Chương 124: Calm before the storm

After Gwen left, I received a message from Aera. It seems that they are ready. I replied that I will be back soon. But I didn't teleport to the house. I just got up and started walking.

I can't put my finger around it but I have a weird feeling. Ever since talking to Gwen, this hazy and weird feeling has been building up in my mind.

I really want to cuss my heart out. I want to cuss so bad that I am kinda losing my mind. As I walk through the street, I notice that people are looking at me. I don't know why.

And when I got home, I opened the door. I walked in and saw everyone. At first they were just staring at me but soon the mood changed.

"I am back…why are you all looking at me like that?"

I am puzzled. What's happening?

"Honey, you might want to put her down." (Aura)

"Put who down? From where?"

I look to my side to find a pair of legs hanging down. And I try to touch whoever it is on my shoulders.

"Since when were you up there?"

"When you started walking, I guess. You really didn't notice me?" (Samantha)

It was none other than Samantha who is also known as System. Don't know her real name.

She has been sitting on my shoulders for that long and I hadn't noticed her. Where in the hell was I?

"Clive, you need to stop using your <Spirit>. It's taking a toll on you." (Samantha)

"Fine but get off first."

She jumps down from my shoulders. As usual, she looks beautiful. But that inhuman beauty is frightening and awe inspiring at the same time.

"So how about we talk after breakfast?"

"Then I will be intruding. I'll be on Amaryllis." (Samantha)

She said and vanished from sight. Hazel, Aura, Eden and mom didn't say anything. Fiona came from the kitchen.

"I thought someone else was here as well." (Fiona)

"Yeah, Samantha was here but she left. Don't worry."

"Who's Samantha? But why did she leave? She could have joined us for breakfast." (Fiona)

"Mom, you don't want to meet Samantha. You might faint." (Fay)

Out of nowhere, Fay appeared. Are my senses getting dull? I couldn't sense her just now.

"Well, let's have breakfast then."

I hurry everyone. Dad was using the washroom so he joined us as soon as he cleaned up. The breakfast was delicious as always. I see mom and Fiona have hit it off.

Because I can taste both of their cooking. Hmm, it might be interesting to see how their friendship goes. Anyway, after breakfast, Fiona left as usual. I wonder, when does her work start? Mom and dad left too. They said that they will be back again in some time.

I'll be waiting for them. So, only we are left. Sitting on the sofa, I think. Hazel is sitting beside me. Aura has Eden on her lap. Fay is sitting on the single sofa.

But something feels very wrong. I can't put finger around it.

Suddenly Samantha appeared. And she took my lap. No one reacted. Everyone has gotten used to it.

"Clive, I know that you aren't feeling so well." (Samantha)

"Master, are you feeling ill again?" (Hazel)

"No. I am physically fine but there's a discomfort that I can't pinpoint."

"It's because you came into contact with another harbinger." (Samantha)

Another harbinger? When did I meet one? I had forgotten about my harbinger title. That was not so long ago. Nonetheless I forgot.

"Papa, what is a harbinger?" (Eden)

The ever curious Eden asked the obvious question. Even I don't know the truth.

"Even I don't know. But apparently I am one of the harbingers. How many are there? I don't know. What do we do? I don't know. You have to ask your auntie Samantha for this?"

Eden looks at Samantha. But she is pinching my leg.

"Clive, I have told you that we are the same age, didn't I?" (Samantha)

"But what will my daughter call you? Sister is kinda pushing it. Auntie will have to do for now."

I shrug it off. But she is still pinching. I tell her to start explaining. Because she didn't give me much explanation either.

"But first, stop using <Spirit> at once." (Samantha)

She is acting weird. Why? I guess I have no choice. I cancel my body strengthening. That was the only thing I was using at the moment. I had already sealed away most of my <Spirit>. The rest which I had, I turned into mana.

But my body does accumulate naturally. So I had to keep using it so my body has almost always no <Spirit> at all.

"Then, bring your dependents out of your singularity. I will seal off the singularity for now." (Samantha)

"What is happening? Can you explain? This is kinda too rushed."

"I will in due time. Now do what I say." (Samantha)

Her being so forceful is a first. I don't even know what's going on. So I just did what she told me. After bringing everyone out, she touched my singularity's opening and it disappeared.

I can no longer access it. Then she stood up and put her hand on my chest. Why do I suddenly feel so weak?

"Samantha, what are you doing?"

"I am emptying your mana and sealing your circulation. You would be unable to use mana for some time." (Samantha)

And I almost fainted. I feel empty. Like my body has lost a lot of weight. My mind is feeling better but it feels like I am seeing things too slow.

I am swaying back and forth. Hazel is asking me something but I can't hear it. It's too slow for me to notice. What's happening?

I see Samantha's hand approaching. I can't move my hand. She touched my head and I was knocked unconscious. What happened to me? That was the only thing I could think before completely blacking out.