《The Extra's Dominance》
Chapter 1 The Beginning!
I want an exciting life.
''My life is boring.''
I thought when I was 14 years old.
I''m an orphan pretty much since I was born, I don''t even know who my parents are as they abandoned me near the orphanage after some weeks I was born.
There''s nothing special with me, even my name ''Cole'' just means ck, how special is that?
When I turned 16 years old, I developed a hobby of reading novels, when I started reading, it was just to pass time but novels are more entertaining than I thought and I got hooked in it. Since then I would read novels whenever I have the time to.
When I''m reading novels, it feels like something inside me is getting filled, I felt new emotions. And it made me think that maybe, this life is still worth living.
Don''t get me wrong, I''m not nning to kill myself.
It''s just that I''m so bored in the past that I thought dying might not be that bad. If you ask me why I''m still alive in that time, I''ll probably just answer ''Because I''m not dead yet.''
So reading novels really means a lot to me.
I got a schrship when I was 18 years old in a small university in my neighborhood of the orphanage I was in, but I still need money to provide to my daily needs and some school stuffs that time.
So I found myself a job even though I''mzy.
Also reading novels is slowly getting boring for me at that time, it seems that I can''t find a novel that I can enjoy, which is bad for me because it''s the only thing that I really enjoy doing.
And then one day I thought:
''If I can''t find a novel that I like, why not just make one myself then?''
Which might be the best solution because it may also solve my money problem.
So I did made one. Creating a novel is harder than I thought, sometimes I would suddenly stop midway then continue it againter, or when I was about to finish a chaper, a new idea will pop out in my mind, but in the end, I did created one.
My first novel was inspired from a novel that I really like, I got the idea there then create a different story out of it.
Surprisingly, people started reading my novel, and reading theirments about it made me happy, so I started enjoying writing novels.
I continued writing novels, again and again, until now the present time.
And I was currently 29 years old.
***
"Haa..."
A sigh came out from my mouth as I finished publishing thetest chapter of my current ongoing novel.
"Now what?"
I asked myself.
Writing is fun, but after that, I got nothing else to do.
I was so bored.
So I started reading thements and reviews about my ongoing novel.
Manyments are positive but some are negative, they doesn''t affect me anymore, it''s pretty much normal anyway, I can''t satisfy everyone so I just continued writing based on my taste, not caring about them.
Ping!
"Hm?"
Then while reading thements, I recieved a mail.
And out of boredom, I opened it.
Click-
Then a weird and confusing mail greeted me.
=====
[YOUR WORK HAS BEEN SELECTED BY A HIGHER BEING!]
[Congrattions! A Higher Being will use your work for their new creation! And in exchange, they will grant your wish, and add some bonus rewards too!]
=====
"What the hell is this?"
I grumble and frowned after reading the content of the mail, it just doesn''t make sense at all.
I was about to close the mail without replying, because replying will be just a waste of time.
Swaahh¡ª
When sudden bright light erupted from my whole body and dyed the whole room white.
"Argh! What the fuck?"
I screamed.
The lighting from my body was so bright that it looks like that I''m some godly shit that descended from heaven.
Strangely though, the light doesn''t hurt my eyes, but I can''t see anything except the color white.
"What the fuck is happening?!"
I eximed again.
''Okay, let''s calm down.''
I tried to calm myself down and started racking my brain.
But while I''m thinking, I suddenly felt like I''m being ''sucked'' into something.
"OKAY! WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?! THIS IS SO CREEPY!"
I yelled unconsciously, I can''t see anything so I''m panicking. Calling for help didn''te to mind, why?
Because what''s happening to me doesn''t feel dangerous at all, it''s just creepy and weird, and I bet nobody can help me in this kind of situation.
Worst case scenario, the one trying to help me would get caught up in this phenomenon.
I''m also an introvert with a small number of friends, so I bet nobody will help me anyway.
Yep, even in this weird happenings, I''m still assessing the situation.
I developed something when I was a kid, that in any asion or happening, my thoughts or thinking will still work properly.
Which is good because just panicking without thinking wouldn''t do anything good to me in any way.
So what conclusion I got in the midst of this situation by racking my brain?
Nothing.
So I just stopped struggling and shut my mouth.
"Thanks for nothing brain..."
I mumbled as I stayed still.
Anything I do will be just a waste of time and energy, so I just went with the flow.
Let''s just wait and see what will happen, then decide what to do next after that.
''I''m bored anyway.''
So I stood still doing nothing, letting the weird sucking phenomenon have its way.
"This better be good."
I mumbled.
That''s thest thing I remember as my consciousness got cut off after that.
***
I don''t know how long I was out but after I regained my consciousness, I immediately opened my eyes and sat up.
And looking around me.
''Um... Where?''
Is what I thought after seeing my surroundings, I''m sitting on a bed, I''m in a small unfamiliar room with very few furnitures, all the items in the room are just for a daily needs of a single person.
"There''s even no TV."
Anyway, I continued to look around.
First I thought that maybe I''m in a hospital room, but there''s no medical equipment around, so It''s likely that I''m not.
"Let''s explore the room first."
I got up from the bed and started roaming around the room. Moving my body feels a bit weird but I thought it''s just the effect of the light before or me fainting so I didn''t mind it.
"Messy."
p I mumbled after seeing the room messy as hell, it''s like someone is moving out.
"Let''s clean up too while we''re on it."
I know this isn''t my room but the mess is bothering me, so while organizing my thoughts, I''m also cleaning the room.
After some time, I went to the bathroom with the thought of checking the toilet, and as soon as I entered the bathroom, I got greeted by a huge mirror.
I was shocked.
"Dirty."
I muttered.
The mirror got dirt marks all over it, so I started cleaning it.
Just after 5 minutes of cleaning the mirror, that I noticed that the mirror is reflecting, not me, but someone else I don''t know.
"Who the hell?"
I started moving and the reflection moved the same way I did, I tried finding another mirror because maybe this one is just special, but all the mirrors I tried are the same.
"No way."
I mumbled. Disbelief washed all over my body as I sat on the bed while holding a small circr mirror.
I''m not stupid so I know that either I got transmigrated into another body or the owner of this room is a jerk that bought defective mirrors and ced it all over the room.
Looking at the mirror in my hand again.
It''s showing an average looking young man, all of his facial features are not worth mentioning except for his sharp eyes, and I think the sharp eyes are he cool, he have ck eyes and deep-ck hair.
My previous body was also skinny but this body is skinnier, and maybe because it''s identical, moving now feels normal.
"Can someone exin me what''s happening?"
I asked.
And right after that, a transparent window that just normally appears in fantasy stories or games appeared in front of me.
Looks like it came from the watch-like device I''m wearing.
I was startled but calmed down right away because waking up in a different body is more surprising than this transparent window.
"Since when did I have this thing on me?"
I asked looking at the watch device in my right wrist.
No answer came, just the transparent window remain, it have something written on it so I tried reading it.
[Hello you inferior being, be d because what''s happening to you right now is a rare thing! Just shut up and your additional rewards will be given with a few exnation soon.]
I don''t who sent this message but it sure is cocky.
And not long after that, another transparent window appeared before me, then letters started to appear in it.
[You received 2 traits and 1 skill!]
Is what it said.
After reading what''s on the window, I can''t help but tilt my head.
"What is that for?"
I asked, luckily(?) I recieved a reply from the same window, the letters changed as a form of replying to my question.
[Please shut up, I''ll exin it soon.]
But when I read its reply, a frown formed in my face.
''Jerk.''
I thought.
[Bastard, I can read your thoughts.]
''Then better you shit.''
Looks like I canmunicate with this thing.
[At least call me ''System'' you punk.]
"Yeah, sure, whatever."
The system doesn''t just project words and sentences tomunicate with me, I can hear a voice inside my mind saying the same thing what the system writes in real time, so I concluded that the voice inside my head and the system are the same.
The voice sounds robotic that it''s hard to distinguish if it''s from a boy or a girl, but I''m sure annoyed hearing voice inside my head.
"Whatever, just start exining things to me."
[Then shut up, well anyway you received 2 traits and 1 skill.]
"I know, you just said that earlier."
[...]
After a pause, the system continued, ignoring my words.
[Well anyway, this is what you received:]
After the system said that, a new transparent window appeared.
=====
[TRAITS]
[SKILL]
=====
Right before me are the so called rewards that I received.
"Hey system, what are this for?"
[Try pressing the rewards, they have exnations attached with them.]
I immediately pressed the only ''skill'' in the rewards and another blueish transparent window appeared.
=====
-Lets you emit pressure or aura of an monarch. This skill reacts on your emotions.
-The skill''s strength is based on how much mana you use and the skill''s level.
=====
Staring at the exnation in front of me made my heart beat faster, I''m getting excited, I don''t know why, but it''s a good feeling for me.
[You received that skill because you are like the creator of this ce.]
"Me? Creator? Why?"
[Check the other things you got first, Tsk, you''re so nosy.]
I know the system have a point but I really want to p it.
Too bad my hand just pass through it.
''What a shame.''
[Bitch, what did you just tried to do?]
I ignored the weird ''thing'' and checked the first ''trait'' I got.
=====
-Makes it easier for you to understand and learn things, it also improve your memory drastically.
=====
"This is what I really need right now as I still don''t understand what''s going on."
I said with a smile as soon as I read its effects.
[The Higher Being also predicted that that''s the case, so they personally selected for you.]
The system said.
"Ohh, really? That Higher Being thing is so nice... And here I thought you''re the Higher Being, guess you''re just a product huh."
[Well, I''m still a superior being than you so nothing change, peasant.]
"Your insult is getting harsher by time."
[So what?]
"Aren''t I like... Your customer?"
[Your mom.]
Then the system tried to insult me more.
"I never met my mom."
I casually replied.
[...]
"..."
Then an awkward silence engulfed the room.
[Shit, I''m sorry.]
The system apologized, it''s pretty creepy honestly.
"No it''s fine, I don''t care either way, growing up without parents is better than growing up with irresponsible one."
That''s my personal opinion.
[Just... Sorry. Thest ''trait'' is what I selected for you, I was just created like an hour ago just to help you as one of your rewards, and I already have the knowledges I need to help you.]
I don''t know why, but the system got surprisingly nice and started exining about itself. I pressed thest ''trait'' that is to be said the system picked just for me.
=====
-Uses attentions that you gained to boost your growth.
-The strength of the growth boost changes based on how much attentions you are receiving.
=====
"..."
I nkly looked at the transparent window as I re-read the trait''s description again and again.
After snapping out from my daze, my head shifted at the system''s direction and red at it.
"You bitch! Are you telling me to be a attention whore?!"
[Well... First, I picked that just to mess with you... Sorry.]
I didn''t talked and just continued to re at the system.
[But hey look, it will help you on your training, right? I''m sure that you need it.]
"How am I gonna need it?"
I asked with a hint of curiosity.
''Why would I need to train anyway?''
[Check your status.]
The system said.
I looked at it doubtfully for a second then...
''Status''
I muttered in my mind.
And another transparent window appeared in front of me.
=====
[STATUS]
Name:Raven Obadiah
Rank:F-
Mana Control:F
Strength:F-
Agility:F-
Stamina:F-
Intelligence:E-
Luck:E-
Charm:F-
[SKILLS]
[TRAITS]
=====
[Oh, you can open it without me teaching you.]
"I''m not that stupid, people withmon sense can do that too."
I read a lot of fantasy novels so I know.
Then scanned through ''My status''.
"But isn''t this stats way too low? What happened to the charm?"
Iined.
I don''t know anything about this status thing, but seeing the Fs, I know it''s not good.
"And my new name is ''Raven''? It have the same meaning as my previous name, just cooler."
After that, I started asking the system questions to quench the questions running through my head.
Chapter 2 First Time
It''s been 2 days since I transmigrated, and I learned a lot of things thanks to the system.
ording to the system, I''m inside my novel, the one I''m currently working on, I forgot the title of it as the ''Higher Being'' made me. I don''t know why.
I still remember its contents as they let me keep it, they said it''s the only way for me to survive.
And about the ''Higher Beings''.
''Higher Beings'' are said to be the ones who create universes. In Earth it is said that only about 5% of the universe has been investigated, so imagine having a lot.
Anyway, a Higher Being created a universe based on my novel.
And the ce I''m currently on, is the center of that universe, where the story will happen.
Also, my novel didn''t get selected because it''s the best, they said that although it''s interesting, many other novels are better than mine, and I can''t deny that.
The Higher Being selected my novel because it has potential, also the restrictions for recreating it as a universe are low.
They also mentioned that things that weren''t in my novel are bound to happen as it''s an ongoing novel that wasn''t finish, and have a lot of loopholes in it.
Which is what I expected after learning the fact that the higher being created a universe based on my ongoing novel.
The system also said that even though Higher Beings are powerful, they still have restrictions in using their powers or authority, that''s why they gave me rewards as they used my novel for their work.
In my case, I want to live an exciting life so they just threw me inside my novel.
I don''t know what to feel about that one, but in the end, I just let it go as thinking about it for too much sounds troublesome.
I asked the system why the Higher Beings create universes, its answer is:
[Because that''s the only thing they do, and after creating a lot of universe, they will rise to a higher position and gain more authority.]
Currently, that''s a very useless information for me, so I didn''t pry about it, and using my trait for too long gave me a migraine. Looks like it''s too much for me to handle such information.
Also this body I''m possessing is solely made just for me, which is good because my guilt might haunt me to death if it''s not.
It even have its own background.
I have parents and a 4 years old little sister. I''m an orphan in the past so I don''t know how to react to those things, but they''ve been messaging me through my watch-like device for the past 2 days, and they seems to be a good and loving family.
I''m 17 years old, this body to be exact, I''m 29 years old mentally. Oh, it''s also pretty huge down. Heh.
The system also said my looks can''t be upgraded because they said it will be an abuse of power so they just made my eyes cool,me.
They create universes but can''t make my looks good? Bulllshit, well the eyes are really cool though not gonna lie.
Anyway, even through I don''t have a single book in possession, I can use wifi anywhere and anytime I want using the watch-like device on my wrist, I almost thought of it as a god, but the system said this device ismon in this and it''s called ''V.D'' or ''Versatile Device''. So I started learning about this ce or to be exact '' with the help of V.D and .
Turns out that I''m in a fantasy theme world in a modern time that have dungeons, ability users, heroes, monsters, beasts, demons, and other races like elves, dwarves, and even dragons.
Which is the same setting I remember from my novel.
The year now is 2080, it''s pretty much predictable now that there was a cataclysm that happened. 120 years ago, huge portals appeared all over the world and disasters engulfed the, along the cataclysm are the appearance of demons, monters, beasts, dungeons, other races, and ability users.
And 80 years after that, the humans adjusted to the changes.
That is when ns, guilds, and heroes appeared.
Guilds and ns are group or organization full of heroes that helps and supports each other.
While heroes are ability users that kills monsters or beasts, raid dungeons, and protects humanity from the demons, etc.
Hero is the currently most wanted job by everyone as it''s profitable, though it carries a lot of risk being a hero so not just anyone can just be a hero.
The other races have 1/4 of the world upied, the humans have 2/4, and the demons have 1/4 too.
You may think that humans are winning but, no.
Humans are weakpared to the other races and demons.
The other races, or otherworlders can get morends if they decided to attack us, but they didn''t, saying that they will be no different from demons who did the same thing to them, so they respected us humans as the real residents of this. In exchange, the humans gave the otherworldersnds for them to stay.
On the other hand, the demons are just starting to build up their power and preparing for the descends of the stronger demons and the demon lord.
This developed advanced technologies because of the race called dwarves, which creates countless out-of-this-world artifacts making exploring fun.
This is also called Earth and have the pretty much same history, but have different name of ces. I remember struggling on studying about different countries and ces so I just wrote a random bullshit like:
"All countries and ces got destroyed and split apart by the cataclysm, the Earth''s surface got reformed and when humans started to rebuild ces, different names was attached to them as a sign of the new start of the humanity."
With that, I can just make up names of ces and no one can refute them.
Anyway, while learning things about this ce, I also discovered that I''m gonna be attending the academy where strong heroes came from, the [Lunar Academy].
I know you all know by now, but I''m in the same ss with the main characters. I don''t think that this body of mine with shitty stats can even enter Lunar academy, so why the hell am I ced in the best section?!
Today is the 3rd day of May.
I''ll attend the academy on the 1st day of June.
''I have less that a month...''
So I need to prepare, I need money.
Yeah, money, I learned that my family have no money and just barely got me in the academy by borrowing money, I can''t hunt monster for money because I''m weak, I can''t get equipments that can help me because I''m still weak and I don''t have money, so I need to earn money first based on how much I mentioned it just by exining.
''How?''
Obviously by doing the only thing that I did for a decade of my life, writing novels. Fortunately the novels that I wrote doesn''t exist here in this world so it will not be counted as giarism. I''m the author of them anyway.
But before that, I need to know what genres and plots are currently trending to know what novel I should post, and with my trait it will be a piece of cake.
''Probably...''
***
It''s been 2 weeks since I''ve been thrown in this world, I started doing training, just the basics like running, push ups, etc., then I read novels if I have time.
I also read martial art books, with learning is easy, but my body is still weak so I can''t use the moves efficiently.
Being an author in this world is a sess, I didn''t to publishingpanies. Instead I created my own pay to read site, it''s easy considering the advance technologies now with the V.D and even the help of the system.
I also advertised it myself by spreading chapters that end with a cliffhanger and spreading rumors how good is it, heh.
At first no one cared about it, but one time a bored person tried and liked it, rmended to others, and so on, the cycle is just like that, I''m earning money, it''s not that big, but it''s still counted as a sess.
My pen name is [Night], I like things in simple, nobody know me anyway.
Also since I''m having readers, the attentions that [Night] is getting are being used by my trait , boosting my growth.
My daily routine is to eat, train, read, eat, write novel, eat, sleep, then redo again tomorrow, and the days after.
***
3 weeks had passed since I came here. In a week I will attend the academy, before that, I need things that will help me.
''Status''
=====
[STATUS]
Name:Raven Obadiah
Rank:F
Mana Control:F
Strength:F
Agility:F
Stamina:F-
Intelligence:E-
Luck:E-
Charm:F-
[SKILLS]
[TRAITS]
=====
By the way the skill is already registered in this body before I possessed it, the same goes to the trait it''s attached in this body. It seems like this body always think calmly, the same goes to me so I should also have that trait. But having 2 same skills/traits is stupid so they just made the effects better.
is a skill that predict and deduct things using the informations I possess or around me.
makes my flow of thoughts smooth and clear in any situation, fortunately or unfortunately it doesn''t control my emotions.
And another unfortunate thing, I don''t have any attack or defense skill.
Be it trait or skill, I have none.
That''s why I taught myself martial arts.
"I ranked up, my stats also increased, well except for mana control and charm, fuck..."
Why does my charm doesn''t increase?
"Hey system."
[What?]
"Do you have like, you know a GPS function?"
[Yeah, why?]
"Great, help me find something."
[You don''t know where is it?]
"Err... I know, it''s just that it''s vague."
[Vague? Why?]
"I didn''t really put an exact location while writing it in the novel..."
[You didn''t? Why?]
"Because novel characters always acquire things with the strong help of luck, you know, lucky encounters like that."
[Is that really your reason?]
"Well, readers don''t like too much useless information, and describing ces is too bothersome."
I replied honestly to make the system stop being nosy.
[...]
And it works. I can''t see the system but I can feel that it''s disappointed in me.
"Awe on, your very existence is made just to help me."
[Tsk, fine, so what''s the destination?]
"Let''s go first to Red Wolves'' Mountain in the Aveeno City"
The name of the city is based from its founder, well he died long ago so, who cares?
***
I thought transportation rides are free as a privilege of being a student of the Lunar Academy. Turns out I can''t use that benefit yet because I''m still not attending Lunar, and I don''t have the Lunar''s student ID. Well, hurray for earning money.
I arrived at the Aveeno City, and now climbing the Red Wolves'' Mountain, looks like in exchange for human''s advance technologies is their naming sense. Definitely not the author''s fault.
As the name says, Red Wolves'' Mountain is a mountain with a lot of red wolf. Red wolves are beasts with the appearance of wolf, just red and slightly bigger.
Beasts are normal animals that evolved because of being exposed to dense mana, they can be tamed but it''s hard and cost a lot of money because they eat monster cores.
Monster cores are what you find inside monsters, all monsters have a core. Monster cores have different value depends on its mana concentration and grade.
Anyway, I continued walking, I got a handgun in my right hand, and a dagger in my left hand, it''s for fighting. Carrying weapons is normal in this world because dungeon overflow can happen anytime. Though I still need a license to bring them with me, and because I''m enrolled to the Lunar, I already have a licence!
I studied some dagger arts and evading techniques these past weeks as a preparation for this journey.
Guns are considered as a weak weapon in this era where artifacts, armors and mana can be utilized. But it can still kill low ranked beings.
Well what can I do? Gun is the only weapon I can wield. I don''t really know how to wield swords, spears or other weapons.
While walking, I ran across 5 red wolves and my feet halted, they noticed me, so I got into my fighting stance while the wolves are ring at me, well my weapons to be precise.
They''re about 15 meters away from me.
-Grrrr...
-Grahhh!
-Grrrrrrh
They''re wary at me and keep growling like an idiot.
I closed my eyes.
"Fuu..."
And took a deep breathe.
"Okay, can''t run here, everyone needs a first time experience."
I mumbled, calming myself.
My heart is beating so fast, am I afraid?
No, I''m excited.
Reopening my eyes.
''''
I chanted in my mind.
My thoughts then flowed calmly.
''''
Upon activating the skill, heavy pressure pressed down on the wolves, their body stiffened and fear started to circte in their minds.
Realizing the skill affected the red wolves, I aimed my gun toward the strogest looking red wolf. And pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Thud-
After the sound of a gunshot, a sound of something falling followed. The one I shot have a hole in its head, and it was dead.
"One"
I mumbled as the corner of my lips started to rise.
The other four red wolves then rushed at me realizing one of them is dead.
''Looks like they decided to fight.''
I may emit a heavy pressure but I''m still low ranked with lowe defence, I will die if I''m careless.
''''
I activated Insight to predict the red wolves'' trajectories.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Then I consecutively shot 4 times.
Thud-
Another sound of something falling was heard.
One red wolf was dead, one got wounded, and the other two dodged the bullets.
"That''s two"
They''re already near me, and two of them jumped toward me. I swiftly dashed backwards and pulled the trigger again.
Bang!
Thud-
"Three"
While the other one is still in midair, I crouched and dodged its tackle.
When I was under the red wolf.
sh!
I shed its stomach open with the dagger in my left hand, and blood sshed all over my body.
Thud-
Then a falling sound was heard again.
"Four"
I muttered with a smile.
-Graaarrrgh!
But then I felt something bit my left leg.
"Argh!"
I looked down and saw the wounded red wolf biting my leg.
It hurts but because of , I didn''t panic.
Instead, I raised my left hand in the air and stabbed the red wolf''s body 3 times with my dagger.
Thud-
"Now that''s five."
I killed five red wolves in about 1 minute.
"Haaa..."
Letting out a heavy sigh as, I deactivate my skills.
I looked at my body covered in blood.
"Dirty."
I can''t help but frown.
''I thought my first battle will end with me unharmed, normally that what happens in novels.''
[You''re amazing for someone fighting for the first time! p p p.]
The system appeared with apliment(?).
"Shut up, you''re annoying."
[...Bastard]
I tried putting pressure to my wound to stop the bleeding, fortunately it''s not deep and red wolves doesn''t have poison on their fangs, I guess my luck stat is not just for disy.
"I used quarter of my mana, even though it''s only for a minute, using skills simultaneously cost a lot of mana, not to mention my mana capacity is just average."
I really wonder how this body got epted to Lunar.
Anyways, I decided to camp near the ce because travelling with a wounded leg is stupid, and I''m not stupid. I already brought all the things that I will need tent, foods, medical kit, clothes, extra dagger, bullets, sleeping bag, and water cleaner. Hurray again for earning money before hand.
"Oh right, the corpses."
Beasts have no cores because they''re originally animals that evolved, but some of their body parts can be sold.
Standing in front of a red wolf''s corpse, I frowned.
"Well, shit."
A curse came out of my mouth.
"I don''t have a spatial storage, where should I put these?"
I forgot something very important.
"Argh! whatever."
In the end I just dissected the corpses and decided to just bring the parts that sells well, and leave the rest, it will just rot on the way and it''s too heavy, I still have packed foods anyway.
"Hey system do you have spacial storage?"
I asked the system with a bit of expectation.
[Nope, but it seems like I can acquire it.]
"Right now?"
I was excited at the thought of my problem being solved that easy. Though that excitement shattered at the system''s answer.
[No]
"Tsk, useless"
[...]
I kept grumbling while dissecting the red wolves'' corpses.
Chapter 3 Ring Of Gluttony
The red wolves I killed previously were weak, they''re rank beasts, I''m a rank higher, they also don''t have skills, while I have. Let''s just say red wolves are wolves but stronger, and red.
So I''m not strong, they''re just weak.
Anyway, I''ve been travelling for 2 days, the wound on my leg already healed thanks to the mana here in the mountain that helped me recover faster.
I encounter red wolves from time to time and If possible I run away, why?
Because what does unnecessary fight do?
Body fatigues and injuries.
I have a different objective, fighting every enemy I encounter on the way is just in stupid when you''re in a long journey, also bullets are expensive so I need to use it carefully.
Well if I can''t run, then I''ll fight them.
I do sneak attacks to prevent injuries and save bullets, I used the informations I gathered from my previous fights, so dealing with red wolves got easier and easier.
"Hey system, how long till I get there?"
I asked the system as I got bored walking for days.
[If you continue your pace, you will arrive there tomorrow afternoon.]
I don''t exactly know where I need to go, I just know it''s in the top right of this mountain.
"Then that will be a total of 4 days, I need to get back in 3 days to attend the academy."
I tried thinking on how to go back faster.
"Maybe once I finished my objective, I''ll just roll my way down. I''m up the mountain anyway, gravity will do the deed for me."
I jokingly said.
[Based on the terrain and trees in the mountain, your n may lead to you having broken legs and arms, broken neck, internal injuries, broken spine or evena, anyway you won''t die because you''re sturdy enough, so have your way.]
"..."
I don''t know if the system is worried for me or just being a jerk, well I think it''s thetter.
***
I arrived at my destination a day after that, fighting red wolves made the system''s prediction off because it''s already dark.
I''m now in front of a wall-like stone structure, it looks like a natural nature formed rock wall, but it''s not. I started searching through the wall to find a switch that will open an entrance.
"Why can''t I have my lucky encounter too? My luck is high you know."
I grumbled while searching.
I searched for half an hour and then...
Click-
With the sound of something being clicked, the wall trembled. And soon a passage appeared.
"Good, let''s go."
And without hesitation, I entered it.
***
Not long after entering, I arrived in a room. In the room there''s a desk and a chair, and a lot of books scattered everywhere.
"So messy."
Sitting on the chair is a skeleton with a ring in its index finger.
I then searched the scattered books until I found the books that I want.
and
I put the two books in my bag and headed where the skeleton is.
I stood beside it.
It''s a skeleton of a dead mage that has been researching like crazy about mana and magic, having lost the sense of time and not feeling hunger because of being toomitted in its research, the mage died without him/her realizing it. I don''t know its gender bacause I didn''t put any in the novel.
"System"
I called the system. It didn''t take long for it to answer.
[Yeah?]
"Can you appraise things?"
[That''s easy for me.]
It boastfully answered, well I''m used to it so I ignored it.
"Appraise the ring in the skeleton''s finger."
[Sure]
Then the ring''s description was disyed in front of me.
=====
[Ring of Gluttony]
-Have a unique skill .
-Absorb mana from anything.
-50% of the mana absorbed will be transferred to the ring wearer.
-When the absorbed mana surpasses your capacity, pain will be felt all over your body.
-The skill have 60 seconds cooldown.
=====
This ring is an artifact from the leader of a demonic cult that serves the Demon of Glutton.
This skeleton here killed that leader and took this ring as a reward for granted.
And this ring was acquired by just a mid-viin that exists to annoy the protagonist.
"This is the best item for me considering my low mana, the future owner is just a mid-tier viin anyway, I need it for my survival."
In the story, 10 years from now, demons and monsters will be stronger, and their poption will increase too.
So I need to be strong enough for that time.
I looked at the skeleton.
"Can you appraise the skeleton?"
I asked the system.
[I can''t appraise it, maybe because it have no data in your novel. The Higher Being didn''t put any information about it too.]
"I see."
I feel a bit guilty to be honest, I''m just a human after all, I''m kinda responsible for it. Those characters in the novel that acts emotionless for survival is pretty much impossible for me.
I''m just a bored author not an emotionless jerk.
Looking at the skeleton again, I opened my mouth.
"I don''t know what and who you are, but I''m gonna take some of your things and put them to better use."
Then I took the ring from the skeleton.
Right after I wore the ring, the room began to shake violently.
"What the hell?!"
I got no recollection of this happening in my novel.
"Hey system, what''s happening?!"
I asked the system. I feel that it knows something.
And I was right.
[The Higher Being said that some changes in the story will happen right? This is one of it, they said that the item is too good and easy to acquire, thus they decided to add a monster to guard it.]
I frowned.
"Guard?"
[Yes, some of the Transcend Beings showed interests on you, so the Higher Being who created this universe gave you a challenge to boost their interest.]
Because of howplicated it is, my trait activated on its own.
"So basically that Higher shit wants to attract more audiences, so he decided to make me suffer?"
[Right : )]
"Then fuck the two of you!"
I felt anger rise from my body because of the development. I started running toward the exit of the room.
[Why me too? it''s not my fault.]
"You didn''t told me earlier you shit!"
I cursed at the system while speeding up.
[You can''t escape from the guard, it''s faster than you.]
"I know! But it''s better to fight in a wide area than this cramped room!"
Upon the activation of , I also understood the situation I''m in.
Not long I was out the room.
Bam!
Then something burst out from the entrance as soon as I exited.
And that somethingnded on its four paws softly.
What came out of the entrance looks like a red wolf, just way bigger and scarier than any red wolf I encountered, it also feels more dangerous than the other red wolves.
It''s about 2 meters tall.
And I was couple steps away from its side.
"System! Appraise it!"
I eximed while distancing myself from it. It''s still dark but wolves have good senses so hiding is pretty much useless.
=====
[King Wolf]
Rank:E-
Strength:E-
Agility:F+
Stamina:E-
Intelligence:F-
[Skills]
=====
I don''t even have to read what''s the effects and functions of its skill, the name gave them all. And what''s with the naming sense again?
"Fuck that''s 2 times higher than my rank! It even has skills!"
Iined after reading the stat of the beast. I''m on the verge of ranking up but even If I did rank up it''s still a rank higher than me.
"System! Focus my trait to that beast''s anatomy, can you do that?."
[Yes I can.]
"Great, then do it fast!"
After that information about the King Wolf''s body entered my brain. Quarter of my mana got drained.
I hid behind a tree about 20 meters away from it.
Using the information I got about its anatomy, I can guess its obvious weak spots.
''''
As I chanted those words in my mind.
My mind calmed down and my thoughts flowed smoother, I''m still scared but I''m thinking calmly.
"Fuuu..."
I let out a sigh, and aimed my gun to its head.
''There''s no way out, so I should at least take the first hit to increase my chance of winning.''
I estimated that''s the case. So I pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
I shot 5 times consecutively, 3 hits the side of its head, 1 hit the right side of its body, and the other 1 missed.
''Now there''s no backing out.''
I still have 6 magazines left including the one loaded in my handgun now, each magazine have 10 bullets, so I still have 55 bullets.
The side of the beast''s head bled but it''s not serious.
The bullets didn''t even prated its skin properly.
''Shit!''
I cursed in my mind as the King Wolf faced my direction.
It then grinned and ran toward me.
I held my handgun up with both of my hands, aimed at the King Wolf. Then shot again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
But the King Wolf dodged all the 3 bullets.
"Fuck."
The King wolf was now in front of me. I rolled sideways to dodge the King wolf''s tackle.
Bam!
Crash¡ª
With a loud crashing sound, the tree I''m hiding on earlier got smashed by being tackled by King Wolf''s forehead.
looking at the King wolf. I red at it.
''''
It will make my presence stronger but my location is already discovered so it''s no big deal.
As I activated , the King Wolf got surprised by the sudden pressureing from me and it suddenly stopped moving for a second.
Not wasting that moment, I shot the rest of the bullets in my magazine, while dashing backwards away from the King Wolf.
Bang! Bang!
1 bullet hit the left eye, the other 1 hit the right ear.
Its eyes and ears were the weakest part of its body, so it took some plenty amount of damage. Damaging its vision and hearing will make things easier for me.
Though after being hurt by my bullets, the King Wolf got angry at me, it just got surprised by the sudden increase of pressureing from me, but it basically had no effect on it.
The King Wolf opened its mouth wide and a fireball in size of basketball flew toward me.
''''
I predicted the fireball''s trajectory.
Raising my right hand with the [Ring of Gluttony] in it, I aimed where the fireball is suppose to go.
''''
Activating the ring''s skill.
A vortex-like shadow came out from the ring and swallowed the fireball whole. Then my mana got replenished.
The King Wolf was surprised, and so am I, but because of , I''m not like the King Wolf who just stood still.
I loaded a new magazine in my gun, aimed at the King Wolf, then I pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
I shot 5 bullets again. 4 hit the beast''s head, 1 missed.
The bleeding on its head got worse but it''s still not serious.
The King Wolf is dumb but it''s sturdy as hell.
The King Wolf then leaped towards me again in anger, attempting to tackle me again.
"Seriously?!"
I pretty much tried all my tricks. I racked my brain for a n, and luckily, I thought of a long-term n that lets me survive as long as my stamina and mana prevails.
I climbed on a nearby tree then coated my feet and legs with mana.
With and activated, I jumped from a different tree as the King Wolf destroyed the tree I climbed on.
Crash¨C
"Fuck..."
I almost slipped and fall from jumping, the King Wolf then charge again at the tree I''m on.
Bam!
Crash¨C
Just before the King Wolf came in contact with the tree, I already jumped from another different tree.
I didn''t slip this time andnded property on a thick branch, so I aimed my gun to the King Wolf.
Bang! Bang!
And shot 2 bullets which hit its head again.
The King Wolf then red at me, it look pissed as hell.
-GROAAAAAAAHHH!!!
The King Wolf growled loudly as it charge at the tree I''m on again. So I jumped to a different tree.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
And shot toward the King Wolf again.
Facing that beast head on is stupid so I decided to hit and run.
Every tree Inded on got smashed afterwards by the King wolf, its fireball is not that fast and I have so avoiding it was easy.
I absorb its fireball from time to time to replenish mana using the [Ring of Gluttony]''s .
***
It went like that for about 20 minutes.
"Haa... Haa..."
Rough breaths came out of my mouth.
I have myst magazine on with 3 bullets remaining in them, my mana is almost empty, my stamina is not that high to begin with so I''m pretty much at my limit.
It seems like the King wolf is so mad at me that it wants to kill me personally, it intimidated every red wolf trying to interfere with us.
Which is good for me. The less enemy, the higher chance of my survival!
"Normally when someone with a higher status got annoyed, they will make their subordinates handle it, you''re a good leader, we can be friends if you just calm down."
I said while looking at the King Wolf below and catching my breath.
The King Wolf is covered with small wounds and I can tell it''s starting to feel exhaustion.
Looks like the beast didn''t understand me or it just doesn''t want to listen to me as it rushed at the tree I''m on again.
"Or maybe you''re just dumb enough to not think of that!"
As I was about to leap to another tree.
-GROOOOOOOWL!!!!
The King wolf let out a roar. My body stiffened for a second and all my movements stopped, and at that second, the tree I''m on was already falling.
''I think this is the effect of its skill, the !''
"Fucking hell!"
I can''t jump to another tree as I lost my footing.
Thud!
Crash-
With a loud sound, I fell to the ground with the tree, maybe because of its pent up anger or experience from fighting me, the King Wolf immediately jumped at me and bit my side.
"Arrrrghhgh!"
I groaned. With I didn''t panic but it still hurts like hell as the corner of my eyes started to water.
It didn''t take long before tears fell from it, I was just a normal author before, I''m not used to pain!
"You fucking wolf!"
I yelled as I grabbed its head with my right hand.
''!''
This time the shadow didn''t form a vortex. It just covered the King Wolf''s head and started absorbing mana from its body.
I took out my extra dagger from my pocket with my left hand and stabbed the wolf''s neck, this way it can''t escape from me either, unfortunately, I can''t cover the dagger with mana to do more damage because I still haven''t learn how, worst case scenario is my dagger to broke in attempting to do it without practice, coating body parts with mana is my limit.
I covered my left hand with mana to hold the dagger tightly.
"Argh! Let go!"
The King Wolf is still biting me, no it''s munching so it started to hurt more.
So my tears started to fall more, I also don''t want to cry but it hurts like hell and there''s no one around so I just let the tears fall.
I stopped the skill after refilling my mana capacity.
I coated the side of my body, where I''m being bitten, with mana to minimize the damage I''m receiving. I aimed my gun in King Wolf''s left eye and shot my remaining bullets.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Now the damages are serious, its left eye was destroyed revealing some of the King Wolf''s skull. But the King Wolf isn''t even loosening its fangs.
I dropped my gun, I coated my right hand with mana and formed a fist.
"Aghh!"
I shouted to ignore the pain I''m in.
Bam!
Then I punched the side of the King Wolf''s head, having lost a lot of its mana, it took damage. Also it can''t use skills anymore.
I raised my fist again.
Bam!
And punched it again
Bam!
And again.
Bam!
And again.
I punched it in the same ce with my right hand, continuously.
This wolf tackled a lot of tree on the way, so its body is weakened.
Now I just need to endure till the end.
***
After punching the King Wolf continuously with mana coated fist, and holding it in its position with the dagger for a minute, I stopped.
"Fuck, I''m gonna die."
I mumbled, looking at the sky.
The King Wolf''s fangs that are tightly bitten on my side, loosened.
Completely breaking free from its fangs, my body fell to the ground.
Thud-
The King Wolf fell on the ground too, near me.
It''s dead.
Bam!
I punched it again with mana coated fist to make sure it''s dead, or maybe just out of annoyance.
"You leech-like bastart."
I won against a beast 2 ranks higher than me.
But I can''t celebrate because I''m also about to die.
Chapter 4 Lunar Academy[1]
Sitting on the ground while leaning my back on a tree, I looked around. There''s blood everywhere, the King Wolf''s head was smashed badly that it was hideous. I looked at myself, I was covered with mine''s and King Wolf''s bloods.
My stomach churned at the sight, luckily I stopped myself from puking.
"I''m dirty."
The fight happened for about 30 minutes.
''The longest and worst 30 minutes of my life.''
I thought as I recalled my battle with the King Wolf.
"I only took one direct attack from it and I''m already dying, and that attack is just a normal one."
I muttered.
I just won because I was lucky, if I was bitten again and again I will die from excessive blood loss, that''s why I locked it in its position by stabbing it with the dagger.
"This sucks, I need some plot armor here or I might really die you bitches."
I said while looking up at the sky.
Not long after that the system came out with a message.
[The Transcend Beings are satisfied watching you struggle to survive and decided to give you rewards!]
''Transcend Beings? Oh, it must be referring to the Higher Beings, well I don''t really care.''
What got my attention was...
"Rewards?"
I asked.
[Yes, ''rewards''.]
Right after that, the system disyed my so called rewards.
=====
[REWARDS]
-[System Shop]
-2500 CP
-Intermediate life potion x3
-Item Upgrade scroll x3
=====
Then 3 bottles of potions and 3 scrolls appeared in front of me.
Not minding that it came out of nowhere, I immediately chugged one of the potion.
It immediately took effect as my wounds started to heal slowly and myplexion got better.
Though I feel slightly sleepy and I can still feel some lingering pain.
[You''ll be fine in half an hour.]
The system said.
"Oh, nice."
I didn''t mindlessly jump from tree to tree, I deliberately jumped toward the base of the mountain while escaping the King Wolf, I did this for 2 reasons.
First is that I might coincidentally meet someone that can help me with the King wolf, which didn''t happen.
And second, to save time going down the mountain. The sun is already rising, now I only have less than 3 days to go back and attend the academy.
"I''m not even halfway down the mountain."
Snapping out of my thoughts, I faced the system.
"What''s [System Shop] anyway? I have a rough idea but still, exin it."
I asked the system.
[Well, it''s like a plug-in to me, which give you ess to a shop. The shop have a lot of products that might help you.]
"Hmm,e to think of it you''re pretty much useless until now."
I said to the system in a yful tone.
[Um! Rude! I appraise things for you and help you utilize mana and skills!]
It argued.
"Calm down, I''m just joking, anyway open the shop."
[Tsk, fine.]
Then the so called ''[System Shop]'' appeared, like usual, it''s in a transparent window.
=====
[SYSTEM SHOP]
[Permanent shop]
-Low-100 CP
-Intermediate-250 CP
-High-500 CP
[Collected]
-10 CP
-50 CP
[Timed shop]
-1000 CP
-1000 CP
[Request]
(Input Request)
=====
After that the system exined the shop properly.
[Permanent shop] sells things that can be bought infinitely as long as I have enough Character Points(CP).
[Collected] sells things I got from beasts and monsters, their parts will be recorded to the shop so I can buy it anytime, the price depends on the rarity and usefulness of the product.
[Timed shop]''s content changes every month.
And the [Request] is for me requesting anything to the transcend beings, they can decline my requests if it''s too unreasonable, also if my request got epted I need to pay CP, the cost is based on my request.
Well that''s the summary of it. I have 2500 CP as a reward.
CP can be earned by the transcend beings sponsoring me, or again, by gaining attentions in this world will also earn me CP.
"So they''re basically saying I should entertain them and they will pay me."
I hate that idea but I can''t do anything about it so I just continued my own business.
With my current CP, I bought , x1, x1, and [Cat''s Earring].
Why [Cat''s Earring]? Look.
=====
[Cat''s Earring]
-Have a unique skill .
-Can make the wearer transform into a cat.
-When in cat form, mana and stamina recovery speeds up.
-increase charm by a rank when equipped.
=====
It''s a single circr earring with a cat paw as its design, it''s small as a button, I chose color ck to match my eye and hair color, the setting is cool and useful, it can help me move stealthy.
The best is it increases my charm stat!
"Why a cat though?"
I just asked the system as maybe there''s a bat so I can fly.
[The Higher Being like cats.]
"Talk about unreasonable."
Well, it''s not that I don''t like it.
So I wore it immediately, I don''t have a hole for earrings so I made one in my right ear, it doesn''t hurt much, maybe because I got bitten by a huge wolf for a minute that my pain resistance increased.
"Ah, System can you connect the spatial storage to the [Ring of Gluttony]?"
[Yes, it''s possible because of the ring''s absorption skill.]
"Then please do."
[Sure, please wait a moment.]
I think the system is getting kinder, which is kinda weird.
"Anyway, I''m gonna check my status first."
=====
[STATUS]
Name:Raven Obadiah
Rank:F+
Mana Control:F
Strength:F
Agility:F+
Stamina:F
Intelligence:E-
Luck:E-
Charm:F+
[SKILLS]
[TRAITS]
=====
I stared at my stat for minute, making sure my eyes aren''t ying games with me.
"I ranked up!"
I eximed after confirming that what I''m seeing is not a hallucination.
Not just my rank but my skills also ranked up.
"My charm!"
My charm increased by 2 rank, one of the reason is because of the but who cares.
"But I don''t have a mirror with me. How can I check the changes?"
I asked, feeling my face with my hands.
As I was excited about my ranking up, the system reappeared in front of me.
[The spatial storage has been applied to the ''Ring of Gluttony''.]
=====
[Ring of Gluttony]
-Spatial storage(Added)
-Have a unique skill called ''Devour''
-Absorb mana from anything.
-50% of the mana absorbed will be transferred to the wearer.
-When the absorbed mana surpassed your capacity, pain will be felt all over your body.
-The skill have 60 seconds cooldown.
=====
It showed me the new feature of the ring.
"Oh, thanks."
[Sure]
The system really did be kinder, well who cares.
I approached the corpse of the King Wolf.
I stood in front of it and aimed my right hand on it.
Then I imagined its corpse being stored in my spatial storage.
A shadow vortex appeared from the ring and swallowed the King Wolf''s corpse.
It didn''t take mana from the corpse, instead it disappeared without a trace.
"Good."
''I can use this if someone annoyed me and I identally killed them.''
[Dark]
The system said.
"It''s gonna happen as long as I''m here in this world."
I said to the system.
It''s true, sooner orter, I will kill a human too, and knowing that, a frown appeared on my face.
I also don''t want to kill a human.
Anyway, after that, I stored my baggage and books that I got earlier in the spatial storage too.
Satisfied with the results, I picked up my gun and store it in the holster on my waist.
"I have no bullet left anyway."
I used it all up fighting the King wolf.
I held the dagger to my right hand and drank a low mana and stamina potion.
"Now, let''s go back."
Then I started to head to the base of the mountain.
There''s less than 3 days before the academy start.
***
Going down the mountain is way faster than climbing up, I''m jumping branch to branch of trees to avoid unnecessary fights andplicated paths, and I''m used to it by now.
Because of that, I got to the base of the mountain in just 36 hours. I still have about a day and half till academy start.
Anyways, I morphed into a ck cat, affected by the charm stat, it looks cool, I''m pretty fond of its ck fur as you can''t see me if I stood in the shadows.
And guess what, I just snuck in on a rapid train. And I didn''t even need to pay.
***
About 10 minutes, I got back to the apartment room I''m currently staying. Because of how advance the technologies are, travelling is now easier and faster, by a lot.
Aftering back, I quickly took a bath, not taking a proper bath for days is ufortable.
After taking a bath, I packed things I''ll need to bring in the academy and put it in my spatial storage.
I took out the books I got from the skeleton''s room,id down on the bed, and read them.
With it was pretty easy to understand their contents.
My reading pace was not fast nor slow.
But in the middle of my reading, I frowned.
''I almost died.''
I thought as I recall what happened in the Red Wolves'' Mountain.
"Looks like they can interfere in the story if they want to, for their entertainment."
I''m talking about the Transcend Beings.
The system said they can''t change a lot at once, but it''s still a problem as some things I don''t know will happen.
I already know that not everything that was in the novel are gonna happen exactly as they are.
"I''m lucky the King Wolf is stupid, it also looked down at me at first."
I mumbled in a weak voice.
"Being looked down..."
I closed my eyes, remembering the King Wolf looking down at my whole existence with a wolfish grin.
"...I don''t like it."
I got frustrated and annoyed, but I felt bitter by the fact that it looked down at me because I''m weak.
I''m pretty prideful myself if I''m being honest, I have an ego, but I don''t have the skill to hold that ego high.
"Argh! Fuck it!"
I got annoyed and just continued reading.
***
I read a quarter of the contents of the book and before stopping.
I got up and opened a hologram window from my watch, I visited my site after a while.
=====
[Exodus]
[Comments]:
:When are you gonna update?
:Author any new update?
:KSI is a fatneek.
=====
A lot ofments greeted me, looking at them asking for a new update made me feel happy. As I said I''m just recreating my novels in my past life, so I have the whole story already written.
I posted new chapters, not long after that it was flooded withments.
"This feels nice."
My work being appreciated feels good, forgetting the events that happened alongside with my frustration. I fell asleep.
***
When I woke up, it''s already afternoon.
"I must have been more exhausted than I thought."
It was then I noticed that I was in my cat from.
"What?! Why?"
I was surprised because I didn''t activate the earring''s skillst night.
[Calm down, I activated it because you''re very exhausted, resting in that form is better.]
The system appeared and exined.
"You can do that?!"
[Yes, we share consciousness so I can activate your skills and items.]
"What? I didn''t know that, so when my skills activated on their own sometimes..."
[Yep, that was my doing.]
My head is a mess right now. Then I calmed down, looks like the system activated to help me think and prove that it can activate my skills and items.
"So you can mess with me while fighting."
[Well yes, but I will not do so, If you die, I disappear. On the other hand, I can also help you in fighting.]
"Fair enough."
So that''s why it can read my thoughts.
"Wait, if our consciousness are connected how can I not feel yours?"
[I''m not a living being, I don''t even have a physical body, I was created solely just to help you, that''s why.]
"Shit, that''s kinda sad."
I honestly feel kinda bad for it.
[It''s fine, at least because of you I exist.]
Chills ran through my back as soon as I heard that in my head.
"Stop being creepy, I can imagine you as an old man. Stop saying things like that, it grosses me out."
[You''re weird.]
"You''re weirder."
I changed back to my human form, and I saw myself in the mirror for the first time aftering back.
With my charm stat being rank.
I''m now fairly handsome if you ask me, my sharp ck eyes boosted my looks, pale white skin, deep-ck hair, and a pointed nose.
My thin body got some muscles for training almost a month.
"I was exhausted yesterday and forgot to check, but this is better that expected."
I did poses in front of the mirror while admiring myself.
"I maybe not as handsome as the main characters but I''m sure I''m on the handsome side."
I proudly dered.
[You''re being creepy.]
The system then appeared.
"Shut up... Maybe you''re so ugly that the Transcend Beings didn''t give you a body."
[...You know what? Fuck you.]
"Fuck you too."
I shrugged and ignored the system.
"Well then, tomorrow is the day, let''s get ready."
I wouldn''t do physical training this day to be ready tommorow, so I just tested some spell I learned from the books I brought with me, with the help of and the system, everything went smoothly.
Then I posted new chapters of my novel. But as I was doing so, a question suddenly appeared in my mind.
"How much money do I have right now anyway?"
I got curious, so I checked my credit ount.
=====
[131,598] Zeals
=====
"...huh?"
I started at the bnce for 100 more seconds.
"Shit!"
Then I cursed in shock.
I got more money than I predicted, I thought it will be just around 15,000 Zeals.
"What happened?!"
I looked at my site and went to the donation page.
And I saw someone donated 100,000 [Zeals] with a message:
[If you have advance chapters, please send it
to me, I''ll just read it myself.]
''If you donated that much, I wouldn''t care even if you let everyone read the advance chapters I''ll send you!''
I eximed inwardly.
The donation amount and message attached with it was publicly disyed in the donation page, and it caused an uproar to the people in the donation page.
[Zeal] is the currency humans uses, in the past while creating the novel, I thought that my country''s currency is not known, so I created one for my novel because learning currencies of other countries is too bothersome.
The donator is anonymous, but there''s a link of where I should send the advance chapters, if I have some.
"Haha..."
Augh broke out my mouth as I can''t contain my joy.
''I originally have 10,000 Zeals, and this one gave me 10 times of that amount casually.''
This is not a small amount, it is equivalent to the lowest price of a rank monster core.
It means that I''ll need to kill 20 rank monsters to earn that amount.
Or 20 King Wolf.
"Huuu..."
I breathe out to calm down.
''Let''s calm down, I''ll make this money grow, let''s buy stocks or invest. With my knowledge of what will happen in the future and the help of system, I''m gonna make tons of money.''
"But let''s send them some advance chapter first."
I said and sent some advance chapters to the donator happily.
Chapter 5 Lunar Academy[2]
"Hey, system I''ve been meaning to ask, but why should I forget the title of my novel I''m in?"
I asked out of curiosity as I am searching for a certain business. I''m nning to invest under the name of [Night].
[You can''t bring everything here with you, as a matter of fact you forgot a lot of things in your past life. The Higher Being just transferred enough memory in that body to maintain your personalities and charateristics.]
"Is that so."
''Come to think of it I don''t even remember my surname and past address.''
Well I don''t care, I don''t have attachment to that world anyway.
"Then howe I can remember my novels and my favorite novels?"
[Because it''s important to you.]
"Hmm, fair enough."
Novels really do means a lot to me.
"Found it!"
It was then I found the business I''m looking for.
''[Xenon]''
I n on investing in [Xenon], it''s a smithy that creates various kinds of equipment, it''s not known now, but the owner of it will acquire a skill and item that can enchance equipments'' performance.
The owner''s name is Tyrone, a major character of the novel, he personally creates equipments for the main characters, he''s in his mid 20''s.
Tyrone was about to sell his smithy when he found a skill book and a hammer that will help him be one of the best smith in the world, it was hidden in his deceased father''s room.
The skill and hammer was supposed to be a gift for Tyrone, but his father died from a dungeon overflow before he could give it to Tyrone.
His father is just a normal person but Tyrone is an ability user.
Anyway, I already sent a message to Tyrone.
[Night]: Hello, I would like to invest to Xenon.
Ting-
Not waiting for long, I recieved a reply from Tyrone.
[Tyrone]: Um... Mr.Night? Are you sure? I don''t even have any employee left. You don''t even know me, what would you do if I ran away with the money? Wait, is this a prank?
His reply is full of doubt, he''s not even trying to hide it.
Well I can''t me him as my sudden message is really suspicious.
''You won''t run away, I created you to be honest and dependable.''
I thought. Can''t say that, can I?
[Night]: It''s not a prank, I''m certain. I will meet you in person to invest and use a mana contract for our transaction if you want.
I sent it to Tyrone, doing business with him will gain me a lot of money and I will have a connection to the future one of the best smithy in the world.
So it''s a really good thing to me.
Tyrone didn''t reply immediately as if to think things thoroughly.
After a while I recieved a reply.
[Tyrone]: Well, I don''t know, but if I didn''t grab an opportunity because it''s suspicious, I will not seed, while on the other hand, blindly trusting someone is stupid so let''s decide after meeting.
His answer is logical and honest.
[Night]: I''m currently preparing for something, so let''s meet on Sunday, I''ll prepare the mana contract too as I was the one who suggested it.
I''ll go and lead Tyrone to the skill book, I''ll just make things a little faster, it will not affect the story greatly anyway. Probably.
[Tyrone]: Okay, I''ll see you then.
I didn''t reply anymore as I find it unnecessary, I don''t know what to reply anyway.
''With that, I secured a big money ie for the future.''
Then I practiced support magics and buffs and debuffs
I continued practicing them until I ran out of mana.
Being exhausted Iy down in my bed and fell asleep.
***
June 1, the first day of academy came.
When I woke up, I was in my cat form again, maybe because of mana exhaustion.
I washed my face, ate breakfast, and took a bath calmly.
While wearing my uniform, I noticed my watch disying the time.
<10:09 A.M>
I frowned. sses starts at <10:30 A.M> and ends at <8:30 P.M>.
And I''m pretty far from the Academy.
I''m in Vagha City, the academy is in Azeas City.
Azeas is in the middle of human domain.
It''s 2 cities away from here.
"Fuck!"
I''m gonna bete, because of mana exhaustion I slept more than usual. I usually wake up about <5:30 A.M> because of my body clock.
"You shitty system! Why you didn''t wake me up?!"
I grumbled, while speeding up my movements.
[You were exhausted, your health is more important than the academy for me.]
"Well you have a point but It''s the first day of the academy!"
[Nothing change, your health is still more important to me~]
It''s teasing me.
"Just shut up!"
I did ast check to see if I forgot something, and left the appartment at <10:10 A.M>.
''Am I still gonna bete? I even tried my best toe back quickly from the Red wolves'' mountain!''
I''m not really religious but I started praying seriously as I ran toward my destination.
***
I rode rapid trains, if I didn''t have I might''ve ran all the way to the academy because of panic, which is stupid.
I arrived at the academy at <10:27 A.M>.
''3 more minutes!''
I used a university I saw in a sci-fi anime as the Lunar Academy''s design reference.
So when I entered the academy.
"Woah..."
I admired it, I looked at the academy''s beauty while running. It was more beautiful than my drawing and descriptions. Seeing it in person was a lot different.
Tall buildings and structures can be seen everywhere you look.
Now it feels like I''m in the future.
Unfortunately, I can''t waste any time to look around casually. So I just promised myself that I''ll do thatter.
I ran where the freshmen''s building is suppose to be.
"A-1, A-1, A-1"
I ran while searching for my ssroom.
And then there I saw on door of one of the ssrooms.
[CLASS A-1]
I ran toward it, and when I''m near the ssroom.
"Rank 2619, Raven Obadiah?"
I heard a voice calling my name in a questioning tone.
I opened the ssroom''s door immediately.
Swoosh-
Click-
Bam-
"Present."
I said as soon as I came in.
All the eyes in the room turned to me.
''Ah, fuck... I wanna hide under a nket for years.''
I thought in embarrassment sensing their gazes, but my face remained calm.
I calmed my mind with but the embarrassment is still in me.
"You''rete, care to exin why?"
A man said while looking at me.
''He''s the owner of the voice I heard earlier.''
He look like in histe 20s, he have a handsome face, his body is muscr, he have brown eyes and hair. But he looks like a musclehead.
His name is Kendy Nasah, our homeroom professor and an rank hero, ranked 49 in the [Heroes Ranking]. The ranking is just a human thing, just so you know.
I looked straight at him and spoke confidently.
"I''m a minute early, Sir."
It''s 10:29 A.M, so I''m in the right.
I don''t know if I''m being rude or what, it''s been long since I talked to other people and all of them are younger or the same age as me.
My readers doesn''t point it out if I''m being rude or what when replying to them. But I really doesn''t want to be rude.
"Oh, you''re gutsy."
Kendy said smiling at me but he''s emitting a heavy pressure toward my direction.
"But I''m not wrong though?"
System adjusts the based on the pressure, so I''m thinking still calmly and receiving the pressure with a calm face, I''m still scared though.
The room was filled with the students whispering to each others while looking at me.
"Can I take my seat now so you can start the ss?"
I said with a straight face, hiding my nervousness and embarrassment.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Kendy thenughed and looked at me.
"I like your style kid. You may sit, find an avable seat."
"Thank you Sir."
Kendy Nasah is a major character in my novel, he likes gutsy people, just don''t step over the line and you''ll be fine, that''s why I answered him boldly. Though I think It''s nore like I answered him rudely...
I looked around to find a seat for me.
In the back row of seats there''s a handsome young man with milk white skin, tinum blonde hair and ruby-red eyes.
It was Curtis Hawkins with his goons. He is the rival of the protagonist, he''s not a viin but he''s arrogant. I don''t want near him.
In the front row seats there''s a handsome young man that rivals Curtis'' appearance.
White skin, jet-ck hair, sapphire-blue eyes, he even attracts a lot of girls'' eyes just by breathing.
Alec Osmond, the protagonist. Near him were all of his potential lovers, Eve Godwin, Adelle Lucette, and Masami Aoi.
All of them were the top students in all freshmen, the protagonist is top 1 by the way.
''They all attract way too much attention, I don''t want near them...''
''But damn, They''re all good looking. My confidence is hurt.''
I say that but seeing the characters I made with time and consideration moving and breathing is weird for me.
In the end, I settled to the mid row on the end right corner. I chose the farthest seat from them.
Right after I sat down Kendy spoke.
"Now stand up and go to the training grounds."
He was looking at me grinning like an idiot.
''Bastard.''
Even though Kendy looks like a muscle head, he''s actually smart. He gave us instructions to stand right after I sat as a revenge to me from earlier.
"Petty bastard."
I muttered in a low voice that even anyone near me didn''t hear. Well Kendy heard what I said as he looked at me squinting his eyes.
I grinned then tilted my head innocently as if asking ''What?''.
I''m pretty petty myself too.
I stood up and headed to the training grounds.
***
Arriving at the training grounds, I saw a lot of weapons lined up.
"These weapons are provided by the academy, you can use a personal weapon but if you don''t have one then get here."
Kendy said.
"And since today''s the first day, you''re free to do anything you want but you can''t leave the training grounds for an hour."
He added.
Then some students started picking weapons. Almost all of the main characters have their own personal weapon except the protagonist Alec.
''Well he''s supposed to be in a average family too.''
Alec picked a sword as his weapon.
I approached the weapons and picked a handgun.
I already have a gun but appraising the gun provided by the academy, it''s a lot better than mine.
Whispers started to be heard around me.
They''re all looking at me.
''Well gun is considered as a weak weapon, so it''s not surprising.''
Why I picked a gun?
I don''t know how to wield a sword nor spear.
Bow and arrows makes it harder for me to cast magic.
And to be a magician you need to be able to cast 4th tier magic right now. I can only cast support magics, buffs and debuffs, which are considered as 1st tier magics, the lowest tier.
While in the future I may be able to cast maybe up to 4th tier magics, the magician students that can cast 4th tier magics now will be able to cast 6 tier or above magics at that time.
Also I''m pretty much familiar to gun as I got admitted to the military in the past, I also like realistic shooting games. My aim is not bad too.
"Are you sure on your choice? you can pick any weapon here for free."
It was then Kendy approached and asked me with concerned eyes.
''He really cares for his students huh.''
I thought as I nodded my head.
"I''m fine with this."
I answered confidently.
Kendy looked at me like I was weird. Well everyone is looking at me like that, even the main characters.
''Well, I am weird.''
I shrugged and went to the shooting range area ignoring my surrounding.
''Why the hell would they put a gun in the weapon selection if it wasn''t rmend to students, stupid idiots.''
***
In the shooting range area there''s a lot of arrows and bullets. The shooting area is divided in rooms.
I picked up some magazines and bullets.
There''s a few students in here, including me and Masami Aoi but I''m the only one holding a gun, all of them have a bow in their hands. Aoi is holding a bow personal weapon.
They''re looking at me weirdly except Aoi who only shows curiosity.
I ignored their gazes.
''System, appraise and record my ssmates'' stats, I''ll look at itter.''
I talked in my mind.
[Okay, got it.]
The system replied.
I looked around, to be specific all of my ssmates so the system can appraise them.
[All recorded.]
"Thanks."
After that I went in one of a room of the shooting range.
***
The inside of the room is spacious but I don''t really care.
"Training start."
I muttered, I know how this works as I have and from the novel.
-Please modify your training.
A robotic-voice reply came back.
"10 moving targets, difficulty max."
I said. Training will not be fruitful when doing an easy one, I also have a boost now because of the trait, I gained a lot of attention as soon as I entered the ssroom earlier.
Turns out that not just positive attention is being used as a fuel to my growth.
-Training will begin in 10 seconds.
As soon as I heard that, I activated and .
"Fuu..."
I let out a sigh and focused on my surroundings.
"Let''s go."
-Training start!
A circr target appeared out of thin air, and seeing that, I immediately pull my trigger.
Bang!
***
[Sessionplete]
A hologram disyed the time I took to hit all the targets.
"Huff... Huff..."
I was breathing roughly because of exhaustion.
As my breathing stabilized, I recalled the training.
"System what do you think?"
I asked.
[Maintain the count of your moving targets but decrease the difficulty to 7. The speed of difficulty 10 is too fast for you at the moment, increase the difficulty one by one when you get used to the speed.]
The system gave me instructions for my training, all it said was true. I finished a session in more that 8 minutes and my target were only 10.
"Thanks"
After that, I reset my training ording to the system''s advice.
I trained like that for about an hour before leaving the training grounds to go back the ssroom.
***
I reached the ssroom not long as it wasn''t that even far from the training grounds.
But as I was about to enter the ssroom, 4 students approached me. They''re my ssmates. I assumed.
But they were extras in the novel, I''m sure as I don''t know any of them.
"Oh! Isn''t this our gunner?"
Then the young man in the front of the group said to me with a scoff on his face.
Chapter 6 Weirdos
As I was about to enter the ssroom, 4 students approached me. They''re my ssmates.
They all look like a viin in every corner of their body.
They are a group of 3 boys and 1 girl. Like howmon bullies form their groups.
But they were extras in the novel. As I don''t recognize any of them.
"Oh! Isn''t this our gunner?"
The young man in the front of the group said to me with scoff on his face.
The other 3 were sneering in the back like idiots.
"Hey, what''s wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
The young man in the front asked me seeing that I didn''t reply.
''Am I getting bullied?''
"Hey are you deaf or mute?"
"Maybe he''s both."
"HAHAHAHA"
They all started talking among themselves andugh. I''m their topic though.
Looking at their stats, all of them are rank, the same as me.
''But why are they bullying me?''
I thought of a reason but there''s no reason for them to target me.
"You''re rank right?"
The one in front spoke again, looks like he''s the leader.
"You''re also rank 2619, the lowest in our ssroom, you''re an embarrassment in our ss so just drop out."
He added... That''s so unreasonable, And why does he remember my rank? I even forgot my rank just some seconds after Sir Kendy said it.
''Ah, so they''re that kind of peoples.''
As soon as they said that, the question in my head got answered.
They''re the type that bully someone weaker to feel superior.
They decided that I''m an easy target because of my rank and weapon of choice. Including that I don''t have a strong backing.
"Or maybe you should just die."
As the leader said that, the othersughed.
''Should I fight back?''
They''re annoying and I hate annoying things.
If I don''t fight back, I''ll be considered as a pushover and my academy life will be hell.
''But if I fight back, they might use their authorities and money to push me in the edge.''
In this academy you''re either talented or wealthy.
These guys doesn''t look talented at all, so they''re here because of their family.
Worst case, my family will be targeted as well.
I don''t want others to suffer because of me even if I still doesn''t meet them. They''re innocent.
As I was contemting. The leader in front of me spitted at my shoe.
"Trash, you can''t even talk in front of me?"
He said.
I looked at the spit in my shoe.
and activated.
I processed all the informations I have and predicted the cause of any possible actions I would take.
I finished calcting in 3 seconds.
Seeing no one near us, just the 5 of us in the area.
I looked at the 4 students in front of me with an annoyed expression.
Then in my mind, I mumbled.
''''
Fwoosh-
I activated the skill and also emitted my rank mana.
With bined with my mana it created a heavy pressure.
The heavy pressure darted towards the group and pressed on them.
"Ugh.."
"W-what?"
"Kergh..."
"You..."
All of them stiffened and sweats started to form on their foreheads.
I don''t know any of their names. And I don''t need to know.
I approached the leader.
He flinched like and idiot he is. They''re weak to thw strong, and strong to the weak.
Sensing that I''m stronger than they had expected made them nervous. Because of that, the pressure of that is currently in effect affected them stronger as it''s like a skill that attacks one''s mind.
Staring at the leader with cold eyes for quite amount of time, he then soon avoided my gaze.
That''s when I made my move, I took his handkerchief that is in his chest pocket and used it to wipe the spit on my shoe.
After that, I started wiping the leader''s forehead and face with the same handkerchief.
"You''re sweating."
I said. All of them remained silent.
"You must be feeling angry being humiliated like this."
I talked again still wiping his sweat with the handkerchief.
"You must be nning to get your revenge after this right?"
That''s when the leader flinched.
''Bingo''
I slouched near his ear and whispered.
"I''m recording right now, once you or your group mess with me one more time I''m gonna upload this to every social media tforms I can."
After hearing that, The leader red at me following by the other 3
I then straightened my posture again, ignoring their hate to me.
"I''ll destroy your images and social life. Your family will be very disappointed on you, right?"
I looked at the other three who also just remained silent.
"The same goes to you guys."
I tapped my V.D and a hologram appeared. The hologram yed a video yed.
Just in case, I started recording ever since they stopped me from entering the ssroom. I''m still recording even now.
"You all looked pathetic."
I scoffed as they watch the video with me, though they look im the verge of tears.
In the video, the 4 of them can be seen picking a fight with me, but after a while, them being intimidated by me like cowards they are was seen. They will be aughing stock if this video get leaked. Considering my rank was supposed to be rank and they''re rank, there''s even 3 of them while I''m alone.
They''re all hanging their heads down and biting their lips.
Click, Click, Click.
Clicking sounds were heard in the area. It was me tapping on my V.D.
Ping-
"Done!"
The 4 looked at me as they were curious at what I did. They seems pretty anxious.
Seeing that, I smiled and said:
"I uploaded the video."
Their faces crumbled, It was beautiful, then I continued talking.
"Well not really. It''s an scheduled upload, it will be uploaded in a month from now, in every social media tforms, even in the Academy''s page."
I said in a cheerful voice.
"I''m the only one who can change the schedule. Everytime it''s about to be uploaded I''ll add another month in the schedule."
I added. I''m not stupid, they might hire an assasin to kill or kidnap me.
You might think that''s too unreasonable but in this world it''s prettymon.
"But if something happen to me, the video will be uploaded on its own after a month."
They''re still young so they care a lot about their image and reputation. Knowing that, I took advantage of it.
"So don''t even try messing with me, oh! It will be uploaded even if it''s not you guys who did something to me so you should protect me with your best instead."
In case this video got uploaded after something happened to me, they''ll be the main suspects.
They also know that so I think I gained some guards.
Looking at the group closely again. They were in verge of crying. It seems like as time passes the pressure affects them more, also because of what I just did, they''re mentally weak at the moment.
I calmed down and looked at them with indifferent eyes again.
They all flinched seeing that.
"Move."
Imanded. And then they made way for me.
I deactivated and pulled back my mana aura. Then I passed by them.
They all gasped and chased their breaths as soon as I did.
"Don''t hate me, I just fought back."
I said. They flinched again.
''Do I look scary?''
They''re acting too much.
"Just don''t mess with me and the people around me and everything will be fine, so cheer up."
I said and went to my seat.
Then the group all went back silently to their seats with a solemn expression.
They were not mentioned in the story so their families are not that strong, well my family is just weak. But once I earned a lot of money, it will change.
So before those bullies decided to take revenge, I need to solidified a safe position to avoid things like this.
Not long after that, the main characters came in the ssroom together. Them being with each other this early is weird, they shouldn''t be close with each other till next week.
Then they all looked at my direction, their gazes were filled with curiosity, surprise, questions, amusement and respect.
Except Eve, she just nced at me for a second then went to her seat.
''What''s with these guys?''
I thought. I''m not dumb not to notice they''re looking at me.
"Weirdos"
I said and ignored them
***
Alec was about to go back to the ssroom when he saw Eve, Aoi, Adelle and Curtis. All of them are in the rank 10 of all freshmen so they know each other even a little.
As Alec got near them, he noticed that they''re looking at something.
To be exact, someone in the ssroom''s door, being blocked by 4 students.
(It''s Raven, but no one know his name in the group.)
At Alec''s and others'' eyes, Raven is getting bullied.
"What are you guys doing?"
Alec asked the others after approaching them. The group all just nced at him then looked back at Raven again.
"That guy, he''s weird."
Only Adelle answered Alec. She said that and pointed at Raven.
"Weird? Him? Why?"
Alec asked again, he was confused.
"Look"
Adelle pointed at Raven again.
"He looks like thinking at the moment, he''s not even nervous."
She added. Alec looked at Raven and noticed that it was true.
Rather, Raven looks bored and annoyed.
"Ever since he showed up in the ss this morning, all of his actions were weird."
Aoi said.
"He withstood Sir Kendy''s pressure, even Sir was holding back, it''s still impressive."
Curtis stated.
"He even called Sir ''petty'', I heard him."
He added. Everyone in there heard Raven say it because of their extraordinary senses.
"Even his choice of weapon is weird."
Aoi added again.
''True, only ordinary citizens uses gun nowadays.''
Alec thought.
"He also trained for an hour nonstop."
Aoi added.
"You''ve been watching him huh~?"
Adelle said in a teasing tone.
"Not just me but everyone watched him unconsciously because of his actions, everyone did right?"
Aoi retorted.
"I did watch him for a while, but can''t I just go in the ssroom now?"
Eve joined the conversation for the first time. She looks annoyed and impatient.
"No, let''s watch him a little longer, aren''t you curious what''s he gonna do?"
Adelle said.
"Not really."
Eve replied immediately, She wasn''t really interested.
"If you want, let''s just go to the cafeteria and have a date."
It was then that Curtis spoke to Eve. Following his words was a wink of his.
The other cringed seeing Curtis like that, even Eve who always wear a serious expression most of the time.
"I''ll just stay and watch."
Eve declined Curtis''s offer.
"Too bad, maybe next time then."
It was now pretty known that Curtis has a crush on Eve ever since the opening ceremony. He said it''s love at first sight and confessed to Eve on the spot.
It was when they were being awarded for being in the top 10 of the Lunar''s qualification test.
At first the group found it funny, but now it''s just cringe to them.
"By the way, what''s his name?"
It was them Alec asked, pointing at Raven. But no one answered, because no one know.
Anyway, the group all decided to watch the situation a little longer.
They witnessed the 4 students spat out harsh insults toward Raven, they even mocked his rank and ranking in the academy, even the weapon he chose.
They were pretty far but Alec and the others enhanced their eyesights and hearings.
"Or you should just die."
The leader of bullies said to Raven. It was then Alec got really angry.
"Don''t interfere, you''re just gonna make things worse for him."
Alec was about to rush at the bullies, when Curtis grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.
Alec calmed down and decided to observe the situation more first.
But as the time pass, Raven did nothing and he was still getting bullied.
"Maybe he''s just really a weirdo."
Adelle said.
"He''s an rank based on his report card, his ranking in all freshmen is low too. Maybe we just got excited for nothing."
Aoi added in a disapointed tone.
"Boring."
Curtis added.
"Haa..."
Eve just sighed and started to walk to the ssroom. Then the others started to follow, including Alec.
It was then they saw the leader of the group spit on Raven''s shoe.
Alec was really about to charge at them and beat the hell out of them.
But they saw Raven looked at the spit on his shoe with disgust.
After some seconds, he looked at the 4 students and his demeanor changed.
Resulting for Alec and the others to halt their steps, they can feel the aura and pressureing from Raven even though they''re a little far away from him.
They saw Raven approached the leader, Raven took his handkerchief and wiped his shoe with it.
After that, Raven used the same handkerchief to wipe the sweats on the leader''s face.
"You''re sweating."
Raven''s cold voice sent chills to Alec''s spine as Raven looks like a king looking at some bugs.
Adelle and Curtis have aplicated expression at that moment.
"You must be nning to get your revenge after this right?"
But when Raven said that, the two of them frowned.
"So he knows after all."
Curtis said.
"What is he nning?"
Aoi asked but no one answered, no one knows what''s the answer anyway.
"I''m recording right now, once you or your group mess with me one more time I''m gonna upload this to every social media tforms I can."
Curtis and the other was surprised in what Raven said.
"I''ll destroy your images and social life. Your family will be very disapointed on you guys, right?"
They saw Raven tapped his V.D and a hologram appeared. A video yed, you can see the students harassing him and them being intimidated afterwards.
''When did he start recording?''
Alec and the others got the same question in their heads.
"Does this mean he predicted all of this?"
Adelle asked. Which caused the others to frown, because if that''s the case, then that means Raven have a great insight.
Ping-
"Done!"
Snapping them out of their thoughts is Raven''s cheerful voice.
The group of bullies looked at Raven, Alec and the others too.
"You see, I uploaded the video."
After hearing that, everyone''s faces crumbled, except Raven and Eve.
"They will get their revenge after this because the video is already uploaded anyway."
Adelle said and the others agreed with her, they''re confused of why Raven did that.
But they got their answer from Raven too.
"Well not really. It''s an scheduled upload, it will be uploaded in a month from now, in every social media tforms, even in the academy''s page."
Raven''s cheerful exnation was so clear but it''s also cold.
"I''m the only one who can change the schedule. Everytime the video is about to be posted I''ll add another month to the schedule."
Raven started to exin more.
"But if something happen to me, the video will be uploaded on its own after a month."
Alec, and the others'' eyes widened as they realized what Raven were saying.
"So don''t even try messing with me, oh! As it will be uploaded even it''s not you guys who did something to me, you should protect me with your best instead."
Then after destroying the bullies'' mentality.
Raven regained his calm and collected look.
Then he opened his mouth.
"Move."
''It wasn''t a request, it was amand.''
Alec and the others thought.
And seeing the bullies obeyed and made way for him like it was natural.
They felt awe for Raven.
The overwhelming pressure and aura of Raven disappear after that and he made his way in the ssroom.
While Alec, Eve, Adelle, Curtis, Aoi are still frozen in their ce as they recall what just happened.
"Wow."
Adelle admired. But no one in the group think it''s weird as for them, Raven was really awesome at that time.
Raven controlled the situation swiftly without using violence, he doesn''t even have a backing but still managed to win. He even hit harder. Well they were jerks anyway so they deserve it.
"He''s hot."
Adelle then added. This time it got the group surprised, they''re looking at her like she was weird.
"Why? His clean appearance, the way he speaks and also he''s cunning. That makes him hot, the way he uses his brain makes my heart beat faster, and just look at his sharp eyes~"
Adelle exined but they''re still looking at her the same way. Even Eve is frowning.
"I''m not in love okay, I just think he''s hot!"
Adelle yelled.
The others just ignored Adelle''s reasonings and went in the ssroom.
And when they entered the ssroom, all of them looked at the same direction. To be exact, a certain young man, even Eve nced at him.
Raven saw them looking at him, then his brows knitted together.
"Weirdos"
Raven said in a low voice but all of them heard it.
Causing Alec and the others to frown.
''You''re the weirdest one here!''
They eximed internally while ring at Raven.
Chapter 7 Upgrades!
[Raven''s POV]
=====
[STATUS]
Name:Alec Osmond
Rank:D-
Mana Control:D+
Strength:D
Agility:D
Stamina:D
Intelligence:D
Luck:D-
Charm:D+
[SKILLS]
-Makes you calmer.
-Boost your thinking capabilities while activated.
-Travel in any direction immediately.
-20 meters range.
[TRAITS]
-Obtain memories from your pastlife.
-Obtained from pastlife.
-Makes your bodypatible with mana so you can use magic better.
-Increase your strength against anything ''evil''.
=====
[STATUS]
Name:Curtis Hawkins
Rank:E+
Mana Control:E+
Strength:E+
Agility:D-
Stamina:E+
Intelligence:D-
Luck:E+
Charm:D+
[SKILLS]
-Wounds inflected to opponent will continuously bleed for 30 seconds.
-Passive skill.
-Increase your speed by 80% for 1 minute.
-Cooldown 30 seconds.
[TRAITS]
-Makes anything about swords easy for you to grasp.
-Makes you let out an aura and presence of a noble.
-As long as you remain unwavering and proud, increase your strength by 10%.
=====
''Alec and Curtis.''
They''re rank 1 and 2 respectively of all freshmen in the Lunar.
I''m looking at Alec''s and Curtis''s stats that the system recorded earlier. It''s the same as what I remember in my novel.
"They''re strong."
I muttered while lying on the bed in my dorm. I''m still nothing to them.
The sses of the first day finished smoothly after the bullying event.
"Their damn charm is way higher than mine."
I grumbled still looking at the status windows projected in the air.
Anyway, first day, we pretty much did nothing as today was just for us freshmen to be familiar with the academy. After exining some things to us, Sir Kendy gave us our dorm number and dismissed us.
There''s 3000 freshmen and there''s a student ranking to determine our dorms.
Our rank was based on our grade from the qualification test we took before enrolling.
My rank is 2619, which is bad, so my dorm is pretty small.
All the main characters are within rank 10 so they have a hundred times better dorm than mine.
The academy do this for the students to work hard.
''Well, now I kinda want a better room to be honest.''
Anyway, I already checked the main characters'' stats.
Alec is rank.
Curtis and Eve are rank.
Adelle and Aoi are rank.
It''s all higher than mine but I''m not the weakest in the ss. Well I''m supposed to be the weakest, but I ranked up twice.
As you can see, Alec is a reincarnator, he regained his memories of his pastlife along with the when he was 14 years old.
In his pastlife he was a 7th tier magician. The demons also invaded their world, and he died fighting one of the strongest demon.
Using a sword until he regained his memories of his pastlife, he chose to maintain it as he have talent for it too, so Alec became a magic swordsman.
He became top 1 to earn a schrship here in Lunar.
He just need to be on top 10 to get a schrship but decided to do his best to make his parents proud.
"Now what?"
I asked myself after recalling some of the novel''s information.
''My actions are all a mess.''
I darted here and there without any clear goal.
"Should I involve myself to the story or just let the story proceed as intended?"
I''ve been wondering about that since I came herest month. I have a lot of time to think about it, buting out with an answer is difficult.
[Thetter is impossible as you already alternated some happenings and the Transcend Beings will likely interfere with the story.]
The system said to me. I nodded as I agree with what it said.
"I n to help in some scenarios, but what should I do till then?"
I asked the system.
[Why don''t you train seriously? Your fighting style is a mess, your body is weak, in this case you''ll be a dead weight to them rather than help.]
It answered.
"Right."
Its words hurts, but it''s true.
So I took out something from my spatial storage.
=====
- x3
-Upgrade an item.
=====
These scrolls are one of the rewards I got from killing the King wolf. Their description is simple and vague but these scrolls are rare and their effect is enormous enough to make a simple knife as sharp as a sword, or even better.
"I wonder if I should just sell these?"
I contemted while looking at the 3 scrolls.
I remember a single scroll being worth 5 million Zeals or more. And it''s hard to find these because you can only get them naturally as a reward from dungeons.
[But you can buy it in the System shop.]
The system read my thoughts and said.
It''s words made my eyes widened as my head quickly snapped at its direction.
"Really?"
I asked with twinkling eyes.
I was excited because I can earn a lot of money out of it.
[Yeah, it cost 1000 CP each.]
At the system''s words, my joy turned into a frown real quick.
I gained a lot of attention as an author and since this morning, but when I checked my CP bnce, I only have about 350 CP. The 300 of that is even from the 2500 CP I got as a reward.
I ignored the system and looked back at the scrolls, dejected.
"Anyway, where should I use this."
I have 3 scrolls. Using it to the gun I got from the academy will be stupid as I n to get a more powerful weapons soon.
Using it in a bullet will be the most stupidest thing I can think of.
Removing the stupid choices, I''m now down with 2 items.
[Ring of Gluttony] and [Cat''s earring].
But I got 3 scrolls, so I decided.
"I''m gonna upgrade both and save thest one for the weapon I''ll have in the future."
Also, I can just buy another one from the System Shop. I just need to save up enough CP.
With that thought, I unrolled the 2 scrolls and tore them. The scrolls are connected to the thoughts of its user, so it knows what items I want to upgrade.
Lights covered the [Ring of Gluttony] and [Cat''s earring].
It''s blinding, but it doesn''t harm my eyes.
After a while, the lights then disappeared.
[Upgrade was sessful]
[Upgrade was sessful]
Then the system announced the sess of the upgrade. It made me frown.
Why?
"Can upgrading items fail?"
I asked. I didn''t write that in the novel, it was supposed to be always a sess.
[Yes, things like upgrading or ranking up using items can be unsessful sometimes.]
The system replied, making my feare true.
"Why?"
I asked again.
[The Higher Being said it''s to maintain a certain bnce.]
I''m still confused, but I didn''t pry about it any longer, I wouldn''t get a straight answer anyway.
''So there''s a chance I will lose millions of Zeals or a thousand CP for nothing.''
That''s gonna be frustrating.
As I was in that thought.
[Your Luck stat is pretty high so you always have a high sess rate.]
The system said, and it made me feel better.
"That''s good."
Luck stat is naturally for training, for example, if you do a training enough to increase your stamina by 1, but you have high luck, there''s a high chance of gaining 2 stamina or more instead of just 1.
"So now the luck stat have a new function."
That Higher Being sure is changing many things.
"Anyway system, show me the new functions of the items I upgraded."
I''m curious as the [Ring of Gluttony] didn''t get upgraded in my novel, and the [Cat''s earring] doesn''t even exist in my novel.
[Just the new features?]
"Yeah."
It will be just the same anyway except the new features added.
[Okay]
Then 2 windows appeared.
=====
[Cat''s earring]
-New unique skill
.
-Partially transform any part of your body into a cat''s body part.
-Consumes mana continuously while activated.
=====
My eyes widened seeing the new effect of the [Cat''s Earring], then after thinking for a bit, a smile appeared on my face.
Cats are good at detecting movement in low light, have an acute sense of hearing and smell and can see well in the dark.
This skill is more useful that it seems.
I tried using the skill. My fingernails grew 1 inch long and looked like a cat''s ws.
I tried channelling mana in it.
"Woah..."
I let out a voice of admiration.
''This can be useful in a closebat.''
I thought.
I still don''t know how to imbue mana to weapons but this can be an alternative.
Then I transformed my eyes into cat''s eyes. I thought I''ll be nearsighted as cats are nearsighted but my vision remained the same. It''s even better, I can see well in the dark and motions seems to slowed down a bit.
Looking at a mirror, the white or sclera of my eyes turned gray and the centres turned vertical.
It''s said that cat''s eyes are suitable for hunting.
"This is fun."
After ying with the skill for a bit, I checked the new effect of the [Ring of Gluttony].
=====
[Ring of Gluttony]
-Summon an animal familiar.
-The summoner will be the master of familiar even if the ring wearer changes.
-Can share senses with your familiar.
-Appearance of the familiar will be based on the wearer''s favorite animal.
=====
"What?"
I read the description again.
"A familiar."
My heart then started beating faster. I always wanted a pet but don''t know what to get.
I thought of taming beasts but I can''t do that at the moment, not just because of money problem but many more else.
"It will be my favorite animal?"
That option caught my attention too. I don''t even know what my favorite animal is anymore.
I''m getting swept by a dog person''s and cat person''s words that even me got confused what I really want.
I''ve been lonely this past month. My parents always messages me but I''m still pretty awkward towards them and I still didn''t meet them in person yet.
"And this system doesn''t talk if not being asked. It even read my thoughts so talking with it is pointless, it doesn''t even have a physical body."
I said.
[I don''t want to talk to you too that much.]
It''s rude too.
So, without waiting any longer I tried summoning a familiar.
''.''
And when I thought of that, my mouth unconsciously opened on it''s own.
"!"
My voice came out on its own. It''s like I need to call something out from the ring.
It''s embarrassing. I still feel myself cringing, luckily no one''s with me.
[Ew, cringe.]
Except for the system.
''Shut up!''
Then after that, white smoke erupted from the ring.
"White?"
I got confused as the ring always produces ck things.
Then the smoke started to materialize.
"Why is it so small?"
The smoke formed a ball-like shape as big as my fist.
And when it was done. I looked at what appeared from the ring.
It wasn''t a cat or a dog.
-Kyu?
It''s a pure white cotton-like bird that tweeted while tilting its head. It''s tweeting sounds weird but I ignored it, I mean, I got transmigrated in my novel.
Anyway, I recognize what''s the bird is, it''s a Shima Enaga. It''s a bird species I like and I can''t forget because it''s cute.
-Kyu! Kyu!
The bird then flew toward me and I watched it do it.
''Cute.''
I unconsciously thought.
***
Sitting on my bed while leaning on the wall. And the white cotton-like bird thing is standing on my right shoulder, like a parrot standing on the shoulder of the pirate captain in somemon pirate fictions.
"Why is it white? And do I like cute things?"
I mumbled looking at the cotton on my shoulder.
I was convince myself that I like cool things than cute things.
At least I thought it''s gonna be a wolf.
-Kyu?
The cotton tweeted looking at me.
Looking at it.
''It''s really cute though.''
"Argh! Whatever!"
I didn''t dislike the oue. In fact, I like it, it says in the description earlier that I can share its senses.
''In a sense, I can literally have a bird view.''
Observing things from a high ce is a huge advantage for me in many ways. I even can use it to scout.
"Are you a boy or a girl?"
I asked the cotton, but it just tilted its head as if asking what am I talking about.
[It''s a girl.]
The system said.
"Are you sure?"
I asked.
[I appraised it. Here have a look.]
After that, informations about the cotton appeared in a status window form.
=====
[STATUS]
Name:(Female)
Rank:F-
Intelligence:F
[SKILLS]
[TRAITS]
-Ranking up is possible.
-Can use the skills of the ring like the wearer.
=====
The cotton have its own rank and intelligence. It''s the lowest rank but with its trait , ranking up is possible.
It can also use the [Ring of Gluttony]''s skills, I don''t know where should I use that but maybe from the future it can be useful.
''It even have a stealth skill!''
That skill ismon as you can buy it for about 10,000 Zeals. But having it from the start is like having free 10,000 Zeals, right?
"Ah! The name."
I eximed as I noticed its name. She have no name.
"What should I name her?"
I don''t like shy and long names. I just want a simple one, but I still need to think about it.
With my traits, I found a perfect name that I''m looking for.
"Shima Enaga is originated from Hokkaido, Japan. Its white fur reminds me of snow, it''s also a girl."
I listed what I took in consideration and used my taste to came up with a name.
"I''ll name you Yuki!"
It may sound very human for an animal but based from the system earlier. She can gain an intelligence on par with humans.
Naming her with an animal name feels wrong.
I also thought of just naming her ''Cotton'', but she might hate me in the future for it.
-Kyu! Kyu!
It also looks like she likes her new name. With me connecting with Yuki''s senses I can feel her emotions as well.
The corner of my lips rose as I can feel her being confortable with me.
I looked at the time.
<10:03 P.M>
Having these events, and also training a lot earlier. I''m starting to get tired.
"Haaa..."
I yawned. I ced Yuki beside me andid down on the bed. Not long I fell asleep.
And with that, my first day in the academy, came to an end.
=====
*The Shima Enaga is a subspecies of the long-tailed bushtit. They are also known as the silver-throated tit or silver-throated dasher. They are a tiny bird (at 12-16 cm in length, including their tail at 7-9 cm.)
Chapter 8 Working Hard In My Own Way
I woke up <5:32 A.M> of the next day.
I washed my face, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth and took a bath.
I did the same routine I do every morning, the only difference is Yuki apanying me everytime.
About <6:20 A.M>, I finished preparing for the day. I always take my time taking baths so I can make sure I''m clean.
''I still have more than 4 hours of free time.''
So I decided to train in the training grounds.
I put on my training suit.
But as I was about to go out of my dorm, I looked at Yuki, sitting on my right shoulder.
''Is it okay to bring her out?''
I asked myself internally.
"Nah, other students might steal you because you''re too cute."
After contemting for a while, I decided to leave Yuki in the dorm.
-Kyu! Kyu!
Maybe she know that she was about to be left behind. Yuki started tweeting loudly as if to protest.
I also don''t want to leave Yuki alone.
"But I can''t hide you while I''m training."
Yuki stopped tweeting and slouched, she was thinking.
I looked at it for a while as she was cute. But I don''t want to waste time so I was about to ce Yuki down.
But before I was able topletely ce her down. She looked at me with twinkling eyes.
-Kyu!
As she tweeted, she got absorbed by the [Ring of Gluttony]. She entered the spatial storage.
"She can do that?"
From my knowledge, living beings can''t enter spatial storage, their life forces are needed to be cut first.
''Guess Yuki can do that as she''s originally from the ring to begin with.''
"Well, whatever."
I didn''t think about it too much as I find it bothersome.
"Well, this works. Let''s go."
With this weird skill of her, I can bring Yuki with me.
And with that, I made my way to the training grounds.
***
Arriving at the training grounds.
There are few people in here. Including the main characters and some professors.
I ignored them all and went to the weightlifting area because currently, my physical strength sucks.
''Hey system, what weight should I start with?''
I asked the system as it will be embarrassing to lift something my body can''t handle and fail in front of the others.
[Start with 15 kilograms and lift it 10 times. If you think you can still carry¡ª]
"Wait."
I stopped the system''s exnation halfway as I thought of something.
[What?]
"I just thought of a better way."
Not waiting for the system''s reply. I ran back to my dorm.
Some people in the training grounds looked at me weirdly but I didn''t give a shit.
After getting back, I opened my V.D and went to the online shop site. Then I ordered 4 .
It''s a man-made bracelet artifact, its weight can be adjusted based on how much mana you pour into it.
I''m not really sure if there''s something like this, but this world have very advanced technologies so I thought things like this will definitely exist.
And I was right!
After 10 minutes of waiting and ying with Yuki. I heard a knock on my door.
I opened it, and one of the academy''s staff with a package in his arms greeted me.
"A delivery for you."
He said.
"Thank you."
I smiled and took the package. I signed something he handed and gave him 1000 Zeals.
The staff looked at my hand that is handing him the Zeals, then he looked at me in a questioning gaze.
I smiled, with my best effort, and spoke.
"It''s a thanks for bringing the item to me safely, it may not be much but please ept it."
Normal academy staffs earns 5000-10,000 Zeals every week so it really doesn''t amount much for them, but everyone like free things. And also the thought is what counts is what they say.
1000 Zeals is a small price for a good rtionship with an academy staff.
After hearing my words, the staff smiled and took the Zeals I''m handing him.
"Thanks, have a good day."
He said and left satisfied.
Meanwhile, I went back inside the dorm and opened the package, and saw 4 ck bracelets inside.
''Each bracelet cost 10,000 Zeals. So I roughly have 90,000 Zeals left in my ount and I''m gonna meet with Tyrone 6 days from now.''
''I need more money...''
I wore a bracelet each on my both wrists and ankles. Then I started imbuing mana in them.
I adjusted all of their weights to 20 kilograms.
"It worked!"
I eximed excitedly when I felt my whole body getting heavy. Especially my arms and legs.
[Is this your idea?]
The system asked.
Casually looking at the transparent window in the air that I assumed only me can see, I shrugged my shoulders and opened my mouth.
"You can read my thoughts, right?... Staying in one ce lifting weights is boring, so I thought of other ways to do it."
[The bracelets needs continuous supply of mana to maintain their weights, what if you ran out of mana in the middle of ss and pass out?]
The system asked. I thought for a second before calling Yuki, who is ying all by herself.
She flew towards me andnden on my palm. It''s cute.
Shaking the unnecessary thoughts first, I asked Yuki.
"Can you use seperately?"
Yuki just tilted her small fluffy head as a reply, she doesn''t understand the question, so it took me about 3 minutes to exin things to her. I used the skill in front of her asking if she can do it too.
After understanding my question, Yuki proudly nodded her head.
"Great, try using it."
-Kyu!
Yuki opened her beak and a white vortex-like smoke came out from her opened beaks.
''It''s really the skill!''
I eximed inwardly, I didn''t really expect Yuki to do it.
The vortex then absorbed all nearby mana except mine. Then after a while Yuki closed her beak.
She''s done. Yuki looked at me with lively eyes.
"Good girl! Now, can you pass the mana to me?"
I asked her. Yuki nodded as a reply.
''She''s getting smarter.''
I felt proud. After that, I felt my mana replenished as I didn''t consumed a lot of mana anyway.
-Kyu!
Then Yuki tweeted, she''s puffing out her chest as if boasting.
I patted her head.
"Good job."
-Kyu!
''Now, I''ll bring Yuki to the ssroom and have her absorb mana for me time to time to avoid mana exhaustion.''
I thought as I smiled internally.
[You need to work hard.]
The system then appeared again.
"I''m working hard on my own way. You can''t just tire yourself out randomly."
I shrugged.
"Now if I run with this bracelets on, I can train my strength, agility and stamina at the same time. And with the continuous usage of mana, my capacity might increase, the same with my mana control."
''Andstly, I wouldn''t need to train to the training grounds that''s packed with people.''
Just thinking about it sounds tiring.
Anyway, I headed outside the dorm. Yuki got in the spatial storage, I''m not heading to the training grounds. I''m nning to run all over the academy.
"Working hard is good but you need to use your brain too. If you can do something while sitting and produce the same result as doing it while standing, then there''s no need to stand right?"
I said to the system, I didn''t wait for its reply and started running around the academy.
***
"Haaa... Haaa..."
Rough breathings came out from my mouth.
''The academy is asrge as a small city!''
Iined.
I stopped running when it''s <9:00 A.M>. I ran for about and hour and half. I didn''t even know how far I ran.
[You ran 15005 meters.]
Looks like the system counted.
''I think the academy is about 5000 meters x 5000 meters.''
So I ran all around back and forth of the academy for at least 3 times.
You might think that I ran a lot, but it''s just average for ability users like me. But in my case, I''m wearing weights.
While grumbling because of the fatigues I''m feeling, I went to the training grounds. I still have an hour and half before ss starts. I don''t have anything else to do anyway.
***
As soon as I entered the training grounds I went to the shooting range. There are few people as I assumed most students and professors are getting ready for the sses.
Well, I don''t really care.
I ignored all of them and started my own training.
I got pretty used to the speed of difficulty 7 so I started with difficulty 8. I also added targets, now there''s 15 moving targets.
With that, I trained my shooting skill for an hour.
After an hour of training. I was covered in sweats.
""
So I casted a support magic I learned. It''s a spell that removes the sweats and dirts on the target.
After that, I returned to my dorm. I took a bath for about 20 minutes, then put my academy uniform on.
***
I arrived in the ssroom 5 minutes before the the ss starts.
Almost all of my ssmates are here.
I headed to the mid row but now in the left corner. In the right side of ssroom was the building''s hallway so I can''t make Yuki absorb mana there. While in the ln the left side there''s a window leading to the outside.
Since It''s still the second day, changing seats ismon. The owner of the seat you want to change with just need to agree with you.
"Hey, let''s change seats."
I said looking at the one sitting beside the window.
The seat owner turned his head to me and was about to yell, but stopped.
Luckily the seat owner is one of the bully yesterday, so everything went pretty smoothly.
""
I casted a magic to the seat before sitting.
The only disadvantage of sitting in this spot is that I''m near the main characters.
''But well, why would they care about me?''
"Now, let''s just wait for the professor."
I weakly mumbled as I think of how boring the sses yesterday are.
***
[Alec''s POV]
Raven entered the room. Because of what happened yesterday I got curious about him and looked up at his name.
Not just me but everyone from the group yesterday. Well, I don''t know about Eve.
Anyway, I saw Raven early in the morning enter the training grounds but ran out after a while without even touching anything inside.
I did think that''s weird but I continued my own training that time without minding it much.
But, Raven came back after about 2 hours with some weird bracelet with mana on each of his wrists and ankles.
I was still training at that time.
Raven was drenched in sweats and breathing heavily. He went to one of the training room of the shooting range and didn''te out for an hour.
And now in present, Raven entered the ssroom like he just woke up. He''s clean and organized.
"He''s still wearing the bracelets."
I mumbled as I noticed his wrists still having the bracelets on. I can''t see his ankles because the academy uniform uses pants but it''s most likely he still have it on.
''I wonder what are those for.''
Raven then walked in a seat in the mid row, left corner near us. He picked a seat beside the window, and made the owner of that seat switch seats with him, peacefully(?).
But before sitting, Raven casted a magic on the seat.
"Is he a germaphobe?"
Aoi asked with a frown. Looks like I wasn''t the only one curious of Raven.
"Well, it''s more impressive that he casted a magic smoothly."
Adelle said. I nodded in agreement.
But then a weird expression appeared on my face as I looked at Aoi and Adelle beside me.
"Wait, why are you guys here?"
I asked. They were near my seat before but not beside mine.
"Well, me, Aoi and Eve knows each other even before entering Lunar, we''re just following Eve because she doesn''t want to change seats with others."
Adelle exined. Eve''s seat is just behind ours. And just in front of Raven''s new seat.
''As I remember, Eve''s, Aoi''s and Adelle''s parents are all important people.''
Guess they''re close to each other because of that.
After a while, a professor came in and started a lecture.
***
[Eve''s Pov]
It''s been a while now since the ss started, but I can''t focus on the lecture.
-Kyu...
Slowly looking behind me to not make anyone notice. I saw a white cotton-like thing.
''There is it again...''
From time to time this man behind my seat brings out a cotton-like bird and makes it fly out of the window beside his seat.
And it looks like the bird is using a stealth skill as not everyone notices it, just some few students noticed.
I might also not notice it if not for the tweeting sounds that I heard.
I can''t focus on the lecture because of the tweeting sound I hear from time to time!
And the man doesn''t look like he''s listening to the lecture, he''s not even looking at the front of the ssroom.
So he doesn''t really see me looking at his direction.
''What''s his name again?''
I don''t know. He''s familiar but I don''t know anything about him because of myck of care.
"I knew it! It''s a Shima Enaga."
As I was trying to remember who the man is.
Aoi suddenly eximed in a whisper. Aoi, Adelle, and Alec also heard the tweeting sounds so they noticed the cotton''s existence.
Curtis is in the back row of the ssroom so it''s most likely he doesn''t know, and I don''t really care.
"What''s a Shima Enaga?"
Adelle asked Aoi. Alec seems to be curious too and waited for Aoi to answer.
They didn''t wait for long as Aoi immediately exined.
"It''s a bird from Japan. It''s well known for its cotton-like appearance."
And after a brief pause.
"But it doesn''t look like a normal bird as it can use a skill."
Aoi added. We all looked at the guy ying with the bird.
"Does he like cute things? That''s weird."
Alec said. Seems like Aoi thought so too.
Well, all I can see is the guy looks always bored at everything.
"But that side of him is cute."
Adelle said. We ignored her, however we have a frown on our face because of her statement just now.
It was then, the cotton-like bird looked in our direction and pointed us using its wing.
We got startled.
The guy looked at us, and frowned.
The guy opened his mouth, and mouthed:
''You guys should focus on the lecture.''
Then he turned his attention back to bird.
My faced twitched, his words annoyed me. He was the reason I can''t focus on the lecture. In a bad way.
"I want to strangle him."
I muttered. It''s not just me but Alec and Aoi are frowning too.
Adelle didn''t mind it as she just observes the cotton bird.
"It''s cute though."
She said. Well I can''t argue with that.
"Raven Obadiah."
Then, the professor called someone''s name.
The guy we were observing stood up.
''So that''s his name.''
I thought as I told to myself to remember it.
"Can you please exin our lecture?"
The professor said. Looks like he noticed that Raven is not listening, he''s asking Raven with a rather sly smile.
I smiled with the thought of Raven not being able to answer and being embarrass in the end for not listening. It seems like all who had been disturbed by him, or his cotton to be exact, also thought so.
But contrary to our predictions. Raven exined the lecture in a clear and confident voice. He also shortened and made the exnation more understandable than the professor.
After that, he just sat back and crossed his legs, then he looked outside of the window with a face saying he didn''t do much and he''s bored.
Outside the window he''s gazing at his cotton flying in circle.
All who thought that Raven was gonna fail, have their mouths hung opened. Then those who had trouble understanding the professor''s lecture looked at Raven with grateful eyes.
"...That''s... A very good exnation."
Said the professor who was silent for a second. He thought Raven was not listening so he nned to embarrass him, but contrary to what he expected, Raven answered and exined the lecture better than him.
"The way he carry himself confidently is also attractive."
Adelle said with a smile. Aoi was about to rebut but didn''t as Raven does really looks cool after that.
Alec have aplicated expression.
And I was just purely annoyed.
Chapter 9 The Stygian Lair[1]
My second day of academy sses were uneventful, I think that''s good, but at the same time boring.
Well, I got called by some professors, by a lot. Some of them were coincidence but some were clearly intentional, I feel like they want to embarrass me.
They thought I''m not listening, so they decided to bully me, what are they? 10 years old?
Well, honestly, I''m not really listening to the lectures, but using the and the , answering their questions is like a walk in the park, with weights as I used a lot of mana using those traits, but seeing them failed to embarrass me, feels satisfying so it''s fine.
The system also recorded the lectures so I can study itter anytime I want, Some students noticed Yuki, including the main characters, but they didn''t tell about her to any professor, so I think it''s fine.
Professors didn''t notice Yuki because they''re focused on their lectures, and whenever they look at my direction, Yuki will go in the spatial storage.
So Yuki''s existence is safe for now.
***
2 dayster. Thursday.
It''s now <3:30 P.M>, the professors said that it''s only half sses today and we don''t have sses tomorrow.
They said they''ll have a meeting, but I know they''re preparing for the freshmen''s assessment test.
Well, we have 3 days and half of free time, and I already have a n on how to use those time.
''I''m gonna enter a dungeon...''
Am I gonna get items or artifacts? Well yes.
But not just that, I need experience the most, I didn''t neglect training, but Ick experience of realbat situation.
And also, to make Yuki rank up she needs to eat a lot of monster cores. Yuki eats pretty much everything but it will not make her rank up.
So those reasons are why I decided to enter a dungeon.
Luckily, in free time like holidays and weekends, students can freely leave the academy.
So there''s no need to get permission to leave.
''A dungeon only exist in games and novels, I''m getting excited.''
I was really excited.
Though that thought didn''tst as I remembered what dungeon I''m entering and its description.
***
"Let''s see."
Currently, Raven is checking all the things he packed.
He doesn''t know how long he''ll be inside the dungeon so he prepared a lot.
"Looks like I have everything I''ll need."
After checking the items he packed before hand, Raven put them in his spatial storage.
"Let''s go Yuki."
-Kyu!
Then he retrieved Yuki who is waiting for him silently.
Yuki answered raising her wing like a salute.
''Cute.''
Raven left the academy about <3:40 P.M>, he''s been readying himself to enter the dungeon even since his 2 artifacts got upgraded. And this time, Raven''s sure he didn''t forget to bring anything.
After leaving the academy. Raven rode a rapid train.
***
Raven arrived to the Zreles City after 10 minutes of leaving Lunar as it was only a city away from the academy.
After that, he traveled for half an hour to reach his destination.
The ce is called like that because there''s no animal, beast, or even monster in there, even the trees of the mountain are leafless and the color of them are ck like coal.
And since no beast nor monster is residing the mountain, it is left unguarded. Making it easier for Raven to sneak in.
The dungeon Raven is nning to enter is an undiscovered dungeon!
In the novel, few months from now, the dungeon will be discover by the ck market because it will overflow, revealing its location.
And at that time, the main characters ''coincidentally'' happened to be near during the dungeon overflow. They saved a lot of civilians from the dungeon overflow, and then got titled as the ''Young Heroes''.
Well, that will not happen this time because of Raven''s action, though, there''s gonna be more events that can gain them that title.
''I''m basically trying to save a lot of lives. I''m trying to prevent the dungeon overflow by raiding it.''
Raven said to himself and shrugged, feeling a bit guilty for messing a part of the story.
Dungeon overflow happens when a dungeon boss is left alive for a long time. Or when the dungeon is not being raided for a long time resulting it to be full of monsters and the dungeon overflowing.
After killing a monster boss, a new monster boss will appear in that dungeon, the higher the rank of the boss monster that got killed, the longer time it will take before a new one appear.
Monsters spawn or repopte endlessly inside dungeons, so some dungeons need to be attacked continuously.
After climbing the mountain for an hour or so, Raven arrived in front of a cave''s entrance.
"This is a dungeon right?"
He asked the system. Raven can feel manaing from the entrance, and with , he can pretty much confirm it. But he still asked just in case.
[You''re right, it''s a dungeon.]
"Can you appraise it?"
The system did not answer to Raven''s question and just projected the dungeon''s information.
=====
[The Stygian Lair]
Difficulty:F+
-It''s very dark inside and it''s full of traps. Goblins are also lurking at its every corner.
=====
The appraisal skill of the system is good as it gets its information from Raven''s novel and from the Higher Being. Both are responsible for the creation of the world They''re in!
"Stygian Lair..."
Raven nervously muttered.
Originally, Raven nned not to touch this dungeon because it''s too dark inside and it can lead him to his death.
But after acquiring the skill
from the [Cat''s earring], he changed his mind.
As he also want to acquire the reward of the dungeon. Raven originally nned to save Zeals and buy the dungeon''s reward in the future, but that would be a waste of money, and time.
So when Raven got the minimum requirements to survive the dungeon, He decided to raid and get the dungeon reward himself!
Raven is still wearing the training bracelets but he ns to remove them once the situation calls for it.
Raven activated
and turned his eyes into a cat''s, then he added focused mana in his eyes to make his vision more clearer.
And with that, Raven entered the dungeon.
After entering, Raven can feel that the mana inside is a bit denser than outside.
Which is good for training.
"So this is why it''s faster to get stronger inside dungeons..."
Raven mumbled while holding his head as a nauseating feeling washed all over his body.
It''s prettymon when it''s your first time entering a dungeon, fortunately, Raven didn''t throw up.
***
[Raven''s POV]
It''s dark inside but I can see well, I still feel sick but I can now move normally.
Looks like I''m in a safe zone seeing no monster is around.
There''s just a straight path so I walked in it.
After walking straight for about 10 minutes, I saw 2 tunnels, left and right. I can tell that the left one is a pretty rx path and the right one is not because I can see goblins'' trails near it.
I studied informations about goblins after all.
Normally I would go left, but I''m here to have experience.
So I chose to go to the right path.
Not long after I went to the right path.
Swoosh¨C
5 arrows went flying at my direction.
It''s not as fast as the moving targets I practiced on, so I can follow their trajectories easily, I transformed my fingernails into cat ws and coated them with mana.
Then, I shed 2 arrows and dodged 2, thest arrow missed me.
Looking where the arrows came from. I saw 5 goblins about 3 feet tall with bows and arrows.
2 goblins are hitting one goblin.
''Maybe they''re hitting the one that missed...''
Their distance is about 20 meters away from me.
Goblins are rank monsters as they can use weapons and have a fairly good intelligence.
The path we''re in is narrow, so long range weapons are good in here.
"Too bad for you guys, I''m using a long range weapon too."
I took out my gun from the holster on my waist and aimed it at them.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
5 gunshots was heard consecutively.
Thud-
With a thud the 5 goblins fell to the ground almost at the same time. They''re dead before they can even react.
"Now that''s 5,000 Zeals."
I said while walking towards the goblins'' corpse to collect their cores.
-Kyu!
But then, Yuki came out of the spatial storage. Looks like she can sense the monster cores.
"Well, I can settle for 4,000 Zeals."
***
Having no sunlight or moonlight entering this cave type dungeon, it''s hard to say what time is it. Well I have the system so I can tell.
I''ve been here for 9 hours.
"This is one hell of a cave."
I''ve been trying all the path I can and creating a map while travelling.
Because of that, I encountered a lot of traps and goblins, I''ve been seeing goblins a lot that it''s making me feel sick.
I can''t even sleep well, goblins are good at ambushing as they know theyck strength to fight head on.
-Kyuuu!
I looked at Yuki trying to cheer me up and smiled.
"I''ll lose my mind if you weren''t with me."
I patted her, then continued exploring the dungeon.
After another hour of walking, I discovered a huge door. Looks like I''m near the boss.
I didn''t enter nor open the door right away.
I camped near it instead and slept. This could be called a safe zone as weak monsters don''t go near the boss room.
And obviously, Goblins are weak.
***
I woke up at <5:32 A.M>. Friday.
After getting ready, I entered the room.
And my eyes widened.
It''s wide inside.
But what I saw inside is not the boss monster, but a herd of goblins. And it looks like this room is their base!
The room''s floor and walls are soft, the ceiling is pretty rough as you can see some stctites attached on it.
I immediately hid behind a rock pir as I can see a lot of goblins patrolling the room.
Roughly counting, looks like there''s about 50 goblins in here.
"What the hell?"
I unconsciously said.
[The Transcend Beings discovered you doing something interesting so they decided to make it more exciting.]
The system then appeared and said.
"Exciting my ass, they just want me dead, don''t they?"
I tried leaving the room but the door didn''t even budge.
"Fucking hell."
I cursed.
-Kieek?
It was then, I heard a noiceing from my side. Turning my head to the source.
I saw 3 goblins looking at me with wide eyes.
Without wasting a moment.
I kicked with my feet onto the ground and dashed toward the goblins.
My fingernails turned into ws, I covered them with mana, then I shed towards the goblins, and in the midst of the shing motion, I poured mana to the training bracelet I have on my wrist making my hand heavier.
Then my ws shed downward toward the head of the goblin in the middle.
SLASH!
Not just a shing sound but also blood sshing resounded around us as the head of the goblin popped like a balloon.
After that, I spun my body to the right, drawing an arc motion with my left foot covered with mana.
Bam¨C!
I pinned the head of the goblin from my right to the ground.
Its head was crushed.
After that I saw thest goblin running away.
I pointed my left hand on its direction. And casted a magic.
""
A ck rope made of mana erupted to the ground below the goblin and restrained it.
It''s a simple restriction magic I learned from the books I got in the Red Wolves'' Mountain.
Also after acquiring the [Ring of Gluttony] my mana changed to color ck, it was transparent pink before. And even when I''m not wearing the ring, it doesn''t change the color back. Not that I really care but ck is nice.
I dashed to the restricted goblin and stabbed its neck with my ws.
Thud-
They''re all dead.
"Tsk, dirty."
I clicked my tongue and casted to my body.
[You have a great fighting sense, even the Transcend Beings are impressed, the way you used your training bracelets to make your attack heavier is splendid.]
The systemplimented.
"They can go to hell then."
I''m not interested to what they said, I''m suffering because of them.
I stored the goblin corpses in my spatial storage.
"I need to get out of here."
It got pretty loud while I''m killing them. So goblins wille here any moment now.
I then started to adjusting some of the functions of the magic .
After reconstructing some of the magic''s function. I aimed my right hand to the ceiling of the room.
""
A magic circle appeared in my hand.
Then a simr ck rope shot out from it, but on the tip of it, there''s like a w made of mana.
It propelled toward a thick stctite.
Crank-
With a clutching sound. The w like tip was connected to the base of stctite.
Then I climbed the magic rope.
I found a small footing near the stctite so I transformed into a cat and settled there and started to form a n.
After that I canceled my magic, , the rope disappeared in thin air.
[You''re really good at this.]
The system said.
"I just adjusted some things to make that magic, I also have the help of ."
I answered with a shrug. The books I got from the dead mage was full of useful theories about magics, helping me to be more proficient in mana and magic.
"Yuki."
I called.
-Kyu!
Then Yuki came out from the spatial storage, she looks at me weirdly at first because it''s the first time she saw me in my cat form.
But not long, Yuki approached me and rubbed her head on me.
I smiled, unfortunately, I have something for her to do.
"Okay Yuki, can you fly all around the room and look at every disgusting green shits down there?"
I said.
"Just fly near the ceiling and use stealth."
I added.
-Kyu!!
Yuki saluted using her wings and flew away.
''Cute.''
I''m d that she bacame my familiar.
***
Based on what I saw from Yuki''s eyes.
A total of 53 goblins are here, and 22 of them are long-range weapon users.
"I need to get rid of all long range users and just shoot the rest dead from up here."
-Kyu!
"Yes you did a good job."
I patted Yuki with my cat paw.
It feels weird.
"Anyway, let''s kill them when they fell asleep."
Is what I thought first, but I need to leave here as quickly as possible.
No reason, I just feel impatient.
So I went back down and waited in the corner of the room. In this corner only 5 goblins can enter at the same time.
And not waiting for long, 4 goblins came.
I went out in cat form and they looked at me with curiosity.
Seeing that I''m smaller than them, they approached me with a grin on their faces.
When they were a half meter away from me I cancelled the skill and went back to being human, except from my fingernails that is still in the form of ws and coated with mana.
SLASH!
Then shed my ws to them horizontally.
One died and the other 3 were wounded.
-Kie¡ª
""
The 3 tried to scream but no voice came out as their mouths were covered with ck mana. I casted a magic on them.
I shed the 3 goblins down and they died quietly.
"I''ll just do this again and again, easy peasy."
I said with a carefree whistling.
As I was storing the goblins'' corpses to hide my trace.
-KIIIEEEEEEEEKKKK!
A loud ear-tearing scream echoed throughout the room. I turned my head where the sound came from.
I saw a goblin pointing its hammer toward me with a terrified expression.
Looks like they were a group of 5 but the other one was left behind a little.
"Shit."
I cursed unconsciously as my head started to hurt.
Chapter 10 The Stygian Lair[2]
I heard rushed footsteps, I assumed those are from the goblins rushing in my location.
Gritting my teeth. I pressed my feet onto the ground and dashed toward the goblin who just screamed.
"You shit!"
I shed it hard because of annoyance and the goblin was split into two.
After that, about 10 goblins showed up running toward me.
I took out my gun. Shooting a moving target with one hand is stupid. But because I have enough strength to withstand the recoil, I can do it.
So, I rushed to the herd of goblins.
Stab!
I stabbed one of them with my ws of my left hand, looking around, I saw 3 long-range weapon users.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I shot them with the gun on my right hand.
Then Iunched a kick to the group of 3 goblins.
Bam!
They went flying, the one who recieved the kick head on died.
After that, I swiftly dashed back while still shooting on the herd.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I casted towards one of the alive goblin and pulled it over to me.
I grabbed its head and ced it on the side of my head.
Phuck-
Then an arrow pierced its head.
A goblin with bow was targeting me from the side.
Bang!
I shot it dead. And threw the goblin corpse in my hand.
I circted mana through my legs and jumped through obstacles, while doing so I''m pulling the trigger of my gun continuously.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Thud¨C
A lot of dull sound of something falling was heard through the room.
I''m not shooting carelessly. Looking at them closely, they have almost the same speed of a moving target with the difficulty of 7.
But the problem is their number. And unlike targets, they''re attacking.
I look around and started to make a n.
"Keuk!"
While doing so, an arrow pierced my back.
It hurts, but it''s bearable.
I used magic to move things like crates and rocks to make a one way straight path.
Then I settled at the end of the path I made. With this the goblins will only be able to attack me from the front.
"I''ll kill you all, I''m just gonna think that after this. I''ll have 50,000 Zeals"
( monster cores normally worth 1000 Zeals.)
Not long, goblins started to enter the path. I looked at them and pointed my gun to the herd.
"The rewards should be good you damn transcend beings."
I mumbled as I pulled the trigger.
Bang!
I shoot every long-range weapon user I see.
But because of that, goblins that uses close-range weapons got near me.
Using my ws with mana engulfing them.
I shed towards every goblins near me.
sh! sh! Ssh!
-Kieek!
-Kieeeek?!
Cries of goblins echoes through the room.
I rotated my body. Drawing an arc with my right foot covered with mana. I did a side whip kick.
p Bam!
I hit a goblin trying to ambush me by jumping off from above, it got sent crashing to the wall and died.
I learned a lot of martial arts involving kick. And taekwondo is one of them.
''So they can still attack from the above. Noted!''
"This is kinda fun."
I muttered. My heart is beating fast because of excitement.
[Are you perhaps a masochist?]
The system said.
"No. I''m imagining the goblins as the transcend beings."
I said with a grin.
unconsciously activated reacting to my feelings.
A heavy majestic aura scattered throughout the area. And made all goblins stop moving.
A terrified expression formed on their faces.
Their breathing became unstable.
It''s like they were choking at something.
When I saw that.
Swoosh¨C
I rushed at the herd of the goblins.
Then with my ws.
With my gun.
And by kicking.
I started ughtering them one by one.
***
Even subjected to an overwhelming presence, with their lives on the line, the goblins decided to fight back.
Even though their instinct is telling them to surrender to Raven. And their movements were dull because of fear.
The goblins tried their best to kill Raven.
It was then Raven casted a magic to restrain their movements.
He reconstructed and made spell called . It''s the same magic, just in a bigger scale.
A lot of magic rope appeared and restrained most goblins near Raven.
-Kiek?
-Kieek.
At the sudden appearance of the ropes, the goblins looked at Raven.
Raven who is covered in the bloods of goblins, Raven who is slowly killing every goblin he sees with a smile on his face.
The goblins felt fear and their whole body trembled.
They lost their will to fight.
It was then, Raven started massacring the goblins.
***
[Raven''s POV]
Bang!
I just shot down thest goblin alive in the room.
"Haa... Haa..."
My breathing was rough having fought for about half an hour with no room to breathe properly.
[To be exact, you fought for 42 minutes and 11 seconds. Aren''t you happy? You finished this room under an hour!]
The system then appeared.
"Shut your trap."
[Your fighting sense is really awesome, it seems like you have a talent in fighting. You were born in the wrong era in your previous world, but here, you''re talent will shine!... p! p! p!]
The system is still annoying from time to time, I don''t know if it''s intentional or not. The point is it''s annoying.
Ignoring the system, I looked at my body.
I''m bloody and is covered with wounds. I got some arrows stabbed in my body like I was a pin cushion. I also have some cuts. There''s even a dagger stabbed in my side, good thing it''s not deep.
I started pulling them one by one.
"It fucking stings."
I took out an intermediate life potion from my spacial storage and immediately drank it.
After that, I started collecting monster cores. Goblin''s body parts are pretty much useless so I just collected their cores. I also took out all of the corpse I put in my spatial storage earlier, I stored them in my spatial storage to hide their body and not reveal my existence, but in the I still got discovered.
I collected their cores and left the corpses.
I went to the corner of the room and cleaned around, then I rested there. I ate foods to recover some of my stamina.
I transformed into a cat to recover my mana faster.
I''m still not nning on going back yet, after killing all the goblins the room shook and a new path appeared.
It''s where the boss room is.
I''m sure of it now.
And I''m nning to fight the boss.
***
After resting for 4 hours, I stood up.
''My wounds are pretty much healed, my body still aches but I''m fine, I guess?''
I recovered some of my mana with the help of the [Ring of Gluttony].
I bought a low stamina potion from the system shop and drank it so my stamina also replenished.
So with that, I entered the path that leads to the boss room.
And not long, I reached the end of the path. I was greeted by a metallic door about 10 meters tall.
I approached the door and opened it.
Creak!
A loud creaking noise was produced when I opened it.
I entered the room.
Boom!
And the door behind me immediately closed trapping me in the room.
"I fucking knew it."
I''m not even surprised anymore, the damn transcend beings did this, I''m sure of it.
It''s dark in the room but I can see just fine.
Yuki is already in my spatial storage since my fight with the herd of goblins earlier in the room before.
I looked around. The room is spacious, it''s like I''m inside a circr arena.
And in the center, there''s a huge humanoid figure standing.
"I put an rank goblin champion as a boss in this dungeon."
I said with an annoyed expression on my face.
"These damn transcend beings."
What stood in the middle is a 2.5 meters tall gnoll holding a battle axe.
It''s the weakest rank monster.
"Well I kinda expected this."
I already know something will change in the boss.
Fortunately, the gnoll didn''t notice me yet.
Gnolls are fast but their strength and regeneration ability are bad.
With that in mind.
Bam-
Swoosh¨C
I kicked into the ground and dashed toward the gnoll.
I then raised my left palm and aimed it at the gnoll.
""
I casted a magic when I closed the distance between us.
ck mana ropes restrained both of its arms. The gnoll got surprised by the sudden appearance those ropes.
""
With my left palm still lifted, I casted another magic, the w of shot and clutched to the gnoll''s shoulder, then I pulled myself in toward the gnoll, resulting with me immediately reaching the gnoll.
Then with the muzzle of my gun touching the gnoll''s right eye.
I pulled the trigger.
Bang!
It all happened too fast so the gnoll was unable to dodge.
-ARGHH!
It shouted and swung the axe it was holding.
I spun to the left side to dodge it. My left fingernails turned into ws and I covered it with mana.
Using the spinning momentun and my training bracelets to make my left hand heavier.
Phuk!
I stabbed the left side of the gnoll''s neck. My ws dug pretty deep.
-GRARRRGH!
The gnoll then swung his left hand clenched in a fist, heading toward me.
Using the gnoll''s body as a footing, I kicked my feet on it and swiftly dashed back.
Swoosh-
The gnoll''s punch missed me.
Then I pulled the trigger while the gun is aimed at its undamaged left eye.
Bang!
-KEUK!... ARRRRGGRAAAAA!!!!
Now both of its eyes are destroyed.
""
Ignoring the gnoll''s ear deafening screams.
I casted a buff on myself and charged again to the gnoll, toward its lower body.
I passed my gun to my left hand and umted mana in my right hand, then forming it into a fist.
I punched it out.
BAM!
Crack!
A loud sound echoed as soon as I hit the gnoll''s pelvis.
-AAARHGGH!!!...urghhhgrrrr...
Looks like the gnoll is a male, it let out a pained screams and he stumbled to the ground butt-first.
Not wasting any second, I dashed at the gnoll again. Now my right fingernails turned to ws.
Phuk!
Then I stabbed the gnoll''s head, between its eyes.
The gnoll''s blood sshed onto me.
My stomach feels sick but my expression didn''t change a bit.
Looking down at the gnoll.
-Keuu..uk
It was still alive.
I frowned.
""
With the [Ring of Gluttony] inside its head. I activated the ring''s unique skill.
Not long, the gnoll''s head became pale and no life can be seen from it.
I dropped my gun.
sh!
And decapitated its head out of its neck with my ws in my left hand.
I threw its head and stood up.
"Phew..."
''That''s an easy 5000 Zeals''
It''s a rank higher than me, but it''s alone and I''m faster, as long as its attacks doesn''t hit me, I''ll be fine.
And another reason is that I trained like crazy after my fight with the King Wolf.
''I don''t want to be that pathetic anymore...''
I thought looking down at the gnoll''s decapitated corpse.
''I would rather fight this huge boss monster again than another herd of armed goblins.''
It was then an item appeared. Descending from the ceiling of the cave.
When a new dungeon appears, the first to kill its boss will surely recieve a reward and a limited reward at that. After that, the next attackers will be left to their luck if they will get some rewards.
Looking at the item that appeared, it''s a small transparent item that is in a liquid state.
I caught it with my hands and observed it, then I made the system appraise it.
=====
[Celestria]
-???
=====
This item is actually an artifact, it may seems useless, which is true.
''Right now that is.''
"Hey system, what''s up with the transcend fuckers?"
I asked the system.
[The Transcend Beings are happy with your massive growth and singing you praises.]
"I don''t give a shit about that, did they gave some rewards?"
I don''t care to them, I''m angry to them for making me suffer so I needpensations.
[Oh, they gave you 3000 CP.]
The system said.
"Buy me an
- from the system shop."
Not long a scroll appeared. I grabbed it and tore it.
The [Celestria] then shone brightly.
This item will be of course supposed to be for a mid boss viin, this may seems useless to others even after appraising it, because it just says "???" in the description.
Resulting it to be sold in the future in a low price.
But It actually just needs to be upgraded once for it to reveal its usefulness.
Though I kinda understand why no one discovered it because, who will use an item that cost millions of Zeals just for this something useless?
But a viin know its real value in advance because a demon told him, so he used one on it, and that''s when the [Celestria] revealed its worth.
After a brief moment, the light died down.
[Upgrade was sessful]
"Disy the new description of it."
[Okay]
A transparent window then appeared.
=====
[Celestria]
-Transforms and reforms based on owner''s will. Even its color.
-Hardness or softness can be adjusted by using mana.
-Have a unique skill .
-If you detect an attacking at you, even if you don''t intend to, [Celestria] will try to parry or block the attack if the attack contains hostility.
=====
After reading the new description of [Celestria], a smile appeared on my face.
"Now this is what I''m looking for."
Looking at my clothes, it''s all tattered up.
I imbued mana to the [Celestria] and imagined a battle suit.
Swooosh-
Then immediately. [Celestria] covered my body and transformed into a ck battle suit.
It''s not too fancy nor shabby, it''s just simple yet cool.
With a satisfied smile. I started to head back to where I came from. This is a one-way dungeon, means that the entrance is also the exit.
***
I reached back to the cave''s entrance after traveling for 7 hours, having took the hard paths going in, I used all the easy paths going back.
I didn''t forget to draw a map. The paths I took are mostly just with traps or some goblins, so I saved a lot of time going back.
With that, I exited the dungeon on <1:43 P.M> of Friday.
I went back to Zreles City and rented a hotel room.
I took a shower. It took me a hour because I felt dirty because of goblins'' bloods.
I then looked at my site [Vespera], it''s where my novels are being posted, I didn''t check it much as I was busy training. The chapters are automatically being uploaded every 2 days.
Upon checking the site, my eyes widened as I saw something crazy.
=====
[Nightfall]: Hello Mr.Night, thanks for the advance chapters. It made me calm a little, I got pretty annoyed by a certain someone.
[Nightfall donated 150,000 Zeals.]
[Nightfall]: Here''s a little money, keep it up.
=====
It''s the same person who donatedst time but now they''re using a nickname.
But what caught my attention is...
"They called 150,000 Zeals, a ''little money''?"
Looks like I caught a super big fish.
A smallugh escaped my mouth, unable to contain the joy I''m feeling.
It was sent on Tuesday at <11:47 P.M>.
"Tuesday?"
Something is bothering me, but I can''t pinpoint it.
"Well, whatever."
Because I can''t figure out what''s that, I didn''t bother anymore.
I sent Nighfall a lot of advance chapters.
=====
[Night]: Thanks for the donation and support, here are some advance chapters :>
=====
"With this much money, my n will be forwarded by a lot."
I checked my credit ount.
=====
[258,595] Zeals
=====
I smiled. I rested for a while and rushed to the Zreles'' City Hall.
"To have a lot of freedom, I need a lot of money."
Chapter 11 Reaping Money[1]
Raven arrived at the city hall not long.
He entered and saw the inside of the facility. There''s a lot of golded furnitures, the inside is so wide and everything seems shy.
But not long, Raven got bored looking around and went straight to the reception area.
"Hello sir, how may I help you?"
A woman greeted Raven, that he assumed to be the receptionist.
Not beating around the bush, Raven told the reason of himing there.
"I want to buy somends."
"Oh, is there a problem then?"
The woman asked politely.
"Well, thend is unowned."
"Unowned?"
The woman seems confused. So Raven specified his words.
"I''m nning to buy and inside .
When buying and with no owner, you need to buy it from the government. It''s because the so called great cataclysm made a lot ofnd unlivable.
So livablends are precious and the goverment handles unownednds automatically.
But in Raven''s case, he''s buying an ownerless but unlivablend with no single life force is living in.
The woman expressed shock for a brief moment when she heard Raven''s words. But she immediately regained her calm.
"I will test some explosives. is the perfect ce for that, right?"
It was then Raven added with meaningful tone.
''With this, she will not dig anymore about the topic.''
Raven predicted, which did happened as the woman didn''t ask anymore about him buying an unlivablend and she just nodded her head.
"Please wait for a moment sir."
The woman said and called someone through the phone.
''So phones still exists.''
Raven always use his V.D to make calls and browse inte so he thought V.D reced the phones in this world.
''I need to buy er.''
Raven thought while deciding what cellphone he should buy.
But then the woman spoke again to Raven.
"Mayor Rancho wants to talk with you."
The woman then handed Raven the phone she''s holding.
Raven took it and ced it near his ear.
"Hello?"
Raven muttered.
-Are you the one who wants to buy and in ?
In the other side of the line, a deep manly voice was heard.
Raven secretly swallowed a mouthful amount of saliva out of nervousness. He knows that Mayor Rancho is a rank hero.
Mayor Rancho didn''t appear in the novel, he''s not an important character.
And about how Raven knows about him, it''s because Raven investigated about Zreles City beforeing there as a preparation. And that included informations about Mayor Rancho.
Calming himself, Raven replied just seconds after the Mayor''s question.
"Yes sir."
There was a while of silence as Raven didn''t recieve a reply.
-Why would I sell you and there?
Just after some seconds that a reply came in an emotionless deep voice.
The question made Raven frown, but his mind immediately ran informations he gathered about Mayor Rancho.
''Based on some informations easily found, he likes money, it doesn''t matter if it''s a small amount money or not. He''s greedy for money''
With that, Raven replied in the same manner of Mayor Rancho.
"Because, why not?"
Raven shrugged.
"That mountain has no value, in fact I can just test some explosives there and no one will sue me. I''m just buying a privatend in case of unexpected idents."
"Andstly, me buying thend there will benefit us both."
"You will recieve money and I''ll recieve my private testing ground."
Raven used a lot of improvised reasonings.
Raven''s words was met by a total silence. Raven is getting nervous but he''s not showing it on his appearance.
After a while of an ufortable silence, a reply finally came from Mayor Rancho.
-How much will you pay?
''He''s asking for my budget not the size ofnd that I''m nning to buy.''
Raven inwardly smiled seeing that the information he got is most likely to be true.
"100,000 Zeals. I''m not nning to buy a bignd."
Raven replied monotonously.
-...Give the phone back to the staff.
At Mayor Rancho''s words, Raven handed the phone back to the woman receptionist.
The woman talked for a moment with the mayor. Then she led Raven in a room.
The room is not that big but it''sfy. And as Raven predicted, the room have shy furnitures, making him frown unconsciously.
The woman made Raven sit on a sofa. And not long after...
Riiiing- Riiiiiiing¨C
A device on the table in front of Raven rung, the woman immediately pressed something on it and a hologram appeared.
The hologram projected a figure from their shoulders to up their head.
The hologram is projecting a middle-aged man in a proper blue dress suit.
''Looks like I''m not important enough to have the mayore and meet me in flesh.''
Raven thought as he calmly stares at the figure of Mayor Rancho.
Mayor Rancho then opened his mouth.
-How big is thend that you want to buy?
He asked. Then the woman handed Raven a map of .
After using a pen to encircle a small ce in the map, Raven looked back at the Mayor and showed him the map.
"This big."
Raven made the area he''s buying slightly bigger than the dungeon''s entrance so they won''t suspect anything.
-In the middle of the mountain?
But the Mayor asked Raven doubtfully.
Raven didn''t lose hisposure and immediately replied confidently.
"If I use explosives near the mountain''s base, idents may happen as some houses are near it, And using explosives on top of a mountain is just in stupid."
Mayor Rancho squinted his eyes, looking at Raven for a while, he opened his mouth.
-Then pay 150,000 Zeals.
He said.
Raven have that much of money but doesn''t want to pay more than needed. Raven also like money.
Raven frowned.
"100,000 Zeals. I didn''t say you can bargain."
Raven replied without an ounce of hesitation.
But then a chilling sensation was felt all over the room.
Raven look fine since he have the , but his heart is actually beating rapidly and he''s starting to have trouble breathing. So he made the ''s effect stronger by intensely activating it even more.
''Looks like people can emit aura even if their physical body is not present. It''s pretty understandable but at the same time makes no sense.''
Raven thought as he caught a glimpse of the corner of the room.
The woman was there, slightly trembling as her breathing bacame rough.
Seeing this, Raven frowned even deeper.
Raven activated to the max andbined it with his mana. He spread it all over the room especially near himself and the woman.
Then the aura pressuring them disappeared.
The woman looked at Raven with a surprised expression. But soon she looked at him with grateful eyes.
Returning his attention to the Mayor. Raven crossed my legs and ced his hands on the top of his knees.
Then with a calm but cold voice, Raven spoke.
"Don''t spread your aura carelessly, your people got affected as well."
Raven didn''t notice but the woman is slightly blushing at the corner.
Raven''s figure at the moment looks dominating and majestic.
Mayor Rancho frowned when he felt Raven''s aura.
Raven and Mayor Rancho stared at each other''s indifferent eyes. And while that''s happening, silence and tension covered the room.
Then after a while, Mayor Rancho waved his hand and his aurapletely disappeared.
Raven also retrieved his aura back and deactivated .
-Don''t make any trouble in my territory.
Then the Mayor''s frustrated but non-hostile voice was heard.
After that, the woman approached Raven and handen him a mana contract.
What written in the mana contract can''t be broken and needs to be fulfilled by the both party who agreed in them. If one broke the contract, they will face consequences, and worst case is they die.
Materials used in mana contracts are acquired in the dungeons and their effects are said to be absolute.
Raven looked at the contents of the contract, seeing no unreasonable and unsatisfying contents in them, he signed it.
It''s a low level mana contract and Raven decided that he can annul the contract anytime.
''Mayor Rancho is greedy for money but he doesn''t goes back to his words, because If he did, earning money will be harder for him.''
Raven thought to reassure himself from being nervous.
"Thank you for the peaceful transaction."
Raven said after signing.
-So should I name thend to you?
The Mayor doesn''t care about formality and just went straight to the business.
Not that Raven mind.
Raven shook his head and said:
"I have an alias, name it after it."
In this time, using an alias in official papers is prettymon as mana contracts doesn''t work using names, but souls.
-What''s your alias?
Raven smiled and uttered a single word.
"Night."
***
[Raven''s POV]
The talk with the Mayor is done, he said tomorrow thend will be officially and legally mine.
The documents processing will be fast thanks again to thetest technologies and the fact that there''s no one really interested to thend I''m buying.
As I exited the room the woman talked to me.
"Thanks for earlier."
She said. I looked at her, she was embarrassed and her ears were red.
I shrugged and replied:
"You''re wee."
Being humble is nice, but when someone thanked you, you should recieve it heartfully, especially if it''s sincere. Thanking someone is hard.
''Look at this woman being all embarrassed.''
Seeing that, I thanked her too.
"I should also thank you for your great hospitality."
This woman never did once disrespected me, you might think it''s normal, but in this world, it''s rare to see someone respectful and humble.
The woman lowered her head in embarrassment.
''I feel you, receiving thanks is pleasant but at the same time embarrassing.''
I thought and smiled.
After a while, the woman talked again. And her next words shocked me.
"Umm... Are you the author of *[Exodus]?" *(Raven''s novel)
My steps halted and my eyes widened.
I looked at the woman with a surprised face.
"Ah! I''m sorry, I just noticed in your alias, I know that it can be just a coincidence and you''re entirely someone else but It''s just a hunch... or maybe you don''t want to reveal your Identity, I''m sorry!"
She said, she''spletely panicking.
Seeing her like that, Iughed.
"No, it''s fine."
I said and unconsciously patted her head.
"Oh! I''m sorry for touching you casually, I just thought you''re cute and did it unconsciously."
The real reason was that she''s so small I had the urge to pat her.
But I''m not kidding, she''s really cute. Down to shoulder level brown hair and big blue eyes. Her looks is on par with the main characters.
"N-no it''s fine."
The woman said who still have her head lowered, her ears are red.
"I''m just surprised to meet someone who know my novel."
When I said that, the woman finally looked up at me. When her eyes met mine, I smiled.
Meeting someone who read my novel somehow made me happy.
The woman''s face became more redder.
"So, you really are the author of [Exodus]?"
She asked again.
"Yes, I am the author of it."
I replied casually. I''m not really trying to hide it anyway.
"I really like your novel! And, you appeared out of nowhere and released different novels with bunch of chapters and even with that, their story qualities didn''t drop!"
The woman said like an excited fan. Seeing the woman earlier, I thought she was a serious type, but now she just look cute in my eyes.
"Um, then can we take a picture?"
She then asked.
"Sure."
Though confused, I agreed. I don''t get why would she want a picture with me, no one will believe her even if she said I was [Night], well some might, but I''m not that even famous.
So not many will really care.
Well anyway, we still took a picture, she looks satisfied so I didn''t pry about it.
"Umm, I''m Keara Scarlett."
The woman then introduced herself.
But I got surprised by something.
"You''re not a pure race?"
I unconsciously mumbled. She have an elven blood running in her veins. How do I know? The system sends informations through my mind sometimes.
"Ah! Yes, my mother is an elf but my father is a human, I''m an half-elf."
Keara then hurriedly reply, she looks sad, scared and worried.
"Ah..."
It was then I remembered what i just said.
When 2 individuals who isn''t in the same races had a child, the child will be often ridiculed saying that they don''t belong anywhere and call them halfling.
I created this novel with the protagonist having a harem, one of his harem members is a halfling. I made all the halfling be ridiculed just to strengthen their story.
Now that I''m inside my story, it''s making me feel guilty.
Seeing Keara''s reaction, looks like she went through harsh racism.
With a bitter smile. I took Keara''s hand.
"So you''re an half-elf."
Keara flinched, she was nervous.
Maybe she got traumatized, I got more guilty.
I put the warmest smile I can muster in my face, and spoke in a gentle voice.
"No wonder you''re so beautiful."
Keara then looked at me with bewildered face.
Not minding her reaction, I spoke again.
"My name is Raven Obadiah. And if you think you don''t belong anywhere..."
After a small pause and looking at Keara warmly, I continued.
"...Then be mine, so you can say you belong to me."
Then I kissed the back of her hand softly.
Keara''s face and hand became red as tomato.
I''m not dense not to notice her having a crush on me ever since me helping her earlier back in the room.
Not to brag, but in my pastlife I have a lot of experience in these kind of things.
At first I thought Keara was just embarrassed talking to me, but after she asked me for a picture, I bacame sure.
Also her revealing herself being an half-elf to me made it certain.
I''m a total stranger so I assumed she''s throwing a gamble to see what my reaction will be after know she''s an halfling.
She''s interested in me but scared of being shooed.
I don''t know why would she like me though.
"Umm...ahh...emm..."
Keara looks cute panicking. I just looked at her while smiling.
After a while, she calmed down.
"Um, can I have your contact... So we can hangout sometimes?"
At her aggressive approach, my smile deepened.
"Hanging out will be a hard as I''m currently attending the Lunar Academy."
I said with a disapointed face. Keara got shocked at what I said.
"You''re a student?!"
She asked.
"Yes."
I replied without batting an eye.
"Tertiary?"
Keara asked. I shook my head.
"Sophomore?"
I shook my head again. Then spoke.
"I''m a freshman, I''m 17 years old."
Keara was shocked.
"But... I thought you''re older than me."
Keara muttered. And before I could say something, she opened her mouth again.
"Ah! I didn''t mean that your face looksl old, I mean you look very handsome, it''s just that you gives off a mature aura!"
''Is that so?''
Do I really act mature?
I was about to say something, but Keara talked again.
"Ah! I didn''t mean you act like an old man, I mean you seems confident and reliable, it also makes you attractive."
She said as she became more redder. Keara was feeling more shame as she talks, maybe smoke wille out from her head like in the cartoons any time soon.
She''s panicking so bad. And I thought she was cute.
"My age doesn''t matter."
I said, Keara then calmed down. Then she looked at me.
With a mischievous smile, I spoke again.
"You see, I find older women attractive."
Keara became red again.
''Teasing her is really fun.''
I thought.
In the end, Keara and me exchanged contact informations.
"Hanging out will be hard, but not impossible."
I said to Keara.
Keara lowered her head again. I''m taller than her, her height only reach up to my shoulders. She''s even wearing heels. So maybe she''s as high of my chest?
Then I slouched and ced my lips near Keara''s ear.
Keara got startled and flinched. Her whole face started to be red again.
Not minding that, I whispered.
"But if you really want to hang out..."
Ping-
A message was sent to Keara''s phone.
"... Here''s the hotel I''m currently in, I''ll be there until Sunday."
I straightened my body back and started to walk away.
Keara didn''t move on her ce and just looked at me leave, then she checked the message she received from me.
"If you want you can visit me tonight."
I teasingly said to Keara. I didn''t wait for her reply as I exited the city hall.
''Teasing her was fun.''
I thought as I started to head back to the hotel I''m staying.
But something unexpected happened that day.
***
The next day.
I woke up at <5:28 A.M>.
I had the best sleep after getting transferred in this world.
I looked at myself, I''m naked.
Then I looked beside me.
Keara is lying beside me, sleeping, and also naked.
"Haaaaa..."
I recalled what happenedst night.
Keara really did camest night and we drank few alcohols. She talked about herself and I listened to her, because I''m also interested on Keara.
And just as I expected.
Like other halfling, Keara also got discriminated and so on, her family is away at the moment as they work in different ce, Keara is a second child, she have an older brother.
Keara is 23 years old.
Anyway, after Keara finished telling about herself, she got silent, she looked sad as she remembered all the discrimination she went through.
So I patted her head. Keara didn''t resist, as a matter of fact, she seemed to like it.
But after a while, maybe because of the alcohol, Keara got aggressive as she hugged me.
Keara then looked at me enticing eyes, after that, being swept by the mood.
I kissed her in the lips.
Keara didn''t push me away, instead, she used her tongue. I got surprised but I didn''t let her steal the lead.
The kiss got deeper and deeper and it continued for a long time.
We got carried away by the atmosphere and maybe also because we drank a little, as we kiss, our clothes were slowly being taken off.
And after that, I lost my virginity in this life.
I have experiences in my pastlife, but all of my past rtionships didn''t work well.
That''s why I didn''t look for a lover in the past life and got transmigrated after being single for 3 years.
I sighed and stood up.
Then I wore a sleeveless white top and afy pants.
I washed my face and prepared breakfast.
After that, I returned where Keara is.
She''s still sleeping peacefully. I shook her body gently.
After a few shake. Keara opened her eyes, then she saw me. Her eyes widened and she sprung up of the bed.
After recalling what happenedst night, Keara''s face got as red as tomato again and she lowered her head.
"I''m sorry..."
Keara said in a small voice.
I ced my hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"It''s not just your fault, I''m at fault too. So there''s no need to feel guilty."
''In times like this, instead of taking all the me, I should just share it with her so she wouldn''t feel too burdened.''
I thought as I lightly patted Keara''s shoulder.
"I cooked something, we should eat."
I diverted my eyes from her.
"But wear something first and wash your face."
Keara then started to move with a shy expression.
I already cleaned her clothes and ced them beside her.
Chapter 12 Reaping Money[2]
Keara and me are eating in the table. Well, I''m eating but Keara still have her head lowered.
"You should eat, the foods will get cold."
I said.
Looking at me, Keara picked up a spoon and took a bite from the food in front of her.
Her eyes widened.
"This is so good!"
She eximed.
Keara''s honest thought made me smile, I''m a human so it''s normal that I like being praised.
"Really? That''s good to hear."
Keara looked at me.
"You cooked all of these?"
She asked, taking a bite on every food on the table.
"Yes, I did."
I replied with a light nod.
"You''re..shoo...gooshd..at cooking!"
Keara''s cheeks were expanded as her mouth is full of foods.
She''s really cute. Like a hamster or a squirrel.
"Slow down, there''s enough for the both of us."
At my words, Keara got embarrassed and lowered her head again.
After she calmed down. Keara looked at me.
She''s fidgeting.
"What?"
I asked her as I eat.
She was pretty hesitant to talk, but in the end, she asked me a question.
"Are you gonna leave me now?"
I stopped eating and looked at her.
Keara''s question is serious, you can feel and see her worries and fears through her wavering voice and slightly watering eyes.
Actually, Keara can''t do anything if I decided to just leave her after a one-night stand. That''s because she''s a halfling, and halflings doesn''t have a real value based on the societies as all of them are being pushed away.
With a calm voice, I replied to Keara with my own question.
"Do you want me to?"
Keara who have her head bowed, tightly closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Then, why would I leave you?"
I asked and drank some water.
Though Keara''s next reply caught me in surprise.
"Because you already got my first time?"
"Keouk!"
I choked at what she said. I calmed myself and looked at Keara.
"I will not."
I said, looking at her in the eyes.
''I''m not that kind of a scumbag!''
After letting out a sigh, I spoke again.
"But you can leave me whenever you want."
Bam-
"Why would I do that?!"
Keara got agitated by my words. She stood up and mmed her hands on the table.
Not minding her actions, I replied with a shrug.
"Because I''m not that a good person."
Keara frowned at me at my words.
"I''m a very greedy person."
I said.
Greed is normal to humans, so did to me, I want to get everything I want, and I don''t want to let go any of what I got.
I want Keara to know how greedy of a person I am so she wouldn''t feel guilty at leaving me.
So with a sly smile.
"What will you do if I suddenly made my own harem?"
I jokingly said.
But Keara''s next words almost made me choke again.
"isn''t it fine?"
She said like it was normal.
My mind gotplicated, but shaking my head, I remembered what I did to the story.
In this world, polygamy is normal, many high ranking heroes and important people have more that 2 wives or husbands. I did that for the protagonist, Alec, for his harem of beautifuldies.
But just thinking about myself having a harem, it''s weirding me out. Now I''m questioning my past self why I did that to the story.
"If you got your harem will you neglect me?"
Snapping me out of my imagination is Keara''s question.
ncing at her, I let my honest thoughts out unconsciously.
"Well, no."
I shrugged.
"As I said, I''m greedy, once I have something I can call mine, I''ll never let go of it if possible."
"So if I did have a harem, I''ll love them equally so they''ll never leave m¨C"
In the middle of my proud and stupid speech, I suddenly frowned.
''It''s like dering I''m gonna have my own harem.''
Chills ran through my spine as I cringed at my own words.
"Then it''s fine, I''m just an halfling anyway. Worst case is someone will force me to be their concubine."
Keara said while smiling bitterly. Seeing her lowering her value with a bitter smile, beat the shit out of my conscience.
I frowned, things like that really do happens.
Some of Keara''s case got forced to marrying someone by making their parents go to debt or by pushing them into the edge where they couldn''t do anything else but to agree.
In the end, they''ll be left with no choice but to marry that someone.
Because the society, and even the otherworlders doesn''t care to halflings.
Imagining those things happening sparked anger deep inside me. At that time, I added a new goal for myself with a clear and solid resolution.
''I need to fix what I did.''
I thought, tightly clenching my hands into fists.
"You know..."
I just calmed down when I heard Keara''s voice again.
"The fact that you are considering my feelings and you doesn''t discriminate against me means that you''re a good person."
Keara added after a short pause.
Her words are too kind that it''s hurting me, so I decided to rebut again.
"But there''s a lot more better person than me. More handsome, more kind, more¡ª"
"But it''s you that I want."
But my rebuttal was cut by Keara''s words. Then she blushed at what she said.
Her words were honest and sweet.
''This... You''re just not used to being given care that''s why you''re so attached to me...''
Keara is weak to kindness because of her past. I gotplicated expression and it''s the same in my mind.
I''m hiding it but I''m blushing a little. Normally I''ll call this cringe, but when I heard it from Keara and I''m the subject of such sweet words, the corner of my mouth twitched and threatened to rise.
Acting annoyed, I grabbed my cutlery and spoke.
"Suit yourself. Let''s continue eating."
Keara did as I instructed, she happily eat while grinning at me ear to ear.
Keara who is weak at the act of kindness toward will surely be taken advantage sooner orter, so I decided to stick with her for it to not happen.
''I''ll be by your side then until you realize that it''s not me that you want and until you can tell if someone is kind or they''re just acting.''
I''m not doing this for Keara, I''m doing it for myself. It''s to relieve my guilt even just a bit.
''Okay it''s decided, I''ll spoil Keara with kindness so when she leave my side, she will have a higher tolerance against kindness.''
I nodded my head proudly at my genius n.
***
I ced the dishes in the kitchen sink after Keara and me ate breakfast.
And as I was about to enter the bathroom to take a bath, Keara pulled my hand and stopped me.
Looking at her.
"What?"
I asked.
"Umm..."
Keara is hesitant to talk. So I urged her.
"What is it?"
But Keara''s face just reddened.
Seeing this, I noticed something.
My brain immediately worked and pointed out to me why Keara is acting that way.
When I reached a reasonable answer, I spoke.
"Look, tomorrow I''ll go back to the Lunar Academy."
Keara''s mood worsened, so did her expression.
I smiled at her reaction. Her reaction means that my guess is most likely correct.
I slouched near to Keara''s ear.
"So... Do you want to take a bath with me?"
I whispered.
Keara suddenly looked at me and got embarrassed. But then, she slowly nodded her head.
With that, we both entered the bathroom.
It took me longer on taking a bath today than usual.
***
"So is it safe to say we''re lovers?"
Keara asked me.
She was about to leave for work. It''s Saturday but she still have works to do in the City Hall.
I also have my own ns today so I''m getting ready too.
"Well, the development is indeed fast, If my life is a novel, many readers will be triggered, especially those who are toxic and romance haters that just doesn''t receive enough love."
I said looking at Keara. She looks confused.
"But I don''t really care to them."
Even in the past world, there are readers like that so I just ignore them, they just annoy me.
"And I''m not a fan of a one night stand."
I added.
A rtionship with Keara wouldn''t affect the story, she''s an extra like me too anyway.
Keara just smiled. She was about to leave, but I spoke again when she was about to exit the room.
"I''ll wait for you tonight."
Keara halted for a moment, but she didn''t say anything and just left. Though I can see her ears being rosy.
''Cute.''
After a while, I stood up from sitting to the bed, I dressed up in a formal attire.
I have now 2 ck rings. One is the [Ring of Gluttony] and the new one is the [Celestria], I reformed it into a ring.
I thought of putting it in the spatial storage but decided against it as putting it in and out is a waste of time in case of emergency.
With that, I also left the hotel and went into a big building nearby.
[Sunshine Hotel]
It''s a luxurious 50 floors tall hotel that have the highest rating in the inte because of it''s room beingfortable and the staff being attentive.
There''s a lot of peopleing in and out from the hotel and no one is taking note of my presence.
I nned to rent a room here, but didn''t as I need to save money. I don''t have a stable ie yet.
But, that''s why I''m here.
For my stable ie.
I entered the hotel holding a envelope.
As soon as I entered, a staff greeted me.
"Wee to the Sunshine Hotel."
I just nodded and walked toward the reception area.
Looking around, the hotel is super luxurious, everything is sparkly that it made me frowned.
I like clean things and surroundings but, this is just too much.
I can see a lot of colorful things everywhere I look. I personally like things more simple.
It''s also crowded with people and it''s noisy!
Upon arriving at the receptionist, he, the receptionist, talked first.
"Hello Sir, how may I help you?"
"I''m here to do business."
I replied immediately as I don''t want to be in this noisy ce for long.
"Business?"
He asked.
I nodded and whispered only for the receptionist to hear.
"Yeah, I have a business proposal for the [Paradise]."
[Paradise] is an underground organization and a ck market.
The receptionist remain silent. He tilted his head like he knows nothing about what I''m talking about.
I scratched the back of my head and spoke with an annoyed expression and tone.
"Look, I don''t know [Paradise]''s secret code, I''m new."
I don''t know the code because I didn''t put any.
To be exact, in the novel, Alec can enter the [Paradise] because he have a VIP card that lets him in freely. He got it after killing a majin.
Majins are people who made contracts with demons. By contracting with a demon, they will be able to utilize a bit of the demon''s power they contracted with, their stats will also increase.
Anyway, the problem is that I don''t know the secret code to enter the [Paradise], but I know there''s one.
I made it like that after all.
[You''re the author but you don''t know the code? Are you stupid?]
The system appeared, mocking me.
''Shut up, how the hell will I know that I will be transported inside my novel?''
I inwardly said to the system, it will read my thoughts anyway.
Looking back at the receptionist. He''s just looking at me nkly.
I frowned and suddenly activated . I then focused the skill to the receptionist.
I''m a little taller than the receptionist, so I''m looking down at him.
With cold eyes and voice.
"Contact the owner, I don''t have that much of time."
Imanded him.
The receptionist flinched and unconsciously reached toward the phone.
But that''s all he did as he stopped moving and frowned at me.
"What did you just do, Sir?"
He asked me intimidatingly.
Looking at his stats, he''s rank, not too high, not too low.
I said that but he''s 8 rank higher than me.
''He just unconsciously obeyed me because he was caught off guard, but now he can hold himself without any problem under my skill.''
"Tsk."
I clicked my tongue.
"I know a location of a dungeon, that the [Heroes Federation] doesn''t even know yet."
Then I spilled the beans of my business proposal.
"If you guys don''t want it, then I''ll just call the federation and make the proposal with them instead."
I said in still annoyed tone.
When I mentioned those, the receptionist''s eyes widened.
He remained motionless for a brief moment. But then made a call in the end.
[Heroes Federation] is a organization filled with heroes that''s not part of any guild or n.
They are what you can call the goverment among the heroes, they exist so the bnce can remain.
If they doesn''t exist, guilds or heroes might start doing crimes and no one can stop them openly.
Like I said, I can make the business proposal with them instead, but the process will be annoying considering my age and identity.
That''s why I went to the ck market, but it''s still annoying me.
Anyway, the receptionist is still talking to the phone. When the call ended, he looked at me and bowed his head.
"The master is waiting for you, please follow me."
His attitude changed immediately!
I was annoyed but I followed his words. He started to walk away.
"What a fucking waste of time."
I muttered to myself. I took a deep breathe and followed him.
We entered a VIP only elevator. There''s no button to press to change floors inside, instead there''s a card scanner.
The receptionist pulled out a card and put it in front of the scanner.
Beep-
After that, the elevator''s door closed and started to descend.
"Is it okay to leave the reception area just like that?"
I asked. The elevator is still ongoing.
"A new staff will naturally fill my spot."
The receptionist answered without looking at me.
"Cool."
I''m not really interested. I was just bored.
***
After a while, the elevator stopped and the door opened.
"Follow me."
Following the receptionist, we went out of the elevator.
We entered a small room, and at the middle of the room, there''s a portal.
Portals are rare so I looked at it with amusement, I''m getting excited as I tried to study how it works.
Unfortunately, I don''t have much time as we entered the portal.
I frowned as a familiar nauseating feeling enveloped my whole body.
After a while, the difort was gone. Fortunately, I didn''t vomit.
Opening my eyes, I found myself in apletely different ce.
The ce is beautiful, it''s like you are in an underground city, luckily, I maintained my calm.
People are scattered everywhere.
There''s a lot of structures and stores too.
It was exciting.
It''s not called [Paradise] for nothing.
But not long after looking at the same ce for about 5 minutes, I got bored and just followed the receptionist quietly.
"Are you sure it''s your first time here? First timer tend to admire this ce."
This time, the receptionist asked with a curious voice.
"I did admired it at first. But I got bored after looking at it for a while."
I answered in a calm voice.
"Why so?"
"I just easily lose interest on things that isn''t mine."
"Hoh?"
The receptionist looked at me weirdly. I just shrugged and we continued walking.
I don''t have the reason to exin things to him, I just answered because he answered my questions too earlier.
I''m also on my guard, Majins are also in here. This ce is filled with heroes and majins as anyone with the secret code or pass can enter [Paradise] disregarding their races and other else.
There''s also different races and maybe there are even some demons mixed in the crowd.
But fighting here is prohibited, and in case a fight broke out, all the individuals connected to it will be attacked.
Not just by the guards, but also by the customers and bystanders.
Why? Because you''ll get a reward if you caught a rule breaker.
Though I know that rule, I didn''t put my guard down even a bit.
After walking for while, we reached a house.
''Nothing bad happened, good...''
Looking at the underground house.
"This is good."
I mumbled, the house is simple but stylish.
Well, the whole [Paradise] is really impressive. But I find this ce morefortable.
We entered the house.
Just like on the outside, the inside is also simple, anyway, I didn''t see any person but I sense someone''s aura, they''re incredibly strong.
After that, we entered a certain room, where I can feel the aura.
Creak-
After entering, we got greeted by foxy enticing woman sitting on a sofa.
She have red-blood coloured hair and ruby-like red eyes. Her body have the right curves and her big bosoms unconsciously attracts my gaze(I''m fighting it!).
Her lips are rosy and her whole figure is alluring.
She also have a unique aura, which made her more seductive.
But that woman, I know her.
She''s an
rank hero. She''s known as the most beautiful hero.
Her name is Ruby Skye.
Well, it''s her english name. I made her character a mystery, I n to slowly reveal it as the story progresses but in the end, I couldn''t, so even for me, she''s somewhat mysterious as I don''t know her past or her current life.
I just know her basic details and habits.
And currently, she''s a professor in the Lunar, looking at her not wearing a mask or even trying to hide her identity. It looks like she doesn''t know I''m a student in Lunar, she just sees me as a possible business partner.
Maybe like Keara said, I gave off an mature aura that makes people think I''m older than my actual age.
Well, I''m actually 29 years old. And this situation works just fine to me.
Looking around the room, there''s plenty of people dressed in maid''s or butler''s uniforms. They''re ranging to rank to .
Then the receptionist I followed approched and stood behind Ruby''s seat.
My eyes met Ruby''s.
Her gaze makes me want to hug her but I just looked at her calmly.
"May I sit down? Walking is such a pain."
I said.
Ruby then smiled with a hint of interest.
"You may."
"Thanks."
Sitting on her opposite. I crossed my legs and rxed.
Looking in the front, I can see Ruby still looking at me.
I frowned.
"What?"
I asked her.
Her smile grewrger.
"Nothing, just all men usually gets flustered just by looking at me."
"Look at the men in this room."
Ruby said.
Looking around again, I noticed all the men, no, even the women are blushing.
With a shrug, I spat out my honest thoughts.
"That''s because you''re beautiful, when I saw you earlier, my heart raced and my body grew hot."
I don''t like to hide what I''m feeling, so if possible, I always let out my honest thoughts.
"Hmm, so are you saying you like me?"
Ruby asked in a yful voice.
"Well, not really."
Which I replied in an uninterested voice.
"You''re indeed beautiful, but I''ll never like or love you just because of that."
I dered. All people in the room disyed shocked expression, Ruby just widened her eyes after smiling again, in a more sly manner.
''I don''t know why, but the people inside this room are all weird.''
Raven thought.
''And when I said ''all'', I''m included...''
~~~~
[Drei05]: Hello guys, thanks for supporting my story, I''m really happy because of that. And also, I would like to make a request that if you can, please leave a review. I would really appreciate it!
Chapter 13 Reaping Money[3]
"You''re indeed beautiful, but I''ll never like or love you just because of that."
After an awkward silence. The receptionist I came with whispered something to Ruby.
Then, Ruby smiled and opened her cute mouth.
"So basically, you easily lost interest in me bacause I''m not yours?"
Her words made my eye twitch.
I nced at the receptionist for a moment. Then I brought my gaze back to Ruby.
"When I told him that, I''m talking about items, not living beings."
After a pause, I spoke again.
"Through it''s pretty much true, instead of loving you one-sidedly. I''ll instead pour my love to those who also loves me."
Strangely enough, Keara entered my mind when I said that, making me smile a little bit.
Looking at Ruby, I sent her a mischievous smile.
"You see, I like it more when I''m the seducer."
Ruby observed me for a while, then with a curious but charming smile, she opened her mouth.
"You''re weird~"
Ruby squinted her eyes and her voice was yful.
''God, she''s hot...''
Shaking such thoughts off my head, I rebutted.
"You''re weirder, you''re a famous hero and you''re the head of the [Paradise], yet you''re openly revealing your face to me."
Seems uninterested and unfazed by the fact that I know her identity and I can expose it to the public anytime, Ruby replied as she shrug her shoulders.
"This ce is only a ck market in name and [Paradise] is also just an underground organization in name too. but this ce and [Paradise] are legal and approved by the [Heroes Federation]."
Ruby said.
The receptionist I followed opened his mouth to add further exnation.
"We''re just an another organization that exist to maintain the bnce. The federation is to maintain the bnce in the heroes."
He said.
Then Ruby took the lead again.
"And us, the ck market, also known as [Paradise], controls the underworld businesses. We also collects informations about majins and sells them to the [Heroes Federation]."
Ruby stated.
I know some of those informations from the novel, but now everything got clearer to me about the rtionship between the [Paradise] and the [Heroes Federation].
''In short, they have some sort of partnership or peace treaty.''
Tilting my head slightly and resting my right cheek on my right hand, that is ced on the armrest. I then crossed my legs and yawned before replying.
My activity with Keara in the bath earlier made me quite sleepy.
"That''s good and all, but aren''t you too trusting?"
Not minding my rudeness, Ruby replied.
"Well, trust is a must in business partners."
With a short pause...
"And also if you happen to be an enemy..."
Ruby muttered with a threatening tone as my sleepy expression turned into an annoyance.
A heavy pressure pressed on my body as my frown deepened. I started sweating bullets and my heartbeats got faster.
Though on the outside, I look calm and normal, it''s because I have my activated, it helps me to put up a poker face.
"Haa..."
After letting out a sigh, my eyes turned cold, I fixed my sitting posture and looked at Ruby directly.
And with a single thought.
''''
I activated a skill.
My majestic and elegant presence made the pressure Ruby is emitting bearable, then my skill shed to Ruby''s aura.
Though I''m losing in our sh, everything few centimeters around me is void of Ruby''s pressure.
I know Ruby wouldn''t hurt me so I''m not really intimidated, that mindset of mine made my resistance to Ruby''s pressure easier.
"Do high ranking people enjoys intimidating people that much?"
I asked in an annoyed tone.
''Sir Kendy, Mayor Rancho, and now Ruby. What an annoying hobby they have.''
I thought and sent an annoyed look to Ruby.
Seeing me not fearing Ruby, everyone in the room disyed shock on their faces.
And at my casual actions, Ruby smiled slyly. She withdrew the pressure pressing me.
As a response, I deactivated my skill.
"You''re really interesting."
Ruby mumbled as she seducingly bit her rosy lower lip.
Her actions made the others in the room flustered, not me though.
I frowned at the weird feeling inside me, but soon I smiled slyly and leaned my back against the back of the seat.
I don''t like the feeling of a woman hitting on me even though it''s a joke.
"So does that mean you''re interested in me?"
I asked Ruby to get back at her.
Seeing my approach, Ruby smiled simr to mine.
"Yes, I''m very interested in you~"
Her voice is beautiful, it''s alluring. It feels like a mermaid is calling for me.
But I''m not here to flirt!
So I stood up and extended my hand to Ruby.
"It may be ate introduction, but my name is Raven Obadiah."
I used my real name to gain Ruby''s trust.
Ruby then also stood up and grabbed my hand.
"My name is Ruby Skye."
Once we sat back again. I ced a envelope on the table between us.
Then with a sly tone, I started to go to the business part.
"Well, if you''re really interested in me, maybe you''ll find those interesting too."
I said while pointing at the envelope.
Ruby then grabbed the envelope and opened it. Inside it are documents I prepared beforehand.
Ruby started reading the contents of the documents.
Then she mumbled their important contents.
"An rank cave-type dungeon."
"Full of traps and rank goblins, the boss monster is an rank gnoll."
Ruby looked at me and sent me a question.
"Does that mean you already raided it? "
"Yes, I already did."
I casually replied.
"How long did it take for you to raid it?"
"I was lucky and picked all short paths, I reached the boss monster in under 48 hours."
''Well, I have a rough idea of the dungeon''syout so I got to the boss fast. The dungeon is fairly big that it may take me about a week wandering it if I got lost because of it''s maze-like paths.''
At first there''s only few paths to take, but as you reach further inside [The Stygian Lair], the paths you can take increases. Some leads you to a dead end and some leads you to death.
"Do you have a map of it?"
Ruby asked after reading through the documents. I smiled and took something out of my spatial storage.
"I''ll sell you guys a copy when my proposal got approved."
I''m casually waving the map, then I stored it back to my spatial storage.
Ruby frowned after hearing what I said and seeing my actions, but then she smiled mischievously. That smile sent chills to my spine but I kept myposure.
"I''ll throw your words back at you. You''re too trusting~"
Ruby''s music like voice was heard as she continues to talk, though her tone were soft, her demeanor isn''t!
"We can just take the dungeon forcefully."
"You''re not the owner of it anyway."
The room''s temperature seems to dropped by a lot that I almost shiver. Almost.
With a calm voice, I spoke.
"Well I bought thend of the entrance of the dungeon and around it. The paper arrived this morning, so the dungeon is officially mine."
Icasually waved the certification I took out from the spatial storage. The certificate proves my ownership of and. And the location of thatnd is where the dungeon is.
There''s aw that if a dungeon appeared on yournd, that''s your property, but even if that''s the case, dungeons that appeared on people''s houses mostly got sold to the federation.
That''s why I bought thend instead of immediately making a deal with the [Paraside].
I used that certainw and bought thend where the dungeon is, so technically, the dungeon is my property.
"If you enter the dungeon without my permission, it can be called as trespassing and the federation might take action."
With a sly smile, I continued and sent a wink at the frowning Ruby.
"Though if we bacame business partners, you will be able to use it privately at my permission. The federation can''t just barge into privatends so it will really be private."
[Paradise] puts entrance fee to dungeons they controls. They earn money by letting people in them, but because of the [Heroes Federation], that business of them is declining.
They may have peace treaty but dungeons are precious that it can break the peace between the 2 organization.
"You really came prepared."
Ruby''s defeated voice echoed to my ears.
"Well, I don''t like troublesome and annoying things, so I always prepare things I think I''ll need."
I said and shrugged.
"So what''s your condition?"
Ruby asked.
I leaned my body forward and answered seriously.
"Let''s do 50 to 50."
After thinking for a while, Ruby frowned.
"Hmm... That''s a bit."
She seems hesitant.
I know this condition is quite unfair to them as I only discovered the dungeon, and they will run it. And running a dungeon is aplicated process.
"55 to 45."
Ruby bargained. I pretended to think about it. But I''m smiling inwardly.
I already expected this much, but I n to take more and make the opposite party think that they won the bargain.
''[Paradise] is currently low in the number of their possessed dungeons. Let''s use that in our advantage.''
"Running a dungeon is harder than you think."
Ruby then said with a frown seeing me thinking deeply and not replying.
''Well, I really haven''t thought about running a dungeon so I don''t care.''
After a little more while, I looked at Ruby and spoke.
"Fine, but I''ll add another condition."
Ruby was a bit hesitant, but asked anyway.
"What condition?"
Holding back myself to scream out of joy, I smirked instead.
"Give me the strongest gun you have."
Ruby seems confused at my words.
I ignored her reaction and added some more words.
"Guns are known as the weakest weapon in this era so giving me your strongest one will not really affect you guys."
Ruby then started pondering. Her thinking about it is a good sign.
I just need a little more push!
"If you epted this, our rtionship will improve by a lot."
"Just so you know, I''ll make a lot of money in the future."
I said while giving Ruby a confident smile.
Looking at me briefly, Ruby shook her head and spoke.
"You''re really weird."
"Well, I am weird."
I agreed.
I really think I''m weird.
Rubyughed at me.
"Hey."
Then she called out to me.
"What?"
"You''re also weirdly attractive you know."
Ruby said. I don''t know what to do about that information.
So I calmed myself, smiled, and spoke as politely as I can.
"I will not lessen my share any longer."
And with a sly seducing smile, I added a tease.
"But it''ll be a different if you became mine."
Ruby just smiled and casually replied.
"You''re unexpectedly flirty."
"I already said it earlier. I like it more when I do the seducing."
"Hmph, fine."
Ruby pouted then took out a mana contract from her spatial storage.
"You''re unexpectedly cute sometimes."
I unconsciously said. Though I was ashamed after realizing what I said, my poker face prevailed!
Ruby have her eyes widened and smiled at me.
"You''re really honest, aren''t you?"
"Well, yeah. Isn''t it one of my good points?"
I replied.
"Whatever."
Ruby then handed me the mana contract.
After putting the deal we agreed on in the contract, we both signed it.
Though that time, I forgot that there''s other people in the room except Ruby and me, and one of them is ring at me.
***
Ruby and I are currently waiting in the same room aftering to the conclusion of our deal.
It''s just the 2 of us here.
Normally I would be nervous. But I''m currently busy rxing.
On the other hand, Ruby is reading a mail on her phone she received earlier.
''She''s probably reading informations about me.''
I thought. I noticed Ruby sending weird signals to her subordinates in the room earlier before they all left us alone, so I assumed she''s investigating about me, well, it''s understandable considering Ruby''s background and life.
Anyway, the reason I''m waiting here with Ruby is because of the gun.
Ruby said I can have it today as it is stored nearby. And the earlier I got it, the better, so I stayed.
''The strongest gun in the world...''
I closed my eyes remembering some details of the gun from my novel.
''Even though it''s the stongest gun, it''s still a gun, the weakest weapon in this era.''
"Interesting."
Breaking my thoughts and the silence, I heard Ruby''s amused voice.
Opening one of my eye, I asked her.
"What is?"
Ruby pointed me with her beautiful index finger and smiled.
"You."
"Me?"
Me? Interesting? Why?
"You''re younger than I expected."
I suddenly frowned when I heard that.
"So you''re my student."
"You aren''t our professor at any ss."
I rebutted. Ruby isn''t our professor at any subject, she''s teaching sophomores.
Ruby ignored my rebuttal as her figure disappeared.
"Are you gonna ckmail me and make me do lewd things in exchange of not revealing my informations?"
I then heard Ruby''s seductively beautiful voice as she whispered in my ear. The enticing and pleasant fragranceing from Ruby almost made me want to jump at her. Almost.
It''s getting harder to keep myposure now that she''s near me!
''When did she even get near me?''
Ruby just appeared beside me like she teleported. But Ruby being an rank hero is already the answer.
Opening my other eye as well and looking at Ruby, I spoke.
"Why would I do that?"
"If I do that I''ll lose your trust. Seducing you will be harder for me."
I added whispering back to Ruby''s ear.
Ruby smiled and went back to her seat.
After sitting, Ruby spoke again.
"Your past and background are as weird as you."
Her words piqued my interest as I perked my ears and waited for her next words.
"What do you mean weird?"
I asked.
Ruby pointed at her phone and looked at me.
"There''s not much information about you, your parents'' origins are not clear, and your grandparents on your mother''s side are also a mystery as if they doesn''t exist."
Ruby then suddenly stopped her exnation and looked at me.
"Oh, sorry for digging in your past. I have to be careful at making new connections for my safety you see, no offense."
Ruby apologized.
"None taken."
I replied as her digging about my life actually helped me a little.
Seeing no dirt in my life, our rtionship will be stronger. I also got clue from my past in this life.
"Anyway, is there anything else you discovered about me?"
I asked. Ruby smiled and opened her mouth.
"You have no strong backing, you have no history of doing something great until you got admitted to Lunar. Oh, and I know this is bullshit based on what I saw from you today, but it is said you''re a victim of attempted murder of someone your age months ago."
Hearing thest part of Ruby''s words made me frown. Why would someone at my age attempt to murder me? What did I do?
Because I know I wouldn''t get any answer about that topic, I redirected my attention to other else.
"Why did I get admitted from the Lunar?"
I thought I got admitted because of money. But I think there''s something more.
When I entered this body, I''m rank, the lowest rank. I also have a limited talent cap so I thought my parents used a lot of their saved money. Though, that''s not enough to get me admitted.
Ruby then nodded her head lightly before opening her mouth.
"You got admitted using money. But you entered the highest section because of your talent."
Ruby said with a shrug.
My talent?
"What talent?"
I asked.
"I don''t know, only your homeroom professor, Kendy Nasah knows, he''s the one who picked you."
I started racking my brain to find my talent, but to no avail. So I stopped thinking about it.
Instead, turning my attention back to Ruby, I asked her.
"Is that all you got?"
Ruby seemed to misunderstood my question as a provocation. She raised her chin and proudly opened her mouth.
"Well based on what I got, you seems to be a new rising novel author."
I nodded.
"And you like older women."
But my face twitched at Ruby''s words just now.
"You have a lover who is over half a decade older than you."
''She''s talking about Keara?!''
Just how good is Ruby''s informatiom team?
"It also seems that you seduced her under 24 hours. You must be a really good seducer~"
Ruby said, smiling yfully. She''s trying to annoy me, and it''s working.
Losing one-sidedly isn''t my taste, so my pettiness unconsciously activated.
And with a sly smile, I said:
"Oh, shut up if you''re that curious..."
After a short pause...
"Why don''t you try me yourself?"
I added.
But shame attacked me hearing how cringe I am. So I decided to correct Ruby''s information immediately to avoid that topic.
"And it''s not like I like older women. I just like her, there''s no other reason behind it."
I said, hiding my nervousness.
Ruby sent me another beautiful smile. I''m gonna fall in love if not for !
"You just made me more interested in you."
Ruby said.
"It''s fine, bacause I''m pretty interested in you too."
I replied back.
''Ruby is the leader of ck market and [Paradise] after all even though she''s only 27 years old.''
So it''ll be natural to be interested in her.
"Then our feelings are mutual then."
Ruby said in a seductive voice.
"Wha¨C"
Tok- Tok-
I was about to reply when 2 knocks was heard from the door.
Ruby looked at me. I just nodded my head weakly.
"Come in."
Ruby calmly said.
Following her words, a handsome man in a butler suit entered, holding a ck heavy-duty briefcase. He seems to be someone who is in the room with us earlier.
"Here''s the item."
The man said then ced the case in front of me.
And without replying. I opened the case.
Click-
A subtle click sound was heard opening the briefcase.
Looking at inside.
I saw a beautiful obsidian-ck pistol.
And without further ado, I made the system appraise it.
[You flirt here and there since yesterday like a horny dog and then you just order me around like a ve. What a bitch.]
I have no time to argue with the system so I just let it nag at me as I looked at the description of the gun in front of me.
=====
[Nyx]
-Thest product of the greatest unnamed gunsmith that ever lived.
-Have a passive skill .
-Lessen the sound and spark of the gun produces when shooting.
=====
A satisfied smiled appeared on my face.
[Nyx]''s firepower is strong enough to pierce through the skins of rankers, monsters or human, etc.
In the novel, [Nyx] would just be covered in spider webs in Aoi''s long-ranged weapon collections.
This gun was just briefly mention in one chapter in my novel, in a filler, this was mentioned as a remembrance of a certain event.
Aoi was supposed to get [Nyx] as a reward from Ruby after saving the Zreles City with Alec and the others, from the dungeon overflow of [The Stygian Lair].
Well anyway, my point is taking [Nyx] will not affect the story. Probably.
"Tsk."
As I was admiring [Nyx], I heard a tongue clicking.
And at the corner of my eyes. I saw the man who brought the gun, ring at me.
I looked at Ruby in front of me, she was smiling at me as if asking for my understanding.
I ned to do just that and ignore the man.
"Arrogant leech-like shit."
But I heard the man muttered beside me.
Ruby was about to talk, but I snapped first.
Shifting my gaze to the man. I spoke.
"Hey, what''s your problem."
automatically activated reacting to my emotions.
This man is angry at me for no reason so I''m annoyed.
"What?... I just hate your guts."
The man then said. Not hiding his hatred toward me.
Appraising at his stat, he''s rank.
It''s pretty low for his age. But he''s still 2 ranks higher than me.
I crossed my legs and looked at him like he was a disgusting bug.
"Why do you have to be a bitch about it?"
I provoked him.
"YOU!"
It worked seeing him about to explode in anger.
While looking at him, I suddenly asked myself.
''Why would he hate me?''
Is it because I demanded the [Nyx]?
Well maybe that''s a part of it, but most likely it''s because of the way I interact with Ruby.
I came up with that conclusion just after a second. I looked at the man again, he seems to be in his mid 20s.
"Gosh, why are you throwing a tantrum when you''re older than me. Aren''t you embarrassed?"
I spat out harsh truths as a provocation.
And when his veins was about to explode.
I smiled.
Ruby is looking at the whole situation as if she''s amused.
But I wasn''t focusing my attention on any of them at the moment.
Because as soon as I provoked the man.
The system appeared with a message.
[The Transcend Beings said they will give you 1000 CP if you fight and win against that man.]
I smirked and opened my mouth.
"Say, if you really hate me even though I didn''t do anything wrong. What about having a duel against me?"
I need to test some equipments anyway.
Chapter 14 Testing Equipments!
[Drei05]: This chapter is will be much longer than the others, enjoy :3
~~~~~
[Ruby''s POV]
"Say, if you really hate me even though I didn''t do anything wrong. What about having a duel against me?"
The man in front of me, Raven, said.
He looks calm and collected, but his words were arrogant and provocative.
Digging through his informations earlier, Raven is supposed to be an rank. But based on what I see now, his rank is higher than that.
Raven spoke again as I was thinking.
"You''re 2 ranks higher than me so to make things fair, lower your rank."
In today''s technologies that have magical items, there are artifacts that lowers or restrains one''s rank.
They exist to catch or restrain strong ability users.
But even lowering his rank, Velcro, the man Raven''s arguing with, supposed to have more experience than him.
Not receiving a reply, Raven put up a dissapointed face and talked.
"Well, if you''re scared then there''s no need to force yourself."
It was then, Velcro, who''s holding his anger back, exploded.
"I''ll fight! When should we hold the duel?!"
Velcro shouted ignoring my disappointment on him.
''Looks like Raven, this kid have a knack for making people mad.''
I thought, shaking my head and ncing at the smirking Raven.
"Why need to wait? I just need to test some equipments anyway."
Raven said while smiling innocently. But his words just fueled Velcro''s anger.
"Fucker! I''ll wait for you in the arena!"
Velcro eximed as his veins all over his body seems to pop out of anger.
Bam!
Not waiting for Raven''s reply, Velcro left the room and mmed the door.
Raven is just smiling all this time.
"Are you crazy?"
I asked Raven.
Raven looked and me. Then nodded.
"You can say that."
I frowned at his answer.
Even though he''s young. He doesn''t act like one, more like he seems to be bored in life.
Raven exudes a weird mature and confident demeanor. He''s not that handsome but there''s this weird things that makes him attractive.
I shook my head inwardly to remove such thoughts. Then I asked Raven.
"Can you win?"
With a casual nce at me, he answered.
"Huh? Obviously not."
His eyes were asking if I was right in the head for asking such questions. My smile twitched and almost copse. Almost.
The other reason I thought he''s weird is because my charm doesn''t affect him, it works on him, but his mind isn''t being clouded by it. Men or even women usually can''t resist my charm.
I was about to say something but then I heard Raven whispered to himself.
"Not if I fight normally."
He then stood up.
"Where are you going?"
I asked him out of curiosity.
"Why, you wannae with me?"
He answered. With a shrug, I gave him his own medicine that he used to Velcro, provocation.
"Aren''t you just going to run away?"
Raven, who noticed my intention, sneered.
"Don''t worry, I''m just gonna go shopping."
Then he left.
"What''s with him?"
''He''s so weird.''
***
[Raven''s POV]
I''m currently at the shopping area of the [Paradise].
I''m looking at the daggers that are being sold.
Using my ws for closebats have some downsides, I learned that after going to the dungeon. Feeling my hands and ws digging through flesh.
''Disgusting...''
Just remembering the feeling made my stomach churn. So I decided to wield a dagger again.
ws have shorter range than daggers, they''re also not as sharp as daggers, and it also hurt me using them as they''re part of my body.
While ncing each shop that sells daggers, I caught a glimpse of a ck dagger.
Its handle and de both have ck hue.
The design is also simple but cool, just my taste.
Going near it. I appraised the dagger.
=====
[ck Dagger]
-Made by a great cksmith.
-Sharp and have a great durability.
-Imbuing mana into it is easy.
=====
Its function aren''t bad.
But the name is some.
''Well, simple is better than cringe.''
I then looked at the dagger''s price.
[20,000 Zeals]
It''s pretty expensive. I checked my bnce.
=====
[20,372,647] Zeals
=====
I got 20 million Zeals as an early pay for [The Stygian Lair]. The map is also included on it.
I signed the contract under the name of [Night] again.
I also sold the monster cores that I got from the dungeon. I saved some for Yuki to eat.
Currently, Yuki is sleeping inside the [Ring of Gluttony]. She seems to be absorbing the mana from the monster cores she ate.
Anyway, selling some of the monster cores and red wolves''s corpse earned me of about 90,000 [Zeals]. I''m pretty proud of myself.
I didn''t sell the [King Wolf]''s corpse just on a whim. I''m still treating it like a trophy.
Anyway, I bought the dagger.
"Having money really is nice."
I mumbled while smiling.
I went in to a secluded area and took out thest - that I have from my spatial storage.
Contemting for a while where to use it.
To the dagger or to the [Nyx].
But it didn''t take me long as the answer is obvious, after unrolling the scroll, I tore it in the middle.
Then the [Nyx] emitted a bright ck hued light.
Like the [Ring of Gluttony], the [Nyx] didn''t get upgraded in the novel because it''s just stuck on Aoi''s shelf.
After a while, the light died down.
[Upgrade was sessful]
And the system''s notification came.
I made the system show [Nyx]''s new effects.
=====
[Nyx]
-Unique skill
-You can engrave magic to the bullets by applying mana to [Nyx].
-Using the skill cost the same mana needed as casting the magic normally.
=====
"This is good."
[Nyx]''s new skill made me smile unconsciously, too bad I can only use low tier magics at the moment.
After that, not wasting any more moment, I headed to the arena.
I did some science research on the way.
***
Arriving in the arena''s entrance, Ruby was there and seems to be waiting for me.
"I thought you would run away."
She teased. Giving her a confident smile, I spoke.
"What are you talking about? I''m gonna win."
"Whatever, Here."
Ruby then handed a ck mask to me.
I tilted my head looking at her. Waiting for exnation.
"It''s to hide your identity, there''s some people watching as Velcro gathered a lot spectators to humiliate you."
Ruby shrugged.
"I see."
I''m still a student afterall, being here is absurd so I need to hide my identity.
"Thanks."
I took the mask and gently ced it on my face. It fits well that it feels like I wasn''t wearing a mask.
"Don''t lose helplessly."
Ruby said.
"You''re worrying too much about me."
I replied.
"Well I took a liking to you."
"Then how about a kiss when I win?"
I said giving Ruby a sly smile.
"Sure, but I''ll decide the time and ce of the kiss myself."
Ruby replied back in a more sly manner.
"Fine by me."
I shrugged my shoulders and walk toward the arena.
***
Upon entering the arena, I felt gazes gathered toward me. A lot of spectators came.
All I can hear is murmurs of the spectators.
There''s no cheering or sneering, it looks like they doesn''t have any expectation to me.
Looking around the arena. It''s an oval shaped battle ring with some few big rocks scattered that serves as obstacles.
"Are you getting nervous?"
It was then that a mocking voice entered my ears from the opposite side of arena.
It was obviously Velcro.
I looked at Velcro and shrugged.
"No, not really."
I can hear him gnashing his teeth from here at my casual reply.
''So simple minded.''
I thought looking at the angry Velcro and analyzing him at the same time.
Velcro have a big sword hanging on his back and he''s wearing a bracelet that reduces one''s rank.
Appraising Velcro''s stat again, I can see that he''s currently at rank, the same as me.
Velcro is said to have more experience than me as he probably raids dungeons frequently.
''This will be a good experience for me.''
Even if I win or lost, my life is not on the line anyway.
''But that doesn''t mean I''m not gonna go for the win!''
My heart started beating wildly.
I''m so excited that I started to smile unconsciously.
My mana aura along with spread all over the ce.
Velcro got startled by it making him frown.
My cold sharp eyes then suddenly turned to the man in the middle of the arena between me and Velcro.
He was the referee.
I just noticed his existence now.
I aimed my aura directly at him. The referee is rank too.
Opening my mouth.
"Start the match."
Imanded him.
The referee flinched and raised his hand.
"Fight!"
Then he started the match without even asking Velcro''s opinion.
Everyone noticed that and the murmurs became louder. The referee, got shocked when he realized what he just did.
Velcro, having his existence ignored made him angrier.
***
After clenching his hands into a fist tightly from anger, Velcro kicked the ground and propelled himself toward Raven. His figure disappeared.
Raven immediately jumped sideways to left.
Boom!
Then a big swordnded and destroyed the area where Raven is standing earlier. Velcro reappeared few steps away from Raven.
Raven immediately aimed [Nyx] to Velcro. He saw Velcro looking at him with a smug look.
Velcro is mocking Raven''s [Nyx], because guns are known for being weak.
Velcro ns to openly recieve the bullets Raven would shoot since the beginning of the duel to humiliate Raven.
And knowing that, Raven smirked.
"Idiot."
Raven mumbled and pulled the trigger.
Psh! Psh! Psh!
3 bullets consecutively was shot. The sound produced by the [Nyx] was a lot more quieter than any guns had ever Raven used.
Puk-
The first bullet hit Velcro''s chest and dug into his skin, which is unexpected to him.
"Keuk"
[Nyx]''s fire power can pierce through rankers'' skins, and Velcro is currently rank.
Velcro''s eyes widened and tried to dodge the other bullets.
Whoosh¨C
But ck mana ropes erupted from the bullet in his chest, it covered his whole body and restrained him.
Raven used one of the [Nyx]''s skill, the , and imbued magics to the bullets he fired.
And the bullet that just hit Velcro was imbued with magic. Because of the magic ropes, Velcro''s movements was halted.
Phuk-
And in that short span of time, another bullet dug to his skin.
The 2nd bullet was imbued with the magic . It''s a debuff magic that weakens the target''s physical strength.
And because he''s weaken, Velcro couldn''t forcefully break free from the .
Before even the 3rd bullet reach Velcro. Raven kicked the on the ground and dashed toward Velcro.
", "
Raven casted buffs to himself midway as he close the distance between him and Velcro.
Phuk-
The 3rd bullet hit Velcro when Raven was near him. The bullet was imbued with the debuff magic that decreases the target''s speed.
Velcro, feeling himself being weaker and slower, has a surprised face.
Arriving before him. Raven ced the [Nyx]''s muzzle between Velcro''s brows.
Velcro snapped out of shock and his attention went back to Raven. But it''s already toote.
In Raven''s right hand, [Nyx], currently raging with his mana. And on Raven''s left hand, there''s a magic circle.
Before Velcro could even process what''s happening. Raven pulled the trigger. Twice.
Boom!
Much to everyone''s surprise, A small explosion was heard and not a gunshot''s.
It''s because Ravenbined a simple butplicated fire magic and wind magic. and .
Raven used a 1st tier wind magic, , and collected the gasses; Hydrogen, Oxygen, Methane, and Acetylene. In one area, to be exact, in front of Velcro''s face.
The mentioned gasses are explosive, Oxygen is not but it can trigger explosions. Raven did his science research earlier.
As of how Raven specified the gasses in the air and collected them, the system helped him by directing the magic''s target urately.
Meanwhile, Raven''s bullets was imbued with the 1st tier fire magic, , so when Raven fired them, the explosion happened.
Because Raven knew what''s gonna happen, He was able to swiftly dashed back to avoid the explosion before it even reach him.
Dense smoke followed the explosion hiding Velcro''s small but muscr figure.
Swoosh¨C
But not long, Velcro came out from the smoke with an angry face and burns on his head. He''s bare fisted as it looks like he left his sword.
Raven knew that explosion wouldn''t bring down Velcro, so he have acrivated.
After predicting Velcro''s trajectory. Raven rolled sideways and took out the [ck Dagger] from his spatial storage and held it in his left hand.
Bam!
Velcro''s fist struck the ground Raven''s standing on earlier.
"Ugrh."
A small groan escaped Raven''s mouth as Velcro''s fist grazed him. And because of that, his bnce was slightly disrupted.
And even before Raven try to fix his bnce. Velcro appeared to his left side.
Velcro''s fist was raised and covered with dense blue mana.
Raven raised his left arm to attempt to block it and injected mana to the [Celestria] that is in the form of a ring; it slithered to Raven''s left arm and reformed as a ck circr blunt shield.
Bam!
Then Velcro''s fist collided with the shield.
"Urgh...!"
Crack-
Even after blocking itpletely, a bone in Raven''s left arm cracked!
But instead of worrying about that, Raven used the force of Velcro''s punch to twist his body.
Raven''s body spun to the left. Holding the [ck Dagger] imbued with mana in his left hand.
Raven imbued mana in the training bracelet on his left wrist, and adding the the momentum of his spin. Raven stabbed Velcro''s right shoulder.
Phuk-!
"Grrgh...!"
Velcro let out a pained groan.
Not that Raven care.
While the [ck Dagger] is stabbed into Velcro''s shoulder. Raven dragged and shed downward the dagger.
sh¨C!
"ARRRRRRGHHHH!"
This time, Velcro screamed as heunched a punch using his left hand toward Raven as a reflex.
Raven crossed his arms into an ''X'' and imbued mana to the [Celestria] that covered his arms.
Bam!
"Argh..!"
Raven still felt Velcro''s attack even after blocking it. He jumped backwards to reduce the damage he will recieve and was sent flying away in the air!
After Raven gentlynding on the ground, he noticed he was sent flying for about 15 meters.
Raven looked at Velcro, Velcro''s enraged expression is still on his face. But after a while, Velcro let out some deep breathes and calmed down.
Raven can still feel his anger, but Velcro is now thinking calmly.
"Well... Shit."
Raven mumbled.
Because of Velcro''s anger, Raven easily predicted his movements. Velcro''s actions until now were hasty and reckless, clouded by his emotions.
That''s why Raven provoked him more before the duel started.
But now that Velcro is thinking calmly, fighting him will be a lot harder.
As a proof of him calming down. Instead of rushing at Raven again, Velcro retrieved his sword. And pointed at Raven.
"I''lle at you seriously now."
Raven swallowed a mouthful of saliva and wiped the blooding out from the corner of his mouth.
"This is exciting."
Raven mumbled with a crazed smile.
And seeing that. Velcro frowned.
"You''re crazy."
Right after his words ended. Velcro immediately disappeared and reappeared in front of Raven. shing his sword diagonally down.
Raven jumped backwards to dodge.
Boom!
And the sword hit the air and soon met the ground, destroying it upon contact.
Tap-
Swooosh¨C
When Raven was falling from the air, he extended his left leg first to the ground, and when his left foot touched the ground, securing a solid footing. Raven immediately kicked his left loot and dashed at Velcro.
Raven stored [Nyx] into his spatial storage and covered his right hand with mana.
It all happened in seconds and Raven is already in front of Velcro. Raven then immediately grabbed Velcro''s sword''s de.
""
Raven muttered and ck manaing from the [Ring of Gluttony] in his right hand engulfed Velcro''s sword.
After that, the mana covering Velcro''s sword disappeared.
Velcro got startled. Raven didn''t miss that moment and stabbed straightly to Velcro''s face.
But because Velcro is now thinking calmly, he saw Raven''s attack and swiftly dashed backwards.
Though, Raven predicted that so he sent the [Celestria] to the [ck Dagger] and extended the dagger''s de by 2 meters with it, making the dagger look like a long sword.
sh-
Velcro tilted his head violently to avoid the sudden extension of the de that was aimed at his face. By doing so, the supposed to be attack that will put a hole on his head was reduced to just a graze on his cheek.
Velcro dashed back again to put a distance between him and Raven.
Looking at his sword that has seemed to aged for years even though he just bought it some weeks ago. Even the idiot Velcro can''t help but notice that it was Raven''s doing.
Velcro also felt his mana being drained earlier when Raven grabbed his sword and muttering something.
"You have a lot of tricks."
"Of course, do you think I''ll win against you normally?"
Raven casually replied.
''Extending de and draining one''s mana.''
Recalling back throughout the fight until now, Velcro noticed that Raven had usedplicated and unpredictable moves.
''Bullets that weakens me and explodes. Shields that also appears out of nowhere.''
Velcro became wary of Raven that might still have some cards under his sleeves.
Raven on the other hand is on the edge as he already used most of his so called ''cards.
''Fuck! How can he dodge that?''
Heined in his mind.
Raven regained his fighting stance and observed Velcro.
Then he used one of his best cards.
"I''ll finish this."
Bluffing!
Velcro calmly thinking also have a downside, seeing that he''s being wary of him, Raven decided to spout bullshits.
And because of Raven''s actions until now, the stupid Velcro took Raven''s words seriously.
Though instead of being over wary like Raven predicted, Velcro became carefree instead.
''Fuck I don''t know! I''ll just fight without thinking again!''
Velcro hates thinking too much. And Raven didn''t add that up to his insight. Velcro being stupid helped him this time!
Even though Velcro recieved more hits throughout the fight, Raven is still at the disadvantage. Just receiving one solid hit might even kill Raven with Velcro''s strength!
Raven knows that so he said bullshits to make Velcro hesitate on his moves. Though just like mentioned earlier, it didn''t worked as he expected and he don''t know this.
Swoooosh¨C
Raven propelled himself at his fastest speed to Velcro. He ns to attack him while he''s off guard.
But Velcro who gave up thinking too much swung his sword vertically down without an ounce of hesitation.
Because Velcro is wary of Raven, he attacked with the intent to kill. In short, Raven''s n backfired, twice!
Because Raven have his on, he knew that if none of them stop, his head will be split open!
''Shit!''
Unfortunately for Raven, he can''t stop his advance and Velcro shows no sign of stopping either.
''If that hit, I''m dead!''
Only thoughts about dodging the attack entered Raven''s mind out of desperation.
Fwooo¨C
Raven is already using 100% of his brain, and because he''s short in time, he pushed his brain even further beyond the limit!
Along side with the trait and the skill that are activated to their max efficiencies.
His brain searched everything in Raven''s possession, even his body parts that Raven doesn''t even know that exist.
Raven''s brain worked to the level that surpassed humans!
And when Raven''s brain found something unknown inside him. Raven used them without caring for the consequences, because he will die anyway if he couldn''t avoid Velcro''s sword.
After grasping and using the unknown.
The whole world seems to slowed down for Raven.
Raven saw Velcro''s sword few centimeters away from his head, and its still closing in.
Though Raven can see it, his body can''t keep up as he is also moving slowly.
''W-what?''
Raven was in shock, his brain is currently processing so fast that it made the world seems much slower.
And because of that, Raven witnessed what the ''unknown'' is.
A blinding white light engulfed his body and soon was absorbed inside him.
After that, Raven felt his body overflowing with tremendous energy and power. Raven doesn''t know but his stats was amplified and increased to rank. Raven leaped 2 ranks forward!
And by instinct. Raven poured a huge amount of mana to the [Celestria]; it slithered to his back and clutched his whole torso.
Whoosh¨C
Then a pair of beautiful ck wings grew on Raven''s back made with [Celestria]. Manipting the mana engulfing the wings, Raven pped them once.
Swoosh¨C
Raven''s body was dragged as he flew backwards and shot upwards.
It all happened in a short span of time.
Boom!
And the next thing everyone saw was Velcro''s sword mming on the ground and crushing it. Debris scattered everywhere.
But everyone''s eyes was locked at Raven''s direction, even Velcro have his eyes open wide.
Their gazes were filled with awe staring at Raven on the air as his majestic wings are pping and keeping him in the air.
Raven also doesn''t really know what happened, he''s in shock too and as surprised as the other.
The world is now flowing normally to him again.
Surprisingly the wings feels natural to Raven.
But because of Raven''s , he was not stupefied,ing to his senses, he shot himself toward the dumbfounded Velcro again.
Using his surging power and wings to amplify his speed, adding his falling momentum.
Raven''s speed was terrifying!
Raven covered his right leg with mana, his wings disappeared as he falls. He sent [Celestria] under his right leg and reformed it as a blunt de.
When Raven was near Velcro. Raven did a front flip and used all of the momentums he gathered andunched an axe kick.
BAM!
The kick came in contact with Velcro''s right shoulder.
Crack-!
A loud cracking sound echoed. It was from Velcro''s bones being crushed.
"KEUKKK...!"
While Velcro is trying to suppress the force of Raven''s kick.
Crack- Crack-
The ground Velcro is standing on also started to crack.
Boom!
In the end, Velcro wasn''t able to withstand the pressure and his knees gave up and folded, mming his whole body to the ground.
Raven jumped backwards andnded softly to the ground. He was about to lose consciousness because of mana exhaustion.
Raven''s head and whole body is aching.
-Kyuu...!
It was then, Raven heard Yuki. Yuki was now awake and looking at him with worried eyes.
Yuki opened her beak and started to absorb mana from the surrounding. Relieving one of Raven''s worry.
As Raven recover a bit of his mana, hisplexion got better. He didn''t let his guard down and looked at the dust and debris where Velcro is suppose to be in.
Once the dust and debris faded, Raven saw a figure kneeling on both knees.
Velcro have his teeth gnashed together. His eyes are wide open and ring but it''s all white indicating he''s unconscious.
Bloods are dripping out of his mouth and nose.
And seeing Velcro like that, silence engulfed the arena.
Just after a while when the referee regained his calm and raised his hand.
"V-Velcro lost and Night won the duel!"
Night is Raven''s alias.
After the announcement, loud apuse and cheering was heard all over the spectating area.
"That was intense!"
"That was awesome!"
"I lost the bet, but it''s understandable!"
Looking the spectators for a brief moment.
Raven headed toward the waiting room.
He''s too tired to deal with them.
Chapter 15 Vulcan[1]
[Ruby''s POV]
I was shocked at what I just witnessed.
Looking at Raven who is casually exiting the arena and Velcro who is being taken away by the staffs because he needs a healing.
I recalled their fight just now. I was almost sure that Velcro will win the fight, and even if Raven did, he will be most likely to be battered up.
But contrary to my prediction. Raven won, and he''s fine, based on his appearance I presumed, but what I mean is that he won without receiving a direct hit from Velcro!
Even Velcro''s rank and stats were restrained, he has more experience inbat than Raven based on the information I have, Raven is a nonbatant to begin with. So Raven winning is really a surprise.
But throughout the duel, Raven''s movements were calm and efficient. He seemed to used a lot of artifacts, but the way he utilized them was incredible to begin with.
It''s no use having a lot of artifacts if you can''t use them properly.
And at the ending part of the duel, when Velcro shed downwards to the rushing bull-like Raven, I was sure that Raven wouldn''t be able to dodge that attack.
But when Velcro''s sword was about few meters away from Raven''s head. I felt a sudden burst of mana from Raven''s body.
It was only for a split second that I wouldn''t be able to notice it if I wasn''t paying attention carefully.
The next thing I saw after that was Raven''s figure in the air with ck wings keeping him from falling and Velcro''s sword hitting nothing but the air and ground.
Then after a while of silence. Raven shot down toward Velcro and finished him with a drop axe kick.
p Thatst kick was nothing but clever, Raven used the force of his speed and the momentum of his flip to amplify the kick''s power.
And though only few noticed, including me, I saw a cotton-like thing appeared near Raven. Then not long, the mana around Raven started to move weirdly, like it''s being sucked into something.
"Interesting..."
I got curious at the person named ''Raven Obadiah'' after witnessing his prowess.
Although the duelers were both low ranks, the duel was engraved to everyone''s memory who witnessed it. Especially Raven''s performance.
I know the other spectators will agree to me.
I stood up from my seat, and headed where I assumed Raven will go.
***
Upon arriving to the waiting room.
I was shocked at what I saw.
I saw Raven staggering left and right, his calm and collected figure was nowhere to be seen.
He was frowning while pressing his temples and struggling to stand up.
Then, Raven started to fall. I rushed to his side in a sh and supported his body.
He''s so hot, I mean, high on temperature. His face is also red, not from being flustered, his breathing is rag like he has a fever.
-Kyuuu!
Then I saw a familiar cotton flying toward me.
''It was the cute cotton ball bird that appeared near Raven!''
The birdnded on my shoulder and pointed at Raven with its wing.
-Kyu! Kyu!
If I''m not just imagining things, the bird''s tweeting sounded worried and desperate.
It was then Raven raised his head and looked at me. He looked at me for a while as if trying to identify me.
And maybe after confirming who I was, he smiled.
I don''t know what''s with me but I think Raven''s smile was attractive.
"Oh... Please take a good care of me for a while."
Snapping me out from silly thoughts were Raven''s words. And after that, he hung his head down and lost consciousness.
My eyes widened, but checking his pulse, Raven seems to be only sleeping.
"He just fell asleep. By mana exhaustion and overwork?"
''Just what did he do to use all of his energy in his body?''
I thought.
Though Raven''s condition seems bad, he''s actually gonna be fine after some few hours of sleep and rest.
"His body is fine, there''s nothing wrong. Looks like I have nothing else to worry about."
I mumbled after making sure Raven is alright.
But then Raven''s body suddenly got smaller and smaller and ck furs grew all over his body.
Raven''s body became small enough to slip from my grasp. Now he''s not lying on the cold floor.
After just some seconds, Raven turned into a cat with shiny ck furs.
"..."
My eyes widened.
"Umm... What?"
I was so dumbfounded at what I just witnessed, that I just stared at the cat, I mean Raven.
-Kyuu!
Snapping me out of my confusion was the cotton bird on my shoulder that I assumed Raven''s pet. It''s looking at me while pointing at Raven, the cat to be precise.
Vaguely understanding what the cotton wants. I picked up the ca... Raven.
I know the cat is probably Raven, but I can''t help but just call it ''cat'' and not Raven.
-Kyuu!
The cotton sounded grateful, I patted it as it''s cute.
Not wasting any more time, I started heading back to my office.
I unconsciously smiled when I thought of how cute are the cotton bird on my shoulder and the Raven cat on my hands.
***
[You recieved 1200 CP. The transcend beings wants to send you their congrats, they also said your performance was splendid.]
The first thing Raven saw after opening his eyes was the system.
Though it''s annoying, he noticed that the reward he got was a lot more than what they previously said.
[They gave you bonus for the show.]
''I see.''
Raven replied telepathically and closed his eyes back again. He''s exhausted, mentally and physically, his head and body aches.
The only good thing is that when he checked his CP bnce, he now possesed [3552] CP.
''Comfy''
Raven''s expression turned soft as he felt he''s currently lying on something soft and smells good. Raven became sleepy again.
''Looks like I''m lying on a premium bed.''
"Huaaah."
"Oh, you''re awake!"
Raven yawned and was about to fall asleep again, when he heard a familiar alluring voice noting from his sides, but above him!
Of course Raven got startled and immediately looked up.
There, Raven saw Ruby smiling at him mischievously while looking at him.
Raven''s eyes widened after meeting her eyes. He realized that he''s currently resting on Ruby''sp and not on some premium bed, based on the surroundings, Raven assumed he''s inside Ruby''s bedroom!
And that he''s also in his cat form!
Raven quickly jumped out away from Ruby. Unfortunately for him, Ruby who is several times faster than Raven caught him in mid air, and as if she''s trying to humiliate him, Ruby held Raven in her arms like how will she hold a baby.
Raven knew he couldn''t win against Ruby in any aspect of stats, so all he can do is talk with frown.
"Put me down."
Ruby got surprised knowing Raven can talk normally in that form and widened her eyes, though it was short-lived as soon a teasing smile rose from her face.
"You''re lucky, you know? Normally you will only get ap pillow, but you got ap bed! And from a beautiful woman like me on top of that."
"Well, yeah thanks for taking care of me. Now you can put me down."
Raven didn''t deny that he''s indeed lucky, though he wants to get out of his embarrassing position fast.
Ruby didn''t reply to Raven but instead started caressing his furs.
''It feels so good... Fuck''
Raven thought with a frown. He was being aroused.
"You have a cute side too huh."
Ruby mumbled teasingly, looking at the frowning but delighted Raven.
Raven knew Ruby wouldn''t listen to him any time now and, so his pettiness activated.
While Raven is in Ruby''s arms, he transformed back to his human form.
A satisfied smile appeared on Raven''s face seeing Ruby startled and her eyes widened.
Being back to his human form. Raven is now sitting on Ruby''sp, and Ruby''s arms are wrapped around his waist.
Raven is topless so his well built body with his bnce trained muscles and pale white skin were openly revealed.
Raven then wrapped his arms above Ruby''s shoulders and slouched to her left ear.
Their faces were so close to each other. Ruby''s sweet fragrance entered Raven''s nose, which turned him on.
"Let me go."
Raven softly whispered in a calm but seductive voice.
Ruby immediately covered her ear and looked at Raven with disbelief at what he just did. Ruby seems pretty flustered at the situation, her ears are a bit red too.
"You have a cute side too huh."
Raven returned Ruby''s words earlier back at her by whispering on her other ear with a seducing voice.
Now Raven knows that Ruby''s ears are sensitive.
Ruby''s face became more red that now it''s quite visible to Raven.
Ruby can easily throw Raven out of herp, but because she was surprised at Raven''s advances she forgot that fact, also her pride is unconsciously telling her that if she let go of Raven, she lose.
Creak-
"Master, here''s your wi¡ª"
And as Raven and Ruby were in that position. The door opened and a woman in her early 30s in a maid dress entered.
The maid saw them.
They saw the maid.
"..."
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence engulfed the room.
The maid then grinned at them.
"Sorry for disturbing."
The maid slowly backed away, still looking Ruby and Raven while blushing.
Click-
Then she left and closed the door. She even locked it.
Raven immediately broke free from Ruby''s arms and stood up. Ruby''s hand loosened when she saw the maid looking at them earlier so Raven broke free effortlessly.
"Ehem..."
Raven faked a cough and looked at Ruby.
"Sorry I got carried away."
He then apologized at her.
"No, I got carried away too."
Ruby did the same.
The atmosphere bacame pretty awkward. Luckily for them, someone broke that awkwardness.
-Kyuu!
Yuki who seems to have just woken up from Ruby''s bed flew immediately to Raven.
Raven smiled and embraced Yuki when she reached him.
"What''s that cotton by the way?"
Ruby asked, pointing Yuki.
"Her name is Yuki, she''s my familiar."
Raven answered, patting Yuki''s head.
Yuki was pleased as she just let Raven pat her.
"You''re popr with girls huh."
Ruby said looking at the two.
''Raven identified cotton as a ''she'', and its name is Yuki... I knew it, it''s a girl.''
Ruby thought.
Meanwhile, Raven just shrugged as a reply to Ruby''s statement just now.
Raven recalled his fight with Velcro, he then remembered some kind of light engulfing his body and power surging his body.
''At that moment, my body became light and energy filled my body... I didn''t notice the other, but I''m sure there are more effect I recieved that moment.''
Raven thought as he recalls the unknown power.
''If not for that power, I would have lose to Velcro and die that time.''
As his curiosity peaked, Raven opened his status.
=====
[STATUS]
Name:Raven Obadiah
Rank:F+
Mana Control:E-
Strength:F
Agility:F+
Stamina:F
Intelligence:E-
Luck:E-
Charm:E-
[SKILLS]
[TRAITS]
=====
Raven''s eyes widened seeing some changes on his status window.
His mana control rose by 2 ranks.
He can also feel that he''s on the verge of ranking up.
Raven checked his stats again and again to make sure he''s not just seeing things.
Until his eyes finallynded to his new trait. , Raven have no idea what the hell is that, he tried pressing it to read its description, but nothing happened, no transparent window with the exnation of trait appeared before him.
So in the end, Raven asked for the system''s help.
''System, what''s this trait about?''
[I don''t really know, the Higher Being is stopping me from acquiring any information about it. They also said it''s a surprise you acquired it immediately and even by yourself even though you can''t use it yet.]
''What are those shits on about now?''
Raven was frustrated. He hate it when someone knows the answer but reveals things slowly like a teaser.
[I don''t know either so don''t snap at me. Anyway, they told you; "Discover things by yourself, it wouldn''t be fun if I, or we, revealed everything to you now."]
''Those piece of shit!''
Raven frowned but didn''t pry anymor about the trait. He knows he wouldn''t get an answer anyway.
''I need to discover things myself huh...''
Raven is loss at the moment, but there''s one thing he was sure with.
''The unknown power I used against Velcro is connected to this shit.''
Raven started to rack his brain for a while, but then gave up not long.
''My stats increased and I''m near on ranking up, let''s not stress out on those unanswerable problems for now and just focus on the good things.''
Looking at Ruby again. Raven asked her.
"What happened to that Velcro guy?"
"He''s unconscious. Yourst attack damaged him greatly."
Ruby casually answered.
Raven was actually relieved knowing that. Raven isn''t ready to kill a person yet.
He knows he will eventually need to kill someone, but for him, Raven will only kill if the situation calls for it, or if someone doesn''t deserve to live.
Velcro and Raven only had a small beef because of Velcro''s stupid brain and jealousy.
For him, that''s not enough reason to kill him. Though Velcro did try to kill him, Raven let it go because he knew it''s the result of his bluffing, he also got stronger because of it so Raven wasn''t really angry at Velcro.
"Anyway, that guy is pretty stupid huh."
Raven said which Ruby smiled and nodded as a reply.
"So you noticed. Yeah, he''s stupid."
"The first time I saw him, I already knew he''s stupid."
Raven replied immediately.
''Though Velcro is a looker, he gives off an aura of someone dumb.''
Raven thought.
But after fighting Velcro, Raven noticed that Velcro doesn''t have a technique, he just fight using his brute strength.
"But he''s rank, so how..."
Raven muttered in wonder.
"Velcro reached that rank by consuming medicine and herbs. And when raiding dungeons, he''s like a meat shield that fights back."
Ruby said who heard Raven''s words.
"Oh, that makes more sense."
Raven said. ncing at Ruby, Raven saw her staring at him.
"What?"
He asked.
Ruby pointed her beautiful and slender finger to Raven and spoke.
"Your fighting style is weird. It''s messy and clean at the same time."
Raven tilted his head at her words.
Ruby sighed and started to exin.
"You fight in close-quarterbat using a long-ranged weapon, that''s just pure shit. But your actions are efficient and always produces the best results they can."
After looking at Raven briefly to see if he''s still listening, Ruby continued.
"You''re always calm which is good, your fighting sense is top notch."
Ruby''s tone and voice were serious and convincing, so Raven listened to them as he took note everything Ruby said.
"If you hone your style, you will be much stronger."
"Let''s just say, you''re a diamond in rough."
Ruby noticed Raven is listening seriously as he asionally nod his head.
A silly thought entered Ruby''s mind as the corner of her lips rose and formed a sly smile.
"You know you look so hot while fighting."
Ruby said. Her silly thought really worked as it made Raven''s serious expression crumbled into a frown.
Raven was too tired to exchange silly words with Ruby anymore, so he instead looked at the time.
<6:37 PM>
Though it only made him frown deeper.
"You slept for 8 hours."
Ruby''s words entered Raven''s ear as if she predicted his worry.
"I need to go."
Raven immediately grabbed his possessions, including his top and hurriedly walk to the door.
"Wait!"
Raven was about to open the door when Ruby caught his wrist.
Turning his head back. Raven opened his mouth.
"What?"
Ruby''s brows knitted together, she''s contemting about something.
Raven didn''t wait long because a mischievous smile appeared on Ruby''s face. Raven felt chills after seeing that.
Ruby shook her head and let go of Raven''s wrist.
"It''s nothing."
Raven frowned but just proceeded to open the door.
Creak-
"See you soon!"
Ruby''s sweet voice reached Raven''s ears.
Raven looked back one more time and saw Ruby waving her hand goodbye smiling like an idiot.
"We won''t see each other for a while, I have to attend the academy."
Raven said seriously.
"I know."
Ruby replied.
Raven frowned as he feels something is definitely off, though, because he''s in a hurry, he ignored such feeling and closed the door.
Click-
***
[Raven''s POV]
About an hour, I was back in the hotel I''m currently staying.
"Tomorrow, I''ll meet with Tyrone."
I reminded myself.
I grabbed my phone. I bought one on my way here, I connected my phone to my V.D so setting it up was easy.
I then sent a message to Tyrone.
[Night]: I''ll be at your ce tomorrow about 1:00 P.M; can you send me your address?
Not waiting for long, Tyrone sent a reply.
[Tyrone]: Got it, see you tomorrow. My address is , in Gleda City.
Tyrone and I had been exchanging messages these past days. And I''m d to know that he trust me enough to give me his address.
Thoug, I didn''t reply to his message as I got bored. Closing the message tab with Tyrone, I saw another mail.
[Nightfall]: Thanks for the chapters, keep up the good work.
It was Nightfall. He or she was online, curiosity got over me so I replied.
[Night]: Thanks for supporting me :>
Don''t mind my poormunication skill. I''ve been alone for a long time.
Ping-
A reply came after some seconds.
[Nightfall]: Oh? Sir Night. Good evening.
My gender is public. I put it in my profile.
[Night]: Good evening too! :3
Greeting each other with ''good evening'' is weirding me because of our nicknames.
I actually notice most weird things.
[Nightfall]: This is kinda weird because of our nicknames, isn''t it? Anyway, how''s your day?
Looks like Nighfall notices weird things too.
Nightfall asked how''s my day?
''It''s a fucking disaster.''
I thought as I recalled shits that I''ve been through in less than a day!
[Night]: It''s Great :)
Is what I actually replied, I can''t really tell those things to someone I don''t even know the gender nor age. Nightfall is still a stranger to me, a stranger that gives me huge amount of money!
[Nightfall]: That''s good to hear! Anyways, thanks for the early chapters you sent me!
[Night]: You''re wee, I hope it reduces your stress.
I remember Nightfallining about someone stressing them.
[Nightfall]: My stress lessened a lot! Actually, one of the cause of my stress is nowhere to be seen these days. Maybe he''s dead.
I don''t know what to reply to Nightfall''s message.
Pfft¨C
A smallugh escaped my mouth.
"What the heck?"
I said breaking out a smile.
I find Nightfall''s message hrious for some reason.
[Night]: Umm... Good for you?
I sent to Nightfall. After that, I heard a knock on the door.
[Night]: I''m gonna continue my novel now, have a good day! ^o^
I sent another message to Nightfall then I turned off my phone and approched the door.
Opening it, a cute woman greeted me.
It was Keara.
"Umm... I''m back?"
She said shyly.
"Wee back."
I smiled at her as I prompted her toe in.
"Come in, I''ll cook something for us."
Keara''s face brighten at my words. Then she entered the room.
***
Sunday, <10:00 AM>.
I''m currently at the mall with Keara.
We''re in Gleda City.
3 hours before I meet with Tyrone.
Keara came with me because after meeting with Tyrone, I''ll be going back to Lunar.
So Keara took a day off from work today and went on a date with me.
"Are you sure you want to spend your day off with me?"
I asked Keara. We''re walking toward the cinema.
"Not just my day off, but all of my time."
Keara answered.
I nced at Keara. Her answer just now was pretty good that I got flustered, though I kept my calm facade.
"I also want that."
I replied. Hearing my words, Keara halted her steps and smiled brightly at me.
"Then you will recieve a good news in the near future!"
Keara said cheerfully.
"Good news? What news?"
I asked because I''m confused.
"Secret, you''ll knowter."
Though I got no answer back, seeing Keara smiling brightly, I didn''t pry any longer.
I then caught a glimpse of 3 men in front of us few meters away. They seems to be in their early 20s.
They are approaching us. And they''re ignoring my existence as they''re focused on Keara.
Lust and contempt can be clearly seen on their face.
I frowned upon seeing that.
''Now I have 2 reasons to be annoyed with them.''
For ignoring my existence, and for wanting to steal what''s mine.
This is a toomon cliche.
Some delinquents will hit on someone''s date, that happens to ros almost everytime.
Observing the 3 men. They''re handsome but have nasty looks on their eyes. For me they look disgusting.
Before they can even get close to us.
I activated to the max and focused the pressure I''m emitting to the 3 men.
Their steps halted and their eyes finallynded on me.
They''re rank like me.
I looked at them with a cold indifferent eyes.
And just about for some seconds, they avoided my gaze and lowered their heads.
Even in that situation, I didn''t withdraw the skill. I even exerted mana aura and pressed it down on them too.
The men seems to want to run away, but their bodies wouldn''t move.
Their faces are turning blue as they must feel like choking under my pressure.
"What are you doing?"
Then I heard a sweet and calming voiceing from my side.
Withdrawing my mana and skill. I looked at Keara.
I smiled and spoke.
"Nothing. Just protecting what''s mine."
Keara just tilted her head in confusion.
''Cute.''
I smiled and patted her.
"Don''t mind it. Let''s go."
I held Keara''s hand as I took the lead. Though I''m matching Keara''s small steps.
I''m greedy and I hate dirty things, so I don''t want any nasty bastards near to what''s mine.
I don''t have the time to deal with such cliche.
''I''m on a date right now.''
I thought, walking toward the cinema.
Chapter 16 Vulcan[2]
Raven is currently standing in front of someone''s house.
He''s alone. Raven asked Keara if she want toe with him meeting with Vulcan and continue the date afterwards, but even though tempted, Keara declined with a regretful expression saying she have to prepare for something.
''Guess she''s busy with something.''
Raven thought as he walked toward the door. He noticed that beside the house is a pretty wide stone workshop.
''That''s the smithy I think.''
The design of the smithy was tacky, but Raven actually didn''t give a shit and just ignored it after a single nce.
Raven reached the door.
"Fuuu..."
After taking some deep breaths. Raven knocked on the door.
Tok- Tok-
Raven didn''t need to knock more as he heard someone''s hurried footstepsing from the inside.
Crash-
Though Raven frowned when he heard something breaking inside.
''I''m kinda worried...''
After the crash is a total silence so Raven is already considering to break the door open.
Raven''s worry disappeared when the door was finally opened by a man.
The man was tan with a good bodybuild. He was fairly handsome, have a short clean ck hair and brown eyes.
He''s a bit taller than Raven.
Raven is 5''9 ft. while the man was about 6''0 ft. or more.
That man was Tyrone Vulcan.
Raven immediately recognized Tyrone. How could he not? Tyrone is one of his creation.
Pity shed in Raven''s eyes while looking at Tyrone. Not that Tyrone notice.
Soon guilt pped Raven again.
Tyrone''s mother died not long after he was born. And his father died 3 years ago from an dungeon overflow.
Tyrone is 29 years old and living alone. Single.
Normally he should''ve been already married at that age, unless he wants to ordain.
But because of mana scattered everywhere and people absorbs them in their body unconsciously every second, people''s lives was extended by the benefit of the mana. In this new world and era, the average life span of a human is 160 years, two times than when the world doesn''t have an ounce of mana.
People also ages slower after reaching the age 20.
So Tyrone is still fine.
"Umm... Mister Night?"
Tyrone''s deep and manly but careful voice entered Raven''s ears.
Raven extended his hand to Tyrone and smiled.
"My real name is Raven Obadiah. You can just call me Raven."
He introduced.
Tyrone also with a smile, grabbed my hand and shook it.
"I''m Tyrone Vulcan. Just call me Tyrone, nice to meet you."
***
Tyrone let Raven in to talk about their business with each other as soon as possible.
They''re just in the living room.
"I''ll invest 10 million Zeals."
Though Raven took ''as soon as possible'' very seriously as he immediately stated his intention as soon as both of them sat down.
Raven doesn''t like beating around the bush.
Tyrone''s eyes widened, obviously he was shocked. But that was only short-lived as Tyrone calmed down immediately and looked straight at Raven.
"Why are you doing this?"
He asked.
Raven predicted such questionsing from Tyrone.
''These past 2 days, I''ve been thinking about what I should do in case that I got asked by that kind of questions.''
Though Raven actually just wasted his time as he couldn''te out with solution. So in the end, he decided to just be honest!
Looking dead straight to Tyrone''s eyes. Raven spoke.
"I know your father."
Tyrone''s eyes opened wide and he shot up of his seat.
"My Papa?!"
Tyrone eximed. Raven inspired Tyrone''s character from a Filipino friend of him when he was a kid and still in the orphanage.
Though, their friendship ended only after 2 years as the boy was adopted, separating them to each other, and even when they became adult, they weren''t able to get in touch.
Raven smiled bitterly as he remembered his friend. Actually, he can''t recall his friend''s name.
''Fucking hell...''
''This sucks.''
Raven thought.
"Are you telling the truth?"
It was then that Raven heard Tyrone''s voice again.
Seeing the impatient Tyrone, Raven immediately answered.
"Yes."
Raven answered confidently.
''I''m not really lying, I really know Tyrone''s father, so this is a honest approach.''
Tyrone frowned. Hatred erupted inside him as Tyrone tightly clenched his hands.
Raven noticed those, and so he decided tomence his n.
"Now, don''t hate your father."
Raven know what''s happening.
In the novel, in this part of the story, Tyrone despises his father. The reason is because his father used a lot of money before dying, causing their smithy business, [Xenon], to decline.
The money disappeared like bubbles and Tyrone couldn''t recover them. Deeply he knows his father own those money he used, but Tyrone can''t stop himself being disappointed to his father.
Little did Tyrone know, his father used all the money for him!
It''s just that in this part, Tyrone still doesn''t know that.
''And that''s why I''m here.''
Raven thought, smiling inwardly.
Tyrone is currently looking at Raven with an annoyed expression. He''s not even trying to hide it.
Not that Raven mind, so he continued talking.
"Your father didn''t carelessly spent the money he saved."
At Raven''s words, Tyrone''s look on him changed as if asking what bullshit he''s on about.
"What do you mean?"
Tyrone asked. Not really expecting anything.
Raven pointed his index finger to Tyrone.
"Your father was suppose to give you gifts."
Tyrone is still unfazed and thinks that Raven is not serious.
"How did you know?"
He asked as if mocking Raven''s words. Tyrone is a good person, it''s just that his hatred to his father made him a little aggressive.
"I can''t tell you because of someplicated reasons. But I want you to know, I don''t have any ill intentions."
Raven answered casually.
Tyrone stared at Raven for some time. He then eventually nodded his head but didn''t say anything, he just waited for Raven''s next words.
''Good, now that he''s listening properly, it''s time to drop some bomb.''
Raven took a deep breathe and opened his mouth.
"Just as I said, your father used the money to buy you gifts."
Tyrone nodded. His expression though, didn''t change.
"But before he could give them to you, he died from a dungeon overflow. I mean, think carefully, you''ve been with your father ever since you were a child. You know he wouldn''t just carelessly spend money."
"Why did your trust for him crumbled easily?"
Ravem said, acting dissapointed and pping Tyrone''s conscience!
This time, Tyrone''s face changed. His hateful expression disappeared and was reced by a frown with solemness.
Tyrone at that time questioned himself as Raven''s words made sense to him.
Why did his trust for his father crumble?
Tyrone''s brows knitted together as his body fidgets a little.
Raven, who vaguely knew Tyrone''s thoughts, was once again pped by his guilt but he didn''t let it out on his face.
''Your trust to your father crumbled because of me. For my story... I even killed him for you to have a dramatic backround.''
Raven knows that he wasn''t actually in the fault because at that time he''s just typing letters, forming words and sentences, and building a story. Who would''ve knows that that story of his will be a reality?
Nevertheless, Raven still felt guilty. Well just for a bit.
After some silence, Raven continued to talk.
"Your father used all of his saved money to buy some items from an auction."
"And he hid them all under the tile that''s under his bed."
Following Raven''s words,Tyrone stood up without a word and ran upstairs.
Looking at him for a while, Raven slowly stood and followed Tyrone.
''Guess he can''t believe my words after hating his father for 3 years, so he wants to see a proof...''
Raven thought, climbing upstairs where Tyrone ran.
***
[Tyrone''s POV]
I tried to keep calm, but I couldn''t.
A young man, even younger than me, that I met not long ago came and told me that he knows my father.
I''m feeling a bit of hatred toward my father because of his carelessly spending of money in the past before dying 3 years ago.
Because of that, the smithy declined as we lost some resources and capital money.
My father run the smithy at that time, I just inherited it after he died. But because I have no money nor connection, I wasn''t able to run it properly.
Even my rtives didn''t help me after my father died.
''Maybe I''m just ipetent, and I''m ming my father for my faults...''
Those thoughts are deeply hidden inside me, but they resurfaced after hearing Raven''s words.
My father didn''t used the money carelessly, it was for my sake, he said.
My thoughts are currently a mess, I don''t know what to do.
''Gifts left by father... Just for me?''
I don''t want to believe that.
I frowned as I fastened my pace.
Is Raven lying to me?
Or did father really left something for me?
I couldn''t wait and need a proof so even though it''s rude, I left Raven earlier and rushed to my father''s room.
I don''t like entering father''s room ever since he died. I just asionally enter it to clean inside.
Click-
Opening the room''s door, I immediately entered and moved the bed.
Then I noticed an odd looking tile.
Without carefully looking you can''t tell its difference to the other tiles, but upon closer inspection, you can see letters engraved on it.
''VULCAN'' is what written on it. It''s our family name.
My heart started pounding rapidly.
My mind is getting more and moreplicated.
''Is there really something there?''
''What if it''s just a coincidence?''
Thoughts like that entered my mind.
"Fuu..."
Taking a deep breathe, I calmed myself down and looked at the odd tile.
I crouched down and ced my hands on it.
To my surprise, just cing my hand on the tile already moved it a little.
A bitter smile appeared on my face as I removed the tilepletely.
And just like what Raven said, there''s something under the tile. Underneath the tile is a small space. And in that space, I saw a letter and a box.
"Ah..."
My heart seems it would explode any time now. I felt relieved seeing there''s something under the tile, but at the same time, I felt rejection towards the items.
I took the box and opened it. Inside are a book and a hammer.
Being a smith myself, I learned an appraisal skill.
So I can appraise items to some extent.
=====
[Ancient Skill Book]
-Vulcan is a god of fire and cksmith. Upon learning this skill, your skills and knowledges about ''cksmith'' and ''Fire'' will drastically increase. Also, weapons you create or upgrade will be drastically enhanced.
=====
[Vulcan''s Hammer]
-Vulcan''s Hammer, Vulcan often use this hammer when creating weapons.
-When used on a weapon, the strength of the weapon''s functions and effects will drastically increase.
-Upgrading or Creating a weapon with this hammer will have a higher chance of sess rate.
=====
''This...''
My hands trembled looking at the items I''m holding. It''s a high level artifact and an ancient skill book, also they''re a set pair!
These items are way too precious, and if father really bought these, there''s no wonder he spent all of his savings.
''And... He nned to gift these all to me...?''
My heart tighten as regret slowly crawled all over my body.
My eyes shifted to the letter. I put down the skill book and the artifact hammer.
I took the letter, unfolded it and read it.
=====
Tyrone, I''m gonna retire from the smithy soon as I''m getting old.
I want you to inherit it as you have a good talent at being a smith. You also enjoy smithing like me!
There''s nothing you can''t create in smithing and the weapons you made are nothing to scoff at.
I know you''ll be one of the best smiths in the future!
I''m writing this letter because I don''t just want this to be in a form of text mail. I can''t say this to you personally because it''s embarrassing and I''m not really good at words.
Well anyway, I''m so proud of you.
Here''s some gifts that will help you reach the top! I hope you like it!
Oh, and after you recieve these, let''s go eat dinner outside! Your treat of course!
=====
"Ah..."
The letter was hand written, and it was my father''s handwriting.
''It hurts...''
My father''s sweet and caring words hurts me. I rejected and hated him for 3 years even if he''s dead because I easily lost my trust in him.
And today''s discovery about his ns before dying.
Made me feel like shit.
''Fuck, why...?''
I feel guilty for doubting and ming my father. I hate myself for not trusting him enough.
"I don''t know anymore..."
I muttered.
"What should I do now?"
My hands trembled. I don''t know if I deserve to im these items after what I did to father.
"It''s obvious that you should apologize first."
It was then I heard a voice behind me. Looking behind.
I saw Raven leaning on the entrance of the room. He''s the one who revealed these things to me.
"Then after you apologize, be thankful."
Raven added.
"After that, continue living, no, live a better life."
His words is like saying that I should forget what I did wrong to father, and it made me angry.
Though, Raven just continued talking.
"You can''t turn back time. so continue living, for your sake, and for your father''s too."
He said, turning his back to me.
"Nobody is perfect, not even you or your father, everyone have faults of their own so it''s okay to me yourself. But don''t use it as a justification to run away, I think your father will be happy if you gratefully ept and use his gifts to you instead of just ming yourself without actually doing anything."
Raven''s words etched to my mind. I thought of what would father do in this situation.
I know Raven''s right. Father will most likely forgive me and say that I should ept his gifts and use it to live better.
My eyes started to feel moist. Tears gathered on the corner of my eyes and is threatening to fall anytime.
"I''ll wait for you in the living room. Take your time."
As if he can read the mood, Raven left after his words.
"I can''t turn back time huh."
I muttered as I looked
at the "Gifts" my father left for me.
"...I''m sorry."
Tears fell from my eyes.
"Papa... I''m sorry."
My heart stings and tightens everytime I apologize.
Looking at the ceiling. I let out a sigh.
"You said we''ll eat outside after I recieved your gifts. Looks like we can''t... I''m sorry."
***
[Raven''s POV]
I''m waiting for Tyrone in the living room.
He seems to have a lot in his mind right now.
I''m an orphan so I don''t really know what he''s feeling right now.
I''m not even attached to the orphanage I''m from. I know they just took us in for the pension of the government.
So I can''t justfort Tyrone like I know what he''s feeling. The best thing I can do is to give him space.
While waiting, I''m thinking of the best way to get stronger.
I thought [Nyx]''s can be used freely but turns out that I can''t.
I can only imbue one magic in a bullet and only up to 2nd tier magics. The bullets will explode is I used more than that as they couldn''t withstand it.
''Well I can only cast 1st and 2nd tier magics anyway.''
If I can imbue any magic in the bullet using then isn''t it too OP?
Anyway, I''m sure I''ll encounter more dangerous situations in the future.
So I''m determined to get stronger.
"In a normal Earth, almost everyone will agree that guns are the strongest weapon."
Then why guns are the weakest weapon here in this world?
And how could I make them the strongest?
After racking my brain.
"I got it!"
I got the most possible answers to my questions.
And it was then that Tyrone came down from the upstairs. He looks calm and peaceful like a decade worth of problems disappeared, relief can be felt and seen from him.
Tyrone then sat in my opposite.
"Thank you for telling me the truth. And sorry for my rudeness earlier."
Tyrone said bowing his head.
With a shrug, I replied:
"It''s no big deal. And apology epted."
"No you could''ve just bought the workshop along with the house with your money and take father''s gifts for yourself. You know that I''m currently looking for buyers of this house, right?"
Tyrone was persistent and too genuine, I''m not good at handling people like him.
''I didn''t get the skill book and the hammer to myself as I can''t use it anyway! I''m no smith!''
I thought.
"Don''t mind it too much, stop bowing and let''s just go to the main topic."
"Oh right!"
Luckily I shifted the topic, and it looks like Tyrone forgot my business here.
"First, do you still n to continue being a smith?"
I asked Tyrone.
"I will absolutely."
Tyrone firmly answered.
"Then I''ll invest 10 million Zeals, you''ll need money to create something after all."
"Also, you appearing in public with no backing is stupid, you have a great skill and artifact so some guilds will try to ckmail or even kidnap you and force you to create equipments for them."
I said bringing out a mana contract and handing it to Tyrone.
"How did you know that I got a great artifact and skill?"
"..."
Tyrone asked me doubtfully. Which made me silent.
After some seconds, I frowned and spoke.
"Your father told me, why?"
I lied as naturally as how I''m breathing.
Though, still having his doubts, because he felt more gratitude toward me, he ignored his doubts. Tyrone read the contents of the mana contract.
While Tyrone is doing so, I opened my mouth.
"Just create equipments and some people will collect and buy them from you anytime you want, the people will be trustworthy so you''ll be safe."
"At least do that method until it can be safe to reveal yourself to public."
I said to Tyrone.
Tyrone nodded his head indicating that he understood that what I''m saying are all necessaries for him.
I n to talk to Ruby and made her buy equipments made by Tyrone, she''ll gain a lot from it so I know she''ll agree.
Tyrone signed the mana contract after reading it thoroughly.
We talked for a bit about the business after that.
"Thank you for helping me."
After talking to each other for a while, Tyrone bowed his head and thanked me again.
"If you''re thankful then make my money grow."
I said with a yful smile.
"I will! And if you need something just say a word to me, if I can, I''ll do it!"
Tyrone said in an enthusiastic voice.
''Gotcha! Fish will really be caught with their mouths huh.''
After hearing his words.
I ced [Nyx] on the table.
Tyrone looked at it.
"I''ll need this gun to be upgraded and delivered to me before Friday."
I said with a sly smile.
"Can you do it?"
Tyrone didn''t say anything for a while. Then he looked at me with a confident smile.
"I can."
***
I''m now on my way to the Lunar as I just finished my business with Tyrone.
I invested 10 million Zeals to him and left another 2 million Zeals for the [Nyx]''s upgrade.
The first 5 items Tyrone will upgrade or create will have a drastic increase on their performance and functions. That''s a bonus from the skill book and hammer he acquired.
I only let Tyrone upgrade [Nyz] so Ruby will receive 3 of the bonus items, that way she will see Tyrone as someone worth investing and protect him.
Yes, she''ll only recieve 3 bonus equipments as I already n tomission Tyrone to make me a weapon. I''ll just need to collect the material needed next weekend.
Tyrone will not immediately make or upgrade weapons as he still need to study about the skill and hammer he acquired. He also needs to fix the smithy workshop.
With that, I roughly have 8 million Zeals left.
I used 12 million Zeals in one go, but it''s for the future so it''s fine.
***
I arrived at the Lunar Academy around 5 P.M, there are just few students and staff around.
Maybe bacause it''s weekend and they''re enjoying the vacation. Not that I care.
I started heading to my dorm building.
While walking, Yuki came out from the spatial storage.
"You know, you don''t need to hide in the spacial storage anymore."
Almost everyone in my ss and even the professors already know Yuki''s existence anyway.
-Kyuuuu!
Yuki was happy with that news. She now understands humannguage to a certain degree so I''m proud of her.
"Oh! You''re that weird guy that have a weird weapon choice and bird!"
My steps halted at the words I heard and looked at the source of it.
Then I saw a handsome young man with ck hair and eyes. Slightly taller than me and his body is also more built than mine.
"I didn''t see you these days, where have you been?"
The boy then asked me. There''s no mockery or ill intentioning from him. He''s just yful and curios.
''Maybe he''s one of those people who are always energetic and unconsciously annoys people.''
I thought looking at the boy.
"Anyway, I''m ke Dunstan! Nice to meet you!"
The boy then energetically introduced himself.
''He''s not a character that is mentioned in the novel. Another extra.''
I frowned. The boy is too talkative and loud.
"You''re annoying, shut up."
I said.
"Wow, you''re so harsh! Anyway, what''s your name?"
He also seems one of those who are always positive.
My frown deepened.
''I can''t handle people like him.''
So I started to walk away toward my dorm in a fast pace.
"Are you in a hurry? Want me to help you with something?"
But this shit is still following me.
''So damn annoying!''
Chapter 17 Changes[1]
<9:00 A.M>, Monday.
Raven''s daily routine continues. He''s currently running all around the academy.
"Wow your stamina is crazy! I''ve been following you for long and you didn''t stop even for a second!"
Yeah, this was supposed to be one of Raven''s peaceful and quiet morning.
"''Isn''t it crazy? Our dorm is just next to each other!"
ke said while running next to Raven.
Raven didn''t answer and instead coated his legs and feet with mana. Then he jumped on a tree branch he passed by, and jumped again on a wall, using the wall as a footing, Raven jumped again andnded on a facility''s rooftop.
"Woah! That was so cool!"
For Raven, what he did just now is only a child''s y as he practiced parkour thoroughly after his fight with the King Wolf!
"And you''re doing all of that with weights on? Amazing!"
ke has been following Raven since the start of his run. And in that span time, ke discovered that Raven have weights on.
"Hey! Can youe back down? I can''t jump up there."
ke shouted.
"I know, that''s why I jumped up here."
Raven replied and jumped on to another rooftop. Soon, he lost ke.
***
<9:24 A.M>
Raven entered the training grounds earlier and currently practicing his shooting skills using the gun provided by the academy.
Raven is now on the difficulty 10, he''s practicing with 30 moving targets that are faster than his bullets.
Fortunately, ke isn''t here to annoy him anymore. The training ground is pretty empty, as always, only the main characters and some extras are there and training.
The others are already in their respective ssrooms.
Also after this week the main characters will have their own training ce. It''s a reward from getting in the top rank 10.
Raven is kinda envious as he thought of aiming for the top rank 10.
But his current strength is about in the rank 100. It''s a good improvement as Raven''s original rank is 2619.
Raven is currently preparing himself, because this week will be busy ording to his memory of the novel.
"Maybe I should increase my training."
Raven muttered, he''s still gonna aim to enter the top rank 10
[You really should.]
The system appeared, replying to Raven.
"You''re pretty behave since the other day, what happened?."
Raven asked as he shoots the moving targets.
[The Higher Being added a function to me, while doing so, I was like sleeping, .]
"I see."
Raven replied uninterested and shot thest target.
"This is getting boring after fighting Velcro."
Raven thought out loud.
"Maybe I should experiment about some things."
With that, Raven continued experimenting of guns and shooting styles. His proficiency of using guns increased drastically after his training.
***
[Alec''s POV]
I''m currently in the ssroom waiting for the ss to start. And almost everyone is in here. Almost.
Swooh-
Click-
The sliding door of the ssroom detected a presence outside and opened automatically. Then someone entered.
It''s Raven.
He now gives off a more mature aura and he seems to be hard to approach.
-Kyu!
And sitting on top of his head is a cotton like bird that I''m familiar with.
''It''s the same bird he took out from time to time while the sses are ongoing.''
He''s not even trying to hide the bird anymore.
"What''s with him?"
I then heard Adelle''s questioning voice beside me.
Following her words, Aoi looked at Raven and Eve nced at Raven.
"Why? Is there something wrong about him?"
I asked Adelle.
"He looks annoyed."
Adelle immediately replied. I looked again at Raven and noticed that he''s deeply frowning.
He have this expression that says ''Leave me alone.''
"Maybe he had a bad morning?"
Aoi guessed.
Except for his aura, nothing really changed about Raven. He still have this clean appearance and have a bored expression all the time.
I also saw Raven go to the training grounds earlier. And I bet he still have those ck bracelets on his wrists and ankles.
"He''s back, I really thought he''s dead."
Adelle, Aoi and me turned our head where the voice came from. It was Eve, her face shows disappointment and annoyance at the same time.
"Woah, he can make Eve make that kind of expression huh."
Adelle said in an impressed voice.
''I think that''s not a good thing though...''
Raven sudden left the academy about 3 days ago, I nned to approach him and get acquainted, but we didn''t even see his shadow in those days. So even I got curious at what he did in those days. Me? I just holed myself in the training grounds.
"Look, someone''s following him."
Aoi said. Snapping me out of my thoughts. Aoi is pointing his index finger to someone.
At Aoi''s words, we looked at the entrance. We saw a student following Raven. It was a handsome young man that have this positive aura around him.
He was talking to Raven but he''s not getting any answer.
"Let''s sit near together!"
The young man suggested to Raven.
"I''m tired. Please stay away from me as far as possible."
Raven said in a tired voice and sat on his seat.
He didn''t forget to cast a magic on it before sitting.
"He''s really a clean freak."
Aoi said. Adelle and I just nodded in unison.
"Why are you doing that, isn''t the chair already clean?"
The young man sat down beside Raven while talking nonstop like he didn''t heard what Raven said to him earlier.
"Fucking hell."
Raven muttered looking at the young man with an annoyed look.
Our seat is near his seat, so we can hear and see him pretty clear with just a bit of enhancement of our senses.
Pfft¨C
A smallugh escaped my mouth. Not just me but also from Aoi''s and Adelle''s.
Eve''s face is calm but she''s somewhat delighted.
The scene of Raven and the young man''s interacting with each other is somewhat hrious.
"So he has a friend huh."
Adelle said afterughing lightly.
''Friend? I think not.''
I thought, looking at Raven ignoring the young man''s existence.
''But I really wonder what Raven really is like.''
I''m a curious person, so when I thought of that, I wasn''t able to stop myself and I stood up.
My curiosity amplified because of my mage life in my past life.
"I''m gonna try talk to him."
I said looking at Raven''s direction.
"Oh, then tell us when you find out something interesting about him."
Adelle said with an amused expression.
I nodded and approched Raven''s seat.
"Good luck!"
Aoi and Adelle said to me as I was walking. On the other hand, Eve is just looking at me like I was doing something stupid.
Though that didn''t stop my curiosity. Raven is just a near from our seat so I reached him not long.
"Umm... hello."
I greeted as I arrived in front of Raven.
Raven looked at me and then frowned.
''Did I do something wrong?''
Why is he looking at me like that?
I wad starting to worry when I felt a pat on my side.
"Don''t worry. He always frowns like that, it''s nothing new."
It''s the young man beside Raven.
"Hello! I''m ke Dunstan, nice to meet you!"
The young man introduced himself.
"Ah, I''m Alec Osmond, nice to meet you."
I introduced myself and we shook hands.
"This is Raven Obadiah!"
After that, ke introduced Raven to me.
"He''s a bit weird but he''s actually a very amazing person."
ke said.
"Amazing?"
I asked as I tilted my head innocently.
I noticed that it''s easy to extract informations from the talkative ke.
"Did you know? Raven ran for about 4 hours daily with weights on his wrists and ankles!"
My eyes twitched at ke''s words.
"Weights?"
"Yeah! Look he''s still wearing it. See how that bracelets in his wrists have mana? That''s because he continuously pours mana in it to change ot maintain their weights."
ke said, pointing at ck bracelets Raven is wearing.
Looking at them, the bracelets really have a lot of mana imbued in them.
''Just how heavy are those?''
I''m really curious.
But ke''s mouth doesn''t seems to stop. Giving me more information about Raven.
"I tried to run with him this morning but he jumped on a facility''s rooftop, then soon to another rooftop, so I can''t follow him."
"Jumped building to building?"
"Yeah! He''s like a ninja!"
ke''s words were like gloating. He''s boasting Raven''s achievements like it was his own.
''What and interesting person.''
Now I''m also curious about ke.
"And after that, he always go to the training gr¡ª"
""
Before ke finishes his nexr words. Raven cut his sentence midway.
Following Raven''s voice, ck mana covered ke''s mouth.
''What a unique and beautiful color for mana.''
I thought, looking at the night sky-like mana.
"Hmmp? Hmmp! Hmmp, hmmp hmmp."
ke is trying to talk but no words came out from his mouth.
"Why are you here?"
Raven then asked looking at me calmly.
"Nothing special, I just want to have a friendly rtionship with you two."
I replied. I''mpletely serious at what I said.
Raven looked at me for a while and then opened his mouth.
"I''m Raven Obadiah. Well you probably already know because of this idiot beside me, but it''s still better if I introduce myself."
Then Raven extended his hand towards me.
I smiled and grabbed it.
"I''m Alec Osmond, nice to meet you."
***
I''m now sitting next to Raven, on Raven''s other side is ke.
It''s been about an hour since we introduced ourselves to each others.
I asked Raven if it''s okay to sit beside him.
I''m pretty excited as these guys are my first male friends in the academy. Curtis is being an a-hole toward me, well the other boys too.
At my question, Raven thought for a while but eventually agreed, mumbling things like: "If he''s here, this noisy kid beside me will talk to him instead of me. So I''ll know peace."
Raven moved one seat away from the window and made me sit on his former seat.
He said the protagonist should always sit near the window so it''s cool.
I don''t know what''s he talking about but I sat there anyway.
After being here for an hour, I discovered that Raven is not really talkative, just as I expected, he''s a good listener though. Talking to him is somewhat pleasant.
Raven also didn''t reveal anything about himself easily.
While even though ke always run his mouth off, he actually doesn''t talk about his personal life or outside the academy. And when he''s getting too noisy, Raven will cast a magic on him.
Normally using magic to another student is prohibited except on sparring or self defense.
But Raven''s magic is so calm and quiet that it''s hard to notice. Also ke didn''t really mind as it did no harm to him.
And, the bird that''s always with Raven is named Yuki. Yuki is his familiar and Raven said she''s as smart as a human kid.
''That''s awesome.''
An intelligent small bird, it''s interesting in any aspect!
It was then.
"Why is there no professoring?"
ke suddenly asked.
It''s been an hour and no professor came. I''m starting to wonder why too.
"It means they''re doing something more important than teaching."
Raven replied as if he knows what''s happening.
"What do you think they''re doing then?"
A familiar voice askeding from our front.
It was Adelle with Aoi beside her. Looks like they moved near us and beside Eve.
Now Eve, Adelle and Aoi are seated in front of us three in order.
Raven looked at Adelle. Thinking about something.
After a while he seemed to reach a conclusion of his thoughts and finally spoke.
"Probably preparing some tests to gauge our skills."
Raven said.
"Test? But it''s too early for another academy ranking and we already did an entrance tests."
ke stated. Adelle and I nodded.
"It''s an assessment this time, the tests we did before are just qualification tests."
Raven said in a bored voice.
"How did you know?"
Aoi asked him.
"I just know."
But Raven gave her an unclear answer. Which made Aoi frown.
"Ah! By the way, I''m Adelle Lucette, rank 5 from the freshmen academy ranking."
Adelle suddenly introduced herself to Raven then pointed at Aoi.
"This is Masami Aoi, she''s rank 4!"
Adelle''s voice was excited as if she was talking about her own achievement.
''She and ke are simr. Energetic and talkative, always happy for their friends'' achievements, and doesn''t talk about their personal life.''
I thought as I noticed the two''s simrities.
Adelle just proceeded and pointed at Eve next.
"And this is Eve Godwin, she''s rank 3!"
Adelle is proudly puffing her chest out. Making her bosoms be fully disyed as the male students steals nces of her.
I also sometimes find myself attracted to those big bosoms of girls. I''m also a boy after all.
"And for your information, Alec there beside you is the rank 1!"
"The rank 2 is Curtis Hawkins, he''s there at the back row!"
And then Adelle told my and Cutis''s ranking to Raven.
"Woah! That''s cool!"
ke replied in a very impressed voice.
Though Raven seems unimpressed.
"I''m Raven Obadiah, what rank am I again?... About rank 2600? Anyways, nice to meet you."
Raven introduced back unenthusiastically.
Adelle''s brows knitted. She was about to say something.
Swoosh-
Click-
But the door opened and someone came in.
It was our homeroom professor, Sir Kendy Nasah.
Sir Kendy''s presence made the ssroom tense.
Every student fixed their posture, including me. Except for Raven and Eve who remained calm.
Well, their postures are already good anyway.
"I have an announcements to make."
Sir Kendy said as he settled in the front of the ssroom. He didn''t say much but it made the air more tense.
Well Raven and Eve were still rx. Seeing them like that helped me rx too, the same for ke, Aoi, and Adelle.
"All freshmen will have an assessment tests at the end week of this month."
Sir Kendy dered.
Turns out that Raven''s prediction was right. The students who heard Raven''s guess earlier all looked at him with amazement. Well, Eve just frowned.
''Raven have a good insight.''
We all thought in unison.
"I was sure it was supposed to be this weekend."
I heard Raven muttering beside me. I thought he will be all smug about his prediction being right, but he seems dissatisfied about what''s happening.
''What does he mean?''
''What is he so unsatisfied with? His prediction was right.''
Raven was scowling, but his face returned normal not long.
As Sir Kendy isn''t done at the announcement.
"Also, you guys are gonna have a new professor."
Sir Kendy dropped the news with a worry and curious face.
It was then, Raven frowned again.
"This isn''t in the story..."
He said, no one knows what he''s talking about so we all ignored his mumbling.
At that time, 2 figures entered the ssroom.
They''re women.
The first to enter have a cover on her face so we can''t Identify or see her facial features. One can tell she''s a woman based on her figure as if she was sexy with the right curves on his body.
The second woman that''s following her, have no mask and is wearing a simple but cute formal dress shirt long sleeves that''s tucked in in her ck fit skirt.
Gasp¨C
Weak gasping followed after the second woman''s arrival.
She have a cute small face with short brown hair and big blue eyes. And her body is umm... Very erotic.
Her looks are on par with Eve, Adelle and Aoi.
I can feel that she''s just about rank.
And she''s so cute fidgeting nervously walking toward the front of the ssroom.
I blushed as it''s not always that I see someone as cute as her. This was also my first reaction seeing Aoi, Eve, and Adelle.
I don''t have experience with girls and that exined it all.
Anyway, it''s not just me but all the boys and even some girls blushed seeing that cute woman.
ke and Adelle are blushing too. Adelle isn''t into girls but I remember she said she likes cute things. So it''s like admiring the woman''s appearance.
"That one is so cute!"
Adelle said pointing at the woman who just entered. ke nodded dumbfoundedly.
But what caught our attention was Raven. He was surprise, and frowning.
"Keara?"
A name escaped Raven''s mouth as he looks at the cute woman.
Everyone who heard him turned their heads to Raven.
Me, Adelle, Aoi, ke, Eve. and Cutis who got behind our seats; I don''t know when. Anyway, our attention also shifted to Raven.
Some other students looked at Raven too, because the room was engulfed with silence, almost everyone heard Raven. And because of curiosity, their attention are on him.
And maybe because Raven''s tone indicated that he''s seeing someone unexpected.
The 2 women who just entered looked at Raven too. The same goes to Sir Kendy who have extraordinary hearing.
Almost all attention is on Raven. Almost.
The cute woman blushed and lowered her head upon meeting Raven''s eyes. Though she peeks in our direction with a shy smile. To be precise, she was peeking at Raven.
Of course her reaction didn''t go unnoticed to us.
"Do you know her?"
Adelle asked Raven. We''re all waiting for Raven''s response.
Raven looked around. Realizing he''s in the center of attention, he frowned.
Raven opened his mouth and was about to say something. But weak whisperings were heard in the back row of seats.
"Woah, look at that body."
"I''m gonna use my family authority to approach herter."
"Maybe she''lle with us if we give her a lot of money."
"Let''s make her our bitch."
"Kekeke"
Laughter followed after their disgusting words.
The room was still silent and almost everyone have their hearing senses amplified because they''re nosy and waiting for Raven''s reply.
And because of those reasons, almost everyone in the room heard the dirty whispers made by 3 male students.
Looking at the source of the whispers. 3ughing boys can be seen. They''re not looking at Raven but just focused on the cute woman. Who Raven called ''Keara''.
They have this nasty looks on their faces.
I frowned. Not just me but some other students as well.
Curtis just shrugged at the disgust he felt towards of the 3 boys.
Adelle, Aoi and Eve shows great displeasure and looks at the boys with cold eyes.
The room''s temperature seems to drop several levels.
"He¨C"
Swooo¨C
ke and I was just about to say something, but a sudden chill washed all over our body.
Not just us but everyone in the ssroom felt the chill making everyone flinch.
Sir Kendy widened his eyes and then smiled.
After the chill, heavy pressure came after.
My heart started beating rapidly.
It''s feels like I''m standing on thin ice and one wrong move will endanger my life.
Some students started sweating while some had trouble breathing.
But out of every students affected, the 3 boys who were whispering to each other about the cute woman earlier bacame pale as ghost with a terrified expression.
They turned their heads where the pressure and aura ising from. And everyone''s eyes followed.
We all looked at one person, he who have cold eyes and majestic demeanor.
We are all looking at Raven.
Raven was standing and looking at the 3 boys with his body facing them.
"I got bad news for the 3 of you."
Raven''s cold voice echoed through the room, then he pointed at the woman.
The woman looked at Raven with anticipation.
And Raven opened his mouth.
"She''s mine."
"..."
"..."
Heavy silence descended to the ssroom at Raven''s words.
Chapter 18 Changes[2]
[Alec''s POV]
"She''s mine."
"..."
"..."
Heavy silence descended to the room after Raven''s words.
When everyone heard Raven''s words, their fear toward him changed into shame and was freed from Raven''s pressure
Everyone was focused on Raven.
Raven has a serious look on his face. Remembering his words just now, I got flustered. I can see the other students blushing as well, especially the girls.
The girls'' faces shows jealousy and excitement. Well Raven dered in front of many ''She''s mine'' while saving his, I assumed his lover, from lustfulments.
So it''s understandable the girls will be jealous as some of them wants a lover like Raven who will stood up for them any time.
The girls were like screaming internally. They''re squealing weakly.
Adelle was covering her mouth with her hands and she''s blushing really hard.
Aoi was covering her both ears because of embarrassment. I feel her.
I don''t know why, but I got embarrassed at what Raven said.
Eve has a veryplicated look on her face but you can see her face fidgeting a little.
Sir Kendy and Curtis have their eyes widened. Their mouths continues to close and open but no words came out from them.
Raven, who withdrawn his pressure. looked at the cute woman whose face was so red.
The cute woman then looked at Raven directly and sent a shy but sweet smile at him.
And as a reply, Raven let out a rare but charming smile!
The cute woman then became more flustered. It''s like steam wasing out from her head as she fidgets uncontrobly.
Raven is not very handsome, as a matter of fact, I''m way more handsome.
But for some reason, Raven seems more attractive than me.
His smile just now made the girls'' heart thump faster and squeal.
Even Adelle and Aoi blushed a little seeing Raven''s smile.
Well, Eve''s expression bacame moreplicated like she saw something disturbing for some reason.
Also maybe because Raven''s default look is a bored face, his smile has more impact.
''So fucking cool!''
I thought.
When someone deres something like that, normally I would thought it was cheesy and cringe.
But Raven has this weird charisma that when he said it. He looked like a knight courting a princess!
I may have my past life memories but my mentality is still a teenager''s.
"Ahahaha."
The room was silence until someoneughed. It caught everyone''s attention.
And the source of theugh was the other woman who has her face covered.
I saw Raven squinted his eyes while looking at that woman.
The cover on the woman''s face seems like an artifact as we can''t sense her presence and we can''t see what''s behind it at all.
"You''re so cool."
The masked woman''s seductive voice echoed while she''s looking at Raven.
The masked woman then ced her hand on the veil-like artifact that''s covering her face. And with a swift pull, she removed it. And her face was revealed.
Gasp!
Every student was surprised with the Identity of the masked woman.
"It makes me want to be yours too, Raven."
She said with a smile, looking at Raven.
She was beautiful. Red hair and eyes, she was like a beautiful ruby gem!
She''s an
rank hero and a professor here at Lunar, she''s ranked 57 in the [Heroes Ranking].
She was Ruby Skye.
The most beautiful hero.
Also known as the ''Bewitching Swordwoman''.
Everyone, boys or girls, got mesmerized by her beauty and we all blushed. Even Curtis and Eve.
But as we were admiring her beauty, we remembered her words. It was then aplicated look appeared on our face, and we all looked at Raven.
Raven was frowning really hard, he''s not blushing at all, as a matter of fact, he seems displeased.
"Do you know her?"
Aoi asked Raven, one can tell she''s surprised by the thought of that.
Raven nodded and casually answered.
"Yeah, she''s famous so I obviously know her."
Because of his answer we all frowned. He''s being vague again and dodging the question for certain!
"No, I mean, do you have any connection or some kind of rtionship with her."
Aoi rephrased her question.
"No. Not at all. How would I have something like that with her? I have no good family background and I''m not that really talented."
Raven replied without batting an eye.
I don''t know about not being talented but him not having a good family background is true so we epted his answer.
Though, that was until Ruby spoke again.
"You''ll make me very sad, our feelings toward each other are mutual right?"
Her words were clearly heard by everyone.
Everyone, including me, have our eyes widened as we looked at Raven with doubt and disbelief.
Feeling everyone''s gaze, Raven shrugged his shoulders and spoke.
"She''s just messing with you guys."
Raven was so calm that it makes him believable.
But then Ruby walked toward Raven.
Raven tried to move away but his body suddenly stopped moving.
A restraining magic was casted on him.
"Umm... Help."
Raven muttered, looking at us.
We shook our head as a reply. We''re too curious at what''s going to happen so we just let things proceed as they are.
Raven frowned and tried his best to break free from the magic.
"Ghhhg...!"
He''s struggling really bad.
"Why are you like that? 2 beautiful women came here just to see you."
Ruby said while approaching Raven. The woman that we presumed called ''Keara'' based on what we heard Raven called her, blushed at Ruby''s words.
"Okay Ruby, look calm down."
"I am calm."
Seeing Ruby getting close to him. Raven tried to reason with her, unfortunately for him, it didn''t work on Ruby as she just answered casually with a sly but alluring smile.
Not long, Ruby reached Raven.
They''re almost at the same heights, so they''re currently face to face.
Ruby leaned her head forward toward Raven''s. Soon her lips was near Raven''s ear.
Everyone who was watching held their breaths, waiting for what''s gonna happen next.
And with a lovely smile...
"I told you that we will see each other soon."
Ruby whispered to Raven. Her voice was weak but because of the silence, it reached everyone''s ears.
Ruby''s voice was beautiful like a calming melody, it''s alluring and rxing.
And it was then...
Chu-
Ruby kissed Raven on his cheek. Ruby''s lips touched Raven''s cheek for a good couple of seconds before Ruby retreated her lips away.
"...!"
"..."
"..."
The ssroom then was voided of any sound. Raven was literally in shock but he didn''t say a word.
Curtis and Sir Kendy were surprised with their mouths wide open.
Eve have her eyes widened.
"You left me the other day without me kissing you, so I did it now. I can decide the time and ce, right?"
Ruby whispered again as a beautiful but mischievous smile spread on her face.
It was supposed to be a secret whisper but everyone in the ssroom heard what Ruby said.
Like Ruby intentionally want us to hear her.
Ruby then turned her back against Raven and started to slowly head back to the front of the ssroom.
When Raven heard thest phrase of Ruby''s words, it seemed like realization hit him amd his expression looks like someone who has been tricked.
"I hate you."
Raven said to Ruby. Ruby turned back to look at Raven and smiled genuinely.
"I like you too."
Ruby replied.
Following her words, weak squeals of girls can be heard. They were all grinning and just looking at the scene like they were watching a drama.
I can also see Adelle and Aoi that seems to be struggling from stopping themselves from rampaging, they''ve been grinning ear to ear, they were bottling their excitement. Me and ke were actually the same.
I don''t know why, but the scene I just witnessed is like seeing a prince court a princess. It''s just that in this case, Raven seems to be the tsundere princess while Ruby is the romantic prince.
It''s like I''m a shipper, and the couple that I was shipping made a romantic development.
Though not everyone who saw that scene felt the same. Some boys felt jealousy and a bit of hatred for Raven, their faces tells them all.
"Sorry for themotion Sir Kendy."
Ruby the apologized to Sir Kendy as soon as she was back to the front of the ssroom, near Keara and Sir Kendy.
"Ah! No, it''s fine, well, it''s just the public disy is a bit."
Sir Kendy scratched the back of his head and prompted Ruby that she already knew what he is talking about. Then he nced at Raven, Keara, and Ruby.
"Don''t worry we''ll do it privately next time."
Ruby replied with still the same sly smile.
The girls'' squeals got a bit louder.
"Ehem"
Sir Kendy faked a cough, hearing Ruby''s reply, he looked at Raven and grinned, making Raven frown.
"Well, anyway ss, Miss Ruby Skye here will be your new professor in physical training. And on her side, Miss Keara Scarlett, is her assistant."
Sir Kendy dropped a big news.
"Because of the assessment tests professors are preparing. You guys will have a lot of free time, use it to train."
Sir Kendy added.
Ruby waved her hand to catch everyone''s attention.
"I''ll start teaching your ss tomorrow. So see you all tomorrow."
Ruby said. She then looked at the now sitting on his seat quietly, Raven.
"Oh, except for you Raven, see you soon."
Seeing that Ruby''s smile, Raven seemed to have given up on stopping Ruby to talk and just looked at her with a questioning face.
"You forgot something in my room the other day, so... Go visit me in my officeter."
Ruby winked and then left ssroom after.
Raven''s expression wasplicated.
"Umm... I-I''ll visit you tonight."
It was then that we heard Keara''s voice for the first time. Her voice sounds sweet and rxing, it was cute and charming.
Raven looked at Keara and sent her another charming smile and nodded his head.
Keara smiled bashfully and left, following Ruby.
"Anyway, you guys are free today. Well not really, you need to train, so go to the training grounds. I''ll be in a meeting again."
Sir Kendy said with an annoyed voice and tone then he left too.
The ssroom remained silent when they left.
"So, what''s your rtionship with them?"
Adelle asked Raven curiously, breaking the silence.
Raven looked around and saw that everyone is waiting for his answer.
"Umm... I''m their father?"
And Raven''s answer was the worst things he can say. His voice didn''t even waver in saying that.
"..."
"..."
Everyone looked at him without saying anything.
"I just met them few days ago, okay?"
Rave then said in a fairly loud voice as he can''t stand everyone''s gaze.
"You seduced them in just days? You''re really amazing!"
ke butted in, making Raven''s situation even worse.
"Shut up you''re not helping!"
Raven casted a magic to ke.
"So do you have experience, in you know, in adult things."
Aoi asked again carefully. It was a very weird question to ask someone, but no one stopped her as we are curious as well.
Raven frowned.
He was silent for a while, as if thinking the best answer he can. Then, he opened his mouth.
"Yes, I have."
Raven casually answered.
He just dropped a bomb!
"Kyaaa!"
Now the girls stopped restraining their selves and screamed.
Not that Raven minded them as his expression didn''t change.
"Umm, do you have any advice?"
It was Curtis who asked Raven something this time. His question made everyone looked at him.
And Curtis was just earnestly waiting for Raven''s answer.
Eve frowned. We also scratched our cheeks in shame.
Raven looked at Curtis with aplicated expression before answering.
"Love is like a fart, if you have to force it, it''s probably crap."
Raven said then stood up.
"Well, I''m gonna go meet Ruby so I''ll be going first."
After that, he immediately left the ssroom, leaving everyone in daze as his words echoed in our minds.
Pfft¨C
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Adelle and ke couldn''t hold theirughter back.
Me and Aoi are trembling as we hold ourugh froming out.
Eve was covering her mouth but it seems like she''s smiling.
Curtis ramained motionless as he was processing what Raven just said.
''Raven''s advice was right but why does he need to put it that way?''
"Fart?"
Curtis mumbled with a nk face.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Hearing what Curtis said and seeing his expression. Theughs everyone was holding back escaped our mouths as we can''t hold it anymore.
***
[Raven''s POV]
"Looks like my existence already took effect."
I murmured while walking.
The assessment test was supposed to start this weekend.
And Ruby wasn''t suppose to be one of our professor, at least until monthster.
And Keara wasn''t even mentioned in the story!
Speaking of Keara.
I remembered the 3 male students that made dirty remarks about Keara.
I was just about to say that Keara was just an acquaintance of mine, but hearing their words toward Keara made my blood boil, so I snapped at them.
Remembering what I did.
My steps halted, and I frowned.
"Fucking embarrassing."
I was cringing because of my actions now that I calmed down.
But out of all thing that happened just now, what annoyed me the most was Ruby. I mean just second most after to the dirty remarks to Keara made by the 3 boys.
"What the hell is she thinking?"
Remembering Ruby''s actions made me shudder.
It was hell.
Because of Ruby, a lot of unnecessary attention was pointed at me.
I''m also a human so I like attention, if it''s positive.
I don''t like being hated!
I''m not a masochist!
I remember how the boys looked at me. Their eyes filled with jealousy and hatred.
"This is the worst."
So many things happened and it''s only morning.
I didn''t expect the main characters to approach me first. I thought of shooing them away but realized that it was not a good idea.
''There will be a lot of times that I will be caught up in the story and events, so I need some kind connection with them anyway.''
"Just thinking of the happenings this day is making my head hurts."
I walked faster, heading to Ruby''s office as fast as possible.
***
"Oh, you miss me so much that you came here as soon as possible."
Entering a room, Ruby''s sweet voice greeted me with her wearing a sly smile.
Looks like Keara is not around and Ruby is alone.
"Yeah, I missed you so much that I want to strangle you."
I replied ring at Ruby.
"Oh, what a sadist."
Ruby''s expression while saying that is somewhat annoying.
"Why the hell did you do that for?"
I asked her. I''m talking about the scene she caused in the ssroom earlier.
"Come on, that was for your benefit."
Ruby answered. I calmed myself down and prompted Ruby to exin.
Ruby nodded and started exining.
"With that scene I caused, no one will be able to mess with you easily as you have me as your backing."
''Well that''s true.''
I thought after looking at the situation at that perspective.
"Also, no one will suspect us that much when we''re meeting in private like now. You know, when we need to talk about business."
Ruby added. All of her words have a point and her reasons are convincing too.
I don''t want to admit it, but Ruby''s actions really has a lot of benefits to me too.
"They''ll just think that we''re making out when we''re meeting in private."
Ruby added, smiling ear to ear like an idiot. I frowned but didn''t say anything, it''s because it seems like Ruby is still gonna say another one reason of her.
"Andstly everyone there saw you getting a kiss from the most beautiful hero, aren''t you a lucky one?"
Well, not gonna lie thest reason sounds somewhat convincing.
Ignoring Ruby''sst reason, I asked the question that I''ve been curious.
"What about Keara?"
I know Ruby knows about our rtionship as she investigated about me.
"Oh! That''s our surprise for you! Now you can meet with her easily, her pay is also much higher than herst job. I hired her as my assistant so you can say her boss is more kind than thest one."
Ruby said proudly puffing her bosoms out. My eyes unconsciously a took nce on them, fortunately, looks like Ruby didn''t notice, if she did I''ll never hear the end of it.
Though seeing Ruby excitedly and innocently bragging makes her look cute.
Shaking such thoughts out of my head.
"How did you convinced her to be your assistant?"
I asked Ruby again.
"It''s easy. It seems like that she loves you way too much."
Ruby answered teasingly.
"And I said that I''m also in love with you."
She added and winked.
"What the hell?"
I unconsciously said.
"Don''t worry she''s somewhat happy when she heard that from me."
I frowned at Ruby''s assurance.
''What the hell is on her mind?''
"Oh, and I don''t mind sharing you with her."
"Okay stop."
I stopped Ruby before she said anything else. She''s getting out of control.
"What about the assessment test? Isn''t it supposed to be this weekend?"
I changed in to another important topic. Ruby''s eyes widened as she was in shock.
"You even know that?"
She asked.
"Well, I have my ways."
I shrugged.
Ruby looked at me for a while with doubt before answering.
"Well, That''s because of me. I suggested it."
"Why?"
Why would she do that?
"For you, because of what I did in the ssroom, you need to establish your rank so others won''t touch you casually."
My eyes widened. It looks like Ruby''s actions earlier is more nned than what I expected.
"It''s for me too, I don''t want to have a rumor about me having a rtionship with someone weak and untalented."
Ruby added in a yful manner.
I let out a sigh.
"Why would you do all that for me?"
I asked Ruby. She have no reason to do all of that.
It really doesn''t help her in any way.
Ruby just looked at me for some time while smiling.
"Because I like you."
Ruby said.
"There''s nothing else, I''m just really interested in you."
Chapter 19 Changes[3]
After the question and answer, Ruby and I talked about business.
Ruby gave me a VIP pass of the [Paradise] while I also told her about Tyrone.
The VIP pass is what Ruby meant by the things I ''forgot'' in her room.
And about my business proposal with her about Tyrone.
Ruby immediately agreed after telling her about Tyrone''s potential. Just as I expected.
Ruby also gave me 8 million Zeals, it was from mine and Velcro''s duel.
Some spectators made bets about the oue of our duel. And with me winning, I got some of the money as amission, I got a pretty huge amount as not many betted on me. Well, who doesn''t like money?
"Can I ask you a favor?"
I said looking at Ruby earnestly.
"What is it?"
Ruby, curious of what I said, asked.
"I want you to spar with me from time to time. At least until the assessment test."
I said with a genuine honesty.
I didn''t move my gaze from Ruby as I''m waiting for her answer.
I was nervous at what her answer will be.
Though my nervousness disappeared when I saw Ruby smile.
"Sure. If it''s you, I''ll even clear my schedule anytime."
I was relieved Ruby epted my favor, but I frowned nevertheless.
"You don''t need to go that far."
"Well I got you in a mess, so I can do at least that much."
Ruby shrugged. Because of the scene she caused earlier, sooner orter, gossips about it will reach the whole academy and even the outside world.
Some die hard fans of Ruby maye and attack me after the news about ite out.
Like Velcro, just thinking about it is annoying.
While I was frowning and lost in thoughts, Ruby talked.
"You''re really interesting, do you know that I have this trait that makes people like me?"
Ruby was looking at me like I was an odd one.
"But you''re not that affected by it."
I tilted my head and squinted my eyes, looking at her.
"What are you talking about?"
I smiled and asked.
"I already like you."
I added.
Of course I know about that Ruby''s trait, it is called , I was the one who put it afterall.
And I''m also affected by it, if not for my trait , I might have act as a dog toward Ruby!
"You''re a good seducer you know."
Ruby said with a sly smile.
"Really? I didn''t know."
I said, shrugging both of my shoulders.
"Anyway, I need to go."
Following my words, I stood up from my seat.
"Okay,e visit me from time to time."
Ruby said and waved me a goodbye.
Ignoring Ruby''s seduction, I nodded and left the room.
***
After leaving Ruby''s office. Raven went to the library.
The library of the Lunar Academy contains almost every book in the human domain. It also contains some books from the otherworlders.
The library have magic books, swordsmanship basic techniques, sword arts, history, etc.
There''s even novels in it.
Raven came in the library to look at some monsters'' and beasts'' informations.
There''s a lot of monsters and beasts that Raven doesn''t know as he didn''t name every single one of them in the novel. Raven doesn''t even know red wolves can evolve to a King Wolf!
That''s why Raven decided to gain more knowledge and information about his new world.
Settling in a secluded corner of the library and reading dozens of books. Raven was alone in a long table.
"Hey system, why do I see some weird memories from time to time?"
Raven suddenly asked.
Raven sometimes see weird memories that doesn''t belong to him. He knows that they were his memories but at the same time, they''re not.
Raven didn''t really saw a disturbing memory, just some small, ordinary and unimportant memories. It still bothers him though.
[Those are your memories. To be precise, the memories of ''Raven'', not ''Cole''.]
Raven''s brows knitted together as wringkles appeared on his forehead. He felt unpleasant at the system''s answer.
"Didn''t you say this body is just for me? And now you''re telling me that I just stole it from someone?"
Raven asked. He sounded very serious and angry.
[No, you''re wrong.]
"Am I really?"
[Let''s just say you have been reincarnated in here, your novel, instead of being transmigrated.]
The system exined. Though Raven is still quite confuse.
"What''s your point?"
Raven asked in a annoyed tone, he''s getting impatient.
[You are not ''Cole'' anymore, but instead you are now ''Raven''. You did not got transmitted here, but instead got reincarnated. It means the memories you have as ''Cole'' are the memories from your past life, that''s why they''re unclear sometimes, right?]
[You ''Cole'', is the same person as ''Raven'', you both are one whole soul.]
Raven frowned at the new informations he recieved.
[And the memories that you mentioned you see from time to time is actually your memories in this life, as ''Raven''.]
Raven understood what the system is saying, but at the same time, he''s confused by them.
"Once I regained my memories of ''Raven'', will I, ''Cole'', be a different person?"
Raven asked the system anxiously.
[Not really, it''s because you, ''Cole'', have the main control of that body. ''Raven'' will merge in to ''Cole''.]
Raven was relieved knowing that.
''In short my case is simr to Alec, the protagonist.''
Raven thought with a light nod. Being freed from something disturbing him, Raven continued his reading.
"Look! He''s here!"
Though not long, a familiar loud and annoying voice pierced through and rang inside Raven''s ears. Raven already guessed who it was from.
Raven''s head snapped into the direction where the voice came from, hoping his guess is wrong.
Though unfortunately for Raven, his guess was right as he saw ke pointing at him.
"Raven!"
ke is waving his hand while shouting his name.
Raven frowned and face palmed.
''For fuck''s sake!''
ke is with Alec, Adelle, Aoi, and Eve.
Raven pretended he didn''t notice them and just continued reading. Hoping they''ll go away.
Though heaven didn''t grant his wish. Alec and ke sat from his both sides, while the 3 girls sat from the opposite.
"Why did you ignore us?"
ke asked Raven as soon as he sat down.
"Shhh, be quiet. You''re in the library, you''re gonna disturb people with that loud mouth of yours."
Raven said without even averting his eyes away from the book he''s reading.
"Oh, my bad."
ke said in a low voice, realizing his mistake.
And not long after they joined Raven. The girls started reading. Alec also started reading something about magic.
Everyone in that table is reading, except ke!
ke remained silent without reading as he just looks around.
''Why is he even here?''
Raven thought. He ignored everyone''s presence and continued reading.
***
[Alec''s POV]
We''ve been in the library for about half an hour.
I was not really surprise seeing Raven here as you can easily imagine him reading books all day.
Raven''s concentration is good as he never stopped reading.
Me and the others stopped reading from time to time as we get bored.
But Raven continued reading non stop like it was normal for him. Though of all books he read, most of them are novels.
On the other hand, ke is remaining silent but you can see him being bored so much. His face tells it all!
And maybe because he can''t contain the boredom, ke took out a ruler from his pocket and ced it near Raven.
Raven ignored him.
ke moved the ruler near Raven''s face, then, it touched Raven''s face.
Raven still ignored him.
It was then, ke started poking Raven with the ruler.
Me, Adelle and Aoi was looking at ke weirdly.
Well, Eve look pleased at what the hell ke is doing.
After a while, Raven finally looked at ke.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
Annoyance can be heard in Raven''s voice.
"Measuring your patience."
ke answered while holding back hisugh as if he just told the most funniest joke ever.
Though even the joke is pretty old, it''s kinda funny because of ke''s action and Raven''s reaction.
Raven seems to be struggling to stop himself from strangling ke as his face became a bit read because of anger.
While Aoi, Adelle, and even Eve were grinning.
I''m just hiding my face with the book I''m reading as I can''t stop smiling.
In the end, Raven decided to continue reading instead of dealing with ke''s boredome.
Following his example, I continued reading too.
The same goes to the girls.
But just after a while of silence.
"Raven?"
ke called for Raven.
"What?"
Raven is pretty much annoyed already when he replied.
ke smiled yfully. And asked:
"What do you call a fish with no eye?"
"Myxine Circifrons, now shut the fuck up."
And Raven immediately answered.
"..."
ke became silent for a second.
"Fsh"
And ignoring Raven''s answer. ke gave his own answer to his own question toplete his joke.
Raven looked at ke with a frown.
"Stupid."
Then he goes back to reading again.
Pfft¨C
I was holding back myughter. The same goes to Aoi and Adelle. Eve is still reading but the corner of her mouth is twitching.
We all know that ke tried to crack a joke and got shot down by Raven. But their interaction just now is funny enough that my stomach hurts!
Our table was silent but I can''t concentrate to the book I''m reading.
"I didn''t know that there''s really a fish with no eye..."
Then we heard ke mumbled is a rather dejected tone.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU GUYS ARE HILARIOUS!"
After hearing ke''s mumbling, Adelle who couldn''t hold it anymore,ughed from the top of her lungs.
***
[Raven''s POV]
I left the library as soon as I finished reading informations about certain monsters.
My time in the library was pretty uneventful except that ke always tried to disturb me every time he can by telling stupid jokes.
The others didn''t talked that much, they just talk if it''s necessary. Like asking questions to each other.
Though Alec, Aoi and Adelle seemed like they wanted to ask me some questions. I pretended that I didn''t notice.
After a few more minutes, I was back in my dorm.
Aftering in, I didn''t waste any time.
I practiced mana control and some martial arts.
"It''s not that long since I entered Lunar but my existence already took effect on the story."
The assessment test, Ruby teaching our ss a lot earlier, and even Keara''s existence.
"And that annoying thing called ke."
ke didn''t appeared in my novel but upon appraising his stats, I''m sure he''s talented.
ke is a rank higher than me.
It doesn''t really affects the story that much.
"There''s already changes happening about the future that I know."
With the Transcend Beings alternating some happenings to their liking.
I already predicted this.
But it''s most likely that the main events will still happen.
I don''t n to act like an extra.
I''ll do whatever I want.
But to have that kind of freedom I need to have a lot strength.
Physically and financially.
Financially, I n to start apany with a lot of future bigshots. Using my information about the future, it''s possible.
But the problem is physically.
"My talent limit."
I''m not talented enough to be one of the strongest, in fact, I have an average talent.
The best rank I can reach is rank, an average rank limit, it''s nowhere near the main characters who will be rank in the future.
Normally because of my rank limit, ranking up is hard but thanks to the , I''m progressing at a fast pace.
While meditating, a resolute expression appeared on my face.
"I will not waste this life being an extra."
I said.
"I''m want to live excitingly this time."
Coming in this world first, I thought of livingzyly and peacefully.
A life away from dangers, a normal life.
"But that''s boring."
I already lived my life like that all this time.
I want to experience something new.
I want to have fun.
I want to satisfy myself.
I don''t need to live like a nobody just because I''m an extra.
Smiling, I opened my mouth.
"So while I''m it..."
With a determined look, I muttered.
"Let''s aim for the top."
***
I continued training mana control and marital arts for an hour.
After finishing, I took a bath and started to cook.
While cooking I remember some of the things Ruby said to me.
"There''s really something about this body."
Controlling mana is so much easier to me and even learning things.
And also the reason I''m in the top ss even my rank is low.
Is because of my insight.
Ruby asked Sir Kendy for me.
"Well I have an Insight skill so that exins why."
Turns out my is rare.
Well I''m not gonna lie it helped me a lot.
Tok. Tok.
Then I heard knocks from the door.
I approached the door and immediately opened it.
"I thought you''re gonnae sooner."
I said.
The one who knocked was Keara.
"Sorry, I was learning about my new job."
She was fidgeting.
''Cute.''
I involuntary smiled.
"It''s fine. I''m cooking dinner soe in and wait till it''s ready."
She looked up at me with a relieved face.
I let her inside my dorm.
She sat on my bed.
Keara then started to look around the room.
"As you can see, I''m not really that talented and rich."
I said to her while cooking.
"It''s fine, I don''t really have a talent too, and beside I can just work for the both of us."
She said with a pure smile.
Her answer surprised me.
"Honestly, you''re too good for me."
She was like an angel, I was touched.
"But not because you''re too good for me doesn''t mean I''m gonna let you go, in fact I''m gonna hold on you tighter."
I''m not letting her go, that''s gonna be so stupid of me.
Keara became silent, she was embarrassed.
"You''re so cute that I want to bite you."
I unconsciously said, regret washed my body for a second.
"Um, I-I didn''t take a bath yet."
Her answer removed my regret and left me dumbfounded.
Pfft¨C
Augh escaped my mouth.
"I don''t really care, why would you take a bath now if we''re gonna be sweaty soon?"
I said teasingly.
Keara seems to think what I mean just now, upon realizing it, she became red and lowered her head.
"Oh, and about Ruby."
I hesitantly said.
"Oh, she already told me, I''m so happy knowing someone as wonderful as her also love you."
? She said cheerfully.
"She also treats me nicely and she seems like a nice person so I really don''t mind."
Keara''s words were like she was talking about her older sister.
"Yeah, thanks, you''re like an angel."
I said and smiled awkwardly. This polygamy thing is still weird for me.
"Come on let''s eat."
I just finished cooking.
I didn''t told her about my real rtionship with Ruby upon seeing her being cheerful.
Looks like Ruby and Keara are getting along.
***
I woke up and saw Keara looking down at me.
I''m in my cat form because I''m physically exhausted fromst night.
Keara saw me transforming in a cat for the first time.
At first she was surprised, and she panicked.
But after calming down.
Keara liked my cat form.
She always keeps me close to her.
She always massage my stomach, which is good.
Keara fell asleep cuddling me.
It''s a very pleasant feeling.
"What time is it?"
I asked Keara.
"It''s 6:01 A.M."
She said carefully, like she doesn''t want to startle me.
She treats me like a cat.
She seems to forgot that I''m a human.
So I transformed back to being a human.
By my sudden transformation, Keara got surprised.
While still on herp, I kissed her lips.
"Good morning."
I said then stood up.
Keara got flustered but I just smiled and asked:
"Let''s take a bath."
She nodded weakly.
We took a bath together.
Keara got dressed up, looks like she was prepared and brought clothes for her to change.
"You should leave some clothes here in my room for when you visit."
I said while preparing breakfast.
"Okay, I will."
Tok. Tok.
Then someone knocked.
"I''m gonna get it."
Keara said.
I unconsciously nod.
Then I remembered that we''re in the Lunar Academy and not in a hotel.
So the one knocking is either a student or a staff.
"Wai¨C"
Beforepleting my word, Keara already unlocked the door.
Then the door burst opened.
Bam!
"Raven! What the hell happened? You''re so noisyst nigh¡ª"
ke''s words stopped upon seeing Keara.
I knitted my brows together.
Behind ke was Adelle and Alec.
They''re looking at me and Keara back and forth.
''Why the hell does this 3 get along so well?''
They became friends so fast.
"Miss Keara?!"
ke eximed.
Keara realizing what''s happening ran to me and tried to hide behind me.
"Don''t hide behind me, your undergarments are on my bed revealed openly."
I said and covered the bed with a nket.
I saw Adelle looking at the bed earlier with a surprised expression.
My dorm is small so the bed can be seen upon opening the door.
So denying Keara will be pointless, it might just hurt her feelings.
Fortunately, only Adelle saw Keara''s undergarments.
"Um, do you guys want to eat? I just prepared breakfast."
The three of them flinched and bacame a bit embarrassed at my suggestion.
"Umm, yeah thanks."
They agreed, they came pretty early so I guessed they''re trying to invite me to have breakfast with them.
While we''re walking to the table, I stopped and looked at ke.
"Oh, I wasn''t the one who''s loudst night, It was Keara."
Chapter 20 Sparring[1]
Alec, Adelle and ke were feeling a bit of difort.
"I''m sorry, my dorm is small."
Raven said.
They''re currently inside of Raven''s room.
"Ah, no it''s fine."
Adelle replied. She was looking at Keara who''s preparing the breakfast with Raven.
"So what did you guys dost night to be that noisy?"
ke asked innocently tilting his head.
Awkward silence engulfed the room.
With his question, Adelle and Alec bacame flustered and scratched their cheeks.
"Shut up idiot."
Raven broke the silence and answered while frowning.
Keara stopped preparing as she was embarrassed as well.
Not long Raven finished preparing the foods in the table.(He cooked new dishes as Adelle, Alec, and ke came unexpected.)
The dishes looks appetizing and have a lot of meat in them that will give you energy.
All of the foods are simple dishes but they look extremely delicious.
It also smells good.
Adelle and ke started drooling.
Alec tried to hide it but he also wants to have a taste.
"Woah! You cooked all of these?!"
ke eximed.
Raven sat down to the opposite of the three and Keara sat beside him.
"Yeah. Let''s eat."
Raven said unenthusiastically while waving his hand.
Following his words, the three took a bite from the food in front of them.
The deep-fried smoke bull. The 3 have been eyeing it since it was ced on the table.
Smoke bulls are monsters, not beasts, they''re rank monsters and known for its healthy and delicious meat!
Chomp¨C
Upon taking a bite of the monster''s fried meat,Alec, Adelle, and ke, all 3 of them have widened their eyes in surprise!
"Woah, this is awesome!"
ke said and took another bite.
"Right? He''s really great at cooking!"
Keara said proudly, it looks like she really wanted to boast about it.
Adelle and Alec nodded in agreement.
"He''s a really good cook!"
"Yeah! This is million times better than foods that they sell on the cafeteria!"
Alec and Adelle said respectively.
"Slow down eating."
Raven was frowning but one can tell he''s quite delighted.
Raven likes to be praised.
The four of them smiled upon realizing this.
"Why are you all grinning like an Idiot?"
Raven asked, annoyed.
"Nothing~"
Adelle, Alec and ke said teasingly at the same time.
Raven frowned but decided to ignore them.
Keara smiled at this sight.
After a while, Alec opened his mouth.
"Do you always cooks your own food?"
He asked.
Raven looked and him and nodded.
"Come to think of it, I never saw you in the cafeteria."
ke stated.
Adelle and Alec also realized this.
Raven looked at them.
"I''m just not fond of the idea of eating someone else''s cooking. So if possible I always cook for myself."
Raven said casually.
"So, are you a germaphobe?"
Adelle asked Raven the question that has been lingering in her mind for a long time. The answer is pretty much obvious but she still wanted to ask Raven herself.
"I''m not."(He is.)
Raven answered.
Adelle frowned. Even Alec and ke.
Keara just smiled awkwardly.
"Germaphobe is someone who''s afraid of germs."
"I''m not afraid of germs, I just find dirty things bothersome and annoying."
Raven said confidently.
''Isn''t that pretty much just the same thing?''
Adelle and Alec thought.
ke is nodding totally convinced of Raven''s reasoning.(This guy is an idiot...)
Keara didn''t say anything and just continued to eat.
"So, why are you guys here?"
Raven asked to change the topic as he noticed no one''s believing his answer.
"I doubt it''s just to invite me for breakfast."
"Oh yeah! Do you want to train with us?"
Alec asked not beating around the bush.
Raven likes that.
"Unfortunately, I already have my training n ready."
Raven said, wiping the food stains on the corner of Keara''s mouth with a tissue.
Raven is doing it unconsciously. Because his mind was set to his promise to spoil Keara.
Keara got embarrassed but didn''t stop Raven as she likes it when Raven takes care of her.
Looking at the two being chummy with each other.
Alec''s and Adelle''s faces turned red.
''Cute.''
They thought watching Keara being all embarrassed but not stopping Raven.
ke didn''t notice it as he''s just eating continuously.
"Oh, that''s too bad we can''t train with each other."
Regaining his calm, Alec said in a disapointed tone.
Adelle also feels a bit disapointed.
"Well, that''s forbat and physical training but we can study together in the library."
Raven said as he noticed the two being all disapointed.
"Why would we need to study?"
ke finally stopped eating and asked.
Adelle and Alec was also a bit confused.
''Isn''t the test all about fighting?''
They thought.
"Are you guys stupid?"
Raven said while frowning.
"Haaa..."
Seeing them confused, Raven let out a sigh.
"It''s called and ''assessment'' test, so obviously not just ourbat strength but they will also test our knowledge."
Raven exined.
Realization washed all over the three.
"Like about monsters'' informations and dungeons."
Adelle and Alec understood thus nodded their heads.
While ke was devastated.
"Guys! Help me, I may not look like it but I''m not very good at studying."
He eximed.
"Shut up, it''s obvious."
Raven bluntly said.
ke was purely shocked at Raven''s words.
''So ke doesn''t know that he looks like an airhead.''
Adelle and Alec thought.
"Anyway, thanks for telling us, how do you know it anyway, did Miss Keara or Miss Ruby told you?"
Adelle asked Raven.
"No, even if I have some kind of rtionship with them, they can''t disclose informations of the academy easily."
Raven exined.
"As of how did I know, it''s pretty obvious if you think about it properly."
"I bet Aoi and Eve already know this."
Raven added.
Curtis probably knows it too but he''s not that close to him so he didn''t mention him.
Looking at the three, Raven frowned.
''They''re not stupid, in fact they''re smart. I guess they got too excited about the test.''
''Well ke is stupid.''
He thought.
After that they all continued to eat.
They talked from time to time but it''s just Adelle and Alec asking Raven some things they''re curious about.
***
[Raven''s POV]
We all just finished eating.
Keara started to put away the dishes we all used.
"I''m so envious of you."
ke said to me while looking at Keara.
"Well, you should."
I said slyly.
Who wouldn''t envious, right?
Tok. Tok.
Then someone knocked at the door.
"I''m gonna get it."
Keara said unconsciously again.
I shook my head.
"We''re not in the hotel, it may be students again or academy staffs."
Keara then scratched her cheek and nodded. She forgot again.
She looks pretty down.
"Can you just wash the dishes for me?"
I softly said to Keara.
Keara''s face then brighten and she nodded.
"Okay!"
She then started to wash the dishes enthusiastically.
''She really likes to help me even in small things...''
I thought with a smile.
"You guys go to hotels? Why?"
ke then suddenly asked, breaking my smile.
Alec and Adelle frowned.
I frowned too.
"It''s none of your business."
I answered and left them and went to the door to open it.
Upon opening it, a man holding a push cart greeted me, in the cart there''s a single small box.
"There''s a package for you."
He said to me.
I signed some papers and received the package.
It''s goddamn heavy.
"Thank you for bringing it to me."
I politely said with a smile. Then handed him 1000 Zeals.
Like the other staffs, he seems pretty flustered by it, but upon saying it''s my thanks for bringing the package to me safely, he left with the 1000 Zeals, satisfied.
Entering my dorm again.
Adelle, Alec and ke are looking at me, to be exact, the box I''m holding.
"What''s that?"
ke asked pointing at my package. Adelle and Alec looks also curious.
"It''s for my training, anyway, can you bring this to my bed, I''m gonna help Keara."
ke nodded his head and took the package.
"Woah! What the?"
Releasing my hand to the package.
ke recieved the package''s full weight.
"Oh, it''s 100 kilos, sorry."
I forgot to tell him.
Hearing my words.
ke''s eyes widened.
Alec and Adelle seems to be surprised too.
It''s bearable to lift for ability users, but it will still be quite heavy.
Inside the package are 4 training bracelets weighting 25 kilos each.
It''s their permanent weights. It can''t be adjusted.
My bracelets are getting light for me.
But making it heavier using mana is hard for me at the moment as I have small mana capacity. It will be burdensome for my body.
So I bought these equipments instead.
"I told you, I already have my training ns ready."
I casually said and shrugged as they''re looking at me with weird gazes.
***
After talking to each other for a bit, Alec, ke and Adelle left.
Keara also left after washing the dishes.
I also left and did my daily training routine.
After that, I went to the ssroom, it''s uneventful, nothing special happened.
ke just ran his mouth all the time.
Alec asked some questions about the lessons sometimes.
The 3 girls are talking to each others.
We can''t hear them even after enhancing our hearings as Adelle used a special wind magic.
Looks like they''re having a girls talk.
Well, I honestly don''t care.
They join our conversation from time to time.
And Curtis who was sitting on the back row with his goons goes to our seats from time to time.
He asked me rtionship advices.
Well, whatever I said left him unsatisfied.
He seems to not like me.
Maybe bacause I''m sitting near Eve.
''Did I really create such weird character?''
I questioned my self because of Curtis'' actions.
***
<5:30 P.M>
All the lessons are finished.
I''m physically exhausted.
Because of the assessment test at the end of the month, we have more freedom and the academy schedule till the assessments are cut into half.
It is so we can focus on training.
Well, there are some ss that is still ongoing, it''s up to us whether we attend or not.
We just need to make sure we pass the tests in those ss.
''Well, it''s gonna be easy for me.''
With that in mind, I went to the library.
At the entrance of the library, I saw a very unusual group.
It was Alec, ke, Adelle, Aoi, Eve, and Curtis.
"You''re here!"
ke eximed.
Following his words, all eyes went toward me.
Eve just nced at me for a second and went inside the library.
Alec and Adelle waved at me.
Aoi looked at me for a while too then followed Eve.
Curtis red at me then followed Eve too.
"I just want to study in peace..."
I muttered.
***
We''re currently upying a whole table in the library.
We''ve been here for about 3 hours.
All students are looking at us curiously.
I didn''t know and didn''t care but it appears that ke is popr with girls too.
He is rank 1645 in all freshmen, but he''s filthy rich.
Curtis is not reading any books and just looks at Eve.
Talk about creepy.
ke is trying to study but fails to focus every goddamn time.
Adelle and Alec are seriously studying.
Eve and Aoi are chill, they''re the smartest students of all freshmen after all.
I''m just flipping the pages of the books in a rather fast pace.
The system records the contents of the books and my trait is exining them to me.
Although doing this hurts my head and drains my mana rapidly.
Nobody question my reading style which is good.
Anyway, because of our unusual group, there are a lot of students that tried to approach us.
Who wouldn''t?
We have the most handsome and beautiful students in our group.
And they''re also the strongest in all freshmen.
I think ke is okay to be here.
But I''m kinda feeling awkward because of my rank and I''m not really that handsome.
''Damn charm monsters.''
I thought with a frown and just continued to read.
''I don''t really notice any students looking at me negatively but I''m sure there are some.''
Then just as I thought of that, I saw some boys ring at me.
''Look at those boys looking at me with death res.''
Anyways, I''m just going to ignore them.
(Unbeknownst to Raven, he''s also popr with girls that''s why the boys hates him, he bacame a hot topic because of the incident yesterday with Ruby and Keara in their ssroom. In fact, some professors also hates him, he just didn''t know.)
"Fuck."
I weakly muttered as my whole body aches.
I''m physically exhausted because of my morning training.
The sudden weights I added to my body this morning caused my whole body to hurt.
Just flipping the pages of the book is hard to me. And I''m doing it continuously fast nonstop.
Unable to hold it anymore, my arms that are on the air holding a book, lost strength.
Boom-!
A loud sound was created as my arms fell on the table.
The tabled that is made from some sort of metal shook and a small crack appeared on it.
The training bracelets in each of my arms weighted for a total of 50 kilos.
So my arms simply falling on the table created a weak force.
Luckily, Adelle is using the magic she used earlier when Eve, Aoi, and her had a private conversation among themselves.
It''s a wind magic that makes noises and voices doesn''t leak outside the area of the magic, we can hear the students outside the magic but they can''t hear us.
I can''t cast this kind of magic because it''s a 4th tier wind magic.
The magic is surrounding our whole area so no one heard the loud sound, except us who are inside the magic.
Alec, ke, Aoi, and Adelle got surprised by the sound and looked at me with wide opened eyes.
Eve frowned at me.
Curtis was looking at me with a questioning face.
"What happened?"
Alec asked.
"Sorry, My arms can''t hold the weights any longer."
I bashfully said.
"Oh, is that so."
Alec said looking at me with worried eyes.
ke is the same.
Adelle seems a bit concerned too. Seeing Adelle like that, Eve and Aoi frowned and looked at me like I did something wrong.
"Haa... What a weakling."
Curtis said and tried to lift both of my arms with one hand.
"Hm?"
But my arms barely moved.
Even for Curtis and Alec, raising 100 kilograms with one hand is hard.
Confusion can be seen on Curtis'' face.
At what happened, Alec, Aoi, and Adelle got surprised.
Eve also showed a bit of interest.
ke is clueless on what''s happening.
"What the hell?"
Curtis lifted my arms with both of his hand.
"You''re moving with these all this time?"
Curtis said with amusement and shock.
~~~~~
(Raven have a total of 8 training bracelets on, 2 on each of his limbs, and each of the 8 training bracelets are weighing 25 kilos.)
Chapter 21 Sparring[2]
"You''re moving with these everyday?"
Curtis said with amusement and shock.
"It''s not that heavy before, I just added some more weights this morning."
I said.
Curtis, removing my training bracelets, looked at me weirdly.
I ignored him and started to look around.
"What are you looking for?"
Aoi asked.
"I can''t see Yuki, she went out as soon as my arms fell on the table."
Yuki came out of the ring and flew away immediately earlier.
"I also saw her flew away, I thought youmanded her."
Adelle said.
They know that Yuki is smart, except for Curtis who doesn''t even know who Yuki is.
I shook my head.
"She have her own mind so she can make her own decisions, I didn''t give her amand this time."
"Then isn''t this bad?"
Alec said in a worried voice.
''He bacame too friendly to me.''
It''s not that even long since we met.
Well, it''s not unpleasant.
"It''s okay, she''s smart."
I said confidently.
A minute after I said that, the library''s door burst opened.
Bam!
"There you are..."
Then Yuki appeared and flew toward me, she looks worried.
-Kyuuu!
I''m pretty low in mana so I can''t connect to Yuki''s senses and feelings, but I already got familiar with her feelings so I can tell she''s worried.
-Kyuuu!
I smiled looking at Yukj flying toward me.
But my smile didn''tst for long as it turned into a frown after seeing someone familiar entering the library.
A very beautiful and enticing woman with ruby-red eyes and hair.
It was Ruby.
All of the students'' attention shifted to her.
Curtis and Eve also looked at her with surprise.
Ruby then looked at my direction.
''I have a bad feeling about this...''
Just as I thought so. Ruby''s figure disappeared and reappeared beside me.
With us being close, all the boys red at me.
''Fucking hell!''
I cursed inwardly, feeling the hates directed on me.
Alec, Adelle, Aoi, and ke looked at Ruby and me with meaningful eyes.
Eve and Curtis were looking at Ruby with admiration.
But then looked at me with a frown.
Talk about unfair.
Though, I ignored them all.
"Why are you here?"
I whispered to Ruby''s ear.
She got flustered and held her ear that I whispered on.
''Her ears are too sensitive.''
I thought and frowned, because of Ruby''s reaction, the res toward me bacame more intense.
"Ehem..."
Ruby cleared her throat and fixed her posture.
Her ears are still red though.
''She''s cute.''
I unconsciously thought.
"I was on my way to my office when I suddenly saw Yuki, she seemed to be in a hurry at that time, then she saw me and rushed me, that''s when Yuki told me you''re in trouble."
"So I followed Yuki..."
Ruby exined as she looks at my outer appearance, looking for an injury.
After eating some monster cores, Yuki bacame faster at flying and she became smarter!
Adelle and Alec smiled at me after hearing Ruby.
ke nodded as it was understandable.
Aoi, Eve, and Curtis are pretending not to care but you can feel mana gathering in their ears.
"How the hell did Yuki told you that I''m in trouble?"
I asked, only me canmunicate with Yuki properly.
Also based on how fast Ruby came here, it means that she understood Yuki easily.
"Yuki came tweeting loudly and acted like you, she frowned then pretended to pass out. After her act, she tweeted as if she was crying."
Ruby said casually, still checking for injury.
I frowned.
"Yeah like that, that''s her face when she imitated you."
Ruby then spoke, pointing at my frowning face.
I looked at Yuki.
Yuki, who is in my arms, didn''t look at me.
Instead, she flew on top my head.
Pfft¨C
I saw Adelle holding herugh.
ke is looking at Yuki like she did a good job.
Alec is trying to hide his smile, but I can see it.
Aoi and Eve are sneering at me.
Curtis didn''t know what''s funny, so he''s looking at everyone weirdly.
I didn''t get angry at Yuki as she''s just worried I got a mana exhaustion. She saw me in a pitiful state after all after my fight with Velcro.
"Anyway, are you okay?"
Ruby asked me.
"I''m fine, I''m just tired."
I answered, then I exined to Ruby what happened.
That I''m just exhausted. Physically.
"Then, are you gonna turn into ''that'' again?"
Ruby asked me in a meaningful tone and voice.
I immediately understood that she means that if I''ll turn into a cat again.
Ruby knows that when I''m exhausted, I turn into a cat.
I''m also worried about this.
"Yeah, probably."
I said.
If I pass out, the system will transform me into a cat even if there are people around.
It said it''s for the best for my health. The shitty system just wouldn''t listen to me.
Then Ruby took the training bracelets on the table that Curtis removed from my arms.
It looks light, when she picked it up.
But my surprise didn''t end there as Ruby suddenly picked me up like a princess.
"What the hell are you doing?"
I asked her, eximing a little. I''m pretty embarrassed so my ears turned red.
Adelle, Alec, Aoi, and ke were grinning at me like idiots.
Eve have thisplicated face, she seems to like seeing me embarrassed, but hate it to see me being carried by Ruby.
Curtis was the same as Eve.
"I''ll bring you to my room."
Ruby whispered to me.
"Why?"
"You need to rest, and I really don''t want ''that'' to be revealed to some random people."
Ruby''s whispering is useless as the group can hear her clearly.
So the group got curious about what is ''that''.
"Then at least piggyback me..."
I said in an annoyed voice.
Ruby smiled. And I frowned seeing that.
"Oh, you want to ride me from my behind, you''re so naughty."
She said slyly in a low voice. But the group also heard it.
Adell, Aoi, and Alec blushed.
ke was dumbfounded.
While Curtis and Eve were processing what they just heard.
"Shut up and just get me out of here!"
I yelled at Ruby. I''m gonna die at embarrassment so I don''t want to thay here!
Ruby then looked at the others and opened her mouth.
"I''ll borrow him for the night."
Ruby said slyly to the group and immediately dashed outside the library, not letting me to utter a word to the other.
''I can''t even say goodbye.''
***
We immediately reached Ruby''s office.
In her office, Ruby have a lot of separate rooms, it''s for in case she''s too tired to go back to her house.
She brought me to her bedroom. Ruby and her bedroom smells good, after intentionally sniffing more secretly.
I got aroused as my sword stood up angrily. Not that Ruby notice.
"You''re heavy, you should lessen your training weights."
Ruby said and ced me on her bed, then she made me drink a stamina potion.
After that, I immediately transformed into a cat.
Ruby immediately carried me in her arms, normally I''ll resist, but I''m too tired for that.
It''s not a bad feeling anyway, so I let Ruby do anything she wants.
Then I fell asleep.
---[Ruby''s POV]---
"You''re so cute."
I said as I caresses Raven''s cat head.
He''s sleeping peacefully.
Indicating his trust to me.
''Being trusted like this doesn''t feel so bad.''
I thought.
I sat and ced Raven on myp.
Then I continued my works.
***
[Raven''s POV]
I slowly opened my eyes and saw the ceiling.
I was on a bed.
I''m not in my dorm.
I''m not in my cat form too.
Looks like the system deactivated it for me.
[I didn''t, someone negated the effect of the earring.]
The system informed me.
''What the hell Ruby did this time?''
It''s easy to guess that it was Ruby''s doing.
''Then why didn''t you activated the effect again?''
I asked the system.
[Your stamina and mana are already on its peak that time, so I don''t have a reason to do so.]
"Fair enough."
I muttered.
"Oh, good morning."
Then I heard a voice beside me.
"G-good morning."
The same goes to my other side.
Looking at my both sides.
I saw both Ruby and Keara lying beside me.
Ruby was looking at me slyly.
While Keara was looking at me bashfully.
They''re both wearing sexy night gowns.
Making my morning wood harder.
I immediately sat up and saw my upper body shirtless.
''What happened?!''
I questioned myself in my mind, my mind is currentlyplicated.
"Nothing happened, we just all slept beside each others."
Ruby said as if she read my thoughts.
I frowned.
"Oh, why with the frown? Are you disapointed that nothing happened?"
Ruby jokingly said.
"Not really, If something were to happen, I prefer that I''m awake."
I replied and stood out the bed.
Looking at the time it''s <5:11 A.M>.
Keara and Ruby both stood up.
"Let''s all eat together, I''ll order foods."
Ruby said.
"I''ll cook."
I stated.
''I don''t even know who the hell will cook the foods Ruby will order, I wouldn''t eat any of those..."
Ruby looked at me and then smiled.
"Predicted you will say that. Then please cook for us, we''ll wait."
She said alongside with Keara who clumsily nodded her head as she still looks sleepy.
''Maybe she got tired on her work as she''s new.''
I thought in secret.
After that, I put on a shirt and went to the kitchen.
''Ruby owns a kitchen inside her office... It must be nice being filthy rich.''
***
I finished cooking, I already prepared the foods on the table like Engine-cooked Storm Hark and Shallow-fried Scent Ox.
They''re both rank monsters and their meats are rare, though Ruby have a lot stored in her refrigerator.
I sat on a chair.
Then Keara and Ruby both sat beside me.
I understand Keara, but Ruby?
I looked at Ruby.
"What are you doing?"
I asked her.
"What? Did I do something wrong?"
Ruby asked, feigning ignorance.
I frowned.
I ignore Ruby and started to eat.
Because the ingredients Ruby have are all high ss and quality, the foods are more delicious than usual.
Keara noticed it too as her eyes widened and started chewing faster.
"Slowdown, you''re gonna get dirty."
I told her cing a ss of water near her.
---[Ruby''s POV]---
Seeing Raven takes care of Keara made me smile unconsciously.
''He always frown towards the others but he''s caring to Keara.''
I''m kinda envious to be honest.
I want to be pampered too, I want someone who will like me even without my trait .
Shaking my head, I removed such thoughts and took a bite from the food in front of me.
"Hmp!"
My eyes widened, the food is so good, I never tasted anything like this before that I unconsciously started to eat faster.
Then I got messy.
"Slowdown."
Then I heard Raven, he was looking at me while frowning.
"You''re messy."
He said, I bacame a bit solemn at his words.
I know he''s a germaphobe but it still embarrassing to hear that.
So I''m a bit gloomy.
Then something touched the corner of my mouth.
I looked in front and saw Raven wiping my face gently with a soft tissue.
I got surprised at Raven''s action. He''s doing it like it was natural.
I looked at Keara to see her reaction, she''s looking at me with a beautiful and innocent smile.
''He also cares for you.''
She mouthed.
I got flustered.
"You''re older than me so eat carefully, if you want more, I can cook again so slowdown."
Raven said. Then he ook something out of his spacial storage and ced it on myp.
It was a handkerchief.
After that, Raven started eating again.
I smiled.
"Hey."
I pulled Raven''s shirt a little to get his attention.
"What?"
Raven asked as he slowly and quietly chew the food in his mouth.
"What do you think of my skill that makes people attracted to me?"
I asked in a low voice.
Then I got embarrassed immediately afterward.
"Ah, no you don''t need to answ¡ª"
"You don''t really need it actually."
Raven''s words cut mine''s as I was about to tell him he has no obligation to answer.
"You''re attractive even without it."
Raven added casually and took another bite from his portion of food.
"I agree!"
Keara suddenly yelled, then I saw her smiling at me.
A smile crept up on my face, I was happy to hear that.
"Hey."
I called Raven again.
"What?"
Raven asked not even looking at me.
"I like you."
I said.
I don''t know why, but I really like being with Raven. I feelfortable around him and it''s fun, I''m always excited to meet him even just for a while, and I can''t get Raven out of my mind.
Raven looked at me with a frown, then he opened his mouth.
"If you really do like me, then entice me."
He said scratching the back of his head.
"You guys are weird, what the hell do you guys like about me?"
Raven said looking at Keara and me.
I was happy seeing his reaction.
***
Raven and Ruby are together in a private dueling arena.
It was an arena reserved by Ruby.
So there''s no one else in the arena.
Keara is reorganizing Ruby''s schedule in her office so she couldn''te.
As why they''re here, it''s because Raven wants to spar with Ruby.
And he requested Ruby not to restrain her rank.
Although, Ruby will be holding back and just mostly defend and counter from time to time.
Also she will only use 1/8 of her mana.
Raven stood at the end of arena, opposite of Ruby''s position.
Badump-! Badump-! Badump-!
Raven''s heard is thumping so loud and fast.
Is he scared? No.
He''s excited!
Raven''s whole body feels a bit hot and light.
A smile emerged from Raven''s face, then she looked at Ruby directly.
Without wasting any moment. Raven sent mana to [Celestria], it covered his body and transformed into a ck full-body battle suit.
After that, he took out his gun and dagger from his spacial storage.
"Are you ready?"
Ruby asked Raven.
Yuki went in to the spacial storage by Raven''s instruction.
"I''m ready."
He said looking at Ruby seriously.
Ruby smiled and a simple sword appeared in her hand.
"Then let''s start!"
Fwoosh¨C
After Ruby''s words faded, a heavy pressure enveloped the area.
Ruby released her presence all at once.
"Keuk"
A groan escaped Raven''s mouth.
The sudden pressure caused Raven''s body to be sluggish.
Raven''s mind almost copse and his whole body trembled.
"If you can''t even move in this kind of pressure, how will you fight me?"
Ruby provoked Raven with a sly smile.
Raven forced a smile.
And while barely holding to his consciousness.
''''
Raven activated his skill to the max along with his mana aura.
He covered his whole body with it, and the pressure became a bit bearable.
Raven''s automatically activated.
His body is still a bit sluggish but he can now somewhat move.
Raven sent a lot of mana to [Celestria] again.
Whoosh¨C
Then two majestic ck wings grew on his back.
Wings simr from hawks'', but Raven''s is much bigger and all ck.
Since the fight with Velcro, he''s been experimenting with [Celestria], so he can control it easier now.
Raven activated .
""
"