(POV Diana)
The Mercedes's engine roared to life,a sound that usually gave me a sense of power but now only accentuated the emptiness I felt. The watch, the damned watch with Ernesto's name engraved on it, burned on the passenger seat like a silent accusation.
How? How had this happened?
I didn't slow down until I reached the mansion. The lights in the main hall were still on. Good. Perfect.
I stormed in like a hurricane, not caring about the door I slammed shut. Leslie was on the sofa, flipping through a magazine. Ernesto, in the armchair by the fireplace, was looking at his phone with a calm smile.
"Diana? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost"
Leslie said, looking up.
Ernesto raised his head, his smile fading a bit upon seeing me.
"Sis, are you okay? Where's William?"
I threw the velvet box onto the coffee table. It landed with a dull thud. "Does someone want to explainthis to me?" My voice trembled with contained rage.
Leslie picked up the box, curiosity on her face. She opened it.
"Oh, the watch. William didn't want it? See, I told you it was better not to give him anything. He'd just scorn it like the ungrateful brat he is."
"Look at the inscription."
Leslie and I looked at Ernesto. He blinked, an expression of genuine confusion crossing his face. "What's wrong?Is it damaged?" He stood up and took the watch from Leslie's hands. "Read the inscription,Ernesto."
He turned it over. His eyes scanned the engraving. His face, for a split second, was a perfect blank. Then, realization dawned, followed by a perfectly executed mask of horrified shock. "Oh…oh, no. Diana, Leslie… I'm so, so sorry! This is a terrible mistake!"
He visibly paled, bringing a hand to his mouth. "Amistake? How do you 'mistake' the name on a gift that's supposed to be for your brother?"
Ernesto dropped the watch as if it had burned him, his expression one of pure panic and remorse. "It wasn't like that! I swear! This… this wasn't the watch. There was another one. Dad gave me a new one a month ago, a Patek Philippe for getting good grades on my exams. There must have been a mix-up when I told the servants to find a watch to package! They must have grabbed this one by mistake!"
Leslie moved closer to him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Oh, Ernesto, don't torment yourself. It's not your fault, dear. It was the staff's mistake. Tomorrow we'll tell William everything, explain it to him, and give him the correct gift. William will understand."
Would he? I remembered the coldness in his eyes, the cutting laughter. That wasn't the look of someone who would "understand." That was the look of someone who had seen enough.
"He won't have to apologize, Ernesto. This was his mistake, and he will have to apologize to William. And since he said he was coming, he'll probably be here any moment, so you will apologize."
The initial rage began to subside, replaced by an overwhelming frustration and a deep fatigue. Everything was always so complicated with William.
"I will. I'll explain everything to him. I'll give him the Patek personally. He deserves it." That made me feel a bit calmer.
"Alright, go get the watch. We'll wait for him to arrive." I don't know how long it will take him to get here, but he's surely on his way.
(POV William)
Another day has arrived,and honestly, I'm still lost about what happened yesterday. I used aura in my world naturally, and after investigating, I was able to discern that although I can use aura, due to the lack of... something that existed in Rossette's world, my aura doesn't generate any kind of glow when used.
I don't know if this is good or bad. The system said I shouldn't be able to use energy, that I can't use anything supernatural or magic in other worlds. Now I have too many questions.
Does 'other worlds' refer to all worlds excluding my own? If not, does that mean there are people in this world who can use aura? If the supernatural isn't visible, is it as if I'm not using it at all?
Too many questions. After thinking about them all night, I only reached one conclusion: I must investigate and start paying more attention to these kinds of situations.
The only conclusion I can come to right now is that if something like aura exists here, there's no energy or whatever it is that fuels the aura to fully manifest the crimson energy, which reduces its power enormously. But I can still use it if I find myself in trouble.
"Now for the important thing."
What should I wear to Grandpa's birthday? Although he hasn't been a constant figure in my life, he has treated me with a certain fairness and isn't manipulated by Ernesto. So, at the very least, I have to go show him some respect. Since he hasn't done much to actively help me, I don't hate him.
The real problem is
'I don't have a suit here.'
When I left the Sanders' house, I only packed important things. The suits and various other items I left in that room. I can't go in casual clothes, so obviously I need to wear something elegant. But even though I have money, I can't spend it on a suit so casually, and I don't know if I can rent one being underage.
"Damn it, I'll have to think of something for tonight. For now, I'll train my aura. Since I can use it, the best thing would be to train it until I can level it up."
I get into the lotus position and start meditating as much as I can. After being in that position for a while, I felt it.
It wasn't a crimson glow. It wasn't heat. It was a tension. A density in the air around my skin, as if reality itself was compacting around me.
It was my aura. Not visible, not spectacular, but real. Operating on a different frequency, integrated into the reality of my world in a way so subtle it was almost indistinguishable from normal physics. But I could feel it. To a lesser extent than in the other world, but I could feel it a little.
Finally, I opened my eyes, gasping. Cold sweat soaked my forehead.
"System."
[
Name:William Sanders
Age:19 Race:Human
Titles:[Neanderthal Killer]
-----------------------------------
Strength:10+3
Agility:8+3
Endurance:10
Intelligence:10
Luck:4 Perception:10
Willpower:10
-----------------------------------
[Skills]
[Calm Mind][Running (Lv:3)] [Stealth (Lv:2)] [Boxing (Lv:3)] [Aura (Lv:2)] [Basic Fencing (Lv:3)]
-----------------------------------
[Missions]
[Store]
SP:3000
]
Aura didn't level up? Damn it, it seems it won't be so easy to level up the aura skill in my world. To a certain extent, it makes sense since there's no energy to help train it rigorously. All I can do is keep training.
"Well, what time is it?"
Looking at the clock,I was shocked.
"8 HOURS?!"
How had 8 hours passed? I don't even have time to look for a suit in a store now. I grab my phone,call a taxi, and decide to use the only option I have on hand.
∆∆∆
After arriving at the door of this house, which I haven't seen in 4 days, I realize I feel nothing. As I pass through the gate, the guard looks at me strangely, but they let me pass without any problem.
Passing through the door, I see multiple strangers entering. Some look at me, others just whisper, but it doesn't matter. I'm just here to greet Grandpa and wish him a happy birthday. After that, I'll leave and won't bother anymore.
Wearing the suit Rossette gave me is comfortable. I must be thankful for having fresh memories, so there's really no problem.
As I cross the main door, I enter a large hall full of people with glasses in hand while some are gathered around Grandpa. Upon entering, I see many glances directed at me, but I pay no mind and head towards Grandpa, who smiles upon noticing my approach.
"Happy birthday, Grandpa. It's a pleasure to see you again," I greet him respectfully.
"Hello, William. I can see you've grown up a lot. You're even wearing more elegant clothes now. That suit looks very good on you."
He genuinely smiled.
"Thank you very much, Grandpa. It was a gift from a friend. She said I should wear it on a special occasion, and I thought it was a good idea to wear it here today."
"William."
I turned. My parents, Diana, and Leslie were there. My parents had tense expressions, somewhere between worry and anger. Diana seemed furious and at the same time… ashamed? Leslie wore her usual disdain, but with a hint of curiosity. And behind them, like a kindly ghost, stood Ernesto.
"Where have you been? You didn't come back last night. We were worried," my father said.
"I was just at a friend's place. After what happened yesterday, I wanted some time to think."
Diana opened her mouth to say something, probably something sharp, but a look from Grandpa silenced her.
What's this? Now they have to act with some respect since they know Grandpa doesn't play favorites.
"William, as I mentioned yesterday, it was a mistake"
Diana started.
I raised my hand and politely interrupted her.
"As I mentioned, I don't need empty explanations because I already know whose fault it is, and I know you have those apologies prepared, disguised as a mistake, don't you?"
I'm only saying this so my parents and brother can hear it, because I want them to know I'm already familiar with the script. The family that stays silent... seriously, do they think I wouldn't know that everything they're doing today is an act? Maybe they want to look like people who just made a mistake, but I know deep down they don't care.
At that moment, Ernesto hung his head.
"Brother, I'm truly sorry for the... misunderstanding the other day. It was a terrible mistake on my part, truly. The servants took the wrong box. I have your real gift in my room, a flawless Patek Philippe. I'll give it to you later."
"It's not necessary."
I turned back to look at Grandpa, but before I could say anything, I felt a strong pull on my arm. Looking back, I saw Leslie's curious gaze.
"What do you think you're doing, you little idiot? Ernesto already apologized to you for the mistake, and you, as always, are making a scene. Just accept the damn apologies and be done with it!"
she hissed.
Looking at her, I just find it ridiculous. Does she really think this will be enough for me to accept when right now that son of a bitch is looking at me with that smug smile? At that moment, I took Leslie's arm and pushed it away from me with a bit of force, which surprised her since she was holding me tightly and I broke free easily.
I leaned in and whispered to her
"You better calm down, or else I'll hit you right now, and I don't want to cause problems at Grandpa's birthday."
That made her shudder. Seeing her feel fear makes me feel relieved to some extent. It's obvious she doesn't know what I might do now.
"If you want to solve family matters, it will be at another time, not at my birthday. And after this party, I would like to know what these problems are"
Grandpa said sternly.
At that moment, my parents tensed up, and my father stepped forward.
"That's not necessary, Dad. It's just a matter we need to discuss with our son. Isn't that right, William?"
Grandpa was about to say something, but I approached with a smile on my face.
"Of course. Why don't we go talk at the table outside? There's more privacy there."
At that moment, the two of them sighed and headed outside. I followed them with a smile on my face.
What kind of ridiculous act are they going to put on for me now?