Free Web NovelChapter 29: Silent Conflict
[Ding! Due to the sudden insight gained by the emotional fluctuation in the host, the System has been upgraded to Level 3!]
[Ding! The System has gained a new ability: ’Divine Merging’!]
[Ding! Your ’Inventory’ has been upgraded to ’Super Inventory’!]
[Ding! Many new functions have been added to the system!]
[Ding! Do you want to bind ’Empress of ???, Alicia’ to yourself, host?]
[Y/N]
Alden suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze fell on the series of system notifications that popped up right in front of him.
’Oh, it seems my System upgraded to Level 3. That is nice. What new functions did it gain?’
He looked closer at the blue screens.
’Wait a second, Divine Merge? Does this mean I can merge anything I want to make it stronger? Like skills and artifacts? System, explain that to me...’
Suddenly, a soft feminine voice echoed directly inside his mind. It didn’t take long for Alden to realize that it was the System’s new voice. It still surprised him.
[Ding!]
[Divine Merge!]
[Description: This unique ability allows the host to merge various elements, such as skills, abilities, artifacts, or even weapon, to create something new and more potent. The success rate and quality of the merged outcome depend on the compatibility and intrinsic value of the components used.]
’Hmph, this is pretty useful. It will help me upgrade my current skills into more powerful ones.’
His gaze landed on the second interface panel.
’It seems my inventory also got upgraded. The storage space has increased to at least ten times the original size. I can even store mountains of gold coins and treasures if I want to. Hehe... But it is not like I have anything valuable to store right now anyway.’
As his eyes finally landed on the very last interface, his expression changed entirely.
’Binding? With Alicia? What the f*ck is this binding? Hey, System, will you explain this?’
The feminine voice could be heard again as the system answered cheerfully.
[Destiny Bond!]
[Description: Bonding two souls with a strong connection to each other! With this, both the host and the bonded partner will share their growth, power, and other skills. Their fate will be merged together as one! The more the bonded partner becomes stronger, the more the host will become stronger. Your power and destiny will be merged with the bonded individual! This bond cannot be severed, as once the destiny of someone is connected, it is impossible to break it. The bond will only sever if one of the individuals among the bond dies.]
[Ding! Do you still want to bind ’Empress of ???, Alicia’ to yourself, host?]
[Y/N]
Alden read the overall description carefully. His face turned pale as he stood there staring at the empty air. He remained in a total daze, not knowing what he should do.
Alicia squeezed his hand. She looked at him in confusion.
"Is everything okay? Are you not feeling well?"
Alden finally snapped out of his daze. He looked down at her. There was a minute trace of worry for him in her eyes, even though her face remained expressionless.
Alden smiled softly and dismissed the screen for now. He shook his head.
"No, let’s go. I just remembered something important I had missed, but now it is fine."
Alicia narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying his flimsy excuse, but she still nodded. They both started walking toward the seaport again.
The walk was quiet. Both of them remained silent. Alden’s mind was a massive whirlwind of thoughts. He really didn’t know what he should do about the prompt.
’Is bonding with Alicia the right decision? I don’t even know her well. I just met her a few days ago. Our relationship isn’t close enough for me to bind my fate to hers.’
’But the benefits of bonding with her are pretty good... If she grows stronger, which she definitely will, I will also grow along with her. It is a massive cheat. But...’
He tightened his jaw.
’But it also comes with the heavy cost of sharing my fate with her. I am already facing new troubles at every single turn. My luck is a disaster magnet. If she is bonded to me, she will be dragged along into my mess. I can share my power with her, but I cannot force her to share my cursed destiny. That would be wrong.’
’Besides, I don’t deserve to make this decision alone. And I can’t even open my mouth to ask her if she wants to bond with me... How would I even explain a bond to her? Wouldn’t she consider me a total weirdo?’
’I can’t forcefully attach her to me. It is wrong. She has her own life to live and her own choices to make. I can’t bind her against her will.’
Alden made his final choice.
’System, I choose "No".’
[Ding! Answer Accepted! The binding has been cancelled!]
As both of them reached the bustling port, Alden gently let go of her hand. He backed away a little and looked at her with a small smile.
"Well... It is a bit embarrassing to walk into the crowd together... So let’s go our separate ways from here. It was a nice day with you, Alicia. I will remember this day for a long time."
Alden nodded, turned around, and walked away toward the port, leaving Alicia standing alone in the back.
His small smile disappeared along the way. His expression hardened as he walked continuously toward the massive crowds of academy students standing at the very end of the docks.
’I should keep my distance away from her so that I won’t drag her in my troublesome life, there’s nothing good that will come from keeping her closer to me...’
Alicia remained standing there silently for a few seconds. Her eyes narrowed at his back as he walked further away from her.
As his figure disappeared into the loud crowd, she finally stepped up to walk into the port. Clasping her hands behind her back, a faint smile tugged on her lips. Her eyes looked ahead with an intense, burning gaze.
"Hehe... It seems you are not going to change how you are... What a stubborn little boy you are Alden, trying to push me away, not knowing it’s completely useless... You won’t be able to run away for longer, after all you’re mine. Hehe..."
"And... If that’s how you will continue to behave, then it seems I have to change my tactics. Hehe... it seems from now on, you will also see the glimpse of my other side too."
She walked forward through the crowds, her expression having changed from the once kind girl. She now looked like a girl who finally decided to stop holding back.
