Seeing the devastation all around him, Auren is completely caught off guard, despite having caused it himself.
I was so focused... on the egg... and I've been using Heavy Rain for weeks now... I didn't think adding a little more Aura would lead to such results.
Reducing the supply of Aura flowing into the cloud above him to a minimum, the rain almost completely stops, returning to the familiar drizzle, incapable of even washing away a small flower.
I need to leave... but I can't even walk properly.
Jumping from tree to tree that are floating on top of the water to reach an area farther back where he can stand on halfway solid ground, Auren leaves the scene of devastation rather quickly, as Heavy Rain only caused destruction within a very limited area.
Reaching more and more steady and solid ground, Auren walks forward and senses numerous presences approaching him.
They immediately close in on him, and Auren naturally recognizes them as butlers wearing their signature black suits.
Notably, Goto and Tsubone are both present, standing at the very front with dozens of butlers behind them.
"Master... Auren," Tsubone says, curiously looking at Auren before taking in the surroundings. Part of the area is almost completely dark because the cloud blocks the moonlight, but enough remains visible to notice the destruction and colossal flooding nearby.
Somewhat embarrassed, Auren rubs the back of his head.
I didn't think... Heavy Rain could become such a weapon of destruction?! Also... the little game I've started isn't even finished yet, but I can definitely see some early results. If this isn't even my full potential... what would happen if I truly focused on it... with all of my Aura and, more importantly, a clear intent?
This is... a curious discovery.
Was I wrong to neglect this ability for so long? I went overboard; I guess I'll have to apologize to Zeno and Silva. The amount of destruction is surprisingly large.
If I truly focused on it and went all out... I could cause this kind of flooding on purpose... I could wipe away entire cities if I kept this up for a couple of hours. Only my own Aura is the limit... and that limit... is steadily improving. Using Eternity to store Aura beforehand, I could even...!
"Master Auren... what happened?" Tsubone repeats, unable to hide her shock as she stares towards the flooding in the distance, the landscape now looking quite different from before.
Still lost in thought, Auren does not reply immediately.
Kukuroo Mountain, where the Zoldyck estate lies, is at a high elevation... just look at this... water... the key to life can be quite destructive indeed.
"What happened?! I need an explanation," Goto demands, his open hostility pulling Auren back to reality.
"Ehm... I'm not quite sure," Auren replies. "I guess it was an accident... but I can assure you that things are back to normal," he explains, having difficulty coming up with a satisfying answer.
"That is not a sufficient explanation!" Goto accuses him. "Explain yourself properly!"
"Who are you to say that... butler?" Auren asks, taking a step forward as his Aura slowly rises.
"Tsubone," a commanding voice suddenly echoes through the night from behind Auren, overpowering even the sounds of the flooding still continuing in the distance.
Huh? I didn't notice him... no... them.
Seeing both Silva, who just spoke, and Zeno appear from behind, jumping from tree to tree until they reach solid ground, the butlers immediately bow.
"It was indeed an accident," Silva says.
"I... actually didn't notice your presence," Auren admits. "Why are you here?"
"Too busy caring for your mysterious egg?" Zeno asks. "And apparently also too busy to notice the destruction you've been causing. I sensed that spike in Aura in the middle of the night. Your airship is so close to the mansion, so how could I not?"
"... Sorry about that," Auren says, not bothering to come up with an excuse. "It was my fault."
"It's fine... I've been planning to build a farm anyway," Zeno says. "The problem is the outer wall. Tsubone! Goto! Immediately dig out the ground beneath it so the water can escape without causing any permanent damage to our sacred walls."
"Yes, Master," both reply, leaving the scene together with the other butlers.
"What... kind of Hatsu was that?" Silva asks, staring at the now almost calm cloud as it gently rains down on them. "The unnatural rain... it was obvious that you were the cause, but to create this kind of flooding in just a few minutes. What a devastating ability."
"I've... neglected to properly analyze and temper my own abilities," Auren states. "I guess this is what happens when you focus on too many things at once and continue training without solidifying your results, neglecting control in favor of pure power. This was entirely my mistake, one I need to analyze carefully. I've only rarely used this technique and always saw it as mere utility and support. I honestly wasn't aware of its true potency."
There is also the fact that... the rice is showing results. Especially at first. After eating it daily for a while... how could I not notice? My Aura has definitely grown stronger after my improvements stagnated for such a long time, something I thought was inevitable. The rice... changes everything. However, even that kind of improvement will probably slow down at some point... but it's no wonder Vanessa is growing so rapidly.
Neffi might also have grown unexpectedly strong, but hasn't noticed it herself yet. Perhaps her training will be surprisingly effective.
"I thought your violent woman was a disaster in human form... but it turns out you are even worse," Zeno says, still staring at the destruction farther inside the estate. "If you can keep this up for hours, cities will be swept away, millions could drown, and entire civilizations could vanish."
Now he's exaggerating.
"I don't believe I have enough Aura for that... just keeping it up for the ten minutes or so earlier was quite exhausting," Auren replies.
"You don't... look particularly exhausted to me," Zeno says, using Gyo as he stares closely at Auren.
Suddenly, the small snake around Auren's neck wakes up and immediately hisses at Zeno.
"It's fine... calm down," Auren says, gently stroking it and calming it almost immediately.
"So this is the culprit and reason for your carelessness..." Zeno points out, a drop of sweat sliding down his cheek together with the rain. "Where in the world... did you find an egg like that? Nen from birth? This should be impossible."
"It's dangerous..." Silva says. "It could grow into something you can no longer control. Considering the amount of water it swallowed, it is clearly gifted with mysterious and possibly dangerous abilities. The question is whether you can remain in control."
"Don't worry," Auren says, continuing to pet the snake as it happily wraps itself around his arm. "I've got it under control; you can be assured of that."
The snake, seemingly no longer worried, suddenly releases its grip from Auren's arms and drops onto the ground, slithering towards the water gathered a couple of meters away.
Immediately, the water level around them begins to sink as a whirlpool forms.
"It's still drinking?" Zeno wonders. "Curious."
"Under control..." Silva mutters. "A walking... no, a slithering catastrophe cannot be left uncontrolled. It obviously does not belong in this world. It must be from that place."
Not quite managing to make a noticeable difference in the water level, the whirlpool eventually stops. The little snake, still just as slim as it was at birth, returns to Auren, climbs up his body, and wraps itself around his neck again.
"I guess... I've picked up a troublesome friend," Auren says, smiling awkwardly at the snake as it gazes at him happily.
"If I sense even a hint of danger to you or your estate, I'll leave immediately. That much I can promise you," Auren finally adds.
"The estate does not matter. I've seen something quite curious, perhaps the second most shocking thing I've ever witnessed," Zeno says, stroking his beard. "And it explains a great deal while still raising just as many new questions."
"In the end, it only goes to show that humans should never open certain doors," he adds. "Much like how you successfully opened the Trial Gates, it seems you've now gained both the right and the opportunity to open another, far more meaningful one. It may lead you to a wonderful new place filled with countless opportunities or straight to your doom. Proceed carefully and reconsider each of your future steps. Otherwise, much like our ancient forest, you may be swept away by the waves of fate and find your end, taking with you anything you value and care for."
"That was quite philosophical, Dad," Silva states, a hint of amusement appearing on his face. "It's simple. Control this little pet of yours, and you'll become even stronger. Fail, and you might end up dead, along with everyone around you."
"I agree," Auren says, gently petting the snake. "I'll make sure it's the former."
After saying his goodbyes, Auren returns to the airship, carrying the snake with him.
As he slips back into bed, the snake refuses to leave his side. It simply slithers across his body before finally settling on top of his head, its long body still partially wrapped around his neck.
Despite the potentially dangerous position, Auren senses nothing even remotely resembling danger. His own Aura is somehow connected to the snake's, giving him absolute confidence and trust in his new pet.
Not worried, Auren relaxes, falling asleep, maintaining just a small thread of consciousness. Heavy Rain still in effect, the continuous gentle rain not showing any hint of stopping.
"..."
"..."
Sleeping peacefully, Auren is eventually awakened by a soft cry.
Opening his eyes, he immediately sees a large pair of green eyes staring softly at him.
Recognizing the meaning behind the continuous cries, Auren sighs in frustration.
"Thirsty again, little one?" Auren wonders.
The snake cries out happily, its response making its intentions more than obvious.
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A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
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