, I can see you have absolutely no motivation,” I remarked with a sudden, heavy sigh.

Queenie looked startled by my words, and a faint, subtle smile seemed to flicker across her features. I couldn't be entirely certain—it’s not like I’m an expert at reading the faces of bugs—but guessing her mood in this moment wasn't exactly difficult.

Naturally, I wasn't about to let her remain satisfied for long.

“Since that's how it is, I suppose the only option left is for me to provide you with some motivation.”

Queenie didn't grasp my meaning at first, but the confusion vanished the moment I produced the item I intended to incorporate into her training.

As soon as she laid eyes on it, a strange expression took hold of her, and she asked slowly, “What are you planning to do with that?”

“What do you think I’m going to do?” I countered, my voice remaining perfectly level.

“You wouldn’t... This is your relic you’d be releasing it in. No matter how you look at it, this doesn't benefit you.”

She spoke with a tone that suggested she was trying to bargain with me.

It was a shame for her that I wasn't in a negotiating mood.

“This thing is weak enough for me to handle if I choose, but I doubt it will be quite so simple for you. If you want to stay safe, you’re going to have to find a way to protect yourself.”

An ugly look clouded Queenie’s face upon hearing that.

She might have been lazy, but she was no idiot.

She quickly realized exactly what I was forcing her into and what her only path forward was.

“Wait, I’ll take it seriously! Just don’t do that...” She looked as if she were on the verge of surrendering, but I knew better than to trust that.

“Show me,” I commanded, my voice cold and indifferent.

Queenie looked like she was about to burst into tears, yet she was powerless to refuse.

In the next instant, the swarm of bugs began to shift.

The insects she had previously utilized swarmed together, creating a solid physical wall.

Up until now, the aspect of the barrier she had been working on wasn't the structure itself, but rather the concentration of Divine Energy contained within it.

Now, she was finally attempting to actually refine the barrier's form.

Queenie obviously understood what I required of her, but she had been procrastinating until this very second.

It wasn't a skill that was easily mastered, however.

Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say she no longer possessed the proficiency she once had.

Given how fast she initially picked things up, I had assumed it was pure talent. But looking closer, I realized there was more to it.

There was a distinct sense of familiarity in her manipulation of Divine Energy that talent alone couldn't explain. It was the kind of muscle memory that only comes from having performed these actions many times before.

It was obvious that Queenie had wielded this power in the past.

The problem was that her laziness had caused her skills to atrophy significantly. Otherwise, reaching the level I demanded would have been a simple task for her.

Ultimately, she was just facing the consequences of her own neglect.

As the bugs spread out, a barrier of Divine Energy began to take shape.

The process involved using each bug as a conduit for Divine Energy, which was then radiated outward. Once released, this energy coalesced into the form of a barrier.

With such a vast number of bugs, the resulting barrier should have been incredibly sturdy, provided the Divine Energy was controlled with precision.

The issue was that Queenie lacked that necessary control.

Consequently, as the bugs moved further apart, the barrier she was struggling to maintain suddenly began to fracture.

Once those cracks appeared, it was only a matter of moments before the entire structure shattered into pieces.