Léa's Choice
"Will you join us or not?"
Upon hearing those words, Marianne immediately frowned.
Her gaze scanned the area.
Katherine, Zarath, Léa, and herself.
That frown quickly disappeared, and she sighed.
'After all, why not? Why shouldn't he get a Slave Harem?' Marianne thought to herself. 'Why should I care? He's helping me get home, that's all I care about.' She shrugged. 'What he does with Léa, whom I just met, or Zarath, who's a freaking a Demon, who cares? Well, it's different for Katherine… She's only been my coach for a couple of months, but I still care about her! So, in conclusion, as long as he's nice to Katherine and I, then I really couldn't care less.' She nodded to herself with her arms crossed.
Léa's eyes scanned them for a moment.
Whether it was that blueish energy oozing out of them, that sword, or that staff.
'In truth, I can only blame myself.' She sighed internally. 'I didn't do anything until they pulled me out of there. If it weren't for them, even the measly Rewards I got beyond the Base Reward, I wouldn't have gotten. The world is changing. We are at the dawn of a new era, and those who will rule this world are the ones who adapt to it the fastest. I, and all the others on campus, were left behind while these three leapt into this new world.'
Léa pressed her lips together as her mind raced.
'There's no doubt that Elijah is counting on that. Adapting to the situation and moving while others are frozen by fear and confusion. That's the secret to ruling this new world. He went beyond that and accommodated our fears, taking all of the risks for himself and, therefore, all of the Rewards. Many left the area happy as can be because they didn't have to fight and risk their lives, but that will, sooner or later, bite them in the ass.'
"You're taking too long." Elijah complained with a frown. "I thought showing you all my cool Rewards would convince you."
"Oh, come on. Give her some time."
"Fine…"
'Wow.' Marianne was taken aback. 'He's pretty docile when it comes to Katherine.'
Léa brought her hands together as she thought.
'Showing me the Rewards… It's not like Rewards can only be gained by following you. If I fight on my own, I can get Rewards of my own. Question is, will the Rewards I get alone be inferior to those I would get by following you? It's not just the Rewards though. He's sharing Achievement Points and Items. Additionally, the healing…' Léa's frown only deepened the more she thought. "What's the plan?" She asked.
"The plan? Getting Marianne home."
"And then?"
"There's this Dungeon that I want to find and Clear." Elijah muttered.
"A Dungeon?"
"Yeah.
"Hm…"
"If you're ready, then take your shirt off."
"Ayo."
"Elijah?"
"I'll place the Mark on your back. It's better if it's not too visible."
When it was made obvious that Léa needed a bit more time.
"Can we get going then?" Marianne asked as she stood up. "I live pretty far away."
"Sure. Which way? The main exit?" Elijah asked. "Oh, the one I entered from, right?"
"Yes…"
Marianne walked, followed by Katherine and Elijah.
Léa stayed a couple of steps behind, debating whether to follow them or make a run for it.
Shriek-
The loudest scream resonated as Léa was reminded of the Chimera's presence.
She ran to catch up to Marianne.
"Hm…" Elijah scratched his chin.
"It's pretty easy, really. You just have to… Focus on it." Katherine nodded as she walked. A sphere of blue Mana was floating above her hands.
"It keeps dissipating." He muttered, having failed again. 'System…'
[Name: Katherine
Class: New Magus
-Sub-class: X
Species: Human
-Sub-species: X
Title(s): Goblin Hunter.
Stats:
-Strength: 31
-Agility: 42
-Perception: 65
-Vitality: 35
-Endurance: 38
-Mana: 80
Skill(s):
-Elemental Control[C-Rank]
-Accelerated Mana Regeneration[B-Rank]
-Mana Manipulation[B-Rank]
]
'Her Mana Stat is a lot higher than me. I guess that explains it.'
[Name: Elijah
Class: Depraved Hero[Legendary]
-Sub-class: X
Species: Human
-Sub-species: X
Title(s): X
Stats:
-Strength: 55
-Agility: 65
-Perception: 75
-Vitality: 50
-Endurance: 60
-Mana: 45
Skills:
-Beginner Mage's Fire Manipulation[E]
-Binding Chains[D] (Copied)
-Slave Mark[B]
-Healing Touch [B]
-Skill Share [B]
-Accelerated HP Regeneration[B]
-Accelerated Stamina Regeneration[B]
-Accelerated Mana Regeneration[B]
-Basic Weapon Mastery[B]
-Mana Manipulation[B]]
-Absolute Authority[A]
-Eye Of Truth[A]
]
'My list of Skills is nicely getting filled.' He nodded before raising a hand.
A flicker of his fingers caused a flame to appear on his index finger.
The flame danced to the right and to left, before growing in size.
To Elijah's surprise and against his wishes, the flame moved away from his finger.
He chuckled.
"Showing off already, huh?"
"Just a little bit." Katherine muttered cheekily, having stolen the flame from Elijah.
Minutes later, they walked off campus grounds.
"Oh, wow."
"It changed a lot." Katherine muttered.
"It really did." Léa gulped. "The park looks like a forest now."
Regardless, they all followed Marianne.
Eventually, she came to a stop, and so did the others.
Elijah's eyes narrowed.
"What are we waiting for?"
"Huh?" Marianne frowned, confused by the question. "Isn't it obvious?" She pointed. "We're waiting for the bus."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Bless you, dear." Zarath nodded.
"What do you mean-" Marianne realized and gulped. "The… The bus isn't coming, is it?"
"No." Elijah answered. "I don't think it is-"
Honk! Honk!
"Oh, shit."
"Well, I'll be damned."
"I guess we're taking the bus."
"I guess so."
"I call dibs on sitting next to Master!" Zarath shouted.