After conversing with Ray, he convened with the others, exchanging brief words before approaching Elora with a casual demeanor, hinting at his forthcoming claim of the reward. With that, he took his leave.
Within the confines of the Emberville estate, Jett roamed the gardens in a state of deep contemplation, his mind dwelling on the events of the recent battle. His thoughts lingered on the strength displayed by his comrades, a testament to their prowess. Yet, amidst their power, Jett recognized the pressing need for his own advancement.
"Strength, undeniable strength," he mused inwardly as he treaded silently towards the mansion. His steps were deliberate, avoiding any unnecessary noise until he reached the solace of his chamber.
"Now, let's assess my skills and the spoils of battle," he murmured to himself, eager to delve into the rewards that awaited him.
=====
Title: Undead Slayer
Class: Magic Swordsman
Level: 16
HP: 40
MP: 40
Strength: 46
Agility: 55
Intelligence:40
Perception: 39
Luck: MAX
Undistributed Points: 30
Skills:
[Gluttony EX]
[Skill Forge S]
[Rewrite Illusion A]
[Checkpoint A]
*****
[Elemental Blessing A]
[Quick Learner A]
[Ricochet Strike A]
[Spellblade Storm A]
[Tactical Mirage A]
[Demon Eyes B]
[Full Resistance B]
*****
[Forced Contract S]
[Heaven's Blessing S]
[Market Value S]
[Arcane Barrage A]
[Auto Spell A]
[Beast Mastery A]
[Divine Insight A]
[Divine Judgment A]
[Storage Space A]
[Light Blessing B]
Jerry, caught off guard, responded with surprise. "Is that so? I never knew," he exclaimed, extending his congratulations to Finn.
Eva joined in, offering her congratulations to Lola, Finn's mother. "Wow, congratulations," she said warmly, her pride evident.
Lola, touched by the sentiment, replied, "Why thank you, dear," feeling a swell of pride for her son.
Avon, echoing the sentiment, expressed his pride in Finn. "Yes, he will do great things someday," he affirmed.
However, Richard, who had been silent until now, couldn't contain his disdain. "Tch... Just an elaborate story to feed the royal family's ego. There's nothing special about Finn, so don't worry," he spat out before storming out.
Avon sighed with a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "Leave him be, he's always like that," he muttered, attempting to diffuse the tension that had arisen.
*****
Richard's frustration with the constant focus on the Divine Lords was rooted in deeper insecurities. As the heir to the Emberville family business, he felt overshadowed by Finn, who seemed to effortlessly garner attention and favor from their father. The emergence of the Divine Lords only exacerbated this dynamic, amplifying Richard's sense of threat to his position within the family hierarchy.
Meanwhile, Finn, unaware of Richard's inner turmoil, remained indifferent to the attention he received. Though he harbored no desire for the spotlight or the responsibilities of heirship, he had his own mission to fulfill, one that was thrust upon him regardless of his intentions.
*****
After dinner, Jerry and Avon departed to reminisce, while Eva and Lola retreated to the garden for a private conversation. Richard's absence was noticeable, though understandable given the vastness of the estate. Meanwhile, Jett sought solace on the roof, his gaze fixed upon the stars, his expression devoid of joy or warmth.
Nerissa emerged from behind, interrupting Jett's silent contemplation with a tray of late-night snacks. "What's with that gloomy face?" she remarked, offering him some cookies she had received from the maids. Sensing his solitude, she sought to share the treats with him.
Jett, surprised by her sudden appearance, attempted to speak, but Nerissa cut him off. "I told you before; you're nowhere near the level of detecting me. Want some?" she teased, handing him a few cookies before settling down beside him.
Accepting the cookies with a defeated sigh, Jett admitted, "I wasn't even able to detect you."
Nerissa couldn't resist patting him gently. "Well, you just need to get stronger then."
"Oh right... What was that about?" bringing up what had transpired during dinner.
Her eyes widened in feigned innocence "What? I have no idea what you're talking about." she exclaimed, her lips pursed in a failed attempt to hide a mischievous grin. She turned away, hoping to divert attention from her obvious guilt."
"What was that stunt you pulled during dinner? And how did you even know about it? Were you stalking me?" he asked, pointing back to the dining room in an attempt to jog her memory.
Nerissa finally abandoned any pretense of innocence. "Calm down, twerp. I wasn't stalking you; I just happened to catch a glimpse of you during that sparring match," she confessed, unable to deny the truth.
Jett remained skeptical. "Right. How come you didn't talk about that, though?" he pressed, noting her selective silence.
Nerissa offered a rational explanation. "Because Finn didn't seem to want to bring it up himself, maybe because of Richard. And even if I didn't bring it up, they'd find out sooner than you think because of how significant it was," she reasoned.
Her words left Jett feeling uneasy. "So you do know how to read the room. But you disregard that when it comes to me," he observed, disappointment evident in his gaze.
Nerissa softened her expression, her playful demeanor returning. "Well, that's because you're my cute and precious brother, of course," she declared, affectionately pinching his cheeks. "Aww, so soft."
"Quit it," Jett ordered, attempting to escape Nerissa's playful grasp until she relented.
A peaceful silence enveloped them as they gazed at the stars, broken only by Nerissa's voice. "You know they care and equally worry about you," she said, her gaze drifting towards Jerry and Avon who were still engrossed in conversation. "I only did that to give them peace of mind, so they knew they don't have to worry about you."
Jett sighed, understanding her intentions. "I understand if that's the case, but you still have to respect my privacy."
With a smirk, Nerissa teased, "Oh? Is my little brother talking about privacy? What are you, 16?" as she attempted to cuddle him.
"Let go of me," Jett protested, trying to free himself from her embrace.
Nerissa relented, adopting a pleading expression. "Alright, alright, I understand. I may have gone overboard back there. Will you forgive your big sis?" she asked, her eyes shining with innocence.
Unable to resist her charm, Jett relented. "It's alright..."
"Yay!" Nerissa cheered, clapping her hands in delight.
As he glanced at her, a sudden thought crossed his mind, causing a blush to creep onto his cheeks. "Are you really my sister?" he questioned, trying to divert attention from his embarrassment.
Confused by his inquiry, Nerissa replied, "Huh? Where did that come from?"
Shrugging off the momentary lapse, Jett looked away, masking his embarrassment. "Nothing," he muttered.
But before he could dwell on it further, Nerissa thanked him unexpectedly. "Thank you for being there for mom and dad," she expressed, her gaze still fixed on the stars.
"Huh?" Jett could only respond with a puzzled, as she smiled and left him alone to ponder their conversation.
*
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I'm so jealous ✿ ♡