My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 149: First Act 20: Into the Climax 2

Yawn...!

A tired sigh escaped my lips as I strolled through the lively commercial district.

Despite being someone who could usually go without sleep for days, the mental strain from last night had hit me hard.

Aria bombarded me with questions, Louise shot me those knowing looks, and even though Analise stayed quiet in the corner, I could tell she was just as curious.

Trying to juggle their inquiries, I gave them the best explanations I could muster. Aria wasn't entirely convinced, but she eventually let it slide.

It wasn't the kind of situation where I could spill all the beans, especially with the three of them there.

Aria and maybe Analise could grasp the complexity, but with Louise, things were a bit tricky since we weren't officially dating yet.

The conversation dragged on until the late hours of the night, and by that point, I was really looking forward to crashing out.

But Aria's suggestion to share the same bed added a whole new layer of stress to the situation.

'I mean, come on, trying to keep your cool when you've got three gorgeous women right there next to you is no easy feat'

Aria was all in, pressing herself against me whenever she got the chance. Even Louise seemed interested, but she was too shy to make a move.

Thank goodness Analise played the peacekeeper, calling out Aria whenever she got too cozy.

Amid this bizarre sleepover scenario, I managed to squeeze in a bit of shut-eye, navigating the awkward dance of tangled limbs and unspoken tensions.

'I should warn Ana of her unique hugging tendencies, I almost couldn't breathe between her breasts'

But it wasn't such a bad thing so maybe I shouldn't?

"But seriously, Meralda, do you really need to chain me up?" I questioned, my eyes fixed on the ethereal figure right next to me. Her green hair swayed in the small breeze as she floated in the air, shooting me a look before letting out a scoff. It was clear she was still harboring some resentment about me abruptly breaking our contract.

As a spirit, Meralda was invisible to normal people, so there was no issue with her accompanying me in public. Last time, I refrained from bringing her along to avoid Louise noticing me with a spirit. However, that wasn't a concern anymore.

"You might run away from me again, Master, so this is necessary," Meralda explained, holding tightly onto the chains as if to emphasize the point.

It took me a while to discern the properties of the chains, but as they wrapped around my neck and their translucent dark glow permeated my being, the realization hit me. My aunt had given Meralda these binding chains.

'Did Meralda actually visit my aunt? When though?'

This was unexpected, as these chains were a forceful means of binding one's soul to another, even without their consent. It was the very same type of chains I had once used on Meralda when I compelled her into a contract with me. Now, however, the tables had turned, and she sought to establish a contract once more.

"I told you, you'd be better off with Louise, right?" I sighed. "As a spirit aligned with nature itself, you know it yourself, Meralda. Making a contract with me would only endanger you."

Meralda's gaze remained unwavering. "I don't care. If it's not you, then nobody is my master."

I tried to reason with her. "Isn't that great? You'd be free."

She shook her head with determination. "I don't want that. What's the point of being free if I don't have a home to return to?"

"And you're the one who took that away from me to begin with master…... So, stop resisting and accept your responsibility."

Meralda grappled tightly onto the black chains, the dark mana trying to make its way to my heart. However, it failed to establish contact because I had activated one of my authorities.

A white veil wrapped around my heart to prevent the chains from taking hold.

In that moment, I had to face the truth about myself and Meralda. Sure, I could sense her genuine efforts to patch things up between us. We had our fair share of ups and downs, but somewhere along the way, a connection had silently grown between us.

Meralda's eyes, wounded when our previous contract was shattered, spoke volumes about the depth of our bond.

'I can see it in her eyes – real pain from when I pulled the plug on our magical contract last time'

But there was a catch.

As much as I craved to reconnect, a nagging feeling told me it was a bad idea.

If I forced a contract now, it would be like unleashing my mana without any restraint. Last time, I was in control when I initiated the contract.

I had control on how much mana I sent her way.

This time, she was the one trying to make it happen, and the moment our mana touched, I feared she'd be overwhelmed by it.

My mana could twist her into someone I wouldn't recognize, and the Meralda I cared about would vanish.

She would become an entirely new spirit devoid of any emotion and memories she once had.

Although the new her might have her essence and a few of her memories she would still be an entirely different being like a baby that's just been born.

'And I couldn't let that happen'

So, despite my longing to rekindle what we once had, I had to put the brakes on.

I couldn't bear the thought of changing her essence any more than now.

The risk was just too darn high.

Caught in the complexity of our magical ties, I couldn't ignore the harsh reality – even if I took the lead in establishing a connection, it would come at a cost. A fragment of my mana already lingered within her, and any attempt to interact anew would only stir it back to life, especially since it was slowly fading away. For her sake, I decided it was best to avoid deepening our connection any further.

The enigmatic chains wrapped around her only added to the puzzle.

I couldn't fathom why my aunt had bestowed them upon her.

'I don't know why aunt gave her this but….'

Frustration building, I took action, breaking the chains with an outpouring of aura in my hands.

The metallic links crumbled, leaving her looking bewildered, staring at the dissipating remnants of the magical bonds that once held her.

In the aftermath, confusion painted her face, and with a shaky voice, she questioned, "W-why?" Tears welled in her eyes, reflecting both surprise and sadness.

"Meralda—"

Before I could offer any explanation, she took flight, leaving me to grapple with the consequences of my impulsive decision.

As she retreated, delicate tears sparkled on her cheeks, and a wave of regret and self-loathing hit me.

"Fuck haah…. now I've done it... man, this feels shitty" The weight of the unintended emotional impact sank in.

Deep down, I knew she needed to go through this to truly understand the gravity of our situation.

Despite the remorse, I felt a little satisfied.

'I better apologize sincerely later'

Sometimes, expressing the depth of once's convictions required tough decisions, even if they leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

...

Stepping inside, I lucked out – more seats were available than usual. This place was a local gem in the commercial district, known not just for its tasty food and drinks but also for staying open 24/7. The fact that it was still morning, and many tables were already occupied, spoke volumes about the place's charm and reputation.

I couldn't help but imagine how this cozy breakfast joint would transform into a lively bar come nighttime. It was one of those spots that seemed to adapt to the city's different rhythms.

Settling into my seat, I felt a pang of hunger and anticipation.

I decided to try a bit of everything, ordering some drinks and a small meal.

The smell of brewing coffee and the friendly chatter of the staff created a welcoming atmosphere.

I figured he'd show up soon, but honestly, it didn't bother me much if he didn't. I'd suggested this spot to explore their breakfast menu, and that was reason enough to be here.

Reviewing Shcwi's reports, it seemed the goods had already been successfully transferred, and all that remained was my approval for the next phase of the operation – planting those items discreetly.

Pondering the timing, I decided it would be best to handle it after class, considering the likelihood of shorter lessons due to the impending dungeon exams.

Professors were likely to prioritize our focus on meeting the required quota of potions for the upcoming challenges.

As I contemplated the day's schedule, my attention was momentarily diverted by the arrival of my order.

"Here is your order sir"

"Ah yes thank you"

The server placed the dishes in front of me with a polite nod, and the tempting aroma alone was enough to whet my appetite. It was a welcome change from the usual routine, and I couldn't wait to dig in.

Despite the option of having breakfast prepared by Analise back in my room, I appreciated the opportunity to try something new.

Memories from the original Adrian's past suggested Analise's cooking skills weren't exactly stellar.

However, he had embraced everything she made with unwavering acceptance, driven by love.

Really It was a testament to the notion that love is blind.

'Maybe tasteless? In this case'

However, recent comments from Aria hinted at a different story according to her.

It seems Analise's culinary abilities had seen significant improvement over time.

"H-hey…." A voice called out, and as I turned to look, there was Gobel with an anxious expression, his face concealed beneath the hood of a large robe. A closer inspection revealed that he had patched himself up with an array of bandages, a clear indication that my punches from our previous encounter had left their mark.

Well, he deserved all of it, I reasoned.

I guess even the advanced healing potion I had given him wasn't enough to erase all the bruises. He got from my beating.

"Take a seat" I offered, attempting to ease the tension in the air.

"….Ok," he mumbled, looking visibly nervous.

"Don't be so nervous; you already look suspicious as hell. Don't make it worse" I advised, trying to cut through the palpable awkwardness.

"0-ok…."

"Want to order anything? I'll pay" I suggested, attempting to shift the focus away from the lingering unease.

"No, I only came here for the thing that you promised—"

Grumble... ~!

The loud grumbling noises of Gobel's stomach interrupted his words, prompting a chuckle from me.

I couldn't help but smile slyly at his embarrassment.

'He may try to act like an adult, but he's still a kid, huh?' I thought to myself, amused by the contrast.

I tossed him the menu.

"Just order up, kid. We're going to have a thorough conversation regarding the things you'll help me with, so indulge yourself first"