Chapter 17
A/N: 1K collection for only uploading a single chapter, the pressure you folks put on me is incredible! I can only pray to God to provide me the wisdom to carry on with this fanfic and amuse you all.
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Vali looked at Eric in confusion; she didn't understand why someone like Eric wanted to stay in Khaos Brigade even after knowing the truth behind their pathetic dreams, which can endanger pretty much every living thing in the worst-case scenario.
Vali was fairly good at understanding people, and from what she understood about Eric, he seemed like a fairly reasonable person. She thought someone like him would definitely agree to join her team, but it seems she was wrong about it.
But still, there was one thing that confused her the most.
"Eric. There's something I can't figure out. Why are you so cautious?"
Vali finished her food and then looked at Eric with curiosity. She could feel that this boy was not as ordinary as he appeared to be.
People of their age are usually much more active and are usually filled with pride and arrogance, like the young lions.
Their strength was clearly not enough, but they just thought they were kings.
They always scrambled to express themselves to attract attention, get to know more companions, and be recognized by them.
Even Vali herself recognized this fault in herself, but this isn't something that can be controlled due to their age and immaturity; the only thing that could be done is to keep themselves in control.
…However.
The feeling Eric gave her was completely different.
She felt that Eric was more like a turtle.
Slow but steady, weak yet wise.
He was low-key, cautious, and restrained, and he had an almost invisible existence.
However, a turtle could live for hundreds of years in tranquility. But this was not the kind of personality someone similar to her age should have! They should be volatile and ready for adventurous exploration!
The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to convince him to come and join their journey through the supernatural world. Due to her past, Vali developed a very free-spirited personality aside from her quest for revenge, and she wanted to enjoy her youth like a butterfly, but seeing a person like Eric made her feel uncomfortable, and she wanted to make him realize the joy of life.
"Perhaps I am content with the current situation, and I don't want to get into any unnecessary trouble by taking some rash decisions," Eric said indifferently.
"..."
Vali clearly felt that Eric took another step back as if he had shrunk his body into a shell, taking a defensive posture. Although Eric was still sitting opposite her eating the remaining curry. But she could clearly feel the vigilant aura coming from Eric.
While Kuroka also narrowed her eyes at Eric, as a Senjutsu expert, she was naturally well attuned to the emotions of others and was capable of sensing them to a particular degree, and she clearly felt Eric's stance change exponentially even if he was still eating.
This boy was too calm!
Kuroka had never seen such a degree of steadiness in someone their age.
Eric didn't say much, didn't do much, didn't make mistakes, didn't leave any evidence, and didn't give any reasons or opportunities.
Facing Eric, even if she wanted to pick a fight, she didn't know what to expect from him. All of a sudden, Kuroka felt that Eric was very terrifying! And felt more and more interested in this mysterious boy.
After finally finishing the curry, Eric felt that everyone's attention was on him, and he didn't know what to do and even felt a little embarrassed, so he decided to lighten up the situation.
He coughed up a little and spoke.
"Even though I didn't agree to be a part of your team, Miss Vali, I would still like to help you if a need arises. I think I am not someone fit for adventure, and I'm content with my current circumstances so far. In other words, I am willing to be a reserve member of your team. If you need any help from me, you can find me, and I will naturally try my best to help you!"
Eric said, after giving it a very long thought.
Eric didn't want to join Vali in her adventures across the supernatural world, but he also didn't want to miss this opportunity to gain powerful allies; hence, the best option was not to reject her completely while accepting her invitation partially.
Strictly speaking, there is no way in hell Vali would ever need him, as she thinks he is weak, so the only help she could possibly seek from him would be healing, which is easy in his opinion.
But again, in most of cases, Kuroka herself would take care of their injuries, as Senjustu is a very versatile form of energy and the best for healing after the twilight healing for mending injuries, so they definitely won't be coming for him to get healed often.
"Very well, I accept your condition, and welcome to the team, Eric." Vali said, extending her hands towards him, which he gracefully shook. While all the other members cheered the addition of a new member to their team.
Everyone was excited.
"Well, it's time we leave. I will contact you later, Eric."
Arthur said this time and stood, followed by Le Fay and everyone. After exchanging pleasantries, everyone was about to leave, and for some reason, Vali decided to pay for everyone's food this time.
As Vali went towards Isami to pay the money, Eric kept his eyes peeled at her figure as if he were thinking something, and Arthur, who was standing next to Eric, noticed this and smiled coyly.
"Hey Eric, isn't Vali beautiful?"
"It's not just about beauty; it's also about strength. Miss Vali is such a beautiful yet strong person. I feel motivated just by looking at her. I feel like I need to pump more iron and get stronger. Speaking of which, you also have to protect Le Fay; it is important for your career as a swordsman." Eric said it in a serious yet solemn tone.
"Mm..."
After Arthur responded, he paused his thought process and frowned.
"Huh?"
Arthur suddenly turned to look at Eric; his blue eyes had recovered from the state of deep thought.
What's going on?
That was not right!
Why did Eric suddenly become concerned about Le Fay?
Arthur suddenly became alert as his brotherly instincts flared to maximum levels, and he looked at Eric a few more times. When it came to matters related to Le Fay, he would be particularly concerned about them, and suddenly all the things greyed out in his vision except for Eric.
"I will protect Le Fay!"
Arthur spoke with certainty, and his tone was full of assurance. He wanted to start with the words 'don't worry', but he suddenly felt that this was very inappropriate. Le Fay was his sister. It was only right and proper for him to protect his sister.
Why did he have to promise Eric?
Something was wrong!
Arthur looked at Eric with a blank look in his eyes. He was very puzzled. Why was he so concerned about Le Fay?
Oh, wait, could it be?
Arthur's eyes suddenly gained a sharp glint as they locked at Eric, but he noticed that Eric wasn't standing beside him anymore; instead, he was moving towards the counter where Isami and Vali were standing.
"Eric! Wait..."
Just as Arthur was about to grab Eric to stop him and question Eric's intention for his sister, Arthur ended up pushing Eric instead of grabbing him, which caused the unsuspecting boy to stumble over the table awkwardly and wasn't able to balance himself.
Which resulted in him crashing towards Isami and Vali, and poor Eric's lecherous hands snaked towards the spot where they shouldn't have without his consent and resulted in two crisp sounds before stumbling away.
Whack!
Whack!
[Ding Dong!]
[You have successfully read the memory! Reward Obtained! Sacred Gear upgrade ticket!]
"Y-You Pervert! What the hell are you doing?"
"Ara-ara, Eric-san is far more naughty than I thought!"
Eric, who fell down in such a strange position, felt awkward for the first time since he came into this world, but the soft sensations of their rears he felt were extremely pleasant. The poor boy couldn't even suspect what was coming next!
"Eric, you bastard, you are already being unfaithful to my sister! Come here; I will beat you to death!"
Slap!
"You Pervert!"
"As naughty as you are, Eric-san, from now on, you will have to pay double the amount of anything you buy from here!"
"Eric-kun is indeed daring, Nya! To think he would take Vali-chan and Isami-san at the same time is so manly!"
Eric could only blame the world's hentai logic and the new reality that surrounded him. Following that, he hopes he doesn't be slapped for doing something like this.
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A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, and from now I will try to post regularly.