Aron didn't receive a response—other than happiness.
'Hm, could it be that this connection can only transmit emotions and not thoughts?'
'If she really is the world's consciousness, I need to warn her that she's in danger.'
'But how do I communicate using only emotions?'
As Aron thought, the presence continued to send emotions like concern and curiosity—persistent, almost as if it were trying to get his attention in a way he still didn't understand.
An idea formed in Aron's mind.
'That's it… she's not just sending random emotions.'
'She's sending emotions with intent.'
'And that intent is directed at me.'
'First, she was surprised that I managed to establish a connection with her.'
'Then, she felt happy for the same reason.'
'Now, she's showing concern and curiosity about my situation.'
'I just need to learn how to do the same.'
'Let's run a few tests.'
Aron tried to respond using emotions, focusing on what he felt, trying to organize it within himself before "sending" it—but all he got in return was confusion.
'Hm… looks like she didn't understand.'
He tried again, this time focusing on something simpler.
And again.
Little by little, he began adjusting what he was sending, as if groping in the dark, searching for a way to be understood.
After a few attempts, he finally received a different kind of response.
'So that's how it works…'
'It's not enough to just send emotions with intent.'
'I also have to convey the meaning behind them so it's clear.'
Aron was about to continue, feeling like he was very close to establishing a form of communication, when he was interrupted.
"Hey, kid, come on, let's eat."
Arthur had already finished bathing and changed his clothes.
"Hm?"
Aron looked at him, confused.
'Already?'
Arthur looked at his son, who had a dazed expression, as if he wasn't fully present.
"What's wrong?"
"Is dinner ready?"
"Of course. What time do you think it is?"
Aron looked toward the open window and was surprised.
It was already dark.
He had been so focused that he hadn't even noticed the passage of time.
'I can't believe I spent more than an hour and a half running tests.'
"I'm coming."
Arthur turned and headed to the kitchen, still casting one last suspicious glance at his son.
There was something else Aron noticed at that moment.
The instant he lost focus, the connection he had formed simply vanished.
No warning.
No resistance.
'So this connection goes both ways… I feel when she wants to transmit something, just like she feels when I do.'
'But for communication to happen… both sides need to take the initiative.'
'If one side stops… the connection fades.'
Aron stood up and went to the kitchen table to eat.
Dinner was simple: stewed meat with vegetables and white rice.
Rice wasn't grown in the village; Sabrina had bought it in the city.
'I missed eating rice.'
'I'll set aside a few grains to see if they can absorb mana like flax.'
Aron hadn't tested many possibilities before, because even with the help of flax—which attracted more mana than the environment provided—it still took a long time to absorb mana and test it on other plants.
But now the situation was different.
'I have five seeds that definitely serve the same function as flax… and more than a hundred and thirty flax seeds that might have acquired that same function.'
'I haven't awakened yet, and I don't know the rarity grade or attraction rank of these seeds.'
'But even when I do awaken… I won't choose a farmer's profession.'
'I'd rather give up something I like… than be weak and lose someone I love.'
His gaze hardened for a brief moment before returning to normal.
'There are still a few weeks left before spring planting begins.'
'I can ask my father if he knows someone trustworthy to take a look at my seeds.'
While Aron ate, lost in thought, his movements became automatic—almost mechanical.
Sabrina noticed.
She looked at Arthur.
Then at Matilda.
The three exchanged silent glances before looking back at Aron.
Sabrina finally broke the silence.
"Sweetheart?"
Aron kept eating in a robotic manner, not paying attention to anything around him.
After a few seconds with no reaction…
Arthur frowned.
"Hey, kid," he called in a deeper, more serious tone.
"Hm?" Aron was caught off guard and finally snapped out of it.
"What is it, Dad?" he asked, still a bit hesitant.
"What is it? I should be asking you that."
"What happened?"
"After we finished cleaning the house, you changed. You've been distracted, lost in thought, not noticing anything around you."
"Earlier I had to call you twice before you realized I was calling you for dinner, and now you're eating like you're lost in another world…"
"O—"
Sabrina pinched him, making him stop.
Then she turned her concerned gaze back to her son.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"Did something happen?"
"Tell Mommy so she can help you."
Aron looked at his mother, clearly worried.
Then at his father, who was still rubbing his arm.
Finally, he looked at Matilda, who gave him a comforting yet attentive smile.
In a fraction of a second, his mind raced.
'Well… I can't do anything to help her if I don't tell them.'
'And I doubt she can get out of such a dangerous place on her own…'
'Actually, I don't even know if it's a "she" or a "he"…'
'Especially with so many people searching for it there.'
'It would be a disaster if someone else finds it first…'
A slight pressure formed in his chest.
In just a few seconds, Aron had already weighed the pros and cons.
And decided.
"A few days after you left for the city… I felt a presence attach itself to me."
Silence fell instantly.
The tension was palpable.
"It felt like it had been with me since I was born… but I only noticed it that day."
"At first, I was a little scared…"
"But then I realized it wouldn't harm me."
"And… I felt like I should protect it."
His voice grew softer toward the end.
"I don't know who or what it is… but I can feel where it is."
"And it knows where I am."
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Matilda asked, her voice serious.
"You had just gotten back… and I hadn't interacted much with it during that time."
"I only started now, after hearing that the world's physical body might be forming in the same direction where I first sensed the presence."
Another silence followed.
Heavier.
More suffocating.
Arthur wasn't laughing anymore.
Sabrina's eyebrow trembled slightly.
Matilda… was cold.
Cold enough to be frightening.
Just as Aron was about to apologize, Arthur broke the silence.
"Sabrina… does your family have any records about this?"
'Damn… now I'm screwed.'
'It's the first time he's called Mom by her name.'
Sabrina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"I don't know… and even if we did, I wouldn't have access to them right now."
Arthur slammed his fist on the table.
The sound echoed through the kitchen.
Aron almost jumped out of his seat.
"Damn it!"
"So what do we do now?"
Sabrina began tapping her foot against the floor, visibly anxious.
"I don't know!"
"What else can we do?"
Aron watched everything.
In silence.
'I've never seen them like this…'
'This isn't just concern…'
'They know something they haven't told me if they're this anxious.'
Just as Aron was about to ask, Matilda spoke.
Without hesitation.
Without softening it.
"Why don't we find the world's physical body… and kill it?"
A chill ran down Aron's spine.
The kitchen plunged into an icy silence.
Heavy.
Sabrina stopped tapping her foot.
She thought for a moment.
"That could work."
Arthur agreed right after.
"Yes… we can eliminate the cause before it becomes something bigger."
There was no doubt in their words.
No hesitation.
For the first time in this life, Aron regretted saying anything.
But at the same time…
That feeling of happiness he had felt before…
That presence…
He knew it had some connection to his reincarnation.
And along with that certainty…
A faint sense of unease.
Aron's chest tightened.
He knew he couldn't let this continue.
He clenched his fists tightly.
"No!"