Chapter 55: Chapter 49 – This is the LitRPG chapter

Countless magicians have experimented with artifacts to find out the mechanism that makes them work. The one who cracks the code will instantly become a hero for all those who come after him.
― Soren K., “Meditations on Magical Rationale,” book II, chapter 2

Asteria

There’s a common saying that “plans are useless but planning is essential.” My current predicament shows the wisdom of preparation but also the uselessness of planning a specific course of action.

I’d finished putting the credits, weapons, and artifacts into their proper places. The three commanders had cleared Bornholm Pass for me, and I’d placed a cache at a high ledge that was unreachable without the use of an advanced wind spell. I’d also teleported to Skjoldhojkilen swamp and successfully planted a bag of items inside the trunk of a rotted swamp tree.

With my mission completed, I was free to celebrate my coming of age. I was having lots of fun at my glow party. Katja and I were both in white glow mini skirts and crop tops. I’d chickened out by wearing tights with mine, but it’s not like people would even look at me when I was with Katja. I wanted to wear a glowing blue wig, too, but Sariel said it made me look like a clown.

Several men had looked like they wanted to approach me or Katja, but they’d all backed away when they saw who we were with.

Sariel, who had been the most skeptical about my blacklight party, had gone all in. His entire body was covered in multicolored swirls and stripes of glow paint. Even his bald head was speckled with blue glow paint. The only clothing he was wearing were shorts and boots.

Uriel had likewise had his body painted, half as a skeleton and half as a flayed man with exposed muscles and tendons. It was shocking and provocative. At least, unlike Sariel, he was wearing pants. They were made of leather and tight enough that Uriel was attracting female attention like honey attracts ants.

Seraphiel had declined to be painted and was wearing his usual casual attire, black jeans, and a black T-shirt. I’d persuaded him to let me paint his T-shirt, but Sariel had made me paint over the poop emoji I’d originally drawn. Now it was a yellow five-pointed star on a blue circle.

Katja and I were drinking a glowing non-alcoholic cocktail I’d come up with. It was just juice with tonic water, but the blue and red berry juice I’d used gave it a nice color.

The artists, designers, models, and various acquaintances had all come to see me earlier to congratulate me. They’d brought a lot of guests with them, including the venerable Olivia Ramstedt of Wanted magazine. Even Ella and Oscar from Madam Kraej’s party had shown up. All in all, I’d say that the party was a big success.

“Why is Oren so late? Israfel hasn't shown up either,” said Katja, who was sitting beside me on a red loveseat.

“They’ll be here,” I said. They had the warehouse’s phone number and they were both dependable people, so they’d call if they weren’t coming.

“It’s getting late,” said Seraphiel. He was sprawled beside me on a floor cushion with his head resting on the loveseat’s arm. The dance floor was rowdy but it was relatively quiet here in a corner of the warehouse. People kept a healthy distance from the S-class EL.

“It’s past my bedtime, but let’s dance.” I dragged Seraphiel and Katja up to a platform where there was a cage with the bars painted a glowing pink. Seraphiel was too tall to fit inside but Katja and I danced inside it while Seraphiel danced a step below us outside.

I spotted Oren and Israfel. “Look, there they are!”

They didn’t seem to be in a party mood. Still dressed in their uniforms, the two looked glum. I waved to them and we went down to meet them.

“Happy coming-of-age,” said Oren.

“Happy coming-of-age,” said Israfel.

Wow, they didn’t sound happy at all.

“What’s wrong?” asked Katja.

The music was a little too loud inside for a real conversation, so we went outside after getting our coats.

“I have to go back home,” said Oren. His face was solemn and his blond hair wasn’t as spiky as it normally was. “My dad is in a bad way.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.

Shit! Was this the start of the hero’s quest? The hero was supposed to train in the military for two years. It’s only been six months. In “Tales of Vesterland,” the game’s events had started when the hero went back to his hometown with Israfel and the three S-class ELs.

I expected the plot would change because of my interference. Healing the ELs means that the hero’s home wouldn’t be flattened by a fight between Seraphiel, Sariel, and Uriel. But had the timeline sped up? Was this the start of Oren’s heroic journey or just a mundane trip to visit his family?

I was silent as Katja and Oren talked a bit about their families back home. I knew that Oren’s mother had given birth to him when she was quite old. Oren’s father was older than her by decades, and his health had been failing for some time. Now they thought it would be best for Oren to return home for a time since the end was near.

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“You were late because you were filing for leave?” asked Seraphiel.

Oren nodded. “Yes, sir. I got permission, so I’ll be leaving at first light. I’m sorry, Asteria. I have to leave soon to pack and get some sleep.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I hope your father recovers.”

Oren said his goodbyes to us soon after. The rest of us stayed at the party for another hour before leaving. Oren’s news had put a damper on the festivities.

“I’ll drive you all home,” said Seraphiel. He hadn’t drunk anything alcoholic the entire night. Uriel and Sariel were still partying. Seraphiel, Katja, Israfel, and I all piled into Seraphiel’s custom four-seater sports car with gull-wing doors.

“I’m sleepy anyway,” I said. “I guess I’m not much of a party girl.”

“I have to go home and pack the stuff I’m sending to my family,” said Katja.

“Why don’t we stop at your place first? Then I can give the package to Oren when I go to the barracks,” said Israfel.

“Thanks, but there’s no need. Oren will stop by to get it tomorrow,” said Katja.

“Poor Oren,” I said. “He looked really sad.”

“Yeah, he and his father are very close,” said Katja.

I put my head on Katja’s shoulder. “Is there anything I can do?”

From the driver’s seat, Seraphiel looked back at me worriedly.

“No. We’ll just have to be there for him when he returns,” said Katja.

“You’re right,” I said.

No one talked much after that.

Seraphiel drove Katja back to her apartment and Israfel to the barracks. He asked me to spend the night at his apartment. I suppose he was worried that I’d run off with the hero, but I assured him that the hero’s hometown was the last place I wanted to be.

The secret laboratory under the town was one of the three places where the Iah spawn were. I’d never risk going near the place until after the hero defeated the boss monster there.

“I can almost feel you scheming,” said Seraphiel when we arrived at his apartment.

“Let’s talk about this tomorrow, please. I’m tired.”

“Promise me you won’t sneak away in the night,” said Seraphiel. His golden eyes were narrowed suspiciously. I reached over with a hand and smoothed out his pursed lips. I tried to pull the corners of his mouth up, but it was a lost cause.

“I promise,” I said. “Good night.”

Though I was tired, I still couldn’t sleep after I showered and changed into a nightie. I lay on my bed thinking of what I was going to do next. The best course of action would be to wait and watch. The Hero System was mostly likely moving Oren towards something with this major life event.

I knew where Oren was, but I cast the hero radar spell anyway to check if it still worked. I called some chibis and asked them to see where the chibis I’d stuck to Oren were. They reported to me that Oren was in the military barracks.

Fluffing my pillow, I mentally went over the special skills I’d been granted by the goddess or developed on my own.

I had two special skills that involved the use of heavenly fire. The less dangerous one was Transcendental Flame.

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