It was around this time that Aureus obtained his system as well according to the plot of the game, he had already had it prior to the games beginning. And what did I mean by it was the final boss? The final battle that Aureus would have is with his own system.
The system was mainly used for keeping track of skills and abilities, but it also had a stat and shop feature. How can it do these things? Lifeforce. It takes the lifeforce of the things the host kills and turns it into 'points' which can be used to strengthen the host or buy abilities. Of course the lifeforce it turned into points isn't all the lifeforce it got. It pockets a part of it, giving the remainder to the host. And after it is satisfied it devours the host getting back all of the points it had given them. That's how Aureus's system works. Aureus however only found out at the end of the first run after the world had been brought to ruins from a fight against an otherworldly entity. When there was nearly no more life to absorb the system left Aureus's body and devoured him after a long fight and during the fight the rest of the world died completely. Then in the second run Aureus confronts the system earlier only to be devoured earlier. During this he finds out the system is devouring lifeforce in order to ascend into demi-godhood. After that Aureus decided to keep quiet and find a way to defeat the system discretely. It was around run 90 where he figured out how to get rid of the system. Though this was something he could only do late into the run. And now that very parasite was using me as its host.
[Hello Host, I am your assistant]
'I should act confused
"What do you mean assistant?''
[I am something referred to as a system]
"A system?" I tilted my head with a confused expression,
I had to sell the fact I was still 14.
[Yes I am here to aid you in your path to getting stronger and…]
While the parasitical bastard was explaining its use I examined the
state of my body. The scales had gone and I was soaked in blood without any clothes on.
"That's interesting."
[To look at your current strength say status]
"Status?"
A familiar holographic window appeared in front of me,
—--------—----------------Status—--------------------------------------
Name: Unknown
Race(s): Dragon,Spirit,Axolotl
Classes: Swordsman,Librarian
HP: 1450/1450
MP: 10000/10000
Points: 0
Stats:
Strength: 12
Durability: 12
Endurance: 12
Agility: 12
Senses: 40
Mana: 53
Traits: Weaving
Abilities: Draconic Eyes(Ex), Draconic Heart(Ex), Draconic Circuit(Ex), Draconic Tongue(Ex), Draconic Scales(Ex), Draconic…, Spirit Adaptation(Ex), Spirit intangibility(B+), Spirit Sight(SS), Elemental Form, (S), Spirit…, Regeneration (Ex), Camouflage (B), Breathing (A), Water-breathing (A), Swimming (A), Sensory Boost (S)...Shelf of Memory (S), Merge (S)
Skills: Horizontal Swing (D), Vertical Swing (D), Diagonal Swing (D), Block (E), Parry (E), Basic Footwork (E), Reading (F), Translation (F), Sword Breath (D), Memorise (B)...
-—-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[...]
'Shocked?'
While Aureus's stats at this point should be better than mine besides the mana and sense stat of course. And my health seems higher than his too. Though this was also probably not the same entity that's possessing Aureus right now since the system isn't omnipresent. It was either a replica or a being of the same race. So it couldn't compare our stats either and I'd say my stats are decently impressive for someone my age. Especially the balance which was probably due to 'Spirit Adaptation'. It created perfect equilibrium within my physical body. Not even Elderon's stats were ever this balanced. Plus I'm probably the only person known with three races and two classes. It seemed like it didn't acknowledge the sub in sub-classes or races though.
"Is it good?"
[While it is a start…I am here to help the host reach even greater heights.]
"Really? That's cool"
I looked around and there were surprisingly no animals nearby. The blood for some reason didn't attract them or…
I looked at my abilities tab at two different abilities.
[Draconic Fear (SSS]
[Spirit Grace (SS+)]
It probably scared the animals away since they operate on instinct. They were both passive/active abilities. They work passively but to a much weaker degree than if activated consciously.
I stood up and thanks to my adaptation I started walking around pretty easily.
'Now for the reason I'm here..'
I walked around the forest using my enhanced senses, which hurt like hell by the way. I sensed any sounds of carriages or something.
'Found it.'
In the game there was a certain dukedom that left their homes regularly around once per week. And that's who I was looking for.
'I should probably get dressed first'
"Umm…system, is there any possibility you have clothes? Mine got destroyed by a beast."
Since the system couldn't tell if I was lying or not I wanted to make it believe I lived in the woods for a majority of my childhood. Since it would see me as an easy target like it did Aureus.
[Say shop]
"Shop"
I knew how it worked for the most part but I had to stay confused.
A holographic menu full of items appeared in front of me.
"I just want simple clothing."
[Understood.]
The menu changed to only show three items. A pair of shoes, pants and a shirt. In total they were worth 3 points.
[Host needs to kill something in order to obtain points]
"Alright."
Honestly I've had enough of acting confused. So I'll just comply with it without acting like a total fool.
I picked up a stick and looked at a wolf that was around 3 metres away.
I winded my arm back and threw the stick like a javelin. With 12 stats in strength and agility the stick impaled the ordinary wolf like a spear.
[+5 points]
If I remember correctly it takes 10 points to increase your stats by a singular point.
"I have enough now right?"
[Yes, now just imagine yourself with the items on you]
I did as instructed, and following that on my body appeared a mediaeval black dress shirt and black cotton pants. The shoes were brown and made of leather.
[-3 points]
After obtaining my clothes I ran towards the sound of the carriage, stopping right before I reached it.
'I'm probably well within his range now.'
I then focused on activating 'Draconic Fear', and 'Spirit Grace'. Suddenly in an instant an oppressive force left my body along with all the mana I had alerting every living being within a large radius of my presence. And as soon as I did the door of the carriage blasted open along with a gust of wind. In that very same instant a man with slicked back black hair and bright red eyes stood before me. He wore all black from head to toe with a red gemstone badge on a satchel that went from his left shoulder to the right side of his waist.
''What are yo-" Cutting his deep and all around intimidating voice short was my loss of consciousness.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I slowly opened my eyes to see a lit up white ceiling feeling a comfortable bed under me.
'Guess it worked.'
My plan was to get a certain couple to adopt me. The couple being Duke and Duchess Ruena, who couldn't have a child naturally. They spent years and years going to different doctors, wizards, hell they even asked the elves. Yet, it yielded no results. However, after the academy began they were the first few main bosses due to a demon promising them a child and slowly corrupting them mentally. I not only wanted to stop them, I wanted to become the child they were looking for. But the thing is I have to figure out how to convince them first.
This dukedom like the other 3 values strength but what separates them is that they show great kindness to children. Even during the boss fight they avoided causing any harm to the students up until they lost their sanity.
I contemplated things for a while before getting cut off by the sound of a door opening.
[Warning! Threat Detected!]
The man I saw before losing consciousness stood before me with a sword on his waist.
"Now child are you okay?"
I looked at him for a few seconds thinking back on all of my runs. One thing that didn't change in every run was his suffering. The memories of his and his wife's suffering were still fresh in my mind, I knew the pain they felt better than anybody else, people who sought to be parents but were stopped by the heavens. They were just like Aureus who was forced to suffer in every run. So, even if he gave off an intimidating aura I wasn't scared. How could I be?
I nodded slowly in response to his question.
"What were you doing in the forest drenched in blood?"
Thinking about it, I was in a new set of clothes.
'Did they bathe me?'
I looked at him trying to think of a response.
"I was lost."
"Hm?"
"My parents were…eaten by wolves." I looked down at the sheets.
"How long ago?"
"A few months ago." I gripped the sheets tightly just to sell it.
"..." He was silent, I could've sworn I saw his lips quiver.
'Careful there duke your real nature is showing.'
"How unfortunate.." He patted my shoulder before walking away.
He walked out of the door before closing it.
I could still hear his voice through the door due to my enhanced senses even though he was whispering at a volume most people couldn't hear.
Don't get me wrong the Duke is a monster hell the boss monster Aureus/I fought in the game wasn't even one hundredth of the Duke's real strength. And even against the weakened Duke the fight could've levelled a country modern day. Even compared to later on in the runs where fights against aliens and non-human races that could destroy whole planets he was considered a beast at his full strength.
The only reason I could hear him without him noticing despite his strength was that my sense stat was beyond human limits. If I wanted to, I could probably hear the entire duchy at once. This is because a normal human's sense stat is around 2-5. Mine however, is about ten times that and then I also have the Axolotl's 'Sensory Boost' ability which is a passive/active ability that enhances my already strong senses exponentially when activated.
Anyways back to the Duke.
"So what's the child's story?" I could hear a feminine voice that had both elegance and sternness.
'Probably the Duchess.'
"His parents were slaughtered by wolves and he's been living in the woods for a few months now."
"My god…poor boy."
"Mhm.."
"So what do we do with him?"
"Honey..you know how we've been wanting a child?"
"You don't mean..adopting him?"
"I mean.."
"I'd love to" the woman's voice increased in pitch.
"Really?"
"Of course. He needs us and…we need him."
"Agreed."
They stopped talking and I heard the sounds of them kissing.
'Ugh..disgusting' I gagged a little. I will not lie.
The door opened once again and from it walked the Duke, and the Duchess.
The Duchess had pale white, clear skin with long black hair and pitch black eyes. She was wearing what looked like a casual black dress with a black corset and heels.
"This is my wife and the Duchess."
"Its a pleasure to meet you miss."
"The pleasure is all mine."
The Duke glanced at his wife before focusing back on me.
"I forgot to ask, but what is your name child?" He inquired.
"My name is Rohan." I replied using the name I had before I died.
"Rohan.." the Duchess smiled softly.
"Well Rohan…we have something to ask you." The Duke's intimidating aura had completely gone now as he looked me dead in the eye.
"Please feel free." I replied
"We would like to adopt you as our son." He asked with a hesitant glint in his eyes.
I could see that he genuinely wanted to help me.
I looked straight down avoiding the gazes of the two. Even though this was my plan, a part of me still felt something. I myself had grown up without parents for most of my entire life. I was abandoned a few years after I was born at the age of 5 and sent to an orphanage to live out the rest of my childhood, which only lasted for a year, until I was diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of 6. From then I spent all of my time in the hospital being treated, only coming into contact with nurses or doctors. So, the parental love these two were offering was foreign to me and I didn't know if I had deserved it. But even so…
"...Yes" My voice cracked a little as I was speaking
I wanted it, not only for my goal but because while these two desperately yearned for a child I had desperately yearned for a family.
The two came closer and hugged me.
'Is this what a family feels like?'
I could feel it, the tears welling up under my eyes.
After a moment or two the Duke stood up
"I'm gonna go find the paperwork to finalise the adoption so you can stay here with the du- your mother."
I nodded
After he closed the door the duchess turned to look at me.
"Rohan, do you have any interests? As your mother now I should know about them."
"Swordsmanship." I said trying to steer the conversation towards a certain way.
"I heard a lot of boys fall in love with swords around your age. Do you want us to get you an instructor?"
"Yes please." And it had appeared it had went that way.
She rubbed my head with her hand pushing back my hair smiling.
"How well mannered."
I still remembered some of the mannerisms that Aureus had used in the game so it was pretty simple.
"Thank you."
"Anyways since we both don't have much to do, would you like to hear about your father a little?"
"Mhm!" I responded enthusiastically
I do wanna know more about the Duke since his memories in the game only showed snip bits of his pain.
"Okay so…"
I heard many stories about how father participated in wars when he was a bit older than my current age. Also about how he earned the rank of a duke from being a viscount. There was even this story about how single-handedly wiped out an army of ogres when he was only 20. Then a story about he and my mother had turned the tides in a war between multiple countries. The stories went on and on until the sun began setting.
"My, my, it's already dinner time."
"Oh."
"I'll send the maid in to get you dressed"
"Okay see you at dinner mother."
She walked out of the room leaving me alone for a while.
'While I'm here I should learn more about 'Merge.'
"System, describe my trait ability please."
[Right Away.]
[Merge(S):
Allows the user to combine skills, abilities, and objects they have an understanding of. When combining objects the two or more objects used in the merging process will no longer exist as they will be used to make something new. However, when merging abilities and skills, only the essence of them are used meaning the skills and abilities will still be usable by the user.]
'This is the perfect ability for a system host..While in this world skills like mana breath, sword breath, mana blast, etc. are obtainable, abilities are inherent. They're usually decided by luck, like traits. The difference between a normal ability and a trait ability is that trait abilities are unique to only one person while many people can be born with the same abilities. But with the system one can buy abilities; the only limitation is that they can't buy traits or racial abilities.'
Considering that I looked at both my skills and abilities and I contemplated possible fusions.
"First combine Dragon's Fear and Spirit Grace."
[Understood.]
A few moments later a holographic screen appeared in front of me.
[Ability Obtained: Crowned Grace (EX-)]
'EX- is right below EX…how powerful is this?'
"System, describe the new ability."
[Crowned Grace (EX-):
Makes those weaker than the user feel a large amount of fear and respect for the user. Gives them the unconscious desire to show their respect. Makes those equal or stronger than the user feel intimidated by the user's presence. Causes fatigue and weakness to those who disrespect the user.]
'...Well alright then.'
"I wonder if…System merge vertical, horizontal, and diagonal swings."
[Understood.]
After a few moments again the holographic screen once again popped up.
[Ability Obtained: Swordsmanship (C)]
"Describe"
[Swordsmanship (C):
Gives the user talent for swords.]
"Is that it-"
I suddenly felt an indescribable pain in all of my muscles and even
organs. It felt like my muscles were being moulded like wet clay and the 'silica' was being melted and fused rapidly. It also felt like something was squeezing my heart, controlling its beat in a certain rhythm. However, the most horrifying feeling was the repeated blockage and unblockage of my breathing at certain points forcing my breathing to adjust to it.
After what felt like an eternity of it I finally felt normal.
"What the hell was that for!" I yelled at nothing frustrated at the sudden pain.
The last time something like this happened was when I gained my abilities.
"Young master?" I heard a voice from behind the door
'That's probably the maid.'
"Come in."
The door opened and out of it was an elderly woman with her grey hair tied in a bun, with blue eyes and wrinkled white skin. She had clothes folded across her arm.
"I am here to change you sir"
"Okay."
I was used to being changed from my time in the hospital where I often had to be changed to do how weak I was.
She quickly changed me into a traditional modern day suit, it was mainly all black with a dark grey tie.
'Is she not gonna question the screaming?'
"I shall lead you to the dining area, young master.''
I nodded in response.
She led me down a long hallway until we reached two large black doors.
"Here it is."
"Thank you."
She bowed her head and then walked away.
I pushed open the large doors and was met with my two parents who sat at a long table.
"Welcome" my father said with a smile.
"Hello"
Though it had only been a few hours since our meeting the entire vibe between us had changed. His eyes carried a warmth that shattered the demeanour he had built up.
My mother was sitting next to my father cutting and eating what appeared to be a slab of meat.
"Is that?"
"It's wyvern meat." My mother said with a blank expression.
My eyes widened and in that very instant an aura permeated from my body.
[Warning! User is experiencing dragon rage!]
[Strong emotions has caused the activated of Crowned Grace]
[Strong emotions + Crowned Grace has caused aura release]
My aura was a dark silver in colour. It resembled the appearance of liquid nitrogen as it fell to the floor in a gaseous state.
I barely retained consciousness due to 'Spirit's grace' which made sure I kept up with mannerisms.
My father and mother's eyes widened as they looked at my aura in awe.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'This aura…resembles that behemoth' I looked at Rohan with genuine shock.
There was no doubt Eleanor noticed it too. This aura was like that monster's…
The monster that was sealed under the king castle. When we were young and had just finished fighting my first war with Eleanor at my side, the king had taken us to the hidden part of the castle. In there we saw the beast, that pale white scaled beast.
Dragons are one of the world's biggest mysteries, rarely are they ever seen. And when they are, it is usually a sign of destruction. Even that dragon who was relatively young in dragon years took ten people at my level to beat…and only one of those people came back alive. I may not know why he has this aura but it seems as if he's going berserk.
'He just came into our lives today…don't tell me I'll have to be the one to strike him down.'
As I was gathering mana at my palm I saw Eleanor shake her head.
"Its alright Quin" She mouthed as she used her chin to point at the boy.
The aura…he was controlling it.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I closed my eyes trying my best to control the flood of emotions.
'Dragon rage…'
I had heard about it while playing the game from Aureus's master. Dragons are odd creatures, so much so even their composition is different. Their blood was almost…sentient. It was as if it would react on its own sometimes and one of those times was when it witnessed a crime against its own kin.
'I just have to control these foreign emotions..'
However, that was easier said than done when the emotions in question are the emotions of a dragon. To counter it I need something that can calm me down.
I imagined the best memory I had, the only one I could think of to be honest. The day before it all went to shit, when I was a regular kid. The playground full of kids my age running around, the serene spring time winds that carried the scents of nearby flora. My parent's gazes were still filled with love, my laughter having carried the innocence and joy it had long since lost.
Soon the anger had subsided and been replaced with a feeling I was familiar with, extremely familiar with, pure sorrow.
The aura made its way back into my body and I slowly opened my eyes to look at my parents.
'..Not even a day of having parents and I fucked it up.'
I looked down at the floor filled with thoughts of dismay.
"What are you standing there for? Even if you don't like wyvern meat there's plenty of other things to eat." I heard my mother say with a smile as white as freshly fallen snow.
My eyes widened and I looked at my father who still kept his warm gaze.
I made my way to the table sitting next to my father and opposite of my mother.
"Do you like beef?" My father asked.
I nodded probably with an idiotic expression.
"Beef it is!" He smiled brightly as he called for the maid to bring a plate of beef.
Until it was brought me and my father talked about different things, like my desire to learn the sword.
"I heard you had an interest in swordsmanship?"
"Mhm, I wanna be a swordsman."
"Why? Swordsmen are always at the frontline." My father questioned me.
"Well, it's cool?"
"Even if so-"
Before my father could finish I interrupted him.
"I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a reason but also because it's the best way for me."
"Hm?" Both he and my mother, who was cutting at her food prior to this, looked at me.
I'd be lying if I said Aureus was my only reason for choosing swordsman, even if it was a major factor. With the races I chose being a mage probably would've been better, hell I could've been a battle mage if needed like my current mother. But, for the one run I played as a swordsman in Aureus's body I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the way the instructors described the sword, with the way the swords crossed, the sound they made when they came into contact. So..I wanted to feel it, feel the strain inflicted on my arms as I swung one, I wanted to know what it felt like.
"When using a sword everything is so simple, mages have to calculate, healers have the weight of keeping everybody who is already injured alive. With a sword all I have to do is block, parry, strike, counter and sometimes dodge. Plus we're at the forefront, we're in charge of keeping the people behind us safe, we're a shield between the dangers and the ones we love. To me there's nothing better than that, nothing better than being able to protect the ones I love, even if I suffer from it."
"..."
"..."
Both my parents looked at me and then at each other, keeping their silence.
"Wonderful reasoning." My father complimented me with an almost grin?
"One can't argue against something that sound.." My mother followed with a smile as she looked at my father.
I could see it, the pride my father had. From his explanation I could tell he was probably losing faith in the path he chose. Most boys my age do fall in love with the sword as my mother said, but not many stick to it. In fact, mages are more of a popular choice recently. And nobody could blame them. Mages were flashier, safer, and had more notable impacts on battlefields.
"Alright, then tomorrow morning after breakfast meet me at the training field." The Duke looked at me as he said.
'He's offering to train me himself?' I was shocked beyond imagination again.
The Duke was within the top 10 of the strongest people in the kingdom. Being trained by such a beast was unthinkable.
"Okay." I said, trying not to show my shock too much.
Soon the plate of food my father had sent for had been placed in front of me.
I began eating and talking to my parents. They responded and we talked, for god knows how long. We talked even when our plates were already emptied, until I had to go to bed and was led by the same maid from earlier back to my room.
Standing by the door the maid looked at me, who she had already tucked into bed and smiled.
"Goodnight young lord." She whispered very faintly believing I had already fallen asleep.
She then walked out shutting the door without a sound.
"Goodnight.." I mumbled as I closed my eyes.
For as long as I could remember I wished I could feel calm without having to stuff myself with a handful of drugs. And that...I did, peacefully drifting off to sleep.