Chapter 92 Home [1]

92 Home [1]

—9:00 PM.

After returning home from the 'date' with Rachel, the two bid their farewells and entered their respective rooms.

"Khh...!"

Finally having some time for himself, Brandon had started exploring his new special affinity.

Curse threads...

They were difficult to use.

And,

"Kuhh!"

They hurt.

A lot.

Recalling the way David manipulated the threads, Brandon found himself perplexed.

David was able to use numerous threads. While currently, Brandon was only capable of one.

Special affinities truly lived up to its name. It was a lot more difficult to master than the normal affinities.

"Akh!"

Drip. Drip...!

His index finger—where the thread materialized from had started bleeding.

For him, it felt as if a needle was piercing through his finger.

The thread he could create was only about four centimeters long.

That's how much his current capabilities allowed him.

Yet Brandon persisted.

"Ukhh!"

Just one thread.

If he could successfully manipulate one thread, then it was a good stopping point for the night.

Focusing the mana on his finger, the thread started extending.

But not for long, as the thread loosened and limply descended on the floor.

Drip. Drip.

And his finger started bleeding again.

"Fuck..."

Then again, Brandon didn't stop.

Cutting the threads, it dematerialized.

Gritting his teeth, another thread extended from his finger.

One centimeter.

Two centimeters.

Three centimeters.

Fou—

"Aghk...!"

It limply loosened once again.

It became apparent to him that special affinities had different properties. It was evident on the screen, a feature in his system.

—---------------------------

[Special Affinities]

∟[Curse]

∟ Cursed Threads

∟ Cursed Flames: 1%

∟ Mark of Despair: Locked

∟ Abyssal Chains: Locked

∟ Soul Drain: Locked

∟ Binding Vow: Locked

—---------------------------

He didn't know how to progress, nor how to increase the percentage of mastering the curse flames.

He hit a roadblock.

Not like he was in any room to be thinking about the next phase.

Drip. Drip.

His fingers continued to bleed.

.

.

Time passed.

And throughout the entire time, he tasted failure.

Again. And again.

And again.

"Akh!"

Four centimeters.

The single thread cut off from there.

Time and time again, Brandon continuously extended a single thread from his finger.

Drip. Drip.

And his progress regressed once again.

Yet again, four centimeters was his record.

"....This is going nowhere."

If Skill Weaver had some way to make things easier, then he would've chosen that method.

"I'm good."

"Suit yourself."

Putting the appropriate amount of food in the microwave, Belle turned it on.

Click—

Waiting for the food to reheat, Belle walked towards the dining table and sat.

Looking at Brandon, she pursed her lips.

18:46

At her words, Brandon sat down on the opposite seat.

Looking at Brandon, Belle smiled.

"You seem to be doing a lot better."

"Is that so...?"

Belle leaned a bit close and scanned his face. Her lips then parted open.

"Your complexions look pale. But at least you're speaking now."

"Ah, haha."

Rubbing the back of his head, he awkwardly laughed.

Brandon was feeling light-headed. But that was for a different reason.

Leaning back, Belle didn't pursue the matter. Whatever it was, she knew the topic of Everglade was sensitive for Brandon.

Ding—!

And before things took an awkward turn, the food had finally finished reheating.

Just like that, the food was ready, and Belle started eating in front of Brandon.

With food in her mouth, Belle decided to speak anyway.

Munch. Munch.

"So... I ackshually... Havda—"

"Chew your food properly."

He cut her off.

Munch. Munch.

Gulp~

Swallowing, Belle repeated her words.

"As I was saying. I actually have the whole week off from council duties."

"No lectures?"

"...And as the Council President, I can skip a week or two."

"Why would you do that?"

Before answering, Belle chugged a glass of water.

Slurp~

"Ahh... Since you're free for the week, I thought it would be a good chance to take a break as well."

Feeding herself, Belle continued to speak.

"With... Bosh of ush.... Being fshree..."

"Chew."

Brandon frowned.

The hell is wrong with Belle's table manners?

Or was she just comfortable at home?

That seemed to be the case.

Outside, Belle carried an air of regal wherever she went.

Students even started calling her 'The Madonna'.

But there were no signs of The Madonna here.

Burp.

Covering her mouth, Belle flushed red for a bit, embarrassed.

Composing herself, her lips parted open once again.

"With both of us being free for the week, it's a good opportunity to visit home."

"Home?"

"Yup, I kind of miss the mansion. Don't you?"

Mansion?

Ah.

So the Locke family really was that rich.

Then...

"...I guess so?"

"Right? I told the driver to pick us up tomorrow at 10:00 AM."

Driver?

'Why am I only knowing about this now?'

Finishing her meal, Belle continued.

"Be early, alright?"

An opportunity.

Brandon had always wanted to visit the Locke family's home.

Hopefully, to find out more about the original Brandon Locke.

Just that he didn't know where 'home' actually was.

Asking Belle would raise suspicions.

But since Belle brought it to the table, there was no hesitating.

With such thoughts, Brandon nodded.