The sun rises, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold. A new day begins, and with it, my journey to the Misty Peaks Region alongside Célestin. Our goal is clear: retrieve the Chalice of Merging from the Temple du Calice de Convergence.

I glance at my packed bag resting by the door. Inside are extra clothes, essential supplies, and Galahad’s Judgment.

Master, you haven’t checked your stats for a while.

The familiar interface of the System appears before me. It’s right—I haven’t reviewed my stats since the chaos of the Stargate attack.

“Show me,” I reply, my voice calm but curious.

Status Name: Dominic Eñeforte

Age: 15

Title: None Stats Strength: 251.5 (D+)

Endurance: 263.5 (D+)

Agility: 258.5 (D+)

Speed: 261.5 (D+)

Luck: 422 (C+)

Instinct: 747 (A+)

Charisma: 362 (C)

Stat Points Available: 0 Manual Arts

Basic Gun Arts (D+) – Intermediate (21%)

This art encompasses a variety of fundamental combat techniques with firearms, covering everything from ranged shooting to melee combat. It requires physical dexterity for precise maneuvers, an understanding of weapon mechanics, and mastery over bullet physics.

Skills

1.) Chronicle Insight (A++)

Type: Passive / Mental-Sensory Skill

2.) Shielded Aura (D)

Type: Passive/Active Defense Skill

As my eyes scan the stats and abilities, I pause on Shielded Aura. Wasn’t this the skill that saved my life when the twin-headed dragon hurled me into a wall? The basic description isn’t enough—I need details.

“System,” I say, my brow furrowing slightly, “What exactly does Shielded Aura do?”

SKILL INFO Shielded Aura

Type: Passive/Active Defense Skill

Rank: D Description:

Shielded Aura provides a basic defensive shield that passively reduces minor damage. When activated, the shield temporarily reinforces itself to absorb moderate damage from a single hit.

Effects:

• Passive Mode: Reduces incoming damage by 10%.

• Active Mode: Absorbs 25% of damage from a single hit before dissipating.

Cooldown: 2 minutes

Duration: Active until a single hit is absorbed.

I nod slowly as I process the information. “Not bad,” I mutter.

It’s not the most powerful defensive skill, but it’s enough to give me an edge in tight situations.

Speaking of skills, I wonder… How do I acquire more? These abilities seem to appear at random times.

“System, how do I unlock new skills?” I ask.

Master, you can unlock skills through pivotal situations (such as when thrown into the wall), completing specific quests, or purchasing them from the Skill Shop with Stat Points.

The words catch me off guard. A shop? I’ve been using the System for a while. Why haven’t I heard of it before?

Master, you haven’t unlocked the Shop feature yet. To do so, you must reach [C] rank in Strength, Endurance, Agility, and Speed.

“Oh, I see…” I mutter, frustration creeping into my voice.

The answer is simple: train harder. For now, I’m stuck with just two skills—one is for strategic foresight, and the other is for basic defense. They’re helpful but hardly game-changers.

Master, Shielded Aura can be upgraded.

My eyes widen slightly. Upgraded? That’s promising.

“How do I upgrade it? Do I need to spend stat points?” I ask.

No, Master. Skills, in general, evolve naturally through use. As a defensive skill, it will upgrade as you take damage or actively use it in combat.

I exhale in understanding. “Ah, so it’s tied to how often I use it or how much damage I take,” I muse aloud.

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. It’s not the most pleasant way to grow stronger, but at least it’s something I can actively work on.

New Quest! Retrieve the Chalice of Merging!

Reward: 65 Stat Points

The System's notification flashes before me, and I can’t help but grin. Perfect timing. The promise of 65 Stat Points motivates me to tackle this journey.

I zip up my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and head downstairs.

The smell of breakfast greets me as I step into the dining room. Celine and Clark are already seated at the table, enjoying a hearty meal, though André’s absence is immediately noticeable. Where is he?

“Good morning, Mum and Clark,” I greet them as I sit.

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They both look up, smiling warmly.

“Good morning, Dominic,” Celine says.

“Good morning, big brother!” Clark adds, his enthusiasm infectious.

I smile back and sit down at the table. The food before me is delicious. Freshly baked croissants, their golden layers flaking beautifully, sit alongside a bowl of creamy scrambled eggs sprinkled with fresh herbs. A platter of crisp bacon, slices of ripe fruit glistening with juice, and a freshly squeezed orange juice carafe complete the feast.

As I reach for a croissant, I ask, “Mum, where’s Dad?”

“He…went on a Stargate Raid,” Celine replies as she sips her tea.

I nodded, and I noticed her hesitant tone.

It looks like I was right. André must have taken on the mission to earn Camilliums to pay off the family’s debts.

“Dominic, where are you going?” Celine’s voice brings me back, her gaze falling on the bag at my feet.

I pause, glancing at my bag. “Mum, do you remember Célestin?”

“Oh, yes,” she says with a fond smile. “He’s a great kid. Let me guess—you will hang out with him today?”

“Yeah, we’re heading to the Misty Peaks Region for some sightseeing. Célestin wants to show me a few places.”

Celine nods. “I see. Be careful, alright?”

“I will,” I assure her.

Before I can take another bite, Clark looks at me with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Big brother, can I come?” he asks.

His eagerness makes me pause. I look at him, smiling gently, but deep down, I know I cannot bring him along. The temple we are heading to is far too dangerous for him.

“I’m sorry, Clark, but you can’t,” I say softly.

“But… why?” he asks, his voice tinged with disappointment.

His big, pleading eyes stare up at me like my own at his age. It tugs at my heart, making me wish to say yes, but I must resist. His safety comes first, no matter how much it hurts to say no.

I can’t exactly tell him where I’m going, so I’ll use an excuse that used to scare me as a kid…Yōkai.

“It’s because the place we’re going to isn’t appropriate for your age,” I explain gently. “There are many…Yōkais there. It’s not a good idea for you to come.”

When I was young, my mother always told me stories about Yōkai. Yōkai are supernatural beings, spirits, monsters, ghosts, demons, and other mysterious phenomena in Japanese folklore. Hearing those stories when I was young made me…scared, to say the least.

“O-Oh, I see…” Clark shivers, and his reply is scared.

It looks like using Yōkai, which I used to fear when I was a kid, worked.

“But, why would you go there if there are Yōkai?”

I let out a small chuckle, trying to put Clark at ease. "Well, you see, it's a place where I need to retrieve something important. It’s like a mission for grown-ups, and I have to go because no one else can do it for me."

Clark's brows furrow in concern, but I keep my tone light. "Besides, Yōkai aren’t all bad. Some of them are just mischievous, like pranksters. But others… well, let's just say they don’t take kindly to visitors, especially kids. That’s why it’s safer for you to stay behind."

He hesitates before nodding slowly. "That makes sense, I guess…"

I reach over, ruffling his hair lightly. "Don’t worry, Clark. I’ll bring you along next time when there are no Yōkai. It would be a great place, I assure you."

His head shoots up, his eyes lighting up instantly. “Really!?”

I nod, smiling at him. “Really.”

His smile returns, brighter than before. “Okay! I’ll hold you to it!”

I chuckle softly, relieved to see his spirits lifted. No matter what, I will do everything I can to make him happy before taking him back to his universe.

-Knock! Knock!

“Oh, could that be Célestin?” Celine says, glancing toward the door.

I stand up from my chair, brushing off crumbs from my shirt. “I’ll get it.”

As I walk toward the door, a strange unease creeps over me. My hand hesitates above the doorknob, and a sudden wave of anxiety washes through me.

Why am I feeling this way?

Memories from my previous life come rushing back, unbidden and unwelcome. I see images of intimidating men barging into our tiny apartment, their voices loud and cruel as they demand payment from my parents. The fear in my mother’s eyes, the way my father’s hands trembled as he tried to reason with them—it all plays like a vivid, haunting reel in my mind.

I was too young to understand the weight of their words then, but I could feel the suffocating tension and sense of helplessness that hung over us.

I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. Could it be someone Belard sent to collect the debt? No, that’s ridiculous. I’m just overthinking again… right?

Still, I do not want to take any chances. My fingers hover over the doorknob, and instead of opening it outright, I call out cautiously, “Who is it?”

I keep my voice loud enough for the person outside to hear but quiet enough not to alarm Celine or Clark. The last thing I want is to worry them. Celine is already carrying the weight of the family’s financial struggles, and Clark is far too young to bear the burden of such things.

“It’s me, Domy,” comes Célestin’s cheerful voice through the door.

I exhale a long, shaky breath, relief flooding through me. Of course, it’s him. I need to stop letting my past get the better of me.

I open the door, revealing Célestin. He is dressed casually in an oversized sky-blue shirt, black pants, and white sneakers, with a matching sky-blue backpack slung over one shoulder.

“Sup, Dom—Clark,” he greets, a teasing grin spreading across his face as his gaze sweeps over me from head to toe. “You look good. Are you… trying to hook up with me? Sorry, I’m straight.”

What is this guy even talking about? Yes, he is handsome, but why on earth would he think I am interested in him? My outfit isn’t even anything special—just a dark blue oversized shirt, black shorts, and white rubber shoes. How does that translate to trying to hook up? Also, I’m straight.

“Ew,” I mutter, my eye twitching.

“Pft! Hahahaha!” Célestin bursts out laughing, doubling over as he holds his stomach, “I’m just joking! You should’ve seen your face!”

I glare at him, but his laughter is contagious, and I find myself fighting back a small smile.

“Anyway,” he says, finally calming down, “are you ready?”

“Not yet,” I reply, jerking my thumb toward the dining room. “I’m still eating breakfast. Wanna join us?”

Célestin’s grin widens. “Free food? Don’t mind if I do!”

I chuckle, stepping aside to let him in. His lighthearted presence is a welcome distraction from the heaviness of my earlier thoughts.

“Good morning, Mrs. Eñeforte and Clark!” Célestin greets brightly as he walks into the dining room, his energy immediately lighting up the space.

Celine turns to him, her smile warm and welcoming. “Good morning, Célestin. You can just call me Celine.”

“Okay, Auntie Celine,” he replies with a grin.

Celine chuckles, gesturing toward the table. “Come, we’re having breakfast!”

“Don’t mind if I do!” Célestin says, pulling out a chair and sitting down with the ease of someone who has been a part of the family for years.

I shake my head, rolling my eyes. This guy really doesn’t hesitate, does he?

I slide into my seat as well, my gaze drifting to Clark. He is twiddling his thumbs, sneaking shy glances at Célestin. His unease is obvious, and it puzzles me. Sure, Clark is naturally shy around new people, but this isn’t their first meeting. Célestin had already mentioned Clark when I first woke up.

“Uhm, good morning, Célestin,” Clark’s quiet voice breaks the moment, his words tinged with shyness.

Célestin turns to him, his grin broadening. “Good morning, Clark!” he replies warmly, his cheerful tone cutting through Clark’s hesitation like sunlight through clouds.

Clark’s cheeks flush slightly, but a small smile tug at his lips. Watching the exchange, I realize something: Clark looks up to Célestin.

It made sense. Clark, the younger version of myself from my previous life, would naturally admire someone like Célestin. Despite everything Célestin had gone through, he carried himself with confidence, a carefree attitude, and a charisma that seemed effortless. For someone like Clark, who had endured hardships and insecurity, someone like Célestin must appear larger than life—a symbol of strength and independence.

Even though this was their second meeting, Célestin’s natural charm seemed to bridge any gaps.

“Don’t be shy, little buddy!” Célestin adds with a playful wink. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it. I don’t bite—unless it’s food.” He punctuates the statement by grabbing a croissant, his smirk as playful as ever.

Clark giggles, some of his tension melting away. “Okay… um, thank you for helping my big brother,” he says earnestly, his voice soft but sincere.

Célestin’s grin softens, his usual flamboyance giving way to something more genuine. “Of course, Clark. Your big brother’s pretty awesome, so helping him out? Total no-brainer.”

I sigh but cannot suppress a small smile forming on my face. For all his antics, Célestin has a way of connecting with people, even someone as reserved as Clark. It is easy to see why Clark admires him—and why, in moments like this, I find it hard not to as well.