Two years passed.
I am now eight, nearing nine. Zinona has turned ten. I have reached Level 8 somehow after the battle. This Unknown Growth Specimen… I hate it.
My skills have improved after defeating the White Tod, but ever since then, progress had completely stopped.
Zinona and I continued training together, and her growth was ridiculous. She had gone from Level 1 to Level 16.
Meanwhile, my status looked like this:
<
Name: Rei
Titles: Unknown Growth Specimen, Ranger
Race: Lower Elf
Skills:Appraisal (Lv 5)Magic Creation (Lv 9)Magic Weaving (Lv 7)Extreme Speed (Lv 3)
Magic Affinity:Fire Magic, Air Magic, Nuclear Magic, Status Magic, Auxiliary Magic
Level: 8
Attack: 214
Defense: 54
Speed: 790 (Proficiency)
Stamina: 232
Boosts:Unpredictable Growth (Due to Title: Unknown Growth)Normal mechanics do not apply (Due to Title: Unknown Growth)+50% Speed (Due to Ranger Title), Defense permanently sterilized (Due to sacrifice)
>
My attack and stamina has increased slightly, but my defense…is Still dead. On the other hand, my speed has become absurd.
I was faster than both Mother and Father now. The Ranger title clearly amplified that even further. Titles…they enhanced specific aspects of a person except for this Unknown Growth obviously...
And then there was this line in the boosts, 'Defense permanently sterilized.'
I didn't fully understand the term, but it was obvious enough.
My defense would never increase.
Not even if I reached Level 100.
"…Great."
Zinona's status, on the other hand,
<
Name: Zinona
Titles: Bane of the Stads, Unknown Growth Connection
Species: Half-Elf
Skills: None
Magic Affinity: Nature Magic, Air Magic, Water Magic, Healing Magic
Level: 16
Attack: 466
Defense: 466
Speed: 466
Stamina: 466
Extra Stats: Can tame Stags and gains +50% experience when hunting Stags (Due to Title: Bane of the Stags), Even stat growth (Due to Unknown Growth Connection), -50% Experience Gained Overall
>
"…Seriously?"
She had that Unknown Growth thing too. But hers wasn't a Specimen. It was a Connection. Maybe it had something to do with being close to me? But if that was the case, why didn't Mother or Father have it?
And because of that title…All her stats were perfectly equal. No proficiency markers like I have for speed. Everything is 466.
Nothing.
This title…It was beyond annoying.
It did things so randomly. My attack and stamina were still below 200, while hers had already reached 466 across the board.
The only thing I have over her is mana. She can barely cast five spells consecutively. Meanwhile, I had fought that Tod from afternoon till evening without collapsing from mana exhaustion alone.
"What are you staring at, Rei?"
Zinona's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Nothing. Just my status," I replied quickly.
"Oh… I wish I could see mine too. It's so unfair," she sighed.
Then her mood flipped instantly, her eyes lighting up.
"Anyway! Did you know I've been practicing chanting Advanced Water Magic?!". "That's great," I said, smiling at her excitement.
"Rei! Zinona!" Mother called from inside. "Can you two go to the market and buy some vegetables?"
"Yes, Mother!" Zinona replied immediately.
Before I could react, she grabbed my hand and started dragging me along.
"Hey! Wai—"
I stopped myself to struggle
Somewhere along the way, I had started seeing her as a sister.
But recently…There was something else. Something strange. A sharp, stinging feeling in my chest whenever she smiled at me like that.
Thump.
Why does my heart beat like this…?
"Be careful, you two!" Mother called out as we rushed off.
Meanwhile, at home, Garynnon leaned against the counter, looking at Freiren thoughtfully.
"Dear… when are you going to tell them?" he asked. Freiren smiled softly, placing a hand over her belly. "When they come back," she replied gently. "They'll be overjoyed," Garynnon said with a smile. "I mean… of course they will," she chuckled. "I'm pregnant."
Meanwhile, at the market, Zinona was still dragging me along like an unstoppable force. "Zinona… we're here to buy vegetables," I reminded her as she dragged me along the stalls. "Yes, Rei, but let's check the stalls along the way!" she said, her eyes sparkling.
And again, Thump! That feeling. Persistent.
When is this going to stop…?
I sighed inwardly and decided to just go along with it. Two hours later, we finally returned home, arms full of vegetables. As soon as we stepped inside, both Mother and Father were waiting.
Their expressions were… serious.
"What happened, Mother? Father?" I asked, setting the bags down.
"Yes, why do you both look so serious?" Zinona added, frowning.
"We have something important to tell you," Father said slowly.
"Then just say it, Father," I pressed. "Why the serious face?"
Father hesitated, glancing at Mother.
"Well… your mother…"
"What happened to Mother?" Zinona asked, panic creeping into her voice.
"Your mother…" Father repeated.
"Is it an illness?" I interrupted, my heart racing. "Don't worry Father, I'll find the best doctor—"
"Dear," Mother said gently, placing a hand on Father's arm. "Don't scare them like that."
She turned to us.
And smiled.
"I'm pregnant."
"…What?!"
Zinona and I shouted in perfect sync, staring at each other in shock.
"Congratulations, Mom!" we both exclaimed, the tension vanishing instantly.
The room filled with warmth.
"Mom, what will our little brother's name be?" I asked eagerly.
"Hey! Rei, it's going to be a little sister," Zinona shot back.
"No, it'll be a brother."
"No, a sister!"
"Now, now," Mother laughed softly. "We don't know yet, and I haven't decided on a name. Let's wait, alright?"
"Yes, Mother," we replied together.