Starless Warrior

Out of all the races, Humans are the weakest.

The humans' affinity for energy could be said to be rock-bottom.

They cannot naturally sense the mana in their surroundings nor could they sense the aura inside their body.

Of course, this was not absolute for there were always exceptions.

However, these exceptions couldn't possibly represent all of humanity. Therefore, humanity developed a way in order for every human to have a chance at awakening.

This was the reason why primers was invented.

Its purpose was to help humans awaken by transferring energy towards their heart.

An unawakened human could choose whether to pursue the path of mana or aura.

If they weren't included among the so-called exceptions, then they would have to procure either a Mana Primer or Aura Primer.

This was the reason why Dahlia was very shocked.

After all, a primer was very rare and was almost impossible to find, especially in the slums.

"H-How did you get this?"

"Well, I really wasn't sure… It looked valuable so I took it." Regis scratched his head.

"When did you steal this?"

"Err… About 3 days ago?" Regis scratched his head.

Dahlia had an expression of enlightenment on her face, "So this is the reason why you've been acting strange lately…"

Regis nodded, "I really didn't know what it was, but the strange energy it's radiating was enough for me to know it was precious."

"In fact, if it weren't for the two who interrogated me–"

"What!?"

'My tongue slipped…'

Dahlia glared at Regis.

"Can you show me your arms?"

Regis sighed and gave in.

Dahlia's eyes widened as she saw the countless wounds on Regis's arm.

He had always liked large clothes or those with long sleeves because it helped him hide the wounds that littered his body.

Especially now since he was freshly beaten up.

Sniffle~

"Hey, hey, don't cry. This is nothing."

"I-if only I wasn't so useless…"

If only she wasn't bedridden.

If only she could help him shoulder the responsibilities he was carrying all alone.

Then he wouldn't have to suffer.

And even if he did, he wouldn't suffer alone.

Such were the thoughts that were running in Dahlia's mind.

"You're not useless." Regis could see through what she was thinking.

"B-But…"

"No buts."

"But how am I meant to use this…?"

Regis's expression froze.

"Haha…"

Seeing his reaction, Dahlia let out a melodious chuckle.

However, she felt a pang of guilt in her heart.

She should've let him leave her.

She should've said for him to take the primer instead.

However, she knew that she didn't want to be away from him.

'Why am I so selfish…'

"Hey, do you think it's meant to be drunk?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Dahlia shrugged her shoulders.

"Eh maybe?"

"No, don't drink it yet."

A voice suddenly interrupted them.

Dahlia was shocked, while Regis was already about to toss a rock towards the source of the voice.

"Eh? Aunt Amabel?"

Dahlia said with a surprised voice.

"I'm not here to hurt you, you can put the rock down Regis." Aunt Amabel said without her usual harsh tone.

'If she was able to enter without being noticed by the two of us, then it would be better to follow her…'

Regis put down the rock as his mind raced with thoughts.

'Just who in the world is she…'

"A primer should be consumed orally by drinking it, but it requires necessary preparations."

Aunt Amabel stared at Dahlia before continuing, "I suggest for the both of you to come live with me for a while."

"How can we be sure that you don't have any ill intentions towards us?" Regis asked warily.

Aunt Amabel smiled, "You don't have to worry. A Primer is useless to me."

However, Regis's expression only hardened.

"You're not the type to smile…"

Hearing this, Aunt Amabel's expression froze.

Dahlia giggled and said, "It's fine Regis, Aunt Amabel is a good person."

Glancing at Dahlia, Regis acquiesced.

Afterwards, Regis took all the money with him and placed it in a ragged pouch while Aunt Amabel carried Dahlia in her arms.

They then proceeded towards Aunt Amabel's residence.

After they entered, Aunt Amabel spoke.

"Make yourselves at home. There's a vacant room upstairs, you two can go rest there. However, come down in two hours for dinner."

Seeing Regis give something to her, she raised her brows, "What's this?"

"Payment." Regis replied curtly before carrying Dahlia and taking her upstairs.

Aunt Amabel shook her head.

It was understandable, she only showed this side of her to Dahlia but never to Regis.

Her relationship with Regis was more like just a transaction.

However, what made her slightly surprised was the shining gold coin in her hand.

"Just where was he able to get this?"

Regis was only a little kid, he may not even be 10 years old. However, she never saw him wallow in self-pity.

No, she had only ever seen him looking for ways to survive.

'He really is capable…' 

Aunt Amabel smiled.

'But to think that he would even get his hands on a primer… What a peculiar child.'

***

"What!? So she had been visiting you whenever I was out?" Regis was surprised.

The Aunt Amabel he knew was someone who only ever spoke in a harsh tone and someone who would drive him out of her house the moment their transaction was done.

However, from what Dahlia had described to him, Aunt Amabel was a talkative person.

She described how Aunt Amabel would visit her to tell her stories and such, making life a little less boring for her whenever Regis was not around.

The two of them conversed for a while before going downstairs for dinner.

"Oh, you're here. Take a seat." Aunt Amabel said as she saw Regis, who was carrying Dahlia in his arms, go down the stairs.

"The meal would be done in a few minutes."

"Aunt Amabel." Regis called out as he made sure that Dahlia was sitting safely in the chair.

"Yes, Regis?"

"Just who are you?"

After a slight pause, Aunt Amabel replied as she cooked their meal.

"It's nothing impressive. You remember what I said earlier about the primer?"

Regis nodded, "That you don't need it?"

Aunt Amabel sighed, "Yes, it's because I've already awakened. I'm a Starless Warrior."

Regis couldn't help but become astonished at Aunt Amabel's words.

Meanwhile, Dahlia just giggled as she watched his reaction.

Aunt Amabel's words began to sink into him, Regis's eyes widened as he could not help but exclaim, "A Starless Warrior!?"