Proofreader: Future Me

After going through the chaos of Fen’s waking antics, and Erin’s demonic sparring I was more than what one could call exhausted. Currently, I was sitting at my favourite potted plant in my homeroom, ignoring the ramblings of others.

My body was rather busy recovering with enhancement as she was more than a bit too violent. I would have asked Uriel to help me, but she wasn’t there. I doubted it was sickness or something else, but Rodney said he would look into it for the time being.

Furthermore, it was the day in which Fen was due to meet a Demon Uprising member. Usually, it acted as a foreboding for the dungeon expedition for tomorrow’s events. I considered taking advantage of that, but…

“Hahhhhh…” There was too much to consider at once.

“Are you okay?” Serina magically appeared next to me.

Seriously, hasn’t her stalker behaviour gotten worse?

“Of course I am,” I lied, “Just a bit tired.”

She grabbed the sleeve of my blazer, lifting it to see my arm.

“Lies.”

I couldn’t react in time, so I accepted my fate.

“Well, you can’t heal me so it’s whatever,” I reassured her. “And don’t worry, I’ll heal up in time for the Heroes’ Bout.”

She stared at me blankly.

“Magic Combat, Swordsmanship, General Combat,” Serina listed three classes.

Gulp- she had a point.

A vial of weird colour was handed to me, “Drink this.”

Wait, wasn't this colour from the elixir she had after the Spirit Queen got done in?

“Uhhh… I’m not sure if I should.”

“Do it.” With those words, she shoved the vial to my lips.

I yielded, gulping down the divine-like fluid.

Ding!

I instantly opened my status board upon hearing that noise, feeling the appraisal stone spawn into my hand.

[Luke]

[Age: 15] [Race: Human]

[Attributes]

Vitality: Tier 0 (20%) (UP!)

Agility: Tier 0 (10%) (UP!)

Strength: Tier 0 (10%) (UP!)

Mana: Tier 0 (8%) (UP!)

[Skills]

Outer Eye (Z) (5% Proficiency)

Enhancement (F) [Growth Type]

Basic Swordsmanship (E) -> (E+) (43.8% -> 50.79% Proficiency - Evolution Possible)

Basic Magic Control (D) (17.28% -> 19.98% Proficiency - Evolution Possible)

While some stats and skills increased in proficiency, they were expected from training. But looking at [Outer Eye]… I knew it came from what Serina gave me.

“Hmm?” She poked her head through the status boards.

“Ah- thank you very much,” I quickly bowed. “I feel better already.”

“It’s okay,” She looked into my eyes again. “Call if you need anything.”

Once again, she vanished back into her chair. Ever since we became friends, she’s been treating me with extreme kindness. Well, not that I mind of course. The all-giving Serina… I like the sound of that.

A tap on my shoulder came from behind, “Hey Luke, don’t you think Uriel’s absence is weird?”

“Fen?-“ I was startled but agreed, “Well yeah… even Rodney is unaware.”

He rubbed his chin with a contemplative face, “I have a hunch that something’s off.”

His [Intuition] skill was probably on right now. One of the Warrior Protagonist’s signature skills. To double check, I created an appraisal stone in my pocket to view his skills.

[Fen Castelle]

[Age: 15 ] [Race: Human ]

[Skills]

Intuition (A) (87.02% Proficiency - Evolution Possible) [Currently Active.]

Empire’s Sword (B+) (100% Proficiency)

Way of the Castelle (S+) (19.38% Proficiency)

[More Skills are available to view.]

It was clear I had to act now. His intuition was a bit too… ominous, I’ll say that. That’s why the Swordsmanship Route was and I quote ‘what noobs choose’ according to veteran players.

“Fen, explain my early absence to Professor Runalia,” I didn’t leave any room for him to speak.

“Huh- what?” Fen flicked his head over, confused at my fleeting presence.

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I dashed over to Rodney who was uncomfortably sitting in his chair, itching for action.

“Rodney, come with me.” My face hardened, “Uriel might have been… you know..”

He nodded immediately, not needing to hear the rest. I yanked him out of his chair and we scrambled out of the room.

“Students! Get back immediately!” Runalia called out after us but decided not to act.

“Show me her room first, there might be something there,” I directed Rodney.

He shot me a confused look, “Do you not know where it is?”

“Uhhh… we don’t talk about that.”

-x-

Fen’s intuition not only warned me but hinted me toward the bigger picture. Today was my battlefield, the Heroes’ Bout so to speak. However, with the demon meeting and Hell Paradises’ effects, what was stopping it from taking a bigger stage?

Right now I needed to break down this door and confirm my suspicions.

Knock! Knock!

“You should be careful with the school property,” Rodney reminded me.

I paused. “You know if I’m right, she's not here but rather…”

“Rather, what?”

“Kidnapped.”

His eyes widened, unable to speak.

I ignored his shock and continued, “That’s why, I need you to barge past this door.”

“But…”

“Would you rather your childhood friend die from inaction or be proud you were able to save a life?”

“I- I… alright,” He gulped in a deep breath of air.

He raised his arms and got ready to ram down the door. His charge was like a bull’s the arms acting as horns, breaking past the barrier.

Rodney smirked at me, “Thanks for hitting me with reality- needed it.”

Nodding, I observed the empty room.

“Haha- I guess I was right then.”

“Tch,” He clicked his tongue. “What now?”

“Don’t worry,” I assured him. “I have an idea that I’m not too proud of having.”

“Well, I’ve nothing to lose.” He affirmatively clenched his hands. “I’ll trust you.”

The route was completely ingrained in my mind thanks to Erin’s meddling. We rushed out of the Golden Nest, heading toward the general dorms. But, we weren’t fast enough.

“Rodney, we won’t make it at this rate. I’m gonna speed up.” Marking the end of my words, I put more energy into the sprint.

“I was slowing down for you,” He replied sternly.

‘Geh. ‘ My heart felt a tang of pain hearing that. However, I had to persevere. If I was right about Carlos, then he would be waiting at the set field.

I felt a sudden tail of sound approaching our locations.

“Who-”

“Wait- wait!” A childish voice called from behind.

Whoosh!

With a gush of wind, he was now in front of us. “Before you move forward, I still owe you a favour don’t I?”

Abel’s sneaky smile told me what I needed to say. Despite the horrible timing, finally, I could make use of the favour he’d forgotten for the past couple of days.

Snap!

Through the click of his fingers, a prostrating Fairy Queen had been summoned in front of us. Her stature and behaviour were completely unlike the one that threatened my life for having these ‘eyes’.

“Sorry for the delay,” Abel slightly bowed in apology, “She put up a bigger resistance than I expected.”

I recalled the time of the graveyard’s incident. “Makes sense…”

Rodney’s trembling voice came from the side, “W- what am I looking at…?”

“Ah, Rodney was it? Don’t worry too much, it’s a little gift to our friend Luke.”

I felt a little bad. He was already desperate to save his childhood friend, and this guy showed up out of nowhere.

“Well?” I tapped my arms. “What was the so-called ‘personal reimbursement?’”

“Here!” He pointed at the subdued Fjleora.

“…”

Abel’s smile paused, sensing my unease. “Is there an issue?”

What the fuck… this guy was too much. In a crazy good sense that is.

“No,” A feeling of excitement burst through me, “Not at all!”

“Also, due to constraints, she will come under you as a familiar.”

In an instant, my hope shrivelled into nothingness. Familiars rely on their contractor’s mana to stay in the mortal realm. Not only was this ‘familiar’ the last Fairy Queen, but her power strayed far from the concept of weak.

She was useless to me unless I had the mana capacity of someone like Mark or Serina.

“I don’t know what this is, but if the Greatest Hero is here then it has to be important.”Rodney collected himself and ran off, “I’ll go myself to the field.”

“He’s pretty smart isn’t he?” Abel rhetorically asked.

“Yeah, whatever.” I sighed in resignation, “Hah… let her give the blessing at least.”

“You knew about that?” He remarked. “Interesting!”

“Anyhow, here you go,” He kicked the whimpering queen in my direction. “I gotta go and handle some paperwork now, cya!”

This child hero always came and went as he pleased. I wanted to complain about his antics but the fairy under me was tugging my guilt strings.

“Are… you alright?” I asked lightly.

Fjleora lifted her head, albeit slowly and carefully.

“It’s fine you know, Abel isn’t here anymore.”

She stayed unresponsive.

“I guess I’ll have to leave you here then…” I felt bad so I thought it’d be okay.

Before I could leave, I felt a pair of hands grasping my ankles. “D- don’t leave…”

‘And we’re back to square one!’

I was running out of time so I was in a little, tiny bit of a hurry.

“Look, I’ll accept you as a familiar, just please. Please get up!” My time was being stretched thin. Rodney wouldn’t be suited to fight Carlos alone.

Fjleora nodded furiously.

“I- acc- accept you as my master.” She bowed and began to shine, “Thank you.”

Muttering those words, she disappeared into the mana of the world.

She must’ve been abused to hell and back if she thought I was fit to be her master. Abel was indeed scary.

Ding!

I opened my status board and noticed two new skills.

Taming (C) (100% Proficiency - Evolution Possible)

Blessing of a Fairy Queen (A+) (0% Proficiency)

For some reason taming was maxed, probably due to having a Fairy Queen come under me. And, it seemed I had finally received her blessings.

“Hahaha! Even if I didn’t get the strongest pet, the blessing was worth it!”

I could already see Carlos kneeling before me, with his eyes in fear. The effects of…

Blessing of a Fairy Queen (A+) (0% Proficiency)

* Magic effects are amplified by 1.5x. (Sealed)

* Mana Capacity is increased by 1.2x. (Sealed)

* Gain access to the magic of the Spirit Queen: Fjleora. (Sealed)

* Mana growth is doubled.

* Affinity with nature has increased.

* Seals are released when Fjleora is in the mortal plane.

The blessing was good, even if it was… sealed.

[M- master, I’m sorry but I have to negotiate with the Gods of the spirit plane before I can be of use.]

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Dry laughter escaped me.

Of course, never has this world let me win in any regard. The skill was essentially just telling me to ‘get better’ as a blessing until she came back.

“Argghhh!” Grueling shouts echoed past the filled path ahead.

Shit, I got distracted.