Chronicles Of The Seeker

Aquarius had been contemplating for a long time what his unusual Core trait actually did. Meeting this little girl finally provided him with answers. Discovering how his Miracle ability functioned was not the only surprise; the effects of the ability were astonishing. It could bend the laws of nature to give its user a significant advantage. Aquarius clicked his tongue. 'But my rotten luck just had to add a cherry on top.'

He felt genuinely happy about his ability—not just because it granted him an unpredictable trait, but also because it provided considerable advantages in terms of luck and various non-seeker activities. 'At least I didn't end up with something like ridiculously big muscles.'

Slowly, Aquarius stood up from his squatting position and turned to face the hunched man. He spoke in a somewhat excited tone, a grin still visible on his face. "Old man," he began, pausing to gauge the man's reaction. Just as he expected, the man looked dumbfounded. "Do you know of any big gambling dens around that pay well?"

The man stared at him and replied, seemingly without hesitation, "Um... there was one, I think." He pointed toward an airship. "It operated on the STAN airship."

Aquarius smirked. "Then why don't we go gambling?" The man appeared stunned. "The entrance price is hefty." Aquarius was already aware of this; he wasn't ignorant, but he felt a growing urge to break free from the constraints of his current situation.

"Don't worry about anything," he reassured the man. "Go freshen up, put Oly in her best dress, and follow me. We're going to make some money." The hunched man nodded and carried Oly, sprinting off. Aquarius didn't dare look around, fearing that doing so would cause the entire alleyway to come to a standstill.

Aquarius now stood in front of the boarding station for the luxurious airship. 'Honestly, since I got infected, I've been moving from one luxurious place to another; it kind of feels like I'm just going with the current.' He sighed and turned to the people standing behind him, their small figures barely distinguishable from the background. "You know we're entering as guests, not as slaves, right?" Aquarius said.

"No, big bro, it's just that both Mr. Jay and I aren't used to this," Oly replied.

'You think I'm used to it? I was born in the slums too,' he thought. "And why are you calling me 'big bro' all of a sudden?" Oly smiled widely. "Because I always wanted a brother." 'Damn it, I can't say no to that,' he sighed as his gaze fixed on the airship that had landed just a few meters away.

Aquarius walked up to the entrance of the vessel, close but not too close to be noticed. He sat on one of the chairs placed near the ship's dock. 'I know what I'm about to do isn't right, but it isn't like I'm going to kill anyone,' he thought, smiling as he observed the people boarding the airship. Most were young masters of noble families; some were unknown aristocrats, while others were merchants.

Once he was done observing, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his lap while crossing his fingers. He had long sent both Oly and Mr. Jay away. He regulated his breathing, focusing on the pain he had been suppressing. A shallow shriek escaped as he felt the deep purple energy that once emanated from him resurfacing; he could both feel and see it, even through his distorted vision. In the next moment, the world felt like it was enveloped in purple waves of light as Aquarius tried to maintain a straight and composed face despite the pain that plagued him.

His mind began to fracture as he glimpsed dark entities hovering above his knowledge sea; it didn't feel peaceful like before; it felt chaotic. The sky trembled as the deep purple cloud darkened, and the seas that once supported him began to ripple violently. But as soon as he relinquished the indifferent pain that stung him, the sea became still once more.

Aquarius exhaled, his ragged breathing returning to normal. Through the pain he just endured, he came to understand something he hadn't known before. "Knowledge plays a big role in ascension," he murmured. He relaxed in the chair, looking around as if trying to find something he'd left behind. A smirk appeared on his tired face as he muttered, "Checkmate."

As Aquarius watched the airship passengers boarding, Oly and Mr. Jay returned. "So, should we be leaving now, sir?" Mr. Jay asked. Aquarius turned to face him. "You're just in time." Oly stared at Aquarius with concern in her eyes. "Are you okay, big bro?" she asked in a worried tone.

Aquarius, still sweating, replied with a somewhat hoarse voice, "Yeah, don't worry about me; it's just a weird cardio exercise I did to pass the time." The little girl didn't believe him but knew he wouldn't say any more.

After taking a deep breath, Aquarius stood up from his seat. "Let's go."

Standing in front of the massive ship, Aquarius immediately noticed a tall, broad-shouldered figure standing confidently at the entrance of the airship, illuminated by the warm glow of the overhead lamps. He wore a sharp, double-breasted navy coat adorned with gleaming brass buttons and intricate gold embroidery, projecting an air of authority and presence. His immaculate trousers were neatly tucked into knee-high leather boots that strikingly caught the light.

Perched atop his head was a sleek bicorne hat, tilted slightly and embellished with an ornate gold band, which contributed to his dignified appearance. The hat provided a striking contrast to the airship's architecture, further enhancing his noble demeanor. His gloved hands rested purposefully on the hilt of a polished rapier, embodying his confidence and readiness.

With keen eyes scanning the crowd, his posture conveyed a blend of discipline and experience. Then he spoke, his voice was both commanding and respectful, inviting attention and engagement from those around him. "Excuse me," he directed to the woman standing in front of Aquarius. "Miss Elendor, can you show me your ticket?"

Elendor looked up at the towering figure and replied, "Of course." She inserted her hands into the small silver-colored bag that hung over her shoulder. But then she froze, looking up to gesture to her friend at the entrance of the airship, "Reina, I can't find my ticket anymore."

Aquarius' face paled as he watched the two women scramble in search of the ticket. "Are you looking for your ticket?" he asked while drawing closer to them. Elendor nodded, tears rolling down her face. "Do you perhaps know where I dropped it?" Aquarius shook his head. "No, in fact, I can't find mine either."

The guard, wanting to voice his opinion, was interrupted by the loud complaints of people in line. They all echoed the same worry: they were missing their tickets. The guard was perplexed; he was unable to say or do anything. This wasn't just an isolated incident anymore; it now involved people from multiple aristocratic families that he couldn't afford to handle carelessly. But Aquarius was the only one who truly understood what was happening.

'Kami isn't an overpowered or godly force; it is a system of give and take. You trade your sanity for power, sometimes even your very essence,' he thought. Aquarius had pondered long and hard about what his trait would demand from him. 'Isn't it obvious what an ability that grants luck and miracles will cost in return?' He began to shiver as he stared at the guard, who was still searching for the right words to say. Gathering his breath, he addressed the panicking crowd, "Everyone will be allowed to board the ship, and we will get to the bottom of this incident."

The people's faces brightened with joy. Following their lead, Aquarius added, "Thank goodness. I thought my trip was going to be wasted." He then turned to the guard, "But Mr. Guard, I hope my money won't get stolen on my way back home."

The guard's expression grew strained. "I can promise you that we will get to the bottom of this and catch the thief."

Aquarius smiled. "That's more like it. This country is really turning into something else," he muttered, turning his gaze back to the woman in front of him. He stretched out his hand, bowing slightly. "So, shall we, my lady?"

Elendor, flustered, turned to glance at her friends, whose faces were beet red as they admired Aquarius, oblivious to the fact that his demeanor didn't match his role at all. The lady quickly locked her hands around his as they walked in, with both Oly and Mr. Jay by his side. 'Why don't I go make some money'. He thought to himself.