In an unconscious state, Elisia could hear her friends arguing about the explosion created by her. Their voice sounded faint because they were talking outside the room, but the girl sensed that the explosion might bring new trouble.
A hand continued to grip Elisia's fingers gently and coldly. Even though she was not injured, Elisia felt that her body was weaker than usual. The explosion that resulted from her was not the first time this had happened. While in the Grasswood forest, she had also once exploded because of a strange thought entering her head.
Should I tell them honestly that I'm just bothering them? I don’t know what to do, Elisia's mind grumbled.
From Elisia's ears, a whisper sounded wistful and said something. She tried to hear it in a state of unrecoverable state. The voice sounded clear, just like a woman's voice.
“Elisia, you didn't bother anyone. You are a princess. You believe that they are doing this to help you. They will never let you walk alone again, and will always be used by your side.”
Elisia's heart felt colder. Her mind calmed down thanks to the words of this unknown figure. She didn't have to think about anything else, all she had to do was keep walking straight where she was going. Her friends would definitely help her, be it a princess or not.
Unknowingly, a smile emerged from Elisia's limp mouth. Upgrade that was nearby immediately checked the condition of the little girl's body. He felt the activity of a heartbeat on Elisia's wrist, and breathing felt normal from her nose. Upgrade felt happy, to the point of calling everyone to sign in.
Elisia could hear Upgrade's happy voice. Bustling footsteps also invaded her earlobe. The girl still couldn't open her eyes, but she could feel the joy at seeing her improve since the explosion she had created herself. Elisia felt that the foreign words were true.
A message appeared before her, under her eyelids.
“New Achievements Unlocked: Heat Survival”
“Reward : Max HP limit +200 and RES +5%”
.
After a few hours of lying on the bed, Elisia slowly opened her eyes. The light shot straight into her irises. She held her head, then woke up from fainting. There was no one around, but Upgrade’s medic equipment still in the room. She saw a glass of water on the small table and drank it.
After the water ran out, someone came into the room. Elisia was a bit surprised because Upgrade was looking at her straight, as if he saw something odd. The man approached her with an even expression.
“Looks like you're awake,” he said.
“Yes, and I feel better,” Elisia replied, “Where is everyone?”
“Dao is coming with Zach to look for groceries for tomorrow. Captain Hans is talking to Rhino, and I don't know where Violet took Risk.” Upgrade cleaned up the equipment. "Do you feel anything strange?"
“Huh, no! I'm fine. Only, my body is a little warm. Maybe because of the explosion I had earlier.”
“What did you do to cause an explosion?” Upgrade asked, surprised.
“I don’t know. When I looked up at the sun and muttered, my body felt hot suddenly and a burst of heat instantly radiated from my body.“ Elisia explained. “You don't have to worry. I've experienced this before at Grasswood.”
Upgrade shook his head as lifted the medical bag. “Did you know? Everyone was anxious when the explosion you created happened. Bandits could have to come here, considering this area is not a safe place, literally. Be careful in using your abilities!”
Elisia nodded. “Alright, thanks for the treatment!”
Upgrade twisted to walk out of the room. However, Elisia held his hand just before the man stepped in. Upgrade turned his head, the gloomy face of his little girl made Upgrade surprised.
“What is it? Is something wrong?” he asked. He put the bag down again on the floor.
Elisia lowered her head slightly. “Upgrade, have I been bothering you all this time?”
Upgrade pulled up a chair nearby and sat facing Elisia. “What are you talking about?”
Elisia put her two forefingers together. “I just feel..., during our journey, I always made you worry because of all my actions that were too reckless. The explosion just that actually happened, because I muttered that why do I always do anything that worries other people to the point of harm. The feeling of anger mixed with sadness makes me cannot think clearly.”
Upgrade smiled and stroked Elisia's left cheek. The girl turned. Upgrade's sweet smile made Elisia's heart calm for no reason. She felt more relieved, even though her partner had said nothing.
“If I'm being honest, I already know who you really are. You are the crown princess of the kingdom of Gwelissa. I don't know what's going on, but Gwelissa is after you. Many people are looking for you to bring you back to Gwelissa, and some even intend to harm you. That's why I'm always worried about you.”
“But why are you just saying it now?!” Elisia raised her voice.
Upgrade's smile faded. “Because I want you to think like an ordinary person. Seeing you act like a princess makes me think you already know who you are. I'm sure Risk has already told, even Dao has known since the first time we met. It's time for me to protect you at all costs. I hope you understand.”
“It is precisely with my true self that you are in trouble. I don't want you to sacrifice yourselves just to protect me. I am a burden to your journey.”
Upgrade touched both of Elisia's cheeks, making the girl look directly into the man's eyes.
“Elisia, please listen to me! For us, making you strong is one of our duties. That's why Risk taught you, Rhino always looked after you until promised to protect you, and Dao was always serving you. We want you to be strong, so that when you return to Gwelissa, you will handle your own problems. We feel burdened, but consider your presence a blessing.”
“Blessing?”
“Yes, you are already like a daughter who is present among fathers. Risk once told me that your presence encouraged him on his odyssey, and Rhino had also told me that your presence was like a rainbow in a storm. For me…, you are like a butterfly in the middle of a conflict area.”
Elisia smiled at Upgrade's words. Her heart felt happier and lucky to meet a group of travelers like Upgrade and his friends. Upgrade removed his hand from Elisia's cheek, then took the medical bag.
“If you feel hurt again, just say it! I'm always ready whenever you want, but you have to be careful," Upgrade said, giving advice.
“Okay. Thanks, Upgrade!” Elisia smiled happily.
After Upgrade passed by leaving herself alone, Elisia tried to digest the words that Upgrade meant to her again. The explanation broke Elisia's excessive thoughts about her identity, which would trouble her friends. Elisia returned to be grateful to her friends.
“I'm sorry, guys! I've had negative thoughts about you. I hope we can always together until the end of life.” Elisia folded her arms across her chest.
Elisia looked at the window, the sky was orange. The sun's shadow has also shifted, signaling that the sky will be dark. She got off the bed to check everyone on downstairs. Just arriving at the stairs, Risk confronted her, who had something in his hand.
“You seem to have recovered. I just wanted to approach you,” Risk said.
“Eh, I wanted to find you, too. Let's go to my room!” Elisia returned to the room.
Risk followed the little girl. Elisia sat on the edge of the bed and Risk sat facing her. The man gave the box-like object.
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“I brought you coconut pancakes, a signature dish of the region. I told Upgrade about your condition earlier and he allowed you to eat anything. I hope you like it.” Risk opened the box.
The smell of coconut immediately stung Elisia's nose, very fragrant. The girl looked into the box containing a meal rolled into a thin layer of bread. There was a scent she had never smelled before, and it seemed to be delicious. Elisia took the food and looked at it for a while.
[Coconut Pancakes]
Elisia tried the first bite. The sweet taste of brown sugar, with a sprinkling of grated old head, added to the enjoyment of the bread's thin and crispy crust, plus there was a hint of spiciness. Elisia devoured it happily to the last bite. Then, she took another one.
Risk was happy to see Elisia eat the food he bought. “You must really like it. Violet really knows what other people like.”
“Y-yes, this food… is fantastic…” Elisia said with her mouth full.
“Hey, swallow the food in your mouth first! You could choke later!” Risk said.
Elisia swallowed all the food into her stomach. “Haaah…, this is delicious food! I didn't think there would be such good food here.”
“If you like, I can buy you some more.” Risk gave a bottle of water to Elisia.
Elisia took a sip of the water and put the bottle to her left. The man stood and stared out the window. He folded his hands back, as if something was being seen in his eyes. Elisia remembered what Upgrade said earlier, and intended to ask. However, her tongue always felt groggy if she wanted to reveal something to Risk.
“Elisia, I feel worried about what happened to you. I did an inspection at the scene earlier, and I think you made the explosion.” Risk turned around, then approached Elisia. “What were you doing earlier?”
Elisia looked down glumly. Risk immediately sighed.
“I don't mean to accuse you, but explosions like that can injure you and others. You're still lucky that Upgrade still helped you. Otherwise, it might be-“
“Yes, I made the explosion.” Elisia raised her gaze. “My abilities suddenly went out of control and there was an explosion. I don't know what I've done, but I feel like I got you guys in trouble.”
Risk smiled faintly and sat beside her. "Now I understand. You have emotional problems that make your energy flow unstable. I'm sure you're thinking something heavy, so your energy flow is constantly changing and there's an explosion.”
Elisia turned. “How do you know?”
“I was once like you, being an emotional teenager. As time went on, I realized more and more that anger and sadness were not the answer to every problem. I tried to be patient and calm.” Risk explained. “If there's something you want to tell me, just say it.”
Elisia fiddled with her forefingers again. “Risk, do you think I always cause trouble?”
Risk was a bit surprised. “Huh, what do you mean?”
“Upgrade tell me you think of me as an encouragement on your journey, as do the others. However, I think I've always gotten you guys in trouble. Besides, I also overheard the conversation you had with your friends about me.”
“Geez, he can't keep a secret!” Risk smiled. “Yeah, Upgrade and I already know who you are. There had been an argument between the two of us to let the Gwelissa people take you or take you back to Gwelissa. I was thinking about the gifts the kingdom would give me, but Upgrade wanted us to take care of you. I can't fight his power.”
“So you guys want to take me back to Gwelissa?” Elisia confirmed.
“Yes, we realize that you are still innocent. You know nothing about this wide world yet. By bringing you home, we will feel good to have protected someone. Plus, after spending time with you, I realized that you are the only treasure I've ever had.”
Elisia's eyes tore up. A sweet sentence came out of Risk's indifferent mouth. Her gaze became straight and made her realize that she was very special in the eyes of his friends.
“Oh, almost forgot!” Risk added. “Captain Hans and his friends will help us get through all the regions in Tanggon. Based on the travel map, Po village is in the outermost line of the Hanon region, it is in the three regions of Tanin. I can say that my friends will help us because of your presence.”
“Eh, because of me?”
“Ever since we were members of the special forces, Siraca had a close relationship with Gwelissa, who led by King Dieter Naumann. We've also heard that the king had a daughter, and guessed that it was you. After all, we are no longer affiliated with any government, so we can do anything.”
Suddenly Elisia hugged Risk. The man could feel the warmth of the little girl. Risk replied by grabbing Elisia's head. A warm atmosphere felt, and the sky turned orange. Elisia had never felt like this in her life. Strange memories appeared again, with her hugging the same man.
After hugging, Risk left Elisia. “I remember that there is an appointment with Captain to discuss some plans for tomorrow. Maybe everyone will gather tonight. If you want to come along, just come to the second floor.”
“Yes. Thank you for the food!” Elisia smiled widely.
Risk's face blushed a little, then he rushed out of the room. Elisia laid back happily while thinking about the words of her two friends earlier. It was the time for Elisia to stop thinking negatively about herself and her friends. She had to be sure that all of this could go well with the help of her friends.
Elisia got up from the bed to walk to the roof floor. She wanted to train herself with her spear and try out the spear movement arts she had read from [Hex Aegis]. She started looking for a place large enough to practice. Then, [Fire Spear] was cast. Elisia's gaze was straight ahead.
The movement began. Elisia made a spear movement by swinging from right and left alternately, then followed by a swing movement from above. She pushed her spear so hard that sparks shot out of it. After that, Elisia crouched for a while with her arms outstretched.
Elisia did everything described in [Hex Aegis] book, down to the most difficult moves. Flames continued to gush with her every move. The girl felt completely overpowered with just one look. Elisia's abilities were increasing.
Elisia paused for a moment to catch her breath. “I think... this move I can master!"
She made two attack jumps with a spear swing and a leg swing. Elisia's body movements were very shrewd. She continued to make more moves, until covered it with a slam of the spear to the floor, creating a small wave of fire.
Elisia stopped the training she had spent until the sky darkened. The girl looked up at the dark sky with her fists clenched up. She was sweating profusely with the heat flowing from her pendulum. She checked her stats.
Elisia Naumann
Level 11 (1300/1600 exp)–Vanguard
Max HP : 1064 /1064
Stamina : 470/640
Skill Point (SP) : 74/148
ATK : 475
DEF : 255
RES : 15.5%
Agility : 45
.
Skills
Active Skills
1. Molten Flame (level 7 (Max level))
SP Requires : 36
ATK +75% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 20% Enemy DEF.
Duration: 31 second
2. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 15)
3. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 25)
4. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 40
5. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 50)
Passive Skills
1. Sixth Sense (level 5 (Max Level))
Can see the level, full statistics, and all skills of other characters, including their weakness
Duration: Passive
2. Overheat substitution (Cannot be upgraded)
When 2 or more enemies within the radius 5 metres; ATK +10%, DEF +15%, and RES +5%. Deal 40% damage to enemies that attack her. When against a hostile enemy, ATK +100%, DEF +50%, gain 80% physical and art dodge, and reduces 40% Critical damage that attacks her.
Duration: Passive
.
Equipment
1. Wool Jacket (not equipped)
2. Dublin Spear (equipped)
3. Flame Pendulum (equipped)
4. Necklace of Fortune (equipped)
5. Christ Pendant (equipped)
6. Book of Hex Aegis (available)
7. Monstra, Book of Monsters (available)
.
Not much had changed in her stats, but the training was enough to tired her out. Elisia was still curious about how [Overheat Substitution] worked. She had to train with others to know how great this skill was.
Elisia walked to the edge of the roof to the west, where the sun was setting, to look below. Luckily, with the building facing west, Elisia could see the rather busy state of the main Tanin street.
“Looks like there's activity in town right now,” Elisia muttered, “I wish it was Grasswood. Maybe I was already there.”
Elisia's memories of Grasswood flashed through her head. The time spent with the people there, like Tevanny and Christ, would not be repeated in the future. Many valuable things that might be made into treasure, Elisia could become a rich tycoon.
Suddenly, someone tapped Elisia's right shoulder. She turned slowly, Zach is behind her. He showed her a piece of paper with a note on it. Elisia read it.
I accidentally saw you practice. What a very nice move you do!
“Really? Thanks for the compliment! If I could talk to you, I would like to spend this afternoon so we can get to know each other,” Elisia replied.
Zach bowed. He wrote again on the blank paper. Elisia noticed the man's hand movement in writing. After finishing, Zach give the paper to Elisia.
I also assume so. I'm pretty nervous about you because you're a princess.
“You don't have to be nervous to me. Everyone thinks of me as a princess, but I want them to think of me as an ordinary person. Even I don't look like a princess,” Elisia said jokingly.
Zach wrote again on the blank paper. Pity filled Elisia's heart who saw the man's condition.
Either way, you're still a princess. If you are not a royal princess, you are already a princess for your friends.
Elisia smiled, reading the writing. “Maybe you're right. I have a lot to see the truth up close. Thank you for your words.”
Zach wrote again.
No problem, Elisia. I also understand your feelings, I just can't say it.
“I understand. Then, what are you doing here?”
This time, Zach pointed to the setting sun. Elisia saw the sky darkening with a beautiful orange color. Elisia caught that Zach wanted to see a pretty beautiful sunset. He gave a paper to Elisia from Zach.
Today's sunset is more beautiful than yesterday. It seems they are trying to look beautiful in front of you.
Elisia blushed. “Please, don't say that! You embarrass me!”
Zach silent with his eyes closed. Elisia looked back at the sunset, which would end soon. This activity reminded Elisia of Christ. Zach put his arm around Elisia's shoulders. The girl's face turned red again. They enjoyed the sunset, which decorated by the sound of the bustle of a small dense city.
After finishing watching the sunset, Zach turned to Elisia, and his eyes glanced towards the entrance. Elisia nodded, and they entered the building happily. Just coming down from the stairs, Risk was standing in front of Elisia's room. His face was serious.
“If you guys done, please meet us on the second floor immediately!” He said.
Zach nodded and ran downstairs. Elisia was curious about what had happened.
“Risk, what's wrong?”
“Are you still remember what I said earlier? We'll start in a moment!”