Aaron glanced at David, sizing him up. With his solid frame, full beard, and composed demeanor, he looked every bit a man in his mid-twenties.
"Okay, uncle," Aaron remarked casually.
David nearly choked on air. "Uncle?!" His voice sharpened in protest. "Aaron, do you even know my real age? I'm only sixteen!"
Auriel, watching from the side, suppressed a chuckle, her lips curling in amusement.
Aaron blinked, stunned. "No way! You're joking, right?" He stared harder, as if David's face might suddenly morph into something younger. "With that full-grown beard and mustache, anyone would take you for an uncle!"
Auriel's laughter finally slipped free, while David groaned, running a hand over his jaw. "Great. Guess I've been cursed with premature wisdom."
An hour later...
Aaron stepped out of the bathing house, the cool water lingering on his skin as he reached for a fresh robe only to find it draped far too loosely over his frame. With no better option, he exchanged it for a Uchiha Sasuke-style shirt, pants and shoes spending 10 points on the dark, fitted attire.
Once dressed, he turned toward the mirror.
White hair, slightly damp, clung to his forehead before settling in soft strands around his sharp features. His black eyes, deep and unreadable, studied the unfamiliar reflection staring back at him. His pale skin contrasted starkly against the dark outfit, making his lean, wiry frame appear even more pronounced.
Sixteen years old. A stranger in his own skin.
Aaron gazed at the mirror, momentarily dazed, as if searching for something lost something that no longer fit just like the robe before it.
"Yes, I am Aaron of this world now."
As he spoke, his eyes hardened, resolve settling deep within them. In that moment, he was no longer just a stranger staring into the mirror he had accepted his new identity, stepping forward with unwavering determination.
After saying so he took a deep breath and then took a look at the stats.
AARON ( LVL. 7) (10/700)
CHAKRA- 21,000+400/21,000+400
CHAKRA RECOVERY- 20 UNITS PER SEC
BLOODLINE- NONE
TAILED BEAST- ONE-TAILED
ELEMENT- EARTH, WIND, SAND
NINJUSTU- TRANSFORMATION, CLONING, SUBSTITUTE, DEMON WIND SHURIKEN, CHAKRA REFINING, SAND VEIL TECHNIQUE, EARTH SPIKE TECHNIQUE, GALE FANG CLEAVE.
WEAPON- KUNAI*10
POINT - 2230
After reviewing his stats, satisfaction flickered across Aaron's face. His progress was evident, each number confirming his steady growth.
Despite having over 2000 points at his disposal, he knew better than to spend recklessly. These were a lifeline, reserved for emergencies when survival demanded swift, decisive action. For now, he would hold onto them, ensuring he was prepared for whatever came next.
Moreover, he aimed to save his points and acquire the Uchiha bloodline as quickly as possible. Among the available options, it was the cheapest yet most cost-effective, offering the potential to evolve and grow stronger with time.
As Aaron stepped out of the bathhouse, curious glances followed him, lingering just a moment too long. His unusual appearance, contrasted against the standard attire of those around him, made him an object of quiet speculation.
David smirked, his tone laced with amusement as he turned to Auriel. "Miss, with the cloak I gave him, Aaron must look quite the spectacle, right?"
Auriel remained still beneath her veil, her expression unreadable. Her mind was elsewhere, calculating the next steps, considering the unfolding possibilities.
As Aaron stepped in front of the carriage, preparing to climb aboard, David's voice rang out sharply.
"Hey! Who are you?"
Aaron paused, turning toward him with an amused glint in his black eyes. His lips curled into a smirk.
"Uncle, is your memory really that bad?" he quipped, sarcasm lacing his tone.
David blinked, his expression flickering between confusion and realization before settling into mild irritation. "What the Aaron?! What happened to your face?"
Even Auriel couldn't hide her surprise upon seeing Aaron. His new attire, crisp and well-fitted, gave him an unfamiliar presence, but it was his white hair and deep black eyes that truly held her attention.
The contrast was striking his pale features set against the dark fabric, creating an almost ethereal quality that lingered in her mind. For a moment, she found herself drawn to the intensity in his gaze, something unspoken yet undeniable.
"He looks different… almost like someone stepping into a new existence". The thought came unbidden, catching her off guard. There was something about his transformation not just in appearance, but in the way he carried himself that made her wonder if he had truly accepted the path ahead.
She quickly pushed aside the thought, refocusing on the task at hand, yet the impression remained subtle, yet impossible to ignore.
David, momentarily stunned, blinked before giving a nod. "Well, climb up!"
Aaron stepped onto the carriage, settling into his seat across from Auriel.
For a brief moment, his black eyes lingered on her, studying the quiet mystery concealed beneath her veil. There was something about her presence calm, unreadable, yet subtly magnetic.
Then, just as quickly, he looked away, masking his fleeting curiosity with a composed expression.
Auriel, ever observant, caught the hesitation, but she said nothing. Instead, she let the silence settle between them, undisturbed yet charged with an unspoken tension.
David turned to Auriel, his voice steady. "Miss, where should we go next?"
Auriel remained silent for a moment, her gaze unfocused as if weighing possibilities. Then, her tone cooled.
"Blueish City."
The words settled heavily in the air, carrying an unspoken weight.
David nodded, flicking the reins as the carriage rolled forward, the road stretching toward their destination.
As the carriage rolled forward, Aaron finally spoke, breaking the quiet rhythm of the journey.
"Auriel, are you from a noble family?" His gaze lingered on her veiled face before shifting slightly. "And why does David always call you 'Miss'?"
He wasn't just asking out of curiosity he needed to understand them, to integrate into the team, to grasp the dynamic between the two.
Auriel remained silent for a moment, as if weighing the question. The veil concealed her expression, but there was a subtle shift in her posture.
David, flicking the reins, smirked slightly. "Aaron, you sure don't hold back with the questions, huh?"
Auriel shifted slightly, her voice steady but without embellishment. "Yes, I come from a noble family."
She paused for a moment, as if deciding how much to reveal. "David calls me 'Miss' out of respect. It's not just about status it's about how we operate. Titles hold meaning, and sometimes they serve as a reminder of expectations."
David glanced at Aaron with a smirk. "Translation she's important, and I'd rather not test my luck by calling her anything less."
Auriel didn't respond to his remark, her gaze focused ahead.