I watched my sister Adrianne load unto a coach the last of her luggage. It was a clear and bright morning in the Bright Manor, where the sun had yet to climb it's peak.
And on such a fine morning like this, I was at the main gate seeing my sister off. An envoy had been sent from the Main family to receive the heirs from each of their homes.
"It's already been two days, huh." I said in a wistful tone, watching the shimmering strands of Adrianne's hair flutter and flow down her back.
Adrianne turned to face me and nodded.
"Mhm. It has," then she rose one corner of her lips in a teasing grin. "What? Your're missing your big sister already even before she leaves?"
I cast a crestfallen expression and lowered my head somberly. I lingered for two seconds before forceing a bright smile and said.
"I know, right? That's pathetic isn't, it? Haha."
Instantly, I watched Adrianne's cocky expression freeze and her eyes glittered.
Heh. Too easy.
"C-cough, cough." Adrianne feigned a cough then regained composure, before saying in her usual mild manner tone.
"It is only two days I'll be away for. Once the Ritual Ceremony is over I'll return home," she paused, then added in a small voice, "to you."
Clearly, with my advanced hearing I heard that, but I still went on and said,
"Ehh? What was that, big sis?"
Adrianne gagged then coughed hard before feigning composure and shrugged futilely.
"It was nothing. I didn't say nothing. If I did, it was that you should keep training for when I return. We'll spar, and I won't hold back this time." She firmly declared
You never hold back.
Suppressing an honest trembling from my body, I smiled wryly then said.
"I'll... I'll do my best. Plus, I'm sure you would totally dominate the competition, and when that happens, won't you go off to learn under the Main family for a few years? '
Adrianne stared silently into the worry inside my eyes. Her strict expression softened only slightly.
"It doesn't mean I won't return at all. Ths is my family, and you are my little brother, remember that."
From this exchange I could confirm that Adrianne was aware of the truth concerning the Ritual. For now, that was enough.
"Yes, I understand." I nodded firmly.
"Good." Adrianne said then her gaze swept pass me. At the same moment I felt an approaching presence come from behind and equally turned.
"Father." Adrianne said then respectfully bowed. I lowered my head slightly then moved out of the way to the side.
As Dorian approached, he displayed a small smile.
"You have finished taking all you need?"
" Yes. I only carried with me what is necessary. I'll only be gone for two days, and even then the Main family would be responsible for my accomodation." Adrianne soundly explained and Dorian nodded in understanding.
"Yes, that is true. You've always been so practical and thorough, so I trust that your luggage won't be lacking."
Just as Dorian said that, Alissa my mother rushed through the garden at us, looking frenzied.
"Adrianne, don't forget your sweater, it might get cold at the Main Family's estate! Amd suncreen, suncreen too! It might be hot out there!"
Grabbing Adrianne by her shoulders, Alissa nervously blathered.
"M-mother, I'm fine. Stop shaking me so much... " Adrianne pleaded with a gradually paling complexion.
Dorian intervened, placing a calming hand on Alissa's shoulder. "Let's not forget Adrianne is a young and capable young lady, she'll be fine at the Main family's estate."
I merely continued to remian on the sidelines like an onlooker.
With some effort we managed to pry Alissa off Adrianne and the envoy urged us to finsih out goodbyes.
"We need to depart soon, please." The envoy assigned to Adrianne informed respectfully and we watched as Adrianne enter into the Coach.
Before her back could fully disappear, I cast one last meaningful glance at her, and I barely suppressed my self from choking on a violent cough from what I saw.
Before anyone could notice what was wrong with me, the coach began to trudge on, and pass the front gate.
...
[Skill {Inspect (lvl1)} is currently active]
...
I hadn't been kidding when I said Adrianne would dominate the competition.
...
[Skill {Inspect (lvl1)] has been deactivated]
...
[Name: Adrianne Bright
Level: 8]
...
That girl had gone up and entire three levels more in just two days!
Staring at the distancing coach, i felt a strange mix of emotions. Adrianne was going to crush the Ritual.
***
Level 8 by only 12 years old was by no means a small feat. I had raised my understanding of the world through Meta far enough to have a general idea of the power standard, and level 8 at such a young age was crazy!
Adrianne is a monster!
What's more she wasn't even an Awakened yet.
How did she level up an entire three times in two days?
That was almost impossible, but it was in no way a small feat without the proper experience.
Just then, invading my thoughts, Meta interjected, saying.
[You should be raising your level too. You're overall base stats may have been multiplied since your awakening, but you would still lose in a fight against your sister.]
'Well, jeez I appreciate the vote of confidence, Meta. " I rolled eyes.
[I am only doing my part]
'I bet you are. '
Though what Meta said may be true, I'm not completely inclined to believe I would be beaten throughly if I went up against Adrianne.
Definitely, her level and stats all far surpass mine despite my status as a Beta ranked Awakened. But there are different other factors that can determine the outcome of a fight.There was experience, terrain, setting, and even ample prior preparation could drastically alter the course of a fight.
Maybe I would lose in a spear fight, but if it came to an exchange of blows with just our fists, I felt confident I would at least deal substantial damage.
After all, a dogfight turns anything at all into a weapon, even your opponent.
[Only you would casually debate and devise methods of winning a fight in a scenario against your own blood sister,]
I smiled wryly.
'Is that so? '
I hadn't thought about it like that. Must have been some lingering instincts I carried along with me into this world.
In any case, Meta was right. I had to level up my stats to better maximize my Awakened status.
'Hmmm. What's the best and quickest way to level up faster? ' I asked Meta in my head, and the synthetic voice promptly responded.
[That would be to gain experience from hunting Beasts and Monster.]
'Monsters? They exist here too? How does that work?' I asked, curious.
[Monsters and Magical beasts are created from the influence of Aether in the fauna of Aetohria since its descent centuries ago. As such Monsters and Beasts posses Aether inside their body, and compresses as Cores. Hunting a Monster can assist to raise your level, and absorbing the essence of their Cores can help to expand your Aura pool, and raise your Ranks indefinitely.]
Ohh, I just heard some really incredible news.
'I see. Leveling up is much easier than Ranking up. In game terms, like you've used, to level up will require Exp, or experience points, but your a System in name and I don't have that. ' I seized the opportunity to mock the condescending Meta.
[Indeed, but as such a system of 'exp' as you call it doesn't exist, you can only Level up by raising your stats the normal, human way] she ignored my obvious diss, but somehow I didn't like how Meta said the 'human'.
'You mean by exercising?'
[Affirmative.]
I thought so as well.
Gaining Exp from hunting Monsters or Beast was only the most effective and quickest way to raise my level, but it went without saying I couldn't enjoy that privilege. At least not for now.
Then I could only raise my level the old fashioned way.
By getting jacked.
Cough!
No, not jacked, jacked, like on steroids or anything! I mean, like uhh, getting ripped, yeah, getting super ripped and muscle building!
[...]
'Cough, cough. I-i understand that. But I also want to master Aura and also raise my rank immediately.' I muttered inwardly,
'Since I could exercise to level up, that's one problem solved. But you still haven't told me how to effectively raise my rank, and even more so, utilize the Aura in my body. '
Except for absorbing the essence from the cores of Monsters of course. Plus I need to figure out a way to expand my Aura capacity.
Having the meter at 4 was depressing.
'I've decided. Teach me Aura first. '
Sorting out my thoughts and doubts with Meta, and concluding my next cause of action, I took an excuse from the presence of both my parents and quickly retreated back into my room.
[Utilizing Aura, or any aspect of Aether actually, is only a manner of sensitivity and control.] Meta immediately began as soon as I secluded myself away inside my locked room.
I nodded quietly for it to continue.
[An Awakened needs to be able of perceiving the Aether in their bodies and, the world, to have certain degrees of control over it. As in Aura, the same applies in Mana.]
'I understand. And how do I learn to perceive Aether?' this was originally something I would be able to learn once I was finally of age, or awakened naturally.
But Meta had been the one responsible for my premature Awakening into Beta rank, that I had no one else to turn to show me the ropes.
[Usually this process will take a long and lengthy procedure of meditation to raise the Awakened's Sensitivity, and would ultimately depend on your innate perception and talent.]
'Plea~se tell me there's a 'but'. ' i pleaded entirely earnestly.
Talent was an option I didn't have any hopes on.
Meditation sounded like sitting around and reflecting on what I had for breakfast. And I've never had any talent for anything at all before!
[Affirmative. There is a much easier and quicker way to sense Aether and control Aura.], and my most awesome and favorite system said!
'Ah~ Meta, you're the best! I promise to treat you a little better from now now, yes, yes. ' I nodded earnestly, feeling only warm and bubbly gratitude that I had tears in my eyes.
'And what way would that be, oh most glorious system? '
[To simply force you to feel Aether and Control Aura.]
'Eh? '
Somehow...that sounded painful.
[I will now begin taking control of your body once more.]
"Eh??"
...
[Skill, {??? (lvl???)} Has been activated]
[{???} skill (lvl???) Is being used]
...
Shit!
The next moment, I felt the oh so familiar sensation of having my consciousness forcefully ripped out of my body!