Chapter 16: More Problem Children

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In an instant, the remaining number of summons flashed to a brilliant "0."

"What on earth? I haven't even started the summoning yet!" Sol grumbled. "Why rush ahead?"

With that, his sense of participation was instantly dampened.

"Huh? Why are you suddenly silent, pretending not to hear?" Sol asked, though he knew no answer would come. The silent, unresponsive consciousness only heightened Sol's frustration, leaving him both exasperated and powerless.

"Forget it," he decided, brushing off the uncooperative consciousness. "It's not worth the trouble."

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Sol cheered up. After all, the three summoning attempts had been completed—that was the outcome, regardless of his complaints.

It wasn't a jackpot, sure, but it wasn't bad either. In a realm where a dependable vanguard had been sorely missing, he'd finally acquired one.

Poppy and Gnar were undoubtedly exceptional tanks, while Veigar—the best pull of the bunch—boasted strength almost unmatched among all yordles. Though mischievous, Veigar's power was undeniable.

As the portal reappeared, Gnar leaped through it with a wild howl, barreling into the lounge with the energy of a dog set free. His gleeful chaos filled the room with instant disorder.

"Gnar!!" Gnar yipped excitedly.

Riveria could only stare as the lounge descended into mayhem, a growing sense of fatigue washing over her. "Another problem child…" she murmured to herself. "Why do I keep getting more of these?"

"Wow! This is the world where heroes live!" 

Just as Riveria was preparing to restrain Gnar, another figure emerged from the portal. A small girl with twin ponytails and elongated, elf-like ears stepped out, her petite frame clad in heavy armor. She carried a hammer nearly as tall as herself, with a round shield strapped to her back. She was no taller than Lulu, confirming her identity as a yordle as well.

At least, Riveria thought with relief, this one seemed better-behaved.

She nodded approvingly, grateful that not all of them demanded constant supervision. Otherwise, she might end up feeling like a full-time caretaker.

"You're the Lord Creator!" Poppy squealed as she raced towards Sol, moving with surprising speed despite her heavy armor.

"Lord Creator?" Riveria frowned, puzzled. "Isn't my god the Dragon God? Why is she calling him the God of Creation? And why do they keep arriving so…strangely?"

First there was Lulu's odd entrance, and now these new yordles she'd never heard of.

"That's right! I am Aurelion Sol!" Sol declared, puffing out his chest with an 'arrogant' expression. "You may call me Sol-sama or Lord God."

Poppy looked at him, completely captivated.

"Sol-sama…"

"Hold on," Sol interjected. "There's still one more who hasn't arrived."

Riveria's question was cut short as Sol gestured to the portal, which remained open but empty. The third member of the group had yet to emerge.

What's going on? Sol turned his attention inward. 'Parallel consciousness!' he thought. 'It's one thing to draw the summons without my say, but now you can't even ensure they all arrive?'

"Is this really functioning?" he muttered in frustration.

"Hold on—" a voice finally broke through from the once-silent consciousness, abandoning its prolonged act of pretense.

Veigar's delayed entrance left the parallel consciousness feeling a bit self-conscious.

"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm coming, I'm coming—it's really such a bother," came a tired voice from beyond the portal. A cloaked figure with long, trailing sleeves then stepped forward, emanating an aura of exhaustion. Her languid, world-weary expression somehow accentuated her delicate features, and her purple eyes lifted briefly as she offered Sol a half-hearted nod.

"Vex! Long time no see! How have you been?" Poppy greeted warmly.

As two residents of Bandle City, Poppy and Vex were well-acquainted. Gnar, however, being a prehistoric yordle, was unfamiliar with his younger counterparts.

"Ah… well, I was fine until I ran into you," Vex responded dryly.

"Oh, come on! It's been ages since we've seen each other!" Poppy protested cheerfully.

"Poppy, mind yourself. I have nothing to discuss with you," Vex replied, her tone icy. But Poppy, knowing Vex's temperament, took no offense.

"Alright, Poppy," Sol interjected, "You know very well that Vex prefers a quieter environment."

"Oh? Cool~ Starting to like you a bit, Creator," Vex remarked, her voice showing an uncharacteristic trace of warmth. Sol even detected a faint smile from her, a rare sign of approval.

Vex's favorability +10.

"Alright then, let me make it clear once more: in the future, you can call me Sol-sama or Lord God," Sol said with a hint of authority. "Now, let's proceed with receiving your blessing!"

Perhaps warmed by Sol's respect for her preferences, Vex was the first to lie down on the bed. "Once I've received the blessing, I can have my peace," she murmured, with a tone as final as her words.

"Certainly," Sol replied, amused. It was obvious she wasn't making an effort to be cooperative—she simply wanted her solitude.

So long as everything continued according to plan, Sol was willing to overlook the details. Meanwhile, Poppy held down an excitable Gnar, the two yordles' heads stacked one above the other as they watched Sol's ritual with wide-eyed curiosity.

As before, sacred script appeared across Vex's back:

[Vex]

Level: 1 

Strength: I0 

Durability: I0 

Dexterity: I0 

Agility: I0 

Magic: I0 

[Magic Skills]:

—Chilling Wave Cloud 

 - Broad area attack magic 

 - Dark attribute 

 - Quick-cast 

[Skills]:

—Shadow 

 - Grants control over her shadow

— Final 

 - Periodically grants the "Final" blessing, empowering her next spell to instill fear in her enemies

—Apatehy 

 - Black mist aura 

 - Can mark targets within the mist with a "Twilight" mark for six seconds. 

 - Attacks on "Twilight" marked targets inflict additional damage and reduce the cooldown for "Final."