*squeakk*
After reaching the entry of his house, Aimer slowly entered.
*flick*
"AGHH! Oh, mother? You're awake?"
Aimer was surprised to see the darkroom suddenly lit up like fireworks, but he soon realized that it was his mother who sat at the kitchen table awaiting his presence that caused it to happen.
"Where have you been? Do you know what time it is?"
'Dammit! I even lost track of time'
"Mother? Do you have to be so serious? I was enjoying my time back? I even have that present for you,"
Aimer dropped to one knee before his mother when he grabs hold of one of her hands and pleaded to her face with puppy-looking eyes.
'Ugh! This brat! Those eyes! I can't even begin to resist!'
Aimer's mother suddenly became hesitant towards scolding her son after glimpsing an expression that seemed so innocent.
Like, what harm could be done?
"Okay, I'll forgive you but after I see the present you're talking about,"
Aimer's ears delightfully fluttered like butterflies' wings after hearing his mother's words.
It was as if he was a three-year-old child that has gotten his long-awaited wish!
Nonchalantly, Aimer stood up from his position.
"Let's go, mother, the present is awaiting our presence,"
Without giving his mother any room to respond, Aimer picked her up in his hands, similarly to that of a knight carrying a princess.
"W, w, w, wait! Aimer!!!"
Skill [Fade] has been activated!
Aimer quickly burst through the door with vacating no regrets as he headed towards the villa.
"This is the fastest way to get their mother, sorry"
Though Aimer's mother was still flustered, she retracted herself from attempting to impede Aimer's traveling motion.
'My son! My son is carrying me in such a manner!! It's embarrassing...'
'Hmm...if there's anything I need to go back for I guess that can always be done at a later date. But as of now...shouldn't I at least get accustomed to my new home?
I mean...it's kind of sad that we're leaving behind a place that holds most of our memories. But...sometimes you just have to move on. The condition we were living in were unacceptable'
Oh? That must be it!'
Aimer suddenly stop halted his thoughts after noticing something up ahead. As he has gotten closer he could make out what it was.
A large country house of Roman times, having an estate and consisting of farm and residential buildings arrange around a courtyard.
'One of Talhain's most expensive villas!
The Mandalay Villa!'
Skill [Fade] has been deactivated!
*swoosh* *lands*
"We're here mother,"
Aimer budged his mother who removed her planted face from Aimer's chest. Still, in her son's arms, she turned around to witness a marvelous view.
"A, Aimer? What is this!?"
"It's our new home,"
Aimer released his mother's after place her other feet. And his mother stood there in surprise.
"I don't understand!? What do you mean? Th, this is our new home?"
With his mother standing directly beside him, Aimer placed his right hand above her head.
"Yes mother, you heard correctly. This is the present I was preparing for you,"
Aimer gently rubbed his mother's head to calm her nerves. He already knew if he didn't she would've created an outburst of confusion.
So one could say that his actions were of reassurance.
"Oh? And don't ask me where I got the money just know it's nothing illegal,"
Aimer swiftly removed his hand from his mother's head and gave her a slight push behind her back, urging her to examine their new home.
And at the time, he scampered away from her.
Truthfully, he didn't want to stick around her knowing that more questions would've emerged to the surface.
"Come on! What're you standing there for?"
After realizing his mother still hasn't followed behind him Aimer turned around, waving to her to come forth.
*sighs*
'What am I going to do with him? He presented me with such a big surprise and think I won't have any lingering questions. Well, I'm quite happy with this. If your father were here...'
"Coming!"
Anysia closed out her thoughts before she strode towards Aimer.
Now, upon breaching the front of the villa, there was a massive courtyard covered in green grass, flowers, and small bushes on either side of the concrete pathways.
In the middle of that said pathway was a fountain filled with mini golden fishes.
After passing that, both Aimer and his mother breached the white pearly villa before making contact with the pearly reinforced door that had bright golden knobs.
Surprisingly, the door hinges were as quiet as a mouse upon opening it.
Once Aimer and his mother entered, they were greeted by a marvelous interior.
In the middle was an empty circular space with a stunning chandelier attached to the section of the ceiling above it.
And looking forward, was a marble stairway that matched the marble floors. On the other side of that stairway was a minuscule hallway.
To the far left of Aimer was an enormous living room filled with the right accessories and utilities that came with it.
To the far right of Anysia, located a kitchen...a very spacious and spot cleaned kitchen with a brownish ceramic covered dining table accumulating eight chairs around it just next to it.
"So...what do you think mother?"
*thud*
Aimer turned around to face his mother but was greeted with sad happiness...
His mother fell to her knees with both hands covering her mouth. Tears slowly flowed from the edges of her bubbly-looking eyes.
"I, *sniff* *sniff* I am so happy right now,"
Anysia stuttered in between her speech and sobbing.
"No one has passed away mother. So you can save those tears for later.."
Aimer gently knelt before his mother and wiped her tears away with his index finger.
'He's right! I shouldn't be crying right now! He went out of his way and secured a new home for us. I don't know how he managed it but I will believe my son took the necessary precautions
Aimer's actions uplifted a burden from within Anysia's heart. A burden that tormented her since the day they fell into poverty.
'No! I don't want to remember those days! Right now, I can see progress... progress slowly taking shape. And it's all thanks to my beloved son that stands before me'
"Thank you so much, my son!"
In an instant, instead of allowing Aimer to help her up, Anysia tossed herself into his arms...greeting him with a grateful hug.
Aimer relapsed for a second before coming back to an understanding.
'It seems like she really likes it. That's good to know. Now, this is the start of a Belafonte's voyage'
Aimer hugged back his mother. And even though that hug lasted for seconds, to them both it lasted for an eternity. As if they were in a void unaffected by time.
"It's getting pretty late isn't it mother?"
"You're one to talk!"
Both Aimer and Anysia released each other from their grasps.
"Sadly, tonight we won't get to survey the entire villa. Also, I'll have to retrieve our clothing sometime tomorrow so you don't have to worry,"
"Thank you, my precious son. Your sister will be very happy to have such a caring and kind-hearted brother,"
'Oh shoot!! I almost forgot about her. Now I feel somewhat bad...hahah'
"Anyways mother, I have a few things for you"
With a tilted head and a flustered expression, Anysia replied.
"Huh? What is it now,"
"Status Window"
Name: Aimer Belafonte
Age: 19
Title: Sky-Dweller
Level: 402
[Intelligence] - 399 (+209)
[Speed] - 399 (+207)
[Agility] - 399 (+183)
[Strength] - 400 (+75)
[Defense] - 400 (+100)
[Stamina] - 399 (+80)
[Awareness] - 399 (+55)
[Elusiveness] - 399 (+191)
[Luck] - 390 (+169)
Skills:
[Adapt], [Animal Instincts], [Intimidate], [Perception], [GRIT], [Fade], [Uncontrollable]
Devourer's Descendant Skill-Set: (DD)
[Half-off] - Legendary ( requirement not met)
[Asura] - Legendary (requirement not met)
[Truth-seeker] - Unique (requirement met)
[Empathy] - Epic (requirement met)
Items:
[Ring of Iblīs, The Prince of Darkness], [Iblīs, Blade of the Fallen], [Banshee's Orb], [Lippu's Crystal], [Potion of Irrational Bravery], [Orkan's Whistle], [Sosrono's Wear Set], [Cloak of Drakel], [Sharkanha's Mark], [Titan's Lineage: Morhpling], [Mask of the Jester]
Hidden Skills:
Water Elementalist (Lvl. 1
(Requirements not met)
Hidden Skill: Fire Elementalist (Lvl.2
Mana:
360/2000
'I don't have much to give. I was thinking of giving her the [Potion of Irrational Bravery] and [Cloak of Drakel]. But will that be enough for her to protect herself when I'm not around?'
Skill [Truth-seeker] has been activated!
'Hm? She's one level away from being an Ascendant Dweller?'
Aimer glanced at his items on his Status Window then towards his mother.
'Then I should be able to give her that Sky-Dweller monster cores I have. Besides, I could hand her [Sosrono's Wear Set]. Even though I'll lose -50 from certain stats...my mother is more important than that. I can always get stronger, in the long run, to make up for that...'
After a lengthy, and hard discussion with himself, Aimer had now decided on the items he would gift his mother.
Well, he of course had other items he collected from his previous Lair clear but he decides to save those for the Auction Coalition.
As for why they didn't appear on the window...was unclear.
"Here they are!"
[Sosrono's Wear Set], [Potion of Irrational Bravery], [Cloak of Drakel], and Sky-Dweller monster core.
"Use these to protect yourself when I'm not around. I'm sure they'll be of good use to you. As for the core, hurry and become an Ascendant Dweller,"
Words couldn't describe the feeling Aimer's mother felt after glancing at the marvelous items. But what took her by surprise was the Sky-Dweller monster core.
'These items? And this core! Wh, where did he get these?'
"Aimer? How? How are you able..."
Before Anysia could question Aimer, he provided her with the evidence.
*sigh*
Aimer slowly exhaled before revealing his powers.
'The best way to show my power is through that skill...since anyone below my level can't really tell how powerful I am'
Skill [Intimidate] has been activated.
The instant Aimer activated his skill, Anysia witnessed a blood-curdling scenario. The red aura that accumulated around Aimer formed the shape of a beast.
To be exact...a snake, a snake that was similar to the one in mythology: The Ouroboros.
"Oh my god! What happened to you! What level have you reached!"
"I've recently become a Sky-Dwller,"
'Now, this explains it! From being able to afford this villa and presenting me with such precious items. And I can't forget...that core!!'
"During those six months...wherever you were...it seems you've been working hard. Working hard to come back home. Congratulations my son...with these items and core you gave me, I will not let you down,"
'Good. I thought she would've been scared but she took that like a G. She definitely has the willpower to reach my level.'
Aimer's countenance flashed a satisfied smile after witnessing his mother's reactions to him revealing a portion of his powers.
"I should find a bedroom to organize my thoughts in peace,"
"Oh, yeah. Just take the master room. It's upstairs to the right I think,"
Anysia quickly collected the items and core given to her before happily making haste up the stairs to locate the master bedroom.
'I wonder...what are my stats looking like?'
"Status Window"
Name: Aimer Belafonte
Age: 19
Title: Sky-Dweller
Level: 402
[Intelligence] - 399 (+159)
[Speed] - 399 (+157)
[Agility] - 399 (+133)
[Strength] - 400 (+75)
[Defense] - 400 (+50)
[Stamina] - 399 (+80)
[Awareness] - 399 (+55)
[Elusiveness] - 399 (+91)
[Luck] - 390 (+119)
Skills:
[Adapt], [Animal Instincts], [Intimidate], [Perception], [GRIT], [Fade], [Uncontrollable]
Devourer's Descendant Skill-Set: (DD)
[Half-off] - Legendary ( requirement not met)
[Asura] - Legendary (requirement not met)
[Truth-seeker] - Unique (requirement met)
[Empathy] - Epic (requirement met)
Items:
[Ring of Iblīs, The Prince of Darkness], [Iblīs, Blade of the Fallen], [Banshee's Orb], [Lippu's Crystal], [Orkan's Whistle], [Sharkanha's Mark], [Titan's Lineage: Morhpling], [Mask of the Jester]
Hidden Skills:
Water Elementalist (Lvl. 1
(Requirements not met)
Hidden Skill: Fire Elementalist (Lvl.2
Mana:
360/2000
'So I lost (-40) in Elusiveness which I had gained from [Cloak of Drakel]. In addition to that, I lost another (-50) from that said stat due to the boost from [Sosrono's Wear Set] which also took away another (-50) from Agility, Luck, and Defense.
*sighs*
It is what it is. Other than that, I should go get some sleep now'
Aimer turned towards the stairs after reviewing his current stats. And as he slowly crept up those stairs before making a left at the top to locate a room he had a thought.
'I still need to become stronger. Stronger than anyone. Because...for some reason, I have a bad feeling about the future'
*clenches fist*
*The next morning...
*Brrr* *Brrr* *Brrr*
'Ugh! Who could it be so early in the morning'
Aimer slowly reached his arm out to grab his cellular device on his side table. After bringing the phone closer to his face, Aimer rubbed his eyes then squinted at the brightly lit screen.
Call from: Loudo Guild
'Huh! This fast! I have to answer!!"
*swipes*
"Hello, is this the man who calls himself Remia?"
A profound and powerful voice drew Aimer from his still sleepy state.
'This person...they're strong. I can feel it just from their voice. This must be the Guild Master. Well, let's not falter'
*smirks*
"Yes, I am Remia. To whom do I owe the pleasure,"
*tenses*
'Hmmm? It's just as they informed me. This man...he's someone to be wary of but...'
The Guild Master felt an eerie pressure seeping down his spine after Aimer's single sentence.
"The footage...I've seen it. And it seems you're very talented. But why did you desire to show me this footage of you."
"To make a preposition of course. But... it's better if it could be done in person. Give me a date and time and I'll be there. Make sure to inform your underlings so nothing 'unexpected' happens,"
'Again! He's demanding and very calculative! But he's gotten my interest. Though he's talented, the footage could always be a tweak but if I could keep this person within my grasp then...'
While the Guild Master devised a plan of his own...Aimer too did the same.
'I know what you're thinking my dear Guild Master. If you think you'll be the puppeteer pulling the strings then your very mistaken. For I, Aimer have work to do'
After a brief silence, the Guild Master replied.
"Alright. I will be busy later on so how about visiting right now,"
"Oh? That's perfect. I'll be there very shortly,"
"Okay. Until then..."
*hangs up*
'Now, let's start phase two'