Chapter 40: Pollyanna
The alley wasn’t that long, didn't look that way.
It was time for me to step up and take responsibility. Yes, I have to take responsibility for my life. Before it's too late, people could die, I could die.
‘I can do this!’ that's the spirit. I was deluding myself. I couldn't even keep up with New-Clivent's walking speed.
He was leaving me in the dust with- I glanced to my side catching a glimpse of the old man.
Glothmin somehow saw my change of mood. Why else did he decide to start up a conversation?
“That’s the spirit you're such a treat compared to Bane, whatever that is. By the way, how are you feeling, Child?" I kept quiet, which was rude of me. But we didn’t need a tail. Adi didn't think so. And it wasn't like me to cozy up to strangers.
I was sure Glothmin was someone who couldn’t be trusted. Well, Adi was sure. And he's never steered me in the wrong direction.
Regardless of how I felt, I opened my big mouth against my better judgment. “Glothmin, why are you following us?” Adi didn’t like him that much, there wasn’t any harm in asking.
“Here’s a Jacket girl, I know how fragile you Humans are. And that abomination walking in front of you like It has a clue owes me for saving your life.” I was used to objects appearing out of nowhere.
I put the rather thin wool sweater on, letting the sleeves go over my hands. And felt a long-awaited warmth, I hadn’t even noticed that I was cold.
I hate it here.
A quick notification from my ray of sunshine in this cold cruel world had taken me by surprise. Meanwhile, I'd forgotten to even say thank you to that man for lending me a sweater being swept up in a System notification.
[(Unnamed system) would like to remind you of the General skill [Frost Resistance] By the way (Adonin SMCR) tells me to remind you of the system Menu.]
Glothmin spoke up pulling me from the reminder, my new system Helper.
“Other than what an old friend owes me, I'm intrigued by this Brother of yours, I'm also very curious about you.”
“Ah, ha, ha” At least he was upfront, Papa would have to let this one slide. “Stranger danger” and everything, if Glothmin was a friend of Clivent’s he shouldn’t be that bad.
“Sorry to disappoint but my life was never in any danger. My Brother is probably not someone you would want to meet.” Why was I talking to this man? The words kept falling out of my mouth.
“Is that so?” Glothmin replied. “You don't seem very close to this Brother of yours.” What the heck is this guy's problem, I'm going to ignore that second part.
Smiling keeping my gaze on what I thought was Clivent's back. “Yes sir, and as for the so-called “New Clivent” owing you.” I raised my hands in air quotes rolling my eyes.
“I don’t think you should affiliate with him anymore.” Why did I even say that!? Just shut your mouth, please before we say something out of line.
Closing my mouth feeling a bit relieved now that I had nothing more to say. I wasn't going to get in the way of Glothmin, he'd find whatever he was looking for or he wouldn't. I would have no part in it.
I shut my mouth and kept walking through the alley encased in snow.
“My business should be of no concern to a child. What would you possibly know? Forgot how much I dislike children. You, Child, are being cared for by a stranger. Count yourself lucky to be alive.” He was bothered by what I just said somehow.
‘What the heck was his problem!’ There was more to him disliking me.
Had I done something other than kill those people? Why don’t I feel bad about killing those people?
“Huh,'' that’s right I killed those people. I was trying so hard not to mope.
What could I possibly have done to this man? Forget it.
“I don't believe I’m in any real danger at the moment. It was mostly a guess on my part.”
I couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself, and neither could I take my eyes off of the two men when I wanted to look around. Instead, my eyes were glued to Clivent, there was no way I was turning toward Glothmin and engaging in whatever that was.
The guy was treating me like I was under interrogation. When I just wanted to keep my mind on the snow.
What did I tell him? Doing the math on what I just told Glothmin about my life.
Adi's body was my body and there was no way he was giving that up. I miss Papa, already and it hadn’t been but a couple minutes since I last saw him in that dream. It sure didn’t feel like one.
“Changing the subject,” I told Glothmin.
Let's focus on anything other than my problems, and maybe the length of this alleyway.
For a system initialization, we need an open space free of people, preferably surrounded by different colors of matter. I guess- Now that I think about it, I'm not the most well-versed in “System initialization" or the system in general.
Where did I get the idea that I had any clue as to what was going on in my life? I was better off following in Clivent’s footsteps.
Off I went following Clivent’s footsteps with my head down. One brown leather boot in front of the other.
“We just need a space. Right, Adi?”
[(Adonin SMCR) Yup, any private space will do, Clivent there needs to eat some more by the way. You should also take a few steps back.]
Looking at the so-called New Clivent’s back walking five feet ahead of me, sloshing in the snow.
His body was unlike anything I had ever seen. Composed of bright white and dark red matter. The lack of any other color was eerie. I was never really good at experiencing things for the first time, and this was one of those times for sure.
First, I’m going to witness a system initialize just great.
Inside all of Clivent’s bright white Matter floated a small black sphere. Located in the center of what I assumed to be his upper chest from that sphere red matter flowed only to become one with the white. Red moved constantly, vibrating so fast it made me wonder how it even stayed put inside his body.
New Clivent looked like he was boiling from the inside, but nothing got out.
Where did that red matter even come from? What is it to begin with?
Clivent had shrunk a whole foot or two. Whatever happened to him I couldn't tell if it was good or bad. Then again maybe I was just seeing him wrong he appeared blurry to me. Without the skill [Eyes of the Watcher] I don’t think I could look at him for that long without getting a headache.
He was more of a mystery than the Dwarf, demon. I’m taking this well, a Demon... A Demon. At least I could see the demon.
“You are having trouble seeing Bane.” Glothmin chimed in like he had read my mind.
“Yes, how did you know?” Could I be less obvious with all my staring?
“Bane there has a skill to hide his emotions. Along with a couple of other self-identified weaknesses.”
I guess they were friends. “How do you know that?” I asked looking Glothmin in the eye. He was a good-looking old man.
'Ewwww!’
[(Adonin SMCR) Adena, people have skills. He’s most likely using one on you. Never mind you’ll learn.]
Adi, what’s with the notification when he could just talk or do that mind-whispering thing?
Glothmin had been talking while I was thinking about Adi’s notification. I’d just be seen as rude, it’s better that-
“Human, I know that because I had trouble glancing at him. Bane probably appears a ball of white fur to you.” The Old man was unbelievably perceptive.
I expanded my vision to see more of the garbage scattered around me. Old furniture and glass bottles, the snow was hiding a fine amount of trash. Huh, this was such a long alleyway.
Adi’s words worried me just a bit. Was I slacking off or something? I’m trying my best here.
I hate this city. At least it’s snowing, snow. I like the snow.
Glothmin kept talking making it seem like he was paying me and Clivent no mind. I knew that was a lie. [Eyes of the Watcher] wouldn't give me the option of thinking that.
The man had a globe of white matter around us just little glimpses of his attention flashed by now and then. These specks of white matter were nothing compared to Clivent's self-centered globe of white.
A Wolf-man who only focused on himself.
The Clivent from yesterday or a few hours ago maybe, would've at least signed to make sure I was doing okay.
“Gave me a little shock seeing the fur ball blast out of- Anyway, the guy doesn’t look like a Wolf-kin of the mist. If I didn’t know it was Bane. Wouldn’t call him a man either. He smells like a newborn and looks nothing like a Wolf-Kin." How the hell does he keep doing that?!
This guy had really good timing. Either that or the man just liked the sound of his voice. Glothmin wasn’t being descriptive but I guess he was talking about the furball like he said.
“He looks completely different,” he says.
That was a no-brainer. I can’t see past all that fur.
Actually, where were the pants and shirt he had on? Is he naked!? My eyes really couldn't see past the glowing bright white light that was Clivent’s composition.
“What even is he?” I said aloud. I’m not an expert on beast-kin or anything but the so-called new Clivent didn’t look like the few I had seen so far.
Beast-kin had specks like humans and dwarves. There were slight concentrations of matter compacted into their nose, eyes, and ears.
I’d seen it at the Adventurers Hall. Yes, I pay some attention even if it may not look like it.
What the heck was he even made out of? No, what was he currently being made out of?
The inside of his body was beyond my understanding. The red was filling his body and not even a second later it became white.
Wait did I say that already?
Nothing about these two were natural. They were both off on so many levels. The white matter in his body was mixing with the red spreading. Were the white specks consuming the red?
“You don’t seem to know what happened to the Wolfman?” Glothmin spoke up from behind me pulling me from my contemplation.
“Humph” I voiced it was true for the most part, but I didn't want to risk lying. Adi was behind Clivent's death and rebirth. I knew that much.
How? Was beyond my comprehension. I had no clue how he became a part of the system either. Adi even had a personal system notification.
[(Unnamed) system would like to inform you that Adonin is waking.]
“Awake already, it almost seems like you never went to sleep in the first place. It’s only been a couple of minutes.” I'm not trusting the system when it comes to Adi. If he was sleeping how the heck was he sending me system notifications?
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Let’s play nice with the Brother who ejected me from my vacation from this hell.
“Little Eden, why does it matter if I’m sleeping or not? Never mind forget it. You should check the system when you get the chance. Make it a priority.”
“Don’t call me Eden!” I don’t like it.
Adi was silent for a minute. I had a scowl on my face because we were just sharing thoughts.
What was with the poor connection? Adi never had a problem throwing in some random comment. It was taking a minute for him to respond.
Dead silence, on dead silence.
“Fine, I won't call you Eden. It’s overused anyway, but dearest sister of mine, what would I even call you.” I admit, I kind of missed his voice until he called me Eden.
“I don’t know you think of something while you are at it. This Glothmin guy is, he gives me the creeps. Do you recall notifying me about him using a skill on me?”
[(Unnamed) system would like to inform you of a new general skill [Charm Resistance]
I cheered up looking ahead at the fur ball who wasn’t even trying to accommodate me like before. Clivent's presence was unnerving, to say the least.
He must've felt my staring somehow. Not like he was interrupting a conversation.
Adi hadn't replied to my comment on Glothmin. And suddenly the pink and white ball of fur that was Clivent stopped moving like a robot whose batteries had died.
We were just about to leave the alleyway when he halted in his tracks.
“Adi.” is all he said. The only word I had ever heard him say. Why did he even sign if he could talk?
“I thought he was mute!?” the two ignored me
“What is his problem?” Glothmin said, putting another foot down into the snow. The black boots he wore looked super heavy.
Adi had the answer to Glothmin's question.
“I assume it has something to do with me waking up. I can talk to him kind of like how I talk to you. Technically I’m his Creator. I was going to let him explain it to you but that's a bad idea. It's not the same person. He’s kind of like a baby even though he’s not going to admit it. Memories of a past life can only do so much.”
How inconvenient was that “You make it seem like you know him. It's only been four or five days since you met the man!”
“Eden, I don't think you're fully processing what I just told you.”
“Well, you said you created him. Wait a minute...” I said reinvigorated, with a big smile on my face. Not that I was trying to smile, I couldn't hide my excitement.
“Do you know magic?!”
“No, I haven't had time to learn or witness any magic besides the fish man we fought.” I had completely forgotten about my quest for magic.
“Wait a second, what do you mean we? You barely helped!” Taking my credit, when he's practically the reason I-
“I guess you could say I am partly to blame- not trying my best to help you.” Ugh, this guy. “See it that way if you want.” Why does he always have to be like that?
“Why must you always see my actions as right and wrong? There are more important things than trying to one-up you. Since you bring it up, do you think you could kill that thing on your own? A monster that I would've had a problem with. Okay so "maybe", I would’ve had a problem with it.“
Quite, the emphasis on the “Maybe-” and then it happened again. The topic doesn't seem to matter as much anymore.
“Can you give Clivent a new name already I’m tired of calling him New Clivent.” Sounds like the capital of a country or something.
“That’s fine you do have a point. Whenever you give your system a name, I’ll give Clivent one.”
If that's the case. “System, I will name you Sunny, plain and simple.” The thought carried over and just like that it was done.
[I am (Sunny), and I thank you, Mistress, Mother Adena for bestowing me a name.]
“Please don’t call me that ever again, just Adena is fine.” I was weirded out when did I become a Mother or a Mistress?
How did I give a system consciousness!? I hate it here and I can't stress that enough. Nothing has made sense ever since I ended up in this hell hole.
[(Sunny) Understood Adena, to answer your question we were given life by the Skill [Eternal Sunshine] A unique skill.]
“Your turn Adi!” Vengeance is mine, time to give that beast-man, kid, whatever It is a name.
“What did I possibly do to deserve this?” He spoke unsurprised by my actions for the thousandth time.
Maybe Papa was right, about the Eden thing.
“It’s not, that I’m not surprised. I was putting it off. Names are important and Clivent Bane is a name that I liked, believe it or not.” A shame, I liked the name as well.
Fine, I'll give him a break. I looked at New Clivent who was signing to Glothmin about finding a safe place free of people in the city.
“I have a great idea!” Adi was excited, that's new.
I'm happy someone was. It was the middle of the night and I was starving. It was a miracle that I didn’t feel the slightest bit cold with all the snowfall.
“The Adventure Hall is still empty, that's where Clivent can initialize his system and proceed with his rebirth. You can also choose a Class if you want.”
“Wait, he’s not done being reborn!?” I was so used to talking inside of my head.
I didn’t seem to notice how loud the City’s silence was. Even the alleyway was unbearably silent. Glothmin looked like he had something to say but kept his mouth shut. Adonin didn’t say anything for a while, but I could see Dark matter around Clivent, a shell covering him. Not like I could see him clearly in the first place.
Glothmin was busy talking to himself the entire time. He practically never shut up.
I was looking around at the snow-covered brick road and the ragged-looking stores. I kept walking shaking snow off my out of my hair. What else was there to do?
Mope around, cry, scream, cry some more. Pushing my hair out of my face now and then. I decided to finally put my hair up into a rubber band-less bun.
I breathed in and out, hoping that I wouldn't start harboring the feeling that something was wrong.
‘I hate that feeling.’
There were just piles of Dark matter lying under the snow. Some lay next to each other. I couldn’t put my finger on what was bothering me.
Things were slipping my mind so, I just soldiered on.
“At least my ugly brown boots were warm back in the seventeenth century I go.”Talking to myself looking down for a second max. Raising my head trying my best not to look at the lumps in the pristine white snow. Everything was off once again.
“You're welcome, not Eden,” Adi said, referring to my shoes I guess.
Ha, he’s got jokes. Following Clivent's lead who was following Adi’s orders.
Onward we walked heading toward the Adventurer Hall. And through all that silence Glothmin was the only person to speak. Saying that I was the quietest Human he had ever met.
“Where is everyone?” I asked Glothmin.
“Most likely trying to get into that wretched kingdom, evacuating, following city protocol.”
“What about policemen?” I asked.
“Policemen? Do you mean Guards, girl?” Guards, remember that. “This street, Wall Street it’s called, would be the first among many to evacuate.”
I ignored the man after that. He kept going on about corruption or something. Figured I might as well look at my system menu since I had the chance.
“System menu" and without a hitch the menu popped right open. Finally, something came easy.
Name: Adena Ce Raphil Mabtali
Race: Human Hybrid.. Biology Unknown
Age: 13
Titles: {Close}
[Otherworlder]- The system understands your circumstances and bestows you a 5% exp boost. Planet Candralt welcomes its new addition (may you survive system initialization)
[Memorist]- Memories have been taken and returned never to be hidden again. The mind will cling to reality no matter the circumstance. 7% Chance to dispel illusions.
[Lass of Luck]- Your unique lineage has been acknowledged by the system. Luck is on your side as it has always been. 25% chance of changing what will be to your benefit.
[Whisperer of Woe]- A voice never to be heard in this known side of reality. It beckons change. A 7% chance to sway beings of a Stagnant nature also applies to those of Beastial traits. 7% Beastial affinity. You have abated in many deaths.
[Inhumane Lane]- You have helped thousands in their pursuit of suicide. Sadly, she who pushed the knife has also played her part. For minor monster titles, you receive a 5% increase in all status aspects.
[Kingslayer]- You have killed the Courteous King of Fallohum. He gives you, his thanks. You have looted the corpse of late king Mindel the first, Courteous for all the Gods to see. It takes a master thief to steal from a king. But It takes a conqueror and killer to take.
[Seraph of End]- Though it was not your intent You have killed thousands weak of heart and open to mind in less than five minutes, some unsuspecting of the death soon to come brought on by you. Adena Ce Raphil Mabtali is feared by the Mountain of Fallohum's inhabitants Monster to Man. 10% To bypass defenses of the mind when in pursuit of death. 5% exp boost for killing monsters, men, and more.
[Quintessense X]- You have given a system consciousness this has never been done before. 1% Chance to grant consciousness to that in contact with [Eternal Sunshine].
[Breaker of Chains]- You have freed the souls of monsters, Beast kin, and dwarves Enslaved by the Dravine of the Cold Soul. Only done before by the family of the great Elven Priestess never to this extent. May they bathe in your glory and bask in your benevolent shine. Fight against the enslavement of mind, body, and soul. 10% chance to sense the presence of suffering. 3% Chance to sway the chained and enslaved.
[Serendipitous Saviour]- You have freed the souls of Monster, Beast-kin, and Dwarf all enslaved by the Dravine of the Cold Soul. Among the many, you have saved a King and a High priestess, once symbols of hope for the Kingdom of Fallohum. 15% Chance to further the Attribute and elements of light. The use of such skills to help, save, and or liberate will grant the user a bonus experience at all times.
[Slayer of Old]- You have killed a High-Tier being from the realm of old. Candralt acknowledges this feat. The Beings of Old are rarely seen in this age and are almost impossible to kill by mortal means. 10% Resistance to enemies of old. 20% Strength boost when fighting beings of Old.
[Dravine Slayer]- You have killed a Dravine. 10% resistance to the nature of the Dravine. Chance to roll two skills of the Dravine. Caution! Humans are incompatible with the skills of the Dravine Beware!!!
[Dragon Slayer]- You have killed a dragon. 10% resistance to Dragon attacks.
[Tempter of Dragons]- You have changed the mind of an Elder Dragon. A chance to bend that, and Lesser to your will.
Skills:
General Skill:
[Racial Trait: Mind Over Matter]- Lvl.3 {Close} ~ Mind is as strong as Will. - Your biology and lineage have produced a mind of undetermined durability enabling you to absorb and remember information at a capacity unknown to the system. Scales with all aspects of the status menu.
[Racial Trait: Lesser Matter Manipulation]- Lvl.2 {Close} ~ Matter moves, it is yours to wield. - Your biology and lineage allow for the manipulation of matter to a lesser extent. An ability that has gone unused for the most part and has not reached its fullest potential. Scales with Intelligence and Dexterity.
[Racial Trait: Gemini Shift]- Lvl.7 {Close} ~ A Bond never to be broken. -You are Unique one of a kind. Your Biology and Lineage have created a being of unknown and undetermined potential. Both whole and halves of the same two but one Being. Scales with all aspects of the status menu.
[Racial Trait: Loved by Nothing]- Lvl.1 {Close} ~You come from Nothing, you will return to Nothing. - Nothing is an umbrella term for the embryo to your origin. A disconnection to a connection of undetermined values. Whether it is a person, place, or thing Nothing loves you that is true. It follows in your step and clings to your existence. A part of you? Maybe. SYSTEM ERROR!!!
[Racial Trait: Dark matter Affinity]- Lvl.3 {Close} ~ Nothing Matters but you. - The system has reason to believe that Nothing is made of Dark matter SYSTEM ERROR!!!
[Racial Trait: Eyes of the Watcher]- Lvl.6 {Close} ~ See what is waiting to be seen. - A skill also unique to your biology and lineage. Allows the user to see matter and much more. Matter makes up every living and non-living thing in existence. [Eyes of The Watcher] can see the constructs of reality for what they truly are. Scales with Intelligence and Dexterity. SYSTEM ERROR!!!
[Racial Trait: Eternal Sunshine]- Lvl. 4 {Close} ~Promote change as it is the weapon of life. - Adena Ce Raphil Mabtali holds this ability alone. Once found in SHE WHO CHANGED. It is beyond Primordial nature. Where there is darkness shall be light. Change is inevitably the weapon of life. Scales with all aspects of the status menu.
Identification - Lvl.7 {Close]- first identifies person, place, or thing. Unable to pierce higher tiers of this skill. Beware higher tiers can track this ability when used alone. Scales with intelligence and dexterity.
(NEW) Push Past- Lvl.1 {Close}- Causes those with wavering morals and beliefs to relieve and relive memories. SYN.
(NEW) Make peace- Lvl.1 {Close}- Convince those weak of mind and heart. Sway the mind and make peace. Move from the now on to the next. SYN.
(NEW) Automated Life- Lvl.1 {Close}- System Error Unknown...
(NEW) Apex Aura- Lvl.1 {Close}- Dragon or Beast, no matter if you will survive and now you shall thrive. Use this aura to create fear and uncertainty. SYN.
(NEW) Mana Transference- Lvl.1 {Close}- Enables the user to transfer the body's mana to other sources. SYM.
(NEW) Skill ~ Undetermined {Close}- The System would like to reward you for Slaying the Dravine. Roll for a lesser skill of the Dravine! Congratulations!! Caution!!!...GAINED ABILITY [Scales of the Dravine]- Lvl.1
(NEW) Skill ~ Undetermined {Close}- The System would like to reward you for Slaying the Dravine. Roll for a lesser skill of the Dravine! Congratulations!! Caution!!!...GAINED ABILITY [Nature of the Dravine]- Lvl.1
Pain Resistance - 2nd Lvl. 1 {Close}- first tier- relieves pain receptors in the nervous system. Second tier- Turns of the body's pain receptors. Scales with Vitality, Agility, and Intelligence.
Dance of Etiquette - Lvl.6 {Close}- A skill taught by a master of manipulation learned through great difficulty and field experience. The ability is used as a masquerade when maintaining composure often used in social venues. - Scales with dexterity, intelligence, and agility. Potential yet to be determined. SYN
Self Defense - Lvl. 2 {Close} - The basics of self-defense tactics taught by Father Adousa are often violent when used by Adena but could be brutal. Scales with all Aspects of the status menu. Synergizes with multiple abilities.SYN
Voice of an Angel - Lvl. 2 {Close} - A skill almost Racial if not taught by the great seducer. The skill can be used to extend one’s voice to the farthest reaches but only if the user wills it so. It can convey the strongest emotions through voice, tone, and song and has the potential for much more. -This skill synergizes with all Status aspects. Users beware the skill is in its infancy; Death entails the unsuspecting novice. - Lineage has allowed for the skill [Voice of an angel] to reach unintended heights. There is Power in one’s voice user beware!! Synergizes with multiple abilities. SYN
Taker of Tongue- Lvl. 1 New {Close}- A skill of adaptation. What would be an uncommon skill is changed by biology and lineage. Allows for the user to learn the language of beings of varying Races, species, and Tiers through ear and word of mouth. Scales with all aspects of the status menu. Can synergize with multiple abilities. SYN
Enhanced Immune system - 2nd Lvl. 1 {Close}- first tier-The name is self-explanatory you rarely became sick as a child your unique biology and lineage allow for stronger white blood cells and greater resistance against disease. Second tier- Neutralizes poison and other foreign components deemed harmful by the body's immune system. Scales with Vitality. Synergizes with multiple abilities. SYN
Enhanced Regeneration - Lvl. 5 {Close}-The body learns from pain. Your body has learned to adapt to your many states of grave peril. self-healing through faster cellular reproduction. Scales with all aspects of the status menu. Synergizes with multiple abilities. SYN
Fear Resistance - 2nd Lvl. 2 {Close}-Fear is an obstacle and means of survival. Fight or flight. The second tier- Can nullify fear. Scales with intelligence and Vitality. Beware User fear is a good sense to have. Resistance can be turned off at will SYN
Spatial Magic Resistance - 2nd Lvl. 1 {Close}- you have felt the raw and primal forces of a space vortex gaining space magic resistance. Second tier- It is harder to disperse parts of your body using space magic. Your body has built up a tolerance for space magic and actively resists it. Resistance can be turned off at will. SYN
(NEW) Frost Resistance - 3rd Lvl. 1 {Close} - Tier 1- Resistance to frost magic. Second tier - Nullification of the frost element. It is significantly harder for users to be frozen by water and ice attunements. Third Tier - You have survived an encounter with the Dravine and are now compatible with the element of Frost.SYN
[Class 1: None]
[Class 2: None]
[Class 3: None]
Free Stats:0
[Strength:20]
[Dexterity:20]
[Vitality:20]
[Agility:20]
[Intelligence: 25]
[Mana: 25]
[Mana Control: 25]
[Mana Regeneration: 25]
[Magic Power: 25]