Rudeus’s POV
…
Laurel and Ruijerd were having a bout. Laurel requested it, and Ruijerd had accepted. Word got out, and everyone had gathered to watch. The results were impressive. Laurel’s attacks weren’t fast like Eris's; they were slow even. But it was unpredictable.
Despite using both my Demon Eye as well as my other senses, I couldn’t find an opening in his swordplay… Or cane play, to be exact. Rather, it had looked even more confusing.
The way he wielded the cane reminded me of a coiling snake. One moment it was aimed at the neck but then launched towards the legs. Another moment he went for the right shoulder, suddenly targeting the left hand and then back to the gut.
It was the kind of situation where no matter what you do, you’ll always lose something. In fact, Ruijerd looked like he had a hard time keeping Laurel out of range, with how slippery that kid was.
That said, Laurel was defeated due to the lack of stamina. Considering that he didn’t run around like Eris and practically just walked towards Ruijerd, it was hard to believe.
“It was a great spar, mister Ruijerd.”
“Likewise. If not for your injuries, Laurel, perhaps I would’ve been on the losing end.”
“Ha! Surely you jest, mister Ruijerd. You barely moved from your position this whole time.”
… What’s up with the sudden compliments tossing around? It’s just a spar, you two. That said, I didn’t expect Laurel to hold out against Ruijerd, of all people. So I went and asked him how he got so strong.
"How did I get so strong? Well~ It all started when a blue screen appeared.”
A blue screen? Wait… as in having a system? Just to make sure I was right, I directly asked him more about the system.
“Huh? How did you know there are buttons to increase stats, Rudy? Do you secretly have one too? Is it in our blood? Does that mean Paul has it too?”
“...”
The thought of Paul having a system feels both ludicrous and tempting, but I’ll leave that aside for now.
That said, shouldn’t I, the reincarnator, be the one to have a system if it exists? Then is it because Laurel is secretly a reincarnator as well?… I mean, it’s not like I have never thought of the possibility, but…
[One day, I will surpass you and make better figurines than you ever could!]
[In short, either it fails and nothing happens or it works and we get a pretty rock.]
[And now, I introduce to you my greatest creation of all time. Made from magic formations, concentration, and mana foams. Behold, Timmy the caterpillar.]
[Truth be told… I secretly sealed the eye of an Evil God. Bwahahaha!]
… Nah, no way. This kid is way too Chunni for an adult. No seriously, why’s this kid so… Ah, wait, never mind, I just remembered. This kid is eleven. No wonder he showed signs of having eight-grade syndromes. Yeah, that made sense.
“Laurel, tell me more about this blue screen of yours.”
…
In short, it was unclear how Laurel got the system, but it worked just like a normal system. As for the importance of such a thing…
“It was written in special runes. I’m not sure which language it is.”
“...”
It’s human language. I mean, it’s impossible for him to not recognize it. It’s literally his first language, after all, and it’s not like he’s Eris; he couldn’t forget it even if he tried. So why?
“... Is there a problem?”
I stared at him as Laurel blinked innocently. Being stared at, Laurel awkwardly squirmed a little. What was this feeling… Ah. I think I get it. Laurel probably wanted some recognition or something. He’s a kid, after all. I’ll play along.
“Right. It’s quite a special runic language.”
“... Why does your tone sound so insulting?”
… Oops, did I get caught? Anyway…
“Increasing stats does in fact increase your abilities, such as strength, speed, and other such things. However, its effects apply only to Aura, similar to Aura manipulation from the North God Style. In other words, it’s basically useless! Bwahahaha!”
“...”
“Still, there’s a difference between being guided this meticulously alongside the new spells. Plus, you get items like this eyepatch coming out of thin air. Isn’t that cool?”
“...”
… In other words, you get a system that basically does nothing useful aside from tossing out miscellaneous items. Wow, to be happy with only that much, a kid is still a kid, huh?
…
“And that’s why I refuse to teach women how to cook.”
Said our finest chef. Yet another jinx to add to his name. Although if you asked me, Geese’s “jinxes” were a load of garbage. I saw no problem with him teaching Eris how to cook.
“I understand you had something terrible happen to you, newbie, but that woman you helped found her happiness, didn’t she?”
I asked, with the added nuance of “So why don’t you go ahead and teach Eris?” Geese shook his head.
“I don’t know if she did or not. Never saw her after that.”
Then he let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“But the man did not turn out happy.”
“What? Is that old timer still doused in booze?”
Laurel joined the conversation. In his arms were Tona and Tersena snuggling to keep warmth… Wow. Seriously… Just… wow. I could see Eris glaring at him with killing intent. I could understand her sentiment, though. I want to snuggle with those two as well.
“Wait, how did you know who—"
“Who else but the old man?”
“Fair point.”
Geese nodded as if he expected that answer from Laurel’s cocky grin. Looking at them like that, they were a lot closer than I had imagined. I felt like I should look into it more, but Eris’s voice suddenly cut in from in between.
“Laurel really has a punch-able face.”
“You too?!”
"Holy—I thought I was the only one!”
“Hey! What’s wrong with me? No, wait, Geese, you too?!”
Geese and I chimed in at the same time. Three votes for Laurel having a punchable face and 4 blanks. Congratulations, Laurel. Your face attracts unwarranted dislikes from everyone.
Laurel stared at everyone with teary eyes. Well, technically he deserved it since he had the gall to hug those two cute girls in his arms in front of Eris. Of course, it’s not like Laurel had a bad-looking face or anything, but he sure as hell inherited old Paul’s cocky grin.
Ah, I missed the timing to ask him, but whatever, I’m sure it’s not that important. And so, after a total of eighteen months, I have passed the Demon Continent, as well as the Great Forest. Milis Capital, here I come!
… Before that…
“Laurel, please explain.”
I said, staring at the kid covering his blushing face. Then I turned back to the monument in front of me.
Seven Great Powers, the seven strongest people in the world:
Number One - Technique God
Number Two - Dragon God
Number Three - Calamity God
Number Four - Demon God
Number Five - Death God
Number Six - Sword God
Number Seven - War God
… No, seriously. I’ve only been separated from you for a year and a half. What in the Chunni have you been doing all this time, Laurel?
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