15 days had passed since the incident.
I was standing in front of a hospital, waiting for Aria to take me home after my therapist finally let me out.
Aria only spent 2 days there, but due to the bloodlust I was leaking unconsciously, the therapist decided to make sure I don't end up killing someone by mistake.
'I didn't even know the bloodlust was real! I thought it was just to make the characters look cool'
The therapist said the bloodlust is just a type of aura pressure, but to show a faint aura even before awakening my core showed how bad my mental situation was.
'But I have to admit, the therapist was really professional. I also felt relaxed the moment I saw him. I wonder if he has an affinity or trait related to mental health.'
5 minutes later, Aria finally arrived.
She looked at me with a concerned expression. "So, how are you now? do yo—".
"I'm good now; sorry for concerning you."
"Well, let's go back home."
She grabbed me by my wrist and took me to the metro station.
In this world , the trains were powered by mana and could reach a speed higher than 1000 km/h without troubles.
While waiting for the train, I noticed that Aria's grip had tightened, as if she was afraid that I might jump to end my life at any time .
But I couldn't blame her after what I did; seeing me clenching my fist until bleeding should have made her worry .
After taking the train and walking for some time, we finally reached the...home .
It was completely empty .
It wasn't our first time staying in the house alone—but now, we weren't waiting for anyone .
We couldn't bring the dead back. And even if there was a way—what if they'd reincarnated like me? What if their new lives were better? Would they even want to return?
Actually, the idea that they might have another life brought me a strange sense of relief. I wasn't sad when I died; I didn't feel regret for leaving Mark with his sister there. In the worst case, he would die too, right?
'Yeah… we should accept death. Maybe they're happy now. If there's one thing I can do for them… it's making sure their killers beg for death.'
A small smile appeared on my face for a moment, but I didn't notice how Aria flinched when she saw it .
I hesitated for a moment before saying, "So, umm. I think I will go to my room and check my bracelet. I formed my core, so I have to start awakening it."
"S-Sure."
I took some steps forward, and Aria moved behind me .
I stopped, then she stopped with me .
I sighed. "Why are you following me? I'm good now."
"Maybe I could help; I should watch you in case something happe—"
"—You should cultivate or practise your aura and mana control; you don't have to worry about me; I will be ok."
"But…alright, just call me if you need anything.
"Sure."
Opening my room door. I sat on my bed and checked my bracelet.
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[ Contacts ]:
Zephyr : +99 unread messages
Aria: xxxxx
Deleted user : xxxxx
Deleted user : xxxxx
Braham The Therapist : xxxxx
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'Pfft, I feel bad for Zephyr.'
Then I noticed how my Mom's and Grandma's numbers got deleted.
'I miss them already.'
I started checking my notifications.
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[You have inherited 200,235,190 contribution points and half ownership of house number XXXXXXXX . ]
[You have full access to the internet now!]
[Congratulations for forming your aura core! please check your inbox to see the awakening technique.]
[The full details about the last incident will be sent to you when you become 18. Please stay patient ! ]
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I checked my inbox and found 200,000 contribution points and the awakening technique.
The technique was explaining how to link thousands of paths in my body to the aura core. It was simple but time consuming .
I sat down in a lotus position—because why not—and started looking for the paths inside me .
The unawakened aura core only gives something like a simple mind's eye; it allows you to 'see' every part of your body and slightly affect them .
For 5 minutes, I kept trying to connect the closest path to the core, but I kept failing.
'Haah, it will take much time.'
* * * * *
[ Aria pov ]
'What should I do? What should I do!'
I was sitting in the living room while looking at the messages that the therapist sent to me yesterday.
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Ibraham: I know that you are having a tough time right now, but you are Raylin's older sister, and there is no one else I can talk with about his condition.
Ibraham: You should have noticed this, but Raylin was leaking a bloodlust aura. You may think that's normal after your loss, but no, his aura was something no 11-year-old child should have .
Ibraham: I asked him some questions and knew that he was living a normal life with you, and despite this, his aura was saying that he is ready to kill someone without trouble. It was like he had already killed many people before.
Ibraham: In all my years as a therapist, it was my first time seeing someone like him; fortunately, his condition is much better now. You can come and take him tomorrow, but I ask you to keep watching him and tell me if he starts acting strangely.
Ibraham: Again, I'm sorry for asking this from you. You are only 14, but you already have responsibility, only you can keep watching him, and thank you .
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I didn't care much about these messages at the start, but when I saw Ray's smile when we entered the house…
'Should I tell the doctor? But maybe he just remembered something funny. Maybe I'm just worried for nothing. '
'I don't know anything; I'm not good at this!'
I wondered what my mom would do if she was in my place .
I still didn't give him the necklace that Mom and Dad made. Would giving it to him now be a good decision or will it make his condition worse?
*knock ..... Knock knock !*
While I was lost in my thoughts , I heard gentle knocks on the door .
I moved to the door and opened it. I found Zephyr standing there. He was holding 2 pink flower bouquets with a fragile smile on his face .
"I-I heard about the news. Sorry for your l–loss." He handed me one of his bouquets.
"Oh, thank you."
"Um, is Ray okay now? He didn't see my messages for some reason." Zephyr asked , his tone filled with concern .
I always looked at Zephyr as a parasite that was stealing my dear brother from me—but maybe he wasn't that bad in the end. Maybe I misjudged him.
Well, if we ignored the pink flowers.
I decided to show Zephyr Dr. Ibraham's messages. If he was going to meet Raylin, then he should know his condition at least.
"Hah? What is...." He started reading, and after a moment his eyes widened. "Bloodlust? Cool !!"
He immediately rushed to Ray's room without saying anything else.
"...."
'I will never understand boys… Maybe I should really practice my control for some time, it's been two weeks now.'
I went to the training area and decided to give Ray his necklace the next day. Hoping that he would be alright by then.