Afternoon loomed over Roswaal Mansion, casting long shadows across the large windows. The air felt heavier, thick with an anticipation that chilled Subaru's blood. The "private conversation" with Roswaal wasn't an invitation, it was a summons.
After a light lunch in which he barely ate a bite, Subaru headed to Roswaal's study. The door, made of dark oak and adorned with intricate carvings, opened with a soft creak, revealing a room that was both library and laboratory, filled with ancient tomes, strange artifacts, and Roswaal's unmistakable scent of pollen.
Roswaal sat behind a massive desk, regarding him with his usual clownish grin and mismatched eyes. Rem and Ram were not present. It was just him and the archmage.
"Ah, young Subaru. Please take a seat," Roswaal gestured to a chair in front of the desk. His voice was mellifluous, but there was a barely perceptible edge to it.
Subaru sat, trying to remain calm, even though his heart was pounding in his chest.
"I'm glad you're recovering well. Rem has been very vocal about your 'exploits' in the village," Roswaal began, leaning back in his chair. "It's truly remarkable. A mere outsider, with no combat experience, suddenly possessing 'intuition' keen enough to detect a witch cult and its dark arts. Very... unusual."
Roswaal's gaze bored into Subaru. He could feel the pressure. It was like being interrogated, but with a circus performer as the prosecutor.
"Lord Roswaal, as I told you, near-death experience and your training have sharpened my senses," Subaru repeated, trying to sound as credible as possible. "When you see death so close, one tends to become more... aware of the dangers."
""True, true. Death is a formidable teacher," Roswaal nodded slowly, but his smile didn't change. "However, your ability to discern the 'threads' of a curse, and then even to confront and destroy its source... that goes beyond mere 'awareness'. It's almost as if... you know exactly what to look for. Or am I mistaken?"
Subaru felt overwhelmed; lying outright could backfire. He had to be vague enough to avoid revealing the system, but convincing enough to satisfy Roswaal's curiosity without raising further suspicions.
"When I arrived, the Vision pricked me in the village; it was different from the last time. I felt it... spread, like an illness. And my training with you taught me to search for the 'source,' the 'root,' of that dark energy. It guided me to the altar and the bone object," Subaru explained, mixing his actual skill with a plausible justification. It was a very strong hunch.
Roswaal leaned forward, his eyes flashing. "A hunch. I see. And a hunch that led you to defeat the cultists and destroy the object. A very lucky hunch, I'd say."
The word "lucky" made something click in Subaru's mind. Luck. His lowest attribute.
"Indeed, Lord Roswaal," Subaru continued, taking a chance. "I think that 'luck' is what's helped me survive so far. I've always been a lucky guy, even when things get bad. It's as if fate is guiding me."
Roswaal laughed, a shrill sound. "Luck! Ah, young Subaru, fate is a capricious force. But I admit that your 'luck' has been... exceptionally well-timed. Very well, Subaru-kun. I believe you, for now. Your 'intuition' and 'luck' have served you well. And your determination to strengthen yourself is admirable."
[Charisma Obstacle Overcome: Deflecting Investigation with Persuasion.]
[Reward: 30 EXP.]
[Natsuki Subaru has leveled up!]
[Level: 6 -> 7]
[You have received 5 Attribute Points (AP) to distribute.]
Subaru felt a surge of energy. Another level! And the reward for deceiving Roswaal had been enormous. It was the perfect opportunity.
"With your permission, Lord Roswaal," Subaru said, feeling a knot in his stomach, but determined. "If my 'luck' is so important, perhaps I should... cultivate it. If fate is guiding me, I'd like to be in tune with it."
Roswaal raised an eyebrow. "Oh. And how do you plan to 'cultivate' something as... abstract as luck, young Subaru?"
Subaru took a deep breath. "If there's a way to improve my 'luck,' Lord Roswaal, I believe it could be invaluable to the mansion and to you. I could sense the luckiest 'paths,' the lowest-risk decisions."
Roswaal stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to read his soul. The tension in the room was palpable. Subaru held his gaze, his mind clamoring for the increase of that pathetic Luck attribute.
Finally, Roswaal laughed again. "Hahaha! How bold! Very well, young Subaru. If you think you can 'Increase' luck, I won't be the one to stop you. In fact, I'd be intrigued to see the results. Consider this part of your training with me. Though, how will you do it?"
"I'll have to focus on it," Subaru said, thinking of Attribute Points. "And follow my intuition. Thank you, Lord Roswaal."
With Roswaal's tacit blessing, Subaru discreetly summoned his Status Window. He had 5 Attribute Points and 23 SP.
* Luck: 1 -> 6 (5 AP)
[Available Attribute Points: 0]
Subaru felt a chill run through his body. It was a strange feeling, as if a veil had been lifted, or as if the world suddenly seemed a little more... friendly. It was a massive leap in a single attribute, a risky gamble, but if Luck worked like it does in games, it could open unexpected doors.
Roswaal stood up, his smile widening. "Very well, Subaru-kun. You've provided me with unexpected entertainment. Continue your training. We'll see you tomorrow. And perhaps, by then, your 'luck' will have revealed something more interesting."
Subaru bowed and left, feeling the weight of Roswaal's gaze on his back until the door closed behind him. He had managed to deflect suspicion for now, and more importantly, he had raised a crucial attribute.
The true test of his new Luck remained to be seen. Subaru had managed to improve his Luck and dodge Roswaal's direct questions.