Chapter 34: I HOPE I DON’T BABYSIT

Aaron watched as Damien walked away from the podium and joined the other newly Awakened students.

He had always known his older brother was exceptionally talented. In fact, Damien had been praised as a once-in-a-lifetime genius ever since his entrance examination three years ago.

But a generational talent?

That was a level of recognition Aaron hadn’t anticipated.

He noticed Damien’s lips part into a wistful smile as he walked away from the orb. Seeing that expression, Aaron couldn’t help but chuckle quietly to himself.

’Ambitious bastard.’

He knew Damien too well.

His brother was undoubtedly proud of his newly revealed Third-Dimensional Nature. However, Aaron could also tell that something else was bothering him.

Kelly.

Her Fifth-Dimensional Nature had undoubtedly left an impression on everyone, Damien included.

No matter how extraordinary his own result was, it was difficult not to feel somewhat inadequate when someone standing beside you possessed a Nature two entire dimensions above yours.

Aaron shook his head slightly.

’Come to think of it...’

An unexpected thought suddenly crossed his mind.

’What if Kelly is a reincarnate like me?’

It wasn’t an entirely unreasonable possibility.

If Soran and Ren had failed to awaken their systems from birth, then just like him, they would have to rely on the awakening ceremony to begin their journey.

What if Kelly was actually one of his former friends?

What if one of them had reincarnated as a woman?

Aaron’s expression grew contemplative.

It wasn’t impossible.

In fact, considering the circumstances, it was a possibility worth investigating.

"Aaron."

"Huh?"

The sudden voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

He turned towards his side and found Natasha standing unusually close to him.

At some point, she had abandoned her previous position and moved closer, stopping almost directly beside his shoulder.

’Tsk!’

Aaron briefly cursed himself for being so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn’t even noticed her approaching.

"What is it again?"

His response came out slightly more irritated than he intended.

Standing beside him, Natasha tilted her head downwards to meet his gaze. The difference in their heights made the gesture almost unavoidable.

"You look disturbed."

She paused briefly before adding in a lighter tone:

"Never thought your brother’s announcement would shake you that much."

Aaron gave her a disinterested look.

He didn’t particularly appreciate how close she was standing.

It made him feel short.

And he wasn’t short.

She was simply annoyingly tall.

With a small shake of his head, he looked away in exasperation.

"I was thinking about something else. Not Damien."

Natasha gave him a doubtful look.

She seemed ready to press the matter further, but before she could say anything, the Butler’s voice suddenly rang across the grassland.

"Number 524!"

Natasha flinched.

Aaron turned towards her and gave her a knowing look.

It was her turn.

Without saying another word, Natasha reluctantly stepped away and began making her way towards the podium.

Her nervousness was practically written all over her.

Aaron watched her retreating figure with an unusually calm expression.

Deep down, he was hoping she would turn out to be a mundane human.

Not because he disliked her.

Rather, he had absolutely no desire to shoulder the responsibility of having her accompany him into the dungeon. Knowing Natasha, there was a good chance she would insist on following him around once they became Awakened.

And just like that, he would have his first potential party member without even having formed a party.

Aaron sighed inwardly.

According to what Velma had told him, his journey wasn’t going to be particularly pleasant.

There were older reincarnates actively searching for him, and considering what he knew about their intentions, encountering a hostile one inside the dungeon could easily turn into a bloodbath.

He was already going to have enough trouble dealing with his own enemies.

The last thing he needed was the additional responsibility of babysitting someone who expected to be protected.

His gaze followed Natasha as she walked through the crowd.

Several students turned towards her, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright disdain.

It wasn’t particularly surprising.

Unlike most of the other candidates, Natasha wasn’t wearing the academy uniform. Instead, she wore a simple outfit that did little to conceal her relatively young appearance.

And then there was the weapon on her back.

A massive spear.

Its proportions were almost comical compared to her frame, and it was difficult not to wonder how someone of her size intended to wield such an enormous weapon.

A few older-looking boys standing nearby seemed to share the same curiosity.

"Does she actually use that spear?"

"How the hell does she even fight with something that big?"

"She’s not even wearing an academy uniform. And she looks pretty young. I’ve never seen her before."

One of them chuckled.

"Probably belongs to one of those low-class wannabe warrior families."

The others burst into laughter.

Natasha heard them.

It was difficult not to, considering how deliberately loud they had been.

However, she made no effort to respond.

She simply continued walking, her gaze fixed on the podium.

Just like Natasha, almost every student present carried a weapon of their choice. Some had swords, others carried bows, daggers, or other specialized weapons.

Even Aaron had his sword hanging from his waist.

But Natasha’s spear was particularly conspicuous.

It was simply too large.

Eventually, she arrived at the podium.

Climbing the steps, she approached the orb and stopped directly before it.

Her expression had changed.

The nervousness hadn’t entirely disappeared, but it was now accompanied by a noticeable determination.

She straightened her back and stood before the mysterious sphere.

The Butler adjusted his monocle, briefly examining her before giving her an approving nod.

Natasha hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Then she extended her hand.

And touched the orb.

Aaron unconsciously held his breath.

’Mundane. Mundane. Mundane.’

He repeated the words in his mind, almost as though his thoughts alone could influence the outcome.

For a brief moment, nothing happened.

Then—

A brilliant silver light burst from the orb.

Aaron’s expression froze.

"What?!"

His face immediately sank.