[Author’s Note: I apologize sincerely, My Readers. I had anticipated that the privileged process might require 5 to 7 days, yet to my pleasant surprise, it concluded within a mere day….. Sigh, I deeply regret not informing you all before transitioning to a non-premium status.
Anyhow, Continue to support me guys ??]
“We should run!!” Aether’s voice was urgent as he grabbed Stella’s shoulder, his sudden aggressiveness startling her.
But before Aether could make a move, the unexpected happened.
‘CHUKK’
With astonishing ease, Blake’s team dispatched the huge Slime Monster, their actions swift and effortless… Easy Peasy Quick and Lazy!!
“Huh?” Aether’s expression was a mixture of disbelief and confusion as he watched the massive creature dissolve like molten lava under the blade of a sword. It was as if reality had suddenly shifted, leaving him feeling utterly inadequate.
“…” Aether’s mouth hung open, but no words escaped, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed. He felt like a fool for his panicked reaction, a stark reminder of his own inadequacy in this new world.
As the group began to move on, oblivious to Aether’s inner turmoil, Stella turned to him with a quizzical expression, “Mr. Kai?” she queried, sensing his distress.
Unable to contain his bewilderment, Aether finally spoke up. “I-Is that monster really so easy to defeat?”
“Oh! You haven’t encountered any blank monsters, have you?” Stella’s question cut through his thoughts, and as he remained silent, she pieced together the situation. With an awkward smile, she explained, “Well, creatures without aptitude crystals are known as blank monsters. They’re relatively easy to kill, like slimes.
While defeating them won’t improve your levels, they provide a safe opportunity for rookies to train and adapt.”
“….” Aether’s silence spoke volumes, his face burning with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. He couldn’t believe he had let fear dictate his actions, especially against such a seemingly…. punny opponent.
Stella’s smile softened as she observed his flushed cheeks, her intuition guiding her to offer a gentle reassurance. Leaning in close, she whispered, “You might want to work on controlling your expressions… Even I could guess what you’re thinking.”
Though Aether was taken aback by her proximity, her soothing words had a calming effect on him. With a nod, he replied awkwardly, “Don’t worry, I’m still adjusting to these surroundings… It’ll take some time.”
Stella simply nodded her head and walked a little closer to Aether, their strides falling into sync as they traversed the forest together.
To an outsider’s eyes, their proximity might have suggested a secret couple or clandestine lovers sharing intimate conversation. But Aether knew better. He understood that Stella’s ease around him stemmed from a sense of comfort rather than romantic affection. After all, he didn’t receive any kind of affection points from her after the last night.
She was just comfortable with him… that’s all!
Yet, as they walked, Stella couldn’t help but steal a quick glance at Aether, her mind filled with questions about the man beside her.
Do not mistake her intentions; she was merely pondering ‘Why!’
Yesterday, upon awakening to find herself face-to-face with a stranger slave, Stella had instinctively scanned her body with energy to check for any impurities.
It wasn’t a matter of bias; rather, it was a stark acknowledgement of the harsh reality of their world.
In a world where slaves were often treated as little more than objects, their minds warped by the cruelty of their masters, trust was a rare commodity. Stella knew better than to let her guard down, especially in the presence of a stray slave whose past was shrouded in uncertainty.
She thought he had committed an unspeakable act against her while she lay unconscious… If he had indeed done something to her, or violated her in any way, Stella knew she would not hesitate to take action. She was not one to suffer fools lightly, and any harm inflicted upon her would be met with swift and decisive retribution…. Kill him!!
Stella’s surprise deepened as she recalled the slave’s unexpected display of herbal knowledge. The makeshift wound plasters he fashioned from leaves had nearly healed her wounds, a feat that went beyond the norm of their world, where healing potions were the standard remedy.
It was a revelation that sparked a newfound curiosity within her. How had this slave acquired such knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties? The thought lingered in her mind, reminiscent of the…. Elves, who were renowned for their affinity with nature and mastery of herbal lore.
Since that moment, Stella had made a concerted effort to test the slave’s character, to gauge his trustworthiness and assess whether he was truly worthy of her confidence. And with each passing test, he had exceeded her expectations, proving himself to be more than just trustworthy.
When she inadvertently revealed that she knew the truth about his identity, she braced herself for his reaction, expecting him to resort to any means necessary to silence her. Yet, to her surprise, he remained composed, handling the situation with a maturity that belied his circumstances.
Even now, as they encountered a perceived threat in the form of a harmless monster, his first instinct was to protect her, grasping her firmly and urging her to flee to safety. At that moment, Stella couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude towards him…. She really was happy to find someone with a beautiful heart just like her.
“Earth to Stella,” came the voice, pulling Stella out of her thoughts. She turned to find Aether looking at her with a questioning expression.
“Earth? What’s that?” Stella asked, genuinely curious.
“H-Huh!! T-That is…. just a word to represent the… ground?” Aether replied awkwardly, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Stella shrugged, assuming it was a local expression, and was about to inquire further when Blake’s voice interrupted.
“Stray Slave,” Blake called out to Aether, causing the group to come to a halt.
Aether and Stella stopped in their tracks, their attention drawn to the group surrounding them. There were seven members in total, three women and four men, forming a tight circle around them.
“…” Aether’s expression twisted into a wry grimace as he stood protectively before Stella. Stella frowned, perplexed by Blake and his team’s sudden blockade. They were still some distance away from the forest’s exit.
“You see, you shouldn’t lower your guard in front of a stranger,” Blake stated sternly, drawing his sword and pointing it at Stella. “Miss, it’s evident that you’re associating with a Stray Slave. So, just step away from him.”
“… W-What are you talk–” Stella began, but Blake cut her off with a sharp interruption. “You really suck at lying,” he remarked with a cold certainty.
Then, turning his attention to Aether, Blake’s voice hardened. “You have some nerve to run away from your Master. You know the consequences of such actions, right?”
“Bla–”
“BASTARD!! CALL ME BY MY TITLE!!”
Blake’s roar reverberated through the forest, his anger casting a heavy tension over the group.
Aether met Blake’s furious gaze for a fleeting moment, his mind racing with the realization that now was not the time for pride or defiance. With the other men scrutinizing Stella intently, he knew he had to tread carefully.