Chapter 38: Well, I'll Pretend I Didn't See That

THE 1ST DAY OF THE 9TH MONTH - NIGHT TIME -

Today was very eventful.

I had my birthday, I got gifts from Luscia, and now, I will be going to the city of Quaran to participate in the Proving. Time really flies when you are concentrating on just one thing at a time.

It has already been 7 years since I was reborn and now, I will be leaving the only place I have ever known. My parents can't come with me so, I will be living with my uncle and aunt.

Hopefully, they are nice people. That reminds me of something. It will be the first time I interact with someone who is around my age is related to me through blood. Oh yeah. My parents haven't said what gender my cousin is. I am hoping for a male cousin as I seem to be interacting with many female people recently. I need to talk and play with someone who is a male.

But, what really matters is that I pass the Proving on my first try so that it will be decided that I will succeed my father. If that happens, I can gain recognition and fame which will help me as I travel the world to find the Divine Beasts.

I need to keep that in mind. I need to show everyone that I am the best there. Yes, that is what I will do~

...

********************

...

I open my eyes.

It is the familiar darkness all around me.

But, there is something wrong here. Am I floating? Oh, now I know what must be happening right now. Is Death God here or something?

What does he want to talk about? Why hasn't he shown himself by now? I have lots of questions already. I then hear a faint mutter near me.

"Now this is interesting. I never thought that something of this scale would happen while I was away. Still, I cannot deny that this is a very intriguing development."

"Is that you, Death God?"

What is he talking about? Something so important happened that even he, a god, is fascinated by it?

"Oh, Zeta. I'm sorry about not contacting you earlier. I was a bit occupied with my own situation so, it kind of slipped my mind."

"That is alright. So, why did you come to talk with me?"

I want to know why he is here.

"I will answer your question right now. I have 3 things I will want to tell you this time."

"What are they?"

"Firstly, I give my congratulations to you on unsealing the Divine Beast Ignis Drakonis. I knew that you would get my hint sooner or later. Though, I never thought that you would split your soul so that you can gain control over him."

Is that it? I mean, I like praise so, I will just listen to him.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Secondly, the highest god told me that I should not give you a direct answer as to where one of the Divine Beasts is located. Instead, he told me that I should only give you a clue."

"But, why only a clue? Wouldn't it be much faster and efficient if you just told me where it was outright?"

"I knew you had a question regarding that. The answer, in simple terms, is that I can't tell you and because it is the will of the highest god. Plus, I already promised him that I would listen to him without causing trouble so, just deal with it, please?"

Okay.

So, he doesn't want to disappoint his boss so he is just doing exactly what he told him. If that is the case, I won't be able to rely on him for answers about the Divine Beasts.

"So, what is the clue?"

"Um, let's see... I know! How about, the closest one is at the peak of this continent. Or, maybe, the currents are strong at the top of the sky-carrier? The 2nd one sounds so much better, right? For some context, I used the mythology of this world."

What? 'Sky-carrier'? What mythological figure would that be? I don't think I have heard of a myth that includes someone or something that sounds like that. I guess, I will figure it out along the way then.

"Now, time for the 3rd thing! This one is very important as it concerns your soul."

What happened to my soul?! Did something weird happen to it again!? It is always doing something weird now for some reason!

"Remember that time I gave you extra energy to fight that monster? Well, it seems that your soul was able to adapt to that energy is capable of producing an inferior version of the energy that I control."

What.

The.

Actual.

HELL!

My soul keeps absorbing stuff! It even absorbed Death God's energy and is now able to recreate it! This is abnormal! How is that even possible when I am now where near the power of an actual god!

"Yes, yes, you have a lot of questions. So did I but, I think I have found the solution. You see, gods get most of their power from their absolutely gigantic souls. I think your soul was big enough to harness my energy but was small enough to only make a much more diluted version."

"So, I didn't just become an actual god then, huh. That's good."

"Also, your soul can only make small amounts. I think that it would take your soul at least 15 years to reach 50% of the power I gave you before. Plus, using your version of my god energy would let you use it for longer periods of time and would injure you much less as it is not an authentic energy."

I see. It seems that I have acquired a powerful weapon for my arsenal that will be essential in defeating the Scourge. I feel like my soul is almost always the reason I have been able to have a relatively easy time until now. I think it is watching my back so, thank you soul!

"That ends my message for now. I'll see you again if something significant happens. Bye!"

********************

I started out of my bed. That was certainly a wild and unexpected meeting with Death God. My throat feels a bit dry so, I will go get a sip of water downstairs.

I drowsily get up and walk downstairs. When I reach the kitchen, I get a glass of water from one of our water containers.

*Gulping Noises*

Ah, refreshing!

Let's get back up and continue sleeping. While I was walking, I felt something weird on our dinner table. What is this? It feels like a very long and thin bottle.

Oh.

There are 3 more lying around as well. One of them even has a cork inside. Judging by it's shape and the fact that there is a cork, it is a wine bottle? I never drank it before but, I guess mother and father wanted to drink some before sleeping.

I leave the bottle behind and walk up. What is that noise? I turn around and look at the door to my parent's room. I guess I didn't hear it earlier because I was so sleepy. It sounds like some sort of struggle. Are they fighting? Is that moaning? Sadness? I don't think they would fight but, I will need to investigate.

I open the door.

"Mother, Father, what are you doing?"

Almost right on cue, the sounds stopped. Why do I feel like I have stumbled across something I should never have stumbled upon?

Since this entire room is dark, I will be able to discover what is happening. The secret of the bed is going to be unveiled tonight!

...

What?

Are they... naked?

But, why?

Hey, is that... no way. I guess every living creature has at least 3 carnal desires. Sleep, Consumption of Food & Water, and Reproduction. I think what is at work here is number 3 on that list.

Well, I'll pretend I didn't see that.

That was when I, Alex, learned what it meant to like a girl and what responsibilities came with it if I became the next head of the house.