Chapter 54

Chapter 54

I decided to forget about divine power for a minute, especially since I couldn’t decide which skill I’d focus on. I still had some unfinished business left. Now that I had awakened divine power, next up was aura. I resumed leveling up my aura-related masteries that I had put on pause for a while.

The system required me to raise both my Strong Body skill and Weapon Mastery to level 50 in order to awaken my aura. I had already raised Strong Body past level 50 a long time ago, so all that I had left to do was level up my Weapon Mastery level which was currently sitting at level 49. I was finally able to fill up my experience point gauge after two months of rigorous training. And so, in the early spring of that year, I became able to manifest aura.

Schwing.

I swung my blade forward, cutting horizontally through the air. A falling cherry blossom petal disintegrated into wisps of nothingness as soon as it made contact with the chilling white glow of my aura blade. I stared blankly at where the petal had once been.

«Congratulations on becoming a sword master.»

“Thank you, Agnes.”

«How does it feel?»

“To be honest, I’m a bit more touched than when I awakened my divine power. This feels like something I really earned through hard work.”

If I could lay out all of the times I completed the obstacle course in a straight line, I could probably make ten rounds around the continent. I couldn’t count how many times I woke up gasping in pain from my tattered palms and aching muscles. I was going through such a hard time that I seriously considered quitting several times.

Thoughts of stopping would flash through my head multiple times throughout the day. I would think “Maybe divine power is enough. Maybe I don’t really need aura.” But despite everything, I had a single driving force that enabled me to get to where I am right now.

“To be honest, I was only able to achieve this thanks to you, Agnes.”

«Yes, yes, of course. I can get quite scary sometimes as the Vatican’s number one drill instructor,» Agnes said, her hands on each of her hips as she boasted proudly. I laughed and shook my head.

“That’s not what I meant.”

«Then?»

“You know how when you were first demonstrating your swordplay in front of me? You completely blew me away when you levitated seven blades in midair with your aura. I probably would’ve given up midway had I not seen your demonstration.”

«What is that impressive?»

“It was amazing. Agnes, you’re my role model.”

I was nothing but a modest aura rookie who had no experience whatsoever, but I resolved to someday reach her level and become an aura master.

Agnes gave a light cough and fidgeted as if she were embarrassed, but soon looked at me with devout sincerity. «We’re just getting started. Continue to devote yourself to your training and someday you and I will be sparring on equal terms.»

“I’ll give it my best. But did you know, Agnes?”

«What is it?»

“In terms of power-scaling, you’re only graded epic, while my powers are set at legendary tier. We shouldn’t make the terms too equal, since I am a class above you, after all.”

«Ugh, please tell me you’re just messing around.»

We both cracked a smile at our friendly banter before Agnes suddenly asked, «You just awakened your aura. Did your god congratulate you? Your heresy...»

“We’re not a cult. My god’s name is The Voice that Shapes the World.”

«Ahem.»

Religion was a sensitive topic, even in this world. We stood there in awkward silence, not knowing what to say. But then, a system message broke the silence as Lord Voice rushed over.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World scrambles over with a banner that reads “★Congratulations Sword Master ★.”⟭

I knew the gods were extremely busy preparing for major updates to the system, so I was thankful that Lord Voice still came to congratulate me.

Thank you, Lord Voice.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World asks you to not be too disappointed that the other gods didn’t show up and that they couldn’t make it because they were busy with work.⟭

Of course. Tell the other gods that I said thank you.

Agnes remarked, «Anyhow, we still have a bit of a problem. Now that you’ve awakened both aura and divine power, you need to engage in actual combat to gain experience, but Gilette Castle doesn’t offer much in the way of real fighting.»

“You’re right. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m not able to leave the castle grounds freely.”

I could always ask for a quest from Lord Voice, but that would only last for about a week or so. My location restrictions wouldn’t be removed until the original story began. And that wouldn’t be until the spring that I turned twenty—it was still a long way out.

«Your god is way too overprotective,» Agnes said. «He won’t even let you go outside because it’s dangerous?»

“Overprotective? Hmm, I guess you could put it like that. I like the sound of that.”

«Pfft, don’t get happy over that. Anyhow, it would seem traveling to dungeons to gain real combat experience is not an option.»

“Yes, I suppose it’s not.”

At this rate, my progress would be stunted, even with the “Blessing of Extreme Growth.” This certainly made things more complicated.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World says you don’t have to worry about that too much.⟭

“Huh?”

«What’s wrong, Ailette?»

“My god just told me there’s no need to worry about not being able to get combat experience.”

«Hm?»

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World tells you to get ready to be blown away by the large-scale update scheduled two weeks from today.⟭

Ooh! It would seem the Transmigration Bureau has everything all planned out. I wonder what kind of update it is? What new features? Lord Voice simply explained that details were classified at the moment and went back to grill the developer gods.

Not too long after saying goodbye, a strange message popped up.

⟬The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering stares at you with gaunt, sunken eyes, bloodshot from working too much overtime.⟭

I could only imagine what they were going through right now. I pumped both of my fists in a silent cheer for all of the hardworking transmigration gods.

✠

Quite a few things changed throughout the two weeks before the Transmigrator Support System update. Spring is the season of rebirth and renewal. It’s a good season for people to take the first steps toward a new beginning.

The Knight Academy located in the capital of Vinchester Kingdom was essentially the continent of Serentra’s official knighthood appointment institution. Entrance to the academy was coveted by potential knight candidates all over the continent. The Vinchester Knight Academy was holding open recruitment sessions to evaluate candidates this spring season.

Prinz managed to get a letter of recommendation from Viscount Carmel and was headed off to Vilhelon, the kingdom’s capital.

“I’ll be off now, Allie. You stay safe and out of trouble, you hear? Mom, Dad, I’ll miss you both.”

Prinz, now a mature young man, said his goodbyes to his family. It seemed as though he was leaving for a short trip to the town over, but he’d be going straight through the registration process and into the academy’s dorms if he passed the entrance exam. The chances of Prinz not making it past the entrance exams were virtually nonexistent.

“Make sure you take the potions and supplements we send you every month. I’ll write often,” I said.

“Yes, yes. My little sister’s the best. Let me know if anyone bullies you while I’m gone.”

“Same to you. Let us know if any of the noble snobs try to push you around.” I felt a little blue, knowing that I wouldn’t be seeing him for a long time.

Prinz tried to comfort me as he patted my head with his now large, heavy hands. My brother would not be alone in his travels to the capital.

“Hey, Prinz! Hurry up or I’m going to leave you!”

“Just one moment, young master. I’ll be right there after I say goodbye to my parents.”

Another young man, his hair dark with a slight tinge of navy, snapped at Prinz. It was none other than the count’s idiot son who acted no less irritable than when he was a child.

Romdeo had also decided to enter the knight academy. He’d managed to get admitted without having to go through the entrance exams, thanks to Count Gilette’s astronomical donation to the academy.

Things were already going a little differently from the original story. If events had followed the original storyline, the imbecile would’ve bribed a marquess with the power to appoint knighthood. But, for some reason, he’d decided to attend the knight academy and earn his knighthood. Maybe being around Prinz motivated him to be a better person? His chances of graduating were slim to none, but hopefully, he’d learn some knightly manners along the way.

“I said hurry up!”

Prinz had to cut short his farewell with one last hug from Mom and Dad before making his way over to Romdeo. Prinz and Romdeo each shattered a teleportation stone and evaporated.

Once the pool of light left behind by the two young men completely faded away, Mom glanced at me and asked, “Allie, are you sure you don’t want to enter the academy too?” This was her thirteenth time asking me this. After Mom had discovered that I recently awakened my aura, she seemed to be bummed out that my talents were not being recognized.

“I have other plans to train within the castle.”

“Right... If you say so... But let me know if you change your mind. I’ll make sure you get in, even if it means I have to ask your Grandpa for a favor.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

Barely two days had passed since Prinz’s departure before I had to send off yet another close friend.

“Allie, I have something to tell you.”

“Bia?”

“I may have to stay at the capital for the time being.”

“Ah, it’s the nobility’s social season. But you’re only thirteen. Isn’t it a bit too early for you to partake in the debutante ball?”

“Yes, you’re right. That’s why the debutante is just an excuse. I’m actually going to check out the political scene at the capital.”

“Ah, I see.”

The stability of the Vinchester royal family in the original story was greatly compromised due to the intense conflict surrounding the selection of the throne’s successor. The nobles were on the move as the royal princes and princesses slowly began to oppose each other and gather support to take over.

Gilette Castle has stayed clear of the political mess all this time, but with ambitious Bianca as its future leader, it would also have to jump into the fray soon. This seemingly delicate and young noble girl was up for some tough times ahead.

Bianca smiled bitterly and said, “I leave the day after tomorrow. And I may end up staying a bit longer than intended, depending on the situation up at the palace.”

“Ah...”

“A bit longer” probably means several years.

Bianca’s departure proved to be a bit more emotionally burdensome compared to when I bid farewell to Prinz. This was particularly true considering the fact that I had already been expecting his compulsory enlist– I mean entrance to the academy.

I tried to give her what little information I could to help her out. “Be careful around the first prince. He’s a very different person from who he portrays himself to be. The third prince has a bit of a brother complex, so make sure you don’t provoke him on this issue. The first princess is also a completely different person inside, albeit in a different sense than the first prince.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that.”

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality glares at you.⟭

Oh, come now. This much should be fine. Give me a break. I couldn’t give her any more information because of a certain angry stare at the back of my head. Instead, I dug around my satchel and pulled something out. “And this... I’d intended on giving it to you for your birthday, but I might as well give it to you now.”

“A hair accessory?”

“Yup.”

I pulled out a hairpin with a jewel embedded into a floral accessory.

“It’s so pretty. It’s the shape of a camellia.”

Of course, it wasn’t just for show. It was rather expensive when I bought it from the cash shop. The description even said “a legendary femme fatale’s favorite accessory.”

It was actually very practical. It raised the wearer’s charm and attractiveness.

“It’ll be useful when you’re networking. Go and make a lot of new friends there, okay? Might as well make the most out of it.”

“All I need is you.”

⟬The eyes of The Eye Overseeing All Chaos light up with glee.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World scolds The Eye Overseeing All Chaos for not focusing on his QA and drags them back to work.⟭

“Don’t say that, Bia. You have to get along with everyone.”

“Hm...”

“Make a lot of new friends and introduce them to me,” I said.

“I’ll try my best.”

And just like that, Bianca also left for Vilhelon.

Just as I desperately yearned for something to take my mind off of the huge void left behind by the departure of my brother and best friend, the Transmigrator Support System stepped in with its well-timed notification.

⟬«System» [Transmigrator Support System] mass content update in progress.⟭