Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Regret
Lin Qi hesitated as he looked at the box in front of him.
This was his uncle's stuff? Why was it in his mom's room?
Or was it his mom's keepsake? Then why had his uncle never mentioned it to him?
To be honest, it was already pretty trashy to go snooping through someone else's room without permission. Did he really have to go through their things too?
Just as Lin Qi was hesitating, a voice as sweet as angels singing reached his ears.
"Why don't you open it and take a look?" Elaine asked.
Okay, boys. We've got someone to blame.
If anyone's calling anyone trashy, they can blame Elaine. Your boy Lin Qi has nothing to do with it.
Lin Qi opened the box. Inside was a folded custom suit and some small items, with an unopened letter sitting on top.
Lin Qi initially thought this was his uncle's stuff and was about to close it when the system's voice rang in his ears.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding—a dozen or so system chimes sounded by Lin Qi's ear.
What did that mean? This whole box was full of Forbidden Objects???
The Roland family wasn't some kind of smuggling family, was it?
With a nervous heart, Lin Qi picked up the letter on top.
Name: [Mother's Letter]
Type: [Letter]
Grade: [D-Class Forbidden Object]
Ability: [Blocks a fatal blow.] (Isaris Roland exclusive)
Cost: A mother's love doesn't need a cost.
Description: A letter left for her son, Isaris Roland, by Sasha Roland, the eldest daughter of the Roland family.
Lin Qi was stunned. A revival item was only ranked D?
No—it was because this Forbidden Object could only be used by him that its grade was so low.
Lin Qi felt a strong urge telling him to open the letter.
Isaris,
By the time you read this letter, I might already be dead. But please believe that Mom loves you forever.
It's a shame I won't get to see you when you're all grown up. But don't worry—Mom prepared birthday gifts for you.
Age eight. You're still in that annoying phase right now. Even though you're very well-behaved, a child's lively, restless nature will still drive you. So Mom is giving you a yo-yo. This is the most popular toy among the nobility these days. I hope you like it.
Age nine. You're a big kid now. If you were by Mom's side, you'd probably be learning about the Roland family's history around now. So Mom is giving you a fountain pen. I hope you'll write about things you enjoy.
Age ten. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. Just thinking about what you looked like when you were born makes Mom want to laugh—all wrinkled and without hair. But Mom's son is definitely the most handsome in the whole world. So Mom is giving you her favorite ring. When you meet a girl you like, you can give it to her~
Age eleven. Mom doesn't really know what big kids like these days, so I'll just give you a pair of earrings that Mom likes.
Age twelve. You should have made a few friends by now, right? Then Mom will give you some allowance. Don't underestimate this card—it has lots and lots and lots of money on it.
Age thirteen. Here's a cool pair of sunglasses.
Age fourteen. Here's a shiny watch.
Age fifteen. Here's a cute wallet.
Age sixteen. Wow, you've gotten so big all of a sudden.
Mom heard that kids this age are usually rebellious. Even though Mom believes you'll be good, you might still try some new and exciting things, right?
Then Mom will give you a pack of cigarettes. I hear kids this age love sneaking smokes the most. But promise Mom you'll smoke just a little bit, okay?
Age seventeen. Oh dear, I almost forgot. Mom is giving you a lighter this year. It's the most popular lighter among the nobility. It's called... a DuPont.
Age eighteen. Congratulations, Isaris. You're an adult now.
You've become a grown-up. Mom is giving you a formal suit this year. It's a shame I can't take you to get it custom-fitted myself. If it doesn't fit right, go to Grandma Andy's tailor shop and have it altered. Mom believes you'll look very handsome in it.
It's a shame I won't get to see you all grown up. Don't be sad for me.
Isaris, Mom loves you forever.
While Lin Qi was opening the letter, Elaine snuck a peek.
After reading the words on the page, she left the room and closed the door behind her. She knew that, for the time being, it was better to leave the boy alone.
Lin Qi's vision went a little blurry, like he was seeing the world through warped light.
Plop.
A tear fell onto the envelope.
Seriously, why am I crying? Was I moved? Is it because I have Isaris's memories? Or is it something with Isaris's body?
Lin Qi wiped away his tears and took the suit out of the box.
Name: [Regret]
Type: [Attire]
Grade: [D-Class Forbidden Object]
Ability: [1. Don't Get Hurt: Automatically blocks a portion of damage when attacked.]
[2. Right Fit: The attire's size changes as the body changes.] (Isaris Roland exclusive)
Cost: A mother's love doesn't need a cost.
Description: Remember to go to Grandma Andy's to get the size adjusted~~~
Looks like I don't need to go to Grandma Andy's after all, Mom.
Lin Qi put on the suit, then took out the earrings inside.
Name: [Sasha]
Type: [Earrings]
Grade: [D-Class Forbidden Object]
Ability: [1. Calm Mind: Provides a calming effect when worn.]
[2. Clarity: Blocks a certain degree of mental attacks.] (Isaris Roland exclusive)
Cost: Same as above.
Description: Mom hopes you sleep better.
Name: [Violet]
Type: [Cigarettes]
Grade: [D-Class Forbidden Object]
Ability: [1. Endless Cigarettes: No limit to the number of cigarettes.]
[2. Harmless: The cigarettes won't harm your body.]
Cost: Same as above.
Description: Mom hopes you smoke less.
So all the gifts in this suitcase had turned into Forbidden Objects because of the emotions Sasha Roland left behind after her death.
"So this is family love?" Lin Qi sighed.
Just then, Lin Qi suddenly remembered the system quest. Shouldn't it be completed by now?
"System."
[Main Quest: Romance Finale]
1. Sequence 9: The Matchmaker LV10/LV10 (Achieved)
2. Collect three portions of mid-Sequence sacred pathway mystical substances (3/3)
3. Understand family love (Not Achieved)
??? Why?
Lin Qi was confused. Was it because of the subject relationship?
His feelings and Isaris's feelings were different. The tears that fell when he saw that letter felt more like a physical instinct. So feelings—conceptual things like that—needed Lin Qi's own mind to experience them.
Just as Lin Qi was puzzling over this, he heard voices from outside.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Alden, Isaris—"
"Move!"
Alden Roland pushed the door open furiously, but when he saw Lin Qi wearing the suit, he suddenly calmed down.
"Uncle, why didn't you give me Mom's keepsakes?" Lin Qi chose to strike first.
"Sigh. You come in too, Miss Elaine." Alden sighed and closed the door.
"Not giving them to you was for your own good, little Isaris."
"What do you mean?"
"Isaris, promise me. After you learn everything, you'll just keep living as an ordinary person, okay?"
"Sorry, Uncle. I'm already a Transcendent."