"Alright," I said, a wide smile spreading across my face. The sword was incredible—no, more than that.
Cutting through space… yeah, I want that.
But then again… there's Luminara.
I shouldn't abandon a blade just because there's a better one.
Mhh…
I looked at Luminara, its presence calm yet familiar, then shifted my gaze back to Sylthen.
"Nah… I won't switch Luminara for Sylthen."
Luminara is still my sword.
You've helped me a lot, even if I've only had you for a short time. And for some reason… I don't know why, but you feel more suitable for me than most swords ever could.
Without hesitation, I put Sylthen back into my inventory.
After that, I checked my status again—but something immediately caught my attention.
My basic sword techniques… weren't increasing at all.
A slight frown formed on my face.
So I decided to ask.
"System, why are my basic sword techniques' mastery percentage not going up?"
A panel appeared.
'It's really simple as to why it isn't going up.'
Yeah… simple.
Like you're holding me back on purpose.
Almost immediately, another panel appeared.
'Yes, it's really as simple as that—but it is not that.'
Then what is it… I don't train enough?
A new panel flashed.
'Yes. You don't train at all.'
…
I almost snapped back.
But it was true.
"Tch…"
I clicked my tongue lightly, running a hand through my hair.
I guess I should complete the mission I came here for instead of just standing around… then head back to the forest and actually train.
I want to do it now, but… I don't even know how to find the Shards of the Future.
Guess there's only one way.
"Hey, System. I want to find the shards now, but I have no idea how to do that."
A panel appeared instantly.
'It's simple.'
I scoffed, my jaw tightening slightly.
"…It's simple, really?"
Nonono… simple?
If it were that simple, I'd already be done.
And you still dare to say it's simple.
That stayed in my head. I wasn't stupid enough to say it out loud.
Instead, I spoke calmly.
"Oh? It's simple? So you're going to tell me where to find them… for free?"
Yeah… like you'd ever do that.
But I waited.
And then—
'Yes. I am going to tell you where to go for free.'
…
Good.
My points stay mine.
"Then tell me where to go so I can head back to Lysera's house in the forest—with Tarya."
'Not now. Tomorrow morning.'
I blinked.
…Tomorrow?
Why tomorrow? I want to go now.
But then—
A thought crossed my mind.
And slowly… a grin spread across my face.
Ah…
I see.
So I said—
"Yes… yes. Tomorrow morning it is."
She said tomorrow morning… for my sake?
I smirked slightly.
I'll give her that.
"You really are a genius of geniuses, my dear System."
'Of course I am a genius of geniuses.'
Proud as always, huh…
Mhh…
What else should I ask?
Oh.
Right.
My memories.
Last time… I slept, dreamed, and then everything just came back naturally.
So—
"My dear System, I have a question."
'You may ask the question, little Selarion.'
…
"Little Selarion."
My expression darkened for a brief moment.
But… I want the answer.
I'll ignore it.
"For now…"
I exhaled softly.
"So… how do I get my memories back?". A panel came with the words ' You just have to complete the trials I give you to complete '. "So I just have to complete missions?" I asked with a calm and collected face. And a panel came again saying ' No , not missions '. And another one came ' Trials'. I nodded my head in understanding and said" Okay, trials not missions". And then the system asked me a question that hurt ' Do you understand the difference between the two?'.
But I didn't say anything about how it hurt cause I know she reading my thoughts and just said " Yes ". And a another panel came saying ' I know that question hurt as it makes you seem like an idiot ' and after I was done reading another came with ' But hey you can't blame me , you did the same' . And another one came ' You asked a question thinking that I wouldn't see that you said mission instead of trials '. But I replied with " Hey , that I knew that you read my mind to see that". ' Okay you are right and I am right, since we don't want to argue anymore ' and I answered" Yeah , you are right ". I took a breath and continued " we are both right and tired of arguing ". ' Agreed'. " So , like ...."
But before I could finish what I was saying, the door suddenly opened and someone entered the house.
The sound instantly made my expression sharpen. Almost on instinct, my hand clenched into a fist as I turned toward the entrance, prepared for a fight.
Slowly, I started walking toward the door.
But after taking a few steps, I stopped.
…Tarya.
That thought crossed my mind almost immediately. She was the only other person who lived here after all.
The tension in my body eased a little and I unclenched my fist before continuing forward.
As I approached the entrance, I saw Tarya standing there doing something while the door remained slightly open. The faint light from outside fell gently across her figure, making the moment feel strangely peaceful after all the talking with the system.
A small smile appeared on my face.
When I reached her from behind, I slowly wrapped my arms around her beautiful waist and pulled her softly against me. Then I leaned closer to her ear and whispered,
" How has your day been , Tarya ".
And then I lightly started nibbling on her ear.
" Mhmm~ "
A sweet moan escaped from her lips almost immediately, making the smile on my face grow even wider.
After a moment, I finally stopped and Tarya slowly turned around to face me. Her eyes met mine for a brief second before she leaned closer and whispered softly into my ear,
" It's been very okay ".
Then she moved even closer and asked in a low voice,
" But do you know what can make my day even better? "
" Of course I do ".
For a moment, our faces remained dangerously close, close enough for me to feel her warm breath against my skin.
But instead of kissing her, I suddenly pulled back slightly and said,
" The door is still open ".
A faint disappointed expression appeared on her face for a split second before I turned around and closed the door behind her.
After that, I looked back at her and said with a bright smile,
" Let's go to the room ".
I started walking toward the room while Tarya quietly followed behind me.
Reaching the door first, I opened it and stepped inside before waiting for her to enter as well.
The moment she walked in, I closed the door behind us with a very bright smile still resting on my face.
A/N
Thanks for reading.
I know there are still a lot of things I need to improve, especially the way I present and structure my story, but I'll keep trying to make every chapter better than the last one.
My release schedule is still hard for me to manage properly, but I'll continue doing my best.