A wave of commotion washed over the gaming world and community over the past few hours this night
Forums and threads were immediately made after the news of a new Co-op Team entering the Legendary One Hundred
There was a team called [Omega - Energy] that has climbed up the top 100 rankings in just four hours from starting the game
Talks and interviews were arranged just to talk about these two individuals on how they reach this ranking so fast when it took the high rankers years to reach this far
Other rankers were bitter at how fast they ranked up and the Epic One Thousand were definitely sad, jealous, envious, and angry that they were passed just like that
The next day, the creator of Enigma released a statement:
"This partner of Omega and Energy is legitimate. They have searched and discovered secret locations, dungeons, ruins, and even worlds in the game that the Mythical Ten couldn't even find. These are also places we haven't revealed in a World Event yet. As both of them were skilled and lucky, they have obtained equipments and artifacts that, even I, didn't know existed in the game. So, it is right that they reached this far in the rankings"
The creator then left without entertaining anymore questions from the public
After this, the commotion died down and peace returned to the gaming world. Although, the name Omega, and possibly Energy, will go down in the history of gaming since the name Omega was also seen dominating the FPS and MOBA world which the players and fans of Enigma didn't know about
~~~
Morning has arrived, the Sun lights up the the front yard and sunlight penetrates through the window into Philip's room. Morning cool breeze circulates around the mansion lifted the moods of everyone in the mansion
Justine and Philip slowly opened their eyes at the same time. It was then the Philip's eyes suddenly became alert as he furrowed his eyebrows. Meanwhile, Justine is taking her time to process her surroundings while her eyes are still half-closed
Philip lowered his head and looked down on his chest. He could see a head with blonde hair using his right arm as a pillow. His left hand wrapped around the left waist of the person in front of him. There was also an arm on his neck that he found comfortable
This person is Justine. Her left hand is in front of her chest while her right hand is wrapped around Philip's neck
Moments later, Justine realized the situation she was in. She lifted her head and looked above her and saw Philip looking back at her with confused eyes
She immediately blushed and her entire face turned red. Unfortunately, their clothes are still on them and nothing was worn off
Justine pulled her body away in embarrassment but Philip thought quickly to ease the mood
He grabbed Justine's head and pulled her closer to her chest and braced her
"There there, the nightmare's over. There's no need to get scared anymore"
He patted her back several times as if to calm her down. Of course, this was a joke
"Nooo~"
Ultimately, Justine's embarrassment was off the charts and she managed to push herself away from Philip and tuck herself at the corner of the bed next to the wall as her pillows cover her
Philip giggled by the sight and he found Justine more amusing the more he sees her
He then turned around and sat up to face the window. He stood up and walked towards the balcony to breathe the fresh air and stretch as the sunlight pierced his skin
Justine took a peak at Philip's back from the corner with worried eyes
A few minutes later, Philip took a bath, changed clothes, and brushed his teeth. He doesn't plan on eating this morning at all, unless he has to
At this moment, Justine has regained her composure and she already has changed her clothes and fixed her hair. She also has fixed the bed for Philip
As Philip went out of the bathroom, she saw Justine sitting on the bed while looking at the stone suitcase on the table
"What is inside that suitcase, if you don't mind me asking?"
Justine sensed that Philip exited the bathroom and asked him immediately. Philip thought for a second whether he should tell about the contents. He said it in the end
"It a bunch of Mana Cores and a purple geode, why?"
"I sense a massive amount of energy leaking through. I only noticed it now... The energy is more than a nuclear warhead"
Justine said with worry in her eyes. Philip, on the other hand, was impressed by how accurate Justine's Energy Contemplation is
Justine was right, the Spirit Core, Mystical Core, and Energy Core boast the power that can provide energy to a city, the Soul Core and Atomiv Core has the energy to level a continent, and the Divine Core has the power to change the world
These are Philip's speculation anyways. But considering that Philip is basically the one who created these and caused the transition of Mysticism Age, it looks like he knows what he's thinking
"That should be the Mana Cores"
"Mana Cores?"
Justine asked. She doesn't know the existence of Mana Cores but she figured that those are a type of Spirit Stones. She only has seen Spirit Stones and she heard rumors about
"I'll tell you, when I start experimenting on it. I'll let you watch me"
"When will you start?"
"Maybe later? Or tomorrow? Or a few days... It depends"
"Why's there no schedule? Knowing you, you would at least have one"
"The future is sometimes random and unpredictable. That's all I'm going to say"
"I see... Also, what was that other object? A purple geode?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing. It's just strange that I'm not sensing energy from it. It's like a void or black hole in my vision"
Usually, Justine's Energy Contemplation ability allows her to sense energy signature in all objects and matter, intagible or tangible, whether it will be air, traces of energy particles in the vacuum of space, even time and space themselves. But the purple geode had no energy that can be analyzed, so Justine would definitely be confused
"Is that so?"
Philip thought for a second. He thought that Justine's ability would be helpful in experimenting with the Mana Cores and the purple geode
"Maybe I could use a hand when I work on those?"
"Hm, yeah sure! I'll be glad to help"
"Alright..."
There was an awkward silence between them since there's nothing left to do inside the room
"So..."
Philip broke the atmosphere
"Do you have something to do later?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I don't have anything to do. I plan to just relax in my room"
"Oh? So you're asking for a date?"
Justine teased Philip. Philip only looked at Justine with expressionless eyes
"Uh, no? You're really asking for it, huh?"
"Uh, no?"
Philip rolled his eyes. Maybe he should plan a date with her in the future
It was then that hid eyes widened
'No no no, what am I thinking?!'
Philip was surprised that he even had a thought of dating Justine
'What changed? I thought I don't have a heart'
Philip was in turmoil. He don't want to hurt Justine
'Maybe it's because that I admire her, that's all'
Philip didn't want to admit it. But it's certainly strange to him that he was having these feelings
"Actually, I have plans for today"
Justine said
"Oh, okay"
"Are you sad?"
Justine kept teasing Philip
"Not really"
"Well, I have a favor to ask of you"
"And, what's that?"
"Mathilda and some other will go to the city and do some shopping. Do you want to come?"
Philip pondered for a second, weighing the pros and cons of going outside for a walk. In the end, he thought that it would be a change of pace and tour LA since he has never beem here
"Yeah, I'll come"
"Really? You didn't hesitate knowing that Mathilda will be with you?"
"Nah, I don't harbor any bad feelings towards Mathilda. I can only understand her and empathize with her. She might have a horrible trauma or dark past but I'll always keep an open mind. It's not her fault anyways"
"I see..."
Justine couldn't reply from Philip's words and she could only smile. His perspective on the situation is very mature and she liked that, especially since they're talking about Mathilda, who has one of the most horrible dark past in the mansion
"So, when will we depart?"
Philip asked. It was a perfect excuse to leave the room with Justine and avoid more awkward moments
"Let's go to the Lounge Area and see if Mathilda and the others are there"
"Okay"
~~~
In the Lounge Area, there was Mathilda, in her maid outfit, sitting on the couch with troubled expression on her face
She was hesitant with this plan to understand and trust Philip more. Nonetheless, she needed to go through the plan because she didn't want to see and feel Philip's dreadful aura whenever she makes Philip mad
It was then that Natsume came inside with casual clothes. Short denim shorts, a beige colored t-shirt with a design of the name of a band, necklace and bracelet, a white thong sandals, and a small bag that hangs on her left shoulder to her right waist that accentuated her chest. There was also a minimalistic shining star clip on the right side of her head. Of course, she wore make-up that made her lips glossy, fleek eyebrows, straight eyelashes, and smooth skin
If Philip would see her, he would tell to himself that he doesn't need to put on make-up because she is already beautiful without it. He know because he has seen her sleeping face and her lively face
Of course, he wouldn't say that to her because he is aware that there's a reason that women wear make-up when they need to go outside
Mathilda's eyes widened at Natsume upon seeing her appearance
"Wow! You're so pretty! You're that excited to go out, huh?"
Mathilda was slightly envious. She only wore a pretty attractive design of a maid outfit and a black framed eyeglasses. Her red hair is tied into a bun with a thin band and two metallic chopsticks that light up occasionally across the surface
"You dressing up for someone?"
Mathilda teased Natsume, knowning that there's no one she's dressing up for
"Well..."
Natsume panned her eyes around and tried to avoid Mathilda's gaze with a slight blush on her face. Mathilda's eyes widened upon seeing Natsume's flustered face
Mathilda stood up and held Natsume's shoulders quite forcefully
"What?! Who's this person you're seeing?! Is he a good person?! Don't let him take advantage of you!"
Natsume looked at Mathilda with confused and worried face as Mathilda shook her body
"Relax! There's no one! I'm just trying to impress someone"
Mathilda's eyes widened some more. She thinks that she knows who Natsume is impressing
She slowly stepped back several steps with shock filled on her face as she looked at Natsume's blushing face
At this moment, Natsuki entered the Lounge Area along with Mei'er. Both of them are dressed that were attractive to the eyes. Mei'er, on the other hand, looked cute on her dress
Natsuki wore casual skinny jeans, a white undershirt for women, a denim jacket, and a small black purse that hangs on her left shoulder. Her blonde hair is tied into a messy ponytail and two yellow shining sun clips on each side of her hair that clips her side bangs in front of her ears. She also wore light make-up
On the other hand, Mei'er wore a black one-piece dress with sleeves and frills, black shoes, and black gloves. She looked like a princess. Her long black curly hair is braided with intervals and tied with black ribbons. She looked like a goth child but cute. She is also holding Natsuki's left hand as they entered
"N-N-Natsuki! You're sister! She has someone she likes! You need to protect her!"
Mathilda run towards Natsuki while pointing at the confused Natsume while almost kneeling in front of her. Her eyes are about to tear up and her face shows intense sadness
Natsuki looked at Mathilda below her with squinting eyes. She couldn't believe at this ridiculous situation right now
She then reached her hand and patted Mathilda's head. She understands what Mathilda has come through and she also knows how to deal with her
"Mathilda... It's fine! She has her own choice and we don't have the rights to interfere"
"B-but, what if she was hurt?! Physically, mentally, and emotionally?!"
"Then we'll have to beat them down when that happens, okay?"
Mathilda relaxed her facial expression and looked at Natsuki with wide clear eyes. She then immediately stood up
"Yeah! Let's do that! Hehehe"
Mathilda then giggled like a gremlin
Natsuki already knows what's up with Natsume. They talked about love interest yeasterday and Natsume opened up that she thinks she likes Philip but not quite sure
So, she took this chance to go with Mathilda and Philip on a trip to the city. Of course, Natsuki would come along for reasons unknown and to bring Mei'er
'It's not like I'm also interested in Philip or anything'
That was her last thoughts as Natsuki changed her outfit
Mathilda's demeanor has become calm and collected. The fact that she was given permission to hurt the man, if he hurt Natsume
"Is this all of us besides Philip?"
Natsuki asked
"I think so?"
Mathilda answered
"Unless there's someone who want to come?"
Mathilda said, as if she's purposely letting someone hear her if there's someone lurking around. Fortunately, no one was around and this is actually everyone
Natsuki and Mei'er sat on the sofa while Natsume sat on the one-seater couch. Mathilda stood behind the sofa like she's doing her job as the head maid
They waited for Philip and Justine to arrive so they could talk about the plan of their trip
~~~
A few minutes later, Philip and Justine arrived. Philip was on his usual outfit of jeans and a sweater whule Justine has changed into a casual home outfit
"Justine nee-san? You're not going to come?
Natsume asked with puppy eyes
"Unfortunately, no. I have to stay in the mansion"
"Why???"
"Apparently, Jude has been inside his room for more than a day and still hasn't come out. I will tend to him and check on him until he gets out of his room"
Justine explained to the others as Philip turned her head towards her. It was unfortunate that Justone wasn't able to come with them
Philip also think that it was fine for Justine to meet Jude when he wakes up after his Reverse Sword condition was removed. Justine is the best bet to confront Jude if he would ever rampage for some odd reason because of his newfound power from his condition being removed
It was then that Philip looked Mathilda's direction. Mathilda notices his gaze and only looked ahead of her with no emotion
Philip also looked at Mei'er's direction and Mei'er looked back. Philip gave Mei'er a smile and she smiled back. Mathilda's right eyebrow twitched
"So, you're all going to come with us?"
Philip asked the sisters. He would be happy if Mei'er comes but the more the merrier
"Yep!!"
Natsume raised her hand and confirmed it. Natsuki only has her arms crossed, quiet but excited to go out already
"Alright! So, what's our plan for the day?"