Hello World (IV)

She quietly closed the door and scanned the room, taking in the remnants of our battle. Walls marred with jagged scars. A floor covered with shards of glass and dust. Victoria's hands painted crimson.

Elena looked at me, and I waved weakly.

"Princess Victoria, do you remember our agreement?"

Victoria's purple aura flickered, then disappeared. "I do."

Elena picked up a piece of broken wall. "Why have you done this then?"

"Done what? Served justice?"

"Justice? If I recall, the Young Lady still rots in the dungeons. What justice has been served?"

"I.." Victoria hesitated. "Elena, I came into the room, and I just saw him standing there. Healthy, without a scratch. I know you're angry as well. The damn bastard, you couldn't have expected me to-"

"What I expected was for you to peacefully speak to the Young Master." She turned towards Victoria. "If the silencing ward had been any weaker, let alone the other maids, Sir Alfred would've gotten here immediately!"

Victoria scowled. "And what? That old codger wouldn't touch a hair on my head."

"You forget, Princess. I'm but a baron's daughter. He'd throw me into the dungeons before I could blink."

"I'd protect you."

Elena shook her head. "What happens to me is not my concern, nor should it be yours. What matters is that if anyone had come, we'd never be able to help the Young Lady."

Without waiting for a response, Elena walked towards me and kneeled down.

"Young Master, I deeply apologize. Please, if you are angry, I will bear your frustration."

It was a surreal sight. A striking beauty in a spotless maid uniform kneeling down amidst rubble. Her brown hair was neatly braided, flowing down to her shoulders, and a pair of circular glasses framed emerald eyes that stared deep into my own. She had a serious expression, but.. she was shivering.

Ah. The harsh, metallic taste in my mouth brought me back to reality. Alexander Luncan was not a good person, and I had been beaten to a pulp because of that fact. Elena was kneeling not out of respect or concern, but out of desperation. I'm sure if she didn't need my help, she'd be cheering Victoria on instead of scolding her.

"It's fine. Get up, you'll dirty my floor."

"Yes, Young Master." Elena got up with her head still down.

I moved to stand, my muscles screaming in protest. I grimaced as I massaged my back; something was definitely broken. I ignored the pain and turned to the notification floating in the air.

[3% Soul Assimilation with ALEXANDER LUNCAN!]

The magic that had coursed through my body was gone, but I could still feel it. Energy tearing through passageways, crackling like snaps of electricity. It was endless power at the edge of my fingertips, invincibility with but a thought.

"Status," I whispered.

[Name: Alexander Luncan]

[Titles: Heir to the Luncan Ducal House, Little Bastard, and Animal Beater]

[Race: Human]

[Age: 15]

[Talents: Mana Sensitivity(S) - LOCKED, Light(S) - LOCKED, Magic(???) - LOCKED]

[Mana: E(C)]

[Vitality: F(D)]

[Strength: F(D)]

[Agility: F(D-)]

[Will: F-(E-)]

[Aura: F(E)]

[Skills: Mana Circulation - F(D), Infusion(E) - LOCKED]

I had unlocked the Mana Circulation skill, and my Aura attribute had gone up a tier. I remembered the whispers in my head, and the familiarity of my mana - apparently, memory shards weren't the only way to increase my assimilation rate. It had gone up a whole two percent, and I hadn't experienced any adverse flashbacks this time.

Victoria broke me out of my thoughts. "Are you going to keep milking it?"

"Princess!"

"I mean look at him, Elena! Instead of healing himself, he's just staring off into space like some idiot!"

Elena swiveled back. "I apologize for her comments, she doesn't mean-"

I raised my hand. "What do you mean by heal?"

The two went silent and stared at me.

"Hey.. did I hit you too hard?"

The sudden concern on Victoria's face was amusing, sharply contrasting the murderous intent that had been spilling out of her mere moments before. I wanted to laugh, but I felt like the motion would break my ribs.

"Just tell me."

"I don't know, I'm not a Luncan. Just channel your mana and.." Victoria shrugged. "Find the 'light.'"

What? The advice was vague, but I didn't care. I needed to get rid of this pain.

Deep breaths.

Once more, mana slowly began to flow through my body in a small trickle.

Focus. The surrounding noise disappeared, and I closed my eyes shut. All I could hear were my labored breaths. All I could see was darkness. She had said the light. Search for the light.

When I first circulated my mana, I had felt revitalized but now, I just felt nauseous. Still, I needed more.

The trickle turned into a stream.

More! Back into a river.

The light - to end the pain - find the fucking light. A flash, and then heat. I.. I could see it! There it was, illuminating the darkness! But why did I smell.. smoke?

I opened my eyes and saw an orange flame engulfing my body. Elena and Victoria stared at me, the former horrified, the latter in disbelief.

"I.. I'm gonna take a nap."

And I fell to the floor.

…

…

…

I woke up in a familiar bed, and sat up gingerly. My body.. didn't hurt that much anymore.

"Young Master! Are you alright?"

I glanced to the side. Elena sat beside the bed with a worried expression, whilst Victoria sat on the edge of it, swinging her legs back and forth.

"How long have I been out?"

"Just under half an hour," Victoria replied. "I don't know too many healing concepts, but I tried to patch you up."

I opened my mouth to thank her, but she cut me off.

"Listen, when I was checking the condition of your body, I saw it." Her hands gripped the sheets. "Your circuits are strained beyond belief, and the way you handled your mana..."

Her voice lowered. "You almost burned yourself alive. It was like I was watching a child - as if you had never used it before."

Shit. She had caught me. From my memories and the status window, I could assume that Alexander had been a phenomenal magic user. Me, on the other hand, not so much. However, Alexander had also been a tyrannical noble who threatened to kill Elena. I felt I was better in that regard.

I needed to cooperate with them in order to complete this quest. Should I reveal the truth?

[Tick.. First hour!]

[22:59:59]

The timer for the quest. An hour had already passed, and they were only going to pass by faster. Fuck, I didn't have time. I had to make a decision.

"I told you, right? I didn't mean for it to go that far with Sera."

Victoria frowned. "I thought we were past this."

Have to face the music.

"Look, I wasn't lying. I.. I've lost my memories."