Chapter 15: The Triplets

I feel a sense of unease, realizing that I might have made a mistake.

"Why do I feel this way?" you might wonder.

To understand, you need to see the situation I currently find myself in.

"Will you explain what happened, or what?" My mother's stern gaze meets mine as I lift my head.

My other family members, including my grandparents, sister Xenovia, and aunt Yuki, all have their eyes fixed on me.

It feels like I'm in a courtroom, with my mother as the judge, my grandfathers as the defendants, and the others as the jury.

And I must admit, it doesn't feel good. I can't help but feel sorry for Depp.

"You're a legendary realm cultivator," Jin, my grandfather, asks. "How did that happen?"

'Geez, this old man is just making things worse.'

'If I had a way to tell you, wouldn't I have already?' Of course, I don't say it out loud.

My mother is already furious because I defied her orders and ran away earlier.

I don't want to tell them about my ascension to the legendary realm right now because I'd have to come up with a story about how it happened. And at the moment, I can't think of one. But since my grandfather has broken the ice, I have to think quickly.

"What? You're a legendary realm cultivator? How is that possible? Weren't you just at the epic realm a few days ago?" My mother is the first to react. I must say she took it better than I expected.

Or maybe not.

She grabs my shoulders and shakes me violently, demanding answers. "What did you do?"

"Is it one of your abilities?" My aunt Yuki joins her sister in the quest for answers. The expressions on their faces are quite priceless.

But I'm not in a position to enjoy it.

After a few minutes, my grandmother joins in the questioning. "I'm not sure. I just killed and devoured a few beasts, and before I knew it, I became a legendary realm cultivator." I couldn't bear it any longer, so I came up with something to pacify them. Everyone knows I'm spouting nonsense, but they stop pressing for answers.

And to my surprise, they believe—or at least, that's what I'd like to think. But I can see that only my mother and Aunt Yuki bought into my lie. Others, not so much, especially my sister, Xenovia, who has a look that says, "They may believe your nonsense, but I don't."

When it seems like all hope is lost, my grandfather, Anos, steps in to help. "Alright, everyone, that's enough."

I smile. That brings him one step closer to being my favorite grandfather.

"Has anything else happened?" This time, my grandfather, Anos, asks me the question. I can see a small golden magic circle glowing in his pupils.

"Ha, he's using his visual powers."

They're called the Truth-Seeking Eyes. They have legendary status. I've wanted those eyes for as long as I can remember.

But it's not something I can obtain just by wishing for it. If it were that easy, they wouldn't be called legendary.

Their sole purpose is to seek the truth, leaving nothing escaping their scrutiny. The Supreme Magus, one of the first-generation mages who founded the kingdom in Arcane, was said to have possessed the same eyes. My grandfather was incredibly fortunate to obtain them.

"Actions speak louder than words." Remembering that, I do what I did when I discovered my water elemental affinity: I cast my first earth elemental spell. It's easier that way because I'm not good with words. I'm also curious to see their reaction.

Just like with my other elemental affinities, I focus the earth's elemental mana into the palm of my right hand, holding it up for better concentration.

I should mention that when I use different elemental mana, I experience different emotions. For instance, earth elemental mana feels similar to water elemental mana. But it's hard to explain.

I guess it feels like a free flow. Yes, that's the best I can do.

Anyway, as I was saying.

The spell I plan to create is called Boulder Toss. It's the most fundamental spell an earth mage can learn.

Ding!

<Spell Learned: Boulder Toss>

A meter-sized boulder appears. It has the potential to be used as a projectile weapon. But this time, instead of launching it, I let it fall to the ground because we're still inside the mansion hall.

"Did you also develop an earth elemental affinity?" Grandpa Anos, why do you look a little anxious there?

Does he not want me to have an earth elemental affinity? No, wait, his expression changes again. His eyes gleam with delight this time. Oh no, I recognize that look; he's plotting something mischievous. I'm curious about his thoughts, but I hope he lets me live after he's done with whatever he's planning.

"Yes," I reply.

"Did you gain a lightning elemental affinity as well?" Xenovia asks. Her expression is emotionless. She probably asks because she knows I've wished for a lightning elemental affinity since I was a toddler. I've always had trouble understanding her, even though we were born at the same time, with her being two minutes older than me. We're triplets: me, her, and my other sister, who's currently in Kinley with my father. Her name is Xandria. Xandria is also two minutes younger than me. I miss her terribly.

I can confidently say that their personalities are completely different, despite being born together.

Xenovia is cold and refuses to show her emotions to anyone. I wish she would at least be a little more open with me. Whenever I approach her, she does something to get away from me. I'm starting to suspect that she doesn't even like me.

And Xandria?

She's lively and cheerful, easy to get along with. She loves to chat and play games. I remember playing Call of Duty together all night.

They do have one thing in common though: they both love watching anime.

But that doesn't change the fact that I love them both unconditionally and equally. I don't have any favorites. Having favorites among them would only complicate things.

"No, that's the only remaining elemental affinity." I'd love to have a lightning elemental affinity as well. If I could get my hands on a lightning elemental beast or a mana stone rich in lightning elemental mana, I could have it.

I'll have to ask my grandfather for one. He'll surely have it.

"Old man, Anos, do you happen to have a lightning elemental mana stone?" He gives me a puzzled look before his eyes widen in recognition.

Good! He seems to be getting used to the fact that I can power up as long as I have something energy-based. That will save me a lot of time explaining things in the future.

"Here you go. As you know, it's harder to find a stone with abundant lightning elemental mana. Luckily, I happened to come across this small stone, and I hope it works for you." He takes out a three-inch stone and hands it to me.

I immediately activate my ability <Devour> on it.

"Devour

."

<Ability: Devour has been activated.>

I hear the mechanical sound of the system in my head.

Since the stone is small and in the palm of my hand, no vortex appears. Instead, blood emerges under the stone, and it sinks into the blood along with it.

<Analyzing the Mana Stone>

<Detected Elemental Mana: lightning (60%), water (20%), and wind (20%)>

<Absorbing Mana....>

<Acquired New Affinity: Lightning>

<Enhanced Cultivation of Lightning Elemental Core>

<Enhanced Cultivation of Wind Elemental Core>

<Enhanced Cultivation of Water Elemental Core>