Chapter 364: Absorb! (1/2)

After pondering about it for a while, Aiden had decided to just go with his gut feeling, and not care about revealing some of his secrets to royal siblings anymore. After all, he was sure that Drake was already questioning if he was really a human or maybe something else, something more.

Also, Enya's words have convinced him that it would be truly beneficial for him. He would be able to see the sibling's true characters and also finally learn more about himself and understand his origins better.

So, coming to a decision, he grabbed the heart, and with a sudden, swift move, he gulped it down.

Almost instantly, as it entered Aiden's body, the heart dissolved, releasing a huge surge of energy into his body. His body involuntarily jerked under the sudden inner explosion, the luster in his eyes flared up for a brief moment before it returned to its calm state.

The physical fatigue, the weariness that overwhelmed him just a moment ago, vanished in an instant, leaving only his mental tiredness behind. Even that seemed to be less obstructing than before. The revitalization of the absorption was truly wondrous, even now, without the aid and guidance of the system.

The energy rapidly seeped into his stream, merging together with his own pool of [Soul Power]. Although he could feel that there was a difference in quality, almost familiar in nature, he could also feel that a silent and smooth transformation was starting. Slowly but steadily the sahuagin champions inner power was being transformed.

As he felt that the transformation was steady and passively going without requiring his constant focus, Aiden couldn't help but ponder.

'Isn't this energy from that creature is mana? Shouldn't that be violent and explosive? Why is it so stable then? What is different?'

Unfortunately, even though he was prepared for it this time, he felt no memories invading his subconscious. Unlike before, swelling this creature's heart did not give him any memories of this beast.

What did that mean? Did this mean that the absorbed life essence from the beast was too little to create the new form? Or perhaps, it just meant that the creature wasn't 'intelligent enough' for his experiences to be transferred over? Aiden was wondering about this mystery as he sat down on his knees in a 'seiza' pose.

His hands were resting over his tighs, he was deep in thought calmly observing, focusing on his inner self, making sure that the conversion of energy was running smooth. After all, he was fairly certain that what his body was converting was the same mana that proved its incredibly violent, explosive tendencies! Even if he wasn't sure what he would be doing in case something went wrong he wanted to at least monitor the situation.

”What the hell are you doing, Aiden? Why did you… What did you do with that… that thing?!” Suddenly, shattering the ensuing silence that Aiden's shocking action caused, Drake exclaimed from behind. Following his cry, Scarlet's coughing fit could be heard, her abrupt battle against withholding the barf that threatened her with its escape.

”Don't bother my brother. He needs to focus. He is concentrating.” Answering their question, Lily spoke with a strangely cheerful tone. Strangely there was no trace of her sorrow from a moment ago, she was smiling, sitting amidst the sea of mutilated corpses, playing with the two dogs that were even larger than her situated self.

”What do you mean? What is he doing now?” Drake asked with confusion. Seeing how the little girl was playing with the two dogs as if what had happened a moment ago was merely a dream. An illusion of the mind, she was playing and chuckling.

Regaining some of her lost composure, Scarlet stepped closer to the blonde girl, sitting down on the ground in front of her. With a gentle, kind smile, she reached out patting the back of Sam.

”How nice…” She mumbled as she felt the soft, short fur of the dog whisk between her fingers under her warm caress.

”Right? Try Biggy as well!” Giggling, Lily offered, still seemingly lost in her own little world.

”Lily… Can you explain what you meant before?” Walking to them, Drake crouched down and asked the girl, repeating his question with a wry, question-filled look on his face.

Finally getting confirmation to his questions related to Aiden and confirming that he was definitely not a human, he really wished to learn more about him. However, despite his look, he had no ill intent, he really just wanted to learn more about this friend of his.

”Lily, my brother has no bad intentions… He… No… We just really want to learn more about your brother.” Scarlet added, worried that Lily would misinterpret their concern and think they were afraid of him.

However, their worry was unfounded. Lily was keenly aware of their true feelings behind their questions. Trained by the master and living with her brother for all the years she had, her senses were honed, much sharper than average.

Without looking away from her canine companions, she smiled and answering their question.

”He is… taking the power of that big monster and making it his. He is growing stronger.”