"Where is Leo?" I heard, and I felt my mind go numb.
Is that who I think it is?
[Yes. It definitely is. I made pretty damn sure to speed up the process and insert some juicy memories, and I also helped infuse some effect of my dear lover into Flora’s desire last time. I guess my job here is done. OH, HOW MUCH I AM GOING TO ENJOY THIS! HEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!]
Aren’t you supposed to be my guide?! Aren’t you supposed to be my companion?!
[Shut the fuck up! You know damn well I want you dead!]
I hate you! I will fucking kill you one day!
I can’t believe it. Maria is actually outside! She is freaking outside there!
Tch!
What will happen if she finds me here?!
... this might actually be to my advantage in a way!
"Why? Do I look like someone who would know?" Lyra asked with a laid-back attitude, but I could see her clenching the dagger more firmly. She only opened the door enough for Maria to see her face; other than that, Maria probably couldn’t see anything.
"Don’t play me for a fool. I know he’s here," she said, and I could feel the mana in the air shifting.
Oh! That’s right! How could I even forget?
’Hey, you bastard! Give me my reward! I passed the quest, didn’t I?’ I asked after recalling the rewards I rightfully earned.
[Tch]
[Mission in progress...
Death looms around the corner.
Objective: Survive until tomorrow [00:00:00:00].
Reward: A skill (Shadow Clone)
Failure: Death.
Respawn: 5/5]
[Mission Complete]
[Reward granted]
[New skill: Shadow Clone]
[Shadow Clone.
Description: This ability enables the user to be able to create a replica of themselves that holds one-third of the user’s original strength. The user can also optionally choose to take over the manifested shadow clone, link emotions, send telepathic commands, and more.
Usage: For every clone created, the user expends 1 mana per second the clone remains in existence. This doubles if the user manifests another shadow clone. Therefore, the rate of mana consumption is proportional to the number of clones summoned.
Rate: At the current level, the user can summon up to two shadow clones.
Current status: 0/2
Note: When the user is linked to the clone, any damage sustained by the clone will be transferred to the user mentally.]
Wow. What a broken ability.
Alright, how do I summon a clone?
[... You just have to imagine it, just like you do when using the shadow manipulation skill.]
"Haah," I heaved deeply, then began circulating my mana from my mana pool. Slowly but surely, I felt it; it was as though I had always known the skill—it was just there in my head.
"Haah," I sighed, and my mana dropped.
I opened my eyes, and there, gazing at me while standing, was probably what others would call my identical twin.
Huh? I thought it would be made of shadow... Oh well, this actually works even better.
"Untie me," I whispered, and the clone got to work, releasing the chains that bound me, returning my freedom back to me.
"Just let me check... I want to make sure you’re not forcefully detaining him here," said Maria as she tried to get in, but Lyra remained unmoving, her gaze cold as she stood there like a rock.
"Need I remind you? The exams are over, so what business, if I may ask, do you still have with him?" Lyra asked, her tone filled with an irritation she found difficult to conceal.
"None of your business," Maria replied.
I couldn’t tell what was really going on there, but from their tone, I could tell they were about to fight.
Hm. With these girls fighting over me, I kind of feel like a protagonist.
... Well, that would have been the case if I were really one and had the protagonist halo and countless plot armor that would make them all calm and docile in front of me.
But no... I am not. I can literally die if I suddenly start acting lovey-dovey with one of them, as the other would probably make it her life’s duty to kill me.
"Done," said the clone with an indifferent expression.
Hm.
"Status," I said.
[User Stats
Name: Leo.
Age: 18.
Class: Lunar, Year 8.
Affinity: Shadow.
Skills:
Shadow manipulation: This gives you the ability to manipulate shadows to your very desires.
Details: There is no specific usage for this ability; it solely depends on the user.
Mana Usage: Dependent on level of manipulation done.
Reset Timer: None.Shadow clone: This ability enables the user to be able to create a replica of themselves that holds one-third of the user’s original strength. The user can also optionally choose to take over the manifested shadow clone, link emotions, send telepathic commands, and more.
Usage: For every clone created, the user expends 1 mana per second the clone remains in existence. This doubles if the user manifests another shadow clone. Therefore, the rate of mana consumption is proportional to the number of clones summoned.
Rate: At the current level, the user can summon up to two shadow clones.
Current status: 1/2
Note: When the user is linked to the clone, any damage sustained by the clone will be transferred to the user mentally.
Proficiency: 67%.
Strength: 27.
Endurance: 35.
Agility: 30.
Intelligence: 33.
Mana: 164/200.
Charm(AFP): 10 (divine being).
Available Points:
SP: 81.
AFP: -12043 (negative)
+30200 (Positive) [Error].]
"Huh?" What the heck is up with my stats? My charm actually kept increasing even when I didn’t do anything.
OH! I see now. YOU FUCKING USELESS SYSTEM! WHO SENT YOU TO INCREASE THE CHARM STAT?!
[... Whatever do you mean?]
Damn it! What sort of a thing is this?! The bastard even has permission to do whatever he likes?!
I feel like this whole world was just created to frustrate me!
[...]
Tch. Now, with a divine look, how will I not keep attracting the attention of these psychos?!
’Haah. I wish I could go back to being an average Joe... at this point, being too good-looking will actually be the death of me!’
I got out of bed, then began contemplating my next move.
’I can’t straight up rush out the door, as Maria will probably kill me if she sees me this way,’ I thought, gazing at my undressed top.
Sighs
Let’s hope this works.
I thought, then looked toward my clone with a bit of pity. Seeing this, he actually took a step back.
Well, a sacrifice for the greater good.