It was an unusual occurrence—this sanctuary was seldom frequented by anyone other than the early morning servants, and the evening was far from their usual routines.

Despite my heightened hearing, the usual auditory spectrum lacked the necessary details.

In response, I triggered [Keen Perception], inviting a cascade of heightened details. The soft sounds became discernible—light, hesitant steps accompanied by hushed mumblings. An air of nervousness wafted through the room.

My thoughts instantly turned to Daniel. Could it be him again? Was he seeking more clandestine indulgence in the form of stolen candies? I had surreptitiously purloined some from the kitchen, away from prying eyes. The mere notion of mother discovering my covert confectionery sharing with Daniel sent a shiver down my spine—a prospect too dire to fathom.

"I am aware of your presence, Daniel. Might you be lingering without a proper invitation?" I called out.

A sudden yelp. The little scamp thought he was being stealthy.

And there he entered. Chubby, like a portly young gentleman. His adorable emerald eyes avoided mine while he fidgeted with his hands. Most certainly here for candies.

Muahahahaha, I have successfully ensnared him in the irresistible allure of these delightful confections.

I took out the sugary delight from one of my hidden pockets (oh, the convenience of these pockets).

Carefully unwrapped, I flicked it forth into the air.

The nimble scamp, akin to an eagle snatching its prey, captured it mid-flight and swiftly ushered it into his eager maw. By the grace of the Goddess, his finesse mirrored a blessing bestowed upon him by the very Candy gods themselves.

In response to his impish feat, I offered an approving applause, to which the young rogue responded with a courteous bow.

A happy ending.

****

----------------------------------------

Elidranthia Shadowstep, Blessed of the [Killing Star That Wanders The Cosmos]

Blessing Tier 1: [The Crimson Larva]

Enlightenment Rate: 0%

Metamorphosis Conditions: [Locked]

Current Perks:

* Fearlessness

* Eyes of Terror Evocation

* Adaptation

Skills:

1. Keen Perception

2. Aerial Grace

3. Visionary Mastery

4. Featherweight Descent

5. Lethal Precision

6. Umbral Concealment

7. Fleet-footed Sprint

I found myself locked in a stare-down with the screen in front of me. Over the past few days, I had embarked on a quest to familiarize myself with the skills at my disposal— there were a lot.

Each skill came with its own trigger, a specific condition that, once met, would unleash its prowess purely on instinct. Take, for instance, [Featherweight Descent], which would gracefully activate when I had amassed enough momentum, courtesy of any sort of movement.

[Umbral Concealment], on the other hand, preferred the dark side—only revealing itself when I basked in the shadows or any sufficiently dark corner.

Then there was [Lethal Precision], requiring the peculiar condition of direct contact, either by me or any convenient extension of myself. Odd, but hey, being blessed by a wandering comet wasn't exactly a textbook experience.

But not all skills demanded such prerequisites. [Visionary Mastery] simply required my eyes to be open, while [Aerial Grace] generously activated just by virtue of having a body. (Because, you know, having a body is apparently a condition for nimble acrobatics. Mind blown.)

My eyes zeroed in on a peculiar section of the screen:

Enlightenment Rate: 0%

Metamorphosis Conditions: [Locked]

I stared at these lines, attempting to extract some meaning. Again.

Alas, just like the first time, asking the screen for details yielded nothing. Left with only the face value of these terms, I ventured into speculative territory.

Enlightenment, as far as my earthly knowledge went, referred to gaining deep insight, wisdom, and understanding, usually accompanied by clarity and awareness.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Now, considering I was literally blessed by a wandering comet, maybe it had something to do with that phenomenon.

But truth be told, I was drawing a total blank.

The second term, Metamorphosis, was a trickier beast.

It spoke of a big and often dramatic change or transformation in form, structure, or appearance.

On one hand, there's biological metamorphosis, involving structural and physiological changes leading to a completely different form. On the other, there's the metaphorical kind. (Here's hoping for the metaphorical version.)

The contemplation of metamorphosis always left me in a state of uncertainty.

I was perfectly content with my current body, but the tier name I found myself in, [The Crimson Larva], and the constant mention of metamorphosis, suggested a transformative upgrade was on the horizon.

The distinction was clear: this was the pathway for enhancing the tier of my blessing.

However, the question lingered—how significant would this change be? In the novel, Eli always appeared as a regular human. Perhaps she just never underwent this mysterious process, as the conditions for it remained elusive to me.

Unlocking the conditions for Metamorphosis and increasing the Enlightenment rate proved to be a baffling puzzle.

Despite relentless use of my skills, the Enlightenment scale stubbornly clung to 0%. No progress. No clue on how to increase the rate.

It was frustrating.

A gentle poke brought me out of my system reverie. I looked at Daniel, who had decided to stay with me after snagging a piece of candy.

It dawned on me that perhaps he, too, grappled with the pangs of solitude. With Alucard, Richard, and Fiona already departed for the capital, pursuing their individual endeavours—Richard engrossed in his civil internship and Fiona and Alucard still ensconced within the corridors of Royal Academy.

Zach also remained preoccupied, his absence increasingly conspicuous.

Curiosity coursed through me, beckoning inquiries that only Marie, with her access to the whispers that traversed every corner, could sate.

For young Daniel, bereft of companionship, it seemed my role as the 'intimidating sister' was his sole solace.

I had extended my sketchbook towards him, and as he thumbed through its pages, he seemed to have landed upon the depiction of the Calamity of Thunder, inked by my hand.

"You have a keen eye, young sir," I told him, acknowledging his admiration for the mystical creature depicted within the sketch.

"It looks like a magical beast," he mused aloud, his gaze fixed on the intricate details.

"It is. Its true name eludes me still. Observed it soaring overhead one day,” I lied.

That startled him.

"Do you think it's going to attack us?"

"What? No. Don't be foolish. It's monsters that assail us, not magical beasts."

Daniel's brow furrowed in contemplation. "How are they different? Both seem same same and scawy," he muttered, voicing a notion that struck a chord.

I paused, considering his inquiry carefully. "The distinction lies in their nature. Monsters lack reason, driven solely by a relentless pursuit of destruction. They heed no boundaries in their rampage. Conversely, magical beasts possess rationality. They harbour no malice unless provoked. With caution and respect, they pose no threat to those who honour their sanctity."

Daniel nodded, assimilating the information, even though some terms used by me might have gone over his head. "So, monsters are like, umm, very bad, and magical beasts are more like intelligent creatures that are good."

Such a straightforward perspective. I lacked the energy to delve into the complexities of the world's nuances, so I nodded. “Well, you can say that. It's a matter of coexistence. Understanding how to live alongside the magical and the monstrous without inviting unnecessary conflict.”

He nodded (clearly not understanding) before nervously fidgeting once again. Clearly, he wished to inquire about something else.

"What's on your mind?" I inquired gently, sensing his hesitation.

He swallowed before voicing his thoughts, his words laden with uncertainty. "You're not quite as Brother Richard described."

A surge of indignation coursed through me. That motherfucker! What tales had he spun about me?

"And what, pray tell, did Brother Richard impart to you?" I inquired, masking my simmering ire beneath a composed facade.

"He said you're very fierce and sometimes get really mad, telling me not to bother you or else something really bad might happen.”

Daniel confessed, a mix of apprehension and confusion evident in his tone.

The audacity of that bastard! Oh, when he returned from the capital, I vowed to demonstrate the true meaning of 'something bad'.

Suppressing the simmering annoyance that threatened to surface, I crafted a tight smile. "Ah, dear Daniel, Brother Richard might have woven a tale spun from exaggeration. I assure you, resorting to violence isn't my favoured mode of interaction."

A thought flickered past my mind—old Eli, a living testament to a different truth, but one I'd rather not dwell upon.

Daniel's relief at my response was apparent, yet his curiosity persisted. "Then why would he say such things?"

The unspoken truth hovered between us, but voicing it was out of the question. Calling Brother Richard a dense dick smelling motherfucker didn’t seem appropriate for this conversation, though it was startlingly accurate.

Summoning patience, I drew a measured breath, carefully selecting my words. "Brother Richard, in his unique way, expresses concern. His methods, while unconventional, stem from a place of valuing your safety."

Daniel arched an eyebrow, his murmured words laden with a hint of agreement. "Perhaps he was right about one thing."

Intrigued, I inquired, "Pray tell, which thing might that be?"

"Eli," the little goober asked, "why do you sometimes look scary?"

Daniel's candid question caught me off guard, prompting a moment of introspection. Why did I often project an intimidating air?

Ah, the celestial blessing that lent my eyes an aura akin to a predatory gaze—quite an unforeseen consequence.

Choosing a different approach, I began, "Well, Daniel, have you heard the tale of the Night Owl?"

His eyes sparkled with curiosity as I spun the yarn.

"This owl loved the night because it could see in the dark and uncover hidden treasures scattered across the town," I continued, weaving a tale. "But you see, the Night Owl had these big, wise eyes that glowed, guiding its way in the darkness. Sometimes, though, people got a little scared when they saw those glowing eyes. They didn't realize the Night Owl was simply seeking shiny things to make its nest cozy."

Leaning in a tad closer, I mirrored a playful twinkle. "So, when you notice my eyes looking serious or perhaps a bit 'scary,' it's akin to the Night Owl. I'm just deeply focused, thinking about all the exciting things we could do together or..." I paused, "...planning the liberation of more of those delightful candies for you. Come here, you little rascal."

Eli used the tickle attack!

It was super effective!

The scene within the study transformed into a battlefield of giggles and laughter, my tickle onslaught met with Daniel's erupting peals of mirth as he swiftly dashed away. Our joyous tumult careened through the confines of the study before spilling into the adjacent hallways.

Laughter echoed, intertwining with sheer joy, enveloping me in a cocoon of warmth that seemed to radiate from within.