Chapter 7: Bloodline
"By the way young noble, we still don't know your name", Jasmine said
"Aaron Heart", he responded absentmindedly his thoughts stuck on the Adventurers guild.
'Heart? I don't know any nobles in the Emerald Kingdom by that name. Is he from a different Kingdom? Maybe the he's from the Empire of Dawn', Jasmine couldn't help but wonder. Even now she still considered him a noble due to his clothing. No commoner could afford such fine clothes. Especially The feathered robe draped on his shoulders. Every time the sun shined on it it would gleam as if made of real gold!
She wasn't the only once the other 3 were constantly looking at the feather robe. Veronica could no longer contain her curiosity.
"Young noble Heart..", she was about to continue when Aaron interrupted her.
"Just call me Aaron", he said. He couldn't get used to being called young noble.
"I wouldn't dare...that would be far to disrespectful for someone of your status.", Veronica responded.
"It's fine, I insist.", he responded
"Fine, Sir Heart, may I ask where you're from? I've never seen anything liked that feathered robe you have. Its beautiful!.", Veronica said. She simply couldn't bring herself to call him Aaron yet so she compromised.
Aaron could only smile hearing how he was addressed however he was also at a loss. He hadn't even considered questions like these. He couldn't say he was Murdered for fun and then thrown into this world! This lead to a awkward silence while he contemplated his options.
Veronica thought she had asked a rude question and that Aaron didn't want to answer. Feeling nervous she started speaking.
"If you don't want to say I understand, I apologize if I offended you in anyway", she spoke sincerely
"Ah...no that's not it at all...Its just that" Aaron was quite for a moment then made his decision.
"Its just that, I'm not sure myself." he said while staring ahead
"Huh?" All four were at a lost.
'You're not sure? If you don't want to say then just say that, no need to lie', they thought.
Noticing their expressions Aaron smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. This was the best he could do with such limited amount of time. He continued.
"Remember how I said I've been here for 6 months? Well at the time I had awoke up to find myself at the southern end of the forest. However, I couldn't remember anything other than my name. I didn't how I got here or why I was here..also these were the clothes that I was wearing when I woke up." he said, while trying to sound as believable as possible.
"You really don't remember?", It was Jasmine that spoke up this time.
"Ah, I honestly can't remember anything about how I got here or why I'm here."
"I see...", Jasmine wasn't sure if he was telling the truth. Based on how he was dressed he was obviously someone of worth. Why would his family just leave him? Wouldn't there have been a search? However, she kept the doubts to herself.
This could not be said for the other 3. They had no reason to doubt Aaron.
"How tragic!", Veronica believed his words completely and hugged him.
"You poor thing, don't worry we'll help you remember! Isn't that right!?", she turned around and faced Andrew and Josh with a threatening look on her face.
'You two better agree! This is my way in!'
She couldn't help but be excited as she had been trying to figure out how to hook him from the moment she laid eyes on that heavenly face and this was her chance!
The 2 of them noticing the threatening look on her face could only sigh and agree.
"Of course, Sir Heart while we may not be the strongest we would never abandon our benefactor! We'll do everything we can to help" responded Josh. Andrew smiled and nodded to show his agreement.
Aaron was touched, to think they would help a complete stranger. Even though everything was a lie they still wanted to help him. He smiled at Veronica.
"Thank you"
Veronica was once again mesmerized by Aaron looks. Her face turned beet red and she quickly let him go out of embarrassment.
'How? How are you so beautiful?!?!', she screamed in her head
Jasmine who was next to her simply shook her head. She understood exactly what was on Veronica's mind yet she couldn't blame her. Even she had lost herself to Aaron when she first saw him. Even now when he smiled she found herself blushing.
As they continued on their journey, Aaron had scanned them and was surprised to find that 2 of them had bloodlines. Over the 6 months he had been training he had learned the basics of bloodlines. Higher grade Bloodlines would give there users abilities that no Qi skill could ever mange while lower grade bloodlines can help increase ones abilities in numerous areas. Also, the use of there bloodline required so little Qi that it was negligible and the higher the grade the less Qi needed. All Bloodlines are ranked similar to Cultivation skills being: Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum with similar grades. So he was shocked as he noticed Jasmines bloodline
[Status]
Name: Jasmine Evergreen
Age: 17
Level: 5 (Early Core Formation)
Qi: 180
Bloodline: Heart of the Forest (Diluted) - Low grade Gold
'To think she would have a gold bloodline, but its diluted huh', he couldn't help but be surprised as compared her bloodline to Josh's.
[Status]
Name: Josh Storm
Age:18
Level: 4 (Peak Body cultivator)
Bloodline: Cloud Eagle – Mid grade Copper
'So that's why his eyes are like that', Aaron thought. He had been curious as to why Josh had such dynamic eyes but now it made sense, it was thanks to his bloodline. He also noticed that Josh's status didn't display his Qi, asking the system he learned it was due to Josh not being in the Core Formation realm.
After learning about bloodlines, he figured he could use this information to explain his Devil fruit abilities. However, he wasn't sure if having two bloodlines was common so he decided he would claim the Hie-Hie no Mi was he Bloodline as its effects would be made obvious if he was injured. As for the Ito Ito no mi he wasn't quite sure. However he chose to cross that bridge later.
'If I get strong enough, it won't matter', he thought.
Due to the Mirage Boa scaring away the weaker Qi beasts as well as being able to move freely in the forest they were able to reach the edge of the forest in roughly 2 weeks. Twice as fast as Andrew and rest when the first entered the forest.
"Finally! Hahaha! I'm out of that damned forest!" Aaron laughed he couldn't wait to leave this place. For almost 7 months he was surrounded with nothing but trees. Now we as able to look up and see the sky. How refreshing he thought.
The others were surprised by Aaron's reaction but when the considered he'd been in the forest for 6 months the could sympathize.
"You must've been really anxious to leave", Veronica said while laughing
"You have no idea Veronica! Everyday for almost 6 months until I met you guys, I was in that damn place surrounded by trees. Being able to leave is like regaining my freedom!", Aaron enthusiastically replied. Over the past 2 weeks he had gotten to know the 4 of them quite well.
All of them were from the Kings City, Jasmine was a branch member of the Royal Family which explained her Bloodline. Andrew and Josh were commoners who came from well know martial families. Lastly, Veronica was a Barons daughter and was old friends with Andrew. However she had always wanted to be an adventurer so she ran away from home and joined The Red Bands.
He totally understood where she was coming from. Who doesn't want to go on an adventure, who just wants to sit around all day? He ended up speaking with her the most. Little did he know that this woman was after his body and soul!
"Well, its about 9:00 AM right now, we should be able to reach the City gates by Noon", Veronica responded.
"By the way, whats the name of this city?", Aaron turned to Veronica and asked.
"Viridian City"