CHAPTER 12 - FRIENDS
The next morning, I woke up very early. Realizing that I never created a plan, I stayed at my room for awhile.
"How should I approach her?"
When it comes to conquering the hearts of different types of maidens, I know the basics. Thanks to the galge games that I played several times in my previous world.
Though I suffered many game overs and restarts from that due to the wrong choices that I made...
The problem is Velthoenne is a little girl, not a woman. So conquering her is out of the question.
Okay let's start by evaluating her.
She's a shy girl and speaks only a handful of words. Also avoids physical contact when it comes to males.
Moreover, she's experiencing anxiety, thanks to those bad hoodlums and his power seeker uncle.
Hmm... A verbally and physically shy girl with anxiety problems. This is quite a headache.
Luckily I know how to handle a person with this kind of attitude.
Wait. Is what I'm doing now is also the same as conquering a bishoujo?
Ahh, whatever!
Oh, mother of psychology, help this disciple of yours!
Umm, okay maybe I was overacting.
------
Like a predator hunting for his prey, I scanned the entire manor looking for Sleeping Beauty.
I'd searched the entire house but she was no where to be found. It seems that she's not inside the house.
Entirely thanks to me wandering around, I found something very special about grandpa's manor; there were a handful of hidden passages and a secret basement.
It was actually like a maze. Each passages are connected with each other and would led you to some hidden entrances or exits while others would led you only to dead ends.
What ticked my curiosity is the secret basement. It had the appearance of an hundred year old structure with cobwebs hanging on its doors.
"This door seems suspicious..."
Really it was very suspicious. I tried to opened it but it was tightly locked with chains that had some kind of enchantment.
Did grandpa locked this door on purpose?
Using [Divination] I tried to analyze the enchantment bestowed on the thick and rusted black chains, it looks the enchantment is a restriction type and a very strong one.
After done analyzing, I used [Spell Destabilization] to negate the enchantment.
Though it took me lot of time, somehow I manage to erase the spell on the chains.
I went inside the basement and unfortunately there was nothing inside.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking things..."
As I walked outside, my [Ethereal Sense] seems to picked up something. I looked at the direction where the passive skill is pointing.
On the ceiling, there was something bluish white shining. Using [Levitation] I tried to get a closer look.
Glued to the old bricked ceiling was some kind of azure gemstone. I tried to take it by hand but somehow it was stuck firmly onto the surface.
I resort on using [Telekinetic Maneuver] to forcefully gain this bewitching artifact. As this mysterious thing came into my hand, a familiar sound reverberated inside my head.
*DING*
YOU GAINED A DIVINE ARTIFACT
NECKLACE OF DIVINITY Description:A necklace made by an unknown being. It is said that the gemstone came from an unknown object that fell from the sky. Restriction:Can only be worn by people with high affinity to both Holy and Light Element. Grade:SSS+ Effects:When equipped, gained +500% health regeneration, +500% mana regeneration, +350% base stat increase, + 200% physical resistance, +200% elemental resistance, +200% status ailment resistance
I face-palmed myself as I saw the effects of this thing.
This is very neat.
Excited, I tried to wear the divine artifact but somehow something was restricting me. Everytime I tried to push it down to my neck, something or some force is blocking me.
Hmm... Ah, crap.
I forgot that I don't have affinity to both Holy and Light Elements let alone the other ones. I quickly deposited it into my <
Maybe someone other than me is suitable for this thing.
But really this basement, if tidied up a bit would be a great base of operations.
Hmm... Got it!
From this day forward, this would be my R&D room. I quickly gleamed while rubbing both my palms softly.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Can't wait to see the release of the Engineer spirit within me.
------
As I exited, I hurriedly went back to my main objective.
Luckily, I found my target in the courtyard. She was seating alone.
Wait, why is she alone?
Anyway I should begin my mission.
"Good morning, Princess Velthoenne. Can I sit?"
After doing a majestic bow, I quickly pointed towards the opposite chair.
"Mmm..."
After nodding, I took a seat opposite to her. After that neither one of us initiate a conversation.
If she's a bit older I could initiate some sweet talking but no she isn't.
She's still a child...
That means a child is a curious fellow. I should do something fantastic that would ignite her curiosity as to overshadow her anxiety.
From my <
While I was busy writing on the desk, I could feel that she was somewhat looking at me.
That's good. Keep looking her missy.
After done doing some adjustments, I placed my hand on the top of the paper.
The array that I had written glowed in a white radiance, above it dozens of speck of white light appeared and hover in the thin air.
"Wow..."
Seeing her reaction it looks like I got her attention. That glistening eyes of hers told me.
"Actually princess, this is magic. If you like, I could teach you one or two skills..."
"Really!?"
I was shocked with her reaction. She stood up from her chair like a child seeing a brand new toy.
What am I thinking? She's still a child of course!
"Yes but first, I wanted to be friends with her highness!"
"Friends?"
"Yes."
"...Okay."
*DING*
YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE QUEST: MOM'S REQUEST
REWARDS Gained a new friend, can be a potential lover if chose to strengthen the bonds between both persons in the long run, +5 fame gain, +10 exp gain
Seeing the rewards, I furiously scratch the back of my head.
Let's pretend that I didn't see the second reward. I mean seriously.
Damn it... Are the gods making fun of me? Or are they screwing my life?
Anyways, I withdraw the <
"What's this?"
"A gift for a friend."
"A gift? For me?"
"Yes. Umm, you see I found it when I was wandering around the manor. Since this looks like a female accessory, I was thinking that this should fit you perfectly."
Let's face it. If someone witness this scene, it would look like I was giving a betrothal gift.
I'm doing this only for the sake of strengthening our friendship. Nothing more, nothing less.
That aside, I wanted to know if this girl can wore this divine artifact. I wasn't able to because I don't have any affinity towards the required elements.
I know what I'm doing is a kind of reckless thing to do but--
"Thank you for the gift."
She wore it with ease.
With ease!?
My mouth formed a big and wide 'O'.
Does this mean that this girl had high affinity to both Holy and Light elements from the beginning?
If I recalled correctly from the books that I had read, people born with affinity towards Light element are very rare and people born with affinity towards Holy element are even rarer.
So does this mean that this girl, Velthoenne Von Strauer is a rare gem?
Anyhow, I gained my first friend. I'm happy about it.
But really, that divine artifact should be mine. I envy her.