Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Today is a weekend, so after shedding some sweat in the bedroom, I spent the evening lazying around on the couch with my mom, watching a movie.

I have never seen this movie before. The world is different so they would have different shows and entertainment. And yet, there's something that never changes. Seeing this familiar scene give me a sense of nostalgia and made me want to try it myself. Without wasting even a second, I rested my head on mom's lap. 

It's the legendary lap pillow. I've been dying to try this thing.

Training is good and all, but resting is also important. And there's no better place to rest than a woman's lap. Though it's my mom's lap.

But I don't hate it. Beauty is beauty, status doesn't matter. I'm glad I didn't ditch my mom and go on a training spree alone. Still, it doesn't prevent me from planning my training session.

And what is more perfect than training using magical modern technology?

"Oh yeah, mom. Can you buy me a magic tool, please?"

"Sure, today I have no work, so why not."

Oh, as expected of mom, she agreed without blinking an eye, so dependable! I flipped my head to face her tummy and went for a hug.

Ais lowered her face to me and caresses my hair, "Did you not find what you're looking for in the storage room?"

"There's only offensive and defensive magic tools in that place. That's not what I'm looking for."

I shifted my head to meet her eyes, "I'm sure you know that I have been training my body recently..."

Ais raised her eyebrows. That look, did she already knows about it? 

But she doesn't seem to be against it so I should be safe...

She pats my head. "What do you want to buy?"

Yes! Green light for me.

"Training device! You know, something that let me adjust its weight."

I saw a lot of training modes from various scenes in anime. But one of them particularly stood out among the rest, my favorite the weight training. I am fond of this kind of training by using gravity or adding a huge amount of weight by using some kind of device, secret technique, and other unique gadgets.

I have been dying of trying it out.

But of course, I should have known that it won't be that easy.

"Most of those devices that young master saw on the net are fake and counterfeit. It's not a good idea."

Here we go. The she-devil has made her appearance. She's trying to mess with me again. Don't think I don't know what you're planning! 

"What do you mean by fake? You're exaggerating. As long as it's working as intended, as a weight-adding device that is, I don't care whether it's original or counterfeit."

It's something familiar to me, or rather, we poor orphans had no choice but to consume and wear fake and counterfeit.

Something original is like a legend to us.

The food we eat was made with inferior ingredients, sometimes we can even taste something rotten from our meal. Don't get me to mention our clothes and healthcare. 

That's why counterfeit don't bother me that much. That is unless I was cheated to pay real money for the fake one.

Himiko patiently answered my inquiries.

"They might be working as intended, that is if you're lucky."

"I'm confident in my luck." Somewhat.

"But even among the good ones, their function is quite limited. It might be enough for Quirkless and a hero trainee. But I don't think it's enough for young master."

Oh? You sure know me well, Himiko. Your insight is not that bad. Now, you have my attention.

"So? What kind of solution do you have? Buy one from the tower?" 

Then I glanced to the side, "Can I, mom?"

I looked at Ais pleadingly.

Ais's body stiffened, as though she was struck by lightning.

Huh? What happened to her?

Before I could respond, she pull me into her bosom, burying my face into her soft breasts.

Oh no, not again...

"Oh my, Honey, you're so cute."

You've got to be kidding me. I'm no longer a child, I can't be cute!

You're downvoting my manliness, mom!

Thankfully, it doesn't last long this time. Ais put me down right away.

"Unfortunately, the items at the tower are not that good. So, just leave it to mommy. I'll get you something decent."

"Wow! I love you, mom!" Then I kiss her cheek.

"!!!"

Oh no, I did it again.

"Oh my, honey."

Ugh, I can't breathe...

Himiko watched us from the side, she looks somewhat resigned. 

'Madam is too soft on Young Master.'

The items on the tower are by no means of lower quality. There are plenty of high-quality items that could be found there. Some rare items are even close to the Artifact in quality. 

Himiko wonders if it's a good idea to give a rookie an Artifact. It had become a known fact that wearing equipment way stronger than your weight class might hinder and slow your growth.

'But madam is the first-class hero, she should know what she's doing. There's no need for me to be worried...' 

She then saw Ais perked up happily as she swing her son around while squeezing him tight against her breasts.

Seeing this, she can't help but sigh with a heart full of worry.

===

Hmm, where are we going...

We are now walking down the hallway of the mansion.

But don't think there's anything in this place. I want to ask but quickly pushed down the urge. I'll know it soon enough, there's no need to ask something unnecessary.

A few moments later we stepped inside the library. The place is huge but devoid of people. Those who get to be here are just my parent and Himiko. Other maids are not permitted to go inside. Maybe because there are some important books or something?

I have no interest in reading so I seldom go to the library. If I want to know something, I can just look it up on the net. We're a modern people now. And modern people don't need paper books! Even I don't bring books and paper to school. All of the students are only required to bring a notebook, tablet, or laptop.

Hmm, I followed mother from behind, so I was sandwiched between mom Himiko. 

We stopped in the northeast part of the library. No matter where I looked, it was full of books. They filled the room, and extend right into the ceiling. They're overcoming it with the books collection.

What is mother doing? Is she looking for something?

Ah, a mechanism. It's a secret passage!

I was blown away when I hear something clicking as my mother give the seventh book from the corner a little push. She repeated the process a few times with other books as well.

Two, three, four, five...

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I count five switches in total, one switch on every bookshelf. Seventh row, third, fourth, sixth, and finally the first row.

I thought it was the end, but no. Mother went to the other place and do the same thing to other places. 

One in every corner of the library. So there are a total of 20 switches!

Geez, whoever designed this secret passage is not normal in the head.

But thankfully I had a good memory. I only need to see it once to remember the whole sequence. It's all thanks to good genes I guess.

I feel powerful when I used the white flame on my body. But unfortunately, it doesn't help with increasing my stats growth. 

Wait, maybe it's possible.

I hear a saying you'll get stronger if you're healed from heavy training. Is it true? It's worth trying.

And this life force ability... I have been thinking about this for a few days now, maybe it could also be used to heal... I never got hurt before so I never get to test this.

I looked around the place and finally found a pen on top of the table. I took a deep breath and stabbed the pen into my unprotected hand. No forcefield at all.

Aaah!

Damn!

It's more painful than I thought!

I grit my teeth and gave the scratches on my hand a look. What? It might be just a scratch but it feels painful alright?!

I immediately urged the life force to envelop my hand.

Sizzle! Sizzle!

A sizzling sound could be heard as though something was burning.

And lo and behold! It's a miracle!

The damaged skin was immediately repaired. I wiped the blood and saw the familiar smooth skin.

Crazy...

This is way more powerful than Aura from RWBY!

This healing power is more potent than your average Aura. Maybe around Jaune? But I'm just level one, and nowhere close to the peak.

But what if I become a level 5 or 6?

Once the thought comes to mind, I can't help but have a goosebump.

By that time, I could heal faster than the enemy could injure me, it's no different than immortality! 

I want to slap myself for not doing this earlier. I have tested the defensive power of the forcefield but never thought about self-harm healing at all. The peace must have gotten to me. This habit of living as a pampered rich lad might have affected me more than I thought.

My thought ceased when one of the bookshelves started to move by itself, revealing a hidden passage.

I suppressed my excitement. I must not lose sight of myself. There's nothing more dangerous than being overconfident.

I must be careful.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself down.

A moment later, I feel better.

Yosh. I'm good. 

As mom come back from whatever she was doing, I examined the change.

As I thought... A secret passage.

A rich young master should have a secret passage or two inside his mansion. I nodded in acknowledgment.

"Well then madam, I'll guard the entrance."

"I'll be counting on you., Himiko."

"Yes, madam."

Hm, to think mother would show the whole thing to outsiders. She sure has quite the trust in Himiko. Didn't she fear Himiko will betray her? I don't understand.

"Let's go, honey."

"Uh, where are we going?"

"We're going to the family vault."

"Huh, family vault? We have something like that in the mansion?"

"Yes, it exists even before your grandpa's time."

"Wow, that's cool! I can't wait to see it!"

All I got in return was a pat on the head.

Thank goodness there's no hug.

"Oh yeah, mom. There was a guest this morning. Are they someone from the guild? An executive maybe?"

"Guest? Hmm." Ais pondered, "Are you talking about Alfia?"

"Alfia? Is she your friend?"

The name sounds familiar...

"Friend? Rather than a friend, she's more like a dependable senior."

"Whoa? Really?"

Mom nodded, "I feel safe when she's with me."

I didn't expect this to come from mom. This makes me want to meet with her.

Someone who gives Ais a sense of peace and security? What kind of monster is she? Expectations started to bubble up inside of me.

"And honey, when you meet her, no matter what you do, you must not address her as Great Aunt."

"Huh?!"

Why in the world I would call her great aunt?! But I held back my retort. I have a bad feeling about this.

"Even though Alfia-nee is your father's aunt, she hated it when someone called her aunt, grandma, or great aunt."

So what? Do I have to call an old woman nee-chan? Is this even allowed in human society? I got goosebumps just by thinking about it.

Wait, I was too hasty. 

if she was grandma's sister, then her age won't be that much different from grandma's. 

I saw the album, grandma looked so young when she was pregnant. It means she had Ais when she was in her teen. So, if grandma is the same age as this great aunt, now Alfia should be around mid or late forty?

I recalled the visage of the woman who was supposed to be my grandma. Although I had never met her, I knew her type. She's someone who's gonna look young even when she hit forty. 

I bet If someone were to tell me that she's Ais' big sister, I would believe it.

So as grandma's sister, Alfia should be not too different than her. A mature beauty. Calling her other than Alfia-nee would be highly inappropriate. 

Truly a grave sin!

One that I absolutely won't partake in no matter what happens. I'm still so young and have so much ahead of me.

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