The sake burned pleasantly on its way down, washing away his worries and thoughts altogether. Alexander sat cross-legged on the roof of the building he was staying at.
Loki, curled into a tight black sphere, slept soundly between his legs, rising and falling with the slow rhythm of his breathing. Alexander's hand moved absently through the kitten's fur, soothing without thought.
Sip
He stopped counting after the third pour, opting to enjoy the moonlight wash over the Grand Narukami Shrine, painting the ancient trees and curved eaves in shades of silver and indigo.
"You are a hard man to find."
Yae Miko had crept up silently, crouched right behind him, knees drawn to her chest with a mischievous smirk that always blessed her cute face.
Under the influence of alcohol, her visage was truly critical to the heart of the young man. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks as his gaze lingered on her.
On the way the moonlight caught the silver maple pin in her hair that he had gifted her in Liyue on their first commission money. Then on the bare skin of her thighs where her revealing hakama ended and finally on the quiet intensity of her hypnotizing violet eyes.
Seeing his reaction, Yae's own composure slipped. A faint pink touched her neck. She looked away first, clearing her throat softly before settling beside him. She let her legs dangle over the edge, heels tapping the wood.
The slight breeze swayed their clothes and hair, carrying both of their scents to each other.
But the seemingly gentle atmosphere was already being broken by the thoughts brought about after witnessing the pin. A reminder that she had left him, right when he felt like they… were beginning to treasure each other in a different way…
"You too." He finally answered, the words making Yae tilt her head in question as she dangled her feet off the edge.
He continued, "Who would have thought that a fox could silently leave a room and descend down a mountain without saying a word."
They both fell silent. Alexander didn't think that he wasn't being confrontational, he just couldn't help but say these words which were on the edge of his tongue ever since seeing her once again.
"I kept on checking on your room for a while, you know? What if you came back? Or you just had some quick business to take care of?" just a slight bit of tremble graced his voice, but he caught himself in time.
But he couldn't fool them both, the event long passed but the sour taste of the memories spent together still marred his mind.
"I will not defend myself, but you should know that I thought you a mortal. It was… dangerous to continue… whatever it was." Yae finally said, there was no way she could beat around the bush now. She had to be direct.
Sip
"And..?" Alex failed to see her point at the question of mortality as aging had never crossed his young mind. Just as much as he didn't understand what exactly was the danger in their relationship.
"Have you never had a mortal pass away, as you lived on?" She took a glance at him. As much as he was a baby, this is one of the earliest principles of life an immortal learns is it not?
The question made Alexander take a moment to think back on their conversation, 'Wait, am I immortal?' He furrowed his eyebrows and glanced at the moon in contemplation, trying to remember if there was a branch that allowed him to live longer than humanly possible.
Yae hugged her knees again, burying her head at eye level, still staring at his youthful face, 'Has he never faced loss?'
"Where is your family?" She finally asked.
The question brought him out of the reverie. The topic was neither a sore spot, nor an exciting story of his life. At the same time, Loki, who was woken up, finally understood that he would get no rest with these two and fled the scene, making them both slightly chuckle which diffuses the tension built up between them.
"Never knew my mother. Father has been absent for as long as I can remember. My grandfather raised me until he died when I was twelve. Since then I've just been alone." Alex thought back on his time in Russia, the plain apartment, the lack of purpose… the lack of… everything.
"I don't think I know what family means." He answered after taking another moment to think.
Yae's eyes softened. "And what about now? Saiguu? Me? Xianyun?" Her eyes never strayed away from his messy black hair that begged to be petted.
"Isn't that too short of a timeframe? Sure I joke with Saiguu about me being adopted and whatnot, but you are more of an estranged friend than sister to me. Xianyun… Teacher… is complicated…" He was brutally honest.
Sighing, he poured himself another cup. Yae traced her fingers along her sleeve, understanding his point in regards to her.
"I believe that the longer we live, the faster we understand what people matter. I cannot speak for Saiguu, but… you are a part of the family, however weird it is." Yae softly spoke.
"I do consider the Shrine as a home, I guess I just have a different image of a family in my head…"
Swoosh
Their conversation was interrupted as Xianyun swirled herself up to the roof with a burst of expertly controlled Anemo energy.
"I see the sake has loosened more than just your tongue," she observed, stepping onto the tiles. She didn't look at Yae immediately. Her gaze settled on Alexander. "I came to inform you before dawn. Saiguu and I will be departing for Liyue within the hour." Xianyun tried to limit referencing herself in third person when speaking with Alexander.
"Wha- Why? For how long?" The boy felt the dizziness in his head wash away the second those words hit him.
"I will explain the matter after my return, it shouldn't be long. Several weeks at most, as I would have to search for Morax."
'Oh no, is it the Kaenri'ah disaster? Is it starting? Now?!' Alexander had a worrying thought cross his mind, 'But none of the twins have shown up, shouldn't one have to become their Prince or Princess?'
Both Yae and Xianyun caught his rising panic, each one drawing their own private conclusions, but said nothing.
'Does he not want to be separated from her?' Yae glanced at the well endowed figure of the Adeptus, she held no jealousy or interest, just… comparing their personalities and… other things.
'Is he… not just interested in the youkai?' Xianyun was no better, her mind went straight down the gutter.
But she couldn't be blamed, for she wouldn't be able to call herself an ancient Adeptus, if she hadn't noticed his growing and complicated affection.
"Is it something serious?"
Alex was quick to quell his worry and ask for confirmation, life had taught him not to jump the gun like that. But even with his quick reaction, the women had already entered their own little worlds of theories.
"Yes and no. It is regarding you however. If Morax agrees and comes to Inazuma it would be much easier to explain and if he doesn't then the whole thing wouldn't matter." Xianyun held no secrets to her protege, but the topic was a bit tricky to discuss at the moment.
"Phew, you should have said so from the start, Teacher. Had me worried there…" Alexander laughed it off and downed another cup of sake. "Come, let's get you prepped for your journey back to Liyue, I have some gifts for Ganyu that I bought today at the market."
He was also quick to change subjects, grabbing Xianyun's shoulders, turning her around and pushing her bare back towards the descent.
With a sharp inhale at the cold touch of his harsh and trained hands, she skipped a step to disengage and gave him a warning glance she didn't know she could muster.
Alex felt cold sweat run down his spine, as began scratching the back of his head with a foolish chuckle. He truly didn't mean anything, just trying to move on to a different topic is all.
As both of them got off the roof and escaped from view. Yae still sat on the roof, hugging her knees and staring at the moon with a touch of melancholy to her presence.
"Want some help? Saiguu had walked out from behind a nearby tree, positioning herself below her disciple.
Yae's ears flattened slightly. "Saiguu, this isn't–"
"Baaaaaaaaah, do you want help or not?" The old youkai swatted away the response like an annoying fly.
"Tsk, what would you know about these matters." Yae couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
It was heard.
"More than you think." Saiguu didn't waste a chance to throw her unbreakable pipe at the forehead of her main troublemaker.
"Whatever. No need. I'll do everything myself, you old hag." Yae bit back.
Paper rustle
"I marked some good dating spots on this map, just say please and you can get it." Saiguu taunted.
"Geh, you are unbearable."
Poof
The gorgeous and pouting woman retreated down the roof and into her own room of the same building.
'I'll get that map some other way.' Was all she could think while covering herself with a blanket to try and skip the time to the next day as fast as possible.
.
.
.
The morning sun cut through the ground level mist of the training grounds. Alexander's temples ached while he was using [Restoration Magecraft] to get back into the groove.
At the same time, Ei stood at the center of the yard, arms crossed. This was the first day of their training together.
"What is your primary element?" She asked.
"...I don't have one?" He wasn't sure, never gave it any thought.
"That's not possible. What is the element you are most comfortable with? The one that comes naturally to you?" She pressed.
"Win– Anemo? I honestly have no idea."
"Then we will have to try each one. Your first priority is to gain control over your element and only then shape other paths from it."
"That's what Teacher Xianyun always said," Alexander replied, while massaging his temples. The phantom pain still lingered even though his condition had been restored to its peak state. "But… I have other ideas regarding my training. Although I am grateful for your offer, I would rather stick to what I was doing."
Alexander's judgement was clouded by the self-assurance in the system. He believed that for now, instead of focusing on a new path he barely touched and spent points on, he should instead finish the martial arts he began until he gained mastery over them.
Ei furrowed her brows, 'This one is stubborn', she would rather spend the time perfecting her own craft and sharpening her skills, instead of training a brat. But disappointing her sister came at a cost she couldn't bear.
"Give me a reason as to why." If she couldn't force him, she would take his refusal to Makoto and close the matter. Perhaps that was for the best.
"I have spent too much time perfecting my dagger and bow proficiency to change focus now. I need to… complete these paths."
Ei didn't understand. Besides, she could as a fact state that his control over the sword was above that of the bow, and the dagger was nothing special besides its time of deployment.
Ei stared at him. The silence stretched, heavy and judgmental. "I do not accept this explanation. If you were to say spear or sword, I would understand. But this is nonsense."
She shook her head, disappointment etching into her features. "It seems Xianyun's praise was empty when it came to your comprehension ability. If you cannot even understand your own strong points, what hope is there for you?"
Alexander opened his mouth to protest, but the words died in his throat. How could he explain that those proficiencies were purchased? That he was forced down paths that felt efficient at the time, but lacked depth?
He had no answer to rebuke the statement. So he stood in the quiet, letting the shame burn.
Ei turned and walked away, her footsteps silent against the packed earth. She was going to report her failure. And Alexander was left alone with the weight of his own choices.
He sat on a wooden bench, dragging a hand down his face. The morning air was cool, but his chest felt hot with frustration. He had been treating the system like a shortcut. A cheat code. But now he hit a roadblock, most of the perks he bought previously, however useful they were at the time, now felt like a waste.
'Wait.' He froze and his eyes shot wide open. 'Perks… waste…', he pulled up his system's interface and began hastily scrolling down.
***A/N: Info dump below, to refresh the memories of the readers and also because you can't go without such things in the system genre. Sometimes I despise myself in regards to why I chose to have a system in the fanfic…***
[
Protagonist:
Adept (2 Points) - Once per world, you can refund all perk points and reassign them, allowing you to adapt your build to new challenges.
]
How could he have forgotten about it? Yesterday's defeat seemed to not only affect the mood, but his brain too. 'Goddamit, what an idiot.'
This was it. With this perk, he could even have Beelzebul train him, since she wanted him to focus on the elements and he could purchase the appropriate [Magecraft] Branches.
The whole [Protagonist] branch was crucial for the best growth and experience, but it was troubling to level up because since coming to this world, Alexander only had it at level 40. He looked at the [Perk Points Remaining: 4] and purchased the Adept mastery over the branch.
Immediately he lost all his unblocked abilities making him feel uncomfortable. His loss of enhanced senses affected him the most. It was as if he became blind and deaf at the same time, the dulled sense of smell however was great.
It was essentially a 'medieval' age after all, with many modern conveniences absent at the time.
The young man took a seat and began reading into the perks once again, feeling that his choices wouldn't be wrong this time.
Either way, whatever perks he wouldn't get back, he could get much later once he had points to spare and the skills would prove useful to him.
First of all, just like any branch, the knowledge granted by a skill isn't exactly locked by its branch and equipment. As the ability to perform well timed dodges from the [Light Armour] Adept perk still allowed him to do the same when wearing heavy armour, simply because he knew how to.
It was one of the first things he noticed about this system and also the reason he kept on sidelining it. The whole thing felt like an intricate part of his being but given surface. It was as if it was created to let him know of his deepest hidden talents and make everything a familiar game so that he could comprehend it better.
Even now that he refunded his previous perks, he still felt the lingering effects, they were simply blocked by something ethereal. Alexander thought on the origin of the system, but realised he should focus back on the current events instead of building conspiracy theories inside his head.
The [Armour] Branch was very worthwhile to spend on, but he currently found himself at a point where ordinary people couldn't pose a threat for him to utilise armour, while those of the same or higher level completely bypassed the point of having armour.
He then looked at the [Melee] Branch, the [Sword], [Spear] and [Hammer] masteries intrigued him, but the level proficiency was enough to have an impact with these weapons. Not to mention that having an immortal master such as Xianyun and perhaps Ei, dwarf the whole point of spending points on them.
Alexander rubbed his chin. He needed what couldn't be taught on a training ground. What couldn't be forged in a smithy. What required magic, perception, and movement beyond mortal limits.
His eyes settled on the [Wonder] list of branches.
[
Protagonist (Level 62)
Novice: Fast Learner (1 Point) - You gain proficiency in all skills 20% faster. You learn from doing things with uncanny speed. You automatically can speak the language of the entity you are conversing with.
Magecraft Destruction (Level 68)
Novice: Apprentice (1 Point) - You can cast basic spells of fire, wind, water, lightning and earth. You are also able to imbue your weapons and armour with these basic spells.
Adept: Elementalist (2 Points) - With experience you enhance the effects of the basic spells, while also gaining access to those of higher level. You are able to communicate with elements laid bare, gaining the ability to form runes.
Expert: Wrath (3 Points) - You can call down meteors, summon blizzards and conjure lightning storms.
Magecraft Restoration (Level 72)
Novice: Acolyte of Life (1 Point) - You can cast a basic healing spell to mend wounds and a wards to block hostile spells.
Adept: Beacon of Vitality (2 Points) - You can cast healing over an area, cure common diseases and poisons, and use spells hostile to the concepts of evil and dark, causing great effect against undead etc.
Expert: Champion of the Light (3 Points) - You can heal a target to its peak, restoring its stamina in the process as well. You can also create a "Circle of Protection" that reduces damage and negates the effects of the dark concepts.
Travel (Level 22)
Novice: Hop (1 Point) - Uncontrolled, short-range "hops" to adjacent realities.
Body (Level 94)
Novice: Peak Condition (1 Point) - Your body operates at the absolute peak of human potential. You are faster, stronger, and more durable than any Olympic athlete.
Adept: Adaptive Regeneration (2 Points) - Your body learns from damage. Surviving an attack (fire, poison, etc.) grants you a degree of permanent resistance to it and drastically improves your healing rate from that damage type.
Expert: Perfect Control (3 Points) - You have 100% conscious control over your body. You can ignore pain, slow your heartrate to enter suspended animation, or consciously push your muscles and bones beyond their safe limits without causing permanent damage.
Master: Apotheosis of Flesh (4 Points) - You are no longer entirely mortal. You can regenerate lost limbs over time, survive in hostile environments without air, and your physical form becomes a weapon in itself, immune to disease and aging.
Sensory (Level 70)
Novice: Witcher Sense (1 Point) - Your natural senses are heightened to their absolute peak. You can hear a heartbeat across a silent room, see the faintest trail in near-total darkness, and smell specific individuals in a crowded street. This is the foundation of a superhuman tracker and scout.
Adept: Mage Sense (2 Points) - You gain the ability to perceive the flow of magical energy. You can see the aura of spells being cast, identify enchanted items by their glow, and sense the approximate power level of magical beings. You can now "see" in the dark by perceiving the ambient mana in the air and objects (basically heat vision).
Expert: The Mind's Eye (3 Points) - Your perception transcends the physical. You can now sense life force and hostile intent. You can feel the presence of all living beings within a large radius, perceiving them as "life-lights" regardless of walls or invisibility. You gain a preternatural "danger sense" that warns you of ambushes, traps, and lethal attacks a split second before they happen. You can sense the general emotional state of those around you (a cloud of anger, a shroud of deception).
Perk Points Remaining: 0
]
Buying out most of the Branch resulted in a perfect score of 0 points remaining. Although he could not buy anything else, he was sure these Perks would allow him to transcend the current limits.
He stood, brushing the dust from his trousers. Excitement evident in his vibrant and youthful eyes.