The urban sounds echoed through the entire neighborhood as it slowly became a background of muffled noises in Jered's ears. The lamppost's flickering light showed his pathway while he was lost in thought.
The road back home was delightfully relaxing and allowed him to fully concentrate on how to solve the following problem. However, much to his disappointment, he found nothing that would have helped him.
It was a dead end.
He couldn't explain anything without mentioning his 'special powers', a thing that he absolutely wouldn't do. Moreover, he knew that at some point in time he'd be forced to tell them, after all, a secret is always bound to be found by prying ears. Especially when he'll meet those that have specific powers to do such a thing.
He sighed in annoyance.
Also, the way he lost control of himself was... enlightening. A part of him was disturbed while the other ecstatic and free, like two extremities that wanted to prevail on him.
But...
Was it alright if he let his facade drop and release what he had been caging for a lot of time? He didn't know, but... it was so liberating. Like he could finally breathe for the first time.
Having been holding back for years was asphyxiating, and having to do so even after he got the fundamental piece to break his walls was even more so.
He stopped walking for a minute and gazed up, taking the full majesty of the moon. Its light gently shining on the landscape around him, endowing it a heavenly image of a utopia.
A peaceful smile appeared on his face as he beheld the scenery.
He wanted to feel that way again...
...
Once in front of his house's door, he hesitated. There was small light coming from his mother's bedroom signifying that she was most likely awake.
He couldn't avoid her forever, he knew it, but the idea of telling something that might scare or worry her wasn't an option either.
He opened the door quietly, trying not to be heard. However, the lightly 'Kacha' sound it did after being closed reverberated through the quiet home.
"Damn..." He cursed.
Slow footsteps walked down the stairs before a beautiful woman appeared in his sight. It was his mother, Jane.
She had long bright blonde hair that cascaded on her back, and although she was in her mid-thirties, her skin was still fair and smooth, her green eyes shone brightly in the dim lit room. The black nightgown she wore hugged her curvaceous body perfectly.
"Jered! Why the hell are you so late!? And where did you go?" An angry frown marred her pretty face as she crossed her arms.
"Sorry, I lost the track of time." He replied, trying to avert the 'Where' part. She wouldn't like the answer.
"You lost the tra- mhh?" She started but stopped mid-sentence when she noted her son's face.
Jered gulped as he saw his mother approaching him, putting both hands on his shoulders and leaned her face closer to take a better look.
"What did you do to your face?" She asked curiously.
"Nothing. Why?" He feigned innocence.
"Mhh, you seem to have become better-looking. Are you really sure you didn't do anything?" She asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.
The exchange wasn't heading towards a good direction, he just hoped she would stop questioning him, afraid that he might say something that'd screw him up.
"I'm sure, mom. Maybe it's because we didn't see each other too much lately... that... you haven't noticed." He immediately regretted saying that, knowing it was a touchy subject.
Shit!
She froze for a moment, her eyes slightly widening. She wanted to come up with something to say but all that she managed to gather in her throat was empty air that in the end came out as a bitter breath.
It was hurtful, true, but still hurtful.
She had become a ghost that'd show up only at night, every conversation with his son or daughter were completely foregone amidst quick glances and awkward silences every time they crossed each other.
It was like a curse glued to her life, and as the time flew by she didn't even recognize herself as a member of the family or even thought of ever having one.
It scared her. It really did...
Stifling a sob she turned around, not wanting her son to see the wretched state she was in, however, it didn't matter how much she tried to hide it, her clenched fists and trembling shoulders betrayed her.
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"R-right. It was probably this the... cause." She whispered feebly, sounding heartbroken.
She wanted to convince herself that everything was okay when it clearly was not.
Why?
Because it was her role as a mother to smile when she wanted to collapse on the cold floor and cry her soul out.
It was her role as a mother take beatings so that her children wouldn't have to suffer as they grew up.
And it was still her role as a mother to swallow her pride and receive scorn, spits, bruises, malicious remarks...
For what?
So that she could see their smiles. See them happy and carefree.
After all, it was he role as a mother. A mother's boundless love.
When Jered saw what his words caused, he felt a merciless pang in his heart, not even in his wildest dreams he'd do or say anything with the purpose of harming or incite sadness on her, he'd rather cut his tongue off before he would even remotely consider doing such a thing.
He just wanted to divert her suspicions and avoid saying anything that might put some alert into her, however, the result was a far cry from what he intended.
And it was only when he heard her openly crying that he knew.
He failed it.
For every tear that slid down her cheeks a hole opened up in his heart, slowly consuming him from the inside. Knowing it was him, her son of all people, that made her feel grief-stricken, really broke him.
All the disappointment, failure, helplessness, sadness that he had been locking away suddenly rained over him, crushing him down in a cold shower of pain.
He opened his mouth, but what came out was a strained gasp.
So, he did what he felt he should do.
With quiet steps, he arrived behind her.
Her shoulders were visibly quivering while occasional sobs escaped from her.
He put his hands on her arms and gently but firmly brought her to his chest, hugging her strongly. And with a soft touch rested her head on his neck while his arms tenderly enveloped her in a warm embrace.
"I'm sorry, mom. I didn't mean it that way." He whispered hotly in her ear, making her spine slightly shiver.
She distanced herself away a bit from him, her body still touching his, and looked deeply into his beautiful emerald eyes, smiling.
"No... it's okay. I know my wrongs... I... have never been that good of a mothe-" She tried but was interrupted.
"Don't say it! Please... " He grabbed her face, their gazes meeting. "You did an amazing job... and there's no need to do more, just quit it, okay? Let me do what I should have done, you did enough." His forehead lightly grazed hers while he still was holding her cheeks up.
There was an intense silence as she was left speechless.
What should she think about this?
He is still young, how could he help her in any way? It was not that she didn't appreciate the gesture, in fact, she was even touched by it, but...
"Just finish your studies and then we'll talk about it, okay?" She stated as he wiped clean her tear-stained face.
Jered just looked at her impassively, not really knowing how to respond.
It was obvious she wouldn't believe him, he wasn't even an adult, yet he was already talking about running a household.
How ridiculous.
"Yeah..." He answered half-heartedly while faking a smile.
Some things have yet to change.
With a sigh, he bid goodnight to his mother and headed upstairs, towards his bedroom.
Jane just looked at him, unknown thoughts in her head.
.
.
.
There were no lights inside the room, it was just plain dark.
Jered was sprawled tiredly on his bed, looking dejectedly at the ceiling like it would give him the perfect answer for all of his troubles.
It was doubtless an exhausting day.
That damn system was making his daily regularity just more difficult, yet also so interesting.
He smiled.
Drawing a sigh he stood up.
It was time to work out, he was curious to see what would happen.
Unfortunately, he hadn't the specific gym tools, but doing homemade was still alright. So, deciding on a position he got down and placed his hands on the floor; directly under his shoulders, his arms fully extended, his body straight, his toes also on the floor.
He inhaled deeply and started going up and down smoothly, thanks to his enhanced strength it was rather easy, but as time went on his arms wobbled, signaling they were about to fall down.
But he still kept on going, only by surpassing his own limits could he get stronger fast, and that's what he wanted to do.
After his brief but meaningful talk with his mother, he was determined to help her, it didn't matter what he'd have to do. Whether using violence or flattering words. He wouldn't let what happened today repeat itself, he would take his mother's place and give her what she deserves.
His eyes became bloodshot as he pushed himself up and down strenuously, making his muscles ache.
His arms hurt so much, recommending him to give up and rest, that there was no need to go to such extremes. But for every time he felt that way he just kept on pushing.
Till he fell down.
Panting heavily and sweaty all over his body as he slowly lifted his upper body and started doing abs.
Through the night Jered didn't sleep much, he just took quick breaks before continuing with destroying his body.
Until...
[ Alert: The skill 'Bodybuilding' has leveled up to '2'. ]
[ Alert: The skill 'Bodybuilding' has leveled up to '3' ]
Mhh? So I can level my skills up?
He stopped exercising as he started at the notifications, during his entire training time he didn't even notice them, therefore he was kinda surprised.
So, he opened his 'Status'.
[ Name: Jered von Jacobs ]
[ Age: 16 ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Class ] [ ? ]
[ Title ] [ Shadows' Contractor ]
[ Strength ] [ 13 ]
[ Dexterity ] [ 12 ]
[ Vitality ] [ 11 ]
[ Endurance ] [ 13 ]
[ Intelligence ] [ 17 ]
[ Mana ] [ 20 ]
[ Appearance ] [ 19 ]
[ Attribute Points ] [ 7 ] [ System Points ] [ 200 ]
[ Shop ] [ Skills ] [ Quests ]
He pleasantly noted that both his 'Strength' and 'Endurance' went up by 1.
Obviously, as he got stronger it'll become incredibly hard to raise his stats by physical training alone, hence the usefulness of the points. Moreover, it was still unknown how strong he is right now or how strong can he become, before that comes the need to use his points.
As for his endurance, it probably refers to his ability to endure physical strain and pain.
It was still to test.
Looking over at the 'Skill' option on his menu he tapped it.
[ Body Arts ] [ Magic Arts ]
On the new screen that appeared only two options were available.
Is it because I only got skills related to them? Mhh...
He touched 'Body Arts'. And...
[ Body Arts ] [ Skills: 2 ]
[ Low-level ]
[ Bodybuilding ] [ Level: 3 ]
[ Martial Arts ] [ Level: 1 ]
Ugh... I'm so weak.
He cringed a bit before going back and clicking on 'Magic Arts'.
[ Magic Arts ] [ Skills: 2 ]
[ Low-level ]
[ Fire Manipulation ] [ Level: 1 ]
[ Dark Manipulation ] [ Level 1 ]
Well, it can't be helped, I guess...
He closed his menu, heavily worn-out of all that practice.
Standing up, slightly wobbling, he walked towards his bed, where he crashed onto it weakly, no force left in his body.
The noise of cars going their way further in the distance harmonized with the swish of leaves dancing in the air assembled a sweet melody for his sleep.
.
.
.