Auren stands in front of Beans and stares down at him, the moonlight reflecting on his bald, shiny, green head.
"I didn't see the full details of the fight. I only watched from far away," Beans says. "But you should know—I haven't seen the Chairman this nervous in a long time."
"Nervous?" Auren asks, now completely baffled. "Didn't seem that way."
"He was nervous. Maybe also a little excited. It's a rare compliment coming from him. He must have been genuinely surprised by your abilities," Beans explains.
"Speaking from experience... you'll be playing a large role in the future of the Association. Please try to support the Chairman if you can. I would be immensely grateful if you do. Lately, the Chairman is getting more and more frustrated—and even bored. He's barely doing his job and leaving most of it to the Zodiacs... and sadly, mostly to Par—" Beans tries to say, before hesitating. "I shouldn't judge. Just... please help the Chairman if he ever requires your help."
"You have my word..." Auren responds with a smile.
As long as you spare me your speeches.
Beans nods gratefully and suddenly bows deeply before following after Netero.
Like he needs my help... in any case, if he asks me, why wouldn't I help? Despite his character, Netero is one of the people I can't help but respect.
Still deep in thought, Auren makes his way back onto the airship—only to be immediately questioned by Neffi, Vanessa, Konrad, Eren, and Goreinu, who have indeed stayed up late, waiting for him.
Auren sighs loudly.
I guess this one's on me. I told them to wait if they want to know more.
After vaguely explaining what exactly happened—leaving out a few key details about his Hatsus, of course, Auren finally heads to sleep.
Despite the brutal fight, he feels perfectly fine. Azure Restoration remains as effective as ever, healing all of his injuries, even his exhaustion—everything except for his used-up Aura, which by now has recovered to some degree.
This spar was more than worth it. Not only did I learn a few key details, but I also unlocked one more secret about Eternity. It's a huge upgrade if I can use the Aura it absorbs for my attacks and Hatsus. If I could only use it to permanently increase my own Aura, that would be the absolute best. However, for now, I shouldn't be too greedy. With what Eternity does, I'm still way stronger than I ever could have guessed before visiting Glam Gas Land. The only downside is that if I use up the stolen Aura, Eternity doesn't grow as fast. I should only use it when necessary.
However, what's almost more interesting is that my tactics worked. I wounded Netero—not just once, but multiple times. I even managed to dodge, or at least partially avoid, some of his attacks.
Almost anyone else—aside from Netero—would've been in serious trouble. That tells me I'm definitely going down the right path. Limitless Waters, Hiding in Mist, Water Clone, my swordsmanship, my use of the basic and advanced Nen techniques, and my assassination techniques... they're all effective! Now I just need to raise my physical strength, increase my Aura capacity and strength, and refine those techniques, and I'll keep growing stronger.
Not only that—if I overdraw a lot of Aura, I can even use Azure Restoration during combat now. It's inefficient to burn so much Aura at once... but it works in emergencies. It can stop bleeding too. This spar taught me a lot. I am genuinely grateful to Netero.
The next day, Auren wakes up early, feeling strangely refreshed and focused.
After getting ready for the day, he joins the others for breakfast. While Marsha continues to cook more food and everyone happily eats her dishes, Auren suddenly declares, "This will be our last day in Swardani City. I'm tired of it already."
Everyone stares at him, most of them nodding along.
"Where are we going then?" Jean asks confidently.
Looks like she's the only true extrovert in our group—it's good to have those kinds of people along for the ride as well.
"We're stopping in Meteor City for a week or so," Auren declares. "After that, we're flying home. To mine and Neffi's current home, at least. I hope it becomes your home as well soon enough. After that... we'll see. I have something coming up in Yorknew."
"M—Meteor City..." Ella stutters, Killi looking rather perplexed as well.
"Just for a week at most. I want you to stay on the airship, so there's no need to worry. I'll talk to Pariston later, and we'll take off immediately," Auren assures them with a smile.
The girls smile, back, looking relieved.
I have unfinished business there. My last visit was rather... chaotic.
Auren messages Pariston once again, asking him for a time for the final meeting he requested. He quickly replies:
"There is a meeting which ends at 11 AM, feel free to come by afterwards ✨"
Good enough, I guess.
Auren then looks over at Marsha, who's finally finished cooking and is now eating herself.
"Excuse me, Marsha, Jolt. Can you buy a few supplies? At least enough for a couple of weeks. Maybe also buy a lot of non-perishable foods. There aren't exactly stores with high-quality food in Meteor City," Auren notes. "Also, make sure to buy the protein bars, shakes, vitamins, and the other supplements I regularly consume. You should be able to get them all."
"We'll get right to it," Marsha says, nodding along. "Since I'm more or less the unofficial cook, I might as well take the role more seriously. I also know where to buy what you want, though I believe that, with my cooking, these extras aren't necessary —they are pretty expensive as well. They are all products I have never even heard of and cost hundreds of thousands, Jenny. Are you sure they are not a scam?"
"No," Auren replies. "I've checked them out with Konrad. They are all luxury products, designed for athletes and hunters. Their effects might be minuscule, but they certainly are beneficial. Since everything together costs only a couple of millions for us all, we should continue to buy and use them."
"He is right," Konrad says, "I've carefully investigated."
"Okay then, boss," Marsha says with a grin.
Auren smiles back, "I heard there will be a raise soon. Consider your current pocket money tripled."
"I can't accept tha—" Jolt tries to say, but Neffi immediately interrupts him.
"We'll help," Neffi interjects happily, nodding at the other girls, who also smile. "Also, let us pay you. We have more money than we can ever spend. You more than deserve it."
Jolt, Marsha, and Joanne nod, looking ashamed, only leaving Jean smiling wildly.
She is already thinking about what to buy. I like that attitude.
"Meteor City, though," Konrad mutters, deep in thought. "I have some business there myself. Sis, you need to help me out. I'll require protection. I heard you can get highly qualified bodyguards there. Is that true, Auren?"
"Yes and no," Auren replies. "Don't count on their loyalty. The only thing you find there are desperate people who don't know the word law. They may also have hidden agendas and might actually be less loyal to you than to Meteor City. As long as they identify with the Meteor City mindset, you can treat them as cultists working for you."
"Aren't you from Meteor City yourself?" Konrad asks, looking confused.
"I'm from the Republic of Hass, all the way south in the Mitene Union," Auren replies.
"I didn't know that..." Konrad responds, now looking even more confused. "You never talk about these things.
"Any family?" Vanessa asks curiously.
Auren shakes his head. "My only family is Neffi and the people of the town, or more accurately, the community, we'll be visiting soon. You might be considered my family as well... at least soon enough, should you choose to join. My biological family should be alive—not that I care, though. I was treated as a child slave, forced to work at the age of six, while my father gambled what little money we had away, and my mother starved me and my brothers to buy clothes for my sister and send her to an expensive school, instead of giving us all a shot. Even before that, I was forced to clean the house, even before I learned how to speak or read. I only learned a few things by escaping that hellhole and visiting a lonely, old fisherman who wanted company and talked to me. Meanwhile, my older siblings took my food, and the only thing I got in return were their used clothes, which they sometimes destroyed on purpose when they were forced to give them to me. Of course, my parents ignored these 'accidents.'"
Everyone looks at Auren in shock.
"I've cut them off... cleanly. It was on the day they sent me to work on a dangerous, broken boat with a faulty engine. I barely survived the ship's explosion after holding out for a day on a piece of debris before finding my way to Meteor City," Auren explains. "That was the happiest day of my life."
"I don't feel bad at all. In fact, I feel absolutely nothing," he continues. "That's why I have no problem telling you all about it. I don't even care if they know I'm alive. Maybe someone in the neighborhood has seen me, since I'm a little famous thanks to my Floor Master title. They won't get a response or reaction out of me. I'll repay six years of neglect and injustices with only one thing—indifference."
It's a little lie... I still feel resentment in the back of my mind, but I don't care. As long as I don't think about it, I indeed feel nothing. It's a small, fragmented set of memories that won't disappear. That day cut off all my remaining attachments to them.
"Anyway, thanks for the food, Marsha. Please take care of the supplies. I'll be back soon, I have to take care of one issue with my good friend Pariston...."
That will be the last meeting in a while, and probably the most important one! I need to strike a good deal with him.
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