The process took much longer than expected, but all I could say at the end of it all was that it was worth it.
It was worth going to the Silver Willow, even though I suffered injuries and put Aria in danger.
I cannot say what I did was right but to save this world and the characters, I need to get stronger--- far stronger --- to protect the mc and the characters but I don't want to be noticed, a side characters only meant to aid the main characters.
Waking up to see my mother and sister was not exactly the thrilling reunion I had expected, I was bombarded with insults and stern warnings which was more than guaranteed because I deserved it.
Turning to look at dad to ease the situation, he turned to look away pretending not to meet my gaze.
'Traitor,' Elior said quietly.
"You know you are in a lot of trouble with me but don't ever make me worry like that again" Seraphine said with worrisome smile.
"Yeah, mom" Elior said with a side smirk.
As both Seraphine, Alaric and Arin stepped out of the room letting Elior heal, Seraphine and Alaric stepped into the study.
"I cannot believe he actually went there and you are keeping calm about it," Seraphine said pacing the room in anger and frustration.
Alaric reading the papers answered "As long as he is safe, I don't think we should worry about it"
"Not worry? Of course we should worry! we have warned him and Aria countless time"
"What will the citizens think of this if this gets out" Seraphine said
*THUD! *
Alaric slamming his papers on the table looked at Seraphine with eyes fierce yet showing care underneath.
"If he says it himself to me, I won't table the issue"
"Understood dear" Seraphine said, bowing slightly
As Seraphine began leaving the study, Alaric asked her a question
"How did you even find out"
"That is easy, I just got it from Aria as usual" Seraphine said with a chuckle.
"Thank god she is there to balance his nature" Alaric said with a grin
"Achoo!"
'Why do I have the feeling that things are going to get dire with mom and dad moving forward'
3 DAYS LATER…...
Elior stood up at dawn, eyes drifting toward the bed he'd lain in for the past few days.
"I've never been the stay-in-bed type anyway," he muttered, stretching his arms.
Gearing up in his training wear, Elior stepped out of his room.
Elior went into the courtyard to do some warm up, he squatted, did push-ups and light jogging.
As Elior finished warming up, his real training started
Carrying a wooden sword, Elior thought to himself 'I have to envision the fight against the Vermis Nocturne but in human form, and a little weaker than normal'
Being an author in his previous life, Elior imagination was far ahead compared to other. Closing his eyes, he envisioned the Vermis Nocturne as human and weaker.
Elior moved in a swift, throwing slashes but the Vermis Nocturne did not stay still; it quietly parried all attacks.
As Elior attempted striking the torse with the body of his wooden sword, it dodged sidestepping before attempting to hit Elior to the ground.
Quickly, Elior rolled escaping before it struck him. Getting up, Elior took a stance before charging forward as the Vermis Nocturne charged too. The Vermis Nocturne stuck but Elior was one step ahead, use the weight of the strike, Elior deflected the sword before pointing it at the throat of the Vermis Nocturne.
As the Vermis Nocturne image dissolved into the shadows, Elior opened his eyes. He could feel the cold sweat running down his skin but he did not stop, he could not quit.
Elior moved on to the next practice: Arcana Practice
Taking a meditating posture, Elior sat down and let his body flow with arcana. His depth had become stronger since eating the Aetherseed.
As Elior opened his eyes slowly, Elior stood in awe
"So, this is how the character's view things, so beautiful"
Elior could see Arcana in shape of bubbles filling the earth, it was a truly beautiful feeling, one only possible because he reincarnated in this world.
Standing up, Elior began channeling arcana to the top of his fingers. He was clearly aware of his affinity for wind and darkness, not like he could not unlock the rest but the timing for those would be extremely difficult.
Staring back at the dummy, Elior shot a grin
"Aero Slash" Elior said
Wind formed at the tips of his fingers slaying the dummy's; it was a deep cut but not enough to slash it off completely.
Ignoring it, Elior tried his darkness ability next.
"Shadow Flicker"
Elior attempted hiding his body in the shadows for a brief moment in attempt to slash the dummy. He could only hold on for thirty sec before leaving unable to slash the shadow.
Elior sat down, the Arcana training was a but slower but it was worth it, Elior had taken a short route by taking the Aetherseed to grow but he wanted to understand the power like at the tip of his fingertips.
"Tomorrow again, huh" Elior said leaving the courtyard.
From the windows, Alaric and Seraphine watched in disbelief
"Is that our son?" Alaric asked
"Yeah, I can hardly recognize him out there, he was like a completely different person" Seraphine said.
"I just hope it stays this way" Alaric said with a smile
Elior had seen them but pretended not to, he did not really care, he just needed to get stronger before going to the academy in two days.
The training was fierce for the next two days as Elior followed the same training regime.
Wake up at dawn
Do light exercise
Fighting the Vermis Nocturne as he had envisioned it
Meditation and understanding Arcana
Arcana training
That was Elior training regime for the next two days as he continued doing them with more efficiency than ever before.
As Elior wrapped up on the last day, Elior suddenly spoke up "Stats"
The blue screen appeared
[Arcana Rank: F (Apprentice)]
[Quest: Save the World and Its Characters]
[Strength- D-]
[Speed- D]
[Agility- D-]
[Intelligence- B-]
[Luck- E/S]
Mana Stats
Wind- Lv3
Darkness-Lv3
Void-Not unlocked until mastery of Darkness
Chrono-Not unlocked unless at death's door
Weapon:Kurotsume(Awakened)
[Percentage till you become Initiate- 50%]
Items
[The Lunathorn Veil]- Stabilizes mana, unlocks techniques for Kurotsume.
[The AetherSeed]- Boosts Arcana Rank potential by 200%, evolves Kurotsume.
They were some improvements not exactly much but more than enough to last for some time while at the academy.
Going back to his room, Elior saw a package on his bed.
Opening it, Elior saw the Thorne house crest, a symbol always worn as a Thorne was stepping out of the house.
"How sweet"
Elior put the crest into his suit case which he had arranged the day before.
"This is really it huh" Elior said laying on his bed
"I am going to the academy; I am meeting the mc and his friends again, how bittersweet"
Elior had no intention of meddling in their affairs on the protagonist.
His goal had been simple from the very start "Saving the world and its characters", something Elior intended on doing unwillingly.
Staring back at the ceiling of his room, Elior chuckled softly "Let's do this".