Ren woke up especially early today to prepare his things and use the mana book Shin bought for him yesterday.
He took out the book and in the cover were various writings in gold that looked like some sort of seal.
'so I just have to open the book right'
After he opened it, nothing really happened. But just when he was about to give up, a blue light shot out from it, enveloping his body with it for a few seconds.
With all the flashy lights he had some hopes of getting a decent amount in mana.
Since today is the weekend, he didn't have to take care of Shin. It was perfect for going out.
He wore a simple white collared shirt and some dark blue trousers. He wondered if he could turn the brooch to a necklace some other time. Since he can't even wear it visibly.
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-Shin's Room
Although and Aria will still pass by Lotriare's household to go to the capital, Shin wanted to be the one to pick her up for once.
He just wore his usual clothes, and fixed his hair.
At breakfast, he noticed that Ren wasn't there but didn't think too much about it.
He told his family beforehand that he was going to pick Aria up before going to the capital. As they were childhood friends, none of them really objected.
"I don't need servants to come with me" Shin said before leaving
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Just as Ren was about to leave as well, he heard some maids gossiping.
"My! The young master going to Miss Aria's place? It's on the opposite side of their destination"
"That's what you call a true gentleman!"
.........
Ren couldn't possibly hide in the carriage for that long. So there was only one choice
He had to jump on the carriage when it's moving to the capital.
........
"Sigh....what a great way to start the day" he helplessly said
He decided to loiter around the garden near the gates close to a big statue which was a great place to use Sylvie's Brooch.
Finally, about after 20 minutes or so, a familiar carriage appeared.
He quickly went behind the statue
"Match"
â¢Systemâ¢
Sylvie's Brooch is activated
Time remaining : 50 minutes
'not too bad, an additional 20 minutes' he thought to himself
He waited just for the right time and dashed towards the carriage. He immediately out his foot near the baggage area and with one hands grabbed the holder for the lantern.
'I thank the original Ren for this fit body, or else I'd die from exhaustion. And the mission hasn't even started yet!'
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[Inside the carriage]
"You didn't have to go all the way to my place Shin, we could've just met at your place since it's closer!"
"We always do that, and I haven't seen you much this week. It wouldn't hurt to have changes sometimes right?"
The two chatted a bit about school and proceeded to plan out what to do for the day.
While they were having fun inside the carriage, Ren was outside along with friend the blazing sun.
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After 20 minutes, they finally arrived at the capital. Ren quickly got off and deactivated Sylvie's Brooch in an alley.
".....I'm dying" Ren said to himself
For some reason, today was especially hot.
He decided to buy a drink before following the two. He tried to keep just enough distance for him to see them but not too close for them to notice him. He didn't really have to scrutinize their actions. After all, it was only part of the reason why he's here. The most important things is that the protagonist doesn't die in the next scene and to kick that archer out of the harem. Of course since he doesn't even know how to use spells yet, he brought some stuff to use as distraction so they could escape.
The other two seemed to have fun. People sometimes stare at them.
'jeez, talk about PDA'
They were acting so much like a lovey dovey couple. They went to a few shops to buy some outfits and accessories. Not long after, they walked to the cafe that was opening today. As expected, a lot of people came. Luckily, they got a seat.
Ren had to see them eat and enjoy their cool drinks during this heat. While he just loitered at a nearby place and drank plain water which wasn't even cold. It was quite painful.
After a while, the scene had finally begun.
A nearby building exploded. The debris flew all over the place destroying some carriages and a few small shops. Many people in the area ran as well the customers inside the cafe which added to the chaos. Shin and Aria immediately stood up and exchanged a look. Shin unsheathed his sword while Aria ordered a servant to bring her staff.
After loitering around a few shops, he already found a decent hiding spot. He took out a few objects out of his bag. A toy gun, some rubber ammo, some kind of paper, and a mana potion. He obviously couldn't buy much from the shops due to his not too big income. This already used up more than half of his salary for the week!
"Match"
â¢Systemâ¢
Sylvie's Brooch activated
Remaining time : 30 minutes
He started walking on the roofs of the shops, preparing the ammo. Although these were only rubber ammo which can't really hurt many in this fantasy world, it could be enhanced. This morning he already listed some low mana consumption spells. Although he couldn't use elemental magic or more powerful ones, the mana boost helped him be able to finally use spells.
He decided on an enhancing spell.
'I seriously hope this doesn't backfire'
â¢Systemâ¢
For your first spell, you have chosen Low enhancement
Directions: Concentrate on the object you desire to enhance and simply say "Enhance"
Mana consumption : 1 each enhancement
"Oh, the system's quite useful today~"
'it is quite wasteful to spend 1 mana for each bullet though'
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When Shin and Aria arrived at the scene, a girl in front of them had a large bow with magic arrows aimed at the front. She was quite injured. When she shot, loud growls could be heard.
They were people in crazed state. Not to mention there were 4!
The archer in front of them was quite stubborn, not willing to back away.
"Run away! Are you crazy?!? These are people who are in crazed state!" Shin shouted
The girl pretended not to hear and kept firing mana arrows
'it must be nice having so much mana' Ren thought
If this keeps up, the girl will collapse. Shin was quite annoyed and dashed towards the girl and mercilessly threw her in Aria's direction.
"How dare you?!? Don't you know who I am? Let me go this instant!" The girl demanded
"Aria cast an enchantment on me and go find a safe place to heal her"
"But you can't handle them alone Shin!"
Shin just smiled and said "that's why I need your support"
4 of of the Infected (no not zombies, it's what those in crazed states are called)
Started attacking Shin. They looked like mutants, their blood seemed to gush out from everywhere making them look nore horrifying. Shin dodged as much as he could, while the Infected slowly circled around him.
Aria knew what Shin said was dangerous, but if she didn't do it what could she do?
She gritted her teeth and quickly added enhancements.
She enhanced his speed and strength for about half an hour. She quickly added haste to herself as well and carried the stubborn girl at her back.
"You vile woman let me go!!!"
The archer kept rambling
Aria ignored her and said to Shin "You have to come back safely, okay?!?"
After that she went away
Seeing that they weren't in his sight anymore his facial features softened quite a bit. He released more of his aura and tried handling the giants to keep them at bay for as long as possible before nearby help could arrive.
Thanks to the boosts, he could somewhat keep up with their movements. Shin added mana to his sword and it started to glow blue. He jumped towards one of them and stabbed an arm. The infected gave out quite a loud shriek and the other three quickly tried to grab Shin once again.
This went on for a while until Shin's stamina finally dwindled. One of them caught his leg and threw him to the wall on a nearby building. He spat out a mouthful of blood and had trouble getting up. Just as the infected were about to circle hin again, large bangs could be heard in the air.
"....rubber balls?" Shin was visibly confused
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"Just as I expected, it really did become harder. And that annoying Archer bitch might've become more useless in this universe" Ren ranted obviously annoyed
He only had a limited amount of ammo, so he couldn't be careless
When he saw Shin spit a mouthful of blood out, he felt a bit sorry for him. He couldn't do much to change the situation and Shin's suffering because of it.
When they were closing in on Shin, Ren decided to pull the trigger.
"Enhance"
And faint green light appeared on the bullet as he said that and when it hit, it seemed like the rubber exploded.
A head
"Enhance"
The other's neck
He jumped down to the ground and ran in a circle.
Even though it was enhanced, it didn't damage the infected at all. But it served its purpose. To divert it's attention.
He kept shooting and the infected finally became confused and went in Ren's direction.
He used his bullets to somewhat guided them to a nearby forest.
In the original, this was how the protagonist got help in defeating these bastards. Although it's gotten harder, it probably doesn't even matter if it's up against this hero. The ranked 1 hero. Before Shin ends up taking his place a few years later. Wolford.
Using this knowledge, he lead then straight to him. When he finally saw a silhouette of a tall man clad in black, he finally stopped shooting and dashed towards the direction he came from before time was up.
â¢Systemâ¢
Sylvie's Brooch
Time remaining : 5 minutes
"Ha....."
When he was on his way to Shin, time was up. And he was really exhausted. He was about to drink the mana potion when an image of Shin spitting out blood came into his mind
"....."
He put the cork back on and slowly made his way back.
It seemed Shin tried to chase the infected even though he was a mess since they crossed paths not long after.
".....Young master Shin what a surprise, what happened to you?!"
".....I could ask you the same thing, Ren"
It was obvious with one look. They both looked terrible.
"....Young master, here drink this. It won't heal you but it'll probably give you a bit more energy"
He reluctantly tried giving his one and only mana potion
Although Ren tried to hide it with his usual demeanor, it was obvious to Shin that he didn't want to give it away
"You drink it. I can just have Aria help me"
Although Ren was tired it seemed like his eyes were full of life
He quickly opened the cork and drank the whole thing in one gulp replenishing about half his mana.
"Thank you Young master! ....so, you went out with Miss Aria today?"
'fuck he found me' Ren internally cursed
In all honesty, Shin already knew. How coud it be not obvious when Ren kept saying "enhance" near him with his normal voice.
But Shin only said this
"Next time you should use a voice changer if you want to keep things around people"
Ren looked dejected seeing all his efforts of hiding go to waste because of his stupid mistakes.
"....I just wanted to buy vegetables...."
Shin just sighed and gestured Ren to come follow him. Probably to find Aria and that archer girl.
It was silent for a while, it was a quite awkward for Ren seeing how he got caught because of his stupidity
When they were walking closer to the exist of the forest, Shin suddenly asked
"what happened to the infected?"
"Oh a hero was luckily here so it probably ended well"
'he's speaking casually again' Shin noticed, but he immediately got angry after a thought
"....and what if a hero didn't appear?!"
Ren was a bit surprised by his sudden outburst
"....I could say the same to you as well Young Master. You got hurt quite a lot. Just this monday you also got hurt."
Shin was mad at Ren, but he was too tired so he just kept quiet.
And although Ren wasn't mad, he didn't try to strike up another conversation as well.
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This was like, more than twice longer than my normal chapters. So that's something, ig.