Chapter 9: He Strikes Harder
"My luck ability is super hearing—I can hear things most people can't. It's currently at the intermediate level, so I can't hear too far, only within a certain range. But my sword skills are at an advanced level. And yes, I failed my Fate Trial."
"How exactly do you level up such an ability? Does it level with your strength?"
"The Fate abilities work differently, huh? Yeah... Luck and Worth evolve with our physical strength. Before I got mine, I thought they leveled up just through usage. And while that's partly true, our physical and mental state plays a huge role too."
Daylan gave a gentle nod.
"While we're at it, what about your swordsmanship skills? Is it just training?"
"Really? You don't remember that either?" She turned to Daylan, her face masked with disbelief.
"Yes it is. Just training... and you motivated me to train," she smiled. "I used to rely on my royal blood to get everything I wanted until that day I saved you. You didn't care about that—actually, you hated me, even after I helped you. I liked that. So, I started coming around to see you from time to time. And sometimes, when I did, you'd be training in a vast field at the far end of the city."
The expression on her face told Daylan everything he needed to know. He was far behind being half the person he was.
"All those times, you barely spoke to me... I mean, you only talked to me after I saved you from Mr. Enzo. I started training because of you."
Astara said with a smile, climbing into the carriage. Daylan followed suit.
As the carriage rolled away, Daylan began asking Astara questions—simple, yet subtly manipulative—hoping to learn more about her and about the person he used to be.