Chapter 40: Rebirth (8)

"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~"

"Let Azure help you!"

"Of course! Please set up the dining table, okay? Be careful not to trip. Broken glass is painful if it pierces your skin."

"Umu!"

Why are they so noisy this early in the morning?

Is this a beautiful dream?

"One more thing, Azure-chan. Please wake up Papa."

"Alright~ Azure is on the way~"

I don't know what her face looks like, but it feels deeply etched in my heart.

"Papa! Wake up, wake up! Breakfast is ready!"

Oh yes, I agree.

"... Five more hours..."

Arov muttered in a low voice.

Azure crossed her arms, her cute face puffing up in a small pout.

"Hmph! Papa is so lazy! In that case, Azure will use a special method!"

Azure jumped onto the bed and sat on Arov's chest with great enthusiasm.

"Wake up, Papa!"

Her tiny fingers rose into the air and broke the sound barrier.

BAM—

"Argh! Azure! You're killing me!"

Arov jolted awake, startled.

What the hell is this!?

It feels like my soul is about to fly off to the seventh heaven.

Several ribs cracked, and my back felt like it shattered.

"Eh? Really? But Azure was just playing~"

Luckily, this body tempered by elemental power is very resilient; if I were still in a human body, I'd probably be on my deathbed.

"I'm sorry, Papa!"

Azure hugged me tightly.

"Azure… That hurt..."

Her hug slightly eased the pain I felt.

Arov sighed as his injuries gradually healed.

This emotional care was more effective than I had imagined.

"Honestly, you two. How long are you planning to stay in bed? Get to the table quickly, or your food will get cold."

Life energy and plant elements healed my wounds rapidly.

We both quickly left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen next door.

In the kitchen, Minerva was arranging the dining table.

"Good morning, Minerva."

"Good morning, Mama!"

Azure cheerfully bounced over to the table.

"Good morning, you two."

Wait, mama!?

"Honestly, there's already drama this early in the morning. Come here before your food gets cold."

But before that...

"... Why did you change your appearance like that?"

"I thought it suited household chores better. Do you like it?"

She gracefully ran her fingers through her green hair.

Arov nodded slightly.

The charming smile of a mature woman warmed my heart a little.

"Sit down, Arov. I've prepared some warm tea for you."

Her green hair flowed down to her ankles, small wooden horns adorned her head, her eyes gleamed like precious gems hidden in the deepest trenches, and her body's proportions were those of a perfect goddess. Her oriental charm seemed to be fully explored.

"Hmm~ So that's how you see me. I'm a little surprised and happy."

Never mind, she can read my mind.

Azure and I sat in our respective chairs.

Azure sat to my left, while Minerva was across from me.

"Wow~ Mama! The food looks so delicious!"

Azure immediately stabbed a piece of meat on her plate.

She's really good at cooking.

"Mmm, tasty!"

Minerva chuckled softly as she wiped Azure's cheek.

"Dear, eat slowly. You're getting messy."

Space tore open next to the table, a slender hand emerging, followed by an exceptionally elegant woman.

"Good morning, everyone."

It was Isolde, making her entrance gracefully.

Come to think of it, there were four plates on the table.

"Good morning," we both replied in unison.

Isolde glanced at the food on her plate.

"What's on the menu today?"

She smiled as she sat at the table.

"Today's menu is Crystal Swamp Fish Soup from the Yangtze River. Enjoy it while it's hot."

Isolde sat down calmly and glanced at Azure.

"Haha, I see our little Azure has already started."

Azure didn't share the same food as us. She had her own children's meal set, complete with a little flag on top.

"Azuw's vewy hungwy."

"Azure, don't talk with your mouth full. Swallow first."

Let Minerva handle her.

Arov took a sip of the tea that had been served.

"Well then, let's eat!"

I picked up my chopsticks and pierced the tender fish skin, as soft as a pillow.

At this small table, the four of us shared a meal.

For some reason, it felt like a small family enjoying a peaceful life together.

"Arov, haven't you learned to shield your thoughts yet? You know, it's quite dangerous if you encounter other Quasi Realm beings."

"Not yet... My Power of Will is too weak."

Minerva asked with a worried tone.

"It's not just about the Power of Will. It's the information your brain emits while thinking. Sometimes, this information spreads uncontrollably. Think of it like electromagnetic radiation on a micro-scale. Most living beings can't perceive it because they lack the organs to 'listen.' But there are ways to sense someone's stream of thought. It's common knowledge that all living beings think."

Isolde set her chopsticks down and poured herself a cup of tea.

She sighed.

"Certain Class 6 artifacts can replace the role of Power of Will as a mental shield. But anything below Class 7 definitely can't stop mind-reading by a Seventh Star Sage. However, it's sufficient to block Quasi Realm entities."

Isolde extended her hand, and from the space beside her, a black charm emerged, glowing faintly.

Her Power of Will flowed into the charm, causing the faint glow to disappear.

"Take this. You'll need it in the future."

I caught the charm Isolde tossed to me.

After a brief inspection with my Power of Will, I reached a conclusion about its function:

It was designed to block the observation of mental streams by forming a barrier around one's inner world, preventing thoughts from leaking out.

The only issue was that I couldn't control the mental waves I emitted while thinking, like now.

My aura connected to the artifact, marking it with my exclusive signature.

"Now, there's just one more thing left."

In front of me, Minerva spoke with a serious tone.

"Do you feel weaker compared to other Sixth Star Warriors?"

"Hmm... Maybe."

I nodded slightly.

"In truth, you are much weaker than others who have reached this realm. But your absurd combat ability has allowed you to overcome your limitations."

Minerva extended her hand toward me.

"Look at this. What do you see?"

A strange power enveloped Minerva's palm.

Slowly, a thin crown emitting life energy, layered with wood and plant elements, appeared.

"... A crown?"

"Yes. Let me ask you—do you have one?"

What does she mean?

It's not like I couldn't form one with my elemental powers, but I didn't possess the strange energy that formed its foundation.

"You don't have one, do you?"

"Yeah, do you know why?"

Minerva closed her palm, and the crown vanished instantly.

"This might have something to do with your past or perhaps you've strayed from the true path of cultivation."

Her gaze returned to me.

"Arov, didn't you notice the absence of this crown when fighting the Thundering Sky Drake, Two-Headed Lion, and the Calamity Thunder in its Shenlong form?"

"... No."

Wait, now that I think about it, something feels off.

Why were they all so strong?

Rakan could kill me easily with just one technique, and Dread could defeat me in my Everlasting Elemental Sovereign form.

Even recently, I managed to defeat the Calamity Thunder on my own.

Was this a coincidence?

No.

"Ugh..."

Something is wrong.

Someone has been protecting me while also trying to kill me at the same time.

I am weak.

I admit it.

"Wait a minute. Does that mean my training method has been wrong all along?"

"There's nothing wrong with it..."

Minerva glanced at Isolde, as if seeking confirmation.

"Yes, nothing is wrong."

Her crimson eyes were as cold as ice and as sharp as a blade.

"It's just... that power doesn't belong to you."

Wait, what?

Is she saying that all the power I've gained through leveling is a lie!?

"Yes, that's correct."

"You've relied too much on external power, Arov."

I couldn't believe Isolde.

But the evidence was laid out before me.

From the thin crown Minerva had shown me, I understood a single truth.

A truth confirmed by my soul, not by myself.

The truth that I had strayed and only now found clarity.

Isolde wouldn't lie to me because I was her representative in the upcoming duel.

Minerva wouldn't lie either because her chance at obtaining the Will of Eternal Phoenix depended on me.

Doubt toward the system began to grow stronger.

Once again, the system had betrayed me.