Lowell: "Ugh.."

I felt that I was in a familiar place. If I could recall.. I was here last time when Axie drained my mana, one or two months ago.

???: "Eh?! He's back again?! Oh.. She ranked up? Sheesh.."

One of them was talking to another light. As I thought.. I was here before.

A Yellow Light approached me.

Yellow Light: "Good to see you again, Lowell Zvalle."

Lowell: "Why do I always get in here whenever I empty my mana?"

I didn't get here last time when I was battling Teacher is because I still have mana left, but I was exhausted because it was on critical levels. The other thing is.. the last time I got here, Axie was also biting me. Is she connected with this bunch of lights?

Yellow Light: "I can't say that I know it exactly.. but I think its because you're subconscious is connected here."

My subconscious is connected here?

Yellow Light: "Rather than that.. It seems that the 'Evil God' is near you. He came contact with one of your family members."

He came contact with a family member? I remembered that they were looking for the 'Silver Adventurer'.. Doesn't that mean!

Lowell: "He came contact with Dad?!"

Yellow Star: "Yes, and this is bad news, don't you think?"

More than bad news, I'm more worried about Dad!

Lowell: "What happened to dad?! Is he alright?!"

Yellow Star: "Yes. I think they agreed in some sort of agreement. Okay~ It seems our time is up."

Lowell: "What should I do?"

I needed their help.. to ensure my family's safety against the 'Evil God'..

Yellow Star: "Always wear that necklace of yours.. and every thing would be alright."

Necklace? Isn't that the one given to me by Weiss? I can't see through it even with my 'Eye of Investigation'. Is there something powerful behind it?

I tried to ask another question, but darkness enveloped the whole area.

***

What is this..

Is this some kind of memory of a person?

When I was transported away from the Yellow Light's place, I see this kind of vivid visions like it was me who was there.

I started to hear a man's voice.

『

I still remembered it like it happened yesterday.

When I was ten years old, Mom died because of sickness.

Because I was still too young, my neighbors are the ones who handled my Mom's funeral.

Those neighbors cheated me.. They made me sell the little house where me and my mother lived happily..

After my Mom's funeral.. I was forced into the streets.

Because I don't have any family left, I became a person in the streets, living by using the alms given to me.

I lived like that for almost five years. Until that fated day.

???: "Hey kid, if you're ever given a choice between education and food, which would you take?"

An old man, who was dressed like a beggar, asked me. He's one of my friends around the area. He said that he became a beggar because he was abandoned by his family due to old age. If you would ask me, he looks more like a hermit than a beggar.

Man: "What now, old man? Don't you see I'm busy?"

I was folding my bed made of boxes, since I just woke up.

Old Man: " I'm just curious on how a brat like you would act if you were given a chance."

Man: "Of course, I'll take the food. How long would you think I would starve just to finish studying-"

???: "EEEEEK!!! A THIEF!!!"

I heard a loud voice. It was from a girl who had her shoulder bag taken away from her by a thief. In reflex, I ran towards the girl. When I saw the thief, I chased him hastily. Even if I'm a beggar, I'm proud of my physical fitness.

After a few minutes, the thief ran into a corner, which is a dead end. The thief tried to fight, but I easily overpowered him. I knocked him unconscious. After a few seconds, the girl accompanied by the police, reached the place.

Girl: "Arrest them! Those two are partners in crime!"

Man: "What?!"

I tried to reason out, but the police pointed a gun on me.

Police Officer: "Freeze! You stinking beggar, don't move!"

Ah.. I see..

This is the truth of the society. If you're a person in poverty, you'll be looked down by people. If you're worst than that, you won't be even called a person. By the time you can't be called a person, you'll also lose your right as a human being.

Now, I'm starting to ask myself.. Is the life I have right now.. is unnecessary? Are the hardships and sorrows that I felt all this time.. are useless?

I don't want that..

I don't want that my mother's sacrifices be in vain..

I don't want to remain like this..

When I was placed inside the police car, I saw the Old Man.. he's also in handcuffs.

Man: "Why are you here, Old Man?"

Old Man: "Ahaha~! They thought I was one of the accomplices of the thief.

Man: "I see.. Sorry that you got caught in this mess, Old man.."

Old Man: "Ahaha~! There's nothing wrong about helping others! In fact, I approve your way of living, brat. Beggars are discriminated people. Even so, they are still human. A good human doesn't need to think if he's going to help or not. A good human moves in reflex, because that's what their heart told them to do. "

While he said that, I started crying. This is the first time a stranger approved my life. A life raised by my mother's love.. A life where I followed my heart. A life where the only thing I could be proud of is my own conscience and dignity. I fell asleep while crying.

Old Man: "Brat, wake up. It looks like we reached our destination."

I didn't notice that the car stopped. When I walked outside, I saw a big mansion. Outside, a large number of maids and butlers bows towards our way.

Old Man: "Welcome to your new home, my Grandson.

Man: "Grandson?"

Old Man: "I am your Mother's father.. so that mean's I'm your Grandfather. I started looking for my daughter 13 years ago.. but the only clue I found.. is her grave. Four years ago.. they located her grave. I was so distressed when I heard the news.. but when I saw your name on her tombstone, I was filled with hope. I tried everything to locate you.. which I did two years ago.

When I met you.. I cried because you are likened to her image.. and also because I didn't know what kind of hardships you and your mother felt when you lived in poverty. She's a kind, courageous, but soft girl. Many people loved her. I didn't know what he saw on your father.. that she agreed to elope with him. My daughter..."

I listened to him while reminiscing my life with Mom. It was a hard.. but a happy one. I may not have experienced a father's love.. but Mom's love showed that it is all that I needed. My grandfather continued speaking.

Old Man: "I thought of keeping you that time, but I thought that I should know you much better.. since you might have inherited your father's scoundrel ways.. but I was wrong. Now, I'll devote my whole life raising you as my heir. Share the love you received from your mother to those who need it."

Man: "Yes.."

』

***

When I woke up, it was already past midnight.

Lowell: "What was that.. is that man the same boy I dreamed last time?"

His life was tragic, but he was given a chance to change it.. but why was I dreaming of these things?

Lowell: "I only remembered that I should wear Weiss' pendant."

This was the same as the time when I dreamed of the name 'Gladius'. This time, I have a weird feeling that this pendant would surely save me from a disaster.

I took the pendant from my drawer and looked and tried to use 'Eye of Investigation'

『

Name: Star Sapphire Necklace

Durability: 1/1

Effect: Blocks one skill, ???

Description: A pendant embedded with an expensive, rare gem.

』

It looks normal, but I didn't think that it can block a skill. If that's the case, it works like the pendant Teacher gave me. But something's bothering me.. there are '???' in the effect. Well, if my intuition is right, it isn't harmful, at least.

I wore it inside my dress so that it would be hidden from sight. It may cause some unnecessary trouble if outsiders see me wearing this kind of thing.. That's also why I don't wear this necklace when going outside without my parents.

After wearing the necklace, I fetched a mirror. I need to see what kind of improvements I received after breaking through.

『

Name: Lowell Zvalle

Level: 16 -> 18

Title: --

Job: --

Status: --

Age: 8 years old

Birthplace: Blanc City

HP: 360/360 (+10) -> 245/434 (+10)

Mana: 139/139 (+15) -> 79/265 (+15)

Stats:

Physical Power: 43 ->49

Magic Power: 147(+20) -> 199 (+20)

Speed: 47 -> 54

Constitution: 5

Luck: 40

Aptitude: Low-Rank Professor Tier Fleur

Attributes: Spatial(Main), Wind, Fire, Water, Earth

Special Skills: Skill Forger, Eye of Investigation(Low)

[More]

』

I leveled up by two and my stats increased. My theory on breaking through is now proven true. I have 125 mana previously.. and now it's 250. My stats right now is pretty good.. but I think I need to increase it more since when I saw one of Gladius comrade's stats, even with this stat.. I'll definitely lose.

I noticed that my 'Eye of Investigation' became a 'Rank Low' Skill. But something was bothering me..

Lowell: "More?"

After saying that, a bigger screen emerged out of thin air.

『

[Less]

Experience: 1592/2491

Mana Consumption:

Elemental skills:

Low: 5 MP / Mid: 25 MP / High: 60 MP / Epic: 125 MP / Unique: 355 MP / Legend: 2100 MP /World: 13250 MP

Mysterious skills:

Low: 10 MP / Mid: 50 MP / High: 120 MP / Epic: 250 MP / Unique: 810 MP / Legend: 4200 MP/ World: 26500 MP

Special Skills:

Spell Forger Activation Requirement: 30 MP

Low: 30 MP / Mid: 150 MP / High: 360 MP / Epic: 750 MP / Unique: 2430 MP / Legend: 12600 MP / World: 79500 MP

Eye of Investigation: 25 MP

Additional Information:

HP: Life of the person. Can be affected by MP.

MP: Mana of the person. Can be affected by HP

Physical Power: Body Strength of a person. Average adult has 100 Physical Power.

Magical Power: Mental Strength of a person. Average adult has 100 Mental Power.

Speed: Speed of a person. Average adult has 100 Speed.

Constitution: Body type of a person. Average adult has 7 Constitution.

Luck: Determines a person's fortune. Can't be changed permanently.

Aptitude: Determines the Magical Prowess of a person.

Attributes: Magical Attributes that a person could wield.

Special Skills: Unique ability a person can use. Needs MP to use.

』

Isn't this..

Now I knew that 'Eye of Investigation' skill is more than what it seems..

It can give me any information I needed.. and it works on everything. Not only that.. It could help me how to determine the most efficient way of using my Special Skills and Spells. This ability lives up with it's reputation as second greatest eye skill.

Lowell: "This is awe-*growl*"

Before I could finish my sentence, my stomach starts to growl. I forgot that I still didn't eat dinner..

I walked towards our kitchen. I noticed that both Axie and Nephy are following me. They must be worried about my condition.

Lowell: "Come here."

I carried both of them. When I lifted them, they clung on my shoulder with their heads.

Lowell: "Good kids."

I continued walking. When I reached the kitchen, I placed both of them on the floor and looked for something we could eat. I took their food plates and placed their respective food in it. After I saw both of them started eating, I started eating the food Mom and Dad left for me in the table. I think they're sleeping already.

After eating, I guided Axie and Nephy to their room upstairs. I stayed with them until they fall asleep.

When I got out of the room, I noticed that the library's door was open. I thought what happened last time. Now, I was undecided if I'll approach the room or not.

Before I could decide, I saw Dad step out of the room. His movements show fatigue, I guess he's in the library for a long time. He saw me and walked towards me.

Louis: "It's good that you're awake. I thought we need to cancel your role as the Ring Bearer tomorrow. But first, we'll go somewhere before attending the wedding."

Lowell: "Where?"

Louis: "It's a secret. Go and sleep. You won't like to get sleepy in the middle of wedding ceremony, right?"

Lowell: "Yes."

I saw Dad entering the library again. I'm starting to get curious, but I think it's not good to pry into his business. I walked towards my room and returned to sleep.

***

Louis: "That was close.."

I returned to my research. I can't fool around this time.

Louis: "A Meteor eight years ago huh.."

That King of Swords asked me to search for a sword falling from the sky. If it was strong enough, it would be shown as a meteorite.. So I started by searching for meteorites.. but It's pretty hard to do.. since gathering data for things like that are too difficult.

Louis: "This world is too big, you know.."

Before I started researching, I started gathering newspapers from eight years ago. Since I work as a noble's clerk, I can easily access those kind of information.

Louis: "Meteorite.. meteorite.. oh, there it is."

A newspaper dated eight years ago included a meteorite discovery on their front page.

Louis: "A meteorite was found falling on the skies of Theicia. It's destination.. Arsenia's Outskirts?! Isn't that a village just outside the Theician capital? Why didn't I heard any of this.. or is it hidden from outsiders?"

I looked at the newspaper company's location. It was from Theicia.

Louis: "So.. I guess I'll have to take a look around that place again.. "

I sighed in resignation. Well, I don't have to move yet, since the King of Swords didn't prepare the Devil's contract yet.

Louis: "Oh well, I guess I'll retire for today. I need to be presentable for tomorrow's event."

I gathered all of the newspapers and placed them on a secret vault that Lowell doesn't know. I can't let her accidentally discover what I'm doing.. for her safety.