While Rou's father slept off his fatigue, Rou was led by the Queen to the library and basically given a free pass. Especially as she had tried to probe further only to receive a thump on the forehead and a chiding from 'Affection'. This time, Affection didn't even get angry as she fairly agreed that the Queen was asking a bit much. Who just /asks/ to see someone elses Screen? That's like walking up to someone on the street and asking them to pull their clothes off!
Just plain rude, even if one was the Queen talking to a subject.
But as it happened, now that he could freely browse most anything in the library(except the forbidden section as the Queen had quietly instructed once he was out of ear range to the librarian), Rou started to activate his glasses perk only to hesitate. "Right... Library. Uh… Affection, can you look through my eyes at the books here and help me find what I want?"
"I mean, I can, but why not just ask the librarian?"
"Because it gets tiresome at times being talked down to like I'm four."
"...you are."
"Physically. You know what I mean."
Affection cackled as she was wont to and obliged, a notice popping up for him that she was. And they wandered the library, Rou making note of where various things were. It wasn't long until he found a section on magic, and then a subsection on magical tools. But even upon not seeing anything, it wasn't surprising to not find a book on inverted dark magic tools. It might not even exist, let alone here. So instead Rou settled on a collection of books that served as a general run on an introduction to magic, beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Originally Rou had assumed it might be a bit more alchemical in nature, what with the liquid aether and powdering crystals and ingredients and all. But as it turned out, that was just one application and that magic, in and of itself, was a lot more… fundamental. It was using harvested aether in the form of mana to manipulate the fabric of the world and make it produce various effects. Which sounded fine and dandy on the surface, but actually being able to do that was another matter altogether. Those who used magic couldn't very well see such things, they just had to rely on their understanding to manipulate what existed nearby and produce things accordingly.
It was all done a bit haphazardly even though there was very much a method to the madness.
After all, they couldn't very well see ambient aether either but they could still harvest and interact with it.
Rou's mind kept wandering back to the glasses though. They let him receive information in high-dimensional concepts. But he wasn't able to see the ambient aether, or the fabric, so were the books wrong? Or was he missing something?
"Sorry, can't answer that. Rules and all." Affection said softly.
Rou nodded and turned his glasses off before he accidentally got overwhelmed from a stray glance and closed his eyes, head tilting back and facing the ceiling as he did. He was quietly in thought, tail flicking behind himself. Something else he'd found in the books was a reference to absorbing natural magic crystals found inside of monsters in order to sublimate the body. The phrasing of sublimation made him think about his soul. If the soul was polished briefly, then if the body is polished through sublimation to a point of notice, perhaps there would be alterations?
Inside the crystals was aether, condensed, pure aether. And this was aspected aether rather than the unaspected aether all around. If he really wanted to see and interact with aether and the fundamental magic structure of the world to interact with it, and not do so in a blind manner, could he focus on sublimating his body in parts rather than a whole? As long as he could perceive the aether in some fashion, or anything else, those glasses of his…
"Learn anything young fellow?"
A familiar voice came from nearby, that of the rabbit King. Rou looked at him and offered a small nod before adding, "Yes, I am reading about magic. My village did not have any books about it."
"Ah. Well, we most certainly have books aplenty here. Was there anything specific you were interested in? And no need to hide it, I know you are more intelligent than you look. What Affection has to do with you, I cannot say, and as she stated it is none of my business, but all the same I am content to humor you. Besides, you and your father did a very important thing for the kingdom at whole. Was there something you might want?"
Normally he'd just offer to the father to pick out for the younger in a situation like this, not that there was exactly one /like/ this but similarly for rewards ceremonies.
Rou seemed thoughtful before asking, "A set of crystals? One of each kind. Normal, inverse, natural and artificial. And monster. And if safely possible, corrupt?" The rabbit King stared at Rou. The request wasn't exactly expensive. Sure, it wasn't cheap, but… well within the confines of even a normal reward. Mostly. But what could a kid this age possibly need with corrupt and monster crystals to study? Why would he even know about inverse crystals?
The King sighed and nodded, "Very well, I will try not to think too much about it. I imagine Affection will keep you safe?"
–
It wasn't long until Dominic woke up and after the initial confusion and panic, he was given his clothing back along with Rou's cleaned clothing that was now bundled up with an extra weight to prevent the enchanted accessories from causing them to rise towards the ceiling. Once he was caught up to speed, Dominic was led towards a large private office and study chamber, inside of which was a large sturdy wooden meeting table that was round, covered in a collection of jars that were enchanted and contained a variety of crystals. Each one a little different. Some big, some small, many terribly expensive. And on the far side of the table was his son, staring at the crystals and seemingly lost in thought.
If this wasn't all such a draining mess mentally Dominic might be surprised, but at this point he was just happy to find out Rou was safe. As he walked over, like that night back home when Rou got lost in the book and wasn't paying attention, Dominic hugged him from behind - causing him to panic only to realize, "Ah, you're awake?"
"Mm, yes."
"Hurt?"
"No. You?"
"I'm okay."
A simple conversation between men. Male bonding.
Macho.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Simple words.
"How did you come to get all this? Affection's doing?"
"Not quite. The King asked if I wanted anything. He seems a little nervous. That was Affection."
"...that sounds about right."
"She chided the King and Queen for asking too much."
"...that also sounds about right."
"You don't seem upset."
"I'm not your mother."
"Right. Mom can't pee standing up."
The joke finally broke the awkwardness of the moment, causing Dominic to snort laughing, realizing he was being a little clingy and finally let go of his son, stepping back. "Sorry. Maybe I am your mom today."
"That's okay."
–
Given the journey was so long to go back and forth, Dominic elected to give Rou a choice of staying or accompanying him back to find the villagers and his mother. Rou decided it was easier for them both if he stayed and it was safe enough here too. So Dominic stocked up on various supplies and made his way out with a simple convoy of others to head towards the village.
Rou stayed within the confines of the castle, mostly to himself. The Queen didn't bother him terribly further, though the King did certainly come to check on him now and again. He had largely been given free roam of things as long as he didn't cause problems, and they didn't think someone related somehow to Affection would. So his day to day was rather simple.
Eat, sleep, study.
Eat, sleep, study.
Boring? Maybe. But even in his past life he enjoyed reading, and in this life, there was magic and new things and wonders and while he didn't have a cat to talk to like it could understand him, better than that, he had Affection to talk to who did actually understand him. Their relationship had been mended a bit since the blowup a while ago and it was true that their tastes really did align and they got along quite well together.
Status Screen 1.04
Name: Rou Erial
Titles: [Pathetic] [Miracle Child] [Affection's Pet Project] [Affection's Betrothed] [Feral Cat Tamer] [System Tester]
Strength: G - 7 [What do you expect, you're a child.]
Agility: G - 14 [What do you expect, you're a child.]
Intelligence: D - 26++ [A child with an adults memories from another world.]
Constitution: G - 34+++ [Still a child, but has an Immaculate Soul.]
Charisma: E - 10 [Cute child.]
Magic - Power: G - 1 [Unlearned]
Magic - Perception: F - 37[Competent]
Magic - Control: G - 72 [Studying]
Magic - Capacity: G - 1 [Unlearned]
Perks
[Subject to Affection's Whims] [Subject to Aether's Whims] [Subject to Creation's Whims] [Immaculate Soul] [Customized Looks] [Contact: Affection] [Contact:Aether] [High-Dimensional Reading Glasses] [Extended Lifespan] [Redemption Ticket] [One-time Luck]
Status
[Immaculate Soul] [Sublimated Soul I - 11.3%]
As it happened, during his couple of weeks of dedicated learning and having access to the crystals to experiment with, Rou was able to start piecing together certain things including practicing how to absorb Aether into Mana, as well as how to sublimate crystals, though it was still a work in progress. He'd managed to sublimate a single weak unaspected natural monster crystal per day, almost all bodily but eventually he sussed out how to focus on sublimating specific aspects.
His basic body had improved a bit, some aspects more so than others given has lack of knowledge and experimenting. But his theory wasn't wholly wrong. Magic perception /was/ a thing. It had even been generated as a brand new component on his screen.
His soul sublimation level had risen a little as well. He'd thought about using his one-time luck perk to ask for and sublimate the strongest monster crystal he could find. After all, he trusted Creation's gift unconditionally. But there was still a part of him that was unsure about it.
"Aether, Affection."
"Yes?"
"What is it?"
They both chirped in at nearly the same time.
"If I use my One-time Luck perk to sublimate with a super high rank natural monster crystal, do you think I could focus that onto my magical perception rather than my body as a whole?"
Affection remained quiet as Aether was thoughtful. "I mean, yes, you could. But… why would you even want to instead of getting a jump on your general sublimation? Do you know Affection?"
Despite being unable to see them, as usual Rou had a basic mental picture of the situation. Affection ahem'd. "Yes, I know, no, I won't say. Respect my privacy and his by not snooping."
Rou laughed aloud at that. Aether seemed amused too.
"Well if you two are so close and in confidence, very well. But yes, you can. One-time Luck… fancy you getting that blessing. When you activate it, you state what you want, and the outcome you want, and while it doesn't guarantee imagination into reality it certainly makes sure luck goes your way no matter how insane the risk is. If you really want to use it that way I won't stop you but… mm."
–
"You want… what exactly?" The King and Queen were both flabbergasted.
"I won't ask for anything else, but… your highest rank natural monster crystal? May I go to it?"
Both of them wanted to say no, it wasn't just a national treasure, it was a god damned A/S-rank dragon heart! Their royal family had the thing squirreled away for a thousand years if not more, and no one really got to interact with it. Each successful generation of kings and incumbent rulers had a single chance, by tradition, to try and sublimate it. Of course, every king certainly tried more than the once, but were never able to.
"But you aren't next in line for the throne, Rou."
Behind them a statuette fell over. Naturally it was Affections. The King sighed, "Even if Affection asks, you are asking for the birthright of my own child."
"It's a lot, I know, I'm sorry." Rou said, feeling a bit bad. Suddenly he felt like he was trying to rob the King which was never his intention. "Look, I will… let us make a deal. Rou, and Affection, I take it you are listening too?"
The statuette clattered on the ground.
"I will give you one chance to interact with it. Whatever happens, happens. I have always been faithful to the gods and I am not going to tell a goddess no now, but Affection, you must understand my concerns."
Instead of the statuette moving around, Rou looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes before sighing and saying for the King, "I understand. But you also should understand, that thing has sat around for 1,379 years collecting dust as your ancestors have tried and failed to get anything from it. At this rate it will sit around for who knows how long and if one day your kingdom should fall it would simply go to someone else." Of course Affection wasn't talking through him, Rou was simply parroting what she said but as if speaking from authority, mimicking her haughtiness.
"Isn't it better to at least have it go to one of your subjects who may be able to help bring some measure of benefit to your current Kingdom? Besides, I am not without mercy of my own."
But before Rou spoke further, he blinked and said, "What? No, no, I will not… Affection, I won't…" The King and Queen were confused as Rou seemed to be arguing with the Goddess before covering his face and groaning. "I did not need to know about that…" Rou chided Affection mentally.
"Yes, but Rou is four, you don't know what that means."
"If I ever come up there again I am going to pet your tail backwards and misalign every single strand of fur."
That familiar cackle rose as Rou collected himself and said, "Everyone but the King and Queen should leave."
No one moved until the King waved them away, and once they were gone, Rou said, "She will help you not fight in the royal bedroom."
The King and Queen stared at the boy before up at the ceiling and turned to look at the fallen statuette which wiggled on the ground.
–
About an hour later, Rou was in the previously heavily-guarded, now abandoned, underground chamber within which was a tethered and restrained crystalized dragon heart. Seems a promise of curing erectile dysfunction could stir even a King.