“Aether,” Delphine called him with a serious face, her eyes scrutinizing him as she asked, “How did you run away?”
That question hung heavily in the air, a puzzle that Delphine needed to solve. She had chosen this hotel for its safety and security, and Aether slipping away without raising any alarms was concerning.
Aether met Delphine’s gaze with an indescribable expression. He truly didn’t know how he managed to escape this place; it felt like a blur one movement he was here and next, he was there in the forest all alone, yet he knew it somehow related to the Log and…. he couldn’t openly discuss the Log’s involvement with others.
“It was as if I had a habit of sleepwalking, so maybe I did something like that,” Aether explained calmly, trying to make sense of the situation himself, “When I woke up, I found myself in the forest, so I wasn’t sure how I managed to get away.”
He hoped Delphine would buy his explanation.
Nah!!…. He wasn’t entirely convinced of its truth himself.
It’s truly felt like a childish.
Yet,
“Hmmm,” Delphine responded with a nod, not pressing further for details. This response caused a frown to form on Selene’s face as she silently listened to the conversation.
Aether couldn’t read Delphine’s thoughts, leaving him uncertain about what she truly believed.
“Show me your Log,” Delphine asked with a serious expression, her gaze fixed on Aether with unwavering intensity as if saying she wouldn’t believe another bullshit lies.
Aether hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with uncertainty. However, he understood that he had no choice but to comply with Delphine’s request.
Noticing his hesitation, Delphine’s gaze sharpened, her lips pressing into a thin line, “Selene, you can also leave,” she directed, sensing the tension building in the room.
“Hmm?” Selene, who had been observing the exchange with a furrowed brow, shook her head slightly, “I am sorry, Aunt,” she said softly but firmly, indicating her intent to stay.
She intended to know as her Aunt was the one who brought Aether here alone.
Delphine’s eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and understanding. She knew Selene well enough to recognize that she wouldn’t budge easily once she had made up her mind.
Taking a deep breath, Delphine tried a different approach, “Selene, you–” she began, only to be cut off by Selene’s determined voice.
Before Delphine could talk the same shit she did to Selene’s brother,
“Aunt, he is our household slave, so I have every right to see whatever it is,” Selene asserted, her stance unwavering despite the tension in the room.
Delphine paused, considering her niece’s words carefully. After a moment, she sighed softly, acknowledging the validity of Selene’s point, “Sigh,” she sighed audibly again, a mixture of resignation and acceptance in her tone.
Turning back to Aether, Delphine’s expression softened slightly as she spoke, “Show us.”
Reluctantly, Aether accessed his log, Saying their names,
/
Name: Ether
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Level: 1
Title: Slave [Master: Kai Frostblade]
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 5
Magic Affinity: 1
Charm: 5
/
Both Selene and Delphine raised their eyebrows in surprise as they observed Aether’s increased level. Their curiosity brimmed with energy, evident in their expectant gazes as they turned their attention back to Aether, waiting for the story he had yet to tell.
“Sigh…” Aether visibly sighed, feeling the weight of the events he was about to recount.
He began narrating the story in a different light, framing it as an encounter with a girl named Stella. He described how he had been attacked by monsters and saved by Stella’s healing powers. He detailed their encounter with a group of hostile individuals determined to kill him since he was a stray slave, and how Stella’s intervention had helped him escape, even at the cost of her own safety.
Aether recounted their subsequent encounter with a monstrous creature that ultimately led to his ingestion by the beast, only to be rescued by Stella once again. He emphasized how she had not only saved him…. but had also taught him valuable magic skills.
Great Escape!!
“So those guys…ah” Delphine nodded in acknowledgement, recalling the faces of the individuals who had informed her of Aether’s heroic actions, though it was clear they had also used him as a means to escape their own predicament.
“Grrr…” Selene silently gritted her teeth and clenched her fists in frustration and anger, unknown emotions swirling within her as she processed the situation.
Aether provided them with as much information as possible, leaving few loopholes in his narrative. After recounting everything, he posed a question, “So, did you guys happen to see a whitish-grey-haired teenage girl?”
Aether wasn’t certain about who had rendered him unconscious or what had occurred to the girl and the monster with whom he had formed a…. friendship? He wasn’t sure about that.
“Hmmm.” Delphine nodded a few times, indicating that she comprehended the situation. Then, she produced a small piece of paper and handed it to Aether, her face slightly blushing with embarrassment as she said, “I found this paper when I discovered you lying on the ground all alone… naturally, naked!”
When she found him in such a state, she wasn’t sure how to respond; it was an uncomfortable and unexpected situation for her, nearly causing her to feel nauseous.
She almost puked!!!
Hearing that, Selene’s expression darkened as she couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Did that girl do something to him while he was… unconscious?’
Aether took the note and read its contents: “I will meet you again… Very Soon!! (Stella)”
A small, gentle smile appeared on Aether’s face, causing not only Selene’s heart to skip a beat but also making Delphine blush slightly as if an unexpected gentle handsomeness blinded their face had stirred between them.
“Ahem- Very well then, I need to help my nephew… I am leaving now!” Delphine announced, preparing to depart. However, just before she left, she added, “Take the day to rest. Tomorrow, I want to see your magic before we depart.”
Selene quickly followed Delphine, not wanting to spend too much time alone with Aether.
Once they had left, Aether’s expression turned serious and dark as he gazed at his True Log,
/
Name: Aether
Sex: Male
Race: #####
Level: 1
Title: The Lost One, Slave [Eternal Contract to ########], The Only Holder of Ether and Past-less, Future-less Entity.
Attributes:
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
Magic Affinity: 1
Charm: 10
Compatibility: 89%?↑
Survival rate: 1%?↑
Affection Points: 14309 (1000 Affection Points = 1 *any Attributes)
/
But that wasn’t the pressing matter at hand. Aether switched the panel and his eyes fell on the mission tab.
!~Ding~!
[Congratulations for Completing the Trial with flying colours!!]
[Since you completed the Trial, you must have grasped most of the information regarding this Log and its upcoming missions. If not, click the link below to learn more:
!~Please-help-me-Arcane-Dear-I-am-dumb-guy-without-you~!]
Aether’s right eye twitched involuntarily, his expression now clouded with anger.