The advent

I rested all alone in that room. A lamp at the corner of the room dimly lit up the room, it being the only lamp that did that.

Just like me, it was all alone. Since when did I became such a loner?

I have read a lot of manuscripts on transmigration and most of the time the main characters aren't alone. They always seem to be with their party adventuring and here I am on home arrest all alone without any company.

I am having lonely, lonely vibes.

I can't take this anymore!!!!

I have got to run away from here.

Creeping out of the blanket I stood beside the bed preparing to leave immediately, but not before I do a little bit of stretching.

'On second thoughts, even if I leave now there will be no people out in the open at night, I will be alone anyway. So, let's just be here.'

Changing my mind I crept back to my bed.

I was about to fall back to sleep when someone knocked on the door.

*Knock**Knock*

"Steve, can I come in?" said a voice from the other side of the door.

I know that voice. It's Clair.

Elated I sat back up on the bed. 'Finally, I have someone to tease. Oh, Clair, you are indeed a true friend of mine.'

Clearing my throat I continued, "Come in"

Clair opened the door and came in. As she came in I got a glance at the outer sky. It was pitch black but gilded in stars.

"Say, Clair, how come remembered me so late at night? Could it be you couldn't sleep without my embrace?" I claimed as I smirked.

She had a tint of red but it soon disappeared replacing it with absolute seriousness. It was like the Clair of the past the one who forcefully bottled up her feelings. I get very intimidated by that form.

"This isn't the right time to crack a joke. I have something important that I have to discuss," she said.

What can be more important than my jokes in this world? Anyway, let's listen to what she has to say.

"Okay~," I said in a feeble voice still feeling intimidated.

Clair took a deep breath. "So the thing is, you won in a match against Marquis Whitworth, he isn't the kind of person one can go about and just beat up. Being a marquis aside, his fire- magic was at the third grade of the Earth Constitution. Since you beat him your powress must be at least be greater than the third grade!"

"What? Earth constitution what?", I was really confused, I haven't heard about anything like this in the isekai scriptures I read back on earth.

Clair recalled that Steve wasn't from this world and he was initiated to how it works.

"Grading system, it is a way to gauge one's strength, people strife to increase in the rankings trying to become stronger, having a higher grade means you can get better jobs and live more luxurious lives," said Clair.

"What! So, people from this world not only have cheats but they can level up as well!" At this point, I felt like crying. What Clair meant was clear, people in this world level up to get greater strength to gain name, fame, and money. And yet here he was unable to level up at all! Does everyone in this world have a system or what?

"I don't understand what you mean," Clair looked puzzled.

"Hey Clair"

"Yes"

"How you guys level up? I want to get stronger too" I begged Clair to help me.

"You are already strong as you are, but that is what might cause you misfortune," said Clair, she sounded very troubled.

Misfortune? What misfortune? There can be no misfortune greater than reincarnating without cheats.

Whatever it is, bring it on!

"How?" I inquired.

"Ah, that..."

She bit her lip and looked at me with a piercing gaze.

"You really don't know anything about this world, you are so innocent..." she paused only to continue, "Innocent just like how I was, waiting to be used," said as she ducked her head low.

She didn't speak a word after that. She seemed troubled and sad. It seems some bad memories surfaced on that red-head of hers.

"If you are done, can I crack jokes now? I am holding back for a while now, you know" I said as I smiled.

"Pft, seriously Steve read the mood, will you?" she smiled as she continued, "Anyway, I came here to warn you, the higher-ups will do anything to have a familiar as strong as you, they will retort to any means. They might abduct you, they might injure you and might even try to kill you if they find that subjugating you is impossible"

"You don't have to worry about me, if they come at me, I will punch their face," I said as I showed her my brow fist.

Clair moved her head side by side in disapproval. "Those people, they are not anything like the marquise you met today. They are way stronger and their strength is growing as we speak. Having a familiar as strong as you are is also one way they can increase their strength and they will never miss out on such opportunity..."

"But it's not like they can force me to work for them," I cut her off.

Clair moved her head side by side in disapproval, yet again. I am having deja-vu here.

"They can," she said as she took my hand in hers. Then, she pointed at the tattoo on my left arm, "Look here, this is lady Lapis's insignia. This mark proves that you are her familiar."

'Huh? Insignia my foot. It's just a tattoo. I had got it on me as a commemoration of our eighth anniversary'

On my left arm, just below the shoulder, was where the mark was. It was the visage of a gem that goes by the name Lapis Lazuli.

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Author's thoughts:

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