Free Web NovelChapter 11: Invitation
[DING!]
[STATUS WINDOW]
[Name: Alden]
[Titles: None]
[Age: 18]
[Race: Human]
[Talent: Unclassified]
[Class: None]
[Rank: D-]
[Bloodline: Dormant]
[Affiliation: None]
[Elements: Wind, Darkness]
[STATS]
[STR: 19/100] [AGI: 20/100]
[DEF: 15/100] [INT: 50/100]
[HP: 200/200] [MP: 100/100]
[LUCK: SSS+]
[Techniques:
• None]
[Abilities:
• Growth-Acceleration (SSS++)
• ???
• ???]
[Skills:
• Hunter’s Mark]
[Inventory:
• None]
...
As Alden looked at his status window, he saw several of the new sections that had been added after the system upgraded to Level 2.
Sections like Class, Affiliation, and a few others were now visible on the glowing screen. He stared at the new Inventory section, but there was nothing inside it.
"Of course, there will be nothing. I am broke here. No money, no prestigious artifacts, no magical weapons, nothing at all."
As Alden muttered to himself, he shook his head to clear his mind.
"No, Alden. Do not get caught up in self-loathing. It will achieve nothing for me. Besides, it is actually good that I have my own inventory now. A Dimensional Ring is quite expensive in this world. It would cost a common person ten years’ worth of their daily food budget just to buy the cheapest one."
He sighed and leaned back.
"And even though I hold the title of a noble, I am really no different from a commoner in my current situation. What kind of parents did the original Alden have? They exiled him just because he was weak. If he was born weak, then how is that his fault? I mean, they are the ones who are the reason he was born in the first place."
He ran a hand through his messy hair.
"This nation should have a proper policy or law. If some noble parents forcibly exile their children, then they should have to give the child a particular percentage of their property or a monthly allowance. Just like how in my old world, if a marriage was broken, a female would get alimony for living expenses. But there is no such rule here. What a terrible world I have ended up in."
It was quite a cruel society. Just because of power, people would entirely change their worldview. If you had power, they would gladly lick your boots. And if you lacked power, they would force you to lick theirs.
"Sigh... I shouldn’t slack off anymore. Let’s get up and start training right now. I know my own nature. I am a lazy person. If I slack off even for a single minute, I will end up resting like that for the rest of my life."
He slapped his cheeks lightly.
"Let’s get up!"
Alden stood up from his chair, stretching his arms and back. His stats had gained a significant increase after his recent breakthrough. His frail body felt noticeably lighter compared to before. Now it seemed he could actually handle basic physical training without collapsing instantly.
He looked out the window at the sky outside.
He checked the current time.
"It seems evening has already arrived. Let’s go grab a meal at the cafeteria before heading toward the training grounds."
Alden walked into the bathroom to wash up. He changed into a set of clean, casual clothes and stepped out of his dorm room. He headed down the corridor to get some food, but as he walked, he suddenly remembered the earlier events of the day. His footsteps halted.
’Wait a second... I forgot. I just made quite a massive scene in the cafeteria earlier today. If I go back in there right now, I am quite sure something even more dramatic is going to happen, and I do not want to experience that again. What should I do now then?’
Alden stood in the hallway, deep in thought about what he was going to do for his evening meal. There was no way he was going to take the risk of entering the main dining hall while the atmosphere and the gossip were still running hot.
’I am pretty sure rumors have already circulated throughout the entire academy by now. Something like—a weak-ass exiled bastard suddenly grew a spine and boldly insulted the strongest SS-rank heir... It seems I truly did a crazy thing.’
He sighed heavily.
’Let’s just find some nearby shop to buy something around the academy campus instead.’
Just as Alden stepped forward to walk down a different path, he suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder.
He quickly turned around to see who it was, his muscles tensing as he prepared to go into defense mode. He fully expected that someone from Kaelian’s group had definitely come to jump him in the quiet hallway.
But fortunately, the person standing in front of him was not who he actually expected.
This figure could either be considered a very safe person, or she could be considered the most dangerous person in the entire school.
The silver-haired girl looked up at him with a blank expression. She was standing close enough that Alden could easily smell her natural scent. She smelled like a rare, beautiful flower. Her striking lavender eyes were even more beautiful when viewed from this close up.
For a moment, Alden just stared at her blankly, meeting her gaze.
They both stood there looking at each other without blinking for a few seconds. Then, Alden immediately stepped back as he realized exactly how close they were standing.
"Alicia? Do you need something? Why are you suddenly here?"
Alicia stepped back slightly as well, maintaining a comfortable distance between them. She looked at him with a blank expression for a few seconds. She remained quiet, and then finally parted her soft lips to speak.
"Let’s have dinner together."
Alden stared at her blankly for a whole minute. He just stood there, deep in thought about what the actual meaning behind her question was.
Was she inviting him for dinner in the chaotic cafeteria?
Was she inviting him to an expensive outside restaurant?
Or was she planning to drag him straight into another massive problem?
Alden opened his mouth to reply, or more accurately, he opened his mouth to politely reject her offer.
But before he could speak, Alicia suddenly turned around. She spoke in a flat voice that showcased total finality.
"Follow me."
As she started walking down the corridor, Alden looked at her back. Since she didn’t leave him any real choice to argue, he started following the silver-haired girl involuntarily.
