The air in Axel felt fresh and comforting after the return. Theo was in his room, enjoying the silence and the absence of the smell of blood and sulfur that had permeated his last few days. He took a moment to remove his leather and metal gear, feeling his shoulders relax as he released the weight. The mission in Hansel and Gretel's world had been physically simple, but mentally exhausting due to the social complications he himself had caused.
'No more playing the know-it-all' - he promised himself as he sat on the edge of his bed. - 'Next time I'll get straight to the point, no entanglements.'
With a clearer mind, he decided it was time to use the gacha ticket he had obtained. A small translucent interface appeared in front of him, glowing with a dim light before revealing the result.
Congratulations! You have obtained: [Class: Astrologer (Level 6) - Elden Ring]
Theo arched his eyebrows as he read the description of his new acquisition. The list of statistics and equipment unfolded before his eyes:
[Astrologer (Level 6):
Stats:
Vigor: 9 / Mind: 15 / Endurance: 9
Strength: 8 / Dexterity: 12 / Intelligence: 16
Faith: 7 / Arcane: 9
- Spells: Glintstone Pebble, Glintstone Arc.
- Weapons: Short Sword, Astrologer's Staff, Scripture Wooden Shield.
- Armor: Full Astrologer Set (Hood, robe, gloves, and trousers).
- Gift: Crimson Amber Medallion (Raises maximum HP by 6%).
Do you wish to equip class?
(Yes) Or (No)]
Theo didn't hesitate. And with a mental "yes," the process was activated. Immediately, a cold and serene energy, like starlight, flowed through his body. The clothes he was wearing vanished, replaced by a robe of fine, resistant fabric. He felt the weight of a short sword at his waist, the firmness of a small wooden shield on his left arm, and, most importantly, the polished wooden staff in his right hand.
However, what impacted him the most was not the aesthetic change, but the wave of power that flooded him. He could feel the mana flowing through his veins, as if his energy channels had suddenly widened. Curious, he pulled out his adventurer card to see how this was reflected in this world's system.
[Theodore Strange
Class: Adventurer (Level: 15)
Stats:
[HP: 559] [MP: 258]
Str: 41 / Dex: 52 / Agi: 23
Int: 86 / Per: 23 / Mnd: 37 / Luck: 116
Skills: Steal (lvl.12), Lurk (lvl.18), Free (lvl.21), Enemy Detection (lvl.19), Two-handed Sword (lvl.15), Foresight (lvl.16), Create Water (lvl.4), Detect Trap (lvl.7), Detect Treasure (lvl.3), Heal (lvl.3)]
Theo let out a low whistle. The increase in Intelligence was massive. Although he noticed that his Agility and Perception had remained stagnant, he didn't feel disappointed.
'It's to be expected' - he thought, analyzing the numbers. - 'In Elden Ring, you don't run faster by leveling up; you only hit harder or endure more. But this jump in mana... it's incredible.'
He felt much stronger without having made a real effort in the last mission. That served to reaffirm his decision to be more pragmatic in the future; there was no point in complicating his life by getting too involved with the inhabitants of other worlds.
Anxious to test his new toys, Theo left the inn. He walked through the streets of Axel, ignoring the curious glances of some adventurers, and headed to his "secret" spot on the outskirts of the city—a clearing surrounded by trees where he came to practice without being disturbed.
Upon arriving, he prepared to channel the first spell, the Glintstone Pebble. However, before he could utter a word, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"I knew I'd find you here." - Theo turned slowly. Chris was standing at the edge of the clearing, with her usual mischievous smile and her hands on her hips. Theo wasn't surprised; he knew she would come looking for him sooner or later, though he admitted to himself it had been faster than expected.
"You look... weird" - Chris said, approaching while examining his astrologer's robe. - "What is that you're wearing? You look like you're from some eccentric mage cult."
"A treasure I found around" - Theo replied briefly, trying to play it down.
Chris circled Theo, touching the fabric of the robe with curiosity.
"It's weird to see you like this; you always go around in leathers or light armor. But it doesn't look bad on you; it gives you a 'mage' air, although the other one suits you better" - she said, and Theo nodded in agreement; despite it being good equipment, it wasn't his style.
After the brief exchange, Chris's tone changed. It became a bit more serious, although she maintained that friendly closeness.
"Darkness told me what happened yesterday" - she blurted out, watching Theo's reaction.
Theo remained silent, looking at her. During the four days he spent in the world of the witches, he had had time to reflect. He knew he had acted like an idiot. The Inner Beast skill didn't just give him strength; it eliminated his social filters, letting out desires and frustrations he usually kept under lock and key. He felt a bit embarrassed, but a part of him was also annoyed for not having continued because of the giant bats.
Chris, seeing that he didn't respond, gestured toward the ground. - "Sit down for a moment."
Both sat on the grass. The landscape outside was quiet; the wind swayed the treetops and the sun began to descend, bathing the clearing in a warm light.
"Look, I understand a bit why you did what you did" - Chris began, playing with a blade of grass. - "I'm not saying it was right, but I understand where it came from. Darkness... well, she understands it too. She's quite embarrassed, in case you were wondering."
Theo sighed, dropping his shoulders. - "Yeah... I regret my behavior. Especially the place where I decided to explode. It wasn't the best way to handle things."
Chris looked at him out of the corner of her eye and let out a small laugh. - "I'm not going to get too involved between you two. I know you're grown up enough to resolve it. But I'm sure you will."
Chris stood up and brushed the dust off her pants and said. - "Darkness is looking for you to apologize; don't make her wait too long, okay?"
Finally, she said goodbye with a wink before disappearing among the trees.
Theo remained alone in the clearing with a grimace of resignation. He was sure Chris had read his thoughts or, at least, caught his internal conflict too easily. He shook his head and concentrated on what was in front of him.
He spent the next hour testing the staff. He discovered that casting spells with it was amazingly fluid; the staff practically did all the channeling work for him. However, when he tried to cast the same Glintstone Pebble without the weapon, the difficulty skyrocketed. What was previously instantaneous now required extreme concentration and a charge time that left him vulnerable.
'I have to train this' - Theo thought, putting the staff away. - 'If I depend on a weapon like this, I'll be dead if I lose it. I need to master astrologer magic naturally.'
After finishing his practice session, he returned to the inn to change. The astrologer's clothing was too flashy and wasn't even his style. He put on his normal clothes and went out to look for the crusader. It didn't take long to see her. Darkness was near one of the side streets leading to the main square. She wasn't wearing her heavy armor, which made her look much more vulnerable and, to Theo, strangely more attractive. Upon seeing him, she tensed visibly and a crimson stain covered her cheeks.
"Theo..." - she murmured, fiddling with her hands nervously.
"Hey, Darkness" - he responded calmly. - "I think it would be better if we go somewhere more private to talk. My apartment is nearby."
As soon as he pronounced the words "private" and "apartment," Theo could see Darkness's eyes dilate. Her imagination, always tilted toward the scandalous, seemed to take off for an instant. She shook her head hard, trying to regain her composure, and nodded with a look that tried to be serious but failed miserably.
Once inside Theo's apartment, the silence became dense. Darkness stood near the door, while Theo sat in a chair, watching her. He knew that if he let her start, she would end up rambling before being able to apologize properly, so he decided to take the initiative.
"Darkness, I want to apologize first" - Theo said, breaking the ice. - "My behavior the other day was unacceptable. I got carried away by the moment, and I shouldn't have treated you like that. I hope this doesn't ruin our friendship."
Darkness shook her head frantically, taking a step forward. - "No! No, Theo, I'm the one who should apologize. I was... I was a fool to react like that. In reality..."
She stopped, biting her lower lip. Her eyes shone with a mixture of shame and something Theo recognized as the desire she was trying to repress.
"In reality, I liked it quite a bit" - she blurted out in a whisper, before realizing what she was saying. - "I mean! It's not that I liked you being disrespectful, it's just that you took me by surprise. If it happened again, I... I..."
Darkness short-circuited. Her words turned into incoherent babbling while her hands moved aimlessly. She was supposed to come to ask for forgiveness, but her nature was betraying her again.
Theo stood up from the chair slowly. He looked her in the eyes, noting that she didn't back away despite her evident nervousness.
"So basically, you're saying you wouldn't mind if I did it again, huh?" - Theo asked in a low voice, closing the distance. - "Because if that's the case, this time I won't stop halfway."
Darkness, without processing the real implication and letting herself be carried away by the impulse, responded almost immediately. - "I... I wouldn't mind."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the crusader's brain seemed to react. She looked at Theo, realizing the intensity in his gaze. It was a predatory look, but loaded with a clear intention.
"Eh?" - was the only thing she could articulate.
Theo didn't give her time to back down. In a swift movement, he stretched out his arm and struck the wall next to Darkness's head, trapping her in a kabedon that left her with no escape. He leaned toward her, their faces centimeters apart.
"Are you truly sure, Darkness?" - Theo asked, feeling the heat emanating from her. - "Or are you going to back out when things get serious?"
"I... eh?... I..." - Darkness was completely collapsed. Her heart was beating so hard she felt it would pop out of her chest. She wanted to say something, but her body didn't respond.
Theo didn't wait for a verbal response. He leaned in the rest of the way and claimed her lips in a firm kiss.
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There's not much to say, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.