25 - Travel

The walk back to the castle was silent, with the high moon and the cool forest air lighting the way.

Ariel and I led the way, while the soldiers followed behind, carrying the “treasures” recovered from the nest.

My arm ached from cutting it, now that the adrenaline had worn off.

Ariel was with me on the horse, but unlike when she first came to the capital, now the little mermaid was sitting behind me, her trident on her back, as she looked down at the ground, pensive.

“Eric...” She said quietly, breaking the silence. “That was... intense. I've never done anything like that. I was afraid I'd get in your way, you know? Like, what if my water jets hit someone wrong?” She laughed, nervously, but her eyes shone with excitement. “But it was also amazing! You... you're much stronger than I imagined. That rock exploded like it was nothing!”

I smiled, scratching the back of my head. “You didn't get in the way, Ariel. It was the opposite, without you we would have taken twice as long. And, look, I get scared of making mistakes sometimes too. But you were perfect today.”

Hearing my compliment, she blushed.

And I continued talking, joking. “And about the stone... let's just say that having a beautiful mermaid watching me train really helped my progress.”

I was sure she must have blushed again, because she was quiet for a few seconds before giving me a light slap on the shoulder.

Then she laughed, more lightly. “In the sea, you face sharks, but these monsters are something else. I'm still shaking a bit.” She raised her hand and stretched it forward, where I could see it, showing that it was shaking a little.

Looking at the delicate white hand stretched out in my vision, I took it affectionately and squeezed it lightly. “You were brave, Ariel, and with time and dedication you'll get even better at it.”

When we reached the castle, I looked at the soldiers with a satisfied smile. “Soldiers, because of our courage and bravery, our beautiful royal capital will finally have rest and security for a while. We won't be able to relax and get weaker thinking that no monsters will emerge, but for the next three days I don't want to see any of you around here, so make the most of your time off and get plenty of rest with your families!”

Hearing me announce a three-day break for them, the soldiers howled with joy and jest before dispersing in exhaustion.

Our adventure had taken almost all night, so everyone just wanted to rest for now.

After they left, I followed Ariel up the stairs to the door of the guest room.

The moonlight illuminated the stained glass windows, while the lit candles cast colors in the hallway.

A little sleepy, Ariel stopped at the door, turning to me. “Eric, thank you for letting me come with you. I... want to help more, even if it's scary.” Her smile was sincere, and my chest warmed.

“All right, Ariel, rest for today, in the next few days we'll plan our next adventure.” I said with a satisfied smile on my face.

She smiled wider, opened the door and walked in, waving before closing it. “Good evening, Eric.”

“Good night,” I replied, walking back to my room.

- 2 Days Later -

That day I woke up in a renewed mood.

My studies on the training manuals for the kingdom's soldiers were bearing fruit and I felt that although I wasn't very close to being able to finish it, I was on the right track to creating a manual for soldiers to be able to use Water Breathing.

Over the last few days, as well as studying the manuals Torren had given me, I had also been training our powers with Ariel on a daily basis, with her practicing the use of her magic trident, while I trained Water Breath to a level where I felt I was already very close to being able to use the Fourth Form, as well as improving my assimilation of the characters.

Looking at the screen of my System left me feeling very satisfied.

- Eric Lunaris -

Race: Human

GP: 16

- Character Assimilation -

Fully Assimilated: None

In Progress: [Percy Jackson - 26 -> 30%] [Johnny Cage - 40 -> 49%]

---------

When my Percy model reached 30% I felt that something new had unlocked in me.

Not only had my reflexes and battle instincts improved a lot, greatly amplifying my level of physical combat, but I began to feel that the power Ariel used with the trident was a little familiar.

Before, I had an affinity with water and was able to use it to control water more generally.

But after my assimilation reached 30%, it was as if my control over the water became greater, allowing me to control the water in a more precise and delicate way than I could before.

The power of this was still much weaker than what Ariel could do with the trident, but indirectly it made my attacks much more powerful, since I could integrate this power into my Water Breath and make the attacks even more lethal than before.

Suddenly, the smell of fresh bread and hot tea filled the air, making my stomach rumble and I headed down to the castle dining room for breakfast.

The table was set with simple but neatly arranged dishes.

My mother was adjusting a jug of juice, while my father was reading a scroll with a frown.

Ariel was already there, in a light blue dress that my mother must have chosen, while her trident was resting on the chair.

As soon as she saw me, a cute smile appeared on her face, causing an equal smile to appear on mine.

“Good morning, Eric,” she said cheerfully, cutting a piece of bread. ”Your world has such strange foods! This bread is... fluffy!”

My mother laughed, sitting down next to her. “And you haven't even tried everything yet, dear. We have cakes too.”

My father looked up, giving a half-smile, but you could see the concern on his face.

Ariel was more at ease, a far cry from two days ago, when she could barely hold a human knife.

In combat training, she had learned to use the trident more precisely, creating jets of water so strong that they knocked down wooden targets and water shields that lasted almost a minute.

It was impressive, but we had to add some training for utensils, etiquette and basic human manners so that she wouldn't get so lost or do something wrong in the presence of other people.

Ariel loved it, saying that she was learning everything she'd ever wanted and her father never let her, so I didn't worry.

Sitting down in my chair, I took an apple and spoke in a serious voice. “Mom, Dad, today Ariel and I are leaving for Velholume. I intend to finally fulfill Lord Renard's request to deal with the wolves.” I announced.

When my mother heard this, she stopped and gave me that look that only mothers have, as if I'd said I was going to jump into a volcano.

“Wolves, Eric?” she asked, her voice tense. “You've just come back from a nest of monsters! And taking Ariel? She's brave, but... is it safe?”

Ariel blushed, but answered before I could. “I know how to fight, Aunt Elira. My trident helps me, and Eric is strong. We'll be fine.”

My mother asked Ariel only to call her Aunt Elira when we were alone, but Ariel still called her Queen Elira normally, so this was a great time to start talking to her the way my mother wanted.

And it seemed to work, as my mother softened a little, but still seemed nervous.

I could tell she was starting to see Ariel as a daughter, and the thought of the two of us facing wolves made her panic.

My father folded the parchment, looking at me seriously. “Eric, Velholume is far away, and wolves aren't goblins. But I'm proud of you. A prince must protect his subjects, and you're doing your duty.” He hesitated, his tone softer. “Just... be careful. Miralune needs you alive.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility, but also his support.

We finished breakfast with Ariel asking more questions...

“What kind of seaweed do you use to make the bread?” And my mother explained, half laughing.

Ariel was more confident, even telling how she had hit a target with the trident in practice, which made my father raise an eyebrow, impressed.

Afterwards, we said goodbye in the castle courtyard.

My mother hugged Ariel, whispering something that made her smile, and then pulled me into a tight embrace. “Come back in one piece, Eric,” she said, her eyes shining. My father squeezed my shoulder with a firm nod. “Make Miralune proud, son.”

Ariel and I got on our horses, this time she on a horse of her own, she wearing her combat tunic while keeping her trident strapped to her back, and I in my armor and with my sword at my waist.

We weren't carrying much luggage, just a few suitcases each that were strapped to the side of the horses, which was normally a dangerous position and would attract a lot of attention from people who shouldn't, but none of which worried us considering our strength and my royal Miralune armor.

As we trotted out of the capital, I began to remember Lord Renard's letter.

He spoke of huge wolves, with red eyes that glowed in the darkness and howls that seemed to “call to each other, as if they were intelligent”.

Something in the description of this was nudging my memory, as if I'd heard of wolves like this before.

These obviously weren't normal wolves, that was for sure. The part about them avoiding large villages, but hunting travelers on their own, sounded... familiar.

My head spun trying to remember, but I couldn't connect the dots. “Maybe it's just a coincidence...” I muttered suspiciously.

Ariel looked at me, curious. “What is it, Eric?” She asked, straightening her trident. “You look like you've seen a shark.”

I laughed, forcing a smile. “Nothing, just thinking about the wolves. Let's keep an eye out, shall we? I'm sensing that something about this isn't right.”

She nodded, confidently, as we continued on our way.

- Cat Notes -

Have you managed to guess the origin of the wolves that have Eric so intrigued?