Chapter 222: It’s Okay
If the previous version of the [Aggressive Speech] skill didn’t seem too practical, then the upgraded version could be considered quite powerful and useful.
Especially with the new functions of forcibly instilling knowledge and causing Spiritual Contamination, it might be even more powerful and deadly in PvP than [Twisted Realm].
For instance, forcibly stuffing Forbidden Knowledge into someone’s brain...
’Coincidentally, I happen to have a ton of completely useless, miscellaneous fragments in my head. Shoving that stuff into the minds of Demons or criminals would probably be pretty interesting, wouldn’t it?’
In a way, low-brow behaviors like hurling insults, getting into online flame wars, ganging up on someone, and cyberbullying are themselves a way of projecting one’s thoughts to display ’aggression’.
[Aggressive Speech] simply weaponizes that aggression, literally turning words into weapons.
Lloyd could already picture his future battles: he would activate his skills, shout "In the name of Veto," and then pour a whole mess of junk into his opponent’s mind.
’Tsk, tsk. The mere thought of it makes me feel sorry for my future opponents.’
In short, this round of upgrades felt amazing. Lloyd just had to clench his fists to feel his combat power swelling.
’My life and my achievements are a testament to hard work and perseverance!’
He nodded with satisfaction but didn’t let it go to his head, reminding himself:
’This little achievement is far from enough. The path of the transcendent is too vast and long. Even as I am now, I’d be completely powerless against someone at the level of an Advisor.’
’I have to keep working hard and getting stronger. I must stick to my persona as a diligent, down-to-earth, and hardworking young man.’
After this little pep talk, Lloyd finally looked at the other, non-combat-related upgrades.
’The [Investigation] skill has been upgraded to [Enhanced Investigation]. As for its specific effects... I’ll find out in a bit when I check on my sister Evelor’s status.’
He then focused his gaze on the last two entries on the panel:
[Unparsed Fragment: Unknown Fragment of unknown composition *1, Current Parsing Progress 13%]
[Unread Books: *Book of Truth, Volume One*, Current Reading Progress 35%]
’I got the *Book of Truth* much later than the Unknown Fragment, yet its progress is so much further ahead...’
The extra progress was actually from the story about the giant stick figure Lloyd had witnessed earlier. It had been recorded in the *Book of Truth*, which significantly boosted the reading progress.
’But the question is, does this count as ’reading’ or ’writing’?’
Lloyd shook his head, cutting off these potentially dangerous thoughts before his inspiration and strange intuition could chime in.
All in all, this was a massive upgrade.
’The only letdown is the new Special Skill. It seems like my ’R’ ability, my ’Big Move,’ or my ’Elemental Burst,’ but it’s completely baffling. I can’t use it, and there are no clues or details to research, so I’ll just have to set it aside for now.’
After summing things up, Lloyd finished his morning exercises, left his room, and went to wake his sister.
Sure enough, Evelor was still lazing in bed. She only groggily opened her emerald-green eyes after Lloyd knocked and came in, saying in a soft, childish voice:
"Ugh... It’s so cold out. I won’t get up until Yi gives me a hug."
Torn between amusement and exasperation, Lloyd went over and gave his sister a warm hug, which finally coaxed her out from under the covers.
In the process, he took the opportunity to test out the effects of [Enhanced Investigation].
[Target: Evelor]
[Status: Normal]
[System: None]
[Rationality: 25]
[Spiritual Power: 12]
[Inspiration: 10]
[Cognition: 25]
[Threat Level: (^_−)☆]
’My sister’s Attributes have gotten stronger again. It’s like she’s The Chosen One.’
’But the main difference is that I can detect a target’s system now?’
It also added a Threat Level assessment to judge what kind of danger the person poses to me.
’It’s just... the way it’s expressed is a little weird. Why does it look like it’s trying to be cute?’
’Then again,’ Lloyd thought, ’the only threat my sister could possibly pose to me is pouting and acting cute, right?’
Lloyd couldn’t help but smile.
When the siblings sat down at the dining table for breakfast, Evelor noticed her brother seemed to be holding back a smile and asked,
"Yi? Did something good happen today?"
"Hm? It’s nothing. It’s just my day off."
Lloyd replied casually.
In truth, he didn’t have a standard holiday schedule. This "day off" was one he’d given himself.
After all, he still had to go pick up Elolo later.
As for his work in the Eighteenth District, he’d just have to trouble Meditis...
"Wow, a rare day off! Should I take the day off too and go out with you?"
Evelor asked, her face full of anticipation.
"Uh... no need. I have something else to do today."
"Eh? Could it be... you’re meeting a girl?"
"Ahem! No, it’s not that."
Lloyd replied, flustered, quickly looking away.
Evelor froze for a moment. The Dazed Hair on her head wilted, and her large eyes drooped slightly as she said unhappily,
"Yi, you’ve never been a good liar, ever since we were little..."
"Er... well... it’s like this. It’s not a date. Remember that friend I mentioned last time? The one having family problems? I’m going to help her out today."
"I remember that, but Yi, you never said your friend was a girl. Is she pretty?"
"She is... ahem, no, that’s not what I meant."
"Hm? What did you mean?"
Overwhelmed by Evelor’s questioning, Lloyd struggled to keep up and could only force out an explanation:
"It’s... we’re just friends."
"Yi... you look so nervous, and your face is red... Hehe, it’s okay. Even if you found a girlfriend, your big sister wouldn’t mind. I’d just be happy for you. So... why won’t you tell me the truth?"
Although Evelor was still smiling, it felt different from usual. Her smile was tinged with an unconcealable sense of loss and reluctance.
It was hard to tell if it was because Lloyd was hiding something from her, or for some other reason.
Lloyd picked up on this as well and quickly said in earnest,
"No, we’re really just friends. We’ve only met a few times. Anyway... don’t worry, Sis. If I were going to date a girl, I would definitely tell you."
But as he said this, he couldn’t help but think of Weiya, and his tone faltered.
But Evelor didn’t seem to notice. She just nodded and replied,
"Is that right? That’s good... Yi, you know what? My biggest fear is that you’ll just quietly leave me one day."
"I won’t, I won’t! I’ll always be with you, Sis!"
Lloyd quickly promised, patting his chest.
"Hehe, Yi is the best."
Evelor said this as she lowered her head slightly, not wanting her brother to see the forced smile on her face.
After they finished breakfast, as Lloyd was combing her hair, her little feet, which usually swung back and forth, now just hung limply over the edge of the chair. It was as if she’d lost the energy to swing them, and they lacked their usual liveliness.
It wasn’t until she was out the door and on the street that she snuck a glance back. Seeing that her brother hadn’t followed, she squeezed her eyes shut and quickly wiped away a tear.
’It’s okay. Yi is bound to fall for other girls eventually. We’re just brother and sister, after all... Mmm! It’s fine. As long as he doesn’t leave me behind...’
She muttered this to herself as if in self-reassurance, forcing herself to lift her head and walk toward the tram station.
But her steps were unavoidably slow, and a lingering sadness she couldn’t shake remained on her face.
. . .
In stark contrast to Evelor’s dejection, Elolo, far away in the City of Joy, was in exceptionally high spirits.
"Mmm... that should do it. There shouldn’t be any problems now, right?"
She had pulled a previously hidden vanity mirror out from somewhere and was now admiring her reflection.
She had already applied simple, light makeup, combed her hair, and tidied her Dazed Hair. Tucked into her hair was a unique clip—a tiny, palm-sized top hat.
She had originally picked out a proper formal hat, one with beautiful ribbons and all sorts of exquisite decorations, but she later decided it was too formal and switched to the hat-shaped hair clip instead.
She was wearing her favorite outfit, a small women’s suit she took great pride in. But instead of the matching trousers, she’d opted for a pair of very daring shorts. Her straight, slender, and fair legs were on full display, enough to dazzle any onlooker.
But as if that wasn’t enough, she had boldly added a pair of black thigh garters, creating a striking contrast against her fair skin that was even more eye-catching.
Thanks to Madam Haima’s daily tutelage, she was very skilled at dressing herself up.
"Will Lord Uther like me like this?"
Elolo looked at herself in the mirror, tilting her head from side to side. She then reached up with a delicate, half-gloved hand to gently caress her cheek.
Then, she broke into a confident smile.
"Of course he will, right? He’s so gentle, after all..."
In reality, this wasn’t something she did after waking up. She’d been unable to sleep since two or three in the morning. She had crawled out of bed, filled with excitement and anticipation, and began to meticulously get herself ready.
Even the ominous and strange atmosphere pervading the room, and indeed the entire mansion, couldn’t dampen her spirits as she meticulously prepared for her date.
She had to present the most perfect version of herself to Lord Uther.
Once her preparations were complete, Elolo sat quietly at her vanity, closed her eyes, and regulated her breathing, waiting for the moment to arrive.
But she couldn’t stop her mind from racing.
’What will Lord Uther be like?’
’Cute? Dignified? Gentle? Or handsome?’
’Where will he take me?’
’Will he take me for an audience with the Venerable Master?’
’Ah! Oh no, I didn’t prepare any little cakes!’
When a faint, unusual ripple disturbed the air, Elolo gathered her thoughts, picked up the ladies’ Walking Stick beside her, and put on a perfect, brilliant smile.