Aenon

Aenon awoke to the smell of burnt meat. He had slept after hearing Jenny's insinuation and was frankly still in a sour mood. But the bizarre scene made him forget all that. The redhead was next to the fire, having a coughing fit, while the wolf pups barked at her from the side, their noses scrunched up in discomfort. There was a charred piece of meat on the fire, which was billowing acrid black smoke.

Aenon sighed internally. There was a long way to go before the woman could survive by herself. He got up and removed the charcoaled meat, using Air Manipulation to force the smoke towards the cave's exit. Jenny's eyes were red and watery as she bent over amid violent coughs.

"Cough… cough… cough…"

"I am assuming this is breakfast?" Aenon asked dryly while pointing at the black mass.

She looked embarrassed as she said meekly, "Umm, was supposed to be."

Aenon made the bottom half of his mask disappear—he didn't feel like exposing his complete face—and held the hardened meat for a closer look. The outer layer was completely inedible, but the inside looked salvageable. So, he grabbed his knife and started peeling the thick dark crust. It was extremely dry on the inside too, but he took a tentative bite and gulped water to wash it down.

"Wait, you don't have to eat that," she said in hurry, but Aenon waved her off.

"Survival 101, waste not, want not. If it is safe to eat, you choke it down," he said while cutting it in half and tossing her a piece. "Things like the spider soup from yesterday might take some getting used to, but this you will need to eat."

She stared at the dried husk with distaste but eventually started eating it. She gagged a few times but managed to swallow it in the end. They both ate in silence, the atmosphere too tense for a conversation. She kept giving him furtive glances but couldn't gather enough courage to say anything.

Aenon could sense guilt and remorse from her soul. He wasn't sure what, but something had happened last night after he left her. Even Bane and Venge, who were sitting to the side were eyeing him surreptitiously.

Not able to take it, he finally asked with a frown, "What is up with you three?"

"Uh, nothing," Jenny shook her head vigorously as she focused on her meal like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Sigh. You do know I can read your emotions, right?" he asked as he finished his breakfast. "So, out with it. What's going on?"

Jenny looked uncomfortably at the wolves, who each nodded at her, some unsaid words exchanged between them. She visibly deflated before bracing herself.

"I am sorry about my behavior last night," she said meekly.

Aenon raised an eyebrow, turning towards Bane and Venge. Both were avoiding looking his way. It was obvious the three had talked, but he didn't know what they had discussed.

To be honest, he was miffed at Jenny's outburst. Her accusation had struck a chord. Not wanting to dwell on it, he decided to sweep this under the rug, and move on.

"Just forget about it," he said dismissively.

Jenny looked like she wanted to say something more, but Aenon stood up and started doing some stretches to end the conversation.

"Now, tell me about your Classes," he said while bending forward and touching his nose onto his knees. "I know it's social taboo to share your Class specifics, so you don't need to tell me the detailed description, just the overview. I need to understand your fighting style. Your fight yesterday was atrocious, and if not for some lucky hits you were as good as dead. You analyzed your enemy well, but I have seen drunk monkeys with more grace."

Jenny's guilt increased, but she squashed it down successfully before taking the hint to change tracks. But instead of merely sharing the rough details like he asked, she overcompensated and shared her entire stat sheet.

Jenny Smith

Race: Human (F)

Age: 17

Level 4

Class: Shield Maiden (Level 4)

Subclass: Arcane Scout (Level 3)

HP: 950

HP Regen: 20.4/min

MP: 830

MP Regen: 19.2/min

Stats

STR: 95

CON: 102

DEX: 84

INT: 83

WIL: 96

PER: 99

Titles (432 points)

Defiant (+40 all), Underdog (+20 all)

First Blood (+20% Title stats)

Skills (Available SP: 0)

Weapons (Sword) | Novice

Weapon (Shield) | Novice

Internalized Skills

Identify

Mana Sight

Ice Bolt (Defiant)

Spells

Air Manipulation (Basic) | Type: Air | Mana cost: 300 + 200/min

Water Manipulation (Basic) | Type: Water | Mana cost: 300 + 200/min

Hybrid Spells

Ice Manipulation (Lesser of AM and WM) | Air Manipulation + Water Manipulation | Mana cost: 600 + 400/min

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

She even went as far as sharing her Class, Title, and Skill descriptions

Shield Maiden | Melee/Hybrid | Rare | Stats per level: +4 STR, +6 CON | A frontliner class that excels at not only dealing devastating amounts of damage at close range but also absorbing it. Gets a massive boost to CON when under attack by a more powerful foe.

Arcane Scout | Ranged/Magical | Rare | Stats per level: +5 WIL, +5 PER | A scout class focused on detecting foes/traps, both physical and magical. Grants Mana Sight and a temporary boost to AGI when under attack.

Title: Defiant | +40 all stats | ???

Title: Underdog | +20 all stats | Defeat a foe more than 20 levels above you

Title: First Blood (S) | +20% Title stats | Assessment of first kill difficulty found to be extreme. Granting S rank.

Internalized Skill | Identify | Displays the details of a creature or life form. Additional info can be gained by observation or obtaining it through other means. Can also be cast on certain items.

Internalized Skill | Mana Sight | Allows the user to see mana and mana wisps using sight.

Internalized Skill | Ice Bolt | Compress ice mana into a concentrated form. It can be used to deliver mid-range attacks using projectiles channeled through weapons.

Aenon was momentarily stunned by her forwardness. She had shared every single aspect of her attributes. A bold move by Multiversal standards, but it went on to show the level of trust she had in him. Or maybe it was naivety. Something to work on in the future.

But Aenon's attention was on her first Title: Defiant. It looked remarkably like his Unfettered Title when he first got it. Including the mysterious question marks and the associated internalized Skill. He was reminded of their conversation from yesterday, which agitated him. Perhaps guessing what he was thinking, Jenny spoke up.

"You did not manipulate my soul."

Aenon looked at her questioningly, finally started to piece together what the three must have discussed last night. He wanted to change the conversation again, but she beat him to it.

"I spent the entire night thinking about it," she said with urgency. "And Venge filled me in on how souls work. You must be thinking you or your powers are somehow responsible for manipulating me into facing off that spider alone. And granting me my most powerful Title."

Aenon didn't respond, but was seriously considering just walking away.

"Please. Just hear us out," she pleaded.

So, Aenon leaned back. Wanting to see what they had in mind. But it was Bane who spoke next.

"Your Aura does affect those who face you, Alpha," he began explaining softly. "But not the way you think. And definitely not like 'that man'. Do you remember the time when you named me?"

Jenny's ears perked up when Bane mentioned the Overseer. It seemed they had not revealed his interactions with the ancient elf.

"We forged a bond with your soul that day. So did the World Tree. Which means we know what you are like. And I can say with certainty, your soul is incapable of domination and manipulation. Intimidation, yes. But…," Bane hesitated.

His mate continued, "Your Aura also inspires. As an Alpha's should. You are the one who leads after all."

"I am not entirely sure, how this soul business works. But the wolves said I also have a weak link with you now," Jenny spoke again. "Regardless of that, let me explain what I felt before and during the fight. It was when you replied to my question on how to control my fears."

Aenon could sense the sincerity in her words.

"All my life, I have been the 'good girl', as my mother would put it," she continued, a hint of sorrow in her tone. "I have never gone against her wishes, even when it hurt me to do so. The few times I did were followed by so much gaslighting, that I never dared do it again. I even forgot how to defy anyone."

Jenny fidgeted a bit, getting uncomfortable with his silent stare.

"Your response was laced with your Aura, which may have amplified its effect. But it was the word itself that resonated with me," she turned to Aenon resolutely. "So, no. I don't think you manipulated me. I chose to face that spider queen. Just like I chose to defy my lot in life and follow you when the others retreated. And now, I choose to continue this path. I may have had some reservations, but not anymore."

Aenon folded his hands, staring at each of them one after another. He continued doing so for fifteen minutes, making them all restless.

"You think I don't know all this?" he finally asked to cut the tension.

"Huh?" Jenny was baffled.

"Based on what I can sense from you three, and the current mood, this feels like an intervention," Aenon continued. "Which I am assuming is for my benefit. Meaning you all felt I was down because I feel guilty due to my soul powers."

The three exchanged looks, which confirmed his suspicions.

"We were just…," Jenny began to explain.

"Worried about me," Aenon finished her sentence. "Let me guess, you think I am hiding or running away from my past based on what you saw in my soul."

Aenon faced Bane and Venge when he said it. They both looked down like chastised children. But Aenon wasn't angry with them. He knew why they did it, and since he never really told them his past, it was a fair assumption on their part.

"Well, you are right about my past," Aenon said in a kinder tone. "There is trauma, there is pain. But you are wrong about my take on it."

"What do you mean?" Jenny asked in confusion.

"Pain to me is not some great burden that I hide from," Aenon explained. "I am not the kind of guy who will curse the world for the cards I have been dealt. I take my shitty cards and give them hell. Pain to me is nothing but fuel. Fuel for my wrath."

"But…back on Earth," Jenny asked with confusion. "You were hiding in the forest."

Jenny had probably learned this from Mike. Aenon thought about how much to reveal. He didn't want to dwell on his past, but he felt it was important for them to know who he was. What their Alpha was like.

"I wasn't hiding from the world, Jenny," he said with indifference. "I was running from it. Not to protect myself. But to protect those who lived in that broken world."

"I…don't follow," she asked hesitantly.

Aenon closed his eyes, deliberating his words. When he finally opened his eyes again, the three of them instinctively took a step back.

"Everyone who caused me pain back on Earth," he stated coldly, "They are all dead."

He sensed the raw fear coursing through Jenny as she stared at him with horror. He retracted his Aura, which had unleashed itself spontaneously. He stood and walked towards the mouth of the cave, looking out with his back towards the others.

"And that is why I distance myself from society," he said with melancholy. "I am bound to face their greed and corruption. And when I do, I can't stop myself from retaliating."

Jenny's emotions ran rampant, but eventually she gathered enough courage to ask, "Why? Why do you need to retaliate? You could just walk away."

Aenon turned back to face her, making her flinch.

"My understanding of these things is still rudimentary at best. But I am beginning to piece together a few things," he said calmly. "You have been suppressed all your life, Jenny. Not allowed to grow to your potential. Hence you chose the path of the Defiant. It dictates that you rise against anything that stalls your growth. Be it a person who is taking advantage of you. Or the fear of a creature that gave you a gruesome death. I may have nudged you along based on the feeling I got from a Skill of mine, but ultimately you chose the way yourself."

Aenon felt a resonance from his Soul Beacon Skill yet again. But it wasn't directed at anyone else. It was pointing towards his owl soul.

"And just like your Defiant Title, I also have one," he continued. "Unfettered. I have lived in chains, Jenny. Chains of oppression, corruption, and greed. Hence I need to break chains, wherever I see them. Any limits set on me or those around me, I will break them all."

Internalized Skill used | Soul Beacon (Unfettered)

Error

Unique Title cannot be upgraded

Internalized Skill Used | Soul Beacon (Unfettered)

Error

Unique Title cannot be upgraded

…

System Admin override accepted.

Upgrading Title

Error

Skill attempting to absorb other Titles

…

System Admin override accepted

Commencing Upgrade

Error

Skill attempting to remove System limits

…

System Admin override rejected

Error

Skill attempting to remove System limit

…

Warning

System backdoor key used

System Admin override accepted

Commencing merge

Aenon collapsed to the floor as pain assaulted him. It was like the time he had felt his soul shatter into trillions of pieces. He lost track of his surroundings, his body, and even his very sense of self. His very existence was synonymous with pain.

But unlike last time, his soul endured, merely forming a few cracks in the process.

As the pain gradually receded, he relaxed and fell into a deep slumber. But it must have been brief, since when he opened his eyes, Jenny and the wolves were looking down on him, worry etched on their face.

But he didn't have the energy to focus on them, for a new window opened in his vision.

A little heads up would have been nice. You almost wiped me out, you thick headed fool - System Nurse

Before Aenon could digest the fact that the System Nurse still existed, or that she could send him direct messages, another window opened.

Good work, my little predator. The time for our meeting is approaching faster than I anticipated.

Aenon got flashbacks of a distant memory. Blonde hair and someone with black rimmed glasses. But trying to recall anything further gave him a sharp headache. He was certain this second message was from the System Admin. He wasn't sure what to feel about the implied future meeting.

But one thing was certain. It wouldn't be a casual encounter.

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