Chapter 19: Depature

Aaron raised his brows and asked impatiently, "What did you see?"

Velma glanced back at him.

"Not much. Just the level of your ability."

Aaron frowned, still confused.

"And what was it?"

Velma sighed.

"It says Sixth-Dimensional Nature."

His frown deepened.

"Sixth-dimensional? Is that good? What does yours say?"

Velma sighed again.

"I think it’s... too good. In fact, I think it’s the reason you can’t activate your system. Its the reason you need an awakening ceremony to push you forward."

She made a slight pause.

"Do you want to see it?"

"Yes... Yes. if it’s possible." Aaron answered impatiently.

She reached for his hands and laced her fingers in his. Then closed her eyes in concentration.

Aaron watched her in anticipation for a few seconds before he abruptly froze.

....Suddenly his eyes widened.

Through Velma’s influence, a transparent screen had suddenly appeared before his eyes.

NAME: [Aaron Goldilock]

NATURE RANK: [6TH DIMENSIONAL]

NATURE ABILITY: [-----]

LIFE BOND: [Velma]

As Aaron observed the runes that appeared before him, Velma continued:

"That’s all I can see and show you. Besides you, every reincarnate is capable of activating the system they’re born with. It’s the norm. So, logically, I don’t think any reincarnate has ever been born with a Sixth-Dimensional Nature. Otherwise, they’d be handicapped... like you."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"The only reason we can even find each other is because we can all activate our systems."

She hesitated for a moment. "Except for your two friends whom I haven’t met in this world yet, I don’t think any reincarnate has a Sixth-Dimensional Nature."

Aaron scratched his head in confusion.

In the game, every character had either a First-Dimensional or Second-Dimensional Nature. No one had even possessed a Third-Dimensional Nature, let alone a Sixth-Dimensional one!

It was preposterous.

He recalled something and turned to Velma.

"What’s yours?"

"A Third-Dimensional Nature. Already an anomaly." Velma lifted her chin proudly. "I don’t need to explain how powerful and versatile it is. You already know that."

"But a Sixth-Dimensional Nature..." She gave him a piercing gaze. "I may not know what your ability is, but I know for sure that you’re an anomaly among anomalies."

She grinned childishly and placed a finger against Aaron’s chest.

"I told you I have strong intuition. I was right to bond with you, after all."

Aaron sighed and fell back onto the bed, taking Velma down with him until she lay against his chest.

"I don’t know whether to consider this good news or bad news."

Velma gazed at him, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

"It’s a good thing, Aaron. Trust me. This is good news."

After Aaron and Velma became a couple, he finally got a glimpse of the contents of his already-existing system through her.

Not long afterward, Velma decided it was time to venture into the Dungeon and challenge it.

Aaron had tried to convince her to wait another three years, until he could attend the awakening ceremony and unlock his Aspect. That way, they could challenge the Dungeon together as a team.

Velma had vehemently refused.

According to her, waiting would be a waste of time. Worse, it would give one of the more dangerous reincarnates an opportunity to discover her and her family.

Aaron had tried to argue against her reasoning, but he eventually gave up when he realized he had no convincing counterargument.

In the end, all he could do was beg her to stay alive.

On the day she left, Abigail cried as she bid Velma farewell, hoping they would see each other again despite having no idea where Velma was going.

Velma hugged Abigail tightly in return. Her eyes even grew misty, and for a moment, she seemed just as reluctant to leave.

Aaron watched the scene unfold, reevaluating their friendship.

He couldn’t help wondering whether Abigail would react the same way if he suddenly told her that he was in a relationship with Velma.

He was certain she would immediately stop crying and break the hug.

Somehow, that thought made him feel a little offended.

Aaron escorted Velma deep into the forest. They continued walking until they reached its edge, where the ground rose into the summit of a mountain.

Before them was a gigantic waterfall, its crimson waters steaming as they rushed furiously down the mountainside.

The heat radiating from it was so intense that Aaron could feel it against his skin, even from the forest’s edge.

He stared at the waterfall in awe.

Its sheer size so was overwhelming that for a moment, he wondered whether they had taken the wrong path until Velma gently pulled out a bird she had made Abigail give her as a farewell gift. Then he remembered her Nature. She could replicate the physical attribute of every living animal or insect as long as they continuously share physical contact.

Aaron’s eyes widened as he finally understood.

Velma had no intention of crossing the mountain on foot.

She caught him looking gloomy and immediately began teasing him about it. She then promised him that she would stay alive.

In return, she made him promise to survive as well and catch up with her someday.

Aaron agreed.

They shared a few emotional moments before exchanging several passionate kisses, reluctant to part despite knowing that neither could afford to delay any longer.

Finally, Velma tied the bird to her arm with a string and gently patted its feathers.

Then, almost weightlessly, she rose into the sky.

Aaron watched in silence as she flew farther and farther away, until her figure became nothing more than a distant silhouette against the vast sky. He stood there for a while longer, unable to tear his gaze away from the direction she had disappeared.

Eventually, he let out a dejected sigh.

He cursed himself for how slowly he was growing, frustrated that he couldn’t yet stand beside the person he loved.

With one last glance at the sky, Aaron reluctantly turned around with a sigh and began the walk home.

Before he knew it three years flew by, he was 15. It was time for him to start the Academy.

***

Aaron had spent the past three years preparing for his journey into the dungeon. He was restless, constantly pushing his body and mind to their limits in an attempt to strengthen himself and recall as much knowledge and as many skills as possible before descending into the dungeon.

Abigail had left for the academy two years ago, just days after turning fifteen. She had tried to defer her admission so she could wait two years and enter the academy alongside Aaron. However, their father had immediately reprimanded her, harshly warning her never to put her life on hold for anyone.

Left with no choice, she had departed for the academy.

Now, it was Aaron’s turn.

His father, who spent most of his time at the barracks and was rarely home, had returned the previous night specifically to accompany his youngest son to Ravstas Academy—the most prestigious academy in the world.

The night before, Mr. Goldilock had told Aaron how highly Damien had impressed his examiners during his entrance examinations. Three years ago, they had called Damien a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Since then, he had gone on to prove them right by becoming the best combatant in the academy in his third year.

Aaron had been genuinely surprised. His brother had managed to elevate the Goldilock name to a level Aaron could never hope to reach.

Out of curiosity, he had asked about his sister’s accomplishments, only for his father to respond dismissively.

"She struggled a bit during the entrance examinations. Compared to Damien, she’s still struggling at the academy."

Aaron had been infuriated by that reply.

He knew perfectly well that the only reason the sister of the academy’s best combatant would struggle was that her brother couldn’t be bothered to let her benefit from his status.

It was an annoying revelation, but hardly an unexpected one.

With a bored expression, Aaron stood before his mother as she gingerly wiped the scabbard hanging from his waist.

"Don’t walk around with a dusty scabbard. Your sword is a reflection of your character. You don’t want those rich city children looking down on you."

Aaron rolled his eyes with a tired sigh.

"It’s not dusty, Mom. It just isn’t well polished."

Susan immediately dropped to her knees and squinted at the scabbard, inspecting it from different angles.

"Oh, my baby..."

She reached for another black rag beside her and began scrubbing the scabbard with considerably more enthusiasm than the situation warranted.

"You should make sure it’s properly polished. Those city folks can be bullies sometimes."