Chapter 1245 Awakening [3]

"Still, it's not that bad. Thanks to you, I have another life."

Arianne's fingers brushed lightly against her chest.

"This body is much better than my old one. Even without this level-up ability you gave me, just with meditation I think I might be able to break Princess Priscilla's record and become the youngest great mage back in Lionheart."

Thanks to being something akin to a tamed existence, Arianne, just like any of Michael's undead, was able to level up through experience points.

In fact, there was actually no difference between her and an Awakener on paper, if one considered her ability to level up and learn skills quickly.

Michael remained silent for a moment before looking directly at her.

"What if I told you I could actually make you an Awakener?"

Arianne froze. Her hand, which had still been resting lightly against her chest, stopped moving.

"You can?"

Michael didn't answer straight away.

Ever since he obtained the Awakening Temple, a question had been bothering him.

Before then, his plans for Arianne and Aunt Mia had been simple enough. If they couldn't naturally follow the same path as Awakeners, then Michael would simply help them grow through his talent.

Even now, if Michael truly wanted to, he could force Arianne's strength to Rank Three right now. There was nothing inherently wrong with this path. But it carried a certain dependency on him.

Michael had also never minded that part. If anything, a selfish corner of his heart almost preferred it.

But when he saw the effect of his Awakening Temple, a conflict grew in him.

Arianne and Aunt Mia could also be Awakeners! This way, they'd grow their own Classes, gain the Skills they wanted, and develop their own foundations.

The two paths had their pros and cons. But even if Michael could artificially raise someone's strength, becoming an Awakener meant becoming part of something much larger.

His logic had been telling him that ever since the Awakening Temple appeared. Awakening was better.

Yet his emotions had kept resisting that conclusion.

It was fine to be selfish, wasn't it? Did these two really need to involve themselves in the world of the supernatural? Wouldn't it just be better if they simply had strength for the sake of a longer lifespan?

*If he could personally guarantee their safety and future, why did it matter how they reached that point?*

But after listening to Arianne just now, Michael finally realized what was wrong with that reasoning.

Arianne wasn't one of his undead. Aunt Mia wasn't some creature waiting for him to decide the optimal evolutionary route.

They were people. Human beings with their own desires and their own choices. They weren't his belongings.

If Michael genuinely saw them as family, as people he loved, then wanting the absolute best for them should matter more than his own selfish desires if they conflicted with it.

His gaze returned to Arianne.

Michael's expression gradually relaxed.

"Yes."

Arianne's eyes widened dramatically in shock. Then her expression slowly became suspicious.

"Wait. I know you're impressive, but you're not that impressive, right?"

Michael's mouth twitched.

Arianne raised a hand before he could respond.

"I mean, there's still a lot I don't know about Awakeners, but even I understand awakening isn't something people can just do whenever they want."

"It happens naturally, doesn't it? At a certain age, and even then only to some people."

Her eyes moved over Michael's face.

"So what are you saying? That you can just… go against nature?"

Michael rubbed his forehead.

"Of course I'm not that impressive. It's complicated to explain. But yes. I really do have a way to make you awaken."

Arianne's expression shifted again, but she said nothing, seemingly deep in thought.

Michael looked toward the distant Awakening Temple. All he had to do was simply take her there.

But if he was really going to let Arianne choose for herself, then he needed to tell her everything first.

Michael turned back toward her.

"However, there's something else you should know before deciding."

Arianne immediately became serious.

Michael pointed at her.

"I can also make you much stronger without awakening at any time."

"How much stronger?"

Michael thought briefly.

"Instantly around Princess Priscilla's level."

Her eyes widened.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

Arianne stared.

"You mean eventually?"

"No. I mean I could start pushing you toward that level immediately."

Her expression became blank.

Michael continued before she could react too much.

"But there's a problem. If you take that path, you'd have to give up becoming an Awakener."

Arianne's surprise slowly settled into confusion.

Michael understood this was a serious decision, so he didn't attempt to rush her.

His expression softened.

"I won't choose for you, so decide. Both options are good, though if you become an Awakener, you'll have to face some hardships I can't help you with."

However, Michael's words seemed to trigger something inside Arianne. The hesitation in her eyes disappeared. Her green eyes seemed to burn as she looked at him.

"I want to become an Awakener!"

Michael was startled by the sudden change in aura.

"Arianne, you don't have to decide that fast."

"I've already decided. I think this is best for me."

"You should at least consider the other option properly. Becoming that strong immediately isn't something small."

"I know."

"As an Awakener, you'd have to start from the beginning and face unknown obstacles that you might not even know how to break through."

"I know."

Michael frowned slightly.

Arianne turned toward him fully and took in a deep breath.

"Michael."

Her expression softened, but the determination in her eyes didn't weaken.

"I appreciate everything you do for me. Really. I do."

Arianne looked down at her hands for a moment.

"You gave me another life. You protect me. You keep giving me things I don't even know how to repay."

Michael was about to speak, but she shook her head.

"But this is also for me."

Arianne's fingers slowly curled into a fist.

"I want to feel like I did something."

She paused, as if trying to put the feeling into words.

"Like I'm doing something."

A solemn expression appeared on her face as she continued.

"Like whatever I become, at least part of it came from me."