Dean entered the house and he could already tell where Yuki was. The smell of the curry betrayed her instantly.
"Big sis.. Big Sis," Nessa called as she made her way deeper into the slightly dim hallway.
Dean was just shutting the door behind him when a cold sweat suddenly fell from his forehead.
His body froze in place as he felt like a predator was behind him, ready to pounce if he even twitched a finger.
"What is this about a Manta ray ride, Dean?" a sharp and intuitive voice asked from behind.
"Shit!" Dean couldn't help but curse under his breath.
"You were late, weren't you?"
Dean knew it wasn't a question. It sounded like one, but it was definitely a trap.
Nessa had innocently told Yuki about the manta ray ride that brought them home, still very excited about her first ride.
But Yuki, who knew Dean very well, could put two and two together and was now probing him.
"It's nothing like that," Dean spoke softly, trying his best to sound casual as he slowly turned to face Yuki.
Facing her, Dean could have sworn her black hair was floating in mid-air. The orange edges gleamed softly even as her darkened expression focused on him.
"I thought I told you not to be la-"
Dean had only blinked to prevent cold sweat from entering his eyes when she appeared right in front of him with a small wooden pestle already raised.
Tap
Tap
"Yu-ki," a coarse and yet gentle voice called from the other side of the door where Dean and Nessa just entered .
The door slid open, and the entire atmosphere shifted immediately.
An imposing man entered the house. His deep black eyes, with a silver glint, staring down on Dean and Yuki like they were too tiny that he had to squint to see them properly.
"Father…" the melodious voice of Nessa called from behind Dean and Yuki. Only a few seconds ago, she had been secretly tip-toeing towards her room to avoid Yuki's wrath.
"My princess," Ying called out as Nessa ran towards him like a speeding train.
Dean couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, even as Yuki hid the pestle behind her back.
"Welcome back, Father," Yuki greeted with a slight and deliberate bow.
Dean, on the other hand, just stared at the man. This was the first time he had seen him in the flesh since he took over this body.
Taking a page from the original's memories. He bowed slightly.
"Welcome back, old man."
Ying, who had caught Nessa and was still raising her, looked at the duo for only a moment with a blank expression, and then a smile curled on the edge of his lips.
"It's good to be home," he said as he placed Nessa on his left shoulder.
Nessa perched there with a bold smile on her face, tugging on Ying's kimono slightly.
"Yuki prepared curry, Father,"
Ying sniffed the air as if he wasn't already aware while he walked past Dean and Yuki, who subconsciously gave way.
"Ohh.. I smell it now," Ying chuckled.
"Are you hungry?" He asked while rubbing Nessa's stomach, making her giggle.
Yuki had turned towards Dean, her eyes were calculative but a lot softer now.
Ying turned to face the duo who were still staring at each other.
"What are you two doing?" He asked with a raised brow, even as Nessa giggled mischievously.
"Go prepare for dinner," he continued without waiting for an answer from them.
Dean was the first to move, even as Yuki still hid the mortar pestle.
Dean moved past Ying with a low bow. The man wasn't aware he'd just saved his life.
Immediately after he got past Ying, he diverted to the right, entering another hallway where several rooms were located.
He entered his own room, sliding the flower-patterned door shut as the wooden floorboards shrieked under his feet.
He quickly took off his jacket and his shirt and lay on his bed with just his pants on.
Without wasting another second, he knew exactly what to do with this free time as he thought of the word.
'System'
A set of blue screens quickly appeared in front of him.
[System's Interactive Feature Active]
[You have gained full knowledge of how to navigate the system]
[Full analysis complete]
[Host profile now available]
[OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS]
[Name: Dean Gray]
[Soul: Dean Faust]
[Age: 17]
[Race: Human]
[Summoner Rank: Aspirant - Tier 1]
[Attribute unlocked: Body of the Sage]
[Active Perks:]
- Hermit's Eye
- Sage's Circuit
[Experience points: 0000]
[Inventory: Empty]
[SUMMONING STATUS]
[Summoning Skills - Locked]
[ACTIVE BONDS — 3/3]
[Familiar - 1]
[Name: Unknown]
[Species: Wind Sprite]
[Classification: Common - Mid]
[Potential: Ascended]
[Skills: Gale breath]
[Skill Grade: E]
————————————————————
[Familiar -2]
[Name: Unknown]
[Species: Earth Elemental]
[Classification: Common]
[Potential: Peak-Epic]
[Skills: Earth tap]
[Grade: E]
————————————————————
[Familiar -3]
Name: Unknown
Species: Unclassified
Classification: Paradox
Potential: Incalculable
Standard analysis: Unavailable
[Skills: Unnamed, requires name from host.]
[Description: The summoning can copy, adapt, and evolve the skills and/or physical structure of any creature or summoning encountered.]
[Note: Copied skills are temporary without host selection, with conditions to activate]
[Grade: Unclassified]
[Familiar Perks]
Perk 1-[LESSER ADAPTABILITY]
Description: Familiar can passively absorb damage and environmental stimuli, with the experience converted into adaptive responses over time.
Perk 2 -[Unnamed: Requires Name from host]
Description: Familiar can freely manipulate the active size and density of its physical body.
[Current preferred state: Base]
[Potential: Unclassified]
__________________________________
[System Notification:]
[Paradox classification detected.]
[Standard rules do not apply to Familiar 3.]
[Further monitoring in progress…]
__________________________________
Dean's eyes skimmed through the screen, and it sure was a lot to take in at once.
He was aware the original had managed to bond two familiars earlier, but now when he saw the familiars and their skill grades, he understood why the kid was desperate for a third and threw his life away.
Although someone imprinted full knowledge of system navigation into his mind, he didn't find some things here that he had seen earlier.
'Where are my rewards' he requested, after all he remembered the system showing something like that earlier.
The system responded to his thoughts as another screen flew into his vision.
[NOTIFICATIONS]
[Task Completed: Third Bond - Host could summon a third familiar]
[Reward: 2000 EXP]
[Task Completed: Pick up Nessa]
[Reward: 1000 EXP]
[Total EXP gained: 3000]
'Hmmm,' Dean thought. He was getting rewards for even doing seemingly mundane things.
The system answered him with clarification.
[You gain experience points by accomplishing self driven objectives the system may find worthwhile]
[Note: You may not receive experience points for every activity you complete.]
Dean nodded slightly. This wasn't all that bad. The fact he wasn't forced into grueling missions or tasks like he saw in some web novels he had read was a plus he would take any day of the week.
Right now, he had 3000 EXP, and he was willing to use it immediately. The first thing that came to mind was his soul-draining rank.
He was about to apply himself and resolve all the unknowns when a knock came on his door.
Dean raised his eyes to see a formidable silhouette.
"Do come out for dinner. We have much to discuss," the gentle and yet coarse voice of Ying filled his room.
The silhouette disappeared from the door as Dean gulped with difficulty.
A/N: If you are enjoying the story, please add to Library and support with Powerstones. Thank you.