Legacy Of The Extra-Chapter 60: Pregame Epilogue[END]

"Don't heat it too much," I ordered Aeris, who was gently swaying the green liquid in a small tin container over the stove.

She simply nodded, tapping on the rune to reduce the flames. I glanced at her, she seemed too focused on the liquid that gently boiled.

Is she interested in alchemy? Perhaps I can use her interests and make money off of it. Alchemy is very profitable, alongside being a pretty useful skill tree.

Leaving that aside, I focused on the glowing blue roots kept on the table before me. These little bastards took me four months to get.

And I almost died too.

But at least it is all over now.

Today was the day I would depart from Rasendorf for the academy. I only got to spend one day here, but that is enough. I can return here on the weekends if I am not too busy.

Cupping the astral root in my palms, I crushed it. Taking them over to the heated container. "Aeris, move aside." She stepped back, watching me with a certain anticipation.

Plup.

Dropping the roots in the container, I stepped back, waiting for an explosive reaction. Which sure as hell happened—A pressure released in the air, forming blue smoke all over the room.

"Cough, cough. Smells like shit." I mumbled as my eyes became teary. The potion was now complete, according to the cutscene I saw in the game.

I hope it is.

Please let my efforts bear fruit.

I held the handles of the container and poured it into a vial. The blue liquid shimmered inside the vial as I handed it to Aeris.

She looked at it with a frown, her expression told the words she did not need to convey. "Are you sure this will work, human?"

"I am mostly sure,"

"Mostly?" She remarked, narrowing her gaze on me.

"Just drink it and you will find out," She took the vial in her hands and stared at it for a while for raising the opening to her mouth. And gulped it down fully.

"Did something change?" I asked as I looked at her. There was no physical change in her body, she remained the same.

"That tasted like faeces," She replied, dragging her tongue out. "What did you make me drink, human?"

"You can just say shit, you know? Don't have to be so regal anymore."

"That is not what I ask—" Before she could complete her words, a wave of pure energy surged from her body. "Wh—what is happening?" She asked, looking around frantically. "It feels weird..."

"That is Mana that you are feeling," I stated. "Congratulations on your first step of being a mage and a useful subordinate."

[Noah, the mana she is gathering... It is strong.] Dante remarked.

Of course, don't forget that she has the Magic God's legacy.

The Elixir of Astral Root cures Mana insensitivity by forcing the clogged mana circuits open. That is why the mana energy around her jumped violently, it is trying to form the core in her abdomen.

"Can you sense it now?" I asked, looking at her trembling. Her head lowered, her fist clenched and then—

"Sob,"

Seriously?

She leapt across the room towards me, her arms wide open.

[Brace for impact.]

Thud!

"Motherfucker!" My back hit the wooden floor, prompting me to make a yelp. "Aeris, what the he—"

"Thank you... Sob"

Tears fell from her eyes over my tunic. She clutched the collar of my dress tightly, locking her teary, golden orbs with mine. "Thank you so much. Thank you... Noah"

[Gods, I wish I had popcorn.] Dante snorted.

Shut up.

My lips parted, but no words came out. I could only stare at her and do nothing else. I did not understand her reaction—Why would she cry like this? A simple thank you would've been fine.

She didn't have to jump over me.

I just hope no one opens the door and comes into the room.

Creak.

"Noah, Aunt Josephine is callin—" My eyes darted to the figure that held the door open. Michael was staring at me with disbelief before his lips curved upward into a teasing smile. "Aunt! Noah will be there in just a moment." He shouted, turning his head back. "He has some other matter to deal with."

Bastard!

"Hey! Wait! This is really not what it looks like!" I tried to explain. Pushing away Aeris, I stood up on my feet.

"You don't need to lie, Noah. Lyra and I used to do these, too." He winked at me, which made a vein bulge.

"It is really nothing like that," I calmly replied, but I am sure that he was not about to let go of this.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Fucking hell.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to Aeris, who was now dusting her clothes off. Her face was burning. At least I could tell this much.

"Don't do something that creates a misunderstanding for others," I stated curtly. "It will create a lot of problems for both of us."

She simply nodded—too embarrassed to hold my gaze and reply.

Sighing, I turned to Michael and asked. "What did Aunt want from me?"

"What? You know what time it is?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't want to go to the Academy?"

Croft?

It's here, huh?

A small smile appeared on my lips. It will take at least two days to reach the Capital by train, so it was a good idea to leave early.

"Let's go," I said to Michael. Walking towards the exit of the room.

"Uh, uh. Wait a second there," He raised his hand blocking my path.

I frowned. "What is it?"

"Your hair is too long, and you almost have a beard on your face." He placed his hands on my shoulder, gripping it firmly. "Clean up."

"You do know that this is my four months of hard-earned growth?"

"Do I care? No. I just don't want you to look like a homeless guy who is into harassing young women."

"That is eerily specific," I replied. "But sure, I will harrass—"

"Come with me," Michael pushed me by the shoulder, closing the door shut on Aeris, who was still inside. He held me by the collar as he dragged me through the house.

And then it happened.

My hair.

My goddamn beautiful long hair.

Gone in an instant.

"Now, you truly look like gentlemen," Aunt Josephine said, smiling a bit too happily.

I never was a gentleman...

I looked into the mirror again. The facial hair that had collected over time was now long gone, leaving behind my hardened fair skin. My wheat-blonde hair ended at my nape, a few strands bundled over my forehead.

I was now wearing a white coat of the academy with a black shirt inside it. The uniform fit me properly, it was not too tight and not too loose either. Giving proper room to breathe.

"Then I should get going," I stood up. I did not have to worry about the books as they would be provided by the academy based on the subjects we would choose.

Moving out the door, I was greeted by everyone, including Alicia. She had worn the same uniform with a black skirt. Her hair was neatly combed and braided, giving her a refined look.

She did not look like a girl who would work in taverns anymore.

"Oh, you're here." She looked up at me, hands behind her back. "Let's go then,"

"Yeah," I replied. "Just let me say my farewells."

Turning back, I first faced Aeris. She had her hands locked in front of her. She looked at me with an unreadable expression, but there was a glint of something that I couldn't make sense of.

"Take this," I reached into my pockets to take out a small blue orb. It is a type of video communication tool where two people can contact each other. "You can use this to call me if you need anything, and I can contact you when necessary."

"Train well now that your mana is back."

"I will," She replied with a smile, which was a new thing I saw from her. Bringing her mana back gave her more hope. Which is good, the more she believes in me, the better.

After that, I talked with Michael, and as usual, I was given the talk.

Talk of training and discipline, that is.

I even conversed with sister Lyra, who had, I think, forgiven me for my wrong deeds. Well, more are coming anyway, but not to Michael and Aunt Josephine but to the Blitzfeld.

To that Shitty Father.

To that Shitty Mother.

To that Shitty Elder Brother.

Death is the last thing I will give to them. I will drag them through the mud, boil the blood in their veins, make them tremble at my feet.

[Control it,]

I know.

Lastly, I looked at Aunt Josephine. She had a small smile tugging at her lips. But I could tell that she was masking her concern.

"Be safe. Don't get into any trouble and make some good friends."

Those are the things I won't be able to follow. But at least reassuring her won't be bad because the dirt won't be on me. I will just play the cards when the time is right.

"And one more thing," My aunt stepped forward, looking me in the eyes. "Visit Marianne's grave."

Why?... is what I wanted to ask, but I accepted the request. I did not want to argue or create a bad image in the last moments.

So, I accepted.

—

Moving past the other stones planted in the ground, I stood in front of a particular one. The name was clearly engraved on it—Marianne Von Blitzfeld. 'A loving daughter, wife and mother' was scribed below her name.

She was a mother? What happened to her child?

Well, it is none of my business. I should just pay my respects and go to the train station.

I knelt beside her grave, a white lily in my hand. "Well, I heard great things about you... Should I just call you Aunt? I mean, you are."

Putting the lily below her stone, I gave her name one last look. "From what I heard from Michael, you were someone... kind. Maybe things would've been different for me as well if you were here?" My eyes lowered, lips pressed into a line.

"But I guess I would never know..."

A small chuckle escaped my lips. I don't know why, but I felt like laughing out of nowhere.

[Noah, you alright?] Dante asked, his voice seemed heavier than before.

I am fine. I stood up, looking at the blue sky that covered the horizon. I am just excited, you know?

[I understand.]

This is a chance for me to get stronger. Learn new things, kil—meet new people.

My life as Ethan was in the past. A life full of regret and unattained ambitions.

My life as Noah is the present. A new beginning, a new chance.

And with these lives together, I will carve my own path, my own destiny.

My own future.

Let's go. Dante, Croft.

[Yeah!]

You seem excited, and wait, where is Croft?

Croft?

Croft!?

Shit.

***

"So, how is he?" A woman asked, sitting atop a tree branch. In the distance, she could see the young man with wheat-blonde hair wearing the academy uniform. Standing in the graveyard.

Her purple eyes softened when she looked at him. Her replitlian slits diluting. Her violet hair gently swayed in the cool breeze.

"Can you reply, you stupid fucking system?!" She flared as she received no answers.

"That bitch, is she trying to steal him from me?"

"Shut up," She crossed her scaly arms over her round chest, giving the boy a last look. "So, he should meet the criteria, right...wait, what is your name system?"

"So, Croft, give him the features." She said.

"Good, let's see how far he can evolve without the restrictions." She stood on the branch, her form fading from her feet. "Is it time already? Damn it."

"Be careful, Ethan. You sometimes make me worry too much. And Croft, make sure no other woman eyes him."

But before Croft could reply, her form completely dissolved into the surroundings as if she had never been there.

———————————————

A/N: So, after writing 60 Chapters of prologue. I am spent, but hey, at least I completed the first volume. I know my writing is a bit messy, which I will try to fix and also edit the old Chapters.

And now, we are finally at the academy arc. I need to sleep, this Chapter was kind of long.

Peace.