CHAPTER 31: AFTERMATH

Aegon had a long dream, but he couldn’t remember it. All he knew was that he had slept for a long time and that a lot of things had happened around him, yet he couldn’t recall them either.

His consciousness slowly returned as his eyes groggily opened, staring at the familiar red-lily patterned ceiling of his room.

He liked them a lot, so Xiu had the ceiling carved like that just for him.

’I really thought this was all just a long dream and that I’d wake up in the hospital bed again,’ Aegon thought in amusement, though only he knew how scared he had been of that possibility.

This life had given him everything he had ever wanted, and even more, so if he found out it was all a lie, he knew he wouldn’t be able to cope.

"You’re finally awake!"

Before he could even respond, a giant bear hugged him or rather, his aunt hugged him like a bear. Seriously, was hugging all she knew?

Still, Aegon smiled and hugged her back. He was so glad he could feel her warmth again. "I’m sorry."

"Never apologize for something that isn’t your fault," Xiu said, pulling back to look him over. "Now, tell me, how are you feeling?"

Aegon didn’t answer immediately. There was no point in saying he was fine just to comfort her. They weren’t that formal with each other.

He closed his eyes, focusing inward to sense the changes in his body. It felt like he had been completely transformed, but he paid attention only to see if something felt wrong. Nothing hurt.

"I’m fine," he finally said. "But I do want a mango juice though."

"Right on it!" Xiu grinned, kissing his forehead before vanishing like the wind. One moment she was here, the next she was already somewhere else.

He watched her for a moment, then his expression turned serious. ’What exactly happened?’

He remembered awakening both the Mana Core needed for the Mana Pathway and the Soul Sea necessary for the Soul Pathway. Then, he had asked the system to assimilate many things he had acquired over time, which had led to him losing consciousness.

’I couldn’t handle the burden?’ he guessed. ’So, I was right not to assimilate everything earlier. Who knows if my younger self would’ve straight up died?’

He took a deep breath and muttered mentally, ’System, what is my body’s situation currently? What happened after I lost consciousness?’

[Answering Host’s question...]

On his third birthday, he had managed to get the system to gain some intelligence and help him. It had cost him his 50x Reward Bonus, but he had been very happy with his luck.

Although it wasn’t the ’Status’ screen he had wanted, he had gotten something useful at least. The system could now work as a part-time AI, which was very helpful.

[Host has awakened both the Mana and Soul Pathways, allowing him to walk on all three Pathways. Host has also awakened the Blazing Sun Holy Physique, which grants him Supreme-Grade Affinity to Fire, Heat, and Light, along with additional effects such as increased growth under the sun and a boost in power when fighting beneath sunlight. Host can also cleanse the corruption and darkness. Host has also gained a fragment of the Aspect of the Sun!]

’Interesting! Continue.’

[Host has gained Unique Skill: Eternal Flames. These flames will never die unless Host wills them to, but their intensity, heat, and variety depend on Host’s strength.]

’Amaterasu!? Damn! I expected something like this from the name, but still...damn!’

[Host has gained the Mystic Eyes: Eyes of Truth. However, due to Host’s weak constitution and underdeveloped Soul Sea, they are temporarily sealed. Their effects remain unknown.]

’That’s a shame. I was looking forward to them the most. Eyes of Truth sounds so OP!’ Aegon sighed.

[Host has also gained Affinities to various elements and concepts as a result of assimilation, with their Grades varying. The two Traits, ’Child of Duality’ and ’Harmony,’ ensured everything remained balanced. Does Host want a detailed list?]

’Nah, that won’t be necessary. I already know what I’ve acquired over the years.’

[Understood. Once Host awakened his Pathway options, Host needed to use a Mana Circulation Technique to refine the mana. Without it, mana would have wreaked havoc inside Host’s body, destroying it from within.]

’And I went unconscious before even using one because of the burden. I’m dumb!’ Aegon felt like punching himself.

He had been so careful with his new life, yet such a careless mistake had almost killed him. Xiu had warned him of this and had even given him a general Mana Circulation Technique.

It was a common one, one that could work regardless of a person’s Affinity.

She had explained that a Mana Circulation Technique was always best when it matched one’s Affinity, but if it contradicted the Affinity, it could be destructive.

That was why she gave him a common one that didn’t rely on any specific Affinity. He could choose a different one later depending on what Affinity he awakened.

That was what almost everyone did, but at least they stayed conscious long enough to use it. The other reason for their usage was that most kids couldn’t remember the detailed Mana Circulation Techniques.

He sighed. ’Then, how am I alive and perfectly fine?’

[The system searched Host’s belongings and memories to find the best Mana Circulation Technique available, then forcibly used it to stabilize Host.]

’Wait! That technique...’

[It was the Mythical-Rank Ice Mana Circulation Technique.]

The name sounded simple enough, but Aegon knew its true value. He had studied the Rankings used in this world for techniques and many other things.

They went from Common, Uncommon, Unusual, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Above that was the Transcendent Rank, which was supposed to be nothing more than myth for most people. But Aegon knew it existed.

He himself had a Transcendent-Rank weapon in his Inventory, after all. Not to mention, Arnold had told him they existed, and he had seen them too but they were incredibly rare to come across.

He had never used Skybreaker, the Transcendent-Rank weapon, out of fear of what might happen if he tried to wield it. Now, he was glad he had been cautious.

’And Mythical... it must be above Transcendent Rank, something that might not even exist on this continent. Opa did say we haven’t even explored all of Triana yet, so perhaps there are other civilizations out there who have Mythical-Rank Techniques and Artifacts.’