The Center Of The World

Chapter 4: The Center Of The World

The smell of pungent blood and the rodent's gore broke into Noah and Eleonora's world as they cuddled each other and continued their affectionate game. Had this been a tavern's room, Eleonora would have likely taken it further, because she seemed quite excited.

No one could blame her. She had been locked in one place for so long that she instantly warmed up upon sensing a link with someone.

Her little warm-up proved useful as she splashed herself on her savior. When the disgusting smell ended their bonding, Eleonora cursed all heavens and races, then looked around.

"One rat monster and four human bodies? Not awakened yet. What happened here, handsome?" Eleonora asked, covering her nose.

Noah explained that he came from another world and awakened here first for unknown reasons.

"People in all worlds usually awaken their abilities and bloodlines at age eighteen, but it can happen earlier with resources and aptitude," Eleonora explained.

"I see," Noah nodded and confessed. "The ones who died were my bullies, they messed with me my entire high school life, and I don't think I was handsome before awakening, so I still doubt I am now."

Eleonora sized him up and smiled. "Bullies are the weakest people in the world, and their death proves that point, because if they had even one brain cell, they would have begged you for forgiveness, you strong and handsome man who lived a difficult life but got rewarded with a unique bloodline and me, and if you ever doubt yourself, I'll catch you right away and give you confidence!"

She said that while emphasizing her pretty face and ample chest. She grew on Noah so fast that he decided to protect his adorable witch.

"Thank you," he said sincerely, "I'll protect my thief."

"We're both thieves, you stole my heart, mm, a very skilled thief indeed!" she chuckled.

"Why did you steal whatever you stole, though?" Noah asked.

"I was born a fox witch, a deadly combination for mischief, don't you agree?" Eleonora asked, smiling when Noah nodded. "I was hungry for knowledge, so I took it, and I can't help teasing. If you dislike it, I promise to be a good girl from now on."

"Ah, it's fine, be yourself," Noah replied.

Eleonora beamed, then glanced around the cave and narrowed her eyes. "We're in the first trial. I can tell that much."

"Maybe you have infinite knowledge, but you must see something first before you know it, which explains why you can't see my abilities," Noah said. "It's still great that you can tell how many I have."

Eleonora considered his words and confirmed her suspicions about her limitation. She also nudged Noah's side, smirking as though he was trying to earn more points with her.

He was being honest, but he noted her reaction and planned to use it for extra cuddles. He would never get enough of her, and he knew she would give him plenty with just one comment.

"Whatever weakened me back to Awakened Rank, the fact remains that I stole the Universal Library's knowledge, and no one will take that from me!" Eleonora declared. "I like starting from the bottom since my handsome is also only Awakened!"

She puffed her chest as if being Awakened was worth pride.

"I wanted to ask about Awakened and these trials," Noah said.

"I've got you covered!" Eleonora replied, switching to teacher mode. "Awakened is the first rank in the entire universe, and most people awaken at eighteen, then choose if they want more power or remain just another face in the crowd, so if they want to become stronger, they go through trials, which anyone can enter, and you can think of them as the center of the universe, where countless people gather to grow stronger, and the first trial is like a wild jungle where only strength matters, because people don't want to settle here."

"People settle in those trials?" Noah asked, confused.

"Yes, everyone has their reasons," Eleonora replied.

"I see. Then how do we pass this first trial?" Noah continued.

"Again, it's subjective. I'm not sure where we are or what it takes, but with you and four other humans, it must be a simple power-based trial," she explained.

Trials appear as often as people across the universe do, each one shaping itself along with the development, making it tougher than expected.

"I see. We must move on, then," Noah said, and Eleonora nodded. "Can you see well in the darkness?"

"I rely more on my nose, but I can see fine up close," she said, linking her hand with Noah's. "I want to beat this trial and visit Earth-41A, which will be our home now."

Noah agreed.

He didn't know how different this world was from his, but with people awakening left and right, it likely wasn't as safe as his home world. Still, he felt more confident than ever, and he walked beside a fluffy golden ball of confidence.

He couldn't help looking forward to his new life.

With their hands interlocked, the couple headed out of the cave.

"What kind of abilities do you have?" Noah asked.

Eleonora checked her status window and replied, "I'm down to a single innate skill and one acquired, and I'll have it easier than you because I just need to go through the trials again to unlock them or take care of a few monsters in each trial, and it's the first time I've ever been so weakened, but that's the price for having all the knowledge!"

"Sounds like you, to be honest," Noah commented.

She was oblivious to some facts about herself and was utterly wrong in a few areas. The fact that she couldn't use her infinite knowledge on herself stayed true to Eleonora's nature.

That made her fun to have around.

"My innate ability is fire bubble!" Eleonora said, as though recalling something about herself. She conjured a small bubble filled with swirling flames.

Noah narrowed his eyes, feeling a gentle sting. He realized that fire and light might be his weakness.

"We aren't compatible," Noah said.

Eleonora wagged her index finger. "I knew you'd say that, and that's the wrong way of thinking, handsome, because you can't expect to fight in darkness forever and never meet enemies who can counter it, and with me around, you'll learn how to deal with flames and light. Besides, wherever flames go, darkness slips away, and once my flames vanish and only a bubble remains, the darkness returns. It's like that."

"Wow, you're amazing," Noah said.

"Praise me more, handsome!" Eleonora giggled.