50 Test 2 (2/2)

Yet, now, an expression of fear had crossed his face when he mentioned that forest, and he had also slapped his forehead when he began speaking.

As the man began speaking again, Aaron perked up his ears to listen.

”Information about Lifeblood Teras is not present in any of the typical orientations because it is not needed for typical new Ascenders. For Survivors, though…it's kind of how they, well, 'survived'. A Lifeblood Tera is any Tera that forms an even deeper bond with the Tera Master than what is made possible by the Core. Many factors are involved in the making of this bond, and even after so long, all aspects of it have not been explored. In some cases, the potential of the Tera goes up, and in some cases, the Tera Master even gains potential in other Paths. In some cases, both grow stronger, too. There is one negative also, though: if a Lifeblood Tera dies, the Tera Master will be severely injured, and in some cases, it can even lead to death. However, it is widely accepted that this risk is worth it, as all the benefits, and the fulfillment that comes from one cannot be put into words.”

Aaron's eyes had widened as he heard all these fantastical things. So, when the man paused, impatience even appeared on his face, but it faded away as the man continued after checking to see whether the City Lord was still occupied with whatever he was doing.

”At the end of the day, the conclusion made by the World Government after serious research is that it is the connection during life-and-death situations that is formed with the Tera that causes this bond to be born. It is almost always already present in Survivors, as they have already been through many such situations. In such cases, a Tera Master does not even need to form a conventional 'bond' with a Tera. Wait…if you are a Survivor, you would already have tried binding your Tera, and realized that it was not like it was written in the Orientation…are you not who you claim to be? Is that not your Lifeblood Tera? Have you not formed the Lifeblood Bond that makes all these things happen?!”

The last sentence was uttered with growing anger, but it was ignored by Aaron who had turned to look at Woof.

He had been right all along!

Ever since finding out about the Bond, and the unbalanced Binding process where the Tera would be the one taking all the risk, it had felt…wrong to have to subject Woof to it.

This was his friend whom he owed everything to.

Without hesitation, he knew that he would be ready to die if it meant that that could save its life.

So, having to ask and make such a friend undergo such a process, even though there were benefits, had just felt so…revolting.

Did he care that he would be injured or might even die if something happened to Woof?

Of course not, because that just might happen anyway, even if the Bond didn't exist.

Without any further ado, and with full confidence that this was how it was supposed to be, Aaron bent and laid his hand on Woof's soft fur.

”Owooo?”

As Woof asked Aaron just what the f*ck did he think he was doing in such a situation that was so dangerous, it suddenly felt something…calling to him.

That call was familiar, yet new. It had the feel of this man who was its family, but it was also something unique that it had never felt before.

”Awoo?”

For a moment, even it was carried away from the scene, and it asked Aaron what it should do.

”If you trust me, accept,” he sent, using a bevy of emotions and images that depicted all the times they had walked into dangerous situations even though one of them didn't want to as they trusted the other.

”Row!”

With a sound that said that he was asking silly questions to which the answers were obvious, Woof accepted, and instantly vanished with a flash of bright light.

”He-he just did it. Master spoke about it…he said it is one of the most beautiful moments that between a Tera and a Tera Master that one can witness in this world. The forming of a Lifeblood Bond. H-he was right. Hey, who's cutting onions around here?”

A rush of feelings and sensations assaulted Aaron, but he had no time to analyze them.

The reason behind this wasn't the statement filled with emotions spoken by the Official, who was even looking up at the sky as if he wanted to convince himself that his eyes were watering because of looking into the sun.

No, it was because of a different statement spoken in a cold voice, coming from the direction of the palanquin.

”Right, everything is ready. Now, then, Mr. Survivor, please come over here, so that we can replay the scene. I've changed his memories so that he thinks that you two have been captured by me, and that I'm offering him the position of an heir to a City Lord if he does one simple thing: killing you, and taking your Tera. His parents will live lives of opulence and luxury, and his siblings, if any are born, will have the lives of those privileged brats he was always jealous of. If he doesn't do it, though…they will die. Oh, don't look like that. It'll all be fake, but for him, it will be real. I…just want to see the look in his eyes when he makes the right decision, again, just so that I can be sure.”